bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of audiovisual biofeedback on interfraction respiratory motion reproducibility in liver cancer stereotactic body radiotherapy
Authors: Pollock Sean , Tse Regina , Martin Darren , McLean Lisa , Pham Melissa , Tait David , Estoesta Reuben , Whittington Grant , Turley Jessica , Kearney Christopher , Cho Gwi , Hill Robin , Pickard Sheila , Aston Paul , Makhija Kuldeep , O'Brien Ricky , Keall Paul
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Irregular breathing motion exacerbates uncertainties throughout a course of radiation therapy. Breathing guidance has demonstrated to improve breathing motion consistency. This was the first clinical implementation of audiovisual biofeedback (AVB) breathing guidance over a course of liver stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) investigating interfraction reproducibility.

Methods

Five liver cancer patients underwent a screening procedure prior to CT sim during which patients underwent breathing conditions (i) AVB, or (ii) free breathing (FB). Whichever breathing condition was more regular was utilised for the patient's subsequent course of SBRT. Respiratory motion was obtained from the Varian respiratory position monitoring (RPM) system (Varian Medical Systems). Breathing motion reproducibility was assessed by the variance of displacement across 10 phase‐based respiratory bins over each patient's course of SBRT.

Results

The screening procedure yielded the decision to utilise AVB for three patients and FB for two patients. Over the course of SBRT, AVB significantly improved the relative interfraction motion by 32%, from 22% displacement difference for FB patients to 15% difference for AVB patients. Further to this, AVB facilitated sub‐millimetre interfraction reproducibility for two AVB patients.

Conclusion

There was significantly less interfraction motion with AVB than FB. These findings demonstrate that AVB is potentially a valuable tool in ensuring reproducible interfraction motion.
Smurf2 regulates stability and the autophagic–lysosomal turnover of lamin A and its disease‐associated form progerin
Authors: Borroni Aurora Paola , Emanuelli Andrea , Shah Pooja Anil , Ilić Nataša , Apel‐Sarid Liat , Paolini Biagio , Manikoth Ayyathan Dhanoop , Koganti Praveen , Levy‐Cohen Gal , Blank Michael
Published: February 2018

A‐lamins, encoded by the LMNA gene, are major structural components of the nuclear lamina coordinating essential cellular processes. Mutations in the LMNA gene and/or alterations in its expression levels have been linked to a distinct subset of human disorders, collectively known as laminopathies, and to cancer. Mechanisms regulating A‐lamins are mostly obscure. Here, we identified E3 ubiquitin ligase Smurf2 as a physiological regulator of lamin A and its disease‐associated mutant form progerin (LAΔ50), whose expression underlies the development of Hutchinson‐Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), a devastating premature aging syndrome. We show that Smurf2 directly binds, ubiquitinates, and negatively regulates the expression of lamin A and progerin in Smurf2 dose‐ and E3 ligase‐dependent manners. Overexpression of catalytically active Smurf2 promotes the autophagic–lysosomal breakdown of lamin A and progerin, whereas Smurf2 depletion increases lamin A levels. Remarkably, acute overexpression of Smurf2 in progeria fibroblasts was able to significantly reduce the nuclear deformability. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the reciprocal relationship between Smurf2 and A‐lamins is preserved in different types of mouse and human normal and cancer tissues. These findings establish Smurf2 as an essential regulator of lamin A and progerin and lay a foundation for evaluating the efficiency of progerin clearance by Smurf2 in HGPS, and targeting of the Smurf2–lamin A axis in age‐related diseases such as cancer.
Associations of the trunk skeletal musculature and dietary intake to biomarkers of cardiometabolic health after spinal cord injury
Authors: Abilmona Sally M. , Gorgey Ashraf S.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Skeletal muscle atrophy and poor dietary habits may contribute to increased adiposity and impaired metabolic health after spinal cord injury (SCI). The relative association of trunk muscle cross‐sectional areas (CSA) versus dietary habits to central adiposity and impaired metabolic health after SCI remains unclear.

Methods

Twenty‐two men with motor complete SCI completed five‐day dietary recalls for 4 weeks. Trunk muscle CSAs as well as visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT, respectively) were quantified using magnetic resonance imaging. Basal metabolic rate (BMR), glucose effectiveness, insulin sensitivity and lipid profile were measured after overnight fast.

Results

Antero‐lateral trunk muscle (r = −0·79, P < 0·001) and posterior trunk muscle (r = −0·56, P = 0·008) CSAs normalized to total trunk CSA were negatively related to VAT. Antero‐lateral trunk muscle ratio (TMR) was positively related to BMR (r = 0·54, P = 0·01), and posterior TMR was positively related to peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak; r = 0·71, P = 0·003). After accounting for total TMR as a co‐variate, total fat (r = 0·47, P = 0·04) and protein (r = 0·61, P = 0·004) intakes were positively related to fasting insulin levels.

