bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innervation Territories of Mechano-Insensitive C Nociceptors in Human Skin
Authors: Schmidt R. , Schmelz M. , Weidner C. , Handwerker H. O. , Torebjörk H. E.
Published: December 2017

Microneurographic recordings were obtained in the peroneal nerve from 20 mechano-insensitive units (CMi) and six mechano-heat responsive C units (CMH) in healthy human subjects. Their innervation territories in the skin of the leg or foot were assessed by transcutaneous electrical stimulation with a pointed probe at intensities of 10 to 100 mA (0.2 ms) and, when applicable, by mechanical von Frey hair stimulation. Electro-receptive fields (eRFs) of CMH units had a median area of 1.95 cm2when mapped with 10 mA that coincided approximately with mechano-receptive fields (mRFs) as mapped with a 750-mN von Frey hair. Fifty-milliampere stimuli increased the eRFs to 3.08 cm2in a concentric manner. This was probably due to current spread since these units are known to have low electrical thresholds. Further increase of the stimulus strength to 70 or 100 mA increased the eRFs only marginally. Mechano-insensitive units had much smaller eRFs (median: 0.35 cm2) than CMH units when mapped with the same pointed probe at 10 mA ( n = 13). The receptive territories consisted of one distinct spot or of several spots separated by distances of more than 1 cm. However, when mapping stimuli of 50 mA were applied, eRFs became continuous and grew to a median area of 5.34 cm2, i.e., larger than those of CMHs. The borders of eRFs of CMi units were significantly more irregular compared with CMH units. A further increase of the stimulus intensity to a maximum of 100 mA only marginally enlarged the eRFs. The CMi units could be activated by heat or chemical substances applied inside the 50-mA eRF, indicating that receptive nerve endings were mapped. Responsiveness to these stimuli was inhomogeneous within the eRFs. It was concluded that innervation territories of CMi units in human skin exceed those of CMH units in size by a factor of approximately 3. The widely branched terminals underlying the large fields are consistent with a role of this nociceptor class in axon reflex flare and preclude a role in exact spatial discrimination of noxious stimuli.
Changes in the Activity of a CPG Neuron After the Reinforcement of an Operantly Conditioned Behavior inLymnaea
Authors: Spencer Gaynor E. , Kazmi Mustapha H. , Syed Naweed I. , Lukowiak Ken
Published: December 2017

We have previously shown that the aerial respiratory behavior of the mollusk Lymnaea stagnalis can be operantly conditioned, and the central pattern generating (CPG) neurons underlying this behavior have been identified. As neural correlates of operant conditioning remain poorly defined in both vertebrates and invertebrates, we have used the Lymnaea respiratory CPG to investigate neuronal changes associated with the change in behavior after conditioning. After operant conditioning of the intact animals, semi-intact preparations were dissected, so that changes in the respiratory behavior (pneumostome openings) and underlying activity of the identified CPG neuron, right pedal dorsal 1 (RPeD1), could be monitored simultaneously. RPeD1 was studied because it initiates the rhythmic activity of the CPG and receives chemo-sensory input from the pneumostome area. Pneumostome openings and RPeD1 activity were monitored both before and after a reinforcing training stimulus applied to the open pneumostome of operantly conditioned and yoked control preparations. After presentation of the reinforcing stimulus, there was a significant reduction in both breathing behavior and RPeD1 activity in operant preparations but not in yoked and naı̈ve controls. Furthermore these changes were only significant in the subgroup of operantly conditioned animals described as good learners and not in poor learners. These data strongly suggest that changes in RPeD1 activity may underlie the behavioral changes associated with the reinforcement of operant conditioning of the respiratory behavior.
Neck Muscle Responses to Stimulation of Monkey Superior Colliculus. I. Topography and Manipulation of Stimulation Parameters
Authors: Corneil Brian D. , Olivier Etienne , Munoz Douglas P.
Published: December 2017

The role of the primate superior colliculus (SC) in orienting head movements was studied by recording electromyographic (EMG) activity from multiple neck muscles following electrical stimulation of the SC. Combining SC stimulation with neck EMG recordings provides an objective and sensitive measure of the SC drive onto neck muscle motoneurons, particularly in relation to evoked gaze shifts. In this paper, we address how neck EMG responses to SC stimulation in head-restrained monkeys depend on the rostrocaudal, mediolateral, and dorsoventral location of the stimulating electrode within the SC and vary with manipulations of the eye position prior to stimulation onset and changes in stimulation current and duration. Stimulation predominantly evoked EMG responses on the muscles obliquus capitis inferior, rectus capitis posterior major, and splenius capitis. These responses became larger in magnitude and shorter in onset latency for progressively more caudal stimulation locations, consistent with turning the head. However, evoked responses persisted even for more rostral stimulation locations usually not associated with head movements. Manipulating initial eye position revealed that the magnitude of evoked responses became stronger as the eyes attained positions contralateral to the side of stimulation, consistent with a summation between a generic command evoked by SC stimulation and the influence of eye position on tonic neck EMG. Manipulating stimulation current and duration revealed that the relationship between gaze shifts and evoked EMG responses is not obligatory: short-duration (<20 ms) or low-current stimulation evoked neck EMG responses in the absence of gaze shifts. However, long-duration stimulation (>150 ms) occasionally revealed a transient neck EMG response aligned on the onset of sequential gaze shifts. We conclude that the SC drive to neck muscle motoneurons is far more widespread than traditionally supposed and is relayed through intervening elements which may or may not be activated in association with gaze shifts.
Neck Muscle Responses to Stimulation of Monkey Superior Colliculus. II. Gaze Shift Initiation and Volitional Head Movements
Authors: Corneil Brian D. , Olivier Etienne , Munoz Douglas P.
Published: December 2017

