bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitation of Replication-Competent HIV-1 in Populations of Resting CD4
+
T Cells
Authors: Soriano-Sarabia Natalia , Bateson Rosalie E. , Dahl Noelle P. , Crooks Amanda M. , Kuruc JoAnn D. , Margolis David M. , Archin Nancie M.
Published: September 2014

Central memory (T
CM
) CD4
+
T cells are the principal reservoir of latent HIV-1 infection that persists despite durable, successful antiretroviral therapy (ART). In a study that measured HIV DNA in 17 patients and replication-competent HIV in 4 patients, pools of resting and activated transitional memory (T
TM
) CD4
+
T cells were found to be a reservoir for HIV infection. As defective viruses account for the majority of integrated HIV DNA and do not reflect the actual frequency of latent, replication-competent proviral infection, we assessed the specific contribution of resting T
TM
cells to latent HIV infection. We measured the frequency of replication-competent HIV in purified resting memory cell subpopulations by a limiting-dilution, quantitative viral outgrowth assay (QVOA). HIV was routinely detected within the resting central memory compartment but was infrequently detected within the resting T
TM
compartment. These observations suggest that prolonged ART may limit persistent latent infection in the T
TM
compartment. Our results confirm the importance of latent infection within the T
CM
compartment and again focus attention on these cells as the most important latent viral reservoir. While proliferation may drive expansion of detectable viral genomes in cells, the frequency of replication-competent HIV must be carefully assessed. Latent infection appears to wane within the transitional memory compartment in patients who have sustained successful viral suppression via ART or were treated very early in infection.

IMPORTANCE
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has led to a significant decrease in morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. However, HIV integrates into the genome of CD4
+
T cells, generating pools of long-lived cells that are reservoirs of latent HIV. Two main subsets of CD4
+
T cells, central memory and transitional memory cells, were reported to be major reservoirs of HIV infection. However, this study primarily measured the HIV DNA content, which also includes defective proviruses that would not be able to replicate and initiate new rounds of infection. By analyzing the replication-competent virus in both cell subsets, we showed that transitional memory cells may not be a durable reservoir in patients on successful ART.
Hijacking Dlg1 for Oncogenic Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Activation in Human Epithelial Cells Is a Conserved Mechanism of Human Adenovirus E4-ORF1 Proteins
Authors: Kumar Manish , Kong Kathleen , Javier Ronald T.
Published: September 2014

The
E4-ORF1
gene of human adenoviruses encodes a 14-kDa protein that promotes viral replication as well as cellular metabolic reprogramming, survival, and transformation by constitutively activating cellular phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). We recently reported that the E4-ORF1 protein from subgroup D human adenovirus type 9 upregulates and oncogenically activates PI3K by a novel mechanism involving separate interactions of E4-ORF1 with cellular discs large 1 (Dlg1) and PI3K to form a ternary complex that translocates to the plasma membrane (K. Kong, M. Kumar, M. Taruishi, and R. T. Javier, PLoS Pathog. 10:e1004102, 2014, doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1004102). The current study was carried out to investigate whether other human adenovirus E4-ORF1 proteins share this mechanism of action. The results showed that in human MCF10A epithelial cells, stable expression of E4-ORF1 proteins encoded by representative human adenovirus serotypes from subgroups A to D induce ternary complex formation, Dlg1-dependent PI3K activation, PI3K protein elevation, Dlg1 and PI3K membrane recruitment, and PI3K-dependent cellular transformation. The first three of these E4-ORF1 activities were also observed in MCF10A cells infected with each wild-type human adenovirus from subgroups A to D. Our findings indicate that most, if not all, human adenovirus E4-ORF1 proteins share a conserved molecular mechanism of PI3K activation, which confers a common capacity to promote oncogenic transformation in human epithelial cells.

IMPORTANCE
PI3K activation by the adenovirus E4-ORF1 protein mediates oncogenic cellular transformation by human adenovirus type 9, augments viral protein expression and replication by human adenovirus type 5, and dysregulates cellular glucose and lipid metabolism by human adenovirus type 36. For the first time, we report that E4-ORF1 proteins from human adenoviruses in subgroups A to D evolved a conserved molecular mechanism to mediate constitutive PI3K activation that can provoke oncogenic transformation in human epithelial cells. The results raise potential safety concerns about the use of vectors encoding the
E4-ORF1
gene in human gene therapy and vaccination. Our findings further suggest that the conserved mechanism revealed here may be targeted for development of therapeutic drugs to treat and prevent adenovirus-associated human diseases.
Type I Interferon Signaling Enhances CD8+T Cell Effector Function and Differentiation during Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Infection
Authors: Jennings Ryan N. , Grayson Jason M. , Barton Erik S.
Published: September 2014

