bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RIGID LOW COLLEGE PREMIUMS AND THE EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN TAIWAN
Authors: HUANG LI-HSUAN , HUANG HSIN-YI
Published: June 2015

The rapid expansion of higher education in the late 1980s in Taiwan has resulted in a swift increase in the supply of highly-educated workers in the labor market. This research differs from past studies in that it analyzes the effect of the rapid expansion in higher education in Taiwan with emphasis on the cohort effect, specifically examining the effect of changes both in intra-cohort relative supply and the aggregate relative supply on college returns. Besides, when estimating the aggregate relative supply of college graduates, this study takes into account the substitutability between younger and older educated workers. We present evidence that the expansion policy has significantly depressed college premiums for workers of all ages, but the adverse effect is particularly concentrated among the younger cohorts. Furthermore, we found the elasticity of substitution between college and high school graduates to be 3–4 times higher than in developed countries. We also found the important role played by the demand side, likely linked to technological progress and changes in export structure toward the more technologically intensive. As a consequence, the expansion of higher education and increase in the relative demand for higher-educated workers, along with high elasticity of substitution between college and high school graduates, led to the rigid low college premiums.
Hamiltonian approach to QCD in Coulomb gauge: Perturbative treatment of the quark sector
Authors: Campagnari Davide R. , Reinhardt Hugo
Published: June 2015

We study the static gluon and quark propagator of the Hamiltonian approach to quantum chromodynamics in Coulomb gauge in one-loop Rayleigh–Schrödinger perturbation theory. We show that the results agree with the equal-time limit of the four-dimensional propagators evaluated in the functional integral (Lagrangian) approach.
Stationary bound states of massless scalar fields around black holes and black hole analogues
Authors: Benone Carolina L. , Crispino Luís C. B. , Herdeiro Carlos A. R. , Radu Eugen
Published: June 2015

We discuss stationary bound states, a.k.a. clouds, for a massless test scalar field around Kerr black holes (BHs) and spinning acoustic BH analogues. In view of the absence of a mass term, the trapping is achieved via enclosing the BH — scalar field system in a cavity and imposing Dirichlet or Neumann boundary conditions. We discuss the variation of these bounds states with the discrete parameters that label them, as well as their spatial distribution, complementing results in our previous work [C. L. Benone, L. C. B. Crispino, C. Herdeiro and E. Radu, Phys. Rev. D91 (2015) 104038].
Dynamics of a scalar field, with a double exponential potential, interacting with dark matter
Authors: Gupta Vartika , Kabir Rakesh , Mukherjee Amitabha , Lohiya Daksh
Published: June 2015

We study the interaction between dark matter and dark energy, with dark energy described by a scalar field having a double exponential effective potential. We discover conditions under which such a scalar field driven solution is a late time attractor. We observe a realistic cosmological evolution which consists of sequential stages of dominance of radiation, matter and dark energy, respectively.
Stock Market Illiquidity's Predictive Role Over Economic Growth: The Australian Evidence
Authors: Rai Alan
Published: June 2015

In this paper, I examine the ability of equity market illiquidity to predict Australian macroeconomic variables, between 1976 and 2010. In contrast to existing, U.S.-based, studies, I find that stock market illiquidity does not, on average, have much predictive power over economic growth. Consistent with the weak in-sample predictive power, economic growth forecasts from models that exclude stock illiquidity from the set of explanatory financial variables are statistically no worse than forecasts from models that include illiquidity. However, I find strong evidence that the predictive power of equity market illiquidity is state-contingent, with much higher predictability in states associated with economic and financial stress. The difference between the single-state and regime-switching models' results reflects the fact that, as the nonstressed states have been much more prevalent, parameter estimates from a single-state model averages over both stressed and non-stressed states thus lowering the statistical and economic significance of the estimates.
EFFECT OF INDUCED MAGNETIC FIELD ON BLOOD FLOW THROUGH A CONSTRICTED CHANNEL: AN ANALYTICAL APPROACH
Authors: SHIT G. C. , ROY M.
Published: June 2015

A nonlinear micropolar fluid model is considered with a view to examine the effect of induced magnetic field on blood flow through a constricted channel. We assume that the flow is unidirectional and flowing through a narrow channel, where the Reynolds number is less than unity such as in microvessels. Under the low Reynolds number approximation, the analytical expressions for axial velocity, micro-rotation component, axial pressure gradient, axial induced magnetic field, resistance to flow and wall shear stress have been obtained. The flow characteristic phenomena have been analyzed by taking valid numerical values of the parameters, which are applicable to blood rheology. The present analytical solutions have been compared with the analytical solutions of Hartmann (Hartmann J. Hg-Dynamics-I: Theory of the laminar flow of an electrically conductive liquid in a homogeneous magnetic field, Mathematisk-Fysiske Meddeleser XV:6, 1937) and found excellent agreement. The study shows that with the increasing values of the magnetic field strength decreases the axial velocity at the central line of the channel, while the flow is accelerating in the vicinity of the channel wall. The induced magnetic field has an increasing effect on the micro-rotation component, which in turn produces increasing pressure gradient. The electrical response of the microcirculation increases with the increase in the Hartmann number and the stenosis height. Thus, the resultant flow predictions presented here may be useful for the potential applications in cardiovascular engineering.
Metallic nanoparticles analysis for the blood flow in tapered stenosed arteries: Application in nanomedicines
Authors: Akbar Noreen Sher
Published: June 2015

