bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quercetin Attenuates Vascular Calcification through Suppressed Oxidative Stress in Adenine-Induced Chronic Renal Failure Rats
Authors: Chang Xue-ying , Cui Lei , Wang Xing-zhi , Zhang Lei , Zhu Dan , Zhou Xiao-rong , Hao Li-rong
Published: June 2017

Background.This study investigated whether quercetin could alleviate vascular calcification in experimental chronic renal failure rats induced by adenine.Methods.32 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups fed normal diet, normal diet with quercetin supplementation (25 mg/kg·BW/d), 0.75% adenine diet, or adenine diet with quercetin supplementation. All rats were sacrificed after 6 weeks of intervention. Serum renal functions biomarkers and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured and status of vascular calcification in aorta was assessed. Furthermore, the induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)/p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) pathway was determined to explore the potential mechanism.Results.Adenine successfully induced renal failure and vascular calcification in rat model. Quercetin supplementation reversed unfavorable changes of phosphorous, uric acid (UA) and creatinine levels, malonaldehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum and the increases of calcium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the aorta (P<0.05) and attenuated calcification and calcium accumulation in the medial layer of vasculature in histopathology. Western blot analysis showed that iNOS/p38MAPK pathway was normalized by the quercetin supplementation.Conclusions.Quercetin exerted a protective effect on vascular calcification in adenine-induced chronic renal failure rats, possibly through the modulation of oxidative stress and iNOs/p38MAPK pathway.
Urban Lead: Modeling Its Distribution and Effects on Children
Authors: Chen Zhixiong , Ding Yi , Getz Andrew , Lipat Bernard
Published: June 2017

We model the transportation of lead from the atmosphere and from the surface of the soil simultaneously at the macroscale and mesoscale to study its health effects on children in Jersey City, NJ. We conceptualize Jersey City as an open system where lead is continuously emitted from a local smelting plant and a local power plant, deposited onto the surface soil of playgrounds, and ingested by children. The model is constructed using the diffusion-advection partial differential equation in three spatial dimensions and one temporal dimension with an initial condition and boundary conditions. The model is solved using the Crank-Nicolson numerical method at the macroscale to determine the deposition of lead from the smelting plant and the local power plant and at the mesoscale to refine the amount of lead deposition for the areas considered. We then determine the health consequences for the average child using the bioaccessibility of lead from soil to children, the bioavailability of ingested lead to the circulatory system, and the biological half-life of lead isotopes in the blood. The health effects on children from lead are directly proportional to the blood lead concentration.
Electrical and Vibrational Studies of Na2K2Cu(MoO4)3
Authors: Dridi Wassim , Zid Mohamed Faouzi , Maczka Miroslaw
Published: June 2017

The complex impedance of Na2K2Cu(MoO4)3 material has been investigated in the temperature range of 653–753 K and in the frequency range of 40 Hz–5 MHz. Electrical behavior of the studied material is explained through an equivalent circuit model which takes into account the contributions of grains and grains boundaries. The number of vibrational modes was calculated using group theoretical approach. The infrared and Raman spectra have also been measured and vibrational assignment has been proposed.
Excitation Spectrum of the Néel Ensemble of Antiferromagnetic Nanoparticles as Revealed in Mössbauer Spectroscopy
Authors: Chuev Mikhail A.
Published: June 2017

The excitation spectrum of the Néel ensemble of antiferromagnetic nanoparticles with uncompensated magnetic moment is deduced in the two-sublattice approximation following the exact solution of equations of motion for magnetizations of sublattices. This excitation spectrum represents four excitation branches corresponding to the normal modes of self-consistent regular precession of magnetizations of sublattices and the continuous spectrum of nutations of magnetizations accompanying these normal modes. Nontrivial shape of the excitation spectrum as a function of the value of uncompensated magnetic moment corresponds completely to the quantum-mechanical calculations earlier performed. This approach allows one to describe also Mössbauer absorption spectra of slowly relaxing antiferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic nanoparticles and, in particular, to give a phenomenological interpretation of macroscopic quantum effects observed earlier in experimental absorption spectra and described within the quantum-mechanical representation.
The Effect of Lumbar Disc Herniation on Spine Loading Characteristics during Trunk Flexion and Two Types of Picking Up Activities
Authors: Kuai Shengzheng , Liu Weiqiang , Ji Run , Zhou Wenyu
Published: June 2017

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the compensatory response of the muscle activities of seventeen major muscle groups in the spinal region, intradiscal forces of the five lumbar motion segment units (MSUs), and facet forces acting on the ten lumbar facet joints in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Twenty-six healthy adults and seven LDH patients performed trunk flexion, ipsilateral picking up, and contralateral picking up in sequence. Eight optical markers were placed on the landmarks of the pelvis and spinal process. The coordinates of these markers were captured to drive a musculoskeletal model to calculate the muscle activities, intradiscal forces, and facet forces. The muscle activities of the majority of the seventeen major muscle groups were found increases in LDH patients. In addition, the LDH patients displayed larger compressive forces and anteroposterior forces on all the five lumbar MSUs and more lumbar facet inventions on most facet joints. These findings suggest that the LDH patients demonstrate compensatory increases in the most trunk muscle activities and all spinal loads. These negative compensatory responses increase the risk of the aggravation of disc herniation. Therefore, treatment should intervene as earlier as possible for the severe LDH patients.
Production of a Functional Frozen Yogurt Fortified with Bifidobacterium spp.
Authors: Abdelazez Amro , Muhammad Zafarullah , Zhang Qiu-Xue , Zhu Zong-Tao , Abdelmotaal Heba , Sami Rokayya , Meng Xiang-Chen
Published: June 2017

