bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Nanoclay Dispersion on the Properties of a Commercial Glass Ionomer Cement
Authors: Fareed Muhammad A. , Stamboulis Artemis
Published: August 2014

Objective.The reinforcement effect of polymer-grade montmorillonite (PGV and PGN nanoclay) on Fuji-IX glass ionomer cement was investigated.Materials and Method.PGV and PGV nanoclays (2.0 wt%) were dispersed in the liquid portion of Fuji-IX. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were used to quantify acid-base reaction and the liquid portion of GIC. The mechanical properties (CS, DTS, FS, andEf) of cements (n= 20) were measured at 1 hour, 1 day, and 1 month. The microstructure was examined by cryo-SEM and TEM.Results. FTIR shows that the setting reaction involves the neutralisation of PAA by the glass powder which was linked with the formation of calcium and aluminium salt-complexes. The experimental GICs (C-V and C-N) exhibited mechanical properties in compliance to ISO standard requirement have higher values than Fuji-IX cement. There was no significant correlation of mechanical properties was found between C-V and C-N. The average Mw of Fuji-IX was 15,700 and the refractive index chromatogram peak area was 33,800. TEM observation confirmed that nanoclays were mostly exfoliated and dispersed in the matrix of GIC.Conclusion. The reinforcement of nanoclays in GICs may potentially produce cements with better mechanical properties without compromising the nature of polyacid neutralisation.
Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan Nanoparticles‐Doped Cellulose Films with Antimicrobial Property
Authors: Romainor Ain Nadirah Binti , Chin Suk Fun , Pang Suh Cem , Bilung Lesley Maurice
Published: August 2014

Cellulose films with antimicrobial property were prepared by incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents into the cellulose films. The antimicrobial property of these chitosan nanoparticles‐doped cellulose films against Escherichia coli (E. coli) was evaluated via diffusion assay method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method, and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) method. The effects of antimicrobial agent amount, size‐related property (nanoparticles and bulk chitosan), and crosslinking by citric acid on antimicrobial activity of cellulose films were studied. It was observed that the antimicrobial activity was enhanced when chitosan nanoparticles were used as compared to when bulk chitosan was used. A maximum E. coli inhibition of 85% was achieved with only 5% (v/v) doping of chitosan nanoparticles into the cellulose films. Crosslinking of the cellulose films with citric acid was observed to have resulted in 50% reduction of water absorbency and a slight increase of E. coli inhibition by 3% for chitosan nanoparticles‐doped cellulose films.
A New Version of the Accelerated Overrelaxation Iterative Method
Authors: Wu Shi-Liang , Liu Yu-Jun
Published: August 2014

Hadjidimos (1978) proposed a classical accelerated overrelaxation (AOR) iterative method to solve the system of linear equations, and discussed its convergence under the conditions that the coefficient matrices are irreducible diagonal dominant,L-matrices, and consistently orders matrices. In this paper, a new version of the AOR method is presented. Some convergence results are derived when the coefficient matrices are irreducible diagonal dominant,H-matrices, symmetric positive definite matrices, andL-matrices. A relational graph for the new AOR method and the original AOR method is presented. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method.
Anti-Inflammatory and Gastroprotective Evaluation of Prodrugs of Piroxicam
Authors: Redasani Vivekkumar K. , Shinde Amol B. , Surana Sanjay J.
Published: August 2014

Therapeutically potential prodrugs of piroxicam were synthesized by effective masking of enolic hydroxyl group through generation of ester congeners. The reaction facilitated using N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide coupled with acetic acid, benzoic acid, p-toluic acid, m-toluic acid, and cinnamic acid. Synthesized prodrugs were characterized for confirmation of the said structures. The modification of piroxicam showed better anti-inflammatory activity as evoked by all prodrugs. Interestingly, compound 3e, cinnamic acid ester prodrug, depicted 75 percent inhibition of rat paw edema as compared to 56 percent for parent piroxicam at 6 h of study. The present work proves the applicability not only with increased anti-inflammatory activity, but also with marked attenuation in ulcerogenicity. Novel prodrug 3e, cinnamic acid derivative, was found to be the least ulcerogenic having ulcer index of 0.67 as compared to parent drug piroxicam with 2.67.
A Fast Alternating Minimization Algorithm for Nonlocal Vectorial Total Variational Multichannel Image Denoising
Authors: Xi Rubing , Wang Zhengming , Zhao Xia , Xie Meihua
Published: August 2014

The variational models with nonlocal regularization offer superior image restoration quality over traditional method. But the processing speed remains a bottleneck due to the calculation quantity brought by the recent iterative algorithms. In this paper, a fast algorithm is proposed to restore the multichannel image in the presence of additive Gaussian noise by minimizing an energy function consisting of an ‐norm fidelity term and a nonlocal vectorial total variational regularization term. This algorithm is based on the variable splitting and penalty techniques in optimization. Following our previous work on the proof of the existence and the uniqueness of the solution of the model, we establish and prove the convergence properties of this algorithm, which are the finite convergence for some variables and the q‐linear convergence for the rest. Experiments show that this model has a fabulous texture‐preserving property in restoring color images. Both the theoretical derivation of the computation complexity analysis and the experimental results show that the proposed algorithm performs favorably in comparison to the widely used fixed point algorithm.
Pediatric HIV Long-Term Nonprogressors
Authors: Rimawi B. H. , Rimawi R. H. , Micallef M. , Pinckney L. , Fowler S. L. , Dixon T. C.
Published: August 2014

