bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Low-Power-Consumption All-Fiber-Optic Anemometer with Simple System Design
Authors: Zhang Yang , Wang Fang , Duan Zhihui , Liu Zexu , Liu Zigeng , Wu Zhenlin , Gu Yiying , Sun Changsen , Peng Wei
Published: September 2017

A compact and low-power consuming fiber-optic anemometer based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) coated tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) is presented. TFBG as a near infrared in-fiber sensing element is able to excite a number of cladding modes and radiation modes in the fiber and effectively couple light in the core to interact with the fiber surrounding mediums. It is an ideal in-fiber device used in a fiber hot-wire anemometer (HWA) as both coupling and sensing elements to simplify the sensing head structure. The fabricated TFBG was immobilized with an SWCNT film on the fiber surface. SWCNTs, a kind of innovative nanomaterial, were utilized as light-heat conversion medium instead of traditional metallic materials, due to its excellent infrared light absorption ability and competitive thermal conductivity. When the SWCNT film strongly absorbs the light in the fiber, the sensor head can be heated and form a “hot wire”. As the sensor is put into wind field, the wind will take away the heat on the sensor resulting in a temperature variation that is then accurately measured by the TFBG. Benefited from the high coupling and absorption efficiency, the heating and sensing light source was shared with only one broadband light source (BBS) without any extra pumping laser complicating the system. This not only significantly reduces power consumption, but also simplifies the whole sensing system with lower cost. In experiments, the key parameters of the sensor, such as the film thickness and the inherent angle of the TFBG, were fully investigated. It was demonstrated that, under a very low BBS input power of 9.87 mW, a 0.100 nm wavelength response can still be detected as the wind speed changed from 0 to 2 m/s. In addition, the sensitivity was found to be −0.0346 nm/(m/s) under the wind speed of 1 m/s. The proposed simple and low-power-consumption wind speed sensing system exhibits promising potential for future long-term remote monitoring and on-chip sensing in practical applications.
Obstacle Recognition Based on Machine Learning for On-Chip LiDAR Sensors in a Cyber-Physical System
Authors: Castaño Fernando , Beruvides Gerardo , Haber Rodolfo , Artuñedo Antonio
Published: September 2017

Collision avoidance is an important feature in advanced driver-assistance systems, aimed at providing correct, timely and reliable warnings before an imminent collision (with objects, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.). The obstacle recognition library is designed and implemented to address the design and evaluation of obstacle detection in a transportation cyber-physical system. The library is integrated into a co-simulation framework that is supported on the interaction between SCANeR software and Matlab/Simulink. From the best of the authors’ knowledge, two main contributions are reported in this paper. Firstly, the modelling and simulation of virtual on-chip light detection and ranging sensors in a cyber-physical system, for traffic scenarios, is presented. The cyber-physical system is designed and implemented in SCANeR. Secondly, three specific artificial intelligence-based methods for obstacle recognition libraries are also designed and applied using a sensory information database provided by SCANeR. The computational library has three methods for obstacle detection: a multi-layer perceptron neural network, a self-organization map and a support vector machine. Finally, a comparison among these methods under different weather conditions is presented, with very promising results in terms of accuracy. The best results are achieved using the multi-layer perceptron in sunny and foggy conditions, the support vector machine in rainy conditions and the self-organized map in snowy conditions.
An Optical-Fiber-Based Airborne Particle Sensor
Authors: Wang Yifan , Muth John
Published: September 2017

A new optical-fiber-based airborne particle counter is reported. Unlike traditional light-scatter-based techniques, the particle is detected through the drop in optical fiber coupling efficiency as the particle disrupts the electromagnetic mode of the optical beam. The system is simple, substantially smaller than traditional systems, and does not require high power laser input. This makes it attractive for wearable air quality monitors where size is a premium. There is close agreement between theoretical model and experimental results for solid and liquid particles in the 1 to 10 µm range.
PSDAAP: Provably Secure Data Authenticated Aggregation Protocols Using Identity-Based Multi-Signature in Marine WSNs
Authors: Wei Lifei , Zhang Lei , Huang Dongmei , Zhang Kai , Dai Liang , Wu Guojian
Published: September 2017

Data authenticated aggregation is always a significant issue for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The marine sensors are deployed far away from the security monitoring. Secure data aggregation for marine WSNs has emerged and attracted the interest of researchers and engineers. A multi-signature enables the data aggregation through one signature to authenticate various signers on the acknowledgement of a message, which is quite fit for data authenticated aggregation marine WSNs. However, most of the previous multi-signature schemes rely on the technique of bilinear pairing involving heavy computational overhead or the management of certificates, which cannot be afforded by the marine wireless sensors. Combined with the concept of identity-based cryptography, a few pairing-free identity-based multi-signature (IBMS) schemes have been designed on the basis of the integer factorization problem. In this paper, we propose two efficient IBMS schemes that can be used to construct provably secure data authenticated aggregation protocols under the cubic residue assumption, which is equal to integer factorization. We also employ two different methods to calculate a cubic root for the cubic residue number during the signer’s private key extraction. The algorithms are quite efficient compared to the previous work, especially for the algorithms of the multi-signature generation and its verification.
Corporate Concentration and Technological Change in the Global Seed Industry
Authors: Bonny Sylvie
Published: September 2017