Frozen dairy products have characteristics of both yogurt and ice cream and could be the persuasive carriers of probiotics. Functions of the frozen yogurt containing viable bifidobacterial cells are recognized and favored by the people of all ages. We developed a kind of yogurt supplemented by Bifidobacterium species. Firstly, five strains of Bifidobacterium spp. (Bifidobacterium bifidum ATCC 11547, Bifidobacterium longum ATCC 11549, Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC 11551, Bifidobacterium adolescentis ATCC 11550, and Bifidobacterium breve ATCC 11548) were evaluated based on the feasibility criteria of probiotics, comprising acid production, bile tolerance, and adhesion to epithelial cells. Formerly, we combined the optimum strains with yogurt culture (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus EMCC 11102 and Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus EMCC 11044) for producing frozen yogurt. Finally, physiochemical properties and sensory evaluation of the frozen yogurt were investigated during storage of 60 days at −18°C. Results directed that Bifidobacterium adolescentis ATCC 11550 and Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC 11551 could be utilized with yogurt culture for producing frozen yogurt. Moreover, the frozen yogurt fermented by two bifidobacterial strains and yogurt culture gained the high evaluation in the physiochemical properties and sensory evaluation. In summary, our results revealed that there was no significant difference between frozen yogurt fermented by Bifidobacterium spp. and yogurt culture and that fermented by yogurt culture only.
Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty for Ureteropelvic Junctions Obstruction in Adults: 6 Years’ Experience in One Center
Authors: Tolstrup Rikke Søgaard , Pank Marie Thue , Sander Lotte , Dørflinger Torben
Published: June 2017

Objective. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a common cause of symptomatic ureteral obstruction. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of laparoscopic pyeloplasty in patients with UPJO. Patients and Methods. Medical reports of 47 UPJO patients treated with laparoscopic pyeloplasty were retrospectively analysed. All patients were recruited from our center in the period 2004–2011. Results. We evaluated 47 patients. Mean age was 36 years and mean hospital stay 3.6 days. 42 (79%) of the patients had pain and 46 (98%) were diagnosed with hydronephrosis. 19 patients (40%) had a renal function below 40% of the affected kidney and 49% had impaired renal scan drainage. Postoperative significant improvement in pain score and renal scan drainage was found in 92% and 47% of the patients, respectively. Improvement of renal function > 10% was found in 11 patients (23%); the function remained stable in 31 patients (66%) and deteriorated > 10% in 5 patients (11%). We found no correlation between sex or age and the outcome. Conclusion. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty for UPJO leads to relief of pain and preserved or improved renal function in the majority of the patients. Overall laparoscopic pyeloplasty is an efficient treatment for UPJO.
Psychosis Crisis Associated with Thyrotoxicosis due to Graves’ Disease
Authors: Urias-Uribe Lilibet , Valdez-Solis Emmanuel , González-Milán Claudia , Ramírez-Rentería Claudia , Ferreira-Hermosillo Aldo
Published: June 2017

We present the case of a patient with previous psychiatric illness, acutely exacerbated by thyroid storm due to Graves’ disease, in whom treatment with antipsychotics induced catatonia. These associations are extremely rare and may be confused with Hashimoto’s encephalopathy, especially in the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid. The treatment consists in the control of the triggering disease (in this case the resolution of the thyrotoxicosis) and the use of benzodiazepines. However, in some cases, the resolution of psychiatric symptoms is partial and may require the use of electroconvulsive therapy.
Overlapping Signal Separation Method Using Superresolution Technique Based on Experimental Echo Shape
Authors: Al-Oudatallah Jihad , Abboud Fariz , Khoury Mazen , Ibrahim Hassan
Published: June 2017

Overlapping signals separation is a difficult problem, where time windowing is unable to separate signals overlapping in time and frequency domain filtering is unable to separate signals with overlapping spectra. In this work, a simulation under MATLAB is implemented to illustrate the concept of overlapping signals. We propose an approach for resolving overlapping signals based on Fourier transform and inverse Fourier transform. The proposed approach is tested under MATLAB, and the simulation results validate the effectiveness and the accuracy of the proposed approach. The approach is developed using Gerchberg superresolution technique to cope with signals with low signal-to-noise ratio. For practical work, an echo shape determination is required to apply the proposed technique. The experimental results show accurate localization of multiple targets.
A Novel Capillary Electrophoresis-Based High-Throughput Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction System for the Simultaneous Detection of Nine Pathogens in Swine
Authors: Wu Xu-long , Xiao Lu , Lin Hua , Yang Miao , Chen Shi-jie , An Wei , Wang Yin , Yao Xue-ping , Yang Ze-xiao , Tang Zi-zhong
Published: June 2017

