bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heat Transfer and Entropy Generation Analyses of Forced Convection Through Porous Media Using Pore Scale Modeling
Authors: Torabi Mehrdad , Torabi Mohsen , Peterson G. P.
Published: July 2016

The objective of the current investigation is to investigate the entropy generation inside porous media utilizing a pore scale modeling approach. The current investigation improves the thermodynamics performance of the recent analysis (Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 2016, 99, pp. 303–316) by considering different cross-sectional configurations and analyzing the thermal system for various Reynolds numbers, porosities, and a comparison between the previous and current investigation. The Nusselt number, the dimensionless volume-averaged entropy generation rate, Bejan number, and performance evaluation criterion (PEC) are all presented and discussed. The dimensionless volume-averaged entropy generation rate was found to increase with increasing Reynolds number, with the increase being higher for lower porosity medium. A slight variation of the dimensionless volume-averaged entropy generation rate is observed for higher Reynolds numbers which is confirmed for both cross-sectional configurations. Examination of the Bejan number demonstrates heat transfer irreversibility (HTI) dominance for most of the Reynolds number ranges examined. The results indicate that the longitudinal elliptical cross-sectional configuration with porosity equals to 0.53 provides superior performance when applying the performance evaluation criterion utilized.
Numerical Research on Tribological Performance of Textured Liner Surface Under Different Combustion Modes
Authors: Yin Bifeng , Sun Shao , Wang Bowen , Qian Yanqiang
Published: July 2016

With the increasingly stringent requirements on energy saving and environmental-friendly for internal combustion (IC) engine, new concepts like novel combustion mode and surface texturing technology have emerged. In order to have deep understanding about the application effects of surface texturing into IC engine with new combustion mode, a mixed lubrication calculation model considering surface textures on cylinder liner together with different combustion modes has been built in the present work based on a four-cylinder diesel engine. The numerical research was conducted on the change of the surface tribological performance of textured cylinder liner under different combustion modes. The simulation results indicate that compared with the conventional combustion (CC) mode, the combustion phase of premixed charge combustion ignition (PCCI) mode and retarded injection (RI) mode varies and their in-cylinder peak pressure is different at the beginning of power stroke due to different injection strategies applied, which lead to significant differences between piston ring radial working loads. Near TDC, the mixed lubrication duration of PCCI and RI mode increases slightly in comparison to that of CC mode, and these three boundary lubrication durations are almost same. However, the thickness of lubricant film between friction pair of three modes is quite different, resulting in their different tribological properties. Among these parameters, the dimensionless total friction force (DTFF) and the dimensionless friction work of PCCI mode increase by 82.37% and 18.41% at most, respectively, while those of RI mode decrease by 36.50% and 12.45% at most, respectively, compared with the same parameters of CC mode. Therefore, the variations in tribological property of the textured cylinder liner–piston ring (CLPR) with different combustion modes should not be ignored.
Influence of Honeycomb Rubbing on the Labyrinth Seal Performance
Authors: Frączek Daniel , Wróblewski Włodzimierz , Bochon Krzysztof
Published: July 2016

The aircraft engine operates in various conditions. In consequence, the design of seals must take account of the seal clearance changes and the risk of rubbing. A small radial clearance of the rotor tip seal leads to the honeycomb rubbing in take-off conditions, and the leakage flow may increase in cruise conditions. The aim of this study is to compare two honeycomb seal configurations of the low-pressure gas turbine rotor. In the first configuration, the clearance is small and rubbing occurs. In the second,—the fins of the seal are shorter to eliminate rubbing. It is assumed that the real clearance in both configurations is the same. A study of the honeycomb geometrical model is performed to reduce the computational effort. The problem is investigated numerically using the RANS equations and the two-equation k–ω SST turbulence model. The honeycomb full structure is taken into consideration to show details of the fluid flow. Main parameters of the clearance and leakage flows are compared and discussed for the rotor different axial positions. An assessment of the leakage flow through the seal variants could support the design process.
Reduced efficiency droop of nonpolar a-plane (11-20) GaN-based light-emitting diodes by vertical injection geometry
Authors: Park Min Joo , Oh Seung Kyu , Jeong Tak , Jung Sukkoo , Kwak Joon Seop
Published: July 2016

Vertical nonpolar a-plane (11-20) InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been demonstrated by using laser lift-off technique. The forward voltage of the a-plane vertical LEDs was 4.3 V at 350 mA, which was reduced by 0.8 V compared to that of the a-plane lateral LEDs. The vertical geometry of the a-plane LEDs produced the higher quantum efficiency with a low efficiency droop and also enhanced the output power by more than 40%, when compared to those of a-plane lateral LEDs. These results can be attributed to the high thermal dissipation as well as uniform current spreading of the vertical geometry of the a-plane LEDs. Furthermore, elimination of the highly defected GaN nucleation layer after removing the sapphire substrates during the fabrication process can also enhance current injection efficiency, followed by the increase in the output power.
Active School Lesson Breaks Increase Daily Vigorous Physical Activity, but Not Daily Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Elementary School Boys
Authors: Wilson Andrew N. , Olds Timothy , Lushington Kurt , Parvazian Somayeh , Dollman James
Published: July 2016

Purpose:

Brief classroom-based episodes of physical activity (active lesson breaks, ALBs) have improved schoolchildren’s classroom behaviors in some studies, and may also increase the likelihood of children meeting the recommended daily minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, there is emerging evidence that increases in physical activity at particular times of the day may lead to compensatory declines at other times. This study explored evidence for compensatory declines in response to a 10 min ALB during the school day.

