bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary Artery Cement Embolism after a Vertebroplasty
Authors: Nooh Anas , Abduljabbar Fahad H. , Abduljabbar Ahmed H. , Jarzem Peter
Published: June 2015

Background Context. Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure most commonly used for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures. Although it is relatively safe, complications have been reported over time. Among those complications, massive cement pulmonary embolism is considered a rare complication. Here we report a case of massive diffuse cement pulmonary embolism following percutaneous vertebroplasty for a vertebral compression fracture.Study Design. Case report.Methods. This is a 70-year-old female who underwent vertebroplasty for T11 and T12 vertebral compression fracture.Results. CT-scan revealed an incidental finding of cement embolism in the pulmonary trunk and both pulmonary arteries. Since the patient was asymptomatic, she was monitored closely and she did not need any intervention.Conclusion. Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used for treatment of vertebral compression fracture. Despite the low rate of complications, a pulmonary cement embolism can occur. The consequences of cement embolism range widely from being asymptomatic to embolism that can cause paralysis, radiculopathy, or a fatal pulmonary embolism.
Postpartum Ovarian Vein Thrombophlebitis with Staphylococcal Bacteremia
Authors: Parino Eduardo , Mulinaris Eric , Saccomano Edgardo , Gallo Juan Cruz , Kohan Gabriel
Published: June 2015

A 34-year-old female patient presented with fever and right flank pain ten days after uncomplicated vaginal delivery. CT examination revealed right ovarian vein thrombosis and methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) was isolated from blood cultures. No other source of bacteremia was found. Antibiotic therapy and anticoagulation with enoxaparin were instituted. Fourteen days after admission, she was discharged in good condition. Although a very uncommon complication after spontaneous vaginal delivery, septic ovarian vein thrombophlebitis should be suspected in cases of persistent puerperal fever when other diagnostic possibilities have been excluded.
Dynamic Quantized Predictive Control for Systems with Time-Varying Delay and Packet Loss in the Forward Channel
Authors: Li Mu , Dou Lihua , Sun Jian , Wang Di
Published: June 2015

Stability and design of a dynamic quantized predictive control system with time-varying delay and packet loss are studied. For the system with time-varying delay and packet loss in the forward channel, a dynamic quantizer that can minimize the quantized output error is designed and a networked quantized predictive control (NQPC) strategy is proposed to compensate for the delay and packet loss. Stability of the NQPC system is then analyzed and a sufficient stability condition is derived and presented in the form of matrix inequality. Finally, both simulation and experimental results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Structural Features and Synthesis of CeO2-Doped Boroaluminosilicate Oxyfluoride Transparent Glass Ceramics
Authors: Wang Zhenlin , Cheng Laifei
Published: June 2015

This study investigated the effects of CeO2on structure and synthesis of boroaluminosilicate transparent glass ceramics containing CaF2nanocrystals prepared through isothermal crystallization of the melt-quenched glasses with composition 54SiO2–10B2O3–13Al2O3–14Na2O–3ZnO–2Li2O–4CaF2doped with 0–1.2 mol% CeO2. CeO2in polyvalent states acting as network modifier leads to disruption of the silicate network and the conversion of [BO3] to [BO4] generating the nonlinear variations in crystallization, and thermodynamic and optical features. Glass transition temperature and the crystallization temperature decrease firstly and then increase with the increase of CeO2content. Correspondingly, the size of CaF2nanoscale crystals and the absorption coefficient of the glass ceramics are found to pass through a maximum and then decrease with increasing CeO2addition. Increasing CeO2concentration and elevating treating temperature lead to red-shift of absorption edge and transparency deterioration of glass ceramics.
Surface Patterning of PEDOT:PSS by Photolithography for Organic Electronic Devices
Authors: Ouyang Shihong , Xie Yingtao , Wang Dongping , Zhu Dalong , Xu Xin , Tan Te , Fong Hon Hang
Published: July 2015

Along with the development of organic electronics, conductive polymer of PEDOT:PSS has been attracting more and more attention because they possess various novel electrical, optical, and mechanical properties, which render them useful in modern organic optoelectronic devices. Due to its organic nature, it is lightweight and can be fabricated into flexible devices. For better device processing and integrating, it is essential to tune their surface morphologies, and photolithography is the best choice at present. In this paper, current PEDOT:PSS patterning approaches using photolithography are reviewed, and some of our works are also briefly introduced. Appropriate photolithographic patterning process for PEDOT:PSS will enable its application in future organic electronics.
Impulsive Multiorders Riemann-Liouville Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Yukunthorn Weera , Ntouyas Sotiris K. , Tariboon Jessada
Published: June 2015

Impulsive multiorders fractional differential equations are studied. Existence and uniqueness results are obtained for first- and second-order impulsive initial value problems by using Banach’s fixed point theorem in an appropriate weighted space. Examples illustrating the main results are presented.
A Novel Mittag-Leffler Kernel Based Hybrid Fault Diagnosis Method for Wheeled Robot Driving System
Authors: Yuan Xianfeng , Song Mumin , Zhou Fengyu , Chen Zhumin , Li Yan
Published: July 2015

