bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Effect of Leptin on Liver Damage in Case of Hepatic Injury Associated with Paracetamol Poisoning
Authors: Polat Murat , Cerrah Serkan , Albayrak Bulent , Ipek Serkan , Arabul Mahmut , Aslan Fatih , Yilmaz Omer
Published: November 2015

Background Aim. In case of high-dose acetaminophen intake, the active metabolite can not bind to the glutathione, thereby inducing cellular necrosis through binding to the cytosol proteins. This trial was performed to histologically and biochemically investigate whether leptin was protective against liver damage induced by paracetamol at toxic doses.Material and Method. In our trial, 30 female rats, divided into 5 groups, were used. IP leptin administration was performed after an hour in the group of rats, in which paracetamol poisoning was induced. The groups were as follows: Group 1: the control group, Group 2: 20 µg/kg leptin, Group 3: 2 g/kg paracetamol, Group 4: 2 g/kg paracetamol + 10 µg/kg leptin, and Group 5: 2 g/kg paracetamol + 20 µg/kg leptin.Results. The most significant increase was observed in the PARA 2 g/kg group, while the best improvement among the treatment groups occurred in the PARA 2 g/kg + LEP 10 µg/kg group (p< 0.05). While the most significant glutathione (GSH) reduction was observed in the PARA 2 g/kg group, the best improvement was in the PARA 2 g/kg + LEP 10 µg/kg group (p< 0.05).Conclusion. Liver damage occurring upon paracetamol poisoning manifests with hepatocyte breakdown occurring as a result of inflammation and oxidative stress. Leptin can prevent this damage thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy.
Zebrafish as a Model to Study the Role of Peroxisome Proliferating-Activated Receptors in Adipogenesis and Obesity
Authors: Den Broeder Marjo J. , Kopylova Victoria A. , Kamminga Leonie M. , Legler Juliette
Published: November 2015

The Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs) PPARA and PPARD are regulators of lipid metabolism with important roles in energy release through lipid breakdown, while PPARG plays a key role in lipid storage and adipogenesis. The aim of this review is to describe the role of PPARs in lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, and obesity and evaluate the zebrafish as an emerging vertebrate model to study the function of PPARs. Zebrafish are an appropriate model to study human diseases, including obesity and related metabolic diseases, as pathways important for adipogenesis and lipid metabolism which are conserved between mammals and fish. This review synthesizes knowledge on the role of PPARs in zebrafish and focuses on the putative function of PPARs in zebrafish adipogenesis. Usingin silicoanalysis, we confirm the presence of five PPARs (pparaa,pparab,pparda,ppardb, andpparg) in the zebrafish genome with 67–74% identity to human and mouse PPARs. During development,pparda/bparalogs andppargshow mRNA expression around the swim bladder and pancreas, the region where adipocytes first develop, whereasppargis detectable in adipocytes at 15 days post fertilization (dpf). This review indicates that the zebrafish is a promising model to investigate the specific functions of PPARs in adipogenesis and obesity.
Patient Benefit-Risk Tradeoffs for Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Treatments
Authors: Mohamed Ateesha F. , González Juan Marcos , Fairchild Angelyn
Published: November 2015

Background. The aims of this study were to assess patients’ preferences to wait or start systemic treatment and understand how patients would make tradeoffs between certain severe adverse events (AEs) and additional months of progression-free survival (PFS).Materials and Methods. Adults in France, Germany, and Spain with a diagnosis of DTC and who have had at least one RAI treatment completed a direct-elicitation question and a discrete-choice experiment (DCE) online. The direct-elicitation question asked respondents whether they would opt out of treatment when their tumor is RAI-R. In the DCE, respondents chose between 12 pairs of hypothetical RAI-R DTC treatment profiles. Profiles were defined by magnitudes of efficacy (PFS) and safety (severe hand-foot skin reaction [HFSR], severe proteinuria, and severe hypertension). A main-effects random-parameters logit model was estimated.Results. 134 patients completed the survey. Most patients (86.6%) opted for treatment rather than “wait and see” decision. Patients placed a greater weight on the risk of severe hypertension than the risk of proteinuria and HFSR.Conclusions. DTC patients showed preference toward treatment for RAI-R DTC over watchful waiting. Patients’ concerns about the risk of severe hypertension appeared to have had a greater effect on patients’ choice than severe proteinuria or HFSR.
Nonfragile RobustH∞Synchronization Approach for Drive-Response Complex Dynamical Networks with Randomly Occurring Controller Gain Fluctuations and Uncertainties
Authors: Li Dabin , Wang Zicai , Ma Guangfu
Published: November 2015

This paper investigates the nonfragileH∞synchronization problem of complex dynamical networks with randomly occurring controller gain fluctuations and uncertainties. These randomly occurring phenomena are described by independent stochastic variables satisfying Bernoulli distributions, which are adopted to model more realistic dynamical behaviors of the complex networks. By applying the Lyapunov-Krasovskii method, delay-dependent criteria are established to ensure that the synchronization can be achieved with the prescribedH∞disturbance attenuation. Moreover, the obtained results do not rely on the derivatives of time-varying delays. A set of nonfragile controllers are further designed in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results.
Impact of Clinical Pharmacy Services on KAP and QOL in Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Wang Yan , Wu Huimin , Xu Feng
Published: November 2015

