bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellular neural network modelling of soft tissue dynamics for surgical simulation
Authors: Zhang Jinao , Zhong Yongmin , Smith Julian , Gu Chengfan
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND:

Currently, the mechanical dynamics of soft tissue deformation is achieved by numerical time integrations such as the explicit or implicit integration; however, the explicit integration is stable only under a small time step, whereas the implicit integration is computationally expensive in spite of the accommodation of a large time step.

OBJECTIVE:

This paper presents a cellular neural network method for stable simulation of soft tissue deformation dynamics.

METHOD:

The non-rigid motion equation is formulated as a cellular neural network with local connectivity of cells, and thus the dynamics of soft tissue deformation is transformed into the neural dynamics of the cellular neural network.

RESULTS:

Results show that the proposed method can achieve good accuracy at a small time step. It still remains stable at a large time step, while maintaining the computational efficiency of the explicit integration.

CONCLUSION:

The proposed method can achieve stable soft tissue deformation with efficiency of explicit integration for surgical simulation.
Medical image watermarking using bit threshold map based on just noticeable distortion in discrete cosine transform
Authors: Seo Hyeon-Uk , Wei Qun , Kwon Seong-Geun , Sohng Kyu-Ik
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND:

Medical images stored in a hospital system are generally confidential and integrated and require strict security. However, medical information stored on digital medical imaging systems, as well as picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), are vulnerable to attack when the data are transferred over wireless or wired communication networks.

OBJECTIVE:

To solve this problem, a watermarking algorithm for medical images is proposed using a bit threshold map based on just noticeable distortion (JND) in the discrete cosine transform (DCT) method.

METHODS:

The low-frequency component comprises a considerable amount of the signal energy for most images. As a result, it has a crucial effect on the image quality. Therefore, in this paper, the proposed algorithm embeds watermarks based on the low-frequency components of the image, such as the DC coefficient of the DCT.

RESULTS:

When watermarks are embedded in a low frequency area, the subjective image quality is often degraded. To compensate for the degradation of the imperceptibility of the watermarking system, which results from embedding watermarks in the low-frequency component, this research considers the human visual system. In addition, the embedding strength of the JND value is used to improve the watermarking imperceptibility.

CONCLUSIONS:

We applied the proposed watermarking algorithm to a variety of medical images using a computer simulation. The algorithm’s performance was verified using a variety of attacks for eliminating watermarks. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm robustly provides protection against a variety of possible attacks.
A new idea for visualization of lesions distribution in mammogram based on CPD registration method
Authors: Pan Xiaoguang , Qi Buer , Yu Hongfei , Wei Haiping , Kang Yan
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND:

Mammography is currently the most effective technique for breast cancer. Lesions distribution can provide support for clinical diagnosis and epidemiological studies.

OBJECTIVE:

We presented a new idea to help radiologists study breast lesions distribution conveniently. We also developed an automatic tool based on this idea which could show visualization of lesions distribution in a standard mammogram.

METHODS:

Firstly, establishing a lesion database to study; then, extracting breast contours and match different women’s mammograms to a standard mammogram; finally, showing the lesion distribution in the standard mammogram, and providing the distribution statistics. The crucial process of developing this tool was matching different women’s mammograms correctly. We used a hybrid breast contour extraction method combined with coherent point drift method to match different women’s mammograms.

RESULTS:

We tested our automatic tool by four mass datasets of 641 images. The distribution results shown by the tool were consistent with the results counted according to their reports and mammograms by manual. We also discussed the registration error that was less than 3.3 mm in average distance.

CONCLUSIONS:

The new idea is effective and the automatic tool can provide lesions distribution results which are consistent with radiologists simply and conveniently.
Successful outcome of placenta previa percreta with bladder invasion
Authors: Sayeeda Syeda , Akhter Nahreen , Begum Firoza , Hasan Sajid
Published: June 2017

A 41 year old multiparous lady, with previous history of one cesarean section presented at her 24 weeks of gestation with frank hematuria. The case was diagnosed as placenta previa percreta with the bladder involvement by ultrasound doppler and confirmed by MR urogram. So, peripartum hysterectomy was planned. On opening of the abdomen, a hugely distended bladder was found, which when retracted engorged blood vessels were found over the lower segment of uterus. Baby was delivered by giving a transverse incision in the upper segment. By keeping placenta in situ, total abdominal hysterectomy was done with quick successive clamping. Severe per-operative bleeding was occurred. Bladder irrigation started following total abdominal hysterectomy. Continuous small clots were coming out through catheter. A large old blood clot was removed by cystostomy done by an urologist. A sprouting vessel and a linear injury were noticed at the base of the bladder. The vessel was ligated and the injury was repaired. After proper hemostasis, the abdomen was closed in layers. The patient was shifted to ICU. Patient developed complications like MI, watery diarrhoea, low grade fever which was managed accordingly. She was discharged healthy on her 19th post-operative day.
Intra-Diegetic Cameras as Cinematic Actor Assemblages in Found Footage Horror Cinema
Authors: Rødje Kjetil
Published: June 2017