Conclusion

Trunk muscle CSAs normalized to total trunk CSA were negatively associated with central adiposity. Both trunk muscles and dietary macro‐nutrients are related to markers of metabolic health. The study highlights the significance of developing an exercise intervention with a healthy dietary regimen to attenuate the development of central adiposity associated metabolic disorders after SCI.
Pharmacological and neurosurgical interventions for managing dystonia in cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Authors: Fehlings Darcy , Brown Leah , Harvey Adrienne , Himmelmann Kate , Lin Jean‐Pierre , Macintosh Alexander , Mink Jonathan W , Monbaliu Elegast , Rice James , Silver Jessica , Switzer Lauren , Walters Ilana
Published: February 2018

Aim

To systematically review evidence for pharmacological/neurosurgical interventions for managing dystonia in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) to inform a care pathway.

Method

Searches included studies with a minimum of five participants with dystonia in CP receiving oral baclofen, benzodiazepines (clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam), clonidine, gabapentin, levodopa, trihexyphenidyl, botulinum toxin, intrathecal baclofen (ITB), or deep brain stimulation (DBS). Evidence was classified according to American Academy of Neurology guidelines.

Results

Twenty‐eight articles underwent data extraction: one levodopa, five trihexyphenidyl, three botulinum toxin, six ITB, and 13 DBS studies. No articles for oral baclofen, benzodiazepines, clonidine, or gabapentin met the inclusion criteria. Evidence for reducing dystonia was level C (possibly effective) for ITB and DBS; level C (possibly ineffective) for trihexyphenidyl; and level U (inadequate data) for botulinum toxin.

Interpretation

For dystonia reduction, ITB and DBS are possibly effective, whereas trihexyphenidyl was possibly ineffective. There is insufficient evidence to support oral medications or botulinum toxin to reduce dystonia. There is insufficient evidence for pharmacological and neurosurgical interventions to improve motor function, decrease pain, and ease caregiving. The majority of the pharmacological and neurosurgical management of dystonia in CP is based on clinical expert opinion.

What this paper adds

Intrathecal baclofen and deep brain stimulation are possibly effective in reducing dystonia.

Current evidence does not support effectiveness of oral medications or botulinum toxin to reduce dystonia.

Evidence is inadequate for pharmacological/neurosurgical interventions impact on improving motor function, pain/comfort, and easing caregiving.

The majority of the care pathway rests on expert opinion.
Interactive media versus human activities to reduce waiting room anxiety: what is the best option for children with disabilities?
Authors: Messeri Andrea , Atzori Barbara , Vagnoli Laura
Published: February 2018

This commentary is on the original article by Biddiss et al. on pages 602–610 of this issue.
Wittgenstein on the grounds of religious faith: A Kantian proposal
Authors: Appelqvist Hanne
Published: February 2018

This paper argues that there is an important continuity between Wittgenstein's early remarks on religion and his later treatment of the theme as it appears in his lectures in the 1930s and in his personal diary notes at that time. This continuity pertains to 3 features. First, the early and later Wittgenstein share a critical stance on methodological naturalism, that is, the view that the method of philosophy is relevantly similar to that of the natural sciences. Importantly, religion figures as one of Wittgenstein's examples of the limits of the factual language of natural sciences. Second, both the early and the later Wittgenstein connect religion to the problem of seeing one's life as meaningful while denying the possibility of establishing any objectively understood meaning of life. Third, both evoke the idea of different types of judgments, the conditions of which are independent of each other. Although religious faith is not grounded in factual knowledge and cannot be justified by appeal to empirical evidence or conceptual argumentation, it is not groundless either. Rather, in accordance with Kant who claims that faith may have a nontheoretical justification, Wittgenstein shows that religious faith may result from a personal experience of one's life as a meaningful whole.
The nature of social cognitive deficits in children and adults with Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY)
Authors: van Rijn S. , de Sonneville L. , Swaab H.
Published: February 2018

About 1 in 650 boys are born with an extra X chromosome (47,XXY or Klinefelter syndrome). 47,XXY is associated with vulnerabilities in socio‐emotional development. This study was designed to assess types of cognitive deficits in individuals with 47,XXY that may contribute to social‐emotional dysfunction, and to evaluate the nature of such deficits at various levels: ranging from basic visuospatial processing deficits, impairments in face recognition (FR), to emotion expression impairments. A total of 70 boys and men with 47,XXY, aged 8 to 60 years old, participated in the study. The subtests feature identification, FR and identification of facial emotions of the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks were used. Level of intellectual functioning was assessed with the child and adult versions of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales. Reaction time data showed that in the 47,XXY group, 17% had difficulties in visuospatial processing (no social load), 26% had difficulties with FR (medium social load) and an even higher number of 33% had difficulties with facial expressions of emotions (high‐social load). Information processing impairments increased as a function of “social load” of the stimuli, independent of intellectual functioning. Taken together, our data suggest that on average individuals with XXY may have more difficulties in information processing when “social load” increases, suggesting a specific difficulty in the higher‐order labeling and interpretation of social cues, which cannot be explained by more basic visuospatial perceptual skills. Considering the increased risk for social cognitive impairments, routine assessment of social cognitive functioning as part of neuropsychological screening is warranted.
Exclusion in all‐pay auctions: An experimental investigation
Authors: Fehr Dietmar , Schmid Julia
Published: February 2018

