bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFECT ON IMMUNE RESPONSE AND VIRUS SHEDDING IN THE CHICKEN VACCINATED AGAINST INACTIVATED LOCAL STRAIN OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS GENOTYPE VII
Authors: Nayan Nursyuwari , Shohaimi Syamsiah Aini , Ahmad Raus Raha , Mat Yusof Afzan , Geok Huai Ong
Published: December 2015

The effectiveness of the new inactivated vaccine develop from local velogenic strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) Genotype VII and commercial vaccines LaSota were compared by determining the immune response and virus shedding of vaccinated chickens. Ten different groups of chicken consists of ten each, were vaccinated with and without adjuvant of the inactivated vaccine via intramuscular and subcutaneous, respectively. Three different adjuvants were used which include Oil-emulsion Complete Freund’s, Oil-emulsion Squalene-based, and aluminium hydroxide gel (Alum). As a comparison, a group of chicken was vaccinated with commercial vaccine and control group was not vaccinated. With 100% survival rate and highest mean haemaglutination-inhibition (HI) titre of log2 6, the inactivated vaccine with adjuvant Alum and Oil-emulsion Complete Freund’s surpassed the LaSota. In addition, the virus shedding was significantly reduced and comparable to LaSota vaccinated chicken. Whereas, without adjuvant, the chicken HI antibody titre is below log2 4 after vaccination and only 20-30% were survived. Based on the post-mortem findings on the survived chicken from each vaccinated group, their internal organs appeared normal and no sign of haemorrhage or pathognomonic signs of Newcastle disease (ND). Conclusively, vaccinated chicken are effectively protected from morbidity and mortality against virulent genotype VII challenge with the addition of adjuvant into inactivated local strain of NDV genotype VII vaccine. Thus, the development of inactivated local NDV genotype VII vaccine is a promising candidate to control the current ND endemic in Malaysia.
PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS: TESTING ANTIBODIES, RNA AND GENOTYPES
Authors: Al-Kubaisy Waqar , Mohd Noor Nor Aini , Nik Ibrahim Nik Shamsidah , Al-Nasirie Usama
Published: December 2015

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important global public health problem affecting approximately 180 million people. Multiple risk factors are associated with HCV transmission among haemodialysis (HD) patients leading to an increased risk for liver-related mortality. Patients undergoing HD may show a decreased humoral and cellular immunity, which lowers the sensitivity of the HCV antibodies (Abs) test resulting in false negative antibody test, thus requiring HCV RNA testing. Our study is to determine the prevalence of HCV markers (antibody RNA and genotype) and risk factors of HCV infection among patients in HD unit in Baghdad. A sample of 54 patients were interviewed. HCV Abs (anti-HCV) was tested using third generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA-3) and immunoblot assay (Lia-Tek III) as screening and confirmatory test respectively. Sera of 46 patients (irrespective to anti-HCV results) were subjected to molecular analysis, using the most developed RT-PCR and DNA Enzyme immunoassay (DEIA) method. Seropositive rate of anti-HCV and HCV-RNA were (66.6%) and (60.9%) respectively. Anti-HCV seropositive rate was significantly higher in males (77.1%), and history of blood transfusion (85%). Blood transfusion acts as a significant risk for acquiring HCV (OR 44.2, 95% CI 7.6-256.9). Genotype 4 was the most prevalent (33.3%), followed by genotype 1a (25.9%) and genotype 1b (22.2%). We concluded that, the prevalence of HCV among the haemodialysis patients is high. It is significantly related to gender, duration of dialysis and number of blood transfusion. Blood transfusion acts as a significant risk factor. Molecular test for detection for HCV RNA is necessary and proper nosocomial prevention program should be implemented to prevent HCV transmission.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CHARACTERIZATION OF POROUS CALCIUM PHOSPHATE SCAFFOLD FOR BONE TISSUE ENGINEERING
Authors: Sabudin Salina , Sahid Sudirman , Kader Bashah Nor Shahida , Hussin Zul Hazmi , Marzuke Muhamad Anas
Published: December 2015

The porous calcium phosphate scaffold is used to repair bone defect. Cracked during pyrolysis process is the main problem of the porous calcium phosphate due to the low mechanical strength and high brittleness. This lead to reduce efficiency of the scaffold for cells proliferation. The aim of this work is to improve the mechanical properties of these ceramic scaffolds. Green body was produced using foam replication technique. The polyurethane foam with dimension of (20 x 10 x20) mm was immersed in slurry of apatite powder and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA). To obtain porous scaffolds, the green body was treated under various sintering temperature i.e. 1150°C, 1250°C and 1300°C for 3 hours, followed by dipping in PDLLA solution and dried at room temperature for 24 hours. The specimen was analysed under X-ray diffraction, SEM and compressive strength. The X-ray diffraction spectrum shows the presence of Ca10(PO4)6OH2 phases in the sintered scaffold. The formation of rod-like apatite was observed through SEM. The compressive strength was increased with increasing sintered temperature. It has a potential to be used as tissue engineering for low-load bearing application.
STUDY OF WOUND HEALING IN RATS TREATED WITH SKIN OF POISONOUS FROG, ODORRANA HOSII
Authors: Md Sungif Nur Amirah , Zainudin Ramlah , Awang Ojep Dayangku Norlida , Rasit Ahmad Hata
Published: December 2015