CD8+T cell responses are critical to the control of replication and reactivation associated with gammaherpesvirus infection. Type I interferons (IFNs) have been shown to have direct and indirect roles in supporting CD8+T cell development and function during viral infection; however, the role of type I interferons during latent viral infection has not been examined. Mice deficient in type I IFN signaling (IFNAR1−/−mice) have high levels of reactivation during infection with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68), a murine gammaherpesvirus model for Epstein-Barr virus. We hypothesized that type I IFNs function to enhance the anti-gammaherpesvirus CD8+T cell response. To test this, IFNAR1−/−mice were infected with MHV68 and the CD8+T cell response was analyzed. In the absence of type I IFN signaling, there was a marked increase in short-lived effector CD8+T cells, and MHV68-specific CD8+T cells had upregulated expression of PD-1 and reduced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), gamma IFN (IFN-γ), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. Suppressing MHV68 replication early in infection using the antiviral cidofovir rescued CD8+T cell cytokine production and reduced PD-1 expression. However, suppressing high levels of reactivation in IFNAR1−/−mice failed to improve CD8+T cell cytokine production during latency. T cell-specific abrogation of type I IFN signaling showed that the effects of type I IFNs on the CD8+T cell response during MHV68 infection are independent of direct type I IFN signaling on T cells. Our findings support a model in which type I IFNs likely suppress MHV68 replication, thus limiting viral antigen and facilitating an effective gammaherpesvirus-directed CD8+T cell response.

IMPORTANCEThe murine gammaherpesvirus MHV68 has both genetic and biologic homology to the human gammaherpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which infects over 90% of humans. Latent EBV infection and reactivation are associated with various life-threatening diseases and malignancies. Host suppression of gammaherpesvirus latency and reactivation requires both CD8+T cells as well as type I interferon signaling. Type I IFNs have been shown to critically support the antiviral CD8+T cell response in other virus models. Here, we identify an indirect role for type I IFN signaling in enhancing gammaherpesvirus-specific CD8+T cell cytokine production. Further, this function of type I IFN signaling can be partially rescued by suppressing viral replication during early MHV68 infection. Our data suggest that type I IFN signaling on non-T cells can enhance CD8+T cell function during gammaherpesvirus infection, potentially through suppression of MHV68 replication.
Overlapping and Distinct Molecular Determinants Dictating the Antiviral Activities of TRIM56 against Flaviviruses and Coronavirus
Authors: Liu Baoming , Li Nan L. , Wang Jie , Shi Pei-Yong , Wang Tianyi , Miller Mark A. , Li Kui
Published: September 2014

The tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) proteins have emerged as a new class of host antiviral restriction factors, with several demonstrating roles in regulating innate antiviral responses. Of >70 known TRIMs, TRIM56 inhibits replication of bovine viral diarrhea virus, a ruminant pestivirus of the family
Flaviviridae
, but has no appreciable effect on vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a rhabdovirus. Yet the antiviral spectrum of TRIM56 remains undefined. In particular, how TRIM56 impacts human-pathogenic viruses is unknown. Also unclear are the molecular determinants governing the antiviral activities of TRIM56. Herein, we show that TRIM56 poses a barrier to infections by yellow fever virus (YFV), dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2), and human coronavirus virus (HCoV) OC43 but not encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). Moreover, by engineering cell lines conditionally expressing various TRIM56 mutants, we demonstrated that TRIM56's antiflavivirus effects required both the E3 ligase activity that lies in the N-terminal RING domain and the integrity of its C-terminal portion, while the restriction of HCoV-OC43 relied upon the TRIM56 E3 ligase activity alone. Furthermore, TRIM56 was revealed to impair YFV and DENV2 propagation by suppressing intracellular viral RNA accumulation but to compromise HCoV-OC43 infection at a later step in the viral life cycle, suggesting that distinct TRIM56 domains accommodate differing antiviral mechanisms. Altogether, TRIM56 is a versatile antiviral host factor that confers resistance to YFV, DENV2, and HCoV-OC43 through overlapping and distinct molecular determinants.

IMPORTANCE
We previously reported tripartite motif protein 56 (TRIM56) as a host restriction factor of bovine viral diarrhea virus, a ruminant pathogen. However, the impact of TRIM56 on human-pathogenic RNA viruses is unknown. Herein, we demonstrate that TRIM56 restricts two medically important flaviviruses, yellow fever virus (YFV) and dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2), and a human coronavirus, HCoV-OC43, but not encephalomyocarditis virus, a picornavirus. Further, we show that TRIM56-mediated inhibition of HCoV-OC43 multiplication depends solely on its E3 ligase activity, whereas its restriction of YFV and DENV2 requires both the E3 ligase activity and integrity of the C-terminal portion. The differing molecular determinants appear to accommodate distinct antiviral mechanisms TRIM56 adopts to target different families of viruses; while TRIM56 curbs intracellular YFV/DENV2 RNA replication, it acts at a later step in HCoV-OC43 life cycle. These novel findings illuminate the molecular basis of the versatility and specificity of TRIM56's antiviral activities against positive-strand RNA viruses.
Low-temperature thermal conductance in three-dimensional nanowire embedded with phonon cavity
Authors: Wang Xin-Jun , Peng Xiao-Fang , He Meng-Dong
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we investigate low-temperature thermal conductance in three-dimensional nanowire embedded with phonon cavity based on the full scalar model of elasticity. The results show that at very low temperatures, the cavity can enhance the thermal conductance in certain lateral-width range, just as the constructive coupling of more phonon-modes excited in the cavity with modes in the transport region. At higher temperatures, however, the scattering of more interfaces formed from the cavity become a dominant factor to suppress the phonon transmission. Moreover, it is found that while the material in the cavity is substituted for the material with higher sound velocity than that in the transport region, the thermal conductance is also enhanced.
A new controlled quantum secure direct communication protocol based on a four-qubit cluster state
Authors: Wang Meiling , Ma Wenping , Shen Dongsu , Yin Xunru
Published: September 2014

