bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multimethodology Contractor Assessment Model for Facilitating Green Innovation: The View of Energy and Environmental Protection
Authors: Hsueh Sung-Lin , Yan Min-Ren
Published: November 2013

The trends of the green supply chain are attributed to pressures from the environment and from customers. Green innovation is a practice for creating competitive advantage in sustainable development. To keep up with the changing business environment, the construction industry needs an appropriate assessment tool to examine the intrinsic and extrinsic effects regarding corporate competitive advantage. From the viewpoint of energy and environmental protection, this study combines four scientific methodologies to develop an assessment model for the green innovation of contractors. System dynamics can be used to estimate the future trends for the overall industrial structure and is useful in predicting competitive advantage in the industry. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and utility theory focus on the customer’s attitude toward risk and are useful for comprehending changes in objective requirements in the environment. Fuzzy logic can simplify complicated intrinsic and extrinsic factors and express them with a number or ratio that is easy to understand. The proposed assessment model can be used as a reference to guide the government in examining the public constructions that qualified green contractors participate in. Additionally, the assessment model serves an indicator of relative competitiveness that can help the general contractor and subcontractor to evaluate themselves and further green innovations.
Acute Appendicitis Complicated by Pylephlebitis: A Case Report
Authors: Castro Ricardo , Fernandes Teresa , Oliveira Maria I. , Castro Miguel
Published: November 2013

Pylephlebitis is defined as septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein. It is a rare but serious complication of an intraabdominal infection, more commonly diverticulitis and appendicitis. It has an unspecific clinical presentation and the diagnosis is difficult. The authors report a case of a 21-year-old man with acute appendicitis complicated by pylephlebitis. The diagnosis was made with contrast enhanced CT.
Research on Migration Strategy of Mobile Agent in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ting Dai , Haiping Huang , Yang Lu , Ruchuan Wang , Xinxing Pan
Published: November 2013

Big data and distributed computing are of great importance in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). They are always bonded together, and the latter one upholds the former one. In distributed computing, mobile agent model is the mainstream technology. With autonomy, communicativeness, mobility, and role, mobile agent model is more suitable for large-scale, resources-restrained WSN to deal with big data. This paper mainly studies migration schemes for mobile agents, determines core factors of migration strategy, and proposes SMLA and DMLA algorithms. And aiming at revealing the characteristics of target tracking, this paper puts forward pid-DMLA algorithm; and considering multiple agents' cooperation, it presents Mpid-DMLA algorithm. Moreover, this paper evaluates and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the above-mentioned four algorithms by simulations.
Convergence Behavior for Newton-Steffensen’s Method under -Condition of Second Derivative
Authors: Ling Yonghui , Xu Xiubin , Yu Shaohua
Published: November 2013

The present paper is concerned with the semilocal as well as the local convergence problems of Newton-Steffensen’s method to solve nonlinear operator equations in Banach spaces. Under the assumption that the second derivative of the operator satisfies -condition, the convergence criterion and convergence ball for Newton-Steffensen’s method are established.
Improved scFv Anti-HIV-1 p17 Binding Affinity Guided from the Theoretical Calculation of Pairwise Decomposition Energies and Computational Alanine Scanning
Authors: Tue-ngeun Panthip , Kodchakorn Kanchanok , Nimmanpipug Piyarat , Lawan Narin , Nangola Sawitree , Tayapiwatana Chatchai , Rahman Noorsaadah Abdul , Zain Sharifuddin Md. , Lee Vannajan Sanghiran
Published: November 2013

Computational approaches have been used to evaluate and define important residues for protein-protein interactions, especially antigen-antibody complexes. In our previous study, pairwise decomposition of residue interaction energies of single chain Fv with HIV-1 p17 epitope variants has indicated the key specific residues in the complementary determining regions (CDRs) of scFv anti-p17. In this present investigation in order to determine whether a specific side chain group of residue in CDRs plays an important role in bioactivity, computational alanine scanning has been applied. Molecular dynamics simulations were done with several complexes of original scFv anti-p17 and scFv anti-p17mutants with HIV-1 p17 epitope variants with a production run up to 10 ns. With the combination of pairwise decomposition residue interaction and alanine scanning calculations, the point mutation has been initially selected at the position MET100 to improve the residue binding affinity. The calculated docking interaction energy between a single mutation from methionine to either arginine or glycine has shown the improved binding affinity, contributed from the electrostatic interaction with the negative favorably interaction energy, compared to the wild type. Theoretical calculations agreed well with the results from the peptide ELISA results.
Low-Power Adiabatic Computing with Improved Quasistatic Energy Recovery Logic
Authors: Upadhyay Shipra , Nagaria R. K. , Mishra R. A.
Published: November 2013