A grafting techniques or using various synthetic and biological dressing also widely used to protect the wound area. There are 8 peptides with differential antimicrobial activities contained in Odorrana hosii’s skin secretion. However, to our best knowledge no study has been scientifically conducted to reveal the value off this species on wound healing. Primarily, the aim of this study was to look at the potential use of O. hosii’s skin as a biological dressing in wound healing management. This study assessed the wound healing in rat compared between wound grafted with O. hosii’s skin and wound treated with normal saline dressing. Histological examination was done to assess the wound healing activities after 14 days. The result shown, both wounds which were treated with O. hosii’s skin and untreated wound heal completely on day 14 as the epidermis and dermis completely close. Histologically, the percentage of neutrophils, macrophages and fibroblasts, were reduced on day 14. However, wounded skin, which was treated with O. hosii’s skin, had better healing quality as more new tissues and hair follicle regrowth compared with the untreated wound. It is suggested that poison gland in the O. hosii’s skin did not harm the wounded rat skin, instead, poison that act as defensive mechanism can help the species to fight the pathogen on the wound.
DNA AMPLIFICATION OPTIMIZATION AND CLONING OF SEVERAL TARGET GENES FROM BURKHOLDERIA PSEUDOMALLEI
Authors: Osman Abdul Latif , Syed Abdullah Syed Mohamed , Drahaman Siti Marhamah , Raih Mohd Firdaus , Muhamad Bunnori Noraslinda , Mohamed Rehan Aisyah
Published: December 2015

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a saprophytic Gram-negative bacillus that is found in soil and surface water. It causes the disease melioidosis, which infect humans and animals. Melioidosis can be fatal in human, where it causes fever and commonly present with pneumonia, with or without septicaemia. Melioidosis is primarily endemic in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, but has also been found in the Middle East, China and South America. It is challenging to treat melioidosis, as it is intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics, and can cause latent infection. By characterizing identified protein targets from B. pseudomallei, we can gain fundamental knowledge on how this bacterium behaves, and thus provide us strategies to combat them. We report here the recent progress of DNA amplification and cloning of four target genes from B. pseudomallei strain D286 performed in Kulliyyah of Science, IIUM. Genomic DNA of B. pseudomallei strain D286 is obtained from School of Biosciences & Biotechnology, UKM. The four target genes; BPSL1612, BPSL1618, BPSL1691 and BPSL2054 were chosen from 52 hypothetical proteins predicted to be essential in B. pseudomallei by transposon-directed insertion site sequencing (TraDIS) technique (Moule et al., 2014). All four target genes were subjected to nested PCR amplification for subsequent GatewayTM cloning protocols, expression and purification studies.
EFFECT OF SILICA IN CALCIUM PHOSPHATE MATERIAL FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATION
Authors: Kader Bashah Nor Shahida , Sahid Sudirman , Sabudin Salina , Ibrahim Shirin
Published: December 2015

Calcium phosphate bioceramic materials has been widely used in medical field due to their compounds which have similarities with natural bone and teeth. Despite of these materials, silica was introduced in order to improve bioactivity level of the material. In this paper, biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) was synthesized using calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)­2) and orthophosphoric acid (H­3PO­4) as chemical precursors at Ca/P ratio 1.60 via wet chemical technique. Additionally silicon dioxide (SiO2) at 3 and 5 wt% was added into the mixture before proceeding with spray drying process. Apatite powder obtained after spray drying process was pressed into discs and sintered at 950oC to obtain biphasic mixture. Sintered Si-BCP discs were immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) for predetermined time. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images revealed that dissolution and precipitation of Si-BCP with 5% Si content occurred at day 3, while BCP without Si addition started at day 21. Formation of apatite crystal was observed on the surface of the samples. Due to this, Si-BCP has potential to be developed for quick healing medical application.
Predicting the risk of sudden cardiac death
Authors: Lerma Claudia , Glass Leon
Published: December 2015

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the result of a change of cardiac activity from normal (typically sinus) rhythm to a rhythm that does not pump adequate blood to the brain. The most common rhythms leading to SCD are ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). These result from an accelerated ventricular pacemaker or ventricular reentrant waves. Despite significant efforts to develop accurate predictors for the risk of SCD, current methods for risk stratification still need to be improved. In this article we briefly review current approaches to risk stratification. Then we discuss the mathematical basis for dynamical transitions (called bifurcations) that may lead to VT and VF. One mechanism for transition to VT or VF involves a perturbation by a premature ventricular complex (PVC) during sinus rhythm. We describe the main mechanisms of PVCs (reentry, independent pacemakers and abnormal depolarizations). An emerging approach to risk stratification for SCD involves the development of individualized dynamical models of a patient based on measured anatomy and physiology. Careful analysis and modelling of dynamics of ventricular arrhythmia on an individual basis will be essential in order to improve risk stratification for SCD and to lay a foundation for personalized (precision) medicine in cardiology.

