bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual Differences in Image-Quality Estimations
Authors: Radun Jenni , Nuutinen Mikko , Leisti Tuomas , Häkkinen Jukka
Published: May 2016

Subjective image-quality estimation with high-quality images is often a preference-estimation task. Preferences are subjective, and individual differences exist. Individual differences are also seen in the eye movements of people. A task's subjectivity can result from people using different rules as a basis for their estimation. Using two studies, we investigated whether different preference-estimation rules are related to individual differences in viewing behaviour by examining the process of preference estimation of high-quality images. The estimation rules were measured from free subjective reports on important quality-related attributes (Study 1) and from estimations of the attributes’ importance in preference estimation (Study 2). The free reports showed that the observers used both feature-based image-quality attributes (e.g., sharpness, illumination) and abstract attributes, which include an interpretation of the image features (e.g., atmosphere and naturalness). In addition, the observers were classified into three viewing-strategy groups differing in fixation durations in both studies. These groups also used different estimation rules. In both studies, the group with medium-length fixations differed in their estimation rules from the other groups. In Study 1, the observers in this group used more abstract attributes than those in the other groups; in Study 2, they considered atmosphere to be a more important image feature. The study shows that individual differences in a quality-estimation task are related to both estimation rules and viewing strategies, and that the difference is related to the level of abstraction of the estimations.
Resource Sharing Centric Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling for CMP Cores, Uncore, and Memory
Authors: Won Jae-Yeon , Gratz Paul V. , Shakkottai Srinivas , Hu Jiang
Published: May 2016

With the breakdown of Dennard’s scaling over the past decade, performance growth of modern microprocessor design has largely relied on scaling core count in chip multiprocessors (CMPs). The challenge of chip power density, however, remains and demands new power management solutions. This work investigates a coordinated CMP systemwide Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) policy centered around shared resource utilization. This approach represents a new angle on the problem, differing from the conventional core-workload-driven approaches. The key component of our work is per-core DVFS leveraging a technique similar to TCP Vegas congestion control from networking. This TCP Vegas–based DVFS can potentially identify the synergy between power reduction and performance improvement. Further, this work includes uncore (on-chip interconnect and shared last level cache) and main memory DVFS policies coordinated with the per-core DVFS policy. Full system simulations on PARSEC benchmarks show that our technique reduces total energy dissipation by over 47% across all benchmarks with less than 2.3% performance degradation. Our work also leads to 12% more energy savings compared to a prior work CMP DVFS policy.
Periodic Scan-In States to Reduce the Input Test Data Volume for Partially Functional Broadside Tests
Authors: Pomeranz Irith
Published: May 2016

This article describes a procedure for test data compression targeting functional and partially functional broadside tests. The scan-in state of such a test is either a reachable state or has a known Hamming distance from a reachable state. Reachable states are fully specified, while the popular
LFSR
-based test data compression methods require the use of incompletely specified test cubes. The test data compression approach considered in this article is based on the use of periodic scan-in states. Such states require the storage of a period that can be significantly shorter than a scan-in state, thus providing test data compression. The procedure computes a set of periods that is sufficient for detecting all the detectable target faults. Considering the scan-in states that the periods produce, the procedure ranks the periods based on the distances of the scan-in states from reachable states, and the lengths of the periods. Functional and partially functional broadside tests are generated preferring shorter periods with smaller Hamming distances. The results are compared with those of an
LFSR
-based approach.
Reconstructing User’s Attention on the Web through Mouse Movements and Perception-Based Content Identification
Authors: Boi Paolo , Fenu Gianni , Spano Lucio Davide , Vargiu Valentino
Published: May 2016

Eye tracking is one of the most exploited techniques in literature for finding usability problems in web-based user interfaces (UIs). However, it is usually employed in a laboratory setting, considering that an eye-tracker is not commonly used in web browsing. In contrast, web application providers usually exploit remote techniques for large-scale user studies (e.g. A/B testing), tracking low-level interactions such as mouse clicks and movements. In this article, we discuss a method for predicting whether the user is looking at the content pointed by the cursor, exploiting the mouse movement data and a segmentation of the contents in a web page. We propose an automatic method for segmenting content groups inside a web page that, applying both image and code analysis techniques, identifies the user-perceived group of contents with a mean pixel-based error around the 20%. In addition, we show through a user study that such segmentation information enhances the precision and the accuracy in predicting the correlation between between the user’s gaze and the mouse position at the content level, without relaying on user-specific features.
The effects of paternal high-fat diet exposure on offspring metabolism with epigenetic changes in the mouse adiponectin and leptin gene promoters
Authors: Masuyama Hisashi , Mitsui Takashi , Eguchi Takeshi , Tamada Shoko , Hiramatsu Yuji
Published: May 2016