This study was to evaluate the efficacy of pharmaceutical intervention (PI) on chemotherapy knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. A prospective, randomized, controlled study was carried out at Oncology Ward in a tertiary hospital affiliated to Southern Medical University, China. Eligible patient was randomly assigned to pharmaceutical intervention (PI) group or control group. Each patient in PI group was given information booklets and was given 30 min face-to-face medication education and psychological counseling by clinical pharmacists, 2 sessions per week for 2 months. Patients in control group only received conventional treatment. All participants were asked to complete a structured Chemotherapy KAP Questionnaire and QOL Questionnaire at pre- and poststudy time. A total of 149 cancer patients (77 in PI group and 72 in control group) completed the study. The baseline scores of KAP and QOL in 2 groups were similar. At the end of study, only knowledge score was significantly increased; meanwhile no difference existed for attitude, practice, and QOL scores in control group; both KAP scores and QOL score were significantly increased in PI group. As for the between-group comparison, both KAP scores and QOL score in PI group were significantly higher than those in control group. In conclusion, pharmaceutical intervention has a positive role in increasing chemotherapy-related knowledge, improving patients’ positive emotions, dealing with chemotherapy adverse reactions, and improving the quality of life of patients.
Assessment of Pathological Response of Breast Carcinoma in Modified Radical Mastectomy Specimens after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Vasudevan Dhanya , Jayalakshmy P. S. , Kumar Suresh , Mathew Siji
Published: November 2015

Aim. Paclitaxel based neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen (NAT) in the setting of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) can render inoperable tumor (T4, N2/N3) resectable. The aim of this study was to assess the status of carcinoma in the breast and lymph nodes after paclitaxel based NAT in order to find out the patient and the tumor characteristics that correspond to the pathological responses which could be used as a surrogate biomarker to assess the treatment response.Materials and Methods. Clinical and tumor characteristics of patients with breast carcinoma (n=48) were assessed preoperatively. These patients were subjected to modified radical mastectomy after 3 courses of paclitaxel based NAT regimen. The pathological responses of the tumor in the breast and the lymph nodes were studied by using Chevallier’s system which graded the responses into pathological complete response (pCR), pathological partial response (pPR), and pathological no response (pNR).Results. Our studies showed a pCR of 27.1% and a pPR of 70.9% . Clinically small sized tumors (2–5 cms) and Bloom Richardson’s grade 1 tumors showed a pCR. Mean age at presentation was 50.58 yrs. 79.2% of cases were invasive ductal carcinoma NOS; only 2.1% were invasive lobular carcinoma, their response to NAT being the same. There was no downgrading of the tumor grades after NAT. Ductal carcinoma in situ and lymphovascular invasion were found to be resistant to chemotherapy. The histopathological changes noted in the lymph nodes were similar to that found in the tumor bed.Discussion and Conclusion. From our study we conclude that histopathological examination of the tumor bed is the gold standard for assessing the chemotherapeutic tumor response. As previous studies have shown pCR can be used as a surrogate biomarker to assess the tumor response.
Transient Global Amnesia with Reversible White Matter Lesions: A Variant of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome?
Authors: Nakamizo Tomoki , Tsuzuki Ippei , Koide Takashi
Published: November 2015

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a self-limited disease characterized by isolated amnesia, which resolves within 24 h. In contrast, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a potentially life-threatening disease that usually presents with seizures, altered mental status, headache, and visual disturbances. It is characterized by reversible vasogenic edema that predominantly involves the parieto-occipital subcortical white matter as shown by neuroimaging studies. To date, there have been no reported cases of PRES with a clinical course resembling TGA. Here we report the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented with isolated amnesia and headache. On admission, her blood pressure was 187/100 mmHg. She had complete anterograde amnesia and slight retrograde amnesia without other neurological findings. After the treatment of her hypertension, the amnesia resolved within 24 h. Although the initial magnetic resonance image (MRI) was almost normal, the fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) images of the MRI on the next day revealed several small foci of high intensity areas in the fronto-parieto-occipital subcortical white matter, presumed to be vasogenic edema in PRES. The lesions disappeared one month later. This case suggests that PRES can mimic the clinical course of TGA. PRES should be considered in the differential diagnosis for TGA.
Antifatigue Activity of Liquid CulturedTricholoma matsutakeMycelium Partially via Regulation of Antioxidant Pathway in Mouse
Authors: Li Quan , Wang Yanzhen , Cai Guangsheng , Kong Fange , Wang Xiaohan , Liu Yang , Yang Chuanbin , Wang Di , Teng Lirong
Published: November 2015

