bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does redistribution or local growth underpin rebuilding of Canada’s Northern cod?
Authors: Rose George A. , Rowe Sherrylynn
Published: March 2018

The stock structure of Canada’s Northern cod (Gadus morhua), the largest of many depleted groundfish stocks having multiple spawning areas, is rebuilding by redistribution and not solely by local population growth. In 2007–2008, late winter acoustic surveys suggested initial rebuilding in the southern-most part of the offshore range (Bonavista Corridor, NAFO Divisions 3KL), likely including fish dispersing from the inshore. Thereafter, acoustically determined biomass increases averaged 30% per annum (to near 240 000 t in 2014). In contrast, formerly dominant stock areas farther north retained few fish, mostly juveniles. In 2015, however, biomass in the northern stock range (NAFO Division 2J) reached 65 000 t and mid-north Notre Dame Channel (3K) reached 101 000 t, with Bonavista Corridor declining to 136 000 t. Biomass pooled over all surveyed regions totaled 302 000 t, consistent with sustained 30% growth. Latitudinal gradients in cod size, age distributions, and individual growth existed both historically and recently, but not in 2015. The evidence suggests that the rapid increases of depopulated northern groups resulted from redistribution from the south within a metapopulation.
A rapid and efficient method for the isolation of postnatal murine cardiac myocyte and fibroblast cells
Authors: Weldrick Jonathan J. , Abdul-Ghani Mohammad , Megeney Lynn A. , Burgon Patrick G.
Published: March 2018

The capacity to isolate and study single cardiomyocytes has dramatically enhanced our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of the heart. Currently, 2 primary methods for the isolation of cardiomyocytes are employed: (i) the neonatal isolation protocol and (ii) the Langendorff isolation method. A major limiting feature of both procedures is the inability to isolate cardiomyocytes between 3 days and 3 weeks after birth. Herein, we report the establishment and validation of a new method for the rapid and efficient isolation of mouse cardiomyocytes, regardless of age. This novel procedure utilizes whole heart perfusion of a trypsin–collagenase Krebs-based buffer through the left ventricle at a high flow rate. Cardiomyocytes can be isolated in significantly less time with a simple, syringe-pump-based apparatus. Typically, we can digest 10–15 hearts per hour. Altogether, we have established an efficient and reproducible method for the rapid isolation of fresh cardiomyocytes from postnatal mouse hearts of any age.
Study on control of defect mode in hybrid mirror chirped porous silicon photonic crystal
Authors: Chen Ying , Luo Pei , Han Yangyang , Cui Xingning , He Lei
Published: March 2018

Based on the optical resonance principle and the tight-binding theory, a hybrid mirror chirped porous silicon photonic crystal is proposed. The control of the defect mode in hybrid mirror chirped porous silicon photonic crystal is studied. Through the numerical simulation, the control regulations of the defect modes resulted by the number of the periodical layers for the fundamental unit and the cascading number of the chirped structures are analyzed, and the split and the degeneration of the defect modes resulted by the change of the relative location between the mirror structures and the quasi-mirror structures are discussed. The simulation results show that the band gap would be broadened with the increase of the chirp quantity and the layer number of unilateral chirp. Adjusting the structural parameters of the hybrid mirror structure, the multimode characteristics will occur in the band gap. The more the cascading number of the chirped units, the more the number of the filtering channels will be. In addition, with the increase of the relative location between the mirror structures and the quasi-mirror structures, the degeneration of the defect modes will occur and can obtain high Q value. The structure can provide effective theoretical references for the design the multi-channel filters and high Q value sensors.
Study of photofission fragment mass distribution of 232Th, 238U, 237Np and 240Pu isotopes in various γ-ray energies
Authors: Pahlavani M. R. , Mehdipour P.
Published: March 2018

Photofission of [Formula: see text]Th, [Formula: see text]U, [Formula: see text]Np and [Formula: see text]Pu isotopes are investigated. Modified version of Gorodisskiy approach that is developed to study the neutron-induced fission are employed to simulate fission fragment mass distribution for these isotopes in different energies. The effect of emitted neutron prior to scission point is studied. Peak to valley ratio is also extracted. Obtained results using this approach are compared with original Gorodisskiy model as well as available experimental data. Satisfactory agreement is achieved between theoretical and experimental data especially in medium and low [Formula: see text]-ray energies than original formalism of Gorodisskiy.
Fault Tree Analysis for Reliability Evaluation of an Advanced Complex Manufacturing System
Authors: Fazlollahtabar Hamed , Niaki Seyed Taghi Akhavan
Published: March 2018

In this paper, minimal paths and cuts technique is developed to handle fault tree analysis (FTA) on the critical components of industrial robots. This analysis is integrated with the reliability block diagram (RBD) approach in order to investigate the robot system reliability. The model is implemented in a complex advanced manufacturing system having autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) as material handling devices. FTA grants cause and effects and hierarchical properties to the model. On the other hand, RBD simplifies the complex system of the AGVs for reliability evaluation. The results show that due to the filtering of the paths in a manufacturing system for AGVs, the reliability is highly dependent on the mostly occupied paths by AGVs. The failure probability for the AGV is considered to follow the exponential probability distribution and thus the whole system reliability using minimal paths and cuts method is obtained 0.8741.
Optimal Prevention with Possibilistic and Mixed Background Risk
Authors: Georgescu Irina , Casademunt Ana María Lucia
Published: March 2018