We report neck muscle activity and head movements evoked by electrical stimulation of the superior colliculus (SC) in head-unrestrained monkeys. Recording neck electromyography (EMG) circumvents complications arising from the head's inertia and the kinetics of muscle force generation and allows precise assessment of the neuromuscular drive to the head plant. This study served two main purposes. First, we sought to test the predictions made in the companion paper of a parallel drive from the SC onto neck muscles. Low-current, long-duration stimulation evoked both neck EMG responses and head movements either without or prior to gaze shifts, testifying to a SC drive to neck muscles that is independent of gaze-shift initiation. However, gaze-shift initiation was linked to a transient additional EMG response and head acceleration, confirming the presence of a SC drive to neck muscles that is dependent on gaze-shift initiation. We forward a conceptual neural architecture and suggest that this parallel drive provides the oculomotor system with the flexibility to orient the eyes and head independently or together, depending on the behavioral context. Second, we compared the EMG responses evoked by SC stimulation to those that accompanied volitional head movements. We found characteristic features in the underlying pattern of evoked neck EMG that were not observed during volitional head movements in spite of the seemingly natural kinematics of evoked head movements. These features included reciprocal patterning of EMG activity on the agonist and antagonist muscles during stimulation, a poststimulation increase in the activity of antagonist muscles, and synchronously evoked responses on agonist and antagonist muscles regardless of initial horizontal head position. These results demonstrate that the electrically evoked SC drive to the head cannot be considered as a neural replicate of the SC drive during volitional head movements and place important new constraints on the interpretation of electrically evoked head movements.
Monitoring Kinetic and Frequency-Domain Properties of Eyelid Responses in Mice With Magnetic Distance Measurement Technique
Authors: Koekkoek S.K.E. , Den Ouden W. L. , Perry G. , Highstein S. M. , De Zeeuw C. I.
Published: December 2017

Classical eye-blink conditioning in mutant mice can be used to study the molecular mechanisms underlying associative learning. To measure the kinetic and frequency domain properties of conditioned (tone - periorbital shock procedure) and unconditioned eyelid responses in freely moving mice, we developed a method that allows adequate, absolute, and continuous determination of their eyelid movements in time and space while using an electrical shock as the unconditioned stimulus. The basic principle is to generate a local magnetic field that moves with the animal and that is picked up by either a field-sensitive chip or coil. With the use of this magnetic distance measurement technique (MDMT), but not with the use of electromyographic recordings, we were able to measure mean latency, peak amplitude, velocity, and acceleration of unconditioned eyelid responses, which equaled 7.9 ± 0.2 ms, 1.2 ± 0.02 mm, 28.5 ± 1 mm/s, and 637 ± 22 mm/s2, respectively (means ± SD). During conditioning, the mice reached an average of 78% of conditioned responses over four training sessions, while animals that were subjected to randomly paired conditioned and unconditioned stimuli showed no significant increases. The mean latency of the conditioned responses decreased from 222 ± 40 ms in session 2 to 127 ± 6 ms in session 4, while their mean peak latency increased from 321 ± 45 to 416 ± 67 ms. The mean peak amplitudes, peak velocities, and peak acceleration of these responses increased from 0.62 ± 0.02 to 0.77 ± 0.02 mm, from 3.9 ± 0.3 to 7.7 ± 0.5 mm/s, and from 81 ± 7 to 139 ± 10 mm/s2, respectively. Power spectra of acceleration records illustrated that both the unconditioned and conditioned responses of mice had oscillatory properties with a dominant peak frequency close to 25 Hz that was not dependent on training session, interstimulus interval, or response size. These data show that MDMT can be used to measure the kinetics and frequency domain properties of conditioned eyelid responses in mice and that these properties follow the dynamic characteristics of other mammals.
Unfolded Protein Response of the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Tumor Progression and Immunogenicity
Authors: Yoo Yoon Seon , Han Hye Gyeong , Jeon Young Joo
Published: December 2017