Efficiency of adiabatic logic circuits is determined by the adiabatic and non-adiabatic losses incurred by them during the charging and recovery operations. The lesser will be these losses circuit will be more energy efficient. In this paper, a new approach is presented for minimizing power consumption in quasistatic energy recovery logic (QSERL) circuit which involves optimization by removing the nonadiabatic losses completely by replacing the diodes with MOSFETs whose gates are controlled by power clocks. Proposed circuit inherits the advantages of quasistatic ERL (QSERL) family but is with improved power efficiency and driving ability. In order to demonstrate workability of the newly developed circuit, a 4 × 4 bit array multiplier circuit has been designed. A mathematical expression to calculate energy dissipation in proposed inverter is developed. Performance of the proposed logic (improved quasistatic energy recovery logic (IQSERL)) is analyzed and compared with CMOS and reported QSERL in their representative inverters and multipliers in VIRTUOSO SPECTRE simulator of Cadence in 0.18 μm UMC technology. In our proposed (IQSERL) inverter the power efficiency has been improved to almost 20% up to 50 MHz and 300 fF external load capacitance in comparison to CMOS and QSERL circuits.
Phosphor Dysprosium‐Doped Layered Double Hydroxides Exchanged with Different Organic Functional Groups
Authors: Martínez Vargas David Ricardo , Oviedo Mariana J. , da Silva Lisboa Fabio , Wypych Fernando , Hirata Gustavo A. , Carbajal Arizaga Gregorio Guadalupe
Published: November 2013

The layers of a Zn/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) were doped with Dy3+ cations. Among some compositions, the Zn2+ : Al3+ : Dy3+ molar ratio equal to 30 : 9 : 1 presented a single crystalline phase. Organic anions with carboxylic, amino, sulfate, or phosphate functional groups were intercalated as single layers between LDH layers as confirmed by X‐ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Photoluminescence spectra of the nitrate intercalated LDH showed a wide emission band with strong intensity in the yellow region (around 574 nm), originated due to symmetry distortion of the octahedral coordination in dysprosium centers. Moreover, a broad red band emission was also detected apparently due to the presence of zinc oxide. The distorted symmetry of the dysprosium coordination environment, also confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, was modified after the intercalation with phenyl phosphonate (PP), aspartate (Asp), adipate (Adip), and serinate (Ser) anions; the emission as measured from PL spectra of these LDH was more intense in the blue region (ca. 486 nm), thus indicating an increase in symmetry of dysprosium octahedrons. The red emission band from zinc oxide kept the same intensity after intercalation of dodecyl sulfate (DDS). An additional emission of unknown origin at λ = 767 nm was present in all LDHs.
Should We Consider Patients with Coexistent Hepatitis B or C Infection for Orthotopic Heart Transplantation?
Authors: Sekar Baskar , Newton Pippa J. , Williams Simon G. , Shaw Steven M.
Published: November 2013

Heart transplantation (HTX) is the gold standard surgical treatment for patients with advanced heart failure. The prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection in HTX recipients is over 10%. Despite its increased prevalence, the long-term outcome in this cohort is still not clear. There is a reluctance to place these patients on transplant waiting list given the increased incidence of viral reactivation and chronic liver disease after transplant. The emergence of new antiviral therapies to treat this cohort seems promising but their long-term outcome is yet to be established. The aim of this paper is to review the literature and explore whether it is justifiable to list advanced heart failure patients with coexistent hepatitis B/C infection for HTX.
Is Transforming Growth Factor-βSignaling Activated in Human Hypertrophied Prostate Treated by 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor?
Authors: Kim Hye Kyung , Zhao Chen , Choi Bo Ram , Chae Han Jung , Kim Do Sung , Park Jong Kwan
Published: November 2013

Background and Aim. It is well known that androgen deprivation relates to penile fibrosis, so we hypothesize that long-term treatment with 5-alphareductase inhibitors (5ARIs) may increase the risk of fibrosis of prostate.Patients and Methods. Thirty-two BPH patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: group one, 16 patients underwent TURP who had been treated with tamsulosin for 2 years; group two, 16 patients underwent TURP who had been treated with combination of tamsulosin and dutasteride for at least 1 year. We evaluated the expressions of nNOS, iNOS, eNOS, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, phosphorylated-Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3), E-cadherin, N-cadherin, andα-smooth muscle actin in the resected prostate tissues by western blotting, and the TGF-βconcentration was determined by ELISA kit.Results. The expressions of 3 isoforms of NOS were significantly increased in group 2 except of eNOS in lateral prostate, and the expressions of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and p-Smad2/3 increased about 2-fold compared with group 1. In group 2, the E-cadherin expression decreased while N-cadherin expression increased significantly.Conclusions. The overexpression of nNOS may contribute to prostate smooth muscle relaxation; however, long-time treatment with 5 ARI increases the risk of fibrosis of prostate.
Capacitance Variation of Electrolyte‐Gated Bilayer Graphene Based Transistors
Authors: Karimi Hediyeh , Yusof Rubiyah , Ahmadi Mohammad Taghi , Saeidmanesh Mehdi , Rahmani Meisam , Akbari Elnaz , King Kiat Wong
Published: November 2013

Quantum capacitance of electrolyte‐gated bilayer graphene field‐effect transistors is investigated in this paper. Bilayer graphene has received huge attention due to the fact that an energy gap could be opened by chemical doping or by applying external perpendicular electric field. So, this extraordinary property can be exploited to use bilayer graphene as a channel in electrolyte‐gated field‐effect transistors. The quantum capacitance of bi‐layer graphene with an equivalent circuit is presented, and also based on the analytical model a numerical solution is reported. We begin by modeling the DOS, followed by carrier concentration as a function V in degenerate and nondegenerate regimes. To further confirm this viewpoint, the presented analytical model is compared with experimental data, and acceptable agreement is reported.
The Effects of Dilute Sulfuric Acid on Sheet Resistance and Transmittance in Poly(3,4-thylenedioxythiophene): Poly(styrenesulfonate) Films
Authors: Meen Teen-Hang , Chen Kan-Lin , Chen Yu-Hao , Chen Wen-Ray , Chou Dei-Wei , Lan Wen-How , Huang Chien-Jung
Published: November 2013