In this paper, the effect of posibilistic or mixed background risk on the level of optimal prevention is studied. In the framework of five purely possibilistic or mixed models, necessary and sufficient conditions are found such that the level of optimal saving decreases or increases as a result of the actions of various types of background risk. This way our results complete those obtained by Courbage and Rey for some prevention models with probabilistic background risk.
Direct Cardiac Reprogramming: Progress and Promise
Authors: Engel James L. , Ardehali Reza
Published: March 2018

The human adult heart lacks a robust endogenous repair mechanism to fully restore cardiac function after insult; thus, the ability to regenerate and repair the injured myocardium remains a top priority in treating heart failure. The ability to efficiently generate a large number of functioning cardiomyocytes capable of functional integration within the injured heart has been difficult. However, the ability to directly convert fibroblasts into cardiomyocyte-like cells both in vitro and in vivo offers great promise in overcoming this problem. In this review, we describe the insights and progress that have been gained from the investigation of direct cardiac reprogramming. We focus on the use of key transcription factors and cardiogenic genes as well as on the use of other biological molecules such as small molecules, cytokines, noncoding RNAs, and epigenetic modifiers to improve the efficiency of cardiac reprogramming. Finally, we discuss the development of safer reprogramming approaches for future clinical application.
Comparison of the Clinical Efficacy of Salbutamol with Jet and Mesh Nebulizers in Asthmatic Children
Authors: Murayama Norihide , Murayama Kikuno
Published: March 2018

Background. Ultrasonic, jet, and mesh nebulizers have all been used in the treatment for asthma. Mesh nebulizers reportedly offer the best inhalation efficiency. Methods. This study aimed to clarify the utility of the mesh nebulizer, compared to jet nebulizers, in the treatment of pediatric asthma patients. Participants included 88 children <6 years old who were receiving treatment for asthma at Murayama Pediatric Clinic. Heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation in arterial blood, and Mitsui symptom scores were compared before and after treatment with a mesh nebulizer (n=43) or jet nebulizer (n=45) using a salbutamol inhalation solution (0.2 ml for children ≧ 2 years old, n=51; 0.1 ml for children < 2 years old, n=37). Results. Other than required inhalation time, clinical findings did not differ between mesh and jet groups. In both groups, heart rate increased significantly in patients treated with 0.2 ml (1000 microg) of salbutamol. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance. The required inhalation time of the mesh nebulizer was superior to the jet nebulizer. Children ≧ 2 years with mild asthma attacks experienced a significantly increased heart rate in both groups. The dose of salbutamol (0.2 ml for ≧2 years) used for asthma attacks should be reconsidered in mild asthma.
Detecting Android Malwares with High-Efficient Hybrid Analyzing Methods
Authors: Liu Yu , Guo Kai , Huang Xiangdong , Zhou Zhou , Zhang Yichi
Published: March 2018

In order to tackle the security issues caused by malwares of Android OS, we proposed a high-efficient hybrid-detecting scheme for Android malwares. Our scheme employed different analyzing methods (static and dynamic methods) to construct a flexible detecting scheme. In this paper, we proposed some detecting techniques such as Com+ feature based on traditional Permission and API call features to improve the performance of static detection. The collapsing issue of traditional function call graph-based malware detection was also avoided, as we adopted feature selection and clustering method to unify function call graph features of various dimensions into same dimension. In order to verify the performance of our scheme, we built an open-access malware dataset in our experiments. The experimental results showed that the suggested scheme achieved high malware-detecting accuracy, and the scheme could be used to establish Android malware-detecting cloud services, which can automatically adopt high-efficiency analyzing methods according to the properties of the Android applications.
Strangulation of the Penis by a Metallic Ring: Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Authors: Ichaoui Hamza , Sallami Sataa , Samet Ahmed , Bokal Zied , Touinsi Hassan
Published: March 2018

Strangulation of the penis is a rare condition that requires emergency management. Several objects, metallic or not, can be placed on the penis to increase sexual performance or for self-erotic intentions especially in psychotic patients with unusual sexual impulses. The problem of removing the foreign body and repairing the damage is a real challenge for the practitioner and a great stress for the patient. We report a case of a 42-year-old schizophrenic patient who presented to the emergency department for a strangulation of the penis secondary to a metal ring placed at the base of the penis 10 days before the consultation without urinary disorder. A review of the literature allowed us to highlight the different clinical pictures of penis strangulation and the therapeutic methods and to highlight the importance of psychiatric care of sexual behaviour in chronic psychotics.
Metabolism Analysis of Alantolactone and Isoalantolactone in Rats by Oral Administration
Authors: Wang Mengyue , Xu Renjie , Peng Ying , Li Xiaobo
Published: March 2018