Recent studies have demonstrated that epigenetic changes resulting from malnutrition might play important roles in transgenerational links with metabolic diseases. Previously, we observed that exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) in utero caused a metabolic syndrome-like phenomenon through epigenetic modifications of the adiponectin and leptin genes that persisted for multiple generations. Recent etiological studies indicated that paternal BMI had effects on offspring BMI that were independent of but additive to maternal BMI effects. Thus, we examined whether paternal HFD-induced obesity affected the metabolic status of offspring through epigenetic changes in the adiponectin and leptin genes. Additionally, we investigated whether a normal diet during subsequent generations abolished the epigenetic changes associated with paternal HFD exposure before conception. We observed the effects of paternal HFD exposure before conception over multiple generations on offspring metabolic traits, including weight and fat gain, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, abnormal adipocytokine levels, hypertension, and adiponectin and leptin gene expression and epigenetic changes. Normal diet consumption by male offspring during the subsequent generation following paternal HFD exposure diminished whereas consumption for two generations completely abolished the effect of paternal HFD exposure on metabolic traits and adipocytokine promoter epigenetic changes in the offspring. The effects of paternal HFD exposure on offspring were relatively weaker than those following HFD exposure in utero. However, paternal HFD exposure had an additive metabolic effect for two generations, suggesting that both paternal and maternal nutrition might affect offspring metabolism through epigenetic modifications of adipocytokine genes for multiple generations.
A Genetic Biomarker of Oxidative Stress, the Paraoxonase‐1 Q192R Gene Variant, Associates with Cardiomyopathy in CKD: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Dounousi E. , Bouba I. , Spoto B. , Pappas K. , Tripepi G. , Georgiou I. , Tselepis A. , Elisaf M. , Tsakiris D. , Zoccali C. , Siamopoulos K.
Published: May 2016

Background. Oxidative stress is a hallmark of CKD and this alteration is strongly implicated in LV hypertrophy and in LV dysfunction. Methods and Patients. We resorted to the strongest genetic biomarker of paraoxonase‐1 (PON1) activity, the Q192R variant in the PON1 gene, to unbiasedly assess (Mendelian randomization) the cross‐sectional and longitudinal association of this gene‐variant with LV mass and function in 206 CKD patients with a 3‐year follow‐up. Results. The R allele of Q192R polymorphism associated with oxidative stress as assessed by plasma 8‐isoPGF2α (P = 0.03) and was dose‐dependently related in a direct fashion to LVMI (QQ: 131.4 ± 42.6 g/m2; RQ: 147.7 ± 51.1 g/m2; RR: 167.3 ± 41.9 g/m2; P = 0.001) and in an inverse fashion to systolic function (LV Ejection Fraction) (QQ: 79 ± 12%; RQ: 69 ± 9%; RR: 65 ± 10% P = 0.002). On longitudinal observation, this gene variant associated with the evolution of the same echocardiographic indicators [LVMI: 13.40 g/m2 per risk allele, P = 0.005; LVEF: −2.96% per risk allele, P = 0.001]. Multivariate analyses did not modify these associations. Conclusion. In CKD patients, the R allele of the Q192R variant in the PON1 gene is dose‐dependently related to the severity of LVH and LV dysfunction and associates with the longitudinal evolution of these cardiac alterations. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that oxidative stress is implicated in cardiomyopathy in CKD patients.
Joint Newton Iteration and Neumann Series Method of Convergence-Accelerating Matrix Inversion Approximation in Linear Precoding for Massive MIMO Systems
Authors: Shao Lin , Zu Yunxiao
Published: May 2016

Due to large numbers of antennas and users, matrix inversion is complicated in linear precoding techniques for massive MIMO systems. Several approximated matrix inversion methods, including the Neumann series, have been proposed to reduce the complexity. However, the Neumann series does not converge fast enough. In this paper, to speed up convergence, a new joint Newton iteration and Neumann series method is proposed, with the first iteration result of Newton iteration method being employed to reconstruct the Neumann series. Then, a high probability convergence condition is established, which can offer useful guidelines for practical massive MIMO systems. Finally, simulation examples are given to demonstrate that the new joint Newton iteration and Neumann series method has a faster convergence rate compared to the previous Neumann series, with almost no increase in complexity when the iteration number is greater than or equal to 2.
The Impact of Evolutionary Driving Forces on Human Complex Diseases: A Population Genetics Approach
Authors: Saeb Amr T. M. , Al-Naqeb Dhekra
Published: May 2016

Investigating the molecular evolution of human genome has paved the way to understand genetic adaptation of humans to the environmental changes and corresponding complex diseases. In this review, we discussed the historical origin of genetic diversity among human populations, the evolutionary driving forces that can affect genetic diversity among populations, and the effects of human movement into new environments and gene flow on population genetic diversity. Furthermore, we presented the role of natural selection on genetic diversity and complex diseases. Then we reviewed the disadvantageous consequences of historical selection events in modern time and their relation to the development of complex diseases. In addition, we discussed the effect of consanguinity on the incidence of complex diseases in human populations. Finally, we presented the latest information about the role of ancient genes acquired from interbreeding with ancient hominids in the development of complex diseases.
Sex and Gender Differences in Central Nervous System-Related Disorders
Authors: Zagni Emanuela , Simoni Lucia , Colombo Delia
Published: May 2016

