bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of RNA Oligonucleotides Binding to Several Proteins from Potential G-Quadruplex Forming Regions in Transcribed Pre-mRNA
Authors: Saito Taiki , Yoshida Wataru , Yokoyama Tomomi , Abe Koichi , Ikebukuro Kazunori
Published: November 2015

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are noncanonical DNA/RNA structures formed by guanine-rich sequences. Recently, G4s have been found not only in aptamers but also in the genomic DNA and transcribed RNA. In this study, we identified new RNA oligonucleotides working as aptamers by focusing on G4-forming RNAs located within the pre-mRNA. We showed that the G4 in the 5′ UTR and first intron of VEGFA bound to the protein encoded in VEGFA gene, VEGF165, with high affinity. Moreover, G4-forming RNAs located within the PDGFA and the PDGFB introns bound to PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB, respectively, indicating that G4 in the pre-mRNA could be an aptamer. It had been reported that the putative G4-forming RNA sequences are located in some parts of most genes, thus our strategy for aptamer identification could be applicable to other proteins. It has been reported that some G4-forming RNAs in 5′ UTRs are involved in translation control; however, G4-forming excised intronic RNA function has not been revealed previously. Therefore, these findings could not only contribute to the identification of RNA aptamers but also provide new insights into the biological functioning of G4-forming RNAs located within intronic RNA sequences.
Quaternary Alkylammonium Conjugates of Steroids: Synthesis, Molecular Structure, and Biological Studies
Authors: Brycki Bogumił , Koenig Hanna , Pospieszny Tomasz
Published: November 2015

The methods of synthesis as well as physical, spectroscopic (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and FT-IR, ESI-MS), and biological properties of quaternary and dimeric quaternary alkylammonium conjugates of steroids are presented. The results were contrasted with theoretical calculations (PM5 methods) and potential pharmacological properties (PASS). Alkylammonium sterols exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity comparable to squalamine.
Alignment of Short Reads: A Crucial Step for Application of Next-Generation Sequencing Data in Precision Medicine
Authors: Ye Hao , Meehan Joe , Tong Weida , Hong Huixiao
Published: November 2015

Precision medicine or personalized medicine has been proposed as a modernized and promising medical strategy. Genetic variants of patients are the key information for implementation of precision medicine. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an emerging technology for deciphering genetic variants. Alignment of raw reads to a reference genome is one of the key steps in NGS data analysis. Many algorithms have been developed for alignment of short read sequences since 2008. Users have to make a decision on which alignment algorithm to use in their studies. Selection of the right alignment algorithm determines not only the alignment algorithm but also the set of suitable parameters to be used by the algorithm. Understanding these algorithms helps in selecting the appropriate alignment algorithm for different applications in precision medicine. Here, we review current available algorithms and their major strategies such as seed-and-extend and q-gram filter. We also discuss the challenges in current alignment algorithms, including alignment in multiple repeated regions, long reads alignment and alignment facilitated with known genetic variants.
Quantitative Phase Fraction Detection in Organic Photovoltaic Materials through EELS Imaging
Authors: Dyck Ondrej , Hu Sheng , Das Sanjib , Keum Jong , Xiao Kai , Khomami Bamin , Duscher Gerd
Published: November 2015

Organic photovoltaic materials have recently seen intense interest from the research community. Improvements in device performance are occurring at an impressive rate; however, visualization of the active layer phase separation still remains a challenge. This paper outlines the application of two electron energy-loss spectroscopic (EELS) imaging techniques that can complement and enhance current phase detection techniques. Specifically, the bulk plasmon peak position, often used to produce contrast between phases in energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), is quantitatively mapped across a sample cross section. A complementary spectrum image capturing the carbon and sulfur core loss edges is compared with the plasmon peak map and found to agree quite well, indicating that carbon and sulfur density differences between the two phases also allows phase discrimination. Additionally, an analytical technique for determining absolute atomic areal density is used to produce an absolute carbon and sulfur areal density map. We show how these maps may be re-interpreted as a phase ratio map, giving quantitative information about the purity of the phases within the junction.
Reducing the Influence of Soil Moisture on the Estimation of Clay from Hyperspectral Data: A Case Study Using Simulated PRISMA Data
Authors: Castaldi Fabio , Palombo Angelo , Pascucci Simone , Pignatti Stefano , Santini Federico , Casa Raffaele
Published: November 2015

Soil moisture hampers the estimation of soil variables such as clay content from remote and proximal sensing data, reducing the strength of the relevant spectral absorption features. In the present study, two different strategies have been evaluated for their ability to minimize the influence of soil moisture on clay estimation by using soil spectra acquired in a laboratory and by simulating satellite hyperspectral data. Simulated satellite data were obtained according to the spectral characteristics of the forthcoming hyperspectral imager on board of the Italian PRISMA satellite mission. The soil datasets were split into four groups according to the water content. For each soil moisture level a prediction model was applied, using either spectral indices or partial least squares regression (PLSR). Prediction models were either specifically developed for the soil moisture level or calibrated using synthetically dry soil spectra, generated from wet soil data. Synthetically dry spectra were obtained using a new technique based on the effects caused by soil moisture on the optical spectrum from 400 to 2400 nm. The estimation of soil clay content, when using different prediction models according to soil moisture, was slightly more accurate as compared to the use of synthetically dry soil spectra, both employing clay indices and PLSR models. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the a priori knowledge of the soil moisture class can reduce the error of clay estimation when using hyperspectral remote sensing data, such as those that will be provided by the PRISMA satellite mission in the near future.
Automatic Object Extraction from Electrical Substation Point Clouds
Authors: Arastounia Mostafa , Lichti Derek
Published: November 2015