Alantolactone and isoalantolactone are the major active ingredients of Inulae Radix. Their metabolism in vivo and in vitro was investigated by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS for the first time. As a result, nine metabolites in vivo including cysteine conjugates, oxidates, dehydrogenates, and hydrates were detected in rat bile after oral administration. The metabolites produced in vitro by incubation with rat liver microsomes were found to be substantially identical to those detected in vivo. However, no metabolites were detected in the samples of plasma, feces, and urine or in the incubates of gastric juice, intestinal juice, and intestinal bacteria. These results reveal that the liver is the main metabolic organ for alantolactone and isoalantolactone, and the first pass effect of the liver appears to be the reason for the low oral bioavailability of the two lactones.
Simulation Study on Strength and Failure Characteristics for Granite with a Set of Cross‐Joints of Different Lengths
Authors: Yin Dawei , Chen Shaojie , Liu Xingquan , Ma Hongfa
Published: March 2018

The strength and failure characteristics for granite specimen with a set of cross‐joints of different lengths were studied using PFC2D software. The results show that when the included angle of α between the main joint and loading direction is 30° or 45°, no matter what the included angle of β between main and secondary joints is, the main joint controls crack propagation and failure of granite specimen, which occurs the shear failure propagating from main joint tips, and the corresponding uniaxial compressive strength is low. Meanwhile, the secondary joint is the key joint for crack propagation and failure at α of 0° and 90° except when β is 90°. The granite specimen occurs the shear failure propagating from secondary joint tips. And, the shear failure crossing upper tips of main and secondary joints is found at α of 0° or 90° and β of 90°. Their uniaxial compressive strengths are large. Also, the combined actions of main and secondary joints determine crack propagation and failure at α of 60° except when β is 90°. The granite specimen occurs the hybrid failure, including shear failure propagating from main joint tips and tensile failure propagating from main and secondary joints center or secondary joint tips. And, when α is 60° and β is 90°, the granite specimen occurs the shear failure along secondary joint plane direction, and its uniaxial compressive strength is small. Generally, when α or β is a fixed value, the uniaxial compressive strength firstly decreases and then increases with the increase of β or α. Additionally, when α is 60° and β > 45°, the uniaxial compressive strength represents a decreasing trend. The uniaxial compressive strength at α and β between 30° and 60° is generally small. Finally, the microdisplacement field distributions of granite specimen were discussed.
Epigenetic versus Genetic Deregulation of the KEAP1/NRF2 Axis in Solid Tumors: Focus on Methylation and Noncoding RNAs
Authors: Fabrizio F. P. , Sparaneo A. , Trombetta D. , Muscarella L. A.
Published: March 2018

Oxidative and electrophilic changes in cells are mainly coordinated by the KEAP1/NRF2 (Kelch‐like erythroid‐derived cap‐n‐collar homology‐ (ECH‐) associated protein‐1/nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2) axis. The physical interaction between these two proteins promotes the expression of several antioxidant defense genes in response to exogenous and endogenous insults. Recent studies demonstrated that KEAP1/NRF2 axis dysfunction is also strongly related to tumor progression and chemo‐ and radiotherapy resistance of cancer cells. In solid tumors, the KEAP1/NRF2 system is constitutively activated by the loss of KEAP1 or gain of NFE2L2 functions that leads to its nuclear accumulation and enhances the transcription of many cytoprotective genes. In addition to point mutations, epigenetic abnormalities, as aberrant promoter methylation, and microRNA (miRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) deregulation were reported as emerging mechanisms of KEAP1/NRF2 axis modulation. This review will summarize the current knowledge about the epigenetic mechanisms that deregulate the KEAP1/NRF2 cascade in solid tumors and their potential usefulness as prognostic and predictive molecular markers.
Theta Burst Stimulation Enhances Connectivity of the Dorsal Attention Network in Young Healthy Subjects: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Anderkova Lubomira , Pizem Dominik , Klobusiakova Patricia , Gajdos Martin , Koritakova Eva , Rektorova Irena
Published: March 2018

We examined effects of theta burst stimulation (TBS) applied over two distinct cortical areas (the right inferior frontal gyrus and the left superior parietal lobule) on the Stroop task performance in 20 young healthy subjects. Neural underpinnings of the behavioral effect were tested using fMRI. A single session of intermittent TBS of the left superior parietal lobule induced certain cognitive speed enhancement and significantly increased resting-state connectivity of the dorsal attention network. This is an exploratory study that prompts further research with multiple-session TBS in subjects with cognitive impairment.
Urinary Bladder Cancer in Egypt: Are There Gender Differences in Its Histopathological Presentation?
Authors: Kyritsi Fiorina , Loffredo Christopher A. , Zheng Yun-Ling , Philips George , Amr Sania
Published: March 2018

We investigated gender differences in the histopathologic presentation of bladder cancer cases in Egypt, where both urothelial cell carcinoma (UC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) types are highly prevalent. We used logistic regression to estimate the unadjusted (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the associations between gender and different histopathologic and sociodemographic parameters of 2,186 confirmed cases of primary bladder cancer (1,775 males and 411 females; 784 SCC and 1,402 UC). There were no statistically significant gender differences in tumor grade, stage, mucosal ulcer, or inflammatory cystitis, regardless of the cancer type, but men were less likely than women to have undergone cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. Having Schistosoma haematobium (SH) ova in the bladder tissue was significantly associated with male gender in the fully adjusted model of either SCC (AOR (95% CI) = 2.12 (1.15–3.89)) or UC cases (3.78 (1.89–7.55)). Compared to females, male cases were significantly older at time of diagnosis and smokers. In Egypt, regardless of the type of bladder cancer (SCC or UC), male more than female cases had evidence of SH infection, but not other histopathologic differences, in bladder tissue specimens.
Extraction Process, Component Analysis, and In Vitro Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Total Flavonoid Extracts from Abutilon theophrasti Medic. Leaves
Authors: Tian Chunlian , Zhang Peng , Yang Caixia , Gao Xiang , Wang Hong , Guo Yuru , Liu Mingchun
Published: March 2018