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Irreducible posterolateral dislocation of the knee: a case report
Authors: Solarino Giuseppe , Notarnicola Angela , Maccagnano Giuseppe , Piazzolla Andrea , Moretti Biagio
Published: December 2015

Irreducible posterolateral dislocations of the knee are rare lesions, generally caused by high-energy trauma inducing rotational stress and a posterior and lateral displacement of the tibia.

In these conditions, the interposition of abundant soft tissue inside the enlarged medial joint space prevents spontaneous reduction or non-surgical treatment by manipulation of the dislocation. Surgical treatment is therefore compulsory.

We report the clinical case of a woman who suffered a subluxation of the knee while jogging. The case we describe is of interest because it shows that even less severe knee dislocations, like this subluxation caused by a low-velocity sports trauma, may present in an irreducible form requiring open surgery. Clinical-instrumental monitoring did not reveal any signs of vascular or nerve injury. Owing to the irreducibility of the lesion we were obliged to perform open surgery in order to free the joint from the interposed muscle tissue and repair medial capsule-ligament lesions. Repair of the damaged cruciate ligaments was deferred to a second stage, but ultimately rendered necessary by the persistence of joint instability and the need to address the patient’s functional needs. In the literature, different one- and two-step surgical options, performed by arthroscopy or arthrotomy, are reported for such related problems.

The Authors discuss these various options and examine and discuss their own decision taken during the surgical work-up of this case.
Arte audiovisual como testimonio de las migraciones estratégicas y conceptuales entre la televisión e Internet en la cultura de la convergencia.
Authors: Morgado Aguirre Borja , López Martín Elena
Published: December 2015

El presente artículo pretende reflexionar acerca de ciertos cambios en las estrategias comunicativas de la televisión e Internet que afectan directamente a la sociedad (participación, edición, reestructuración del espacio emisor y receptor, compartición, etc.) a través del análisis de la producción artística audiovisual para evidenciar que ésta ha logrado tanto la absorción de las continuas innovaciones tecnológicas como la propuesta de nuevas formas de comunicación adoptadas, posteriormente, por estas industrias. Para ello, se ha desarrollado un trabajo de campo en el que se han seleccionado y analizado críticamente una serie de piezas artísticas que reflejan fielmente la evolución -en ocasiones paralela y en ocasiones tangencial- de las experimentaciones comunicativas, estratégicas, sociales y conceptuales de los medios en cuestión (televisión e Internet), hasta llegar al actual horizonte de las nuevas tecnologías multipantalla. Estas últimas, y siguiendo a José Luis Brea, se basan en un Internet que consideramos “televisizado” y una televisión que, a su vez,  podríamos denominar “internetizada”. Sin duda, la historia del arte audiovisual a partir del siglo XX se puede considerar un testigo fiel e incluso, en casos concretos, un catalizador de los acontecimientos que han marcado el desarrollo de estos medios de comunicación de masas.
Un análisis de los supuestos que subyacen a la educación musical universitaria en Colombia.
Authors: Ochoa Escobar Juan Sebastián
Published: December 2015

Apelando al proyecto teórico de modernidad/colonialidad, así como a conceptos de Bourdieu (La Distinción) y Eduard Said (Textualismo), el artículo plantea una mirada crítica a la educación musical universitaria en Colombia por su enfoque eurocéntrico. El proyecto toma como objeto de estudio tres programas paradigmáticos en la educación musical universitaria en Colombia, estos son las carreras de música de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, el Conservatorio (Universidad Nacional de Colombia) y la ASAB (adscrita a la Universidad Distrital "Francisco José de Caldas"), y los analiza a partir de entrevistas a profesores y directivos, y etnografias de clase. Los análisis se realizan en lo que aquí se llaman eje horizontal, es decir, los supuestos ideológicos comunes a los profesores de los diferentes programas, que constituyen el marco epistemológico que sustenta sus comentarios, actitudes y propuestas sobre la educación musical universitaria en Colombia.
Motives and Barriers to Physical Activity Among Older Adults of Different Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Gray Phillip M. , Murphy Marie H. , Gallagher Alison M. , Simpson Ellen E. A.
Published: December 2015

This study explored motives and barriers to physical activity (PA) among older adults of differing socioeconomic status (SES) utilizing a self-determination theory and self-efficacy theory framework. Focus groups (n = 4) were conducted with older adults (n = 28) from two SES groups, using thematic analysis to identify motives and barriers. Integrated and identified regulations and, to a lesser extent, intrinsic motives, were evident across SES groups. Verbal persuasion and affective and physiological states emerged as prominent efficacy sources regardless of SES. More barriers were reported by the low SES group, with health conditions, neighborhood safety, and PA guidelines knowledge emerging as most salient. Time emerged as a prominent barrier for the high SES group. Integrated and identified regulations should be fostered in future interventions and policy regardless of SES. Barriers to PA varied across SES groups; thus future interventions and policy should account for such differences.
The Dysferlin Domain-Only Protein, Spo73, Is Required for Prospore Membrane Extension in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Okumura Yuuya , Nakamura Tsuyoshi S. , Tanaka Takayuki , Inoue Ichiro , Suda Yasuyuki , Takahashi Tetsuo , Nakanishi Hideki , Nakamura Shugo , Gao Xiao-Dong , Tachikawa Hiroyuki
Published: December 2015

