bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Stochastic Restricted Principal Components Regression Estimator in the Linear Model
Authors: He Daojiang , Wu Yan
Published: January 2014

We propose a new estimator to combat the multicollinearity in the linear model when there are stochastic linear restrictions on the regression coefficients. The new estimator is constructed by combining the ordinary mixed estimator (OME) and the principal components regression (PCR) estimator, which is called the stochastic restricted principal components (SRPC) regression estimator. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the superiority of the SRPC estimator over the OME and the PCR estimator are derived in the sense of the mean squared error matrix criterion. Finally, we give a numerical example and a Monte Carlo study to illustrate the performance of the proposed estimator.
Annexin A2: Its Molecular Regulation and Cellular Expression in Cancer Development
Authors: Wang Chi-Yun , Lin Chiou-Feng
Published: January 2014

Annexin A2 (ANXA2) orchestrates multiple biologic processes and clinical associations, especially in cancer progression. The structure of ANXA2 affects its cellular localization and function. However, posttranslational modification and protease-mediated N-terminal cleavage also play critical roles in regulating ANXA2. ANXA2 expression levels vary among different types of cancers. With some cancers, ANXA2 can be used for the detection and diagnosis of cancer and for monitoring cancer progression. ANXA2 is also required for drug-resistance. This review discusses the feasibility of ANXA2 which is active in cancer development and can be a therapeutic target in cancer management.
Impact of Rechallenge with Imatinib in Patients with Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor after Failure of Imatinib and Sunitinib
Authors: Sawaki Akira , Kanda Tatsuo , Komatsu Yoshito , Nishida Toshirou
Published: January 2014

Purpose. This retrospective, nonrandomized study investigated the effect of imatinib rechallenge plus best supportive care (BSC) on overall survival after imatinib and sunitinib treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).Methods. Twenty-six patients who had previously been exposed to both imatinib and sunitinib were enrolled in this study. The treatment regimen was BSC with or without imatinib, based on the patient’s choice after discussion with his or her physician. The primary endpoint was overall survival, and secondary endpoints were time to treatment failure, clinical response rate assessed by Choi criteria, and safety.Results. Fourteen patients were treated with imatinib plus BSC and 12 received BSC alone. Median overall survival was greatly improved for the imatinib group, although differences were not significant (22 months for imatinib plus BSC versus 4 months for BSC;P=0.058). Three patients (21%) had a clinical response in the imatinib group, and one had a clinical response in the BSC alone group. Imatinib was well tolerated.Conclusions. Rechallenge with imatinib may be associated with improvement in overall survival without deteriorating performance status in patients who failed imatinib and sunitinib. A prospective study should be considered to confirm the efficacy of rechallenge with imatinib.
Phacoemulsification Surgery in Eyes with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Grixti Andre , Papavasileiou Evangelia , Cortis Dominic , Kumar Balakrishna Vineeth , Prasad Som
Published: January 2014

Purpose. To evaluate the visual outcomes and effect of phacoemulsification surgery on the progression of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods. Retrospective, noncomparative, and interventional case series. Thirty eyes from 29 subjects with neovascular AMD treated with intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections who underwent phacoemulsification and had a postsurgery follow-up of 6 months were included. LogMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was assessed preoperatively; 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively; and finally at the last visit. The frequency of anti-VEGF therapy, calculated as the number of intravitreal injections per month, and central macular thickness (CMT) before and after cataract surgery were determined. Results. Median (range) logMAR BCVA was 0.69 (0.16 to 1.32) preoperatively; 0.55 (−0.04 to 1.32) at 1 month, 0.52 (−0.1 to 1.32) at 3 months, and 0.50 (0.0 to 1.32) at 6 months postoperatively; and 0.6 (0.0 to 1.4) at final visit (P=0.0011). There was no difference in the frequency of anti-VEGF injections between the immediate 6 months before and after phacoemulsification, which was equal to 0.1667 injections per month (P=0.6377). Median CMT measured 203 μm preoperatively, which temporarily increased to 238 μm at 1 month after surgery (P=0.0093) and then spontaneously returned to baseline, measuring 212.5 μm at 3 months postoperatively (P=0.3811). Conclusion. Phacoemulsification surgery significantly improved vision in patients with neovascular AMD, with no increased need for anti-VEGF injections to keep the macula dry postoperatively.
Emergence of Enteric Viruses in Production Chickens Is a Concern for Avian Health
Authors: Mettifogo Elena , Nuñez Luis F. N. , Chacón Jorge L. , Santander Parra Silvana H. , Astolfi-Ferreira Claudete S. , Jerez José A. , Jones Richard C. , Piantino Ferreira Antonio J.
Published: January 2014