Tricholoma matsutakehas been popular as food and biopharmaceutical materials in Asian countries for its various pharmacological activities. The present study aims to analyze the antifatigue effects on enhancing exercise performance ofTricholoma matsutakefruit body (ABM) and liquid cultured mycelia (TM) in mouse model. Two-weekTricholoma matsutaketreatment significantly enhances the exercise performance in weight-loaded swimming, rotating rod, and forced running test. In TM- and ABM-treated mice, some factors were observed at 60 min after swimming compared with nontreated mice, such as the increased levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), antioxidative enzymes, and glycogen and the reduced levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species in muscle, liver, and/or serum. Further data obtained from western blot show that CM and ABM have strongly enhanced the activation of 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and the expressions of peroxisome proliferator have activated receptorγcoactivator-1α(PGC-1α) and phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) in liver. Our data suggest that bothTricholoma matsutakefruit body and liquid cultured mycelia possess antifatigue effects related to AMPK-linked antioxidative pathway. The information uncovered in our study may serve as a valuable resource for further identification and provide experimental evidence for clinical trials ofTricholoma matsutakeas an effective agent against fatigue related diseases.
Hyers-Ulam Stability of the First-Order Matrix Differential Equations
Authors: Jung Soon-Mo
Published: November 2015

We prove the generalized Hyers-Ulam stability of the first-order linear homogeneous matrix differential equationsy→'(t)=A(t)y→(t). Moreover, we apply this result to prove the generalized Hyers-Ulam stability of thenth order linear differential equations with variable coefficients.
Wernicke’s Encephalopathy, Wet Beriberi, and Polyneuropathy in a Patient with Folate and Thiamine Deficiency Related to Gastric Phytobezoar
Authors: Huertas-González Nuria , Hernando-Requejo Virgilio , Luciano-García Zaida , Cervera-Rodilla Juan Luis
Published: November 2015

Background. Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neurological disorder resulting from thiamine deficiency. It is mainly related to alcohol abuse but it can be associated with other conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders. This vitamin deficiency can also present with cardiovascular symptoms, called “wet beriberi.” Association with folate deficit worsens the clinical picture.Subject. A 70-year-old man with gastric phytobezoar presented with gait instability, dyspnoea, chest pain associated with right heart failure and pericarditis, and folate deficiency. Furosemide was administered and cardiac symptoms improved but he soon developed vertiginous syndrome, nystagmus, diplopia, dysmetria, and sensitive and motor deficit in all four limbs with areflexia.Results. A cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed typical findings of WE. He was immediately treated with thiamine. Neurological symptoms improved in a few days and abnormal signals disappeared in a follow-up MRI two weeks later.Conclusion. Patients with malabsorption due to gastrointestinal disorders have an increased risk of thiamine deficiency, and folate deficiency can make this vitamin malabsorption worse. An established deficiency mainly shows neurological symptoms, WE, or rarely cardiovascular symptoms, wet beriberi. Early vitamin treatment in symptomatic patients improves prognosis. We recommend administration of prophylactic multivitamins supplements in patients at risk as routine clinical practice.
Chemoradiotherapy in a Case of Malignant Syringocystadenocarcinoma Papilliferum of Vulva with Locoregional Failure
Authors: Rao Pamidimukkala Bramhananda , Ghosh Saptarshi , Mohapatra Manisha , Philip N. Pramod , Kumar P. Ravindra , Manam Surendra , Karra Pradeep , Jasti Vijay Krishna
Published: November 2015

Introduction. Syringocystadenocarcinoma papilliferum (SCACP) is an extremely rare malignant adnexal tumor, which arises from syringocystadenoma papilliferum. To date, less than 30 cases of malignant SCACP have been reported, of which locoregional metastases were found in only four cases.Case Report. A 57-year-old female patient who presented to our Oncology Department with a recurrent malignant SCACP of the left labia along with right inguinal lymphadenopathy. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of malignant SCACP with right inguinal lymph node metastases. Due to the fixity of the right inguinal nodes, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil for four cycles, following which the primary tumor and the contralateral inguinal nodes regressed completely. Then definitive chemoradiation was delivered with five cycles of weekly Cisplatin and external beam pelvic irradiation up to a dose of 59.4 Gy. Patient is disease-free 11 months after treatment.Discussion. We here report the fifth case of malignant SCACP with locoregional metastases. This is the first case of malignant SCACP which has been treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation. Although surgery has been used most commonly, chemoradiation may also have a role in the treatment of malignant SCACP, especially in cases of locoregional metastases.
Decorin: A Growth Factor Antagonist for Tumor Growth Inhibition
Authors: Järvinen Tero A. H. , Prince Stuart
Published: November 2015

Decorin (DCN) is the best characterized member of the extracellular small leucine-rich proteoglycan family present in connective tissues, typically in association with or “decorating” collagen fibrils. It has substantial interest to clinical medicine owing to its antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Studies on DCN knockout mice have established that a lack of DCN is permissive for tumor development and it is regarded as a tumor suppressor gene. A reduced expression or a total disappearance of DCN has been reported to take place in various forms of human cancers during tumor progression. Furthermore, when used as a therapeutic molecule, DCN has been shown to inhibit tumor progression and metastases in experimental cancer models. DCN affects the biology of various types of cancer by targeting a number of crucial signaling molecules involved in cell growth, survival, metastasis, and angiogenesis. The active sites for the neutralization of different growth factors all reside in different parts of the DCN molecule. An emerging concept that multiple proteases, especially those produced by inflammatory cells, are capable of cleaving DCN suggests that native DCN could be inactivated in a number of pathological inflammatory conditions. In this paper, we review the role of DCN in cancer.
Sinonasal Lymphoma Presenting as a Probable Sanctuary Site for Relapsed B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Lim W. Y. , Care R. , Lau M. , Chiruka S. , Dawes P. J. D.
Published: November 2015

