bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjusting to Chronic Health Conditions
Authors: Helgeson Vicki S. , Zajdel Melissa
Published: January 2017

Research on adjustment to chronic disease is critical in today's world, in which people are living longer lives, but lives are increasingly likely to be characterized by one or more chronic illnesses. Chronic illnesses may deteriorate, enter remission, or fluctuate, but their defining characteristic is that they persist. In this review, we first examine the effects of chronic disease on one's sense of self. Then we review categories of factors that influence how one adjusts to chronic illness, with particular emphasis on the impact of these factors on functional status and psychosocial adjustment. We begin with contextual factors, including demographic variables such as sex and race, as well as illness dimensions such as stigma and illness identity. We then examine a set of dispositional factors that influence chronic illness adjustment, organizing these into resilience and vulnerability factors. Resilience factors include cognitive adaptation indicators, personality variables, and benefit-finding. Vulnerability factors include a pessimistic attributional style, negative gender-related traits, and rumination. We then turn to social environmental variables, including both supportive and unsupportive interactions. Finally, we review chronic illness adjustment within the context of dyadic coping. We conclude by examining potential interactions among these classes of variables and outlining a set of directions for future research.
Social Learning and Culture in Child and Chimpanzee
Authors: Whiten Andrew
Published: January 2017

A few decades ago, we knew next to nothing about the behavior of our closest animal relative, the chimpanzee, but long-term field studies have since revealed an undreamed-of richness in the diversity of their cultural traditions across Africa. These discoveries have been complemented by a substantial suite of experimental studies, now bridging to the wild through field experiments. These field and experimental studies, particularly those in which direct chimpanzee–child comparisons have been made, delineate a growing set of commonalities between the phenomena of social learning and culture in the lives of chimpanzees and humans. These commonalities in social learning inform our understanding of the evolutionary roots of the cultural propensities the species share. At the same time, such comparisons throw into clearer relief the unique features of the distinctive human capacity for cumulative cultural evolution, and new research has begun to probe the key psychological attributes that may explain it.
Eavesdropping on Memory
Authors: Loftus Elizabeth F.
Published: January 2017

For more than four decades, I have been studying human memory. My research concerns the malleable nature of memory. Information suggested to an individual about an event can be integrated with the memory of the event itself, so that what actually occurred, and what was discussed later about what may have occurred, become inextricably interwoven, allowing distortion, elaboration, and even total fabrication. In my writings, classes, and public speeches, I've tried to convey one important take-home message: Just because someone tells you something in great detail, with much confidence, and with emotion, it doesn't mean that it is true. Here I describe my professional life as an experimental psychologist, in which I've eavesdropped on this process, as well as many personal experiences that may have influenced my thinking and choices.
Neural Mechanisms of Selective Visual Attention
Authors: Moore Tirin , Zirnsak Marc
Published: January 2017

Selective visual attention describes the tendency of visual processing to be confined largely to stimuli that are relevant to behavior. It is among the most fundamental of cognitive functions, particularly in humans and other primates for whom vision is the dominant sense. We review recent progress in identifying the neural mechanisms of selective visual attention. We discuss evidence from studies of different varieties of selective attention and examine how these varieties alter the processing of stimuli by neurons within the visual system, current knowledge of their causal basis, and methods for assessing attentional dysfunctions. In addition, we identify some key questions that remain in identifying the neural mechanisms that give rise to the selective processing of visual information.
Negative rebound in hippocampal neurogenesis following exercise cessation
Authors: Nishijima Takeshi , Kamidozono Yoshika , Ishiizumi Atsushi , Amemiya Seiichiro , Kita Ichiro
Published: January 2017

Physical exercise can improve brain function, but the effects of exercise cessation are largely unknown. This study examined the time-course profile of hippocampal neurogenesis following exercise cessation. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to either a control (Con) or an exercise cessation (ExC) group. Mice in the ExC group were reared in a cage with a running wheel for 8 wk and subsequently placed in a standard cage to cease the exercise. Exercise resulted in a significant increase in the density of doublecortin (DCX)-positive immature neurons in the dentate gyrus (at week 0). Following exercise cessation, the density of DCX-positive neurons gradually decreased and was significantly lower than that in the Con group at 5 and 8 wk after cessation, indicating that exercise cessation leads to a negative rebound in hippocampal neurogenesis. Immunohistochemistry analysis suggests that the negative rebound in neurogenesis is caused by diminished cell survival, not by suppression of cell proliferation and neural maturation. Neither elevated expression of ΔFosB, a transcription factor involved in neurogenesis regulation, nor increased plasma corticosterone, were involved in the negative neurogenesis rebound. Importantly, exercise cessation suppressed ambulatory activity, and a significant correlation between change in activity and DCX-positive neuron density suggested that the decrease in activity is involved in neurogenesis impairment. Forced treadmill running following exercise cessation failed to prevent the negative neurogenesis rebound. This study indicates that cessation of exercise or a decrease in physical activity is associated with an increased risk for impaired hippocampal function, which might increase vulnerability to stress-induced mood disorders.
Liver X receptor β increases aquaporin 2 protein level via a posttranscriptional mechanism in renal collecting ducts
Authors: Su Wen , Huang Shi-Zheng , Gao Min , Kong Xiao-Mu , Gustafsson Jan-Åke , Xu Su-Juan , Wang Bing , Zheng Feng , Chen Li-Hong , Wang Nan-Ping , Guan You-Fei , Zhang Xiao-Yan
Published: January 2017