Several viruses have been identified in recent years in the intestinal contents of chickens and turkeys with enteric problems, which have been observed in commercial farms worldwide, including Brazil. Molecular detection of these viruses in Brazil can transform to a big threat for poultry production due to risk for intestinal integrity. This disease is characterized by severely delayed growth, low uniformity, lethargy, watery diarrhea, delayed feed consumption, and a decreased conversion rate. Chicken astrovirus (CAstV), rotavirus, reovirus, chicken parvovirus (ChPV), fowl adenovirus of subgroup I (FAdV-1), and avian nephritis virus (ANV) were investigated using the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), which may play a role in enteric disease, was included. The viruses most frequently detected, either alone or in concomitance with other viruses, were IBV, ANV, rotavirus, and CAstV followed by parvovirus, reovirus, and adenovirus. This study demonstrates the diversity of viruses in Brazilian chicken flocks presenting enteric problems characterized by diarrhea, growth retard, loss weight, and mortality, which reflects the multicausal etiology of this disease.
Using Data Crawlers and Semantic Web to Build Financial XBRL Data Generators: The SONAR Extension Approach
Authors: Rodríguez-García Miguel Ángel , Rodríguez-González Alejandro , Colomo-Palacios Ricardo , Valencia-García Rafael , Gómez-Berbís Juan Miguel , García-Sánchez Francisco
Published: January 2014

Precise, reliable and real-time financial information is critical for added-value financial services after the economic turmoil from which markets are still struggling to recover. Since the Web has become the most significant data source, intelligent crawlers based on Semantic Technologies have become trailblazers in the search of knowledge combining natural language processing and ontology engineering techniques. In this paper, we present the SONAR extension approach, which will leverage the potential of knowledge representation by extracting, managing, and turning scarce and disperse financial information into well-classified, structured, and widely used XBRL format-oriented knowledge, strongly supported by a proof-of-concept implementation and a thorough evaluation of the benefits of the approach.
A New Automated Way to Measure Polyethylene Wear in THA Using a High Resolution CT Scanner: Method and Analysis
Authors: Maguire Jr. Gerald Q. , Noz Marilyn E. , Olivecrona Henrik , Zeleznik Michael P. , Weidenhielm Lars
Published: January 2014

As the most advantageous total hip arthroplasty (THA) operation is the first, timely replacement of only the liner is socially and economically important because the utilization of THA is increasing as younger and more active patients are receiving implants and they are living longer. Automatic algorithms were developed to infer liner wear by estimating the separation between the acetabular cup and femoral component head given a computed tomography (CT) volume. Two series of CT volumes of a hip phantom were acquired with the femoral component head placed at 14 different positions relative to the acetabular cup. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the diameter of the acetabular cup and femoral component head, in addition to the range of error in the expected wear values and the repeatability of all the measurements, were calculated. The algorithms resulted in a mean (±SD) for the diameter of the acetabular cup of 54.21 (±0.011) mm and for the femoral component head of 22.09 (±0.02) mm. The wear error was ±0.1 mm and the repeatability was 0.077 mm. This approach is applicable clinically as it utilizes readily available computed tomography imaging systems and requires only five minutes of human interaction.
Sperm Cryopreservation before Testicular Cancer Treatment and Its Subsequent Utilization for the Treatment of Infertility
Authors: Žáková Jana , Lousová Eva , Ventruba Pavel , Crha Igor , Pochopová Hana , Vinklárková Jaroslava , Tesařová Eva , Nussir Mohamed
Published: January 2014

Aims.In this study we report our results with storage of cryopreserved semen intended for preservation and subsequent infertility treatment in men with testicular cancer during the last 18 years.Methods.Cryopreserved semen of 523 men with testicular cancer was collected between October 1995 and the end of December 2012. Semen of 34 men (6.5%) was used for fertilization of their partners. They underwent 57 treatment cycles with cryopreserved, fresh, and/or donor sperm.Results.A total of 557 men have decided to freeze their semen before cancer treatment. Azoospermia was diagnosed in 34 men (6.1%), and semen was cryopreserved in 532 patients. Seminoma was diagnosed in 283 men (54.1%) and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors in 240 men (45.9%). 34 patients who returned for infertility treatment underwent 46 treatment cycles with cryopreserved sperm. Totally 16 pregnancies were achieved, that is, 34.8% pregnancy rate.Conclusion.The testicular cancer survivors have a good chance of fathering a child by using sperm cryopreserved prior to the oncology treatment, even when it contains only limited number of spermatozoa.
Incidence of Mast Cells in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Short Study
Authors: Anuradha A. , Kiran Kumar Naik B. , Vijay Srinivas G. , Devi Ramisetty Sabitha , Puneet H. K.
Published: January 2014

Mast cells are regarded as complex and multifunctional cells, playing a significant role in immunopathology and a substantial role in tumor angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is a complex process that is tightly regulated by various growth factors in which mast cells act directly by releasing angiogenic factors and henceforth promoting tumor growth and metastasis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the number of mast cells in tissue sections of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in comparison with normal mucosa. A total of 40 cases (20 OSCC and 20 normal mucosa) were stained with 1% toluidine blue and the quantitative analysis was done by using light microscope under 400x magnification. A significant increase in the mast cell count was observed in the sections of OSCC when compared to normal mucosa suggesting their contributing role in tumor growth and progression.
Motion Objects Segmentation and Shadow Suppressing without Background Learning
Authors: Guan Y.-P.
Published: January 2014

