bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telecytological Diagnosis of Space-Occupying Lesions of the Liver
Authors: Mostafa Mohammad Golam , Dalquen Peter , Kunze Dietmar , Terracciano Luigi
Published: January 2014

Objective: In this study, the efficiency of telemedical consulting with regard to fine needle aspirates from space-occupying lesions (SOLs) of the liver is investigated for the first time. Study Design: The study includes fine needle aspirations from 62 patients, 33 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 29 with non-hepatic tumors. Using the Internet-based iPath system, the initial pathologist submitted 1-8 images from smears and cell block sections. One consultant assessed the cytological and another one the histological images. Both made their diagnoses independent of each other. A final diagnosis was made by immunochemistry of cell block sections. The cytological images were analyzed retrospectively for the occurrence of the most typical HCC indicators. The number of these indicators was related to the initial diagnoses of the three pathologists, and possible reasons for diagnostic errors were analyzed based on this analysis. Results: The accuracy of the preliminary telemedical diagnoses regarding HCC was 82.0% for the cytological images and 87.7% for the histological images. Most of the false diagnoses occurred in tumors with unusual cytological and histological patterns. Conclusions: Telemedical consulting is a valuable tool to obtain a second opinion. However, for improvement of the diagnosis of HCC, supplementary immunochemical tests are necessary.
Unusual Maternal Uniparental Isodisomic X Chromosome Mosaicism with Asymmetric Y Chromosomal Rearrangement
Authors: Lee B.Y. , Kim S.Y. , Park J.Y. , Choi E.Y. , Kim D.J. , Kim J.W. , Ryu H.M. , Cho Y.H. , Park S.Y. , Seo J.T.
Published: January 2014

Infertile men with azoospermia commonly have associated microdeletions in the azoospermia factor (AZF) region of the Y chromosome, sex chromosome mosaicism, or sex chromosome rearrangements. In this study, we describe an unusual 46,XX and 45,X mosaicism with a rare Y chromosome rearrangement in a phenotypically normal male patient. The patient's karyotype was 46,XX[50]/45,X[25]/46,X,der(Y)(pter→q11.222::p11.2→pter)[25]. The derivative Y chromosome had a deletion at Yq11.222 and was duplicated at Yp11.2. Two copies of the SRY gene were confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, and complete deletion of the AZFb and AZFc regions was shown by multiplex-PCR for microdeletion analysis. Both X chromosomes of the predominant mosaic cell line (46,XX) were isodisomic and derived from the maternal gamete, as determined by examination of short tandem repeat markers. We postulate that the derivative Y chromosome might have been generated during paternal meiosis or early embryogenesis. Also, we suggest that the very rare mosaicism of isodisomic X chromosomes might be formed during maternal meiosis II or during postzygotic division derived from the 46,X,der(Y)/ 45,X lineage because of the instability of the derivative Y chromosome. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmatory study to verify the origin of a sex chromosome mosaicism with a Y chromosome rearrangement.
Endoscopic Surgery for Traumatic Acute Subdural Hematoma
Authors: Kon Hiroyuki , Saito Atsushi , Uchida Hiroki , Inoue Mizuho , Sasaki Tatsuya , Nishijima Michiharu
Published: January 2014

Traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is generally addressed by craniotomy under general anesthesia. We report a patient whose traumatic ASDH was treated under local anesthesia by one-burr-hole endoscopic surgery. This 87-year-old woman had undergone coil embolization for a ruptured right middle-cerebral artery aneurysm and placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for normal pressure hydrocephalus 5 years earlier. Upon admission, she manifested consciousness disturbance after suffering head trauma and right hemiplegia. Her Glasgow Coma Scale score was 8 (E2V2M4). Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a thick, left-frontotemporal ASDH. Due to her advanced age and poor condition, we performed endoscopic surgery rather than craniotomy to evacuate the ASDH. Under local anesthesia, we made a burr hole in her left forehead and increased its size to 15 mm in diameter. After introducing a transparent sheath into the hematoma cavity with a rigid endoscope, the clot was evacuated with a suction tube. The arterial bleeding point was electrically coagulated. A postoperative CT scan confirmed the reduction of the hematoma. There was neither brain compression nor brain swelling. Her consciousness disturbance and right hemiplegia improved immediately. Endoscopic surgery may represent a viable method to address traumatic intracranial hematomas in some patients.
MicroRNA Expression and Functional Profiles of Osteosarcoma
Authors: Kobayashi Eisuke , Satow Reiko , Ono Masaya , Masuda Mari , Honda Kazufumi , Sakuma Tomohiro , Kawai Akira , Morioka Hideo , Toyama Yoshiaki , Yamada Tesshi
Published: January 2014