The reliability of power delivery can be profoundly improved by preventing wildlife-related power outages. This can be achieved by insulating electrical substation components with non-conductive covers. The manufacture of custom-built covers requires as-built models of the salient components. This study presents new, automated methodology to recognize key components of electrical substations from 3D LiDAR data acquired using terrestrial laser scanning. The proposed methodology includes six novel algorithms to recognize key components (fence, cables, circuit breakers, bushings and bus pipes) of electrical substations. Three datasets with different resolutions and configurations are used in this study. A Leica HDS 6100 laser scanner was used to acquire the first dataset and a Faro Focus3D laser scanner was employed to collect the second and third datasets. The obtained results indicate that 178 and 171 out of 181 electrical substation elements were successfully recognized in the first and second dataset, respectively, and 183 out of 191 components were identified in the third dataset. The results also demonstrate that an average 97.8% accuracy and average 98.8% precision at the point cloud level can be achieved.
An On-Demand Web Tool for the Unsupervised Retrieval of Earth’s Surface Deformation from SAR Data: The P-SBAS Service within the ESA G-POD Environment
Authors: De Luca Claudio , Cuccu Roberto , Elefante Stefano , Zinno Ivana , Manunta Michele , Casola Valentina , Rivolta Giancarlo , Lanari Riccardo , Casu Francesco
Published: November 2015

This paper presents a web tool for the unsupervised retrieval of Earth’s surface deformation from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite data. The system is based on the implementation of the Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) algorithm referred to as Parallel Small BAseline Subset (P-SBAS) approach, within the Grid Processing on Demand (G-POD) environment that is a part of the ESA’s Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP). The developed on-demand web tool, which is specifically addressed to scientists that are non-expert in DInSAR data processing, permits to set up an efficient on-line P-SBAS processing service to produce surface deformation mean velocity maps and time series in an unsupervised manner. Such results are obtained by exploiting the available huge ERS and ENVISAT SAR data archives; moreover, the implementation of the Sentinel-1 P-SBAS processing chain is in a rather advanced status and first results are already available. Thanks to the adopted strategy to co-locate both DInSAR algorithms and computational resources close to the SAR data archives, as well as the provided capability to easily generate the DInSAR results, the presented web tool may contribute to drastically expand the user community exploiting the DInSAR products and methodologies.
Pothole Detection System Using a Black-box Camera
Authors: Jo Youngtae , Ryu Seungki
Published: November 2015

Aging roads and poor road-maintenance systems result a large number of potholes, whose numbers increase over time. Potholes jeopardize road safety and transportation efficiency. Moreover, they are often a contributing factor to car accidents. To address the problems associated with potholes, the locations and size of potholes must be determined quickly. Sophisticated road-maintenance strategies can be developed using a pothole database, which requires a specific pothole-detection system that can collect pothole information at low cost and over a wide area. However, pothole repair has long relied on manual detection efforts. Recent automatic detection systems, such as those based on vibrations or laser scanning, are insufficient to detect potholes correctly and inexpensively owing to the unstable detection of vibration-based methods and high costs of laser scanning-based methods. Thus, in this paper, we introduce a new pothole-detection system using a commercial black-box camera. The proposed system detects potholes over a wide area and at low cost. We have developed a novel pothole-detection algorithm specifically designed to work with the embedded computing environments of black-box cameras. Experimental results are presented with our proposed system, showing that potholes can be detected accurately in real-time.
Early Fault Diagnosis of Bearings Using an Improved Spectral Kurtosis by Maximum Correlated Kurtosis Deconvolution
Authors: Jia Feng , Lei Yaguo , Shan Hongkai , Lin Jing
Published: November 2015

The early fault characteristics of rolling element bearings carried by vibration signals are quite weak because the signals are generally masked by heavy background noise. To extract the weak fault characteristics of bearings from the signals, an improved spectral kurtosis (SK) method is proposed based on maximum correlated kurtosis deconvolution (MCKD). The proposed method combines the ability of MCKD in indicating the periodic fault transients and the ability of SK in locating these transients in the frequency domain. A simulation signal overwhelmed by heavy noise is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that MCKD is beneficial to clarify the periodic impulse components of the bearing signals, and the method is able to detect the resonant frequency band of the signal and extract its fault characteristic frequency. Through analyzing actual vibration signals collected from wind turbines and hot strip rolling mills, we confirm that by using the proposed method, it is possible to extract fault characteristics and diagnose early faults of rolling element bearings. Based on the comparisons with the SK method, it is verified that the proposed method is more suitable to diagnose early faults of rolling element bearings.
Molecular Electronic Angular Motion Transducer Broad Band Self-Noise
Authors: Zaitsev Dmitry , Agafonov Vadim , Egorov Egor , Antonov Alexander , Shabalina Anna
Published: November 2015