Liver X receptors (LXRs) including LXRα and LXRβ are nuclear receptor transcription factors and play an important role in lipid and glucose metabolism. It has been previously reported that mice lacking LXRβ but not LXRα develop a severe urine concentrating defect, likely via a central mechanism. Here we provide evidence that LXRβ regulates water homeostasis through increasing aquaporin 2 (AQP2) protein levels in renal collecting ducts. LXRβ−/− mice exhibited a reduced response to desmopressin (dDAVP) stimulation, suggesting that the diabetes insipidus phenotype is of both central and nephrogenic origin. AQP2 protein abundance in the renal inner medulla was significantly reduced in LXRβ−/− mice but with little change in AQP2 mRNA levels. In vitro studies showed that AQP2 protein levels were elevated upon LXR agonist treatment in both primary cultured mouse inner medullary duct cells (mIMCD) and the mIMCD3 cell line with stably expressed AQP2. In addition, LXR agonists including TO901317 and GW3965 failed to induce AQP2 gene transcription but diminished its protein ubiquitination in primary cultured mIMCD cells, thereby inhibiting its degradation. Moreover, LXR activation-induced AQP2 protein expression was abolished by the protease inhibitor MG132 and the ubiquitination-deficient AQP2 (K270R). Taken together, the present study demonstrates that activation of LXRβ increases AQP2 protein levels in the renal collecting ducts via a posttranscriptional mechanism. As such, LXRβ represents a key regulator of body water homeostasis.
Viscous Dissipation Effects on the Motion of Casson Fluid over an Upper Horizontal Thermally Stratified Melting Surface of a Paraboloid of Revolution: Boundary Layer Analysis
Authors: Ajayi T. M. , Omowaye A. J. , Animasaun I. L.
Published: January 2017

The problem of a non-Newtonian fluid flow past an upper surface of an object that is neither a perfect horizontal/vertical nor inclined/cone in which dissipation of energy is associated with temperature-dependent plastic dynamic viscosity is considered. An attempt has been made to focus on the case of two-dimensional Casson fluid flow over a horizontal melting surface embedded in a thermally stratified medium. Since the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid tends to take energy from the motion (kinetic energy) and transform it into internal energy, the viscous dissipation term is accommodated in the energy equation. Due to the existence of internal space-dependent heat source; plastic dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity of the non-Newtonian fluid are assumed to vary linearly with temperature. Based on the boundary layer assumptions, suitable similarity variables are applied to nondimensionalized, parameterized and reduce the governing partial differential equations into a coupled ordinary differential equations. These equations along with the boundary conditions are solved numerically using the shooting method together with the Runge-Kutta technique. The effects of pertinent parameters are established. A significant increases inRex1/2Cfxis guaranteed withStwhen magnitude ofβis large.Rex1/2Cfxdecreases withEcandm.
Growth and Survival Variation among Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.) Provenances
Authors: Gülcü Süleyman , Bilir Nebi
Published: January 2017

Tree height, basal diameter, and survival were examined in thirteen-year-old provenance test established by 30 seed sources of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.) at two exotic sites of the species in Southern part of Turkey. Variations within provenance and among provenances and relations among the traits were estimated to compare Scots pine provenance and two other native species. Averages of tree height and basal diameter were 350 cm and 52.7 mm in Aydogmus site and 385 cm and 51.2 mm in Kemer site, respectively. There were large differences within and among provenances for the characters. Sites were similar (p>0.05) for the characters, while there were significant differences (p≤0.05) among provenances within site according to results of variance analysis (ANOVA). Scots pine provenances were higher and had more thickness than that of black pine (Pinus nigraArnold) and Taurus cedar (Cedrus libaniA. Rich.) which were natural species of the region. There were positive and significant (p<0.05) correlations between height and basal diameter in the species. Average survivals were 56% and 35% of the provenances in the sites. They were 71% and 11% in black pine and 53% in Taurus cedar for the sites respectively.
Gelatinous Marrow Transformation Associated with Imatinib: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Chang E. , Rivero G. , Jiang B. , Yellapragada S. , Thiagarajan P.
Published: January 2017

Gelatinous marrow transformation (GMT) is a rare condition observed in severe illness or malnutrition, in which the bone marrow contains amorphous “gelatinous” extracellular material, and histopathology demonstrates varied degrees of fat cell atrophy and loss of hematopoietic elements. An association of GMT with imatinib use in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has been reported recently. The objective of this study is to describe a case of GMT associated with imatinib use and review the existing similar cases in the literature to identify epidemiological patterns and potential imatinib-induced mechanisms leading to gelatinous conversion.
Myelopathy due to Spinal Extramedullary Hematopoiesis in a Patient with Polycythemia Vera
Authors: Ito Shuhei , Fujita Nobuyuki , Hosogane Naobumi , Nagoshi Narihito , Yagi Mitsuru , Iwanami Akio , Watanabe Kota , Tsuji Takashi , Nakamura Masaya , Matsumoto Morio , Ishii Ken
Published: January 2017