Patients infected with HIV are best categorized along a continuum from rapid progressors to HIV long-term nonprogressors. Long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs) are those in which AIDS develop many years after being infected with HIV, often beyond the 10-year mark, and represent 15–20% of the HIV infected patients. Many of these patients are able to control their infection and maintain undetectable viral loads for long periods of time without antiretroviral therapy. After a comprehensive literature search, we found extensive data related to HIV LTNPs in the adult population; however, very limited data was available related to LTNPs within the pediatric population. We present a case of pediatric HIV LTNPs, perinatally infected patient with undetectable viral loads, despite never receiving ART. Although there are not many instances of LTNPs among children, this child may be one, though she had intermittent viremia. She has continued to manifest serologic evidence of infection, with yearly ELISA and western blot positive tests. Based on the viral fitness studies that were performed, this case exemplifies an adolescent LTNP.
Multiple Sclerosis State of the Art (SMART): A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Therapy’s Adherence, Hospital Reliability’s Perception, and Services Provided Quality
Authors: Di Battista G. , Bertolotto A. , Gasperini C. , Ghezzi A. , Maimone D. , Solaro C.
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this study was to assess the adherence to therapy in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) and to analyze the possible influence of factors such as hospital care and patients socioeconomic status. Two hundred eighty-five patients with RR-MS according to Mc Donald’s criteria and naïve disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) naïve were enrolled. Two self-administered questionnaires addressing the management of patients at therapy prescription and the personal perception of the daily life changes caused by DMDs were administered at months 3 and 12. Full adherence, considered as correct use of the therapy prescribed, was observed in a very high percentage of subjects (97.3% and 93.9% at 3 and 12 months). The main cause for reduced adherence was single dose forgetfulness, followed by anxiety, pain at the injection site, and tiredness of “doing all injections.” Nurses and neurologists of MS Center were identified as the major resource in coping with the disease at 3 and 12 months by patients. The neurologist was the health professional involved in MS management in 95% of cases and the nurse appeared to play a central role in patient training and drug administration management (50.3%).
Maximum Entropy Threshold Segmentation for Target Matching Using Speeded-Up Robust Features
Authors: Zhou Mu , Hong Xia , Tian Zengshan , Dong Huining , Wang Mingchun , Xu Kunjie
Published: August 2014

This paper proposes a 2-dimensional (2D) maximum entropy threshold segmentation (2DMETS) based speeded-up robust features (SURF) approach for image target matching. First of all, based on the gray level of each pixel and the average gray level of its neighboring pixels, we construct a 2D gray histogram. Second, by the target and background segmentation, we localize the feature points at the interest points which have the local extremum of box filter responses. Third, from the 2D Haar wavelet responses, we generate the 64-dimensional (64D) feature point descriptor vectors. Finally, we perform the target matching according to the comparisons of the 64D feature point descriptor vectors. Experimental results show that our proposed approach can effectively enhance the target matching performance, as well as preserving the real-time capacity.
Role of PPARγin the Differentiation and Function of Neurons
Authors: Quintanilla Rodrigo A. , Utreras Elias , Cabezas-Opazo Fabián A.
Published: August 2014

Neuronal processes (neurites and axons) have an important role in brain cells communication and, generally, they are damaged in neurodegenerative diseases. Recent evidence has showed that the activation of PPARγpathway promoted neuronal differentiation and axon polarity. In addition, activation of PPARγusing thiazolidinediones (TZDs) prevented neurodegeneration by reducing neuronal death, improving mitochondrial function, and decreasing neuroinflammation in neuropathic pain. In this review, we will discuss important evidence that supports a possible role of PPARγin neuronal development, improvement of neuronal health, and pain signaling. Therefore, activation of PPARγis a potential target with therapeutic applications against neurodegenerative disorders, brain injury, and pain regulation.
Effects of Microwave Pretreatment of Apple Raw Material on the Nutrients and Antioxidant Activities of Apple Juice
Authors: Zhang Shaoying , Zhang Rui
Published: August 2014

Microwave technology has been widely applied in food processing. To investigate the effects of microwave pretreatment of raw material on the nutrients and antioxidant activities of apple juice, the apple materials were treated with 90, 270, 450, 720, and 900 W microwave at 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 s, respectively. The results showed that after the raw materials were treated with microwave, the vitamin C, amino nitrogen, and anthocyanin content decreased, and the total flavonoids and polyphenol of apple juice increased. Further, the total polyphenol of apple juice originating from raw material treated with 900 W microwave through 75 s was 115% higher than that of control samples. The antioxidant activities of prepared apple juice increased in terms of diphenyl-picryl hydrazyl, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity, reducing power, and iron chelating activity. So appropriate microwave pretreatment of apple raw material could increase some specific nutrients and enhance the antioxidant activities of apple juice.
Chaos Enhanced Differential Evolution in the Task of Evolutionary Control of Selected Set of Discrete Chaotic Systems
Authors: Senkerik Roman , Zelinka Ivan , Pluhacek Michal , Davendra Donald , Oplatková Kominkova Zuzana
Published: August 2014

