bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Satellite cell activity, without expansion, after nonhypertrophic stimuli
Authors: Joanisse Sophie , McKay Bryon R. , Nederveen Joshua P. , Scribbans Trisha D. , Gurd Brendon J. , Gillen Jenna B. , Gibala Martin J. , Tarnopolsky Mark , Parise Gianni
Published: September 2015

The purpose of the present studies was to determine the effect of various nonhypertrophic exercise stimuli on satellite cell (SC) pool activity in human skeletal muscle. Previously untrained men and women (men: 29 ± 9 yr and women: 29 ± 2 yr, n = 7 each) completed 6 wk of very low-volume high-intensity sprint interval training. In a separate study, recreationally active men ( n = 16) and women ( n = 3) completed 6 wk of either traditional moderate-intensity continuous exercise ( n = 9, 21 ± 4 yr) or low-volume sprint interval training ( n = 10, 21 ± 2 yr). Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis before and after training. The fiber type-specific SC response to training was determined, as was the activity of the SC pool using immunofluorescent microscopy of muscle cross sections. Training did not induce hypertrophy, as assessed by muscle cross-sectional area, nor did the SC pool expand in any group. However, there was an increase in the number of active SCs after each intervention. Specifically, the number of activated (Pax7+/MyoD+, P ≤ 0.05) and differentiating (Pax7−/MyoD+, P ≤ 0.05) SCs increased after each training intervention. Here, we report evidence of activated and cycling SCs that may or may not contribute to exercise-induced adaptations while the SC pool remains constant after three nonhypertrophic exercise training protocols.
Twenty years after ACEIs and ARBs: emerging treatment strategies for diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Johnson Stacy A. , Spurney Robert F.
Published: September 2015

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The disease is now the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in developed countries, and both the incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide. Current treatments are directed at controlling hyperglycemia and hypertension, as well as blockade of the renin angiotensin system with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), and angiotensin receptor blockers. Despite these therapies, DN progresses to ESKD in many patients. As a result, much interest is focused on developing new therapies. It has been over two decades since ACEIs were shown to have beneficial effects in DN independent of their blood pressure-lowering actions. Since that time, our understanding of disease mechanisms in DN has evolved. In this review, we summarize major cell signaling pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease, as well as emerging treatment strategies. The goal is to identify promising targets that might be translated into therapies for the treatment of patients with diabetic kidney disease.
Electrical maturation of spinal neurons in the human fetus: comparison of ventral and dorsal horn
Authors: Tadros M. A. , Lim R. , Hughes D. I. , Brichta A. M. , Callister R. J.
Published: September 2015

The spinal cord is critical for modifying and relaying sensory information to, and motor commands from, higher centers in the central nervous system to initiate and maintain contextually relevant locomotor responses. Our understanding of how spinal sensorimotor circuits are established during in utero development is based largely on studies in rodents. In contrast, there is little functional data on the development of sensory and motor systems in humans. Here, we use patch-clamp electrophysiology to examine the development of neuronal excitability in human fetal spinal cords (10–18 wk gestation; WG). Transverse spinal cord slices (300 μm thick) were prepared, and recordings were made, from visualized neurons in either the ventral (VH) or dorsal horn (DH) at 32°C. Action potentials (APs) could be elicited in VH neurons throughout the period examined, but only after 16 WG in DH neurons. At this age, VH neurons discharged multiple APs, whereas most DH neurons discharged single APs. In addition, at 16–18 WG, VH neurons also displayed larger AP and after-hyperpolarization amplitudes than DH neurons. Between 10 and 18 WG, the intrinsic properties of VH neurons changed markedly, with input resistance decreasing and AP and after-hyperpolarization amplitudes increasing. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that VH motor circuitry matures more rapidly than the DH circuits that are involved in processing tactile and nociceptive information.
Prognostic Outcomes and Risk Factors for Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma and Venous Tumor Thrombus after Radical Nephrectomy and Thrombectomy: The Prognostic Significance of Venous Tumor Thrombus Level
Authors: Tang Qi , Song Yi , Li Xuesong , Meng Maxwell , Zhang Qian , Wang Jin , He Zhisong , Zhou Liqun
Published: September 2015

Introduction. To evaluate the prognostic outcomes and risk factors for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with venous tumor thrombus in China.Materials and Methods. We reviewed the clinical information of 169 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy. Overall and cancer-specific survival rates were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the potential prognostic factors.Results. The median survival time was 63 months. The five-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival rate were 53.6% and 54.4% for all patients. For all patients, significant survival difference was only observed between early (below hepatic vein) and advanced (above hepatic vein) tumor thrombus. However, significant differences existed between both RV/IVC and early/advanced tumor thrombus groups in N0M0 patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that higher tumor thrombus level (p=0.016,RR=1.58), N (p=0.013,RR=2.60), and M (p<0.001,RR=4.14) stages and adrenal gland invasion (p=0.001,RR=4.91) were the most significant negative prognostic predictors.Conclusions. In this study, we reported most cases of RCC patients with venous extension in China. We proved that patients with RCC and venous tumor thrombus may have relative promising long-term survival rate, especially those with early tumor thrombus.
Exploring the Functional Disorder and Corresponding Key Transcription Factors in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms Progression
Authors: Bai Guiying , Wu Chenxuan , Gao Yingtang , Shu Guiming
Published: September 2015