In the past three decades, the seed sector has experienced, and is now again experiencing, corporate concentration trends. The fallout of this consolidation is the subject of numerous concerns. However, the seed sector is rather poorly understood. Thus, it is useful to understand it better and to investigate the potential impact on the agri-food chain of the trend toward increased corporate concentration. The first part of this paper presents the main characteristics of the global seed sector, its stakeholders, and its size in the agri-food chain. Next, the corporate consolidation trends of the seed industry over the past two years are examined. The technological evolution of the seed sector is also briefly presented. In the last part of this paper, the fallout of recent mergers and acquisitions in the seed industry are analyzed. Opposing views are expressed on the impact of these mergers and acquisitions in the agri-food chain: while certain stakeholders worry about the risk of food power by the biggest companies, some others expect useful innovations.
Freestanding graphene/MnO2 cathodes for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Özcan Şeyma , Güler Aslıhan , Cetinkaya Tugrul , Guler Mehmet O , Akbulut Hatem
Published: September 2017

Different polymorphs of MnO2 (α-, β-, and γ-) were produced by microwave hydrothermal synthesis, and graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were prepared by oxidation of graphite using a modified Hummers’ method. Freestanding graphene/MnO2 cathodes were manufactured through a vacuum filtration process. The structure of the graphene/MnO2 nanocomposites was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The surface and cross-sectional morphologies of freestanding cathodes were investigated by scanning electron microcopy (SEM). The charge–discharge profile of the cathodes was tested between 1.5 V and 4.5 V at a constant current of 0.1 mA cm−2 using CR2016 coin cells. The initial specific capacity of graphene/α-, β-, and γ-MnO2 freestanding cathodes was found to be 321 mAhg−1, 198 mAhg−1, and 251 mAhg−1, respectively. Finally, the graphene/α-MnO2 cathode displayed the best cycling performance due to the low charge transfer resistance and higher electrochemical reaction behavior. Graphene/α-MnO2 freestanding cathodes exhibited a specific capacity of 229 mAhg−1 after 200 cycles with 72% capacity retention.
Time-dependent Perpendicular Transport of Energetic Particles for Different Turbulence Configurations and Parallel Transport Models
Authors: Lasuik J. , Shalchi A.
Published: September 2017

Recently, a new theory for the transport of energetic particles across a mean magnetic field was presented. Compared to other nonlinear theories the new approach has the advantage that it provides a full time-dependent description of the transport. Furthermore, a diffusion approximation is no longer part of that theory. The purpose of this paper is to combine this new approach with a time-dependent model for parallel transport and different turbulence configurations in order to explore the parameter regimes for which we get ballistic transport, compound subdiffusion, and normal Markovian diffusion.
Stellar Mass Function of Active and Quiescent Galaxies via the Continuity Equation
Authors: Lapi A. , Mancuso C. , Bressan A. , Danese L.
Published: September 2017

The continuity equation is developed for the stellar mass content of galaxies and exploited to derive the stellar mass function of active and quiescent galaxies over the redshift range

. The continuity equation requires two specific inputs gauged from observations: (i) the star formation rate functions determined on the basis of the latest UV+far-IR/submillimeter/radio measurements and (ii) average star formation histories for individual galaxies, with different prescriptions for disks and spheroids. The continuity equation also includes a source term taking into account (dry) mergers, based on recent numerical simulations and consistent with observations. The stellar mass function derived from the continuity equation is coupled with the halo mass function and with the SFR functions to derive the star formation efficiency and the main sequence of star-forming galaxies via the abundance-matching technique. A remarkable agreement of the resulting stellar mass functions for active and quiescent galaxies of the galaxy main sequence, and of the star formation efficiency with current observations is found; the comparison with data also allows the characteristic timescales for star formation and quiescence of massive galaxies, the star formation history of their progenitors, and the amount of stellar mass added by in situ star formation versus that contributed by external merger events to be robustly constrained. The continuity equation is shown to yield quantitative outcomes that detailed physical models must comply with, that can provide a basis for improving the (subgrid) physical recipes implemented in theoretical approaches and numerical simulations, and that can offer a benchmark for forecasts on future observations with multiband coverage, as will become routinely achievable in the era of JWST.
Retrieval Analysis of the Emission Spectrum of WASP-12b: Sensitivity of Outcomes to Prior Assumptions and Implications for Formation History
Authors: Oreshenko Maria , Lavie Baptiste , Grimm Simon L. , Tsai Shang-Min , Malik Matej , Demory Brice-Olivier , Mordasini Christoph , Alibert Yann , Benz Willy , Quanz Sascha P. , Trotta Roberto , Heng Kevin
Published: September 2017

