bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iris Recognition Using the Nonsubsampled Contourlet Transform
Authors: Han Ying-Li , Park Rae-Hong
Published: August 2015

Biometric information is widely used in user identification system. Because of the unique and invariant properties of the iris through a lifetime, iris recognition is one of the most stable and reliable means in biometric identification. Extracting distinguishable iris features for iris recognition is very important. In this paper, for capturing effective texture features that represent the complex directional structures of an iris image, a new iris recognition method using the nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) features is proposed. With the shift-invariance, multiscale, and multidirection properties, significant NSCT coefficient features along the radial and angular directions in an iris image can be represented efficiently. Iris segmentation and normalization are considered at first as pre-processing. The modified normalized iris image is obtained from the normalized iris regions for extracting the robust iris features, and then is filtered with the NSCT to obtain the distinct coefficient features in each directional subband. Next, using the NSCT coefficients in each subband, an iris code vector is constructed for iris matching. Comparison of experimental results of the proposed and existing methods with three databases show the effectiveness of the proposed NSCT feature-based iris recognition algorithm, in terms of the three performance measures.
On integers not of the form Fn ± pa
Authors: Šiurys Jonas
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we prove a conjecture of Sun concerning the arithmetic progression of integers which contains no integers of the form [Formula: see text]. In fact, we show that [Formula: see text] has at least two distinct prime factors whenever [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a Fibonacci number and [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are suitable positive integers.
An alternative transformation formula for the Dedekind η-function via the Chinese Remainder Theorem
Authors: Chan Heng Huat , Chua Teoh Guan
Published: August 2015

In this article, we will give a new proof of the reciprocity law for Dedekind sums, as well as a proof of the transformation formula for the Dedekind [Formula: see text]-function using the Chinese Remainder Theorem.
A model of inter-cohort cannibalism and paedomorphosis in Arizona Tiger Salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum
Authors: McCarthy Maeve L. , Whiteman Howard H.
Published: August 2015

Cannibalism is widespread in size-structured populations. If cannibals and victims are in different life stages, dominant cohorts of cannibals can regulate recruitment. Arizona Tiger Salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum, exhibit facultative paedomorphosis in which salamander larvae either metamorphose into terrestrial adults or become sexually mature while still in their larval form. Although many salamanders exhibit cannibalism of larvae, the Arizona Tiger Salamander also exhibits cannibalism of young by the aquatic adults. We formulate a differential equations model of this system under the assumption that the terrestrial adults do not impact the system beyond their contribution to the birth of young larvae. We establish non-negativity, boundedness and persistence of the salamander population under certain assumptions. We consider the equilibrium states of the system in the presence or absence of a birth contribution from the terrestrial or metamorph adults. Constant per capita paedomorphosis leads to asymptotically stable equilibria. The per capita paedomorphosis rate of the larvae must be density dependent in order for periodic solutions to exist. Furthermore, the stage transition rate must be sufficiently decreasing in order to guarantee the existence of an unstable equilibrium. Periodic solutions are only possible in the presence of a unique nontrivial unstable equilibrium. Our results conform to previous theory on paedomorphosis which suggests general applicability of our results to similar systems.
Energy Expenditure in Humans and Other Primates: A New Synthesis
Authors: Pontzer Herman
Published: August 2015

This review examines the proximate, ecological, and evolutionary determinants of energy expenditure in humans and primates, with an emphasis on empirical measurements of total energy expenditure (TEE). Body size is the main proximate determinant of TEE, both within and between species; physical activity, genetic variation, and endocrine regulation explain substantially less of the variation in TEE. Basal metabolism is the single largest component of TEE, far exceeding the cost of physical activity, digestion, growth and reproduction, and thermoregulation in most instances. Notably, differences in physical activity do not generally result in corresponding differences in TEE, undermining the utility of activity-based factorial estimates of TEE. Instead, empirical measurements of energy expenditure in humans and other primates suggest that the body adapts dynamically to long-term changes in physical activity, maintaining TEE within an evolved, and relatively narrow, physiological range.
How Do Species Interactions Affect Evolutionary Dynamics Across Whole Communities?
Authors: Barraclough Timothy G.
Published: August 2015

Theories of how species evolve in changing environments mostly consider single species in isolation or pairs of interacting species. Yet all organisms live in diverse communities containing many hundreds of species. This review discusses how species interactions influence the evolution of constituent species across whole communities. When species interactions are weak or inconsistent, evolutionary dynamics should be predictable by factors identified by single-species theory. Stronger species interactions, however, can alter evolutionary outcomes and either dampen or promote evolution of constituent species depending on the number of species and the distribution of interaction strengths across the interaction network. Genetic interactions, such as horizontal gene transfer, might also affect evolutionary outcomes. These evolutionary mechanisms in turn affect whole-community properties, such as the level of ecosystem functioning. Successful management of both ecosystems and focal species requires new understanding of evolutionary interactions across whole communities.
Involvement of AMPK in regulating slow-twitch muscle atrophy during hindlimb unloading in mice
Authors: Egawa Tatsuro , Goto Ayumi , Ohno Yoshitaka , Yokoyama Shingo , Ikuta Akihiro , Suzuki Miho , Sugiura Takao , Ohira Yoshinobu , Yoshioka Toshitada , Hayashi Tatsuya , Goto Katsumasa
Published: August 2015