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) occasionally occurs in patients exhibiting hematological disorders with decreased hematopoietic efficacy. EMH is rarely observed in the spinal epidural space and patients are usually asymptomatic. In particular, in the patients with polycythemia vera, spinal cord compression due to EMH is extremely rare. We report a case of polycythemia vera, in which operative therapy proved to be an effective treatment for myelopathy caused by spinal EMH.
Dynamic Analysis of a Rotor-Bearing-SFD System with the Bearing Inner Race Defect
Authors: Zhang Junhong , Lu Xin , Lin Jiewei , Ma Liang , Wang Jun
Published: January 2017

In this paper, the dynamic behavior of a rotor-bearing-SFD system with the inner race defect of bearing is investigated. The contact force between the rolling element and the race is calculated in Hertzian contact and elastohydrodynamic lubrication condition. The supporting force of the SFD is simulated by integrating the pressure distribution derived from Reynolds’s equation. The equations of motion of the rotor-bearing-SFD system are derived and solved using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. The dynamic behavior and the fault characteristics are analyzed with two configurations of the SFD: (1) mounted on the unfaulted bearing and (2) mounted on the faulty bearing. According to the analysis of time-frequency diagram, waterfall plot, and spectral diagram, the results show that the characteristics of inner race defects on bearing frequencies are related to the characteristic multiple frequency of the inner race defect and the fundamental frequency. The speed and defect width have different influence on the distribution and amplitude of frequency. The SFD can enhance the system stability under the bearing fault but the enhancement decreases with the increasing speed. Meanwhile, the beneficial effect of the SFD varies according to the mounted position in the rotor system.
Glomerular and Tubular Renal Function after Repeated Once-Daily Tobramycin Courses in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Stehling Florian , Büscher Rainer , Grosse-Onnebrink Jörg , Hoyer Peter F. , Mellies Uwe
Published: January 2017

Introduction. Antibiotic treatment regimens againstPseudomonas aeruginosalung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients often include aminoglycoside antibiotics that may cause chronic renal failure after repeated courses. Aminoaciduria is an early marker of acute aminoglycoside-induced renal tubular dysfunction. We hypothesized that urinary amino acid reabsorption is decreased after repeated once-daily tobramycin therapies.Methods. In this prospective cross-sectional study creatinine clearance was estimated by the Schwartz and the Cockcroft-Gault formula. Tubular amino acid reabsorption was determined by ion exchange chromatography in 46 patients with CF who received multiple tobramycin courses (6.3±10.1(1–57)) in a once-daily dosing regimen and 10 who did not.Results. Estimated creatinine clearance employing the Cockcroft-Gault was mildly reduced in 17/46 (37%) of the patients who received tobramycin and 5/10 (50%) of the patients who did not but in none using the Schwartz formula. No association with lifetime tobramycin courses was found. Tubular amino acid reabsorption was not influenced by the amount of once-daily tobramycin courses.Conclusion. Clinically not significant reduction of eCCL occurred in a minority of CF patients. However, chronic tubular dysfunction was not present in patients with CF repeatedly treated with tobramycin in the once-daily dosing scheme.
Plasma and Aorta Biochemistry and MMPs Activities in Female Rabbit Fed Methionine Enriched Diet and Their Offspring
Authors: Othmani Mecif Khira , Aouichat Bouguerra Souhila , Benazzoug Yasmina
Published: January 2017

This study investigated whether a high Met diet influences biochemical parameters, MMPs activities in plasma, and biochemical and histological remodeling in aorta, in both pregnant female rabbits and their offspring. Four female rabbit groups are constituted (eachn=8), nonpregnant control (NPC), pregnant control (PC) that received normal commercial chow, nonpregnant Met (NPMet), and pregnant Met (PMet) that received the same diet supplemented with 0,35% L-methionine (w/w) for 3 months (500 mg/d). All pregnant females realize 3 successive pregnancies. Plasma results showed that Met excess increased Hcy, raised CRP in NPMet and decreased it in PMet, enhanced significantly proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activities in NPMet, and reduced them in PMet. Aorta showed a rise in collagen level, essentially in PMet, a reduction of elastin content in both PMet and NPMet, and a significant decrease in lipid content in PMet, with histological changes that are more pronounced in NPMet than PMet. Met excess enhanced proMMP-9 activities in NPMet while it decreased them in PMet. PMet newborn presented increase in uremia and CRP and significant rise of active MMP-2 and MMP-9 forms. In aorta, media and adventitia thickness increased, total lipids content decreased, proMMP-9 activity decreased, and proMMP-2 activity increased.
Oxidative Stress as a Physiological Pain Response in Full‐Term Newborns
Authors: Perrone S. , Bellieni C. V. , Negro S. , Longini M. , Santacroce A. , Tataranno M. L. , Bazzini F. , Belvisi E. , Picardi A. , Proietti F. , Iantorno L. , Buonocore G.
Published: January 2017