We analyze the emission spectrum of the hot Jupiter WASP-12b using our HELIOS-R retrieval code and HELIOS-K opacity calculator. When interpreting Hubble and Spitzer data, the retrieval outcomes are found to be prior-dominated. When the prior distributions of the molecular abundances are assumed to be log-uniform, the volume mixing ratio of HCN is found to be implausibly high. A VULCAN chemical kinetics model of WASP-12b suggests that chemical equilibrium is a reasonable assumption even when atmospheric mixing is implausibly rigorous. Guided by (exo)planet formation theory, we set Gaussian priors on the elemental abundances of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen with the Gaussian peaks being centered on the measured C/H, O/H, and N/H values of the star. By enforcing chemical equilibrium, we find substellar O/H and stellar to slightly superstellar C/H for the dayside atmosphere of WASP-12b. The superstellar carbon-to-oxygen ratio is just above unity, regardless of whether clouds are included in the retrieval analysis, consistent with Madhusudhan et al. Furthermore, whether a temperature inversion exists in the atmosphere depends on one’s assumption for the Gaussian width of the priors. Our retrieved posterior distributions are consistent with the formation of WASP-12b in a solar-composition protoplanetary disk, beyond the water iceline, via gravitational instability or pebble accretion (without core erosion) and migration inward to its present orbital location via a disk-free mechanism, and are inconsistent with both in situ formation and core accretion with disk migration, as predicted by Madhusudhan et al. We predict that the interpretation of James Webb Space Telescope WASP-12b data will not be prior-dominated.
La fabrique circulatoire d’un patrimoine national ou la coproduction de la nature au Costa Rica
Authors: Boukhris Linda
Published: September 2017

Cet article propose d’analyser le triple processus circulatoire à l’origine de la production patrimoniale au Costa Rica. Tout d’abord, le patrimoine naturel costaricien s’est construit à partir de représentations de la nature éminemment circulantes. Les voyageurs à la conquête des Amériques ont joué un rôle-clé dans la production du Costa Rica comme objet de nature tropicale dès le xix e siècle. Un deuxième processus circulatoire s’illustre dans la production contemporaine du patrimoine naturel costaricien. En effet, la mise en place du système national de conservation se structure à partir d’une circulation de concepts, de méthodes et d’expériences, émanant principalement des États-Unis. Enfin, cette qualification patrimoniale se trouve validée symboliquement par la mobilité touristique nationale et internationale. Revenir sur ces processus circulatoires permet également de saisir les différents rapports de pouvoir structurant la construction patrimoniale.
Los estilos de amor en estudiantes universitarios. Diferencias en función del sexo-género
Authors: Rodríguez-Santero Javier , García-Carpintero Muñoz M.ª Ángeles , Porcel Gálvez Ana María
Published: September 2017

En este trabajo describimos los estilos de amor que se dan entre la población juvenil de la Universidad de Sevilla y hacemos un análisis de las diferencias según el sistema sexo-género. Para ello, se ha realizado un estudio descriptivo y transversal que ha empleado una adaptación contextualizada de la escala Love Attitudes Style (Hendrick et al. 1998). Este instrumento validado de recogida de datos, que hemos denominado ‘ReLAS’, fue administrado finalmente a 447 estudiantes de la Universidad de Sevilla (267 mujeres y 180 hombres). Los resultados señalan que, por lo general, los sujetos cuentan con un concepto idealizado y romántico del amor, en el que la sexualidad y los aspectos más pasionales o de atracción son secundarios, aunque con ciertos matices importantes, como hemos podido comprobar al estudiar las diferencias por sexo atribuibles a los roles de género.
Creation Proposal for the Digital Competency Framework of the Middle-East European Region
Authors: Nyikes Zoltán
Published: September 2017

Since the end of the 20th century the digital competence social and personal importance is increasingly heaves. Nowadays the basic level information technology knowledge is necessary because the penetration rate of the digital devices and the internet availability. Again the material world dangers the defense actions evolved. The cyber age started some decade ago. Civil people are not aware for attacks in the Cyber space and they can’t survey its danger. In Hungary the information technology and the internet penetration started in the last some decades.
„Gen X” and older generation people users only in theirs adulthood met digital devices and its application. For the said generations to find a workplace was not required the digital competence, because the digital devices and the digital infrastructure wasn’t availability for everybody. This age-group has not enough motivation to improve the digital competence and herewith develop the safety awareness too. Nowadays this age-group needs significant helps to correspond to the challenge of the digital world.
The digital competence and the safety awareness are improvable by the way of education. The knowledge levels are very different between the same age users. The assessment and the determination of the levels are a complex problem. Skills and routine levels of the users are approximately well determinable by questionnaire. The development of the different digital competence and safety awareness level user’s is workable by different knowledge transmission.
I introduce in this paper like my research synthesis the assessment and the classification of the tested age-groups.
Fatigue Damage Prediction as a Part of Technical Systems Reliability Assessment
Authors: Leitner Bohuš , Lusková Mária , Dvořák Zdeněk , Sventekova Eva
Published: September 2017

Material fatigue of different technical systems parts belongs to the most frequent causes of boundary states occurrence and relating operation breakdowns. An extraordinary attention is dedicated to the prediction of fatigue damage processes in structures elements all over the world because breakdowns, caused by a fatigue failure, have often a character of catastrophe. There should be a dominant effort to bring conditions of calculation or experimental measures near to the working conditions in which the investigated system is exploited. A modern way of calculation of any technical systems (e.g. large mechanical or civil structures) therefore demands to respect dynamic and stochastic nature of all influencing working factors and related working loads. The main reason for it is prevention from their working breakdowns. The objective of the paper is general formulation of reliability of technical systems assessment, brief characteristic of basic areas to be taken into account as input into calculated prediction of technical systems fatigue damage level and analysis of risk items by its practical application in real operating conditions.
Comprehensive Assessment of Potential Threats to All Kinds of Events Arising from the Explosion of Pipe Bomb
Authors: Lichorobiec Stanislav , Kavický Vladimir , Figuli Lucia
Published: September 2017