A new controlled quantum secure direct communication (CQSDC) protocol is presented by using a four-particle cluster state as quantum channel and the physical characteristics of controlled quantum teleportation to implement the transmission and the control. In this scheme, the receiver can receive the secret message from the sender and recover the secret message under the permission of the controller. According to the security analysis, the communication is secure against both participant and outside attacks, so this CQSDC protocol is secure and feasible.
A novel role for carbon monoxide as a potent regulator of intracellular Ca2+ and nitric oxide in rat pancreatic acinar cells
Authors: Moustafa Amira , Habara Yoshiaki
Published: September 2014

Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as an essential gaseous messenger that regulates a wide array of physiological and pathological processes, similar to nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the potential role of CO in Ca2+ homeostasis and to explore the underlying mechanisms in pancreatic acinar cells. The exogenous application of a CO-releasing molecule dose-dependently increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). A heme oxygenase (HO) inducer increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner, and the increase was diminished by an HO inhibitor. The CO-induced [Ca2+]i increase persisted in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, indicating that Ca2+ release is the initial source for the increase. The inhibition of G protein, phospholipase C (PLC), and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor diminished the CO-induced [Ca2+]i increase. CO upregulated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and stimulated NO production, and NOS inhibitor, calmodulin inhibitor, or the absence of extracellular Ca2+ eliminated the latter response. Blocking the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) pathway abolished CO-induced NO production. Pretreatment with an NOS inhibitor, NO scavenger, or soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, did not affect the CO-induced [Ca2+]i increase, indicating that NO, soluble guanylate cyclase, and cyclic guanosine 5′-monophosphate are not involved in the CO-induced [Ca2+]i increase. CO inhibited the secretory responses to CCK-octapeptide or carbachol. We conclude that CO acts as a regulator not only for [Ca2+]i homeostasis via a PLC-IP3-IP3 receptor cascade but also for NO production via the calmodulin and PI3K-Akt/PKB pathway, and both CO and NO interact. Moreover, CO may provide potential therapy to ameliorate acute pancreatitis by inhibiting amylase secretion.
Activity-dependent sensory signal processing in mechanically responsive slowly conducting meningeal afferents
Authors: Uebner Michael , Carr Richard W. , Messlinger Karl , De Col Roberto
Published: September 2014

Activity-dependent processes in slowly conducting afferents have been shown to modulate conduction and receptive properties, but it is not known how the frequency of action potential firing determines the responses of such fibers to mechanical stimulation. We examined the responses of slowly conducting meningeal afferents to mechanical stimuli and the influence of preceding action potential activity. In hemisected rat heads with adhering cranial dura mater, recordings were made from meningeal nerves. Dural receptive fields of mechanically sensitive afferent fibers were stimulated with a custom-made electromechanostimulator. Sinusoidal mechanical stimuli of different stimulus durations and amplitudes were applied to produce either high-frequency (phasic) or low-frequency (tonic) discharges. Most fibers showed slowing of their axonal conduction velocity on electrically evoked activity at ≥2 Hz. In this state, the peak firing frequency of phasic responses to a 250-ms mechanical stimulus was significantly reduced compared with control. In contrast, the frequency of tonic responses induced by mechanical stimuli of >500 ms did not change. In a rare subtype of afferents, which showed conduction velocity speeding during activity, an increase in the phasic responses to mechanical stimuli was observed. Depending on the axonal properties of the afferent fibers, encoding of phasic components of mechanical stimuli is altered according to the immediate firing history. Preceding activity in mechanoreceptors slowing their conduction velocity seems to provide a form of low-pass filtering of action potential discharges predominantly reducing the phasic component. This may improve discrimination between harmless and potentially harmful mechanical stimuli in normal tissue.
Acid‐Stable Serine Proteinase Inhibitors in the Urine of Alzheimer Disease Subjects
Authors: Sparro Giulia , Bonaiuto Salvatore , Galoenzi Gabriella , Eleuteri Anna Maria , Angeletti Mauro , Lupidi Giulio , Tacconi Rosalia , Giannandrea Elvio , Vesprini Andrea , Fioretti Evanoro
Published: September 2014

A comparative study of the levels of acid‐stable proteinase inhibitors (kallikrein and trypsin inhibitors) in the urine of healthy and Alzheimer subjects, of both sexes, has been performed. A preliminary characterization of the purified inhibitors indicates that the urinary antitryptic activity is accounted for by the presence of the well known Urinary Trypsin Inhibitor (UTI) while an apparently new molecule appears to be responsible for the anti kallikrein activity. The urinary levels of kallikrein inhibitors are very similar in healthy and sick subjects while the levels of trypsin inhibitors appear significatively increased in Alzheimer subjects of both sexes. The data presented here support the hypothesis that unpaired proteolytic processes could be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer′s disease and suggest that the levels of urinary acid‐stable inhibitors may prove to be useful markers of the disease.
A Method for Determining Familial Cancer Risks in Clinical Practice
Authors: Houlston R.S. , Ford D.
Published: September 2014