This research paper aims to investigate if oxidative stress biomarkers increase after a painful procedure in term newborns and if nonpharmacological approaches, or sex, influence pain degree, and the subsequent OS. 83 healthy term newborns were enrolled to receive 10% oral glucose or sensorial saturation (SS) for analgesia during heel prick (HP). The ABC scale was used to score the pain. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and total hydroperoxides (TH) as biomarkers of OS were measured at the beginning (early‐sample) and at the end (late‐sample) of HP. The early‐sample/late‐sample ratio for AOPP and TH was used to evaluate the increase in OS biomarkers after HP. Higher levels of both AOPP and TH ratio were observed in high degree pain (4–6) compared with low degree pain score (0–3) (AOPP: p = 0.049; TH: p = 0.001). Newborns receiving SS showed a significantly lower pain score (p = 0.000) and AOPP ratio levels (p = 0.021) than those without. Males showed higher TH levels at the end of HP (p = 0.005) compared to females. The current study demonstrates that a relationship between pain degree and OS exists in healthy full‐term newborns. The amount of OS is gender related, being higher in males. SS reduces pain score together with pain‐related OS in the newborns.
Forced Vibration of a Timoshenko Beam Subjected to Stationary and Moving Loads Using the Modal Analysis Method
Authors: Kim Taehyun , Park Ilwook , Lee Usik
Published: January 2017

The modal analysis method (MAM) is very useful for obtaining the dynamic responses of a structure in analytical closed forms. In order to use the MAM, accurate information is needed on the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and orthogonality of the mode shapes a priori. A thorough literature survey reveals that the necessary information reported in the existing literature is sometimes very limited or incomplete, even for simple beam models such as Timoshenko beams. Thus, we present complete information on the natural frequencies, three types of mode shapes, and the orthogonality of the mode shapes for simply supported Timoshenko beams. Based on this information, we use the MAM to derive the forced vibration responses of a simply supported Timoshenko beam subjected to arbitrary initial conditions and to stationary or moving loads (a point transverse force and a point bending moment) in analytical closed form. We then conduct numerical studies to investigate the effects of each type of mode shape on the long-term dynamic responses (vibrations), the short-term dynamic responses (waves), and the deformed shapes of an example Timoshenko beam subjected to stationary or moving point loads.
Cephalometrics of Pharyngeal Airway Space in Lebanese Adults
Authors: Daraze Antoine , Delatte Myriam , Liistro Giuseppe , Majzoub Zeina
Published: January 2017

Purpose. The upper airway space is significant in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. The objectives of this study are to assess the dimensions of soft tissue elements of the upper pharyngeal space and evaluate potential correlations with modifying variables such as gender, skeletal class, and anthropometric parameters.Materials and Methods. Lateral cephalograms were obtained from 117 healthy young adult Lebanese subjects. Nineteen cephalometric linear/angular measurements of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx were recorded. Anthropometric parameters including body mass index and neck circumference were measured.Results. Significant differences were demonstrated for 12 out of the 19 parameters considered between genders. Uvula and tongue dimensions and the distances between epiglottis-posterior pharyngeal wall and epiglottis-posterior nasal spine were significantly larger in males. The anteroposterior inclination of the uvula and the distances between the uvula and posterior pharyngeal wall were significantly greater in females. No significant differences were found between skeletal classes relative to most of the variables. Body mass index and neck circumference were positively correlated with the dimensions of tongue and uvula.Conclusions. Sexual dimorphism relative to some cephalometric variables and anthropometric parameters may account partly for larger oronasopharyngeal spaces in females. Anthropometric data need to be accounted for in population-related comparisons.
A Maximum Muscle Strength Prediction Formula Using Theoretical Grade 3 Muscle Strength Value in Daniels et al.’s Manual Muscle Test, in Consideration of Age: An Investigation of Hip and Knee Joint Flexion and Extension
Authors: Usa Hideyuki , Matsumura Masashi , Ichikawa Kazuna , Takei Hitoshi
Published: January 2017

This study attempted to develop a formula for predicting maximum muscle strength value for young, middle-aged, and elderly adults using theoretical Grade 3 muscle strength value (moment fair:Mf)—the static muscular moment to support a limb segment against gravity—from the manual muscle test by Daniels et al. A total of 130 healthy Japanese individuals divided by age group performed isometric muscle contractions at maximum effort for various movements of hip joint flexion and extension and knee joint flexion and extension, and the accompanying resisting force was measured and maximum muscle strength value (moment max,Mm) was calculated. Body weight and limb segment length (thigh and lower leg length) were measured, andMfwas calculated using anthropometric measures and theoretical calculation. There was a linear correlation betweenMfandMmin each of the four movement types in all groups, excepting knee flexion in elderly. However, the formula for predicting maximum muscle strength was not sufficiently compatible in middle-aged and elderly adults, suggesting that the formula obtained in this study is applicable in young adults only.
Service Life Prediction of Electrolytic Capacitors in Urban Rail Transit Based on Analytical Iteration and GM(2,1) Model
Authors: Wang Lei , Diao Lijun , Qiu Ruichang , Xu Chunmei , Wang Peizhen
Published: January 2017

