bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coordination of Supply Chain with One Supplier and Two Competing Risk-Averse Retailers under an Option Contract
Authors: Wang Rui , Song Shiji , Wu Cheng
Published: February 2016

This paper studies an option contract for coordinating a supply chain comprising one risk-neutral supplier and two risk-averse retailers engaged in promotion competition in the selling season. For a given option contract, in decentralized case, each risk-averse retailer decides the optimal order quantity and the promotion policy by maximizing the conditional value-at-risk of profit. Based on the retailers’ decision, the supplier derives the optimal production policy by maximizing expected profit. In centralized case, the optimal decision of the supply chain system is obtained. Based on the decentralized and centralized decision, we find the coordination conditions of the supply chain system, which can optimize the supply chain system profit and make the profits of the supply chain members achieve Pareto optimum. As for the subchain, we also find the coordination conditions, which generalize the results of the supply chain with one supplier and one retailer. Our analysis and numerical experiments show that there exists a unique Nash equilibrium between two retailers, and the optimal order quantity of each retailer increases (decreases) with its own (competitor’s) promotion level.
Surgical Management and Reconstruction of Hoffman’s Disease (Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp)
Authors: Hintze Justin M. , Howard Brittany E. , Donald Carrlene B. , Hayden Richard E.
Published: February 2016

Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, or Hoffman’s disease, is a rare dermatologic condition characterized by recurrent pustules and sinus tract formation leading to scarring and alopecia. Medical management includes the use of corticosteroids, antibiotics, isotretinoin, and adalimumab. In cases where the disease is severe, refractory, and intractable, surgery is an option. We report two cases of Hoffman’s disease, where medical management failed to achieve remission. Surgical treatment was undertaken with complete resection of the affected scalp in staged procedures with subsequent split-thickness skin grafting for reconstruction. Surgery achieved both disease remission and excellent aesthetic outcomes in both patients.
Capecitabine Induced Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy: Do We Have Always to Switch off the Chemotherapy?
Authors: Bougea Anastasia , Voskou Panagiota , Kilidireas Constantinos , Andreadou Elisabeth
Published: February 2016

Capecitabine is a well tolerated and safe 5-fluorouracil agent for adjuvant, neoadjuvant chemotherapy or metastatic cases. Neurological side effects require discontinuation of chemotherapy. We report this unique case of a 50-year-old female, who presented an isolated episode of dysarthria and ataxia under bevacizumab, capecitabine, and oxaliplatin treatment due to reversible multifocal leukoencephalopathy that did not recur after readministration of chemotherapy.
Demonstration of Improved Charge Transfer in Graphene/Au Nanorods Plasmonic Hybrids Stabilized by Benzyl Thiol Linkers
Authors: Bianco Giuseppe Valerio , Giangregorio Maria Michela , Losurdo Maria , Sacchetti Alberto , Capezzuto Pio , Bruno Giovanni
Published: February 2016

Hybrids based on graphene decorated with plasmonic gold (Au) nanostructures are being investigated as possible materials combination to add to graphene functionalities of tunable plasmon resonance and enhanced absorption at selected wavelength in the visible-near-infrared region of the spectrum. Here, we report a solution drop-casting approach for fabricating stable hybrids based on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene and Au nanorods, which are able to activate effective charge transfer from graphene. We demonstrate that CVD graphene functionalization by benzyl thiol (BZT) provides the linker to strong anchoring, via S-Au bonds, Au nanorods to graphene. Optical measurements by spectroscopic ellipsometry give evidence of the introduction of plasmon resonances at 1.85 and 2.25 eV in the Au nanorods/BZT/graphene hybrids, which enable surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. Furthermore, an effective electron transfer from graphene to Au nanorods, resulting in an enhancement of p-type doping of graphene with a consequent decrease of its sheet resistance, is probed by Raman spectroscopy and corroborated by electrical measurements.
Protective Effect of Parsley Juice (Petroselinum crispum, Apiaceae) against Cadmium Deleterious Changes in the Developed Albino Mice Newborns (Mus musculus) Brain
Authors: Allam Ahmed A. , Maodaa Salah N. , Abo-Eleneen Rasha , Ajarem Jamaan
Published: February 2016

Parsley was used as a probe of the current experiment to prevent the behavioral, morphological and biochemical changes in the newborn brain following the administration of cadmium (Cd) to the pregnant mice. The nonanesthetized pregnant mice were given daily parsley juice (Petroselinum crispum) at doses of 20 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg. Pregnant mothers were given Cd at a dose of 30 mg/kg divided into 3 equal times. The newborns have been divided into 6 groups: Group A, mothers did not take treatment; Groups B and C, mothers were treated with low and high dose of parsley, respectively; Group D, mothers were treated only with Cd (perinatal intoxication); Groups E and F, mothers were treated with Cd doses and protected by low and high doses of parsley, respectively. Light microscopy showed that Cd‐induced neuronal degeneration by chromatolysis and pyknosis in the brain regions. The low dose of parsley 10 g/kg/day exhibited significant effects in neutralizing and reducing the deleterious changes due to Cd exposure during pregnancy on the behavioral activities, neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, and brain neurons morphology of the mice newborns.
Discussion on the Time-Harmonic Elastodynamic Half-Space Green’s Function Obtained by Superposition
Authors: Yuan Huina , Pan Ziyang
Published: February 2016