The wheeled robots have been successfully applied in many aspects, such as industrial handling vehicles, and wheeled service robots. To improve the safety and reliability of wheeled robots, this paper presents a novel hybrid fault diagnosis framework based on Mittag-Leffler kernel (ML-kernel) support vector machine (SVM) and Dempster-Shafer (D-S) fusion. Using sensor data sampled under different running conditions, the proposed approach initially establishes multiple principal component analysis (PCA) models for fault feature extraction. The fault feature vectors are then applied to train the probabilistic SVM (PSVM) classifiers that arrive at a preliminary fault diagnosis. To improve the accuracy of preliminary results, a novel ML-kernel based PSVM classifier is proposed in this paper, and the positive definiteness of the ML-kernel is proved as well. The basic probability assignments (BPAs) are defined based on the preliminary fault diagnosis results and their confidence values. Eventually, the final fault diagnosis result is archived by the fusion of the BPAs. Experimental results show that the proposed framework not only is capable of detecting and identifying the faults in the robot driving system, but also has better performance in stability and diagnosis accuracy compared with the traditional methods.
Energy Balanced Redeployment Algorithm for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ye Guang , Zhang Baihai , Chai Senchun , Cui Lingguo
Published: June 2015

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have gained worldwide attention in recent years. Since WSNs can be conveniently deployed to monitor a given field of interest, they have been considered as a great long-term economic potential for military, environmental, and scientific applications and so forth. One of the most active areas of research in WSNs is the coverage which is one of the most essential functions to guarantee quality of service (QoS) in WSNs. However, less attention is paid on the heterogeneity of the node and the energy balance of the whole network during the redeployment process. In this work, the energy balanced problems in mobile heterogeneous WSNs redeployment have been analyzed. The virtual force algorithm with extended virtual force model is used to improve the QoS of the deployment. Furthermore energy model is added to enhance or limit the movement of the nodes so that the energy of nodes in the whole WSNs can be balanced and the lifetime of the networks can be prolonged. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of this proposed algorithm.
Stability of the Moons Orbits in Solar System in the Restricted Three-Body Problem
Authors: Ershkov Sergey V.
Published: June 2015

We consider the equations of motion of three-body problem in aLagrange form(which means a consideration of relative motions of 3 bodies in regard to each other). Analyzing such a system of equations, we consider in detail the case of moon’s motion of negligible massm3around the 2nd of two giant-bodiesm1,m2(which are rotating around their common centre of masses on Kepler’s trajectories), the mass of which is assumed to be less than the mass of central body. Under assumptions of R3BP, we obtain the equations of motion which describe the relative mutual motion of the centre of mass of 2nd giant-bodym2(planet) and the centre of mass of 3rd body (moon) with additional effective massξ·m2placed in that centre of massξ·m2+m3, whereξis the dimensionless dynamical parameter. They should be rotating around their common centre of masses on Kepler’s elliptic orbits. For negligible effective massξ·m2+m3it gives the equations of motion which should describe aquasi-ellipticorbit of 3rd body (moon) around the 2nd bodym2(planet) for most of the moons of the planets in Solar System.
Generation Method of Multipiecewise Linear Chaotic Systems Based on the Heteroclinic Shil’nikov Theorem and Switching Control
Authors: Han Chunyan , Yuan Fang , Wang Xiaoyuan
Published: June 2015

Based on the heteroclinic Shil’nikov theorem and switching control, a kind of multipiecewise linear chaotic system is constructed in this paper. Firstly, two fundamental linear systems are constructed via linearization of a chaotic system at its two equilibrium points. Secondly, a two-piecewise linear chaotic system which satisfies the Shil’nikov theorem is generated by constructing heteroclinic loop between equilibrium points of the two fundamental systems by switching control. Finally, another multipiecewise linear chaotic system that also satisfies the Shil’nikov theorem is obtained via alternate translation of the two fundamental linear systems and heteroclinic loop construction of adjacent equilibria for the multipiecewise linear system. Some basic dynamical characteristics, including divergence, Lyapunov exponents, and bifurcation diagrams of the constructed systems, are analyzed. Meanwhile, computer simulation and circuit design are used for the proposed chaotic systems, and they are demonstrated to be effective for the method of chaos anticontrol.
Runx2/miR-3960/miR-2861 Positive Feedback Loop Is Responsible for Osteogenic Transdifferentiation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Xia Zhu-Ying , Hu Yin , Xie Ping-Li , Tang Si-Yuan , Luo Xiang-Hang , Liao Er-Yuan , Chen Fei , Xie Hui
Published: June 2015

We previously reported that Runx2/miR-3960/miR-2861 regulatory feedback loop stimulates osteoblast differentiation. However, the effect of this feedback loop on the osteogenic transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) remains unclear. Our recent study showed that miR-2861 and miR-3960 expression increases significantly duringβ-glycerophosphate-induced osteogenic transdifferentiation of VSMCs. Overexpression of miR-2861 or miR-3960 in VSMCs enhancesβ-glycerophosphate-induced osteoblastogenesis, whereas inhibition of miR-2861 or miR-3960 expression attenuates it. MiR-2861 or miR-3960 promotes osteogenic transdifferentiation of VSMCs by targeting histone deacetylase 5 or Homeobox A2, respectively, resulting in increased runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) protein production. Furthermore, overexpression of Runx2 induces miR-2861 and miR-3960 transcription, and knockdown of Runx2 attenuatesβ-glycerophosphate-induced miR-2861 and miR-3960 transcription in VSMCs. Thus, our data show that Runx2/miR-3960/miR-2861 positive feedback loop plays an important role in osteogenic transdifferentiation of VSMCs and contributes to vascular calcification.
Low Temperature Synthesis of MnO2/Graphene Nanocomposites for Supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Hao , Sun Guangren , Hu Jie , Jiao Tifeng
Published: June 2015