In the power supply of urban rail transit system, electrolytic capacitors are used in large numbers. They suffer from inevitable ripple currents; such ripple currents generate heat dissipation, which shortens their service life seriously. To increase the reliability of the whole power supply system, the aging process of electrolytic capacitors must be evaluated, so that their service life could be predicted and measures could be taken in advance before their failures. When they are applied into the power supply system, the accuracy of conventional approaches is somewhat lowered, owing to the existence of unpredictable ripple current and ambient temperature variations. In this paper, we build an analytical ripple model to offer online aging monitoring of electrolytic capacitors. After that, a GM(2,1) model is adopted to predict service life with higher accuracy than conventional approaches.
Accumulation of α-Synuclein in Cerebellar Purkinje Cells of Diabetic Rats and Its Potential Relationship with Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Markers
Authors: Solmaz Volkan , Köse Özlece Hatice , Eroglu Hüseyin Avni , Aktuğ Hüseyin , Erbaş Oytun , Taşkıran Dilek
Published: January 2017

Objective. The present study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between plasma oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), inflammatory marker pentraxin-3 (PTX3), and cerebellar accumulation of α-synuclein in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetes model in rats. Methods. Twelve rats were included in the study. Diabetes (n=6) was induced with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg). Diabetes was verified after 48 h by measuring blood glucose levels. Six rats served as controls. Following 8 weeks, rats were sacrificed for biochemical and immunohistochemical evaluation. Results. Plasma MDA levels were significantly higher in diabetic rats when compared with the control rats (p<0.01), while plasma GSH levels were lower in the diabetic group than in the control group (p<0.01). Also, plasma pentraxin-3 levels were statistically higher in diabetic rats than in the control rats (p<0.01). The analysis of cerebellar α-synuclein immunohistochemistry showed a significant increase in α-synuclein immunoexpression in the diabetic group compared to the control group (p<0.01). Conclusion. Due to increased inflammation and oxidative stress in the chronic period of hyperglycemia linked to diabetes, there may be α-synuclein accumulation in the cerebellum and the plasma PTX3 levels may be assessed as an important biomarker of this situation.
Visual Outcomes, Quality of Vision, and Quality of Life of Diffractive Multifocal Intraocular Lens Implantation after Myopic Laser In Situ Keratomileusis: A Prospective, Observational Case Series
Authors: Chang John S. M. , Ng Jack C. M. , Chan Vincent K. C. , Law Antony K. P.
Published: January 2017

Purpose. To report visual performance and quality of life after implantation of a bifocal diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (MIOL) in postmyopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) patients.Methods. Prospective, observational case series. Patients with prior myopic LASIK who had implantation of Tecnis ZMA00/ZMB00 MIOL (Abbott Medical Optics) at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital were included. Postoperative examinations included monocular and binocular distance, intermediate and near visual acuity (VA), and contrast sensitivity; visual symptoms (0–5); satisfaction (1–5); spectacle independence rate; and quality of life.Results. Twenty-three patients (27 eyes) were included. No intraoperative complications developed. Mean monocular uncorrected VA at distance, intermediate, and near were0.13±0.15(standard deviation),0.22±0.15, and0.16±0.15, respectively. Corresponding mean values for binocular uncorrected VA were0.00±0.10,0.08±0.13, and0.13±0.10, respectively. No eyes lost >1 line of corrected distance VA. Contrast sensitivity at different spatial frequencies between operated and unoperated eyes did not differ significantly (allP>0.05). Mean score for halos, night glare, starbursts, and satisfaction were1.46±1.62,1.85±1.69,0.78±1.31, and3.50±1.02, respectively. Eighteen patients (78%) reported complete spectacle independence. Mean composite score of the quality-of-life questionnaire was90.31±8.50out of 100.Conclusions. Implantation of the MIOL after myopic LASIK was safe and achieved good visual performance.
Histological and Pathological Assessment of miR-204 and SOX4 Levels in Gastric Cancer Patients
Authors: Yuan Xiao , Wang Shuanhu , Liu Mulin , Lu Zhen , Zhan Yanqing , Wang Wenbin , Xu A-Man
Published: January 2017

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers and the efficient therapeutic methods are limited. Further study of the exact molecular mechanism of gastric cancer to develop novel targeted therapies is necessary and urgent. We herein systematically examined that miR-204 suppressed both proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer AGS cells. miR-204 directly targeted SOX4. In clinical tissue research, we determined that miR-204 was expressed much lower and SOX4 expressed much higher in gastric cancer tissues compared with normal gastric tissues. Associated analysis with clinicopathological parameters in gastric cancer patients showed miR-204 was associated with no lymph node metastasis and early tumor stages whereas SOX4 was associated with lymph node metastasis and advanced tumor stages. In addition, miR-204 and SOX4 were negatively correlated in tissues from gastric cancer patients. Our findings examined the important role of miR-204 and SOX4 played in gastric cancer, and they could be used as candidate therapeutic targets for gastric cancer therapy.
Underwater Matching Correction Navigation Based on Geometric Features Using Sonar Point Cloud Data
Authors: Dong Mingjie , Chou Wusheng , Fang Bin
Published: January 2017

