bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Storage Temperature on Key Functions of Cultured Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Authors: Pasovic Lara , Eidet Jon Roger , Brusletto Berit S. , Lyberg Torstein , Utheim Tor P.
Published: September 2015

Purpose. Replacement of the diseased retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with cells capable of performing the specialized functions of the RPE is the aim of cell replacement therapy for treatment of macular degenerative diseases. A storage method for RPE is likely to become a prerequisite for the establishment of such treatment. Herein, we analyze the effect of storage temperature on key functions of cultured RPE cells.Methods. Cultured ARPE-19 cells were stored in Minimum Essential Medium at 4°C, 16°C, and 37°C for seven days. Total RNA was isolated and the gene expression profile was determined using DNA microarrays. Comparison of the microarray expression values with qRT-PCR analysis of selected genes validated the results.Results. Expression levels of several key genes involved in phagocytosis, pigment synthesis, the visual cycle, adherens, and tight junctions, and glucose and ion transport were maintained close to control levels in cultures stored at 4°C and 16°C. Cultures stored at 37°C displayed regulational changes in a larger subset of genes related to phagocytosis, adherens, and tight junctions.Conclusion. RPE cultures stored at 4°C and 16°C for one week are capable of maintaining the expression levels of genes important for key RPE functions close to control levels.
Inverse Association between Prediagnostic IgE Levels and the Risk of Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ma Chong , Cao Lei , Zhao Jianping , Ming Xing , Shang Ming , Zong Hailiang , Du Hai , Li Kai , He Xiaoguang , Xu Hongsheng
Published: September 2015

An inverse association between allergic conditions and glioma risk has been suggested in many epidemiological studies. However, the evidence is inadequate to draw robust conclusions for the association between prediagnostic IgE levels and brain tumors risk. The aim of this study was to provide more precise estimates for this association by meta-analysis of all published studies. Overall, 8 individual studies with 2,461 cases and 3,934 controls were included in our study. A decreased risk of brain tumors (RR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.61–0.86,P<0.001) was observed in relation to elevated level of total IgE. The negative association was significant between elevated total IgE level and the risk of glioma (RR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.62–0.88,P=0.001). However, no significant relationship was demonstrated between testing positive for respiratory allergen-specific IgE and brain tumors risk. In addition, the role of prediagnostic IgE levels in brain tumors risk did not alter in men and women. The present study suggests that increased level of total prediagnostic IgE but not respiratory allergen-specific IgE plays a protective role in brain tumors risk, glioma in particular. More studies are warranted for further elucidation of the meningioma risk related to prediagnostic IgE levels.
Potential Role of MicroRNA-210 as Biomarker in Human Cancers Detection: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lu Jiongjiong , Xie Feng , Geng Li , Shen Weifeng , Sui Chengjun , Yang Jiamei
Published: September 2015

We conducted this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of miR-210 in human cancers. A total of 673 cancer patients and 606 cancer-free individuals from 13 studies were contained in this meta-analysis. The overall diagnostic results in our study showed that the pooled sensitivity was 0.70, specificity was 0.76, and the AUC was 0.80. In addition, the PLR and NLR were 2.9 and 0.39, with DOR of 8. After the outliner exclusion detected by sensitivity analysis, these parameters had minimal change, which confirmed the stability of our work. The results in our studies showed that the miR-210 assay yielded relatively moderate accuracy in cancer patients and cancer-free individual differentiation. More basic researches are needed to highlight its role as supplement in clinical treatment.
Design and Optimization of a Low Power Pressure Sensor for Wireless Biomedical Applications
Authors: Sosa J. , Montiel-Nelson Juan A. , Pulido R. , Garcia-Montesdeoca Jose C.
Published: September 2015

A blood pressure sensor suitable for wireless biomedical applications is designed and optimized. State-of-the-art blood pressure sensors based on piezoresistive transducers in a full Wheatstone bridge configuration use low ohmic values because of relatively high sensitivity and low noise approach resulting in high power consumption. In this paper, the piezoresistance values are increased in order to reduce by one order of magnitude the power consumption in comparison with literature approaches. The microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor, the mixed signal circuits signal conditioning circuitry, and the successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) are designed, optimized, and integrated in the same substrate using a commercial 1 μm CMOS technology. As result of the optimization, we obtained a digital sensor with high sensitivity, low noise (0.002 μV/Hz), and low power consumption (358 μW). Finally, the piezoresistance noise does not affect the pressure sensor application since its value is lower than half least significant bit (LSB) of the ADC.
Success Run Waiting Times and Fuss-Catalan Numbers
Authors: Dilworth S. J. , Mane S. R.
Published: September 2015

We present power series expressions for all the roots of the auxiliary equation of the recurrence relation for the distribution of the waiting time for the first run ofkconsecutive successes in a sequence of independent Bernoulli trials, that is, the geometric distribution of orderk. We show that the series coefficients are Fuss-Catalan numbers and write the roots in terms of the generating function of the Fuss-Catalan numbers. Our main result is a new exact expression for the distribution, which is more concise than previously published formulas. Our work extends the analysis by Feller, who gave asymptotic results. We obtain quantitative improvements of the error estimates obtained by Feller.
Fuzzy Rule-Based Classification System for Assessing Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Mohammadpour Reza Ali , Abedi Seyed Mohammad , Bagheri Somayeh , Ghaemian Ali
Published: September 2015