This article proposes a reconceptualization of the term “actor” within motion pictures and presents the argument that “acting” is a matter of distributed agency performed by heterogeneous assemblages. What constitutes an actor is what I will label as a “cinematic actor assemblage,” a term that comprises what is commonly known as human actors as well as material entities that play an active part in motion picture images. The use of intra-diegetic cameras in contemporary found footage horror films constitutes a particular case of such cinematic actor assemblages. Through a dynamic relational performance, cameras here take on roles as active agents with the potential to affect other elements within the images as well as the films’ audiences. In found footage horror the assemblage mode of operation creates suspense, since the vulnerability of the camera threatens the viewer's access to the depicted events. While human characters and individual entities making up the camera assemblage are disposable, the recording is not. Found footage horror crucially hinges upon the survival of the footage. I will further suggest that these films allow filmmakers to experiment with the acting capabilities of intra-diegetic cameras.
Studies on Seismic Performance of Precast Concrete Columns with Grouted Splice Sleeve
Authors: Lu Zheng , Wang Zixin , Li Jianbao , Huang Biao
Published: June 2017

In order to validate the seismic performance of precast concrete members with steel sleeve connections, pseudo-static tests on four prefabricated columns with vertical grouted splice sleeve connections and on a control group of two cast-in-situ columns have been conducted. The test results indicated that the failure modes of the prefabricated columns and of the cast-in-situ columns are basically identical but differences exist in their crack distribution. The cast-in-situ columns mainly crack horizontally at the bottom of the column, whereas the prefabricated columns have horizontal cracks above the sleeves, and then form diagonal cracks downwards and develop many wider cracks within the range of height of 300 mm at the bottom of the column. The hysteresis curves of the prefabricated columns are plump, which demonstrates that prefabricated columns have satisfactory energy-dissipating capacity. Moreover, the stiffness degradation of the prefabricated specimens is slower than that of the cast-in-situ specimens. The ultimate displacement angle of the prefabricated columns is up to 1/104–1/54, which satisfies the requirements of the inter-story drift ratio during major earthquakes. Finally, some recommendations on practical seismic design pertinent to the precast concrete members with grouted splice sleeves are proposed.
Synergistically-Enhanced Thermal Conductivity of Shape-Stabilized Phase Change Materials by Expanded Graphite and Carbon Nanotube
Authors: Liu Zhang-Peng , Yang Rui
Published: June 2017

The thermal conductivity of expanded graphite plate (EGP) and/or multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-filled, shape-stabilized, phase change material (SSPCM), based on paraffin, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBS), was investigated. The results demonstrated that both EGP and MWCNT increased the thermal conductivity of the SSPCM. EGP showed a greater thermal conductivity improvement than MWCNT. The conductivity of EGP-filled SSPCM reached 0.574 W/mK at 9 wt %, while that of MWCNT was just 0.372 W/mK at the same loading. Furthermore a series of EGP/MWCNT hybrid fillers were prepared and introduced into the SSPCM, and a synergistic effect was observed between the two fillers. When the EGP/MWCNT ratio was 8:2, the most significant thermal conductivity enhancement to the SSPCM was obtained. The thermal conductivity was 0.674 W/mK, 288% that of the SSPCM and 117% that of 9 wt % EGP-filled SSPCM. The SEM photos showed that a bridging of two-dimensional (2D) planar EGP by flexible one-dimensional (1D) MWCNT was constructed. The so-formed EGP-MWCNT network favored heat transfer along it and led to a decreased thermal interface resistance due to the increased EGP-MWCNT junctions.
Bionic Walking Foot and Mechanical Performance on Soil
Authors: Wang Ying , Li Jianqiao , Li Xiujuan , Huang Han , Qiu Feng
Published: June 2017

The surface structure of the Chinese mitten crab dactylopodite was investigated. The results indicated that the Chinese mitten crab dactylopodite has grooves with variable section structure on the surface of dactylopodite for achieving good traveling behavior on soft terrain. Surface structure plays a key role in the walking performance of the leg mechanism. Based on the bionics coupling theory, three bionic walking feet with different section shapes, including circular (Bio 1), circular with grooves (Bio 2), hexagon (Bio 3) and a cylinder foot used for comparison on the aluminum alloy, were designed and fabricated successfully. Meanwhile, comparative experiments on intrusion, extraction and propulsion for walking feet were conducted on different soil. Experimental results show that a bionic walking foot reduced the energy consumption of insertion and extraction, which topped out to 93.95% and 92.78% of cylinder foot, and Bio 2 behaves better. Propulsion is closely correlated with intrusion depth; therefore, compared with cylinder foot, the sinkage of a bionic walking foot helps to achieve a larger propulsion force with the same pressure. Furthermore, the proper depth in balancing the sinkage and propulsion was discussed, which enables us to optimize the structure and performance of a walking foot.
Dual Functionalized Freestanding TiO2 Nanotube Arrays Coated with Ag Nanoparticles and Carbon Materials for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Ho-Sub , Chun Myeung-Hwan , Suh Jung , Jun Bong-Hyun , Rho Won-Yeop
Published: June 2017