The flavonoid fraction was extracted from the leaves of Abutilon theophrasti Medic., which are usually used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of inflammation and joint pain. The current study focused on the extraction process, component analysis, and in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities of the flavonoid fraction as a part of ongoing research on bioactive substances from natural plant sources. This study evaluated the antioxidant activities via assays of DPPH radical scavenging capacity, ABTS radical scavenging capacity, and reducing power and investigated inhibitory activities against Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus. Moreover, the inflammatory activity of the flavonoid fraction was estimated by measurement of the content of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1-beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, nitric oxide, and cyclooxygenase-2 and the gene expression levels of several inflammation markers, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, in RAW 264.7 macrophages after LPS treatment. In addition, the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms, that is, the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, were also revealed from the gene and protein expression levels. Taken together, these results suggested that the flavonoid fraction might exert in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and will be potentially useful as an adjuvant treatment for oxidative stress and bacterial and inflammatory diseases.
Adrenal Insufficiency in Cystic Fibrosis: A Rare Phenomenon?
Authors: Préville-Ratelle Sébastien , Coriati Adèle , Ménard Aurélie , Bourdeau Isabelle , Tremblay François , Berthiaume Yves
Published: March 2018

Background. The prevalence of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in cystic fibrosis (CF) is unknown. The frequent use of glucocorticoids (inhaled or systemic) may induce the long-term suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Methods. We reviewed the results of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests done over a 10-year period to evaluate adrenal function in 69 CF patients of the CHUM CF clinic. Clinical characteristics of AI patients were compared to adrenal-sufficient (AS) patients. Results. AI was confirmed in 33 of the 69 CF patients. A higher rate of dysglycemia P=0.022 and of Aspergillus positive culture P=0.006 was observed in AI patients compared to AS patients. Weight, CFTR genotype, and pulmonary function were comparable between AI and AS patients. The use of systemic corticosteroids (SC) prior to the diagnosis of AI was observed in 42.4% of patients. Compared to AI patients without SC, SC-treated AI patients were older and had a higher rate of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Conclusion. This study is the first to systematically examine the presence of AI in the largest cohort of CF patients studied to date with a prevalence of 8%. Patients treated with corticosteroids and those colonized with Aspergillus have a greater risk of AI.
“Turn-Off” Fluorescent Sensor for Pamidronate Disodium and Zoledronic Acid Based on Newly Synthesized Carbon Dots from Black Tea
Authors: Li Peng , Hu Yongcheng
Published: March 2018

As common bisphosphonates drugs, pamidronate disodium and zoledronic acid have been widely investigated for bone metastases. In this paper, a new “turn-off” model based on carbon dots (CDs) from black tea was established to analyze the two kinds of bisphosphonate drugs, pamidronate disodium and zoledronic acid. Through the new sensor, both of drugs can be quantitative, respectively, with the limit of detection of 5 × 10−9 mol·L−1and 6 × 10−9 mol·L−1. In addition, the fluorescence of newly prepared CDs can be quenched by two drugs with various degrees via photoinduced electron transfer, which can be perfectly used to distinguish them. Most importantly, this turn-off method has been employed to analyze the two drugs under the influence of foreign interference factors. This method provides a new view and guidance for the rapid analysis and recognition of drugs for bone metastasesin vitroandin vivo.
Soft-Tissue Chondroma of Anterior Gingiva: A Rare Entity
Authors: Jeyasivanesan Dhana Lakshmi , Pazhaningal Mohamed Shameena , Pandiar Deepak
Published: March 2018

Soft-tissue chondroma is a rare, benign, slow-growing tumor made up of heterotopic cartilaginous tissue. It occurs most commonly in the third and fourth decades in the hands and feet. Oral soft-tissue chondromas are uncommon and soft-tissue chondroma of gingiva is extremely uncommon. Here, we report an unusual case of soft-tissue chondroma of gingiva in a 50-year-old woman.
Immune-Related Concepts in Biology and Treatment of Germ-Cell Tumors
Authors: Chovanec Michal , De Giorgi Ugo , Mego Michal
Published: March 2018

Germ-cell tumors (GCTs) are highly curable with chemotherapy. Salvage chemotherapy or surgery can cure a proportion of patients, but the ones failing these treatments will die of their disease in the young age. Immune checkpoint pathways are emerging as powerful targetable biomarkers, and a significant preclinical and clinical research is underway to widen our knowledge and expand the treatment possibilities with immune therapy. The concept of immune modulation that was currently adopted in many solid tumors is understudied in GCTs. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge of published literature discussing the immune mechanisms and immune therapy in GCTs.
Essential Norm of Difference of Composition Operators from Weighted Bergman Spaces to Bloch-Type Spaces
Authors: Krishan Ram , Sharma Mehak , Sharma Ajay K.
Published: March 2018