An approach to segmenting motion objects and suppressing shadows without background learning has been developed. Since wavelet transformation indicates the position of sharper variation, it is adopted to extract the information contents with the most meaningful features based on two successive video frames only. According to the fact that the saturation component is lower in the region of shadow and is independent of the brightness, HSV color space is selected to extract foreground motion region and suppress shadow instead of other color models. A local adaptive thresholding approach is proposed to extract initial binary motion masks based on the results of the wavelet transformation. A foreground reclassification is developed to get an optimal segmentation by fusion of mode filtering, connectivity analysis, and spatial-temporal correlation. Comparative studies with some investigated methods have indicated the superior performance of the proposal in extracting motion objects and suppressing shadows from cluttered contents with dynamic scene variation and crowded environments.
Different Profile of Serum Leptin between Early Onset and Late Onset Preeclampsia
Authors: Salimi Saeedeh , Farajian-Mashhadi Farzaneh , Naghavi Anoosh , Mokhtari Mojgan , Shahrakipour Mahnaz , Saravani Mohsen , Yaghmaei Minoo
Published: January 2014

Aim. This study was designed to clarify the role of leptin and adiponectin in preeclampsia (PE) pathogenesis and different subtypes of preeclampsia.Method. This case control study was performed in 45 PE patients and 45 healthy controls matched for age, BMI, and ethnicity. Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results. Maternal serum leptin and adiponectin were significantly higher in PE women than controls. Serum leptin was elevated in early onset preeclampsia (EOPE) and late onset preeclampsia (LOPE) compared to controls. Among PE patients, serum leptin was higher in EOPE than LOPE women. However, serum adiponectin was not different between EOPE and LOPE women. The serum leptin was significantly higher in severe PE than mild PE. The serum adiponectin was significantly elevated in severe PE compared to controls. Significant positive correlation was observed between leptin and adiponectin and also between leptin and BMI in controls. Moreover significant positive correlation was observed between adiponectin and BMI in PE patients and controls.Conclusion. The present study showed that serum leptin level may play a significant role as a biomarker to differentiate early and late onset PE and also its relation to BMI and severity of disease.
Predicting Increased Blood Pressure Using Machine Learning
Authors: Golino Hudson Fernandes , Amaral Liliany Souza de Brito , Duarte Stenio Fernando Pimentel , Gomes Cristiano Mauro Assis , Soares Telma de Jesus , Reis Luciana Araujo dos , Santos Joselito
Published: January 2014

The present study investigates the prediction of increased blood pressure by body mass index (BMI), waist (WC) and hip circumference (HC), and waist hip ratio (WHR) using a machine learning technique named classification tree. Data were collected from 400 college students (56.3% women) from 16 to 63 years old. Fifteen trees were calculated in the training group for each sex, using different numbers and combinations of predictors. The result shows that for women BMI, WC, and WHR are the combination that produces the best prediction, since it has the lowest deviance (87.42), misclassification (.19), and the higher pseudoR2(.43). This model presented a sensitivity of 80.86% and specificity of 81.22% in the training set and, respectively, 45.65% and 65.15% in the test sample. For men BMI, WC, HC, and WHC showed the best prediction with the lowest deviance (57.25), misclassification (.16), and the higher pseudoR2(.46). This model had a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 86.25% in the training set and, respectively, 58.38% and 69.70% in the test set. Finally, the result from the classification tree analysis was compared with traditional logistic regression, indicating that the former outperformed the latter in terms of predictive power.
Topologies on Superspaces of TVS-Cone Metric Spaces
Authors: Ge Xun , Lin Shou
Published: January 2014

This paper investigates superspaces𝒫0(X)and𝒦0(X)of a tvs-cone metric space(X,d), where𝒫0(X)and𝒦0(X)are the space consisting of nonempty subsets ofXand the space consisting of nonempty compact subsets ofX, respectively. The purpose of this paper is to establish some relationships between the lower topology and the lower tvs-cone hemimetric topology (resp., the upper topology and the upper tvs-cone hemimetric topology to the Vietoris topology and the Hausdorff tvs-cone hemimetric topology) on𝒫0(X)and𝒦0(X), which makes it possible to generalize some results of superspaces from metric spaces to tvs-cone metric spaces.
Integrating Apparent Conductance in Resistivity Sounding to Constrain 2D Gravity Modeling for Subsurface Structure Associated with Uranium Mineralization across South Purulia Shear Zone, West Bengal, India
Authors: Biswas Arkoprovo , Mandal Animesh , Sharma Shashi Prakash , Mohanty William Kumar
Published: January 2014

South Purulia Shear Zone (SPSZ) is an important area for the prospect of uranium mineralization and no detailed geophysical investigations have been carried out in this region. To delineate the subsurface structure in the present area, vertical electrical soundings using Schlumberger array and gravity survey were carried out along a profile perpendicular to the SPSZ. Apparent conductance in the subsurface revealed a possible connection from SPSZ to Raghunathpur. The gravity model reveals the presence of a northerly dipping low density zone (most likely the shear zone) extending up to Raghunathpur under a thin cover of granitic schist of Chotanagpur Granite Gneissic Complex (CGGC). The gravity model also depicts the depth of the zone of density low within this shear zone at~400 m near Raghunathpur village and this zone truncates with a steep slope. Integration of resistivity and gravity study revealed two possible contact zones within this low density zone in the subsurface at depth of 40 m and 200 m. Our study reveals a good correlation with previous studies in Raghunathpur area characterized by medium to high hydro-uranium anomaly. Thus the conducting zone coinciding with the low gravity anomaly is inferred to be a possible uranium mineralized zone.
Level of CD8 T Lymphocytes Activation in HIV-Infected Pregnant Women: In the Context of CD38 and HLA-DR Activation Markers
Authors: Musyoki Stanslaus , Mining Simeon , Nyongesa Paul
Published: January 2014