AMPK is considered to have a role in regulating skeletal muscle mass. However, there are no studies investigating the function of AMPK in modulating skeletal muscle mass during atrophic conditions. In the present study, we investigated the difference in unloading-associated muscle atrophy and molecular functions in response to 2-wk hindlimb suspension between transgenic mice overexpressing the dominant-negative mutant of AMPK (AMPK-DN) and their wild-type (WT) littermates. Male WT ( n = 24) and AMPK-DN ( n = 24) mice were randomly divided into two groups: an untreated preexperimental control group ( n = 12 in each group) and an unloading ( n = 12 in each group) group. The relative soleus muscle weight and fiber cross-sectional area to body weight were decreased by ∼30% in WT mice by hindlimb unloading and by ∼20% in AMPK-DN mice. There were no changes in puromycin-labeled protein or Akt/70-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase signaling, the indicators of protein synthesis. The expressions of ubiquitinated proteins and muscle RING finger 1 mRNA and protein, markers of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, were increased by hindlimb unloading in WT mice but not in AMPK-DN mice. The expressions of molecules related to the protein degradation system, phosphorylated forkhead box class O3a, inhibitor of κBα, microRNA (miR)-1, and miR-23a, were decreased only in WT mice in response to hindlimb unloading, and 72-kDa heat shock protein expression was higher in AMPK-DN mice than in WT mice. These results imply that AMPK partially regulates unloading-induced atrophy of slow-twitch muscle possibly through modulation of the protein degradation system, especially the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Learning feedback and feedforward control in a mirror-reversed visual environment
Authors: Kasuga Shoko , Telgen Sebastian , Ushiba Junichi , Nozaki Daichi , Diedrichsen Jörn
Published: August 2015

When we learn a novel task, the motor system needs to acquire both feedforward and feedback control. Currently, little is known about how the learning of these two mechanisms relate to each other. In the present study, we tested whether feedforward and feedback control need to be learned separately, or whether they are learned as common mechanism when a new control policy is acquired. Participants were trained to reach to two lateral and one central target in an environment with mirror (left-right)-reversed visual feedback. One group was allowed to make online movement corrections, whereas the other group only received visual information after the end of the movement. Learning of feedforward control was assessed by measuring the accuracy of the initial movement direction to lateral targets. Feedback control was measured in the responses to sudden visual perturbations of the cursor when reaching to the central target. Although feedforward control improved in both groups, it was significantly better when online corrections were not allowed. In contrast, feedback control only adaptively changed in participants who received online feedback and remained unchanged in the group without online corrections. Our findings suggest that when a new control policy is acquired, feedforward and feedback control are learned separately, and that there may be a trade-off in learning between feedback and feedforward controllers.
Line-of-Sight Rate Estimation Based on UKF for Strapdown Seeker
Authors: Sun Tingting , Chu Hairong , Zhang Baiqiang , Jia Hongguang , Guo Lihong , Zhang Yue , Zhang Mingyue
Published: August 2015

Aiming at the problem that the strapdown imaging seeker cannot measure line-of-sight (LOS) rate directly, this paper presents an effective algorithm for LOS rate estimation. To address the problem, the reference frames and angles are defined. According to the relative kinematics and attitude relationship between missile and target, the nonlinear state equations and measurement equations of LOS rate are derived, and the estimation algorithm based on unscented Kalman filter (UKF) is proposed. Considering the estimation accuracy mainly depends on body LOS (BLOS) angle accuracy and gyro accuracy, the paper is unprecedented to research how these two factors impact the LOS angle and rate accuracy by simulation. Semiphysical simulation experiment verifies the correctness and accuracy of the algorithm, and the result shows that the estimation algorithm can meet the accuracy and real-time requirements of guidance system simultaneously. Thus LOS rate estimation algorithm based on UKF provides a theoretical basis for engineering applications of strapdown imaging seeker.
ERK1/2 and HIF1αAre Involved in Antiangiogenic Effect of Polyphenols-Enriched Fraction from Chilean Propolis
Authors: Cuevas Alejandro , Saavedra Nicolás , Rudnicki Martina , Abdalla Dulcineia S. P. , Salazar Luis A.
Published: August 2015

Propolis has been shown to modulate the angiogenesis in bothin vitroandin vivomodels. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the antiangiogenic properties of an ethanolic extract of Chilean propolis (EEP) and Pinocembrin (Pn). Migration, formation of capillary-like structures of endothelial cells, and sprouting from rat aortic rings were used to assess the antiangiogenic properties of EEP or Pn. In addition, microRNAs and VEGFA mRNA expression were studied by qPCR. ERK1/2 phosphorylation and HIF1αstabilization were assessed by western blot. EEP or Pn attenuated the migration, the capillary-like tube formation, and the sprouting in thein vitroassays. In addition, the activation of HIF1αand ERK1/2 and the VEGFA mRNA expression was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, these results suggest that HIF1αand ERK1/2 phosphorylation could be involved in the antiangiogenic effect of Chilean propolis, but more studies are needed to corroborate these findings.
Existence of Solutions for Boundary Value Problem of a Caputo Fractional Difference Equation
Authors: Liu Zhiping , Kang Shugui , Chen Huiqin , Guo Jianmin , Cui Yaqiong , Guo Caixia
Published: August 2015