Modern molecular electronic transfer (MET) angular motion sensors combine high technical characteristics with low cost. Self-noise is one of the key characteristics which determine applications for MET sensors. However, until the present there has not been a model describing the sensor noise in the complete operating frequency range. The present work reports the results of an experimental study of the self-noise level of such sensors in the frequency range of 0.01–200 Hz. Based on the experimental data, a theoretical model is developed. According to the model, self-noise is conditioned by thermal hydrodynamic fluctuations of the operating fluid flow in the frequency range of 0.01–2 Hz. At the frequency range of 2–100 Hz, the noise power spectral density has a specific inversely proportional dependence of the power spectral density on the frequency that could be attributed to convective processes. In the high frequency range of 100–200 Hz, the noise is conditioned by the voltage noise of the electronics module input stage operational amplifiers and is heavily reliant to the sensor electrical impedance. The presented results allow a deeper understanding of the molecular electronic sensor noise nature to suggest the ways to reduce it.
Liver Cancer Detection by a Simple, Inexpensive and Effective Immunosensor with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Ching Congo , Van Hieu Nguyen , Cheng Teng-Yun , Fu Lin-Shien , Sun Tai-Ping , Liu Ming-Yen , Huang Su-Hua , Yao Yan-Dong
Published: November 2015

Regular monitoring of blood α-fetoprotein (AFP) and/or carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) levels is important for the routine screening of liver cancer. However, AFP and CEA have a much lower specificity than des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) to detect liver cancer. Therefore, the study reported here was designed, to develop a screen-printed DCP immunosensor incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles, for accurate determination of DCP. The designed immunosensor shows low detection limits for the detection of DCP: 0.440 ng/mL (based on impedance measurement), 0.081 ng/mL (based on real part of impedance measurement) and 0.078 ng/mL (based on imaginary part of impedance measurement), within the range of 3.125 ng/mL to 2000 ng/mL. In addition, there was little interference to DCP determination by molecules such as Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl−, glucose, urea, and uric acid. It is therefore concluded that the DCP immunosensor developed and reported here is simple, inexpensive and effective, and shows promise in the rapid screening of early-stage liver cancer at home with a point-of-care approach.
The “Double-Edge Sword” of Human Empathy: A Unifying Neurobehavioral Theory of Compassion Stress Injury
Authors: Russell Mark , Brickell Matt
Published: November 2015

An integrative neurobehavioral model for “compassion stress injury” is offered to explain the “double-edge sword” of empathy and inherent vulnerability of helping professionals and care-givers. One of the most strikingly robust, yet largely invisible scientific findings to emerge over the past decade is identifying the neurophysiological mechanisms enabling human beings to understand and feel what another is feeling. The compelling convergence of evidence from multi-disciplinary lines of primary research and studies of paired-deficits has revealed that the phenomenon of human beings witnessing the pain and suffering of others is clearly associated with activation of neural structures used during first-hand experience. Moreover, it is now evident that a large part of the neural activation shared between self- and other-related experiences occurs automatically, outside the observer’s conscious awareness or control. However, it is also well established that full blown human empathic capacity and altruistic behavior is regulated by neural pathways responsible for flexible consciously controlled actions of the observer. We review the history, prevalence, and etiological models of “compassion stress injury” such as burnout, secondary traumatic stress, vicarious traumatization, compassion fatigue, and empathic distress fatigue, along with implications of the neurobehavioral approach in future research.
Analysis on Accuracy of Bias, Linearity and Stability of Measurement System in Ball screw Processes by Simulation
Authors: Pai Fan-Yun , Yeh Tsu-Ming , Hung Yung-Hsien
Published: November 2015

To consistently produce high quality products, a quality management system, such as the ISO9001, 2000 or TS 16949 must be practically implemented. One core instrument of the TS16949 MSA (Measurement System Analysis) is to rank the capability of a measurement system and ensure the quality characteristics of the product would likely be transformed through the whole manufacturing process. It is important to reduce the risk of Type I errors (acceptable goods are misjudged as defective parts) and Type II errors (defective parts are misjudged as good parts). An ideal measuring system would have the statistical characteristic of zero error, but such a system could hardly exist. Hence, to maintain better control of the variance that might occur in the manufacturing process, MSA is necessary for better quality control. Ball screws, which are a key component in precision machines, have significant attributes with respect to positioning and transmitting. Failures of lead accuracy and axial-gap of a ball screw can cause negative and expensive effects in machine positioning accuracy. Consequently, a functional measurement system can incur great savings by detecting Type I and Type II errors. If the measurement system fails with respect to specification of the product, it will likely misjudge Type I and Type II errors. Inspectors normally follow the MSA regulations for accuracy measurement, but the choice of measuring system does not merely depend on some simple indices. In this paper, we examine the stability of a measuring system by using a Monte Carlo simulation to establish bias, linearity variance of the normal distribution, and the probability density function. Further, we forecast the possible area distribution in the real case. After the simulation, the measurement capability will be improved, which helps the user classify the measurement system and establish measurement regulations for better performance and monitoring of the precision of the ball screw.
Landscape Pattern Changes in Response to Transhumance Abandonment on Mountain Vermio (North Greece)
Authors: Sidiropoulou Anna , Karatassiou Maria , Galidaki Georgia , Sklavou Paraskevi
Published: November 2015

