bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carcinoid tumours of the lung and the ‘PEPPS’ approach: evaluation of preoperative bronchoscopic tumour debulking as preparation for subsequent parenchyma-sparing surgery
Authors: Neuberger Michael , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Schmidt Michael , Gesierich Wolfgang , Reichenberger Frank , Morresi-Hauf Alicia , Hatz Rudolf A , Lindner Michael
Published: July 2015

Background

Preoperative bronchoscopic tumour ablation has been suggested as a beneficial treatment for bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumours, although data regarding its effects and long-term outcome are lacking.

Methods

In our case-matched cohort study with 208 patients with bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumours we investigated the role of preoperative bronchoscopic interventions before subsequent surgery and analysed the safety of this Procedure of Endobronchial Preparation for Parenchyma-sparing Surgery (PEPPS) based on metastasis and recurrence rates as well as survival data from 1991 to 2010. The subsequent surgery was classified into parenchyma-sparing procedures and classical lobectomies, bilobectomies and pneumonectomies. Data were obtained from the tumour registry and medical reports. Outcomes were the frequency of parenchyma-sparing surgery after bronchoscopic treatment as well as rates of metastasis, recurrence and survival.

Results

132 of 208 carcinoids were located centrally. Among them, 77 patients could be recanalised preoperatively. After bronchoscopic preparation, the rate of subsequent parenchyma-sparing surgery methods was higher (p=0.021). The effect was measured by the number of segments removed. The 10-year survival rate was 89% (typical carcinoids) and 68% (atypical carcinoids), respectively. After applying PEPPS, long-term survival was slightly higher (p=0.23). Metastasis and recurrence rates showed no relevant differences between the bronchoscopically treated or non-treated groups, or between the two types of surgery classes or between the PEPPS and non-PEPPS groups.

Conclusions

After preoperative bronchoscopic treatment, parenchyma-sparing surgery techniques can be applied more frequently. Furthermore, we detected no negative effects after PEPPS based on metastasis, recurrence and survival rates.
The statin diabetes conundrum: short-term gain, long-term risk or inconvenient truth?
Authors: DuBroff Robert J
Published: July 2015

Statin drugs have become the mainstay of many cardiovascular disease prevention guidelines and are recommended for most adult patients with diabetes. A careful review of the evidence, however, suggests that the clinical benefits of statins in diabetes may have been overstated by relying on meta-analyses that incorporate randomised controlled trials (RCTs) neither designed nor powered to assess the effects of statins in diabetes. Multiple RCTs specifically designed and powered to study the effects of statins in diabetes have demonstrated inconsistent clinical benefits and no mortality benefit. The conclusions of these meta-analyses should not supersede the results of these large, well-conducted RCTs. Reports that conclude that the benefits of statins outweigh the risks have probably underestimated the long-term risks of statin exposure and the deleterious consequences of long-term diabetes.
Recent trends in cyclist fatalities in Australia
Authors: Boufous Soufiane , Olivier Jake
Published: July 2015

The study examines trends in bicycling fatalities reported to the Australian police between 1991 and 2013. Trends were estimated using Poisson regression modelling. Overall, cycling fatalities decreased by 1.9% annually between 1991 and 2013. However, while deaths following multivehicle crashes decreased at a rate of 2.9% per annum (95% CI −4.0% to −1.8%), deaths from single vehicle crashes increased by 5.8% per annum (95% CI 4.1% to 7.5%). Over the study period, the average age of cyclists who died in single vehicle crashes (45.3 years, 95% CI 41.5 to 49.1) was significantly higher than cyclists who died in multivehicle crashes (36.2 years, 95% CI 34.7 to 37.7). The average age of deceased cyclists increased significantly for both types of crashes. The observed increase in single vehicle crashes need to be closely monitored in Australia and internationally. In-depth studies are needed to investigate the circumstances of fatal single bicycle crashes in order to develop appropriate countermeasures.
Comments on the dilemma in the June issue: ‘Possession is nine‐tenths of the dog’
Authors: Hutchison Maureen
Published: July 2015

The dilemma in the June issue concerned a seven‐year‐old dog, whose owner brought it into the practice to be put to sleep, due to what he described as aggressive snappy behaviour, which had led to his wife and young child being repeatedly bitten. Before any action could be taken, his wife arrived and explained that they were going through a messy divorce. She did not consider the dog dangerous and did not want it euthanased. However, all the records were under her husband's name so he appeared to be the dog's legal owner (IP, June 2015, vol 37, pp 310‐311). Richard Brown proposed that, first and foremost, the dog had to be kept alive until more information could be gathered, and advised keeping clear and accurate records on the situation. It could be useful to contact a professional body, such as the BVA or the Veterinary Defence Society, for advice, and he also suggested finding out whether any member of staff could give evidence to support that the woman was one of the dog's owners. As the husband wanted to destroy the dog, it might be possible to have his wife take over the ownership.
Republished: Novel use of 4D-CTA in imaging of intranidal aneurysms in an acutely ruptured arteriovenous malformation: is this the way forward?
Authors: Chandran Arun , Radon Mark , Biswas Shubhabrata , Das Kumar , Puthuran Mani , Nahser Hans
Published: July 2015

Ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a frequent cause of intracranial hemorrhage. The presence of associated aneurysms, especially intranidal aneurysms, is considered to increase the risk of re-hemorrhage. We present two cases where an intranidal aneurysm was demonstrated on four-dimensional CT angiography (time-resolved CT angiography) (4D-CTA). These features were confirmed by digital subtraction angiography (catheter arterial angiogram). This is the first report of an intranidal aneurysm demonstrated by 4D-CTA. 4D-CTA can offer a comprehensive evaluation of the angioarchitecture and flow dynamics of an AVM for appropriate classification and management.
Unsteady heat and mass transfer magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) nanofluid flow over a stretching sheet with heat source–sink using quasi-linearization technique
Authors: Ahmad R. , Khan Waqar A.
Published: July 2015

The current study deals with two-dimensional unsteady incompressible MHD water-based nanofluid flow over a convectively heated stretching sheet by considering Buongiorno’s model. A uniform magnetic field is applied in the direction normal to the stretching sheet. It is assumed that the lower surface of the sheet is heated by convection by a nanofluid at temperature Tf, which generates the heat transfer coefficient, hf. Uniform temperature and nanofluid volume fraction are assumed at the sheet’s surface and the flux of the nanoparticle is taken to be zero. The assumption of zero nanoparticle flux at the sheet’s surface makes the model physically more realistic. The effects of the uniform heat source–sink are included in the energy equation. With the help of similarity transformations, the partial differential equations of momentum, energy, and nanoparticle concentration are reduced to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations along with the transformed boundary conditions. The derived equations are solved with the help of the quasi-qinearization technique. The model is solved by considering the realistic values for the Lewis number, thermophoresis, and Brownian motion parameters. The objective of the current study is (i) to provide an efficient numerical technique for solving the boundary layer flow model and (ii) introduction of zero nanoparticle flux on the convectively heated stretching surface. The current study also focuses on the physical relevance and accurate trends of the boundary layer profiles, which are adequate in the laminar boundary layer theory. The dependence of the nanoparticle volume fraction and other pertinent parameters on the dimensionless velocity, temperature, shear stress, and heat transfer rates over the stretching surface are presented in the form of profiles.
Characterizing the intrinsic correlations of scale-free networks
Authors: de Brito J. B. , Sampaio Filho C. I. N. , Moreira A. A. , Andrade J. S.
Published: July 2015

When studying topological or dynamical properties of random scale-free networks, it is tacitly assumed that degree–degree correlations are not present. However, simple constraints, such as the absence of multiple edges and self-loops, can give rise to intrinsic correlations in these structures. In the same way that Fermionic correlations in thermodynamic systems are relevant only in the limit of low temperature, the intrinsic correlations in scale-free networks are relevant only when the extreme values for the degrees grow faster than the square root of the network size. In this situation, these correlations can significantly affect the dependence of the average degree of the nearest neighbors of a given vertex on this vertices degree. Here, we introduce an analytical approach that is capable to predict the functional form of this property. Moreover, our results indicate that random scale-free network models are not self-averaging, that is, the second moment of their degree distribution may vary orders of magnitude among different realizations. Finally, we argue that the intrinsic correlations investigated here may have profound impact on the critical properties of random scale-free networks.
Turning Rate Dynamics of Zebrafish Exposed to Ethanol
Authors: Mwaffo Violet , Porfiri Maurizio
Published: July 2015

Zebrafish is emerging as a species of choice in alcohol-related pharmacological studies. In these studies, zebrafish are often exposed to acute ethanol treatments and their activity scored during behavioral assays. Computational modeling of zebrafish behavior is expected to positively impact these efforts by offering a predictive toolbox to plan hypothesis-driven studies, reduce the number of subjects, perform pilot trials, and refine behavioral screening. In this work, we demonstrate the use of the recently proposed jump persistent turning walker to model the turning rate dynamics of zebrafish exposed to acute ethanol administration. This modeling framework is based on a stochastic mean reverting jump process to capture the sudden and large changes in orientation of swimming zebrafish. The model is calibrated on an available experimental dataset of 40 subjects, tested at different ethanol concentrations. We demonstrate that model parameters are modulated by ethanol administration, whereby both the relaxation rate and jump frequency of the turning rate dynamics are influenced by ethanol concentration. This effort offers a first evidence for the possibility of complementing zebrafish pharmacological research with computational modeling of animal behavior.
Physiologic hypoxia and oxygen homeostasis in the healthy intestine. A Review in the Theme: Cellular Responses to Hypoxia
Authors: Zheng Leon , Kelly Caleb J. , Colgan Sean P.
Published: July 2015