Sinonasal lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) representing 1.5% of all lymphomas. It presents as an unremitting ulceration with progressive destruction of midline sinonasal and surrounding structures. Poor prognosis warrants early treatment although diagnosis is challenging and frequently delayed. It is usually primary in origin and to our knowledge the sinonasal region has never been reported as a sanctuary site in leukaemia/lymphoma relapse. We present a unique case of B-cell ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) with late relapse to the nasal septum as a sinonasal lymphoblastic lymphoma and with genetic support for this as a sanctuary site.
Implementation of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups Criteria: Not Always a Cause for Concern
Authors: Sibartie Pooja , Quinlivan Julie
Published: November 2015

Background. Controversy surrounds the decision to adopt the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as fears that disease prevalence rates will soar have been raised.Aims. To investigate the prevalence of pregnancy complicated with GDM before and after the introduction of the IADPSG 2010 diagnostic criteria.Materials and Methods. A prospective audit of all women who delivered from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2014, in a predefined geographic region within the North Metropolitan Health Service of Western Australia. Women were diagnosed with GDM according to Australian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS 1991) criteria until December 31, 2011, and by the IADPSG 2010 criteria after this date. Incidence of GDM and predefined pregnancy outcomes were audited.Results. Of 10,296 women, antenatal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results and follow-up data were obtained for 10,103 women (98%), of whom 349 (3.5%) were diagnosed with GDM. The rate of GDM utilising ADIPS criteria was 3.4% and the rate of utilising IADPSG criteria was 3.5% (p=0.92).Conclusion. IADPSG diagnostic criteria did not significantly increase the incidence of GDM in this low prevalence region.
Prophylactic Circumferential Retinal Cryopexy to Prevent Pseudophakic Retinal Detachment after Posterior Capsule Rupture during Phacoemulsification
Authors: Bertelmann T. , Heun C. , Paul C. , Bari-Kacik E. , Sekundo W. , Schulze S.
Published: November 2015

Purpose. To evaluate whether prophylactic circumferential retinal cryopexy (CRC) can prevent pseudophakic retinal detachment (PRD) development after posterior capsule rupture (PCR) during phacoemulsification.Methods. Retrospective patient chart analysis of eyes experiencing a PCR during phacoemulsification. Comparison of PRD development between eyes receiving CRC (cryo+ group) or not (cryo− group).Results. Overall 106 patients were analyzed, thereof 61 (58%) in the cryo+ and 45 (42%) in the cryo− group. In both clusters a total of 10 PRDs (9.4%) occurred, thereof 3 (30%) in the cryo+ as well as 7 (70%) in the cryo− group(p=0.087), 79.8 ± 81.58 weeks after PCR. Relative/absolute risk reduction in CRC-treated eyes was calculated to be 68%/11%. Prophylactic CRC reduced PRD development 0.3-fold. Number needed to treat was estimated to be 9.4.Conclusion. Prophylactic CRC might be a useful treatment option in eyes with PCR to hamper PRD development in the further course. Further research is indicated to evaluate this beneficial effect between eyes with and without a rupture of the anterior vitreous cortex and accompanying vitreous loss in an expanding number of eyes.
A Patient-Derived Xenograft Model of Parameningeal Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma for Preclinical Studies
Authors: Hooper Jody E. , Cantor Emma L. , Ehlen Macgregor S. , Banerjee Avirup , Malempati Suman , Stenzel Peter , Woltjer Randy L. , Gandour-Edwards Regina , Goodwin Neal C. , Yang Yan , Kaur Pali , Bult Carol J. , Airhart Susan D. , Keller Charles
Published: November 2015

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (eRMS) is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas in children and adolescents. Parameningeal eRMS is a variant that is often more difficult to treat than eRMS occurring at other sites. A 14-year-old female with persistent headaches and rapid weight loss was diagnosed with parameningeal eRMS. She progressed and died despite chemotherapy with vincristine, actinomycin-D, and cyclophosphamide plus 50.4 Gy radiation therapy to the primary tumor site. Tumor specimens were acquired by rapid autopsy and tumor tissue was transplanted into immunodeficient mice to create a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) animal model. As autopsy specimens had an ALK R1181C mutation, PDX tumor bearing animals were treated with the pan-kinase inhibitor lestaurtinib but demonstrated no decrease in tumor growth, suggesting that single agent kinase inhibitor therapy may be insufficient in similar cases. This unique parameningeal eRMS PDX model is publicly available for preclinical study.
Glacial Area Changes in the Ili River Catchment (Northeastern Tian Shan) in Xinjiang, China, from the 1960s to 2009
Authors: Xu Junli , Liu Shiyin , Guo Wanqin , Zhang Zhen , Wei Junfeng , Feng Tong
Published: November 2015