Evolutionary technique differential evolution (DE) is used for the evolutionary tuning of controller parameters for the stabilization of set of different chaotic systems. The novelty of the approach is that the selected controlled discrete dissipative chaotic system is used also as the chaotic pseudorandom number generator to drive the mutation and crossover process in the DE. The idea was to utilize the hidden chaotic dynamics in pseudorandom sequences given by chaotic map to help differential evolution algorithm search for the best controller settings for the very same chaotic system. The optimizations were performed for three different chaotic systems, two types of case studies and developed cost functions.
The Role of Habenula in Motivation and Reward
Authors: Fakhoury Marc , Domínguez López Sergio
Published: August 2014

Located centrally along the dorsal diencephalic system, the habenula is divided into two structures: the medial and the lateral portions. It serves as an important relay between the forebrain and several hindbrain sites. In the last few years, a huge attention has been devoted to this structure, especially the lateral habenula (LHb), which seems to play an important role in emotion, motivation, and reward. Recent studies using techniques such as electrophysiology and neuroimaging have shown that the LHb is involved in motivational control of behavior. Its dysfunction is often associated with depression, schizophrenia, and mood disorder. This review focuses on providing a neuroanatomical and behavioral overview of some of the research previously done on the LHb. First, we describe the anatomical structure of the habenula and we explain how it is involved in reward and motivation. Then, we will discuss how this structure is linked to the limbic system, to finally provide a comparison between several studies that have used electrolytic lesions.
Hydralazine Induces Myeloperoxidase and Proteinase 3 Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Vasculitis and Leads to Pulmonary Renal Syndrome
Authors: Agarwal Gaurav , Sultan Ghayyath , Werner Sherry L. , Hura Claudia
Published: August 2014

We report a case of hydralazine-induced ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis with pulmonary hemorrhage. A 62-year-old Hispanic man with hypertension, who was being treated with hydralazine 100 mg three times a day for four and half years, presented to the hospital with severe anemia. He had acute kidney injury and urinalysis showed proteinuria, dysmorphic RBCs, and rare RBC cast. CT scan of the chest revealed bilateral pulmonary ground-glass infiltrates. Transbronchial biopsy was consistent with pulmonary hemorrhage. Serologic tests showed high titer PR3 ANCA and, to a lesser extent, MPO ANCA. Kidney biopsy revealed focal segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis with crescents, without evidence of immune complex deposits. Hydralazine was discontinued and the patient was treated with corticosteroids and intravenous cyclophosphamide. At one-year follow-up, he had no symptoms and anemia had resolved. Kidney function improved dramatically. Serology showed undetectable PR3 ANCA and minimally elevated MPO ANCA. To our knowledge, hydralazine-associated PR3 ANCA has not been previously reported. The possibility of ANCA systemic vasculitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of any patient with hydralazine use and pulmonary renal syndrome. This is a potentially life threatening condition requiring prompt cessation of the drug and treatment with glucocorticoids and immunosuppression.
Antioxidant, Larvicidal, and Cytotoxic Studies on Asplenium aethiopicum (Burm. f.) Becherer
Authors: Marimuthu alias Antonysamy Johnson , Janarthanan Gowtham , Arumugam Sivaraman , Narayanan Janakiraman , Mani Narayani
Published: August 2014

The present study was intended to determine the antioxidant, larvicidal, and cytotoxic potential of various extracts of Asplenium aethiopicum (Burm. f.) Becherer. Antioxidant potential of the extracts was determined by the DPPH radical scavenging, phosphomolybdenum, and scavenging of H2O2. Larvicidal activity of Asplenium aethiopicum was performed against the fourth instar larvae Culex quinquefasciatus. Cytotoxic activity was analysed in terms of brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The best free radical scavenging activity was exerted by methanolic extract of Asplenium aethiopicum (IC50 91.4 μg/mL) followed by acetone extract (IC50 99.8 μg/mL). Highest larval mortality was observed in the crude acetone extracts of Asplenium aethiopicum against Culex quinquefasciatus (LC50 = 166.6 ppm) followed by methanolic extracts. Acetone extract of Asplenium aethiopicum was found to be most effective at which 50% and 90% mortality of brine shrimp nauplii that occurred were found to be 192.8 and 434.3 ppm, respectively. The results of the present study revealed the antioxidant, larvicidal, and cytotoxic potential of Asplenium aethiopicum.
Fourier Splitting Method for Kawahara Type Equations
Authors: Suárez Pablo U. , Morales J. Héctor
Published: August 2014