The time-harmonic elastodynamic half-space Green’s function derived by Banerjee and Mamoon by way of superposition is discussed and examined against another semianalytical solution and a numerical solution. It is shown that Banerjee and Mamoon’s solution gives infinitez-displacement response when the depth of the source goes to infinity, which is unreasonable and does not agree with other solutions. A possible problem in the derivation is that it is inappropriate to directly extend the results of Mindlin’s superposition method for the elastostatic half-space problem to the dynamic case. The superposition of the six full-space elastodynamic solutions does not satisfy the required boundary conditions of the half-space elastodynamic problem as in the static case and thus does not solve the dynamic half-space problem.
PIPINO: A Software Package to Facilitate the Identification of Protein-Protein Interactions from Affinity Purification Mass Spectrometry Data
Authors: Kalkhof Stefan , Schildbach Stefan , Blumert Conny , Horn Friedemann , von Bergen Martin , Labudde Dirk
Published: February 2016

The functionality of most proteins is regulated by protein-protein interactions. Hence, the comprehensive characterization of the interactome is the next milestone on the path to understand the biochemistry of the cell. A powerful method to detect protein-protein interactions is a combination of coimmunoprecipitation or affinity purification with quantitative mass spectrometry. Nevertheless, both methods tend to precipitate a high number of background proteins due to nonspecific interactions. To address this challenge the software Protein-Protein-Interaction-Optimizer (PIPINO) was developed to perform an automated data analysis, to facilitate the selection of bona fide binding partners, and to compare the dynamic of interaction networks. In this study we investigated the STAT1 interaction network and its activation dependent dynamics. Stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) was applied to analyze the STAT1 interactome after streptavidin pull-down of biotagged STAT1 from human embryonic kidney 293T cells with and without activation. Starting from more than 2,000 captured proteins 30 potential STAT1 interaction partners were extracted. Interestingly, more than 50% of these were already reported or predicted to bind STAT1. Furthermore, 16 proteins were found to affect the binding behavior depending on STAT1 phosphorylation such as STAT3 or the importin subunits alpha 1 and alpha 6.
Fusion of IR and Visual Images Based on Gaussian and Laplacian Decomposition Using Histogram Distributions and Edge Selection
Authors: Lee Seohyung , Lee Daeho
Published: February 2016

We propose a novel fusion method of IR (infrared) and visual images to combine distinct information from two sources. To decompose an image into its low and high frequency components, we use Gaussian and Laplacian decomposition. The strong high frequency information in the two sources can be easily fused by selecting the large magnitude of Laplacian images. The distinct low frequency information, however, is not as easily determined. As such, we use histogram distributions of the two sources. Therefore, experimental results show that the fused images can contain the dominant characteristics of both sources.
Protective Effect of Vitamins C and E on Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate-Induced Ovarian Oxidative Stress In Vivo
Authors: Ismiyati Atik , Wiyasa I. Wayan Arsana , Hidayati Dwi Yuni Nur
Published: February 2016

A study was designed to investigate ameliorates effect of combined vitamins C and E able to against depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate- (DMPA-) induced ovarian oxidative stress in rat. Twenty-five female Wistar rats were divided into the following groups (n=5rats each): control (untreated) (C); depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA); DMPA plus green vitamin C (at dose of 0.2 mg/gram; 0.4 mg/gram; 0.8 mg/gram) and vitamin E (0.04 IU/gram). The treatment with combined vitamins C and E was performed for four weeks. Analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a marker of oxidative stress was done colorimetrically. Analysis of SOD level was done by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technically. This increase in ovarium MDA was significantly (P<0.05) attenuated by medium dose treatments of combined vitamins C and E. DMPA insignificantly decreased SOD levels compared to the untreated group. This decrease in ovarian SOD level was significantly attenuated by all doses of the combined vitamins C and E. In conclusion, DMPA induces ovarian oxidative stress. Combined vitamins C and E prohibit the increase in ovarian lipid peroxidation, at least in part by modulating of superoxide dismutase. Therefore, this may provide an antioxidant therapy for attenuating the ovarian toxicity found in the DMPA therapy.
Composite GPS Patch Antenna for the AR Bandwidth Enhancement
Authors: Park Minkil , Lee Wonhee , Son Taeho
Published: February 2016

A composite Global Positioning System (GPS) patch antenna with a quadrature 3 dB hybrid coupler was designed and implemented for working RHCP and had a broadband axial ratio (AR) bandwidth. We designed two patches as a FR-4 patch and 1.5 mm thickness thin ceramic patch with a quadrature 3 dB hybrid coupler. A CP radiation pattern was achieved, and the AR bandwidth improved by incorporating a quadrature 3 dB hybrid coupler feed structure in a micro-strip patch antenna. SMD by chip elements was applied to the quadrature 3 dB hybrid coupler. For the composite FR-4 and ceramic patch antennas, the VSWR measurement showed a 2 : 1 ratio over the entire design band, and the 3 dB AR bandwidth was 295 and 580 MHz for the FR-4 patch and ceramic patch antennas, respectively. The antenna gains for the composite FR-4 and ceramic patch antennas were measured as 1.36–2.75 and 1.47–2.71 dBi with 15.11–25.3% and 19.25–28.45% efficiency, respectively.
A Comparative Study of the T Cell Stimulatory and Polarizing Capacity of Human Primary Blood Dendritic Cell Subsets
Authors: Sittig Simone P. , Bakdash Ghaith , Weiden Jorieke , Sköld Annette E. , Tel Jurjen , Figdor Carl G. , de Vries I. Jolanda M. , Schreibelt Gerty
Published: February 2016