We compute upper and lower bounds for essential norm of difference of composition operators acting from weighted Bergman spaces to Bloch-type spaces.
Sustained Viremic Control in HIV-Infected Patient: Case Report from Nepal
Authors: Khadka Sundar , Dhital Subhash , Pandit Roshan , Bastola Anup
Published: March 2018

A case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is described from Nepal with constant maintenance of CD4 count and HIV-RNA level below the lower detection threshold for more than ten years. The case was diagnosed of HIV positive in the year 2008. He had his viral load estimation performed every year since then which was always below lower detection limit and remained healthy without treatment. The patient also had not any kinds of opportunistic infection till date. He is married now and has not transmitted the disease to his wife.
Characterization of Portuguese Centenarian Eating Habits, Nutritional Biomarkers, and Cardiovascular Risk: A Case Control Study
Authors: da Silva A. Pereira , Valente A. , Chaves C. , Matos A. , Gil A. , Santos A. C. , Gorjão-Clara J. P. , Bicho M.
Published: March 2018

Background and Aims. Eating habits may contribute to longevity. We characterized the eating habits and cardiovascular risk (CVR) biomarkers in Portuguese centenarians (CENT) compared to controls. Methods and Results. Centenarians (n = 253), 100.26 ± 1.98 years, were compared with 268 controls (67.51 ± 3.25), low (LCR) and high (HCR) CVR (QRISK®2‐2016). Anthropometric and body composition were evaluated by bioimpedance. Abdominal obesity, BMI, and fat mass (FM) cut‐offs were according to the WHO. Sarcopenia was defined by muscle mass index cut‐off ≤ 16.7 kg/m2. Daily red meat intake, adjusted for age and gender, was sarcopenia protective (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.096–0.670, P = 0.006); however, it contributes for FM excess (OR = 4.946, 95% CI = 1.471–16.626, P = 0.01), overweight, and obesity (OR = 4.804, 95% CI = 1.666–13.851, P = 0.004). This centenarian eating habit (2%) contrasts to HCR (64.3%). The history of red meat (P < 0.0001) and canned/industrialized food intakes (P < 0.0001) was associated with HCR. Basal metabolism was lower in centenarians versus LCR/HCR (CENT = 1176.78 ± 201.98; LCR = 1356.54 ± 170.65; HCR = 1561.33 ± 267.85; P < 0.0001), BMI (CENT = 21.06 ± 3.68; LCR = 28.49 ± 4.69; HCR = 29.56 ± 5.26; P < 0.0001), waist circumference (CENT = 85.29 ± 10.83; LCR = 96.02 ± 11.71; HCR = 104.50 ± 11.84; P < 0.0001), and waist‐hip ratio (CENT = 0.88 ± 0.07; LCR = 0.92 ± 0.08; HCR = 1.01 ± 0.08; P < 0.0001). CENT had lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non‐HDL cholesterol, and cholesterol/HDL ratio than controls. Conclusions. Frequent consumption of red meat, cholesterol, and heme iron rich may contribute to obesity and increased CVR. The low frequency of this consumption, observed in centenarians, although associated with sarcopenia, may be one of the keys to longevity.
A Case Report of Nongerminal Center B-Cell Type Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treated to Complete Response with Rituximab and Ibrutinib
Authors: Shouse Geoffrey , Thinn Miemie
Published: March 2018

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a molecularly heterogeneous disease consisting of different subtypes with varying clinical behaviors. For example, the activated B-cell-like (ABC) type of DLBCL has lower cure rates with traditional chemotherapy regimens. The molecular pathway promoting tumorigenic growth of the ABC type includes a dependence on intracellular signaling by Bruton’s agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (BTK). This specific pathway has led to the investigation of the utility of ibrutinib in treatment of this type of lymphoma at relapse or in combination with standard chemotherapy. In elderly patients stricken with this disease, standard combination chemotherapy can pose significant toxicity. Some reduced intensity regimens have activity but significantly less favorable long-term outcomes and still pose significant toxicity to elderly patients. In the following case, we demonstrate induction of complete response in an elderly patient with significant comorbidities with nongerminal center B-cell type (NGCB) DLBCL treated with rituximab, ibrutinib, and prednisone. Toxicity included atrial fibrillation that ultimately led to heart failure as well as sepsis which ultimately led to the patient’s demise. Despite this fact, the response to treatment appeared durable. This case illustrates the utility and limitations of molecularly targeted therapies to treat aggressive lymphoma in frail elderly patients.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of Platinum Nanoparticles on Bovine-Bone Powder: A Novel Support
Authors: Gama-Lara S. A. , Morales-Luckie Raúl. A. , Argueta-Figueroa L. , Hinestroza Juan P. , García-Orozco I. , Natividad R.
Published: March 2018

Pt nanoparticles supported on bovine-bone powder were obtained by a rather simple method consisting of immersing powder of bovine bone into a Pt+4metal ion solution at room temperature and subsequent reduction by sodium borohydride. This method eliminates the calcination step of the usual catalyst preparation methods. The nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which revealed uniformly dispersed platinum nanoparticles with average particle size of 2.2 nm ± 0.6 nm. The XPS studies exhibited the presence of 63% Pt° and 37% PtO. The catalytic activity was tested in the hydrogenation of 2-butyne-1,4-diol. The nanocomposite shows good catalytic performance with nearly 100% conversion and 83% selectivity towards 2-butene-1,4-diol.
Grid-Connected Semitransparent Building-Integrated Photovoltaic System: The Comprehensive Case Study of the 120 kWp Plant in Kunming, China
Authors: Wang Yunfeng , Li Ming , Hassanien Reda Hassanien Emam , Ma Xun , Li Guoliang
Published: March 2018