This study has analyzed the gene expression patterns of an IPMN microarray dataset including normal pancreatic ductal tissue (NT), intraductal papillary mucinous adenoma (IPMA), intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC), and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) samples. And eight clusters of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with similar expression pattern were detected byk-means clustering. Then a survey map of functional disorder in IPMN progression was established by functional enrichment analysis of these clusters. In addition, transcription factors (TFs) enrichment analysis was used to detect the key TFs in each cluster of DEGs, and three TFs (FLI1, ERG, and ESR1) were found to significantly regulate DEGs in cluster 1, and expression of these three TFs was validated by qRT-PCR. All these results indicated that these three TFs might play key roles in the early stages of IPMN progression.
Effect of Perioperative β-Blockers on Pulmonary Complications among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Undergoing Lung Resection Surgery
Authors: Kamath A. , Stover D. E. , Hemdan A. , Belinskaya I. , Steingart R. M. , Taur Y. , Feinstein M. B.
Published: September 2015

The aim of this study is to determine if COPD patients undergoing lung resection with perioperative β-blocker use are more likely to suffer postoperative COPD exacerbations than those that did not receive perioperative β-blockers. Methods. A historical cohort study of COPD patients, undergoing lung resection surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between 2002 and 2006. Primary outcomes were the rate of postoperative COPD exacerbations, defined as any initiation or increase of glucocorticoids for documented bronchospasm. Results. 520 patients with COPD were identified who underwent lung resection. Of these, 205 (39%) received perioperative β-blockers and 315 (61%) did not. COPD was mild among 361 patients (69% of all patients), moderate in 117 patients (23%), and severe in 42 patients (8%). COPD exacerbations occurred among 11 (5.4%) patients who received perioperative β-blockers and among 20 (6.3%) patients who did not. Secondary outcomes, which included respiratory failure, 30-day mortality, and the presence or absence of any cardiovascular complication, ICU transfer, cardiovascular complication, or readmission within 30 days, did not differ in prevalence between the two groups. Conclusions. This study implies that perioperative β-blockers use among COPD patients undergoing lung resection surgery does not impact the rate of exacerbations.
Constructing a Genome-Wide LD Map of WildA. gambiaeUsing Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Afrane Yaw A. , Yan Guiyun , Li Jun
Published: September 2015

Anopheles gambiaeis the major malaria vector in Africa. Examining the molecular basis ofA. gambiaetraits requires knowledge of both genetic variation and genome-wide linkage disequilibrium (LD) map of wildA. gambiaepopulations from malaria-endemic areas. We sequenced the genomes of nine wildA. gambiaemosquitoes individually using next-generation sequencing technologies and detected 2,219,815 common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 88% of which are novel. SNPs are not evenly distributed acrossA. gambiaechromosomes. The low SNP-frequency regions overlay heterochromatin and chromosome inversion domains, consistent with the lower recombinant rates at these regions. Nearly one million SNPs that were genotyped correctly in all individual mosquitoes with 99.6% confidence were extracted from these high-throughput sequencing data. Based on these SNP genotypes, we constructed a genome-wide LD map for wildA. gambiaefrom malaria-endemic areas in Kenya and made it available through a public Website. The average size of LD blocks is less than 40 bp, and several large LD blocks were also discovered clustered around theparagene, which is consistent with the effect of insecticide selective sweeps. The SNPs and the LD map will be valuable resources for scientific communities to dissect theA. gambiaegenome.
Bilateral Intracranial Vertebral Artery Stenosis Presenting as Recurrent Prolonged Presyncopal Episodes
Authors: Sundar Banu , Moonis Majaz , Wakhloo Ajay , Puri Ajit
Published: September 2015

Amongst various mechanisms of presyncopal events, posterior circulation disease needs to be considered. This particular mechanism has been underrecognized. We describe a case of a 76-year-old patient with recurrent posterior circulation TIAs, presenting as recurrent prolonged presyncopal events.
Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Oral Anticancer Therapies for Solid Tumors
Authors: Costa Ana Lúcia , Abreu Catarina , Pacheco Teresa Raquel , Macedo Daniela , Sousa Ana Rita , Pulido Catarina , Quintela António , Costa Luís
Published: September 2015

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is still a common and debilitating side effect despite recent advances in its prevention and treatment. The intrinsic emetogenicity of chemotherapy agents allowed grouping into four risk groups (high, moderate, low, and minimal risk of emetogenicity). The prevention of acute and delayed CINV for intravenous agents and one day regimens is well studied, although, there are few data about management of CINV induced by oral cytotoxic agents and targeted therapies, usually administered in extended regimens of daily oral use. Until now treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by oral antineoplastic agents remains largely empirical. The level of evidence of prophylactic antiemetics recommended for these agents is low. There are differences in the classification of emetogenic potential of oral antineoplastic agents between the international guidelines and different recommendations for prophylactic antiemetic regimens. Herein we review the evidence for antiemetic regimens for the most used oral antineoplastic agents for solid tumors and propose antiemetic regimens for high to moderate risk and low to minimal risk of emetogenicity.
Effects of a Particular Heptapeptide on the IFN-α-Sensitive CML Cells
Authors: Yang Fu-lan , Chen Fang-zhi , Wan Xin-xing , Zhou Xi , Zhou Mei-juan , Chen Han-chun , Fu Jun-jiang , Zhang Dian-zheng
Published: September 2015