In this work, we integrate numerically the Kawahara and generalized Kawahara equation by using an algorithm based on Strang’s
splitting method. The linear part is solved using the Fourier transform and the nonlinear part is solved with the aid of the exponential
operator method. To assess the accuracy of the solution, we compare
known analytical solutions with the numerical solution. Further, we
show that as t increases the conserved quantities remain constant.
Identification of Synchronized Role of Transcription Factors, Genes, and Enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana under Four Abiotic Stress Responsive Pathways
Authors: Razzaque Samsad , Mahdi Rabab , Islam Aparna
Published: August 2014

Microarray datasets are widely used resources to predict and characterize functional entities of the whole genomics. The study initiated here aims to identify overexpressed stress responsive genes using microarray datasets applying in silico approaches. The target also extended to build a protein-protein interaction model of regulatory genes with their upstream and downstream connection in Arabidopsis thaliana. Four microarray datasets generated treating abiotic stresses like salinity, cold, drought, and abscisic acid (ABA) were chosen. Retrieved datasets were firstly filtered based on their expression comparing to control. Filtered datasets were then used to create an expression hub. Extensive literature mining helped to identify the regulatory molecules from the expression hub. The study brought out 42 genes/TF/enzymes as the role player during abiotic stress response. Further bioinformatics study and also literature mining revealed that thirty genes from those forty-two were highly correlated in all four datasets and only eight from those thirty genes were determined as highly responsive to the above abiotic stresses. Later their protein-protein interaction (PPI), conserved sequences, protein domains, and GO biasness were studied. Some web based tools and software like String database, Gene Ontology, InterProScan, NCBI BLASTn suite, etc. helped to extend the study arena.
Modeling Validation and Control Analysis for Controlled Temperature and Humidity of Air Conditioning System
Authors: Lee Jing-Nang , Lin Tsung-Min , Chen Chien-Chih
Published: August 2014

This study constructs an energy based model of thermal system for controlled temperature and humidity air conditioning system, and introduces the influence of the mass flow rate, heater and humidifier for proposed control criteria to achieve the controlled temperature and humidity of air conditioning system. Then, the reliability of proposed thermal system model is established by both MATLAB dynamic simulation and the literature validation. Finally, the PID control strategy is applied for controlling the air mass flow rate, humidifying capacity, and heating, capacity. The simulation results show that the temperature and humidity are stable at 541 sec, the disturbance of temperature is only 0.14°C, 0006 kgw/kgdain steady-state error of humidity ratio, and the error rate is only 7.5%. The results prove that the proposed system is an effective controlled temperature and humidity of an air conditioning system.
An Ethnographic Study of Diabetes: Implications for the Application of Patient Centred Care in Cameroon
Authors: Awah Paschal Kum
Published: August 2014

Participant observation was conducted to explore the understanding of diabetes and examine the implications of these understandings for providing effective patient centered care in Cameroon. Ethnographic techniques—content and thematic analysis—were used to analyze the data collected from diverse techniques. Most participants distinguished “natural,” “supernatural,” and “man-made” causes of diabetes. Such aetiologies guided the behaviour and approaches adopted for treatment and helped explain why biomedical and traditional healing frameworks could so readily be used in tandem. Clinical encounters are often only one small part of the diabetes care process, alongside recourse to traditional medicine. With rituals, agents causing diabetes are apparently more convincingly explained as powerful reinforcement and a cure promised in traditional medicine. Though it seems “irrational” and dangerous to clinics when patients alternate between therapeutic regimes or pursue both simultaneously, it seems perfectly rational and beneficial to patients and beyond. So long as biomedical practitioners fail to recognize that their patients will probably also have recourse to traditional medicine, they and their services may compound the problems they face for patients to discuss openly how they have been managing their condition.
Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization of a Custom-Built Implant Manufactured in Titanium Alloy by Direct Metal Laser Sintering
Authors: Larosa Maria Aparecida , Jardini André Luiz , Zavaglia Cecília Amélia de Carvalho , Kharmandayan Paulo , Calderoni Davi Reis , Maciel Filho Rubens
Published: August 2014

Custom-built implants manufacture has always presented difficulties which result in high cost and complex fabrication, mainly due to patients’ anatomical differences. The solution has been to produce prostheses with different sizes and use the one that best suits each patient. Additive manufacturing technology, incorporated into the medical field in the late 80's, has made it possible to obtain solid biomodels facilitating surgical procedures and reducing risks. Furthermore, this technology has been used to produce implants especially designed for a particular patient, with sizes, shapes, and mechanical properties optimized, for different areas of medicine such as craniomaxillofacial surgery. In this work, the microstructural and mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V samples produced by direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) are studied. The microstructural and mechanical characterizations have been made by optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and microhardness and tensile tests. Samples produced by DMLS have a microstructure constituted by hexagonal α′ martensite with acicular morphology. An average microhardness of 370 HV was obtained and the tensile tests showed ultimate strength of 1172 MPa, yield strength of 957 MPa, and elongation at rupture of 11%.
Predictive Compensation for Wireless Networked System with Time Delay and Packet Dropout Based on T-S Model
Authors: Wang Le , Pan Haipeng , Gao Jinfeng , Chen Dongdong
Published: August 2014