The Ili River originates in the Tian Shan Mountains of Northwest China before flowing into Kazakhstan and Lake Balkash. Melting snow and ice are its major contributors. We analyzed glacial changes in the upper Ili River basin between the 1960s and 2007/2009 using topographic maps and satellite imagery from a Landsat TM. The relationships between glacial changes and glacial size, topographic factors, and debris cover were examined. Our results found that total glacial area decreased by 485 ± 177.3 km2(24.2% ± 8.8%) during the study period, and there were no advancing glaciers. Additionally, 331 glaciers disappeared and 18 disintegrated into two or three smaller glaciers. This study demonstrated a linear relationship between glacial area change and elevation. Changes in glaciers smaller than 1 km2were affected by both glacial size and topographic factors, while larger ones were affected by size only. Area losses in debris-covered glaciers were smaller by 2.5% to 7.5% compared to clean ice of the same size in this basin. As in other glaciated regions, glacial retreat in the Ili River basin is attributed to global warming. The slightly increasing precipitation over the study period could not offset the ice melting.
Respiratory Failure due to Possible Donor-DerivedSporothrix schenckiiInfection in a Lung Transplant Recipient
Authors: Bahr Nathan C. , Janssen Katherine , Billings Joanne , Loor Gabriel , Green Jaime S.
Published: November 2015

Background. De novo and donor-derived invasive fungal infections (IFIs) contribute to morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Reporting of donor-derived IFIs (DDIFIs) to the Organ Procurement Transplant Network has been mandated since 2005. Prior to that time no systematic monitoring of DDIFIs occurred in the United States.Case Presentation. We report a case of primary graft dysfunction in a 49-year-old male lung transplant recipient with diffuse patchy bilateral infiltrates likely related to pulmonarySporothrix schenckiiinfection. The organism was isolated from a bronchoalveolar lavage on the second day after transplantation. Clinical and radiographic responses occurred after initiation of amphotericin B lipid formulation.Conclusion. We believe that this was likely a donor-derived infection given the early timing of theSporothrixisolation after transplant in a bilateral single lung transplant recipient. This is the first case report of sporotrichosis in a lung transplant recipient. Our patient responded well to amphotericin induction therapy followed by maintenance therapy with itraconazole. The implications of donor-derived fungal infections andSporothrixin transplant recipients are reviewed. Early recognition and management of these fungi are essential in improving outcomes.
Photocatalysis and Bandgap Engineering Using ZnO Nanocomposites
Authors: Johar Muhammad Ali , Afzal Rana Arslan , Alazba Abdulrahman Ali , Manzoor Umair
Published: November 2015

Nanocomposites have a great potential to work as efficient, multifunctional materials for energy conversion and photoelectrochemical reactions. Nanocomposites may reveal more improved photocatalysis by implying the improvements of their electronic and structural properties than pure photocatalyst. This paper presents the recent work carried out on photoelectrochemical reactions using the composite materials of ZnO with CdS, ZnO with SnO2, ZnO with TiO2, ZnO with Ag2S, and ZnO with graphene and graphene oxide. The photocatalytic efficiency mainly depends upon the light harvesting span of a material, lifetime of photogenerated electron-hole pair, and reactive sites available in the photocatalyst. We reviewed the UV-Vis absorption spectrum of nanocomposite and photodegradation reported by the same material and how photodegradation depends upon the factors described above. Finally the improvement in the absorption band edge of nanocomposite material is discussed.
High-Speed Target Identification System Based on the Plume’s Spectral Distribution
Authors: Lang Wenjie , Chen Guoguang , Tian Xiaoli , Xin Changfan
Published: November 2015

In order to recognize the target of high speed quickly and accurately, an identification system was designed based on analysis of the distribution characteristics of the plume spectrum. In the system, the target was aligned with visible light tracking module, and the spectral analysis of the target’s plume radiation was achieved by interference module. The distinguishing factor recognition algorithm was designed on basis of ratio of multifeature band peaks and valley mean values. Effective recognition of the high speed moving target could be achieved after partition of the active region and the influence of target motion on spectral acquisition was analyzed. In the experiment the small rocket combustion was used as the target. The spectral detection experiment was conducted at different speeds 2.0 km away from the detection system. Experimental results showed that spectral distribution had significant spectral offset in the same sampling period for the target with different speeds, but the spectral distribution was basically consistent. Through calculation of the inclusion relationship between distinguishing factor and distinction interval of the peak value and the valley value at the corresponding wave-bands, effective identification of target could be achieved.
Highly Stable Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Substrates Using Few‐Layer Graphene on Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Lee Jaehong , Shin Sera , Kang Subin , Lee Sanggeun , Seo Jungmok , Lee Taeyoon
Published: November 2015

Graphene can be effectively applied as an ultrathin barrier for fluids, gases, and atoms based on its excellent impermeability. In this work, few‐layer graphene was encapsulated on silver (Ag) nanoparticles for the fabrication of highly stable surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates, which has strong resistance to oxidation of the Ag nanoparticles. The few‐layer graphene can be successfully grown on the surface of the Ag nanoparticles through a simple heating process. To prevent the agglomeration of the Ag nanoparticles in the fabrication process, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) layers were used as a solid carbon source instead of methane (CH4) gas generally used as a carbon source for the synthesis of graphene. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of the few‐layer graphene‐encapsulated Ag nanoparticles indicate that the few‐layer graphene can protect the Ag nanoparticles from surface oxidation after intensive annealing processes in ambient conditions, giving the highly stable SERS substrates. The Raman spectra of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) deposited on the stable SERS substrates exhibit maintenance of the Raman signal intensity despite the annealing process in air. The facile approach to fabricate the few‐layer graphene‐encapsulated Ag nanoparticles can be effectively useful for various applications in chemical and biological sensors by providing the highly stable SERS substrates.
Prediction of Protein-Protein Interaction Sites Based on Naive Bayes Classifier
Authors: Geng Haijiang , Lu Tao , Lin Xiao , Liu Yu , Yan Fangrong
Published: November 2015