Here we aimed to develop a capillary electrophoresis-based high-throughput multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system for the simultaneous detection of nine pathogens in swine. Nine pairs of specific primers and a set of universal primers were designed; the multiplex PCR was established. The specificity and cross-reactivity of this assay were examined, and the detection limit was determined using serial 10-fold dilutions of plasmids containing the target sequences. The assay was further tested using 144 clinical samples. We found that the nine specific amplification peaks were observed, and the assay had a high degree of specificity, without nonspecific amplification. The simultaneous detection limit for the nine viruses reached 10000 copies μL−1 when all of the premixed viral targets were present. Seventy-seven of the clinical samples tested positive for at least one of the viruses; the principal viral infections in the clinical samples were porcine circovirus type 2 and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. This approach has much potential for further development of high-throughput detection tools for the diagnosis of diseases in animals.
Fat-Soluble Vitamin Deficiency in Pediatric Patients with Biliary Atresia
Authors: Dong Rui , Sun Song , Liu Xiao-Zhou , Shen Zhen , Chen Gong , Zheng Shan
Published: June 2017

Objective. To analyze the levels of fat-soluble vitamins (FSVs) in pediatric patients with biliary atresia (BA) before and after the Kasai procedure.Methods. Pediatric patients with obstructive jaundice were enrolled in this study. The FSV levels and liver function before, 2 weeks after, and 1, 3, and 6 months after the Kasai procedure were measured.Results. FSV deficiency was more obvious in patients with BA than in patients with other cholestatic liver diseases, especially vitamin D deficiency. 25-Hydroxy vitamin D (25-(OH)D) deficiency was more pronounced in younger patients before surgery. The 25-(OH)D level was significantly higher in patients with than without resolution of jaundice 3 months after surgery. At 6 months after surgery, the 25-(OH)D level was abnormally high at 8.76 ng/ml in patients with unresolved jaundice.Conclusions. Preoperative FSV deficiency, particularly vitamin D deficiency, is common in patients with BA. 25-(OH)D deficiency is more pronounced in younger children before surgery. Postoperative FSV deficiency was still prevalent as shown by the lower 25-(OH)D levels in patients with BA and unresolved jaundice. This required long-term vitamin AD supplementation for pediatric patients with BA and unresolved jaundice after surgery.
Jugular Venous Reflux Is Associated with Perihematomal Edema after Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Feng Hao , Zhang Hongxia , He Wen , Zhou Jian , Zhao Xingquan
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine whether jugular venous reflux (JVR) is associated with perihematomal edema (PHE) in individuals with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH within 72 h of symptom onset were enrolled. Baseline brain computed tomography (CT) scan was performed, with a follow-up CT examination at 12 ± 3 days after onset. Jugular venous color Doppler ultrasound was performed at 12 ± 3 days after onset to examine the JVR status. A total of 65 patients with ICH were enrolled. In logistic regression analysis, absolute PHE volume was significantly associated with JVR (OR, 5.46; 95% CI, 1.04–28.63; p=0.044) and baseline hematoma volume (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.03–1.26; p=0.009) within 72 h of onset. It was also correlated with JVR (OR, 15.32; 95% CI, 2.52–92.99; p=0.003) and baseline hematoma volume (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04–1.24; p=0.006) at 12 ± 3 days after onset. In a similar manner, relative PHE volume was significantly associated with JVR (OR, 14.85; 95% CI, 3.28–67.17; p<0.001) within 72 h of onset and at 12 ± 3 days after onset (OR, 5.87; 95% CI, 1.94–17.77; p=0.002). JVR is associated with both absolute and relative PHE volumes after ICH.
Deep-Buried Triassic Oil-Source Correlation in the Central Junggar Basin, NW China
Authors: Wu Ming , Jin Jun , Ma Wanyun , Xiang Baoli , Zhou Ni , Ren Jiangling , Cao Jian
Published: June 2017

Whether there is an effective deep-buried lacustrine Triassic petroleum system in the Junggar Basin, NW China, has been enigmatic and debated for a long time. Here we conduct an oil-source correlation to address this issue. Results show that the extracted bitumens from the Triassic mudstones in the central basin have distinctive stable carbon isotope and biomarker compositions compared to the Permian-sourced and Jurassic-sourced hydrocarbons, the other two recognized sources in the study area. These characteristics include δ13C value of -30.46~-26.30‰, β-carotane/maximum n-alkane of 0.22–0.41, Pr/Ph of 1.00–1.51, C24 tetracyclic terpane/C26 tricyclic terpane of 0.43–0.96, Ts/Tm of 0.34–0.64, gammacerane/C30 hopane of 0.10–0.14, and regular steranes C27 > C28 < C29 with C29 sterane in dominance (40–50%). These suggest that the Triassic mudstones in the study area host fresh lacustrine organic matters with high input of higher plants. The Triassic-reservoired crude oils and extracts can be divided into two types. Through oil-source correlation, we infer that both type A and type B oils are derived from mixed Permian and Triassic source rocks. Linear regression analysis shows that the contribution from Triassic mudstones to type A and B oils is 67% and 31%, respectively. This implies that the deep-buried Triassic lacustrine mudstones in the Junggar Basin may have some oil-generation potential and thus might represent a new case of Triassic petroleum systems in China and deserves a more detailed and thorough study in future exploration and exploitation.
Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking for Keratoconus: Systematic Review
Authors: Kobashi Hidenaga , Rong Shi Song
Published: June 2017

Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy of collagen cross-linking (CXL) one year after treatment for keratoconus compared to no treatment by summarizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using a systematic review. Methods. Trials meeting the selection criteria were quality appraised, and the data were extracted by two independent authors. The outcome parameters included maximum keratometry (Kmax), corneal thickness at the thinnest point, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), spherical equivalent (SE) refraction, and cylindrical refraction one year after CXL. We compared the changes in the above parameters with the control group. Results. We identified five RCTs involving 289 eyes that met the eligibility criteria for this systematic review. The changes in BSCVA from baseline to one year exhibited a significant difference between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for changes in corneal thickness and cylindrical refraction. We did not conduct a meta-analysis in Kmax, UCVA, and SE refraction because their I2 values were greater than 50%. Conclusions. According to the systematic review, CXL may be effective in halting the progression of keratoconus for one year under certain conditions, although evidence is limited due to the significant heterogeneity and paucity of RCTs.
Modeling and Characterization of the Uplink and Downlink Exposure in Wireless Networks
Authors: Krayni Anis , Hadjem Abdelhamid , Vermeeren Günter , Sibille Alain , Roblin Christophe , Joseph Wout , Martens Luc , Wiart Joe
Published: June 2017

This paper deals with a new methodology to assess the exposure induced by both uplink and downlink of a cellular network using 3D electromagnetic simulations. It aims to analyze together the exposure induced by a personal device (uplink exposure) and that induced by a base station (downlink exposure). The study involved the major parameters contributing to variability and uncertainty in exposure assessment, such as the user’s posture, the type of wireless device, and the propagation environment. Our approach is relying basically on the modeling of the power radiated by the personal device and the ambient electric field, while taking into account the effects of human body shadowing and the propagation channel fluctuations. The exposure assessment as well as the human-wave interactions has been simulated using the finite difference in time domain method (FDTD). In uplink scenarios, four FDTD simulations were performed with a child model, used in two postures (sitting and standing) and in two usage scenarios (voice and data), which aimed to examine the exposure induced by a mobile phone and a tablet emitting, respectively, at 900 MHz and 1940 MHz. In the downlink scenario, a series of FDTD simulations of an exposure to a single plane wave and multiplane waves have been conducted, and an efficient metamodeling of the exposure using the Polynomial Chaos approach has been developed.
On a Singular Second-Order Multipoint Boundary Value Problem at Resonance
Authors: Iyase S. A. , Imaga O. F.
Published: June 2017

The aim of this paper is to derive existence results for a second-order singular multipoint boundary value problem at resonance using coincidence degree arguments.
Finite Element Analysis of Bend Test of Sandwich Structures Using Strain Energy Based Homogenization Method
Authors: Ijaz Hassan , Saleem Waqas , Zain-ul-Abdein Muhammad , Mabrouki Tarek , Rubaiee Saeed , Salmeen Bin Mahfouz Abdullah
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this article is to present a simplified methodology for analysis of sandwich structures using the homogenization method. This methodology is based upon the strain energy criterion. Normally, sandwich structures are composed of hexagonal core and face sheets and a complete and complex hexagonal core is modeled for finite element (FE) structural analysis. In the present work, the hexagonal core is replaced by a simple equivalent volume for FE analysis. The properties of an equivalent volume were calculated by taking a single representative cell for the entire core structure and the analysis was performed to determine the effective elastic orthotropic modulus of the equivalent volume. Since each elemental cell of the hexagonal core repeats itself within the in-plane direction, periodic boundary conditions were applied to the single cell to obtain the more realistic values of effective modulus. A sandwich beam was then modeled using determined effective properties. 3D FE analysis of Three- and Four-Point Bend Tests (3PBT and 4PBT) for sandwich structures having an equivalent polypropylene honeycomb core and Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) composite face sheets are performed in the present study. The authenticity of the proposed methodology has been verified by comparing the simulation results with the experimental bend test results on hexagonal core sandwich beams.
Peritransplant Soluble CD30 as a Risk Factor for Slow Kidney Allograft Function, Early Acute Rejection, Worse Long-Term Allograft Function, and Patients’ Survival
Authors: Trailin Andriy V. , Ostapenko Tetyana I. , Nykonenko Tamara N. , Nesterenko Svitlana N. , Nykonenko Olexandr S.
Published: June 2017

Background.We aimed to determine whether serum soluble CD30 (sCD30) could identify recipients at high risk for unfavorable early and late kidney transplant outcomes.Methods.Serum sCD30 was measured on the day of kidney transplantation and on the 4th day posttransplant. We assessed the value of these measurements in predicting delayed graft function, slow graft function (SGF), acute rejection (AR), pyelonephritis, decline of allograft function after 6 months, and graft and patient survival during 5 years of follow-up in 45 recipients.Results.We found the association between low pretransplant serum levels of sCD30 and SGF. The absence of significant decrease of sCD30 on the 4th day posttransplant was characteristic for SGF, early AR (the 8th day–6 months), late AR (>6 months), and early pyelonephritis (the 8th day–2 months). Lower pretransplant and posttransplant sCD30 predicted worse allograft function at 6 months and 2 years, respectively. Higher pretransplant sCD30 was associated with higher frequency of early AR, and worse patients’ survival, but only in the recipients of deceased-donor graft. Pretransplant sCD30 also allowed to differentiate patients with early pyelonephritis and early AR.Conclusions.Peritransplant sCD30 is useful in identifying patients at risk for unfavorable early and late transplant outcomes.
H∞ Filtering for Discrete‐Time Nonlinear Singular Systems with Quantization
Authors: Feng Yifu , Li Zhi-Min , Chang Xiao-Heng
Published: June 2017