The conductivity of poly(3,4-thylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) films by adding various molar concentrations of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) was improved and studied in this paper. The sheet resistance of the doped PEDOT: PSS film was enhanced with increasing the ratio of H2SO4, but it drops after the maximum sheet resistance. The reason for this phenomenon is resulting from the fact that the H2SO4preferentially react with the sorbitol which is so-called the pinacol rearrangement. The nonconductive anions of some PSS−were substituted by the conductive anions of hydrogen sulfate (HSO4-) when the residual H2SO4reacted with PSS. In addition to the substitution reaction, PEDOT chains were increasingly aggregated with increasing the ratio of H2SO4. After doped H2SO4, the sheet resistance of H2SO4-doped PEDOT: PSS film is improved nearly 36%; the surface roughness is reduced from 1.268 nm to 0.822 nm and the transmittance is up to 91.9% in the visible wavelength range from 400 to 700 nm.
Effect of Turf Roof Slabs on Indoor Thermal Performance in Tropical Climates: A Life Cycle Cost Approach
Authors: Halwatura R. U.
Published: November 2013

Urbanization related to population growth is one of the burning issues that the world is facing today. Parallel to this, there is visible evidence of a possible energy crisis in the near future. Thus, scientists have paid attention to sustainable development methods, and in the field of building construction also, several innovations have been proposed. For example, green roof concept is one of such which is considered a viable method mainly to reduce urban heat island effect, to regain lost land spaces in cities, and to increase aesthetics in cities. The present study was aimed at investigating the impact of green roofs on indoor temperature of buildings, the effect of different types of roofs on the air conditioning loads, and the life cycle cost of buildings with different types of roofing. The study was conducted in several phases: initial small-scale models to determine the heat flow characteristics of roof top soil layers with different thicknesses, a large-scale model applying the findings of the small-scale models to determine temperature fluctuations within a building with other common roofing systems, a computer simulation to investigate air conditioning loads in a typical building with cement fiber sheets and green roof slabs, a comparative analysis of the effect of traditional type roofs and green roofs on the air conditioning loads, and finally an analysis to predict the influence of traditional type roofs and green roofs on life cycle cost of the buildings. The main findings of the study were that green roofs are able to reduce the indoor temperature of buildings and are able to achieve better heat transfer through the roof, and, thus a lower cooling load is necessary for air conditioning and has the possibility of reducing life cycle cost of a building.
Abnormal Nerve Conduction Study Findings Indicating the Existence of Peripheral Neuropathy in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica
Authors: Warabi Yoko , Yamazaki Mikihiro , Shimizu Toshio , Nagao Masahiro
Published: November 2013

Objective. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) has been reported in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, there have been limited reports of peripheral neuropathy as a complication of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). In this paper, we showed the characteristics and differences between peripheral neuropathy as a complication of MS and NMO.Method. We analyzed a series of 58 MS and 28 NMO patients and evaluated nerve conduction studies (NCS) in 21 MS and 5 NMO patients.Results. Six of the 58 MS and 3 of the 28 NMO patients revealed abnormal NCS findings. Three (5.2%) of the 58 MS patients fulfilled the criteria for CIDP. One (3.6%) of the 28 NMO patients showed peripheral neuropathy at the same time of NMO relapse, although CIDP was not seen in NMO. The other 5 (3 MS and 2 NMO) patients were complicated with neuropathy caused by concomitant diabetes mellitus and Sjögren’s syndrome.Conclusion. Frequency of abnormal NCS findings might exhibit no significant difference between MS and NMO, although the cause and pathophysiology of peripheral neuropathy were different in MS and in NMO. There might be a group of NMO who were affected simultaneously in the central and peripheral nervous tissues.
Dynamical Properties of Scaled Atomic Wehrl Entropy of Multiphoton JCM in the Presence of Atomic Damping
Authors: Abdel-Khalek S. , Almalki M. S. , Edfawy E.
Published: November 2013

We study the dynamics of the atomic inversion, scaled atomic Wehrl entropy, and marginal atomicQ-function for a single two-level atom interacting with a one-mode cavity field taking in the presence of atomic damping. We obtain the exact solution of the master equation in the interaction picture using specific initial conditions. We examine the effects of atomic damping parameter and number of multiphoton transition on the scaled atomic Wehrl entropy, atomicQ-function, and their marginal distribution. We observe an interesting monotonic relation between the different physical quantities in the case of different values of the number of photon transition during the time evolution.
Comparative Morphology of Dendritic Arbors in Populations of Purkinje Cells in Mouse Sulcus and Apex
Authors: Nedelescu Hermina , Abdelhack Mohamed
Published: November 2013

