bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between the miRNA Signatures in Plasma and Bronchoalveolar Fluid in Respiratory Pathologies
Authors: Molina-Pinelo Sonia , Suárez Rocío , Pastor María Dolores , Nogal Ana , Márquez-Martín Eduardo , Martín-Juan José , Carnero Amancio , Paz-Ares Luis
Published: June 2013

The identification of new less invasive biomarkers is necessary to improve the detection and prognostic outcome of respiratory pathological processes. The measurement of miRNA expression through less invasive techniques such as plasma and serum have been suggested to analysis of several lung malignancies including lung cancer. These studies are assuming a common deregulated miRNA expression both in blood and lung tissue. The present study aimed to obtain miRNA representative signatures both in plasma and bronchoalveolar cell fraction that could serve as biomarker in respiratory diseases. Ten patients were evaluated to assess the expression levels of 381 miRNAs. We found that around 50% miRNAs were no detected in both plasma and bronchoalveolar cell fraction and only 20% of miRNAs showed similar expression in both samples. These results show a lack of association of miRNA signatures between plasma and bronchoalveolar cytology in the same patient. The profiles are not comparable; however, there is a similarity in the relative expression in a very small subset of miRNAs (miR-17, miR-19b, miR-195 and miR-20b) between both biological samples in all patients. This finding supports that the miRNAs profiles obtained from different biological samples have to be carefully validated to link with respiratory diseases.
Common Mediterranean Fever (MEFV) Gene Mutations Associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis in Turkish Population
Authors: Yigit Serbulent , Inanir Ahmet , Karakus Nevin , Kesici Esra , Bozkurt Nihan
Published: June 2013

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease. Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene, which has already been identified as being responsible for familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), is also a suspicious gene for AS because of the clinical association of these two diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency and clinical significance ofMEFVgene mutations (M694V, M680I, V726A, E148Q and P369S) in a cohort of Turkish patients with AS. Genomic DNAs of 103 AS patients and 120 controls were isolated and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. There was a statistically significant difference of theMEFVgene mutation carrier rates between AS patients and healthy controls (p= 0.004, OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.32–4.76). This association was also observed in allele frequencies (p= 0.005, OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.27–4.2). A relatively higher frequency was observed for M694V mutation in AS patients than controls (10.7% versus 4.2% ,p= 0.060). There were no significant differences between MEFV mutation carriers and non-carriers with respect to the clinical and demographic characteristics. The results of this study suggest thatMEFVgene mutations are positively associated with a predisposition to develop AS.
PINCH Expression and Its Clinicopathological Significance in Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhu Zhen-Long , Yan Bao-Yong , Zhang Yu , Yang Yan-Hong , Wang Zheng-Min , Zhang Hong-Zhen , Wang Ming-Wei , Zhang Xiang-Hong , Sun Xiao-Feng
Published: June 2013

Objective: Particularly interesting new cysteine-histidine rich protein (PINCH) is an important component of the local adhesion complexes and upregulated in several types of malignancies, and involved in the incidence and development of tumours. PINCH expression is also independently correlated with poorer survival in patients with colorectal cancer. However, there is no study of PINCH in gastric cancer, therefore, the aim of this project was to investigate PINCH expression and its clinicopathological significance in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Patients and methods: PINCH expression was immunohistochemically examined in normal gastric mucous (n= 30) and gastric adenocarcinoma (n= 73), from gastric cancer patients.

Results: PINCH expression in the associated-stroma of gastric cancers was heterogeneous, and its positive rate (75%) was higher than that of normal gastric mucosa (43%,X2= 9.711,p= 0.002). The stronger staining was observed at the invasive edge of tumour when compared to the inner area of tumour. The rate of positive PINCH (88%) in the cases with lymph node metastasis was higher than that (52%) in the cases without metastasis (X2= 11.151,p= 0.001). PINCH expression was not correlated with patients’ gender, age, tumour size, differentiation and invasion depth (p> 0.05).

Comclusion: PINCH protein might play an important role in the tumourigenesis and metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma.
Predictive Role of Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms for the Development of Femoral Head Osteonecrosis
Authors: Samara S. , Kollia P. , Dailiana Z. , Chassanidis C. , Papatheodorou L. , Koromila T. , Malizos K.N.
Published: June 2013

Introduction: Osteonecrosis (ON) is a multifactorial disease that leads to hip destruction. Lately, much focus has been at femoral head preservation with nonsurgical methods. In this study we examined the polymorphisms of IL-1α, IL-1R, IL-1RA, IL-4Rα, IL-1β, IL-12,γIFN, TGF-β, TNF-a, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 genes for evaluation of their contribution in ON.

Material and methods: DNA was extracted from 112 ON patients and 438 healthy donors. Analysis of the polymorphisms was completed using the PCR-SSP method. Statistical analysis was performed using theχ2test to compare the genotype and allelic frequency distribution.

Results: The CT and GA genotypes of the IL-1α(-889) and TNF-a (-238) genes were found higher in the patients (51.8% and 10.8%, respectively) compared to the healthy donors (39.7% and 2.1%, respectively). In TGF-βcodon 25, the G to C polymorphism in the homozygous state was found in 1.8% of the patients and the C allele frequency was 8.9%, whereas the G allele frequency was 91.1%. Also, at the IL-10 (-1082) gene the GG genotype was 16.2% in the controls whereas in the patients was 7.2%.