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of fuzzy rule-based classification that could noninvasively predict CAD based on myocardial perfusion scan test and clinical-epidemiological variables. This was a cross-sectional study in which the characteristics, the results of myocardial perfusion scan (MPS), and coronary artery angiography of 115 patients, 62 (53.9%) males, in Mazandaran Heart Center in the north of Iran have been collected. We used membership functions for medical variables by reviewing the related literature. To improve the classification performance, we used Ishibuchi et al. and Nozaki et al. methods by adjusting the grade of certaintyCFjof each rule. This system includes 144 rules and the antecedent part of all rules has more than one part. The coronary artery disease data used in this paper contained 115 samples. The data was classified into four classes, namely, classes 1 (normal), 2 (stenosis in one single vessel), 3 (stenosis in two vessels), and 4 (stenosis in three vessels) which had 39, 35, 17, and 24 subjects, respectively. The accuracy in the fuzzy classification based on if-then rule was 92.8 percent if classification result was considered based on rule selection by expert, while it was 91.9 when classification result was obtained according to the equation. To increase the classification rate, we deleted the extra rules to reduce the fuzzy rules after introducing the membership functions.
Pricing-Decision and Coordination Contract considering Product Design and Quality of Recovery Product in a Closed-Loop Supply Chain
Authors: Zou Qingming , Ye Guangyu
Published: September 2015

In a closed-loop supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and a retailer, this paper studies the pricing strategies and coordination mechanism of supply chain when the remanufacturing cost is random caused by the proportion of reusability parts in design stage and quality condition of recycling product. The results show that the wholesale price and retail price are negative correlation, while the recycling rate and total profit of supply chain system are positive correlation with the proportion of reusability component designed in new product and quality of recycling product. Moreover, there are conclusions that the wholesale price and retail price are lower while the recycling rate and total profit of supply chain system are higher with centralized decision. Then, in order to coordinate the closed-loop supply chain, this paper develops a revenue-sharing contract, in which the revenue share parameter is determined based on absolute deviation approach. The theoretical results are illustrated by a numerical example.
Danhong Injection (a Traditional Chinese Patent Medicine) for Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liao Pengda , Wang Lei , Guo Liheng , Zeng Ruixiang , Huang Juming , Zhang Minzhou
Published: September 2015

Objective. We aimed to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of Danhong injection (DHI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.Methods. We searched several electrical databases and hand searched several Chinese medical journals. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DHI plus conventional western medicine with conventional western medicine plus placebo and RCTs comparing DHI plus conventional western medicine with conventional western medicine were retrieved. Study screening, data extraction, quality assessment, and data analysis were conducted in accordance with the Cochrane standards.Results. 13 RCTs enrolling 979 patients were included. Danhong injection could significantly reduce the risk of mortality, recurrent angina, arrhythmia, and heart failure. In addition, DHI was associated with improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reperfusion. No significant difference of DHI was found on recurrent acute myocardial infarction. However, the safety of DHI remained unknown for limited data.Conclusion. DHI might be a potentially efficacious treatment for AMI patients. Nevertheless, the safety of DHI remained uncertain for limited information. Due to the fact that the overall quality of all included studies is generally low, more high quality RCTs are expected to validate the efficacy and safety of DHI for AMI patients.
Finite Conductivity Effects in Electrostatic Force Microscopy on Thin Dielectric Films: A Theoretical Model
Authors: Castellano-Hernández E. , Sacha G. M.
Published: September 2015

A study of the electrostatic force between an Electrostatic Force Microscope tip and a dielectric thin film with finite conductivity is presented. By using the Thomas-Fermi approximation and the method of image charges, we calculate the electrostatic potential and force as a function of the thin film screening length, which is a magnitude related to the amount of free charge in the thin film and is defined as the maximum length that the electric field is able to penetrate in the sample. We show the microscope’s signal on dielectric films can change significantly in the presence of a finite conductivity even in the limit of large screening lengths. This is particularly relevant in determining the effective dielectric constant of thin films from Electrostatic Force Microscopy measurements. According to our model, for example, a small conductivity can induce an error of more than two orders of magnitude in the determination of the dielectric constant of a material. Finally, we suggest a method to discriminate between permittivity and conductivity effects by analyzing the dependence of the signal with the tip-sample distance.
K-Optimal Gradient Encoding Scheme for Fourth-Order Tensor-Based Diffusion Profile Imaging
Authors: Alipoor Mohammad , Gu Irene Yu-Hua , Mehnert Andrew , Maier Stephan E. , Starck Göran
Published: September 2015