Background. To date the effect of pregnancy on the immune activation of CD8 T cells that may affect HIV disease progression has not been well studied and remains unclear.Objective.To determine the effect of pregnancy on CD8 T lymphocyte activation and its relationship with CD4 count in HIV infected pregnant women.Study Design. Case control.Study Site. AMPATH and MTRH in Eldoret, Kenya.Study Subjects. Newly diagnosed asymptomatic HIV positive pregnant and nonpregnant women with no prior receipt of antiretroviral medications.Study Methods. Blood samples were collected from the study participants and levels of activated CD8 T lymphocytes (CD38 and HLA-DR) were determined using flow cytometer and correlated with CD4 counts of the study participants. The descriptive data focusing on frequencies, correlation, and cross-tabulations was statistically determined. Significance of the results was set atP<0.05.Results. HIV positive pregnant women had lower activated CD8 T lymphocyte counts than nonpregnant HIV positive women. Activated CD8 T lymphocyte counts were also noted to decrease in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.Conclusion. Pregnancy has a significant suppression on CD8+ T lymphocyte immune activation during HIV infections. Follow-up studies with more control arms could confirm the present study results.
Change in Anthropometric Parameters of the Posture of Students of Physiotherapy after Three Years of Professional Training
Authors: Glista Joanna , Pop Teresa , Weres Aneta , Czenczek-Lewandowska Ewelina , Podgórska-Bednarz Justyna , Rykała Justyna , Leszczak Justyna , Sowa Karolina , Rusek Wojciech
Published: January 2014

Introduction and Aim. A physiotherapist’s occupation requires high physical fitness and a properly functioning neuromuscular system. Working with patients is not always performed in accordance with the rules of work ergonomics. The aim of this paper was to verify the possible changes in the posture of students of physiotherapy after three years of professional training.Material and Methods. The sample group consisted of 30 randomly chosen students of physiotherapy. Each person was examined twice (at the age of 20 and at the age of 23). Both examinations were performed by the same researcher. The ultrasound system ZEBRIS Pointer was used for the examination; 17 parameters were analyzed in sagittal projection, frontal projection, and transversal projection.Results. Statistical analysis revealed positive correlations between the 10 parameters in examination 1 and examination 2 which means that a person with a relatively higher level of obliquity in examination number 1 also had slightly different values in an examination conducted three years later.Conclusion. Studying physiotherapy and physical work with patients resulted in a considerable worsening of the students’ posture. It is advisable to educate students on ergonomics and the rules of safety and hygiene while working as a physiotherapist in order to protect the therapists’ health.
Role of Fine Needle Aspiration in the Diagnosis of the Rare Disease of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in a Child
Authors: Lale Seema , Soto Daniel , Wasserman Patricia G.
Published: January 2014

Langerhan’s cell histiocytosis (LCH) results from the proliferation of immunophenotypically and functionally immature, morphologically rounded Langerhan’s cells along with eosinophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, and, commonly, multinucleated giant cells. Here we report a case in a 6-year-old boy of differential diagnoses including dermatopathic lymphadenitis (DL), parasitic infection, Kimura’s disease, hypersensitivity reactions, cat-scratch disease, sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML), hyperplasic lymph nodes, and lymphoma.
Stability of a Quartic Functional Equation
Authors: Bodaghi Abasalt
Published: January 2014

We obtain the general solution of the generalized quartic functional equationf(x+my)+f(x-my)=2(7m-9)(m-1)f(x)+2m2(m2-1)f(y)-(m-1)2f(2x)+m2{f(x+y)+f(x-y)}for a fixed positive integerm. We prove the Hyers-Ulam stability for this quartic functional equation by the directed method and the fixed point method on real Banach spaces. We also investigate the Hyers-Ulam stability for the mentioned quartic functional equation in non-Archimedean spaces.
Approximate Solution of Time-Fractional Advection-Dispersion Equation via Fractional Variational Iteration Method
Authors: İbiş Birol , Bayram Mustafa
Published: January 2014

This paper aims to obtain the approximate solution of time-fractional advection-dispersion equation (FADE) involving Jumarie’s modification of Riemann-Liouville derivative by the fractional variational iteration method (FVIM). FVIM provides an analytical approximate solution in the form of a convergent series. Some examples are given and the results indicate that the FVIM is of high accuracy, more efficient, and more convenient for solving time FADEs.
HLA-G Polymorphism (rs16375) and Acute Rejection in Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Azarpira Negar , Aghdaie Mahdokht H. , Kazemi Kurosh , Geramizadeh Bita , Darai Masumeh
Published: January 2014

