bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OPTIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT: EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXAS ELECTRICITY MARKET
Authors: WIBULPOLPRASERT WICHSINEE
Published: October 2016

Renewable electricity subsidies have been popular policy instruments to combat climate change because of their ability to offset emissions. This paper studies the long-run welfare benefits of optimizing the design of the existing renewable energy subsidy (the status quo) in the presence of heterogeneity in the offset emissions. In particular, I measure the welfare gain from differentiating renewable subsidies across location and time to reflect the environmental benefits from emissions offset in the context of wind energy in the Texas electricity market. I find that the welfare gain from differentiation is small compared to the gain already achieved under the status quo subsidy. In contrast, the optimal emissions tax yields much larger welfare gain because it engages in other cost-effective emissions abatement channels that renewable energy subsidies do not: namely, demand conservation and cross-plant fuel substitution.
CCR2 Positive Exosome Released by Mesenchymal Stem Cells Suppresses Macrophage Functions and Alleviates Ischemia/Reperfusion‐Induced Renal Injury
Authors: Shen Bing , Liu Jun , Zhang Fang , Wang Yong , Qin Yan , Zhou Zhihua , Qiu Jianxin , Fan Yu
Published: October 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived exosomes have been shown to have protective effects on the kidney in ischemia/reperfusion‐induced renal injury. However, the key components in the exosomes and their potential mechanisms for the kidney protective effects are not well understood. In our current study, we focused on the abundant proteins in exosomes derived from MSCs (MSC‐exo) and found that the C‐C motif chemokine receptor‐2 (CCR2) was expressed on MSC‐exo with a high ability to bind to its ligand CCL2. We also proved that CCR2 high‐expressed MSC‐exo could reduce the concentration of free CCL2 and suppress its functions to recruit or activate macrophage. Further, knockdown of CCR2 expression on the MSC‐exo greatly abolished these effects. Finally, we also found that CCR2 knockdown impaired the protective effects of MSC‐exo for the renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in mouse. The results indicate that CCR2 expressed on MSC‐exo may play a key role in inflammation regulation and renal injury repair by acting as a decoy to suppress CCL2 activity. Our study may cast new light on understanding the functions of the MSC‐exo and these receptor proteins expressed on exosomes.
State of the Art, Unresolved Issues, and Future Research Directions in the Fight against Hepatitis C Virus: Perspectives for Screening, Diagnostics of Resistances, and Immunization
Authors: Trucchi Cecilia , Orsi Andrea , Alicino Cristiano , Sticchi Laura , Icardi Giancarlo , Ansaldi Filippo
Published: October 2016

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) still represents a major public health threat, with a dramatic burden from both epidemiological and clinical points of view. New generation of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has been recently introduced in clinical practice promising to cure HCV and to overcome the issues related to the interferon-based therapies. However, the emergence of drug resistance and the suboptimal activity of DAAs therapies against diverse HCV genotypes have been observed, determining treatment failure and hampering an effective control of HCV spread worldwide. Moreover, these treatments remain poorly accessible, particularly in low-income countries. Finally, effective screening strategy is crucial to early identifying and treating all HCV chronically infected patients. For all these reasons, even though new drugs may contribute to impacting HCV spread worldwide a preventive HCV vaccine remains a cornerstone in the road to significantly reduce the HCV spread globally, with the ultimate goal of its eradication. Advances in molecular vaccinology, together with a strong financial, political, and societal support, will enable reaching this fundamental success in the coming years. In this comprehensive review, the state of the art about these major topics in the fight against HCV and the future of research in these fields are discussed.
Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws: Considerations on a New Antiresorptive Therapy (Denosumab) and Treatment Outcome after a 13-Year Experience
Authors: Favia Gianfranco , Tempesta Angela , Limongelli Luisa , Crincoli Vito , Maiorano Eugenio
Published: October 2016

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a serious complication in patients receiving antiresorptive therapies for bone neoplastic localizations and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features of MRONJ in a cohort of patients treated by new antiresorptive drugs (denosumab) and the corresponding outcome after 13-year maximum follow-up. Overall, 244 patients affected by MRONJ were treated from 2003 to 2015. After clinical and radiological examinations, all lesions were staged according to a dimensional staging system and then surgically treated. All the denosumab-related lesions were classified as stage II or III, thus requiring a more or less invasive surgical approach, despite the results of many recent studies, which suggested a conservative medical approach with early resolution for MRONJ in patients on denosumab. In the current series, 86.9% of treated lesions showed complete clinical and radiological healing, while 13.1% recurred; all recurrences were detected in patients who could not interrupt chemotherapy, steroids, and/or antiresorptive drugs administration due to their general conditions. In conclusion, all oral specialists should be aware of the MRONJ risk among patients taking new antiresorptive drugs; moreover, our protocol based on surgical treatment guided by dimensional staging could be considered effective in view of the low recurrence rate.
Effects of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Surface Modification and Purification on Bovine Serum Albumin Binding and Biological Responses
Authors: Bai Wei , Wu Zheqiong , Mitra Somenath , Brown Jared M.
Published: October 2016