There is interest in estimating familial cancer risks in clinical practice for counselling and determining patients’ screening requirements. Empiric methods can be used to estimate an individual’s risk, however, every family history is unique making such methods relatively nonspecific. In contrast if an underlying genetic model can be assumed the risk of disease can be calculated for any individual using his or her family history. A method of estimating familial cancer risks based on segregation models and linkage data is presented and its implementation discussed.
Detection of the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor Gene Pvuii Intron 15 Polymorphism Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction: Association With Plasma Lipid Traits in Healthy Men and Women
Authors: Gudnason V. , Zhou T. , Thormar K. , Baehring S. , Cooper J. , Miller G. , Humphries S.E. , Schuster H.
Published: September 2014

We have used anchored PCR to amplify and sequence 1400bp of the 15th intron of the Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene, and have determined oligonucleotides and conditions for the genotyping of the previously reported Pvull polymorphism. The cutting site (CAGCTG) is created by the transition of a CpG to a TpG within the sequence CAGCCG at a position roughly 600bp 5′ from the splice acceptor site of exon 16. Genotype was determined in three populationbased samples of healthy individuals. In a group of 318 men and women from Iceland the frequencies of the Intron‐15 T (cutting) allele was 0.23 (95% CI, 0.19‐0.28) and was similar in men and women. In two groups of men from England (n=385) and Scotland (n=320), the frequency was similar, being 0.23 (0.19‐0.27) and 0.25 (0.22‐0.28) respectively. Individuals who were homozygous for the T allele had lower levels oftotal‐cholesterol triglycerides and apolipoprotein B, than those with other genotypes, and in the combined group of UK men this effect reached statistical significance; compared to the CIC group, the TIT group had 6% lower cholesterol (p=0.02) and 15% lower triglycerides (p=0.03). The lowering effect associated with the TIT genotype was greater in men who were in the lowest terti Ie of body mass index (<25kg/m2) and for the trait of apoB levels, this genotype x obesity interaction was statistically significant (p=0.01). We thus confirm the association between this allele and lower levels of plasma lipid levels previously reported. The availability of a PCR‐based method to detect this polymorphism will facilitate further investigation of the impact of LDL‐receptor gene variation in determining lipid levels.
α1‐Antichymotrypsin Mutations In Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Sandford Andrew J. , Chagani Tabassum , Weir Tracey D. , Parè Peter D.
Published: September 2014

Mutations in the α1‐antichymotrypsin gene have been described which result in reduced levels of α1‐antichymotrypsin in the serum. Previous studies have suggested that two of these mutations (Pro227→Ala and Leu55→Pro) predispose to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We have investigated the prevalence of these mutations in 168 COPD patients and 61 controls without airflow obstruction. The prevalence of the Pro227→Ala mutation was 0.9% and it was not associated with impaired lung function. None of the subjects had the Leu 55→Pro mutation.
Efficacy of Early Diagnosis and Treatment in Women with a Family History of Breast Cancer
Authors: Møller Pål , Reis Marta M. , Evans Gareth , Vasen Hans , Haites Neva , Anderson Elaine , Steel C. Michael , Apold Jaran , Lalloo Fiona , Mæhle Lovise , Preece Paul , Gregory Helen , Heimdal Ketil , European Familial Breast Cancer Collaborative Group
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND: Surveillance programmes for women at increased genetic risk of breast cancer are being established worldwide but little is known of their efficacy in early detection of cancers and hence reduction in mortality.

METHODS: Data were contributed from seven centres participating in the EU Demonstration Programme on Clinical Services for Familial Breast Cancer. All breast tumours (n = 161) detected prospectively, from the time of enrolment of women in a screening programme, were recorded. Analysis took account of age at diagnosis, whether tumours were screen‐detected or not, their pathological stage and outcome by Kaplan—Meier survival plots.

RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 48.6 years. Overall, 75% of tumours were detected in the course of planned examinations. For women under age 50 at diagnosis, this figure was 68%. Eighteen percent were mammographically negative, (23% in patients under age 50). At first (“prevalence”) round and at follow‐up screening, 16% and 22% of tumours respectively were carcinoma in situ (CIS) while 27% and 22% respectively had evidence of nodal or distant spread (CaN+). Comparison of screen‐detected and other tumours showed that the latter were more frequently mammogram‐negative and CaN+. Overall five‐year survival was 89% and five‐year event‐free survival 86%. Five‐year event‐free survival was 100% for CIS, 88% for invasive cancer without nodal or distant spread and 67% for CaN+.