The design of an optimal gradient encoding scheme (GES) is a fundamental problem in diffusion MRI. It is well studied for the case of second-order tensor imaging (Gaussian diffusion). However, it has not been investigated for the wide range of non-Gaussian diffusion models. The optimal GES is the one that minimizes the variance of the estimated parameters. Such a GES can be realized by minimizing the condition number of the design matrix (K-optimal design). In this paper, we propose a new approach to solve theK-optimal GES design problem for fourth-order tensor-based diffusion profile imaging. The problem is a nonconvex experiment design problem. Using convex relaxation, we reformulate it as a tractable semidefinite programming problem. Solving this problem leads to several theoretical properties ofK-optimal design: (i) the odd moments of theK-optimal design must be zero; (ii) the even moments of theK-optimal design are proportional to the total number of measurements; (iii) theK-optimal design is not unique, in general; and (iv) the proposed method can be used to compute theK-optimal design for an arbitrary number of measurements. Our Monte Carlo simulations support the theoretical results and show that, in comparison with existing designs, theK-optimal design leads to the minimum signal deviation.
Null Geodesics and Strong Field Gravitational Lensing of Black Hole with Global Monopole
Authors: Sharif M. , Iftikhar Sehrish
Published: September 2015

We study two interesting features of a black hole with an ordinary as well as phantom global monopole. Firstly, we investigate null geodesics which imply unstable orbital motion of particles for both cases. Secondly, we evaluate deflection angle in strong field regime. We then find Einstein rings, magnifications, and observables of the relativistic images for supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy NGC4486B. We also examine time delays for different galaxies and present our results numerically. It is found that the deflection angle for ordinary/phantom global monopole is greater/smaller than that of Schwarzschild black hole. In strong field limit, the remaining properties of these black holes are quite different from the Schwarzschild black hole.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer in Pregnancy and Postpartum: Two Case Reports in Hispanic Women
Authors: Upadhyay Ruchi , Butt Qurat-Ul-Ain , Hamaoui Abraham , Henderson Cassandra , McCalla Sydney , Gilak Hamid
Published: September 2015

Objective. Despite studies suggesting that triple negative breast cancer is more often seen in women of African ancestry, we report here two cases of pregnancy associated triple negative breast cancer in Hispanic women.Cases. Case one is a 37-year-old female para 2-0-0-2, who presented with a left breast mass, at 19 weeks of gestation, the biopsy of which reported an invasive ductal carcinoma, found to be triple receptor negative. The patient underwent chemotherapy during the pregnancy and was delivered with a cesarean at 37 weeks for obstetric indication. After delivery, the patient completed her chemotherapy that was followed by radical mastectomy and radiotherapy. Case two is a 28-year-old female para 6-0-1-5, who presented while breast-feeding with signs and symptoms of mastitis, and an engorged and tender right breast, five months postpartum. However, the sonogram revealed a fluid filled cavity. Aspiration and cytology did not reflect an infection and were negative for malignancy. High suspicion and lack of improvement led to biopsy that identified an invasive ductal carcinoma, found to be triple negative. The patient underwent chemotherapy followed by modified radical mastectomy.Conclusions. Triple negative breast cancer, during pregnancy or postpartum, poses a unique challenge and requires a multidisciplinary team to optimize treatment for these women.
On Distance(r,k)-Fibonacci Numbers and Their Combinatorial and Graph Interpretations
Authors: Bród Dorota
Published: September 2015

We introduce three new two-parameter generalizations of Fibonacci numbers. These generalizations are closely related tok-distance Fibonacci numbers introduced recently. We give combinatorial and graph interpretations of distance(r,k)-Fibonacci numbers. We also study some properties of these numbers.
Optical Properties of the Urban Aerosol Particles Obtained from Ground Based Measurements and Satellite-Based Modelling Studies
Authors: Mordas Genrik , Prokopciuk Nina , Byčenkienė Steigvilė , Andriejauskienė Jelena , Ulevicius Vidmantas
Published: September 2015

Applications of satellite remote sensing data combined with ground measurements and model simulation were applied to study aerosol optical properties as well as aerosol long-range transport under the impact of large scale circulation in the urban environment in Lithuania (Vilnius). Measurements included the light scattering coefficients at 3 wavelengths (450, 550, and 700 nm) measured with an integrating nephelometer and aerosol particle size distribution (0.5–12 μm) and number concentration (Dpa> 0.5 μm) registered by aerodynamic particle sizer. Particle number concentration and mean light scattering coefficient varied from relatively low values of 6.0 cm−3and 12.8 Mm−1associated with air masses passed over Atlantic Ocean to relatively high value of 119 cm−3and 276 Mm−1associated with South-Western air masses. Analysis shows such increase in the aerosol light scattering coefficient (276 Mm−1) during the 3rd of July 2012 was attributed to a major Sahara dust storm. Aerosol size distribution with pronounced coarse particles dominance was attributed to the presence of dust particles, while resuspended dust within the urban environment was not observed.
Modulation of Spinal GABAergic Inhibition and Mechanical Hypersensitivity following Chronic Compression of Dorsal Root Ganglion in the Rat
Authors: Lee Moon Chul , Nam Taick Sang , Jung Se Jung , Gwak Young S. , Leem Joong Woo
Published: September 2015