In recent years, the intestinal mucosa has proven to be an intriguing organ to study tissue oxygenation. The highly vascularized lamina propria juxtaposed to an anaerobic lumen containing trillions of metabolically active microbes results in one of the most austere tissue microenvironments in the body. Studies to date have determined that a healthy mucosa contains a steep oxygen gradient along the length of the intestine and from the lumen to the serosa. Advances in technology have allowed multiple independent measures and indicate that, in the healthy mucosa of the small and large intestine, the lumen-apposed epithelia experience Po2 conditions of <10 mmHg, so-called physiologic hypoxia. This unique physiology results from a combination of factors, including countercurrent exchange blood flow, fluctuating oxygen demands, epithelial metabolism, and oxygen diffusion into the lumen. Such conditions result in the activation of a number of hypoxia-related signaling processes, including stabilization of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor. Here, we review the principles of mucosal oxygen delivery, metabolism, and end-point functional responses that result from this unique oxygenation profile.
Ranolazine inhibits voltage-gated mechanosensitive sodium channels in human colon circular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Neshatian Leila , Strege Peter R. , Rhee Poong-Lyul , Kraichely Robert E. , Mazzone Amelia , Bernard Cheryl E. , Cima Robert R. , Larson David W. , Dozois Eric J. , Kline Crystal F. , Mohler Peter J. , Beyder Arthur , Farrugia Gianrico
Published: July 2015

Human jejunum smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) express the SCN5A-encoded voltage-gated, mechanosensitive sodium channel NaV1.5. NaV1.5 contributes to small bowel excitability, and NaV1.5 inhibitor ranolazine produces constipation by an unknown mechanism. We aimed to determine the presence and molecular identity of Na+ current in the human colon smooth muscle and to examine the effects of ranolazine on Na+ current, mechanosensitivity, and smooth muscle contractility. Inward currents were recorded by whole cell voltage clamp from freshly dissociated human colon SMCs at rest and with shear stress. SCN5A mRNA and NaV1.5 protein were examined by RT-PCR and Western blots, respectively. Ascending human colon strip contractility was examined in a muscle bath preparation. SCN5A mRNA and NaV1.5 protein were identified in human colon circular muscle. Freshly dissociated human colon SMCs had Na+ currents (−1.36 ± 0.36 pA/pF), shear stress increased Na+ peaks by 17.8 ± 1.8% and accelerated the time to peak activation by 0.7 ± 0.3 ms. Ranolazine (50 μM) blocked peak Na+ current by 43.2 ± 9.3% and inhibited shear sensitivity by 25.2 ± 3.2%. In human ascending colon strips, ranolazine decreased resting tension (31%), reduced the frequency of spontaneous events (68%), and decreased the response to smooth muscle electrical field stimulation (61%). In conclusion, SCN5A-encoded NaV1.5 is found in human colonic circular smooth muscle. Ranolazine blocks both peak amplitude and mechanosensitivity of Na+ current in human colon SMCs and decreases contractility of human colon muscle strips. Our data provide a likely mechanistic explanation for constipation induced by ranolazine.
The gastrin-releasing peptide analog bombesin preserves exocrine and endocrine pancreas morphology and function during parenteral nutrition
Authors: Pierre Joseph F. , Neuman Joshua C. , Brill Allison L. , Brar Harpreet K. , Thompson Mary F. , Cadena Mark T. , Connors Kelsey M. , Busch Rebecca A. , Heneghan Aaron F. , Cham Candace M. , Jones Elaina K. , Kibbe Carly R. , Davis Dawn B. , Groblewski Guy E. , Kudsk Kenneth A. , Kimple Michelle E.
Published: July 2015

Stimulation of digestive organs by enteric peptides is lost during total parental nutrition (PN). Here we examine the role of the enteric peptide bombesin (BBS) in stimulation of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas during PN. BBS protects against exocrine pancreas atrophy and dysfunction caused by PN. BBS also augments circulating insulin levels, suggesting an endocrine pancreas phenotype. While no significant changes in gross endocrine pancreas morphology were observed, pancreatic islets isolated from BBS-treated PN mice showed a significantly enhanced insulin secretion response to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist exendin-4, correlating with enhanced GLP-1 receptor expression. BBS itself had no effect on islet function, as reflected in low expression of BBS receptors in islet samples. Intestinal BBS receptor expression was enhanced in PN with BBS, and circulating active GLP-1 levels were significantly enhanced in BBS-treated PN mice. We hypothesized that BBS preserved islet function indirectly, through the enteroendocrine cell-pancreas axis. We confirmed the ability of BBS to directly stimulate intestinal enteroid cells to express the GLP-1 precursor preproglucagon. In conclusion, BBS preserves the exocrine and endocrine pancreas functions during PN; however, the endocrine stimulation is likely indirect, through the enteroendocrine cell-pancreas axis.
Lack of soluble fiber drives diet-induced adiposity in mice
Authors: Chassaing Benoit , Miles-Brown Jennifer , Pellizzon Michael , Ulman Edward , Ricci Matthew , Zhang Limin , Patterson Andrew D. , Vijay-Kumar Matam , Gewirtz Andrew T.
Published: July 2015