CONCLUSIONS: The majority of cancers arising in women at increased genetic risk of breast cancer can be detected by planned screening, even in those under age 50. Surveillance should include regular expert clinical examination and teaching of “breast awareness” as well as mammography. Attention to the logistics of screening programmes may improve still further the proportion of tumours that are screen‐detected. The trend towards earlier pathological stage in tumours detected during follow‐up rounds and the preliminary findings on survival analysis suggest that this approach will prove to be of long‐term benefit for breast cancer families.
Improvement of Short‐Circuit Current Density in p‐Ni1−xO:Li/n‐Si Heterojunction Solar Cells by Wet Chemical Etching
Authors: Hsu Feng-Hao , Wang Na-Fu , Tsai Yu-Zen , Chien Ming-Hao , Houng Mau-Phon
Published: September 2014

This study confirms that the surface texturation of window layer (Al‐Y codoped ZnO) etched by diluted HCl effectively increases conversion efficiency of p‐Ni1−xO:Li/n‐Si heterojunction solar cells. The results show that the short circuit current density (Jsc ) of cell etched at 10 s increases about 8.5% compared to unetched cell, which also corresponds to the increase of efficient photoelectric conversion in NIR region as shown in external quantum efficiency spectra. It is attributed to the increase of light transmittance of AZOY thin films in the NIR region and the effective light path of the NIR wavelength, which results in increasing of light absorption in the base layer.
Assessment of Condylar Changes in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Pain Using Digital Volumetric Tomography
Authors: Shetty Ujwala Shivarama , Burde Krishna N. , Naikmasur Venkatesh G. , Sattur Atul P.
Published: September 2014

Objective. To evaluate the efficiency of DVT in comparison with OPG in the assessment of bony condylar changes in patients of TMJ pain.Methods. 100 temporomandibular joints of 62 patients with the complaint of temporomandibular joint pain were included in the study. DVT and OPG radiographs were taken for all the 100 joints. Three observers interpreted the DVT and OPG radiograph for the bony changes separately for two times with an interval of one week. The bony changes seen in the condyle were given coding from 0 to 6. (0: Normal, 1: Erosion, 2: Flattening, 3: Osteophyte, 4: Sclerosis, 5: Resorption, and 6: other changes). Interobserver and intraobserver variability was assessed with one-way ANOVA statistics.Ztest was used to see the significant difference between OPG and DVT.Results. In the present study the interexaminer reliability for OPG and DVT was 0.903 and 0.978, respectively. Intraexaminer reliability for OPG and DVT was 0.908 and 0.980, respectively. The most common condylar bony change seen in OPG and DVT was erosion followed by flattening and osteophyte. There was significant difference between OPG and DVT in detecting erosion and osteophytes. The other changes observed in our study were Ely’s cyst, pointed condyle, and bifid condyle. All the bony changes are more commonly seen in females than males.Conclusion. DVT provides more valid and accurate information on condylar bony changes. The DVT has an added advantage of lesser radiation exposure to the patient and cost effectiveness and could be easily accessible in a dental hospital.
Immune Response in Thyroid Cancer: Widening the Boundaries
Authors: Ward Laura Sterian
Published: September 2014

The association between thyroid cancer and thyroid inflammation has been repeatedly reported and highly debated in the literature. In fact, both molecular and epidemiological data suggest that these diseases are closely related and this association reinforces that the immune system is important for thyroid cancer progression. Innate immunity is the first line of defensive response. Unlike innate immune responses, adaptive responses are highly specific to the particular antigen that induced them. Both branches of the immune system may interact in antitumor immune response. Major effector cells of the immune system that directly target thyroid cancer cells include dendritic cells, macrophages, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mast cells, and lymphocytes. A mixture of immune cells may infiltrate thyroid cancer microenvironment and the balance of protumor and antitumor activity of these cells may be associated with prognosis. Herein, we describe some evidences that immune response may be important for thyroid cancer progression and may help us identify more aggressive tumors, sparing the vast majority of patients from costly unnecessary invasive procedures. The future trend in thyroid cancer is an individualized therapy.
Development of a Score Predicting Survival after Palliative Reirradiation
Authors: Nieder Carsten , Andratschke Nicolaus , Angelo Kent , Haukland Ellinor , Grosu Anca L.
Published: September 2014

Purpose. To develop a prognostic model for predicting survival after palliative reirradiation (PR).Methods and Materials. We analyzed all 87 PR courses administered at a dedicated palliative radiotherapy facility between 20.06.2007 (opening) and 31.12.2009. Uni- and multivariate survival analyses were performed, the previously published survival prediction score (SPS) was evaluated, and a PR-specific prognostic score was calculated.Results. In multivariate analysis, four parameters significantly influenced survival: performance status, use of steroids, presence of liver metastases, and pleural effusion. Based on these parameters, a 4-tiered score was developed. Median survival was 24.5 months for the favorable group, 9.7 and 2.8 months for the two intermediate groups, and 1.1 months for the unfavorable group (P=0.019for comparison between the two favorable groups andP≤0.002for all other pair-wise comparisons). All patients in the unfavorable group died within 2 months.Conclusion. The performance of PR-specific score was promising and might facilitate identification of patients who survive long enough to benefit from PR. It should be validated in independent patient groups, ideally from several institutions and countries.
Improving Location Prediction by Exploring Spatial‐Temporal‐Social Ties
Authors: Wen Li , Shi-xiong Xia , Feng Liu , Lei Zhang
Published: September 2014