Prospore membrane formation consists of
de novo
double-membrane formation, which occurs during the developmental process of sporulation in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. Membranes are formed into their proper size and shape, and thus, prospore membrane formation has been studied as a general model of membrane formation. We identified
SPO73
, previously shown to be required for spore wall formation, as an additional gene involved in prospore membrane extension. Genetic and cell biological analyses suggested that Spo73 functions on the prospore membrane with other factors in prospore membrane extension, counteracting the bending force of the prospore membrane. Spo73 is the first dysferlin domain-only protein ever analyzed. The dysferlin domain is conserved from yeast to mammals and is found in dysferlin proteins, which are involved in dysferlinopathy, although the precise function of the domain is unknown. Continued analysis of Spo73 will contribute to our understanding of the function of dysferlin domains and dysferlinopathy.
Soundness in mind and body
Authors: McErlean Brian
Published: December 2015

Brian McErlean is a vet in Western Australia who lost colleagues to suicide and got involved in a suicide prevention programme. Here he discusses the stresses of the job and the things that make people happy – they may not be what you expect. He also discusses suicide prevention and veterinary support systems being adopted in Australia
On the topology of the coefficients of the Alexander–Conway polynomials of knots
Authors: Tsau Chichen M.
Published: December 2015

Using a special form of spanning surface for a knot, we give a formula for the coefficient of the [Formula: see text]-term of the Alexander–Conway polynomial in terms of the sum of determinants of the blocks of [Formula: see text] submatrices of the Seifert matrix, from which the topological meaning of the coefficient is revealed.
Attribute-Based Encryption for Circuits
Authors: Gorbunov Sergey , Vaikuntanathan Vinod , Wee Hoeteck
Published: December 2015

In an attribute-based encryption (ABE) scheme, a ciphertext is associated with an ℓ-bit
public index
ind and a message
m
, and a secret key is associated with a Boolean predicate
P
. The secret key allows decrypting the ciphertext and learning
m
if and only if
P
(ind) = 1. Moreover, the scheme should be secure against collusions of users, namely, given secret keys for polynomially many predicates, an adversary learns nothing about the message if none of the secret keys can individually decrypt the ciphertext.

We present attribute-based encryption schemes for circuits of any arbitrary polynomial size, where the public parameters and the ciphertext grow linearly with the depth of the circuit. Our construction is secure under the standard learning with errors (LWE) assumption. Previous constructions of attribute-based encryption were for Boolean formulas, captured by the complexity class
NC
1
.

In the course of our construction, we present a new framework for constructing ABE schemes. As a by-product of our framework, we obtain ABE schemes for polynomial-size branching programs, corresponding to the complexity class
LOGSPACE
, under quantitatively better assumptions.
Using Architecture to Reason about Information Security
Authors: Chong Stephen , Meyden Ron Van Der
Published: December 2015

We demonstrate, by a number of examples, that information flow security properties can be proved from abstract architectural descriptions, which describe only the causal structure of a system and local properties of trusted components. We specify these architectural descriptions of systems by generalizing intransitive noninterference policies to admit the ability to filter information passed between communicating domains. A notion of refinement of such system architectures is developed that supports top-down development of architectural specifications and proofs by abstraction of information security properties. We also show that, in a concrete setting where the causal structure is enforced by access control, a static check of the access control setting plus local verification of the trusted components is sufficient to prove that a generalized intransitive noninterference policy is satisfied.
Compensating the Effect of Communication Delay in Client-Server--Based Shared Haptic Virtual Environments
Authors: Schuwerk Clemens , Xu Xiao , Chaudhari Rahul , Steinbach Eckehard
Published: December 2015

Shared haptic virtual environments can be realized using a client-server architecture. In this architecture, each client maintains a local copy of the virtual environment (VE). A centralized physics simulation running on a server calculates the object states based on haptic device position information received from the clients. The object states are sent back to the clients to update the local copies of the VE, which are used to render interaction forces displayed to the user through a haptic device. Communication delay leads to delayed object state updates and increased force feedback rendered at the clients. In this article, we analyze the effect of communication delay on the magnitude of the rendered forces at the clients for cooperative multi-user interactions with rigid objects. The analysis reveals guidelines on the tolerable communication delay. If this delay is exceeded, the increased force magnitude becomes haptically perceivable. We propose an adaptive force rendering scheme to compensate for this effect, which dynamically changes the stiffness used in the force rendering at the clients. Our experimental results, including a subjective user study, verify the applicability of the analysis and the proposed scheme to compensate the effect of time-varying communication delay in a multi-user SHVE.
SIGCSE symposium history
Authors: Doyle Maureen
Published: December 2015