MnO2/graphene nanocomposites were synthesized through a simple route in a water-reflux condenser system. The as-prepared composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman microscope, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis. Capacitive properties of the synthesized composite electrodes were investigated via cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectrometry in a 0.5 M Na2SO4electrolyte. Results show that this method can control the morphology and structure of MnO2loaded onto the graphene sheets. Because excessive MnO2enwrapping graphene would affect the overall conductivity, the composite prepared by lower temperature has better characteristics of supercapacitor. 60-MnO2/graphene composite (48 wt% MnO2) displays the specific capacitance as high as 350 F/g at 1000 mA/g, which is higher than that of 100-MnO2/graphene (302 F/g), and it is almost two times higher than that of MnO2(163 F/g). Furthermore, the composite exhibits excellent long cycle life along with ~93% specific capacitance retained after 5000 cycle tests.
Targeting Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 Signaling in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Marzec Kamila A. , Baxter Robert C. , Martin Janet L.
Published: June 2015

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is a key regulatory molecule of the IGF axis and can function in a tissue-specific way as both a tumor suppressor and promoter. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has high tumor expression of IGFBP-3 associated with markers of poor prognosis and, although accounting for 15–20% of all breast cancers, is responsible for disproportionate rates of morbidity and mortality. Because they lack estrogen and progesterone receptors and overexpression of HER2, TNBC are resistant to treatments that target these molecules, making the development of new therapies an important goal. In addition to frequent high expression of IGFBP-3, these tumors also express EGFR highly, but targeting EGFR signaling alone in TNBC has been of little success. Identification of a functional growth-stimulatory interaction between EGFR and IGFBP-3 signaling prompted investigation into cotargeting these pathways as a novel therapy for TNBC. This involves inhibition of both EGFR kinase activity and a mediator of IGFBP-3’s stimulatory bioactivity, sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK1), and has shown promise in a preclinical setting. Functional interaction between EGFR and IGFBP-3 may also promote chemoresistance in TNBC, and delineating the mechanisms involved may identify additional targets for development of therapies in cancers that express both IGFBP-3 and EGFR.
Networked Control Systems: The Communication Basics and Control Methodologies
Authors: Zhao Yun-Bo , Sun Xi-Ming , Zhang Jinhui , Shi Peng
Published: June 2015

As an emerging research field, networked control systems have shown the increasing importance and attracted more and more attention in the recent years. The integration of control and communication in networked control systems has made the design and analysis of such systems a great theoretical challenge for conventional control theory. Such an integration also makes the implementation of networked control systems a necessary intermediate step towards the final convergence of control, communication, and computation. We here introduce the basics of networked control systems and then describe the state-of-the-art research in this field. We hope such a brief tutorial can be useful to inspire further development of networked control systems in both theory and potential applications.
Analysis of the Blasting Compaction on Gravel Soil
Authors: Li Qingwen , Li Yuan , Dasgupta Gautam , Song Dongping , Qiao Lan , Wang Liping , Dong Jianghui
Published: June 2015

The settlement control is critical for the safety of road based on high filled embankment. The traditional construction methods have the characteristic with less soil thickness compacted at a time. There are many advantages to compact the gravel soil with blasting. The cavity in soil is formed by blasting and its fillings to form a composite foundation for the embankment. The field data show this composite foundation can meet the requirement of loading and settlement control with less construction time. In geotechnical blasting, the high temperature due to blasting will swell the material around, so its worthy to do the coupled analysis with thermal mechanics (TM) and blasting compaction in the high filled embankment. In this paper, a 3D model is built with FLAC3D to simulate a single hole to predict the range and degree of thermal propagation. Then, the thermal strains got from the model are used to estimate the displacement of surrounding soil to predict the degree of compaction and optimize the distribution of blast holes in plan.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis
Authors: Ding Hao , Jian Zhihong , Stary Creed M. , Yi Wei , Xiong Xiaoxing
Published: June 2015

Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is a recently identified autoimmune disease, described by an immune-mediated loss of NMDA glutamate receptors, resulting in progressive mental deterioration. To date, literature on anti-NMDAR encephalitis has been largely clinically oriented, including descriptions of the clinical presentation and course, diagnostic methods, and potential clinical treatments. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to the complex immunological cellular transformation that is associated with the progression of anti-NMDAR encephalitis remain to be adequately explored. This review will provide a summary of the current literature on anti-NMDAR encephalitis, including the immunologic molecular mechanisms contributing to disease progression. In particular this review will focus on the effect of anti-NMDAR on GluN2-NMDAR expression and the molecular transformation of B and T leukocytes in the loss of self-tolerance. Further research on the immunologic mechanisms contributing to anti-NMDAR encephalitis may provide an avenue for future novel diagnostic approaches, such as immunologic surveillance, as well as new therapeutic strategies for this recently identified autoimmune disease.
Synthesis andIn VitroBiological Evaluation of Aminonaphthoquinones and Benzo[b]phenazine-6,11-dione Derivatives as Potential Antibacterial and Antifungal Compounds
Authors: Tuyun Amaç Fatih , Bayrak Nilüfer , Yıldırım Hatice , Onul Nihal , Mataraci Kara Emel , Ozbek Celik Berna
Published: June 2015