Foliation divides the mammalian cerebellum into structurally distinct subdivisions, including the concave sulcus and the convex apex. Purkinje cell (PC) dendritic morphology varies between subdivisions and changes significantly ontogenetically. Since dendritic morphology both enables and limits sensory-motor circuit function, it is important to understand how neuronal architectures differ between brain regions. This study employed quantitative confocal microcopy to reconstruct dendritic arbors of cerebellar PCs expressing green fluorescent protein and compared arbor morphology between PCs of sulcus and apex in young and old mice. Arbors were digitized from highz-resolution (0.25 µm) image stacks using an adaptation of Neurolucida’s (MBF Bioscience) continuous contour tracing tool, designed for drawing neuronal somata. Reconstructed morphologies reveal that dendritic arbors of sulcus and apex exhibit profound differences. In sulcus, 72% of the young PC population possesses two primary dendrites, whereas in apex, only 28% do. Spatial constraints in the young sulcus cause significantly more dendritic arbor overlap than in young apex, a distinction that disappears in adulthood. However, adult sulcus PC arbors develop a greater number of branch crossings. These results suggest developmental neuronal plasticity that enables cerebellar PCs to attain correct functional adult architecture under different spatial constraints.
T Lymphocytes Expressing a CD16 Signaling Receptor Exert Antibody-Dependent Cancer Cell Killing
Authors: Kudo Ko , Imai Chihaya , Lorenzini Paolo , Kamiya Takahiro , Kono Koji , Davidoff Andrew M. , Chng Wee Joo , Campana Dario
Published: November 2013

To expand applications for T-cell–based immunotherapy in cancer, we designed a receptor that binds the Fc portion of human immunoglobulins and delivers activation signals. The construct included the high-affinity CD16 (FCGR3A) V158 variant, CD8α hinge, and transmembrane domains, along with signaling domains from CD3ζ and 4-1BB (TNFRSF9), forming a chimeric receptor termed CD16V-BB-ζ. After retrovirus-mediated expression in human T cells, CD16V-BB-ζ bound humanized antibodies with higher affinity than a control receptor containing the more common F158 variant. Engagement of CD16V-BB-ζ provoked T-cell activation, exocytosis of lytic granules, and sustained proliferation, with a mean cell recovery after 4-week coculture with Daudi lymphoma cells and rituximab of nearly 70-fold relative to input cells. In contrast, unbound antibody alone produced no effect. CD16V-BB-ζ T cells specifically killed lymphoma cells and primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells in combination with rituximab at a low effector:target ratio, even when assayed on mesenchymal cells. Trastuzumab triggered CD16V-BB-ζ–mediated killing of HER2 (ERBB2)+ breast and gastric cancer cells; similar results were obtained with an anti-GD2 antibody in neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, coadministration of CD16V-BB-ζ T cells with immunotherapeutic antibodies exerted considerable antitumor activity in vivo. Signaling mediated by 4-1BB-CD3ζ induced higher T-cell activation, proliferation, and cytotoxicity than CD3ζ or FcϵRIγ, and the receptor was expressed effectively after mRNA electroporation without viral vectors, facilitating clinical translation. Our results offer preclinical proof of concept for CD16V-BB-ζ as a universal, next-generation chimeric receptor with the potential to augment the efficacy of antibody therapies for cancer. Cancer Res; 74(1); 93–103. ©2013 AACR.
Doxorubicin Eliminates Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Enhances the Efficacy of Adoptive T-Cell Transfer in Breast Cancer
Authors: Alizadeh Darya , Trad Malika , Hanke Neale T. , Larmonier Claire B. , Janikashvili Nona , Bonnotte Bernard , Katsanis Emmanuel , Larmonier Nicolas
Published: November 2013

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) expand in tumor-bearing hosts and play a central role in cancer immune evasion by inhibiting adaptive and innate immunity. They therefore represent a major obstacle for successful cancer immunotherapy. Different strategies have thus been explored to deplete and/or inactivate MDSC in vivo. Using a murine mammary cancer model, we demonstrated that doxorubicin selectively eliminates MDSC in the spleen, blood, and tumor beds. Furthermore, residual MDSC from doxorubicin-treated mice exhibited impaired suppressive function. Importantly, the frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and consequently the effector lymphocytes or natural killer (NK) to suppressive MDSC ratios were significantly increased following doxorubicin treatment of tumor-bearing mice. In addition, the proportion of NK and cytotoxic T cell (CTL) expressing perforin and granzyme B and of CTL producing IFN-γ was augmented by doxorubicin administration. Of therapeutic relevance, this drug efficiently combined with Th1 or Th17 lymphocytes to suppress tumor development and metastatic disease. MDSC isolated from patients with different types of cancer were also sensitive to doxorubicin-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro. These results thus indicate that doxorubicin may be used not only as a direct cytotoxic drug against tumor cells, but also as a potent immunomodulatory agent that selectively impairs MDSC-induced immunosuppression, thereby fostering the efficacy of T-cell–based immunotherapy. Cancer Res; 74(1); 104–18. ©2013 AACR.
USP22 Regulates Oncogenic Signaling Pathways to Drive Lethal Cancer Progression
Authors: Schrecengost Randy S. , Dean Jeffry L. , Goodwin Jonathan F. , Schiewer Matthew J. , Urban Mark W. , Stanek Timothy J. , Sussman Robyn T. , Hicks Jessica L. , Birbe Ruth C. , Draganova-Tacheva Rossitza A. , Visakorpi Tapio , DeMarzo Angelo M. , McMahon Steven B. , Knudsen Karen E.
Published: November 2013