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a pivotal regulator of folding, quality control, trafficking, and targeting of secreted and transmembrane proteins, and accordingly, eukaryotic cells have evolved specialized machinery to ensure that the ER enables these proteins to acquire adequate folding and maturation in the presence of intrinsic and extrinsic insults. This adaptive capacity of the ER to intrinsic and extrinsic perturbations is important for maintaining protein homeostasis, which is termed proteostasis. Failure in adaptation to these perturbations leads to accumulation of misfolded or unassembled proteins in the ER, which is termed ER stress, resulting in the activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) of the ER and the execution of ER‐associated degradation (ERAD) to restore homeostasis. Furthermore, both of the two axes play key roles in the control of tumor progression, inflammation, immunity, and aging. Therefore, understanding UPR of the ER and subsequent ERAD will provide new insights into the pathogenesis of many human diseases and contribute to therapeutic intervention in these diseases.
Experimental Investigation of Aerodynamics of Feather-Covered Flapping Wing
Authors: Yang Wenqing , Song Bifeng
Published: December 2017

Avian flight has an outstanding performance than the manmade flapping wing MAVs. Considering that the feather is light and strong, a new type of the flapping wing was designed and made, whose skeleton is carbon fiber rods and covered by goose feathers as the skin. Its aerodynamics is tested by experiments and can be compared with conventional artificial flapping wings made of carbon fiber rods as the skeleton and polyester membrane as the skin. The results showed that the feathered wing could generate more lift than the membrane wing in the same flapping kinematics because the feathered wing can have slots between feathers in an upstroke process, which can mainly reduce the negative lift. At the same time, the power consumption also decreased significantly, due to the decrease in the fluctuating range of the periodic lift curve, which reduced the offset consumption of lift. At the same time, the thrusts generated by the feather wing and the membrane wing are similar with each other, which increases with the increase of flapping frequency. In general, the aerodynamic performances of the feather wing are superior to that of the membrane wings.
Evaluation of Critical Parameters to Improve Slope Drainage System
Authors: Weng Long Yong , Taib Siti Noor Linda , Selaman Onni Suhaiza
Published: December 2017

This study focuses on identifying and evaluating critical parameters of various drainage configurations, arrangement, and filter which affect the efficiency of water draining system in slopes. There are a total of seven experiments with different types of homogeneous soil, drainage envelope, filter material, and quantity of pipes performed utilizing a model box with a dimension of 0.8 m × 0.8 m × 0.6 m. The pipes were orientated at 5 degrees from the horizontal. Rainfall event was introduced via a rainfall simulator with rainfall intensity of 434.1 mm/h. From the experiments performed, the expected outcomes when utilizing double pipes and geotextile as envelope filter were verified in this study. The results obtained from these experiments were reviewed and compared with Chapter 14 “Subsurface Drainage Systems” of DID’s Irrigation and Agricultural Drainage Manual of Malaysia and the European standard. It is recommended that the pipe installed in the slope could be wrapped with geotextile and in tandem with application of granular filter to minimize clogging without affecting the water discharge rate. Terzaghi’s filter criteria could be followed closely when deciding on new materials to act as aggregate filter. A caging system could be introduced as it could maintain the integrity of the drainage system and could ease installation.
Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm to Dynamic Energy Management in Cloud Data Center
Authors: Pang Shanchen , Zhang Weiguang , Ma Tongmao , Gao Qian
Published: December 2017

With the wide deployment of cloud computing data centers, the problems of power consumption have become increasingly prominent. The dynamic energy management problem in pursuit of energy‐efficiency in cloud data centers is investigated. Specifically, a dynamic energy management system model for cloud data centers is built, and this system is composed of DVS Management Module, Load Balancing Module, and Task Scheduling Module. According to Task Scheduling Module, the scheduling process is analyzed by Stochastic Petri Net, and a task‐oriented resource allocation method (LET‐ACO) is proposed, which optimizes the running time of the system and the energy consumption by scheduling tasks. Simulation studies confirm the effectiveness of the proposed system model. And the simulation results also show that, compared to ACO, Min‐Min, and RR scheduling strategy, the proposed LET‐ACO method can save up to 28%, 31%, and 40% energy consumption while meeting performance constraints.
Extreme Anemia (Hemoglobin 1.8 g/dL) Secondary to Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Authors: Panse Ketaki , Regn Rachel , May Jonathan
Published: December 2017

We present the case of a 39-year-old G5P5 woman who presented to the emergency department with complaints of shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and excessive uterine bleeding for 14 days, with a heart rate of 123 and a blood pressure of 137/65. Menses had been heavy for several months. A hemoglobin of 1.8 g/dL was discovered. An ultrasound revealed an 11.8 cm fibroid uterus, and the patient was transfused with 6 units of blood and placed on oral contraceptive pills.
Assisting in Auditing of Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities via Machine Learning
Authors: Meng Qingkun , Feng Chao , Zhang Bin , Tang Chaojing
Published: December 2017

Buffer overflow vulnerability is a kind of consequence in which programmers’ intentions are not implemented correctly. In this paper, a static analysis method based on machine learning is proposed to assist in auditing buffer overflow vulnerabilities. First, an extended code property graph is constructed from the source code to extract seven kinds of static attributes, which are used to describe buffer properties. After embedding these attributes into a vector space, five frequently used machine learning algorithms are employed to classify the functions into suspicious vulnerable functions and secure ones. The five classifiers reached an average recall of 83.5%, average true negative rate of 85.9%, a best recall of 96.6%, and a best true negative rate of 91.4%. Due to the imbalance of the training samples, the average precision of the classifiers is 68.9% and the average F1 score is 75.2%. When the classifiers were applied to a new program, our method could reduce the false positive to 1/12 compared to Flawfinder.
Multiple Gamma-Ray Detection Capability of a CeBr3 Detector for Gamma Spectroscopy
Authors: Naqvi A. A. , Khiari F. Z. , Liadi F. A. , ur-Rehman Khateeb , Raashid M. , Isab A. A.
Published: December 2017