Objective: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent primary malignant bone tumor in children and young adults. Although the introduction of combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy has significantly prolonged survival, the outcome for OS patients showing a poor response to chemotherapy is still unfavorable. In order to develop new therapeutic approaches, elucidation of the entire molecular pathway regulating OS cell proliferation would be desirable. Methods: MicroRNA (miRNA) are highly conserved noncoding RNA that play important roles in the development and progression of various other cancers. Using miRNA microarrays capable of detecting a known number of 933 miRNA, 108 miRNA were found to be commonly expressed in 24 samples of OS tissue and subjected to a cell proliferation assay. Results: We found that inhibition of 5 let-7 family miRNA (hsa-let-7a, b, f, g and i) significantly suppressed the proliferation of OS cells. Using a quantitative shotgun proteomics approach, we also found that the let-7 family miRNA regulated the expression of vimentin and serpin H1 proteins. Conclusions: Our present results indicate the involvement of let-7 family miRNA in regulation of the cell proliferation as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition of OS. Thus, let-7 family miRNA may potentially provide novel targets for the development of therapeutic strategies against OS.
Chromosome 16 Abnormalities in Embryos and in Sperm from a Male with a Fragile Site at 16q22.1
Authors: Martorell M.R. , Martínez-Pasarell O. , Lopez O. , Polo A. , Sandalinas M. , Garcia-Guixé E. , Bassas L.
Published: January 2014

Two fragile sites, FRA16B and FRA16C, are located in the chromosome band 16q22.1. Neither of them is associated with any specific clinical condition. We report the development and outcome of a clinically applied PGD cycle in a couple who had difficulty in achieving pregnancy. The woman was a carrier of a balanced reciprocal translocation, t(11;22)(q23;q11.2), and the man presented high expression of the fragile site 16q22.1 (FRA16B/C) in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Gains and losses of chromosome 16 fragments were detected in sperm and embryos. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case suggesting a link between FRA16B/C and chromosome 16 abnormalities in embryos and sperm from a carrier.
Lipopolysaccharide Impaired the Functional Activity of Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells
Authors: Yu Min , Zhang Qingying , Liu Qian , Sun Jing , Yang Guibao , Zeng Guoning , Tan Xuerui
Published: January 2014

Background: Recent studies have shown that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to lung repair after lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury and infusion of LPS decreased early EPCs in human peripheral blood. However, the effects of LPS on endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) remain to be determined. Objective: To investigate possible effects of LPS on the functional activity of ECFCs. Methods: ECFCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood and characterized. ECFCs at passages 3-5 were treated for 24 h with either LPS or vehicle control. Their viability, migration and in vitro vasculogenesis activity were assayed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, modified Boyden chamber and in vitro angiogenesis assays, respectively. ECFC adhesion was assessed by replating cells on fibronectin-coated dishes and subsequent counting of adherent cells. Results: Incubation with LPS dose-dependently inhibited the viable, migratory, adhesive and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity of ECFCs. Conclusion: LPS impaired the functional activity of ECFCs.
Stone loaches of Choman River system, Kurdistan, Iran (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae)
Authors: KAMANGAR BARZAN BAHRAMI , PROKOFIEV ARTEM M. , GHADERI EDRIS , NALBANT THEODORE T.
Published: January 2014

For the first time, we present data on species composition and distributions of nemacheilid loaches in the Choman River basin of Kurdistan province, Iran. Two genera and four species are recorded from the area, of which three species are new for science: Oxynoemacheilus kurdistanicus, O. zagrosensis, O. chomanicus spp. nov., and Turcinoemacheilus kosswigi Băn. et Nalb. Detailed and illustrated morphological descriptions and univariate and multivariate analysis of morphometric and meristic features are for each of these species. Forty morphometric and eleven meristic characters were used in multivariate analysis to select characters that could discriminate between the four loach species. Discriminant Function Analysis revealed that sixteen morphometric measures and five meristic characters have the most variability between the loach species. The dendrograms based on cluster analysis of Mahalanobis distances of morphometrics and a combination of both characters confirmed two distinct groups: Oxynoemacheilus spp. and T. kosswigi. Within Oxynoemacheilus, O. zagrosensis and O. chomanicus are more similar to one other rather to either is to O. kurdistanicus.
An illustrated key to the New World genera of Philonthina Kirby (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), with morphological, taxonomical and distributional notes
Authors: CHANI-POSSE MARIANA
Published: January 2014

An illustrated key to the 29 genera of Philonthina currently known in the New World is provided, based on adult morphological characters. Updated information on the morphology, taxonomic history, bionomics and distribution of the Philonthina in the study area is also provided.
Identification and character analysis of the Acerentomidae (Protura) of the northeastern Palearctic (Protura: Acerentomidae)
Authors: SHRUBOVYCH JULIA
Published: January 2014