In the area of terrorism, there are many methods of attack. Among the most destruction it includes the use of IEDs. IED equipment is placed or made improvised way in which the active substance is explosive. The explosive is usually located either in bulk or in metal packaging (tube or artillery shell). When an explosion occurs in addition to standard effects such as explosion explosive pressure wave seismic wave and sound wave and shrapnel from explosives packaging. The comprehensive safety assessment is therefore necessary to take into account the greatest perimeter threat. It means to assess the size of the pressure shock wave range missile fragments and their energies mainly with regard to living organisms. In my work I have tried to create a set of formulas and graphs on a comprehensive assessment of potential threats to all kinds of events arising from the explosion of pipe bomb.
Pressure Losses in a Hose Line during Water Transfer to Fires
Authors: Dermek Milan
Published: September 2017

The article deals with an issue of length pressure losses in hose line during water transfer to fires. It compares currently used attributes of pressure losses, pressure losses by hydrodynamic laws and experimentally determined pressure losses in the hose line. It designs adjustments of the constants used for the simplified calculation parameters of water transport.
Integration of Kinase and Calcium Signaling at the Level of Chromatin Underlies Inducible Gene Activation in T Cells
Authors: Brignall Ruth , Cauchy Pierre , Bevington Sarah L. , Gorman Bethany , Pisco Angela O. , Bagnall James , Boddington Christopher , Rowe William , England Hazel , Rich Kevin , Schmidt Lorraine , Dyer Nigel P. , Travis Mark A. , Ott Sascha , Jackson Dean A. , Cockerill Peter N. , Paszek Pawel
Published: September 2017

TCR signaling pathways cooperate to activate the inducible transcription factors NF-κB, NFAT, and AP-1. In this study, using the calcium ionophore ionomycin and/or PMA on Jurkat T cells, we show that the gene expression program associated with activation of TCR signaling is closely related to specific chromatin landscapes. We find that calcium and kinase signaling cooperate to induce chromatin remodeling at ∼2100 chromatin regions, which demonstrate enriched binding motifs for inducible factors and correlate with target gene expression. We found that these regions typically function as inducible enhancers. Many of these elements contain composite NFAT/AP-1 sites, which typically support cooperative binding, thus further reinforcing the need for cooperation between calcium and kinase signaling in the activation of genes in T cells. In contrast, treatment with PMA or ionomycin alone induces chromatin remodeling at far fewer regions (∼600 and ∼350, respectively), which mostly represent a subset of those induced by costimulation. This suggests that the integration of TCR signaling largely occurs at the level of chromatin, which we propose plays a crucial role in regulating T cell activation.
Recurrent Pneumonia Due to an Appendiceal Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma: A Rare Presentation of a Rare Malignancy
Authors: Gerritsen Karin G. , Slee Peter H. , Bollen Thomas L. , Van Hecke Wim , Seldenrijk Cornelis A. , Keijsers Ruth G. , Duurkens Vincent A.
Published: September 2017

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix is a rare malignancy. This is a report of a 74-year-old man who presented with recurrent pneumonia which turned out to be a postobstructive pneumonia complicating a large mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix with massive retroperitoneal and intrathoracic extension. Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix is a low-grade malignancy characterized by expansive growth due to progressive accumulation of mucinous fluid produced by the cancer cells. The tendency of this tumor to expand massively is well demonstrated by this case. The unusual retroperitoneal location of appendix in this patient probably allowed the tumor to expand massively in the retroperitoneal space and the thoracic cavity. In addition to computed tomography, [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) was used as an ancillary method for staging in this patient. The value of 18F-FDG PET in the diagnosis of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix has not been determined yet, but it might be promising. The most common presentation of this tumor is abdominal pain or a palpable ileocoecal mass. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first report of an appendiceal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with expansion into the thoracic cavity presenting with recurrent pneumonia.
Treatment of Advanced Non Small Cell Lung Cancer in Routine Care: A Retrospective Analysis of 212 Consecutive Patients Treated in a Community Based Oncology Group Practice
Authors: Koeppler Hubert , Heymanns Jochen , Thomalla Joerg , Kleboth Kristina , Mergenthaler Ulrike , Weide Rudolf
Published: September 2017