A series of 2-arylamino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives (3a–h) by the reaction of 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone with aryl amines (2a–h) and benzo[b]phenazine-6,11-dione derivatives (4a–c) by the treatment of 2-arylamino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives (3a–h) with sodium azide were synthesized and tested for theirin vitroantibacterial and antifungal activities. The results suggest that compounds3dand3ghad potent antifungal activity againstCandida albicans(MIC = 78.12 μg/mL). All synthesized compounds (3a–h,4a–c) possessed activity againstE. faecaliswith MIC values of between 312.5 and 1250 μg/mL. Benzo[b]phenazine-6,11-dione derivatives (4a–c) were mostly active against Gram-positive bacteria. The structures of the new members of the series were established on the basis of their spectral properties (IR,1H NMR,13C NMR, and mass spectrometry).
Identification and Disease Index Inversion of Wheat Stripe Rust and Wheat Leaf Rust Based on Hyperspectral Data at Canopy Level
Authors: Wang Hui , Qin Feng , Liu Qi , Ruan Liu , Wang Rui , Ma Zhanhong , Li Xiaolong , Cheng Pei , Wang Haiguang
Published: June 2015

Stripe rust and leaf rust with similar symptoms are two important wheat diseases. In this study, to investigate a method to identify and assess the two diseases, the canopy hyperspectral data of healthy wheat, wheat in incubation period, and wheat in diseased period of the diseases were collected, respectively. After data preprocessing, three support vector machine (SVM) models for disease identification and six support vector regression (SVR) models for disease index (DI) inversion were built. The results showed that the SVM model based on wavelet packet decomposition coefficients with the overall identification accuracy of the training set equal to 99.67% and that of the testing set equal to 82.00% was better than the other two models. To improve the identification accuracy, it was suggested that a combination model could be constructed with one SVM model and two models built usingK-nearest neighbors (KNN) method. Using the DI inversion SVR models, the satisfactory results were obtained for the two diseases. The results demonstrated that identification and DI inversion of stripe rust and leaf rust can be implemented based on hyperspectral data at the canopy level.
Delayed Recognition of an Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in a Young Adult Female
Authors: Schulman Ariel , Wuilleumier Jean Paul , Teper Ervin
Published: June 2015

A percentage of ureteropelvic junction obstruction cases are clinically silent in childhood and manifest symptoms in adults. Herein we present a 25-year-old female with several years of intermittent flank pain and abdominal symptoms with prior inconclusive diagnostic workup including abdominal imaging without hydronephrosis. Ultimately, a CT scan performed during an acute pain crisis clearly identified right-sided hydronephrosis. The keys to diagnosis are awareness of this entity, a detailed history, and obtaining imaging studies during a crisis. The patient subsequently underwent a right robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty with preservation of a lower pole crossing vessel. We highlight noteworthy features of the clinical presentation and surgical repair.
Integrated Treatment of Aqueous Extract ofSolanum nigrum-Potentiated Cisplatin- and Doxorubicin-Induced Cytotoxicity in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Wang Chien-Kai , Lin Yi-Feng , Tai Cheng-Jeng , Wang Chia-Wowi , Chang Yu-Jia , Choong Chen-Yen , Lin Chi-Shian , Tai Chen-Jei , Chang Chun-Chao
Published: June 2015

Chemotherapy is the main approach for treating advanced and recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the clinical performance of chemotherapy is limited by a relatively low response rate, drug resistance, and adverse effects that severely affect the quality of life of patients. The aqueous extract ofSolanum nigrum(AE-SN) is a crucial ingredient in some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas for treating cancer patients and exhibits antitumor effects in human HCC cells. Therefore, this study examined the tumor-suppression efficiency of AE-SN integrated with a standard chemotherapeutic drug, namely, cisplatin or doxorubicin, in human HCC cells, namely, Hep3B and HepJ5. The results suggested that the integrated treatment with AE-SN-potentiated cisplatin and doxorubicin induced cytotoxicity through the cleavage of caspase-7 and accumulation of microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain-3 A/1B II (LC-3 A/B II), which were associated with apoptotic and autophagic cell death, respectively, in both the Hep3B and HepJ5 cells. In conclusion, AE-SN can potentially be used in novel integrated chemotherapy with cisplatin or doxorubicin to treat HCC patients.
Thyroid Stimulating but Not Blocking Autoantibodies Are Highly Prevalent in Severe and Active Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy: A Prospective Study
Authors: Kampmann E. , Diana T. , Kanitz M. , Hoppe D. , Kahaly G. J.
Published: June 2015