We investigate the existence of solutions for a Caputo fractional difference equation boundary value problem. We use Schauder fixed point theorem to deduce the existence of solutions. The proofs are based upon the theory of discrete fractional calculus. We also provide some examples to illustrate our main results.
Yoga May Mitigate Decreases in High School Grades
Authors: Butzer Bethany , van Over Max , Noggle Taylor Jessica J. , Khalsa Sat Bir S.
Published: August 2015

This study involves an exploratory examination of the effects of a 12-week school-based yoga intervention on changes in grade point average (GPA) in 9th and 10th grade students. Participants included 95 high school students who had registered for physical education (PE) in spring 2010. PE class sections were group randomized to receive either a yoga intervention or a PE-as-usual control condition. The yoga intervention took place during the entire third quarter and half of the fourth quarter of the school year, and quarterly GPA was collected via school records at the end of the school year. Results revealed a significant interaction between group and quarter suggesting that GPA differed between the yoga and control groups over time. Post hoc tests revealed that while both groups exhibited a general decline in GPA over the school year, the control group exhibited a significantly greater decline in GPA from quarter 1 to quarter 3 than the yoga group. Both groups showed equivalent declines in GPA in quarter 4 after the yoga intervention had ended. The results suggest that yoga may have a protective effect on academic performance by preventing declines in GPA; however these preventive effects may not persist once yoga practice is discontinued.
Design of High-Order Iterative Methods for Nonlinear Systems by Using Weight Function Procedure
Authors: Artidiello Santiago , Cordero Alicia , Torregrosa Juan R. , Vassileva María P.
Published: August 2015

We present two classes of iterative methods whose orders of convergence are four and five, respectively, for solving systems of nonlinear equations, by using the technique of weight functions in each step. Moreover, we show an extension to higher order, adding only one functional evaluation of the vectorial nonlinear function. We perform numerical tests to compare the proposed methods with other schemes in the literature and test their effectiveness on specific nonlinear problems. Moreover, some real basins of attraction are analyzed in order to check the relation between the order of convergence and the set of convergent starting points.
Effect of the Change of Deposition Time on the Secondary Direction and Abnormal Shape of Grains Growth of SnO2Thin Films
Authors: Jeong Jin
Published: August 2015

SnO2thin films were grown on Si substrate using the low pressure chemical vapor deposition method. Observations made through electron microscopy indicate that thin films tend to grow with a constant direction when deposited at a temperature of 420°C for 5, 10, 20, or 30 min. However, when the deposition time increases, the particles forming the thin films are subject to a secondary growth. Observations made under a high-resolution transmission electron microscope reveal the lattice shape characteristic of thin films, with an overlapped or wrinkled flower form, and indicate that thin films growth takes place in different directions during the secondary growth. Measurements of the Hall effect show that the carriers mobility in the thin films increases linearly with the deposition time, whereas the carrier density decreases. The Hall Rh value increased linearly until 20 min deposition time, whereas for thin film grown for 30 min it decreased rapidly, showing a relatively similar behaviour to the carrier density. This is because as the deposition time becomes longer, the second growth and atypical shape occurs, leading to an increase of the thin films Rh value. This phenomenon indicates that the deposition time of thin films affects their carrier density and atypical overlapped or wrinkled flower form.
Physiological and Psychophysical Responses to Listening to Music during Warm-Up and Circuit-Type Resistance Exercise in Strength Trained Men
Authors: Arazi Hamid , Asadi Abbas , Purabed Morteza
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of listening to music during warm-up and resistance exercise on physiological (heart rate and blood pressure) and psychophysical (rating of perceived exertion) responses in trained athletes. Twelve strength trained male participants performed warm-up and resistance exercise without music (WU+RE without M), warm-up and resistance exercise with music (WU+RE with M), WU with M and RE without M, and WU without M and RE with M, with 48 hours space between sessions. After completing each session, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was measured. Also, heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and rate pressure product (RPP) were assessed before, after, and 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after exercise. Results indicated that RPE was higher for WU+RE without M condition in comparison with other conditions. All conditions showed increases in cardiovascular variables after exercise. The responses of HR, SBP, and RPP were higher for WU+RE without M condition. Thus, using music during warm-up and resistance exercise is a legal method for decreasing RPE and cardiovascular responses due to resistance exercise.
Comparative Analysis of the Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells from Placenta, Cord Blood, and Fetal Liver, Based on Their Immunophenotype
Authors: Kuchma Maria D. , Kyryk Vitaliy M. , Svitina Hanna M. , Shablii Yulia M. , Lukash Lubov L. , Lobyntseva Galina S. , Shablii Volodymyr A.
Published: August 2015