Transhumance, the seasonal movement of herds between highlands and lowlands following precise, repeated routes, is a common practice in many Mediterranean regions. This livestock movement exploits natural vegetation in both winter and summer pastures. In Greece transhumant herders, drawn by relatively abundant vegetation, usually relocate to mountainous areas between April and October. Mount Vermio was an ideal summer pasture for the nomadic, ethnic group Sarakatsanoi of Thessaly, who used to own big herds. Socio-economic conditions of the 20th century led to the gradual decline of transhumance, resulting in reduction in grazing pressure and changes in vegetation dynamics. The purpose of this study was to monitor changes in landscape patterns in response to transhumance abandonment. Landscape metrics were employed to estimate land use/cover in two altitudinal zones. Results reveal that due to the abandonment of transhumance in the highlands landscape fragmentation increased. Meanwhile, in the lowlands, due to the uninterrupted presence of animals, landscape structure is more stable and diversified. Grasslands and agroforestry systems became smaller and more isolated. In conclusion, the abandonment of transhumance led to the overall deterioration of the rural landscape in the highlands.
Conformational Ensemble of the Poliovirus 3CD Precursor Observed by MD Simulations and Confirmed by SAXS: A Strategy to Expand the Viral Proteome?
Authors: Moustafa Ibrahim , Gohara David , Uchida Akira , Yennawar Neela , Cameron Craig
Published: November 2015

The genomes of RNA viruses are relatively small. To overcome the small-size limitation, RNA viruses assign distinct functions to the processed viral proteins and their precursors. This is exemplified by poliovirus 3CD protein. 3C protein is a protease and RNA-binding protein. 3D protein is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). 3CD exhibits unique protease and RNA-binding activities relative to 3C and is devoid of RdRp activity. The origin of these differences is unclear, since crystal structure of 3CD revealed “beads-on-a-string” structure with no significant structural differences compared to the fully processed proteins. We performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on 3CD to investigate its conformational dynamics. A compact conformation of 3CD was observed that was substantially different from that shown crystallographically. This new conformation explained the unique properties of 3CD relative to the individual proteins. Interestingly, simulations of mutant 3CD showed altered interface. Additionally, accelerated MD simulations uncovered a conformational ensemble of 3CD. When we elucidated the 3CD conformations in solution using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments a range of conformations from extended to compact was revealed, validating the MD simulations. The existence of conformational ensemble of 3CD could be viewed as a way to expand the poliovirus proteome, an observation that may extend to other viruses.
L'entrée royale de Louis XIV à Valenciennes
Authors: Barbier Frédéric
Published: November 2015

Les conquêtes louis-quatorziennes sur la frontière du Nord sont suivies d'une succession d'entrées royales dans les différentes villes : il s'agit pour le roi de manifester le rattachement des villes au royaume, de s'assurer de la fidélité des Magistrats et, surtout, de celle d'un petit peuple pour la sensibilité duquel le rattachement à une France présentée comme impie avait constitué une véritable catastrophe. L'entrée à Valenciennes en 1680 est caractéristique à cet égard. La symbolique développée par les organisateurs de la fête est centrée sur le personnage d'Hercule (qualifié ici d'«Hercule gaulois»), selon le principe de la praefiguratio médiévale : à chaque exploit ancien du héros correspond aujourd'hui une des actions du roi, ou un développement de sa politique. Les bas-reliefs accompagnant la statue d'Hercule élevée devant la Maison de ville décrivent ainsi le programme politique du royaume auquel les Valenciennois sont désormais incorporés.
Un épisode de la Révolution industrielle : Ouvriers à demeure, ouvriers immigrés dans l'industrie cotonnière de Roubaix de 1857 à 1864.
Authors: Lentacker Firmin
Published: November 2015

De 1857 à 1864, Roubaix a bien connu la Révolution industrielle dans toute sa brutalité. Les mutations technologiques qui interviennent dans l'industrie cotonnière de Roubaix au cours des années 1850 sont de deux ordres : le métier à renvideur, «self-acting mule», remplace en filature la «mule-jenny» tandis que le travail sur deux métiers s'impose dans les tissages les plus importants. Il en résulte un emploi grandissant d'ouvriers immigrés, souvent venus de Gand où ils ont fait leur apprentissage de travail en usine, alors que le tissage à domicile dans le rayon traditionnel de la «fabrique» de Roubaix entre en déclin.
Le complexe industriel de Roubaix-Tourcoing et le marché de la laine (1840-1950).
Authors: Daviet Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2015

De industrialisatie van het wolcentrum Roubaix-Tourcoing wordt geanalyseerd in vier hoofdstukken : de continuiteit, industriele maturiteit, handel en uitrusting en kapitaal. Men toont hoe het marktaandeel groeide van 3% tot 50% in Frankrijk, bij ononderbroken contacten met het buitenland (aankoop van ruwe wol ; surkses van stoffen uit Roubaix in Engeland en de V.S. in de tweede helft van de 19de eeuw, export van halfafgewerkte produkten, linten en draad in de 20ste eeuw). De handel wekt de illusie dat de 400 firma's een reusachtig bedrijf vormen, maar dat dit niet zo is toont de moeilijkheid om te hernieuwen en te investeren, een gevolg van de overgeerfde mentaliteit.
Suppression of Cellular Proliferation and Invasion by HMGB1 Knockdown in Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Liao Haiqiu , Xiao Yang , Hu Yingbin , Xiao Yangming , Yin Zhaofa , Liu Liang
Published: November 2015