Dendritic cells (DCs) are central players of immune responses; they become activated upon infection or inflammation and migrate to lymph nodes, where they can initiate an antigen-specific immune response by activating naive T cells. Two major types of naturally occurring DCs circulate in peripheral blood, namely, myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). Myeloid DCs (mDCs) can be subdivided based on the expression of either CD1c or CD141. These human DC subsets differ in surface marker expression, Toll-like receptor (TLR) repertoire, and transcriptional profile, suggesting functional differences between them. Here, we directly compared the capacity of human blood mDCs and pDCs to activate and polarize CD4+T cells. CD141+mDCs show an overall more mature phenotype over CD1c+mDC and pDCs; they produce less IL-10 and more IL-12 than CD1c+mDCs. Despite these differences, all subsets can induce the production of IFN-γin naive CD4+T cells. CD1c+and CD141+mDCs especially induce a strong T helper 1 profile. Importantly, naive CD4+T cells are not polarized towards regulatory T cells by any subset. These findings further establish all three human blood DCs—despite their differences—as promising candidates for immunostimulatory effectors in cancer immunotherapy.
Automorphisms and Inner Automorphisms
Authors: Jaber Ameer , Yasein Moh’D
Published: February 2016

LetKbe a field of characteristic not2and letA=A0+A1be central simple superalgebra overK, and let⁎be superinvolution onA. Our main purpose is to classify the group of automorphisms and inner automorphisms of(A,⁎)(i.e., commuting with⁎) by using the classical theorem of Skolem-Noether. Also we study two examples of groups of automorphisms and inner automorphisms on even central simple superalgebras with superinvolutions.
Anomalous Propagation Echo Classification of Imbalanced Radar Data with Support Vector Machine
Authors: Lee Hansoo , Kim Eun Kyeong , Kim Sungshin
Published: February 2016

A number of technologically advanced devices, such as radars and satellites, are used in an actual weather forecasting process. Among these devices, the radar is essential equipment in this process because it has a wide observation area and fine resolution in both the time and the space domains. However, the radar can also observe unwanted nonweather phenomena. Anomalous propagation echo is one of the representative nonprecipitation echoes generated by an abnormal refraction phenomenon of a radar beam. Abnormal refraction occurs when the temperature and the humidity change dramatically. In such a case, the radar recognizes either the ground or the sea surface as an atmospheric object. This false observation decreases the accuracy of both quantitative precipitation estimation and weather forecasting. Therefore, a system that can automatically recognize an anomalous propagation echo from the radar data needs to be developed. In this paper, we propose a classification method for separating anomalous propagation echoes from the rest of the weather data by using a combination of a support vector machine classifier and the synthetic minority oversampling technique, to solve the problem of imbalanced data. By using actual cases of anomalous propagation we have confirmed that the proposed method provides good classification results.
Soluble Expression and Characterization of Biologically ActiveBacillus anthracisProtective Antigen inEscherichia coli
Authors: Suryanarayana Nagendra , Vanlalhmuaka  , Mankere Bharti , Verma Monika , Thavachelvam Kulanthaivel , Tuteja Urmil
Published: February 2016

Bacillus anthracis secretory protein protective antigen (PA) is primary candidate for subunit vaccine against anthrax. Attempts to obtain large quantity of PA fromEscherichia coliexpression system often result in the formation of insoluble inclusion bodies. Therefore, it is always better to produce recombinant proteins in a soluble form. In the present study, we have obtained biologically active recombinant PA in small scaleE. colishake culture system using three different expression constructs. The PA gene was cloned in expression vectors bearing trc, T5, and T7 promoters and transformed into their respectiveE. colihosts. The growth conditions were optimized to obtain maximum expression of PA in soluble form. The expression construct PA-pET32c in DE3-pLysSE. colihost resulted in a maximum production of soluble PA (15 mg L−1) compared to other combinations. Purified PA was subjected to trypsin digestion and binding assay with lethal factor to confirm the protein’s functionality. Biological activity was confirmed by cytotoxicity assay on J774.1 cells. Balb/c mice were immunized with PA and the immunogenicity was tested by ELISA and toxin neutralization assay. This study highlights the expression of soluble and biologically active recombinant PA in larger quantity using simplerE. coliproduction platform.
CompaRob: The Shopping Cart Assistance Robot
Authors: Sales Jorge , Martí Jose V. , Marín Raúl , Cervera Enric , Sanz Pedro J.
Published: February 2016