Based on the T-S model, a predictive compensation scheme including timer and counter for wireless networked system with long time delay and data packet dropout is proposed in this paper. By the separation principle, the state observation predictor and the state feedback controller are designed separately. For the case of fixed delay, the stability of the closed-loop networked control systems is discussed. Simulation by inverted pendulum system illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed method in wireless networked system based on T-S model.
The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network: An Interactive Systems Approach to Advancing Cancer Control Implementation Research and Practice
Authors: Fernández María E. , Melvin Cathy L. , Leeman Jennifer , Ribisl Kurt M. , Allen Jennifer D. , Kegler Michelle C. , Bastani Roshan , Ory Marcia G. , Risendal Betsy C. , Hannon Peggy A. , Kreuter Matthew W. , Hebert James R.
Published: August 2014

Background: Although cancer research has advanced at a rapid pace, a gap remains between what is known about how to improve cancer prevention and control (CPC) and what is implemented as best practices within health care systems and communities. The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN), with more than 10 years of dissemination and implementation research experience, aims to accelerate the uptake and use of evidence-based CPC interventions.

Methods: The collective work of the CPCRN has facilitated the analysis and categorization of research and implementation efforts according to the Interactive Systems Framework for Dissemination and Implementation (ISF), providing a useful heuristic for bridging the gap between prevention research and practice. The ISF authors have called for examples of its application as input to help refine the model.

Results: We provide examples of how the collaborative activities supported by the CPCRN, using community-engaged processes, accelerated the synthesis and translation of evidence, built both general and innovation-specific capacity, and worked with delivery systems to advance cancer control research and practice.

Conclusions: The work of the CPCRN has provided real-world examples of the application of the ISF and demonstrated that synthesizing and translating evidence can increase the potential that evidence-based CPC programs will be used and that capacity building for both the support system and the delivery system is crucial for the successful implementation and maintenance of evidence-based cancer control.

Impact: Adoption and implementation of CPC can be enhanced by better understanding ISF systems and intervening to improve them. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(11); 2512–21. ©2014 AACR.
Murine Splenic CD4+ T Cells, Induced by Innate Immune Cell Interactions and Secreted Factors, Develop Antileukemia Cytotoxicity
Authors: Nelles Megan E. , Moreau Joshua M. , Furlonger Caren L. , Berger Alexandra , Medin Jeffrey A. , Paige Christopher J.
Published: August 2014

Inciting the cellular arm of adaptive immunity has been the fundamental goal of cancer immunotherapy strategies, specifically focusing on inducing tumor antigen–specific responses by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). However, there is an emerging appreciation that the cytotoxic function of CD4+ T cells can be effective in a clinical setting. Harnessing this potential will require an understanding of how such cells arise. In this study, we use an IL12-transduced variant of the 70Z/3 leukemia cell line in a B6D2F1 (BDF1) murine model system to reveal a novel cascade of cells and soluble factors that activate anticancer CD4+ killer cells. We show that natural killer T cells play a pivotal role by activating dendritic cells in a contact-dependent manner; soluble products of this interaction, including MCP-1, propagate the activation signal, culminating in the development of CD4+ CTLs that directly mediate an antileukemia response while also orchestrating a multipronged attack by other effector cells. A more complete picture of the conditions that induce such a robust response will allow us to capitalize on CD4+ T-cell plasticity for maximum therapeutic effect. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(11); 1113–24. ©2014 AACR.
Human Natural Killer Cells: Origin, Receptors, Function, and Clinical Applications
Authors: Moretta Lorenzo , Montaldo Elisa , Vacca Paola , Del Zotto Genny , Moretta Francesca , Merli Pietro , Locatelli Franco , Mingari Maria Cristina
Published: August 2014

Natural killer (NK) cells are important effectors playing a relevant role in innate immunity, primarily in tumor surveillance and in defenses against viruses. Human NK cells recognize HLA class I molecules through surface receptors (KIR and NKG2A) that inhibit NK cell function and kill target cells that have lost (or underexpress) HLA class I molecules as it occurs in tumors or virus-infected cells. NK cell activation is mediated by an array of activating receptors and co-receptors that recognize ligands expressed primarily on tumors or virus-infected cells. In vivo anti-tumor NK cell activity may be suppressed by tumor or tumor-associated cells. Alloreactive NK cells (i.e. those that are not inhibited by the HLA class I alleles of the patient) derived from HSC of haploidentical donors play a major role in the cure of high-risk leukemia, by killing leukemia blasts and patient's DC, thus preventing tumor relapses and graft-versus-host disease. The expression of the HLA-C2-specific activating KIR2DS1 may also contribute to NK alloreactivity in patients expressing C2 alleles. A clear correlation has been proven between the size of the alloreactive NK cell population and the clinical outcome. Recently, haplo-HSCT has been further improved with the direct infusion, together with HSC, of donor-derived, mature alloreactive NK cells and TCRγδ+ T cells - both contributing to a prompt anti-leukemia effect together with an efficient defense against pathogens during the 6- to 8-week interval required for the generation of alloreactive NK cells from HSC.
Common Somatic Alterations Identified in Maffucci Syndrome by Molecular Karyotyping
Authors: Amyere Mustapha , Dompmartin Anne , Wouters Vinciane , Enjolras Odile , Kaitila Ilkka , Docquier Pierre-Louis , Godfraind Catherine , Mulliken John Butler , Boon Laurence Myriam , Vikkula Miikka
Published: August 2014