Chronic compression of dorsal root ganglion (CCD) results in neuropathic pain. We investigated the role of spinal GABA in CCD-induced pain using rats with unilateral CCD. A stereological analysis revealed that the proportion of GABA-immunoreactive neurons to total neurons at L4/5 laminae I–III on the injured side decreased in the early phase of CCD (post-CCD week 1) and then returned to the sham-control level in the late phase (post-CCD week 18). In the early phase, the rats showed an increase in both mechanical sensitivity of the hind paw and spinal WDR neuronal excitability on the injured side, and such increase was suppressed by spinally applied muscimol (GABA-A agonist, 5 nmol) and baclofen (GABA-B agonist, 25 nmol), indicating the reduced spinal GABAergic inhibition involved. In the late phase, the CCD-induced increase in mechanical sensitivity and neuronal excitability returned to pre-CCD levels, and such recovered responses were enhanced by spinally applied bicuculline (GABA-A antagonist, 15 nmol) and CGP52432 (GABA-B antagonist, 15 nmol), indicating the regained spinal GABAergic inhibition involved. In conclusion, the alteration of spinal GABAergic inhibition following CCD and leading to a gradual reduction over time of CCD-induced mechanical hypersensitivity is most likely due to changes in GABA content in spinal GABA neurons.
Strength Deterioration of Concrete in Sulfate Environment: An Experimental Study and Theoretical Modeling
Authors: Zhou Yingwu , Tian Hao , Sui Lili , Xing Feng , Han Ningxu
Published: September 2015

Sulfate corrosion is one of the most important factors responsible for the performance degradation of concrete materials. In this paper, an accelerated corrosion by a sulfate solution in a dry-wet cycle was introduced to simulate the external sulfate corrosion environment. The deterioration trend of concrete strength and development law of sulfate-induced concrete corrosion depth under sulfate attacks were experimentally studied. The damaged concrete section is simply but reasonably divided into uncorroded and corroded layers and the two layers can be demarcated by the sulfate corrosion depth of concrete. The accelerated corrosion test results indicated that the strength degradation of concrete by sulfate attack had a significant relation with the corrosion depth. Consequently, this paper aims to reveal such relation and thus model the strength degradation law. A large amount of experimental data has finally verified the validity and applicability of the models, and a theoretical basis is thus provided for the strength degradation prediction and the residual life assessment of in-service concrete structures under sulfate attacks.
Chopped Strand/Plain Weave E-Glass as Reinforcement in Vacuum Bagged Epoxy Composites
Authors: Heckadka Srinivas Shenoy , Nayak Suhas Yeshwant , Narang Karan , Vardhan Pant Kirti
Published: September 2015

Polymer matrix composites are one of the materials being extensively researched and are gaining a lot of importance due to advantages like high specific strength, greater flexibility in design, and reduced cost of manufacturing. In this study, tensile, flexural, impact, and interlaminar shear strength of chopped strand/plain weave E-glass composites were considered. Composite laminates with different stacking sequence were fabricated using Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion Moulding (VARIM) technique. Fiber volume fractions (FVF) of 22%, 26%, and 30% were adopted. Experiments were conducted in accordance with ASTM standards. Results indicate that laminates with three layers of plain weave mat exhibited better tensile, flexural, and interlaminar shear strength. However, laminates with two layers of chopped strand mat and one layer of plain weave mat showed improved impact resistance. In addition, scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the fracture surface.
The Appearance and Disappearance of Exocomet Gas Absorption
Authors: Welsh Barry Y. , Montgomery Sharon L.
Published: September 2015

CaII K-line (3933 Å) absorption profiles observed towards 15 A-type and two B-type stars with known (or suspected) debris disks, in addition to archival spectral data for three A-type stars, are presented. Inspection of the extracted CaII K-line absorption lines has determined that one late B-type (HD 58647) and four new A-type (HD 56537, HD 64145, HD 108767, and HD 109573) stellar systems exhibit short-term (night-to-night) absorption variation within these profiles. This variability is due to the liberation of gas from falling evaporating bodies (the so-called FEBs activity) on the grazing approach of exocomets towards their parent star. Also we present archival spectra of the FeIλ3860 Å and CaII K-lines towardsβPictoris (HD 39060) that, for the first time, reveal the absorption signatures of FEB activity at similar velocities inbothline profiles. FEB-hosting stars seem to be of an earlier type (on average spectral type Al.8 as compared with A3.1) than those where no FEB activity has been observed. This could be due to stellar activity levels (such as chromospheric activity or nonradial pulsations) being of a higher level within the atmospheres of these hotter A-type stars.
Prediction of Preterm Delivery by Late Cervical Length Measurement after 24 Weeks
Authors: Papastefanou Ioannis , Pilalis Athanasios , Eleftheriades Makarios , Souka Athena P.
Published: September 2015

Objective: To examine the value of the cervical length (CL) measurement at 24-30 gestational weeks in the prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery (SPD) between 30 and 34 weeks (SPD34) and between 34 and 37 weeks (SPD37). Methods: We performed a prospective cross-sectional study. CL was measured once by transvaginal ultrasound examination between 24 and 30 weeks. Results: The study sample consisted of 1,180 low-risk singleton pregnancies. 10 women (0.85%) had a SPD34 and 60 (5.08%) had a SPD37. CL was shorter (p < 0.001) in the women who had a SPD34 (median 11 mm) compared to the women who delivered after 34 weeks (median 31 mm). CL was shorter (p < 0.001) in the women who had a SPD37 (median 22 mm) compared to the women who delivered after 37 weeks (median 31 mm). CL predicted SPD34 (OR = 0.837, R2 = 0.2768, AUC = 0.9406, p < 0.001) and SPD37 (OR = 0.907, R2 = 0.1085, AUC = 0.7584, p < 0.001). The model achieved a sensitivity of 70.0 and 38.3% for 10% false-positive rate for SPD34 and SPD37, respectively. Conclusions: CL after 24 weeks is significantly shorter in women destined to have a SPD. In low-risk singleton pregnancies CL performs very well in predicting SPD34 and adequately in predicting SPD37.
Vestibular Prostheses Investigated in Animal Models
Authors: Lewis Richard F.
Published: September 2015