In order to localize the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) accurately in the reactor pool of the nuclear power plant, an underwater matching correction navigation algorithm based on geometric features using sonar point cloud data is proposed. At first, an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is used to compensate the motion induced distortion after the preprocessing of the sonar point cloud data. Then, the adjacent scanning point cloud data are fitted to be four different straight lines using Hough Transform and least square method. After that, the adjacent straight line is modified based on geometric features to get a standard rectangle. Since the working environment of the ROV is a rectangular shape with all dimensions known, it is used as a priori map. The matching rectangle is then used to compare with the a priori map to calculate the accurate position and orientation of the ROV. The obtained result is then applied as the measurement for the second EKF to obtain better localization accuracy. Experiments have been conducted in man-made water tank which is similar to the reactor pool of the nuclear power plant, and the results successfully verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Macrocell Protection Interference Alignment in Two-Tier Downlink Heterogeneous Networks
Authors: Seo Jongpil , Kim Hyeonsu , Ahn Jongmin , Chung Jaehak
Published: January 2017

Conventional interference alignment (IA) has been developed to mitigate interference problems for the coexistence of picocells and macrocells. This paper proposes a macrocell protection interference alignment (MCP-IA) in two-tier MIMO downlink heterogeneous networks. The proposed method aligns the interference of the macro user equipment (UE) and mitigates the interference of the pico-UEs with a minimum mean squared error interference rejection combining (MMSE-IRC) receiver. Compared to the conventional IA, the proposed MCP-IA provides an additional array gain obtained by the precoder design of the macro BS and a diversity gain achieved by signal space selections. The degrees of freedom (DoF) of the proposed MCP-IA are equal to or greater than that of the conventional IA and are derived theoretically. Link level simulations show the link capacity and the DoF of the macro UE, and also exhibit the proposed MCP-IA attaining additional array gain and diversity gain. The system level simulation illustrates that the proposed method prevents the interference of the macro UE completely and preserves the throughput of the pico-UE irrespective of the number of picocells. For 4×2 antenna configuration, the system level simulation demonstrates that the proposed MCP-IA throughput of the macro UE is not affected by the number of picocells and that the proposed MCP-IA throughput of the picocells approaches that of single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) with a 3% loss.
A Fast Enhanced Secure Image Chaotic Cryptosystem Based on Hybrid Chaotic Magic Transform
Authors: Koppu Srinivas , Viswanatham V. Madhu
Published: January 2017

An enhanced secure image chaotic cryptosystem has been proposed based on hybrid CMT-Lanczos algorithm. We have achieved fast encryption and decryption along with privacy of images. The pseudorandom generator has been used along with Lanczos algorithm to generate root characteristics and eigenvectors. Using hybrid CMT image, pixels are shuffled to accomplish excellent randomness. Compared with existing methods, the proposed method had more robustness to various attacks: brute-force attack, known cipher plaintext, chosen-plaintext, security key space, key sensitivity, correlation analysis and information entropy, and differential attacks. Simulation results show that the proposed methods give better result in protecting images with low-time complexity.
Large Left Ventricular Thrombus in a Patient with Systemic and Venous Thromboembolism Secondary to Protein C and S Deficiency
Authors: Pahuja Mohit , Ainapurapu Bujji , Abidov Aiden
Published: January 2017

58-year-old Hispanic female presented with an altered mental status. A CT scan of the head demonstrated multiple scattered infarcts and a large right temporal lobe infarct. We also diagnosed the patient with right popliteal and femoral vein thrombosis, bilateral pulmonary embolism, and a transient right radial artery occlusion. Her 12-lead EKG showed lateral ST elevation. Emergent coronary angiogram revealed normal coronaries. Echocardiogram demonstrated a large mobile mass attached to the anterolateral free wall with overall normal contractility of the left ventricle. The patient underwent surgical embolectomy to prevent further systemic embolization. Coagulability workup returned positive for protein C and S deficiency. The patient did well after surgery. Following her surgery, we initiated chronic oral anticoagulation. The presentation with intracardiac thrombus in a normal heart should raise a concern of a probable thrombophilia.
Numerical Simulation of Sea Breeze Convergence over Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Comin Alcimoni Nelci , Acevedo Otávio Costa
Published: January 2017