Background. HLA-G molecules exhibit immunomodulatory properties that can delay graft rejection. The 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism (INDEL) (rs16375) influences the stability of final HLA-G mRNA and its soluble isoforms.Objective. The present study aimed to investigate the possible association between this polymorphism and the incidence of acute rejection in Iranian liver transplant recipients.Methods. Different genotypes were evaluated by PCR. The patients who had acute rejection within 6 months after transplantation were classified as acute rejection (AR) group, while others were considered as nonacute rejection (NAR) group.Results. Among the recipients, 21 patients (21%) had at least one episode of AR, while the other 79 patients (79%) had normal liver function. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding sex, MELD score, and primary liver disease. Also, no difference was observed concerning rs16375 genotype and allele frequency (P=0.44, OR: 0.69; CI: 0.21–2.10).Conclusion. The study results revealed no significant difference between the AR and the NAR groups regarding the 14 bp INDEL genotypes and alleles. Further studies are recommended to be conducted on other polymorphic sites as well as monitoring of serum HLA-G concentration in order to ascertain the potential implications of this marker in our population.
rTMS in the Treatment of Drug Addiction: An Update about Human Studies
Authors: Bellamoli Elisa , Manganotti Paolo , Schwartz Robert P. , Rimondo Claudia , Gomma Maurizio , Serpelloni Giovanni
Published: January 2014

Drug addiction can be a devastating and chronic relapsing disorder with social, psychological, and physical consequences, and more effective treatment options are needed. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that has been assessed in a growing number of studies for its therapeutic potential in treating addiction. This review paper offers an overview on the current state of clinical research in treating drug addiction with rTMS. Because of the limited research in this area, all studies (including case reports) that evaluated the therapeutic use of rTMS in nicotine, alcohol, or illicit drug addiction were included in this review. Papers published prior to December 2012 were found through an NCBI PubMed search. A total of eleven studies were identified that met review criteria. There is nascent evidence that rTMS could be effective in reducing cocaine craving and nicotine and alcohol craving and consumption and might represent a potential therapeutic tool for treating addiction. Further studies are needed to identify the optimal parameters of stimulation for the most effective treatment of drug addiction, to improve our comprehension of the treatment neurophysiological effects, and to conduct rigorous, controlled efficacy studies with adequate power.
Anticancer Effect of Fucoidan in Combination with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Lapatinib
Authors: Oh Byeongsang , Kim Jihun , Lu Weidong , Rosenthal David
Published: January 2014

Background. Despite a number of in vitro and in vivo studies reporting the efficacy of fucoidan in treating various cancers, few studies have measured the efficacy of dietary fucoidan (DF) in combination with cancer drugs. Thus, we examined the sensitivity of DF in combination with the EGFR/ERBB2‐targeting reagent lapatinib on cancer cells. Method. We selected six EGFR/ERBB2‐amplified cancer cell lines (OE19, NCI‐N87, OE33, ESO26, MKN7, and BT474) as an in vitro model and tested their sensitivity to DF alone and to DF in combination with the well‐known EGFR/ERBB2‐targeting reagent lapatinib. Result. Overall, in drug independent sensitivity test, DF alone did not significantly inhibit the growth of EGFR/ERBB2‐amplified cancer cells in vitro. When DF was given in combination with lapatinib, however, it tended to synergistically inhibit cell growth in OE33 but antagonized the action of lapatinib in ESO26, NCI‐N87, and OE19. Conclusion. This study suggests that DF has the potential to increase or decrease the effects of certain anticancer drugs on certain cancer cell types. Further study is needed to explore the mechanism of interaction and synergistic antitumor activity of DF in combination with chemotherapy and targeted therapy.
The Effect of Different Types of Physical Exercise on the Behavioural and Physiological Parameters of Standardbred Horses Housed in Single Stalls
Authors: Padalino Barbara , Zaccagnino Paola , Celi Pietro
Published: January 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of three different physical exercises on the physiological and behavioural patterns of Standardbred trotters housed in single stalls. Twelve racing mares were observed twice during each different exercise: daily training (DT) consisted of forty minutes at slow trot (4-5 m/s) in a small track; maximal exercise (ME) consisted of 1600 m run at maximal velocity; race (R) was a real race of 1600 m. The mares were examined at rest in their stall (Time I), soon after the completion of the exercise (Time II), one hour (Time III), and two hours (Time IV) after the exercise. Their heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were recorded and they were videotaped in order to complete a focal animal sampling ethogram. All physiological parameters increased after exercise, in accordance with its intensity. After R and ME horses spent more time drinking, eating, and standing. The incidence of abnormal behaviours was very low and it was not affected by the different types of exercise. Overall, the assessment of horse behaviour after physical exercise by means of a focal animal sampling ethogram represents a useful tool to monitor equine welfare.
Nontraumatic Fracture of the Femoral Condylar Prosthesis in a Total Knee Arthroplasty Leading to Mechanical Failure
Authors: Swamy Girish N. , Quah Conal , Bagouri Elmunzar , Badhe Nitin P.
Published: January 2014