Technology has recently been developed which offers an excellent opportunity to design systems with the ability to help people in their own houses. In particular, assisting elderly people in their environments is something that can significantly improve their quality of life. However, helping elderly people outside their usual environment is also necessary, to help them to carry out daily tasks like shopping. In this paper we present a person-following shopping cart assistance robot, capable of helping elderly people to carry products in a supermarket. First of all, the paper presents a survey of related systems that perform this task, using different approaches, such as attachable modules and computer vision. After that, the paper describes in detail the proposed system and its main features. The cart uses ultrasonic sensors and radio signals to provide a simple and effective person localization and following method. Moreover, the cart can be connected to a portable device like a smartphone or tablet, thus providing ease of use to the end user. The prototype has been tested in a grocery store, while simulations have been done to analyse its scalability in larger spaces where multiple robots could coexist.
Modeling of Multihop Wireless Sensor Networks with MAC, Queuing, and Cooperation
Authors: Lin Jian , Weitnauer Mary Ann
Published: February 2016

We present a Markovian decision process (MDP) framework for multihop wireless sensor networks (MHWSNs) to bound the network performance of both energy constrained (EC) networks and energy harvesting (EH) networks, both with and without relay cooperation. The model provides the fundamental performance limit that a MHWSN can theoretically achieve, under the general constraints from medium access control, routing, and energy harvesting. We observe that the analyses for EC and EH networks fall into two branches of MDP theory, which are finite-horizon process and infinite-horizon process, respectively. The performance metrics for EC and EH networks are different. For EC networks, an appropriate metric is the network lifetime; for EH networks, an appropriate metric is, for example, the network throughput. To efficiently solve the models with high dimension, for the EC networks, we propose a novel computational algorithm by taking advantage of the stochastic shortest path structure of the problem; for the EH networks, we propose a dual linear programming based algorithm by considering the sparsity of the transition matrix. Under the unified MDP framework, numerical results demonstrate the advantages of cooperation for the optimal performance, in both EC and EH networks.
Salivary and Urinary Total Antioxidant Capacity as Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Humans
Authors: Peluso Ilaria , Raguzzini Anna
Published: February 2016

Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) is a biomarker often used in order to investigate oxidative stress in many pathological conditions. Saliva and urine can be collected noninvasively and represent attractive diagnostic fluids for detecting biomarkers of various pathological conditions. The reviewed case-control and intervention studies that measured salivary or urinary TAC revealed that diseases, antioxidant foods, or supplements and age, gender, and lifestyle factors influenced salivary or urinary TAC. Salivary and urinary TAC were particularly affected by oral or renal status, respectively, as well as by infection; therefore these factors must be taken into account in both case-control and intervention studies. Furthermore, some considerations on sample collection and normalization strategies could be made. In particular, unstimulated saliva could be the better approach to measure salivary TAC, whereas 24 h or spontaneous urine collection should be chosen on the basis of the study outcome and of the creatinine clearance. Finally, the uric acid-independent TAC could be the better approach to evaluate red-ox status of body, in particular after nutritional interventions and in diseases associated with hyperuricaemia.
The Relationship of the Subclavius Muscle with Relevance to Venous Cannulation below the Clavicle
Authors: Kawagishi Kyutaro , Tokumine Joho , Lefor Alan Kawarai
Published: February 2016

Introduction. The catheter “pinch-off syndrome” has been described to be secondary to crimping of the catheter between the clavicle and the first rib, as well as entrapment of the catheter at the site of penetration of the subclavius muscle. The lateral insertion technique has been recommended to prevent catheter pinch-off, but it is unknown if this technique can prevent entrapment by the subclavius muscle. We undertook this study to evaluate the anatomical relationship of the subclavius muscle and the subclavian vein.Methods. Twenty-eight adult cadavers were studied on both right and left sides. The adherence between the subclavian vein and subclavius muscle was subjectively assessed and the distance between the two structures was measured in mm.Results. The subclavius muscle and subclavian vein were tightly adherent in 72% of specimens, partly adherent in 14% with a mean distance of 4.5 mm and loosely connected in 14% with a mean distance of 6.1 mm.Conclusions. The anatomical relationship between the subclavius muscle and vein was very close in the majority of specimens, suggesting that the lateral insertion technique may not prevent penetration of the muscle, which may contribute to catheter pinch-off. The real-time ultrasound-guided technique may prevent penetration of the subclavius muscle.
On Coupled Common Fixed Point Theorems for Nonlinear Contractions with the Mixed Weakly Monotone Property in Partially OrderedS-Metric Spaces
Authors: Zhou Mi , Liu Xiao-Lan
Published: February 2016

The main aim of this paper is to establish some coupled common fixed point theorems under a Geraghty-type contraction using mixed weakly monotone property in partially orderedS-metric space. Also, we give some sufficient conditions for the uniqueness of a coupled common fixed point. Some examples are provided to demonstrate the validity of our results.
SPARCO: Stochastic Performance Analysis with Reliability and Cooperation for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ahmed Sheeraz , Javaid Nadeem , Ahmad Ashfaq , Ahmed Imran , Durrani Mehr Yahya , Ali Armughan , Haider Syed Bilal , Ilahi Manzoor
Published: February 2016