There are important sex differences in the brain that seem to arise from biology as well as psychosocial influences. Sex differences in several aspects of human behavior and cognition have been reported. Gonadal sex steroids or genes found on sex chromosomes influence sex differences in neuroanatomy, neurochemistry and neuronal structure, and connectivity. There has been some resistance to accept that sex differences in the human brain exist and have biological relevance; however, a few years ago, it has been recommended by the USA National Institute of Mental Health to incorporate sex as a variable in experimental and clinical neurological and psychiatric studies. We here review the clinical literature on sex differences in pain and neurological and psychiatric diseases, with the aim to further stimulate interest in sexual dimorphisms in the brain and brain diseases, possibly encouraging more research in the field of the implications of sex differences for treating these conditions.
Dexamethasone Suppresses Oxysterol‐Induced Differentiation of Monocytic Cells
Authors: Son Yonghae , Kim Bo-Young , Eo Seong-Kug , Park Young Chul , Kim Koanhoi
Published: May 2016

Oxysterol like 27‐hydroxycholesterol (27OHChol) has been reported to induce differentiation of monocytic cells into a mature dendritic cell phenotype. We examined whether dexamethasone (Dx) affects 27OHChol‐induced differentiation using THP‐1 cells. Treatment of monocytic cells with Dx resulted in almost complete inhibition of transcription and surface expression of CD80, CD83, and CD88 induced by 27OHChol. Elevated surface levels of MHC class I and II molecules induced by 27OHChol were reduced to basal levels by treatment with Dx. A decreased endocytosis ability caused by 27OHChol was recovered by Dx. We also examined effects of Dx on expression of CD molecules involved in atherosclerosis. Increased levels of surface protein and transcription of CD105, CD137, and CD166 by treatment with 27OHChol were significantly inhibited by cotreatment with Dx. These results indicate that Dx inhibits 27OHChol‐induced differentiation of monocytic cells into a mature dendritic cell phenotype and expression of CD molecules whose levels are associated with atherosclerosis. In addition, we examined phosphorylation of AKT induced by 27OHChol and effect of Dx, where cotreatment with Dx inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT. The current study reports that Dx regulates oxysterol‐mediated dendritic cell differentiation of monocytic cells.
Hadamard Multipliers and Abel Dual of Hardy Spaces
Authors: Mleczko Paweł
Published: May 2016

The paper is devoted to the study of Hadamard multipliers of functions from the abstract Hardy classes generated by rearrangement invariant spaces. In particular the relation between the existence of such multiplier and the boundedness of the appropriate convolution operator on spaces of measurable functions is presented. As an application, the description of Hadamard multipliers intoH∞is given and the Abel type theorem for mentioned Hardy spaces is proved.
Colonic Angiodysplasia with a Huge Submucosal Hematoma in the Sigmoid Colon
Authors: Shimizu Takayuki , Koike Daisuke , Nomura Yukihiro , Ooe Kenji
Published: May 2016

Colonic angiodysplasia (AD) with bleeding as a comorbidity in the aging population is being increasingly reported. However, to our knowledge, there is no report on colonic AD accompanied by a huge hematoma. Herein, we report a case of colonic AD with a huge submucosal hematoma. A 75-year-old man with sudden melena was referred to our hospital. Helical computed tomographic angiography (CTA) revealed bleeding from the sigmoid colon. Additionally, colonoscopy showed a huge submucosal hematoma with bleeding in the sigmoid colon. As endoscopic hemostasis was difficult, sigmoidectomy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was colonic AD. The present case indicates that colonic AD should be considered in the differential diagnosis for melena. In addition, the case shows that helical CTA, which is a noninvasive imaging modality, is useful for the diagnosis of colonic AD and is as effective as colonoscopy and angiography for diagnosis.
The Effect of Air Pollution on the Occurrence of Nonspecific Conjunctivitis
Authors: Li Zhiwei , Bian Xiaoyan , Yin Jianguang , Zhang Xiaoli , Mu Guoying
Published: May 2016

Purpose. To investigate the short-term effect of air pollution on occurrence of nonspecific conjunctivitis. Methods. Data were collected from outpatient visits from cases with conjunctivitis over a period of one year. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the number of outpatient visits and the air quality and the lag effect of air quality on conjunctivitis occurrence. Results. The air quality index on the day of presentation (P=0.023), one day before presentation (P=0.049), and two days before presentation day (P=0.050) had a positive relation with outpatient visits for conjunctivitis. The air quality index (P=0.001) and outpatient visits number per day (P=0.013) in autumn and winter (October to March) were significantly higher than those in spring (April) and summer (September). Conclusions. The air quality index within two days before presentation affected the probability of attending the outpatient clinic for nonspecific conjunctivitis. High number of cases can be expected in colder season.
Shallow Inferior Conjunctival Fornix in Contracted Socket and Anophthalmic Socket Syndrome: A Novel Technique to Deepen the Fornix Using Fascia Lata Strips
Authors: Ibrahiem Mohamed F. K. , Abdelaziz Sahar T. A.
Published: May 2016