This paper reports a case of fatigue fracture of the femoral component in a cruciate-retaining cemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A 64-year-old man had undergone a primary TKA for osteoarthritis 10 years previously at another institution using the PFC-Sigma prosthesis. The patient recovered fully and was back to his regular activities. He presented with a history of sudden onset pain and locking of the left knee since the preceding three months. There was no history of trauma, and the patient was mobilizing with difficulty using crutches. Radiographs revealed fracture of the posterior condyle of the femoral prosthesis. Revision surgery was performed as an elective procedure revealing the broken prosthesis. The TC3RP-PFC revision prosthesis was used with a medial parapatellar approach. The patient recovered fully without any squeal. Mechanical failure of the knee arthroplasty prosthesis is rare, and nontraumatic fracture of the femoral metallic component has not been reported before.
Color Temperature Tunable White-Light LED Cluster with Extrahigh Color Rendering Index
Authors: Zhang Minhao , Chen Yu , He Guoxing
Published: January 2014

The correlated color temperature (CCT) tunable white-light LED cluster with extrahigh color rendering property has been found by simulation and fabricated, which consists of three WW LEDs (CCT = 3183 K), one red LED (634.1 nm), one green LED (513.9 nm), and one blue LED (456.2 nm). The experimental results show that this cluster can realize the CCT tunable white-lights with a color rendering index (CRI) above 93, special CRI R9 for strong red above 90, average value of the special CRIs of R9 to R12 for the four saturated colors (red, yellow, green, and blue) above 83, and luminous efficacies above 70 lm/W at CCTs of 2719 K to 6497 K.
Molecular Mechanism Underlying Lymphatic Metastasis in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Xiao Zhiwen , Luo Guopei , Liu Chen , Wu Chuntao , Liu Liang , Liu Zuqiang , Ni Quanxing , Long Jiang , Yu Xianjun
Published: January 2014

As the most challenging human malignancies, pancreatic cancer is characterized by its insidious symptoms, low rate of surgical resection, high risk of local invasion, metastasis and recurrence, and overall dismal prognosis. Lymphatic metastasis, above all, is recognized as an early adverse event in progression of pancreatic cancer and has been described to be an independent poor prognostic factor. It should be noted that the occurrence of lymphatic metastasis is not a casual or stochastic but an ineluctable and designed event. Increasing evidences suggest that metastasis-initiating cells (MICs) and the microenvironments may act as a double-reed style in this crime. However, the exact mechanisms on how they function synergistically for this dismal clinical course remain largely elusive. Therefore, a better understanding of its molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in pancreatic lymphatic metastasis is urgently required. In this review, we will summarize the latest advances on lymphatic metastasis in pancreatic cancer.
First-Line Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Li Ying , Wang Lin Run , Chen Jian , Lou Yan , Zhang Guo Bing
Published: January 2014

Aim. To evaluate the predictive value of RRM1, ERCCl, and BRCA1 expression in Chinese NSCLC patients treated with gemcitabine and cisplatin.Methods. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to determine the RRM1, ERCC1, and BRCA1 mRNA expression levels of peripheral blood in late-stage NSCLC patients. The relationship between peripheral blood and mRNA expression in tumor tissues was analyzed further.Results. In terms of the tumor susceptibility to chemotherapy, the response rate in the low-RRM1-expression group was significantly greater than in the high-expression group (52.9% versus 5.9%,χ2test,P=0.007). Subjects with low peripheral blood RRM1 expression survived longer than those with high RRM1 expression (15.5 versus 12.0 months, logrank 3.980,P=0.046). Linear correlations were observed between peripheral blood and tumor tissue expression levels for RRM1(R2=0.045,  P=0.048) and BRCA1(R2=0.021,  P=0.001).Conclusion. Our study demonstrates increased survival and superior efficacy of gemcitabine and cisplatin combination chemotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC patients with low peripheral blood RRM1 expression. The linear correlations of the relative expression of mRNA were observed between peripheral blood and tumor tissue expression levels for RRM1 and BRCA1. RRM1 gene expression may contribute to chemotherapy sensitivity and may be an indicator of survival. It was significant to individual chemotherapy of patients with advanced NSCLC who do not have sufficient tumor tissue.
In VitroCulture Conditions andOeARFandOeH3Expressions Modulate Adventitious Root Formation fromOleaster(Olea europaeaL. subsp.europaeavar.sylvestris) Cuttings
Authors: Chiappetta Adriana , Gagliardi Cinzia , Bruno Leonardo , Bitonti Maria Beatrice
Published: January 2014

Olea europaeaL. subsp.europaea var.sylvestris, also namedoleaster, is the wild form of olive and it is used as rootstock and pollen donor for many cultivated varieties. An efficient procedure forin vitropropagation of oleaster was established in this study. A zeatin concentration of 2.5 mg/L was effective to induce an appreciable vegetative growth. Also high rooting efficiency was obtained by using a short IBA pulse, followed by two different IBA concentrations in the culture medium. With the aim to enlarge knowledge on the molecular aspects of adventitious rooting, we also evaluated the transcriptional modulation of anARFsmember andHISTONE H3genes, involved in auxin signaling and cell replication, respectively, during the root induction phase of cuttings. The obtained results suggest that the selected genes, as markers of the induction phase, could be very useful for setting up efficient culture conditions along the rooting process, thus increasing micropropagation efficiency.
Modulation of Wolframin Expression in Human Placenta during Pregnancy: Comparison among Physiological and Pathological States
Authors: Lucariello Angela , Perna Angelica , Sellitto Carmine , Baldi Alfonso , Iannaccone Alessandro , Cobellis Luigi , De Luca Antonio , De Falco Maria
Published: January 2014