Reliability is a key factor for application-oriented Underwater Sensor Networks (UWSNs) which are utilized for gaining certain objectives and a demand always exists for efficient data routing mechanisms. Cooperative routing is a promising technique which utilizes the broadcast feature of wireless medium and forwards data with cooperation using sensor nodes as relays. Here, we present a cooperation-based routing protocol for underwater networks to enhance their performance called Stochastic Performance Analysis with Reliability and Cooperation (SPARCO). Cooperative communication is explored in order to design an energy-efficient routing scheme for UWSNs. Each node of the network is assumed to be consisting of a single omnidirectional antenna and multiple nodes cooperatively forward their transmissions taking advantage of spatial diversity to reduce energy consumption. Both multihop and single-hop schemes are exploited which contribute to lowering of path-losses present in the channels connecting nodes and forwarding of data. Simulations demonstrate that SPARCO protocol functions better regarding end-to-end delay, network lifetime, and energy consumption comparative to noncooperative routing protocol—improved Adaptive Mobility of Courier nodes in Threshold-optimized Depth-based routing (iAMCTD). The performance is also compared with three cooperation-based routing protocols for UWSN: Cognitive Cooperation (Cog-Coop), Cooperative Depth-Based Routing (CoDBR), and Cooperative Partner Node Selection Criteria for Cooperative Routing (Coop Re and dth).
Dependence of Proximal GC Boxes and Binding Transcription Factors in the Regulation of Basal and Valproic Acid-Induced Expression of t-PA
Authors: Ulfhammer Erik , Larsson Pia , Magnusson Mia , Karlsson Lena , Bergh Niklas , Jern Sverker
Published: February 2016

Objective.Endothelial tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) release is a pivotal response to protect the circulation from occluding thrombosis. We have shown that the t-PA gene is epigenetically regulated and greatly induced by the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor valproic acid (VPA). We now investigated involvement of known t-PA promoter regulatory elements and evaluated dependence of potential interacting transcription factors/cofactors.Methods.A reporter vector with an insert, separately mutated at either the t-PA promoter CRE or GC box II or GC box III elements, was transfected into HT-1080 and HUVECs and challenged with VPA. HUVECs were targeted with siRNA against histone acetyl transferases (HAT) and selected transcription factors from the Sp/KLF family.Results.An intact VPA-response was observed with CRE mutated constructs, whereas mutation of GC boxes II and III reduced the magnitude of the induction by 54 and 79% in HT-1080 and 49 and 50% in HUVECs, respectively. An attenuated induction of t-PA mRNA was observed after Sp2, Sp4, and KLF5 depletion. KLF2 and p300 (HAT) were identified as positive regulators of basal t-PA expression and Sp4 and KLF9 as repressors.Conclusion.VPA-induced t-PA expression is dependent on the proximal GC boxes in the t-PA promoter and may involve interactions with Sp2, Sp4, and KLF5.
A Prediction Model for Membrane Proteins Using Moments Based Features
Authors: Butt Ahmad Hassan , Khan Sher Afzal , Jamil Hamza , Rasool Nouman , Khan Yaser Daanial
Published: February 2016

The most expedient unit of the human body is its cell. Encapsulated within the cell are many infinitesimal entities and molecules which are protected by a cell membrane. The proteins that are associated with this lipid based bilayer cell membrane are known as membrane proteins and are considered to play a significant role. These membrane proteins exhibit their effect in cellular activities inside and outside of the cell. According to the scientists in pharmaceutical organizations, these membrane proteins perform key task in drug interactions. In this study, a technique is presented that is based on various computationally intelligent methods used for the prediction of membrane protein without the experimental use of mass spectrometry. Statistical moments were used to extract features and furthermore a Multilayer Neural Network was trained using backpropagation for the prediction of membrane proteins. Results show that the proposed technique performs better than existing methodologies.
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Signaling in Immune Cells and Inflammation: Roles and Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Aoki Masayo , Aoki Hiroaki , Ramanathan Rajesh , Hait Nitai C. , Takabe Kazuaki
Published: February 2016

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid metabolite involved in many critical cell processes. It is produced by the phosphorylation of sphingosine by sphingosine kinases (SphKs) and exported out of cells via transporters such as spinster homolog 2 (Spns2). S1P regulates diverse physiological processes by binding to specific G protein-binding receptors, S1P receptors (S1PRs) 1–5, through a process coined as “inside-out signaling.” The S1P concentration gradient between various tissues promotes S1PR1-dependent migration of T cells from secondary lymphoid organs into the lymphatic and blood circulation. S1P suppresses T cell egress from and promotes retention in inflamed peripheral tissues. S1PR1 in T and B cells as well as Spns2 in endothelial cells contributes to lymphocyte trafficking. FTY720 (Fingolimod) is a functional antagonist of S1PRs that induces systemic lymphopenia by suppression of lymphocyte egress from lymphoid organs. In this review, we summarize previous findings and new discoveries about the importance of S1P and S1PR signaling in the recruitment of immune cells and lymphocyte retention in inflamed tissues. We also discuss the role of S1P-S1PR1 axis in inflammatory diseases and wound healing.
Utilization and Predictors of Electrical Cardioversion in Patients Hospitalized for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Rochlani Yogita M. , Shah Nishi N. , Pothineni Naga V. , Paydak Hakan
Published: February 2016