Carboxylation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been used to improve solubility in aqueous systems and for further functionalization with biologically active moieties for biomedical uses. An important consideration is that oxidation debris is generated during the process of carboxylation, which can be removed by base washing. We hypothesized that surface modification as well as purification by debris removal may alter physicochemical properties of MWCNTs and their ability to bind proteins. We utilized pristine MWCNT, carboxylated MWCNTs (F-MWCNTs), and base-washed carboxylated MWCNTs (BW-F-MWCNTs) to examine formation of a bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein corona and impact on biological responses. We found that carboxylation increased the capability of F-MWCNTs to bind BSA, and base washing further increased this binding. Functionalization increased cellular uptake by rat aortic endothelial cells (RAEC) and mouse macrophages (RAW264.7), while base washing showed results similar to the functionalized analog. Interestingly, BSA binding downregulated mRNA levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1) in RAEC cells but upregulated the expression of IL-6 and Hmox1 in RAW264.7 cells. Overall, our study demonstrated that surface modification as well as further purification impacted the interaction of MWCNTs with proteins and subsequent cellular responses.
A Searching Method of Candidate Segmentation Point in SPRINT Classification
Authors: Wang Zhihao , Wang Junfang , Huo Yonghua , Tuo Yanjun , Yang Yang
Published: October 2016

SPRINT algorithm is a classical algorithm for building a decision tree that is a widely used method of data classification. However, the SPRINT algorithm has high computational cost in the calculation of attribute segmentation. In this paper, an improved SPRINT algorithm is proposed, which searches better candidate segmentation point for the discrete and continuous attributes. The experiment results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can reduce the computation cost and improve the efficiency of the algorithm by improving the segmentation of continuous attributes and discrete attributes.
A Case of a Chronic Pancreatic Pseudocyst Causing Atraumatic Splenic Rupture without Evidence of Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Moori P. , Nevins E. J. , Wright T. , Bromley C. , Rado Y.
Published: October 2016

Atraumatic splenic rupture is a rare complication of a pancreatic pseudocyst (PP), described in the setting of chronic pancreatitis. There is common understanding, within the literature, that an inflammatory process at the tail of the pancreas may disrupt the spleen and result in such splenic complications. The authors present a case report of a 29-year-old male with a PP, associated with chronic pancreatitis. The patient had a history of excessive alcohol intake and presented to the emergency department with a short history of abdominal pain and vomiting. He denied any significant history of trauma and serum amylase levels were normal. An admission computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen confirmed the presence of a PP in direct contact with the spleen. The CT also demonstrated a heterogenous hypodense area of the splenic hilum, along with perisplenic fluid. The patient was admitted for observation. His abdominal pain progressed, and he became haemodynamically unstable. An emergency ultrasound scan (USS) at this time revealed intra-abdominal haemorrhage. A subsequent CT confirmed splenic rupture, which was managed surgically with a full recovery. Few such cases are documented within the literature and more understanding of preempting such events is needed.
Pilot Study on MAGE-C2 as a Potential Biomarker for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhao Qian , Xu Wen-ting , Shalieer Tuluhong
Published: October 2016

Objective. In the current study, we measured the expression status of melanoma antigen gene c2 (MAGE-C2) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and analyzed its prognostic with the clinical pathological features of patients with TNBC. Methods. The expressions statuses of MAGE-C2 were detected in TNBC tissues and paracarcinoma tissues by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and western blotting. Then, we investigated the relationship of MAGE-C2 expression status and clinicopathological parameters of TNBC patients by the chi-squared test. Finally, we discussed the relations of MAGE-C2 expression state and prognosis of patients with TNBC by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. Results. High MAGE-C2 expression was found in 38.18% (42/110) of TNBC tissues. In adjacent tissues it was 9.09% (10/110). High MAGE-C2 expression in TNBC patients was closely associated with lymph node status, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, and lymphovascular invasion (P<0.001). TNBC patients with high MAGE-C2 expression had significantly shorter survival time than low expression patients. We also found that age, lymph node status, TNM stage, lymphovascular invasion, and MAGE-C2 expression status were closely associated with overall survival of TNBC patients (P<0.05). Conclusion. High MAGE-C2 expression may serve as an independent prognostic factor for TNBC patients.
Anterior Pituitary Aplasia in an Infant with Ring Chromosome 18p Deletion
Authors: Bellfield Edward J. , Chan Jacqueline , Durrin Sarah , Lindgren Valerie , Shad Zohra , Boucher-Berry Claudia
Published: October 2016

We present the first reported case of an infant with 18p deletion syndrome with anterior pituitary aplasia secondary to a ring chromosome. Endocrine workup soon after birth was reassuring; however, repeat testing months later confirmed central hypopituitarism. While MRI reading initially indicated no midline defects, subsequent review of the images confirmed anterior pituitary aplasia with ectopic posterior pituitary. This case demonstrates how deletion of genetic material, even if resulting in a chromosomal ring, still results in a severe syndromic phenotype. Furthermore, it demonstrates the necessity of close follow-up in the first year of life for children with 18p deletion syndrome and emphasizes the need to verify radiology impressions if there is any doubt as to the radiologic findings.
Changing Clinical Presentation, Current Knowledge-Attitude-Practice, and Current Vision Related Quality of Life in Self-Reported Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Retinopathy in Eastern India: The LVPEI Eye and Diabetes Study
Authors: Das Taraprasad , Wallang Batriti , Semwal Preeti , Basu Soumyava , Padhi Tapas R. , Ali Mohd Hasnat
Published: October 2016