The clinical utility of the functional TSH receptor autoantibodies was prospectively evaluated in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO). Ophthalmic, endocrine, and serological investigations were performed in 101 consecutive patients with severe and active TAO. Serum thyroid stimulating (TSAb) and blocking (TBAb) antibody levels were measured with two bioassays using cells that express a chimeric TSH receptor and CRE-dependent luciferase. TSAb results are expressed as percentage of specimen-to-reference ratio (SRR %). Blocking activity is defined as percent inhibition of luciferase expression relative to induction with bovine TSH alone. All 101 consecutively followed-up patients with severe and active TAO were TBAb negative. In contrast, 91 (90%) were TSAb positive of whom 90 had Graves’ disease. Serum TSAb levels correlated with the diplopia score (P=0.016), total severity eye score (P=0.009), proptosis (P=0.007), lid aperture (P=0.003), upper lid retraction (P=0.006), keratopathy (P=0.04), and thyroid binding inhibiting immunoglobulins (TBII,P<0.001) and negatively with the duration of TAO (P=0.002). Median serum values of TSAb were SRR% 418 (range 28% to 795%). TSAb, not TBAb, are highly prevalent in severe/active TAO and serum TSAb levels correlate with clinical disease severity.
The Feasibility of Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy for Rapid Discrimination of Aged Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinula edodes) after Long-Term Storage
Authors: Xu Lu , Fu Xian-Shu , Cai Chen-Bo , She Yuan-Bin
Published: June 2015

Long-term storage can largely degrade the taste and quality of dried shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes). This paper aimed at developing a rapid method for discrimination of the regular and aged shiitake by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic analysis and chemometrics. Regular (n=197) and aged (n=133) samples of shiitake were collected from six main producing areas in two successive years (2013 and 2014). NIR reflectance spectra (4000–12000 cm−1) were measured with finely ground powders. Different data preprocessing method including smoothing, taking second-order derivatives (D2), and standard normal variate (SNV) were investigated to reduce the unwanted spectral variations. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) and least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) were used to develop classification models. The results indicate that SNV and D2 can largely enhance the classification accuracy. The best sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of classification were 0.967, 0.953, and 0.961 obtained by SNV-LS-SVM and 0.933, 0.930, and 0.932 obtained by SNV-PLSDA, respectively. Moreover, the low model complexity and the high accuracy in predicting objects produced in different years demonstrate that the classification models had a good generalization performance.
Predictors of the Dose-Effect Relationship regarding Unilateral Inferior Rectus Muscle Recession in Patients with Thyroid Eye Disease
Authors: Takahashi Yasuhiro , Kakizaki Hirohiko
Published: June 2015

Purpose. To evaluate whether inferior rectus muscle (IRM) thickness, the degree of adipose change in the IRM, smoking status, and the previous history of orbital radiotherapy can predict the dose-effect relationship regarding unilateral IRM recession in thyroid eye disease (TED).Methods. Twenty-five patients were retrospectively reviewed. We calculated the largest IRM cross-sectional area and evaluated the degree of adipose change in the IRM using magnetic resonance imaging. The degree of adipose change and smoking status were classified using grading scales (0–3); previous orbital radiotherapy was graded as 0 when a history was not available and 1 when it was available. The correlation between the dose-effect relationship and the hypothesized predictive factors was evaluated using stepwise multiple regression analysis.Results. The multiple regression model, with the exception of the history of the previous orbital radiotherapy, estimated a significant dose-effect relationship for the parameters evaluated (YDOSE-EFFECT= 0.013XIRM AREA  − 0.222XADIPOSE  − 0.102XSMOKING+ 1.694;r= 0.668; adjustedr2= 0.367;P= 0.005).Conclusions. The dose-effect relationship regarding unilateral IRM recession in TED could be predicted using IRM thickness, degree of intramuscular adipose change, and smoking status but could not be predicted using the previous orbital radiotherapy history.
Branched Polyethylenimine-Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (bPEI-SPIONs) Improve the Immunogenicity of Tumor Antigens and Enhance Th1 Polarization of Dendritic Cells
Authors: Hoang My-Dung , Lee Hwa-Jeong , Lee Hyun-Ju , Jung Sung-Hoon , Choi Nu-Ri , Vo Manh-Cuong , Nguyen-Pham Thanh-Nhan , Kim Hyeoung-Joon , Park In-Kyu , Lee Je-Jung
Published: June 2015

Nanoparticles in the field of dendritic cell (DC) research are emerging as a promising method of enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. We investigated the effect of branched polyethylenimine-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (bPEI-SPIONs) on tumor cells loaded onto DCs. The tumor antigens were prepared as follows: (1) apoptotic U266 cells with ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation followed by a 2 h incubation in the absence (2 h postirradiated cells) or (2) presence of bPEI-SPIONs (bPEI-SPION 2 h postirradiated cells) and (3) apoptotic U266 cells with UVB irradiation followed by an overnight 16 h incubation (16 h postirradiated cells). bPEI-SPIONs render U266 cells sensitive to UVB irradiation through reactive oxygen species production to accelerate apoptotic death. The 2 h postirradiated cells and bPEI-SPION 2 h postirradiated cells released immunogenic proteins, including Hsp70, Hsp90, and HMGB1. The DCs loaded with bPEI-SPION 2 h postirradiated cells showed the highest IL-12p70 production and Th1 polarization compared with other DCs. These results suggest that bPEI-SPIONs are a promising method of enhancing the immunogenicity of tumor cells and promoting Th1 polarization of DCs loaded with these tumor cells.
Intervening TNF-αvia PPARγwith Gegenqinlian Decoction in Experimental Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Wang Yun-liang , Liu Li-juan , Zhao Wei-han , Li Jun-xiang
Published: June 2015