Treatment outcome data generated in prospective trials are intrinsically biased due to necessary selection criteria. Therefore the results obtained may not reflect the actual impact of current treatment options for an unselected general population. We analysed the treatment modalities and the outcome in 212 consecutive patients with non small cell lung cancer stages IIIB and IV who were seen in a community based oncology group practice between 6/1995 and 6/2006. 93 presented with stage IIIB and 119 with stage IV. Chemotherapy was given to 194/212 patients (92%), 114 patients (54%) received palliative radiation at one point during treatment. Treatment consisted of chemotherapy only in 86 patients (40%) and radiation only in 6 patients. 12 patients received best supportive care only. Patients with stage IIIB have survival rates at 12, 24 and 36 months of 64%, 27% and 21% respectively and for patients with stage IV the survival rates at 12, 24 and 36 months are 40%, 19% and 11% respectively. The median survival for stages IIIB and IV is 16 and 11 months respectively. In a multivariate analysis incorporating the factors stage (IIIB vs. IV), age (<70 vs. ≥70 years) and performance status (WHO 0/1 vs. 2/3) only stage and performance status were independent factors for survival. These retrospective data concerning analysis of survival, response rates and toxicity in a community setting confirm published results of phase II-III studies and indicate that results generated in prospective trials can be transferred into routine care.
Clinical Benefit in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors Treated with Modified Citrus Pectin: A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: Azémar Marc , Hildenbrand Bernd , Haering Brigitte , Heim Manfred E. , Unger Clemens
Published: September 2017

Purpose

We conducted a pilot trial to assess the tolerability, clinical benefit and antitumoral efficacy of modified (hydrolysed) citrus pectin (MCP) in 49 patients with various solid tumors in an advanced state of progression. MCP are hydrolysed from polysaccharide pectin fibers, derived from citrus fruits and acting as a ligand for Galectin-3. Preclinical investigations revealed an efficient inhibition of tumor development and metastasis in various tumor models.

Patients and Methods

The treatment consisted of the oral intake of 5 g MCP three times a day. One cycle of therapy was defined as 4 weeks of treatment. Objectives were clinical benefit (pain, functional performance, weight change), safety, tumor response (RESIST criteria) and quality of life (EORTC QLQ30).

Results

49 patients were enrolled, 29 patients were able to be evaluated for clinical benefit after 2 cycles of treatment. All patients tolerated the therapy well without any severe therapy-related adverse events. After 2 cycles of oral intake of MCP, 6/29 patients (20.7%) had an overall clinical benefit response associated with a stabilization or improvement of life quality. On an intent to treat basis 11/49 patients (22,5%) showed a stable disease (SD) after 2 cycles and 6/49 patients (12,3%) had a SD for a period longer than 24 weeks. One patient suffering from metastasized prostate carcinoma showed a 50% decrease in serum PSA level after 16 weeks of treatment associated with a significant increase of clinical benefit, quality of life and decrease in pain.

Conclusion

MCP seems to have positive impacts especially regarding clinical benefit and life quality for patients with far advanced solid tumors. The presented preliminary data encourage us to further investigate the role of MCP in cancer prevention and treatment.
Long Survival in a Patient with Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer
Authors: Sanna G , Petralia G , Cossu Rocca M , Marenghi C , Nolè F
Published: September 2017

The incidence of brain metastases (BMs) is apparently rising in patients with advanced breast cancer, possibly due to better therapeutic approaches for control of metastatic growth in other organs. Occurrence of BMs severely affects quality of life and is associated with dire prognosis. In this short report we describe the clinical case of a 47 year old woman, with BMs from breast cancer diagnosed in May 2001. The patient was treated with whole brain irradiation and radiosurgery, with initial control of BMs. Due to previous radiotherapy fields and doses, further local treatments are not feasible anymore. Since September 2006, the patient has been receiving systemic therapy with Lapatinib at the dose of 1500 mg/die continuously, with a good control of cerebral, liver and nodal metastasis after one year of treatment (September 2007). Her quality of life is acceptable, her Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) is more than 70%, and she takes care of her family, and has not experienced neuro-cognitive dysfunction.
Acute Visual Loss Induced by Dexamethasone during Neoadjuvant Docetaxol
Authors: Gregory D.L. , Jones C.D. , Denton E.R.E. , Harnett A.N.
Published: September 2017

We present a case of a female patient who developed acute onset of visual loss due to central serous retinopathy as a consequence of steroid premedication for docetaxol given as second line neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Central serous retinopathy is a recognised association with steroids but has not been previously reported in association with the management of solid tumours. Reduction in steroid dose and duration permitted recovery of her visual acuity while allowing completion of the prescribed chemotherapy regimen. An overview of the presentation, pathogenesis, aetiologies and management of central serous retinopathy is given.
Walking outside Improves Mood for Healthy Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Teas Jane , Hurley Thomas , Msph Santosh Ghumare , Mph Kisito Ogoussan
Published: September 2017

Background

Exercise has been shown to decrease breast cancer risk and slow the progression of breast cancer. Physician recommendations and clinical research data most often are for gym-based exercise programs. However, the importance of exercise location on mood and stress hormones that may influence adherence to exercise has not been addressed.

Methods

Women first walked for an hour outdoors along a university path and then a week later, for an hour indoors on a treadmill in a typical gym environment. Pre and post outdoor and indoor exercise moods (happy, pleased, sad, frustrated, worried, angry, delighted, and joy) were assessed by a 6 point Likert questionnaire, and saliva samples were collected for analysis of cortisol, and alpha amylase (a surrogate for serum norepinephrine).