Highly ordered, freestanding TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2 NTAs) were prepared using an electrochemical method. The barrier layer was etched to open the bottom of each array, aptly named “open-ended TiO2 NTAs”. These arrays were coated with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and/or carbon materials to enhance electron generation and transport. The energy conversion efficiency of the resulting dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with open-ended freestanding TiO2 NTAs, when coated with Ag NPs, increased from 5.32% to 6.14% (by 15%) due to plasmonic interactions. Meanwhile, coating the open-ended freestanding TiO2 NTAs with carbon materials increased the energy conversion efficiency from 5.32% to 6.07% (by 14%), due to π-π conjugation. When the Ag NPs and carbon materials were simultaneously applied to the open-ended freestanding TiO2 NTAs, the energy conversion efficiency increased from 5.32% to 6.91%—an enhancement of 30%, due to the additive effects of plasmonics and π-π conjugation.
Validation of Acoustic Wave Induced Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats
Authors: Berman Sean , Uhlendorf Toni , Mills David , Lander Elliot , Berman Mark , Cohen Randy
Published: June 2017

Background: This study looked to validate the acoustic wave technology of the Storz-D-Actor that inflicted a consistent closed-head, traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. We studied a range of single pulse pressures administered to the rats and observed the resulting decline in motor skills and memory. Histology was observed to measure and confirm the injury insult. Methods: Four different acoustic wave pressures were studied using a single pulse: 0, 3.4, 4.2 and 5.0 bar (n = 10 rats per treatment group). The pulse was administered to the left frontal cortex. Rotarod tests were used to monitor the rats’ motor skills while the water maze test was used to monitor memory deficits. The rats were then sacrificed ten days post-treatment for histological analysis of TBI infarct size. Results: The behavioral tests showed that acoustic wave technology administered an effective insult causing significant decreases in motor abilities and memory. Histology showed dose-dependent damage to the cortex infarct areas only. Conclusions: This study illustrates that the Storz D-Actor effectively induces a repeatable TBI infarct, avoiding the invasive procedure of a craniotomy often used in TBI research.
Creating a Resource Cadaster—A Case Study of a District in the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area
Authors: Oezdemir Oezlem , Krause Karina , Hafner Annette
Published: June 2017

Today, both resource efficiency in general and the efficient use of natural resources specifically in the building sector are major political issues. Recent studies on resource efficiency have found the “anthropogenic stock” of the building sector to outweigh natural resource stocks. To make the anthropogenic stock accessible, material quantities with their individual composition need to be estimated and extrapolated to regional level. A geographical information system (GIS) is used as tool to handle the building specific data and combine them on regional level to calculate the anthropogenic stock. The resulting resource cadaster reflects the material quantities, divided into sixteen material fractions, of a specific residential district in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area—a typical urban area in Germany. The case study area was weighted in total between 103.5 kt and 93 kt, depending on the dataset. This paper offers a step-by-step description of this approach, whereby a consistent dataset was created throughout the process of data collection and validation. In order to demonstrate the broader application of the resource cadaster, the results were extrapolated to the residential building sector of the entire federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In highly concentrated areas, like the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan area, both area-wide classification of material quantities and their regional localization are necessary to make the anthropogenic stock accessible. Information about toxic substances, however, also needs to be included in the process of data collection. This method of mapping could thus provide the foundation for future (re)uses of this stock. This study offers some concrete steps in the direction of achieving a circular economy.
Nanostructured Ceria-Based Materials: Effect of the Hydrothermal Synthesis Conditions on the Structural Properties and Catalytic Activity
Authors: Piumetti Marco , Bensaid Samir , Andana Tahrizi , Dosa Melodj , Novara Chiara , Giorgis Fabrizio , Russo Nunzio , Fino Debora
Published: June 2017

In this work, several nanostructured ceria catalysts were prepared by means of a hydrothermal procedure, in which the synthesis conditions (i.e., temperature and pH values) were varied. CeO2 samples of different shapes and structural properties were obtained, namely cubes, rods, cube and nanorod mixtures, and other polyhedra. The prepared materials were tested using four probe catalytic reactions: CO oxidation, NO oxidation, NOx-free soot oxidation, and NOx-assisted soot oxidation. The physicochemical properties of the prepared catalysts were studied by means of complementary techniques (i.e., XRD, N2-physisorption at −196 °C, CO-TPR (temperature-programmed reduction), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), micro-Raman spectroscopy). The abundance of defects of the catalysts, measured through in-situ Raman spectroscopy at the typical temperatures of each catalytic process, was correlated to the CO and NO oxidation activity of the prepared catalysts, while the soot oxidation reaction (performed in loose conditions), which was hindered by a poor soot-catalyst contact, was found to be less sensitive to the observed structural defects.
A Reusable Palladium/Cationic 2,2′-Bipyridyl System-Catalyzed Double Mizoroki-Heck Reaction in Water
Authors: Chen Yu-Chi , Wu Chien-Chi , Liao Wei-Ting , Liu Ling-Jun , Tsai Fu-Yu
Published: June 2017