HMGB1, which acts as a DNA chaperone to help maintain nuclear homeostasis, was reported to play a prominent role in cancer progression, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis development. Increased expression of HMGB1 has been observed in several tumor entities. However, the molecular
mechanisms of HMGB1 in tumorigenesis of bladder cancer have rarely been reported. In the present study, real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of HMGB1 in human bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) cells was much higher than that in human normal urethra epithelial
cells. In order to investigate the role of HMGB1 in BUC cells, RNA interference and Talen-mediated gene knockout (KO) were used to knockdown and knockout HMGB1, respectively, in BUC cell lines BIU-87 and T24. HMGB1 knockdown/out greatly inhibited proliferation, invasion, and cell cycle G1/S
transition of BUC cells. The decrease in cell viability caused by HMGB1 knockdown/out was due to an increase in apoptosis via Bax/Bcl-2, both of which were important molecules involved in the apoptotic pathway. We then investigated the effect of HMGB1 knockdown/out on the sensitivity of BUC
cells treated with the anticancer drug cisplatin. Knockdown or knockout of HMGB1 rendered BUC cells more sensitive to cisplatin. The decreased expression of LC3-II and Beclin 1, which resulted in decreased levels of autophagy, could probably explain this phenomenon. Thus, HMGB1 may become
a novel promising candidate for the prognosis and therapy for bladder cancer.
CXCL12-CXCR4 Axis Promotes Proliferation, Migration, Invasion, and Metastasis of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Guo Qing , Gao Bu-Lang , Zhang Xue-Jing , Liu Guo-Chao , Xu Feng , Fan Qiong-Ying , Zhang Shao-Jing , Yang Bo , Wu Xiao-Hua
Published: November 2015

The CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine axis may play a very important role in ovarian cancer cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and peritoneal metastasis in vitro and in vivo. In this study, transfected SKOV3-CXCR4, transfected vector SKOV3-negative, nontransfected SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells,
and human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) were cultivated in vitro, and the proliferation, migration, and invasion of these ovarian cancer cells were investigated with or without the influence of the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis. Nude mice models of ovarian cancer were created by injection of ovarian
cancer cells into the peritoneal cavity for investigation of ovarian cancer cells metastasis. Our results demonstrated that in the SKOV3-CXCR4 group, the cell number of proliferation, migration, or penetration through the Matrigel membrane treated with CXCL12 was significantly (p < 0.05)
greater than those treated with CXCR4 antibody or CXCR4 antagonist AMD 3100 in a concentration-dependent manner. In the SKOV3-negative and the nontransfected SKOV3 groups, no significant (p > 0.05) differences existed in the cell number of proliferation, migration,
or penetration. Coculture of HPMCs and SKOV3-CXCR4 had significantly (p < 0.05) higher migration and invasion rates than the SKOV3-CXCR4-only group. In nude mice seeded with ovarian cancer cells, the tumor weight in the nude mice injected with SKOV3-CXCR4 cells was
significantly (p < 0.05) greater than in the group injected with the SKOV3-negative or nontransfected SKOV3 cells. Taken together, our results show that the CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine axis can significantly promote the proliferation, migration, invasion, and peritoneal
metastasis of ovarian cancer cells, and interference with this axis may serve as a new therapeutic target in treating ovarian cancers.
Inhibition of Glioblastoma Cell Growth In Vitro and In Vivo by Brucine, a Component of Chinese Medicine
Authors: Ruijun Wang , Wenbin Meng , Yumin Wang , Ruijian Zhang , Puweizhong Huang , Yulin Li
Published: November 2015

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common glial cell tumors and has drawn more and more attention in the clinic in recent years. Brucine has been reported to significantly suppress gastric cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer growth in vivo by inducing cell apoptosis.
Here, the effects of brucine on U251 human glioma cell growth were investigated in vitro by cell proliferation assay, FACs, and qPCR in a xenograft tumor model. Treatment with brucine reduced the expression of BCL-2 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), while upregulated BAX expression in U251 human
glioma cells resulted in reduced glioma cell survival rate and inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors. We concluded that brucine has a suppressive effect on U251 human glioma cells in vitro and in vivo, which could help in understanding the role of brucine in glioma cells and guiding drug use in the clinic.
Efficacy and Safety of Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin (CapOX) as an Adjuvant Therapy in Japanese for Stage II/III Colon Cancer in a Group at High Risk of Recurrence in Retrospective Study
Authors: Osawa Hiroshi , Handa Naoko , Minakata Kunihiko
Published: November 2015

