bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Constraint Optimized Planning of Tasks on Virtualized-Service Pool for Mission-Oriented Swarm Intelligent Systems
Authors: Zhang Kailong , Fei Chao , Xie Baorong , Wang Yujia , Gong Zheng , Xie Chenyu , Nguyen Thi Mai Trang , Yao Yuan , Miao Kejian
Published: July 2019

With the emergence of swarm intelligent systems, especially the swarming of aircraft and ground vehicles, cooperation in multiple dimensions has becoming one of the great challenges. How to dynamically schedule the resources within a swarm intelligent system and optimize the execution of tasks are all vital aspects for such systems. Focusing on this topic, in this paper, one new task planning mechanism with multiple constraints is proposed to solve such dynamic programming problems. Concretely, several fundamental models, covering three-level task models and resource-service pool models, are put forward and defined first. Considering the limitations of swarm systems running within complicated cyber-physical space, multi-dimension constraints for tasks scheduling and execution are further modeled and established. On this basis, we mapped this planning problem to an optimization searching problem, and then proposed a Genetic-Algorithm-based mechanism. All these works have been verified with simulated cooperation scenes. Experimental results show that this new mechanism is efficient to solve such resource-related and mission-oriented cooperation problems in complicated environments.
Real-Time Automated Segmentation and Classification of Calcaneal Fractures in CT Images
Authors: Rahmaniar Wahyu , Wang Wen-June
Published: July 2019

Calcaneal fractures often occur because of accidents during exercise or activities. In general, the detection of the calcaneal fracture is still carried out manually through CT image observation, and as a result, there is a lack of precision in the analysis. This paper proposes a computer-aid method for the calcaneal fracture detection to acquire a faster and more detailed observation. First, the anatomical plane orientation of the tarsal bone in the input image is selected to determine the location of the calcaneus. Then, several fragments of the calcaneus image are detected and marked by color segmentation. The Sanders system is used to classify fractures in transverse and coronal images into four types, based on the number of fragments. In sagittal image, fractures are classified into three types based on the involvement of the fracture area. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves a high precision rate of 86%, with a fast computational performance of 133 frames per second (fps), used to analyze the severity of injury to the calcaneus. The results in the test image are validated based on the assessment and evaluation carried out by the physician on the reference datasets.
FEM-Based Compression Fracture Risk Assessment in Osteoporotic Lumbar Vertebra L1
Authors: Maknickas Algirdas , Alekna Vidmantas , Ardatov Oleg , Chabarova Olga , Zabulionis Darius , Tamulaitienė Marija , Kačianauskas Rimantas
Published: July 2019

This paper presents a finite element method (FEM)-based fracture risk assessment in patient-specific osteoporotic lumbar vertebra L1. The influence of osteoporosis is defined by variation of parameters such as thickness of the cortical shell, the bone volume–total volume ratio (BV/TV), and the trabecular bone score (TBS). The mechanical behaviour of bone is defined using the Ramberg–Osgood material model. This study involves the static and nonlinear dynamic calculations of von Mises stresses and follows statistical processing of the obtained results in order to develop the patient-specific vertebra reliability. In addition, different scenarios of parameters show that the reliability of the proposed model of human vertebra highly decreases with low levels of BV/TV and is critical due to the thinner cortical bone, suggesting high trauma risk by reason of osteoporosis.
TIR-MS: Thermal Infrared Mean-Shift for Robust Pedestrian Head Tracking in Dynamic Target and Background Variations
Authors: Yun Sungmin , Kim Sungho
Published: July 2019

Thermal infrared (TIR) pedestrian tracking is one of the major issues in computer vision. Mean-shift is a powerful and versatile non-parametric iterative algorithm for finding local maxima in probability distributions. In existing infrared data, and mean-shift-based tracking is generally based on the brightness feature values. Unfortunately, the brightness is distorted by the target and background variations. This paper proposes a novel pedestrian tracking algorithm, thermal infrared mean-shift (TIR-MS), by introducing radiometric temperature data in mean-shift tracking. The thermal brightness image (eight-bits) was distorted by the automatic contrast enhancement of the scene such as hot objects in the background. On the other hand, the temperature data was unaffected directly by the background change, except for variations by the seasonal effect, which is more stable than the brightness. The experimental results showed that the TIR-MS outperformed the original mean-shift-based brightness when tracking a pedestrian head with successive background variations.
Exploring Manufacturing Process and Degradation Products of Gilt and Painted Leather
Authors: Iorio Morena , Graziani Valerio , Lins Sergio , Ridolfi Stefano , Branchini Paolo , Fabbri Andrea , Ingo Gabriel , Di Carlo Gabriella , Tortora Luca
Published: July 2019