Conclusions: Based on the above, we showed that certain genotypes of the IL-1α, TGF-β, IL-10 and TNF-a genes could be related in the pathogenesis of a complicated disease, such as osteonecrosis. The presence of one of the above mentioned polymorphisms or the simultaneous carriage of more than one may further increase the risk for osteonecrosis, especially in those at high risk, such as patients receiving corticosteroids.
Serological Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Egyptian Patients
Authors: El-Tayeh Sarmad F. , Hussein Tarek D. , El-Houseini Motawa E. , Amer Mahmoud A. , El-Sherbini Mamdooh , Elshemey Wael M.
Published: June 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive cancers worldwide. In Egypt, the disease is usually detected in an advanced stage at which no treatment may be effective including surgery. Early detection of the disease is thus an important goal allowing the patient to be treated before the enlargement of the tumor or its metastasis to distant organs. Tumor markers are serological agents which serum level may be useful in predicting the presence of the tumor at early stages. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) which is the golden marker for HCC is of low sensitivity, therefore, additional markers such as alpha-L-fucosidase (AFU), transforming growth factors alpha and beta (TGF-αand TGF-β) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are suggested to be simultaneously evaluated in order to enhance the detection of HCC. A total of 96 patients with different liver diseases such as HCC, hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and cirrhotic patients are included in this study. Sixteen healthy volunteers are used as a control group. In patients with HCC each of AFP, AFU, TGF-αand TGF-βrecorded significantly higher levels than the other patient groups and controls. HCC patients recorded significantly lower level of IL-8 compared to the other patient groups but significantly higher than the control. For AFP, AFU, TGF-α, TGF-βand IL-8, at the optimal cut-off values (obtained from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves), the calculated sensitivities are 46%, 72.97%, 67.56%, 54.05% and 83.8%, respectively. The simultaneous evaluation using all of the suggested markers resulted in increasing the sensitivity up to 100%. It thus recommended that, if patients with cirrhosis, as high risk patients, are subjected to regular examination using these markers in addition to AFP, HCC may be detected by 100% sensitivity in an early stage and as a consequence an effective treatment can be achieved.
Characterization of Natural Dye Extracted from Wormwood and Purple Cabbage for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Chang Ho , Kao Mu-Jung , Chen Tien-Li , Chen Chih-Hao , Cho Kun-Ching , Lai Xuan-Rong
Published: June 2013

This study used natural dyes as sensitizers of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to replace expensive chemical synthetic dyes. We prepared two natural dyes, chlorophyll dye and anthocyanin dye, by extracting them from wormwood and purple cabbage, respectively. Moreover, we mixed the prepared chlorophyll dye and anthocyanin dye at 5 different volume ratios to form cocktail dyes. For preparation of photoelectrode, P25 TiO2nanoparticles were used to prepare paste, which was coated on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) conductive glass by the spin coating method at different spin coating speeds in order to form TiO2thin films with different thicknesses. The DSSC prepared by the cocktail dye achieves photoelectric conversion efficiency (η) of 1.95%, open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.765 V, and short-circuit current density (JSC) of 5.83 mA/cm2. Moreover, the prepared DSSC sensitized solely by chlorophyll extract of wormwood achieved a photoelectric conversion efficiency (η) of 0.9%, whereas the DSSC sensitized solely by anthocyanin extract of purple cabbage achieved a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 1.47%, achieving the longest lifetime of electrons amongst these three dyes.
Availability of Adequately Iodized Salt at Household Level and Associated Factors in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremariam Hailay Gebrearegawi , Yesuf Melkie Edris , Koye Digsu Negese
Published: June 2013

Background. Iodine deficiency has serious effects on body growth and mental development. This study assessed availability of adequately iodized salt at household level and associated factors in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia. Methods. Community based cross-sectional study was carried out among households in Gondar town during August 15–25, 2012. Multistage sampling technique was used. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire by a face-to-face interview technique. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to check associations and control confounding. Results. A total of 810 participants were participated. The availability of adequately iodized salt (≥15 parts per million) in the study area was 28.9%. Multivariate analysis showed that using packed salt (AOR (95% CI) = 9.75 (5.74, 16.56)), not exposing salt to sunlight (AOR (95% CI) = 7.26 (3.73, 14.11)), shorter storage of salt at household (AOR (95% CI) = 3.604 (1.402, 9.267)) and good knowledge of participants about iodized salt (AOR (95% CI) = 1.94 (1.23, 3.05)) were associated with availability of adequately iodized salt at household level. Conclusions. Availability of adequately iodized salt at household level was very low. Hence, households should be sensitized about importance of iodized salt and its proper handling at the household level.
Extension of a Coronary Intramural Hematoma as a Complication of Early Percutaneous Coronary Intervention after Thrombolytic Therapy
Authors: El-Mawardy Mohamed , Abdel-Wahab Mohamed , Richardt Gert
Published: June 2013