Purpose.To evaluate a new surgical technique using fascia lata to deepen the shallow inferior conjunctival fornix in contracted socket and anophthalmic socket syndrome.Methods.A prospective controlled study in which 24 sockets of 24 patients who were unable to wear and retain their ocular prosthesis due to shallow inferior fornix were enrolled and categorized into anophthalmic socket syndromes (9 patients) and contracted sockets (15 patients). Another 24 patients who underwent evisceration or enucleation with healthy sockets and can wear and retain their prosthesis comfortably were chosen as a control group. Deepening of the fornix was performed using fascia lata strips under general anesthesia. Central depth of the inferior fornix was measured preoperatively and postoperatively.Results.A statistically significant improvement of the postoperative central inferior fornix depth was reported which was marked in anophthalmic subgroup. 100% of anophthalmic sockets and 93.3% of contracted sockets achieved satisfactory results during the follow-up period with no postoperative lower eyelid malposition or obvious skin scar.Conclusion.Fascia lata technique is a new alternative and effective procedure to deepen the shallow inferior fornix that can be used in moderate to severe contracted sockets or anophthalmic socket syndrome with minimal lower eyelid or socket complications.
Vitamin D3 Suppresses Class II Invariant Chain Peptide Expression on Activated B-Lymphocytes: A Plausible Mechanism for Downregulation of Acute Inflammatory Conditions
Authors: Danner Omar K. , Matthews Leslie R. , Francis Sharon , Rao Veena N. , Harvey Cassie P. , Tobin Richard P. , Wilson Ken L. , Alema-Mensah Ernest , Newell Rogers M. Karen , Childs Ed W.
Published: May 2016

Class II invariant chain peptide (CLIP) expression has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in the regulation of B cell function after nonspecific polyclonal expansion. Several studies have shown vitamin D3 helps regulate the immune response. We hypothesized that activated vitamin D3 suppresses CLIP expression on activated B-cells after nonspecific activation or priming of C57BL/6 mice with CpG. This study showed activated vitamin D3 actively reduced CLIP expression and decreased the number of CLIP+B-lymphocytes in a dose and formulation dependent fashion. Flow cytometry was used to analyze changes in mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) based on changes in concentration of CLIP on activated B-lymphocytes after treatment with the various formulations of vitamin D3. The human formulation of activated vitamin D (calcitriol) had the most dramatic reduction in CLIP density at an MFI of 257.3 [baseline of 701.1 (Pvalue = 0.01)]. Cholecalciferol and alfacalcidiol had no significant reduction in MFI at 667.7 and 743.0, respectively. Calcitriol seemed to best reduce CLIP overexpression in this ex vivo model. Bioactive vitamin D3 may be an effective compliment to other B cell suppression therapeutics to augment downregulation of nonspecific inflammation associated with many autoimmune disorders. Further study is necessary to confirm these findings.
Far-Field Testing Method of Spurious Emission Produced by HF RFID
Authors: Gvozdenovic Nikola , Prestros Ralph , Mecklenbräuker Christoph F.
Published: May 2016

We present measurements of spurious emission produced by high-frequency radio frequency identification (HF RFID) using carrier frequency of 13.56 MHz. HF RFID tags produce unwanted emission due to rectification and more generally due to nonlinearity of analog front end. Depending on the conducting material of an HF RFID coil and surrounding dielectric material, the coil behaves as more or less good antenna on some harmonic frequencies. Exact characterization and analysis of unwanted emission is important from the security perspective as well as from the perspective of interference with other systems. Consequently we measured the harmonics produced in the integrated circuitry and characterized radiation properties of the antenna. Finally we present the measurements of the spurious emission performed in a Gigahertz Transverse Electromagnetic (GTEM) cell.
Morphometric Optic Nerve Head Analysis in Glaucoma Patients: A Comparison between the Simultaneous Nonmydriatic Stereoscopic Fundus Camera (Kowa Nonmyd WX3D) and the Heidelberg Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (HRT III)
Authors: Mariacher Siegfried , Hipp Stephanie , Wirthky Robert , Blumenstock Gunnar , Bartz-Schmidt Karl-Ulrich , Ziemssen Focke , Schiefer Ulrich , Voykov Bogomil , Januschowski Kai
Published: May 2016

Purpose.To investigate the agreement between morphometric optic nerve head parameters assessed with the confocal laser ophthalmoscope HRT III and the stereoscopic fundus camera Kowa nonmyd WX3D retrospectively.Methods.Morphometric optic nerve head parameters of 40 eyes of 40 patients with primary open angle glaucoma were analyzed regarding their vertical cup-to-disc-ratio (CDR). Vertical CDR, disc area, cup volume, rim volume, and maximum cup depth were assessed with both devices by one examiner. Mean bias and limits of agreement (95% CI) were obtained using scatter plots and Bland-Altman analysis.Results.Overall vertical CDR comparison between HRT III and Kowa nonmyd WX3D measurements showed a mean difference (limits of agreement) of −0.06 (−0.36 to 0.24). For the CDR < 0.5 group (n=24) mean difference in vertical CDR was −0.14 (−0.34 to 0.06) and for the CDR ≥ 0.5 group (n=16) 0.06 (−0.21 to 0.34).Conclusion.This study showed a good agreement between Kowa nonmyd WX3D and HRT III with regard to widely used optic nerve head parameters in patients with glaucomatous optic neuropathy. However, data from Kowa nonmyd WX3D exhibited the tendency to measure larger CDR values than HRT III in the group with CDR < 0.5 group and lower CDR values in the group with CDR ≥ 0.5.
The Effect of Age on Fracture Risk: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Liang Wenbin , Chikritzhs Tanya
Published: May 2016