Maffucci syndrome (MS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by multiple central cartilaginous tumors (enchondromas) in association with cutaneous spindle cell hemangiomas. These patients have a high incidence of malignant transformation. No familial case is known and the etiopathogenic cause remains unknown. In enchondromatosis (Ollier disease, OD), which is comprised of enchondromas only, 4 mutations in the PTHR1 gene have been identified in 4 patients; 3 were somatic and 1 was germline. No PTHR1 mutations have been detected in MS, whereas somatic IDH1 and, more rarely, IDH2 mutations have been observed in 77% of patients with MS and 81% of patients with OD. These genetic alterations are shared with other tumors, including glioma, leukemia and carcinoma. To search for underlying somatic genomic causes, we screened MS tissues using Affymetrix SNP-chips. We looked for CNVs, LOH and uniparental isodisomy (UPID) by performing pairwise analyses between allelic intensities in tumoral DNA versus the corresponding blood-extracted DNA. While common chromosomal anomalies were absent in constitutional DNA, several shared CNVs were identified in MS-associated tumors. The most frequently encountered somatic alterations were localized in 2p22.3, 2q24.3 and 14q11.2, implicating these chromosomal rearrangements in the formation of enchondromas and spindle cell hemangiomas in MS. In one chondrosarcoma specimen, large amplifications and/or deletions were observed in chromosomes 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 19. Some of these genetic changes have been reported in other chondrosarcomas suggesting an etiopathogenic role. No LOH/UPID was observed in any Maffucci tissue. Our findings identify frequent somatic chromosomal rearrangements on 2p22.3, 2q24.3 and 14q11.2, which may unmask mutations leading to the lesions pathognomonic of MS.
Reliability of Proliferation Assessment by Ki-67 Expression in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Eyeballing or Image Analysis?
Authors: van Velthuysen Marie-Louise F. , Groen Emilie J. , Sanders Joyce , Prins Frans A. , van der Noort Vincent , Korse Catharina M.
Published: August 2014

Background: The latest WHO classification for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) of the gastrointestinal tract defines grade according to Ki-67 and mitotic indices. Some have questioned the reproducibility and thus the reliability of Ki-67 assessment. We therefore investigated the accuracy of this proliferation marker in NEN. Methods: The Ki-67 index of tumor specimens of NEN (n = 73) was assessed by two pathologists as in routine practice with eyeballing and twice by image analysis using ImageJ freeware at different magnifications. Results were correlated with overall survival. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between pathologists was 0.88. The ICC for the measurements using image analysis was 0.85. The ICC between all four measurements (pathologists and ImageJ) was 0.80. If the Ki-67 index was translated to grade as prescribed by the current WHO classification (<3% = grade 1, 3-20% = grade 2, >20% = grade 3), kappa was between 0.61 and 0.75. Grades based on pathologist scoring were often (16-29%) higher than grades assigned by image analysis (p < 0.001). Grade was significantly correlated with survival (p < 0.0001) irrespective of the way Ki-67 was assessed. Conclusion: Assessment of the Ki-67 index by eyeballing correlates remarkably well with the Ki-67 index as calculated by image analysis and is therefore an accurate parameter. Moreover, it is significantly related to survival irrespective of the method used. Yet if the Ki-67 index is translated to grade, the grade should be interpreted with caution due to values around threshold levels.
Aspirin for the Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Simes John , Becattini Cecilia , Agnelli Giancarlo , Eikelboom John W. , Kirby Adrienne C. , Mister Rebecca , Prandoni Paolo , Brighton Timothy A.
Published: August 2014

Background—

In patients with a first unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) the risk of recurrent VTE remains high after anticoagulant treatment is discontinued. The Aspirin for the Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism (the Warfarin and Aspirin [WARFASA]) and the Aspirin to Prevent Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism (ASPIRE) trials showed that aspirin reduces this risk, but they were not individually powered to detect treatment effects for particular outcomes or subgroups.

Methods and Results—

An individual patient data analysis of these trials was planned, before their results were known, to assess the effect of aspirin versus placebo on recurrent VTE, major vascular events (recurrent VTE, myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular disease death) and bleeding, overall and within predefined subgroups. The primary analysis, for VTE, was by intention to treat using time-to-event data. Of 1224 patients, 193 had recurrent VTE over 30.4 months’ median follow-up. Aspirin reduced recurrent VTE (7.5%/yr versus 5.1%/yr; hazard ratio [HR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51–0.90;
P
=0.008), including both deep-vein thrombosis (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.47–0.92;
P
=0.01) and pulmonary embolism (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.41–1.06;
P
=0.08). Aspirin reduced major vascular events (8.7%/yr versus 5.7%/yr; HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.50–0.86;
P
=0.002). The major bleeding rate was low (0.4%/yr for placebo and 0.5%/yr for aspirin). After adjustment for treatment adherence, recurrent VTE was reduced by 42% (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40–0.85;
P
=0.005). Prespecified subgroup analyses indicate similar relative, but larger absolute, risk reductions in men and older patients.