The optimal treatment approach for coronary intramural hematomas has not been well defined, and discussion is limited to scarce data. In addition, the impact of prior thrombolytic therapy in the setting of coronary artery dissections with possible development and/or extension of an intramural hematoma is not well understood. We describe a case of iatrogenic periprocedural dissection of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) with development of an intramural hematoma and the extension of this hematoma to the left main (LM) and left circumflex (LCX) arteries in a middle-aged female, where prior recent thrombolytic therapy may have played a role in its triggering or facilitation of its extension. This case highlights the importance of facilitation of bleeding complications by prior use of thrombolytic therapy not only peripherally but intracoronary too and the use of intravascular ultrasound for both diagnosis, followup, and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guidance.
Adjunct Methods of the Standard Diabetic Foot Ulceration Therapy
Authors: Waniczek Dariusz , Kozowicz Andrzej , Muc-Wierzgoń Małgorzata , Kokot Teresa , Świętochowska Elżbieta , Nowakowska-Zajdel Ewa
Published: June 2013

The outcome of management of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) is poor and insufficient. DFU therapy includes the standard management as debridement of the wound, revascularization procedures, off-loading of the ulcer and antibacterial actions, and supplementation of growth factors and cytokines, leading to stimulation of granulation, epidermization, and angiogenesis. The aim of the present review is to summarize the adjunct methods of the standard DFU therapy as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), maggot therapy (MT), and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRPT). The results of preclinical and clinical trials indicated that the methods may reduce time of therapy, short-term morbidity, and the risk of major amputation.
Apolar Bioactive Fraction ofMelipona scutellarisGeopropolis onStreptococcus mutansBiofilm
Authors: Cunha Marcos Guilherme da , Franchin Marcelo , Galvão Lívia Câmara de Carvalho , Bueno-Silva Bruno , Ikegaki Masaharu , de Alencar Severino Matias , Rosalen Pedro Luiz
Published: June 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the bioactive nonpolar fraction of geopropolis onStreptococcus mutansbiofilm. The ethanolic extract ofMelipona scutellarisgeopropolis was subjected to a liquid-liquid partition, thus obtaining the bioactive hexane fraction (HF) possessing antimicrobial activity. The effects of HF onS. mutansUA159 biofilms generated on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite discs were analyzed by inhibition of formation, killing assay, and glycolytic pH-drop assays. Furthermore, biofilms treated with vehicle control and HF were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). HF at 250 μg/mL and 400 μg/mL caused 38% and 53% reduction in the biomass of biofilm, respectively, when compared to vehicle control (P<0.05) subsequently observed at SEM images, and this reduction was noticed in the amounts of extracellular alkali-soluble glucans, intracellular iodophilic polysaccharides, and proteins. In addition, theS. mutansviability (killing assay) and acid production by glycolytic pH drop were not affected (P>0.05). In conclusion, the bioactive HF of geopropolis was promising to control theS. mutansbiofilm formation, without affecting the microbial population but interfering with its structure by reducing the biochemical content of biofilm matrix.
Serum Circulating microRNA Profiling for Identification of Potential Breast Cancer Biomarkers
Authors: Mar-Aguilar Fermín , Mendoza-Ramírez Jorge A. , Malagón-Santiago Ismael , Espino-Silva Perla K. , Santuario-Facio Sandra K. , Ruiz-Flores Pablo , Rodríguez-Padilla Cristina , Reséndez-Pérez Diana
Published: June 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNA molecules that can regulate gene expression, thereby affecting crucial processes in cancer development. miRNAs offer great potential as biomarkers for cancer detection because of their remarkable stability in blood and their characteristic expression in different diseases. We investigated whether quantitative RT-PCR miRNA profiling on serum could discriminate between breast cancer patients and healthy controls. We performed miRNA profiling on serum from breast cancer patients, followed by construction of ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curves to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. We found that seven miRNAs (miR-10b, miR-21, miR-125b, miR-145, miR-155 miR-191 and miR-382) had different expression patterns in serum of breast cancer patients compared to healthy controls. ROC curve analyses revealed that three serum miRNAs could be valuable biomarkers for distinguishing BC from normal controls. Additionally, a combination of ROC curve analyses of miR-145, miR-155 and miR-382 showed better sensitivity and specificity of our assay. miRNA profiling in serum has potential as a novel method for breast cancer detection in the Mexican population.
The Independent Right and Left Azygos Veins with Hemiazygos Absence: A Rare Case Presentation
Authors: Keskin Suat , Keskin Zeynep , Sekmenli Nevin
Published: June 2013

The veins of the azygos system vary greatly in mode of origin, course, numbers of tributaries and anastomoses, and nature of termination. The azygos vein system can take different courses. Such variation is important in mediastinal surgery, and knowledge of congenital variations can be of clinical importance. It is imperative for reporting radiologists to identify such anomalies.
New Characterizations of Riesz-Type Frames and Stability of Alternate Duals of Continuous Frames
Authors: Xiang Zhong-Qi
Published: June 2013

We give new characterizations of Riesz-type frames, on equivalent conditions for a continuous frame to be a Riesz-type frame and on equivalency relations between Riesz-type frames and continuous frames. We characterize also the Riesz-type frames by using a bounded linear operatorL. Finally, we study the stability of alternate duals of continuous frames and we prove that if two continuous frames are close to each other, then we can find alternate duals of them which are close to each other.
The Effect of Polymer-Cement Stabilization on the Unconfined Compressive Strength of Liquefiable Soils
Authors: Ateş Ali
Published: June 2013