Using the phage display biopanning technique, we have previously identified a heptapeptide KLWVIPQ which specifically binds to the surface of the IFN-α-sensitive but not the IFN-α-resistant CML cells. The effects of this heptapeptide on the IFN-α-sensitive CML cells were investigated in the present study. IFN-α-sensitive KT-1/A3 and IFN-α-resistant KT-1/A3R CML cells were transfected by pEGFP-KLWVIPQ expression vector and/or induced by IFN-α. WST-1 cell proliferation assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting were performed to determine the effects of this heptapeptide and/or IFN-αon CML cells. The viability of the KT-1/A3 cells was inhibited and apoptosis was induced by either expression of the heptapeptide KLWVIPQ or IFN-αtreatment with concurrent upregulation of P53 and downregulation of P210bcr/abl. However, these effects were not observed in the IFN-α-resistant KT-1/A3R cells. These results suggest that the heptapeptide KLWVIPQ shares a similar mechanism with IFN-αin the regulation of CML cell growth and apoptosis, implying that the heptapeptide KLWVIPQ could be a novel target to go further into mechanisms of IFN-αsensitivity and/or resistance in CML.
Model-Based Sensitivity Analysis on Aerosol Optical Thickness Prediction
Authors: Han Bo , Gao Xiaowei , Cui Xiaohui
Published: September 2015

Prediction of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) is important to study worldwide climate changes. Researchers have built multiple AOT prediction models. However, few researches were focused on the validation of input attributes for AOT regression. In this paper, we proposed a support vector regression (SVR) model-based sensitivity analysis approach to order 35 MODIS input attributes according to their sensitivity to prediction outputs. Next, the attribute sensitivity orders are used for feature selection in the context of regression by removing insensitive attribute one at a time or by removing attributes whose sensitive orders are larger than number k. The experimental results based on the collocated data between MODIS and AERONET from 2009 to 2011 showed that the top 10 insensitive attributes can be screened to speed up prediction model computation with very little loss of accuracy. The results also suggested that the top sensitive attributes are the most informative attributes, requiring the highest precision for accurate AOT prediction. Thereby, our approach will be valuable for remote sensing scientists or atmospheric scientists to optimize the design precision of top sensitive attributes in scanning equipment like MODIS and therefore improve AOT retrieval accuracy.
CDMBE: A Case Description Model Based on Evidence
Authors: Zhu Jianlin , Yang Xiaoping , Zhou Jing
Published: September 2015

By combining the advantages of argument map and Bayesian network, a case description model based on evidence (CDMBE), which is suitable to continental law system, is proposed to describe the criminal cases. The logic of the model adopts the credibility logical reason and gets evidence-based reasoning quantitatively based on evidences. In order to consist with practical inference rules, five types of relationship and a set of rules are defined to calculate the credibility of assumptions based on the credibility and supportability of the related evidences. Experiments show that the model can get users’ ideas into a figure and the results calculated from CDMBE are in line with those from Bayesian model.
Error Estimation of Functions by Fourier-Laguerre Polynomials Using Matrix-Euler Operators
Authors: Mittal M. L. , Singh Mradul Veer
Published: September 2015

Various investigators have studied the degree of approximation of a function using different summability (Cesáro means of order α: Cα, Euler Eq, and Nörlund Np) means of its Fourier-Laguerre series at the point x=0 after replacing the continuity condition in Szegö theorem by much lighter conditions. The product summability methods are more powerful than the individual summability methods and thus give an approximation for wider class of functions than the individual methods. This has motivated us to investigate the error estimation of a function by (T·Eq)-transform of its Fourier-Laguerre series at frontier point x=0, where T is a general lower triangular regular matrix. A particular case, when T is a Cesáro matrix of order 1, that is, C1, has also been discussed as a corollary of main result.
Naegele Forceps Delivery and Association between Morbidity and the Number of Forceps Traction Applications: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Matsumoto Naoki , Takenaka Toshifumi , Ikeda Nobuyuki , Yazaki Satoshi , Sato Yuichi
Published: September 2015

Objective. To present the method of Naegele forceps delivery clinically practiced by the lead author, its success rate, and morbidity and to evaluate the relationship between morbidity and the number of forceps traction applications.Methods. Naegele forceps delivery was performed when the fetal head reached station +2 cm, the forceps were applied in the maternal pelvic application, and traction was slowly and gently performed. In the past two years, Naegele forceps delivery was attempted by the lead author in 87 cases, which were retrospectively reviewed.Results. The numbers of traction applications were one in 64.7% of cases, two in 24.7%, and three or more in 10.7%. The success rate was 100%. No severe morbidity was observed in mothers or neonates. Neonatal facial injury occurred most commonly in cases with fetal head malrotation, elevated numbers of traction applications, and maternal complications. Umbilical artery acidemia most commonly occurred in cases with nonreassuring fetal status. The significant crude odds ratio for three or more traction applications was 20 in cases with malrotation.Conclusion. Naegele forceps delivery has a high success rate, but multiple traction applications will sometimes be required, particularly in cases with malrotation. Malrotation and elevated numbers of traction applications may lead to neonatal head damage.
Effect of Cyclic Loading on the Lateral Behavior of Offshore Monopiles Using the Strain Wedge Model
Authors: Kim Keunju , Nam Boo Hyun , Youn Heejung
Published: September 2015