The newly developed cerium tribromide (CeBr3) detector has reduced intrinsic gamma-ray activity with gamma energy restricted to 1400–2200 keV energy range. This narrower region of background gamma rays allows the CeBr3 detector to detect more than one gamma ray to analyze the gamma-ray spectrum. Use of multiple gamma-ray intensities in elemental analysis instead of a single one improves the accuracy of the estimated results. Multigamma-ray detection capability of a cylindrical 75 mm × 75 mm (diameter × height) CeBr3 detector has been tested by analyzing the chlorine concentration in water samples using eight chlorine prompt gamma rays over 517 to 8578 keV energies utilizing a D-D portable neutron generator-based PGNAA setup and measuring the corresponding minimum detection limit (MDC) of chlorine. The measured MDC of chlorine for gamma rays with 517–8578 keV energies varies from 0.07 ± 0.02 wt% to 0.80 ± 0.24. The best value of MDC was measured to be 0.07 ± 0.02 wt% for 788 keV gamma rays. The experimental results are in good agreement with Monte Carlo calculations. The study has shown excellent detection capabilities of the CeBr3 detector for eight prompt gamma rays over 517–8578 keV energy range without significant background interference.
Spermatozoal Fractalkine Signaling Pathway Is Upregulated in Subclinical Varicocele Patients with Normal Seminogram and Low-Level Leucospermia
Authors: Abo El-khair Salwa M. , Gaballah Mohammad A. , Abdel-Gawad Mamdouh M. , Ismail Sherif Refaat M. , Elsamanoudy Ayman Z.
Published: December 2017

Background. Fractalkine is produced in seminal plasma in small amounts and correlates with sperm motility. Purpose. To investigate the possible effect of low-level leucospermia on spermatozoa oxidative stress and sDNA fragmentation in patients with subclinical varicocele and apparently normal seminogram, and also to study the role of spermatozoal fractalkine and its receptor (CX3CR1) gene expression as a marker of spermatozoa inflammatory response. Methods. This study included 80 patients with subclinical varicocele (45 fertile and 35 infertile) and 45 age-matched fertile volunteers. In semen samples, fractalkine and CX3CR1 gene expression were investigated by qRT-PCR. Moreover, seminal plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. Results. There are significant decrease in semen quality and significant increase in seminal leucocytes count in subclinical varicocele. Our results show a significant increase in MDA and TAC levels, DNA fragmentation, and expression levels of fractalkine and its receptor (CX3CR1) in subclinical varicocele groups. Conclusion. Subclinical varicocele induces seminal and spermatozoal subclinical inflammatory response in the form of low-level leucospermia and increased mRNA expression of the fractalkine signaling pathway, leading to increased spermatozoal ROS production, oxidative stress, and DNA fragmentation. These could cooperate in the pathogenesis of delayed fertility in males with subclinical varicocele.
Fuzheng Quxie Decoction Ameliorates Learning and Memory Impairment in SAMP8 Mice by Decreasing Tau Hyperphosphorylation
Authors: Yang Yang , Jia Xingxing , Feng Jianchao , Wang Zhiyong , Cao Yu , Liu Jiangang , Li Hao
Published: December 2017

Hyperphosphorylation of the microtubule‐associated protein, tau, is critical to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Fuzheng Quxie Decoction (FQD), a Chinese herbal complex, is an effective clinical formula used to treat AD. In the current study, we employed high‐performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to identify the components of FQD. Three major components (ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, and coptisine) were detected in the brain of FQD‐fed mice, indicating their ability to cross the blood‐brain barrier. We further evaluated the efficacy of FQD on Senescence‐Accelerated Mice Prone‐8 (SAMP8) mice. FQD significantly ameliorated learning and memory deficits in SAMP8 mice on the Morris Water Maze, decreasing escape latency (p < 0.01) and increasing swim time within the original platform‐containing quadrant (p < 0.05). Further, FQD increased the number of neurons and intraneuronal Nissl bodies in the hippocampal CA1 region. FQD also decreased the expression of phosphorylated tau protein and increased the expression of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor subunit, NR2A (p < 0.01). Our results indicate that FQD improves the learning and memory ability of SAMP8 mice. Moreover, our findings suggest that the protective effect of FQD is likely mediated through an inhibition of hippocampal tau hyperphosphorylation via NMDAR/PP2A‐associated proteins.
Endothelial Glycocalyx Layer: A Possible Therapeutic Target for Acute Lung Injury during Lung Resection
Authors: Wang JiaWan , Wu AnShi , Wu Yan
Published: December 2017