A reusable PdCl2(NH3)2/cationic 2,2′-bipyridyl system was used to catalyze the double Mizoroki-Heck reaction of aryl iodides with electron-deficient alkenes in water in the absence of inert gas, giving β,β-diarylated carbonyl derivatives in good to excellent yields. The formation of unsymmetrical β,β-diarylated alkenes were also studied by coupling aryl iodides with the corresponding aryl-substituted α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. This water-soluble catalyst can be swiftly separated from the organic layer using simple extraction for the further reuse, and, thus, makes it an operationally-simple and environmentally-benign procedure.
Activation of the EGF Receptor by Ligand Binding and Oncogenic Mutations: The “Rotation Model”
Authors: Purba Endang , Saita Ei-ichiro , Maruyama Ichiro
Published: June 2017

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays vital roles in cellular processes including cell proliferation, survival, motility, and differentiation. The dysregulated activation of the receptor is often implicated in human cancers. EGFR is synthesized as a single-pass transmembrane protein, which consists of an extracellular ligand-binding domain and an intracellular kinase domain separated by a single transmembrane domain. The receptor is activated by a variety of polypeptide ligands such as epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor α. It has long been thought that EGFR is activated by ligand-induced dimerization of the receptor monomer, which brings intracellular kinase domains into close proximity for trans-autophosphorylation. An increasing number of diverse studies, however, demonstrate that EGFR is present as a pre-formed, yet inactive, dimer prior to ligand binding. Furthermore, recent progress in structural studies has provided insight into conformational changes during the activation of a pre-formed EGFR dimer. Upon ligand binding to the extracellular domain of EGFR, its transmembrane domains rotate or twist parallel to the plane of the cell membrane, resulting in the reorientation of the intracellular kinase domain dimer from a symmetric inactive configuration to an asymmetric active form (the “rotation model”). This model is also able to explain how oncogenic mutations activate the receptor in the absence of the ligand, without assuming that the mutations induce receptor dimerization. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms underlying the ligand-induced activation of the preformed EGFR dimer, as well as how oncogenic mutations constitutively activate the receptor dimer, based on the rotation model.
Role of the Potential Barrier in the Electrical Performance of the Graphene/SiC Interface
Authors: Shtepliuk Ivan , Iakimov Tihomir , Khranovskyy Volodymyr , Eriksson Jens , Giannazzo Filippo , Yakimova Rositsa
Published: June 2017

In spite of the great expectations for epitaxial graphene (EG) on silicon carbide (SiC) to be used as a next-generation high-performance component in high-power nano- and micro-electronics, there are still many technological challenges and fundamental problems that hinder the full potential of EG/SiC structures and that must be overcome. Among the existing problems, the quality of the graphene/SiC interface is one of the most critical factors that determines the electroactive behavior of this heterostructure. This paper reviews the relevant studies on the carrier transport through the graphene/SiC, discusses qualitatively the possibility of controllable tuning the potential barrier height at the heterointerface and analyses how the buffer layer formation affects the electronic properties of the combined EG/SiC system. The correlation between the sp2/sp3 hybridization ratio at the interface and the barrier height is discussed. We expect that the barrier height modulation will allow realizing a monolithic electronic platform comprising different graphene interfaces including ohmic contact, Schottky contact, gate dielectric, the electrically-active counterpart in p-n junctions and quantum wells.
Validation of the Performance of International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) Methods in the Diagnosis of Early Stage Ovarian Cancer in a Non-Screening Population
Authors: Froyman Wouter , Wynants Laure , Landolfo Chiara , Bourne Tom , Valentin Lil , Testa Antonia , Sladkevicius Povilas , Franchi Dorella , Fischerova Daniela , Savelli Luca , Van Calster Ben , Timmerman Dirk
Published: June 2017