Results

Nineteen healthy, non-smoking, postmenopausal women (average age 58 ± 4) participated. Compared with scores after walking outdoors, walking indoors was associated with higher scores of worry (p = 0.02; mean difference 0.9; 95% CI (0.17, 1.6) and frustration (p = 0.03; mean difference 0.9; 95% CI (0.12, 1.6), and lower scores for feelings of being pleased (p = 0.03; mean difference -0.8; 95% CI: -1.7, 0.1) and delighted (p = 0.05; mean difference -0.9; 95% CI: -1.75, -0.02). Changes in salivary hormone levels did not vary significantly between the two environments.

Conclusion

Walking outdoors was associated with improved mood, but walking indoors was not. Improved mood may reduce breast cancer risk indirectly by promoting regular exercise. Physician recommendations for exercise should include gym and non-gym based exercise options.
Successful Downstaging of High Rectal and Recto-Sigmoid Cancer by Neo-Adjuvant Chemo-Radiotherapy
Authors: O'neill Brian , Brown Gina , Wotherspoon Andrew , Burton Sarah , Norman Andy , Tait Diana
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The benefit of neoadjuvant therapy for tumours above the peritoneal reflection is not clear. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility and downstaging of treating locally advanced tumours from high rectum to distal sigmoid with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Methods and Materials

Seventeen patients with high rectal, recto-sigmoid or distal sigmoid tumours above the peritoneal reflection received neo-adjuvant CRT, selected on MRI findings indicating T4 disease or threatened circumferential resection margin. All patients were administered neoadjuvant chemotherapy, with Oxaliplatin or Mitomycin C and a Fluoropyrimidine. The pelvis received long-course CT-planned conformal RT, 45 Gy in 25 fractions, with a boost of 5.4–9 Gy in 3–5 fractions. Thirteen patients were treated with concomitant oral or intravenous Fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy.

Results

Median follow-up was 37 months. Overall survival was 82.35% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 54.7–93.9) and disease free survival 81.25% (95% CI 52.5–93.5). Only 1 patient suffered loco-regional relapse. Chemotherapy regimens were well tolerated, though some patients required dose reductions. Nine patients (52.9%) lowered pathologic disease AJCC stage, i.e. ‘downstaged’. Six patients (35.3%) achieved complete pathological response. Clear margins were attained in all but 1 patient. Three patients were converted from cT4 to ypT3. No patient required a gap during CRT. One patient suffered a grade III acute toxicity, but no grade IV (RTOG). There were 3 grade III and 3 grade IV late toxicities (LENT-SOMA).

Conclusions

Locally advanced high rectal and recto-sigmoid tumours may be treated with pre-operative CRT with acceptable toxicity, impressive down-staging, and clear surgical margins.
A Comparison of Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma: Results from the California Cancer Registry
Authors: Grabowski Julia , Saltzstein Sidney L , Sadler Georgia Robins , Tahir Zunera , Blair Sarah
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) are both aggressive skin malignancies associated with immunosuppression and possible UV exposure. Both tumors get similar surgical treatment; however, MCC is a relatively rare tumor in which less is known about prognosis and clinical behavior.

Methods

The California Cancer Registry (CCR), a population-based registry, was reviewed from the years 1988-2003. Merkel cell carcinoma and melanoma were compared with relation to gender, age, ethnicity, disease stage, site, and survival.

Results

A total of 113,187 cases of melanoma and 1,878 cases of MCC were identified in the CCR. Though both cancers are more common in men than in women, MCC had a higher incidence in men than melanoma (63% vs 57% p < 0.005). MCC occurs in the more elderly, with 73.6% of cases occurring in people over 70 years. In contrast, 69% of melanoma cases occurred in people younger than 70 years (p < 0.005). MCC shows a predilection for the head and neck compared to melanoma (47% vs 25.8%) Additionally, melanoma occurs more frequently on the trunk than MCC (30% vs 8.7%). Finally, the 10-year cumulative survival is lower for MCC than for melanoma (17.7% vs 61.3%, p < 0.005).

Conclusion

Many clinicians assume MCC and melanoma behave similarly. However, MCC occurs in an older population, more frequently on the head and neck, in a higher percentage of men. Additionally, MCC has a higher rate of regional metastasis and thus may have more of a benefit from regional staging procedures. Overall, MCC has a worse prognosis.
Long-Term Remission in a Case of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma following Local Irradiation and High-Dose Chemotherapy with Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Kato Koji , Ohno Yuju , Mitsuyama Shoshu , Toyoshima Satoshi , Ito Junichi , Gondo Hisashi , Harada Mine
Published: September 2017

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a tumor with bad prognosis and long-term survival is very low. However, appropriate combinations of chemotherapy, surgery, and radition have been reported to potentially improve the treatment results for ATC. We describe a case of refractory ATC successfully treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT). There has not been any evidence of recurrence for 10 years after auto-PBSCT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of ATC that has been followed up for a long-term period after HDC with auto-PBSCT. This case suggests that intensive therapeutic approach such as HDC with auto-PBSCT may be useful.
Pemetrexed, Carboplatin, and Concomitant Radiation followed by Surgery for Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer: Results of a Planned Interim Toxicity Analysis of North Central Cancer Treatment Group Study N044E
Authors: Katipamula Rajini , Jatoi Aminah , Foster Nathan R. , Nichols Francis , Rubin Joseph , Callister Matthew , Gunderson Leonard , Alberts Steven
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This brief report describes a planned, interim, 6-patient toxicity analysis that confirms the safety of pemetrexed, carboplatin, radiation with subsequent surgery, as prescribed in the North Central Cancer Treatment Group trial N044E, in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer.