Contest designers and managers who wish to maximize the overall revenue of a contest are frequently concerned with a trade‐off between contest homogeneity and inclusion of contestants with high valuations. In our experimental study, we find that it is not profitable to exclude the strongest bidder in order to promote greater homogeneity among the remaining bidders, even though the theoreticalexclusion principlepredicts otherwise. This is because the strongest bidders are willing to give up a substantial portion of their expected rent in order to minimize the chance of losing the contest.
Institutions as dispositions: Searle, Smith and the metaphysics of blind chess
Authors: Bauwens Michaël
Published: February 2018

This paper addresses the question what the fundamental nature and mode of being of institutional reality is. Besides the recent debate with Tony Lawson, Barry Smith is also one of the relatively few authors to have explicitly challenged John Searle's social ontology on this metaphysical question, with Smith's realism requirement for institutions conflicting with Searle's requirement of a one‐world naturalism. This paper proposes that an account of institutions as powers or dispositions is not only congenial to Searle's general account, but can also satisfy both the realism and the one world requirements. Searle's worry that such a dispositional account is unable to account for the deontic nature of institutions is countered by an appeal to higher‐order powers as well as Searle's notion of the gap and desire‐independent reasons for action.
Immune response to human telomerase reverse transcriptase‐derived helper T cell epitopes in hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Kumagai Masashi , Mizukoshi Eishiro , Tamai Toshikatsu , Kitahara Masaaki , Yamashita Tatsuya , Arai Kuniaki , Terashima Takeshi , Iida Noriho , Fushimi Kazumi , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: February 2018

Background and Aims

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase is a catalytic enzyme involved in telomere elongation. It is expressed in many tumours, including hepatocellular carcinoma. The purpose of the present study was to identify major histocompatibility complex class II‐restricted helper T cell epitopes derived from human telomerase reverse transcriptase in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods

TEPITOPE software was used to predict helper T cell epitopes based on the entire amino acid sequence of human telomerase reverse transcriptase, and peptides were synthesized based on the predicted sequence. Interferon (IFN)‐γ enzyme linked immunospot assay was performed to examine the T cell response to each of the synthesized peptides in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Furthermore, the peptides were labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate to test their binding affinity for major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. Lastly, the association between patient characteristics and the level of immune response to these epitopes was examined.

Results

Positive T cell response (>10% enzyme linked immunospot positivity) was detected against 4 of 10 peptides. Among all peptides, positive T cell response to the hTERT68 peptide was detected most frequently. While hTERT68 was HLA‐DRB1*0405‐restricted, it also bound to other MCH class II molecules. Positive helper T cell response was detected most frequently in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with a low serum alpha‐foetoprotein level. Several treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma enhanced the immune response against the peptides.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that helper T cell epitopes identified in the present study may be useful to investigate immune responses and for immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
A prospective investigation to evaluate risk factors for lower extremity injury risk in male youth soccer players
Authors: Read P. J. , Oliver J. L. , De Ste Croix M. B. A. , Myer G. D. , Lloyd R. S.
Published: February 2018

There is an inherent risk of injury in male youth football; however, pertinent risk factors for injury have yet to be examined. This study used a prospective cohort design with 357 elite male youth football players (aged 10‐18 years) assessed during the preseason period and then monitored during the season recording all non‐contact lower extremity injuries. Screening tests included single leg hop for distance (SLHD); 75% of maximum hop and stick (75%Hop); single leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ); and the tuck jump assessment (TJ). Players were divided into subgroups based on chronological age.SLCMJpeak landing vertical ground reaction force (pVGRF) asymmetry was the most prominent risk factor (U11‐U12s,OR0.90,P = .04; and U15‐U16s,OR0.91,P < .001). Maturational offset (OR0.58,P = .04), lower right legSLCMJ pVGRFrelative to body weight (OR0.36,P = .03), and advanced chronological age (OR3.62,P = .04) were also significantly associated with heightened injury risk in the U13‐U14s, U15‐U16s, and U18s, respectively. Univariate analyses showed combinations of anthropometric and movement screening risk factors were associated with heightened risk of lower extremity injury; however, there was variability across the different chronological age groups. GreaterSLCMJ pVGRFasymmetry, lower right legSLCMJ pVGRF%BW, later maturation, and advanced chronological age are potential risk factors for injury in elite male youth football players, although the strength of these relationships was often low to moderate. In addition, risk factors are likely to change at different stages of development.
Opportunity or threat? How trade union power and preferences shape occupational pensions
Authors: Keune Maarten
Published: February 2018