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia in adults associated with thromboembolic complications. External electrical cardioversion (DCCV) is a safe procedure used to convert AF to normal sinus rhythm. We sought to study factors that affect utilization of DCCV in hospitalized patients with AF. The study sample was drawn from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project in the United States. Patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of AF that received DCCV during hospitalization in the years 2000–2010 were included. An estimated 2,810,530 patients with a primary diagnosis of AF were hospitalized between 2001 and 2010, of which 1,19,840 (4.26%) received DCCV. The likelihood of receiving DCCV was higher in patients who were males, whites, privately insured, and aged < 40 years and those with fewer comorbid conditions. Higher CHADS2 score was found to have an inverse association with DCCV use. In-hospital stroke, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and cost for hospitalization were significantly lower for patients undergoing DCCV during AF related hospitalization. Further research is required to study the contribution of other disease and patient related factors affecting the use of this procedure as well as postprocedure outcomes.
Unbounded Solutions for Functional Problems on the Half-Line
Authors: Carrasco Hugo , Minhós Feliz
Published: February 2016

This paper presents an existence and localization result of unbounded solutions for a second-order differential equation on the half-line with functional boundary conditions. By applying unbounded upper and lower solutions, Green’s functions, and Schauder fixed point theorem, the existence of at least one solution is shown for the above problem. One example and one application to an Emden-Fowler equation are shown to illustrate our results.
The Use of Stem Cells to Model Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia: From Basic Research to Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Hedges Erin C. , Mehler Vera J. , Nishimura Agnes L.
Published: February 2016

In recent years several genes have linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as a spectrum disease; however little is known about what triggers their onset. With the ability to generate patient specific stem cell lines from somatic cells, it is possible to model disease without the need to transfect cells with exogenous DNA. These pluripotent stem cells have opened new avenues for identification of disease phenotypes and their relation to specific molecular pathways. Thus, as never before, compounds with potential applications for regenerative medicine can be specifically tailored in patient derived cultures. In this review, we discuss how patient specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been used to model ALS and FTD and the most recent drug screening targets for these diseases. We also discuss how an iPSC bank would improve the quality of the available cell lines and how it would increase knowledge about the ALS/FTD disease spectrum.
Influence of γ-Secretase Inhibitor 24-Diamino-5-Phenylthiazole DAPT on Platelet Activation
Authors: Liu Guoxing , Liu Guilai , Chatterjee Madhumita , Umbach Anja T. , Chen Hong , Gawaz Meinrad , Lang Florian
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: DAPT (24-diamino-5-phenylthiazole) inhibits γ-secretase, which cleaves the signaling molecule CD44, a negative regulator of platelet activation and apoptosis. CD44 is a co-receptor for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) an anti-apoptotic pro-inflammatory cytokine expressed and released from blood platelets. Whether DAPT influences platelet function, remained, however, elusive. Activators of platelets include collagen related peptide (CRP). The present study thus explored whether DAPT modifies the stimulating effect of CRP on platelet function. Methods: Platelets isolated from wild-type mice were exposed for 30 minutes to DAPT (10 µM). Flow cytometry was employed to estimate Orai1 abundance with specific antibodies, cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i) from Fluo-3 fluorescence, platelet degranulation from P-selectin abundance, integrin activation from αIIbβ3 integrin abundance, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from DCFDA fluorescence, mitochondrial transmembrane potential from TMRE fluorescence, phospholipid scrambling of the cell membrane from annexin-V-binding, relative platelet volume from forward scatter and aggregation utilizing staining with CD9-APC and CD9-PE. Results: Exposure of platelets to 2-5 µg/ml CRP was followed by significant increase of Orai1 abundance, [Ca2+]i, and P-selectin abundance, as well as by αIIbβ3 integrin activation, ROS generation, mitochondrial depolarization, enhanced annexin-V-binding, decreased cell volume, and aggregation. All CRP induced effects were significantly blunted in the presence of DAPT. Conclusions: The γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT counteracts agonist induced platelet activation, apoptosis and aggregation.
MicroRNA-361-5p Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth by Targeting CXCR6 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Sun Jian-Jun , Chen Guo-Yong , Xie Zhan-Tao
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: A growing body of evidence supports the notion that MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function as key regulators of tumorigenesis. In the present study, the expression and roles of miRNA-361-5p were explored in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression miR-361-5p in HCC tissues and pair-matched adjacent normal tissues. MTT and BrdU assays were used to identify the role of miR-361-5p in the regulation of proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Using bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assays and Western blots were used to identify the molecular target of miR-361-5p. nude mice were used to detect the anti-tumor role of miR-361-5p in vivo. Results: miR-361-5p was down-regulated in HCC tissues in comparison to adjacent normal tissues, due to hypermethylation at its promoter region. Overexpression of miR-361-5p suppressed proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Chemokine (C-X-C Motif) receptor 6 (CXCR6) was identified as a target of miR-361-5p. Indeed, knockdown of CXCR6 photocopied, while overexpression of CXCR6 largely attenuated the anti-proliferative effect of miR-361-5p. More importantly, in vivo studies demonstrated that forced expression of miR-361-5p significantly inhibited tumor growth in the nude mice. Conclusion: Our results indicate that miR-361-5p acts as a tumor suppressor and might serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC patients.
Acquired Localized Cutis Laxa due to Increased Elastin Turnover
Authors: Nygaard Rie Harboe , Maynard Scott , Schjerling Peter , Kjaer Michael , Qvortrup Klaus , Bohr Vilhelm A. , Rasmussen Lene J. , Jemec Gregor B.E. , Heidenheim Michael
Published: February 2016