A number of large-scale clinical trials have demonstrated that using a combination of oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidines as an adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II/III colon cancer improved the prognosis. However, there has only been experience in Japanese patients with using CapOX therapy,
in which capecitabine and oxaliplatin are used in combination. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CapOX in Japanese patients as an adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer in a single institute retrospective study. The efficacy and safety of CapOX as an adjuvant
chemotherapy for patients with stage III colon cancer and stage II patients who had a signature for high risk of recurrence were evaluated in patients who had undergone surgery at our institution between December 1, 2009 and March 31, 2013. Forty-one patients received CapOX therapy during
the study period: 23 men and 18 women with median age of 68.0 years (35‐79 years). Performance status was 0 for 33 patients, and PS 1 for eight patients. The clinical stages were stage II in 14 patients, stage IIIA in 15 patients, and stage IIIB in 12 patients. The median number of
CapOX cycles was eight (two to eight courses). The treatment completion rate was 82.9%. Five-year DFS rates were 63.8%. Five-year OS rates were 71.0%. In terms of adverse events, the serious adverse events of grade 3 or higher seen among all patients were neutropenia in four patients, thrombocytopenia
in one patient, and peripheral sensory neuropathy in seven patients. However, hand‐foot syndrome, which is characteristic of capecitabine, was not observed. Efficacy and tolerability of CapOX in Japanese patients as an adjuvant chemotherapy after colon cancer surgery was demonstrated.
BLID: A Novel Tumor-Suppressor Gene
Authors: Yu Xin , Li Zheng
Published: November 2015

BLID (BH3-like motif containing, cell death inducer), also known as breast cancer cell 2 (BRCC2), was first reported in the human breast cancer cell line in 2004. BLID is a BH3-like motif containing apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family. Recently, the BLID tumor-suppressor roles have been fully established. Several studies have found that BLID is frequently downregulated in many human cancers and the downregulation is often associated with tumor progression. Multivariate analysis indicated that BLID is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival. Moreover, BLID can inhibit breast cancer cell growth and metastasis and promote apoptosis. BLID can regulate the expression of various tumor-related genes and proteins, such as AKT and MMP. In this review, we provide an overview of current knowledge concerning the role of BLID in tumor development and progression. To our knowledge, this is the first review about the role of this novel tumor-suppressor gene in tumor development and progression.
Knockdown of Peripheral Myelin Protein 22 Inhibits the Progression of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Liu Hui , Cao Hui-qin , Ta Jin-bao , Zhang Wen , Liu Yu-hong
Published: November 2015

We aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) in the development of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The level of PMP22 expression in CD34+ cells isolated from CML patients’ bone marrow samples (BMMCs) and peripheral blood samples
(PBMCs) was determined by RT-PCR. In addition, PMP22-siRNA and scrambled control siRNA were transfected into human CML cell line K562 with Lipofectamine 2000 reagent. Cell viability and apoptosis were, respectively, determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Besides, the level of caspase
3 and Bcl-xL was then detected using Western blot. The level of PMP22 expression in CML patients’ CD34+ cells isolated from both PBMCs and BMMCs was significantly higher than the control group. PMP22 expression in K562 cells was successfully knocked down by siRNA. MTT analysis
showed that knockdown of PMP22 inhibited the proliferation of CML cells. Flow cytometry showed that knockdown of PMP22 promoted the apoptosis of CML cells. Besides, Bcl-xL expression markedly decreased, while the expression of caspase 3 in CML cells significantly increased after knockdown
of PMP22 expression. Our findings indicate that high expression of PMP22 may promote cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis via upregulation of Bcl-xL or inhibition of caspase 3 activation, and thus may contribute to the development of CML. PMP22 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of CML.
Ursolic Acid Inhibits the Proliferation of Gastric Cancer Cells by Targeting miR-133a
Authors: Xiang Fenfen , Pan Chunying , Kong Qianqian , Wu Rong , Jiang Jiemin , Zhan Yueping , Xu Jian , Gu Xingang , Kang Xiangdong
Published: November 2015

Ursolic acid (UA), a potential chemotherapeutic agent, has the properties of inhibition of the growth of many human cancer cell lines. Whether UA can inhibit the growth and metastasis of human gastric cancer cells remains unknown. In this study, it was found that UA inhibited the growth
and metastasis of human gastric cancer cells in vitro. Our results showed the increase of the percent of apoptotic cells and G1 phase, the inhibition of cell migrations well as the decrease of the expression of Bax, caspase 3 and Bcl-2 in BGC-823 cells after the treatment with UA.
Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that UA treatment upregulated the level of miR-133a in BGC-823 cells. Overexpression of miR-133a increased the G1 phase of cell cycle and decreased Akt1 expression in BGC-823 cells. These outcomes might be secondary to the increased expression of miR-133a after the treatment with UA.
TIP30: A Novel Tumor-Suppressor Gene
Authors: Yu Xin , Li Zheng , Wu William K. K.
Published: November 2015