In this article, we discuss the role of trade unions in the evolution of occupational pensions in four countries: Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. In all four cases, important reforms have been made to the pension systems, including the consolidation of extensive occupational pensions in the Netherlands, substantial expansion of occupational pensions in Germany, and a continued marginal position of occupational pensions in Austria and Belgium. We show that the distinct developments in occupational pensions in the four cases since the 1990s can, to an important extent, be understood by the differences in the power resources and preferences of trade unions. The influence of unions on the development of occupational pension systems depends, on the one hand, on the extent to which they see them as an opportunity or a threat, and, on the other hand, on the extent to which they have the power resources to consolidate, oppose or shape these systems.
Adult‐onset primary cyclic autoimmune neutropenia: a case report
Authors: Yabushita Tomohiro , Hiramoto Nobuhiro , Ono Yuichiro , Yoshioka Satoshi , Karakawa Shuhei , Kobayashi Masao , Ishikawa Takayuki
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

A few cases of primary autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) have been reported in adults, but cyclic primary AIN, which is characterized by the periodic oscillation of neutrophils, is uncommon in adults.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Herein, we report a 70‐year‐old man referred to our hospital with severe neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. He had experienced intermittent episodes of low‐extremity purpura for the past 3 months, with cellulitis on the skin of the scalp 1 month previously.

RESULTS

The patient presented with severely low neutrophil and platelet (PLT) counts. Myeloid progenitors and megakaryocytes were increased in the marrow, but mature neutrophils were remarkably decreased. Anti‐neutrophil antibodies to specific epitopes were detected at neutropenia. Based on these findings, AIN accompanied by autoimmune thrombocytopenia was diagnosed. The patient experienced synchronous fluctuations of neutrophil and PLT counts three times. Despite no treatment, the neutrophil count fluctuated within the range of 0.06 × 109 to 1.65 × 109/L, and the PLT count fluctuated from 0.7 × 1010 to 20.5 × 1010/L. We identified an inverse relationship between neutrophil count and anti‐neutrophil antibody titers, establishing the conclusive diagnosis of cyclic AIN. After prednisolone treatment, the neutrophil and PLT counts normalized, and the patient has maintained long‐term remission.

CONCLUSION

We report a rare case of cyclic AIN diagnosed from the inverse association between periodic oscillation of anti‐neutrophil antibody titers and neutrophil counts. This clinical course suggests that in AIN patients, laboratory data and recurrent signs of infection should be monitored regularly, including shortly after neutrophil recovery.
First report of Varroa genotype in western Asia based on genotype identification of Iranian Varroa destructor populations (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) using RAPD marker
Authors: Hajializadeh Zahra , Asadi Mahdieh , Kavousi Hamidreza
Published: February 2018

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to the analysis of the haplotypes of Varroa destrcuctor in southern half of Iran. Eight Varroa populations were collected and five RAPD primers were used to determine their genotype. All samples showed the K pattern genotype. Furthermore 30 loci were amplified; from which 29 were polymorphic (96.67%) and 1 was monomorphic (3.33%). This is the first molecular genetic study of V. destructor in Iran. Detailed investigations at DNA sequence level are needed to characterize genetic structure of V. destructor populations in Iran.
A new species of the neotenic genus Larvacarus (Acariformes: Tenuipalpidae) from Astragalus (Fabaceae) in Iran
Authors: LATIFI MALIHE , MAHDAVI SAYED MOSAYEB , ASADI MAHDIEH , SEEMAN OWEN
Published: February 2018

A new species of the neotenic flat mite genus Larvacarus Baker and Pritchard, 1952 (Acariformes: Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae), Larvacarus iranicus sp. nov., is described from females collected from Astragalus sp. (Fabaceae) in Iran (Kerman Province). This is the second report of this genus in the world. The relationships of Larvacarus with other flat mite genera, including the other larviform species in the genera Raoiellana Baker and Tuttle, 1972 and Phytoptipalpus Trägårdh, 1904 are discussed.
Decreased severity of age-related macular degeneration in amblyopic eyes
Authors: Storey Philip P , Aziz Hassan A , O’Keefe Ghazala A Datoo , Borchert Mark , Lam Linda A , Puliafito Carmen A , Olmos de Koo Lisa C
Published: February 2018

Aim

To evaluate whether people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and a history of amblyopia have equal severity of AMD in both eyes.

Methods

Billing records were used to locate all people with a history of amblyopia and AMD evaluated between 1 January 2003 and 1 June 2015 at a single ophthalmology institute. Two ophthalmic graders blinded to amblyopia status determined the severity of AMD in each eye using fundus photos and a validated grading scale.

Results

A total of 14 people were found to have AMD and a documented history of amblyopia. Average patient age was 77.0 years and average best corrected visual acuity was 20/160 in eyes with a history of amblyopia and 20/40 in fellow eyes without amblyopia. Eyes with a history of amblyopia were found to have a lower AMD severity score (mean lower score: −1.38; paired t-test P=0.019). Of the 11 people with asymmetric disease severity, 10 individuals had worse AMD in the non-amblyopic eye while one person had worse AMD in the amblyopic eye (P=0.0067).