Increasing evidence links deregulation of the ubiquitin-specific proteases 22 (USP22) deubitiquitylase to cancer development and progression in a select group of tumor types, but its specificity and underlying mechanisms of action are not well defined. Here we show that USP22 is a critical promoter of lethal tumor phenotypes that acts by modulating nuclear receptor and oncogenic signaling. In multiple xenograft models of human cancer, modeling of tumor-associated USP22 deregulation demonstrated that USP22 controls androgen receptor accumulation and signaling, and that it enhances expression of critical target genes coregulated by androgen receptor and MYC. USP22 not only reprogrammed androgen receptor function, but was sufficient to induce the transition to therapeutic resistance. Notably, in vivo depletion experiments revealed that USP22 is critical to maintain phenotypes associated with end-stage disease. This was a significant finding given clinical evidence that USP22 is highly deregulated in tumors, which have achieved therapeutic resistance. Taken together, our findings define USP22 as a critical effector of tumor progression, which drives lethal phenotypes, rationalizing this enzyme as an appealing therapeutic target to treat advanced disease. Cancer Res; 74(1); 272–86. ©2013 AACR.
C-C Chemokine Receptor 5 on Pulmonary Mesenchymal Cells Promotes Experimental Metastasis via the Induction of Erythroid Differentiation Regulator 1
Authors: Mango Robert L. , Wu Qing Ping , West Michelle , McCook Everett C. , Serody Jonathan S. , van Deventer Hendrik W.
Published: November 2013

C-C Chemokine receptor 5 knockout (Ccr5−/−) mice develop fewer experimental pulmonary metastases than wild-type (WT) mice. This phenomenon was explored by applying gene expression profiling to the lungs of mice with these metastases. Consequently, erythroid differentiation regulator 1 (Erdr1) was identified as upregulated in the WT mice. Though commonly associated with bone marrow stroma, Erdr1 was differentially expressed in WT pulmonary mesenchymal cells (PMC) and murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEF). Moreover, the Ccr5 ligand Ccl4 increased its expression by 3.36 ± 0.14–fold. Ccr5 signaling was dependent on the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (Map2k) but not the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (Pi3k) pathway because treatment with U0126 inhibited upregulation of Erdr1, but treatment with LY294002 increased the expression by 3.44 ± 0.92–fold (P < 0.05). The effect Erdr1 on B16-F10 melanoma metastasis was verified by the adoptive transfer of WT MEFs into Ccr5−/− mice. In this model, MEFs that had been transduced with Erdr1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lowered metastasis by 33% compared with control transduced MEFs. The relevance of ERDR1 on human disease was assessed by coculturing chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells with M2-10B4 stromal cells that had been transfected with shRNA or control plasmids. After 96 hours of coculture, the cell counts were higher with control cell lines than with Erdr1 knockdown lines [odds ratio (OR), 1.88 ± 0.27, 2.52 ± 0.66, respectively]. This increase was associated with a decrease in apoptotic cells (OR, 0.69 ± 0.18, 0.58 ± 0.12, respectively).

Implications: Therefore, ERDR1 is a stromal-derived factor that promotes cancer cell survival in vitro and in an experimental metastasis model. Mol Cancer Res; 12(2); 274–82. ©2013 AACR.
Reshaping the Gut Microbiota at an Early Age: Functional Impact on Obesity Risk?
Authors: Luoto R. , Collado M.C. , Salminen S. , Isolauri E.
Published: November 2013

Overweight and obesity can currently be considered a major threat to human health and well-being. Recent scientific advances point to an aberrant compositional development of the gut microbiota and low-grade inflammation as contributing factors, in conjunction with excessive energy intake. A high-fat/energy diet alters the gut microbiota composition, which reciprocally engenders excessive energy harvesting and storage. Further, microbial imbalance increases gut permeability, leading to metabolic endotoxemia, inflammation and insulin resistance. Local intestinal immunologic homeostasis is achieved by tolerogenic immune responses to microbial antigens. In the context of amelioration of insulin sensitivity and decreased adiposity, the potential of gut microbiota modulation with specific probiotics and prebiotics lies in the normalization of aberrant microbiota, improved gut barrier function and creation of an anti-inflammatory milieu. This would suggest a role for probiotic/prebiotic interventions in the search for preventive and therapeutic applications in weight management.
Clinical Consequences of Diet-Induced Dysbiosis
Authors: Chan Yee Kwan , Estaki Mehrbod , Gibson Deanna L.
Published: November 2013

Various disease states are associated with an imbalance of protective and pathogenic bacteria in the gut, termed dysbiosis. Current evidence reveals that dietary factors affect the microbial ecosystem in the gut. Changes to community structure of the intestinal microbiota are not without consequence considering the wide effects that the microbes have on both local and systemic immunity. The goal of this review is to give insight into the importance of gut microbiota in disease development and the possible therapeutic interventions in clinical settings. We introduce the complex tripartite relationship between diet, microbes and the gut epithelium. This is followed by a summary of clinical evidence of diet-induced dysbiosis as a contributing factor in the development of gastrointestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and colorectal cancer, as well as systemic diseases like obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Finally, the current dietary and microbial interventions to promote a healthy microbial profile will be reviewed.
Endocervical-Like versus Intestinal-Type Mucinous Borderline Ovarian Tumors: A Large Retrospective Series Focusing on the Clinicopathologic Characteristics
Authors: Song Taejong , Choi Chel Hun , Lee Yoo-Young , Kim Tae-Joong , Lee Jeong-Won , Sung Chang Ohk , Song Sang Yong , Bae Duk-Soo , Kim Byoung-Gie
Published: November 2013