Diet-induced obesity is often modeled by comparing mice fed high-fat diet (HFD), which is made from purified ingredients, vs. normal chow diet (NCD), which is a low-fat assemblage of relatively unrefined plant and animal products. The mechanism by which HFD promotes adiposity is complex but thought to involve low-grade inflammation and altered gut microbiota. The goal of this study was to investigate the extent to which HFD-induced adiposity is driven by fat content vs. other factors that differentiate HFD vs. NCD. Mice were fed NCD, HFD, or other compositionally defined diets (CDD), designed to mimic NCD and/or explore the role of HFD components. A range of metabolic parameters reflecting low-grade inflammation and adiposity were assayed. Relative to NCD, HFD, and to a lesser, but, nonetheless, significant extent, CDD induced increased adiposity, indicating both lipid content and other aspects of HFD are obesogenic. Moreover, HFD and CDD induced a rapid and marked loss of cecal and colonic mass. Such CDD-induced effects were not affected by adjusting dietary protein levels/types but could be largely eliminated by exchanging insoluble fiber (cellulose) for soluble fiber (inulin). Replacing cellulose with inulin in HFD also protected mice against decreased intestinal mass, hyperphagia, and increased adiposity. Such beneficial effects of inulin were microbiota dependent, correlated with elevated fecal short-chain fatty acid levels analyzed via 1H-NMR-based metabolomics and were partially recapitulated by administration of short-chain fatty acid. HFD-induced obesity is strongly promoted by its lack of soluble fiber, which supports microbiota-mediated intestinal tissue homeostasis that prevents inflammation driving obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Mechanism of ammonia excretion in the freshwater leechNephelopsis obscura: characterization of a primitive Rh protein and effects of high environmental ammonia
Authors: Quijada-Rodriguez Alex R. , Treberg Jason R. , Weihrauch Dirk
Published: July 2015

Remarkably little is known about nitrogenous excretion in freshwater invertebrates. In the current study, the nitrogen excretion mechanism in the carnivorous ribbon leech, Nephelopsis obscura, was investigated. Excretion experiments showed that the ribbon leech is ammonotelic, excreting 166.0 ± 8.6 nmol·grams fresh weight (gFW)−1·h−1ammonia and 14.7 ± 1.9 nmol·gFW−1·h−1urea. Exposure to high and low pH hampered and enhanced, respectively, ammonia excretion rates, indicating an acid-linked ammonia trapping mechanism across the skin epithelia. Accordingly, compared with body tissues, the skin exhibited elevated mRNA expression levels of a newly identified Rhesus protein and at least in tendency the Na+/K+-ATPase. Pharmacological experiments and enzyme assays suggested an ammonia excretion mechanism that involves the V-ATPase, Na+/K+-ATPase, and carbonic anhydrase, but not necessarily a functional microtubule system. Most importantly, functional expression studies of the identified Rh protein cloned from leech skin tissue revealed an ammonia transport capability of this protein when expressed in yeast. The leech Rh-ammonia transporter (NoRhp) is a member of the primitive Rh protein family, which is a sister group to the common ancestor of vertebrate ammonia-transporting Rh proteins. Exposure to high environmental ammonia (HEA) caused a new adjustment of body ammonia, accompanied with a decrease in NoRhp and Na+/K+-ATPase mRNA levels, but unaltered ammonia excretion rates. To our knowledge, this is only the second comprehensive study regarding the ammonia excretion mechanisms in a freshwater invertebrate, but our results show that basic processes of ammonia excretion appear to also be comparable to those found in freshwater fish, suggesting an early evolution of ionoregulatory mechanisms in freshwater organisms.
Robotic therapy for chronic stroke: general recovery of impairment or improved task-specific skill?
Authors: Kitago Tomoko , Goldsmith Jeff , Harran Michelle , Kane Leslie , Berard Jessica , Huang Sylvia , Ryan Sophia L. , Mazzoni Pietro , Krakauer John W. , Huang Vincent S.
Published: July 2015

There is a great need to develop new approaches for rehabilitation of the upper limb after stroke. Robotic therapy is a promising form of neurorehabilitation that can be delivered in higher doses than conventional therapy. Here we sought to determine whether the reported effects of robotic therapy, which have been based on clinical measures of impairment and function, are accompanied by improved motor control. Patients with chronic hemiparesis were trained for 3 wk, 3 days a week, with titrated assistive robotic therapy in two and three dimensions. Motor control improvements (i.e., skill) in both arms were assessed with a separate untrained visually guided reaching task. We devised a novel PCA-based analysis of arm trajectories that is sensitive to changes in the quality of entire movement trajectories without needing to prespecify particular kinematic features. Robotic therapy led to skill improvements in the contralesional arm. These changes were not accompanied by changes in clinical measures of impairment or function. There are two possible interpretations of these results. One is that robotic therapy only leads to small task-specific improvements in motor control via normal skill-learning mechanisms. The other is that kinematic assays are more sensitive than clinical measures to a small general improvement in motor control.
A New High Order Fuzzy ARMA Time Series Forecasting Method by Using Neural Networks to Define Fuzzy Relations
Authors: Kocak Cem
Published: July 2015