Aim. To precisely estimate the effect of age on the risk of fracture hospitalisation among the Western Australia population over the life course.Methods. This population-based cohort study used hospital data on fractures for the period January 1991 to January 2013 among Western Australians born between 1915 and 1990.Results. The average incidence rates (per 10,000 person-years) of fracture hospitalisation (95% confidence interval) were 50.12 (49.90, 50.35), 55.14 (54.82, 55.48), and 45.02 (44.71, 45.32) for both males and females, males only, and females only, respectively. The age-specific rate of fracture hospitalisation (in natural logarithm form) in adults (>18 years) was well predicted by age at its 1st, 2nd, and 3rd power in males with an adjustedR-squared of 0.98 andp<0.001. For females, the trend was also well predicted by its 1st and 2nd powers (the 3rd power term of age was removed due to itspvalue > 0.8) with an adjustedR-squared of 0.99 andp<0.001.Conclusions. Overall trends in age and gender specific risk of fracture among the Western Australian population were similar to estimates reported from previous studies. The trend in fracture hospitalisation risk over the life course can be almost fully explained by age.
Ertapenem Articulating Spacer for the Treatment of Polymicrobial Total Knee Arthroplasty Infection
Authors: Radoicic Dragan , Milanovic Milomir , Marinkovic Jugoslav , Radoicic Danica
Published: May 2016

Introduction. Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are the primary cause of early failure of the total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Polymicrobial TKA infections are often associated with a higher risk of treatment failure. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of ertapenem loaded spacers in the treatment of polymicrobial PJI.Methods. There were 18 patients enrolled; nine patients with polymicrobial PJI treated with ertapenem loaded articulating spacers were compared to the group of 9 patients treated with vancomycin or ceftazidime loaded spacers.Results. Successful reimplantation with revision implants was possible in 66.67%. Ertapenem spacers were used in 6 cases in primary two-stage procedure and in 3 cases in secondary spacer exchange. Successful infection eradication was achieved in all cases; final reimplantation with revision knee arthroplasty implants was possible in 6 cases.Conclusion. Ertapenem can be successfully used as antimicrobial addition to the cement spacers in two-stage revision treatment of polymicrobial PJIs. However, this type of spacer may also be useful in the treatment of infections caused by monomicrobial extended spectrum beta-lactamases producing gram-negative bacilli. Further clinical studies are required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ertapenem spacers in the treatment of polymicrobial and monomicrobial PJIs.
A Dynamic Feature-Based Method for Hybrid Blurred/Multiple Object Detection in Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Lin Tsun-Kuo
Published: May 2016

Vision-based inspection has been applied for quality control and product sorting in manufacturing processes. Blurred or multiple objects are common causes of poor performance in conventional vision-based inspection systems. Detecting hybrid blurred/multiple objects has long been a challenge in manufacturing. For example, single-feature-based algorithms might fail to exactly extract features when concurrently detecting hybrid blurred/multiple objects. Therefore, to resolve this problem, this study proposes a novel vision-based inspection algorithm that entails selecting a dynamic feature-based method on the basis of a multiclassifier of support vector machines (SVMs) for inspecting hybrid blurred/multiple object images. The proposed algorithm dynamically selects suitable inspection schemes for classifying the hybrid images. The inspection schemes include discrete wavelet transform, spherical wavelet transform, moment invariants, and edge-feature-descriptor-based classification methods. The classification methods for single and multiple objects are adaptive region growing- (ARG-) based and local adaptive region growing- (LARG-) based learning approaches, respectively. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can dynamically select suitable inspection schemes by applying a selection algorithm, which uses SVMs for classifying hybrid blurred/multiple object samples. Moreover, the method applies suitable feature-based schemes on the basis of the classification results for employing the ARG/LARG-based method to inspect the hybrid objects. The method improves conventional methods for inspecting hybrid blurred/multiple objects and achieves high recognition rates for that in manufacturing processes.
Inductive Effect of Palmatine on Apoptosis in RAW 264.7 Cells
Authors: Ishikawa Shintaro , Tamaki Misako , Ogawa Yui , Kaneki Kiyomi , Zhang Meng , Sunagawa Masataka , Hisamitsu Tadashi
Published: May 2016