TIP30/CC3 was first identified and characterized as a “candidate” tumor-suppressor gene in 1997. Recently, the TIP30 tumor-suppressor status has been fully established since several studies have described that TIP30 protein expression is frequently downregulated in diverse types of human tumors, and the downregulation is often associated with tumor progression. TIP30 is involved in the control of cell apoptosis, growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, DNA repair, and tumor cell metabolism. Moreover, TIP30−/−mice spontaneously develop hepatocellular carcinoma and other tumors at a higher incidence than that of wild-type mice. In this review, we provide an overview of current knowledge concerning the role of TIP30 in tumor development and progression. To our knowledge, this is the first review about the role of novel tumor-suppressor gene TIP30 in tumor development and progression.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Adjuvant Stage III Colon Cancer Treatment at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers
Authors: Soni Amy , Aspinall Sherrie L. , Zhao Xinhua , Good Chester B. , Cunningham Francesca E. , Chatta Gurkamal , Passero Vida , Smith Kenneth J.
Published: November 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the real-world cost effectiveness of adjuvant stage III colon cancer chemotherapy regimens, given that previous analyses have been based on data from clinical trials. The study was designed using integrated decision tree and Markov model,
which was developed to evaluate the cost effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV), capecitabine, and the combination of each with oxaliplatin. The analysis was performed from a US Veterans Affairs perspective via retrospectively collected data, over a 5-year model time horizon.
Outcome and cost data were used to calculate cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY), and one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. In the base case analysis, capecitabine and capecitabine plus oxaliplatin both cost more and were less effective than other regimens,
and 5-FU/LV plus oxaliplatin, compared to 5-FU/LV alone, resulted in a cost of $25,997 per QALY gained. Model results were generally robust to parameter variation. Capecitabine plus oxaliplatin could be economically reasonable if full dosing occurred ≥76% of the time (base case 42%).
In a real-world setting, the addition of oxaliplatin to 5-FU/LV is more effective but also more costly than 5-FU/LV alone. If full dosing of capecitabine-containing regimens can be assured, they may also be cost-effective strategies.
Electroviscous effect on fluid drag in a microchannel with large zeta potential
Authors: Jing Dalei , Bhushan Bharat
Published: November 2015

The electroviscous effect has been widely studied to investigate the effect of surface charge-induced electric double layers (EDL) on the pressure-driven flow in a micro/nano channel. EDL has been reported to reduce the velocity of fluid flow and increase the fluid drag. Nevertheless, the study on the combined effect of EDL with large zeta potential up to several hundred millivolts and surface charge depenedent-slip on the micro/nano flow is still needed. In this paper, the nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann equation for electrical potential and ion distribution in non-overlapping EDL is first analytically solved. Then, the modified Navier–Stokes equation for the flow considering the effect of surface charge on the electrical conductivity of the electrolyte and slip length is analytically solved. This analysis is used to study the effect of non-overlapping EDL with large zeta potential on the pressure-driven flow in a microchannel with no-slip and charge-dependent slip conditions. The results show that the EDL leads to an increase in the fluid drag, but that slip can reduce the fluid drag. When the zeta potential is large enough, the electroviscous effect disappears for flow in the microchannel under a no-slip condition. However, the retardation of EDL on the flow and the enhancement of slip on the flow counteract each other under a slip condition. The underlying mechanisms of the effect of EDL with large zeta potential on fluid drag are the high net ionic concentration near the channel wall and the fast decay of electrical potential in the EDL when the zeta potential is large enough.
Техники и методи за детекција и дијагноза на орални премалигни и малигни лезии
Authors: Николовски Бруно , Поповиќ-Моневска Даница , Миновска Ана , Поповска Мирјана , Радојкова-Николовска Вера
Published: November 2015

ОСНОВА: Оралните премалигни и малигни лезии бележат тенденција на доцна детекција, која е на штета на пациентите поради високите стапки на морбидитет и морталитет.. Токму затоа е важно раното дијагностицирање на овие нарушувања и заболувања.
ЦЕЛ: Целта на овој труд е да ги евалуираме дијагностичките средства и методи за детекција на премалигните и малигни орални лезии.
МАТЕРИЈАЛ И МЕТОДИ: За изработка на овој труд, спроведовме автоматско детално пребарување на интернет базата PubMed за периодот од 1966 година до 2014 година. Клучни зборови според кои го изведовме пребарувањето беа: “орални преканцерози, орален карцином, визуелни средства и молекуларни биолошки маркери”. Ги вклучивме и извештаите кои беа рецензирани и прифатени за објавување, а сеуште неиспечатени. Ги исклучивме статиите кои беа известувања од експерти, како и оние кои не беа од англиско издание или не беа изведени на хумани субјекти.
РЕЗУЛТАТИ: Од најчесто употребуваните техники и дијагностички тестови, виталните ткивни боења покажуваат сензитивност од 93.5% – 97.8% и нешто пониска специфичност од 73.3% - 92.9%. Употребата на современите алатки за визуелизација на ткивните аберации, бележат сензитивност од околу 30% и специфичност од 63%.
ЗАКЛУЧОК: Оралната цитологија, патохистолошкиот наод, молекуларните биолошки испитувања, како и примената на софистицирани визуелни средства во детекција на суспектните орални лезии, се смета дека ќе доведат до рано дијагностицирање и ќе го направи толкувањето на наодите далеку посигурно отколку порано.
Psychological Patient Reactions after Septorhinoplasty - Our Personal View
Authors: Kopacheva-Barsova Gabriela , Nikolovski Nikola , Arsova Slavica , Kopachev Dragoslav
Published: November 2015