We have investigated the characteristics of human hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) with the CD34+CD45lowSSClowphenotype from full-term placental tissue (FTPT) as compared to cord blood (CB) and fetal liver (FL) cells. We demonstrated the presence of cell subpopulations at various stages of the differentiation with such immunophenotypes as CD34+/lowCD45low/-, CD34++CD45low/-, CD34+++CD45low/-,CD34+/lowCD45hi, and CD34++CD45hiin both first trimester placental tissue (FiTPT) and FTPT which implies their higher phenotypic heterogeneity compared to CB. HPCs of the FTPT origin expressed the CD90 antigen at a higher level compared to its expression by the CB HPCs and the CD133 antigen expression being at the same level in both cases. The HPCs compartment of FTPT versus CB contained higher number of myeloid and erythroid committed cells but lower number of myeloid and lymphoid ones compared to FL HPCs. HPCs of the FTPT and CB origin possess similar potentials for the multilineage differentiationin vitroand similar ratios of myeloid and erythroid progenitors among the committed cells. This observation suggests that the active hematopoiesis occurs in the FTPT. We obtained viable HPCs from cryopreserved placental tissue fragments allowing us to develop procedures for banking and testing of placenta-derived HPCs for clinical use.
Cost-Efficient Allocation of Additional Resources for the Service Placement Problem in Next-Generation Internet
Authors: Ma Ding , Onderwater M. , Wetzels F. , Hoekstra G. J. , van der Mei R. D. , Bhulai S. , Zhuang Lei
Published: August 2015

One of the major challenges in next-generation Internet is to allocate services to nodes in the network. This problem, known as theservice placement problem, can be solved by layered graph approach. However, due to the existence of resource bottleneck, the requests are rejected from the beginning in the resource constrained network. In this paper we propose two iterative algorithms for efficient allocation of additional resources in order to improve the ratio of accepted service placement requests. To this end, we (1) introduce a new concept of sensitivity for each service node to locate the bottleneck node, (2) state the problem of allocating additional resources, and (3) use sensitivity to propose a simple iterative algorithm and an utilization-based iterative algorithm for efficient resource allocation. The performance of these two algorithms is evaluated by simulation experiments in a variety of parameter settings. The results show that the proposed algorithms increase request acceptance ratio significantly by allocating additional resources into the bottleneck node and links. The utilization-based iterative algorithm also decreases the long-term cost by making efficient use of additional resources.
Pressure Prediction of Coal Slurry Transportation Pipeline Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Kernel Function Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Yang Xue-cun , Yan Xiao-ru , Song Chun-feng
Published: August 2015

For coal slurry pipeline blockage prediction problem, through the analysis of actual scene, it is determined that the pressure prediction from each measuring point is the premise of pipeline blockage prediction. Kernel function of support vector machine is introduced into extreme learning machine, the parameters are optimized by particle swarm algorithm, and blockage prediction method based on particle swarm optimization kernel function extreme learning machine (PSOKELM) is put forward. The actual test data from HuangLing coal gangue power plant are used for simulation experiments and compared with support vector machine prediction model optimized by particle swarm algorithm (PSOSVM) and kernel function extreme learning machine prediction model (KELM). The results prove that mean square error (MSE) for the prediction model based on PSOKELM is 0.0038 and the correlation coefficient is 0.9955, which is superior to prediction model based on PSOSVM in speed and accuracy and superior to KELM prediction model in accuracy.
The X‐Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein Inhibitor Embelin Suppresses Inflammation and Bone Erosion in Collagen Antibody Induced Arthritis Mice
Authors: Dharmapatni Anak A. S. S. K. , Cantley Melissa D. , Marino Victor , Perilli Egon , Crotti Tania N. , Smith Malcolm D. , Haynes David R.
Published: August 2015

Objective. To investigate the effect of Embelin, an inhibitor of X‐Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP), on inflammation and bone erosion in a collagen antibody induced arthritis (CAIA) in mice. Methods. Four groups of mice (n = 6 per group) were allocated: CAIA untreated mice, CAIA treated with Prednisolone (10 mg/kg/day), CAIA treated with low dose Embelin (30 mg/kg/day), and CAIA treated with high dose Embelin (50 mg/kg/day). Joint inflammation was evaluated using clinical paw score and histological assessments. Bone erosion was assessed using micro‐CT, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, and serum carboxy‐terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX‐1) ELISA. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect XIAP protein. TUNEL was performed to identify apoptotic cells. Results. Low dose, but not high dose Embelin, suppressed inflammation as reflected by lower paw scores (P < 0.05) and lower histological scores for inflammation. Low dose Embelin reduced serum CTX‐1 (P < 0.05) and demonstrated lower histological score and TRAP counting, and slightly higher bone volume as compared to CAIA untreated mice. XIAP expression was not reduced but TUNEL positive cells were more abundant in Embelin treated CAIA mice. Conclusion. Low dose Embelin suppressed inflammation and serum CTX‐1 in CAIA mice, indicating a potential use for Embelin to treat pathological bone loss.
Nutri One-on-One: The Assessment and Evaluation of a Brief One-on-One Nutritional Coaching in Patients Affected by Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: King Jennifer , Harris Jeffrey E. , Kuo David , Daghigh Farzaneh
Published: August 2015