Osteoporosis is a serious public health problem characterized by low bone density and deterioration of the bone microarchitecture. Current treatment options target either osteoclast resorption or osteoblast formation. It has been reported that berberine, a close structural analog of palmatine, inhibited bone loss in an osteoporosis model. In this study, osseous metabolism was observed in vitro with osteoclast bone resorbing cells. We proved that mouse preosteoclastic cell line (RAW 264.7) has a higher sensitivity to palmatine than mouse osteoblastic cell line (MC3T3‐E1); the cell survival rates significantly decreased at 40 μM palmatine. The level, a metabolic product of nitric monoxide (NO), and iNOS mRNA expression, an osteoclast with NO induced enzyme, also increased with higher dosage of palmatine. Furthermore, it was recognized that the cell viability decrease from palmatine was caused by apoptosis rather than necrosis. Additionally, osteoclast apoptosis from palmatine did not occur when iNOS was inhibited with NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (pan NOS inhibitor). These results indicate that palmatine plays an important role in osteoclast apoptosis via the NOS system. Hence, palmatine could be considered as a viable pharmaceutical candidate for osteoporosis bone resorption inhibitor.
Comparison of Parametric and Nonparametric Methods for Analyzing the Bias of a Numerical Model
Authors: Mugume Isaac , Basalirwa Charles , Waiswa Daniel , Reuder Joachim , Mesquita Michel d. S. , Tao Sulin , Ngailo Triphonia J.
Published: May 2016

Numerical models are presently applied in many fields for simulation and prediction, operation, or research. The output from these models normally has both systematic and random errors. The study compared January 2015 temperature data for Uganda as simulated using the Weather Research and Forecast model with actual observed station temperature data to analyze the bias using parametric (the root mean square error (RMSE), the mean absolute error (MAE), mean error (ME), skewness, and the bias easy estimate (BES)) and nonparametric (the sign test, STM) methods. The RMSE normally overestimates the error compared to MAE. The RMSE and MAE are not sensitive to direction of bias. The ME gives both direction and magnitude of bias but can be distorted by extreme values while the BES is insensitive to extreme values. The STM is robust for giving the direction of bias; it is not sensitive to extreme values but it does not give the magnitude of bias. The graphical tools (such as time series and cumulative curves) show the performance of the model with time. It is recommended to integrate parametric and nonparametric methods along with graphical methods for a comprehensive analysis of bias of a numerical model.
Pain in Neurodegenerative Disease: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives
Authors: de Tommaso Marina , Arendt-Nielsen Lars , Defrin Ruth , Kunz Miriam , Pickering Gisele , Valeriani Massimiliano
Published: May 2016

Neurodegenerative diseases are going to increase as the life expectancy is getting longer. The management of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias, Parkinson’s disease (PD) and PD related disorders, motor neuron diseases (MND), Huntington’s disease (HD), spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), is mainly addressed to motor and cognitive impairment, with special care to vital functions as breathing and feeding. Many of these patients complain of painful symptoms though their origin is variable, and their presence is frequently not considered in the treatment guidelines, leaving their management to the decision of the clinicians alone. However, studies focusing on pain frequency in such disorders suggest a high prevalence of pain in selected populations from 38 to 75% in AD, 40% to 86% in PD, and 19 to 85% in MND. The methods of pain assessment vary between studies so the type of pain has been rarely reported. However, a prevalent nonneuropathic origin of pain emerged for MND and PD. In AD, no data on pain features are available. No controlled therapeutic trials and guidelines are currently available. Given the relevance of pain in neurodegenerative disorders, the comprehensive understanding of mechanisms and predisposing factors, the application and validation of specific scales, and new specific therapeutic trials are needed.
A Computer-Aided Detection System for Digital Chest Radiographs
Authors: Carrillo-de-Gea Juan Manuel , García-Mateos Ginés , Fernández-Alemán José Luis , Hernández-Hernández José Luis
Published: May 2016

Computer-aided detection systems aim at the automatic detection of diseases using different medical imaging modalities. In this paper, a novel approach to detecting normality/pathology in digital chest radiographs is proposed. The problem tackled is complicated since it is not focused on particular diseases but anything that differs from what is considered as normality. First, the areas of interest of the chest are found using template matching on the images. Then, a texture descriptor called local binary patterns (LBP) is computed for those areas. After that, LBP histograms are applied in a classifier algorithm, which produces the final normality/pathology decision. Our experimental results show the feasibility of the proposal, with success rates above 87% in the best cases. Moreover, our technique is able to locate the possible areas of pathology in nonnormal radiographs. Strengths and limitations of the proposed approach are described in the Conclusions.
Binary Sparse Phase Retrieval via Simulated Annealing
Authors: Peng Wei , Wang Hongxia
Published: May 2016

This paper presents the Simulated Annealing Sparse PhAse Recovery (SASPAR) algorithm for reconstructing sparse binary signals from their phaseless magnitudes of the Fourier transform. The greedy strategy version is also proposed for a comparison, which is a parameter-free algorithm. Sufficient numeric simulations indicate that our method is quite effective and suggest the binary model is robust. The SASPAR algorithm seems competitive to the existing methods for its efficiency and high recovery rate even with fewer Fourier measurements.
Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Intervention Effects of Total Turmeric Extract in a Rat Model of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Wang Ya , Niu Ming , Jia Ge-liu-chang , Li Rui-sheng , Zhang Ya-ming , Zhang Cong-en , Meng Ya-kun , Cui He-rong , Ma Zhi-jie , Li Dong-hui , Wang Jia-bo , Xiao Xiao-he
Published: May 2016