Background: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the performance of different ultrasound-based International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) strategies and subjective assessment for the diagnosis of early stage ovarian malignancy. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a prospective multicenter cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study that included 1653 patients recruited at 18 centers from 2009 to 2012. All patients underwent standardized transvaginal ultrasonography by experienced ultrasound investigators. We assessed test performance of the IOTA Simple Rules (SRs), Simple Rules Risk (SRR), the Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) model and subjective assessment to discriminate between stage I-II ovarian cancer and benign disease. Reference standard was histology after surgery. Results: 230 (13.9%) patients proved to have stage I–II primary invasive ovarian malignancy, and 1423 (86.1%) had benign disease. Sensitivity and specificity with respect to malignancy (95% confidence intervals) of the original SRs (classifying all inconclusive cases as malignant) were 94.3% (90.6% to 96.7%) and 73.4% (71.0% to 75.6%). Subjective assessment had a sensitivity and specificity of 90.0% (85.4% to 93.2%) and 86.7% (84.9% to 88.4%), respectively. The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves of SRR and ADNEX were 0.917 (0.902 to 0.933) and 0.905 (0.920 to 0.934), respectively. At a 1% risk cut-off, sensitivity and specificity for SRR were 100% (98.4% to 100%) and 38.0% (35.5% to 40.6%), and for ADNEX were 100% (98.4% to 100%) and 19.4% (17.4% to 21.5%). At a 30% risk cut-off, sensitivity and specificity for SRR were 88.3% (83.5% to 91.8%) and 81.1% (79% to 83%), and for ADNEX were 84.5% (80.5% to 89.6%) and 84.5% (82.6% to 86.3%). Conclusion: This study shows that all three IOTA strategies have good ability to discriminate between stage I-II ovarian malignancy and benign disease.
Recent Advances in Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices Based on Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides
Authors: Ye Mingxiao , Zhang Dongyan , Yap Yoke
Published: June 2017

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs) offer several attractive features for use in next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. Device applications of TMDCs have gained much research interest, and significant advancement has been recorded. In this review, the overall research advancement in electronic and optoelectronic devices based on TMDCs are summarized and discussed. In particular, we focus on evaluating field effect transistors (FETs), photovoltaic cells, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), photodetectors, lasers, and integrated circuits (ICs) using TMDCs.
R Loops in the Regulation of Antibody Gene Diversification
Authors: Pavri Rushad
Published: June 2017

For nearly three decades, R loops have been closely linked with class switch recombination (CSR), the process that generates antibody isotypes and that occurs via a complex cascade initiated by transcription-coupled mutagenesis in switch recombination sequences. R loops form during transcription of switch recombination sequences in vitro and in vivo, and there is solid evidence that R loops are required for efficient class switching. The classical model of R loops posits that they boost mutation rates by generating stable and long tracts of single-stranded DNA that serve as the substrate for activation induced deaminase (AID), the enzyme that initiates the CSR reaction cascade by co-transcriptionally mutating ssDNA in switch recombination sequences. Though logical and compelling, this model has not been supported by in vivo evidence. Indeed, several reports suggest that R loops may not be involved in recruiting AID activity to switch regions, meaning that R loops probably serve other unanticipated roles in CSR. Here, I review the key findings in this field to date and propose hypotheses that could help towards elucidating the precise function of R loops in CSR.
Interventions Aimed at the Prevention of Childhood Injuries in the Indigenous Populations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand in the Last 20 Years: A Systematic Review
Authors: Margeson Alyssa , Gray Selena
Published: June 2017

Globally, Indigenous children are found to be at a significantly higher risk of injury compared to non-Indigenous children. It has been suggested that mainstream injury prevention strategies are ineffective within Indigenous communities. The aim of this review is to identify existing interventions aimed at preventing injury in Indigenous children in the hope that it guides future strategies. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior systematic reviews exist looking at interventions specifically aimed at preventing injury in Indigenous child populations in the three chosen countries. Electronic databases were systematically searched for relevant childhood interventions aimed at the prevention of injuries in Indigenous populations based in Canada, Australia and New Zealand from 1996 to 2016. A manual search of the reference lists of relevant articles and a manual search of relevant websites were also completed. After 191 records were screened, six interventions were identified meeting the criteria for inclusion. Eligible papers underwent a quality appraisal using adapted assessment checklists and key information was extracted. Findings were then synthesized using a narrative approach. The interventions mainly promoted child safety through activities focusing on education and awareness. Only three of the six studies measured changes in injury hospitalization rates, all but one evaluation reporting a significant decrease. Studies which measured awareness all demonstrated positive changes. Results suggest that interventions delivered in a culturally appropriate manner acted as a main success factor. Barriers identified as hindering intervention success included lack of cohesion within the intervention due to staff turnover and lack of experienced staff with Indigenous knowledge. This review revealed a limited amount of evaluated interventions for the prevention of Indigenous childhood injuries. Conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of existing interventions is lacking due to the predominantly small-scale evaluations of pilot interventions. Future research is needed to provide more rigorous evidence of the mechanisms driving the successful implementation, delivery and uptake of such strategies tailored to Indigenous children.
Micro-RNAs as Potential Predictors of Response to Breast Cancer Systemic Therapy: Future Clinical Implications
Authors: Campos-Parra Alma , Mitznahuatl Gerardo , Pedroza-Torres Abraham , Romo Rafael , Reyes Fany , López-Urrutia Eduardo , Pérez-Plasencia Carlos
Published: June 2017