Linear time series methods are researched under 3 topics, namely, AR (autoregressive), MA (moving averages), and ARMA (autoregressive moving averages) models. On the other hand, the univariate fuzzy time series forecasting methods proposed in the literature are based on fuzzy lagged (autoregressive (AR)) variables, having not used the error lagged (moving average (MA)) variables except for only two studies in the fuzzy time series literature. Not using MA variables could cause the model specification error in solutions of fuzzy time series. For this reason, this model specification error should be eliminated. In this study, a solution algorithm based on artificial neural networks has been proposed by defining a new high order fuzzy ARMA time series forecasting model that contains fuzzy MA variables along with fuzzy AR variables. It has been pointed out by the applications that the forecasting performance could have been increased by the proposed method in accordance with the fuzzy AR models in the literature since the proposed method is a high order model and also utilizes artificial neural networks to identify the fuzzy relation.
Conductivity and Dielectric Studies of Lithium Trifluoromethanesulfonate Doped Polyethylene Oxide-Graphene Oxide Blend Based Electrolytes
Authors: Azli A. A. , Manan N. S. A. , Kadir M. F. Z.
Published: July 2015

Series of polymer blend consisting of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and graphene oxide (GO) as co-host polymer were prepared using solution cast method. The most amorphous PEO-GO blend was obtained using 90 wt.% of PEO and 10 wt.% of GO as recorded by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis proved the interaction between PEO, GO, lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3), and ethylene sulfite (ES). Incorporation of 25 wt.% LiCF3SO3into the PEO-GO blend increases the conductivity to3.84±0.83×10-6 S cm−1. The conductivity starts to decrease when more than 25 wt.% salt is doped into the polymer blend. The addition of 1 wt.% ES into the polymer electrolyte has increased the conductivity to1.73±0.05×10-5 S cm−1. Dielectric studies show that all the electrolytes obey non-Debye behavior.
Boceprevir-Based Triple Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Kidney-Transplant Candidates
Authors: Mehawej Mireille , Rostaing Lionel , Alric Laurent , Del Bello Arnaud , Izopet Jacques , Kamar Nassim
Published: July 2015

Background. There are few data on the combination of (pegylated-) interferon- (Peg-IFN-)α, ribavirin, and first-generation direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs). Our aim was to describe the efficacy and safety of Peg-IFN-α, ribavirin, and boceprevir in hemodialysis patients.Patients. Six hemodialysis patients, chronically infected by genotype-1 HCV, were given Peg-IFN-α(135 µg/week), ribavirin (200 mg/d), and boceprevir (2400 mg/d) for 48 weeks.Results. At initiation of antiviral therapy, median viral concentration was 5.68 (3.78–6.55) log IU/mL. HCV RNA was undetectable in four of the six patients at week 4 and in all patients at week 24. A breakthrough was observed in two patients between weeks 24 and 48, and a third patient stopped antiviral therapy between weeks 24 and 48 because of severe peripheral neuropathy. At week 48, HCV RNA was undetectable in three patients. Of these, two patients relapsed within a month after antiviral therapy was stopped. Hence, only one patient had a sustained virological response; he was a previous partial responder. Overall, anemia was the main side effect.Conclusion. A triple antiviral therapy based on Peg-IFN-α, ribavirin, and boceprevir is not optimal at treating hemodialysis patients with chronic HCV infection. Studies using new-generation drugs are required in this setting.
Quantitative Analysis of Software Approximate Correctness
Authors: Ma Yanfang
Published: July 2015

Parameterized bisimulation provides an abstract description of software correctness. In real world situations, however, many software products are approximately correct. To characterize the approximate correctness, we generalize the parameterized bisimulation to numerical version and probabilistic setting. First, we propose the definition of the parameterized bisimulation index that expresses the degree to which a binary relation is parameterized bisimulation. Then,λ-parameterized bisimulation over environmenteand its substitutivity laws are presented. Finally,λ-parameterized probabilistic bisimulation is established to describe complicated software products with probabilistic phenomena.
Hemoglobin A1c Level Is Not Related to the Severity of Atherosclerosis in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Wang Xinhong , Han Zhenhua , Hao Guanghua , Li Yongqin , Dong Xin , Wang Congxia
Published: July 2015

Background. The relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and the extent of coronary artery stenosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains uncertain. The present study aimed to assess the correlation of HbA1c level with angiographic coronary atherosclerosis.Methods. 292 consecutive ACS patients were enrolled and stratified into three groups according to HbA1c levels (group 1: <6.0%,n=137; group 2: 6.0–6.4%,n=67; group 3: ≥6.5%,n=88). The severity of coronary arteriosclerosis was assessed by Gensini score. The relationship between HbA1c and Gensini score was analyzed by multiple variables analysis.Results. HbA1c level was not associated with the severity of CAD assessed by Gensini score in patients with ACS, even after the adjustment for other risk factors. However, NT-proBNP, ApoA1 and LVEF levels were independent predictors for CAD severity. Moreover, HbA1c level was not associated with the risk of high Gensini score (>40) by logistic regression analysis. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and LVEF levels were two independent risk factors for high Gensini score.Conclusions. HbA1c level is not a significant and independent marker for the severity of angiography in ACS patients, even in high-risk patients.
An Efficient Algorithm for On-the-Fly Data Race Detection Using an Epoch-Based Technique
Authors: Ha Ok-Kyoon , Jun Yong-Kee
Published: July 2015