As there is great differences of movement patterns and social correlation between weekdays and weekends, we propose a fallback social‐temporal‐hierarchic Markov model (FSTHM) to predict individual’s future location. The division of weekdays and weekends is used to decompose the original state of traditional Markov model into two different states and distinguish the difference of the strength of social ties on weekdays and weekends. Except for the time division, the distribution of the visit time for each state is also considered to improve the predictive performance. In addition, in order to best suit the characteristics of Markov model, we introduce the modified cross‐sample entropy to quantify the similarities between the individual and his friends. The experiments based on real location‐based social network show the FSTHM model gives a 9% improvement over the Markov model and 2% improvement over the social Markov models which use cosine similarity or mutual information to measure the social correlation.
Incidence, Pattern, and Severity of Acute Respiratory Infections among Infants and Toddlers of a Peri-Urban Area of Delhi: A 12-Month Prospective Study
Authors: Walke Sneha P. , Das Ranjan , Acharya Anita Shankar , Pemde Harish K.
Published: September 2014

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in spite of being the single most important under-five morbidity have not been studied adequately in peri-urban settings in India. We conducted this study prospectively on a cohort of 106 children in a peri-urban area of Delhi. The overall 2-week prevalence of all types of ARI was 34.3%. Annual combined incidence of all types of ARI was 7.9 episodes/100 child-weeks; while that for no pneumonia, cough, and cold, pneumonia, and otitis media was 7.1, 0.85, and 0.09 epi/100 ch-wks, respectively. Incidence of ARI was higher in infancy (9.4 epi/100 ch-wks) as compared to toddlers (7.0 epi/100 ch-wks). Pneumonia incidence was higher among boys (0.9 epi/100 ch-wks as compared to 0.6 for girls) and the highest in infants under 2 months of age (1.09 epi/100 ch-wks; P < 0.01). Incidence of severe pneumonia was roughly one-tenth that of pneumonia. Incidence of both ARI and pneumonia peaked in spring and autumn. Mothers of infants, zespecially those under 2 months of age, need to be made aware of ARI/pneumonia and IEC campaigns may be aired more intensively keeping their peak season in mind.
Effect of Parametric Uncertainties, Variations, and Tolerances on Thermohydraulic Performance of Flat Plate Solar Air Heater
Authors: Karwa Rajendra , Baghel Shweta
Published: September 2014

The paper presents results of an analysis carried out using a mathematical model to find the effect of the uncertainties, variations, and tolerances in design and ambient parameters on the thermohydraulic performance of flat plate solar air heater. Analysis shows that, for the range of flow rates considered, a duct height of 10 mm is preferred from the thermohydraulic consideration. The thermal efficiency changes by about 2.6% on variation in the wind heat transfer coefficient, ±5 K variation in sky temperature affects the efficiency by about ±1.3%, and solar insolation variation from 500 to 1000 Wm−2 affects the efficiency by about −1.5 to 1.3% at the lowest flow rate of 0.01 kgs−1 m−2 of the absorber plate with black paint. In general, these effects reduce with increase in flow rate and are lower for collector with selective coating on the absorber plate surface. The tolerances in the duct height and absorber plate emissivity should be small while positive tolerance of 3° in the collector slope for winter operation and ±3° for year round operation, and a positive tolerance for the gap between the absorber plate and glass cover at nominal value of 40 mm are recommended.
Analysis of Impatient Customers in Queues with Bernoulli Schedule Working Vacations and Vacation Interruption
Authors: Goswami Veena
Published: September 2014

This paper analyzes customers’ impatience in Markovian queueing system with multiple working vacations and Bernoulli schedule vacation interruption, where customers’ impatience is due to the servers’ vacation. During the working vacation period, if there are customers in the queue, the vacation can be interrupted at a service completion instant and the server begins a regular busy period with probability 1-q or continues the vacation with probability q. We obtain the probability generating functions of the stationary state probabilities and deduce the explicit expressions of the system sizes when the server is in a normal service period and in a Bernoulli schedule vacation interruption, respectively. Various performance measures such as the mean system size, the proportion of customers served, the rate of abandonment due to impatience, and the mean sojourn time of a customer served are derived. We obtain the stochastic decomposition structures of the queue length and waiting time. Finally, some numerical results to show the impact of model parameters on performance measures of the system are presented.
Role of Sociocultural Factors in Depression among Elderly of Twin Cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad) of Pakistan
Authors: Javed Saira
Published: September 2014

This research was conducted to examine the role of sociocultural factors on depression among elderly of twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad) of Pakistan. 310 older adults participated in the present study. Through convenient sampling technique, face to face interview was carried out for data collection. Urdu translated Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form and demographic sheet were used to test hypotheses. Descriptive statistics andt-test were used for data analysis. Results showed significant mean differences among gender, marital status, family system, and status of employment on depression. Financial crisis, feeling of dejection because of isolation, and trend of nuclear family system have been observed as strong predictors of depression in older adults.
Protective Role of 5-Lipoxigenase duringLeishmania infantumInfection Is Associated with Th17 Subset
Authors: Sacramento Laís Amorim , Cunha Fernando Q. , de Almeida Roque Pacheco , da Silva João Santana , Carregaro Vanessa
Published: September 2014