Conclusions

Our pilot study suggests that eyes with a history of amblyopia may manifest decreased severity of AMD compared with non-ambylopic eyes in the same patient. Further research is warranted to investigate this clinical observation.
ATR-Vis
Authors: Makki Raheleh , Carvalho Eder , Soto Axel J. , Brooks Stephen , Oliveira Maria Cristina Ferreira De , Milios Evangelos , Minghim Rosane
Published: February 2018

The worldwide adoption of Twitter turned it into one of the most popular platforms for content analysis as it serves as a gauge of the public’s feeling and opinion on a variety of topics. This is particularly true of political discussions and lawmakers’ actions and initiatives. Yet, one common but unrealistic assumption is that the data of interest for analysis is readily available in a comprehensive and accurate form. Data need to be retrieved, but due to the brevity and noisy nature of Twitter content, it is difficult to formulate user queries that match relevant posts that use different terminology without introducing a considerable volume of unwanted content. This problem is aggravated when the analysis must contemplate multiple and related topics of interest, for which comments are being concurrently posted. This article presents Active Tweet Retrieval Visualization (ATR-Vis), a user-driven visual approach for the retrieval of Twitter content applicable to this scenario. The method proposes a set of active retrieval strategies to involve an analyst in such a way that a major improvement in retrieval coverage and precision is attained with minimal user effort. ATR-Vis enables non-technical users to benefit from the aforementioned active learning strategies by providing visual aids to facilitate the requested supervision. This supports the exploration of the space of potentially relevant tweets, and affords a better understanding of the retrieval results. We evaluate our approach in scenarios in which the task is to retrieve tweets related to multiple parliamentary debates within a specific time span. We collected two Twitter datasets, one associated with debates in the Canadian House of Commons during a particular week in May 2014, and another associated with debates in the Brazilian Federal Senate during a selected week in May 2015. The two use cases illustrate the effectiveness of ATR-Vis for the retrieval of relevant tweets, while quantitative results show that our approach achieves high retrieval quality with a modest amount of supervision. Finally, we evaluated our tool with three external users who perform searching in social media as part of their professional work.
Chronodes
Authors: Polack Jr. Peter J. , Chen Shang-Tse , Kahng Minsuk , Barbaro Kaya De , Basole Rahul , Sharmin Moushumi , Chau Duen Horng
Published: February 2018

The advent of mobile health (mHealth) technologies challenges the capabilities of current visualizations, interactive tools, and algorithms. We present Chronodes, an interactive system that unifies data mining and human-centric visualization techniques to support explorative analysis of longitudinal mHealth data. Chronodes extracts and visualizes frequent event sequences that reveal chronological patterns across multiple participant timelines of mHealth data. It then combines novel interaction and visualization techniques to enable multifocus event sequence analysis, which allows health researchers to interactively define, explore, and compare groups of participant behaviors using event sequence combinations. Through summarizing insights gained from a pilot study with 20 behavioral and biomedical health experts, we discuss Chronodes’s efficacy and potential impact in the mHealth domain. Ultimately, we outline important open challenges in mHealth, and offer recommendations and design guidelines for future research.
A Learning-Based Framework for Improving Querying on Web Interfaces of Curated Knowledge Bases
Authors: Zhang Wei Emma , Sheng Quan Z. , Yao Lina , Taylor Kerry , Shemshadi Ali , Qin Yongrui
Published: February 2018

Knowledge Bases (KBs) are widely used as one of the fundamental components in Semantic Web applications as they provide facts and relationships that can be automatically understood by machines. Curated knowledge bases usually use Resource Description Framework (RDF) as the data representation model. To query the RDF-presented knowledge in curated KBs, Web interfaces are built via SPARQL Endpoints. Currently, querying SPARQL Endpoints has problems like network instability and latency, which affect the query efficiency. To address these issues, we propose a client-side caching framework, SPARQL Endpoint Caching Framework (SECF), aiming at accelerating the overall querying speed over SPARQL Endpoints. SECF identifies the potential issued queries by leveraging the querying patterns learned from clients’ historical queries and prefecthes/caches these queries. In particular, we develop a distance function based on graph edit distance to measure the similarity of SPARQL queries. We propose a feature modelling method to transform SPARQL queries to vector representation that are fed into machine-learning algorithms. A time-aware smoothing-based method, Modified Simple Exponential Smoothing (MSES), is developed for cache replacement. Extensive experiments performed on real-world queries showcase the effectiveness of our approach, which outperforms the state-of-the-art work in terms of the overall querying speed.
ShaVe-ICE
Authors: Shoushtari Majid , Donyanavard Bryan , Bathen Luis Angel D. , Dutt Nikil
Published: February 2018

Traditional approaches for managing software-programmable memories (SPMs) do not support sharing of distributed on-chip memory resources and, consequently, miss the opportunity to better utilize those memory resources. Managing on-chip memory resources in many-core embedded systems with distributed SPMs requires runtime support to share memory resources between various threads with different memory demands running concurrently. Runtime SPM managers cannot rely on prior knowledge about the dynamically changing mix of threads that will execute and therefore should be designed in a way that enables SPM allocations for any unpredictable mix of threads contending for on-chip memory space. This article proposes
ShaVe-ICE
, an operating-system-level solution, along with hardware support, to virtualize and ultimately share SPM resources across a many-core embedded system to reduce the average memory latency. We present a number of simple allocation policies to improve performance and energy. Experimental results show that sharing SPMs could reduce the average execution time of the workload up to 19.5% and reduce the dynamic energy consumed in the memory subsystem up to 14%.
WNT16 overexpression partly protects against glucocorticoid-induced bone loss
Authors: Ohlsson Claes , Nilsson Karin H. , Henning Petra , Wu Jianyao , Gustafsson Karin L. , Poutanen Matti , Lerner Ulf H. , Movérare-Skrtic Sofia
Published: February 2018