Soil stabilization has been widely used as an alternative to substitute the lack of suitable material on site. The use of nontraditional chemical stabilizers in soil improvement is growing daily. In this study a laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of waterborne polymer on unconfined compression strength and to study the effect of cement grout on pre-venting of liquefiable sandy soils. The laboratory tests were performed including grain size of sandy soil, unit weight, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and unconfined compressive strength test. The sand and various amounts of polymer (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and cement (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) were mixed with all of them into dough using mechanical kneader in laboratory conditions. Grouting experiment is performed with a cylindrical mould of  mm. The samples were subjected to unconfined compression tests to determine their strength after 7 and 14 days of curing. The results of the tests indicated that the waterborne polymer significantly improved the unconfined compression strength of sandy soils which have susceptibility of liquefaction.
Error in the Sampling Area of an Optical Disdrometer: Consequences in Computing Rain Variables
Authors: Fraile R. , Castro A. , Fernández-Raga M. , Palencia C. , Calvo A. I.
Published: June 2013

The aim of this study is to improve the estimation of the characteristic uncertainties of optic disdrometers in an attempt to calculate the efficient sampling area according to the size of the drop and to study how this influences the computation of other parameters, taking into account that the real sampling area is always smaller than the nominal area. For large raindrops (a little over 6 mm), the effective sampling area may be half the area indicated by the manufacturer. The error committed in the sampling area is propagated to all the variables depending on this surface, such as the rain intensity and the reflectivity factor. Both variables tend to underestimate the real value if the sampling area is not corrected. For example, the rainfall intensity errors may be up to 50% for large drops, those slightly larger than 6 mm. The same occurs with reflectivity values, which may be up to twice the reflectivity calculated using the uncorrected constant sampling area. The Z‐R relationships appear to have little dependence on the sampling area, because both variables depend on it the same way. These results were obtained by studying one particular rain event that occurred on April 16, 2006.
Acute Thyrotoxic Bulbar Myopathy with Encephalopathic Behaviour: An Uncommon Complication of Hyperthyroidism
Authors: Boddu Neeraja J. , Badireddi Sridhar , Straub Karl David , Schwankhaus John , Jagana Rajani
Published: June 2013

Objective. Acute thyrotoxic bulbar palsy is rare, severe, and rapidly progressive. We describe a case of thyrotoxicosis with bulbar palsy, encephalopathy, and pyramidal tract dysfunction.Case Report. 64-year-old white male with toxic multinodular goiter presented with rapid atrial fibrillation. He had mild tremor, normal cranial nerve examination, 4/5 strength in all extremities, normal reflexes, and down going plantars. TSH was low at 0.09 (normal: 0.34–5.6 uIU/mL), and free T4 was high at 5.22 (normal: 0.47–1.41 ng/dL). Despite optimal AV nodal blockade, he had persistent rapid atrial fibrillation. He later developed cervical dystonia, rigidity, clonus, dysarthria, dysphagia, vocal cord palsy, and absent gag reflex. Thyroid storm was suspected. Neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid cultures were nondiagnostic. Acetylcholine receptor antibodies were negative. Swallow ability was impaired with heavy secretions. Remarkable improvement in symptoms was noted after initiation of treatment for thyroid storm.Conclusion. Pyramidal tract symptoms and bulbar palsy may occur with thyrotoxicosis. Cranial nerve involvement and encephalopathy raise a question of primary brain mechanism causing bulbar palsy. This is reversible with prompt treatment of thyroid storm.
Extinction of Disease Pathogenesis in Infected Population and Its Subsequent Recovery: A Stochastic Approach
Authors: Roy Priti Kumar , Mondal Jayanta , Bhattacharyya Rupa , Bhattacharya Sabyasachi , Szabados Tamas
Published: June 2013

A stochastic mathematical model of host-pathogen interaction has been developed to estimate the time to extinction of infected population. It has been assumed in the model that the infected host does not grow or reproduce but can recover from pathogenic infection and move to add to the susceptible host population using various drugs or vaccination. Extinction of infected population in host-pathogen interaction depends significantly upon the total population. Here, we consider an extension of our previous work with the stochastic approach to predict the time to extinction of disease pathogenesis. The optimal control approach helped in designing an innovative, safe therapeutic regimen where the susceptible host population enhanced with simultaneous decrease in the infected population. By means of an optimal control theory paradigm, it has also been shown in our preceding research paper that the cost-effective combination of treatment may depend on the population size. In this research paper, we have studied an approximation which is derived in favor of quasi-stationary distribution along with the expected time to extinction for the model of host-pathogen interactions. The complete study has been roofed through the stochastic approach in context that disease pathogenesis is to be extinct and infected population are going to be recovered. Numerical simulation is also done to confirm the analysis.
Metal-on-Metal Hip Retrieval Analysis: A Case Report
Authors: Pace Thomas B. , Rusaw Kara A. , Minette Lawrence J. , Shirley Brayton R. , Snider Rebecca G. , DesJardins John D.
Published: June 2013