In this work, we studied the manufacturing processes and the conservation state of gilt and painted leather fragments from Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia (Italy) by using different analytical techniques. Leather fragments present a silver leaf superimposed onto leather support. A gold varnish and different painted layers decorate it all. A top-down analytical approach was used to investigate this complex multilayer structure, which adopted techniques with different sampling depths. Organic and inorganic constitutive materials together with related degradation products were studied by time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF). The findings have revealed the presence of different elements and species as calcium and iron in the leather support, which was attributed to the un-hairing process in the leather tanning. Regarding what concerns the silver leaf, where the varnish cracked, silver chlorides, oxides, and sulfides were detected as degradation products of the silver leaf. Proteinaceous compounds were also identified where the silver leaf is unprotected by the varnish. These ion signals reveal a potential use of animal glue on both sides of the silver leaf to promote durable adhesion. In the gold varnish, the surface analysis revealed organic compounds such as resins and oils. In particular, the copresence of linoleic, arachidonic, and lignoceric acid ion signals in the yellow area suggests the use of aloe as a colorant. Lead ions in the same area were detected and attributed to the use of lead as siccative. Blue areas were obtained by using indigo and lead white in addition to an oil binder. This is confirmed by the detection of indigotin, fatty acid, and lead soap ion signals. A copper-based pigment was used to depict the green areas and copper oxalates were identified as its degradation products. Lastly, no significant information about the red colorant was obtained. Colophony is present as a component of the final varnish.
QoS-Guaranteed Radio Resource Management in LTE-A Co-Channel Networks with Dual Connectivity
Authors: Hwang Ren-Hung , Peng Min-Chun , Cheng Kai-Chung
Published: July 2019

Dual connectivity (DC) was first proposed in 3GPP Release 12 which allows one piece of user equipment (UE) to connect to two base stations in heterogeneous networks (HetNet) at the same time, to increase the flexibility of resource utilization. DC has been further extended to multiple connectivity in 5G New Radio (NR). On the other hand, different UE tends to have different bandwidth requirements. Thus, in DC, one of the challenging issues is how to integrate resources from two base stations to enhance the quality of service (QoS) as well as the data transfer rate of each UE. In this paper, we proposed novel resource management mechanisms to improve the QoS of UE in the co-channel dual connectivity network. In terms of resource allocation, we designed the Max–Min Threshold Scheduler (MTS) which, in principle, allocates a resource block to the UE with the best channel quality while considering the issues of intercell resource allocation and the QoS requirement of each UE. In order to balance the load of different cells, we designed a novel cell selection scheme based on the HetNet Congestion Indicator (HCI) which considers not only the signal quality of UE but also the remaining resources of each base station. To improve the QoS of cell edge UE, cell range expansion (CRE) and the Almost Blank Subframe (ABS) were proposed in 3GPP. In this paper, based on Q-learning, we designed an adaptive mechanism which dynamically adjusts the ABS ratio according to the network condition to improve resource utilization. Our simulation results showed that our MTS scheduler was able to achieve a 31.44% higher data rate than the Proportional Fairness Scheduler; our HCI cell selection scheme yielded a 2.98% higher data rate than the signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR) cell selection scheme; the QoS satisfaction rate of our Q-learning dynamic ABS scheme was 4.06% higher than that of the Static ABS scheme. Finally, for the cell edge users who often suffer poor data transfer rate, by integrating the mechanisms of DC, CRE, and ABS, our experimental results showed that the QoS satisfaction ratio of cell edge UEs could be improved by 10.76% as compared to the single connectivity and no ABS situation.
A Fragile Watermark Scheme for Image Recovery Based on Singular Value Decomposition, Edge Detection and Median Filter
Authors: Xie Xuan , Wang Chengyou , Li Meiling
Published: July 2019

Many fragile watermark methods have been proposed for image recovery and their performance has been greatly improved. However, jagged edges and confusion still exist in the restored areas and these problems need to be solved to achieve a better visual effect. In this paper, a method for improving recovery quality is proposed that adopts singular value decomposition (SVD) and edge detection for tamper detection and then uses a median filter for image recovery. Variable watermark information can be generated that corresponds to block classifications. With mapping and neighborhood adjustment, the area that has been tampered can be correctly detected. Subsequently, we adopt a filtering operation for the restored image obtained after the inverse watermark embedding process. During the filtering operation, a median filter is used to smooth and remove noise, followed by minimum, maximum and threshold operations to balance the image intensity. Finally, the corresponding pixels of the restored image are replaced with the filtered results. The experimental results of six different tampering attacks conducted on eight test images show that tamper detection method with the edge detection can identify the tampered region correctly but has a higher false alarm rate than other methods. In addition, compared with the other three similar methods previously, using a median filter during image recovery not only improves the visual effect of the restored image but also enhances its quality objectively under most tampering attack conditions.
Application of Fuzzy Logic for Problems of Evaluating States of a Computing System
Authors: Buriboev Abror , Kang Hyun Kyu , Ko Myeong-Cheol , Oh Ryumduck , Abduvaitov Akmal , Jeon Heung Seok
Published: July 2019