Method:

Thirty-eight 12-year-old boys from a single elementary school completed intervention and control conditions in a cross-over design, with each phase lasting one week. The intervention consisted of a single 10-min active lesson break delivered on each of three days in the intervention week. Twenty-four hour accelerometry was used to quantify moderate and vigorous physical activity.

Results:

ALBs increased in-school MVPA by 5.8 min (p < .0001), but overall daily MVPA was similar between intervention and control conditions (77.2 vs 77.4 min/d, p > .05), However, vigorous physical activity increased significantly over the whole day (11.2 vs 8.9 min, p = .0006).

Conclusion:

A brief episode of classroom-based play led to a modest increase in vigorous physical activity in elementary school students, but did not increase MVPA across the day.
Paradoxical cerebral air embolism causing large vessel occlusion treated with endovascular aspiration
Authors: Belton Patrick J , Nanda Ashish , Alqadri Syeda L , Khakh Gurpreet S , Chandrasekaran Premkumar Nattanmai , Newey Christopher , Humphries William E
Published: July 2016

Cerebral air embolism is a dreaded complication of invasive medical procedures. The mainstay of therapy for patients with cerebral air embolism has been hyperbaric oxygen therapy, high flow oxygen therapy, and anticonvulsants. We present a novel therapeutic approach for treatment of cerebral air embolism causing large vessel occlusion, using endovascular aspiration. Our patient developed a cerebral air embolism following sclerotherapy for varicose veins. This caused near total occlusion of the superior division of the M2 segment of the right middle cerebral artery. Symptoms included unilateral paralysis, unintelligible speech, and hemianopia; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on presentation was 16. The air embolism was treated using a distal aspiration technique. Angiography following aspiration showed Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2B reperfusion. Following aspiration, the patient was re-examined; NIHSS at that time was 4. At 1 month follow-up, the modified Rankin Scale score was 1 and NIHSS was 1. Treatment of cerebral air embolism is discussed.
Resolution of lung adenocarcinoma after discontinuation of ibrutinib
Authors: Khashab Tamer , Loghavi Sanam , Konoplev Sergej N , Samaniego Felipe
Published: July 2016

The new capability to generate mimicking chemical analogues and perform mass screenings of candidate drugs has been tested on B-cell receptor signalling, a driver of B-cell malignancies. These efforts have identified ibrutinib as a potent inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase. As the clinical use of ibrutinib increases, continued vigilant monitoring for rare adverse events is prudent, including the development of secondary malignancies. To date, the most common reported secondary malignancy is non-melanoma skin cancer; however, we present a case of secondary primary lung adenocarcinoma becoming clinically apparent shortly after initiating therapy with ibrutinib. Our patient had a sudden regression of the tumour with discontinuance of ibrutinib, and based on our understanding of paradoxical tumour growth caused by tyrosine kinase inhibitors it is our hypothesis that the complex multikinase activity of ibrutinib may stimulate tumour growth by targeting a subset of protein kinases critical for growth in some cancer cells.
U–Pb zircon geochronology from the Alexander terrane, southeast Alaska: implications for the Greens Creek massive sulphide deposit
Authors: Sack Patrick J. , Berry Ron F. , Gemmell J. Bruce , Meffre Sebastien , West Andrew
Published: July 2016

This paper presents results of a laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – quadrapole mass spectrometer (LA–ICP–QMS) U–Pb dating study of small in situ zircon grains from samples collected in the vicinity of the Greens Creek massive sulphide deposit, on northern Admiralty Island, southeast Alaska. The Greens Creek mine is a volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit in the central portion of the Alexander Triassic metallogenic belt (ATMB) and is one of the top global silver producers despite having a dominantly mafic metavolcanic stratigraphic footwall. The stratigraphic footwall is a Mississippian mafic metavolcanic sequence with a protolith age of approximately 340–330 Ma. The first U–Pb zircon constrained chronostratigraphy for the area places the deposit near, or at, the base of the host Late Triassic stratigraphy just above an approximately 100 million year old unconformity and probably 10–15 million years older than mineralization at the Palmer and Windy Craggy deposits in the northern portion of the ATMB. The stratigraphic location of the Greens Creek deposit is atypical for a syngenetic massive sulphide deposit, and this may, at least partly, explain its unusual metal endowment. Pre-mineralization Permian U–Pb zircon metamorphic ages are consistent with published 273–260 Ma white mica ages related to the collision of the Admiralty and Craig subterranes, the basement to the ATMB. The much older age of the footwall rocks and their Permian pre-mineralization metamorphism demonstrates that though the mafic volcanic rocks are not genetically linked to the deposit, they likely influenced the style of alteration and mineralization.
Permutation Flow Shop Problem with Shortening Job Processing Times
Authors: Wang Zhenyou , Wei Cai-Min , Lu Yuan-Yuan
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we consider a three-machine makespan minimization permutation flow shop scheduling problem with shortening job processing times. Shortening job processing times means that its processing time is a nonincreasing function of its execution start time. Optimal solutions are obtained for some special cases. For the general case, several dominance properties and two lower bounds are developed to construct a branch-and-bound (B&B) algorithm. Furthermore, we propose a heuristic algorithm to overcome the inefficiency of the branch-and-bound algorithm.
An Optimization Strategy for Weighted Extreme Learning Machine based on PSO
Authors: Hu Kai , Zhou Zhaodi , Weng Liguo , Liu Jia , Wang Lihua , Su Yang , Yang Ying
Published: July 2016

Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence concerned with techniques that allow computers to improve their outputs based on previous experiences. Among numerous machine learning algorithms, Weighted Extreme Learning Machine (WELM) is one of the famous cases recently. It not only has Extreme Learning Machine (ELM)’s extremely fast training speed and better generalization performance than traditional Neuron Network (NN), but also has the merit in handling imbalance data by assigning more weight to minority class and less weight to majority class. But it still has the limitation of its weight generated according to class distribution of training data, thereby, creating dependency on input data [R. Sharma and A. S. Bist, Genetic algorithm based weighted extreme learning machine for binary imbalance learning, 2015 Int. Conf. Cognitive Computing and Information Processing (CCIP) (IEEE, 2015), pp. 1–6; N. Koutsouleris, Classification/machine learning approaches, Annu. Rev. Clin. Psychol. 13(1) (2016); G. Dudek, Extreme learning machine for function approximation–interval problem of input weights and biases, 2015 IEEE 2nd Int. Conf. Cybernetics (CYBCONF) (IEEE, 2015), pp. 62–67; N. Zhang, Y. Qu and A. Deng, Evolutionary extreme learning machine based weighted nearest-neighbor equality classification, 2015 7th Int. Conf. Intelligent Human-Machine Systems and Cybernetics (IHMSC), Vol. 2 (IEEE, 2015), pp. 274–279]. This leads to the lack of finding optimal weight at which good generalization performance could be achieved [R. Sharma and A. S. Bist, Genetic algorithm based weighted extreme learning machine for binary imbalance learning, 2015 Int. Conf. Cognitive Computing and Information Processing (CCIP) (IEEE, 2015), pp. 1–6; N. Koutsouleris, Classification/machine learning approaches, Annu. Rev. Clin. Psychol. 13(1) (2016); G. Dudek, Extreme learning machine for function approximation–interval problem of input weights and biases, 2015 IEEE 2nd Int. Conf. Cybernetics (CYBCONF) (IEEE, 2015), pp. 62–67; N. Zhang, Y. Qu and A. Deng, Evolutionary extreme learning machine based weighted nearest-neighbor equality classification, 2015 7th Int. Conf. Intelligent Human-Machine Systems and Cybernetics (IHMSC), Vol. 2 (IEEE, 2015), pp. 274–279]. To solve it, a hybrid algorithm which composed by WELM algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is proposed. Firstly, it distributes the weight according to the number of different samples, determines weighted method; Then, it combines the ELM model and the weighted method to establish WELM model; finally it utilizes PSO to optimize WELM’s three parameters (input weight, bias, the weight of imbalanced training data). Experiment data from both prediction and recognition show that it has better performance than classical WELM algorithms.
Symbol length of p-algebras of prime exponent
Authors: Chapman Adam
Published: July 2016

We prove that if the maximal dimension of an anisotropic homogeneous polynomial form of prime degree [Formula: see text] over a field [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] is a finite integer [Formula: see text] greater than 1 then the symbol length of [Formula: see text]-algebras of exponent [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text] is bounded from above by [Formula: see text], and show that every two tensor products of symbol algebras of lengths [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] can be modified so that they share a common slot. For [Formula: see text], we obtain an upper bound of [Formula: see text] for the symbol length, which is sharp when [Formula: see text].
Attapulgite Nanofiber-Cellulose Nanocomposite with Core-Shell Structure for Dye Adsorption
Authors: Chen Xiaoyu , Song Xiaoxue , Sun Yihe
Published: July 2016

Nanocomposite particle used for adsorption has attracted continuous attention because of large specific surface area and adjustable properties from nanocomponent. Herein nanocomposite particle with cellulose core and attapulgite nanofibers shell was prepared. The size of cellulose core was about 2 mm and the thickness of nanofibers shell is about 300 μm. Adsorption capacity of nanocomposite particle to methylene blue can reach up to 11.07 mg L−1and the best adsorption effect occurs at pH = 8; pseudo-first-order equation and the Langmuir equation best describe the adsorption kinetic and isotherm, respectively; repeated adsorption-desorption experimental results show that 94.64% of the original adsorption capacity can be retained after being reused three times.
Methods to Analyze Flexural Buckling of the Consequent Slabbed Rock Slope under Top Loading
Authors: Liu Hongyan , Wang Guihe , Huang Feng
Published: July 2016

The consequent slabbed rock slope is prone to flexural buckling failure under its self-weight and top loading. However, nearly none of the existing studies consider the effect of the top loading on the slope flexural critical buckling height (CBH). Therefore, on the basis of Euler’s Method and the flexural buckling failure mode of the consequent slabbed rock slope, the calculation method of the CBH of the vertical slabbed rock slope under the self-weight is firstly proposed, and then it is extended to that of the consequent slabbed rock slope. The effect of slope dip angle, friction angle, and cohesion between the neighboring rock slabs and rock elastic modulus on the slope CBH is discussed. Secondly, the calculation method of the CBH of the consequent slabbed rock slope under its self-weight and top loading is proposed according to the superposition principle. Finally, on the basis of the hypothesis that the rock mechanical behavior obeys the statistical damage model, the effect of the rock mechanical parametersnandε0on the slope CBH is studied. The results show that the rock strength has much effect on the slope CBH. If the rock is supposed to be a linear elastic body without failure in Euler’s Method, the result from it is the maximum of the slope CBH.
An Overview of Nanomaterials for Water and Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Lu Haijiao , Wang Jingkang , Stoller Marco , Wang Ting , Bao Ying , Hao Hongxun
Published: July 2016