This paper is a summary of proturan fauna from Siberia and the Russian Far East, collectively termed the northeastern Palearctic. Special attention is given to the analysis of Acerentomidae, which is extraordinarily diverse in these regions (31 species). A key to species and a brief exposition of distribution of each genus are provided. A redescription of Imadateiella sharovi is presented, additional morphological characters are added for Nipponentomon khabarovskense, N. bidentatum, Yamatentomon yamato and Callientomon chinensis, and additional collection data are given for Y. yamato, C. chinensis, Nipponentomon jaceki and N. nippon. A cladistic analysis is presented of hypothetical relationships among the discussed acerentomid taxa. A scheme for ventral porotaxy is proposed, and the taxonomic importance of porotaxic characters within Acerentomata is discussed. Some biogeographical and phylogenetic considerations are given.
Additional morphological information on Dipteropeltis hirundo Calman, 1912, and a description of Dipteropeltis campanaformis n. sp. (Crustacea: Branchiura) from two characiform benthopelagic fish hosts from two Northern rivers of the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: NEETHLING LOURELLE ALICIA MARTINS , MALTA JOSÉ CELSO DE OLIVEIRA , AVENANT-OLDEWAGE ANNEMARIÈ
Published: January 2014

Dipteropeltis is a monotypic genus of the Branchiura and endemic to South America. Twelve specimens of Dipteropeltis sp. and micrographs of a thirteenth specimen were obtained from four institutions. Measurements and light micrographs were taken of all the specimens. The specimens were compared to all known descriptions of D. hirundo and sorted into two groups, those that conformed to the description of D. hirundo; and those that differed morphologically. Two specimens, one from each group¸ were stained with lignin pink and subsequently prepared for Scanning Electron Microscopy. The differences observed in the specimens indicated that a new species exists. Thus, Dipteropeltis campanaformis n. sp. is described from seven specimens collected from two characiform benthopelagic fish species and compared to D. hirundo. Dipteropeltis campanaformis n. sp. differs from D. hirundo in the head shape, the length and shape of the carapace lobes, the membrane composition of the maxillules, the shape of the maxillae, the shape of the mouth, and the shape of the natatory lobes.
Two new species of Mesostrix Mazur, 1994 (Coleoptera: Histeridae) from Southeast Asia
Authors: MAZUR SŁAWOMIR , MOKRZYCKI TOMASZ
Published: January 2014

The genus Mesostrix Mazur, 1994 was erected to include a single species, M. pentatoma Mazur, 1994. It was originally placed within the tribe Platysomatini (Mazur, 1994: 46) as occupying an intermediate position between Eblisia and Platysoma. Subsequently, Ôhara & Mazur (2002: 20; Figs. 10A–F, 11A–F) redescribed the genus, providing additional characters separating the genus from other members of the tribe and giving a detailed description and figures of external and internal morphology of the type species, M. pentatoma. Most recently Mazur & Ôhara, 2009: 247) placed Mesostrix in the “Platysoma-section” of the tribe Platysomatini, having a longitudinal carina on the mesocoxa such as that found in the genera of this section. Among these genera the outwardly projected anterior pronotal margin and the presence of two metaventral depressions are also distinctive for the genus.
The Use of Similarity Concepts to Represent Subgrid Variability in Land Surface Models: Case Study in a Snowmelt-Dominated Watershed
Authors: Newman Andrew J. , Clark Martyn P. , Winstral Adam , Marks Danny , Seyfried Mark
Published: January 2014

This paper develops a multivariate mosaic subgrid approach to represent subgrid variability in land surface models (LSMs). The k-means clustering is used to take an arbitrary number of input descriptors and objectively determine areas of similarity within a catchment or mesoscale model grid box. Two different classifications of hydrologic similarity are compared: an a priori classification, where clusters are based solely on known physiographic information, and an a posteriori classification, where clusters are defined based on high-resolution LSM simulations. Simulations from these clustering approaches are compared to high-resolution gridded simulations, as well as to three common mosaic approaches used in LSMs: the “lumped” approach (no subgrid variability), disaggregation by elevation bands, and disaggregation by vegetation types in two subcatchments. All watershed disaggregation methods are incorporated in the Noah Multi-Physics (Noah-MP) LSM and applied to snowmelt-dominated subcatchments within the Reynolds Creek watershed in Idaho. Results demonstrate that the a priori clustering method is able to capture the aggregate impact of finescale spatial variability with O(10) simulation points, which is practical for implementation into an LSM scheme for coupled predictions on continental–global scales. The multivariate a priori approach better represents snow cover and depth variability than the univariate mosaic approaches, critical in snowmelt-dominated areas. Catchment-averaged energy fluxes are generally within 10%–15% for the high-resolution and a priori simulations, while displaying more subgrid variability than the univariate mosaic methods. Examination of observed and simulated streamflow time series shows that the a priori method generally reproduces hydrograph characteristics better than the simple disaggregation approaches.
Reproducing the September 2013 Record-Breaking Rainfall over the Colorado Front Range with High-Resolution WRF Forecasts
Authors: Schwartz Craig S.
Published: January 2014