The monitoring utilization and workloads of computer hardware components, such as CPU, RAM, bus, and storage, are an ideal way to evaluate the effectiveness of these components. In this paper, we surveyed the basic concepts, characteristics, and parameters of computer systems that determine system performance, and the types of models that provide adequate modeling of these systems. We investigated and developed the applied aspects of the theory of fuzzy sets’ principles and the Matlab environment tools for monitoring and evaluating the state of computing systems. The idea of the paper is to identify the state of the computer infrastructure by using the models of Mamdani and Sugeno FIS (fuzzy inference system) to evaluate the impact of RAM and storage on CPU performance. With this approach, we observed the behavior of computer infrastructure. The results are useful for understanding performance issues with regard to specific bottlenecks and determining the correlation of performance counters. Moreover, the model presents linguistic results. Hereafter, performance counter correlations will support the development of algorithms that can detect whether the performance of a given computer will be affected by a reasonable priority. The performance assertions derived from these approaches allow resource management policies to prevent performance degradation, and as a result, the infrastructure will be able to serve safely as expected. These methods can be applied across the entire spectrum of computer systems, from personal computers to large mainframes and supercomputers, including both centralized and distributed systems. We look forward to their continued use, as well as their improvement when it is necessary to evaluate future systems.
Lock-In Thermography and Ultrasonic Testing of Impacted Basalt Fibers Reinforced Thermoplastic Matrix Composites
Authors: Boccardi Simone , Boffa Natalino Daniele , Carlomagno Giovanni Maria , Del Core Giuseppe , Meola Carosena , Monaco Ernesto , Russo Pietro , Simeoli Giorgio
Published: July 2019

Basalt fibers are receiving increasing consideration because they seem to be adequate as reinforcement of composites and to comply with the environmental safeguard rules. However, many factors affect the performance of composite material, demanding specific testing; one may be performance assessment under impact tests. The attention of the present work is focused on the detection of impact damage in basalt-based composites with two non-destructive testing techniques: lock-in thermography (LT) and ultrasonic testing (UT). Two different types of materials are considered which both include basalt fibers as reinforcement but two different matrices: Polyamide and polypropylene. Polypropylene is used either pure or modified with the addition of a coupling agent; the latter improves the fiber/matrix interface strength, giving in practice, a material of different characteristics. Specimens are first subjected to low-velocity impact tests and then non-destructively examined with the two above mentioned techniques. The obtained results are analyzed and compared to highlight the advantages and limitations of the two techniques to detect impact damage in basalt-based composites. Both techniques seem effective for the inspection of polyamide/basalt composite; in particular, there is a general agreement between results. Conversely, UT seems not suitable for the inspection of polypropylene/basalt composites because of their superficial porosity, while lock-in thermography is effective also for this type of composite material.
Measurement of Period Length and Skew Angle Patterns of Textile Cutting Pieces Based on Faster R-CNN
Authors: Geng Lei , Meng Qinglei , Xiao Zhitao , Liu Yanbei
Published: July 2019

The skew angle and period length of the multi-period pattern are two critical parameters for evaluating the quality of textile cutting pieces. In this paper, a new measurement method of the skew angle and period length is proposed based on Faster region convolutional neural network (R-CNN). First, a dataset containing approximately 5000 unique pattern images was established and annotated in the format of PASCAL VOC 2007. Second, the Faster R-CNN model was used to detect the pattern to determine the approximate location of the pattern (the position of the whole pattern). Third, precise position of the pattern (geometric center points of pattern) are processed based on the approximate position results using the automatic threshold segmentation method. Finally, the four-neighbor method was used to fill the missing center points to obtain a complete center point map, and the skew angle and period length can be measured by the detected center points. The experimental results show that the mean average position (mAP) of the pattern detection reached 84%, the average error of the proposed algorithm was less than 5% compared with the error of the manual measurement.
Quantification of Evaporative Sources of Precipitation and Its Changes in the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau and Middle Yangtze River Basin
Authors: Xu Yu , Gao Yanhong
Published: July 2019

The Southeastern Tibetan Plateau (SETP) and the Middle Yangtze River Basin (MYRB) show a large difference in their levels of precipitation, despite the fact that they are located within the same latitude band. The annual precipitation in the MYRB is much higher than in the SETP. Precipitation has decreased in the past three decades in both regions. To clarify the difference in precipitation and its changes between these two regions in recent decades, a quasi-isentropic backward trajectory (QIBT) model is used to track the evaporative source with the ERA-Interim reanalysis as the baseline. The wet seasons (from April to September) over the period of 1982–2011 were analyzed. Evaporative sources were divided into an oceanic portion and a terrestrial portion, in which local recycling was included. Our conclusions are as follows. A terrestrial evaporative source, including a neighboring terrestrial land source and local source, dominates both regions, although the summer monsoon regulates precipitation in the wet season. The local precipitation recycling ratio is 35% in the SETP and 29% in the MYRB. The oceanic evaporative source in the MYRB is five times larger than that in the SETP. The decrease in the oceanic evaporative source in the Indian Ocean is responsible for the decrease in precipitation in the SETP. In the MYRB, decreases in neighboring terrestrial sources dominate the precipitation decline. Regardless of the decreases in the remote oceanic or neighboring terrestrial evaporative sources, the local recycling ratio increased in both regions.
Evaluation of the Sea-Ice Simulation in the Upgraded Version of the Coupled Regional Atmosphere-Ocean- Sea Ice Model HIRHAM–NAOSIM 2.0
Authors: Dorn Wolfgang , Rinke Annette , Köberle Cornelia , Dethloff Klaus , Gerdes Rüdiger
Published: July 2019