A 120 kWp building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system was installed on the south facade of the Solar Energy Research Institute building in Yunnan Normal University. The area of the curtain wall was 1560 m2 (26 m × 60 m), which consisted of 720 semitransparent monocrystalline silicon double-glazing PV panels. This paper studied the yearly and monthly variations of power generation in terms of solar data and meteorological parameters. The total amount of power generation of the BIPV system measured from October 2014 to September 2015 was 64.607 MWh, and the simulation results with TRNSYS (Transient Systems Simulation Program) provided the 75.515 MWh predicted value of annual electricity production with the meteorological database of Meteonorm, while, based on the average value of the performance ratio (PR) of 60% and the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the system, the energy payback time (EPBT) of 9.38 years and the potential for pollutant emission reductions have been evaluated and the environmental cost is RMB ¥0.01053 per kWh. Finally, an economic analysis was carried out; the net present value (NPV) and the economic payback time of the BIPV system were estimated to be RMB ¥359,347 and 15 years, respectively.
Geographical Characterization of Tunisian Olive Tree Leaves (cv. Chemlali) Using HPLC-ESI-TOF and IT/MS Fingerprinting with Hierarchical Cluster Analysis
Authors: Taamalli Amani , Arráez Román David , Gómez Caravaca Ana María , Zarrouk Mokhtar , Segura Carretero Antonio
Published: March 2018

The olive plant has been extensively studied for its nutritional value, whereas its leaves have been specifically recognized as a processing by-product. Leaves are considered by-products of olive farming, representing a significant material arriving to the olive mill. They have been considered for centuries as an important herbal remedy in Mediterranean countries. Their beneficial properties are generally attributed to the presence of a range of phytochemicals such as secoiridoids, triterpenes, lignans, and flavonoids. With the aim to study the impact of geographical location on the phenolic compounds, Olea europaea leaves were handpicked from the Tunisian cultivar “Chemlali” from nine regions in the north, center, and south of Tunisia. The ground leaves were then extracted with methanol : water 80% (v/v) and analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray time of flight and ion trap mass spectrometry analyzers. A total of 38 compounds could be identified. Their contents showed significant variation among samples from different regions. Hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to highlight similarities in the phytochemical composition observed between the samples of different regions.
Population Dynamics of Native Parasitoids Associated with the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) in Italy
Authors: Panzavolta Tiziana , Croci Francesco , Bracalini Matteo , Melika George , Benedettelli Stefano , Tellini Florenzano Guido , Tiberi Riziero
Published: March 2018

Native parasitoids may play an important role in biological control. They may either support or hinder the effectiveness of introduced nonnative parasitoids released for pest control purposes. Results of a three-year survey (2011–2013) of the Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW) Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) populations and on parasitism rates by native indigenous parasitoids (a complex of chalcidoid hymenopterans) in Italian chestnut forests are given. Changes in D. kuriphilus gall size and phenology were observed through the three years of study. A total of 13 species of native parasitoids were recorded, accounting for fluctuating parasitism rates. This variability in parasitism rates over the three years was mainly due to the effect of Torymus flavipes (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), which in 2011 accounted for 75% of all parasitoid specimens yet decreased drastically in the following years. This strong fluctuation may be related to climatic conditions. Besides, our data verified that parasitoids do not choose host galls based on their size, though when they do parasitize smaller ones, they exploit them better. Consequently, ACGWs have higher chances of surviving parasitism if they are inside larger galls.
Analysis of Surface Acoustic Wave Propagation Velocity in Biological Function-Oriented Odor Sensor
Authors: Yang Yuxia , Nagano Koji , Iwasa Tatsuo , Fukuda Hisashi
Published: March 2018

We describe the measurement of surface acoustic wave (SAW) velocities to identify five odorant molecules by using a SAW device system. We derive a new frequency equation for SAWs propagating in the SAW device system with Cynops pyrrhogaster lipocalin (Cp-Lip1) protein, in order to identify five odorant molecules, R-limonene (R-Lim), ethyl butyrate (Eth), 2-isobutylthiazole (Iso), benzophenone (Ben), and 2-acetylthiazole (Ace). We developed a method to identify these odorant molecules combined with the Cp-Lip1 odorant-binding protein. Our frequency equation can satisfactorily predict different odorant molecules in the Cp-Lip1 SAW device. Moreover, our data suggest that the propagation velocity of the SAWs mostly relate to the density and concentration of the Cp-Lip1 odorant molecule mixtures. At the same sample concentration, the propagation velocity depends on the density. For the same odorant molecule, the propagation velocity decreases with increasing concentration.
Periodic Responses of a Rotating Hub‐Beam System with a Tip Mass under Gravity Loads by the Incremental Harmonic Balance Method
Authors: Zhang D. W. , Liu J. K. , Huang J. L. , Zhu W. D.
Published: March 2018