Loss of peripheral vestibular function results in debilitating postural, perceptual, and visual symptoms. A new approach to treating this clinical problem is to replace some aspects of peripheral vestibular function with a prosthesis that senses head motion and provides this information to the brain by stimulating the vestibular nerve. In this paper, I review studies done in animals over the past 15 years which lay the groundwork for transferring this approach to human patients with severe peripheral vestibular damage. The animal studies demonstrate that the visual and perceptual defects associated with peripheral vestibular damage can be improved with a vestibular implant, but the data on postural control remain less conclusive at this point in time.
Metabolomics in the Clinical Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: De Preter Vicky
Published: September 2015

Background: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis represent the 2 major phenotypes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that are characterized by chronic inflammation of all or parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis of both diseases is influenced by genetic predispositions as well as microbial and environmental factors. Currently, there is an emerging consensus hypothesis that a microbial dysbiosis is involved in initiating the disease or in maintaining it. These compositional alterations may be reflected in altered metabolic activities of the gut microbiota and has led to the use of ‘omic' profiling to improve the understanding of the pathophysiology of IBD. Key Messages: In the past few years, a metabolic approach has increasingly been applied in a number of studies of experimental and human IBD which were mostly focused on exploring disease-related metabolites to gain more insight into metabolic pathways. Metabolomics involves the high throughput identification, characterization and quantification of small molecule metabolites by different analytical techniques and has been performed in different biofluids such as serum/plasma, urine or fecal samples. The application of such a metabolite profiling technique has revealed different metabolites that allow the discrimination of IBD patients from healthy controls. In addition, separate IBD subtypes could be differentiated. Some of these metabolic changes were directly associated to alterations of specific gut microbial populations, implying a perturbation in the gut microbiome in the development of IBD. Conclusions: This review covers the emerging contribution of metabolomics for the discovery of an IBD signature and to identify biomarkers linked with a metabolic imbalance. For the implementation of metabolomics as a diagnostic tool in IBD, large prospective cohort studies are necessary.
Molecular Endoscopy and in vivo Imaging in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Neurath Markus F.
Published: September 2015

Background: Studies in recent years have shown that standard imaging modalities such as endoscopy, ultrasonography or MRI are essential for assessment of gut inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). In addition, endoscopy plays a pivotal role in the analysis of mucosal healing in these disorders. However, these techniques do not allow a detailed analysis of the molecular pathways driving gut inflammation in IBD patients. Here, we discuss the role of new techniques for the molecular imaging of gut inflammation in IBD with special reference to the prediction of responses to therapy using antibodies to tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF). Key Messages: Several in vivo imaging studies have been performed in IBD patients before and after anti-TNF therapy. In one study, (99m)Technetium-labeled annexin V was given to patients with active Crohn's disease before and after anti-TNF therapy with infliximab. Subsequently, single-photon emission CT (SPECT) was performed to study the effect of anti-TNF treatment on apoptosis in the intestine during active colitis. This study showed enrichment of technetium signals in the gut of patients who responded to anti-TNF therapy. The findings suggested that anti-TNF treatment induces T-cell apoptosis in vivo and that SPECT imaging can be used for prediction of response to anti-TNF therapy. In another study, fluorescent anti-TNF antibodies (fluorescent adalimumab) were chosen for molecular imaging during confocal laser endomicroscopy in patients with active Crohn's disease. This study revealed that an increase of membrane-bound TNF expressing mucosal immune cells predicts response to subsequent adalimumab therapy. Conclusions: Molecular in vivo imaging is an exciting new field in patients with IBD. It is expected that this field will allow new insights into the pathophysiology of IBD and may be used for personalized medicine in the future.
Previous Cancer/Lymphoma and Refractory Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Bernheim Oren , Axelrad Jordan , Itzkowitz Steven H. , Colombel Jean-Frederic
Published: September 2015

Immunomodulators and biologic agents are effective in treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), and recent evidence supports their introduction earlier in the disease course. An important concern to both patients and physicians considering immunosuppression (IS) for the treatment of IBD is the potential associated cancer risk. Several important clinical questions deserve attention with respect to IBD therapy and cancer. First, does medical therapy for IBD predispose to developing cancer? Second, in an IBD patient with a history of cancer, does IBD therapy impact cancer recurrence? Third, once cancer develops in an IBD patient, is the cancer outcome different? Finally, in an IBD patient with current cancer, does the cancer therapy affect IBD outcomes? In a recent multicentric study, patients were identified based on a diagnosis of IBD and cancer with subsequent exposure to anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα arm), thiopurines or methotrexate (antimetabolite arm) or without subsequent IS exposure (control arm). Two hundred and fifty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. Prior cancers included 121 solid, 62 gastrointestinal, 55 dermatologic and 17 hematologic malignancies. During the follow-up period, 75 (29.4%) patients developed incident cancer: 36 (14.1%) a new cancer, 33 (12.9%) a recurrent cancer and 6 (2.4%) a new and recurrent cancer. Incident cancer rate per 100 person-years for patients exposed to anti-TNFα, anti-metabolites and controls was 2.6 with 795 person-years of follow-up, 14.8 with 122 person-years of follow-up and 8.52 with 422 person-years of follow-up, respectively. In this series of IBD patients with a history of cancer, exposure to IS following a cancer diagnosis was not associated with an increased risk of incident cancer compared to patients who did not receive these agents. Prospective data are needed to confirm these findings.
Management of IBD Patients with Current Immunosuppressive Therapy and Concurrent Infections
Authors: Rahier Jean-François
Published: September 2015