Conclusions—

Aspirin after anticoagulant treatment reduces the overall risk of recurrence by more than a third in a broad cross-section of patients with a first unprovoked VTE, without significantly increasing the risk of bleeding.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
www.anzctr.org.au
. Unique identifier: ACTRN12611000684921.
Comparison of Lifestyle-Based and Traditional Cardiovascular Disease Prediction in a Multiethnic Cohort of Nonsmoking Women
Authors: Paynter Nina P. , LaMonte Michael J. , Manson JoAnn E. , Martin Lisa W. , Phillips Lawrence S. , Ridker Paul M , Robinson Jennifer G. , Cook Nancy R.
Published: August 2014

Background—

Healthy levels of lifestyle factors can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, except for smoking status, often considered a traditional risk factor, their effect on cardiovascular risk prediction is unclear.

Methods and Results—

We used a case-cohort design of postmenopausal nonsmokers in the multiethnic Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study (1587 cases and 1808 subcohort participants) with a median follow-up of 10 years in noncases. Compared with nonsmokers with no other healthy lifestyle factors (healthy diet, recreational physical activity, moderate alcohol use, and low adiposity), the risk of cardiovascular disease was lower for each additional factor (hazard ratio for trend, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.89), with a 45% reduction in risk with all factors (95% confidence interval, 0.36–0.84). When lifestyle factors were added to traditional risk factor models (variables from the Pooled Cohort and Reynolds risk scores), only recreational physical activity remained independently associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. The addition of detailed lifestyle measures to traditional models showed a change in the integrated discrimination improvement and continuous net reclassification improvement (
P
<0.01 for both) but had little impact on more clinically relevant risk stratification measures.

Conclusions—

Although lifestyle factors have important effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors and subsequent risk, their addition to established cardiovascular disease risk models does not result in clear improvement in overall prediction.
Long-Term Blood Pressure Variability Throughout Young Adulthood and Cognitive Function in Midlife
Authors: Yano Yuichiro , Ning Hongyan , Allen Norrina , Reis Jared P. , Launer Lenore J. , Liu Kiang , Yaffe Kristine , Greenland Philip , Lloyd-Jones Donald M.
Published: August 2014

Whether long-term blood pressure (BP) variability throughout young adulthood is associated with cognitive function in midlife remains uncertain. Using data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA), which recruited healthy young adults aged 18 to 30 years (mean age, 25 years) at baseline (Y
0
), we assessed BP variability by SD and average real variability (ARV) for 25 years (8 visits). Cognitive function was assessed with the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (psychomotor speed test), the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (verbal memory test), and the modified Stroop test (executive function test) at follow-up (Y
25
). At the Y
25
examination, participants (n=2326) had a mean age of 50.4 years, 43% were men, and 40% were black. In multivariable-adjusted linear regression models, higher ARV
SBP
, ARV
DBP
, and SD
DBP
were significantly associated with lower scores of Digit Symbol Substitution Test (β [SE]: −0.025 [0.006], −0.029 [0.007], and −0.029 [0.007], respectively; all
P
<0.001) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (β [SE]: −0.016 [0.006], −0.021 [0.007], and −0.019 [0.007], respectively; all
P
<0.05) after adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics and with cumulative exposure to BP through Y
0
to Y
25
. Neither SD
BP
nor ARV
BP
was associated with the Stroop score. The associations between ARV
BP
or SD
BP
and each cognitive function test were similar between blacks and whites except for 1 significant interaction between race and SD
SBP
on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (
P
<0.05). Long-term BP variability for 25 years beginning in young adulthood was associated with worse psychomotor speed and verbal memory tests in midlife, independent of cumulative exposure to BP during follow-up.
The Unintended Consequences of Property Tax Relief: New York’s STAR Program
Authors: Eom Tae Ho , Duncombe William , Nguyen-Hoang Phuong , Yinger John
Published: August 2014

New York’s School Tax Relief Program, STAR, provides state-funded property tax relief for homeowners. Like a matching grant, STAR changes the price of education, thereby altering the incentives of voters and school officials and leading to unintended consequences. Using data for New York State school districts before and after STAR was implemented, we find that STAR increased student performance, school district inefficiency, and school spending by 2 to 4 percent in most districts, leading to an average school property tax rate increase of 14 percent. The STAR-induced tax rate increases offset about one third of the initial STAR tax savings and boosted property taxes for business property. STAR did little to offset the existing inequities in New York State’s education finance system, particularly compared to an equal-cost increase in state aid. This article should be of interest to policy makers involved in property taxes or other aspects of education finance.
Erysimum hezarense, a new species and Rhammatophyllum gaudanense, a new record of Brassicaceae from Iran
Authors: Moazzeni Hamid , Zarre Shahin , Assadi Mostafa , Joharchi Mohammad Reza , German Dmitry A.
Published: August 2014