Purpose. To document the changing clinical presentation of diabetic retinopathy (DR) over a decade, the current knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) of known type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, and the current vision related quality of life (VR-QOL) of patients with DR in a tertiary eye care center in Eastern India.Methods. Two hundred and forty patients with known type-2 DM were evaluated. The evaluation included status of DR (n=240), KAP (n=232), and VR-QOL (n=75). International classification of DR was used in the study. The DR status was compared with another cohort (n=472) examined a decade earlier, in year 2001. The KAP-25 questions were designed after literature review. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ; including optional items) was validated by Rasch analysis. Both KAP and VR-QOL were analyzed according to degree of DR, duration of known DM, and educational qualification.Results. Average age of the current cohort (n=240) was 57.16 ± 9.03 years; there were 205 (85.4%) male patients and 143 (59.6%) patients had received less than graduate qualification. The mean duration of DM since diagnosis was 10 ± 7.8 months (range 8 months to 30 years); 118 (49.16%) patients had DR. In a decade time, 2001 to 2011, there was a change of retinopathy status at presentation (more often nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, NPDR). One-third of NPDR patients had poor vision and half of them were hypertensive. KAP was better in patients with higher education and those having DR. VFQ score was higher in better seeing patients.Conclusion. Patients currently presenting at earlier stage of retinopathy are probably related to poor vision. Early detection and treatment of DR is likely to preserve and/or improve vision.
Applicability of Isolates and Fractions of Plant Extracts in Murine Models in Type II Diabetes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Coelho Gabriela Diniz Pinto , Martins Vanessa Soares , Amaral Laura Vieira do , Novaes Rômulo Dias , Sarandy Mariáurea Matias , Gonçalves Reggiani Vilela
Published: October 2016

Type II diabetes mellitus is one of the most common public health problems worldwide. Its increasing prevalence in several countries and the difficult metabolic control of individuals with the disease justify studying strategies for primary prevention. The population has sought alternative and cheaper ways to treat the disease, including the use of plants considered medicinal by the population. In this study, we carried out a systematic review on the applicability of isolates and fractions of plant extracts in animal models in type II diabetes. A literature search was performed in MEDLINE/PubMed and Scopus databases. Studies using other experimental animals (horses, rabbits, and monkeys) and humans as well as articles in Chinese, German, and Russian were excluded. We assessed the quality of the studies included by using the criteria described in the ARRIVE guidelines. In general, the animals that received fractions or isolates presented reduced blood glucose levels, normalization of body weight and plasma insulin levels, and reduced total triglycerides and cholesterol. In addition, we observed wide variation among the analyzed parameters, which hindered comparison between the studies found. In further studies, standardized reports and experimental design would help to establish comparable study groups and advance the overall knowledge, thus facilitating translatability from animal data to human clinical conditions.
Spatiotemporal Distribution and Assemblages of Fishes below the Lowermost Dam in Protected Reach in the Yangtze River Main Stream: Implications for River Management
Authors: Li Junyi , Zhang Hui , Lin Danqing , Wu Jinming , Wang Chengyou , Xie Xuan , Wei Qiwei
Published: October 2016

Now more and more ecologists concern about the impacts of dam construction on fish. However, studies of fishes downstream Gezhouba Dam were rarely reported except Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensisGray). In this study, catch investigations and five hydroacoustic detections were completed from 2015 to 2016 to understand the distribution, size, and categories of fishes and their relationship with the environmental factors below Gezhouba Dam in protected reach in the Yangtze River main stream. Results showed significant differences in fish distribution and TS (target strength) between wet and flood seasons. Mean TS in five hydroacoustic detections were −59.98 dB, −54.70 dB, −56.16 dB, −57.90 dB, and −59.17 dB, respectively, and dominant fish species areCoreius guichenoti(Bleeker),Siniperca chuatsi(Basilewsky), andPelteobagrus vachelli(Richardson). In the longitudinal direction, fish preferred to stay in some specific sections like reaches 2, 4, 7, 8, 11, and 16. Since hydrology factors change greatly in different seasons, environmental characteristics vary along the reaches, and human activities play an important role in the fish behavior, it is concluded that great cross-season changes in hydrology lead to the differences in TS and fish assemblages and that geography characteristics, especially channel geography, together with human activities influence fish longitudinal distribution. This finding provides basic knowledge of spatiotemporal distribution and assemblages of fishes in the extended reaches downstream Gezhouba Dam. In addition, it offers implications for river management. It could also serve as reference of future research on fish habitat.
Systematic Identification and Bioinformatic Analysis of MicroRNAs in Response to Infections of Coxsackievirus A16 and Enterovirus 71
Authors: Zhu Zheng , Qi Yuhua , Fan Huan , Cui Lunbiao , Shi Zhiyang
Published: October 2016