AIM: The aim of our study is to observe adequate and inadequate psychological reactions in patients who are candidates for septorhinoplasty, before and after surgery and to create an adequate psychological model of a person suitable for septorhinoplasty in this group of patients.MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 140 patients with nasal septal deviation (deviatio septi nasi), alone or together with other nasal deformities, were observed in the period of 4 years (2011-2015 year). Our patients were psychologically observed using two standard psychological tests: Patients selection for septorhinoplasty and their psychological abilities (â€œSelf-body imageâ€ questionnaire) and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) test.RESULTS: Most of the patients 43 (39.8%), thought that after rhinoseptoplasty their self-confidence arise, 32 (29.63%) expected changing's in their life's, few of them 9 (8, 3%) thought that the environment will act different with them. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) in women group was shown that most of the women patients presented symptoms of somatisation; 23 (23.33%) and 15 (25%) one year after surgery.CONCLUSIONS: The patients made a sound decision for intervention, which was useful for the surgeon too, because it helped them choose an adequate operative technique and especially helped them in the postoperative period.
A Pilot Study on BMI, Serum Testosterone and Estradiol Levels in Allergic Male Patients
Authors: Lokaj-Berisha Violeta , Gacaferri-Lumezi Besa , Berisha Naser , Gashi-Hoxha Sanije
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND: The dramatic increase in the prevalence of high body mass index (BMI) increases the prevalence of allergic diseases, both in adults and children and obesity is associated with hypogonadism in adult males. AIM: We aimed to evaluate the effect of high body mass index on plasma concentrations of testosterone and estradiol in young pubertal and adult males with allergic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Morning fasting blood samples were obtained form 51 allergic patients and 6 healthy volunteer males between the ages 11-57 years (Mean 26.9, DS Â± 11.9 years). Total testosterone, estradiol, FSH and LH concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. All participants were subjected to skin prick tests with test kit G aeroallergens, and BMI was calculated according to the body weight divided by the square of height (kg/m2).RESULTS: Low levels of testosterone and high levels of estradiol were associated with high BMI only in patients with asthma/rhinitis, but not in asthma patients. Allergic dermatitis/urticaria group along with healthy controls were overweight but within normal ranges for total testosterone and estradiol concentrations. Patients with allergic rhinitis were within normal ranges for BMI, total testosterone and estradiol concentrations. CONCLUSION: High BMI is not always associated with low levels of testosterone and high levels of estradiol in our patients with allergic diseases, but low levels of testosterone are present in patients with asthma and asthma/rhinitis although not among patients with rhinitis only. Our results should be confirmed in a larger group of participants.
Dysplasia in Gastric Mucosa and its Reporting Problems
Authors: Ikonomi Majlinda , Cela Blerina , Tarifa Dhurata
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND: The recognition, terminology used and histopathologic evaluation of two essential elements in gastric carcinogenesis, atrophy and dysplasia, are characterized by controversy.MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifteen cases, with slides and their histopathologic reports from the archive of the Laboratory of Pathology were studied for the diagnostic value, reporting of dysplasia, interobserver variability, the relation of dysplastic lesions with inflammation, atrophy and metaplasia. After retrospectively studying the histopathologic reports from the archive we distributed the cases according to endoscopic and histopathologic diagnosis, together with the reexamination of the slides. The comparison of the median values of the numeric variables was made with the Mann-Whitney test (non-parametric equivalent of the Studentâ€™s â€œtâ€ test).RESULTS: The endoscopic clinical diagnosis were: malignancy/suspicious for malignancy 88 cases (76%) and non-neoplastic diagnosis (like ulcer or gastritis) 27 cases (24%). From the reexamination of the cases it resulted that there is no difference in reporting the malignancy, but there is a difference in the cases reported as dysplasia (p = 0.001) and negative for neoplasia (p = 0.063, borderline).CONCLUSION: Clinicians and pathologists can feel directly the discrepancy called â€œinterobserver variabilityâ€ and should be assured that the use of guidelines will cause a lowering of this variability.
Newly Diagnosed Diabetes and Stress Glycaemia and Itsâ€™ Association with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Kamceva Gordana , Vavlukis Marija , Kitanoski Darko , Kedev Sashko
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is diagnosed in 10-20% of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) not known to be diabetics. Elevated blood glucose is an independent risk factor for cardiac events, regardless of presence of diabetes.AIM: Evaluating the prevalence of new-diagnosed DM among patients with ACS, and assessing the relationship between stress glycaemia and new diagnosed DM with in-hospital cardiac events.METHODS: Prospective observational study, in patients with ACS, in whom we analyzed parameters of glycemic metabolism, clinical data, and in-hospital cardiac events. We comparatively analyzed patients according to the HgbA1C and known DM in five groups: non-DM (< 5.6%), new pre-DM (5.6-6.5%), new DM (â‰¥ 6.5%), controlled (<7%) and uncontrolled (â‰¥7%) known DM.RESULTS: 150 patients, (93 male and 57 female) were included. Impaired glucose metabolism was detected in 44.5% of patients, 7.9% of whom were newly-diagnosed DM. The highest levels of stress glycaemia were found in new and uncontrolled known DM. The in-hospital event rate was 20.7%, the mortality rate 7.3%, being the highest in new diagnosed and uncontrolled known DM patients.CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of unknown DM was high among patients with ACS. Stress glycaemia and failure to achieve glycemic controlee, were an independent predictors of in-hospital cardiac events.