Four convection-permitting Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) forecasts were produced in an attempt to replicate the record-breaking rainfall across the Colorado Front Range between 1200 UTC 11 September and 1200 UTC 13 September 2013. A nested WRF domain with 4- and 1-km horizontal grid spacings was employed, and sensitivity to initial conditions (ICs) and microphysics (MP) parameterizations was examined. Rainfall forecasts were compared to gridded observations produced by National Weather Service River Forecast Centers and gauge measurements from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). All 1-km forecasts produced 48-h rainfall exceeding 250 mm over portions of the Colorado Front Range and were more consistent with observations than the 4-km forecasts. While localized sensitivities to both ICs and MP were noted, systematic differences were not attributable to the varied ICs or MP schemes. At times, the 1-km forecasts produced precipitation structures similar to those observed, but none of the forecasts successfully captured the observed mesoscale evolution of the entire rainfall event. Nonetheless, as all 1-km forecasts produced torrential rainfall over the Colorado Front Range, these forecasts could have been useful guidance for this event.
Dilemma and Domestic Uncertainty
Authors: Liu Fu-Kuo
Published: January 2014

Maritime territorial disputes have become a hot issue in regional security and a pressing issue for Taiwan’s national security. While Taiwan is persistently claiming sovereign right over the large part of the South China Sea based on the U-shaped line, its role is however weakened as a result of the cross-strait hostility and its prolonged hands-off policy. Of course, its ambiguous international status, difficult relation with mainland China and domestic political confusion on nation’s future have more to do with its inactive role in the South China Sea disputes. This insecurity contributes to its ambivalent policy. This articleintends to address Taiwan’s legitimate claim for the part of the South China Sea, which has been unknown and neglected by the international community, and examine the reasons why Taiwan had taken inactive policy toward the South China Sea. Alerted by recent aggressive moves of other claimants, Taiwan is now shifting to a reasonable tougher strategy in the South China Sea. The articlealso projects the course of fresh efforts made by the Taiwan government pressurised by the public with increasing awareness of urgency.
Embracing or Resisting the Giant Neighbour
Authors: Chen Mumin
Published: January 2014

Since 2008, President Ma Ying-jeou and his Kuomintang (KMT) government in Taiwan have adopted the policy of seeking greater economic cooperation with China in exchange of reducing confrontation across the Taiwan Strait. By endorsing the ‘One China’ principle, the KMT government successfully resumed dialogue with Beijing and signed 18 agreements, ranging from allowing Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan to establishing a closer economic partnership. Yet President Ma’s self-claimed achievements in cross-strait peace received severe criticisms from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which accused KMT’s pro-China policy as selling out the democratic Taiwan to an authoritarian regime. This article examines the on-going debates between the ruling KMT and opposition DPP about proper strategies towards China, and how such debates make it unlikely for Taiwan to form an effective policy on cross-strait affairs. The differences between KMT and DPP on their respective China policies have led to prolonged distrust between both parties, and between DPP and Beijing. Facing an increasingly powerful China, both parties are short of better ideas to convince voters that their current policy will effectively secure Taiwan’s sovereign status or will be beneficial to enhancing Taiwan’s interests in the long term.
How naming and shaming affects human rights perceptions in the shamed country
Authors: Ausderan Jacob
Published: January 2014

Although individual citizens perceive the human rights conditions in their country differently, existing research on human rights and public opinion has tended to ignore the possible impact from international sources of information. This article builds upon previous research on human rights, public opinion, and international organizations by arguing that citizens will perceive the human rights conditions in their country more negatively when their country is shamed by the international community for human rights violations. This hypothesis is tested using both observational and experimental methods. I use multilevel modeling and survey responses from both the Gallup International Millennium Survey and the World Values Survey to show that individual human rights perceptions are negatively related to the adoption of resolutions by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights shaming a survey respondent’s government for human rights abuses, as well as the number of human rights-focused international nongovernmental organizations with members or volunteers living within the survey respondent’s country. These results are supplemented by an original, web-based experiment on human rights perceptions in the United States and India in which survey respondents are exposed to an experimental manipulation modeled on press statements from Amnesty International shaming the survey respondent’s country for human rights abuses.
Political Advertising on Social Media in the 2012 Presidential Election
Authors: Wei Ran , Golan Guy
Published: January 2014

This study explores the perceived effects of political ads that appeared on social media in the 2012 presidential campaign from a third-person effect perspective. Results of a survey using a probability sample of 496 college students indicated that the respondents tend to believe that political ads on social media have a greater influence on others than on themselves. However, the more desirable they viewed such ads, the more they admitted the ads to having influenced themselves. Finally, third-person perception of political ads on social media was found to be a positive predictor of engagement in promotional social media behavior after the influences of demographics, social media use, and political attitudes were taken into consideration.
Political Efficacy and the Use of Local and National News Media Among Undecided Voters in a Swing State
Authors: Ha Louisa S. , Wang Fang , Fang Ling , Yang Chen , Hu Xiao , Yang Liu , Yang Fan , Xu Ying , Morin David
Published: January 2014

This survey examined undecided voters’ local and national news media use in relation to political efficacy. Results suggest that online media use was the strongest predictor for political efficacy, creating a self-selection polarized trend of political use of media. Local election efficacy was higher than national election efficacy. Over one half of the first-time voters and general population voters believed their vote could change the outcome of the election. Social media only had an impact on first-time voters’ political efficacy. No liberals could be found in undecided voters among the general population voters. Television was the most important medium for campaign information for the general population, while the internet was the most important medium for first-time voters. The result signified the diminishing role of newspapers as an important source of campaign information.
Relevance of liver failure for anti-infective agents: from pharmacokinetic alterations to dosage adjustments
Authors: Büdingen Fiona V. , Gonzalez Daniel , Tucker Amelia N. , Derendorf Hartmut
Published: January 2014