Protein functions through interactions with other proteins and biomolecules and these interactions occur on the so-called interface residues of the protein sequences. Identifying interface residues makes us better understand the biological mechanism of protein interaction. Meanwhile, information about the interface residues contributes to the understanding of metabolic, signal transduction networks and indicates directions in drug designing. In recent years, researchers have focused on developing new computational methods for predicting protein interface residues. Here we creatively used a 181-dimension protein sequence feature vector as input to the Naive Bayes Classifier- (NBC-) based method to predict interaction sites in protein-protein complexes interaction. The prediction of interaction sites in protein interactions is regarded as an amino acid residue binary classification problem by applying NBC with protein sequence features. Independent test results suggested that Naive Bayes Classifier-based method with the protein sequence features as input vectors performed well.
Inhibition of NA+/H+Exchanger 1 Attenuates Renal Dysfunction Induced by Advanced Glycation End Products in Rats
Authors: Li Peng , Chen Geng-Rong , Wang Fu , Xu Ping , Liu Li-Ying , Yin Ya-Ling , Wang Shuang-Xi
Published: November 2015

It has been recognized that sodium hydrogen exchanger 1 (NHE1) is involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy. The role of NHE1 in kidney dysfunction induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) remains unknown. Renal damage was induced by AGEs via tail vein injections in rats. Function and morphology of kidney were determined. Compared to vehicle- or BSA-treated rats, AGEs caused abnormalities of kidney structures and functions in rats, accompanied with higher MDA level and lower GSH content. Gene expressions of NHE1 gene and TGF-β1 in the renal cortex and urine were also increased in AGEs-injected rats. Importantly, all these detrimental effects induced by AGEs were reversed by inhibition of NHE1 or suppression of oxidative stress. These pieces of data demonstrated that AGEs may activate NHE1 to induce renal damage, which is related to TGF-β1.
Stacked Denoise Autoencoder Based Feature Extraction and Classification for Hyperspectral Images
Authors: Xing Chen , Ma Li , Yang Xiaoquan
Published: November 2015

Deep learning methods have been successfully applied to learn feature representations for high-dimensional data, where the learned features are able to reveal the nonlinear properties exhibited in the data. In this paper, deep learning method is exploited for feature extraction of hyperspectral data, and the extracted features can provide good discriminability for classification task. Training a deep network for feature extraction and classification includes unsupervised pretraining and supervised fine-tuning. We utilized stacked denoise autoencoder (SDAE) method to pretrain the network, which is robust to noise. In the top layer of the network, logistic regression (LR) approach is utilized to perform supervised fine-tuning and classification. Since sparsity of features might improve the separation capability, we utilized rectified linear unit (ReLU) as activation function in SDAE to extract high level and sparse features. Experimental results using Hyperion, AVIRIS, and ROSIS hyperspectral data demonstrated that the SDAE pretraining in conjunction with the LR fine-tuning and classification (SDAE_LR) can achieve higher accuracies than the popular support vector machine (SVM) classifier.
Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Cardiomyocyte‐Like Cells Is Regulated by the Combined Low Dose Treatment of Transforming Growth Factor‐β1 and 5‐Azacytidine
Authors: Shi Shutian , Wu Xingxin , Wang Xiao , Hao Wen , Miao Huangtai , Zhen Lei , Nie Shaoping
Published: November 2015

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) are used in cardiac tissue engineering for the regeneration of diseased hearts. We examined the differentiation of rat BMMSCs into cardiomyocyte‐like cells when induced with a combined low dose treatment of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and 5‐azacytidine (5‐AZA). Results showed that cell proliferation in the combined low dose treatment group of TGF‐β1 and 5‐AZA was increased compared with the TGF‐β1 group or the 5‐AZA group. The cell apoptosis was relieved by combined TGF‐β1 and 5‐AZA treatment compared to 5‐AZA treatment alone. The number of cells positive for myosin heavy chain, connexin‐43, α‐actin, and troponin I in the combined treatment group was higher than those observed in the TGF‐β1 group or the 5‐AZA group. Moreover, the combined low dose treatment group of TGF‐β1 and 5‐AZA reveals the strongest expression of troponin I, α‐actin, and phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (p‐ErK1/2) among the treatment groups. These results suggest that the combined low dose treatment of TGF‐β1 and 5‐AZA can improve the differentiation potential of rat BMMSCs into cardiomyocyte‐like cells and alleviate cell damage effects in vitro. The mechanism that is involved in influencing differentiation may be associated with p‐ErK1/2.
Human iPSC for Therapeutic Approaches to the Nervous System: Present and Future Applications
Authors: Cefalo Maria Giuseppina , Carai Andrea , Miele Evelina , Po Agnese , Ferretti Elisabetta , Mastronuzzi Angela , Germano Isabelle M.
Published: November 2015