TheWFS1gene, encoding a transmembrane glycoprotein of the endoplasmic reticulum called wolframin, is mutated in Wolfram syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder defined by the association of diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, and further organ abnormalities. Disruption of theWFS1gene in mice causes progressiveβ-cell loss in the pancreas and impaired stimulus-secretion coupling in insulin secretion. However, little is known about the physiological functions of this protein. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of wolframin in human placenta throughout pregnancy in normal women and diabetic pregnant women. In normal placenta, there was a modulation of wolframin throughout pregnancy with a strong level of expression during the first trimester and a moderate level in the third trimester of gestation. In diabetic women, wolframin expression was strongly reduced in the third trimester of gestation. The pattern of expression of wolframin in normal placenta suggests that this protein may be required to sustain normal rates of cytotrophoblast cell proliferation during the first trimester of gestation. The decrease in wolframin expression in diabetic placenta suggests that this protein may participate in maintaining the physiologic glucose homeostasis in this organ.
Genetic Validation of the Protein Arginine Methyltransferase PRMT5 as a Candidate Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma
Authors: Yan Fengting , Alinari Lapo , Lustberg Mark E. , Katherine Martin Ludmila , Cordero-Nieves Hector M. , Banasavadi-Siddegowda Yeshavanth , Virk Selene , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill , Bell Erica Hlavin , Wojton Jeffrey , Jacob Naduparambil K. , Chakravarti Arnab , Nowicki Michal O. , Wu Xin , Lapalombella Rosa , Datta Jharna , Yu Bo , Gordon Kate , Haseley Amy , Patton John T. , Smith Porsha L. , Ryu John , Zhang Xiaoli , Mo Xiaokui , Marcucci Guido , Nuovo Gerard , Kwon Chang-Hyuk , Byrd John C. , Chiocca E. Antonio , Li Chenglong , Sif Said , Jacob Samson , Lawler Sean , Kaur Balveen , Baiocchi Robert A.
Published: January 2014

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive histologic subtype of brain cancer with poor outcomes and limited treatment options. Here, we report the selective overexpression of the protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT5 as a novel candidate theranostic target in this disease. PRMT5 silences the transcription of regulatory genes by catalyzing symmetric dimethylation of arginine residues on histone tails. PRMT5 overexpression in patient-derived primary tumors and cell lines correlated with cell line growth rate and inversely with overall patient survival. Genetic attenuation of PRMT5 led to cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, and loss of cell migratory activity. Cell death was p53-independent but caspase-dependent and enhanced with temozolomide, a chemotherapeutic agent used as a present standard of care. Global gene profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation identified the tumor suppressor ST7 as a key gene silenced by PRMT5. Diminished ST7 expression was associated with reduced patient survival. PRMT5 attenuation limited PRMT5 recruitment to the ST7 promoter, led to restored expression of ST7 and cell growth inhibition. Finally, PRMT5 attenuation enhanced glioblastoma cell survival in a mouse xenograft model of aggressive glioblastoma. Together, our findings defined PRMT5 as a candidate prognostic factor and therapeutic target in glioblastoma, offering a preclinical justification for targeting PRMT5-driven oncogenic pathways in this deadly disease. Cancer Res; 74(6); 1752–65. ©2014 AACR.
Activated ERBB2/HER2 Licenses Sensitivity to Apoptosis upon Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress through a PERK-Dependent Pathway
Authors: Martín-Pérez Rosa , Palacios Carmen , Yerbes Rosario , Cano-González Ana , Iglesias-Serret Daniel , Gil Joan , Reginato Mauricio J. , López-Rivas Abelardo
Published: January 2014

HER2/Neu/ERBB2 is a receptor tyrosine kinase overexpressed in approximately 20% of human breast tumors. Truncated or mutant isoforms that show increased oncogenicity compared with the wild-type receptor are found in many breast tumors. Here, we report that constitutively active ERBB2 sensitizes human breast epithelial cells to agents that induce endoplasmic reticulum stress, altering the unfolded protein response (UPR) of these cells. Deregulation of the ERK, AKT, and mTOR activities elicited by mutant ERBB2 was involved in mediating this differential UPR response, elevating the response to endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptotic cell death. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the increased sensitivity of mutant ERBB2-expressing cells to endoplasmic reticulum stress relied upon a UPR effector signaling involving the PERK–ATF4–CHOP pathway, upregulation of the proapoptotic cell surface receptor TRAIL-R2, and activation of proapoptotic caspase-8. Collectively, our results offer a rationale for the therapeutic exploration of treatments inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress against mutant ERBB2-expressing breast tumor cells. Cancer Res; 74(6); 1766–77. ©2014 AACR.
The Structural Basis of PI3K Cancer Mutations: From Mechanism to Therapy
Authors: Liu Shujuan , Knapp Stefan , Ahmed Ahmed Ashour
Published: January 2014