This paper investigates the problem of filtering for class discrete‐time Lipschitz nonlinear singular systems with measurement quantization. Assume that the system measurement output is quantized by a static, memoryless, and logarithmic quantizer before it is transmitted to the filter, while the quantizer errors can be treated as sector‐bound uncertainties. The attention of this paper is focused on the design of a nonlinear quantized filter to mitigate quantization effects and ensure that the filtering error system is admissible (asymptotically stable, regular, and causal), while having a unique solution with a prescribed noise attenuation level. By introducing some slack variables and using the Lyapunov stability theory, some sufficient conditions for the existence of the nonlinear quantized filter are expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, a numerical example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed quantized filter design method.
Fault Feature Extraction and Diagnosis of Gearbox Based on EEMD and Deep Briefs Network
Authors: Chen Kai , Zhou Xin-Cong , Fang Jun-Qiang , Zheng Peng-fei , Wang Jun
Published: June 2017

A gear transmission system is a complex nonstationary and nonlinear time-varying coupling system. When faults occur on gear system, it is difficult to extract the fault feature. In this paper, a novel fault diagnosis method based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and Deep Briefs Network (DBN) is proposed to treat the vibration signals measured from gearbox. The original data is decomposed into a set of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) using EEMD, and then main IMFs were chosen for reconstructed signal to suppress abnormal interference from noise. The reconstructed signals were regarded as input of DBN to identify gearbox working states and fault types. To verify the effectiveness of the EEMD-DBN in detecting the faults, a series of gear fault simulate experiments at different states were carried out. Results showed that the proposed method which coupled EEMD and DBN can improve the accuracy of gear fault identification and it is capable of applying to fault diagnosis in practical application.
A New Class of Contraction inb-Metric Spaces and Applications
Authors: Kaushik Preeti , Kumar Sanjay , Tas Kenan
Published: June 2017

A novel class ofα-β-contraction for a pair of mappings is introduced in the setting ofb-metric spaces. Existence and uniqueness of coincidence and common fixed points for such kind of mappings are investigated. Results are supported with relevant examples. At the end, results are applied to find the solution of an integral equation.
A Machine Learning and Cross-Validation Approach for the Discrimination of Vegetation Physiognomic Types Using Satellite Based Multispectral and Multitemporal Data
Authors: Sharma Ram C. , Hara Keitarou , Hirayama Hidetake
Published: June 2017

This paper presents the performance and evaluation of a number of machine learning classifiers for the discrimination between the vegetation physiognomic classes using the satellite based time-series of the surface reflectance data. Discrimination of six vegetation physiognomic classes, Evergreen Coniferous Forest, Evergreen Broadleaf Forest, Deciduous Coniferous Forest, Deciduous Broadleaf Forest, Shrubs, and Herbs, was dealt with in the research. Rich-feature data were prepared from time-series of the satellite data for the discrimination and cross-validation of the vegetation physiognomic types using machine learning approach. A set of machine learning experiments comprised of a number of supervised classifiers with different model parameters was conducted to assess how the discrimination of vegetation physiognomic classes varies with classifiers, input features, and ground truth data size. The performance of each experiment was evaluated by using the 10-fold cross-validation method. Experiment using the Random Forests classifier provided highest overall accuracy (0.81) and kappa coefficient (0.78). However, accuracy metrics did not vary much with experiments. Accuracy metrics were found to be very sensitive to input features and size of ground truth data. The results obtained in the research are expected to be useful for improving the vegetation physiognomic mapping in Japan.
Obstacles, Opportunities and Priorities for Advancing Metastatic Breast Cancer Research
Authors: Flowers Margaret , Birkey Reffey Stephanie , Mertz Shirley A. , Hurlbert Marc
Published: June 2017

In January 2016, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance (the Alliance) convened a think tank of stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and patient advocacy to discuss gaps and opportunities in clinical and translational research in metastatic breast cancer. Priorities that emerged from the meeting included the following: the need for innovative preclinical model systems to study metastatic disease; increased sharing of resources and data; collaboration across cancer care teams and scientists; biorepositories for studies to identify biomarkers for treatment response; creation of patient registries to increase access to clinical trials and tissue procurement; and redesign of clinical trials in metastatic breast cancer. Cancer Res; 77(13); 3386–90. ©2017 AACR.
Germline Genetic Variants and Lung Cancer Survival in African Americans
Authors: Jones Carissa C. , Bush William S. , Crawford Dana C. , Wenzlaff Angela S. , Schwartz Ann G. , Wiencke John K. , Wrensch Margaret R. , Blot William J. , Chanock Stephen J. , Grogan Eric L. , Aldrich Melinda C.
Published: June 2017

Background: African Americans have the highest lung cancer mortality in the United States. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of germline variants influencing lung cancer survival have not yet been conducted with African Americans. We examined five previously reported GWAS catalog variants and explored additional genome-wide associations among African American lung cancer cases.