Therapeutic use of glucocorticoids (GCs) is a major cause of secondary osteoporosis, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for the deleterious effects of GCs in bone are only partially understood. WNT16 is a crucial physiological regulator of bone mass and fracture susceptibility, and we hypothesize that disturbed WNT16 activity might be involved in the deleterious effects of GC in bone. Twelve-week-old female Obl-Wnt16 mice (WNT16 expression driven by the rat procollagen type I α1 promoter) and wild-type (WT) littermates were treated with prednisolone (7.6 mg·kg−1·day−1) or vehicle for 4 wk. We first observed that GC treatment decreased the Wnt16 mRNA levels in bone of female mice (−56.4 ± 6.1% compared with vehicle, P < 0.001). We next evaluated if WNT16 overexpression protects against GC-induced bone loss. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry analyses revealed that GC treatment decreased total body bone mineral density in WT mice (−3.9 ± 1.2%, P = 0.028) but not in Obl-Wnt16 mice (+1.3 ± 1.4%, nonsignificant). Microcomputed tomography analyses showed that GC treatment decreased trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV) of the femur in WT mice ( P = 0.019) but not in Obl-Wnt16 mice. Serum levels of the bone formation marker procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide were substantially reduced by GC treatment in WT mice (−50.3 ± 7.0%, P = 0.008) but not in Obl-Wnt16 mice (−3.8 ± 21.2%, nonsignificant). However, the cortical bone thickness in femur was reduced by GC treatment in both WT mice and Obl-Wnt16 mice. In conclusion, GC treatment decreases Wnt16 mRNA levels in bone and WNT16 overexpression partly protects against GC-induced bone loss.
Changes of Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase Expressions in Thyroid Glands of Patients with Different Thyroid Pathologies
Authors: Sawicka-Gutaj Nadia , Andrusiewicz Mirosław , Czarnywojtek Agata , Waligórska-Stachura Joanna , Biczysko Maciej , Skrobisz Jerzy , Sowiński Jerzy , Ruchała Marek
Published: February 2018

Purpose. Our aim was to analyze NAMPT expression in thyroid tissue derived from patients with Graves’ disease with (GD) and without (GO) orbitopathy, patients with toxic nodular goiters (TNG) and thyroid cancers (TC), and healthy controls. Methods. 153 thyroid tissue samples of consecutive patients who underwent thyroidectomy were collected. Previous therapy with steroids was an exclusion criterion. We collected clinicopathological data of all subjects and we assessed NAMPT expression using qPCR. Results. We found the highest NAMPT expression in the thyroids of patients with GO (n = 20) and cancers (n = 40). Also, there was statistically significant NAMPT overexpression in patients with TNG (n = 30). Relatively low NAMPT expression was found in GD patients (n = 21) and in the control group (n = 39). In one-way ANCOVA, we confirmed that NAMPT expression differs between subgroups and that it is not influenced by age, BMI, or sex of patients. Conclusions. Reported alteration of NAMPT expression might suggest its involvement in thyroid pathologies. Observed NAMPT overexpression in patients with GO and its relatively low levels in thyroids of patients with GD without eye changes do not confirm causal relationship between NAMPT level and orbitopathy, but this needs further investigation.
Design Methodology and Performance Evaluation of New Generation Sounding Rockets
Authors: Pallone Marco , Pontani Mauro , Teofilatto Paolo , Minotti Angelo
Published: February 2018

Sounding rockets are currently deployed for the purpose of providing experimental data of the upper atmosphere, as well as for microgravity experiments. This work provides a methodology in order to design, model, and evaluate the performance of new sounding rockets. A general configuration composed of a rocket with four canards and four tail wings is sized and optimized, assuming different payload masses and microgravity durations. The aerodynamic forces are modeled with high fidelity using the interpolation of available data. Three different guidance algorithms are used for the trajectory integration: constant attitude, near radial, and sun-pointing. The sun-pointing guidance is used to obtain the best microgravity performance while maintaining a specified attitude with respect to the sun, allowing for experiments which are temperature sensitive. Near radial guidance has instead the main purpose of reaching high altitudes, thus maximizing the microgravity duration. The results prove that the methodology at hand is straightforward to implement and capable of providing satisfactory performance in term of microgravity duration.
Exenatide with Metformin Ameliorated Visceral Adiposity and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Du Xuan , Lu Wen , Lu Zijun , Shao Xinyu , Hu Chunhong , Shi Bimin
Published: February 2018