Two Brassicaceae novelties are reported from Iran. Erysimum hezarense (Erysimeae) is described and illustrated as a newly discovered species. It resembles E. subulatum, E. laxiflorum and E. iraqense but can be readily distinguished by the indumentum of stem, leaves and pedicels; bicolor petals; and number of flowers on the main inflorescence. It is also separated geographically being restricted to Hezar mts. (prov. Kerman, South Iran) where none of the related species occurs. Because of the very limited distribution and high risk of its habit destruction, inclusion of E. hezarense into IUCN Red List with a status vulnerable (VU) is proposed. Besides, Rhammatophyllum gaudanense (Euclidieae) is reported from NE Iran representing the first record of the genus for the country. Contrary, the previous record of R. gaudanense from Afghanistan is considered doubtful and not confirmed. Detailed morphological description, illustration and synonymy of R. gaudanense is provided along with the key differences from the closely related taxa. Distribution maps for both E. hezarense and R. gaudanense are given.
A new species of Gomphonema (Bacillariophyta) from Xingkai Lake, China
Authors: Ge Lei , Liu Yan , Kociolek Patrick , Fan Yawen
Published: August 2014

During an extensive survey of diatoms from Xingkai Lake, China, one unusual species of the genus Gomphonema was discovered. Detailed morphology of this species is presented using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These specimens are described as new and named Gomphonema subinsigniforme sp. nov. It is distinguished from other known species of Gomphonema by its shape, being tumid at the centre of valves, with acute headpole, and narrow rounded footpole. Morphological features and ecological parameters of this species are compared to others in the genus.
Gastrodia damingshanensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae): a new myco-heterotrophic orchid from China
Authors: Hu Ai-qun , HSU TIAN-CHUAN , LIU YAN
Published: August 2014

A new fully myco-heterotrophic orchid, Gastrodia damingshanensis, is described and illustrated from Damingshan National Nature Reserve in Guangxi, China. The new species is significantly distinct from the otherwise similar G. uraiensis and G. fontinalis by its much longer peduncle, the shortened column hidden by the lip, and the reddish brown, rhombic-elliptic lip with a slightly retuse apex. This new species is predicted to be obligatory self-pollinated due to the specialized column structure which allows the pollinia directly touching the stigma.
The first squamulose Thelocarpon species (Thelocarpaceae, Ascomycota) discovered in the biological soil crusts in the Bolivian Andes
Authors: Flakus Adam , Kukwa Martin
Published: August 2014

Thelocarpon andicola, a new terricolous species from the tropical Andes in Bolivia is described in this paper. This is the first member of the genus with squamulose to placodioid and yellow pruinose thallus, which is further characterized by non-amyloid hymenial gel, branched paraphyses, amyloid asci without visible mass axiale and broadly ellipsoidal ascospores.
Tupistra khangii (Asparagaceae), a new species from northern Vietnam
Authors: VISLOBOKOV NIKOLAY A. , ТANAKA NORIYUKI , AVERYANOV LEONID V. , NGUYEN HIEP TIEN , NURALIEV MAXIM S. , KUZNETSOV ANDREY N.
Published: August 2014

Tupistra khangii (Asparagaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from mountain areas in northern Vietnam. It is distributed widely in north-western Vietnam and adjacent territories.
Integrative taxonomy in the Liolaemus fitzingerii complex (Squamata: Liolaemini) based on morphological analyses and niche modeling
Authors: MINOLI IGNACIO , MORANDO MARIANA , AVILA LUCIANO J.
Published: August 2014

It has long been considered sufficient a single method or only a descriptive diagnosis to propose a new species. Recently, many works have proposed new theoretical paradigms to consider multiple sources of evidence to support the hypothesis of new taxa within an integrative approach. Despite this, many new described species continue to be merely descriptive and without any reproducible statistical analysis to support these descriptions. We tested whether five species described as members of a species complex of the lizard genus Liolaemus from Patagonia, can be differentiated based on classical morphometric analyses and ecological niche modeling. Individuals were sampled from their type localities. Our results showed that the univariate tests and Principal Component Analyses (PCA) were more accurate to differentiate species compared to the Linear Discriminant Analyses (LDA). However, there were almost no morphometric differences between two of the analyzed species. Major differences were found in bioclimatic variables of four of the species through Maxent ENMs and PCA using the original worldclim variables. Our results partially support the hypothesis that species can be differentiated by classical morphometric analyses, and found a strong support for the hypothesis that these taxa can be differentiated through their bioclimatic niches. These two approaches based on repeatable statistical basis, can supplement qualitative descriptive diagnoses of new species of the genus Liolaemus.
A new species of Phanerotoma Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae) from the Andaman Islands, India
Authors: GUPTA ANKITA , ACHTERBERG CORNELIS VAN
Published: August 2014

A new species Phanerotoma andamanensis Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov. is described from the Andaman Islands, India. Differences of the new species from the other Oriental species are discussed. Phanerotoma agarwali Varshney & Shujauddin, 1999, is a junior synonym of P. syleptae Zettel, 1990, syn. nov.