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), mainly caused by coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) and enterovirus 71 (EV71) infections, remains a serious public health issue with thousands of newly diagnostic cases each year since 2008 in China. The mechanisms underlying viral infection, however, are elusive to date. In the present study, we systematically investigated the host cellular microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns in response to CVA16 and EV71 infections. Through microarray examination, 27 miRNAs (15 upregulated and 12 downregulated) were found to be coassociated with the replication process of two viruses, while the expression levels of 15 and 5 miRNAs were significantly changed in CVA16- and EV71-infected cells, respectively. A great number of target genes of 27 common differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted by combined use of two computational target prediction algorithms, TargetScan and MiRanda. Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of target genes in GO categories and KEGG pathways indicated the involvement of diverse biological functions and signaling pathways during viral infection. These results provide an overview of the roles of miRNAs in virus-host interaction, which will contribute to further understanding of HFMD pathological mechanisms.
Giant Condyloma Acuminata in Indonesian Females with SLE under Immunosuppressant and Steroid Therapy
Authors: Rachman Andhika , Hasan Nabila
Published: October 2016

Introduction. Immunosuppressant and steroid therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) increases the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, one of which is giant condyloma acuminata (GCA). To our knowledge, there is no report evaluating the correlation between immunosuppressive and steroid therapy in patients with SLE and the prevalence of GCA. Case Report. A 42-year-old female was diagnosed with SLE a year ago and has been treated with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs. In the last few months she presented GCA involving the genital area recurring almost every two months. Type 6 and 11 HPVs were identified in vulva, vagina, and cervix. Methods. PubMed, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library literature were searched from inception to July 2015. Authors screened all titles and abstracts and read full text article, and two case-control studies were found relevant. Results. SLE patients in both studies were under immunosuppressive and steroid therapy. Condyloma acuminata was diagnosed at 108 months (latest) and 1 month (earliest) after SLE. Type 6, 11, 16, 42, and oncogenic group of HPV were identified. Conclusions. GCA is a type of HPV infection seldom observed in SLE patients. Therefore, their correlation is still unclear. Period of time since SLE was diagnosed and GCA varies from months to years. A more thorough physical and laboratory examination leading to HPV and other infectious disease is recommended.
Addition and Subtraction Theory of TCM Using Xiao‐Chaihu‐Decoction and Naturopathy in Predicting Survival Outcomes of Primary Liver Cancer Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Dai Min , Yang Yue-Wu , Guo Wen-Hai , Wang Feng-Lin , Xiao Ge-Min , Li Yang-Mei , Yang Hong-Zhi
Published: October 2016

To investigate the therapeutic effect of combined Xiao‐Chaihu‐Decoction and naturopathic medicine therapy on survival outcomes of patients’ PLC. In XCHD group (n = 76), patients were treated with Xiao‐Chaihu‐Decoction in accordance with the addition and subtraction theory of TCM; in NM group (n = 89), patients were managed by naturopathic medicine; in combined group (n = 70), the same volume of Xiao‐Chaihu‐Decoction combined with naturopathic medicine procedures was applied. There were no evident statistical differences of age, gender, KPS score, body weight, smoking status, AFP levels, HbsAg status, TBIL levels, tumor diameters, and numbers among different groups, showing comparability among groups. No significant difference was found regarding the total remission rate and stability rate of tumors in patients treated by Xiao‐Chaihu‐Decoction and naturopathic medicine, except the combined therapy. KPS scores were significantly improved after treatment among groups. After treatment, 52.8% cases maintained a stable or slight increase in weight, of which 42.1%, 48.3%, and 70.0% cases maintained weight stably in the XCHD group, NM group, and combined treatment group, respectively. Xiao‐Chaihu‐Decoction associated with naturopathy may predict improved prognostic outcomes in PLC patients, along with improved remission and stability rates, increased KPS scores, and stable weight maintenance.
Effect of Three-Dimensional Printed Personalized Moisture Chamber Spectacles on the Periocular Humidity
Authors: Moon Chan Hee , Kim Jae Yong , Kim Myoung Joon , Tchah Hungwon , Lim Byeong Gak , Chung Jin Kwon
Published: October 2016

Purpose.To assess the effect of three-dimensional (3D) printed personalized moisture chamber spectacles (PMCS) on the periocular humidity.Methods.Facial computed tomography (CT) scanning was conducted on 10 normal subjects. PMCS was designed based on volume rendered CT images and produced using a 3D printer. Periocular humidity of PMCS and commercially available uniformed moisture chamber spectacles (UMCS) were measured for 30 minutes via microhydrometer.Results.The mean ambient humidity was15.76±1.18%. The mean periocular humidity was52.14±3.00% in PMCS and37.67±8.97% in UMCS. The difference was significant (P<0.001). Additionally, PMCS always demonstrated lower humidity than dew points.Conclusion.PMCS made by 3D printer provides appropriate fitness for the semiclosed humid chamber. PMCS showed higher performance than UMCS. The wearing of PMCS would be an effective method to provide high enough periocular humidity in low humidity environment.
Massive Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Caused by Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Telci Caklili O. , Mutlu H. H. , Colak Y. , Ozturk E. , Kosemetin Dover D. , Tuncer I.
Published: October 2016

Massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a life-threatening emergency which needs urgent intervention. Hematological malignancies are very rare causes of this type of bleeding and they usually originate from duodenum. In this case we present a gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) causing massive upper gastrointestinal system bleeding. A 77-year-old male patient was admitted to emergency clinic with hematemesis and hematochezia. In physical examination patient was pale and sweaty; his vitals were unstable with a heart rate of 110 per minute and a blood pressure of 90/50 mmHg. His hemoglobin level was found 7.5 g/dL and he was transfused with one unit of packed red blood cells. After his vitals were normalized, gastroscopy was performed showing mosaic pattern in corpus and antrum mucosa and multiple ulcers in various sizes, largest being approximately 2 cm in diameter, higher than mucosa covered with exude mostly on corpus and large curvature. Biopsy results were reported as DLBCL. Gastric mucosa is involved in most of the DLBCL cases. Although not listed as a common cause of massive gastrointestinal bleeding DLBCL can cause life-threatening situations mostly because of its malignant nature.
Serum Protein KNG1, APOC3, and PON1 as Potential Biomarkers for Yin‐Deficiency‐Heat Syndrome
Authors: Liu Changming , Mao Liangen , Ping Zepeng , Jiang Tingting , Wang Chong , Chen Zhongliang , Li Zhongjie , Li Jicheng
Published: October 2016

Yin‐deficiency‐heat (YDH) syndrome is a concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for describing subhealth status. However, there are few efficient diagnostic methods available for confirming YDH syndrome. To explore the novel method for diagnosing YDH syndrome, we applied iTRAQ to observe the serum protein profiles in YDH syndrome rats and confirmed protein levels by ELISA. A total of 92 differentially expressed proteins (63 upregulated proteins and 29 downregulated proteins), which were mainly involved in complement and coagulation cascades and glucose metabolism pathway, were identified by the proteomic experiments. Kininogen 1 (KNG1) was significantly increased (p < 0.0001), while apolipoprotein C‐III (APOC3, p < 0.005) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1, p < 0.001) were significantly decreased in the serum of YDH syndrome rats. The combination of KNG1, APOC3, and PON1 constituted a diagnostic model with 100.0% sensitivity and 85.0% specificity. The results indicated that KNG1, APOC3, and PON1 may act as potential biomarkers for diagnosing YDH syndrome. KNG1 may regulate cytokines and chemokines release in YDH syndrome, and the low levels of PON1 and APOC3 may increase oxidative stress and lipolysis in YDH syndrome, respectively. Our work provides a novel method for YDH syndrome diagnosis and also provides valuable experimental basis to understand the molecular mechanism of YDH syndrome.
Congenital Hemifacial Hyperplasia: Clinical Presentation and Literature Review
Authors: Shanmugasundaram Karpagavalli , Vedam V. K. Vaishnavi , Ganapathy Sivadas , Sathish Sivan , Satti Parvathi
Published: October 2016

Hemifacial hyperplasia is a rare congenital malformation characterized by noticeable unilateral excess development of hard and soft tissues of the face. Asymmetry in Congenital Hemifacial Hyperplasia (CHH) is usually evident at birth and accentuated at the age of puberty. The affected side grows exponentially as compared to the unaffected side. Multiple tissue involvement has resulted due to etiological heterogeneity like heredity, chromosomal abnormalities, altered intrauterine environment, and endocrine dysfunctions. As this lesion is rarely seen in our routine clinical practice, we present a case of hemifacial hyperplasia with reported orofacial features that supplement existing clinical knowledge. This paper also adds knowledge to the readers regarding detailed investigation procedures which has complemented our diagnosis. Further emphasis has been placed on periodic approach to its diagnosis and multidisciplinary management following correct diagnosis.
A Privacy-Preserving Location-Based System for Continuous Spatial Queries
Authors: Song Doohee , Park Kwangjin
Published: October 2016

K-anonymization generated a cloaked region (CR) that was K-anonymous; that is, the query issuer was indistinguishable from K-1 other users (nearest neighbors) within the CR. This reduced the probability of the query issuer’s location being exposed to untrusted parties (1/K). However, location cloaking is vulnerable to query tracking attacks, wherein the adversary can infer the query issuer by comparing the two regions in continuous LBS queries. This paper proposes a novel location cloaking method to resist this attack. The target systems of the proposed method are road networks where the mobile clients’ trajectories are fixed (the road network is preknown and fixed, instead of the trajectories), such as subways, railways, and highways. The proposed method, called adaptive-fixed K-anonymization (A-KF), takes this issue into account and generates smaller CRs without compromising the privacy of the query issuer’s location. Our results show that the proposed A-KF method outperforms previous location cloaking methods.
Fe and Fe-P Foam for Biodegradable Bone Replacement Material: Morphology, Corrosion Behaviour, and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Hrubovčáková Monika , Kupková Miriam , Džupon Miroslav
Published: October 2016