Due to the exceptional characteristics which resulted from nanoscale size, such as improved catalysis and adsorption properties as well as high reactivity, nanomaterials have been the subject of active research and development worldwide in recent years. Numerous studies have shown that nanomaterials can effectively remove various pollutants in water and thus have been successfully applied in water and wastewater treatment. In this paper, the most extensively studied nanomaterials, zero-valent metal nanoparticles (Ag, Fe, and Zn), metal oxide nanoparticles (TiO2, ZnO, and iron oxides), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and nanocomposites are discussed and highlighted in detail. Besides, future aspects of nanomaterials in water and wastewater treatment are discussed.
Mystixin-7 Peptide Protects Ionotropic Glutamatergic Mechanisms against Glutamate-Induced ExcitotoxicityIn Vitro
Authors: Mokrushin Anatoly A.
Published: July 2016

Hyperactivation of theN-methyl-D-aspartic acid type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) causes glutamate excitotoxicity, a process potentially important for many neurological diseases. This study aims to investigate protective effects of the synthetic corticotrophin-releasing factor-like peptide, mystixin-7 (MTX), on model glutamate-induced excitotoxicityin vitro. The technique online monitoring of electrophysiological parameters (excitatory glutamatergic alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic (AMPAR) and NMDAR-dependent postsynaptic mechanisms) in the olfactory cortex slices was used. Application ofL-glutamate in toxic concentration (20 mM) on slices evoked hyperactivation of NMDARs and weaker activation of the AMPARs. Upon further action agonist, the excessive activation of glutamate receptors was replaced by their irreversible blockade. Pretreatment of the slices using MTX in different concentrations (50 and 100 mg/mL) protected both NMDARs and AMPARs from glutamate-induced damage. An enzymatic treatment of MTX reduced hyperactivation of both NMDARs and AMPARs. The present study demonstrated that MTX minipeptide protected the functioning of both NMDARs and AMPARs against glutamate-induced damage. The MTX peptide is a prospective candidate for elaborated medication in treatment of neurological diseases.
Importance of Quality of Life for Adherence to Sublingual Immunotherapy
Authors: Lemberg Marie-Luise , Eberle Peter , Shah-Hosseini Kija
Published: July 2016

Background.Nonperception of efficacy ranks among the most commonly cited causes for nonadherence to sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Quality of life (QoL) in patients is a determining factor influencing adherence. We investigated QoL and adherence separately in SLIT patients at one pediatric practice in Germany.Methods.We conducted a noninterventional, cross-sectional, retrospective, quality-of-life survey among pediatric patients treated with SLIT. QoL was assessed using the generic SF-12 health survey in German. The items contained in the SF-12 health survey are weighted, added up, and converted to obtain a physical component score (PCS) and a mental component score (MCS). Each component score ranges from 0 to 100; the higher the score, the better the QoL perceived.Results. 201 surveyed patients who had undergone SLIT showed PCS-12 of 49.3 (± 7.0) and MCS-12 of 52.6 (± 7.2). These figures correlate strongly with those reported for the German general population(n=2453): PCS-12 of 49.6 (± 8.7) and MCS-12 of 52.3 (± 8.0). 70.2% (73) of 104 patients were adherent at this practice.Conclusions. QoL in the SLIT patients surveyed here appears as good as that of the general population. Adherence to SLIT at this practice was remarkably better than that reported elsewhere.
A Two-Stage Assembly-Type Flowshop Scheduling Problem for Minimizing Total Tardiness
Authors: Lee Ju-Yong , Bang June-Young
Published: July 2016

This research considers a two-stage assembly-type flowshop scheduling problem with the objective of minimizing the total tardiness. The first stage consists of two independent machines, and the second stage consists of a single machine. Two types of components are fabricated in the first stage, and then they are assembled in the second stage. Dominance properties and lower bounds are developed, and a branch and bound algorithm is presented that uses these properties and lower bounds as well as an upper bound obtained from a heuristic algorithm. The algorithm performance is evaluated using a series of computational experiments on randomly generated instances and the results are reported.
Zirconium-Doped Fungal Sorbents: Preparation, Characterization, Adsorption Isotherm, and Kinetic and Mathematical Modelling Study for Removal of Fluoride
Authors: Hiremath Poornima G. , Theodore Thomas
Published: July 2016

The present study involves usage of more efficient and eco-friendly zirconium-doped, fluoride-resistant fungal biosorbents for removal of excess fluoride from groundwater. It was observed that >94% fluoride removal was possible at optimal conditions for the four fungal species studied. The adsorption isotherm studies indicated that zirconium-doped Aspergillus ficuum SIT-CH-2, Aspergillus terreus SIT-CH-3, and Aspergillus flavipes SIT-CH-4 were best described by Freundlich isotherm and zirconium-doped Penicillium camemberti SIT-CH-1 fitted well with Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation. The pseudo-second-order kinetics model showed the best fit for all of the four zirconium-doped fungal species for the fluoride biosorption.
The Static and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Magnetorheological Silly Putty
Authors: Guo Fei , Du Cheng-bin , Yu Guo-jun , Li Run-pu
Published: July 2016

A novel magnetorheological material defined as magnetorheological Silly Putty (MRSP) is prepared by dispersing soft magnetic particles into Silly Putty matrix with shear stiffening property. Static mechanical properties including creep and stress relaxation and dynamic rheological properties of MRSPs are tested by rheometer. The experimental results indicate that the external magnetic field exerts significant influence on the creep and relaxation behaviors. Moreover, the storage modulus of MRSPs increases sharply in response to the external stimuli of increasing angular frequency automatically and can be enhanced by external magnetic field. Besides, temperature plays a key role in shear stiffening and magnetorheological effect of MRSPs. Furthermore, considering the obstruction to the particle chains formation induced by Silly Putty matrix, a nonperforative particle aggregated chains model is proposed. The model curve is in consistency with experimental data, which means it can describe magnetoinduced behavior of MRSPs well.
Altered Cerebellar Circuitry following Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury in Adult Rats
Authors: Visavadiya Nishant P. , Springer Joe E.
Published: July 2016