Background. To study the effectiveness of exenatide with metformin and sequential treatment with exenatide and glargine added to metformin and their influence on insulin sensitivity and adipose distribution. Methods. 20 newly diagnosed obese type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled, and 2-month washout treatment of metformin, 6-month exenatide treatment, and 6-month glargine treatment were administrated sequentially accompanied with previous metformin. Glucolipid metabolic parameters were compared among groups. Adipose distribution was quantified with computerized tomography according to anatomy, dividing into visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), adding up to total adipose tissue (TAT). Results. The 6-month exenatide treatment dramatically ameliorated the glucose and lipid profile, improved insulin sensitivity, and mainly decreased VAT and also the ratio of VAT/SAT (RVS). The following 6-month glargine treatment increased VAT. The whole 12-month sequential treatment with exenatide and glargine added to metformin basically improved the insulin sensitivity and glucolipid control though VAT rebounded at the end, however without deteriorating the other parameters. Conclusion. Exenatide is an ideal treatment for obese type 2 diabetic patients in the aspect of adipose tissue distribution. Sequential treatment of exenatide and glargine could be an alternative for low-income patients who cannot afford GLP-1 agonist for long time. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-OOC-17013679.
Systematic Review of Appropriate Robotic Intervention for Gait Function in Subacute Stroke Patients
Authors: Cho Ji-Eun , Yoo Jun Sang , Kim Kyoung Eun , Cho Sung Tae , Jang Woo Seok , Cho Ki Hun , Lee Wan-Hee
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this study was to critically evaluate the effects of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on gait-related function in patients with acute/subacute stroke. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials published between May 2012 and April 2016. This search included 334 articles (Cochrane, 51 articles; Embase, 175 articles; PubMed, 108 articles). Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7 studies were selected for this review. We performed a quality evaluation using the PEDro scale. In this review, 3 studies used an exoskeletal robot, and 4 studies used an end-effector robot as interventions. As a result, RAGT was found to be effective in improving walking ability in subacute stroke patients. Significant improvements in gait speed, functional ambulatory category, and Rivermead mobility index were found with RAGT compared with conventional physical therapy(p<0.05). Therefore, aggressive weight support and gait training at an early stage using a robotic device are helpful, and robotic intervention should be applied according to the patient’s functional level and onset time of stroke.
A Case of Chemotherapy-Refractory “THRLBCL like Transformation of NLPHL” Successfully Treated with Lenalidomide
Authors: Siricilla Mamatha , Irwin Lydia , Ferber Andres
Published: February 2018

Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a subtype of nonclassical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). It resembles non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), by expressing classic B cell markers such as CD20 and CD79a however lacks definitive HL markers (such as CD15 and CD30). T cell histiocyte-rich large B cell lymphoma (THRLBCL), on the other hand, is a distinct entity classified under NHL and considered a variant of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). NLPHL can look morphologically and immunologically similar to THRLBCL and often poses a diagnostic challenge. Neoplastic cells in both NLPHL and THRLBCL express B cell markers and are typically scattered in a background of reactive cells. The two major differences are the background cell type and the morphologic pattern. Despite having a phenotypic resemblance, they have distinct biologic behavior and clinical course. NLPHL typically has an indolent course, and THRLBCL has an aggressive course. Hence, differentiating these two entities is critical not only for prognosis but for treatment purposes. Of note, NLPHL has a small risk of transformation to an aggressive lymphoma such as THRLBCL.
Date Palm Production Practices and Constraints in the Value Chain in Afar Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Lemlem Aregawi , Alemayehu Melkamu , Endris Mossa
Published: February 2018

The study was conducted during 2015/2016 in two districts of Afar Regional State which were purposively selected based on their experiences on date palm production and locations relative to Awash River. Objectives of the study were evaluating the existing production practices and constraints of date palm production to generate baseline information for further researches and extension. A total of 117 household heads were interviewed using structured and semistructured questionnaires. Key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observations of date palm plantations have been also conducted. The study was designed to address date palm production along the value chain. The majority of household heads were male, married, and illiterate. About 94.19% of household heads allocated less than one hectare of land for date palm production and had 21–40 years (77.8%) of experience. Seeds (90.6%) were dominantly used for propagation, which are not appropriate for date palm production. Local varieties with low yielding potential were cultivated using flooding irrigation (76.9%). Date palm production was practiced traditionally and constrained with high incidence of insect pests. Capacity building training sessions and researches on proper agronomic, management, and postharvest handling practices are recommended to improve the production of date palm in the region.
Time-Dependent Effects of POT1 Knockdown on Proliferation, Tumorigenicity, and HDACi Response of SK-OV3 Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Zhou Hua , Mondal Abdul , Dakic Aleksandra , Alhawas Lama , Liu Xuefeng , He Zhixu
Published: February 2018