Background. Shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL) is known to occur during major surgery, but its degradation associated with minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) remains unclear. We investigated if serum biomarkers of EGL disruption were elevated during VATS lobectomy, and whether the urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) ulinastatin exerted a protective effect during this procedure.Materials and Methods. Sixty ASA II-III lung cancer patients undergoing elective VATS lobectomy were divided equally into UTI and control groups. UTI group patients received intravenous UTI during surgery. Serum levels of syndecan-1 and heparan sulfate were examined before (T0) and at the end of surgery (T1). Serum albumin and hemoglobin were measured before surgery (BOD) and on the first postoperative day (POD1).Results. In control group, syndecan-1 levels were significantly elevated at T1 compared with T0 (3.77±3.15versus4.28±3.30,P=0.022⁎) and increased even more significantly in patients whose surgery lasted >3 h (3.28±2.84versus4.31±3.39,P=0.003⁎⁎). Serum albumin levels on POD1 were significantly lower in control group compared with UTI group (32.63±4.57versus35.76±2.99,P=0.031⁎).Conclusion. EGL degradation occurs following VATS lobectomy. UTI can alleviate this shedding, thus helping preserve normal vascular permeability.Trail Registration. This trial is registered withChiCTR-IOC-17010416(January 13, 2017).
Land Cover Information Extraction Based on Daily NDVI Time Series and Multiclassifier Combination
Authors: Zhao Long , Zhang Pan , Ma Xiaoyi , Pan Zhuokun
Published: December 2017

A timely and accurate understanding of land cover change has great significance in management of area resources. To explore the application of a daily normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series in land cover classification, the present study used HJ‐1 data to derive a daily NDVI time series by pretreatment. Different classifiers were then applied to classify the daily NDVI time series. Finally, the daily NDVI time series were classified based on multiclassifier combination. The results indicate that support vector machine (SVM), spectral angle mapper, and classification and regression tree classifiers can be used to classify daily NDVI time series, with SVM providing the optimal classification. The classifiers of K‐means and Mahalanobis distance are not suited for classification because of their classification accuracy and mechanism, respectively. This study proposes a method of dimensionality reduction based on the statistical features of daily NDVI time series for classification. The method can be applied to land resource information extraction. In addition, an improved multiclassifier combination is proposed. The classification results indicate that the improved multiclassifier combination is superior to different single classifier combinations, particularly regarding subclassifiers with greater differences.
Phagocytosis of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) in Macrophages Induces Cell Apoptosis
Authors: Gao Yuan , Wake Hidenori , Morioka Yuta , Liu Keyue , Teshigawara Kiyoshi , Shibuya Megumi , Zhou Jingxiu , Mori Shuji , Takahashi Hideo , Nishibori Masahiro
Published: December 2017

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are the products of a series of nonenzymatic modifications of proteins by reducing sugars. AGEs play a pivotal role in development of diabetic complications and atherosclerosis. Accumulation of AGEs in a vessel wall may contribute to the development of vascular lesions. Although AGEs have a diverse range of bioactivities, the clearance process of AGEs from the extracellular space, including the incorporation of AGEs into specific cells, subcellular localization, and the fate of AGEs, remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the kinetics of the uptake of AGEs by mouse macrophage J774.1 cells in vitro and characterized the process. We demonstrated that AGEs bound to the surface of the cells and were also incorporated into the cytoplasm. The temperature‐ and time‐dependent uptake of AGEs was saturable with AGE concentration and was inhibited by cytochalasin D but not chlorpromazine. We also observed the granule‐like appearance of AGE immunoreactivity in subcellular localizations in macrophages. Higher concentrations of AGEs induced intracellular ROS and 4‐HNE, which were associated with activation of the NF‐κB pathway and caspase‐3. These results suggest that incorporation of AGEs occurred actively by endocytosis in macrophages, leading to apoptosis of these cells through NF‐κB activation.
Pollen, Physicochemical, and Mineral Analysis of Croatian Acacia Honey Samples: Applicability for Identification of Botanical and Geographical Origin
Authors: Uršulin-Trstenjak Natalija , Puntarić Dinko , Levanić Davor , Gvozdić Vlatka , Pavlek Željka , Puntarić Ada , Puntarić Eda , Puntarić Ida , Vidosavljević Domagoj , Lasić Dario , Vidosavljević Marina
Published: December 2017

The aim of the study was to investigate health safety and quality of the Croatian acacia honey, the selected elements in the soil, and whether multivariate methods can provide identification of the origin of honey. The study included 200 acacia honey samples and 100 soil samples from East, Northwest Croatia, and Istria. The proportion of acacia in honey was determined by conducting pollen analysis. Water, free acids, electric conductivity, reducing sugars, saccharose, diastase, and HMF were determined. No significant differences were found using Kruskal-Wallis test regarding the physicochemical parameters (p=0.9190), the mineral content of honey (p=0.8955), or the mineral composition of the soil (p=0.8789). No significant correlation was found between the analyzed elements in honey and soil. Multivariate methods indicated that East Croatia honey samples have higher concentrations of water, HMF, and higher concentrations of measured elements, except for Al. Honey samples from Northwest Croatia are characterized by low concentrations of elements and a higher concentration of saccharose. The Istria samples are richer in reducing sugars, free acids, diastase, higher conductivity, higher content of the acacia pollen grains, and lower concentrations of most metals. Honey from Northwest Croatia and Istria shares the high concentration of Al in honey.
Clustering Categorical Data Using Community Detection Techniques
Authors: Nguyen Huu Hiep
Published: December 2017