Cerebellar function is critical for coordinating movement and motor learning. However, events occurring in the cerebellum following spinal cord injury (SCI) have not been investigated in detail. We provide evidence of SCI-induced cerebellar synaptic changes involving a loss of granule cell parallel fiber input to distal regions of the Purkinje cell dendritic tree. This is accompanied by an apparent increase in synaptic contacts to Purkinje cell proximal dendrites, presumably from climbing fibers originating in the inferior olive. We also observed an early stage injury-induced decrease in the levels of cerebellin-1, a synaptic organizing molecule that is critical for establishing and maintaining parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synaptic integrity. Interestingly, this transsynaptic reorganizational pattern is consistent with that reported during development and in certain transgenic mouse models. To our knowledge, such a reorganizational event has not been described in response to SCI in adult rats. Regardless, the novel results of this study are important for understanding SCI-induced synaptic changes in the cerebellum, which may prove critical for strategies focusing on promoting functional recovery.
Impact of the Type of Continuous Insulin Administration on Metabolism in a Diabetic Rat Model
Authors: Schaschkow A. , Mura C. , Dal S. , Langlois A. , Seyfritz E. , Sookhareea C. , Bietiger W. , Peronet C. , Jeandidier N. , Pinget M. , Sigrist S. , Maillard E.
Published: July 2016

Exogenous insulin is the only treatment available for type 1 diabetic patients and is mostly administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection in a basal and bolus scheme using insulin pens (injection) or pumps (preimplanted SC catheter). Some divergence exists between these two modes of administration, since pumps provide better glycaemic control compared to injections in humans. The aim of this study was to compare the impacts of two modes of insulin administration (single injections of long-acting insulin or pump delivery of rapid-acting insulin) at the same dosage (4 IU/200 g/day) on rat metabolism and tissues. The rat weight and blood glucose levels were measured periodically after treatment. Immunostaining for signs of oxidative stress and for macrophages was performed on the liver and omental tissues. The continuous insulin delivery by pumps restored normoglycaemia, which induced the reduction of both reactive oxygen species and macrophage infiltration into the liver and omentum. Injections controlled the glucose levels for only a short period of time and therefore tissue stress and inflammation were elevated. In conclusion, the insulin administration mode has a crucial impact on rat metabolic parameters, which has to be taken into account when studies are designed.
Diversification of Antitumour Immunity in a Patient with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Ipilimumab and an IDO-Silenced Dendritic Cell Vaccine
Authors: Sioud Mouldy , Nyakas Marta , Sæbøe-Larssen Stein , Mobergslien Anne , Aamdal Steinar , Kvalheim Gunnar
Published: July 2016

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression in dendritic cells (DCs) inhibits T-cell activation and promotes T-cell differentiation into regulatory T-cells. Moreover, IDO expression promotes resistance to immunotherapies targeting immune checkpoints such as the cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4). Here, a patient with metastatic melanoma pretreated with ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA-4 blocking antibody, was vaccinated with IDO-silenced DCs cotransfected with mRNA for survivin or hTERT tumour antigens. During vaccination, T-cell responses to survivin and hTERT tumour antigens were generated, and a certain degree of clinical benefit was achieved, with a significant reduction in lung, liver, and skin metastases, along with a better performance status. T-cell responses against MART-1 and NY-ESO-1 tumour antigens were also detected in the peripheral blood. The patient also mounted an antibody response to several melanoma proteins, indicating diversification of the antitumour immunity in this patient. The identification of such serum antibody-reacting proteins could facilitate the discovery of tumour neoantigens.
Lokale Anwendung von Honig nach Operationen
Authors: Stücker Markus
Published: July 2016

Hintergrund: Honig besitzt antimikrobielle und entzündungshemmende Eigenschaften, die die Wundheilung beschleunigen. Somit könnte der Einsatz von Honig auch zur Beschleunigung des Heilungsprozesses nach chirurgischen Eingriffen nützlich sein. Wir führten eine randomisierte kontrollierte Studie durch, in der die Auswirkung eines Honigverbands auf das ästhetische Ergebnis mit der einer herkömmlichen Binde verglichen wurde. Patienten und Methoden: Beidseitig symmetrische chirurgische Schnittwunden bei zufällig ausgewählten Patienten wurden postoperativ fünf Tage lang je mit einem herkömmlichen Verband und einem Honigverband behandelt. Das ästhetische Ergebnis wurde von den Patienten und den Chirurgen auf einer visuellen Analogskala (VAS) beurteilt und jeweils 3 und 6 Monate nach dem Eingriff miteinander verglichen. Ergebnisse: Zweiundsiebzig symmetrische Schnittwunden bei 52 Patienten wurden in die Studie einbezogen. Drei und sechs Monate nach Eingriff betrug die mittlere Breite der Wunden 3,64 +/- 0,83 mm und 3,49 +/- 0,87 in der Gruppe, die mit einem Honigverband behandelt wurde, und 5,43 +/- mm sowie 5,30 +/- 1,35 mm in der Kontrollgruppe. Auch der Wilcoxon-Vorzeichen-Rang-Test ergab signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Ergebnissen unter Anwendung eines Honigverbands und der herkömmlichen Behandlung (p < 0,001). Schlussfolgerung: Der Wundheilungsprozess nach chirurgischen Eingriffen sowie das ästhetische Ergebnis könnten durch die Anwendung von Honigverbänden verbessert werden. Übersetzung aus Forsch Komplementmed 2016;23:12-15 (DOI:10.1159/000441994)
Galactose-α-1,3-Galactose-Allergie ist keine bisher unerkannte Ursache chronischer spontaner Urtikaria
Authors: Mahler Vera
Published: July 2016