Blood flow model is recycled to study the influence of magnetic field and nanoparticles in tapered stenosed arteries. The metallic nanoparticles for the blood flow with water as base fluid are not explored so far. The representation for the blood flow is through an axially non-symmetrical but radially symmetric stenosis. Symmetry of the distribution of the wall shearing stress and resistive impedance and their growth with the developing stenosis is another important feature of our analysis. Exact solutions have been evaluated for velocity, resistance impedance, wall shear stress and shearing stress at the stenosis throat. The graphical results of different types of tapered arteries (i.e. converging tapering, diverging tapering, non-tapered artery) have been examined for different parameters of interest for pure water and Copper water ( Cu -water).
Integrated biostratigraphy and chemical stratigraphy in the development of a reservoir-scale stratigraphic framework for the Sea Lion Field area, North Falkland Basin
Authors: Holmes N. , Atkin D. , Mahdi S. , Ayress M.
Published: June 2015

Application of a multidisciplinary stratigraphic approach has significantly improved understanding of the vertical and lateral distribution of reservoir sandstone bodies and associated sediment pathways of the Sea Lion Field in the North Falklands Basin (NFB). Bio- and chemical stratigraphy combine to provide a robust framework capable of providing subseismic resolution to sandstone layering within the lacustrine setting of the basin, as well as highlighting the geochemical link between the timing of sandstone deposition and specific sediment supply points. The Barremian–Aptian mudrocks that host the Sea Lion reservoirs are uniform deep-water, anoxic shales with limited regional, chronostratigraphic resolution. In the absence of marine planktonic groups and with the scarcity of age diagnostic taxa, use has been made of locally correlative bioevents that have provided resolution to characterize and correlate most of the Sea Lion reservoir units or to provide some further subdivision of seismically defined units.

Chemical stratigraphic analysis (X-ray fluorescence (XRF)) initially yielded a highly variable set of data that cross-correlated biostratigraphic and seismic data, indicating that the controls on elemental character were not primarily stratigraphically controlled. An innovative approach to interpretation is described that brings together stratigraphic and geographical geochemical variation, and, by accommodating diachroneity, has resulted in a detailed sequencing of the individual turbidite fan systems, from the perspective of evolving and migrating sediment supply points into the NFB. The use of geochemical data has also provided a basis for the subseismic resolution and subdivisions of sandstone units.
miR-223 reverses experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Meloche Jolyane , Le Guen Marie , Potus François , Vinck Jérôme , Ranchoux Benoit , Johnson Ian , Antigny Fabrice , Tremblay Eve , Breuils-Bonnet Sandra , Perros Frederic , Provencher Steeve , Bonnet Sébastien
Published: June 2015

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease affecting lung vasculature. The pulmonary arteries become occluded due to increased proliferation and suppressed apoptosis of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) within the vascular wall. It was recently shown that DNA damage could trigger this phenotype by upregulating poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1 (PARP-1) expression, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. In silico analyses and studies in cancer demonstrated that microRNA miR-223 targets PARP-1. We thus hypothesized that miR-223 downregulation triggers PARP-1 overexpression, as well as the proliferation/apoptosis imbalance observed in PAH. We provide evidence that miR-223 is downregulated in human PAH lungs, distal PAs, and isolated PASMCs. Furthermore, using a gain and loss of function approach, we showed that increased hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, which is observed in PAH, triggers this decrease in miR-223 expression and subsequent overexpression of PARP-1 allowing PAH-PASMC proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. Finally, we demonstrated that restoring the expression of miR-223 in lungs of rats with monocrotaline-induced PAH reversed established PAH and provided beneficial effects on vascular remodeling, pulmonary resistance, right ventricle hypertrophy, and survival. We provide evidence that miR-223 downregulation in PAH plays an important role in numerous pathways implicated in the disease and restoring its expression is able to reverse PAH.
An impaired neuroimmune pathway promotes the development of hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Mathis Keisa W.
Published: June 2015

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder that affects nearly 2 million people in the United States. The majority of SLE cases occur in women at an age in which the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease is typically low. However, women with SLE have a high prevalence of hypertension for reasons that remain unclear. Because immune cells and chronic inflammation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both hypertension and SLE and because inflammation has been shown to be regulated by the autonomic nervous system, studies investigating neuroimmune mechanisms of hypertension could have direct and significant clinical implications. The purpose of this review is to introduce a recently described neuroimmune pathway and discuss its potential importance in the development of hypertension and renal injury during SLE.
Distinct differences in the responses of the human pancreatic β-cell line EndoC-βH1 and human islets to proinflammatory cytokines
Authors: Oleson Bryndon J. , McGraw Jennifer A. , Broniowska Katarzyna A. , Annamalai Mani , Chen Jing , Bushkofsky Justin R. , Davis Dawn B. , Corbett John A. , Mathews Clayton E.
Published: June 2015