While genetic alteration in the p85α-p110α (PI3K) complex represents one of the most frequent driver mutations in cancer, the wild-type complex is also required for driving cancer progression through mutations in related pathways. Understanding the mechanistic basis of the function of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is essential for designing optimal therapeutic targeting strategies. Recent structural data of the p85α/p110α complex unraveled key insights into the molecular mechanisms of the activation of the complex and provided plausible explanations for the well-established biochemical data on p85/p110 dimer regulation. A wealth of biochemical and biologic information supported by recent genetic findings provides a strong basis for additional p110-independent function of p85α in the regulation of cell survival. In this article, we review the structural, biochemical, and biologic mechanisms through which p85α regulates the cancer cell life cycle with an emphasis on the recently discovered genetic alterations in cancer. As cancer progression is dependent on multiple biologic processes, targeting key drivers such as the PI3K may be required for efficacious therapy of heterogeneous tumors typically present in patients with late-stage disease. Cancer Res; 74(3); 641–6. ©2014 AACR.
Haemophilia A mutations in patients with non-severe phenotype associated with a discrepancy between one-stage and chromogenic factor VIII activity assays
Authors: Pavlova Anna , Delev Daniel , Pezeshkpoor Behnaz , Müller Jens , Oldenburg Johannes
Published: January 2014

About one-third of patients with non-severe haemophilia A (HA) show a discrepancy of factor (F)VIII activity (FVIII:C) measured by one-stage (FVIII:C1st), two-stage assays or the chromogenic method (FVIII:Cchr). The aim of the study was to characterise the mutation profile in patients with FVIII:C assay discrepancies. FVIII:C discrepancy was considered significant if the calculated ratio between FVIII:C1st and FVIII:Cchr was ≤ 0.6. In 16 patients FVIII:C1st was higher than FVIII:Cchr. The reverse phenomenon was observed in 83 patients. Genetic analysis revealed 23 different missense mutations of which 17 were novel. Most mutations, exhibiting a higher FVIII:C1st were localised in the A1-A2-A3 interface. The majority of mutations associated with FVIII:Cchr>FVIII:C1st discrepancy were located close to or within the thrombin cleavage sites, FIX or vWF binding sites. Our data show a correlation between FVIII:C and thrombin generation testing with a clear differentiation between patients with haemophilia and normal controls. However, in the subgroup of FVIII:C1st>FVIII:Cchr discrepancy, the endogenous thrombin potential and peak thrombin parameters were similar to non-discrepant haemophilia patients, while in the inverse discrepancy FVIII:Cchr>FVIII:C1st, these variables showed values close to that of the normal control group. Certain hereditary F8 mis-sense mutations cause discrepancy in FVIII:C as measured with different assays. This can lead to failure in diagnosing HA or incorrectly classifying the severity of the disease. Therefore, we recommend that initial diagnosis of non-severe HA phenotypes should be based on results of both FVIII:C1st and FVIII:Cchr assays.
Risk Adjustment of Ischemic Stroke Outcomes for Comparing Hospital Performance
Authors: Katzan Irene L. , Spertus John , Bettger Janet Prvu , Bravata Dawn M. , Reeves Mathew J. , Smith Eric E. , Bushnell Cheryl , Higashida Randall T. , Hinchey Judith A. , Holloway Robert G. , Howard George , King Rosemarie B. , Krumholz Harlan M. , Lutz Barbara J. , Yeh Robert W.
Published: January 2014

Background and Purpose—

Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term major disability in the United States. Measuring outcomes after stroke has important policy implications. The primary goals of this consensus statement are to (1) review statistical considerations when evaluating models that define hospital performance in providing stroke care; (2) discuss the benefits, limitations, and potential unintended consequences of using various outcome measures when evaluating the quality of ischemic stroke care at the hospital level; (3) summarize the evidence on the role of specific clinical and administrative variables, including patient preferences, in risk-adjusted models of ischemic stroke outcomes; (4) provide recommendations on the minimum list of variables that should be included in risk adjustment of ischemic stroke outcomes for comparisons of quality at the hospital level; and (5) provide recommendations for further research.

Methods and Results—

This statement gives an overview of statistical considerations for the evaluation of hospital-level outcomes after stroke and provides a systematic review of the literature for the following outcome measures for ischemic stroke at 30 days: functional outcomes, mortality, and readmissions. Data on outcomes after stroke have primarily involved studies conducted at an individual patient level rather than a hospital level. On the basis of the available information, the following factors should be included in all hospital-level risk-adjustment models: age, sex, stroke severity, comorbid conditions, and vascular risk factors. Because stroke severity is the most important prognostic factor for individual patients and appears to be a significant predictor of hospital-level performance for 30-day mortality, inclusion of a stroke severity measure in risk-adjustment models for 30-day outcome measures is recommended. Risk-adjustment models that do not include stroke severity or other recommended variables must provide comparable classification of hospital performance as models that include these variables. Stroke severity and other variables that are included in risk-adjustment models should be standardized across sites, so that their reliability and accuracy are equivalent. There is a pressing need for research in multiple areas to better identify methods and metrics to evaluate outcomes of stroke care.

Conclusions—

There are a number of important methodological challenges in undertaking risk-adjusted outcome comparisons to assess the quality of stroke care in different hospitals. It is important for stakeholders to recognize these challenges and for there to be a concerted approach to improving the methods for quality assessment and improvement.