Nutri One-on-One was a program with the aim to positively modify medical clinic patients’ nutritional habits and lifestyles through a brief one-on-one health coaching session. Each session was conducted by utilizing motivational interviewing techniques to allow for tailored nutrition education and goal setting. These sessions were followed by a phone call to participants at 1 month following the session. The outcomes assessed were participant perception of achieving personal nutrition and lifestyle goals, retention of knowledge, and participants’ satisfaction with the program. Physicians working in the clinic were assessed for satisfaction with the program. Most of the physicians were generally satisfied with the program and found it to be an asset to their practice. Participants perceived that they achieved their goals, were pleased with the program, and retained knowledge.
Clinical Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Suan Zao Ren Tang, for Sleep Disturbance during Methadone Maintenance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Chan Yuan-Yu , Chen Yi-Hung , Yang Szu-Nian , Lo Wan-Yu , Lin Jaung-Geng
Published: August 2015

Methadone maintenance therapy is an effective treatment for opiate dependence, but more than three-quarters of persons receiving the treatment report sleep quality disturbances. In this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, we recruited 90 individuals receiving methadone for at least one month who reported sleep disturbances and had Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores > 5. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Suan Zao Ren Tang, one of the most commonly prescribed traditional Chinese medications for treatment of insomnia, improves subjective sleep among methadone-maintained persons with disturbed sleep quality. Ninety patients were randomly assigned to intervention group (n=45) and placebo group (n=45), and all participants were analyzed. Compared with placebo treatment, Suan Zao Ren Tang treatment for four weeks produced a statistically significant improvement in the mean total PSQI scores (P=0.007) and average sleep efficiency (P=0.017). All adverse events (e.g., lethargy, diarrhea, and dizziness) were mild in severity. Suan Zao Ren Tang is effective for improving sleep quality and sleep efficiency among methadone-maintained patients with sleep complaints.
Estimation of Local Delamination Buckling in Orthotropic Composite Plates Using Kirchhoff Plate Finite Elements
Authors: Juhász Zoltán , Szekrényes András
Published: August 2015

We analyse the buckling process of composite plates with through-the-width delamination and straight crack front applying uniaxial compression. We are focusing on the mixed mode buckling case, where the non-uniform distribution of the in-plane forces controls the occurence of the buckling of the delaminated layers. For the analysis, semi-discrete finite elements will be derived based on the Lèvy-type method. The method of harmonic balance is used for taking into account the force distribution that is generally non uniform in-plane.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the Management of Cervical Radiculopathy: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Wei Xu , Wang Shangquan , Li Jinxue , Gao Jinghua , Yu Jie , Feng Minshan , Zhu Liguo
Published: August 2015

Background. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely applied in the clinical practice of neck pain owing to cervical radiculopathy (CR). While many systematic reviews exist in CAM to improve CR, research is distributed across population, intervention, comparison, and setting.Objective. This overview aims to summarize the characteristics and evaluate critically the evidence from systematic reviews.Methods. A comprehensive literature search was performed in the six databases without language restrictions on February 24, 2015. We had identified relevant systematic reviews that examined the subjects with neck pain due to cervical radiculopathy undergoing CAM. Two authors independently appraised the methodological quality using the revised assessment of multiple systematic reviews instrument.Results. We had included eight systematic reviews. The effectiveness and safety of acupotomy, acupuncture, Jingfukang granule, manual therapies, and cervical spine manipulation were investigated. Based on available evidence, the systematic reviews supported various forms of CAM for CR. Nevertheless, the methodological quality for most of systematic reviews was low or moderate. In addition, adverse reactions of primary studies were infrequent.Conclusions. Current systematic reviews showed potential advantages to CAM for CR. Due to the frequently poor methodological quality of primary studies, the conclusions should be treated with caution for clinical practice.
A Fatal and Extremely Rare Obstetric Complication: Neglected Shoulder Presentation at Term Pregnancy
Authors: Cetin Orkun , Yolli Halise , Cim Numan , Yıldızhan Recep , Sahin Hanım Guler
Published: August 2015

Stillbirth is still an important problem for parents and healthcare providers worldwide. Nowadays, the neglected shoulder presentation is usually observed in developing countries and is associated with increased risk of fetomaternal morbidity and mortality. In recent years, there were limited reports about obstetric management of this serious complication in the literature. In this case report, we aimed at describing the neglected shoulder presentation at term pregnancy that caused fetal death and discussing management options for this rare obstetric complication during labor.
A Four-Year Hospital Journey for a Lost and Migrating Appendicolith
Authors: Schraffl Daniel , Frima Herman , Villiger P.
Published: August 2015