While insulinoma cells have been developed and proven to be extremely useful in studies focused on mechanisms controlling β-cell function and viability, translating findings to human β-cells has proven difficult because of the limited access to human islets and the absence of suitable insulinoma cell lines of human origin. Recently, a human β-cell line, EndoC-βH1, has been derived from human fetal pancreatic buds. The purpose of this study was to determine whether human EndoC-βH1 cells respond to cytokines in a fashion comparable to human islets. Unlike most rodent-derived insulinoma cell lines that respond to cytokines in a manner consistent with rodent islets, EndoC-βH1 cells fail to respond to a combination of cytokines (IL-1, IFN-γ, and TNF) in a manner consistent with human islets. Nitric oxide, produced following inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, is a major mediator of cytokine-induced human islet cell damage. We show that EndoC-βH1 cells fail to express iNOS or produce nitric oxide in response to this combination of cytokines. Inhibitors of iNOS prevent cytokine-induced loss of human islet cell viability; however, they do not prevent cytokine-induced EndoC-βH1 cell death. Stressed human islets or human islets expressing heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) are resistant to cytokines, and, much like stressed human islets, EndoC-βH1 cells express HSP70 under basal conditions. Elevated basal expression of HSP70 in EndoC-βH1 cells is consistent with the lack of iNOS expression in response to cytokine treatment. While expressing HSP70, EndoC-βH1 cells fail to respond to endoplasmic reticulum stress activators, such as thapsigargin. These findings indicate that EndoC-βH1 cells do not faithfully recapitulate the response of human islets to cytokines. Therefore, caution should be exercised when making conclusions regarding the actions of cytokines on human islets when using this human-derived insulinoma cell line.
Podocyte endocytosis in the regulation of the glomerular filtration barrier
Authors: Inoue Kazunori , Ishibe Shuta
Published: June 2015

Severe defects in the glomerular filtration barrier result in nephrotic syndrome, which is characterized by massive proteinuria. The podocyte, a specialized epithelial cell with interdigitating foot processes separated by a slit diaphragm, plays a vital role in regulating the passage of proteins from the capillary lumen to Bowman's space. Recent findings suggest a critical role for endocytosis in podocyte biology as highlighted by genetic mouse models of disease and human genetic mutations that result in the loss of the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. In vitro podocyte studies have also unraveled a plethora of constituents that are differentially internalized to maintain homeostasis. These observations provide a framework and impetus for understanding the precise regulation of podocyte endocytic machinery in both health and disease.
Distinct α-intercalated cell morphology and its modification by acidosis define regions of the collecting duct
Authors: Purkerson Jeffrey M. , Schwaderer Andrew L. , Nakamori Aya , Schwartz George J.
Published: June 2015

During metabolic acidosis, the cortical collecting duct (CCD) of the rabbit reverses the polarity of bicarbonate flux from net secretion to net absorption, and this is accomplished by increasing the proton secretory rate by α-intercalated cells (ICs) and decreasing bicarbonate secretion by β-ICs. To better characterize dynamic changes in H+-secreting α-ICs, we examined their morphology in collecting ducts microdissected from kidneys of normal, acidotic, and recovering rabbits. α-ICs in defined axial regions varied in number and basolateral anion exchanger (AE)1 morphology, which likely reflects their relative activity and function along the collecting duct. Upon transition from CCD to outer medullary collecting duct from the outer stripe to the inner stripe, the number of α-ICs increases from 11.0 ± 1.2 to 15.4 ± 1.11 and to 32.0 ± 1.3 cells/200 μm, respectively. In the CCD, the basolateral structure defined by AE1 typically exhibited a pyramidal or conical shape, whereas in the medulla the morphology was elongated and shallow, resulting in a more rectangular shape. Furthermore, acidosis reversibly induced α-ICs in the CCD to acquire a more rectangular morphology concomitant with a transition from diffusely cytoplasmic to increased basolateral surface distribution of AE1 and apical polarization of B1-V-ATPase. The latter results are consistent with the supposition that morphological adaptation from the pyramidal to rectangular shape reflects a transition toward a more “active” configuration. In addition, α-ICs in the outer medullary collecting duct from the outer stripe exhibited cellular morphology strikingly similar to dendritic cells that may reflect a newly defined ancillary function in immune defense of the kidney.
AT1R blockade in adverse milieus: role of SMRT and corepressor complexes
Authors: Singh Tejinder , Ayasolla Kamesh , Rai Partab , Chandel Nirupama , Haque Shabirul , Lederman Rivka , Husain Mohammad , Vethantham Vasupradha , Chawla Amrita , Vashistha Himanshu , Saleem Moin A. , Ding Guohua , Chander Praveen N. , Malhotra Ashwani , Meggs Leonard G. , Singhal Pravin C.
Published: June 2015