Background/Aims: To evaluate the clinical and pathologic features of patients with mucinous borderline tumor (MBT) of the ovary with special emphasis on the endocervical-like (EMBT) and intestinal-type (IMBT). Methods: This is a retrospective review of patients with MBT who were diagnosed and treated between 1995 and 2009 at a single institution. The records were analyzed for the patients' clinicopathologic information. The survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of a total of 203 patients with MBT, there were 56 (27.6%) with EMBTs and 147 (72.4%) with IMBTs. Patients with EMBTs were significantly more asymptomatic (58.9%), had higher CA125 and CA19-9 levels, larger tumors (mean 17.3 cm), less frequent bilateral occurrence (5.4%), and less relation to endometriosis (1.4%), compared with those with IMBTs (all p < 0.05). During the median follow-up of 57.3 months (range 6-158), a total of 8 recurrences were identified: 6 were borderline and 2 were invasive lesion. With regard to the recurrence, EMBT and IMBT showed a 7-year recurrence-free survival rate of 97.1 and 92.1%, respectively, with no significant difference. Conclusion: EMBT and IMBT had different clinicopathological profiles, although the histologic distinction of MBT was not associated with the prognosis.
Prediction of Preeclampsia by Uterine Artery Doppler at 20-24 Weeks' Gestation
Authors: Gallo Dahiana Marcela , Poon Leona C. , Akolekar Ranjit , Syngelaki Argyro , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: November 2013

Objectives: To determine maternal characteristics affecting uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) in normal pregnancies at 20-24 weeks' gestation and examine in pregnancies with preeclampsia (PE) the relation between uterine artery PI multiple of the median (MoM) and severity of disease. Methods: Uterine artery PI was measured at 20-24 weeks in 50,490 singleton pregnancies, including 1,442 (2.9%) that developed PE. Uterine artery PI was expressed as MoM after adjustment for maternal characteristics and corrected for adverse pregnancy outcomes. In PE, the correlation between uterine artery PI MoM with gestational age at delivery and birth weight Z-score was determined. Results: In the normal group there were significant independent contributions to uterine artery PI from gestational age, racial origin and prior history of PE, and/or small for gestational age (SGA). In the PE group, there was an inverse significant association between uterine artery PI MoM and both gestational age at delivery and birth weight Z-score (p < 0.0001). Uterine artery PI was above the 95th percentile (1.509 MoM) in 72.7, 36.1 and 14.9% of cases of PE requiring delivery at <34, 34-37 and ≥38 weeks, respectively, and the percentages for PE with SGA were 80.2, 55.6 and 37.4%. Conclusions: In a normal pregnancy, uterine artery PI is affected by maternal characteristics, and in PE, uterine artery PI MoM is related to the severity of the disease.
Multiple Vascular Accidents Including Rupture of a Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm, a Minor Ischemic Stroke and Intracranial Arterial Anomaly in a Patient with Systemic Congenital Abnormalities: A Case Report
Authors: Nakajima Masataka , Abe Arata , Nishiyama Yasuhiro , Harada-Abe Mina , Kutsuna Akihito , Goto Yuya , Okubo Seiji , Mishina Masahiro , Katsura Ken-ichiro , Katayama Yasuo
Published: November 2013

A 39-year-old man with a history of rupture of a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm experienced an ischemic stroke. Although the patient presented left-sided hemiparesis for a week, no abnormal signals were indicated on diffusion-weighted imaging with repeated magnetic resonance scans. Carotid ultrasound and cerebral angiography were conducted, and they revealed hypoplasty of the left internal carotid artery with a low-lying carotid bifurcation at the level of the C6 vertebra. In addition, he was diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, evaluated by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, and congenital velopharyngeal insufficiency. We herein present the first report of a patient with cardio-cerebrovascular abnormalities, intellectual disabilities, and an otorhinolaryngological abnormality.
Pneumococcal phosphoglycerate kinase interacts with plasminogen and its tissue activator
Authors: Fulde Marcus , Bernardo-García Noelia , Rohde Manfred , Nachtigall Nadine , Frank Ronald , Preissner Klaus T. , Klett Javier , Morreale Antonio , Chhatwal G. Singh , Hermoso Juan A. , Bergmann Simone
Published: November 2013

Streptococcus pneumoniae is not only a commensal of the nasopharyngeal epithelium, but may also cause life-threatening diseases. Immune-electron microscopy studies revealed that the bacterial glycolytic enzyme, phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), is localised on the pneumococcal surface of both capsulated and non-capsulated strains and colocalises with plasminogen. Since pneumococci may concentrate host plasminogen (PLG) together with its activators on the bacterial cell surface to facilitate the formation of plasmin, the involvement of PGK in this process was studied. Specific binding of human or murine PLG to strain-independent PGK was documented, and surface plasmon resonance analyses indicated a high affinity interaction with the kringle domains 1–4 of PLG. Crystal structure determination of pneumococcal PGK together with peptide array analysis revealed localisation of PLG-binding site in the N-terminal region and provided structural motifs for the interaction with PLG. Based on structural analysis data, a potential interaction of PGK with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was proposed and experimentally confirmed by binding studies, plasmin activity assays and thrombus degradation analyses.
Fibrinogen depletion after plasma-dilution: impairment of proteolytic resistance and reversal via clotting factor concentrates
Authors: Johnsson Hans , Zabczyk Michal , Hultenby Kjell , Wallen Håkan , Blombäck Margareta , He Shu
Published: November 2013