Methods

Six patients with locally advanced, potentially resectable esophageal cancer received pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC = 6 on days 1 and 22 with 5040 centigray of concomitant radiation in 28 fractions over 5.5 weeks followed by esophagectomy as a prelude to a phase II multi-institutional trial.

Results

Only 1 of the 6 patients experienced a grade 4 adverse event (neutropenia). This patient also experienced a grade 3 depression. Of the remaining 5 patients, three experienced at least one grade 3 adverse event (neutropenia, nausea/vomiting, and esophagitis). There were no deaths. Incidentally, one patient manifested a complete pathologic response, three a partial pathologic response, and one stable disease.

Conclusion

These preliminary observations on safety suggest that this regimen can be further studied in this clinical setting.
Molecular Cloning and Functional Characterization of Mouse α3(IV)NC1
Authors: Boosani Chandra Shekhar , Sudhakar Akulapalli
Published: September 2017

Non-collagenous α3 chain of type IV collagen or α3(IV)NC1, a 28 kDa C-terminal domain of collagen type IV is a specific inhibitor of endothelial cell translation and angiogenesis. In the present study we have cloned and expressed mouse α3(IV)NC1 in baculovirus system. The recombinant protein was expressed in soluble form and tested for several of its biological functions. We identified that this recombinant mouse α3(IV)NC1 specifically inhibited proliferation, translation and tube formation of endothelial cells. Also, we show that α3(IV)NC1 treatment results in apoptosis specifically in proliferating endothelial cells. In addition we report for the first time that mouse α3(IV)NC1 inhibits migration and p38 MAPK phosphorylation in addition to inhibition of FAK/Akt/mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling. In mice α3(IV)NC1 treatment reduced tumor growth and CD-31 positive endothelial vasculature in tumors. Collectively, our data demonstrate the expression of biologically active form of mouse α3(IV)NC1 in Sf-9 cells and provide important mechanistic insights on α3(IV)NC1 antiangiogenic actions in endothelial cells.
A Comparison of Clinicopathological Features and Molecular Markers in British and Nigerian Women with Breast Cancer
Authors: Gukas Isaac D. , Girling Anne C. , Mandong Barnabas M. , Prime Wendy , Jennings Barbara A. , Leinster Samuel J.
Published: September 2017

Background

Some studies have suggested that breast cancer in black women is more aggressive than in white women. This study's aim was to look for evidence of differences in tumour biology between the two cohorts.

Methods

This study compared the stage, grade and pathological expression of five immunohistochemical markers (oestrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR], ERBB2, P53 and cyclin D1 [CCND1]) in tumour biopsies from age-matched cohorts of patients from Nigeria and England. Sixty-eight suitable samples from Nigerian (n = 34) and British (n = 34) breast cancer patients were retrieved from histology tissue banks.

Results

There were significant differences between the two cohorts in the expression of ER and CCND1; and stark differences in the clinical stage at presentation. But no significant differences were observed for tumour grade.

Conclusion

There was a significantly, low ER expression in the Nigerian cases which also predicts a poor response to hormonal therapy as well as a poorer prognosis. Differences in clinical stage at presentation will most likely influence prognosis between Nigerian and British women with breast cancer.
HSP70s: From Tumor Transformation to Cancer Therapy
Authors: Shu Chih-Wen , Huang Chun-Ming
Published: September 2017

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a defined set of chaperones for maintaining proper functions of proteins. The HSP70 family, one of the most inducible families in response to stress, protects cells from stress-induced cell death. It has been documented that HSP70s are highly expressed in various types of cancer cells and make the cells resistant to adverse microenvironments, such as hypoxia and glucose starvation, which are common features in malignant progression. Over-expression of HSP70s is thus associated with tumor transformation and eventually results in a decrease of chemotherapy efficacy. Notably, the distribution of HSP70s is deregulated in cancer cells. It has been reported that HSP70s localize distinct organelles or are exported to humoral circulation during cancer development. Either surface or exported HSP70s play danger signals and trigger immune response to destroy the tumor cells. In this review, we lay out recent advances in the HSP70s-mediated cancer diagnosis and therapy. This review would be enlightening for clinical cancer medicine.
Therapeutic Anti-Tumor Vaccines: From Tumor Inhibition to Enhancement
Authors: Chiarella Paula , Reffo Verónica , Bruzzo Juan , Bustuoabad Oscar D. , Ruggiero Raúl A.
Published: September 2017

Numerous immunization trials have proved successful in preventing the growth of experimental animal tumors and human hepatocarcinomas induced by hepatitis B virus. These results have prompted researchers and physicians to use vaccines in a therapeutic mode but the results have, in general, been disappointing even when strongly immunogenic murine tumors were concerned. Data presented herein suggest that immunotherapy induced by a single dose of a dendritic cell-based vaccine against a murine established tumor or against residual tumor cells after debulking the primary tumor, can render not only inhibitory or null but also stimulatory effects on tumor growth. These different effects might be dependent on where the system is located in the immune response curve that relates the quantity of the immune response to the quantity of target tumor cells. We suggest that high ratios render tumor inhibition, medium and very low ratios render null effects and low ratios—between medium and very low ones—render tumor stimulation. Since the magnitude of these ratios would depend on the antigenic profile of the tumor, the immunogenic strength of the vaccine used and the immunological state of the host, studies aimed to determine the magnitude of these variables in each particular case, seem to be necessary as a pre-condition to design rational immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer. In contrast, if these studies are neglected, the worst thing that an immunotherapist could face is not merely a null effect but enhancement of tumor growth.
Primary Osteosarcoma of the Right Heart Ventricle and Atrium; a Case Report
Authors: Forslund Terje , Melin John , Seppä Anders
Published: September 2017