With the advent of the k-modes algorithm, the toolbox for clustering categorical data has an efficient tool that scales linearly in the number of data items. However, random initialization of cluster centers in k-modes makes it hard to reach a good clustering without resorting to many trials. Recently proposed methods for better initialization are deterministic and reduce the clustering cost considerably. A variety of initialization methods differ in how the heuristics chooses the set of initial centers. In this paper, we address the clustering problem for categorical data from the perspective of community detection. Instead of initializing k modes and running several iterations, our scheme, CD-Clustering, builds an unweighted graph and detects highly cohesive groups of nodes using a fast community detection technique. The top-k detected communities by size will define the k modes. Evaluation on ten real categorical datasets shows that our method outperforms the existing initialization methods for k-modes in terms of accuracy, precision, and recall in most of the cases.
Cilioretinal Artery Occlusion Combined with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: What Is the Best Imaging Modality for the Follow-Up?
Authors: Kaya Mahmut , Ozturk Taylan , Ayhan Ziya , Kocak Nilufer , Kaynak Suleyman
Published: December 2017

We report retinal structural changes of a 37-year-old man diagnosed with the concomitant occlusion of cilioretinal artery and central retinal vein. Comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation was performed, followed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT, Heidelberg), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT angiography, Optovue Inc., Fremont, California, USA), fluorescein angiography, and color fundus photography. The use of OCT angiography and en face SD-OCT imaging as an adjunct test to map out correlative paracentral scotomas during follow-up allowed us to evaluate cilioretinal artery occlusion in the best way due to obtaining satisfactory images of the normal retinal vascular networks and areas of nonperfusion and congestion at various retinal levels.
Effects and Mechanism of Huannao Yicong Decoction Extract on the Ethology of Transgenic APP/PS1 Mice
Authors: Liu Meixia , Wei Yun , Yang Yang , Liu Longtao , Liang Lin , Liu Jiangang , Li Hao
Published: December 2017

To investigate the mechanism of Huannao Yicong Decoction (HYD) extract on improving of learning memory of transgenic amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) mice, we randomly divided 60 transgenic APP/PS1 mice of 3 months old into 4 groups: the model group, the Donepezil group, the HYD‐L group, and the HYD‐H group, with 15 C57BL/6J mice of the same genetic background as the control group. These mice were gavaged for 6 months in a row. The results showed that the latency was significantly shortened and the number of passing through the original platform was increased. HYD extract can increase the amount of neurons and improve the morphological structure of Nissl body obviously. The γ‐secretase activity and the expression of phosphorylated APP, Aβ1‐40, and Aβ1‐42 in hippocampal CA1 were significantly decreased. The expressions of protein and mRNA of PEN‐2 and CREB in hippocampal were significantly downregulated. These results demonstrated that HYD extract can improve the memory ability of transgenic APP/PS1 mice, which was related to the protection of neurons and structure of Nissl body, reducing cleavage of APP and production of Aβ and inhibiting the activity of γ‐secretase by decreasing CREB activity because of downregulated expression of PEN‐2.
Nonsurgical Procedures for Keratoconus Management
Authors: Rico-Del-Viejo L. , Garcia-Montero M. , Hernández-Verdejo J. L. , García-Lázaro S. , Gómez-Sanz F. J. , Lorente-Velázquez A.
Published: December 2017

Objectives. To describe the past 20 years’ correction modalities for keratoconus and their visual outcomes and possible complications.Methods. A review of the published literature related to the visual outcomes and possible complications in the context of keratoconus management using nonsurgical procedures for the last 20 years (glasses and contact lenses) was performed. Original articles that reported the outcome of any correction modalities of keratoconus management were reviewed.Results. The most nonsurgical procedure used on keratoconus management is the contact lens fitting. Soft contact lenses and soft toric contact lenses, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses, piggyback contact lens system, hybrid contact lenses, and scleral and corneoscleral contact lenses form the contemporary range of available lens types for keratoconus management with contact lenses. All of them try to restore the vision, improve the quality of life, and delay surgical procedures in patients with this disease. Complications are derived from the intolerance of using contact lens, and the use of each depends on keratoconus severity.Conclusions. In the context of nonsurgical procedures, the use of contact lenses for the management of keratoconic patients represents a good alternative to restore vision and improve the quality of live in this population.
Retinol and Betacarotene Status in Mother-Infant Dyads and Associations between Them
Authors: Lira Larissa Q. , de Souza Aline F. , Amâncio Amanda de M. , Bezerra Caroline G. , Pimentel Jéssica B. , Moia Melissa N. , Dimenstein Roberto
Published: December 2017