This paper presents the effect of cyclic loading on the lateral behavior of monopiles in terms of load-displacement curves, deflection curves, andp-ycurves along the pile. A commercial software, Strain Wedge Model (SWM), was employed, simulating a 7.5 m in diameter and 60 m long steel monopile embedded into quartz sands. In order to account for the effect of cyclic loading, accumulated strains were calculated based on the results of drained cyclic triaxial compression tests, and the accumulated strains were combined with static strains representing input strains into the SWM. The input strains were estimated for different numbers of cycles ranging from 1 to 105and 3 different cyclic lateral loads (25%, 50%, and 75% of static capacity). The lateral displacement at pile head was found to increase with increasing number of cycles and increasing cyclic lateral loads. In order to model these deformations resulting from cyclic loading, the initial stiffness of thep-ycurves has to be significantly reduced.
A Model Example: Coexisting Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome and the Nutcracker Phenomenon
Authors: Nunn Rebecca , Henry Jaimie , Slesser Alistair A. P. , Fernando Rukshan , Behar Nebil
Published: September 2015

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare cause of gastrointestinal obstruction, caused by external compression of the third part of the duodenum by the SMA. It may be associated with the Nutcracker phenomenon: external compression of the left renal vein. To our knowledge, there are few reports in the literature describing the coexistence of these two conditions and so we take this opportunity to highlight a rare cause of the acute abdomen that might otherwise be overlooked in cases of nonspecific abdominal findings and potentially unremarkable initial investigations. We report a case of SMA syndrome and Nutcracker phenomenon in a 19-year-old female who presented to our emergency department with a short history of epigastric pain and emesis. The SMA syndrome is thought to develop as the result of an abnormally narrow angle between the proximal SMA and the aorta, for which a number of predisposing factors have been described. Surgical options exist; however, the SMA syndrome is typically managed conservatively in the first instance, consistent with the approach described in this case. The Nutcracker phenomenon may give rise to the Nutcracker syndrome in the presence of typical clinical manifestations; however, these did not feature in this case.
Cytotoxicity and Biological Efficacy of Exendin‐4‐Encapsulated Solid Lipid Nanoparticles in INS‐1 Cells
Authors: Jun Hee-Sook , Bae Gongdeuk , Ko Young Tag , Oh Yoon Sin
Published: September 2015

Exendin‐4 (Ex‐4), a peptide of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist, is a potent insulinotropic agent and alternative drug delivery systems to increase therapeutic utility have been explored. We developed exendin‐4‐encapsulated solid lipid nanoparticles (Eudragit Ex‐4 SLNs) and compared the effects of Eudragit Ex‐4 SLNs with those of native Ex‐4 on INS‐1 cells. We observed no significant toxic effects of nanoparticles at concentrations from 1 nM to 100 nM. Similar to Ex‐4, Eudragit Ex‐4 SLNs stimulated the production of cyclic AMP at 10 nM. Moreover, unlike treatment with the vehicle, treatment with 10 nM Eudragit Ex‐4 SLNs increased insulin mRNA levels and insulin secretion. These insulinotropic effects of Eudragit Ex‐4 SLNs were comparable to those of Ex‐4. Thus, our in vitro results suggest that the biological effects of Eudragit Ex‐4 SLNs are similar to those of Ex‐4, and further in vivo pharmacokinetic studies are required to propose an alternative sustained release drug system.
Evolutionary Consequences of Male Driven Sexual Selection and Sex-Biased Fitness Modifications inDrosophila melanogasterand Members of thesimulansClade
Authors: Jagadeeshan Santosh , Haerty Wilfried , Moglinicka Monika , Ahuja Abha , De Vito Scot , Singh Rama S.
Published: September 2015

Males have evolved a variety of behavioral, morphological, and physiological traits to manipulate their mates in order to maximize their chances of success. These traits are bound to influence how females respond to male behaviors and influence the nature of sexual selection/conflict. A common consequence of aggressive male mating strategies inDrosophila melanogasteris the reduction of female lifespan. Our study shows that this is common across members of thesimulansclade. Reduced life expectancy of females implies that female contribution to a population is less than that of males per generation. Fitness differences between the sexes in every generation will invariably affect overall population fitness. How natural selection responds to the female deaths and thereby the unequal fitness of the sexes has rarely been addressed. We shed light on this issue and provide evidence, which suggests that additional gains of fitness by males due to their longevity and continued mating may provide one explanation as to why the loss of female fitness may be “invisible” (effectively neutral) to natural selection. Male driven sexual selection and additional, transgenerational gains of male fitness can be an important force of evolutionary change and need to be tested with other organisms.
Effects of Self-Assembled Monolayers with Different Chemical Groups on Ovarian Cancer Cell Line BehaviorIn Vitro
Authors: Li Jie , Guan Ting , Hao Chenjun , Li Lihua , Zhang Yu
Published: September 2015