Iron and iron-phosphorus open-cell foams were manufactured by a replica method based on a powder metallurgical approach to serve as a temporary biodegradable bone replacement material. Iron foams alloyed with phosphorus were prepared with the aim of enhancing the mechanical properties and manipulating the corrosion rate. Two different types of Fe-P foams containing 0.5 wt.% of P were prepared: Fe-P(I) foams from a phosphated carbonyl iron powder and Fe-P(II) foams from a mixture of carbonyl iron and commercial Fe3P. The microstructure of foams was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties and the corrosion behaviour were studied by compression tests and potentiodynamic polarization in Hank’s solution and a physiological saline solution. The results showed that the manufactured foams exhibited an open, interconnected, microstructure similar to that of a cancellous bone. The presence of phosphorus improved the mechanical properties of the foams and decreased the corrosion rate as compared to pure iron foams.
Comparison between Manual and Automated Methods for Ki-67 Immunoexpression Quantification in Ameloblastomas
Authors: González-González Rogelio , Molina-Frechero Nelly , Carreón-Burciaga Ramón G. , López-Verdín Sandra , Robles-Bonilla Carlos , Pereira-Prado Vanesa , Bologna-Molina Ronell
Published: October 2016

Ameloblastoma is a common and unpredictable odontogenic tumor with high relapse rates. Several studies assessing the proliferative capacity of these neoplasms have been published, mainly using the protein Ki-67. Cell counts must be completed to determine the cell proliferation rate. Multiple methods have been developed for this purpose. The most widely used method is the labeling index, which has undergone changes over time to better facilitate cell counting. Here, we compared manual cell counting methods with automated cell counting (ImmunoRatio) to determine the relative effectiveness of these methods. The results suggest that ImmunoRatio, a free software tool, may be highly advantageous and provide results similar to manual cell counting methods when used with the appropriate calibration. However, ImmunoRatio has flaws that may affect the labeling index results. Therefore, this automated cell counting method must be supplemented with manual cell counting methods.
Gray-Scale Image Dehazing Guided by Scene Depth Information
Authors: Jiang Bo , Zhang Wanxu , Zhao Jian , Ru Yi , Liu Min , Ma Xiaolei , Chen Xiaoxuan , Meng Hongqi
Published: October 2016

Combined with two different types of image dehazing strategies based on image enhancement and atmospheric physical model, respectively, a novel method for gray-scale image dehazing is proposed in this paper. For image-enhancement-based strategy, the characteristics of its simplicity, effectiveness, and no color distortion are preserved, and the common guided image filter is modified to match the application of image enhancement. Through wavelet decomposition, the high frequency boundary of original image is preserved in advance. Moreover, the process of image dehazing can be guided by the image of scene depth proportion directly estimated from the original gray-scale image. Our method has the advantages of brightness consistency and no distortion over the state-of-the-art methods based on atmospheric physical model. Particularly, our method overcomes the essential shortcoming of the abovementioned methods that are mainly working for color image. Meanwhile, an image of scene depth proportion is acquired as a byproduct of image dehazing.
A Correlative Classification Study of Schizophrenic Patients with Results of Clinical Evaluation and Structural Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Chu Wen-Lin , Huang Min-Wei , Jian Bo-Lin , Hsu Chih-Yao , Cheng Kuo-Sheng
Published: October 2016

Patients with schizophrenia suffer from symptoms such as hallucination and delusion. There are currently a number of publications that discuss the treatment, diagnosis, prognosis, and damage in schizophrenia. This study utilized joint independent component analysis to process the images of GMV and WMV and incorporated the Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST) and the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) to examine the correlation of obtained brain characteristics. We also used PANSS score to classify schizophrenic patients into acute and subacute cases, to analyze the brain structure differences. Finally, we used brain structure images and the error rate of the WCST as eigenvalues in support vector machine learning and classification. The results of this study showed that the frontal and temporal lobes of a normal brain are more apparent than those of a schizophrenia brain. The highest level of classification recognition reached 91.575%, indicating that the WCST error rate and characteristic changes in brain structure volume can be used to effectively distinguish schizophrenia and normal brains. Similarly, this result confirmed that the WCST and brain structure volume are correlated with the differences between schizophrenia and normal participants.
Cystatin C Levels in Middle-Aged Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Archontogeorgis Kostas , Nena Evangelia , Tsigalou Christina , Voulgaris Athanasios , Xanthoudaki Maria , Froudarakis Marios , Steiropoulos Paschalis
Published: October 2016