The convergence zone induced by sea breeze systems over Antarctic Peninsula is analyzed for the summer season of 2013–2015. 59 days, selected by satellite images for the absence of major synoptic forcing, are simulated using the WRF model. Sea breeze convergence has been detected in 21 of these days, mostly during evening hours and under large-scale winds. Breeze events are associated with a cold anomaly at the peninsula with respect to the climatology. This condition favors the onset of the necessary horizontal thermal gradients to trigger the breeze circulation. At the same time, no anomaly of the average pressure at sea level is found, indicating that events are favored when the average synoptic flow is present. Case studies indicate that the convergence location over the peninsula is controlled by the synoptic wind. An average convergence over the peninsula happens from 14:00 to 22:30 UTC, with a maximum at 18:00 UTC. There is a strong potential temperature gradient between the surface of the peninsula and the sea, with the sea breeze circulation system extending up to 1.2 km or higher. The sensible heat flux reaches 80 W/m2at the top of mountains and 10 W/m2near the coast.
Diagnostic Method of Diabetes Based on Support Vector Machine and Tongue Images
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng , Xu Jiatuo , Hu Xiaojuan , Chen Qingguang , Tu Liping , Huang Jingbin , Cui Ji
Published: January 2017

Objective. The purpose of this research is to develop a diagnostic method of diabetes based on standardized tongue image using support vector machine (SVM).Methods.Tongue images of 296 diabetic subjects and 531 nondiabetic subjects were collected by the TDA-1 digital tongue instrument. Tongue body and tongue coating were separated by the division-merging method and chrominance-threshold method. With extracted color and texture features of the tongue image as input variables, the diagnostic model of diabetes with SVM was trained. After optimizing the combination of SVM kernel parameters and input variables, the influences of the combinations on the model were analyzed.Results. After normalizing parameters of tongue images, the accuracy rate of diabetes predication was increased from 77.83% to 78.77%. The accuracy rate and area under curve (AUC) were not reduced after reducing the dimensions of tongue features with principal component analysis (PCA), while substantially saving the training time. During the training for selecting SVM parameters by genetic algorithm (GA), the accuracy rate of cross-validation was grown from 72% or so to 83.06%. Finally, we compare with several state-of-the-art algorithms, and experimental results show that our algorithm has the best predictive accuracy.Conclusions.The diagnostic method of diabetes on the basis of tongue images in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is of great value, indicating the feasibility of digitalized tongue diagnosis.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Guided Biopsy of Undetermined Abdominal Lesions: A Multidisciplinary Decision-Making Approach
Authors: Mao Feng , Dong Yi , Ji Zhengbiao , Cao Jiaying , Wang Wen-Ping
Published: January 2017

Aim. To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) guided biopsy of undetermined abdominal lesions in multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) decision-making approach. Methods. Between Jan 2012 and Dec 2015, 60 consecutive patients (male, 37; female, 23; mean age, 51.3 years ± 14.6) who presented with undetermined abdominal lesions were included. CEUS and core needle percutaneous biopsy was performed under real-time CEUS guidance in all lesions. Data were recorded and compared with conventional ultrasound (US) guidance group (n=75). All CEUS findings and clinical data were evaluated in MDT. Results. CEUS enabled the delimitation of more (88.3% versus 41.3%) and larger (14.1 ± 10.7 mm versus 32.3 ± 18.5 mm) nonenhanced necrotic areas. More inner (20.0% versus 6.7%) and surrounding (18.3% versus 2.7%) major vessels were visualized and avoided during biopsies. CEUS-guided biopsy increased the diagnostic accuracy from 93.3% to 98.3%, with correct diagnosis in 57 of 60 lesions (95.0%). The therapeutic plan was influenced by CEUS guided biopsies findings in the majority of patients (98.3%). Conclusion. The combination of CEUS guided biopsy and MDT decision-making approach is useful in the diagnostic work-up and therapeutic management.
Manometric Measurement of the Sphincter of Oddi in Patients with Common Bile Duct Stones: A Consecutive Study of the Han Population of China
Authors: Feng Yadong , Zhang Jie , Jiao Chunhua , Zhu Hong , Cheng Wenfang , Xu Shunfu , Xiao Bin , Ni Jinliang , Chen Xiaoxing
Published: January 2017

Objective. Role of dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) in choledocholithiasis is controversial. This study was to evaluate SO motor activity in patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones in the Han population of China.Patients and Methods. In this study, 76 patients with CBD stones were enrolled in a single tertiary endoscopy center. Data of SO motor activities was prospectively evaluated by endoscopic manometry. Mean basal SO pressure, amplitude, and frequency were collected and analyzed.Results. The mean basal SO pressure, amplitude, and frequency were52.7±40.0(1.60–171.1) mmHg,39.9±19.7(14.9–115.5) mmHg, and5.7±3.2(1.3–13.8)/min, respectively. The basal SO pressure was higher in patients with CBD stones < 10 mm in diameter than that in those with CBD stones larger than 10 mm in diameter (60.7±41.0 mmHg versus36.8±29.4 mmHg,P=0.043). There was no significant difference in the basal SO pressure, amplitude, and frequency when compared with the CBD diameter, CBD stone number, prior cholecystectomy, periampullary diverticula, and symptoms. Levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase,γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase showed no significant difference in patients with normal or elevated basal SO pressure.Conclusion. These results identify that, in Chinese Han population, abnormalities of SO motor activity are associated with CBD stones.
Serological Survey of Newcastle Disease in Free Ranging Local Chickens in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Anzaku Samuel Akawu , Umoh Jariath Umoh , Abdu Paul Ayuba , Kabir Junaidu , Bala Akawu
Published: January 2017