The liver is a complex organ with great ability to influence drug pharmacokinetics (PK). Due to its wide array of function, its impairment has the potential to affect bioavailability, enterohepatic circulation, drug distribution, metabolism, clearance, and biliary elimination. These alterations differ widely depending on the cause of the liver failure, if it is acute or chronic in nature, the extent of impairment, and comorbid conditions. In addition, the effects on liver functions do not occur in a proportional or predictable manner for escalating degrees of liver impairment. The ability of hepatic alterations to influence PK is also dependent on drug characteristics, such as administration route, chemical properties, protein binding, and extraction ratio, among others. This complexity makes it difficult to predict what effects these changes will have on a particular drug. Unlike certain classes of agents, efficacy of anti-infectives is most often dependent on fulfilling PK/pharmacodynamic targets, such as maximum concentration/minimum inhibitory concentration (Cmax/MIC), area under the curve/minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC/MIC), time above MIC (T>MIC), half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) or half-maximal effective concentration (EC50), or the time above the concentration which inhibits viral replication by 95% (T>EC95). Loss of efficacy and/or an increased risk of toxicity may occur in certain circumstances of liver injury. Although it is important to consider these potential alterations and their effects on specific anti-infectives, many lack data to constitute specific dosing adjustments, making it important to monitor patients for effectiveness and toxicities of therapy.
Targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) but not CDK4/6 or CDK2 is selectively lethal to MYC-dependent human breast cancer cells
Authors: Kang Jian , Sergio C Marcelo , Sutherland Robert L , Musgrove Elizabeth A
Published: January 2014

Background

Although MYC is an attractive therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment, it has proven challenging to inhibit MYC directly, and clinically effective pharmaceutical agents targeting MYC are not yet available. An alternative approach is to identify genes that are synthetically lethal in MYC-dependent cancer. Recent studies have identified several cell cycle kinases as MYC synthetic-lethal genes. We therefore investigated the therapeutic potential of specific cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibition in MYC-driven breast cancer.

Methods

Using small interfering RNA (siRNA), MYC expression was depleted in 26 human breast cancer cell lines and cell proliferation evaluated by BrdU incorporation. MYC-dependent and MYC-independent cell lines were classified based on their sensitivity to siRNA-mediated MYC knockdown. We then inhibited CDKs including CDK4/6, CDK2 and CDK1 individually using either RNAi or small molecule inhibitors, and compared sensitivity to CDK inhibition with MYC dependence in breast cancer cells.

Results

Breast cancer cells displayed a wide range of sensitivity to siRNA-mediated MYC knockdown. The sensitivity was correlated with MYC protein expression and MYC phosphorylation level. Sensitivity to siRNA-mediated MYC knockdown did not parallel sensitivity to the CDK4/6 inhibitor PD0332991; instead MYC-independent cell lines were generally sensitive to PD0332991. Cell cycle arrest induced by MYC knockdown was accompanied by a decrease in CDK2 activity, but inactivation of CDK2 did not selectively affect the viability of MYC-dependent breast cancer cells. In contrast, CDK1 inactivation significantly induced apoptosis and reduced viability of MYC-dependent cells but not MYC- independent cells. This selective induction of apoptosis by CDK1 inhibitors was associated with up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic molecule BIM and was p53-independent.

Conclusions

Overall, these results suggest that further investigation of CDK1 inhibition as a potential therapy for MYC-dependent breast cancer is warranted.
The centella asiatica juice effects on DNA damage, apoptosis and gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
Authors: Hussin Faridah , Eshkoor Sima Ataollahi , Rahmat Asmah , Othman Fauziah , Akim Abdah
Published: January 2014

Background

This paper is to investigate the effects ofCentella asiaticaon HepG2 (human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line).Centella asiaticais native to the Southeast Asia that is used as a traditional medicine. This study aims to determine the chemopreventive effects of theCentella asiaticajuice on human HepG2 cell line.

Methods

Different methods including flow cytometry, comet assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to show the effects of juice exposure on the level of DNA damage and the reduction of cancerous cells. MTT assay is a colorimetric method applied to measure the toxic effects of juice on cells.

Results

TheCentella asiaticajuice was not toxic to normal cells. It showed cytotoxic effects on tumor cells in a dose dependent manner. Apoptosis in cells was started after being exposed for 72 hr of dose dependent. It was found that the higher percentage of apoptotic cell death and DNA damage was at the concentration above 0.1%. In addition, the juice exposure caused the reduction of c-myc gene expression and the enhancement of c-fos and c-erbB2 gene expressions in tumor cells.