Methods: Incident non–small cell lung cancer cases (N = 286) in the Southern Community Cohort Study were genotyped on the Illumina HumanExome BeadChip. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall mortality. Two independent African American studies (N = 316 and 298) were used for replication.

Results: One previously reported variant, rs1878022 on 12q23.3, was significantly associated with mortality (HR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.54–0.92). Replication findings were in the same direction, although attenuated (HR = 0.87 and 0.94). Meta-analysis had a HR of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.71–0.97). Analysis of common variants identified an association between chromosome 6q21.33 and mortality (HR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.33–0.66).

Conclusions: We identified an association between rs1878022 in CMKLR1 and lung cancer survival. However, our results in African Americans have a different direction of effect compared with a prior study in European Americans, suggesting a different genetic architecture or presence of gene–environment interactions. We also identified variants on chromosome 6 within the gene-rich HLA region, which has been previously implicated in lung cancer risk and survival.

Impact: We found evidence that inherited genetic risk factors influence lung cancer survival in African Americans. Replication in additional populations is necessary to confirm potential genetic differences in lung cancer survival across populations. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(8); 1288–95. ©2017 AACR.
Inhibition of Hsp90 Suppresses PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling and Has Antitumor Activity in Burkitt Lymphoma
Authors: Giulino-Roth Lisa , van Besien Herman J. , Dalton Tanner , Totonchy Jennifer E. , Rodina Anna , Taldone Tony , Bolaender Alexander , Erdjument-Bromage Hediye , Sadek Jouliana , Chadburn Amy , Barth Matthew J. , Dela Cruz Filemon S. , Rainey Allison , Kung Andrew L. , Chiosis Gabriela , Cesarman Ethel
Published: June 2017

Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone that protects proteins, including oncogenic signaling complexes, from proteolytic degradation. PU-H71 is a next-generation Hsp90 inhibitor that preferentially targets the functionally distinct pool of Hsp90 present in tumor cells. Tumors that are driven by the MYC oncoprotein may be particularly sensitive to PU-H71 due to the essential role of Hsp90 in the epichaperome, which maintains the malignant phenotype in the setting of MYC. Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma characterized by MYC dysregulation. In this study, we evaluated Hsp90 as a potential therapeutic target in BL. We found that primary BL tumors overexpress Hsp90 and that Hsp90 inhibition has antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo, including potent activity in a patient-derived xenograft model of BL. To evaluate the targets of PU-H71 in BL, we performed high-affinity capture followed by proteomic analysis using mass spectrometry. We found that Hsp90 inhibition targets multiple components of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, highlighting the importance of this pathway in BL. Finally, we found that the anti-lymphoma activity of PU-H71 is synergistic with dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Overall, this work provides support for Hsp90 as a therapeutic target in BL and suggests the potential for combination therapy with PU-H71 and inhibitors of PI3K/mTOR. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(9); 1779–90. ©2017 AACR.
CDK4/6 Inhibitors Sensitize Rb-positive Sarcoma Cells to Wee1 Kinase Inhibition through Reversible Cell-Cycle Arrest
Authors: Francis Ashleigh M. , Alexander Angela , Liu Yanna , Vijayaraghavan Smruthi , Low Kwang Hui , Yang Dong , Bui Tuyen , Somaiah Neeta , Ravi Vinod , Keyomarsi Khandan , Hunt Kelly K.
Published: June 2017

Research into the biology of soft tissue sarcomas has uncovered very few effective treatment strategies that improve upon the current standard of care which usually involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Many patients with large (>5 cm), high-grade sarcomas develop recurrence, and at that point have limited treatment options available. One challenge is the heterogeneity of genetic drivers of sarcomas, and many of these are not validated targets. Even when such genes are tractable targets, the rarity of each subtype of sarcoma makes advances in research slow. Here we describe the development of a synergistic combination treatment strategy that may be applicable in both soft tissue sarcomas as well as sarcomas of bone that takes advantage of targeting the cell cycle. We show that Rb-positive cell lines treated with the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib reversibly arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, and upon drug removal cells progress through the cell cycle as expected within 6–24 hours. Using a long-term high-throughput assay that allows us to examine drugs in different sequences or concurrently, we found that palbociclib-induced cell-cycle arrest poises Rb-positive sarcoma cells (SK-LMS1 and HT-1080) to be more sensitive to agents that work preferentially in S–G2 phase such as doxorubicin and Wee1 kinase inhibitors (AZD1775). The synergy between palbociclib and AZD1775 was also validated in vivo using SK-LMS1 xenografts as well as Rb-positive patient-derived xenografts (PDX) developed from leiomyosarcoma patients. This work provides the necessary preclinical data in support of a clinical trial utilizing this treatment strategy. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(9); 1751–64. ©2017 AACR.
Ibrutinib Unmasks Critical Role of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase in Primary CNS Lymphoma
Authors: Grommes Christian , Pastore Alessandro , Palaskas Nicolaos , Tang Sarah S. , Campos Carl , Schartz Derrek , Codega Paolo , Nichol Donna , Clark Owen , Hsieh Wan-Ying , Rohle Dan , Rosenblum Marc , Viale Agnes , Tabar Viviane S. , Brennan Cameron W. , Gavrilovic Igor T. , Kaley Thomas J. , Nolan Craig P. , Omuro Antonio , Pentsova Elena , Thomas Alissa A. , Tsyvkin Elina , Noy Ariela , Palomba M. Lia , Hamlin Paul , Sauter Craig S. , Moskowitz Craig H. , Wolfe Julia , Dogan Ahmet , Won Minhee , Glass Jon , Peak Scott , Lallana Enrico C. , Hatzoglou Vaios , Reiner Anne S. , Gutin Philip H. , Huse Jason T. , Panageas Katherine S. , Graeber Thomas G. , Schultz Nikolaus , DeAngelis Lisa M. , Mellinghoff Ingo K.
Published: June 2017

Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) links the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) and Toll-like receptors with NF-κB. The role of BTK in primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (PCNSL) is unknown. We performed a phase I clinical trial with ibrutinib, the first-in-class BTK inhibitor, for patients with relapsed or refractory CNS lymphoma. Clinical responses to ibrutinib occurred in 10 of 13 (77%) patients with PCNSL, including five complete responses. The only PCNSL with complete ibrutinib resistance harbored a mutation within the coiled-coil domain of CARD11, a known ibrutinib resistance mechanism. Incomplete tumor responses were associated with mutations in the B-cell antigen receptor–associated protein CD79B. CD79B-mutant PCNSLs showed enrichment of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-related gene sets and increased staining with PI3K/mTOR activation markers. Inhibition of the PI3K isoforms p110α/p110δ or mTOR synergized with ibrutinib to induce cell death in CD79B-mutant PCNSL cells.

Significance: Ibrutinib has substantial activity in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma of the CNS. Response rates in PCNSL were considerably higher than reported for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma outside the CNS, suggesting a divergent molecular pathogenesis. Combined inhibition of BTK and PI3K/mTOR may augment the ibrutinib response in CD79B-mutant human PCNSLs. Cancer Discov; 7(9); 1018–29. ©2017 AACR.

See related commentary by Lakshmanan and Byrd, p. 940.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 920
A Four-Factor Immunoscore System That Predicts Clinical Outcome for Stage II/III Gastric Cancer
Authors: Wen Ti , Wang Zhenning , Li Yi , Li Zhi , Che Xiaofang , Fan Yibo , Wang Shuo , Qu Jinglei , Yang Xianghong , Hou Kezuo , Zhou Wenyang , Xu Ling , Li Ce , Wang Jin , Liu Jing , Chen Liqun , Zhang Jingdong , Qu Xiujuan , Liu Yunpeng
Published: June 2017

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system is insufficiently prognostic for operable gastric cancer patients; therefore, complementary factors are under intense investigation. Although the focus is on immune markers, the prognostic impact of a single immune factor is minimal, due to complex antitumor immune responses. A more comprehensive evaluation may engender more accurate predictions. We analyzed immune factors by immunohistochemical staining in two independent cohorts. The association with patients' survival was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method. Our immunoscore system was constructed using Cox proportional hazard analysis. PD-L1+ immune cells (IC), PD-L1+ tumor cells (TC), PD-1hi, and CD8More were found among 33.33%, 31.37%, 33.33%, and 49%, respectively, of patients from the discovery cohort, and 41.74%, 17.4%, 38.26%, and 30.43% from the validation cohort. PD-L1+ ICs and PD-1hi ICs correlated with poorer overall survival (OS), but PD-L1+ TCs correlated with better OS and clinical outcomes and infiltration of more CD8+ T cells. These four factors were independently prognostic after tumor/lymph nodes/metastasis (TNM) stage adjustment. An immunoscore system based on hazard ratios of the four factors further separated gastric cancer patients with similar TNM staging into low-, medium-, or high-risk groups, with significantly different survival. Our prognostic model yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.856 for prediction of mortality at 5 years, superior to that of TNM staging (AUC of 0.676). Thus, this more comprehensive immunoscore system can provide more accurate prognoses and is an essential complement to the AJCC staging system for operable gastric cancer patients. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(7); 524–34. ©2017 AACR.
Unique Imaging Features Enabling the Prenatal Diagnosis of Developmental Venous Anomalies: A Persistent Echogenic Brain Lesion Drained by a Collecting Vein in Contrast with Normal Brain Parenchyma on MRI
Authors: Krajden Haratz Karina , Peled Alon , Weizman Boris , Gindes Liat , Tamarkin Mordechai , Lev Dorit , Kidron Dvora , Ben-Sira Liat , Malinger Gustavo , Lerman-Sagie Tally , Leibovitz Zvi
Published: June 2017

Objective: To describe the prenatal imaging features enabling diagnosis of developmental venous anomalies (DVA). Methods: Four fetuses with unexplained persistent echogenic parenchymal brain lesions were studied. The evaluation included dedicated neurosonography, fetal MRI, serology for intrauterine infection, screening for coagulation abnormalities, and chromosomal microarray. Postnatal neurodevelopmental follow-up or autopsy results were assessed. Results: DVA presented as very slowly growing echogenic brain lesions without cystic components, calcifications, or structural changes on otherwise normal neurosonographic scans performed at 2- to 3-week intervals. A specific Doppler feature was a collecting vein draining the echogenic parenchyma. Fetal brain MRI depicted normal anatomy on half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo and diffusion-weighted imaging. The rest of the evaluation was normal. Conclusions: In cases with a persistent, parenchymal echogenic lesion without clastic or structural changes, DVA should be considered. Demonstration of a collecting vein draining the lesion and normal brain anatomy on MRI confirm the diagnosis.
Maternal Subcutaneous and Visceral Adipose Ultrasound Thickness in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus at 24-28 Weeks' Gestation
Authors: D'Ambrosi Francesco , Crovetto Francesca , Colosi Enrico , Fabietti Isabella , Carbone Floriana , Tassis Beatrice , Motta Silvia , Bulfoni Alessandro , Fedele Luigi , Rossi Gabriele , Persico Nicola
Published: June 2017