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic and fatal disease caused byLeishmania infantumin Brazil. Leukocyte recruitment to infected tissue is a crucial event for the control of infections such as VL. Leucotriens are lipid mediators synthesized by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and they display a protective role against protozoan parasites by inducing several functions in leucocytes. We determined the role of 5-LO activity in parasite control, focusing on the inflammatory immune response againstLeishmania infantuminfection. LTB4is released duringin vitroinfection. The genetic ablation of 5-LO promoted susceptibility in highly resistant mice strains, harboring more parasites into target organs. The susceptibility was related to the failure of neutrophil migration to the infectious foci. Investigating the neutrophil failure, there was a reduction of proinflammatory cytokines involved in the related Th17 axis released into the organs. Genetic ablation of 5-LO reduced the CD4+T cells producing IL-17, without interfering in Th1 subset.L. infantumfailed to activate DC from5-LO-/-, showing reduced surface costimulatory molecule expression and proinflammatory cytokines involved in Th17 differentiation. BLT1blockage with selective antagonist interferes with DC maturation and proinflammatory cytokines release. Thus, 5-LO activation coordinates the inflammatory immune response involved in the control of VL.
FAMM Flap in Reconstructing Postsurgical Nasopharyngeal Airway Stenosis
Authors: Nangole Ferdinand Wanjala , Khainga Stanley Ominde
Published: September 2014

Introduction. Postsurgical nasopharyngeal airway stenosis can be a challenge to manage. The stenosis could be as a result of any surgical procedure in the nasopharyngeal region that heals extensive scarring and fibrosis. Objective. To evaluate patients with nasopharyngeal stenosis managed with FAMM flap. Study Design. Prospective study of patients with nasopharyngeal stenosis at the Kenyatta National Hospital between 2010 and 2013 managed with FAMM flap. Materials and Methods. Patients with severe nasopharyngeal airway stenosis were reviewed and managed with FAMM flaps at the Kenyatta National Hospital. Postoperatively they were assessed for symptomatic improvement in respiratory distress, patency of the nasopharyngeal airway, and donor site morbidity. Results. A total of 8 patients were managed by the authors in a duration of 4 years with nasopharyngeal stenosis. Five patients were managed with unilateral FAMM flaps in a two-staged surgical procedure. Four patients had complete relieve of the airway obstruction with a patent airway created. One patient had a patent airway created though with only mild improvement in airway obstruction. Conclusion. FAMM flap provides an alternative in the management of postsurgical severe nasopharyngeal stenosis. It is a reliable flap that is easy to raise and could provide adequate epithelium for the stenosed pharynx.
Traffic Based Optimization of Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Yao Changhua , Wu Qihui , Zhou Linfang
Published: September 2014

We propose a more practical spectrum sensing optimization problem in cognitive radio networks (CRN), by considering the data traffic of second user (SU). Compared with most existing work, we do not assume that SU always has packets to transmit; instead, we use the actual data transmitted per second rather than the channel capacity as the achievable throughput, to reformulate the Sensing‐Throughput Tradeoff problem. We mathematically analyze the problem of optimal sensing time to maximize the achievable throughput, based on the data traffic of SU. Our model is more general because the traditional Sensing‐Throughput Tradeoff model can be seen as a special case of our model. We also prove that the throughput is a concave function of sensing time and there is only one optimal sensing time value which is determined by the data traffic. Simulation results show that the proposed approach outperforms existing methods.
Differential Protein Network Analysis of the Immune Cell Lineage
Authors: Clancy Trevor , Hovig Eivind
Published: September 2014

Recently, the Immunological Genome Project (ImmGen) completed the first phase of the goal to understand the molecular circuitry underlying the immune cell lineage in mice. That milestone resulted in the creation of the most comprehensive collection of gene expression profiles in the immune cell lineage in any model organism of human disease. There is now a requisite to examine this resource using bioinformatics integration with other molecular information, with the aim of gaining deeper insights into the underlying processes that characterize this immune cell lineage. We present here a bioinformatics approach to study differential protein interaction mechanisms across the entire immune cell lineage, achieved using affinity propagation applied to a protein interaction network similarity matrix. We demonstrate that the integration of protein interaction networks with the most comprehensive database of gene expression profiles of the immune cells can be used to generate hypotheses into the underlying mechanisms governing the differentiation and the differential functional activity across the immune cell lineage. This approach may not only serve as a hypothesis engine to derive understanding of differentiation and mechanisms across the immune cell lineage, but also help identify possible immune lineage specific and common lineage mechanism in the cells protein networks.
Current Development in Lead-FreeBi0.5(Na,K)0.5TiO3-Based Piezoelectric Materials
Authors: Quan Ngo Duc , Huu Bac Luong , Thiet Duong Van , Hung Vu Ngoc , Dung Dang Duc
Published: September 2014