Conclusions

It was concluded that theCentella asiaticajuice reduced liver tumor cells. Thus, it has the potential to be used as a chemopreventive agent to prevent and treat liver cancer.
Improving accountability through alignment: the role of academic health science centres and networks in England
Authors: Ovseiko Pavel V , Heitmueller Axel , Allen Pauline , Davies Stephen M , Wells Glenn , Ford Gary A , Darzi Ara , Buchan Alastair M
Published: January 2014

Background

As in many countries around the world, there are high expectations on academic health science centres and networks in England to provide high-quality care, innovative research, and world-class education, while also supporting wealth creation and economic growth. Meeting these expectations increasingly depends on partnership working between university medical schools and teaching hospitals, as well as other healthcare providers. However, academic-clinical relationships in England are still characterised by the “unlinked partners” model, whereby universities and their partner teaching hospitals are neither fiscally nor structurally linked, creating bifurcating accountabilities to various government and public agencies.

Discussion

This article focuses on accountability relationships in universities and teaching hospitals, as well as other healthcare providers that form core constituent parts of academic health science centres and networks. The authors analyse accountability for the tripartite mission of patient care, research, and education, using a four-fold typology of accountability relationships, which distinguishes between hierarchical (bureaucratic) accountability, legal accountability, professional accountability, and political accountability. Examples from North West London suggest that a number of mechanisms can be used to improve accountability for the tripartite mission through alignment, but that the simple creation of academic health science centres and networks is probably not sufficient.

At the heart of the challenge for academic health science centres and networks is the separation of accountabilities for patient care, research, and education in different government departments. Given that a fundamental top-down system redesign is now extremely unlikely, local academic and clinical leaders face the challenge of aligning their institutions as a matter of priority in order to improve accountability for the tripartite mission from the bottom up. It remains to be seen which alignment mechanisms are most effective, and whether they are strong enough to counter the separation of accountabilities for the tripartite mission at the national level, the on-going structural fragmentation of the health system in England, and the unprecedented financial challenges that it faces. Future research should focus on determining the comparative effectiveness of different alignment mechanisms, developing standardised metrics and key performance indicators, evaluating and assessing academic health science centres and networks, and empirically addressing leadership issues.
Dry eye management in a Sjögren’s syndrome mouse model by inhibition of p38-MAPK pathway
Authors: Ma Xiaoyun , Zou Jun , He Linping , Zhang Yun
Published: January 2014

Background

To investigate the therapeutic effect of p38-MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, on dry eye in a mouse model of Sjögren’s syndrome (MRL/lpr mice).

Methods

18 female BALB/c mice and 44 female MRL/lpr mice were included. Mice were randomly assigned to the control or treatment group. The expression of phospho-p38 MAPK in lacrimal glands of BALB/c mice was determined by Western blot analysis following IL-1β treatment at various time points. Different doses of SB203580 were injected into lacrimal glands of MRL/lpr mice and phenol red thread test was performed seven days post-injection. Moreover, the levels of acetylcholine and norepinephrine expression in lacrimal glands of MRL/lpr mice were measured using spectrofluoremetric assay and the histopathology of lacrimal glands was also evaluated.

Results

The expression of p-p38 MAPK in lacrimal glands of BALB/c mice gradually increased following incubation with IL-1β ex vivo. Injection of SB203580 into lacrimal glands significantly improved the results of phenol red thread test in MRL/lpr mice. In addition, the secretions of acetylcholine and norepinephrine increased significantly compared to the control group. Less lymphocytes infiltration was observed in pathological section of lacrimal glands following SB203580 injection.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the activation of p38-MAPK pathway plays an important role in dry eye of a Sjögren’s syndrome mouse model. Inhibition of p38-MAPK pathway by SB203580 might have potential therapeutic effect on Sjögren’s syndrome associated dry eye.

Virtual slides

The virtual slides for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1256849631103092.
Clinical characteristics and sensitivity to food and inhalants among children with eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Rodrigues Mariano de Almeida Rezend Erica , Barros Cristina Palmer , Ynoue Leandro Hideki , Santos Amanda Torido , Melo Costa Pinto Rogerio , Rodrigues Silva Segundo Gesmar
Published: January 2014

Background

To understand the clinical characteristics and the diagnostic procedures in pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis and to evaluate the sensitivity of the patients to food and inhalant allergens. A cross-sectional study was performed in 35 children with eosinophilic esophagitis during the time period from January 2010 to January 2011. The clinical and epidemiological data were obtained using a questionnaire and medical chart analysis. The body mass index for age was used for the nutritional evaluation (via the Z score). The sensitivity to foods and inhalants was evaluated by performing a skin prick test and atopy patch test.

Results

Patients (35 in total, median age 10 years) with a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis were evaluated. The most prevalent symptoms in the patients were vomiting (71.4%) and abdominal pain (51.4%). Endoscopic alterations were observed in 97.2% of the patients. A good nutritional state was observed in 82.8% of the children. The tests demonstrated the presence of food sensitivities and/or aeroallergens in 27 (77.1%) patients, whereas 8 (22.9%) patients did not test positive in any of the tests performed. Among the patients with positive tests, 24 (68.5%) exhibited sensitivity to aeroallergens and 16 (45.7%) were sensitive to foods. The comparison between the sensitive and insensitive groups displayed statistically significant results with respect to sex, symptom prevalence, and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring.