Most primary malignancies of the heart, among them also osteosarcoma are found in the left and very uncommonly in the right ventricle. We report a 75-year-old patient with a primary osteosarcoma sited in the right ventricle occluding the pulmonary outflow. The diagnosis was made when the patient was alive, using echocardiography and computerized scan tomography examinations. Like in previous reports on such malignancies, it was far too late for surgical or other therapeutic interventions, and the histological diagnosis was made post mortem.
Disruption of the Non-Canonical WNT Pathway in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lee Eric H.L. , Chari Raj , Lam Andy , Ng Raymond T. , Yee John , English John , Evans Kenneth G. , Macaulay Calum , Lam Stephen , Lam Wan L.
Published: September 2017

Disruptions of beta-catenin and the canonical Wnt pathway are well documented in cancer. However, little is known of the non-canonical branch of the Wnt pathway. In this study, we investigate the transcript level patterns of genes in the Wnt pathway in squamous cell lung cancer using reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR. It was found that over half of the samples examined exhibited dysregulated gene expression of multiple components of the non-canonical branch of the WNT pathway. In the cases where beta catenin ( CTNNB1) was not over-expressed, we identified strong relationships of expression between wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 5A ( WNT5A)/ frizzled homolog 2 ( FZD2), frizzled homolog 3 ( FZD3)/ dishevelled 2 ( DVL2), and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 ( LRP5)/ secreted frizzled-related protein 4 ( SFRP4). This is one of the first studies to demonstrate expression of genes in the non-canonical pathway in normal lung tissue and its disruption in lung squamous cell carcinoma. These findings suggest that the non-canonical pathway may have a more prominent role in lung cancer than previously reported.
Psychological Distress among Prostate Cancer Patients: Fact Or Fiction?
Authors: Sharpley Christopher F. , Bitsika Vicki , Christie David H.R.
Published: September 2017

Although the detrimental effect upon psychological well-being of receiving a diagnosis of, or treatment for, cancer has been demonstrated across many different types of cancer, three recent reviews of the psychological health of prostate cancer patients have produced contradictory conclusions. In order to elucidate the reasons for these apparent different conclusions, each of these reviews is described, with principal methods and findings summarised. Actual data, methodology used to select/reject research studies for inclusion in reviews, plus the validity of strict methodological culling of some research studies are discussed. Several extra studies and commentaries are also described, and a resolution of the apparent contradictory review conclusions is offered.
Targeted Chemotherapy Using a Cytotoxic Somatostatin Conjugate to Inhibit Tumor Growth and Metastasis in Nude Mice
Authors: Sun Li-Chun , Mackey L. Vienna , Luo Jing , Fuselier Joseph A. , Coy David H.
Published: September 2017

The major problems of traditional chemotherapy are non-selectivity and non-specificity, resulting in severe toxic side effects. Peptides are a new-generation of drug-delivery vector to increase efficacy of this therapy and avoid the resulting damage. The cytotoxic somatostatin (SST) conjugate JF-10-81 was developed by coupling camptothecin (CPT) to the N-terminus of a SST analog (JF-07-69) using an activated carbamate linker. This conjugate selectively targets somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) and also retains high binding affinity and rapid internalization as well as anti-proliferative activity towards various tumor cells. JF-10-81 was tested for its inhibitory activity against the growth of human tumors which included neuroblastoma (IMR32), pancreatic cancer (CFPAC-1), leukemia (MOLT-4), pancreatic carcinoid (BON) and prostate cancer (PC-3). Both SSTR2 mRNAs and proteins were detected in all these tumor cell lines. The conjugate displayed potent in vivo inhibitory activity, although some of the potency measured in in vitro experiments was lost. JF-10-81 was found to significantly inhibit growth of these SSTR-positive tumors, resulting in 87% tumor reduction in neuroblastoma IMR32 and 97% in leukemia MOLT-4 bearing animals, even inducing regression of CFPAC-1 tumors. SSTR-overexpressing BON tumors were unfortunately relatively CPT-insensitive in vitro, however, JF-10-81 again exhibited in vivo potency presumably by specifically increasing CPT concentrations inside the tumor cells so that the inhibition rate for JF-10-81 was 85%. Also, JF-10-81 was used to treat highly invasive PC-3 tumors where s.c. injections inhibited both tumor growth (almost 60% reduction) and tumor metastasis (over 70%). This conjugate demonstrated its broad and excellent anti-tumor activity by targeting SSTR2-specific tumor tissues, supporting that short peptides and their analogs may be applied as ideal drug-delivery carriers to improve the traditional chemotherapy.