ANG II type 1 receptor blockade (AT1R-BLK) is used extensively to slow down the progression of proteinuric kidney diseases. We hypothesized that AT1R-BLK provides podocyte protection through regulation of silencing mediator of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptor (SMRT) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression under adverse milieus such as high glucose and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Both AT1R-BLK and VDR agonists (VDAs) stimulated VDR complex formation that differed not only in their composition but also in their functionality. AT1R-BLK-induced VDR complexes contained predominantly unliganded VDR, SMRT, and phosphorylated histone deacetylase 3, whereas VDA-VDR complexes were constituted by liganded VDR and CREB-binding protein/p300. AT1R-BLK-induced complexes attenuated podocyte acetyl-histone 3 levels as well as cytochrome P-450 family 24A1 expression, thus indicating their deacetylating and repressive properties. On the other hand, VDA-VDR complexes not only increased podocyte acetyl-histone 3 levels but also enhanced cytochrome P-450 family 24A1 expression, thus suggesting their acetylating and gene activation properties. AT1R-BLK- induced podocyte SMRT inhibited expression of the proapoptotic gene BAX through downregulation of Wip1 and phosphorylation of checkpoint kinase 2 in high-glucose milieu. Since SMRT-depleted podocytes lacked AT1R-BLK-mediated protection against DNA damage, it appears that SMRT is necessary for DNA repairs during AT1R-BLK. We conclude that AT1R-BLK provides podocyte protection in adverse milieus predominantly through SMRT expression and partly through unliganded VDR expression in 1,25(OH)2D-deficient states; on the other hand, AT1R-BLK contributes to liganded VDR expression in 1,25(OH)2D-sufficient states.
Concurrent brain responses to separate auditory and visual targets
Authors: Finoia Paola , Mitchell Daniel J. , Hauk Olaf , Beste Christian , Pizzella Vittorio , Duncan John
Published: June 2015

In the attentional blink, a target event (T1) strongly interferes with perception of a second target (T2) presented within a few hundred milliseconds. Concurrently, the brain's electromagnetic response to the second target is suppressed, especially a late negative-positive EEG complex including the traditional P3 wave. An influential theory proposes that conscious perception requires access to a distributed, frontoparietal global workspace, explaining the attentional blink by strong mutual inhibition between concurrent workspace representations. Often, however, the attentional blink is reduced or eliminated for targets in different sensory modalities, suggesting a limit to such global inhibition. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we confirm that visual and auditory targets produce similar, distributed patterns of frontoparietal activity. In an attentional blink EEG/MEG design, however, an auditory T1 and visual T2 are identified without mutual interference, with largely preserved electromagnetic responses to T2. The results suggest parallel brain responses to target events in different sensory modalities.
Neuroglial Transmission
Authors: Gundersen Vidar , Storm-Mathisen Jon , Bergersen Linda Hildegard
Published: June 2015

Neuroglia, the “glue” that fills the space between neurons in the central nervous system, takes active part in nerve cell signaling. Neuroglial cells, astroglia, oligodendroglia, and microglia, are together about as numerous as neurons in the brain as a whole, and in the cerebral cortex grey matter, but the proportion varies widely among brain regions. Glial volume, however, is less than one-fifth of the tissue volume in grey matter. When stimulated by neurons or other cells, neuroglial cells release gliotransmitters by exocytosis, similar to neurotransmitter release from nerve endings, or by carrier-mediated transport or channel flux through the plasma membrane. Gliotransmitters include the common neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA, the nonstandard amino acid d-serine, the high-energy phosphate ATP, and l-lactate. The latter molecule is a “buffer” between glycolytic and oxidative metabolism as well as a signaling substance recently shown to act on specific lactate receptors in the brain. Complementing neurotransmission at a synapse, neuroglial transmission often implies diffusion of the transmitter over a longer distance and concurs with the concept of volume transmission. Transmission from glia modulates synaptic neurotransmission based on energetic and other local conditions in a volume of tissue surrounding the individual synapse. Neuroglial transmission appears to contribute significantly to brain functions such as memory, as well as to prevalent neuropathologies.
Development of a Multisensor Embedded Intelligent Home Environment Monitoring System Based on Digital Signal Processor and Wi-Fi
Authors: Chen Shang-Liang , Chang Shu-Kai , Chen Yun-Yao
Published: June 2015

Wi-Fi has been widely adopted by families in Taiwan, for it has the advantage of designing family monitoring systems with its wide usage. Therefore, there are many advantages for designing family monitoring systems. Based on our previous research architecture, we implemented a monitoring system for family environments based on Wi-Fi and sensor technologies. Humidity, gas, smoke, and temperature sensors are applied for designing and developing the intelligent home environment monitoring system in this paper. A system prototype is proposed in this research, and the experimental results are discussed. The results showed that the system is workable and remarkable for environment monitoring. The contribution of this is to propose a framework for future home environment monitoring system developers to refer to.
Molecular Chaperones ofLeishmania: Central Players in Many Stress-Related and -Unrelated Physiological Processes
Authors: Requena Jose M. , Montalvo Ana M. , Fraga Jorge
Published: June 2015