We report a rare case of recurrent abscess formation, including being at a retroperitoneal site, due to a lost and migrating appendicolith. Over a four-year period and following an episode of perforated appendicitis, an otherwise healthy young man underwent two operations for abscess formation with eventual stone removal. Appendicoliths can pose a challenge during the diagnostic and therapeutic journey, and adequate attempts at removal need to be made to prevent avoidable complications. In patients suffering from recurrent flank pain and abscesses after appendectomy, the possibility of a lost or overlooked appendicolith should be considered.
Gabapentin Treatment for Neuropathic Pain in a Child with Sciatic Nerve Injury
Authors: Akkurt Halil Ekrem , Gümüş Haluk , Göksu Hamit , Odabaşı Ömer Faruk , Yılmaz Halim
Published: August 2015

There are a restricted number of studies about usage of gabapentin for neuropathic pain treatment of pediatric patients. We shared a 12-year-old male case with severe neuropathic pain that hindered the rehabilitation programme for the loss of muscle power and movement limitation. Neuropathic pain developed after peripheral sciatic damage due to firearm traumatisation did not respond to other medical treatments but healed nearly completely after gabapentin usage.
Intratumoral CD3+ T-Lymphocytes Immunoexpression and Its Association with c-Kit, Angiogenesis, and Overall Survival in Malignant Canine Mammary Tumors
Authors: Carvalho Maria Isabel , Pires Isabel , Dias Marlene , Prada Justina , Gregório Hugo , Lobo Luis , Queiroga Felisbina
Published: August 2015

In this study 80 malignant CMT were submitted to immunohistochemical detection of CD3, c-kit, VEGF, and CD31, together with clinicopathological parameters of tumor aggressiveness. CD3+ T-cells and c-kit overexpression revealed a positive correlation with VEGF (r= 0.503,P< 0.0001;r= 0.284,P= 0.023 for CD3 and c-kit, resp.) and CD31 (r= 0.654,P< 0.0001;r= 0.365,P= 0.003 for CD3 and c-kit, resp.). A significant association (P= 0.039) and a positive correlation (r= 0.263,P= 0.039) between CD3 and c-kit were also observed. High CD3/VEGF, c-kit/VEGF, and CD3/c-kit tumors were associated with elevated grade of malignancy (P< 0.0001 for all groups), presence of intravascular emboli (P< 0.0001 for CD3/VEGF and CD3/c-kit;P= 0.002 for c-kit/VEGF), and presence of lymph node metastasis (P< 0.0001 for all groups). Tumors with high CD3/VEGF (P= 0.006), c-kit/VEGF (P< 0.0001), and CD3/c-kit (P= 0.002) were associated with poor prognosis. Interestingly high c-kit/VEGF tumors retained their significance by multivariate analysis arising as independent prognostic factor.
Luteolin Inhibits Angiotensin II-Stimulated VSMC Proliferation and Migration through Downregulation of Akt Phosphorylation
Authors: Xu Tongda , Zhu Hong , Li Dongye , Lang Yasong , Cao Lijuan , Liu Yang , Wu Wanling , Chen Dan
Published: August 2015

Luteolin is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many plants that possesses cardioprotective properties. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of luteolin on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and migration induced by Angiotensin II (Ang II) and to investigate the mechanism(s) of action of this compound. Rat VSMCs were culturedin vitro, and the proliferation and migration of these cells following Ang II stimulation were monitored. Different doses of luteolin were added to VSMC cultures, and the proliferation and migration rate were observed by MTT and Transwell chamber assays, respectively. In addition, the expressions of p-Akt (308), p-Akt (473), and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in VSMCs were monitored by Western blotting. This study demonstrated that luteolin has an inhibitory effect on Ang II-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. Further, the levels of p-Akt (308), p-Akt (473), and PCNA were reduced in VSMCs treated with both Ang II and luteolin compared to VSMCs treated with only Ang II. These findings strongly suggest that luteolin inhibits Ang II-stimulated proliferation and migration of VSMCs, which is partially due to downregulation of the Akt signaling pathway.
Using Metric Distance Ranking Method to Find Intuitionistic Fuzzy Critical Path
Authors: Jayagowri P. , Geetharamani G.
Published: August 2015

Network analysis is a technique which determines the various sequences of activities concerning a project and the project completion time. The popular methods of this technique which is widely used are the critical path method and program evaluation and review techniques. The aim of this paper is to present an analytical method for measuring the criticality in an (Atanassov) intuitionistic fuzzy project network. Vague parameters in the project network are represented by (Atanassov) intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. A metric distance ranking method for (Atanassov) intuitionistic fuzzy numbers to a critical path method is proposed. (Atanassov) Intuitionistic fuzzy critical length of the project network is found without converting the (Atanassov) intuitionistic fuzzy activity times to classical numbers. The fuzzified conversion of the problem has been discussed with the numerical example. We also apply four different ranking procedures and we compare it with metric distance ranking method. Comparison reveals that the proposed ranking method is better than other raking procedures.
Abstract 1123: Glutaminase inhibitors suppress pyrimidine synthesis and promote DNA replication stress in VHL-deficient human renal cancer cells
Authors: Okazaki Arimichi , Gameiro Paulo , Stephanopoulos Gregory , Iliopoulos Othon
Published: August 2015

Hypoxic and VHL-deficient cells use glutamine to generate citrate and lipids through reductive carboxylation (RC) of a-ketoglutarate. To gain insights into the role of HIF and the molecular mechanisms underlying RC, we took advantage of a panel of disease associated Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) mutants and showed that HIF2a expression is necessary and sufficient for the induction of RC in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells. Reductive carboxylation can be detected in vivo. HIF2a-mediated glutamine metabolism is induced by low intracellular citrate levels, which promote the reductive flux by mass action to maintain lipogenesis.