Despite advances in diagnosis and new treatments such as targeted therapies, breast cancer (BC) is still the most prevalent tumor in women worldwide and the leading cause of death. The principal obstacle for successful BC treatment is the acquired or de novo resistance of the tumors to the systemic therapy (chemotherapy, endocrine, and targeted therapies) that patients receive. In the era of personalized treatment, several studies have focused on the search for biomarkers capable of predicting the response to this therapy; microRNAs (miRNAs) stand out among these markers due to their broad spectrum or potential clinical applications. miRNAs are conserved small non-coding RNAs that act as negative regulators of gene expression playing an important role in several cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, autophagy, genomic stability, and apoptosis. We reviewed recent data that describe the role of miRNAs as potential predictors of response to systemic treatments in BC. Furthermore, upon analyzing the collected published information, we noticed that the overexpression of miR-155, miR-222, miR-125b, and miR-21 predicts the resistance to the most common systemic treatments; nonetheless, the function of these particular miRNAs must be carefully studied and further analyses are still necessary to increase knowledge about their role and future potential clinical uses in BC.
An Alternative Method to Niskin Sampling for Molecular Analysis of the Marine Environment
Authors: Teague Jonathan , Scott Thomas , Sharma Sanjay , Graham George , Allen Michael
Published: June 2017

The development of low-cost, open-source Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) systems has provided almost unrestricted access for researchers looking to monitor the marine environment in ever greater resolution. Sampling microbial communities from the marine environment, however, still usually relies on Niskin-bottle sampling (ROV or Conductivity-Temperature-Depth sampler (CTD) based), a method which introduces an inaccuracy and variability that is incompatible with metatranscriptomic analysis, for example. Here, we describe a versatile, easily-replicated platform which achieves in situ mRNA preservation, via the addition of RNAlater to filtered microbial cells, to enhance ROV or CTD functionality.
Monocyte Phenotype and IFN-γ-Inducible Cytokine Responses Are Associated with Cryptococcal Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome
Authors: Meya David , Okurut Samuel , Zziwa Godfrey , Cose Stephen , Bohjanen Paul , Mayanja-Kizza Harriet , Joloba Moses , Boulware David , Yukari Manabe Carol , Wahl Sharon , Janoff Edward
Published: June 2017

A third of adults with AIDS and cryptococcal meningitis (CM) develop immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is thought to result from exaggerated inflammatory antigen-specific T cell responses. The contribution of monocytes to the immunopathogenesis of cryptococcal IRIS remains unclear. We compared monocyte subset frequencies and immune responses in HIV-infected Ugandans at time of CM diagnosis (IRIS-Baseline) for those who later developed CM-IRIS, controls who did not develop CM-IRIS (Control-Baseline) at CM-IRIS (IRIS-Event), and for controls at a time point matched for ART duration (Control-Event) to understand the association of monocyte distribution and immune responses with cryptococcal IRIS. At baseline, stimulation with IFN-γ ex vivo induced a higher frequency of TNF-α- and IL-6-producing monocytes among those who later developed IRIS. Among participants who developed IRIS, ex vivo IFN-γ stimulation induced higher frequencies of activated monocytes, IL-6+, TNF-α+ classical, and IL-6+ intermediate monocytes compared with controls. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that monocyte subset phenotype and cytokine responses prior to ART are associated with and may be predictive of CM-IRIS. Larger studies to further delineate innate immunological responses and the efficacy of immunomodulatory therapies during cryptococcal IRIS are warranted.
Isolation of Ovicidal Fungi from Fecal Samples of Captive Animals Maintained in a Zoological Park
Authors: Hernández José A. , Vázquez-Ruiz Rosa A. , Cazapal-Monteiro Cristiana F. , Valderrábano Esther , Arroyo Fabián L. , Francisco Iván , Miguélez Silvia , Sánchez-Andrade Rita , Paz-Silva Adolfo , Arias María S.
Published: June 2017

Abstract: There are certain saprophytic fungi in the soil able to develop an antagonistic effect against eggs of parasites. Some of these fungal species are ingested by animals during grazing, and survive in their feces after passing through the digestive tract. To identify and isolate ovicidal fungi in the feces of wild captive animals, a total of 60 fecal samples were taken from different wild animals kept captive in the Marcelle Natureza Zoological Park (Lugo, Spain). After the serial culture of the feces onto Petri dishes with different media, their parasicitide activity was assayed against eggs of trematodes (Calicophoron daubneyi) and ascarids (Parascaris equorum). Seven fungal genera were identified in the feces. Isolates from Fusarium, Lecanicillium, Mucor, Trichoderma, and Verticillium showed an ovicidal effect classified as type 3, because of their ability to adhere to the eggshell, penetrate, and damage permanently the inner embryo. Penicillium and Gliocladium developed a type 1 effect (hyphae attach to the eggshell but morphological damage was not provoked). These results provide very interesting and useful information about fungi susceptible for being used in biological control procedures against parasites.
Post-Stroke Bacteriuria: A Longitudinal Study among Stroke Outpatients and Inpatients at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana
Authors: Donkor Eric , Darkwah Samuel , Akpalu Albert
Published: June 2017