This is a case report involving a single case with severe bone and soft tissue destruction in a young male patient with a 10-year-metal on-metal total hip arthroplasty. Following complete aseptic erosion of the affected hip greater trochanter and abductor muscles, the hip was revised for recurrent instability. Histological examination of the patient’s periprosthetic tissues, serological studies, and review of recent medical reports of similar cases were used to support an explanation of the destructive process and better contribute to our understanding of human reaction to metal debris in some patients following metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty.
Interrupted Aortic Arch in an Adult with Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Şeker Koçkara Ayşe , Kayataş Mansur , Huzmeli Can , Candan Ferhan , Gümüş Cesur
Published: June 2013

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary kidney disease and is responsible for 8–10% of patients with end-stage renal failure. The major extrarenal complications of ADPKD are cardiovascular abnormalities. Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a lethal congenital cardiac abnormality seen with a frequency of 3/1000000 births and is defined as a segment of the arcus aorta being atresic. In the literature, there are no any reports showing that polycystic kidney disease and interrupted aortic arch occur together. In this study, we present a rare case in which the patient has polycystic kidney disease and IAA together and discuss whether IAA is a complication of ADPKD.
An Anonymous User Authentication with Key Agreement Scheme without Pairings for Multiserver Architecture Using SCPKs
Authors: Jiang Peng , Wen Qiaoyan , Li Wenmin , Jin Zhengping , Zhang Hua
Published: June 2013

With advancement of computer community and widespread dissemination of network applications, users generally need multiple servers to provide different services. Accordingly, the multiserver architecture has been prevalent, and designing a secure and efficient remote user authentication under multiserver architecture becomes a nontrivial challenge. In last decade, various remote user authentication protocols have been put forward to correspond to the multi‐server scenario requirements. However, these schemes suffered from certain security problems or their cost consumption exceeded users’ own constrained ability. In this paper, we present an anonymous remote user authentication with key agreement scheme for multi‐server architecture employing self‐certified public keys without pairings. The proposed scheme can not only retain previous schemes’ advantages but also achieve user privacy concern. Moreover, our proposal can gain higher efficiency by removing the pairings operation compared with the related schemes. Through analysis and comparison with the related schemes, we can say that our proposal is in accordance with the scenario requirements and feasible to the multi‐server architecture.
TMEM25Is a Candidate Biomarker Methylated and Down-Regulated in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Hrašovec Sonja , Hauptman Nina , Glavač Damjan , Jelenc Franc , Ravnik-Glavač Metka
Published: June 2013

The identification of novel genes involved in colorectal cancerogenesis is of high clinical relevance for early diagnosis, applying new therapeutic strategies and monitoring disease recurrence, in order to reduce disease incidence and mortality. Gene silencing through CpG island hypermethylation is a major epigenetic mechanism involved in cancer development. In our study, we aimed to identify and validate novel genes with a tumour specific DNA methylation profile in colorectal cancer. We performed a whole-genome methylation scan and identified several possible candidate genes that are hypermethylated in tumour in comparison to healthy colon mucosa. Using methylation-specific high-resolution melting analysis in a set consisting of 133 colorectal cancer samples, we were able to confirm an altered CpG site inTMEM25in 69.2% (92/133) tumours analysed. Furthermore, the expression ofTMEM25was found to be significantly lower in tumour tissue. An inverse correlation between hypermethylation ofTMEM25andTMEM25down-regulated expression was observed.

Our results suggest that epigenetic down-regulation ofTMEM25is cancer-related; we thus suggest thatTMEM25hypermethylation might play a significant role in altering expression of this gene in colorectal cancer.
Adiposity and Fat Distribution in relation to Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in a Relatively Lean Population of Chinese Women
Authors: Wu Sheng-Hui , Shu Xiao-Ou , Chow Wong-Ho , Xiang Yong-Bing , Zhang Xianglan , Cai Qiuyin , Li Hong-Lan , Milne Ginger , Wen Wanqing , Ji Bu-Tian , Rothman Nathaniel , Gao Yu-Tang , Zheng Wei , Yang Gong
Published: June 2013

Objectives: This study evaluated associations of various anthropometric measures of adiposity with a panel of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in a relatively lean population of Chinese women.

Methods: This analysis included 1,005 Chinese women aged 40–70 years. Plasma concentrations of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were measured. Anthropometric measurements were taken by trained interviewers.

Results: Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were all positively and linearly associated with the inflammatory markers, CRP, TNF-α, soluble TNF-receptor 1 (sTNF-R1), and IL-6. A significant positive association of these measures of adiposity with the oxidative stress marker F2-IsoP-M, a metabolite of F2-IsoPs, but with not F2-IsoPs was found. Differences in biomarkers between extreme quartiles of anthropometric measurements varied widely, ranging from 9.7% for sTNF-R1 to 162.0% for CRP. For each specific biomarker, various anthropometric measurements exhibited similar ability to explain variations in the biomarker, with the biggest partial r2(11%) observed for CRP.