The sea-ice climatology and sea-ice trends and variability are evaluated in simulations with the new version of the coupled Arctic atmosphere-ocean-sea ice model HIRHAM–NAOSIM 2.0. This version utilizes upgraded model components for the coupled subsystems, which include physical and numerical improvements and higher horizontal and vertical resolution, and a revised coupling procedure with the aid of the coupling software YAC (Yet Another Coupler). The model performance is evaluated against observationally based data sets and compared with the previous version. Ensemble simulations for the period 1979–2016 reveal that Arctic sea ice is thicker in all seasons and closer to observations than in the previous version. Wintertime biases in sea-ice extent, upper ocean temperatures, and near-surface air temperatures are reduced, while summertime biases are of similar magnitude as in the previous version. Problematic issues of the current model configuration and potential corrective measures and further developments are discussed.
Slice Holomorphic Functions in Several Variables with Bounded L-Index in Direction
Authors: Bandura Andriy , Skaskiv Oleh
Published: July 2019

In this paper, for a given direction b ∈ C n \ { 0 } we investigate slice entire functions of several complex variables, i.e., we consider functions which are entire on a complex line { z 0 + t b : t ∈ C } for any z 0 ∈ C n . Unlike to quaternionic analysis, we fix the direction b . The usage of the term slice entire function is wider than in quaternionic analysis. It does not imply joint holomorphy. For example, it allows consideration of functions which are holomorphic in variable z 1 and continuous in variable z 2 . For this class of functions there is introduced a concept of boundedness of L-index in the direction b where L : C n → R + is a positive continuous function. We present necessary and sufficient conditions of boundedness of L-index in the direction. In this paper, there are considered local behavior of directional derivatives and maximum modulus on a circle for functions from this class. Also, we show that every slice holomorphic and joint continuous function has bounded L-index in direction in any bounded domain and for any continuous function L : C n → R + .
New Monoclonal Antibodies for a Selective Detection of Membrane-Associated and Soluble Forms of Carbonic Anhydrase IX in Human Cell Lines and Biological Samples
Authors: Stravinskiene Dovile , Imbrasaite Aiste , Petrikaite Vilma , Matulis Daumantas , Matuliene Jurgita , Zvirbliene Aurelija
Published: July 2019

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) selectively targeting tumor-associated antigens such as carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) can significantly contribute to research, diagnostics, and treatment of CA IX-related cancers. CA IX is overexpressed in numerous hypoxic cancers where it promotes tumor progression. Therefore, it is considered as a promising tumor biomarker. A novel collection of MAbs against recombinant CA IX was developed and evaluated in different immunoassays for studying CA IX expression. The reactivity of MAbs with native cell surface protein was confirmed by flow cytometry and the presence of hypoxia-inducible CA IX was investigated in several human cancer cell lines. In addition, the applicability of MAbs for visualization of CA IX-positive tumor cells by immunofluorescence microscopy was demonstrated. MAb H7 was identified as the most promising MAb for different immunoassays. It recognized a linear epitope covering CA IX sequence of 12 amino acid residues 55-GEDDPLGEEDLP-66 within the proteoglycan domain. The MAb H7 was the only one of the collection to immunoprecipitate CA IX protein from cell lysates and detect the denatured CA IX with near-infrared fluorescence Western blot. It was also employed in sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect a soluble form of CA IX in growth medium of tumor cells and blood plasma samples. The diagnostic potential of the MAb H7 was confirmed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue specimen of cervical carcinoma in situ by immunohistochemistry. The generated MAbs, in particularly clone H7, have great potential in diagnostics and research of CA IX-related cancers.
Role of MCC/Eisosome in Fungal Lipid Homeostasis
Authors: Zahumensky Jakub , Malinsky Jan
Published: July 2019

One of the best characterized fungal membrane microdomains is the MCC/eisosome. The MCC (membrane compartment of Can1) is an evolutionarily conserved ergosterol-rich plasma membrane domain. It is stabilized on its cytosolic face by the eisosome, a hemitubular protein complex composed of Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domain-containing Pil1 and Lsp1. These two proteins bind directly to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and promote the typical furrow-like shape of the microdomain, with highly curved edges and bottom. While some proteins display stable localization in the MCC/eisosome, others enter or leave it under particular conditions, such as misbalance in membrane lipid composition, changes in membrane tension, or availability of specific nutrients. These findings reveal that the MCC/eisosome, a plasma membrane microdomain with distinct morphology and lipid composition, acts as a multifaceted regulator of various cellular processes including metabolic pathways, cellular morphogenesis, signalling cascades, and mRNA decay. In this minireview, we focus on the MCC/eisosome’s proposed role in the regulation of lipid metabolism. While the molecular mechanisms of the MCC/eisosome function are not completely understood, the idea of intracellular processes being regulated at the plasma membrane, the foremost barrier exposed to environmental challenges, is truly exciting.
Modelling of Molasses Fermentation for Bioethanol Production: A Comparative Investigation of Monod and Andrews Models Accuracy Assessment
Authors: Zentou Hamid , Zainal Abidin Zurina , Yunus Robiah , Awang Biak Dayang , Zouanti Mustapha , Hassani Abdelkader
Published: July 2019