A serological survey was carried out in four area councils (Abuja Municipal, Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Kwali) of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) to determine the prevalence of antibodies to Newcastle disease virus in local chickens using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. In each area council, one hundred sera samples were collected from apparently healthy local chickens with no history of vaccination. Abuja Municipal, Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Kwali area councils had prevalence of 37, 44, 79, and 68%, respectively. The overall prevalence of antibody to Newcastle disease in the four area councils was 57%. This study shows that Newcastle disease virus is circulating in local chickens in the study area, and this may pose a serious threat to the commercial poultry industry within these four area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) where this study was carried out.
Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling of Archaea Lends Insight into Diversity of Metabolic Function
Authors: Thor ShengShee , Peterson Joseph R. , Luthey-Schulten Zaida
Published: January 2017

Decades of biochemical, bioinformatic, and sequencing data are currently being systematically compiled into genome-scale metabolic reconstructions (GEMs). Such reconstructions are knowledge-bases useful for engineering, modeling, and comparative analysis. Here we review the fifteen GEMs of archaeal species that have been constructed to date. They represent primarily members of the Euryarchaeota with three-quarters comprising representative of methanogens. Unlike other reviews on GEMs, we specially focus on archaea. We briefly review the GEM construction process and the genealogy of the archaeal models. The major insights gained during the construction of these models are then reviewed with specific focus on novel metabolic pathway predictions and growth characteristics. Metabolic pathway usage is discussed in the context of the composition of each organism’s biomass and their specific energy and growth requirements. We show how the metabolic models can be used to study the evolution of metabolism in archaea. Conservation of particular metabolic pathways can be studied by comparing reactions using the genes associated with their enzymes. This demonstrates the utility of GEMs to evolutionary studies, far beyond their original purpose of metabolic modeling; however, much needs to be done before archaeal models are as extensively complete as those for bacteria.
Assessment of Resistance and Bioremediation Ability ofLactobacillusStrains to Lead and Cadmium
Authors: Kirillova Anna V. , Danilushkina Anna A. , Irisov Denis S. , Bruslik Nataliya L. , Fakhrullin Rawil F. , Zakharov Yuri A. , Bukhmin Vladimir S. , Yarullina Dina R.
Published: January 2017

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are heavy metals, important environmental pollutants, and potent toxicants to organism. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been reported to remove Cd and Pb from solutions and therefore represent a useful tool for decontamination of food and beverages from heavy metals. Heavy metal ion binding by LAB was reported as metabolism-independent surface process. In this work tenLactobacillusstrains were investigated with respect to hydrophobicity, Lewis acid-base, and electrostatic properties of their outer cell surface in order to characterize their Cd and Pb removal capacity. SevenL. plantarumandL. fermentumstrains were shown to remove Cd from culture medium. The metabolism-dependent accumulation mechanism of Cd removal was proposed based on extended character of Cd binding and lack of correlation between any of the surface characteristics and Cd removal. The results of this study should be considered when selecting probiotic strains for people at risk of Cd exposure.
Abstract A01: Centrosome amplification induces autophagy and sensitizes to chloroquine
Authors: Denu Ryan A. , Burkard Mark E.
Published: January 2017

Autophagy is a catabolic process whereby autophagosomes engulf damaged organelles and proteins and deliver these contents to the lysosome for degradation and subsequent recycling. Proper autophagosome fusion with lysosomes depends on movement along intact microtubules, which are organized by centrosomes in human cells. We have discovered that autophagy is activated by centrosome amplification (CA), a numerical increase in centrosome number. CA is common in human cancers, particularly high-risk cancers, and higher autophagy is predicted to sensitize cancer cells with CA to autophagy inhibition. To test this hypothesis, we first evaluated autophagy in 341 human breast cancers with known CA status by quantifying p62/SQSTM1. Cancers with CA demonstrated a decrease in p62 expression, consistent with elevated autophagy. Next, we evaluated autophagy using western blot and immunofluorescence in two model cell lines of CA: doxycycline-inducible expression of polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4), an enzyme required for centrosome duplication. Cells with CA demonstrated elevated levels of autophagy by LC3 and p62 immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Third, we tested autophagy inhibitors in our cell models of CA. Our results show that cells with CA are sensitized to the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine. Taken together, our results suggest that autophagy is upregulated by CA. We hypothesize that CA induces autophagy by increasing the number of lysosomal hubs (lysosomes tend to cluster around centrosomes) and facilitating transport to these hubs. These findings suggest CA as a biomarker for autophagy inhibition in high-risk cancers.

Citation Format: Ryan A. Denu, Mark E. Burkard. Centrosome amplification induces autophagy and sensitizes to chloroquine. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Targeting the Vulnerabilities of Cancer; May 16-19, 2016; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(1_Suppl):Abstract nr A01.