Hintergrund: Die durch Zeckenbisse induzierte Bildung von Galactose-α-1,3-Galactose-(α-Gal-)IgE und der nachfolgende Verzehr von rotem Fleisch können verzögert schwere allergische Reaktionen auslösen, einschließlich Urtikaria, gastrointestinaler Beschwerden und Anaphylaxie. Wir prüften hier die Hypothese, dass eine erhöhte Konzentration von IgE gegen α-Gal infolge von Zeckenbissen und nachfolgender Verzehr von rotem Fleisch oder Fleischprodukten eine nicht oder nicht ausreichend erkannte Ursache für chronische spontane Urtikaria (csU) sein könnte. Methoden: Wir bestimmten die Konzentration von IgE gegen α-Gal und Gesamt-IgE (ImmunoCAP, Phadia AB/Thermo Fisher Scientific) bei 83 Patienten (61 weibliche und 22 männliche; Altersmedian 43 Jahre, Spannweite 18-82 Jahre) an der Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie der Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin. Bei allen bestand die klinische Diagnose einer mittel- bis hochgradigen csU; die Krankheitsdauer betrug im Median 2,9 Jahre (Spannweite 0,1-50). Ergebnisse: Bei 80 der 83 Patienten (96%) war kein IgE gegen α-Gal im Serum nachweisbar (< 0,1 kUA/l). Bei den anderen 3 Patienten war die Konzentration niedrig (0,25, 0,4 und 3,1 kUA/l). Bei keinem Patienten, auch nicht bei denjenigen mit IgE gegen α-Gal in nachweisbarer Serumkonzentration, war der Verzehr von rotem Fleisch mit dem Auftreten von Urtikaria-Symptomen assoziiert. Schlussfolgerung: Unsere Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass eine allergische Reaktion auf α-Gal als bisher unerkannte Ursache von csU äußerst unwahrscheinlich ist. Übersetzung aus Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2015;167:250-252 (DOI:10.1159/000440653)
UV-Lichtexposition und Schutzverhalten
Authors: Schilling Bastian
Published: July 2016

Hintergrund: Die Exposition gegenüber solarer ultravioletter (UV-)Strahlung ist ein bekannter und teils kontrollierbarer Risikofaktor für die Entstehung von Hautkrebs. Ziel: Untersuchung der UV-Lichtexposition und des Schutzverhaltens der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Methoden: Befragung durch strukturierte Interviews. Ergebnisse: Wir rekrutierten eine zufällig ausgewählte Stichprobe von 865 Freiwilligen aus der Kohorte der EDEN (European Dermato-Epidemiology Network) Fragrance Study. Der individuelle Hauttyp hatte keinen Einfluss auf das Verhalten im Berufs- oder Privatleben. Der Anteil der Personen, die regelmäßig Sonnenschutz verwendeten, war in der höchsten Altersgruppe am niedrigsten; zugleich ist dort das Hautkrebsrisiko am höchsten. Frauen verwendeten signifikant häufiger Sonnenschutz als Männer und ließen ihre Pigmentflecke eher vom Facharzt kontrollieren. Schlussfolgerungen: Unsere Studie belegt den Aufklärungsbedarf in der Öffentlichkeit in Bezug auf die Risikofaktoren für Hautkrebs und die Bedeutung von Schutzmaßnahmen. Die Subpopulation der Männer höheren Alters stellt eine relevante Zielgruppe für öffentliche Aufklärungskampagnen zu Hautkrebs und Risikovermeidung dar. Übersetzung aus Dermatology 2016;232:11-16 (DOI:10.1159/000440698)
Sind TNF-α-Hemmer eine sichere Option zur Behandlung von Psoriasis bei Patienten mit Hepatitis-C-Virus-Infektion und fortgeschrittener Lebererkrankung? Fallberichte und Literaturübersicht
Authors: Di Nuzzo Sergio , Boccaletti Valeria , Fantini Carolina , Cortelazzi Chiara , Missale Gabriele , Fabrizi Giuseppe , Lotti Torello , Hercogová Jana , Pagliarello Calogero
Published: July 2016

Inhibitoren des Tumornekrosefaktor alpha (TNF-α-Hemmer) stellen eine wirksame Therapieoption zur Behandlung schwerer Psoriasis bei Hepatitis-C-Virus (HCV)-positiven Patienten dar. In der Literatur wird vorwiegend über die Kurzzeitbehandlung von Patienten mit chronischer Hepatitis von minimaler bis moderater Aktivität berichtet; bei akzeptablem Sicherheitsprofil. Wir berichten über die ersten beiden Fälle der Entstehung eines hepatozellulärem Karzinoms (HCC) bei HCV-positiven Psoriasis-Patienten mit fortgeschrittener Lebererkrankung während einer Langzeitbehandlung mit Etanercept. Beim ersten Patienten war die HCV-Infektion seit 41 Jahren bekannt; er entwickelte nach 21-monatiger Behandlung mit Etanercept (50 mg/Woche) ein HCC. Der zweite Patient war seit 20 Jahren HCV-positiv, wurde 58 Monate lang mit demselben Therapieschema behandelt und schließlich HCC-diagnostiziert, und obwohl keine Anzeichen einer Leberfunktionsstörung vorlagen. Beide Patienten hatten sich mit einer Zirrhose vorgestellt, die 9 bzw. 5 Jahre zuvor diagnostiziert worden war. Es bleibt zu klären, ob zwischen der Psoriasis-Behandlung mit einem Tnf-α-Hemmer und der Entwicklung des HCC bei den HCV-infizierten Patienten ein Zusammenhang besteht. Weitere Langzeit-Follow-up-Studien und Register von HCV-Patienten mit leichter/moderater Aktivität könnten zur Klärung dieser Frage beitragen.
Orale Psoriasis: Ein unbeachtetes und rätselhaftes Phänomen
Authors: Fatahzadeh Mahnaz , Schwartz Robert A.
Published: July 2016