Conclusions

The patients evaluated in this study displayed clinical characteristics of eosinophilic esophagitis similar to those reported in the literature. The sensitivity to foods determined by the tests was less than that observed in prior studies; however, a marked sensitivity to aeroallergens was observed. The different allergen sensitivity profiles observed in this study suggests that, similar to asthma, the eosinophiic esophagitis disease may exhibit several phenotypes.
Neurofilaments as a plasma biomarker for ICU-acquired weakness: an observational pilot study
Authors: Wieske Luuk , Witteveen Esther , Petzold Axel , Verhamme Camiel , Schultz Marcus J , van Schaik Ivo N , Horn Janneke
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Early diagnosis of intensive care unit – acquired weakness (ICU-AW) using the current reference standard, that is, assessment of muscle strength, is often hampered due to impaired consciousness. Biological markers could solve this problem but have been scarcely investigated. We hypothesized that plasma levels of neurofilaments are elevated in ICU-AW and can diagnose ICU-AW before muscle strength assessment is possible.

Methods

For this prospective observational cohort study, neurofilament levels were measured using ELISA (NfHSMI35 antibody) in daily plasma samples (index test). When patients were awake and attentive, ICU-AW was diagnosed using the Medical Research Council scale (reference standard). Differences and discriminative power (using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve; AUC) of highest and cumulative (calculated using the area under the neurofilament curve) neurofilament levels were investigated in relation to the moment of muscle strength assessment for each patient.

Results

Both the index test and reference standard were available for 77 ICU patients. A total of 18 patients (23%) fulfilled the clinical criteria for ICU-AW. Peak neurofilament levels were higher in patients with ICU-AW and had good discriminative power (AUC: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.97). However, neurofilament levels did not peak before muscle strength assessment was possible. Highest or cumulative neurofilament levels measured before muscle strength assessment could not diagnose ICU-AW (AUC 0.59; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.80 and AUC 0.57; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.81, respectively).

Conclusions

Plasma neurofilament levels are raised in ICU-AW and may serve as a biological marker for ICU-AW. However, our study suggests that an early diagnosis of ICU-AW, before muscle strength assessment, is not possible using neurofilament levels in plasma.
New diagnostic strategy for sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation: a prospective single-center observational study
Authors: Ishikura Hiroyasu , Nishida Takeshi , Murai Akira , Nakamura Yoshihiko , Irie Yuhei , Tanaka Junichi , Umemura Takehiro
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Inflammation and coagulation are closely interrelated pathophysiologic processes in the pathogenesis of sepsis. However, the diagnostic criteria of sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) are different. This study aimed to define a biomarker panel to predict sepsis-induced DIC in emergency department patients.

Methods

Eighty-two patients who were admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary university hospital were included in this study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) age >18 years; (2) ≥1 systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria. Patients were excluded if they lacked biomarker data or apparent clinical manifestations. Eleven biomarkers were assayed from blood drawn on ED admission. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis including the area under the ROC and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify an optimal combination of biomarkers to create a diagnostic panel. The derived formula for weighting biomarker values was used to determine the severity of sepsis-induced DIC, which was divided into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. We also investigated the ability of this classification to predict secondary outcome measures of rates of sepsis and DIC, DIC score, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, sequential organ failure score (SOFA) score, and 28-day all-cause mortality.

Results

Among the 11 biomarkers tested, the optimal 2-marker panel comprised presepsin and protein C. The area under the curve for the accuracies of predicting sepsis and DIC from these two biomarkers were 0.913 and 0.880, respectively. When patients were divided according to the severity of sepsis-induced DIC, all secondary outcomes except for mortality were significantly higher depending on the severity (P < .0001). The overall mortality rates of mild, moderate, and severe sepsis-induced DIC were 7.14%, 15.4%, and 28.6%, respectively (P = .0994).

Conclusions

A biomarker panel of presepsin and protein C is predictive of the severity of sepsis-induced DIC in suspected ED patients. These criteria for sepsis-induced DIC are very simple, easy to implement, and can be used in intensive care units as a point-of-care test.
Electrochemical and Mechanical Durability of Cast Membranes and a Reinforced Membrane Based on Sulfonated Poly(arylene ether sulfone) for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: Sim Woo-Jong , Lee Mi-Soon , Choi Young-Woo
Published: January 2014

In this study, the electrochemical and mechanical durabilities of two types of cast membranes and a reinforced composite membrane based on sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) were evaluated by OCV test and wet–dry cycle test. The composite membrane with electrospun microporous polyimide substrates showed higher mechanical stability than the cast membranes. Also, the higher the molecular weight of polymer membrane, the greater the electrochemical stability.
Synthesis of Triphosphatruxene via Sextuple Aromatic Nucleophilic Substitution and Simple Isolation of Stereoisomers
Authors: Kojima Tatsuo , Furukawa Shunsuke , Tsuji Hayato , Nakamura Eiichi
Published: January 2014