Dynamic characteristics of a flexible hub‐beam system with a tip mass under gravity loads are investigated. The slope angle of the centroid line of the beam is utilized to describe its motion. Hamilton’s principle is used to derive the equations of motion and their boundary conditions. By using Lagrange’s equations, spatially discretized equations based on assumed mode method are derived, and the equations of motion are expressed in nondimensional matrix form. The incremental harmonic balance (IHB) method is used to solve for periodic responses of a high‐dimensional model of the rotating hub‐beam system with a tip mass for which convergence is reached. A frequency equation is derived giving the relationship between the nondimensional natural frequencies and three nondimensional parameters, that is, the rotating angular velocity, the tip mass, and the hub radius ratio. A comparative study is performed for nonlinear frequency responses of the system with a tip mass under different values of tip masses and damping ratios.
Hepatitis C Infection and Periodontal Disease: Is there a Common Immunological Link?
Authors: Gheorghe Dorin Nicolae , Foia Liliana , Toma Vasilica , Surdu Amelia , Herascu Elena , Popescu Dora Maria , Surlin Petra , Vere Cristin Constantin , Rogoveanu Ion
Published: March 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections could have an important impact on the oral health status of patients, favoring conditions such as periodontal disease and oral cancer. The review of the existing scientific literature written in English was performed, searching for oral and periodontal manifestations of HCV infection and its impact on the oral fluids. HCV infection can determine direct extrahepatic manifestations at the oral and periodontal level including oral lichen planus, Sjögren-like sialadenitis, and oral cancer. The changes caused by the infection in the subjects’ immune system, diet, and lifestyle can facilitate the development of oral conditions such as periodontal disease. Important changes also occur in the composition of the infected patients’ saliva and gingival fluid. HCV-infected patients need to be carefully monitored in terms of oral health since the infection with the virus can result in oral complications. The cellular and molecular particularities of the gingival fluid of HCV-infected patients can answer some questions regarding its impact upon periodontium impairment and whether this refers to a possible bidirectional relationship, with hepatic biomarker adjustments being induced by the periodontal patients’ inflammatory status.
Study on Association of Pentraxin 3 and Diabetic Nephropathy in a Rat Model
Authors: Chen Xuehai , Luo Jiao , Wu Minmin , Pan Zhuo , Xie Yue , Wang Hongwei , Chen Bicheng , Zhu Hong
Published: March 2018

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious microvascular complication of diabetes. Compared with other therapies for diabetic patients, islet transplantation can effectively prevent and reverse diabetes-induced microvascular disease, such as diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. PTX3 is the only long pentraxin that can be detected in renal tissue. In this study, we investigated the expression of PTX3 when early DN was reversed after islet transplantation.Methods. Diabetes was induced in rats by injecting streptozotocin (STZ). Twelve weeks later, the diabetic rats were divided into 2 groups: the islet transplantation group (IT) and the diabetic nephropathy group (DN). Renal injury, renal function, and the expression of PTX3 in the plasma and the kidneys were assessed with urinalysis, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blot, respectively.Results. The expression of PTX3 in the kidney was significantly decreased in the DN group but increased in the IT group because of the reversal of DN.Conclusions. Our data showed that the level of PTX3 in renal tissue is closely related to renal injury in DN. This may be used to quantify the extent of renal injury in DN, provide a potential early indicator of renal tubular injury in early DN patients, and assess DN clinical progression.
No Gender Difference in Foreign Medical Students’ Hematology Clerkship
Authors: Li Qing , Chen Jianhui , Wan Bo , Li Xiaofan
Published: March 2018

Hematology is a difficult aspect of medicine for students to learn. Students need hematology clerkship training to develop their clinical skills. The influence of gender on different teaching methods and performance in foreign medical students is still unknown, especially in hematology clerkship. To address this issue, we tested performance differences between foreign male and female students in clinical practice. Twenty-two foreign medical students attended a two-week hematology clerkship in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital. The lecture-based learning (LBL) method and mixed team-based learning (MTBL) method were used in hematology clerkship. Eight foreign students were assigned to LBL group, and fourteen foreign medical students were assigned to MTBL group. Our previous work found that MTBL methods benefit both foreign medical students and Chinese postgraduates. In this study, practice scores and case-writing scores were analyzed between boys and girls. The results showed that the mean of scores in practice test scores and case writing scores was not significantly different between genders (P>0.05), as well as subgroup analysis in LBL and MTBL groups (P>0.05). This study indicated that practice test scores and case-writing scores in hematology clerkship were the same between boys and girls, which were not related to teaching methods. This study also indicated that both genders can benefit from the new MTBL teaching methods.
Dynamic Characteristic and Fatigue Accumulative Damage of a Cross Shield Tunnel Structure under Vibration Load
Authors: Yan Qixiang , Chen Hang , Chen Wenyu , Zhang Junchen , Ma Shuqi , Huang Xi
Published: March 2018