Während Psoriasis-Erkrankungen der Haut weit verbreitet sind, wird die Existenz oraler Manifestationsformen in Frage gestellt. Die definitive Diagnose einer oralen Psoriasis kann schwierig sein, da die Erscheinungsbilder vielfältig sind, die klinischen und histologischen Merkmale sich mit denen verschiedener anderer Erkrankungen überschneiden und kein Konsens besteht. Wir geben eine Übersicht zum Thema orale Psoriasis, gehen auf das variable klinische Erscheinungsbild ein und beschreiben die Differenzialdiagnostik und mögliche Behandlungsstrategien.
Neue Strategien in der Prävention der aktinischen Keratose: Eine kritische Literaturanalyse
Authors: Krutmann Jean , Berking Carola , Berneburg Mark , Diepgen Thomas L. , Dirschka Thomas , Szeimies Markus
Published: July 2016

Aktinische Keratose (AK) - epidermale dysplastische Läsionen nach chronischer Exposition gegenüber Sonneneinstrahlung - ist bei Personen mit hellerer Haut sehr verbreitet; die chronische Langzeit-UV-Exposition ist hierbei der Hauptrisikofaktor. Angesichts der Alterung der Bevölkerung ist zu erwarten, dass die Prävalenz der AK weiter steigen wird. AK kann zu nicht-melanomatösem Hautkrebs (NMSC) progredieren und stellt ein relevantes Problem der öffentlichen Gesundheit dar. Sechs führende Dermatologen aus Deutschland mit Spezialisierung auf AK und NMSC kamen zusammen, um über das Wesen der Erkrankung sowie die Präventions- und Behandlungsstrategien zu diskutieren, die dem Dermatologen heute zur Verfügung stehen. Während kosmetische Sonnenschutzmittel einen wesentlichen Bestandteil der Sonnenschutzstrategien darstellen, sind sie nicht ausreichend, wenn bereits Schädigung eingetreten ist. Neu entwickelte Produkte aus der Kategorie der Medizinprodukte bieten auch DNA-reparierende Eigenschaften zusätzlich zum UV-Schutz mit hohem Lichtschutzfaktor. Für die adjuvante Behandlung der AK in verschiedenen Risikostufen wurde ein Algorithmus entwickelt. Für Patienten mit niedrigem bis mittlerem Risiko wird reiner Sonnenschutz empfohlen. Für Patientengruppen mit hohem bis sehr hohem Risiko wird die ganzjährige Anwendung von Medizinprodukten empfohlen, die sehr hohen Lichtschutz mit Korrektur von Lichtschäden (durch DNA-Reparaturenzyme) kombinieren.
Transcriptional Effects of E3 Ligase Nrdp1 on Hypertrophy in Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes by Microarray and Integrated Gene Network Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Su Li , Zhang Kun
Published: July 2016

Objective: Neuregulin receptor degradation protein-1 (Nrdp1) is a novel E3 ubiquitin ligase, and we have previously shown that overexpression of Nrdp1 increased cardiomyocyte injury. However, the role of Nrdp1 in myocardial hypertrophy is unclear. In the present study, we clarified the molecular mechanisms of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy regulated by Nrdp1 based on genome-wide transcriptional analysis. Methods: Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were infected with adenoviruses containing green fluorescent protein (Ad-GFP) or wild-type Nrdp1 (Ad-Nrdp1), and then treated with Ang II for 36 h. Detection of differentially expressed genes was achieved with an Affymetrix Rat Gene 2.0 Array and Cluster and Java TreeView software. Results and Conclusion: Microarray data analysis demonstrated that Nrdp1 overexpression affected the expression of 12,140 mRNA genes in Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, including the upregulation of 12,044 and the downregulation of 96. Gene ontology and globe signal transduction network analysis showed that Nrdp1 affected the expression of many genes related to stimulus response, the cell receptor pathway, and cell growth. Pathway network analysis identified myocardial metabolism, DNA replication, and the cell cycle as the most important pathways targeted by Nrdp1. lncRNA-mRNA coexpression network analysis showed that two core lncRNAs, NONRATT057160 and NONRATT054243, were involved in cardiomyotrophy regulated by Nrdp1 in cardiomyocytes. Taken together, these data provide compelling clues for further exploration of the function of Nrdp1 in heart disease.
Are Mental Disorders Brain Diseases, and What Does This Mean? A Clinical-Neuropsychological Perspective
Authors: Frisch Stefan
Published: July 2016