Background. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with systemic inflammation and increased risk of cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease. Cystatin C (Cyst C) is a novel biomarker of both latent renal damage and cardiovascular disease. Aim of the study was to measure serum levels of Cyst C, as well as IL-8 and CRP, in otherwise healthy OSAS patients.Methods. 84 individuals examined with polysomnography for OSAS symptoms without known comorbidities were prospectively recruited.Results. According to apnea hypopnea index (AHI) subjects were divided in two groups: OSAS group (AHI > 5/hour,n=64) and controls (AHI < 5/hour,n=20), which were age- and BMI-matched. Cyst C levels were higher in OSAS patients versus controls (1176.13±351.33versus938.60±245.83 ng/mL, resp.;p=0.017) while serum IL-8 and CRP levels did not differ significantly. Positive correlation was found between Cyst C levels and respiratory disturbance index (RDI) (r=0.240,p=0.039) and percentage of time with oxygen saturation <90% (r=0.290,p=0.02) and negative correlation was found between Cyst C levels and average oxygen saturation during sleep (r=-0.291,p=0.012). After adjustment for age and BMI, RDI was the only independent predictor of Cyst C levels (β= 0.256,p=0.039).Conclusion. Cyst C serum levels are increased in OSAS patients without comorbidities, suggesting an increased renal and cardiovascular disease risk.
Antenatal Weight Management: Women’s Experiences, Behaviours, and Expectations of Weighing in Early Pregnancy
Authors: Swift J. A. , Pearce J. , Jethwa P. H. , Taylor M. A. , Avery A. , Ellis S. , Langley-Evans S. C. , McMullen S.
Published: October 2016

The current emphasis on obstetric risk management helps to frame gestational weight gain as problematic and encourages intervention by healthcare professionals. However pregnant women have reported confusion, distrust, and negative effects associated with antenatal weight management interactions. The MAGIC study (MAnaging weiGht In pregnanCy) sought to examine women’s self-reported experiences of usual-care antenatal weight management in early pregnancy and consider these alongside weight monitoring behaviours and future expectations. 193 women (18 yrs+) were recruited from routine antenatal clinics at the Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust. Self-reported gestation was 10–27 weeks, with 41.5% (n=80) between 12 and 14 and 43.0% (n=83) between 20 and 22 weeks. At recruitment 50.3% of participants (n=97) could be classified as overweight or obese. 69.4% of highest weight women (≥30 kg/m2) did not report receiving advice about weight, although they were significantly more likely compared to women with BMI < 30 kg/m2. The majority of women (regardless of BMI) did not express any barriers to being weighed and 40.8% reported weighing themselves at home. Women across the BMI categories expressed a desire for more engagement from healthcare professionals on the issue of bodyweight. Women are clearly not being served appropriately in the current situation which simultaneously problematizes and fails to offer constructive dialogue.
Evidence for the Paleoethnobotany of the Neanderthal: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Shipley Gerhard P. , Kindscher Kelly
Published: October 2016

Our perception of our closest human relatives, the Neanderthals, has evolved in the last few decades from brutish ape-men to intelligent archaic human peoples. Our understanding and appreciation of their cultural sophistication has only recently extended to their diet. Only within the last few years, with new techniques and a shift in focus, have we begun to truly investigate and understand the role of plants in their diet and culture. The more we learn about Neanderthals, the more we realize that biological and cultural distinctions between them and us were relatively small. Given that we coexisted and likely interacted with them for thousands of years, the more we learn about them, the better we may understand our own past. In that light, we review the current evidence, derived from such sources as plant remains (e.g., starch, pollen, phytoliths, and seeds) in soil and dental calculus, dental and tool wear, coprolites, and genetics, for Neanderthal’s nutritional, medicinal, and ritual use of plants, which includes 61 different taxa from 26 different plant families found at 17 different archaeological sites. Further, we updated and standardized botanical nomenclature from many sources published over many decades to provide a more stable foundation for future work.
An Acetamide Derivative as a Camptothecin Sensitizer for Human Non‐Small‐Cell Lung Cancer Cells through Increased Oxidative Stress and JNK Activation
Authors: Chou Han-Lin , Fong Yao , Lin Hsin-Hsien , Tsai Eing Mei , Chen Jeff Yi-Fu , Chang Wen-Tsan , Wu Chang-Yi , David Wang Hui-Min , Huang Hurng-Wern , Chiu Chien-Chih
Published: October 2016

In recent years, combination chemotherapy is a primary strategy for treating lung cancer; however, the issues of antagonism and side effects still limit its applications. The development of chemosensitizer aims to sensitize chemoresistant cancer cells to anticancer drugs and therefore improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. In this study, we examined whether N‐[2‐(morpholin‐4‐yl)phenyl]‐2‐{8‐oxatricyclo[7.4.0.0,2,7]trideca‐1(9),2(7),3,5,10,12‐hexaen‐4‐yloxy}acetamide (NPOA), an acetamide derivative, sensitizes human non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) H1299 cells towards camptothecin‐ (CPT‐) induced apoptosis effects. Our results demonstrate that the combination of CPT and NPOA enhances anti‐lung‐cancer effect. The cytometer‐based Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining showed that CPT and NPOA cotreatment causes an increased population of apoptotic cells compared to CPT treatment alone. Moreover, Western blotting assay showed an enhancement of Bax expression and caspase cascade leading to cell death of H1299 cells. Besides, CPT and NPOA cotreatment‐mediated disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in H1299 cells may function through increasing the activation of the stressed‐associated c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK). These results showed that NPOA treatment sensitizes H1299 cells towards CPT‐induced accumulation of cell cycle S phase and mitochondrial‐mediated apoptosis through regulating endogenous ROS and JNK activation. Accordingly, NPOA could be a candidate chemosensitizer of CPT derivative agents such as irinotecan or topotecan in the future.
Full-Scale Experimental Validation of Large-Eddy Simulation of Wind Flows over Complex Terrain: The Bolund Hill
Authors: Chaudhari Ashvinkumar , Hellsten Antti , Hämäläinen Jari
Published: October 2016