This paper is to explore the effect and mechanism of Gegenqinlian decoction on experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)in vivoandin vitro. The final aim is to make clear whether Gegenqinlian decoction would impact NAFLD through improving PPARγto suppress inflammation and regulate lipid. The data in this research suggested that Gegenqinlian decoction is a potent way to manage NAFLD through improving PPARγto regulate lipid and suppress inflammation.
Posterior Chamber Hemorrhage during Fluorescein Angiography
Authors: Vilela Manuel A. P.
Published: June 2015

This paper provides the first reported case of acute posterior chamber hemorrhage during fluorescein angiography (FA). This is a case review with serial color photographs of the anterior segment. A 76-year-old male was referred for angiographic control of age-related macular degeneration. He was pseudophakic OU, BCVA 20/40 OU. He had mild hypertension, but not diabetes. He had had two previous angiograms without adverse effects. Difficulty was experienced in obtaining the images owing to a progressive reduction in the transparency of the media. A dense hemorrhage in the posterior chamber of the right eye was found, involving the visual axis. Thorough biomicroscopy, gonioscopy, and ultrasonic biomicroscopy showed that part of one of the haptics of the right intraocular lens (IOL) was touching and tearing the posterior face of the iris, without any visible synechiae, iris, or angle neovascularization. Anterior segment FA and posterior ultrasonography were normal. No similar case has been described in the literature involving dense progressive bleeding located in the capsular bag and posterior chamber, without any detectable triggering ocular event other than mydriasis and fluorescein injection. Contact of the iris or sulcus with part of the intraocular lens, aggravated by the intense use of mydriatics during the FA procedure, probably caused bleeding to happen.
Trimethyltin‐Induced Microglial Activation via NADPH Oxidase and MAPKs Pathway in BV‐2 Microglial Cells
Authors: Kim Da Jung , Kim Yong Sik
Published: June 2015

Trimethyltin (TMT) is known as a potent neurotoxicant that causes neuronal cell death and neuroinflammation, particularly in the hippocampus. Microglial activation is one of the prominent pathological features of TMT neurotoxicity. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how microglial activation occurs in TMT intoxication. In this study, we aimed to investigate the signaling pathways in TMT‐induced microglial activation using BV‐2 murine microglial cells. Our results revealed that TMT generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases the expression of CD11b and nuclear factor‐κB‐ (NF‐κB‐) mediated nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor‐ (TNF‐) α in BV‐2 cells. We also observed that NF‐κB activation was controlled by p38 and JNK phosphorylation. Moreover, TMT‐induced ROS generation occurred via nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in BV‐2 cells. Interestingly, treatment with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin significantly suppressed p38 and JNK phosphorylation and NF‐κB activation and ultimately the production of proinflammatory mediators upon TMT exposure. These findings indicate that NADPH oxidase‐dependent ROS generation activated p38 and JNK mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which then stimulated NF‐κB to release proinflammatory mediators in the TMT‐treated BV‐2 cells.
MicroRNA Clusters in the Adult Mouse Heart: Age-Associated Changes
Authors: Zhang Xiaomin , Azhar Gohar , Williams Emmanuel D. , Rogers Steven C. , Wei Jeanne Y.
Published: June 2015

The microRNAs and microRNA clusters have been implicated in normal cardiac development and also disease, including cardiac hypertrophy, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Since a microRNA cluster has from two to dozens of microRNAs, the expression of a microRNA cluster could have a substantial impact on its target genes. In the present study, the configuration and distribution of microRNA clusters in the mouse genome were examined at various inter-microRNA distances. Three important microRNA clusters that are significantly impacted during adult cardiac aging, the miR-17-92, miR-106a-363, and miR-106b-25, were also examined in terms of their genomic location, RNA transcript character, sequence homology, and their relationship with the corresponding microRNA families. Multiple microRNAs derived from the three clusters potentially target various protein components of the cdc42-SRF signaling pathway, which regulates cytoskeleton dynamics associated with cardiac structure and function. The data indicate that aging impacted the expression of both guide and passenger strands of the microRNA clusters; nutrient stress also affected the expression of the three microRNA clusters. The miR-17-92, miR-106a-363, and miR-106b-25 clusters are likely to impact the Cdc42-SRF signaling pathway and thereby affect cardiac morphology and function during pathological conditions and the aging process.
Fixation of Light Weight Polypropylene Mesh with n-Butyl-2-cyanocrylate in Pelvic Floor Surgery: Experimental Design Approach in Sheep for Effectiveness Evaluation
Authors: Barbosa Sandra , Nieves Tania , García Félix , Cepeda Eva , Moll Xavier , Marco Alberto , Weis Christine , Turon Pau , Vergara Patri
Published: June 2015

Objective. The aim of this study was to find a proper experimental design and to evaluate n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl) as a fixation method for a light-weight and large pore PP mesh (Synthetic PP Mesh-1) using the sheep as an animal model.Methods. Posterior vaginal implantation by means of episiotomy was used to implant 8 ewes which were evaluated macroscopically and histologically at 3 months (n=4) and 6 months (n=4) post-surgery. In previous pilot studies anterior vaginal implantation was evaluated, as well as different synthetic mesh materials, sizes and fixation methods (n=1to 3) during three weeks. In all cases a clinical evaluation of the animal was performed.Results. A reduction in the mesh size (Synthetic PP Mesh-1) together with precise application of the surgical glue Histoacryl to fix the mesh yielded significantly better histocompatibility results (P<0.01) compared to larger size or other fixation methods.Conclusion. The combination ofSynthetic PP Mesh-1with Histoacryl offered a high degree of graft integration without vaginal ulceration and a minimal foreign body reaction, being the sheep a proper animal model to test these types of medical devices.
Regulation of Dendritic Cell Function in Inflammation
Authors: Said André , Weindl Günther
Published: July 2015

Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen presenting cells and link the innate and adaptive immune system. During steady state immune surveillance in skin, DC act as sentinels against commensals and invading pathogens. Under pathological skin conditions, inflammatory cytokines, secreted by surrounding keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, and immune cells, influence the activation and maturation of different DC populations including Langerhans cells (LC) and dermal DC. In this review we address critical differences in human DC subtypes during inflammatory settings compared to steady state. We also highlight the functional characteristics of human DC subsets in inflammatory skin environments and skin diseases including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Understanding the complex immunoregulatory role of distinct DC subsets in inflamed human skin will be a key element in developing novel strategies in anti-inflammatory therapy.
First-Principle and Experimental Study of a Gadolinium-Praseodymium-Cobalt Pseudobinary Intermetallic Compound
Authors: Goldsby Jon , Raj Sai , Guruswamy Sivaraman , Azbill Daniel David
Published: June 2015

First-principles methods were used to determine the magnetic state of a simulated cobalt-based binary alloy (Gd,Pr)Co17 along with its corresponding lattice parameters and density. The resulting composition was fabricated using two methods arc-melting and induction-melting and compared with the calculated values. The induction-melted samples showed greater homogeneity and successfully produced the R2Co17 structure. Calculated values qualitatively predict ferromagnetic behavior and lattice parameters to be within a low percent. The development of magnetic alloys with the assistance of computational methods promises faster development of new functional materials.
Hypoglycemic Effect of Ethanol and Ethyl Acetate Extract ofPhellinus baumiiFruiting Body in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice
Authors: Wang Wen-Han , Wu Fei-Hua , Yang Yan , Wu Na , Zhang Jing-Song , Feng Na , Tang Chuan-Hong
Published: June 2015

We investigated hypoglycemic effect of ethanol (EtOH) and ethyl acetate extract acetate (AcOEt) extracts in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic mice. Our data showed the maximum inhibitory effect on the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level was detected in STZ-induced diabetic mice administered with 400 mg/kg AcOEt extract ofP. baumii. A lower glycated albumin (GA) level and a higher insulin level were observed in 400 mg/kg AcOEt and EtOH extract groups. Moreover, 400 mg/kg AcOEt and EtOH extract exhibited a stronger effect on increasing size and cell number of islets. The insulin expression level ofβ-cells and integrated optical density (IOD) value were significantly increased by the administration of 400 mg/kg AcOEt and EtOH extracts. Taken together, AcOEt and EtOH extracts ofP. baumiifruiting body exhibited considerable hypoglycemic effect on STZ-induced diabetic mice.
Calcium Channel Blockers, Progression to Dementia, and Effects on Amyloid Beta Peptide Production
Authors: Lovell Mark A. , Abner Erin , Kryscio Richard , Xu Liou , Fister Shuling X. , Lynn Bert C.
Published: June 2015

Previous epidemiologic studies suggest that antihypertensive drugs may be protective against cognitive decline. To determine if subjects enrolled in the University of Kentucky longitudinal aging study who used antihypertensive drugs showed diminished progression to dementia, we used a 3-parameter logistic regression model to compare the rate of progression to dementia for subjects who used any of the five common categories of antihypertensive drugs to those with similar demographic characteristics but who did not use antihypertensives. Regression modeling showed that subjects who used calcium channel blockers (CCBs) but not the other classes of antihypertensives showed a significant decrease in the rate of progression to dementia. Significantly, use of CCBs ameliorated the negative effects of the presence of APOE-4 alleles on cognitive decline. To determine if CCBs could minimize amyloid beta peptide (Aβ1–42) production, H4 neuroglioma cultures transfected to overexpress APP were treated with various CCBs and Aβ1–42levels and levels of proteins involved in Aβproduction were quantified. Results show that treatment with nifedipine led to a significant decrease in levels of Aβ1–42, with no significant decrease in cell viability. Collectively, these data suggest that use of CCBs significantly diminishes the rate of progression to dementia and may minimize formation of Aβ1–42.
A Selection Method Based on MAGDM with Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Xu Gai-Li , Wan Shu-Ping , Xie Xiao-Lan
Published: June 2015

As the cloud computing develops rapidly, more and more cloud services appear. Many enterprises tend to utilize cloud service to achieve better flexibility and react faster to market demands. In the cloud service selection, several experts may be invited and many attributes (indicators or goals) should be considered. Therefore, the cloud service selection can be regarded as a kind of Multiattribute Group Decision Making (MAGDM) problems. This paper develops a new method for solving such MAGDM problems. In this method, the ratings of the alternatives on attributes in individual decision matrices given by each expert are in the form of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IVIFSs) which can flexibly describe the preferences of experts on qualitative attributes. First, the weights of experts on each attribute are determined by extending the classical gray relational analysis (GRA) into IVIF environment. Then, based on the collective decision matrix obtained by aggregating the individual matrices, the score (profit) matrix, accuracy matrix, and uncertainty (risk) matrix are derived. A multiobjective programming model is constructed to determine the attribute weights. Subsequently, the alternatives are ranked by employing the overall scores and uncertainties of alternatives. Finally, a cloud service selection problem is provided to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Antibacterial Effects and Mode of Action of Selected Essential Oils Components againstEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Lopez-Romero Julio Cesar , González-Ríos Humberto , Borges Anabela , Simões Manuel
Published: June 2015