Modelling has recently become a key tool to promote the bioethanol industry and to optimise the fermentation process to be easily integrated into the industrial sector. In this context, this study aims at investigating the applicability of two mathematical models (Andrews and Monod) for molasses fermentation. The kinetics parameters for Monod and Andrews were estimated from experimental data using Matlab and OriginLab software. The models were simulated and compared with another set of experimental data that was not used for parameters’ estimation. The results of modelling showed that μmax = 0.179 1/h and Ks = 11.37 g.L−1 for the Monod model, whereas μmax = 0.508 1/h, Ks = 47.53 g.L−1 and Ki = 181.01 g.L−1 for the Andrews model, which are too close to the values reported in previous studies. The validation of both models showed that the Monod model is more suitable for batch fermentation modelling at a low concentration, where the highest R squared was observed at S0 = 75 g.L−1 with an R squared equal to 0.99956, 0.99954, and 0.99859 for the biomass, substrate, and product concentrations, respectively. In contrast, the Andrews model was more accurate at a high initial substrate concentration and the model data showed a good agreement compared to the experimental data of batch fermentation at S0 = 225 g.L−1, which was reflected in a high R squared with values 0.99795, 0.99903, and 0.99962 for the biomass, substrate, and product concentrations respectively.
Exercise Intensity Influences Prefrontal Cortex Oxygenation during Cognitive Testing
Authors: Moriarty Terence , Bourbeau Kelsey , Bellovary Bryanne , Zuhl Micah N.
Published: July 2019

Activation changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) regions have been linked to acute exercise-induced improvements in cognitive performance. The type of exercise performed may influence PFC activation, and further impact cognitive function. The present study aimed to compare PFC activation during cognitive testing after moderate-intensity, high intensity, and yoga exercises, and to determine if PFC activation is linked to cognitive performance. Eight subjects (four male and four female), aged 35 ± 5 completed a control, high intensity, moderate intensity, and yoga exercises followed by administration of a cognitive task (NIH Toolbox Fluid Cognition). Left and right PFC activation (LPFC and RPFC, respectively) were evaluated by measuring hemoglobin difference (Hbdiff) changes during post-exercise cognitive assessment using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Activation during the cognitive test was higher in the LPFC after moderate intensity exercise compared to control, high intensity, and yoga (5.30 ± 6.65 vs. 2.26 ± 2.40, 2.50 ± 1.48, 2.41 ± 2.36 μM, p < 0.05, respectively). A negative relationship was detected between LPFC and processing speed after exercise. PFC activation did not align with cognitive performance. However, acute exercise, regardless of type, appeared to alter neural processing. Specifically, less PFC activation was required for a given neural output after exercise.
Context-Dependent Role of NF-κB Signaling in Primary Liver Cancer—from Tumor Development to Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Czauderna Carolin , Castven Darko , Mahn Friederike L. , Marquardt Jens U.
Published: July 2019

Chronic inflammatory cell death is a major risk factor for the development of diverse cancers including liver cancer. Herein, disruption of the hepatic microenvironment as well as the immune cell composition are major determinants of malignant transformation and progression in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Considerable research efforts have focused on the identification of predisposing factors that promote induction of an oncogenic field effect within the inflammatory liver microenvironment. Among the most prominent factors involved in this so-called inflammation-fibrosis-cancer axis is the NF-κB pathway. The dominant role of this pathway for malignant transformation and progression in HCC is well documented. Pathway activation is significantly linked to poor prognostic traits as well as stemness characteristics, which places modulation of NF-κB signaling in the focus of therapeutic interventions. However, it is well recognized that the mechanistic importance of the pathway for HCC is highly context and cell type dependent. While constitutive pathway activation in an inflammatory etiological background can significantly promote HCC development and progression, absence of NF-κB signaling in differentiated liver cells also significantly enhances liver cancer development. Thus, therapeutic targeting of NF-κB as well as associated family members may not only exert beneficial effects but also negatively impact viability of healthy hepatocytes and/or cholangiocytes, respectively. The review presented here aims to decipher the complexity and paradoxical functions of NF-κB signaling in primary liver and non-parenchymal cells, as well as the induced molecular alterations that drive HCC development and progression with a particular focus on (immune-) therapeutic interventions.
Mining of Self-Organizing Map Gene-Expression Portraits Reveals Prognostic Stratification of HPV-Positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Locati Laura D. , Serafini Mara S. , Iannò Maria F. , Carenzo Andrea , Orlandi Ester , Resteghini Carlo , Cavalieri Stefano , Bossi Paolo , Canevari Silvana , Licitra Lisa , De Cecco Loris
Published: July 2019

Patients (pts) with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have different epidemiologic, clinical, and outcome behaviors in relation to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status, with HPV-positive patients having a 70% reduction in their risk of death. Little is known about the molecular heterogeneity in HPV-related cases. In the present study, we aim to disclose the molecular subtypes with potential biological and clinical relevance. Through a literature review, 11 studies were retrieved with a total of 346 gene-expression data points from HPV-positive HNSCC pts. Meta-analysis and self-organizing map (SOM) approaches were used to disclose relevant meta-gene portraits. Unsupervised consensus clustering provided evidence of three biological subtypes in HPV-positive HNSCC: Cl1, immune-related; Cl2, epithelial–mesenchymal transition-related; Cl3, proliferation-related. This stratification has a prognostic relevance, with Cl1 having the best outcome, Cl2 the worst, and Cl3 an intermediate survival rate. Compared to recent literature, which identified immune and keratinocyte subtypes in HPV-related HNSCC, we confirmed the former and we separated the latter into two clusters with different biological and prognostic characteristics. At present, this paper reports the largest meta-analysis of HPV-positive HNSCC studies and offers a promising molecular subtype classification. Upon further validation, this stratification could improve patient selection and pave the way for the development of a precision medicine therapeutic approach.
Increased Soluble CMG2 Serum Protein Concentration Is Associated with the Progression of Prostate Carcinoma
Authors: Greither Thomas , Marcou Marios , Fornara Paolo , Behre Hermann M.
Published: July 2019