Background/Aims: Assessing the diet and biochemical indicators of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in high-risk populations is crucial in cases where this deficiency is mainly caused by chronically inadequate intake. This study aimed to determine the retinol and betacarotene status in mother-infant dyads, and to evaluate the associations between them. Methods: Umbilical cord serum, maternal serum, and colostrum were collected from 134 healthy mothers living in a risk region for VAD. Vitamin A and betacarotene were quantified by liquid chromatography, and dietary information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire. Results: Although the overall mean intakes of vitamin A and betacarotene were considered adequate, 16% of the women had insufficient intake. Mean retinol levels were also adequate, yet low levels were diagnosed in about 8% of the mothers, based on maternal serum and colostrum, and in 16% of the cord serum samples. Retinol and betacarotene were positively associated in cord serum (p = 0.004), maternal serum (p = 0.041), and colostrum (p < 0.001) but was not associated with dietary intake. Conclusions: A diagnosis of adequacy based on mean biochemical and dietary data of this population in fact masks the marginal vitamin A status presented by mothers and children.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Healthy Subjects and Diabetic Patients
Authors: Coscas Gabriel , Lupidi Marco , Coscas Florence , Chhablani Jay , Cagini Carlo
Published: December 2017

Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography provide information about the normal retinal and choroidal vascular perfusion. They allow the evaluation of different diseases and increase the capability to define and diagnose several pathological conditions. Fluorescein angio graphy is the “gold standard” in imaging the retinal vascular bed and its changes, although not all the different layers of the capillary network can be visualized in a bidimensional examination. Optical coherence tomography angiography allows a depth-resolved visualization of the retinal and choroidal microvasculature, by calculating the difference (decorrelation) between static and nonstatic tissue. Given that the main moving elements in the eye fundus are contained in vessels, determining a vascular decorrelation signal permits a three-dimensional visualization of the retinal and choroidal vascular network without the administration of an intravenous dye. Moreover, a complete morphofunctional assessment may help in defining both the origin and the clinical activity of different vascular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy.
Relations of Changes in Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen Levels before and after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy and after Surgery to Histologic Response and Outcomes in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Saito Gota , Sadahiro Sotaro , Ogimi Takashi , Miyakita Hiroshi , Okada Kazutake , Tanaka Akira , Suzuki Toshiyuki
Published: December 2017

Objectives: The histologic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) has been intimately related to outcomes in locally advanced rectal cancer. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels change after nCRT and after surgery as compared with before nCRT. Methods: The subjects were 149 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received nCRT between 2005 and 2013. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the serum CEA levels: group 1, 55 patients with negative serum CEA levels before nCRT; group 2, 41 patients with positive serum CEA levels before nCRT that became negative after nCRT; group 3, 37 patients with positive serum CEA levels after nCRT that became negative after surgery; and group 4, 16 patients with positive serum CEA levels after nCRT as well as after surgery. Results: Pathological complete response, T downstaging, and tumor shrinkage were significantly higher in group 1 than in other groups. Disease-free survival was significantly poorer in group 4. The lack of a decrease in the serum CEA level in group 4 was most likely attributed to the persistence of micrometastases outside the resection field. Conclusions: Changes in serum CEA levels measured before nCRT, after nCRT, and after surgery can be used to reliably predict the histologic response to nCRT and outcomes.
Is Social Network a Protective Factor for Cognitive Impairment in US Chinese Older Adults? Findings from the PINE Study
Authors: Li Mengting , Dong Xinqi
Published: December 2017

Background: Social network has been identified as a protective factor for cognitive impairment. However, the relationship between social network and global and subdomains of cognitive function remains unclear. Objective: This study aims to provide an analytic framework to examine quantity, composition, and quality of social network and investigate the association between social network, global cognition, and cognitive domains among US Chinese older adults. Methods: Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), a community-engaged, population-based epidemiological study of US Chinese older adults aged 60 and above in the greater Chicago area, with a sample size of 3,157. Social network was assessed by network size, volume of contact, proportion kin, proportion female, proportion co-resident, and emotional closeness. Cognitive function was evaluated by global cognition, episodic memory, executive function, working memory, and Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (C-MMSE). Linear regression and quantile regression were performed. Results: Every 1-point increase in network size (b = 0.048, p < 0.001) and volume of contact (b = 0.049, p < 0.01) and every 1-point decrease in proportion kin (b = -0.240, p < 0.01) and proportion co-resident (b = -0.099, p < 0.05) were associated with higher level of global cognition. Similar trends were observed in specific cognitive domains, including episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and C-MMSE. However, emotional closeness was only significantly associated with C-MMSE (b = 0.076, p < 0.01). Social network has differential effects on female versus male older adults. Conclusion: This study found that social network dimensions have different relationships with global and domains of cognitive function. Quantitative and structural aspects of social network were essential to maintain an optimal level of cognitive function. Qualitative aspects of social network were protective factors for C-MMSE. It is necessary for public health practitioners to consider interventions that enhance different aspects of older adults' social network.
Melatonin Relieves Busulfan-Induced Spermatogonial Stem Cell Apoptosis of Mouse Testis by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Authors: Cui Yanhua , Ren Lipeng , Li Bo , Fang Jia , Zhai Yuanxin , He Xin , Du Enqi , Miao Yiliang , Hua Jinlian , Peng Sha
Published: December 2017