Molecular chaperones are key components in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and survival, not only during stress but also under optimal growth conditions. Folding of nascent polypeptides is supported by molecular chaperones, which avoid the formation of aggregates by preventing nonspecific interactions and aid, when necessary, the translocation of proteins to their correct intracellular localization. Furthermore, when proteins are damaged, molecular chaperones may also facilitate their refolding or, in the case of irreparable proteins, their removal by the protein degradation machinery of the cell. During their digenetic lifestyle,Leishmaniaparasites encounter and adapt to harsh environmental conditions, such as nutrient deficiency, hypoxia, oxidative stress, changing pH, and shifts in temperature; all these factors are potential triggers of cellular stress. We summarize here our current knowledge on the main types of molecular chaperones inLeishmaniaand their functions. Among them, heat shock proteins play important roles in adaptation and survival of this parasite against temperature changes associated with its passage from the poikilothermic insect vector to the warm-blooded vertebrate host. The study of structural features and the function of chaperones inLeishmaniabiology is providing opportunities (and challenges) for drug discovery and improving of current treatments against leishmaniasis.
Complete Surgical Resection of a Leiomyosarcoma Arising from the Inferior Vena Cava
Authors: Sonoda Hirofumi , Minamimura Keisuke , Endo Yuhei , Irie Shoichi , Hirata Toru , Kobayashi Takashi , Mafune Ken-ichi , Mori Masaya
Published: June 2015

A 76-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital with chief complaint of right hypochondoralgia. Abdominal ultrasound showed a retroperitoneal tumor in the suprarenal region of the right kidney. Computed tomography revealed an enhanced lobular tumor with irregular, circumscribed, and indistinct border. Ultrasound-guided biopsy was performed. The tumor consisted of spindle-shaped cells with a giant nucleus and multinuclear cells. The diagnosis was leiomyosarcoma by immunohistochemical staining. The patient underwent surgery accessed by a right eighth intercostal thoracoabdominal incision. The tumor was completely resected, accompanied by removal of the posterosuperior segment of the right hepatic lobe, right adrenal gland, and a portion of the inferior vena cava (IVC). The histopathologic diagnosis was leiomyosarcoma arising from the IVC. We present a rare case of a successfully managed leiomyosarcoma of the IVC. This case suggests the importance of curative surgical resection of the tumor due to low efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for leiomyosarcoma.
Formation of Ultrafine‐Grained Ti3Al on a Ti48Al2Cr2Nb Intermetallic Alloy Induced by Pulsed Electron Beam Treatment
Authors: Dong Jiawei , Zhang Kemin , Cai Yang , Zhang Zhimin , Lei Yuan , Zhang Tao
Published: June 2015

The microstructure modifications, phase, and texture formations encountered in a TiAl based Ti48Al2Cr2Nb intermetallic alloy induced by the high current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) treatment were carefully investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) techniques. The initial material contains the majority γ‐TiAl phase and the minority α‐Ti3Al phase. After the HCPEB treatment, the initial α‐Ti3Al was dissolved into the melted layer and the very top surface is covered by ultrafine‐grained α‐Ti3Al phase having thermal stress induced cracks. EBSD analyses showed that α‐Ti3Al phase on the very top surface has a 〈001〉//ND fiber texture and its texture intensity increases with the number of pulses. The superfast thermal stress cycles and the selective evaporation induced by the HCPEB treatment account for the microstructure modifications and formations of ultrafine α‐Ti3Al in the TiAl based intermetallic alloy.
Comparison of Ontological Subscription and Blocking and Rich Site Summary for Blog Posts
Authors: Liu Chi-Lun
Published: June 2015

Information overload and privacy protection become critical issues with blogs. This paper presents the ontological subscription and blocking system (OSBS) using policies, ontologies, and rules to subscribe interesting posts and block unwanted posts. This system also uses rules for automatic conflict detection between polices. The effectiveness of two subscription systems, OSBS and RSS (rich site summary) reader, is compared. The experimental results reveal that the perceived privacy benefits on the novel OSBS are better than the existing RSS reader. The novel OSBS is as good as existing RSS reader from perceived information overload alleviation perspective.
Heat-ProcessedScutellariaeRadix Enhances Anti-Inflammatory Effect against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice via NF-κB Signaling
Authors: Shin Yu Ock , Park Chan Hum , Lee Gyeong-Hwan , Yokozawa Takako , Roh Seong-Soo , Rhee Man Hee
Published: June 2015

The present study was conducted to examine whether heat-processedScutellariaeRadix has an ameliorative effect on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced acute lung injury in mice. The effects ofScutellariaeRadix heat-processed at 160°C (HSR) were compared with those of nonheat-processedScutellariaeRadix (NSR). The LPS-treated group displayed a markedly decreased body weight and significantly increased lung weight; however, the administration of NSR or HSR improved both the body and lung weights. The increased oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarker levels in the serum and lung were reduced significantly with HSR. The reduced superoxide dismutase and catalase increased significantly by both NSR and HSR. Also, the dysregulated oxidative stress and inflammation were significantly ameliorated by NSR and HSR. The expression of inflammatory mediators and cytokines by nuclear factor-kappa B activation was modulated through inhibition of a nuclear factor kappa Bαdegradation. Also, lung histological change was markedly suppressed by HSR rather than NSR. Overall, the ameliorative effects of HSR were superior to those when being nonheat-processed. The representative flavonoid contents ofScutellariaeRadix that include baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin were greater by heat process. These data reveal heat-processedScutellariaeRadix may be a critical factor involved in the improvement of lung disorders caused by LPS.
Consensus of Nonlinear Complex Systems with Edge Betweenness Centrality Measure under Time‐Varying Sampled‐Data Protocol
Authors: Park M. J. , Kwon O. M. , Cha E. J.
Published: June 2015