Conclusions: This study suggests that both general adiposity (measured by BMI) and central adiposity (measured by WC and WHtR) are positively and similarly associated with various markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in relatively lean Chinese women. The metabolite F2-IsoP-M of F2-IsoPs may be a better marker ofin vivooxidative stress than its parent compounds.
Abdominal Wall Schwannoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Mishra A. , Hamadto M. , Azzabi M. , Elfagieh M.
Published: June 2013

A 29-year-old female had presented to surgical outpatient's department complaining of lump in the anterior abdominal wall. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a solid degenerated tumor in the anterior abdominal wall. It was surgically excised, and histopathology confirmed it to be “ancient” schwannoma. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case of an abdominal wall ancient schwannoma in the medical literature.
Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation Induced by Infliximab Administration in a Patient with Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Miyake Yuka , Hasebe Aki , Tanihira Tetsuya , Shiraishi Akiko , Imai Yusuke , Tatsukawa Haruka , Yamago Hiroka , Nakahara Hiromasa , Shimizu Yuko , Ninomiya Keiko , Hiraoka Atsushi , Miyata Hideki , Ninomiya Tomoyuki , Michitaka Kojiro
Published: June 2013

A 47-year-old man diagnosed with Crohn’s disease was treated with infliximab. He tested negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) but positive for anti-HB core antibody (anti-HBc). He tested positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV-) DNA 3 months after treatment and was administered entecavir. HBV-DNA test showed negative results 1 month later. ALT was persistently within the normal range, and HBV-DNA was persistently negative thereafter despite the continuation of infliximab every 8 weeks. In our hospital, 14 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, who tested negative for HBsAg, were treated with infliximab; 2 of them tested positive for anti-HBs and/or anti-HBc, and HBV reactivation was observed in 1 patient (the present patient). The present case and these findings highlight that careful follow-up is needed in patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with infliximab who test positive for anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs.
A Rare Case of Hypopharyngeal Screw Migration after Spine Stabilization with Plating
Authors: Salis G. , Pittore B. , Balata G. , Bozzo C.
Published: June 2013

Anterior cervical spine fusion and stabilization with plating are well-established surgical procedures for the treatment of myelopathy, cervical spine traumas, and spinal infectious diseases. Various complications have been described in the literature, more frequently, intraoperative bleeding, peri- or postoperative hypopharyngeal, and/or esophageal ruptures with mediastinal deep infection and loosening and extrusion of the screws from the plating. Screw migration has also been observed as a complication of the procedure, either early in the postoperative period or delayed, even after many years. In some instances, the esophageal perforation can recover spontaneously with absence of complications, even if a case of plate failure and graft migration with lethal sudden airways obstruction has been reported. We describe a case of hypopharyngeal screw migration after cervical spine stabilization with plating never described before in the literature.
[Retracted] Chemical Bath Deposition of PbS:Hg2+ Nanocrystalline Thin Films
Authors: Palomino-Merino R. , Portillo-Moreno O. , Chaltel-Lima L. A. , Gutiérrez Pérez R. , de Icaza-Herrera M. , Castaño V. M.
Published: June 2013

Nanocrystalline PbS thin films were prepared by Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) at 40 ± 2°C onto glass substrates and their structural and optical properties modified by in‐situ doping with Hg. The morphological changes of the layers were analyzed using SEM and the X‐rays spectra showing growth on the zinc blende (ZB) face. The grain size determined by using X‐rays spectra for undoped samples was found to be ~36 nm, whereas with the doped sample was 32–20 nm. Optical absorption spectra were used to calculate the Eg, showing a shift in the range 1.4–2.4 eV. Raman spectroscopy exhibited an absorption band ~135 cm−1 displaying only a PbS ZB structure.
Myosin VI and Associated Proteins Are Expressed in Human Macrophages but Do Not Play a Role in Foam Cell Formation in THP-1 Cells
Authors: Dawson Hayley J. , Hibbert Andrew P. , Chantler Peter D. , Botham Kathleen M.
Published: June 2013

Myosin VI (Myo6) functions in endocytosis in conjunction with binding partners including adaptor protein (AP)-2, disabled 2 (Dab2), and GAIP interacting protein C terminus 1 (GIPC1). This study aimed to investigate the expression and function of Myo6 in macrophages and its possible role in the endocytosis of lipoproteins during the induction of foam cell formation. Expression of Myo6, AP-2 (α2 subunit), and Dab2 in THP-1 macrophages and primary human monocyte-derived macrophages was demonstrated at the mRNA and protein level, but GIPC1 was only detected at the mRNA level. Immunofluorescence showed that Myo6 was distributed similarly to F-actin in both macrophage types. AP-2α2 was found to have a similar subcellular distribution to Myo6 and Dab2 in THP-1 cells. Myo6 was located within membrane ruffles and protrusions of the plasma membrane. These results suggest that in macrophages Myo6 is required for several functions including cell adhesion, cell progression, and macropinocytosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidised LDL (oxLDL) decreased Myo6 and GIPC1 mRNA expression in THP-1 cells, but uptake of the fluorescence-labelled lipoproteins was unaffected by knockdown of the expression of Myo6 or associated proteins with siRNA. Our findings, therefore, do not support the idea that Myo6 plays a major role in foam cell formation.
Surgical Approaches Based on Biological Objectives: GTR versus GBR Techniques
Authors: Pellegrini Gaia , Pagni Giorgio , Rasperini Giulio
Published: June 2013