Infections of the urinary tract constitute an important post-stroke complication but in Africa, little is known about such infections in relation to stroke patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiology of bacteriuria among stroke patients at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Ghana including the prevalence, incidence, risk factors and aetiological agents. This was a longitudinal study involving 55 outpatients and 16 inpatients of stroke from the physiotherapy clinic and stroke admission ward of KBTH respectively. Urine cultures for inpatient subjects were done each day until the patient was discharged. With outpatients, urine specimens were analysed every week or two for 6 months. Information on demographics and clinical history of the study participants were extracted from their clinical records. The results showed that the prevalence of bacteriuria among stroke outpatients and inpatients were 10.9% (6/55) and 18.8% (3/16) respectively (p = 0.411). Among both the outpatients and inpatients, there was one new case of bacteriuria each during the period of follow-up. Overall, 1/9 (11%) of the bacteriuria cases among the stroke patients was symptomatic. Severe stroke (OR = 17.7, p = 0.008) and pyuria (OR = 38.7, p = 0.002) were identified as predictors of bacteriuria. Escherichia coli was the most common organism implicated in bacteriuria and was susceptible to amikacin, but resistant to augmentin, ampicillin, cefuroxime, cotrimoxazole, meropenem, norfloxacin and tetracycline. Overall, bacteriuria is a common complication among both stroke inpatients and outpatients at KBTH, though it appears to be more common among the former. Stroke severity appears to be the main stroke-related determinant of bacteriuria among stroke patients. Bacteriuria among stroke patients is mainly asymptomatic and E. coli is the most important aetiological agent.
The Effects of Dietary Nutrition Education on Weight and Health Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Braakhuis Andrea , Campion Peta , Bishop Karen
Published: June 2017

Weight gain after breast cancer diagnosis portends a poorer prognosis, and the majority of sufferers appear to gain weight. Metabolic syndrome is a common co-condition with breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet has been used to reduce excess weight, metabolic syndrome, and to improve the inflammatory profile, and therefore may offer the breast cancer survivor specific benefits over and above the currently recommended nutrition guidelines to eat a low fat, healthy diet. The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to investigate whether a Mediterranean (MD) or low-fat diet (LF) reduce weight and general health in survivors of stage 1–3 breast cancer through a six-month, six-session education package to support dietary change. A control dietary arm received no intervention. Outcome measures for weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood lipids, blood glucose, dietary adherence, 3-day food diary, and PREDIMED questionnaire and quality of life were assessed. Both dietary intervention arms, on average, lost weight over the course of the intervention, with significant (p < 0.05) decreases seen in BMI and waist circumference measurements. The control arm gained weight and significantly (p < 0.05) increased BMI and waist circumference measurements overall (1.10 ± 3.03 kg, 0.40 ± 1.65 kg/m2, and 1.94 ± 2.94 cm respectively). Positive trends in blood biomarkers were observed for the intervention arms. Dietary adherence was sufficient. Nutritional education and group support appears to exert beneficial effects on health in breast cancer survivors, of lesser importance is the type of diet that forms the basis of the education.
Effect of Cooling Rate on Microstructure and Grain Refining Behavior of In Situ CeB6/Al Composite Inoculant in Aluminum
Authors: Liu Shuiqing , Cui Chunxiang , Wang Xin , Li Nuo , Shi Jiejie , Cui Sen , Chen Peng
Published: June 2017

Melt spinning was performed to process an in situ CeB6/Al inoculant at different rotating speeds to investigate the influence of cooling rate on the grain refining behavior of inoculants. It has been found that a high cooling rate caused two obvious changes in the inoculant: the supersaturated solid solution of Ce in the α-Al matrix and the miniaturization of CeB6 particles. At high cooling rates of ~108 K/s, the Ce content is largely beyond the theoretical solid solubility of Ce in Al, and the size of the CeB6 particles in ribbons is reduced to ~100 nm. The grain refining effect of melt-spun CeB6/Al composite inoculant shows significant dependence on holding time of which the best value should be no more than 2 min. The excellent grain refinement of the inoculant can be attributed to the combined effect of the nano-sized refiner particles and the large undercooling caused by the sudden melting of supersaturated Al–Ce solution.
Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and Green Tea Polyphenols
Authors: Oz Helieh
Published: June 2017

Chronic inflammatory diseases affect millions of people globally and the incidence rate is on the rise. While inflammation contributes to the tissue healing process, chronic inflammation can lead to life-long debilitation and loss of tissue function and organ failure. Chronic inflammatory diseases include hepatic, gastrointestinal and neurodegenerative complications which can lead to malignancy. Despite the millennial advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, there remains no effective cure for patients who suffer from inflammatory diseases. Therefore, patients seek alternatives and complementary agents as adjunct therapies to relieve symptoms and possibly to prevent consequences of inflammation. It is well known that green tea polyphenols (GrTPs) are potent antioxidants with important roles in regulating vital signaling pathways. These comprise transcription nuclear factor-kappa B mediated I kappa B kinase complex pathways, programmed cell death pathways like caspases and B-cell lymphoma-2 and intervention with the surge of inflammatory markers like cytokines and production ofcyclooxygenase-2. This paper concisely reviews relevant investigations regarding protective effects of GrTPs and some reported adverse effects, as well as possible applications for GrTPs in the treatment of chronic and inflammatory complications.
Toxoplasma Gondii Moderates the Association between Multiple Folate-Cycle Factors and Cognitive Function in U.S. Adults
Authors: Berrett Andrew , Gale Shawn , Erickson Lance , Brown Bruce , Hedges Dawson
Published: June 2017