Data races represent the most notorious class of concurrency bugs in multithreaded programs. To detect data races precisely and efficiently during the execution of multithreaded programs, the epoch-based FastTracktechnique has been employed. However, FastTrackhas time and space complexities that depend on the maximum parallelism of the program to partially maintain expensive data structures, such as vector clocks. This paper presents an efficient algorithm, callediFT, that uses only the epochs of the access histories. Unlike FastTrack, our algorithm requiresO(1)operations to maintain an access history and locate data races, without any switching between epochs and vector clocks. We implement this algorithm on top of the Pin binary instrumentation framework and compare it with other on-the-fly detection algorithms, including FastTrack, which uses a state-of-the-art happens-before analysis algorithm. Empirical results using the PARSEC benchmark show thatiFT reduces the average runtime and memory overhead to 84% and 37%, respectively, of those of FastTrack.
Frequency-Domain Assessment of Integration Schemes for Earthquake Engineering Problems
Authors: Arias-Trujillo Juana , Blázquez Rafael , López-Querol Susana
Published: July 2015

Although numerical integration is a technique commonly employed in many time-dependent problems, usually its accuracy relied on a time interval small enough. However, taking into account that time integration formulae can be considered to be recursive digital filters, in this research a criterion based on transfer functions has been employed to characterize a wide range of integration algorithms from a frequency approach, both in amplitude and in phase. By adopting Nyquist’s criterion to avoid the aliasing phenomena, a total of seven integration schemes have been reviewed in terms of accuracy and distortion effects on the frequency content of the signal. Some of these schemes are very well-known polynomial approximations with different degrees of interpolation, but others have been especially defined for solving earthquake engineering problems or have been extracted from the digital signal processing methodology. Finally, five examples have been developed to validate this frequency approach and to investigate its influence on practical dynamic problems. This research, focused on earthquake and structural engineering, reveals that numerical integration formulae are clearly frequency-dependent, a conclusion that obviously has a relevant interest in all dynamic engineering problems, even when they are formulated and solved in the time-domain.
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha as a Marker of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Development and Stem Cell Biology
Authors: Farahani Ramin M. , Xaymardan Munira
Published: July 2015

Three decades on, the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been intensively researched on the bench top and used clinically. However, ambiguity still exists in regard to their anatomical locations, identities, functions, and extent of their differentiative abilities. One of the major impediments in the quest of the MSC research has been lack of appropriatein vivomarkers. In recent years, this obstacle has been resolved to some degree as PDGFRαemerges as an important mesenchymal stem cell marker. Accumulating lines of evidence are showing that the PDGFRα+cells reside in the perivascular locations of many adult interstitium and fulfil the classic concepts of MSCsin vitroandin vivo. PDGFRαhas long been recognised for its roles in the mesoderm formation and connective tissue development during the embryogenesis. Current review describes the lines of evidence regarding the role of PDGFRαin morphogenesis and differentiation and its implications for MSC biology.
Experience of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis for Hemophilia at the University Hospital Virgen Del Rocío in Spain: Technical and Clinical Overview
Authors: Fernández Raquel M. , Peciña Ana , Sánchez Beatriz , Lozano-Arana Maria Dolores , García-Lozano Juan Carlos , Pérez-Garrido Rosario , Núñez Ramiro , Borrego Salud , Antiñolo Guillermo
Published: July 2015

Hemophilia A and B are the most common hereditary hemorrhagic disorders, with an X-linked mode of inheritance. Reproductive options for the families affected with hemophilia, aiming at the prevention of the birth of children with severe coagulation disorders, include preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Here we present the results of our PGD Program applied to hemophilia, at the Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Fetal Medicine of the University Hospital Virgen del Rocío in Seville. A total of 34 couples have been included in our program since 2005 (30 for hemophilia A and 4 for hemophilia B). Overall, 60 cycles were performed, providing a total of 508 embryos. The overall percentage of transfers per cycle was 81.7% and the live birth rate per cycle ranged from 10.3 to 24.1% depending on the methodological approach applied. Although PGD for hemophilia can be focused on gender selection of female embryos, our results demonstrate that methodological approaches that allow the diagnosis of the hemophilia status of every embryo have notorious advantages. Our PGD Program resulted in the birth of 12 healthy babies for 10 out of the 34 couples (29.4%), constituting a relevant achievement for the Spanish Public Health System within the field of haematological disorders.
Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Technology in the Differential Diagnosis of Solid Breast Masses with Different Sizes: Which Features Are Most Efficient?
Authors: Bai Min , Zhang Hui-Ping , Xing Jin-Fang , Shi Qiu-Sheng , Gu Ji-Ying , Li Fan , Chen Hui-Li , Zhang Xue-Mei , Fang Yun , Du Lian-Fang
Published: July 2015

Purpose. To evaluate diagnostic performance of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) technology for solid breast masses with different sizes and determine which features are most efficient.Materials and Methods. 271 solid breast masses in 242 women were examined with ARFI, and their shear wave velocities (SWVs), Virtual Touch tissue imaging (VTI) patterns, and area ratios (ARs) were measured and compared with their histopathological outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were calculated to assess diagnostic performance of ARFI for small masses (6–14 mm) and big masses (15–30 mm).Results. SWV of mass was shown to be positively associated with mass size (P<0.001). For small masses, area under ROC (Az) of AR was larger than that of SWV (P<0.001) and VTI pattern (P<0.001); no significant difference was found between Az of SWV and that of VTI pattern (P=0.906). For big masses, Az of VTI pattern was less than that of SWV (P=0.008) and AR (P=0.002); no significant difference was identified between Az of SWV and that of AR (P=0.584).Conclusions. For big masses, SWV and AR are both efficient measures; nevertheless, for small masses, AR seems to be the best feature.
Prelaminated Gracilis Flap with Buccal Mucosal Graft for Salvage of Devastated Urethra
Authors: Nikolavsky Dmitriy
Published: July 2015