In an era of increasing use of immunomodulator therapy and biologics, opportunistic infections (OI) have emerged as a pivotal safety issue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Clinical studies, registries and case reports warn about the increased risk for infections, particularly OIs. Today, the challenge for a physician is not only to manage IBD, but also to recognize, prevent and treat common and uncommon infections. The 2014 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) guidelines on the management and prevention of OIs in patients with IBD provide clinicians with guidance on the prevention, detection and management of OIs. Proposals may appear radical, potentially changing the current practice, but we believe that the recommendations will help optimize patient outcomes by reducing the morbidity and mortality related to OIs. In this ongoing process, prevention is by far the first and most important step. Prevention of OIs relies on recognition of risk factors for infection, the use of primary or secondary chemoprophylaxis, careful monitoring (clinical and laboratory work-up) before and during the use of immunomodulators, vaccination and education of the patient. Special recommendations should also be given to patients before and after travel.
Is There a Role for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Anti-TNF Monoclonal Antibodies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Baert Filip
Published: September 2015

In recent years it has become clear that therapeutic drug monitoring can be an important tool to optimize outcome and costs of anti TNF treatment including the subcutaneous and fully human monoclonal antibodies. There is a clear dose response curve between early serum concentrations of all monoclonal antibodies and response both short term and long term. The wide variations in early serum concentrations are insufficiently explained by classic pharmacokinetic factors. Low early concentrations can lead to anti-drug antibody formation and ensuing loss of response. Therapeutic drug monitoring allows to rationalize the current practice of dose optimization and the use of concomitant immunomodulator treatment. However more prospective studies are needed before strong recommendations can enter treatment guidelines.
Targeting Leukocyte Trafficking in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: What Is the Clinical Evidence?
Authors: Khanna Reena , Mosli Mahmoud H. , Feagan Brian G.
Published: September 2015

Since the cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown, therapy has traditionally been based on the empiric use of anti-inflammatory drugs. However, the recent identification of specific mechanisms that regulate cellular migration into inflamed intestinal tissue has provided novel targets for drug development. In this article, we discuss these mechanisms and review emerging safety and efficacy data regarding use of selective inhibitors of leukocyte trafficking for the treatment of IBD.
Self-Based Concepts and Obsessive-Compulsive Phenomena
Authors: Ahern Claire , Kyrios Michael , Moulding Richard
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims: Using a cognitive framework, this paper examined self-perceptions as a vulnerability to phenomena in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Specifically, Guidano and Liotti's model of self-ambivalence (from 1983) and the notion of self-worth contingent upon moral standards were investigated as possible mechanisms to explain how individuals come to notice their unwanted intrusions. Method: Using an analogue framework, participants were first-year undergraduate psychology students (95 females, mean age = 22.49 years, SD = 7.96, and 25 males, mean age = 21.64 years, SD = 7.26) who were administered a battery of self-report questionnaires. Results: Results indicated that self-ambivalence moderated the relationship between high moral standards and obsessive-compulsive (OC) phenomena; individuals who had high moral standards and high self-ambivalence showed increased OC vulnerability. Conclusions: The findings suggest that ambivalence about moral self-worth may constitute a particular vulnerability to OC symptoms. Directions for future research are discussed and implications of the findings explored.
Prognostic Impact of Placental Growth Factor on Mortality and Cardiovascular Events in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Matsui Masaru , Samejima Ken-ichi , Takeda Yukiji , Tanabe Kaoru , Morimoto Katsuhiko , Okamoto Keisuke , Tagawa Miho , Onoue Kenji , Okayama Satoshi , Kawata Hiroyuki , Kawakami Rika , Akai Yasuhiro , Saito Yoshihiko
Published: September 2015

Background: Placental growth factor (PlGF), a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, has recently emerged as a predictor of survival and cardiovascular risk. Along with others, we have shown an independent association between PlGF and cardiovascular events in CKD patients, but not much is known about patients receiving dialysis. Methods: We studied 205 dialysis patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at the Nara Medical University between April 1, 2004, and December 31, 2012. Serum levels of PlGF and VEGF were measured with ELISA in all the patients. Results: During a median follow-up of 20 months, 121 participants died from any cause or experienced a cardiovascular event. In the fully adjusted analysis, having an above-median PlGF or VEGF level was associated with a hazards ratio for adverse outcomes of 2.55 (1.72-3.83) and 1.39 (0.95-2.04), respectively. Using a multimarker strategy in a model with age, serum albumin, history of coronary artery disease, brain natriuretic peptide and PlGF, patients with 2, 3 and 4 positive markers had a 3.82-, 5.77- and 6.59-fold higher risk of mortality or a cardiovascular event, respectively, compared to those with no positive markers. The model with PlGF had a significantly higher c-statistic, integrated discrimination improvement index and category-free net reclassification improvement index than the model without PlGF. Conclusion: PlGF is independently associated with mortality and cardiovascular events, but the association between VEGF and adverse events was attenuated with covariate adjustment. The addition of PlGF to models with established clinical predictors provides additional useful prognostic information in patients receiving dialysis.
Tessituras temporais em jogos pervasivos
Authors: Oliveira Thaiane
Published: September 2015