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common forms of chronic liver disease. Currently, there are no recognized medical therapies effective for NAFLD. Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of total turmeric extract on rats with NAFLD induced by high‐fat diet. In this study, serum metabolomics was employed using UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of HFD‐induced NAFLD and the therapeutic effects of TE. Supervised orthogonal partial least‐squares‐discriminant analysis was used to discover differentiating metabolites, and pathway enrichment analysis suggested that TE had powerful combined effects of regulating lipid metabolism by affecting glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis signaling pathways. In addition, the significant changes in glycerophospholipid metabolism proteins also indicated that glycerophospholipid metabolism might be involved in the therapeutic effect of TE on NAFLD. Our findings not only supply systematic insight into the mechanisms of NAFLD but also provide a theoretical basis for the prevention or treatment of NAFLD.
Copy-Move Forgery Detection Technique for Forensic Analysis in Digital Images
Authors: Mahmood Toqeer , Nawaz Tabassam , Irtaza Aun , Ashraf Rehan , Shah Mohsin , Mahmood Muhammad Tariq
Published: May 2016

Due to the powerful image editing tools images are open to several manipulations; therefore, their authenticity is becoming questionable especially when images have influential power, for example, in a court of law, news reports, and insurance claims. Image forensic techniques determine the integrity of images by applying various high-tech mechanisms developed in the literature. In this paper, the images are analyzed for a particular type of forgery where a region of an image is copied and pasted onto the same image to create a duplication or to conceal some existing objects. To detect the copy-move forgery attack, images are first divided into overlapping square blocks and DCT components are adopted as the block representations. Due to the high dimensional nature of the feature space, Gaussian RBF kernel PCA is applied to achieve the reduced dimensional feature vector representation that also improved the efficiency during the feature matching. Extensive experiments are performed to evaluate the proposed method in comparison to state of the art. The experimental results reveal that the proposed technique precisely determines the copy-move forgery even when the images are contaminated with blurring, noise, and compression and can effectively detect multiple copy-move forgeries. Hence, the proposed technique provides a computationally efficient and reliable way of copy-move forgery detection that increases the credibility of images in evidence centered applications.
Thymic and Postthymic Regulation of Naïve CD4+T-Cell Lineage Fates in Humans and Mice Models
Authors: Belizário José E. , Brandão Wesley , Rossato Cristiano , Peron Jean Pierre
Published: May 2016

Our understanding of how thymocytes differentiate into many subtypes has been increased progressively in its complexity. At early life, the thymus provides a suitable microenvironment with specific combination of stromal cells, growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines to induce the bone marrow lymphoid progenitor T-cell precursors into single-positive CD4+and CD8+T effectors and CD4+CD25+T-regulatory cells (Tregs). At postthymic compartments, the CD4+T-cells acquire distinct phenotypes which include the classical T-helper 1 (Th1), T-helper 2 (Th2), T-helper 9 (Th9), T-helper 17 (Th17), follicular helper T-cell (Tfh), and induced T-regulatory cells (iTregs), such as the regulatory type 1 cells (Tr1) and transforming growth factor-β- (TGF-β-) producing CD4+T-cells (Th3). Tregs represent only a small fraction, 5–10% in mice and 1-2% in humans, of the overall CD4+T-cells in lymphoid tissues but are essential for immunoregulatory circuits mediating the inhibition and expansion of all lineages of T-cells. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the major cell-intrinsic developmental programs that regulate T-cell lineage fates in thymus and periphery. Next, we introduce the SV40 immortomouse as a relevant mice model for implementation of new approaches to investigate thymus organogenesis, CD4 and CD8 development, and thymus cells tumorogenesis.
Co-Occurrence of Language and Behavioural Change in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
Authors: Harris Jennifer M. , Jones Matthew , Gall Claire , Richardson Anna M.T. , Neary David , du Plessis Daniel , Pal Piyali , Mann David M.A. , Snowden Julie S. , Thompson Jennifer C.
Published: May 2016

Background/Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the co-occurrence of language and behavioural impairment in patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) spectrum pathology. Methods: Eighty-one dementia patients with pathological confirmation of FTLD were identified. Anonymized clinical records from patients' first assessment were rated for language and behavioural features from frontotemporal dementia consensus criteria, primary progressive aphasia (PPA) criteria and 1998 FTLD criteria. Results: Over 90% of patients with FTLD pathology exhibited a combination of at least one behavioural and one language feature. Changes in language, in particular, were commonly accompanied by behavioural change. Notably, the majority of patients who displayed language features characteristic of semantic variant PPA exhibited ‘early perseverative, stereotyped or compulsive/ritualistic behaviour'. Moreover, ‘executive/generation deficits with relative sparing of memory and visuospatial functions' occurred in most patients with core features of non-fluent variant PPA. Conclusion: Behavioural and language symptoms frequently co-occur in patients with FTLD pathology. Current classifications, which separate behavioural and language syndromes, do not reflect this co-occurrence.
Chronic Urticaria in Returning Travellers: The Role of Anthelmintic Treatment
Authors: Nahshoni Avishai , Baum Sharon , Barzilai Aviv , Schwartz Eli
Published: May 2016