This paper proposes a new consensus criterion for nonlinear complex systems with edge betweenness centrality measure. By construction of a suitable Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional, the consensus criterion for such systems is established in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) which can be easily solved by
various effective optimization algorithms. One numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Natural Compounds Modulating Mitochondrial Functions
Authors: Gibellini Lara , Bianchini Elena , De Biasi Sara , Nasi Milena , Cossarizza Andrea , Pinti Marcello
Published: June 2015

Mitochondria are organelles responsible for several crucial cell functions, including respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, and regulation of apoptosis; they are also the main intracellular source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the last years, a particular interest has been devoted to studying the effects on mitochondria of natural compounds of vegetal origin, quercetin (Qu), resveratrol (RSV), and curcumin (Cur) being the most studied molecules. All these natural compounds modulate mitochondrial functions by inhibiting organelle enzymes or metabolic pathways (such as oxidative phosphorylation), by altering the production of mitochondrial ROS and by modulating the activity of transcription factors which regulate the expression of mitochondrial proteins. While Qu displays both pro- and antioxidant activities, RSV and Cur are strong antioxidant, as they efficiently scavenge mitochondrial ROS and upregulate antioxidant transcriptional programmes in cells. All the three compounds display a proapoptotic activity, mediated by the capability to directly cause the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria or indirectly by upregulating the expression of proapoptotic proteins of Bcl-2 family and downregulating antiapoptotic proteins. Interestingly, these effects are particularly evident on proliferating cancer cells and can have important therapeutic implications.
Effect of Modified Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery on GLP-1, GIP in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Xiong Shao-Wei , Cao Jing , Liu Xian-Ming , Deng Xing-Ming , Liu Zeng , Zhang Fang-Ting
Published: June 2015

The type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most serious diseases that threaten public health. Modified gastric bypass surgery has been applied to the treatment of T2DM patients in the 1990s, but the therapeutic mechanism to this function is still unclear. The aim of this study was to further clarify the effect and the mechanism of modified gastric bypass surgery on glucose metabolism in patients with T2DM. In the study, the incretin indexes and blood glucose indexes were analyzed before surgery and 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. The results suggested that modified Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can promote GLP-1 secretion in patients with T2DM, while reducing the secretion of GIP. Thus it could effectively control blood glucose of patients with T2DM.
Minimizing the Number of Mobile Chargers to Keep Large-Scale WRSNs Working Perpetually
Authors: Hu Cheng , Wang Yun
Published: June 2015

Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Networks, in which mobile chargers ([Formula: see text]s) are employed to recharge the sensor nodes, have attracted wide attention in recent years. Under proper charging schedules, the [Formula: see text]s could keep all the sensor nodes working perpetually. Since [Formula: see text]s can be very expensive, this paper tackles the problem of deciding the minimum number of [Formula: see text]s and their charging schedules to keep every sensor node working continuously. This problem is NP-hard; we divide it into two subproblems and propose a GCHA ( Greedily Construct, Heuristically Assign) scheme to solve them. First, the GCHA greedily addresses a Tour Construction Problem to construct a set of tours to 1-cover the WRSN. Energy of the sensor nodes in each of these tours can be timely replenished by one [Formula: see text] according to the decision condition derived from a Greedy Charging Scheme (GCS). Second, the GCHA heuristically solves a Tour Assignment Problem to assign these tours to minimum number of [Formula: see text]s. Then each of the [Formula: see text]s can apply the GCS to charge along its assigned tours. Simulation results show that, on average, the number of [Formula: see text]s obtained by the GCHA scheme is less than 1.1 over a derived lower bound and less than 0.5 over related work.
Effect of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Salivary IgA, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Young Soccer Players
Authors: Baralic Ivana , Andjelkovic Marija , Djordjevic Brizita , Dikic Nenad , Radivojevic Nenad , Suzin-Zivkovic Violeta , Radojevic-Skodric Sanja , Pejic Snezana
Published: June 2015

The physiologic stress induced by physical activity is reflected in immune system perturbations, oxidative stress, muscle injury, and inflammation. We investigated the effect of astaxanthin (Asx) supplementation on salivary IgA (sIgA) and oxidative stress status in plasma, along with changes in biochemical parameters and total/differential white cell counts. Forty trained male soccer players were randomly assigned to Asx and placebo groups. Asx group was supplemented with 4 mg of Asx. Saliva and blood samples were collected at the baseline and after 90 days of supplementation in preexercise conditions. We observed a rise of sIgA levels at rest after 90 days of Asx supplementation, which was accompanied with a decrease in prooxidant-antioxidant balance. The plasma muscle enzymes levels were reduced significantly by Asx supplementation and by regular training. The increase in neutrophil count and hs-CRP level was found only in placebo group, indicating a significant blunting of the systemic inflammatory response in the subjects taking Asx. This study indicates that Asx supplementation improves sIgA response and attenuates muscle damage, thus preventing inflammation induced by rigorous physical training. Our findings also point that Asx could show significant physiologic modulation in individuals with mucosal immunity impairment or under conditions of increased oxidative stress and inflammation.
Disorder of Sexual Development and Congenital Heart Defect in 47XYY: Clinical Disorder or Coincidence?
Authors: Latrech Hanane , Skikar Imane , Gharbi Mohammed El Hassan , Chraïbi Abdelmjid , Gaouzi Ahmed
Published: June 2015