The first SIGCSE Technical Symposium was held 45 years ago on November 16, 1970 at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. SIGCSE 1970 co-chairs were Dr. Peter Calingaert, at the time teaching for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Dr. Edward A. Feustel from Rice University. Peter was responsible for the technical content, and Dr. Robert M. Aiken, from the University of Tennessee, served as Editor of the Proceedings. Over 40 papers were submitted; 18 were accepted.
Biology, Ecology, and Management of the Diamondback Moth in China
Authors: Li Zhenyu , Feng Xia , Liu Shu-Sheng , You Minsheng , Furlong Michael J.
Published: December 2015

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), costs the Chinese economy US$0.77 billion annually, and considerable research has focused on its biology, ecology, and management. Much of this research has been published locally and is inaccessible outside China. Since 1990 Brassica vegetable production has increased 20-fold and production practices have intensified, but losses continue to increase. Insecticide use is widespread and many DBM populations, particularly in southern provinces, are resistant to multiple compounds. The molecular bases of several insecticide resistance mechanisms are well understood, and genetic studies suggest that insecticide-resistant populations migrate northward in spring and that back migrations may occur in southern provinces. Fundamental studies have improved our understanding of the effects of temperature on DBM population dynamics and distributions and of interactions between DBM and its well-established parasitoid fauna. Nationally coordinated research is developing regional management strategies that integrate locally appropriate biological, physical, cultural, and insecticidal control, but sustaining their adoption will prove an enormous challenge.
Capital in the Twenty-First Century—in the Rest of the World
Authors: Albertus Michael , Menaldo Victor
Published: December 2015

Recent work has documented an upward trend in inequality since the 1970s that harks back to the Gilded Age: the inegalitarian pre–World War I world. Most prominently, Thomas Piketty argues in Capital in the Twenty-First Century that this is partially due to the fact that capitalism is hardwired to exacerbate the gap between the rich and poor. By critically evaluating recent literature on this topic, this article offers three big contributions. First, we advance an alternative explanation for the long-term U-shaped nature of inequality that Piketty examines. Political regime types and the social groups they empower, rather than war and globalization, can account for the sharp fall and then sharp rise in inequality over the long 20th century. Second, we demonstrate that this U-shaped pattern only really holds for a handful of industrialized economies and a subset of developing countries. Finally, we provide a unified framework centered on two unorthodox assumptions that can explain inequality patterns beyond the U-shaped one. Capitalists and landholders actually prefer democracy if they can first strike a deal that protects them after transition. This is because dictators are not the loyal servants of the economic elite they are portrayed to be—in fact, they are often responsible for soaking, if not destroying, the rich under autocracy.
An Application of Stochastic Programming in Solving Capacity Allocation and Migration Planning Problem under Uncertainty
Authors: Chen Yin-Yann , Fan Hsiao-Yao
Published: December 2015

The semiconductor packaging and testing industry, which utilizes high-technology manufacturing processes and a variety of machines, belongs to an uncertain make-to-order (MTO) production environment. Order release particularly originates from customer demand; hence, demand fluctuation directly affects capacity planning. Thus, managing capacity allocation is a difficult endeavor. This study aims to determine the best capacity allocation with limited resources to maximize the net profit. Three bottleneck stations in the semiconductor packaging and testing process are mainly investigated, namely, die bond (DB), wire bond (WB), and molding (MD) stations. Deviating from previous studies that consider the deterministic programming model, customer demand in the current study is regarded as an uncertain parameter in formulating a two-stage scenario-based stochastic programming (SP) model. The SP model seeks to respond to sharp demand fluctuations. Even if future demand is uncertain, migration decision for machines and tools will still obtain better robust results for various demand scenarios. A hybrid approach is proposed to solve the SP model. Moreover, two assessment indicators, namely, the expected value of perfect information (EVPI) and the value of the stochastic solution (VSS), are adopted to compare the solving results of the deterministic planning model and stochastic programming model. Sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the effects of different parameters on net profit.
Expression of CD24 in Human Bone Marrow‐Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Is Regulated by TGFβ3 and Induces a Myofibroblast‐Like Genotype
Authors: Schäck Luisa Marilena , Buettner Manuela , Wirth Alexander , Neunaber Claudia , Krettek Christian , Hoffmann Andrea , Noack Sandra
Published: December 2015

Human bone marrow‐derived stromal cells (hBMSCs) derived from the adult organism hold great promise for diverse settings in regenerative medicine. Therefore a more complete understanding of hBMSC biology to fully exploit the cells’ potential for clinical settings is important. The protein CD24 has been reported to be involved in a diverse range of processes such as cancer, adaptive immunity, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases in other cell types. Its expression in hBMSCs, which has not yet been analyzed, may add an important aspect in the understanding of hBMSC biology. The present study therefore analyzes the expression, regulation, and functional implication of the surface protein CD24 in hBMSCs. Methods used are stimulation studies with TGF beta as well as shRNA‐mediated knockdown and overexpression of CD24 followed by microarray, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometric analyses. To our knowledge, we demonstrate for the first time that the expression of CD24 is an inherent property of hBMSCs. Importantly, the data links the upregulation of CD24 to the adoption of a myofibroblast‐like gene expression pattern in hBMSCs. We demonstrate that CD24 is an important modulator in transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFβ3) signaling with a reciprocal regulatory relationship between these two proteins.
Berberine Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Response: Role of Silent Information Regulator 1
Authors: Yu Liming , Li Qing , Yu Bo , Yang Yang , Jin Zhenxiao , Duan Weixun , Zhao Guolong , Zhai Mengen , Liu Lijun , Yi Dinghua , Chen Min , Yu Shiqiang
Published: December 2015