In trauma patients, resuscitation treatment of intravascular volume may cause haemodilution including blood cell- and plasma-dilution. After plasma-dilution, fibrinogen is the first factor that decreases to critically low concentrations. Fibrin formed in lowered levels is susceptible to fibrinolysis, a natural forerunner for bleeding. To assess whether a fibrinogen concentrate or a factor XIII (FXIII) concentrate can reverse the impairment of fibrin properties after plasma dilution, different laboratory methods were used to determine thrombin generation and fibrin quantity/quality in a normal plasma sample diluted in vitro. Coagulation and clot lysis by plasmin were triggered with tissue factor and rt-PA, respectively. We found that while the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) was unaffected after plasma-dilution due to postponement of thrombin decay, levels of fibrinogen and hence fibrin were decreased in dilution degree-dependency. The imbalance between influence of the dilution on thrombin activity and fibrin formation brought unexpected outcomes of fibrin properties: the formed clots favoured the degradation by plasmin but the fibrin networks remained tighter/less permeable. This proteolytic tendency was partly overturned by the fibrinogen concentrate added (total fibrinogen ≥ 2 g/l), and much more affected if used in combination with tranexamic acid (a fibrinolysis inhibitor) at small doses. No reversal effect resulted from the FXIII concentrate added. We conclude that plasma-dilution did reduce the proteolytic resistance of formed clots. The fibrinogen concentrate, better together with small doses of tranexamic acid, may reverse the impairment of fibrin property. The FXIII concentrate is not effective in this regard in our in vitro model using platelet-poor plasma.
Can Personal Meaning Be Derived from Science?
Authors: Reagan Trudy Myrrh
Published: November 2013

The artist has derived deep personal meaning from the vast and intricate world revealed by science. Beyond unearthing facts and inspiring alluring images, this intricate world contributes to an overall context for one's life. She also acknowledges its ethic of concern for the integrity of research results.
On a collection of calappid crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) from Fiji, with a description of a new species of Mursia
Authors: GALIL BELLA S.
Published: November 2013

Seven species of calappid crabs were identified from material collected during four IRD-MNHN expeditions conducted in 1998 and 1999 in shallow and deep waters off Fiji. Six species are reported for the first time from the islands. One new species, Mursia murimura n. sp., is described and illustrated. The new species differs from the closely related M. diwata Galil & Takeda, 2004, with which it shares a stout, distally auriculated first male pleopod, by possessing much longer lateral carapacial and cheliped spines.
Estimation of X-Band Polarimetric Radar Attenuation and Measurement Uncertainty Using a Variational Method
Authors: Chang Wei-Yu , Vivekanandan Jothiram , Chen Wang Tai-Chi
Published: November 2013

A variational algorithm for estimating measurement error covariance and the attenuation of X-band polarimetric radar measurements is described. It concurrently uses both the differential reflectivity ZDR and propagation phase ΦDP. The majority of the current attenuation estimation techniques use only ΦDP. A few of the ΦDP-based methods use ZDR as a constraint for verifying estimated attenuation. In this paper, a detailed observing system simulation experiment was used for evaluating the performance of the variational algorithm. The results were compared with a single-coefficient ΦDP-based method. Retrieved attenuation from the variational method is more accurate than the results from a single coefficient ΦDP-based method. Moreover, the variational method is less sensitive to measurement noise in radar observations. The variational method requires an accurate description of error covariance matrices. Relative weights between measurements and background values (i.e., mean value based on long-term DSD measurements in the variational method) are determined by their respective error covariances. Instead of using ad hoc values, error covariance matrices of background and radar measurement are statistically estimated and their spatial characteristics are studied. The estimated error covariance shows higher values in convective regions than in stratiform regions, as expected. The practical utility of the variational attenuation correction method is demonstrated using radar field measurements from the Taiwan Experimental Atmospheric Mobile-Radar (TEAM-R) during 2008’s Southwest Monsoon Experiment/Terrain-Influenced Monsoon Rainfall Experiment (SoWMEX/TiMREX). The accuracy of attenuation-corrected X-band radar measurements is evaluated by comparing them with collocated S-band radar measurements.
Treatment of Pediatric Restless Legs Syndrome
Authors: Amos Louella B. , Grekowicz Megan L. , Kuhn Evelyn M. , Olstad Jenna D. , Collins Maureen M. , Norins Nan A. , D’Andrea Lynn A.
Published: November 2013

Objective. The primary aim was to determine if iron supplementation effectively treats children with restless legs syndrome (RLS), the time to improvement or resolution of symptoms, and patient characteristics (family history of RLS, secondary sleep disorders, medical diagnoses, and/or mental health diagnoses) that may affect outcome. Methods. This was a retrospective chart review of children between 5 and 18 years old who were diagnosed with RLS at the pediatric sleep disorders clinic at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Documented RLS treatment approaches included supplemental iron, nonpharmacologic interventions, melatonin, gabapentin, clonidine, and dopamine agonists (pramipexole and ropinirole). Results. Ninety-seven children were diagnosed with RLS; 60.8% of children were between 5 and 11 years old. Most children (65%) received iron either as monotherapy or in combination with other treatments. Approximately 80% of the children who received iron and had follow-up had improvement or resolution of their symptoms. The median baseline ferritin level was 22.7 ng/mL, and 71% of children had a ferritin level less than 30 ng/mL. The median time to improvement or resolution of symptoms was 3.8 months. Conclusions. Supplemental iron as monotherapy or in combination with other treatments is effective in treating pediatric RLS. A prospective study could help determine if the initial ferritin level and degree of change in the ferritin level impact response to iron treatment. It is also important to study the long-term outcomes in these patients.
Value-Added Measures in Restructuring Urban Schools
Authors: Chambers Stefanie , Tate Katherine
Published: November 2013