Prostate carcinoma (PCa) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in males, but biomarkers for the prognosis are rare. Capillary morphogenesis gene 2 (CMG2) is a modulator of extracellular matrix remodeling during angiogenesis. Four isoforms of CMG2 have been described so far, one secreted in the serum as soluble CMG2 (sCMG2). The aim of this study was to evaluate the sCMG2 serum concentrations in 179 PCa patients and 163 age-matched control subjects by ELISA and correlate it to clinical and demographic parameters. We observed that sCMG2 concentration is increased in the serum of PCa patients with metastases, while no significant differences in the concentrations were detected between the control subjects and patients with localized PCa. Furthermore, elevated sCMG2 concentrations were significantly associated with the highest T stage. Increased sCMG2 serum concentrations tended to be associated with a worsened overall and disease-specific survival of the PCa patients. In conclusion, sCMG2 may be an interesting additive biomarker for the prediction of the progression of PCa and the patients’ outcome.
Functional Autodisplay of Phenolic Acid Decarboxylase using a GDSL Autotransporter on Escherichia coli for Efficient Catalysis of 4-Hydroxycinnamic Acids to Vinylphenol Derivatives
Authors: Li Lulu , Wu Xiang , Long Liangkun , Ding Shaojun
Published: July 2019

Bioproduction of vinylphenol derivatives, such as 4-vinylguaiacol (4-VG) and 4-vinylphenol (4-VP), from 4-hydroxycinnamic acids, such as ferulic acid (FA) and p-coumaric acid (pCA), employing whole cells expressing phenolic acid decarboxylases (PAD) as a biocatalyst has attracted much attention in recent years. However, the accumulation of 4-VG or 4-VP in the cell may cause high cytotoxicity to Escherichia coli (E. coli) and consequently cell death during the process. In this study, we firstly report the functional display of a phenolic acid decarboxylase (BLPAD) from Bacillus licheniformis using a GDSL autotransporter from Pseudomonas putida on the cell surface of E. coli. Expression and localization of BLPAD on E. coli were verified by SDS-PAGE and protease accessibility. The PelB signal peptide is more effective in guiding the translocation of BLPAD on the cell surface than the native signal peptide of GDSL, and the cell surface displaying BLPAD activity reached 19.72 U/OD600. The cell surface displaying BLPAD showed good reusability and retained 63% of residual activity after 7 cycles of repeated use. In contrast, the residual activity of the intracellular expressing cells was approximately 11% after 3 cycles of reuse. The molar bioconversion yields of 72.6% and 80.4% were achieved at the concentration of 300 mM of FA and pCA in a biphasic toluene/Na2HPO4–citric acid buffer system, respectively. Its good reusability and efficient catalysis suggested that the cell surface displaying BLPAD can be used as a whole-cell biocatalyst for efficient production of 4-VG and 4-VP.
Reaction Rate Study of the Photocatalytic Degradation of Dichloroacetic Acid in a Black Body Reactor
Authors: Megatif Lena , Dillert Ralf , Bahnemann Detlef W.
Published: July 2019

The light-induced degradation of dichloroacetic acid in aqueous suspensions containing the TiO2 photocatalyst Hombikat UV 100 was investigated. The reactions were performed in a black body reactor in which the rate of conversion, defined as the time derivative of the extent of conversion, is not affected by the light scattering properties of the photocatalysts. At sufficiently high concentrations of both the probe compound and the photocatalyst the rate of conversion was found to be unswayed by the initial concentration of the probe compound, the mass concentration of the photocatalyst, and the suspension volume. Thus, the chosen experimental conditions enable the determination of the rate of conversion and the quantum yield of the light induced degradation of dichloroacetic acid in aqueous photocatalyst suspension with sufficiently good reproducibility. The experimental procedure employed here seems to be generally applicable to determine rates of conversion and quantum yields that possibly allow a comparison of the activities of photocatalysts in aqueous suspensions.
New 1,8-Naphthalimide Derivatives as Photoinitiators for Free-Radical Polymerization Upon Visible Light
Authors: Bonardi Aude-Héloïse , Zahouily Soraya , Dietlin Céline , Graff Bernadette , Morlet-Savary Fabrice , Ibrahim-Ouali Malika , Gigmes Didier , Hoffmann Norbert , Dumur Frédéric , Lalevée Jacques
Published: July 2019