A proposta deste trabalho é traçar um estudo comparativo entre a temporalidade em  dois tipos de jogos pervasivos que exploram a digese, o chronos ordinário da vida cotidiana, o aion do objeto ficcional e imagem dos registros fílmicos destes jogos, a partir das contribuições de Deleuze. Como objeto, iremos analisar alguns registros audiovisuais a fim de refletir sobre a organização temporal da narrativa nos eventos em torno do evento. Buscaremos, com isso, defender que há uma relação estética entre o registro fílmico e a ação do jogo em relação ao tempo ordinário.
Construção do sistema social da saúde a partir da Teoria Sistêmica de Niklas Luhmann
Authors: Vial Sandra Regina Martini
Published: September 2015

A sociedade diferenciada funcionalmente é resultado do processo de evolução e especialização das comunicações internas da própria sociedade, o qual é marcado pela operação dos sistemas a partir de funções específicas. As bases teóricas para a discussão deste artigo encontram-se na Teoria dos Sistemas Sociais, desenvolvida por Niklas Luhmann, cuja postura teórica opera com um alto nível de complexidade e, exatamente por isso, apresenta vários desassossegos, uma vez que rompe com pressupostos tradicionais das ciências sociais. A abordagem proposta por Luhmann nos permite aprofundar também as possibilidades de novas construções teóricas, como o sistema da saúde, embora este não tenha sido desenvolvido especificamente pelo autor, que trata apenas do sistema médico. Por isso, um dos objetivos centrais desta reflexão é demonstrar a possibilidade da saúde como um sistema social diferenciado funcionalmente.
Direito à saúde: aspectos do modelo neodesenvolvimentista brasileiro e da privatização da saúde
Authors: Araujo Isabelle Maria Mendes de
Published: September 2015

Objetiva-se neste artigo debater sobre algumas correntes teóricas que analisam o chamado modelo neodesenvolvimentista brasileiro. Neste contexto, pretendemos abordar a questão da saúde e seu processo de privatização no país, compreendendo a relação público-privada do financiamento da saúde e seus novos modelos de gestão. Para tal, realizaremos uma revisão crítica da literatura sobre tais temáticas, apresentando possíveis sínteses para compreensão do quadro atual da saúde brasileira. Nessa direção, tratar a saúde como direito nas sociedades capitalistas é uma tarefa que envolve diversos atores e também o que historicamente foi construído em torno da apropriação privada da saúde e seus setores dominantes. Constatamos a transferência de recursos públicos para o incentivo do setor privado da saúde antes e depois do SUS, além da transferência, nos últimos anos, da administração pública ao setor privado. Observamos que a herança neoliberal da década de 1990 criou as bases para o atual modelo econômico, atingindo de forma compensatória e limitada as classes populares, bem como as raízes da seguridade social – na qual a saúde é uma das faces atingidas pelas contradições do sistema, sendo ferido, pois, o direito à saúde.
A APLICAÇÃO DO DEVER DE EFICIÊNCIA À ADMINISTRAÇÃO PÚBLICA TRIBUTÁRIA E SUA RELAÇÃO COM A MORAL TRIBUTÁRIA DOS CONTRIBUINTES
Authors: Lima Leandro Manoel Matias de
Published: September 2015

A presente pesquisa visa à análise da aplicação do dever de eficiência à Administração Tributária, tendo por base sua operacionalidade e aplicação em respeito à Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil e seus valores. Como forma de inserção da eficiência na lógica de promoção dos direitos humanos, almejada pela Constituição de 1988, a pesquisa também se dedica às modernas teorias da Moral Tributária dos Contribuintes, como forma de melhorar o aparelho arrecadatório nacional e atender às legítimas expectativas dos cidadãos.
O PRINCÍPIO CONSTITUCIONAL DO CONTRADITÓRIO E DA AMPLA DEFESA NO PROCESSO ADMINISTRATIVO DISCIPLINAR
Authors: Chaveiro Joneval Junio
Published: September 2015

O presente trabalho consiste em estudo sobre a incidência dos princípios constitucionais processuais – devido processo legal, contraditório e ampla defesa – sustentando que estes, não se limitam aos processos judiciais, devendo-se estender à esfera dos processos administrativos por imposição da constituição, com intuito de verificar se os mencionados princípios constitucionais são observados pela Administração Pública na condução do processo administrativo disciplinar.
DESESTATIZAÇÃO E PRIVATIZAÇÃO NO BRASIL
Authors: Machado Fernando Moreno
Published: September 2015