In addition to being a source of lipogenic acetyl-CoA, glutamine can be used in the Krebs cycle to generate aspartate - the carbon source for pyrimidine biosynthesis. We showed that VHL-deficient RCC cells rely on RC-derived aspartate to maintain de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. Pharmacological inhibition of glutaminase (GLS) by the commercially available glutaminase inhibitor BPTES and a glutaminase inhibitor which is in Phase I clinical study (CB-839, Calithera Biosciences Inc) depleted the levels of pyrimidines in VHL-deficient cells but not in VHL-reconstituted cells, which utilized glucose oxidation to supply the aspartate pool. Nucleoside depletion activates an intra-S-phase checkpoint corresponding to DNA replication stress and suppressed S-phase transition in VHL-deficient RCC cells. DNA replication stress was rescued by administration of glutamate or dimethyl-alpha-ketoglutarate. Addition of nucleobases partially rescued the effect of glutaminase inhibitors on cell growth.

Our data suggest that glutaminase inhibitors suppress de novo pyrimidine synthesis, leading to DNA replication stress in VHL-deficient RCC cells. We currently test the hypothesis that this mechanistic insight may allow the development of novel therapeutic strategies for RCC by combining glutaminase inhibitors with drugs promoting DNA replication stress.

Citation Format: Arimichi Okazaki, Paulo Gameiro, Gregory Stephanopoulos, Othon Iliopoulos. Glutaminase inhibitors suppress pyrimidine synthesis and promote DNA replication stress in VHL-deficient human renal cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1123. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1123
Abstract 137: PAK1 modulates a PPARγ/NF-κB cascade in intestinal inflammation
Authors: Dammann Kyle , Khare Vineeta , Lang Michaela , Claudel Thierry , Harpain Felix , Granofszky Nicolas , Evstatiev Rayko , Williams Jonathan M. , Pritchard D. Mark , Watson Alastair , Gasche Christoph
Published: August 2015

Background & Aims: P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are multifunctional effectors of Rho GTPases with both kinase and scaffolding activity. Here, we investigated the effects of inflammation on PAK1 signaling in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and its role in colitis-associated carcinogenesis (CAC). Methods: PAK1 and p-PAK1 (Thr423) were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, and Western blot. C57BL6/J wildtype mice were treated with a single i.p. TNFα injection. Small intestinal organoids from these mice and from PAK1-KO mice were cultured with TNFα. NF-κB and PPARγ were analyzed upon PAK1 overexpression and silencing. All data are mean±SD. Results: IHC revealed PAK1 expression increased from 2.8±1.6 in normal mucosa to 5.2±1.4 in CD, 6.0±1.7 in UC, and 8.8±1.0 in CAC. In UC, PAK1 activation increased at the luminal intestinal epithelial surface from 1.3±1.4 to 5.0±2.3. In primary colon epithelial cells, PAK1 was phosphorylated upon treatment with IFNγ, IL-1β, and TNFα. In vivo, mice administered with TNFα showed increased p-PAK1 from 4.3±1.0 to 9.9±0.1 in intestinal villi, which co-localized with NF-κB activation. Indeed, p65 nuclear translocation downstream of TNFα was strongly inhibited in PAK1-KO small intestinal organoids. PAK1 overexpression induced a PAK1-p65 interaction as visualized by co-immunoprecipitation, nuclear p65 translocation, and increased NF-κB transactivation four fold, all of which were impeded upon kinase-dead PAK1. Also PAK1 overexpression downregulated PPARγ mRNA levels from 1 to 0.4±0.1 and mesalamine recovered PPARγ to 0.8±0.04 through PAK1 inhibition. On the other hand PAK1 silencing inhibited NF-κB transactivation from 1 to 0.1±0.02, which was recovered upon the PPARγ antagonist BADGE to 0.5±0.1. Conclusions: Altogether these data demonstrate that PAK1 overexpression and activation in IBD and CAC promote NF-κB activity via suppression of PPARγ in intestinal epithelial cells.