Neuroscientific research has substantially increased our knowledge about mental disorders in recent years. Along with these benefits, radical postulates have been articulated according to which understanding and treatment of mental disorders should generally be based on biological terms, such as neurons/brain areas, transmitters, genes etc. Proponents of such a ‘biological psychiatry' claim that mental disorders are analogous to neurological disorders and refer to neurology and neuropsychology to corroborate their claims. The present article argues that, from a clinical-neuropsychological perspective, ‘biological psychiatry' is based on a mechanistic, ‘cerebrocentric' framework of brain (dys-)function which has its roots in experimental neuroscience but runs up against narrow limits in clinical neurology and neuropsychology. In fact, understanding and treating neurological disorders generally demands a systems perspective including brain, organism and environment as intrinsically entangled. In this way, ‘biological' characterizes a ‘holistic', nonreductionist level of explanation, according to which the significance of particular mechanisms can only be estimated in the context of the organism (or person). This is evident in the common observation that local brain damage does not just lead to an isolated loss of function, but to multiple attempts of reorganization and readaptation; it initiates new developments. Furthermore, treating brain disorders necessarily includes aspects of individuality and subjectivity, a conclusion that contradicts the purely ‘objectivist', third-person stance put forward by some proponents of biological psychiatry. In sum, understanding and treating brain damage sequelae in the clinical neurosciences demands a biopsychosocial perspective, for both conceptual and historical reasons. The same may hold for psychiatry when adopting a brain-based view on mental disorders. In such a perspective, biological psychiatry seems an interesting project but falls short of its original claims.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective, Single-Center Study of 55 Patients
Authors: Bhandari Rahul P. , Stanford Jason D. , Packianathan Satya , Duggar William N. , Kanakamedala Madhava R. , Zhang Xu , Giri Shankar P. , Kumar Pullatikurthi P. , Harrell Leslie M. , Mangana Sophy H. , Yang Chunli , Vijayakumar Srinivasan
Published: July 2016

Purpose/Objective(s): Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an effective treatment for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are not surgical candidates or who refuse surgical management. In this study, we report on our clinical outcomes and toxicity in the treatment of early-stage NSCLC with SBRT. Methods and Materials: Fifty-five patients with 59 T1-2N0M0 NSCLC lesions were treated at our institution between December 2009 and August 2014. The majority of the patients [38 (69%)] were treated with 50 Gy in 5 fractions, 7 patients (13%) with 48 Gy in 4 fractions, 8 patients (14%) with 60 Gy in 3 fractions, 1 patient (2%) with 62.5 Gy in 10 fractions, and 1 patient (2%) with 54 Gy in 3 fractions. Tumor response was evaluated using RECIST 1.1, and toxicity was graded using the CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version 3.0. The primary endpoints of this retrospective review included rates of overall survival, disease-free and progression-free survival, local failure, regional failure, and distant failure. A secondary endpoint included radiation-related toxicities. Results: The median follow-up was 23.8 months (range 1.1-57.6). The 3-year local control, progression-free survival, and overall survival rates were 91, 55, and 71%, respectively. The median age at diagnosis was 67.9 years (range 51.4-87.1). There were a total of 54 T1N0 tumors (92%) and 5 T2N0 lesions (8%). Adenocarcinoma was the most common pathology, comprising 54% of the lesions. A total of 16 of the patients (29%) failed. Among these, 5 local (9%), 14 regional (25%), and 4 distant failures (7%) were observed. On follow-up, one patient had grade 2 and another had grade 5 pneumonitis. Three patients experienced grade 2 chest wall tenderness. Two patients had grade 1 rib fractures, one of which could not be discerned from radiation-induced toxicity versus a traumatic fall. Conclusion: The University of Mississippi Medical Center SBRT experience has shown that SBRT provides satisfactory local control and overall survival rates with minimal toxicity in early-stage NSCLC patients.
Primo Levi ou da narrativa como Ethos
Authors: Barni Roberta
Published: July 2016

Para as testemunhas do Holocausto a memória é uma questão mais que central. Sobressai-se, nos autores que viveram a shoah em primeira pessoa, um "esquecimento impossível". Em Primo Levi o empenho pela memória - própria e coletiva - assume uma dimensão moral. Quando este empenho civil pela memória desagua na literatura "clara" de Primo Levi, a memória se torna dever ótico; ainda assim, nessas obras se instaura uma relação problemática entre a experiência e a narrativa. Esse artigo procura sondar não apenas a dimensão ética, mas também a dimensão literária das obras de testemunho de Levi.
Breves Considerações sobre o Curso “Práticas de Leitura e Escrita Acadêmicas em Humanidades”
Authors: Marco Valéria De , Sacrini Marcus
Published: July 2016

Apresentamos neste relato nossa proposta de um curso, inicialmente oferecido de modo experimental e em seguida como disciplina optativa, voltado para o treino das capacidades básicas de leitura e escrita acadêmicas. Expomos a concepção geral do curso e acentuamos a importância desse trabalho na formação dos estudantes de graduação.
Northern Territories of the Sasanian Atropatene and the Arab Azerbaijan
Authors: Shahinyan Arsen
Published: July 2016

This paper reviews the administrative and political map of South-Eastern Caucasus and North-Western Iran under the Sasanian (227–651 A.D.), Umayyad (661–750 A.D.), and early ‘Abbasid (750–1258 A.D.) domination based on the Classical Armenian, Arabic and Persian primary sources. It is an attempt to specify and describe the northern territories of Atropatene-Azerbaijan in the 3rd–9th centuries.
Notes on Mountain Cults in Dagestan
Authors: Seferbekov Magomedhabib
Published: July 2016

As a sacral space, mountains in Dagestan are traditionally considered to be the abode of gods and demons. Rainmaking rituals and folk medical procedures are performed on the mountain sites. On the tops of mountains, their slopes and passes there are many buildings transformed later into Muslim places of worship. The paper describes some cases of orolatry among the peoples of Dagestan, based on the relevant sources and personal field materials.
The Term for Muslims in Pahlavi Literature
Authors: Bahrami Askar
Published: July 2016

Until recently, it was a common thought that followers of the Prophet Muhammad never have been mentioned in Middle Persian texts by their real name. The only known use of the term Muslim(s) found at the turn of the century in the 5th book of Dēnkard, has been enriched by two new attestations identified in the Pahlavi texts Nāmagīhā ī Mānūščīhr and Zand-ī Wahman Yasn.