This study presents an improved constitutive model for concrete under uniaxial cyclic loading which considers the fatigue stiffness degradation, fatigue strength degradation, and fatigue residual strain increment of concrete fatigue damage. According to the constitutive model, the dynamic response and cumulative damage of the tunnel cross structure under various train operation years were analyzed. The results show that the vibration in the middle of the main tunnel is most violent. With the increase of train operation period, the acceleration in the middle of the transverse passage floor, both sides of the wall corner and the vault increase significantly, and the maximum principal stress increases significantly only in both sides of the wall corner. The compressive damage is mainly distributed at both sides of the wall corner, while tensile damage is distributed in both sides of the inner wall corner. The accumulative damage of the cross structure exhibits a two‐stage profile. The size and range of accumulative tensile damage of the connecting transverse passage are greater than those of accumulative compressive damage.
Renovascular Mistaken as Essential Hypertension due to Giant Hepatic Hydatid: A Rare Treatable Entity
Authors: Alnami Awaji Qasim , Khan Liaqat Ali , Qeshta Said Samir , Alnami Abdulrahman , Awad Akram , Mohalwi Waleed , Tumaihi Musa
Published: March 2018

Renovascular hypertension is an unusual but treatable cause of refractory hypertension that is infrequently caused by external compression of the renal vasculature by a giant hydatid cyst, a parasitic infection, caused by Echinococcus granulosus in its larval stage which is endemic in many parts of the world including Saudi Arabia. The disease can produce a cyst in almost every part of the body with the liver and lungs being the most frequently targeted organs producing a variety of symptoms depending upon the site and size of the cyst. We report a case of giant hepatic hydatid cyst with the possibility of renovascular hypertension due to mass effect as evident by dramatic drop of the blood pressure to its normotensive state postoperatively.
Organelle-Derived Acetyl-CoA Promotes Prostate Cancer Cell Survival, Migration, and Metastasis via Activation of Calmodulin Kinase II
Authors: Yu Guoyu , Cheng Chien-Jui , Lin Song-Chang , Lee Yu-Chen , Frigo Daniel E. , Yu-Lee Li-Yuan , Gallick Gary E. , Titus Mark A. , Nutt Leta K. , Lin Sue-Hwa
Published: March 2018

Although emerging evidence suggests a potential role of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) in prostate cancer, its role in prostate cancer tumorigenesis is largely unknown. Here, we examine whether the acetyl CoA-CaMKII pathway, first described in frog oocytes, promotes prostate cancer tumorigenesis. In human prostate cancer specimens, metastatic prostate cancer expressed higher levels of active CaMKII compared with localized prostate cancer. Correspondingly, basal CaMKII activity was significantly higher in the more tumorigenic PC3 and PC3-mm2 cells relative to the less tumorigenic LNCaP and C4-2B4 cells. Deletion of CaMKII by CRISPR/Cas9 in PC3-mm2 cells abrogated cell survival under low-serum conditions, anchorage-independent growth and cell migration; overexpression of constitutively active CaMKII in C4-2B4 cells promoted these phenotypes. In an animal model of prostate cancer metastasis, genetic ablation of CaMKII reduced PC3-mm2 cell metastasis from the prostate to the lymph nodes. Knockdown of the acetyl-CoA transporter carnitine acetyltransferase abolished CaMKII activation, providing evidence that acetyl-CoA generated from organelles is a major activator of CaMKII. Genetic deletion of the β-oxidation rate-limiting enzyme ACOX family proteins decreased CaMKII activation, whereas overexpression of ACOXI increased CaMKII activation. Overall, our studies identify active CaMKII as a novel connection between organelle β-oxidation and acetyl-CoA transport with cell survival, migration, and prostate cancer metastasis.

Significance: This study identifies a cell metabolic pathway that promotes prostate cancer metastasis and suggests prostate cancer may be susceptible to β-oxidation inhibitors. Cancer Res; 78(10); 2490–502. ©2018 AACR.
Visualization of Breast Cancer Metabolism Using Multimodal Nonlinear Optical Microscopy of Cellular Lipids and Redox State
Authors: Hou Jue , Williams Joshua , Botvinick Elliot L. , Potma Eric O. , Tromberg Bruce J.
Published: March 2018

Label-free nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) based on two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) from cofactors nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD+) is widely used for high-resolution cellular redox imaging. In this work, we combined three label-free NLOM imaging methods to quantitatively characterize breast cancer cells and their relative invasive potential: (i) TPEF optical redox ratio (ORR = FAD+/NADH + FAD+), (ii) coherent Raman scattering of cellular lipids, and (iii) second harmonic generation of extracellular matrix (ECM) collagen. 3D spheroid models of primary mammary epithelial (PME) cells and breast cancer cell lines (T47D and MDA-MB-231) were characterized based on their unique ORR and lipid volume fraction signatures. Treatment with 17β-estradiol (E2) increased glycolysis in both PME and T47D ER+ breast cancer acini. However, PME cells displayed increased lipid content with no effect on ECM, while T47D cells had decreased lipid storage (P < 0.001) and significant reorganization of collagen. By measuring deuterated lipids synthesized from exogenously administered deuterium-labeled glucose, treatment of T47D cells with E2 increased both lipid synthesis and consumption rates. These results confirm that glucose is a significant source for the cellular synthesis of lipid in glycolytic breast cancer cells, and that the combination of cellular redox and lipid fraction imaging endpoints is a powerful approach with new and complementary information content.

Significance: These findings provide unique insight into metabolic processes, revealing correlations between cancer metastasis and cellular redox state, lipid metabolism, and extracellular matrix. Cancer Res; 78(10); 2503–12. ©2018 AACR.