Background. 47XYY syndrome is a rare sex chromosome variation characterized by an additional Y chromosome. Most patients with 47XYY karyotype have normal phenotype. This disorder seems associated with a higher risk of developing behavioral and cognitive problems, tall stature, and infertility in adulthood. Sexual development disorder is a rare finding. We report a first case with an abnormal left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery in a 47XYY patient.Case. A one-month-old child was referred for ectopic testis and micropenis. Physical examination revealed facial dysmorphia, micropenis, and curvature of the penis with nonpalpable testis. Laboratory tests showed decreased total testosterone and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels. Blood karyotyping revealed a 47XYY chromosomal formula. At the age of 3 months, the patient developed dyspnea and tachycardia. Echocardiography revealed an anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery with left ventricular dysfunction requiring surgical revascularization by direct reimplantation of the left coronary artery system. Our second case was a 3-year-old child referred for hypospadias with nonpalpable left testicle. Physical examination showed hypertelorism. Blood karyotyping revealed a 47XYY chromosomal formula.Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first case of 47XYY syndrome associated with this congenital heart malformation and a sexual development disorder.
Toward Coalescing Gene Expression and Function with QTLs of Water-Deficit Stress in Cotton
Authors: Kebede Hirut , Payton Paxton , Pham Hanh Thi My , Allen Randy D. , Wright Robert J.
Published: June 2015

Cotton exhibits moderately high vegetative tolerance to water-deficit stress but lint production is restricted by the available rainfed and irrigation capacity. We have described the impact of water-deficit stress on the genetic and metabolic control of fiber quality and production. Here we examine the association of tentative consensus sequences (TCs) derived from various cotton tissues under irrigated and water-limited conditions with stress-responsive QTLs. Three thousand sixteen mapped sequence-tagged-sites were used as anchored targets to examine sequence homology with 15,784 TCs to test thehypothesisthat putative stress-responsive genes will map within QTLs associated with stress-related phenotypic variation more frequently than with other genomic regions not associated with these QTLs. Approximately 1,906 of 15,784 TCs were mapped to the consensus map. About 35% of the annotated TCs that mapped within QTL regions were genes involved in an abiotic stress response. By comparison, only 14.5% of the annotated TCs mapped outside these QTLs were classified as abiotic stress genes. A simple binomial probability calculation of this degree of bias being observed if QTL and non-QTL regions are equally likely to contain stress genes wasP(x ≥ 85)=7.99  × 10−15. These results suggest that the QTL regions have a higher propensity to contain stress genes.
Use of Antihypertensive Medications Not Associated with Risk of Contralateral Breast Cancer among Women Diagnosed with Estrogen Receptor–Positive Invasive Breast Cancer
Authors: Chen Lu , Malone Kathleen E. , Li Christopher I.
Published: June 2015

Background: Antihypertensive medications are widely used among adults in the United States, and there is some evidence that certain classes may affect the risk of adverse breast cancer outcomes, but their impact on risk of second primary contralateral breast cancer (CBC) is unclear.

Methods: We used data from a population-based nested case–control study consisting of 359 women diagnosed with both a first primary breast cancer and a second primary CBC and 691 control women diagnosed with only a single breast cancer and individually matched to cases. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to estimate ORs and 95% confidence intervals for risks associated with ever, recency, and duration of use for various antihypertensive medications.

Results: No class of antihypertensive, including calcium channel blockers, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and diuretics, was associated with risk of second primary CBC. These results did not change materially in a sensitivity analysis restricted to women with a history of hypertension.

Conclusion: Our findings do not support associations between use of various antihypertensives and CBC risk among women with estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer.

Impact: The present study adds evidence to support the safety of commonly used antihypertensive medications among breast cancer survivors with respect to risk of second primary CBC. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(9); 1423–6. ©2015 AACR.
Lymph Node Yield in Colon Cancer: Individuals Can Make the Difference
Authors: da Costa David W. , van Dekken Herman , Witte Birgit I. , van Wagensveld Bart A. , van Tets Willem F. , Vrouenraets Bart C.
Published: June 2015

Aim: To investigate the influence of individual surgeons and pathologists on examining an adequate (i.e. ≥10) number of lymph nodes in colon cancer resection specimens. Patients and Methods: The number of lymph nodes was evaluated in surgically treated patients for colon cancer at our hospital from 2008 through 2010, excluding patients who had received neo-adjuvant treatment. The patient group consisted of 156 patients with a median age of 73 (interquartile range (IQR) 63-82 years) and a median of 12 lymph nodes per patient (IQR 8-15). In 106 patients (67.9%), 10 or more nodes were histopathologically examined. Results: At univariate analysis, the examination of ≥10 nodes was influenced by tumour size (p = 0.05), tumour location (p = 0.015), type of resection (p = 0.034), individual surgeon (p = 0.023), and pathologist (p = 0.005). Neither individual surgeons nor pathologists did statistically and significantly influence the chance of finding an N+ status. Age (p = 0.044), type of resection (p = 0.007), individual surgeon (p = 0.012) and pathologist (p = 0.004) were independent prognostic factors in a multivariate model for finding ≥10 nodes. Conclusion: Though cancer staging was not affected in this study, individual efforts by surgeons and pathologists play a critical role in achieving optimal lymph node yield through conventional methods.
EPIMAG: International Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Psoriasis Study in the Maghreb
Authors: Ammar-Khodja Aomar , Benkaidali Ismail , Bouadjar Bakar , Serradj Amina , Titi Abdelhamid , Benchikhi Hakima , Amal Said , Hassam Badreddine , Sekkat Abdelhak , Mernissi Fatima Zahra , Mokhtar Inçaf , Dahoui Raouf , Denguezli Mohamed , Doss Nejib , Turki Hamida
Published: June 2015