Berberine (BBR) exerts potential protective effect against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Activation of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) signaling attenuates MI/R injury by reducing oxidative damage and inflammation response. This study investigated the antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects of BBR treatment in MI/R condition and elucidated its potential mechanisms. Sprague‐Dawley rats were treated with BBR in the absence or presence of the SIRT1 inhibitor sirtinol (Stnl) and then subjected to MI/R injury. BBR conferred cardioprotective effects by improving postischemic cardiac function, decreasing infarct size, reducing apoptotic index, diminishing serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels, upregulating SIRT1, Bcl‐2 expressions, and downregulating Bax and caspase‐3 expressions. Stnl attenuated these effects by inhibiting SIRT1 signaling. BBR treatment also reduced myocardium superoxide generation, gp91phox expression, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and cardiac inflammatory markers and increased myocardium superoxide dismutase (SOD) level. However, these effects were also inhibited by Stnl. Consistently, BBR conferred similar antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects against simulated ischemia reperfusion injury in cultured H9C2 cardiomyocytes. SIRT1 siRNA administration also abolished these effects. In summary, our results demonstrate that BBR significantly improves post‐MI/R cardiac function recovery and reduces infarct size against MI/R injury possibly due to its strong antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory activity. Additionally, SIRT1 signaling plays a key role in this process.
Yoga for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials
Authors: Innes Kim E. , Selfe Terry Kit
Published: December 2015

A growing body of evidence suggests yogic practices may benefit adults with type 2 diabetes (DM2). In this systematic review, we evaluate available evidence from prospective controlled trials regarding the effects of yoga-based programs on specific health outcomes pertinent to DM2 management. To identify qualifying studies, we searched nine databases and scanned bibliographies of relevant review papers and all identified articles. Controlled trials that did not target adults with diabetes, included only adults with type 1 diabetes, were under two-week duration, or did not include quantitative outcome data were excluded. Study quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Thirty-three papers reporting findings from 25 controlled trials (13 nonrandomized, 12 randomized) met our inclusion criteria (N= 2170 participants). Collectively, findings suggest that yogic practices may promote significant improvements in several indices of importance in DM2 management, including glycemic control, lipid levels, and body composition. More limited data suggest that yoga may also lower oxidative stress and blood pressure; enhance pulmonary and autonomic function, mood, sleep, and quality of life; and reduce medication use in adults with DM2. However, given the methodological limitations of existing studies, additional high-quality investigations are required to confirm and further elucidate the potential benefits of yoga programs in populations with DM2.
Apocynin and Diphenyleneiodonium Induce Oxidative Stress and Modulate PI3K/Akt and MAPK/Erk Activity in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Kučera Jan , Binó Lucia , Štefková Kateřina , Jaroš Josef , Vašíček Ondřej , Večeřa Josef , Kubala Lukáš , Pacherník Jiří
Published: December 2015

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important regulators of cellular functions. In embryonic stem cells, ROS are suggested to influence differentiation status. Regulated ROS formation is catalyzed primarily by NADPH‐dependent oxidases (NOXs). Apocynin and diphenyleneiodonium are frequently used inhibitors of NOXs; however, both exhibit uncharacterized effects not related to NOXs inhibition. Interestingly, in our model of mouse embryonic stem cells we demonstrate low expression of NOXs. Therefore we aimed to clarify potential side effects of these drugs. Both apocynin and diphenyleneiodonium impaired proliferation of cells. Surprisingly, we observed prooxidant activity of these drugs determined by hydroethidine. Further, we revealed that apocynin inhibits PI3K/Akt pathway with its downstream transcriptional factor Nanog. Opposite to this, apocynin augmented activity of canonical Wnt signaling. On the contrary, diphenyleneiodonium activated both PI3K/Akt and Erk signaling pathways without affecting Wnt. Our data indicates limits and possible unexpected interactions of NOXs inhibitors with intracellular signaling pathways.
Functional and Biological Role of Endothelial Precursor Cells in Tumour Progression: A New Potential Therapeutic Target in Haematological Malignancies
Authors: Reale Antonia , Melaccio Assunta , Lamanuzzi Aurelia , Saltarella Ilaria , Dammacco Franco , Vacca Angelo , Ria Roberto
Published: December 2015

It was believed that vasculogenesis occurred only during embryo life and that postnatal formation of vessels arose from angiogenesis. Recent findings demonstrate the existence of Endothelial Precursor Cells (EPCs), which take partin postnatal vasculogenesis. EPCs are recruited from the bone marrow under the stimulation of growth factors and cytokines and reach the sites of neovascularization in both physiological and pathological conditions such as malignancies where they contribute to the “angiogenic switch” and tumor progression. An implementation of circulating EPCs in the bloodstream of patients with haematological malignancies has been demonstrated. This increase is strictly related to the bone marrow microvessel density and correlated with a poor prognosis. The EPCs characterization is a very complex process and still under investigation. This literature review aims to provide an overview of the functional and biological role of EPCs in haematological malignancies and to investigate their potential as a new cancer therapeutic target.
Oxidative Stress in the Healthy and Wounded Hepatocyte: A Cellular Organelles Perspective
Authors: Mello Tommaso , Zanieri Francesca , Ceni Elisabetta , Galli Andrea
Published: December 2015