In addition to serving as a physical support, the extracellular matrix (ECM) actively influences cell behavior. However, the definitive effects of different chemical structures present in the ECM on cell behavior remain obscure. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of different chemical structures present in the ECM on cellular physiology using the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 as a model. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with different chemical modifications, including methyl (-CH3), hydroxyl (-OH), amino (-NH2), carboxyl (-COOH), and mercapto (-SH) groups, were used as microenvironmental models to explore the effects of different structures on SKOV-3 cells. The cell morphology, cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, and functional alterations in cancer cells cultured on different SAMs were analyzed. The results showed that SKOV-3 cells cultured on -NH2surfaces exhibited the largest contact area, whereas those on -CH3surfaces exhibited the smallest contact area and mostly rounded morphologies. Additionally, -NH2and -COOH promoted cell proliferation and adhesion, whereas CH3inhibited adhesion, leading to G1 arrest during the cell cycle and resulting in cell apoptosis. This study may provide useful information for reconstruction of the ECM and for controlling cell behavior in related areas of study.
iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Identified HSC71 as a Novel Serum Biomarker for Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Yushi , Cai Yi , Yu Hongyan , Li Hanzhong
Published: September 2015

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most lethal urologic cancers and about 80% of RCC are of the clear-cell type (ccRCC). However, there are no serum biomarkers for the accurate diagnosis of RCC. In this study, we performed a quantitative proteomic analysis on serum samples from ccRCC patients and control group by using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeling and LC-MS/MS analysis to access differentially expressed proteins. Overall, 16 proteins were significantly upregulated (ratio > 1.5) and 14 proteins were significantly downregulated (ratio < 0.67) in early-stage ccRCC compared to control group. HSC71 was selected and subsequently validated by Western blot in six independent sets of patients. ELISA subsequently confirmed HSC71 as a potential serum biomarker for distinguishing RCC from benign urologic disease with an operating characteristic curve (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.76~0.96), achieving sensitivity of 87% (95% CI 69%~96%) at a specificity of 80% (95% CI 61~92%) with a threshold of 15 ng/mL. iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis led to identification of serum HSC71 as a novel serum biomarker of RCC, particularly useful in early diagnosis of ccRCC.
Improved Quantum Artificial Fish Algorithm Application to Distributed Network Considering Distributed Generation
Authors: Du Tingsong , Hu Yang , Ke Xianting
Published: September 2015

An improved quantum artificial fish swarm algorithm (IQAFSA) for solving distributed network programming considering distributed generation is proposed in this work. The IQAFSA based on quantum computing which has exponential acceleration for heuristic algorithm uses quantum bits to code artificial fish and quantum revolving gate, preying behavior, and following behavior and variation of quantum artificial fish to update the artificial fish for searching for optimal value. Then, we apply the proposed new algorithm, the quantum artificial fish swarm algorithm (QAFSA), the basic artificial fish swarm algorithm (BAFSA), and the global edition artificial fish swarm algorithm (GAFSA) to the simulation experiments for some typical test functions, respectively. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can escape from the local extremum effectively and has higher convergence speed and better accuracy. Finally, applying IQAFSA to distributed network problems and the simulation results for 33-bus radial distribution network system show that IQAFSA can get the minimum power loss after comparing with BAFSA, GAFSA, and QAFSA.
Multiconstrained QoS Routing Using a Differentially Guided Krill Herd Algorithm in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Kalaiselvi D. , Radhakrishnan R.
Published: September 2015

This paper presents a multiconstrained quality-of-service routing (QoSR) based on a differentially guided krill herd (DGKH) algorithm in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). QoSR is a NP-complete and significant problem with immense challenges in determining an optimum path that simultaneously satisfies various constraints in MANETs, where the topology varies constantly. Various heuristic algorithms are widely used to solve this problem with compromise on excessive computational complexities and/or low performance. This paper proposes a krill herd based algorithm called DGKH, where the krill individuals do not update the position in comparison with one-to-one (as usual), but instead it uses the information from various krill individuals and then searches to determine a feasible path. Experiment results on MANETs with different number nodes (routes) are considered with three constraints which are maximum allowed delay, maximum allowed jitter, and minimum requested bandwidth. It is demonstrated that the proposed DGKH algorithm is an effective approximation algorithm exhibiting satisfactory performance than the KHA and existing algorithms in the literature by determining an optimum path that satisfies more than one QoS constraint in MANETs.
454-Pyrosequencing Analysis of Bacterial Communities from Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal Bioreactors Utilizing Universal Primers: Effect of Annealing Temperature
Authors: Gonzalez-Martinez Alejandro , Rodriguez-Sanchez Alejandro , Rodelas Belén , Abbas Ben A. , Martinez-Toledo Maria Victoria , van Loosdrecht Mark C. M. , Osorio F. , Gonzalez-Lopez Jesus
Published: September 2015