Numerical simulation of local atmospheric flows around a complex topography is important for many wind energy applications, as it can help in locating and optimizing wind farms. The aim of this paper is to simulate the atmospheric flows over the challenging and complex site of Bolund Hill (in Denmark) using Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) and to validate the simulation methodology against full-scale measurements. Wind prediction over a potential inland wind park is the main application of the validated LES methodology. For the first time, LES-based results from more than one wind direction of the Bolund case are reported and analyzed in detail herein. The LES results from each direction are compared with the Bolund field data in a quantitative way, for example, by using simulation error. According to the results comparison, it is found that the LES model provides by far the most accurate prediction for turbulent kinetic energy. The simulation error of this LES model for predicting turbulent kinetic energy is 19% smaller than that of all other models, whether experimental or numerical, employed previously over Bolund Hill.
Global Existence of Weak Solutions to a Fractional Model in Magnetoelastic Interactions
Authors: Ellahiani Idriss , Essoufi EL-Hassan , Tilioua Mouhcine
Published: October 2016

The paper deals with global existence of weak solutions to a one-dimensional mathematical model describing magnetoelastic interactions. The model is described by a fractional Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation for the magnetization field coupled to an evolution equation for the displacement. We prove global existence by using Faedo-Galerkin/penalty method. Some commutator estimates are used to prove the convergence of nonlinear terms.
Phytochemical Content and Pharma‐Nutrition Study on Eleutherococcus senticosus Fruits Intractum
Authors: Załuski Daniel , Olech Marta , Galanty Agnieszka , Verpoorte Robert , Kuźniewski Rafał , Nowak Renata , Bogucka-Kocka Anna
Published: October 2016

In the past two decades public interest in herbal products has increased significantly in Europe, especially in the plant‐based products from non‐European traditions. Eleutherococcus senticosus has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis. The Eleutherococcus senticosus fruits intractum was examined for the content of phenolic acids (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS), minerals (AAS), TPC, and TFC (spectrophotometric assay). The antioxidant activity was determined using free radical scavenging assay and TLC‐DB‐DPPH∗ dot‐blot test. An anti‐Hyal activity was evaluated by the spectrophotometric assay method. Cytotoxicity towards HL‐60, HL‐60/MX1, HL‐60/MX2, CEM/C1, and CCRF/CEM leukemic cell lines was done using trypan blue test. Among eight phenolic acids, trans‐caffeic acid was found in the largest amount (41.2 mg/g DE). The intractum presented a high amount of macroelements (Ca, Mg, K; 1750, 1300, and 21000 mg/kg) and microelements (Fe, Mn; 32.7, 54.3 mg/kg), respectively. The content of TPC and TFC was 130 and 92 mg/g DE, respectively. The intractum showed anti‐Hyal activity (2.16–60%) and an antioxidant capacity (EC50; 52 μg/mL). The intractum most strongly inhibited the growth of HL‐60, HL‐60/MX1, and CCRF/CEM. A better understanding of the intractum health benefits is important in order to increase its utility and enrich dietary sources of health promoting compounds.
Abstract A06: ‘Accidental discoveries on systematic studies: Role of inflammation in multistep tumorigenesis and angiogenesis in models of allergies
Authors: Khatami Mahin
Published: October 2016

Among major scientific factors involved in extremely slow progress in cancer research and failed therapies are the lack of understanding of host tissue composition and interactions between resident immune cells and signaling for recruited cells in carcinogenesis. In 1980s experimental models of acute and chronic ocular inflammatory diseases resulted in tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. Analyses of data became accidental discoveries for systematic identification of time-course kinetics of interactions and synergies between host immune cells (e.g., mast, goblet and B cells) and recruiting cells (e.g., eosinophils and TAMs) during acute, intermediate and chronic phases of immune dynamics caused induction of tumor-like lesions in conjunctival-associated lymphoid tissues. The data are the first multiple findings on early events, followed by sequential alterations of immunity toward tissue growth and angiogenesis. In 2008, acute inflammation or effective immunity was defined as the balance between two biologically opposing arms, termed Yin (tumoricidal) and Yang (tumorigenic) properties of immune and non-immune (e.g., vasculature, neurodegenerative and metabolic) responses. Chronic inflammation was hypothesized as loss of balance in Yin and Yang and a common link for genesis of all age-associated chronic diseases or cancer. Future efforts to promote immunity should include systematic understanding of host-pathogen interactions in susceptible tissues. Outcomes are expected to hold real promise in understanding how cancer cells become threat to body and how translate cancer biology into cost-effective drug designs and clinical trials.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Mahin Khatami, Ret. ‘Accidental discoveries on systematic studies: Role of inflammation in multistep tumorigenesis and angiogenesis in models of allergies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Function of Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Progression; 2016 Jan 7–10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(15 Suppl):Abstract nr A06.