Photopolymerization processes, and especially those carried out under visible light, are more and more widespread for their multiple advantages compared to thermal processes. In the present paper, new 1,8-naphthalimide derivatives are proposed as photoinitiators for free-radical polymerization upon visible light exposure using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at 395, 405, and 470 nm. These photoinitiators are used in combination with both iodonium salts and phosphine. The synthesis of these compounds as well as their excellent polymerization initiation ability for methacrylate monomers are presented in this article. A full picture of the involved chemical mechanisms is also provided thanks to photolysis, radical characterization, and redox measurements.
An Exosomal Urinary miRNA Signature for Early Diagnosis of Renal Fibrosis in Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Solé Cristina , Moliné Teresa , Vidal Marta , Ordi-Ros Josep , Cortés-Hernández Josefina
Published: July 2019

For lupus nephritis (LN) management, it is very important to detect fibrosis at an early stage. Urinary exosomal miRNAs profiling can be used as a potential multi-marker phenotyping tool to identify early fibrosis. We isolated and characterised urinary exosomes and cellular pellets from patients with biopsy-proven LN (n = 45) and healthy controls (n = 20). LN chronicity index (CI) correlated with urinary exosomal miR-21, miR-150, and miR-29c (r = 0.565, 0.840, −0.559, respectively). This miRNA profile distinguished low CI from moderate-high CI in LN patients with a high sensitivity and specificity (94.4% and 99.8%). Furthermore, this multimarker panel predicted an increased risk of progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Pathway analysis identified VEGFA and SP1 as common target genes for the three miRNAs. Immunohistochemistry in LN renal biopsies revealed a significant increase of COL1A1 and COL4A1 correlated with renal chronicity. SP1 decreased significantly in the high-CI group (p = 0.002). VEGFA levels showed no differences. In vitro experiments suggest that these miRNA combinations promote renal fibrosis by increasing profibrotic molecules through SP1 and Smad3/TGFβ pathways. In conclusion, a urinary exosomal multimarker panel composed of miR-21, miR-150, and miR-29c provides a non-invasive method to detect early renal fibrosis and predict disease progression in LN.
Immune-Deficient Pfp/Rag2−/− Mice Featured Higher Adipose Tissue Mass and Liver Lipid Accumulation with Growing Age than Wildtype C57BL/6N Mice
Authors: Winkler Sandra , Hempel Madlen , Hsu Mei-Ju , Gericke Martin , Kühne Hagen , Brückner Sandra , Erler Silvio , Burkhardt Ralph , Christ Bruno
Published: July 2019

Aging is a risk factor for adipose tissue dysfunction, which is associated with inflammatory innate immune mechanisms. Since the adipose tissue/liver axis contributes to hepatosteatosis, we sought to determine age-related adipose tissue dysfunction in the context of the activation of the innate immune system fostering fatty liver phenotypes. Using wildtype and immune-deficient mice, we compared visceral adipose tissue and liver mass as well as hepatic lipid storage in young (ca. 14 weeks) and adult (ca. 30 weeks) mice. Adipocyte size was determined as an indicator of adipocyte function and liver steatosis was quantified by hepatic lipid content. Further, lipid storage was investigated under normal and steatosis-inducing culture conditions in isolated hepatocytes. The physiological age-related increase in body weight was associated with a disproportionate increase in adipose tissue mass in immune-deficient mice, which coincided with higher triglyceride storage in the liver. Lipid storage was similar in isolated hepatocytes from wildtype and immune-deficient mice under normal culture conditions but was significantly higher in immune-deficient than in wildtype hepatocytes under steatosis-inducing culture conditions. Immune-deficient mice also displayed increased inflammatory, adipogenic, and lipogenic markers in serum and adipose tissue. Thus, the age-related increase in body weight coincided with an increase in adipose tissue mass and hepatic steatosis. In association with a (pro-)inflammatory milieu, aging thus promotes hepatosteatosis, especially in immune-deficient mice.
Rifampicin and Its Derivative Rifampicin Quinone Reduce Microglial Inflammatory Responses and Neurodegeneration Induced In Vitro by α-Synuclein Fibrillary Aggregates
Authors: Acuña Leonardo , Hamadat Sabah , Corbalán Natalia S. , González-Lizárraga Florencia , dos-Santos-Pereira Mauricio , Rocca Jérémy , Sepúlveda Díaz Julia , Del-Bel Elaine , Papy-García Dulce , Chehín Rosana N. , Michel Patrick P. , Raisman-Vozari Rita
Published: July 2019

Aggregated forms of the synaptic protein α-synuclein (αS) have been proposed to operate as a molecular trigger for microglial inflammatory processes and neurodegeneration in Parkinson´s disease. Here, we used brain microglial cell cultures activated by fibrillary forms of recombinant human αS to assess the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities of the antibiotic rifampicin (Rif) and its autoxidation product rifampicin quinone (RifQ). Pretreatments with Rif and RifQ reduced the secretion of prototypical inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and the burst of oxidative stress in microglial cells activated with αS fibrillary aggregates. Note, however, that RifQ was constantly more efficacious than its parent compound in reducing microglial activation. We also established that the suppressive effects of Rif and RifQ on cytokine release was probably due to inhibition of both PI3K- and non-PI3K-dependent signaling events. The control of oxidative stress appeared, however, essentially dependent on PI3K inhibition. Of interest, we also showed that RifQ was more efficient than Rif in protecting neuronal cells from toxic factors secreted by microglia activated by αS fibrils. Overall, data with RifQ are promising enough to justify further studies to confirm the potential of this compound as an anti-parkinsionian drug.
FZD10 Carried by Exosomes Sustains Cancer Cell Proliferation
Authors: Scavo Maria Principia , Depalo Nicoletta , Rizzi Federica , Ingrosso Chiara , Fanizza Elisabetta , Chieti Annarita , Messa Caterina , Denora Nunzio , Laquintana Valentino , Striccoli Marinella , Curri Maria Lucia , Giannelli Gianluigi
Published: July 2019