Cutis laxa is a rare disease characterized by abnormal skin wrinkling and laxity, due to decreased elastin synthesis or structural extracellular matrix defects. We have explored elastin metabolism in a case of adult onset cutis laxa localized to the upper body of a woman. For this purpose, we obtained skin biopsies from affected and unaffected skin areas of the patient and analyzed these with microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and cell culture experiments. Skin from the affected area lacked elastin fibers in electron microscopy but had higher mRNA expression of elastin and total RNA. Levels of an apparent tropoelastin degradation product were higher in the affected area. Fibroblast cultures from the affected area were able to produce elastin and showed higher proliferation and survival after oxidative and UVB stress compared to fibroblasts from the unaffected area. In conclusion, we report a case of acquired localized cutis laxa with a lack of elastic fibers in the skin of the patient's upper body. The lack of elastic fibers in the affected skin was combined with increased mRNA expression and protein levels of elastin. These findings indicate that elastin synthesis was increased but did not lead to deposited elastic fibers in the tissue.
Clinical Effectiveness of Hydralazine–Isosorbide Dinitrate Therapy in Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction: Findings From the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Registry
Authors: Khazanie Prateeti , Liang Li , Curtis Lesley H. , Butler Javed , Eapen Zubin J. , Heidenreich Paul A. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Peterson Eric D. , Yancy Clyde W. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Hernandez Adrian F.
Published: February 2016

Background—

In clinical trials, hydralazine–isosorbide dinitrate (H-ISDN) for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction reduced morbidity and mortality among black patients and patients with intolerance to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers. The effectiveness of H-ISDN in clinical practice is unknown.

Methods and Results—

Using data from a clinical registry linked with Medicare claims, we examined the use and outcomes of H-ISDN between 2005 and 2011 among older patients hospitalized with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. We adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics using Cox proportional hazards models and inverse probability weighting. Among 4663 eligible patients, 22.7% of black patients and 18.2% of patients not on an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker were newly prescribed H-ISDN therapy at discharge. By 3 years, the cumulative incidence rates of mortality and readmission were similar between treated and untreated patients. After multivariable adjustment, 3-year outcomes remained similar for mortality [black patients: hazard ratio (HR), 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.75–1.13; other patients: HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.79–1.09], all-cause readmission (black patients: HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.84–1.13; other patients: HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.90–1.17), and cardiovascular readmission (black patients: HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.82–1.19; other patients: HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.81–1.09). A post hoc analysis of Medicare Part D data revealed low postdischarge adherence to therapy.

Conclusions—

Guideline-recommended initiation of H-ISDN therapy at hospital discharge was uncommon, and adherence was low. For both black patients and patients of other races, there were no differences in outcomes between those treated and untreated at discharge.
The Effects of Greek Society and Culture on Ayvalık Architecture: Architectural Typology and Vernacular Settlement
Authors: Asımgil Bedriye
Published: February 2016

Ayvalık town is a traditional and urban formation that is of the outcome of centuries of optimization of material use, construction techniques and climate considerations, that the traces of the Greek architecture is seen. In this study, traditional building designs having various typology is evaluated. It is concerned with the layout of the buildings (orientation, climate, aspect ratio). This study is concerned with the layout of the buildings, such as building orientation, climate, aspect ratio, the proximity of houses (site planning), the air movement, the size-position of building openings, and the building facade (walls, construction materials, thickness, roof construction detailing).

This paper evaluates specific vernacular dwelling types and their response to climate, based on passive design principles that could be adapted to current architectural practice in the area, in order to optimize the relationship between site, building and climate, in Ayvalık.
Fruit micromorphological characters of the genus Grammosciadium DC. (Apiaceae) in Turkey
Authors: Bani Baris , Karakaya Muhammet Ali , Çeter Talip
Published: February 2016

Fruit characters of all Turkish members of the genus Grammosciadium were investigated, emphasizing on their micromorphological features. Five different ornamentation patterns of the fruit surface were observed. A multivariate analysis was done with the macromorphological characters of the fruits. The combination of micromorphological and macromorphological data clearly resolved the infrageneric classification of the genus. An identification key based on both types of characters is presented for all the studied taxa.
Gerard Manley Hopkins and Victorian approaches to the problems of perception: Affirming the metaphysical in the physical
Authors: Hatch Laurie Camp
Published: February 2016