The phosphorus analog of truxene, triphosphatruxene, was effectively synthesized by a sextuple aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction with phenylphosphine. The vacuum sublimation process completely converted the mixture of stereoisomers into the thermodynamically unpreferred syn-isomer.
Continual Automatic Generation of Gases on Hydrophobic Transverse Microgrooved Surface
Authors: Wang Bao , Wang Jiadao , Chen Darong
Published: January 2014

A surface with hydrophobic transverse microgrooves was designed and fabricated to achieve the stable entrapped gas within the surface. By successfully entrapping a gas in the designed surface, optical observations in a water tunnel indicated that the gas was generated continually to replace the gas carried off by the flowing water, resulting in a stable gas film at solid–liquid interfaces.
Directed Evolution of Hydrolytic Antibodies in Phage-displayed Combinatorial Libraries
Authors: Tsumuraya Takeshi , Fujii Ikuo
Published: January 2014

This review article describes our strategy for directed evolution of catalytic antibodies in phage-displayed antibody (Fab) libraries. To evolve catalytic antibodies toward higher catalytic activity, we have reconstructed an enzyme-evolutionary process in vitro. Thus, a phage-displayed combinatorial library from a hydrolytic antibody, 6D9, generated by the conventional in vivo method by immunization with transition-state analog (TSA) 5, was screened against a newly devised TSA 7 to optimize the differential affinity for the transition state relative to the ground state. This method provided evolved mutants which exhibited 20-fold higher activity than the parent antibody, 6D9. Structural analysis revealed an advantage of in vitro evolution over in vivo evolution: an induced catalytic residue in the evolved catalytic antibody arises from double mutations in one codon, which rarely occur in somatic hypermutation in the immune response.
Surface arthroplasty in a cerebral palsied patient with hip dysplasia and dislocation
Authors: Rubín Carlos G. , Rubín Pablo G.
Published: January 2014

Hip dysplasia is considered to be an etiological factor in the progress of developmental osteoarthrosis of the hip. In patients with cerebral palsy, hip dislocation plus other anatomical alterations such as acetabular dysplasia, coxa valga, excessive femoral anteversion and muscle imbalance can be factors leading to coxarthrosis and pain. Total hip arthroplasty is a valuable method of treatment in some of these patients. However, sometimes young age, bone anatomy and shape, and the possible lack of stability of conventional designs in the context of big surgeries with multiple muscle releases and possible osteotomies make this arthroplasty a very difficult indication to reproduce as a surgeon. Hip resurfacing is a good option because it preserves as much bone stock as possible, doesn’t need corrective osteotomies and gives the prosthesis improved stability. The main concern about this type of prosthesis is the suspected lower survival rate of the femoral component, compared with regular total hip arthroplasties. We present a cerebral palsied patient with hip dysplasia who underwent resurfacing surgery. At a follow up one year after surgery, the patient was pain free, had recovered his motion and functionality, and was able to walk.
Constructing method related to technical drawing of sphere surface with overlay of sphere’s own and falling shadows
Authors: Никифоров  , Nikiforov V. , Мальцева  , Maltseva Ekaterina
Published: January 2014

A graphical method related to constructing of sphere’s

own and falling shadows on the sphere surface is offered. A limit

of sphere’s own shadow is constructed as an ellipse, whose dimen -

sions and location depend on a flow of light parallel rays and their

secondary projections. For creation of a falling shadow the projection

of sphere’s axonometric sketch on a plane of horizontally

located equator is used. Then, using affine (related) transformations,

secondary projections of any points of own shadow contour on a

basic surface are defined.
«Engineering geometric-graphy» with elements of computerization (methodology, curriculum)
Authors: Борисова  , Borisova A. , Степура  , Stepura Ekaterina , Полежаев  , Polezhaev Yu.
Published: January 2014

The continuous pedagogical experiment in the framework

of scientific research and didactic developments on optimization

program related to the study of complex consisting of geometry, graph and their engineering applications is realized in MGSU

during 30 years. This program with the traditional name of «descriptive

geometry, engineering graphics» is well corresponding by its

content to «Engineering geometric-graphy» with computer technology

elements. This program meets two fundamental problems of

pedagogy methodology: course theory elements perfection and

considerations of material and technical means related to its realization

in the area of practical applications. The program of the

course «Engineering geometric-graphy» with computerization elements

is presented in this paper.
Educational Support of Gifted Students in Innovative Education Conditions
Authors: Фокина  , Fokina Nina , Бощенко  , Boshchenko Tatyana
Published: January 2014

A program related to educational support of gifted

students’ activity is presented. Its educational objective and results

related to mastering of various competences by participants have

been revealed. The main criteria related to efficiency of educational

support process which enable the student for optimum entry

into innovative activity are defined. A content of program with

structure and thematic plan is presented. Stages of main actions

for program implementation in relation to conditions of students

training for academic competition have been covered. Data of the

necessary directions in research have been obtained. Work is focused

on further search for effective methodical systems related to gifted

students training in computer graphics