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are involved in intercellular communication during carcinogenesis, and cancer cells are able to secrete EVs, in particular exosomes containing molecules, that can be transferred to recipient cells to induce pathological processes and significant modifications, as metastasis, increase of proliferation, and carcinogenesis evolution. FZD proteins, a family of receptors comprised in the Wnt signaling pathway, play an important role in carcinogenesis of the gastroenteric tract. Here, a still unknown role of Frizzled 10 (FZD10) protein was identified. In particular, the presence of FZD10 and FZD10-mRNA in exosomes extracted from culture medium of the untreated colorectal, gastric, hepatic, and cholangio cancer cell lines, was detected. A substantial reduction in the FZD10 and FZD10-mRNA level was achieved in FZD10-mRNA silenced cells and in their corresponding exosomes. Concomitantly, a significant decrease in viability of the silenced cells compared to their respective controls was observed. Notably, the incubation of silenced cells with the exosomes extracted from culture medium of the same untreated cells promoted the restoration of the cell viability and, also, of the FZD10 and FZD10-mRNA level, thus indicating that the FZD10 and FZD10-mRNA delivering exosomes may be potential messengers of cancer reactivation and play an active role in long-distance metastatization.
Exposure to Ionizing Radiation Triggers Prolonged Changes in Circular RNA Abundance in the Embryonic Mouse Brain and Primary Neurons
Authors: Mbouombouo Mfossa André Claude , Thekkekara Puthenparampil Helene , Inalegwu Auchi , Coolkens Amelie , Baatout Sarah , Benotmane Mohammed A. , Huylebroeck Danny , Quintens Roel
Published: July 2019

The exposure of mouse embryos in utero and primary cortical neurons to ionizing radiation results in the P53-dependent activation of a subset of genes that is highly induced during brain development and neuronal maturation, a feature that these genes reportedly share with circular RNAs (circRNAs). Interestingly, some of these genes are predicted to express circular transcripts. In this study, we validated the abundance of the circular transcript variants of four P53 target genes (Pvt1, Ano3, Sec14l5, and Rnf169). These circular variants were overall more stable than their linear counterparts. They were furthermore highly enriched in the brain and their transcript levels continuously increase during subsequent developmental stages (from embryonic day 12 until adulthood), while no further increase could be observed for linear mRNAs beyond post-natal day 30. Finally, whereas radiation-induced expression of P53 target mRNAs peaks early after exposure, several of the circRNAs showed prolonged induction in irradiated embryonic mouse brain, primary mouse cortical neurons, and mouse blood. Together, our results indicate that the circRNAs from these P53 target genes are induced in response to radiation and they corroborate the findings that circRNAs may represent biomarkers of brain age. We also propose that they may be superior to mRNA as long-term biomarkers for radiation exposure.
Stx5-Mediated ER-Golgi Transport in Mammals and Yeast
Authors: Linders Peter TA , van der Horst Chiel , ter Beest Martin , van den Bogaart Geert
Published: July 2019

The soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) syntaxin 5 (Stx5) in mammals and its ortholog Sed5p in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mediate anterograde and retrograde endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi trafficking. Stx5 and Sed5p are structurally highly conserved and are both regulated by interactions with other ER-Golgi SNARE proteins, the Sec1/Munc18-like protein Scfd1/Sly1p and the membrane tethering complexes COG, p115, and GM130. Despite these similarities, yeast Sed5p and mammalian Stx5 are differently recruited to COPII-coated vesicles, and Stx5 interacts with the microtubular cytoskeleton, whereas Sed5p does not. In this review, we argue that these different Stx5 interactions contribute to structural differences in ER-Golgi transport between mammalian and yeast cells. Insight into the function of Stx5 is important given its essential role in the secretory pathway of eukaryotic cells and its involvement in infections and neurodegenerative diseases.
Towards In-Situ Electron Microscopy Studies of Flash Sintering
Authors: Schwarzbach Danny , Gonzalez-Julian Jesus , Guillon Olivier , Roddatis Vladimir , Volkert Cynthia A.
Published: July 2019

Flash sintering, a special case of electric field-assisted sintering, results in accelerated densification at lower temperatures than conventional sintering methods. However, the mechanisms remain elusive despite the wide application potential. In-situ electron microscopy studies reveal shrinkage of ZnO green bodies due to both heating and heating/biasing but show no obvious effect of the current on the behavior. In contrast, thin epitaxial ZnO films deposited on an Al2O3 substrate undergo a clear flash event during in-situ voltage application in the TEM, providing the first observation of flash sintering of a thin film. The specimen was captured in the high conductivity state where grain boundary motion was observed. The microscopic origins of the high conductivity state could not be detected, but may have the same underlying physical origin as the high conductivity memristive state.