Citation Format: Kyle Dammann, Vineeta Khare, Michaela Lang, Thierry Claudel, Felix Harpain, Nicolas Granofszky, Rayko Evstatiev, Jonathan M. Williams, D. Mark Pritchard, Alastair Watson, Christoph Gasche. PAK1 modulates a PPARγ/NF-κB cascade in intestinal inflammation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 137. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-137
Abstract 1567: A mass spectrometry based serum test for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high risk patients
Authors: Mahalingam Devalingam , Washburn William K. , Halff Glenn , Chelis Leonidas , Kakolyris Stylianos , Vradelis Stylianos , Grigorieva Julia , Oliveira Carlos , Roder Heinrich , Roder Joanna
Published: August 2015

Improved screening protocols (SP) for patients at high risk of developing HCC could lead to improved patient outcome and possibly cure if detected early. The current SPs, ultrasound with the possible addition of alphafetoprotein (AFP) measurement, suffer from insufficient sensitivity and specificity, and less than 30% of patients are diagnosed early enough to be suitable candidates for resection or transplantation. An easy to use biomarker for the early detection of HCC is clearly needed.

We used mass spectrometry analysis of serum samples combined with specialized deep learning techniques to train and validate such a test. The development cohort consisted of patients undergoing transplant or resection for HCC (N = 52; median MELD = 14), and patients with advanced cirrhosis undergoing liver transplant (N = 53; median MELD = 25). Underlying cause of liver disease was 51% hepatitis C infection. The validation cohort consisted of patients with advanced HCC (N = 103; 70/26/7 Child-Pugh A/B/C) and liver disease but no HCC (N = 77; 68/7/2 Child-Pugh A/B/C), with 68% of patients having hepatitis B infection (HBV). The classifier was trained especially to avoid confounding by liver function.

The resulting test showed a sensitivity/specificity of 73%/95% in cross validation in the development set overall. In the subset of T1 patients (or lesion size <2 cm) accuracy was 72% (75%). Performance was good across all represented causes of liver disease. The test was shown not to be confounded by liver function by classifying healthy patients (N = 17) as ‘no cancer’. In the validation set the performance was 89%/73%, with 91%/78% in the HBV subgroup and 90%/75% in the Child-Pugh A subgroup.

The developed test shows promise in the early detection of HCC as a screening tool in high risk patients independent of the cause of underlying liver disease. While further validation will be necessary to conclusively prove its clinical validity, we believe such a test could substantially improve early detection of HCC.

Citation Format: Devalingam Mahalingam, William K. Washburn, Glenn Halff, Leonidas Chelis, Stylianos Kakolyris, Stylianos Vradelis, Julia Grigorieva, Carlos Oliveira, Heinrich Roder, Joanna Roder. A mass spectrometry based serum test for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high risk patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1567. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1567
Abstract 1573: miR-Test: a blood test for lung cancer early detection
Authors: Montani Francesca , Marzi Matteo Jacopo , Dezi Fabio , Dama Elisa , Carletti Rose Mary , Bonizzi Giuseppina , Bertolotti Raffaella , Bellomi Massimo , Rampinelli Cristiano , Maisonneuve Patrick , Spaggiari Lorenzo , Veronesi Giulia , Nicassio Francesco , Di Fiore Pier Paolo , Bianchi Fabrizio
Published: August 2015

Background:

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. As lung cancer is asymptomatic in its early stages, the majority of patients are diagnosed with advanced disease, when the tumor is unresectable. Consequently, the survival rate is very low: 15% at 5 years. It is vital, therefore, that screening programs and novel diagnostic tools are developed, which will increase the detection of lung cancer in its early stages (stage I-II), when the tumor is still curable, to reduce lung cancer mortality. Recently, we described a serum microRNA signature diagnostic for asymptomatic, early stage, lung cancer. The availability of reliable biomarkers to identify high-risk individuals might help to reduce the size of the target population for LDCT-based programs, thereby reducing costs and probably increasing compliance

Methods:

We performed a large-scale validation study of a miRNA blood test based on our signature (the miR-Test) in a population of high-risk individuals (N = 1115) enrolled in the lung cancer screening program COSMOS (Continuous Observation of SMOking Subjects), and other 74 lung cancer patients diagnosed outside of screening.

Results:

The miR-Test showed overall accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of 75%, 78%, and 75%, respectively, with an AUC of 0.85. The test appears to have a dual origin: the first from epithelial cells (the epithelial-like component); the second from cells of hematopoietic origin (the inflammatory-like component). Of note, we found that both components are needed to maintain a good performance of the miR-Test.

Conclusions:

The relatively high sensitivity of the miR-Test in detecting asymptomatic lung cancer and its high negative predictive value (NPV > 99%), confirm the effectiveness of the test, both interms of its ability to identify asymptomatic lung cancer patients and to reduce significantly unnecessary CTs on healthy individuals.

Citation Format: Francesca Montani, Matteo Jacopo Marzi, Fabio Dezi, Elisa Dama, Rose Mary Carletti, Giuseppina Bonizzi, Raffaella Bertolotti, Massimo Bellomi, Cristiano Rampinelli, Patrick Maisonneuve, Lorenzo Spaggiari, Giulia Veronesi, Francesco Nicassio, Pier Paolo Di Fiore, Fabrizio Bianchi. miR-Test: a blood test for lung cancer early detection. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1573. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1573