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a microscopic, apicomplexan parasite that can infect muscle or neural tissue, including the brain, in humans. While T. gondii infection has been associated with changes in mood, behavior, and cognition, the mechanism remains unclear. Recent evidence suggests that T. gondii may harvest folate from host neural cells. Reduced folate availability is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cognitive decline. We hypothesized that impairment in cognitive functioning in subjects seropositive for T. gondii might be associated with a reduction of folate availability in neural cells. We analyzed data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to determine the associations between T. gondii infection, multiple folate-cycle factors, and three tests of cognitive functioning in U.S. adults aged 20 to 59 years. In these analyses, T. gondii moderated the associations of folate, vitamin B-12, and homocysteine with performance on the Serial Digit Learning task, a measure of learning and memory, as well as the association of folate with reaction time. The results of this study suggest that T. gondii might affect brain levels of folate and/or vitamin B-12 enough to affect cognitive functioning.
Randomized Controlled Trial of DHA Supplementation during Pregnancy: Child Adiposity Outcomes
Authors: Foster Byron , Escaname Elia , Powell Theresa , Larsen Benjamin , Siddiqui Sartaj , Menchaca John , Aquino Christian , Ramamurthy Rajam , Hale Daniel
Published: June 2017

Investigating safe and effective interventions in pregnancy that lower offspring adiposity is important given the burden of obesity and subsequent metabolic derangements. Our objective was to determine if docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) given during pregnancy to obese mothers results in lower offspring adiposity. This study was a long-term follow-up of a randomized trial of mothers with gestational diabetes or obesity who were randomized to receive DHA supplementation at 800 mg/day or placebo (corn/soy oil) starting at 25–29 weeks gestation. Anthropometric measures were collected at birth and maternal erythrocyte DHA and arachidonic (AA) levels were measured at 26 and 36 weeks gestation. At two- and four-year follow-up time points, offspring adiposity measures along with a diet recall were assessed. A significant increase in erythrocyte DHA levels was observed at 36 weeks gestation in the supplemented group (p < 0.001). While no significant differences by measures of adiposity were noted at birth, two or four years by randomization group, duration of breastfeeding (p < 0.001), and DHA level at 36 weeks (p = 0.002) were associated with body mass index z-score. Our data suggest that DHA supplementation during pregnancy in obese mothers may have long-lasting effects on offspring measures of adiposity.
Structural Properties of Dynamic Systems Biology Models: Identifiability, Reachability, and Initial Conditions
Authors: Villaverde Alejandro F , Banga Julio R
Published: June 2017

Abstract: Dynamic modelling is a powerful tool for studying biological networks. Reachability (controllability), observability, and structural identifiability are classical system-theoretic properties of dynamical models. A model is structurally identifiable if the values of its parameters can in principle be determined from observations of its outputs. If model parameters are considered as constant state variables, structural identifiability can be studied as a generalization of observability. Thus, it is possible to assess the identifiability of a nonlinear model by checking the rank of its augmented observability matrix. When such rank test is performed symbolically, the result is of general validity for almost all numerical values of the variables. However, for special cases, such as specific values of the initial conditions, the result of such test can be misleading—that is, a structurally unidentifiable model may be classified as identifiable. An augmented observability rank test that specializes the symbolic states to particular numerical values can give hints of the existence of this problem. Sometimes it is possible to find such problematic values analytically, or via optimization. This manuscript proposes procedures for performing these tasks and discusses the relation between loss of identifiability and loss of reachability, using several case studies of biochemical networks.
A Lifetime Maximization Relay Selection Scheme in Wireless Body Area Networks
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhang Bing , Zhang Shi
Published: June 2017

Network Lifetime is one of the most important metrics in Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs). In this paper, a relay selection scheme is proposed under the topology constrains specified in the IEEE 802.15.6 standard to maximize the lifetime of WBANs through formulating and solving an optimization problem where relay selection of each node acts as optimization variable. Considering the diversity of the sensor nodes in WBANs, the optimization problem takes not only energy consumption rate but also energy difference among sensor nodes into account to improve the network lifetime performance. Since it is Non-deterministic Polynomial-hard (NP-hard) and intractable, a heuristic solution is then designed to rapidly address the optimization. The simulation results indicate that the proposed relay selection scheme has better performance in network lifetime compared with existing algorithms and that the heuristic solution has low time complexity with only a negligible performance degradation gap from optimal value. Furthermore, we also conduct simulations based on a general WBAN model to comprehensively illustrate the advantages of the proposed algorithm. At the end of the evaluation, we validate the feasibility of our proposed scheme via an implementation discussion.