Bacterial resistance has been increasingly reported worldwide and is one of the major causes of failure in the treatment of infectious diseases. Natural-based products, including plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals), may be used to surpass or reduce this problem. The objective of this study was to determine the antibacterial effect and mode of action of selected essential oils (EOs) components: carveol, carvone, citronellol, and citronellal, againstEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were assessed for the selected EOs components. Moreover, physicochemical bacterial surface characterization, bacterial surface charge, membrane integrity, andK+leakage assays were carried out to investigate the antimicrobial mode of action of EOs components. Citronellol was the most effective molecule against both pathogens, followed by citronellal, carveol, and carvone. Changes in the hydrophobicity, surface charge, and membrane integrity with the subsequentK+leakage fromE. coliandS. aureuswere observed after exposure to EOs. This study demonstrates that the selected EOs have significant antimicrobial activity against the bacteria tested, acting on the cell surface and causing the disruption of the bacterial membrane. Moreover, these molecules are interesting alternatives to conventional antimicrobials for the control of microbial infections.
Symmetry Analysis and Conservation Laws of a Generalized Two-Dimensional Nonlinear KP-MEW Equation
Authors: Adem Khadijo Rashid , Khalique Chaudry Masood
Published: July 2015

Lie symmetry analysis is performed on a generalized two-dimensional nonlinear Kadomtsev-Petviashvili-modified equal width equation. The symmetries and adjoint representations for this equation are given and an optimal system of one-dimensional subalgebras is derived. The similarity reductions and exact solutions with the aid ofG′/G-expansion method are obtained based on the optimal systems of one-dimensional subalgebras. Finally conservation laws are constructed by using the multiplier method.
Facile Synthesis and Characterization of N‐Doped TiO2 Photocatalyst and Its Visible‐Light Activity for Photo‐Oxidation of Ethylene
Authors: Lin Yu-Hao , Weng Chih-Huang , Srivastav Arun Lal , Lin Yao-Tung , Tzeng Jing-Hua
Published: June 2015

A facile wet chemical method was adopted for preparing highly photoactive nitrogen doped TiO2 (N‐TiO2) powders with visible responsive capability, which could be achieved by the hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) in the ammonium hydroxide precursor solution in various concentrations and then calcined at different temperatures. The N‐TiO2 powders were characterized, and the photocatalytic activity was evaluated for the photocatalytic oxidation of ethylene gas under visible light irradiation to optimize the synthesizing conditions of N‐TiO2 catalyst. The N‐TiO2 photocatalytic powders were calcined in a range of temperatures from 300 to 600°C and obviously found to have greater photocatalytic activities than commercial TiO2 P25. The strong absorption in the visible light region could be ascribed to good crystallization and adapted sinter temperature of as prepared sample. XPS test demonstrated that the N was doped into TiO2 lattice and made an interstitial formation (Ti‐O‐N), and N doping also retarded the phase transformation from anatase to rutile as well. The N‐TiO2 catalyst prepared with 150 mL ammonium hydroxide added and calcined at 500°C showed the best photocatalytic activity. The experimental results also proved the enhanced photoactivity of N‐TiO2 material depends on the synthesizing conditions.
Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin: A New Marker of Renal Function in C-Related End Stage Liver Disease
Authors: Alhaddad Omkolsoum Mohamed , Alsebaey Ayman , Amer Mohamed Omar , El-Said Hala Hany , Salman Tary Abdel Hamid
Published: June 2015

Background/Aims. Renal impairment is a common complication of cirrhosis. Serum creatinine is less sensitive in these patients. Measurement of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the gold standard but time consuming. The aim is to validate plasma NGAL (pNGAL) and urinary NGAL (uNGAL) as markers of renal function in patients with HCV related cirrhosis.Patient and Methods. One hundred HCV related end stage liver cirrhosis patients were randomized into two groups: Group I (n=35), patients with GFR < 60 mL/m measured by isotope scanning of the kidney (Renogram), and Group II (n=65), patients with GFR ≥ 60 mL/m. The pNGAL and uNGAL were measured within 2 days of the Renogram.Results. Both groups were matched with age, sex, and Child Pugh score. There was statistically significant difference between both groups regarding serum creatinine (1.98 ± 1.04 versus 1.38 ± 0.88 mg/dL;p=0.003) and pNGAL level (5.79 ± 2.06 versus 7.25 ± 3.30 ng/dL;p=0.019). Both groups were comparable (p>0.05) for the uNGAL (6.00 ± 0.78 versus 6.03 ± 0.96 ng/mL). Unlike uNGAL, the pNGAL positively correlated with total GFR by Renogram (r=0.3;p=0.001). With a cutoff ≥4 ng/mL, pNGAL had 94.3% sensitivity and 1.5% specificity and PPV = 34, NPV = 33.3, LR+ = −175.1, and LR− = −60.6.Conclusion. The pNGAL is a promising marker of the renal function in patients with cirrhosis.