Accurate control of the cell redox state is mandatory for maintaining the structural integrity and physiological functions. This control is achieved both by a fine‐tuned balance between prooxidant and anti‐oxidant molecules and by spatial and temporal confinement of the oxidative species. The diverse cellular compartments each, although structurally and functionally related, actively maintain their own redox balance, which is necessary to fulfill specialized tasks. Many fundamental cellular processes such as insulin signaling, cell proliferation and differentiation and cell migration and adhesion, rely on localized changes in the redox state of signal transducers, which is mainly mediated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Therefore, oxidative stress can also occur long before direct structural damage to cellular components, by disruption of the redox circuits that regulate the cellular organelles homeostasis. The hepatocyte is a systemic hub integrating the whole body metabolic demand, iron homeostasis and detoxification processes, all of which are redox‐regulated processes. Imbalance of the hepatocyte’s organelles redox homeostasis underlies virtually any liver disease and is a field of intense research activity. This review recapitulates the evolving concept of oxidative stress in the diverse cellular compartments, highlighting the principle mechanisms of oxidative stress occurring in the healthy and wounded hepatocyte.
An Abnormal Nitric Oxide Metabolism Contributes to Brain Oxidative Stress in the Mouse Model for the Fragile X Syndrome, a Possible Role in Intellectual Disability
Authors: Lima-Cabello Elena , Garcia-Guirado Francisco , Calvo-Medina Rocio , el Bekay Rajaa , Perez-Costillas Lucia , Quintero-Navarro Carolina , Sanchez-Salido Lourdes , de Diego-Otero Yolanda
Published: December 2015

Background. Fragile X syndrome is the most common genetic cause of mental disability. Although many research has been performed, the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis is unclear and needs further investigation. Oxidative stress played major roles in the syndrome. The aim was to investigate the nitric oxide metabolism, protein nitration level, the expression of NOS isoforms, and furthermore the activation of the nuclear factor NF‐κB‐p65 subunit in different brain areas on the fragile X mouse model. Methods. This study involved adult male Fmr1‐knockout and wild‐type mice as controls. We detected nitric oxide metabolism and the activation of the nuclear factor NF‐κBp65 subunit, comparing the mRNA expression and protein content of the three NOS isoforms in different brain areas. Results. Fmr1‐KO mice showed an abnormal nitric oxide metabolism and increased levels of protein tyrosine nitrosylation. Besides that, nuclear factor NF‐κB‐p65 and inducible nitric oxide synthase appeared significantly increased in the Fmr1‐knockout mice. mRNA and protein levels of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase appeared significantly decreased in the knockout mice. However, the epithelial nitric oxide synthase isoform displayed no significant changes. Conclusions. These data suggest the potential involvement of an abnormal nitric oxide metabolism in the pathogenesis of the fragile X syndrome.
Hyperglycemia Does Not Affect Iron Mediated Toxicity of Cultured Endothelial and Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells: Influence of L-Carnosine
Authors: Zhang Shiqi , Ntasis Emmanouil , Kabtni Sarah , van den Born Jaap , Navis Gerjan , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Krämer Bernhard K. , Yard Benito A. , Hauske Sibylle J.
Published: December 2015

Iron has been suggested to affect the clinical course of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) as accompanying increased intracellular iron accumulation may provide an alternative source for reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although carnosine has proven its therapeutic efficacy in rodent models of T2DM, little is known about its efficacy to protect cells from iron toxicity. We sought to assess if high glucose (HG) exposure makes cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) more susceptible to metal induced toxicity and if this is ameliorated by L-carnosine. HUVECs and PTECs, cultured under normal glucose (5 mM, NG) or HG (30 mM), were challenged for 24 h with FeCl3. Cell viability was not impaired under HG conditions nor did HG increase susceptibility to FeCl3. HG did not change the expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), ferroportin (IREG), and transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFRC). Irrespective of glucose concentrations L-carnosine prevented toxicity in a dose-dependent manner, only if it was present during the FeCl3challenge. Hence our study indicates that iron induced cytotoxicity is not enhanced under HG conditions. L-Carnosine displayed a strong protective effect, most likely by chelation of iron mediated toxicity.
Diabetes Increases Cryoinjury Size with Associated Effects on Cx43 Gap Junction Function and Phosphorylation in the Mouse Heart
Authors: Palatinus Joseph A. , Gourdie Robert G.
Published: December 2015