Background: Chronic urticaria often poses a therapeutic challenge. The human immune response to helminths has a high degree of similarity to an allergic response in terms of skin manifestations, eosinophilia, and IgE elevation. Unfortunately, it is often complicated to diagnose such infections. Objective: We sought to assess the effect of empirical anthelmintic treatment among returning travellers diagnosed with chronic urticaria, without clear proof of helminthic infection. Methods: This is a retrospective case series of 19 returning travellers with chronic urticaria. All patients were treated with anthelmintic treatment given based on clinical suspicion only. A randomly selected control group of 20 patients with chronic urticaria, with no history of travel, was also enrolled. Results: A positive clinical response was reported in 68.4% (13 patients) of the travellers' group within 3 months after treatment with anthelmintic therapy compared with 10% (2 patients) of chronic urticaria patients in the control group. No adverse effects from treatment were recorded. Conclusion: In patients with chronic urticaria, travel history to developing countries must be obtained. Empiric anthelmintic therapy might be beneficial, even in the absence of findings suggestive of helminthic infection.
Polarized Airway Epithelial Models for Immunological Co-Culture Studies
Authors: Papazian Dick , Würtzen Peter A. , Hansen Soren W.K.
Published: May 2016

Epithelial cells line all cavities and surfaces throughout the body and play a substantial role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Asthma and other atopic diseases are increasing worldwide and allergic disorders are hypothesized to be a consequence of a combination of dysregulation of the epithelial response towards environmental antigens and genetic susceptibility, resulting in inflammation and T cell-derived immune responses. In vivo animal models have long been used to study immune homeostasis of the airways but are limited by species restriction and lack of exposure to a natural environment of both potential allergens and microflora. Limitations of these models prompt a need to develop new human cell-based in vitro models. A variety of co-culture systems for modelling the respiratory epithelium exist and are available to the scientific community. The models have become increasingly sophisticated and specific care needs to be taken with regard to cell types, culture medium and culture models, depending on the aim of the study. Although great strides have been made, there is still a need for further optimization, and optimally also for standardization, in order for in vitro co-culture models to become powerful tools in the discovery of key molecules dictating immunity and/or tolerance, and for understanding the complex interplay that takes place between mucosa, airway epithelium and resident or infiltrating immune cells. This review focuses on current knowledge and the advantages and limitations of the different cell types and culture methods used in co-culture models of the human airways.
Escherichia colimazEF Toxin-Antitoxin System as a Tool to Target Cell Ablation in Plants
Authors: Baldacci-Cresp Fabien , Houbaert Anaxi , Metuor Dabire Amana , Mol Adeline , Monteyne Daniel , El Jaziri Mondher , Van Melderen Laurence , Baucher Marie
Published: May 2016

Background/Aims: The Escherichia coli MazF is an endoribonuclease that cleaves mRNA at ACA sequences, thereby triggering inhibition of protein synthesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of the mazEF toxin-antitoxin system in plants to develop biotechnological tools for targeted cell ablation. Methods: A double transformation strategy, combining expression of the mazE antitoxin gene under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter, reported to drive expression in all plant cells except within the tapetum, together with the expression of the mazF gene under the control of the TA29 tapetum-specific promoter in transgenic tobacco, was applied. Results: No transgenic TA29-mazF line could be regenerated, suggesting that the TA29 promoter is not strictly tapetum specific and that MazF is toxic for plant cells. The regenerated 35S-mazE/TA29-mazF double-transformed lines gave a unique phenotype where the tapetal cell layer was necrosed resulting in the absence of pollen. Conclusion: These results show that the E. colimazEF system can be used to induce death of specific plant cell types and can provide a new tool to plant cell ablation.
Seasonal Exacerbation of Asthma Is Frequently Associated with Recurrent Episodes of Acute Urticaria
Authors: Vadasz Zahava , Kessel Aharon , Hershko Alon Y. , Maurer Marcus , Toubi Elias
Published: May 2016

Background: Asthma and urticaria are both partially mediated by an increased release of histamine from highly activated mast cells. They are pathophysiologically different, as mast cell degranulation in these 2 disorders results from different mechanisms. Objective: To assess the incidence of urticaria in patients with asthma, and of asthma in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Patients and Methods: Over 1 year of follow-up, asthma patients (n = 110) were assessed for the incidence and characteristics of urticaria, and a link, if it existed, to seasonal exacerbations and the severity of asthma was traced. We also prospectively assessed CSU patients (n = 95) during the same period of time for the incidence of asthma. Healthy individuals (n = 100), serving as a control group, were also assessed. Results: Episodes of urticaria occurred in 26/110 asthma patients (23.6%), but in only 2/100 healthy control subjects (2%) (p < 0.0001). During the 1-year observation period, episodes of urticaria were significantly more frequent in asthma patients with positive skin-prick test reactions (mainly seasonal pollens), and consequently occurred mostly during seasonal asthma exacerbation, i.e. during acute episodes of urticaria. The incidence of asthma in CSU patients was recorded in 10.5% of the group, similar to that in the healthy control population. Discussion: Our study demonstrates, for the first time, that asthma patients frequently develop acute urticaria, mainly during seasonal exacerbations. In contrast, CSU patients do not show an increased incidence of asthma.