Objective: To compare the sonographic measurement of maternal subcutaneous and visceral adipose thickness between pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and patients with nondiabetic pregnancies. Methods: Adipose thickness was measured by transabdominal ultrasound in pregnant women attending our antenatal clinics at 24-28 weeks' gestation. All patients underwent a 75-g oral glucose challenge as a diagnostic test for GDM. Results: The study population comprised 56 women with a positive glucose challenge test and 112 nondiabetic pregnancies. Measurements of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues were converted into multiples of the median (MoM), adjusted for gestational age. The mean subcutaneous thickness MoM in patients with GDM was significantly higher compared to nondiabetic pregnancies (1.31 vs. 1.07; p = 0.011). Similarly, the mean visceral thickness MoM was higher in women with a positive oral glucose tolerance test compared to controls (1.61 vs. 1.06; p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that visceral adipose thickness, but not subcutaneous thickness, was significantly and independently associated with GDM (odds ratio 34.047, 95% confidence interval 9.489-122.166). Conclusions: Sonographic thickness of maternal visceral adipose tissue at 24-28 weeks' gestation was higher in women with GDM compared to nondiabetic pregnancies, independently from other known risk factors associated with GDM.
Optional Endovascular Therapy of Dissecting Posterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysm
Authors: Wael Osman Mohamed , Kadziolka Krzysztof , Peirot Laurent
Published: June 2017

Background: Posterior cerebral artery aneurysms are uncommon, with an occurrence rate of less than 1% of intracranial aneurysms. They have various shapes, including saccular and fusiform. Dissecting aneurysms may occur in distal posterior cerebral artery and they may affect the whole artery. Endovascular therapy is considered as a safe method of treatment and there are different techniques for endovascular therapy. Summary: Posterior cerebral artery aneurysms are uncommon. Endovascular therapy is considered as a safe method of treatment and there are different techniques for endovascular therapy. We present here three cases collected from Maison Blanche Hospital (Intervention Neuroradiology Department, CHU Reims, France) during 2011-2012; they were females, at a young age and the affected side was on the right. The first case was affected at the P2-P3 segment, the aneurysm was fusiform in shape and she presented with ischemic stroke, while the second and third cases were affected at the P2 segment, the aneurysms being saccular in shape; one of them presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage with a history of migraine and the other patient presented with ischemic stroke. All of them had no history of trauma, hypertension or other diseases. One patient was treated by coiling and sacrificing the parent artery, the second patient was treated with stent-assisted coils, and the third one was treated by coiling without sacrificing the parent artery.
Cutaneous Neurofibroma of the Lacrimal Caruncule: A Case Report
Authors: Motta Mario , Geller Mauro , Motta Cesar
Published: June 2017

We describe the case of a neurofibroma on the lacrimal caruncle of a female patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). NF1 is an autosomal dominant genetic disease with a wide variety of clinical manifestations, one of the most common of which is neurofibroma. The lesion was removed surgically under general anesthesia and sent to histopathological analysis, which confirmed the clinical diagnosis of a neurofibroma.
Chelerythrine Attenuates Renal Ischemia/
Reperfusion-induced Myocardial Injury by
Activating CSE/H2S via PKC/NF-κB Pathway in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Hu Bo , Xu Guangtao , Zheng Yongxia , Tong Fei , Qian Ping , Pan Xiaoyan , Zhou Xinmei , Shen Ruilin
Published: June 2017

Background/Aims: Chelerythrine (CHE), a benzophenanthridine alkaloid, is a potent, selective, and cell-permeable protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of CHE on myocardial recovery after renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced myocardial injury (RI/RMI) in a streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Methods: Diabetes mellitus (DM) rats preconditioned with CHE and D, L-propargylglycine (PAG) were subjected to renal I/R. The extent of cardiac morphologic lesions and the biochemical markers of cardiorenal function and oxidative stress were detected utilizing hematoxylin-eosin staining, commercial kits, and enzyme-linked immunoassay, respectively. The expressions of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), PKC-α, PKC-β2, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the rat myocardial tissue were measured utilizing western blotting. Results: Renal I/R treatment resulted in myocardial injury. CHE-preconditioning promoted the recovery from myocardial damage by ameliorating the biochemical parameters of myocardial injury, reducing oxidative stress, increasing the H2S level, up-regulating the expression of CSE, and down-regulating the expressions of PKC-α, PKC-β2, and NF-κB. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CHE-pretreatment may exert a protective effect on the myocardium against RI/RMI by activating endogenous CSE/H2S via PKC/NF-κB pathway in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Further studies are needed defining underlying mechanisms.