Background: Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that is characterized by red plaques covered with silvery scales and is associated with considerable psychosocial impact. It has been described in several studies worldwide, but specific data from the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) are unavailable. Objectives: To characterize the frequency of new psoriasis cases and to describe the epidemiological and clinical profile of psoriasis in the Maghreb. Methods: A psoriasis working group for the Maghreb initiated the EPIMAG international multicentre cross-sectional observational epidemiological study coupled with a 2-week psoriasis screening study via medical consultation. Data were collected via questionnaires. Results: The total analysis population included 373 pre-existing and 326 new psoriasis cases, described by 261 participating investigators. The frequency of new psoriasis cases was 10.26/1,000 in Algeria, 15.04/1,000 in Morocco and 13.26/1,000 in Tunisia, and thus 12.08/1,000 in the Maghreb. In all 699 psoriasis subjects, the mean age was 46 years, the mean BMI was 26.6, and 55.7% of subjects were men. Two thirds of the subjects had never smoked, and 85.0% had never consumed alcohol. Half had brown skin, and 28.6% had a family history of psoriasis. Three quarters had localized psoriasis, 85.8% had plaque psoriasis, coupled with pruritus in over 70.0% of cases. Flares or outbreaks were most often triggered by stress (79.4%) and change of season (43.1%). The majority of subjects used topical therapy, and the investigators considered overall treatment efficacy to be partial in over half of the cases. Among patients with pre-existing psoriasis, secondary analyses showed that 73.2% had severe psoriasis, and that quality of life was severely affected in 40.1% of cases. The mean number of missing school or work days over 6 months was 3.2 (±12.1) days. Conclusions: Our study provides novel information relative to psoriasis epidemiology and characterization in the Maghreb and highlights the need to improve psoriasis screening and management in the region. The data will help optimize psoriasis management, to ensure appropriate national health care policies.
A Comprehensive Atlas of the Adult Mouse Penis
Authors: Phillips Tiffany R. , Wright David K. , Gradie Paul E. , Johnston Leigh A. , Pask Andrew J.
Published: June 2015

Mice are routinely used to study the development of the external genitalia and, in particular, the process of male urethral closure. This is because misplacement of the male penile urethra, or hypospadias, is amongst the most common birth defects reported in humans. While mice present a tractable model to study penile development, several structures differ between mice and humans, and there is a lack of consensus in the literature on their annotation and developmental origins. Defining the ontology of the mouse prepuce is especially important for the relevance and interpretation of mouse models of hypospadias to human conditions. We have developed a detailed annotation of the adult mouse penis that addresses these differences and enables an accurate comparison of murine and human hypospadias phenotypes. Through MRI data, gross morphology and section histology, we define the origin of the mouse external and internal prepuces, their relationship to the single human foreskin as well as provide a comprehensive view of the various structures of the mouse penis and their associated muscle attachments within the body. These data are combined to annotate structures in a novel 3D adult penis atlas that can be downloaded, viewed at any angle, and manipulated to examine the relationship of various structures.
2q37.3 Deletion Syndrome: Two Cases with Highly Distinctive Facial Phenotype, Discordant Association with Schizophrenic Psychosis, and Shared Deletion Breakpoint Region on 2q37.3
Authors: Mehraein Yasmin , Pfob Martina , Steinlein Ortrud , Aichinger Eric , Eggert Marlene , Bubendorff Valerie , Mannhart Adelina , Müller Stefan
Published: June 2015

2q37.3 deletion syndrome belongs to the chromosomal 2q37 deletion spectrum which clinically resembles Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) syndrome. It is is mainly characterized by short stature, obesity, round face, brachydactyly type E, intellectual disability, behavioral problems, and variable intellectual deficits. Different from classical AHO syndrome, patients with 2q37 deletion syndrome lack renal parathyroid hormone resistance (pseudohypoparathyroidism) and soft tissue ossification. So far, deletion mapping or molecular breakpoint analyses of 2q37 have been performed in only few patients. Here, we report on 2 patients with 2q37.3 deletion syndrome. In both patients the breakpoint of the 5.5-Mb terminal microdeletion could be narrowed down to the same ∼200-kb interval on 2q37.3 by BAC-FISH and/or array-CGH. Flanking low-copy repeats may indicate a classical microdeletion syndrome genesis for the 2q37.3 microdeletion subgroup. Clinical evaluation revealed intellectual deficits and type E brachydactyly typical for classical AHO syndrome together with distinctive facial dysmorphisms not present in the former. Furthermore, one patient presented with schizophrenic psychosis, an observation that would be in accordance with previous reports about an association between schizophrenia susceptibility and an unknown gene within the chromosomal region 2q37.