The roles of protection of telomeres 1 (POT1) in human ovarian cancer have not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the impact of POT1 knockdown (POT1-KD) on in vitro cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, and histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) response in human ovarian cancer-derived SK-OV3 cells. The POT1 gene was knocked down by infection with POT1 lenti-shRNA. POT1, c-Myc, and hTERT mRNA levels and relative telomere length were determined by qRT-PCR; POT1 protein levels were determined by western blot. The relative telomerase activity levels were detected using qTRAP; cell proliferation was assessed using cumulative population doubling (cPD) experiments. Cell tumorigenicity was evaluated by anchorage-independent cell growth assays, and cell response to HDACi was determined by luminescence cell viability assays. Results indicate that lenti-shRNA-mediated POT1-KD significantly reduced POT1 mRNA and protein expression. POT1-KD immediately downregulated c-Myc expression, which led to the inhibition of cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, and HDACi response. However, after brief suppression, c-Myc expression increased in the medium term, which resulted in enhanced cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, and HDACi response in the POT1-KD cells. Furthermore, we discovered that c-Myc regulated cell proliferation and tumorigenesis via hTERT/telomerase/telomere pathway.
Low Back Pain among Medical Students in Belgrade (Serbia): A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Vujcic Isidora , Stojilovic Nemanja , Dubljanin Eleonora , Ladjevic Nebojsa , Ladjevic Ivana , Sipetic-Grujicic Sandra
Published: February 2018

Aim. To examine the prevalence of low back pain, to identify self-perceived triggers of low back pain, and to investigate the impact of perceived pain on the daily activities and mood among medical students. Methods. This cross-sectional study enrolled 459 fourth year students at the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade during December 2014. The anonymous questionnaire was used for data collection. In data analysis, the chi-square test and t-test were used. Results. The lifetime prevalence of low back pain was 75.8%, 12-month prevalence 59.5%, and point prevalence 17.2%. Chronic low back pain was experienced by 12.4% of the students. Both the lifetime (p=0.001) and the 12-month (p=0.001) low back pain prevalence rates were significantly higher among female medical students. Mental stress during an exam period (p=0.001), sitting at the university (p=0.002), fatigue (p=0.043), improper body posture (p=0.005), and lack of exercise (p=0.001) as self-perceived triggers of low back pain were significantly more often reported by female students, compared to males. Regarding daily functioning, the experience of low back pain mostly affects students sleeping (14.6%) and walking (12.0%). Conclusions. The prevalence of LBP is high among Belgrade medical students and significantly affects their everyday functioning.
A New Plant Intelligent Behaviour Optimisation Algorithm for Solving Vehicle Routing Problem
Authors: Chagwiza Godfrey
Published: February 2018

A new plant intelligent behaviour optimisation algorithm is developed. The algorithm is motivated by intelligent behaviour of plants and is implemented to solve benchmark vehicle routing problems of all sizes, and results were compared to those in literature. The results show that the new algorithm outperforms most of algorithms it was compared to for very large and large vehicle routing problem instances. This is attributed to the ability of the plant to use previously stored memory to respond to new problems. Future research may focus on improving input parameters so as to achieve better results.
Ectopic Tubular Papillary Apocrine Adenoma on the Eyelid: A Case Report of Misleading Clinical Presentation and Location
Authors: Abbeel Laura , Van Ginderdeuren Rita
Published: February 2018

We report the case of a 38-year-old patient with a tubular apocrine adenoma with papillary differentiation. The clinician was challenged in her diagnosis by the initially misleading appearance and ectopic location. Histopathological findings and immunohistochemistry delivered conclusive proof for the correct diagnosis. Therefore, it is important for the ophthalmologist to request histopathological analysis to diagnose and differentiate from malignancy. A complete local excision is recommended to prevent recurrence.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Associated with Desmopressin Nasal Spray: Causality or Unfortunate Association
Authors: Kisma Nacima , Loukianou Eleni , Pal Bishwanath
Published: February 2018

Purpose: To describe the possible association between central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and desmopressin use. Methods: The case histories of 2 middle-aged men with CSCR using desmopressin nasal spray were studied. Results: The diagnosis of CSCR was made on the basis of clinical features and ancillary testing (fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography). Both patients were using desmopressin nasal spray for polyuria when they developed the first ocular symptoms. Both of them also had an independent risk factor for developing CSCR. Conclusion: We suggest that desmopressin-induced hypercortisolism might implicate the development of CSCR in some patients. A larger study on patients using desmopressin nasal spray would be beneficial to confirm the possible association between this form of therapy and the development of CSCR.
Sistema inteligente de apoio à decisão e monitorização de doentes críticos em tempo-real
Authors: da Silva Portela Carlos Filipe , Vieira Torres dos Santos Manuel Filipe , da Silva Abelha António Carlos , Machado José Manuel , Moreira Silva Álvaro , Rua Martins Fernando
Published: February 2018

Os cuidados intensivos são unidades clínicas onde os sinais vitais dos doentes são monitorizados continuamente e onde é registada uma multiplicidade de parâmetros clínicos. Este trabalho apresenta como principal objetivo estudar a possibilidade e desenvolver um sistema inteligente que promova a monitorização e a criação de novo conhecimento útil para o processo de decisão fulcral para a prestação de um melhor tratamento ao doente. Este artigo apresenta os resultados obtidos, em particular o sistema desenvolvido com o propósito de monitorizar os dados clínicos e recorrer a tecnologias de data mining, para prever eventos clínicos com grande sensibilidade (90–100%), nomeadamente a probabilidade de falência orgânica, reinternamentos e sépsis.