Identification of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (anammox) bacteria by molecular tools aimed at the evaluation of bacterial diversity in autotrophic nitrogen removal systems is limited by the difficulty to design universal primers for theBacteriadomain able to amplify the anammox 16S rRNA genes. A metagenomic analysis (pyrosequencing) of total bacterial diversity including anammox population in five autotrophic nitrogen removal technologies, two bench-scale models (MBR and Low Temperature CANON) and three full-scale bioreactors (anammox, CANON, and DEMON), was successfully carried out by optimization of primer selection and PCR conditions (annealing temperature). The universal primer 530F was identified as the best candidate for total bacteria and anammox bacteria diversity coverage. Salt-adjusted optimum annealing temperature of primer 530F was calculated (47°C) and hence a range of annealing temperatures of 44–49°C was tested. Pyrosequencing data showed that annealing temperature of 45°C yielded the best results in terms of species richness and diversity for all bioreactors analyzed.
Recurrent Episodes of Thyrotoxicosis in a Man following Pregnancies of his Spouse with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Authors: Belokovskaya Regina , Levine Alice C.
Published: September 2015

Over an 8-year period, a male patient presented three times to an endocrinologist with strikingly similar presentations, including palpitations, anxiety, and tremors. Each of his presentations occurred following either the birth of one of his two children or his wife’s late termination of pregnancy. This patient’s illness followed the typical time course of silent thyroiditis: hyperthyroidism, followed by euthyroidism, a late hypothyroid phase, and then a complete resolution of symptoms and normalization of thyroid function tests over a period of several months. We discuss the curious clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and a literature review of alternate explanations for this patient’s condition, including a discussion of the impact of seasonal shift, spousal’s autoimmune disease, stress, and evolutionary changes in males postpartum. Although the differential diagnosis is broad in this case and the thyrotoxicosis could have coincidentally followed pregnancies of the patient’s wife, documented hormonal changes in men during postpartum period in conjunction with the timeline of the patient’s condition are suggestive of recurrent “sympathetic” postpartum thyroiditis. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of recurrent painless thyroiditis in a man following pregnancies of his wife with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Real-time In Vivo Tissue Characterization with Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy during Transthoracic Lung Biopsy: A Clinical Feasibility Study
Authors: Spliethoff Jarich W. , Prevoo Warner , Meier Mark A.J. , de Jong Jeroen , Klomp Houke M. , Evers Daniel J. , Sterenborg Hendricus J.C.M. , Lucassen Gerald W. , Hendriks Benno H.W. , Ruers Theodoor J.M.
Published: September 2015

Purpose: This study presents the first in vivo real-time tissue characterization during image-guided percutaneous lung biopsies using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) sensing at the tip of a biopsy needle with integrated optical fibers.

Experimental Design: Tissues from 21 consented patients undergoing lung cancer surgery were measured intraoperatively using the fiber-optic platform capable of assessing various physical tissue properties highly correlated to tissue architecture and composition. In addition, the method was tested for clinical use by performing DRS tissue sensing during 11 routine biopsy procedures in patients with suspected lung cancer.

Results: We found that water content and scattering amplitude are the primary discriminators for the transition from healthy lung tissue to tumor tissue and that the reliability of these parameters is not affected by the amount of blood at the needle tip. In the 21 patients measured intraoperatively, the water-to-scattering ratio yielded a 56% to 81% contrast difference between tumor and surrounding tissue. Analysis of the 11 image-guided lung biopsy procedures showed that the tissue diagnosis derived from DRS was diagnostically discriminant in each clinical case.

Conclusions: DRS tissue sensing integrated into a biopsy needle may be a powerful new tool for biopsy guidance that can be readily used in routine diagnostic lung biopsy procedures. This approach may not only help to increase the successful biopsy yield for histopathologic analysis, but may also allow specific sampling of vital tumor tissue for genetic profiling. Clin Cancer Res; 22(2); 357–65. ©2015 AACR.

See related commentary by Aerts, p. 273
A Phase I Study of the SMAC-Mimetic Birinapant in Adults with Refractory Solid Tumors or Lymphoma
Authors: Amaravadi Ravi K. , Schilder Russell J. , Martin Lainie P. , Levin Myron , Graham Martin A. , Weng David E. , Adjei Alex A.
Published: September 2015