The lead-free piezoelectric ceramics display good piezoelectric properties which are comparable with Pb(Zr,Ti)O3(PZT) and these materials overcome the hazard to the environment and human health. The Bi0.5(Na,K)0.5TiO3(BNKT) is rapidly developed because of good piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and dielectric properties compared to PZT. The origin of giant strain of BNKT piezoelectric materials was found at morphotropic phase boundary due to crystal change from tetragonal to orthorhombic and/or precipitation of cubic phases, in addition to domain switching mechanism. The dopants or secondary phases withABO3structure as solid solution are expected to change the crystal structure and create the vacancies which results in enhancement of the piezoelectric properties. In this work, we reviewed the current development of BNKT by dopants and secondary phase as solid solution. Our discussion will focus on role of dopants and secondary phase to piezoelectric properties of BNKT. This result will open the direction to control the properties of lead-free piezoelectric materials.
S1-ZGV Modes of a Linear and Nonlinear Profile for Functionally Graded Material Using Power Series Technique
Authors: Zagrouba M. , Bouhdima M. S. , Ben Ghozlen M. H.
Published: September 2014

The present work deals with functionally graded materials (FGM) isotropic plates in the neighborhood of the first-order symmetric zero group velocity (S1-ZGV) point. The mechanical properties of functionally graded material (FGM) are assumed to vary continuously through the thickness of the plate and obey a power law of the volume fraction of the constituents. Governing equations for the problem are derived, and the power series technique (PST) is employed to solve the recursive equations. The impact of the FGM basic materials properties on S1-ZGV frequency of FGM plate is investigated. Numerical results show that S1-ZGV frequency is comparatively more sensitive to the shear modulus. The gradient coefficient p does not affect the linear dependence of ZGV frequency fo as function of cut-off frequency fc; only the slope is slightly varied.
In Silico Screening of Mutated K-Ras Inhibitors from Malaysian Typhonium flagelliforme for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Fatima Ayesha , Yee H. F.
Published: September 2014

K-ras is an oncogenic GTPase responsible for at least 15–25% of all non-small cell lung cancer cases worldwide. Lung cancer of both types is increasing with an alarming rate due to smoking habits in Malaysia among men and women. Natural products always offer alternate treatment therapies that are safe and effective. Typhonium flagelliforme or Keladi Tikus is a local plant known to possess anticancer properties. The whole extract is considered more potent than individual constituents. Since K-ras is the key protein in lung cancer, our aim was to identify the constituents of the plant that could target the mutated K-ras. Using docking strategies, reported potentially active compounds of Typhonium flagelliforme were docked into the allosteric surface pockets and switch regions of the K-ras protein to identify possible inhibitors. The selected ligands were found to have a high binding affinity for the switch II and the interphase region of the ras-SOS binding surface.
Cancer Incidence in Egypt: Results of the National Population-Based Cancer Registry Program
Authors: Ibrahim Amal S. , Khaled Hussein M. , Mikhail Nabiel NH , Baraka Hoda , Kamel Hossam
Published: September 2014

Background. This paper aims to present cancer incidence rates at national and regional level of Egypt, based upon results of National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP).Methods. NCRP stratified Egypt into 3 geographical strata: lower, middle, and upper. One governorate represented each region. Abstractors collected data from medical records of cancer centers, national tertiary care institutions, Health Insurance Organization, Government-Subsidized Treatment Program, and death records. Data entry was online. Incidence rates were calculated at a regional and a national level. Future projection up to 2050 was also calculated.Results. Age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 were 166.6 (both sexes), 175.9 (males), and 157.0 (females). Commonest sites were liver (23.8%), breast (15.4%), and bladder (6.9%) (both sexes): liver (33.6%) and bladder (10.7%) among men, and breast (32.0%) and liver (13.5%) among women. By 2050, a 3-fold increase in incident cancer relative to 2013 was estimated.Conclusion. These data are the only available cancer rates at national and regional levels of Egypt. The pattern of cancer indicated the increased burden of liver cancer. Breast cancer occupied the second rank. Study of rates of individual sites of cancer might help in giving clues for preventive programs.
Multirule Based Diagnostic Approach for the Fog Predictions Using WRF Modelling Tool
Authors: Payra Swagata , Mohan Manju
Published: September 2014

The prediction of fog onset remains difficult despite the progress in numerical weather prediction. It is a complex process and requires adequate representation of the local perturbations in weather prediction models. It mainly depends upon microphysical and mesoscale processes that act within the boundary layer. This study utilizes a multirule based diagnostic (MRD) approach using postprocessing of the model simulations for fog predictions. The empiricism involved in this approach is mainly to bridge the gap between mesoscale and microscale variables, which are related to mechanism of the fog formation. Fog occurrence is a common phenomenon during winter season over Delhi, India, with the passage of the western disturbances across northwestern part of the country accompanied with significant amount of moisture. This study implements the above cited approach for the prediction of occurrences of fog and its onset time over Delhi. For this purpose, a high resolution weather research and forecasting (WRF) model is used for fog simulations. The study involves depiction of model validation and postprocessing of the model simulations for MRD approach and its subsequent application to fog predictions. Through this approach model identified foggy and nonfoggy days successfully 94% of the time. Further, the onset of fog events is well captured within an accuracy of 30–90 minutes. This study demonstrates that the multirule based postprocessing approach is a useful and highly promising tool in improving the fog predictions.