Esse estudo busca definir e debater institutos utilizados no ordenamento jurídico pátrio visando à diminuição do tamanho do Estado. Depois, com um enfoque crítico, analisa as consequências práticas deste fenômeno, por meio do exame de produção jurídica acadêmica e de dados obtidos junto a órgãos públicos.
ESTUDO PRÉVIO DE IMPACTO DE VIZINHANÇA E FUNÇÃO SOCIAL DA PROPRIEDADE URBANA: PROBLEMATIZAÇÃO E ANÁLISE JURISPRUDENCIAL DO TRIBUNAL DE JUSTIÇA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO
Authors: Oliveira Jorge Falcão Marques de , Lomba Juliana Ferretti
Published: September 2015

O presente artigo objetiva analisar as consequências decorrentes da normatização do Estudo Prévio de Impacto de Vizinhança nos municípios brasileiros, verificando seu desenvolvimento e relação com a função social da propriedade urbana. Objetiva-se, ainda, apontar os problemas atuais na sua aplicação, bem como a maneira pela qual o Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo se posiciona quando a instado a se manifestar sobre o tema.
Incidence and Clinical Significance of Poststent Optical Coherence Tomography Findings
Authors: Soeda Tsunenari , Uemura Shiro , Park Seung-Jung , Jang Yangsoo , Lee Stephen , Cho Jin-Man , Kim Soo-Joong , Vergallo Rocco , Minami Yoshiyasu , Ong Daniel S. , Gao Lei , Lee Hang , Zhang Shaosong , Yu Bo , Saito Yoshihiko , Jang Ik-Kyung
Published: September 2015

Background—

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was recently introduced to optimize percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the exact incidence and significance of poststent OCT findings are unknown.

Methods and Results—

A total of 900 lesions treated with 1001 stents in 786 patients who had postprocedure OCT imaging were analyzed to evaluate the incidence of poststent OCT findings and to identify the OCT predictors for device-oriented clinical end points, including cardiac death, target vessel–related myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis. Patients were followed up to 1 year. Stent edge dissection was detected in 28.7% of lesions, and incomplete stent apposition was detected in 39.1% of lesions. The incidences of smooth protrusion, disrupted fibrous tissue protrusion, and irregular protrusion were 92.9%, 61.0%, and 53.8%, respectively. Small minimal stent area, defined as a lesion with minimal stent area <5.0 mm
2
in a drug-eluting stent or <5.6 mm
2
in a bare metal stent, was observed in 40.4% of lesions. One-year device-oriented clinical end points occurred in 33 patients (4.5%). Following adjustment, irregular protrusion and small minimal stent area were independent OCT predictors of 1-year device-oriented clinical end points (
P
=0.003 and
P
=0.012, respectively).

Conclusions—

Abnormal poststent OCT findings were frequent. Irregular protrusion and small minimal stent area were independent predictors of 1-year device-oriented clinical end points, which were primarily driven by target lesion revascularization.
Phenological observations and sex ratios in Marchantia chenopoda L. (Hepaticae: Marchantiaceae)

Authors: Moyá María T.
Published: September 2015

Sex ratios were determined for 15 populations of Marchantia chenopoda L. along Puerto Rico. Sex was determined for twenty randomly selected individuals from each population. A female bias was observed in most populations. A census of reproductive structures of M. chenopoda was performed every two weeks in order to determine phenology. The highest archegoniophore count was observed to occur in January and February; minimum and maximum fertilization distances were 0.7 cm and 65 cm, respectively. Young sporophytes were most frequently observed at the beginning of the rainy season, in April and May. The highest frequency of mature sporophytes occurred during the dry season, in January and February. Capsules opened mostly during the heavy rainy season, from August to November. Protonemata were observed in the periphery of the population. Most young sporophytes aborted at the end of the moderate to heavy rainy season, from June to August. Immature gemmae cups were most frequent at the beginning of the rainy season, in April and May. Mature gemmae cups were observed throughout the rainy season, but were most frequent in September.
Situación de la enseñanza de la briología en México
Authors: S. Angeles Cárdenas
Published: September 2015

The teaching of bryology in Mexico confronts various difficulties that prevent students from having at least a broad overview of what bryophytes are. There are three main problems: lack of institutional facilities, lack of specialized literature and ignorance of the structure, biology and significance of these plants on the part of teachers. To resolve these difficulties, schools must obtain the minimum necessary facilities (Microscopes, laboratory materials ans specialized literature) and request specialists to teach courses and colaborate in workshops and fieldtrips to give teachers a better understanding of bryophytes.
Allium occultum, a new species of A. sect. Codonoprasum (Amaryllidaceae) from Skiros Island (W Aegean, Greece)
Authors: Tzanoudakis Dimitris , Trigas Panayiotis
Published: September 2015

Allium occultum Tzanoudakis & Trigas sp. nov. (Amaryllidaceae) from Skiros Island (W Aegean, Greece) is described and illustrated. It belongs to A. sect. Codonoprasum and more precisely to A. paniculatum group. Its closest relatives seem to be A. apergii and A. dirphianum, both endemic to Euboea Island (W Aegean). The new species is currently known from two neighbouring localities of Mt. Kochilas. The tetraploid chromosome number (2n = 32) was found in plants from both localities and according to the karyotype structure, the new species seems functionally diploid.