Many central nervous system (CNS) diseases including stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), and brain tumors are a significant cause of worldwide morbidity/mortality and yet do not have satisfying treatments. Cell‐based therapy to restore lost function or to carry new therapeutic genes is a promising new therapeutic approach, particularly after human iPSCs became available. However, efficient generation of footprint‐free and xeno‐free human iPSC is a prerequisite for their clinical use. In this paper, we will first summarize the current methodology to obtain footprint‐ and xeno‐free human iPSC. We will then review the current iPSC applications in therapeutic approaches for CNS regeneration and their use as vectors to carry proapoptotic genes for brain tumors and review their applications for modelling of neurological diseases and formulating new therapeutic approaches. Available results will be summarized and compared. Finally, we will discuss current limitations precluding iPSC from being used on large scale for clinical applications and provide an overview of future areas of improvement. In conclusion, significant progress has occurred in deriving iPSC suitable for clinical use in the field of neurological diseases. Current efforts to overcome technical challenges, including reducing labour and cost, will hopefully expedite the integration of this technology in the clinical setting.
PON‐1 Activity and Plasma 8‐Isoprostane Concentration in Patients with Angiographically Proven Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Kuchta Agnieszka , Strzelecki Adrian , Ćwiklińska Agnieszka , Totoń Magdalena , Gruchała Marcin , Zdrojewski Zbigniew , Kortas-Stempak Barbara , Gliwińska Anna , Dąbkowski Kamil , Jankowski Maciej
Published: November 2015

The aim of the study was to estimate association of the extent of angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) with plasma 8‐isoprostane F2 (8‐iso‐PGF2α) levels as a reliable marker of lipid peroxidation and serum activity of paraoxonase‐1, which demonstrates the ability to protect against lipid oxidation. The study included 105 patients with angiographically documented CAD (CAD+) and 45 patients with negative results of coronary angiography (CAD−). Compared to the control group CAD+ patients were characterized by increased 8‐iso‐PGF2α levels (P = 0.007) and reduced activity of PON‐1 towards paraoxon (PONase, P = 0.002) and phenyl acetate (AREase, P = 0.037). Univariate correlation analysis indicated that 8‐iso‐PGF2α concentrations were positively associated with the severity of CAD as evaluated by the Gensini score (R = 0.41, P < 0.001) while PONase activity (R = −0.26, P < 0.05) and AREase activity (R = −0.23, P < 0.05) were inversely correlated with CAD severity. PONase activity and 8‐iso‐PGF2α concentration remained independent determinant of atherosclerosis severity in multiple linear regression after adjusting for age, gender, smoking habits, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, statin therapy, and HDL‐C and TAG concentration (β coefficients −0.267; P < 0.05 and 0.368; P < 0.001, resp.). The results suggest that PON‐1 activity and 8‐iso‐PGF2α concentration are associated with the presence and extent of coronary stenosis and may be considered additional markers of coronary artery disease.
Active Suppression of Narrowband Noise by Multiple Secondary Sources
Authors: Ryu Seokhoon , Park Yun Jung , Lee Young-Sup
Published: November 2015

This study presents theoretical and experimental investigation on the active suppression of narrowband noise with C1, C1.5, and C2 components by using multichannel secondary sources in a duct. The quality manipulation in the duct was controlled by changing quality factors which were incorporated into a multichannel FxLMS algorithm. The algorithm is extensively investigated in both theory and real-time control experiment. After analysing the primary and secondary paths of the duct system, an acoustic narrowband signal was chosen as a primary noise and the impulse responses were implemented as the secondary path models. Control results show that the quality factors in the algorithm that was implemented in a dSPACE 1104 provide a stable and excellent response compared to before control. It is obvious that the lower quality factor cancels the more primary noise as defined in the theory although the attenuation levels are not exactly and inversely proportional to the quality factor. The results in this study can be used for practical active sound quality control systems.
TBX3 Knockdown Decreases Reprogramming Efficiency of Human Cells
Authors: Klingenstein Moritz , Raab Stefanie , Achberger Kevin , Kleger Alexander , Liebau Stefan , Linta Leonhard
Published: November 2015

TBX3 is a member of the T‐box transcription factor family and is involved in the core pluripotency network. Despite this role in the pluripotency network, its contribution to the reprogramming process during the generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells remains elusive. In this respect, we performed reprogramming experiments applying TBX3 knockdown in human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Knockdown of TBX3 in both somatic cell types decreased the reprogramming efficiencies in comparison to control cells but with unchanged reprogramming kinetics. The resulting iPSCs were indistinguishable from control cells and displayed a normal in vitro differentiation capacity by generating cells of all three germ layers comparable to the controls.
New Insights from Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy into the Interactions of Islet Amyloid Polypeptides with Lipid Membranes
Authors: Fu Li , Wang Zhuguang , Batista Victor S. , Yan Elsa C. Y.
Published: November 2015