In patients with devastated bulbous urethra, that is, bulbar necrosis, failed fasciocutaneous repairs and “watering can perineum” repair options are limited by paucity of reliable local tissue suitable for reconstruction. In this case report we demonstrate a novel variation of a two-stage technique for reconstruction of a devastated bulbous urethra in a 57-year-old male who suffered penetrating trauma to his previously reconstructed urethra. Because of extensive loss of local tissue from the prior reconstruction and subsequent trauma and infection a 2-stage technique with use of gracilis was employed. This technique involved creation of two independently vascularized urethral hemi-plates prelaminated with buccal mucosa graft (BMG). In the first stage the dorsal plate was created by quilting buccal graft onto corpora cavernosa to create a temporary augmented perineal urethrostomy. In the same stage the future ventral neourethral plate was created by grafting another BMG onto the exposed distal gracilis muscle. Eight weeks later the two prelaminated plates were anastomosed by tunneling the gracilis-BMG composite into the perineum. At 8-month follow-up patient has normal voiding and continence. To our knowledge this is the first report of reconstructing an entire segment of devastated urethra in such a manner.
Ionospheric Delay Handling for Relative Navigation by Carrier-Phase Differential GPS
Authors: Renga A. , Tancredi U. , Grassi M.
Published: July 2015

The paper investigates different solutions for ionospheric delay handling in high accuracy long baseline relative positioning by Carrier-Phase Differential GPS (CDGPS). Standard literature approaches are reviewed and the relevant limitations are discussed. Hence, a completely ionosphere-free approach is proposed, in which the differential ionospheric delays are cancelled out by combination of dual frequency GPS measurements. The performance of this approach is quantified over real-world spaceborne GPS data made available by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission and compared to the standard solution.
An Adaptive Multilevel Security Framework for the Data Stored in Cloud Environment
Authors: Dorairaj Sudha Devi , Kaliannan Thilagavathy
Published: July 2015

Cloud computing is renowned for delivering information technology services based on internet. Nowadays, organizations are interested in moving their massive data and computations into cloud to reap their significant benefits of on demand service, resource pooling, and rapid elasticity that helps to satisfy the dynamically changing infrastructure demand without the burden of owning, managing, and maintaining it. Since the data needs to be secured throughout its life cycle, security of the data in cloud is a major challenge to be concentrated on because the data is in third party’s premises. Any uniform simple or high level security method for all the data either compromises the sensitive data or proves to be too costly with increased overhead. Any common multiple method for all data becomes vulnerable when the common security pattern is identified at the event of successful attack on any information and also encourages more attacks on all other data. This paper suggests an adaptive multilevel security framework based on cryptography techniques that provide adequate security for the classified data stored in cloud. The proposed security system acclimates well for cloud environment and is also customizable and more reliant to meet the required level of security of data with different sensitivity that changes with business needs and commercial conditions.
Experimental Investigation of Dynamic Response and Deformation of Aluminium Honeycomb Sandwich Panels Subjected to Underwater Impulsive Loads
Authors: Xiang Da-Lin , Rong Ji-Li , He Xuan
Published: July 2015

The response of aluminium sandwich panels with three thicknesses’ core subjected to different underwater loading levels has been studied in the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) experiments. The transient response of the panels is measured using a three-dimensional (3D) Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system, along with high-speed photography. The full-field shape and displacement profiles of dry face sheets were recorded in real time compared with those of monolithic plate. The out-of-plane deflection and in-plane strain were quantified and analyzed. Three typical deformation modes of sandwich panel were identified. The results show that the core structure is crushed resulting in an initial large circular shape of deformation in the center area of panels. From this moment on, the panel is starting to act as a free vibration beam with initial velocities. The deformation modes consisted of homogeneous large deformation for both face sheets, obvious deformation border on wet face sheet, core node imprinting, remarkable wrinkled skin of deformation border, and a partial delamination and partial tear failure of the dry face. The blast-resistance of sandwich panel can be highly efficiently improved by increasing the thickness of core structure.
Predicting the Water Level Fluctuation in an Alpine Lake Using Physically Based, Artificial Neural Network, and Time Series Forecasting Models
Authors: Young Chih-Chieh , Liu Wen-Cheng , Hsieh Wan-Lin
Published: July 2015