Diabetic patients develop larger myocardial infarctions and have an increased risk of death following a heart attack. The poor response to myocardial injury in the diabetic heart is likely related to the many metabolic derangements from diabetes that create a poor substrate in general for wound healing, response to injury and infection. Studies in rodents have implicated a role for the gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) in regulating the injury response in diabetic skin wounds. In this study, we sought to determine whether diabetes alters Cx43 molecular interactions or intracellular communication in the cryoinjured STZ type I diabetic mouse heart. We found that epicardial cryoinjury size is increased in diabetic mice and this increase is prevented by preinjury insulin administration. Consistent with these findings, we found that intercellular coupling via gap junctions is decreased after insulin administration in diabetic and nondiabetic mice. This decrease in coupling is associated with a concomitant increase in phosphorylation of Cx43 at serine 368, a residue known to decrease channel conductance. Taken together, our results suggest that insulin regulates both gap junction-mediated intercellular communication and injury propagation in the mouse heart.
A Novel Wistar Rat Model of Obesity-Related Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Induced by Sucrose-Rich Diet
Authors: Lima Maria Luíza R. P. , Leite Laura H. R. , Gioda Carolina R. , Leme Fabíola O. P. , Couto Claudia A. , Coimbra Cândido C. , Leite Virginia H. R. , Ferrari Teresa Cristina A.
Published: December 2015

The pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not fully understood, and experimental models are an alternative to study this issue. We investigated the effects of a simple carbohydrate-rich diet on the development of obesity-related NAFLD and the impact of physical training on the metabolic abnormalities associated with this disorder. Sixty Wistar rats were randomly separated into experimental and control groups, which were fed with sucrose-enriched (18% simple carbohydrates) and standard diet, respectively. At the end of each experimental period (5, 10, 20, and 30 weeks), 6 animals from each group were sacrificed for blood tests and liver histology and immunohistochemistry. From weeks 25 to 30, 6 animals from each group underwent physical training. The experimental group animals developed obesity and NAFLD, characterized histopathologically by steatosis and hepatocellular ballooning, clinically by increased thoracic circumference and body mass index associated with hyperleptinemia, and metabolically by hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, increased levels of very low-density lipoprotein- (VLDL-) cholesterol, depletion of the antioxidants liver enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, and increased hepatic levels of malondialdehyde, an oxidative stress marker. Rats that underwent physical training showed increased high-density lipoprotein- (HDL-) cholesterol levels. In conclusion, a sucrose-rich diet induced obesity, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and NAFLD in rats.
Energy Harvesting and Information Transmission Protocol in Sensors Networks
Authors: Zhang Xue-Fen , Yin Chang-Chuan
Published: December 2015

We focus on the design of transmission protocol for energy harvesting wireless sensors. The sensors can harvest the energy from the environment, but they cannot charge and discharge at the same time. We propose a protocol for energy harvesting and wireless transmission, which contains two steps. In the first step, the sensor harvests the energy from environment, and the energy harvesting rate is controlled by the harvested energy power of the energy saving device (ESD). In the second step, some data should be transmitted to the receiver in a certain time. Considering one slot time, the first part of the time is devoted exclusively to energy harvesting, and the remaining time of the slot is for transmitting the information data. Assume thatQbits are transmitted to the receiver within one time slot; we establish the relationship between the harvesting energy time and the transmit data time. In addition, we analyze the system outage probability performance over the Rayleigh fading channel.
Current Status and Future Projections of Breast Cancer in Asia
Authors: Fan Lei , Goss Paul E. , Strasser-Weippl Kathrin
Published: December 2015

Asia is the world's largest continent comprising about 3/5 of the human population. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Asia, accounting for 39% of all breast cancers diagnosed worldwide. The incidence of breast cancer in Asia varies widely across the continent and is still lower than in Western countries, but the proportional contribution of Asia to the global breast cancer rates is increasing rapidly in parallel to the socioeconomic development. However, the mortality-to-incidence ratios are much higher for Asia than for Western countries. Most Asian countries are low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where breast cancer presents at a younger age and a later stage, and where patients are more likely to die from the disease than those in Western countries. Moreover, diagnostic workup, treatment and palliative services are inadequate in most Asian LMICs. In this review, we present an overview of the breast cancer risk factors and epidemiology, control measures, and cancer care among Asian countries.
Platypnea-Orthodeoxia in Patients on Hemodialysis: A New Approach to Its Pathophysiology and Implications for Treatment
Authors: Wadia Subeer , Boateng Stephen , Kenny Damien , Kavinsky Clifford
Published: December 2015

Platypnea-orthodeoxia is a poorly understood clinical syndrome resulting in dyspnea and hypoxemia in the upright position, which diminishes with recumbency. Recognition of the disease is limited by its low prevalence and decreased awareness among clinicians. However, understanding the disease, its pathophysiology, its clinical presentation, and the possible therapeutic options is vital in the management of these patients. Here, we present 2 cases of platypnea- orthodeoxia where oxygen saturations worsened with hemodialysis. After highlighting the common features in the clinical pattern of each patient, we present a pressure-mediated pathophysiologic mechanism (in contrast to a previously reported morphologically based hypothesis) to explain the characteristic effects of hemodialysis on hypoxia in platypnea-orthodeoxia. We present a novel diagnostic approach using balloon occlusion testing when the diagnosis is unclear and illustrate how treatments can be tailored to the comorbidities of a specific patient.