Value-added measures of teacher effectiveness have become very popular in educational reform efforts. Using 2010 data from elementary schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), we engage in a new and innovative statistical approach to contribute to the discussion concerning such measures. We hypothesize that quality teachers are not independent of students and schools. Through two-stage least squares, we find that in the aggregate, high-quality teachers do not improve aggregate student outcomes in urban districts controlling for student and school factors. While good teachers can have individual, positive, and dramatic effects on individual students, their impacts on larger populations are diluted. Therefore, although high-quality teachers can improve individual student outcomes, other factors are more likely to create a more equitable, effective system of education.
EMG-triggered electrical stimulation is a feasible intervention to apply to multiple arm muscles in people early after stroke, but does not improve strength and activity more than usual therapy: a randomized feasibility trial
Authors: Dorsch Simone , Ada Louise , Canning Colleen G
Published: November 2013

Objective:

To determine whether EMG-triggered electrical stimulation applied to multiple muscles daily is a feasible intervention and to determine its effect on strength and activity in very weak stroke patients.

Design:

A prospective, randomized trial with blinded assessment.

Setting:

Metropolitan mixed acute and rehabilitation units.

Participants:

Thirty-three people within four weeks of a stroke with less than Grade 3 strength in three out of four muscle groups (shoulder flexors, elbow extensors, wrist and finger extensors and thumb abductors) of the affected arm.

Interventions:

Participants were randomly allocated to receive EMG-triggered electrical stimulation to the four muscle groups of the affected arm plus usual therapy five times a week for four weeks, or usual therapy only.

Main measures:

Feasibility of the intervention was measured by examining compliance with the trial protocol. Strength was measured using manual muscle testing summed across muscle groups (0–20). Activity was measured using the Motor Assessment Scale, summed upper limb items (0–18).

Results:

The experimental group received 87% of the intervention. Following the intervention period, there was no difference between the groups for strength (mean between-group difference, 0 out of 20, 95% confidence interval (CI) −3 to 3, p = 0.91) or activity (mean between-group difference 1 out of 18, 95% CI −2 to 4, p = 0.44).

Conclusions:

It is feasible to apply EMG-triggered electrical stimulation to multiple muscles of the upper limb in very weak people early after stroke. However, it does not appear to improve strength or activity beyond usual arm therapy that contains strengthening.
Toward a Constructionist Perspective of Examining Femininity Experience
Authors: Shea Munyi , Wong Y. Joel , Wang Sandy , Wang Sherry , Jimenez Viviana , Hickman Sarah J. , LaFollette Julie R.
Published: November 2013

The social constructionist perspective has become a useful framework for understanding women’s psychological experiences. However, tools for examining how women construct meanings of their experiences as female in relevant social situations remain limited. Over two studies, our article describes the development and psychometric properties of the Subjective Femininity Stress Scale (SFSS), which assesses women’s stress associated with their subjective experiences of being female. Participants ( N = 468) described their personal experiences of what it means to be a woman by completing the sentence “As a woman…” 10 times; participants then rated how often each of the femininity experiences was stressful for them. Participants’ qualitative responses were coded based on 20 dimensions of femininity experiences, and their relationships with SFSS scores were examined. Study 1 provided evidence for test–retest reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity of the SFSS. Study 2 demonstrated concurrent and incremental validity of the SFSS. Several dimensions of femininity experiences were significantly correlated with women’s stress appraisal. The open-ended nature of the SFSS is easy to administer in clinical and organizational settings. The dual qualitative/quantitative aspects of the SFSS enable clients to create personally relevant meanings for their femininity experiences while also providing a stress index for exploring links with health outcomes.
Evaluation of the quality of life of lupus erythematosus patients with cutaneous lesions in Japan
Authors: Ishiguro M , Hashizume H , Ikeda T , Yamamoto Y , Furukawa F
Published: November 2013

The quality of life (QOL) of lupus erythematosus (LE) patients with skin manifestations is impaired, but little is known about Japanese patients. We assessed whether the skin symptoms in LE are associated with the QOL using the Japanese versions of the Skindex-29 and Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI). In all, 54 LE patients with cutaneous lesions completed the Japanese version of the Skindex-29, and physicians assessed the severity of their eruptions using the CLASI before and after treatment. The QOL of the LE patients was better after the therapeutic intervention using the Skindex-29 questionnaire. We tested several factors for an independent association with the QOL. A significant risk factor for a poor QOL was a female gender in “Functioning” before treatment. In addition, a poor QOL tended to be correlated with a female gender in “Emotions” and older current age in “Symptoms” before treatment, and with a longer duration of SLE in “Functioning” after treatment. In the CLASI analysis, skin manifestation activity in the acute phase correlated with a poor emotional and functional QOL rather than a symptomatic QOL. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report evaluating the QOL of Japanese LE patients, despite the small cohort.