Studies of amyloid polypeptides on membrane surfaces have gained increasing attention in recent years. Several studies have revealed that membranes can catalyze protein aggregation and that the early products of amyloid aggregation can disrupt membrane integrity, increasing water permeability and inducing ion cytotoxicity. Nonetheless, probing aggregation of amyloid proteins on membrane surfaces is challenging. Surface-specific methods are required to discriminate contributions of aggregates at the membrane interface from those in the bulk phase and to characterize protein secondary structuresin situand in real time without the use of perturbing spectroscopic labels. Here, we review the most recent applications of sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy applied in conjunction with computational modeling techniques, a joint experimental and computational methodology that has provided valuable insights into the aggregation of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) on membrane surfaces. These applications show that SFG can provide detailed information about structures, kinetics, and orientation of IAPP during interfacial aggregation, relevant to the molecular mechanisms of type II diabetes. These recent advances demonstrate the promise of SFG as a new approach for studying amyloid diseases at the molecular level and for the rational drug design targeting early aggregation products on membrane surfaces.
Metformin Treatment Prevents Sedentariness Related Damages in Mice
Authors: Senesi Pamela , Montesano Anna , Luzi Livio , Codella Roberto , Benedini Stefano , Terruzzi Ileana
Published: November 2015

Metformin (METF), historical antihyperglycemic drug, is a likely candidate for lifespan extension, treatment and prevention of sedentariness damages, insulin resistance, and obesity. Skeletal muscle is a highly adaptable tissue, capable of hypertrophy response to resistance training and of regeneration after damage. Aims of this work were to investigate METF ability to prevent sedentariness damage and to enhance skeletal muscle function. Sedentary 12-week-old C57BL/6 mice were treated with METF (250 mg/kg per day, in drinking water) for 60 days. METF role on skeletal muscle differentiation was studiedin vitrousing murine C2C12 myoblasts. Muscular performance evaluation revealed that METF enhanced mice physical performance (EstimatedVO2max). Biochemical analyses of hepatic and muscular tissues indicated that in liver METF increased AMPK and CAMKII signaling. In contrast, METF inactivated ERKs, the principal kinases involved in hepatic stress. In skeletal muscle, METF activated AKT, key kinase in skeletal muscle mass maintenance. Inin vitrostudies, METF did not modify the C2C12 proliferation capacity, while it positively influenced the differentiation process and myotube maturation. In conclusion, our novel results suggest that METF has a positive action not only on the promotion of healthy aging but also on the prevention of sedentariness damages.
Expression of the Wnt Receptor Frizzled‐4 in the Human Enteric Nervous System of Infants
Authors: Nothelfer Katharina , Obermayr Florian , Belz Nadine , Reinartz Ellen , Bareiss Petra M. , Bühring Hans-Jörg , Beschorner Rudi , Just Lothar
Published: November 2015

The Wnt signalling pathway plays a crucial role in the development of the nervous system. This signalling cascade is initiated upon binding of the secreted Wnt ligand to a member of the family of frizzled receptors. In the present study, we analysed the presence of frizzled‐4 in the enteric nervous system of human infants. Frizzled‐4 could be identified by immunohistochemistry in a subpopulation of enteric neuronal and glial cells in the small and large intestine. Detection of frizzled‐4 in the tunica muscularis by RT‐PCR confirmed this receptor’s expression on the mRNA level. Interestingly, we observed distinct cell populations that co‐expressed frizzled‐4 with the intermediate filament protein nestin and the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR, which have been reported to be expressed in neural progenitor cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that 60% of p75NTR positive cells of the tunica muscularis were positive for frizzled‐4. Additionally, in pathological samples of Hirschsprung’s disease, the expression of this Wnt receptor correlated with the number of myenteric ganglion cells and decreased from normoganglionic to aganglionic areas of large intestine. The expression pattern of frizzled‐4 indicates that this Wnt receptor could be involved in postnatal development and/or function of the enteric nervous system.
A New Method to Simultaneously Quantify the Antioxidants: Carotenes, Xanthophylls, and Vitamin A in Human Plasma
Authors: Colmán-Martínez Mariel , Martínez-Huélamo Miriam , Miralles Esther , Estruch Ramón , Lamuela-Raventós Rosa M.
Published: November 2015

A simple and accurate reversed phase high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD) method for simultaneously determining and quantifying the antioxidants carotenes, xanthophylls, and retinol in human plasma is presented in this paper. Compounds were extracted with hexane, a C30 column, and a mobile phase of methanol, methyl tert‐butyl ether, and water were used for the separation of the compounds. A total of 8 carotenoids, 3 Z‐β‐carotene isomers, and 1 fat‐soluble vitamin (retinol) were resolved within 72 min at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. Detection was achieved at 450 nm for carotenoids and 330 nm for retinol. To evaluate the effectiveness of themethod, it has been applied to an intervention study conducted on eight volunteers. Results. Limits of detection were between 0.1 μg/mL for lycopene and astaxanthin and 1.3 μg/mL for 15‐Z‐β‐carotene. Recoveries were ranged between 89% and 113% for α‐carotene and astaxanthin, respectively. Accuracy was between 90.7% and 112.2% and precision was between 1% and 15% RSD. In human plasma samples compounds studied were identified besides three lycopene isomers, demonstrated to be suitable for application in dietary intervention studies. Conclusions. Due to its accuracy, precision, selectivity, and reproducibility, this method is suitable to dietary habits and/or antioxidants status studies.