Accurate prediction of water level fluctuation is important in lake management due to its significant impacts in various aspects. This study utilizes four model approaches to predict water levels in the Yuan-Yang Lake (YYL) in Taiwan: a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model, an artificial neural network (ANN) model (back propagation neural network, BPNN), a time series forecasting (autoregressive moving average with exogenous inputs, ARMAX) model, and a combined hydrodynamic and ANN model. Particularly, the black-box ANN model and physically based hydrodynamic model are coupled to more accurately predict water level fluctuation. Hourly water level data (a total of 7296 observations) was collected for model calibration (training) and validation. Three statistical indicators (mean absolute error, root mean square error, and coefficient of correlation) were adopted to evaluate model performances. Overall, the results demonstrate that the hydrodynamic model can satisfactorily predict hourly water level changes during the calibration stage but not for the validation stage. The ANN and ARMAX models better predict the water level than the hydrodynamic model does. Meanwhile, the results from an ANN model are superior to those by the ARMAX model in both training and validation phases. The novel proposed concept using a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model in conjunction with an ANN model has clearly shown the improved prediction accuracy for the water level fluctuation.
Cuckoo Search Algorithm with Chaotic Maps
Authors: Wang Lijin , Zhong Yiwen
Published: July 2015

Cuckoo search algorithm is a novel nature-inspired optimization technique based on the obligate brood parasitic behavior of some cuckoo species. It iteratively employs Lévy flights random walk with a scaling factor and biased/selective random walk with a fraction probability. Unfortunately, these two parameters are used in constant value schema, resulting in a problem sensitive to solution quality and convergence speed. In this paper, we proposed a variable value schema cuckoo search algorithm with chaotic maps, called CCS. In CCS, chaotic maps are utilized to, respectively, define the scaling factor and the fraction probability to enhance the solution quality and convergence speed. Extensive experiments with different chaotic maps demonstrate the improvement in efficiency and effectiveness.
Hypoglycemic Activity through a Novel Combination of Fruiting Body and Mycelia ofCordyceps militarisin High-Fat Diet-Induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice
Authors: Yu Sung-Hsun , Chen Szu-Yu Tina , Li Wei-Shan , Dubey Navneet Kumar , Chen Wei-Hong , Chuu Jiunn-Jye , Leu Sy-Jye , Deng Win-Ping
Published: July 2015

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is currently ranked among leading causes of death worldwide in which type 2 DM is reaching an epidemic proportion. Hypoglycemic medications for type 2 DM have either proven inadequate or posed adverse effects; therefore, the Chinese herbal products are under investigation as an alternative treatment. In this study, a novel combination of fruiting body and mycelia powder of herbalCordyceps militarisnumber 1 (CmNo1) was administered to evaluate their potential hypoglycemic effects in high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced type 2 DM in C57BL/6J mice. Body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and blood biochemistry indexes were measured. Results indicated that CmNo1 lowered the blood glucose level by increasing insulin sensitivity, while no change in body weight was observed. Increased protein expression of IRS-1, pIRS-1, AKT, pAKT, and GLUT-4 in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue was found indicating restoration of insulin signaling. Additionally, PPAR-γexpression in adipose tissue restored the triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Finally, our results suggest that CmNo1 possesses strong hypoglycemic, anticholesterolemic, and antihypertriglyceridemic actions and is more economical alternate for DM treatment.
Optimizing Sensor Locations in a Multisensor Single-Object Tracking System
Authors: Cashbaugh Jasmine , Kitts Christopher
Published: July 2015

Tracking a mobile object presents many challenges, especially when the tracked object is autonomous or semiautonomous and may move unpredictably. The use of autonomous mobile sensor systems allows for greater opportunity to track the mobile object but does not always yield an estimate of the tracked object's location that minimizes the estimation error. This paper presents a methodology to optimize the sensor system locations, given a single object and a fixed number of sensor systems, to achieve a position estimate that minimizes the estimation error. The tracking stations may then be controlled to achieve and maintain this optimal position, under position constraints. The theory predicts that given n sensor systems and one object there is a sensor system configuration that will yield a position estimate that minimizes the estimation error. A mathematical basis for this theory is presented and simulation and experimental results for two and three sensor system cases are shown to illustrate the effectiveness of the theory in the laboratory.
A Case of Docetaxel Induced Myositis and Review of the Literature
Authors: Perel-Winkler Alexandra , Belokovskaya Regina , Amigues Isabelle , Larusso Melissa , Hussain Nazia
Published: July 2015

In phase I and II trials taxane chemotherapeutic agents reported side effects, including myelosuppression, peripheral edema, and fluid retention. With further use of these agents, studies in the late 1980s and early 1990s began to report peripheral neuropathy and proximal muscle weakness as common complaints, the later with unexplained pathophysiology. We report a 65-year-old Hispanic woman with estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positive invasive ductal breast carcinoma who presented with right thigh pain and swelling eight days after her third infusion of docetaxel (a taxane chemotherapeutic) and cyclophosphamide. Laboratory findings were notable for elevation in creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aldolase, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her lower extremities showed evidence of bilateral muscle edema involving the anterior compartment muscles of the thighs. A workup to rule out other causes of myositis was negative. Docetaxel was not reintroduced and the patient improved with corticosteroids. Since 2005 this is, to our knowledge, the fifth reported case of docetaxel related inflammatory myositis. Taxanes have been noted to cause disabling but transient arthralgias and myalgias; it is important to consider the possibility of inflammatory myopathy as a possible complication in patients undergoing treatment with these agents.