Guided tissue regenerative (GTR) therapies are performed to regenerate the previously lost tooth supporting structure, thus maintaining the aesthetics and masticatory function of the available dentition. Alveolar ridge augmentation procedures (GBR) intend to regain the alveolar bone lost following tooth extraction and/or periodontal disease. Several biomaterials and surgical approaches have been proposed. In this paper we report biomaterials and surgical techniques used for periodontal and bone regenerative procedures. Particular attention will be adopted to highlight the biological basis for the different therapeutic approaches.
Simple and Sensitive Methods for the Determination of 2-(4′-Chloromethyl phenyl) Benzonitrile and 2-(4′-Bromomethyl phenyl) Benzonitrile Contents in Valsartan Drug Substance by Gas Chromatography
Authors: Amarnatha Reddy G. , Reddy K. Hussain , Kumar M. Narendra , Sharma Hemant kumar
Published: June 2013

Simple and reliable gas chromatographic methods were developed, optimized, and validated for the determination of 2-(4′-chloromethyl phenyl) benzonitrile (2-CMPB) and 2-(4′-bromomethyl phenyl) benzonitrile (2-BMPB) contents in valsartan drug substance, using benzophenone as internal standard (IS). Efficient chromatographic separations were achieved on DB-1, 30 m length with 0.53 mm i.d., and 3 μm particle diameter column consists of 100% dimethyl polysiloxane as a stationary phase by passing helium as a carrier gas. The analytes were extracted in dichloromethane and monitored by flame ionization detector. The performance of these methods was assessed by evaluating specificity, precision, sensitivity, linearity, and accuracy. The limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) established for 2-CMPB are 0.10 μg mL−1and 0.32 μg mL−1, respectively. For 2-BMPB, LOD is 0.31 μg mL−1and LOQ is 0.95 μg mL−1. The average recoveries for 2-CMPB are in the range of 96.8% to 106.7% and for 2-BMPB (LOQ level) are 99.3%. The methods can be successfully applied for the routine analysis of valsartan drug substance.
Anacardic Acids from Cashew Nuts Ameliorate Lung Damage Induced byExposureto Diesel Exhaust Particles in Mice
Authors: Carvalho Ana Laura Nicoletti , Annoni Raquel , Torres Larissa Helena Lobo , Durão Ana Carolina Cardoso Santos , Shimada Ana Lucia Borges , Almeida Francine Maria , Hebeda Cristina Bichels , Santos Lopes Fernanda Degobbi Tenorio Quirino , Dolhnikoff Marisa , Martins Milton Arruda , Silva Luiz Fernando Ferraz , Farsky Sandra Helena Poliselli , Saldiva Paulo Hilário Nascimento , Ulrich Cornelia M. , Owen Robert W. , Marcourakis Tania , Trevisan Maria Teresa Salles , Mauad Thais
Published: June 2013

Anacardic acids from cashew nut shell liquid, a Brazilian natural substance, have antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and modulate immune responses and angiogenesis. As inflammatory lung diseases have been correlated to environmental pollutants exposure and no reports addressing the effects of dietary supplementation with anacardic acids on lung inflammationin vivohave been evidenced, we investigated the effects of supplementation with anacardic acids in a model of diesel exhaust particle- (DEP-) induced lung inflammation. BALB/c mice received an intranasal instillation of 50 μg of DEP for 20 days. Ten days prior to DEP instillation, animals were pretreated orally with 50, 150, or 250 mg/kg of anacardic acids or vehicle (100 μL of cashew nut oil) for 30 days. The biomarkers of inflammatory and antioxidant responses in the alveolar parenchyma, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and pulmonary vessels were investigated. All doses of anacardic acids ameliorated antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased vascular adhesion molecule in vessels. Animals that received 50 mg/kg of anacardic acids showed decreased levels of neutrophils and tumor necrosis factor in the lungs and BALF, respectively. In summary, we demonstrated that AAs supplementation has a potential protective role on oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms in the lungs.
Photoactive TiO2Films Formation by Drain Coating for Endosulfan Degradation
Authors: Tapia-Orozco Natalia , Rodríguez Vázquez Refugio
Published: June 2013

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is an advanced oxidation process in which a photoactive catalyst, such as TiO2, is attached to a support to produce free radical species known as reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can be used to break down toxic organic compounds. In this study, the draining time, annealing temperature, and draining/annealing cycles for TiO2films grown by the drain coating method were evaluated using a 23factorial experimental design to determine the photoactivity of the films via endosulfan degradation. The TiO2films prepared with a large number of draining/annealing cycles at high temperatures enhanced (P>0.05) endosulfan degradation and superoxide radical generation after 30 minutes of illumination with UV light. We demonstrated a negative correlation (R2=0.69;P>0.01) between endosulfan degradation and superoxide radical generation. The endosulfan degradation rates were the highest at 30 minutes with the F6 film. In addition, films prepared using conditions F1, F4, and F8 underwent an adsorption/desorption process. The kinetic reaction constants,Kapp(min−1), were 0.0101, 0.0080, 0.0055, 0.0048, and 0.0035 for F6, F2, F5, F3, and F1, respectively. The endosulfan metabolites alcohol, ether, and lactone were detected and quantified at varying levels in all photocatalytic assays.
New Markers of Early Cardiovascular Risk in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Oxidized-LDL Correlates with Clinical Staging
Authors: Palavra Filipe , Marado Daniela , Mascarenhas-Melo Filipa , Sereno José , Teixeira-Lemos Edite , Nunes Carla Cecília , Gonçalves Grilo , Teixeira Frederico , Reis Flávio
Published: June 2013

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to characterize a population of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in terms of traditional and new cardiovascular risk factors and assess their putative correlation with clinical disease activity (evaluated by the Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS]).