The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family of antiapoptotic proteins has been identified as a target for small molecule inhibitors in cancer. Second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) efficiently and naturally antagonizes IAPs, and preclinical studies have determined that SMAC mimetics have potent anticancer properties. Here, we report a first-in-human trial designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of birinapant, a novel SMAC mimetic. Patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphoma were enrolled in a 3+3 dose escalation design with birinapant administered intravenously from 0.18 to 63 mg/m2 once weekly every 3 of 4 weeks. Fifty patients were enrolled to 12 dose cohorts. Birinapant 47 mg/m2 was determined to be the MTD. At 63 mg/m2, dose-limiting toxicities included headache, nausea, and vomiting. Two cases of Bell's palsy (grade 2) also occurred at 63 mg/m2. Birinapant had a plasma half-life of 30 to 35 hours and accumulated in tumor tissue. Birinapant suppressed cIAP1 and increased apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tumor tissue. Prolonged stable disease was observed in 3 patients: non–small cell lung cancer (5 months), colorectal cancer (5 months), and liposarcoma (9 months). Two patients with colorectal cancer had radiographic evidence of tumor shrinkage. In conclusion, birinapant was well tolerated with an MTD of 47 mg/m2 and exhibited favorable PK and PD properties. Several patients demonstrated stable disease and evidence of antitumor activity. These results support the ongoing clinical trials of birinapant in patients with cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(11); 2569–75. ©2015 AACR.
Longitudinal Associations between Survival in Alzheimer's Disease and Cholinesterase Inhibitor Use, Progression, and Community-Based Services
Authors: Wattmo Carina , Londos Elisabet , Minthon Lennart
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims: Factors including rate of disease progression, different aspects of cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) treatment, and use of community-based services might affect the longitudinal outcome of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Whether these factors alter life expectancy in AD is unclear. We therefore examined the association between long-term ChEI therapy and survival. Methods: The present study included 1,021 patients with a clinical diagnosis of AD and a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 10-26 at baseline from a 3-year, prospective, multicenter study of ChEI therapy in clinical practice. The relationship of potential predictors with mortality was analyzed using Cox regression models. Results: After up to 16 years of follow-up, 841 (82%) of the participants had died. In the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale, a mean decline of ≥4 points/year or ≥2 points/year on the Physical Self-Maintenance Scale was a risk factor for an earlier death. In the multivariate models, longer survival was associated with higher ChEI dose and longer duration of treatment. Users of community-based services at baseline exhibited a 1-year shorter mean life expectancy than nonusers. Conclusion: A longer survival time can be anticipated for AD patients with slower deterioration who receive and tolerate higher ChEI doses and a longer duration of treatment.
Does Full Wound Rupture following Median Pilonidal Closure Alter Long-Term Recurrence Rate?
Authors: Doll Dietrich , Matevossian Edouard , Luedi Markus M. , Schneider Ralf , van Zypen Dominic , Novotny Alexander
Published: September 2015

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the recurrence rate of wound rupture in primary pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) after median closure. Subjects and Methods: A total of 583 patients from the German military cohort were interviewed. We compared the choice of surgical therapy, wound dehiscence (if present) and long-term recurrence-free survival for patients with primary open treatment, marsupialization and primary median treatment (closed vs. secondary open, respectively). Actuarial recurrence rate was determined using the Kaplan-Meier calculation with a follow-up of up to 20 years after primary PSD surgery. Results: Patients with excision followed by primary open wound treatment showed a significantly lower 5- than 10-year recurrence rate (8.3 vs. 11.2%) compared to the patients with primary midline closure (17.4 vs. 20.5%, p = 0.03). The 20-year recurrence rate was 28% in primary open wound treatment versus 44% in primary midline closure without wound rupture. In contrast to these findings, long-term recurrence rates following secondary open wound treatment (12.2% at 5 years vs. 17.1% at 10 years) tended to be higher (although not significantly, p = 0.57) compared to primary open treatment (8.3% at 5 years vs. 11.2% at 10 years). There was no statistical difference in long-term recurrence rates between secondary open and primary midline closure (p = 0.7). Hence, despite only a short wound closure time experienced before wound rupture, the patient does not fully benefit from an open wound treatment in terms of recurrence rate. Conclusion: The postoperative pilonidal sinus wound rupture of primary midline closures did not significantly increase the 5- and 10-year long-term recurrence rates compared to uneventfully healing primary midline closures.
Ectopic Foot Nails: Clinical and Dermoscopic Features, Treatment and Outcome in 20 Cases
Authors: Ena Pasquale , Ena Luca , Ferrari Marco , Mazzarello Vittorio
Published: September 2015

Background: Ectopic nail (EN) is an extremely rare condition in which the small nail apparatus grows outside the normal nail unit of the hand and fingertips. Limited data can be found in the literature regarding ectopic nails of the foot and toes (EFN). Objective: The study aimed at characterizing the clinical, therapeutic and dermoscopic EFN by a comparison with and differentiation from EN observed on the hands. Methods: Data on EFN collected during 2004-2014 were analysed. A literature search was performed to evaluate articles for review points on the topic. Results: Characteristics of shape, development, ultrasound aspects, dermoscopy and the response to treatment of 22 EFN were reported. Results from our study were compared with cases reported in the literature. Conclusion: In this article, new aspects on EFN from the clinical-morphological and dermoscopic points of view are reported; these may facilitate the diagnosis of an anomaly even without a histological examination.
Hypofractionated Radiotherapy as Adjuvant Treatment in Early Breast Cancer. A Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Budach Wilfried , Bölke Edwin , Matuschek Christiane
Published: September 2015