Background/Aims: Busulfan is commonly used for cancer chemotherapy. Although it has the advantage of increasing the survival rate of patients, it can cause male infertility via damaging the testes and reducing sperm counts. Therefore, the underlying mechanism should be explored, and new agents should be developed to protect the male reproductive system from busulfan-induced damage. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is considered a key contributor to numerous pathologies. Despite several studies linking ERS to toxicants, studies have yet to determine whether ERS is a contributing factor to busulfan-induced testicular damage. Melatonin is a well-known broad-spectrum antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumour agent, but the effects of melatonin on busulfan-induced ERS in mouse testes damage are less documented. Methods: The effects of melatonin were measured by immunofluorescence staining, Western blot, qRT-PCR analysis and flow cytometry assay. The underlying mechanism was investigated by measuring ERS. Results: We found that ERS was strongly activated in mouse testes (in vivo) and the C18-4 cell line (in vitro) after busulfan administration. ERS-related apoptosis proteins such as caspase-12, CHOP and caspase-3 were activated, and the expression of apoptotic proteins such as P53 and PUMA were upregulated. Furthermore, we investigated whether melatonin reduced the extent of damage to mouse testes and improved the survival rates of busulfan-treated mice. When exploring the underlying mechanisms, we found melatonin could counteract ERS by decreasing the expression levels of the ERS markers GRP78, ATF6, pIRE1 and XBP1 in mouse testes and mouse SSCs (C18-4 cells). Moreover, it blocked the activation of ERS-related apoptosis proteins caspase-12, CHOP and caspase-3 and suppressed P53 and PUMA expression stimulated by busulfan both in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that ERS is an important mediator for busulfan-induced apoptosis. The attenuation of ERS by melatonin can prevent busulfan-treated SSCs apoptosis and protect busulfan-treated testes from damage. Thus, this study suggests that melatonin may alleviate the side effects of busulfan for male patients during clinical treatment.
Astragaloside IV Prevents Cardiac Remodeling in the Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice by Regulating Cardiac Homeostasis and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Li Xiong-Zhi , Ding Yan-Zi , Wu Heng-Fang , Bian Zhi-Ping , Xu Jin-Dan , Gu Chun-Rong , Chen Xiang-Jian , Yang Di
Published: December 2017

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Astragaloside IV (AST-IV) possesses cardiovascular protective properties. We hypothesize that AST-IV prevents cardiac remodeling with hypercholesterolemia via modulating tissue homeostasis and alleviating oxidative stress. Methods: The ApoE-/- mice were treated with AST-IV at 1 or 10 mg/kg for 8 weeks. The blood lipids tests, echocardiography, and TUNEL were performed. The mRNA expression profile was detected by real-time PCR. The myocytes size and number, and the expressions of proliferation (ki67), senescence (p16INK4a), oxidant (NADPH oxidase 4, NOX4) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, SOD) were observed by immunofluorescence staining. Results: Neither 1 mg/kg nor 10 mg/kg AST-IV treatment could decrease blood lipids in ApoE-/- mice. However, the decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (FS) in ApoE–/– mice were significantly improved after AST-IV treatment. The cardiac collagen volume fraction declined nearly in half after AST-IV treatment. The enlarged myocyte size was suppressed, and myocyte number was recovered, and the alterations of genes expressions linked to cell cycle, proliferation, senescence, p53-apoptosis pathway and oxidant-antioxidants in the hearts of ApoE-/- mice were reversed after AST-IV treatment. The decreased ki67 and increased p16INK4a in the hearts of ApoE-/- mice were recovered after AST-IV treatment. The percentages of apoptotic myocytes and NOX4-positive cells in AST-IV treated mice were decreased, which were consistent with the gene expressions. Conclusion: AST-IV treatment could prevent cardiac remodeling and recover the impaired ventricular function induced by hypercholesterolemia. The beneficial effect of AST-IV might partly be through regulating cardiac homeostasis and anti-oxidative stress.
Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus: Application of CRISPR/Cas9 Therapeutic Strategies for Cervical Cancer
Authors: Zhen Shuai , Li Xu
Published: December 2017

Oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause different types of cancer especially cervical cancer. HPV-associated carcinogenesis provides a classical model system for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/Cas9) based cancer therapies since the viral oncogenes E6 and E7 are exclusively expressed in cancerous cells. Sequence-specific gene knockdown/knockout using CRISPR/Cas9 shows promise as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of a variety of diseases that currently lack effective treatments. However, CRISPR/Cas9-based targeting therapy requires further validation of its efficacy in vitro and in vivo to eliminate the potential off-target effects, necessitates verification of the delivery vehicles and the combinatory use of conventional therapies with CRISPR/Cas9 to ensure the feasibility and safety. In this review we discuss the potential of combining CRISPR/Cas9 with other treatment options as therapies for oncogenic HPVs-associated carcinogenesis. and present our assessment of the promising path to the development of CRISPR/Cas9 therapeutic strategies for clinical settings.