This article addresses how Hopkins’s concept of inscape interacts with issues of perception in 19th-century scientific discourse. In particular, I address the problem of attention, a tool deemed essential for scientists during this period. Attention can be defined as an act of will toward an object of perception that will overcome subjective conclusions and produce more reliable objective knowledge. In this essay, I consider how attention influenced the development of Hopkins’s inscape and demonstrate how four poems, “The Candle Indoors,” “The Lantern Out of Doors,” and the sonnets “The Windhover” and “As kingfishers catch fire,” attempt to solve the problems of sustaining attention to achieve reliable knowledge about both the physical and the metaphysical reality contained within God’s creation.
Association of the Adductor Pollicis Muscle Thickness With Clinical Outcomes in Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Ghorabi Sima , Ardehali Hossein , Amiri Zohreh , Vahdat Shariatpanahi Zahra
Published: February 2016

Background: Different parameters may be used to evaluate the nutrition status of individuals. However, their use in the critically ill is problematic, since the interference of acute disease or therapeutic measures on their results can affect their interpretation. The aim of this study was to assess whether measuring the adductor pollicis muscle is useful in identifying malnutrition and clinical outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: In total, 127 patients were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Serum albumin levels, anthropometrics, adductor pollicis muscle (APM) thickness, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score were measured for each patient upon admission. APM thickness (APMT) was measured while the patient's elbow was flexed at a 90‐degree angle and the forearm resting on the patient's torso. Results: The dominant and nondominant APMT were significantly correlated with all anthropometric measurements (r = 0.41–0.68, P < .001 and r = 0.42–0.66, P < .001 respectively). Multivariate regression analysis adjusted by other risk factors, including APACHE II score, serum albumin, and age, showed that among all anthropometric variables, the APMT has the highest correlation with mortality (odds ratio [OR], 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02–0.12; P < .001), length of stay >10 days (OR, 11.3; 95% CI, 4.42–29.1; P < .001), and organ failure (OR, 14.5; 95% CI, 6.5–38.4; P < .001). Conclusions: The results showed that APMT is a low‐cost, reliable, and easy method to assess nutrition status and to predict the patient's outcomes in the ICU.
Regulatory approaches to managing skilled migration: Indonesian nurses in Japan
Authors: Ford Michele , Kawashima Kumiko
Published: February 2016

This article examines the Japan–Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement, an agreement that has allowed Japan to supplement its local healthcare workforce while continuing to sidestep the thorny issue of labour and immigration policy reform and Indonesia to increase its skilled workers’ access to the Japanese labour market at a time when it was making a concerted effort to reorient migrant labour flows away from informal sector occupations. Despite the programme’s many problems, it has contributed to the use of trade agreements as a mechanism for regulating labour migration, and so to the normalisation of migrant labour as a tradable commodity rather than a discrete area of policy-making, with all the attendant risks that normalisation brings.
Toward a Narrative Ethics
Authors: Stevenson Shaun A.
Published: February 2016

Drawing on experience of community-based health research with a First Nation population, I present a case for the incorporation of an ethics grounded in narrative, particularly within Indigenous community-based research (CBR). Viewing conventional bioethics’ emphasis on individual autonomy as increasingly insufficient in grappling with the complexities of research with Indigenous communities, with their often historically, socially, and culturally specific notions of kinship, intersubjectivity, and relationality, I suggest that an ethics of narrative has the potential to respond to a conventional bioethics of autonomy in ways that would be more commensurable with the ethical and lived experiences of Indigenous persons. Drawing on poststructuralist and Indigenous thought, I ultimately argue for the narrative competency to engage with and respond to the stories of sickness and health that may arise from cultural contexts other than those sedimented within Western Euro-American frameworks. Key to this endeavor is attention to and understanding of conceptions of self and community formation as multiple and diverse, marked by porosity and even the potential for ethical failure.
Single-Stage Repair of an Unusual Association
Authors: Flores Saul , Kimball Thomas R. , Nelson David P. , Morales David L. S.
Published: February 2016

We present the case of a two-month-old male with congenital Gerbode defect, hypoplastic aortic arch, and left-sided partially anomalous pulmonary venous return. The patient underwent single-stage surgical repair, which consisted of aortic arch advancement with resection of the coarctation segment, pulmonary vein repair, and primary closure of the Gerbode defect. The anomalous pulmonary vein posed a particular challenge due to its size and distance from the left atrium, which we approached with a posterior atrial wall trapdoor baffle technique, without mobilizing the affected vein. Postoperatively and at one year follow-up, there was no evidence of residual lesions and there was unobstructed flow pattern across the aortic arch and the affected pulmonary vein.
Interventions Involving the Use of Covered Coronary Artery Stents for Pseudoaneurysms of Blalock-Taussig Shunts
Authors: Baspinar Osman , Sahin Derya Aydin , Sulu Ayse , Gokaslan Gokhan
Published: February 2016

One of the most rare and dangerous complications of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt involves the formation of a pseudoaneurysm. A pseudoaneurysm may rupture or may result in other adverse events including compression of mediastinal structures or collapse of the underlying lung parenchyma. Shunt-related pseudoaneurysm may be associated with shunt occlusion, bacteremia, or pulmonary hemorrhage. We describe two cases complicated by large pseudoaneurysm formation, following systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt operations. The patients in question had recurrent pulmonary hemorrhage. Both underwent successful placement of covered coronary artery stents.