Background: Adjuvant radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery is indicated in the vast majority of breast cancer patients. Conventionally fractionated radiotherapy with 50 Gy in 25 fractions was considered standard of care for several decades. The recently publishes long-term results of randomized trials that have tested different moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy schedules that may change clinical practice. Patients and Methods: A Pubmed search was carried out to identify the relevant publications on hypofractionated radiotherapy in breast cancer. In total, 4 randomized controlled trials representing the results of 7,095 patients with 10 years of follow-up were identified. A meta-analysis on the primary end point ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence and a review of the toxicity data were performed. Results: Moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy using schedules such as 40 Gy in 15 fractions administered within 3 weeks are as efficient and safe as conventionally fractionated radiotherapy for most breast cancer patients who need adjuvant radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery. In patients aged < 40 years, after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and if regional lymph node radiotherapy is indicated, further data are needed. Conclusion: Moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy can be recommended as standard treatment after breast-conserving surgery in the majority of breast cancer patients.
CD5-Positive Primary Intraocular B-Cell Lymphoma Arising during Methotrexate and Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Treatment
Authors: Nagata Kenji , Inaba Tohru , Kinoshita Shigeru
Published: September 2015

Purpose: To report a case of CD5+ primary intraocular B-cell lymphoma arising during methotrexate (MTX) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor treatment in a young patient with rheumatoid arthritis and uveitis. Case Presentation: A 39-year-old woman treated with MTX and a TNF inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis and uveitis had steroid-resistant vitreous opacity. A vitreous sample was obtained by using diagnostic vitrectomy and was categorized as class V based on cytologic examination. Flow cytometric analysis of the vitreous sample revealed that abnormal cells were CD5+, CD10-, CD19+, CD20+ and immunoglobulin light-chain kappa+, suggesting the diagnosis of CD5+ primary intraocular B-cell lymphoma. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene rearrangement. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA was detected in the vitreous sample by using PCR, and immunohistochemistry revealed EBV latent membrane protein-1 expression in the abnormal cells infiltrating the vitreous. Optic nerve invasion was observed on magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusion: Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) may develop in patients receiving MTX and TNF inhibitor treatment. EBV infection may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PIOL arising during immunosuppressive therapy.
Three-year changes of prothrombotic factors in a cohort of South Africans with a high clinical suspicion of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Malan Nico T. , Hamer Mark , Lambert Gavin W. , Schlaich Markus , Reimann Manja , Malan Leoné , Känel Roland von
Published: September 2015

A hypercoagulable state might be one important mechanism linking obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with incident myocardial infarction and stroke. However, previous studies on prothrombotic factors in OSA are not uniform and cross-sectional. We longitudinally studied prothrombotic factors in relation to OSA risk, adjusting for baseline levels of prothrombotic factors, demographics, metabolic parameters, aspirin use, and life style factors. The Berlin Questionnaire and/or neck circumference were used to define high OSA risk in 329 South African teachers (48.0 % male, 44.6 % black) at baseline and at three-year follow-up. Von Willebrand factor (VWF), fibrinogen, D-dimer, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, clot lysis time (CLT), and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) were measured in plasma. At baseline 35.7 % of participants had a high risk of OSA. At follow-up, persistently high OSA risk, persistently low OSA risk, OSA risk remission, and new-onset OSA risk were present in 26.1 %, 53.2 %, 9.4 %, and 11.3 % of participants, respectively. New-onset OSA risk was associated with a significant and longitudinal increase in VWF, fibrinogen, CLT, and suPAR relative to persistently low OSA risk; in VWF, fibrinogen, and suPAR relative to remitted OSA risk; and in VWF relative to persistently high OSA risk. Persistently high OSA risk was associated with an increase in CLT and suPAR relative to persistently low OSA risk and in D-dimer relative to remitted OSA risk. Remitted OSA risk was associated with D-dimer decrease relative to persistently low OSA risk. In OSA, hypercoagulability is a dynamic process with a most prominent three-year increase in individuals with new-onset OSA risk.
Androgen Receptor Promotes Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Development via Modulating Inflammatory Interleukin-1α and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Expression
Authors: Huang Chiung-Kuei , Luo Jie , Lai Kuo-Pao , Wang Ronghao , Pang Haiyan , Chang Eugene , Yan Chen , Sparks Janet , Lee Soo Ok , Cho Joshua , Chang Chawnshang
Published: September 2015

Sex difference is a risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation yet the reason for male predominance remains unclear. Androgen and the androgen receptor (AR) influence the male sex difference, indicating that AR signaling may affect AAA development. Using angiotensin II–induced AAA in apolipoprotein E null mouse models (82.4% AAA incidence), we found that mice lacking AR failed to develop AAA and aorta had dramatically reduced macrophages infiltration and intact elastic fibers. These findings suggested that AR expression in endothelial cells, macrophages, or smooth muscle cells might play a role in AAA development. Selective knockout of AR in each of these cell types further demonstrated that mice lacking AR in macrophages (20% AAA incidence) or smooth muscle cells (12.5% AAA incidence) but not in endothelial cells (71.4% AAA incidence) had suppressed AAA development. Mechanism dissection showed that AR functioned through modulation of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and transforming growth factor-β1 signals and by targeting AR with the AR degradation enhancer ASC-J9 led to significant suppression of AAA development. These results demonstrate the underlying mechanism by which AR influences AAA development is through IL-1α and transforming growth factor-β1, and provides a potential new therapy to suppress/prevent AAA by targeting AR with ASC-J9.