METHODS: Thirty relapsing MS patients and 66 subjects, matched by age and sex, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. For each subject, anthropometric data were collected and classical biochemical (including lipid profile, glucose and C reactive protein [CRP] levels) and novel markers (paraoxonase 1 [PON1] enzyme activity and contents of high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, oxidized low-density lipoprotein [Ox-LDL], tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alfa, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and adiponectin) were studied.

RESULTS: In patients group, 23 women and 7 men were included, aged 35.00 (28.25–40.25) years and scoring a median of 2.00 (1.50–3.13) in EDSS. Comparing with controls, the most relevant differences encountered were: increased serum triglycerides (P< 0.001), Ox-LDL (P< 0.001) as well as Ox-LDL/LDL ratio and reduced small HDL (P= 0.040), accompanied by a trend to increased VEGF concentration. LDL content, especially Ox-LDL, showed positive and significant correlation with EDSS (r= 0.458;P= 0.011) and VEGF (r= 0.453;P= 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS: MS patients presented a profile of early CV risk, being Ox-LDL contents a putative good marker and having correlation with the clinical activity of the disease.
Application of a New Hybrid Fuzzy AHP Model to the Location Choice
Authors: Chou Chien-Chang , Yu Ker-Wei
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new hybrid fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) algorithm to deal with the decision-making problems in an uncertain and multiple-criteria environment. In this study, the proposed hybrid fuzzy AHP model is applied to the location choices of international distribution centers in international ports from the view of multiple-nation corporations. The results show that the proposed new hybrid fuzzy AHP model is an appropriate tool to solve the decision-making problems in an uncertain and multiple-criteria environment.
Influence of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Intron-4 27bp Repeat Polymorphism on Its Expression in Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: AlFadhli Suad
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of the T-786C polymorphism and intron 4 27 bp variable number tandem repeat(VNTR) eNOS markers for their potential association with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus(SLE), Hashimotos thyroiditis(HT) and Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) as well as to explore their effect on eNOS mRNA expression and nitrate production(NOx). Kuwaitis (n= 383) matched by age, gender and ethnicity were genotyped by fluorescent-labelled-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and fragment analysis. Expression of eNOS mRNA was analysed using RT-PCR and sera from subjects were screened for NOx using ELISA. Analysis of the allelic frequency revealed a significant association of the 4b allele with susceptibility to SLE (p = 0.0092,OR = 1.76). The 4bb genotype was found to be associated with SLE (p = 0.0076,OR = 1.97) and HT (p = 0.05,OR = 1.81). Allelic and genotypic distribution did not differ between RA patients and healthy control subjects. The 4bb genotype resulted in reduced expression of eNOS mRNA in SLE, RA and HT, but only the reduction in HT was significant (p= 0.05). The 4ab genotype revealed a significant association with increased eNOS expression in HT (p= 0.03) and RA (p= 0.014) patients, and elevated NOx levels were detected in the autoimmune disease cohorts (p< 0.05) when compared to healthy control subjects. The T-786C SNP failed to show a significant association (p> 0.05) with SLE, HT, and RA patients. This study is the first to reveal a significant association between the 4bb genotype of the 27 bp VNTR and susceptibility to HT. The expression of eNOS is related to the number of 27 bp repeats, with heterozygous 4bb repeats showing a decrease in eNOS expression. eNOS – endothelial nitric oxide synthase.
Water Extract of Deer Bones Activates Macrophages and Alleviates Neutropenia
Authors: Choi Han-Seok , Kim Soon Re , Hong Se Hyang , Ku Jin Mo , Kim Min Kyoung , Seo Hye Sook , Cho Sung-Gook , Shin Sangtae , Shin Yong Cheol , Ko Seong-Gyu
Published: June 2013

Extracts from deer bones, called nok-gol in Korean, have long been used to invigorate Qi. While neutropenia is not well detected in normal physiological condition, it could be a cause of severe problems to develop diseases such as infectious and cancerous diseases. Thus, a prevention of neutropenia in normal physiology and pathophysiological states is important for maintaining Qi and preventing disease progress. In cell biological aspects, activated macrophages are known to prevent neutropenia. In this study, we demonstrate that water extract of deer bone (herein, NG) prevents neutropenia by activating macrophages. In mouse neutropenia model systemin vivowhere ICR mice were treated with cyclophosphamide to immunosuppress, an oral administration of NG altered the number of blood cells including lymphocytes, neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils. Thisin vivoeffect of NG was relevant to that of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) that was known to improve neutropenia. Ourin vitrostudies further showed that NG treatment increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promoted macrophagic differentiation of mouse monocytic Raw264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, NG enhanced nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and secretions of cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α. Consistently, NG treatment induced phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, IKK, IκBα, and NF-κB in Raw264.7 cells. Thus, our data suggest that NG is helpful for alleviating neutropenia.