bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allium cepaL. and Quercetin Inhibit RANKL/Porphyromonas gingivalisLPS-Induced Osteoclastogenesis by Downregulating NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Oliveira Tatiane , Figueiredo Camila A. , Brito Carlos , Stavroullakis Alexander , Ferreira Ana Carolina , Nogueira-Filho Getulio , Prakki Anuradha
Published: July 2015

Objectives. We evaluated thein vitromodulatory effects ofAllium cepaL. extract (AcE) and quercetin (Qt) on osteoclastogenesis under inflammatory conditions (LPS-induced).Methods. RAW 264.7 cells were differentiated with 30 ng/mL of RANKL, costimulated withPgLPS (1 µg/mL), and treated withAcE(50–1000 µg/mL) or Qt (1.25, 2.5, or 5 µM). Cell viability was determined by alamarBlue and protein assays. Nuclei morphology was analysed by DAPI staining. TRAP assays were performed as follows: p-nitrophenyl phosphate was used to determine the acid phosphatase activity of the osteoclasts and TRAP staining was used to evaluate the number and size of TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclast cells. Von Kossa staining was used to measure osteoclast resorptive activity. Cytokine levels were measured on osteoclast precursor cell culture supernatants. Using western blot analysis, p-IκBαand IκBαdegradation, inhibitor of NF-kappaB, were evaluated.Results. BothAcEand Qt did not affect cell viability and significantly reduced osteoclastogenesis compared to control. We observed lower production of IL-6 and IL-1αand an increased production of IL-3 and IL-4.AcEand Qt downregulated NF-κB pathway.Conclusion.AcEand Qt may be inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis under inflammatory conditions (LPS-induced) via attenuation of RANKL/PgLPS-induced NF-κB activation.
Translational Control Protein 80 Stimulates IRES-Mediated Translation of p53 mRNA in Response to DNA Damage
Authors: Halaby Marie-Jo , Li Yan , Harris Benjamin R. , Jiang Shuxia , Miskimins W. Keith , Cleary Margot P. , Yang Da-Qing
Published: July 2015

Synthesis of the p53 tumor suppressor increases following DNA damage. This increase and subsequent activation of p53 are essential for the protection of normal cells against tumorigenesis. We previously discovered an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that is located at the 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of p53 mRNA and found that the IRES activity increases following DNA damage. However, the mechanism underlying IRES-mediated p53 translation in response to DNA damage is still poorly understood. In this study, we discovered that translational control protein 80 (TCP80) has increased binding to the p53 mRNAin vivofollowing DNA damage. Overexpression of TCP80 also leads to increased p53 IRES activity in response to DNA damage. TCP80 has increased association with RNA helicase A (RHA) following DNA damage and overexpression of TCP80, along with RHA, leads to enhanced expression of p53. Moreover, we found that MCF-7 breast cancer cells with decreased expression of TCP80 and RHA exhibit defective p53 induction following DNA damage and diminished expression of its downstream target PUMA, a proapoptotic protein. Taken together, our discovery of the function of TCP80 and RHA in regulating p53 IRES and p53 induction following DNA damage provides a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate IRES-mediated p53 translation in response to genotoxic stress.
In Vivo Evaluation of the Ameliorating Effects of Small‐Volume Resuscitation with Four Different Fluids on Endotoxemia‐Induced Kidney Injury
Authors: Wang Yan-ling , Chen Jing-hui , Zhu Qiong-fang , Yu Gao-feng , Luo Chen-fang , Luo Gang-jian , Li Shang-rong , Hei Zi-qing
Published: July 2015

Acute kidney injury associated with renal hypoperfusion is a frequent and severe complication during sepsis. Fluid resuscitation is the main therapy. However, heart failure is usually lethal for those patients receiving large volumes of fluids. We compared the effects of small‐volume resuscitation using four different treatment regimens, involving saline, hypertonic saline (HTS), hydroxyethyl starch (HES), or hypertonic saline hydroxyethyl starch (HSH), on the kidneys of rats treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce endotoxemia. LPS injection caused reduced and progressively deteriorated systemic (arterial blood pressure) and renal hemodynamics (renal blood flow and renal vascular resistance index) over time. This deterioration was accompanied by marked renal functional and pathological injury, as well as an oxidative and inflammatory response, manifesting as increased levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde and decreased activity of superoxide dismutase. Small‐volume perfusion with saline failed to improve renal and systemic circulation. However, small‐volume perfusion with HES and HSH greatly improved the above parameters, while HTS only transiently improved systemic and renal hemodynamics with obvious renal injury. Therefore, single small‐volume resuscitation with HES and HSH could be valid therapeutic approaches to ameliorate kidney injury induced by endotoxemia, while HTS transiently delays injury and saline shows no protective effects.
Impact of Waterpipe Tobacco Pack Health Warnings on Waterpipe Smoking Attitudes: A Qualitative Analysis among Regular Users in London
Authors: Jawad Mohammed , Bakir Ali , Ali Mohammed , Grant Aimee
Published: July 2015

Background. Despite the rise in prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking, it has received little legislative enforcement from governing bodies, especially in the area of health warning labels.Methods. Twenty regular waterpipe tobacco smokers from London took part in five focus groups discussing the impact of waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings on their attitudes towards waterpipe smoking. We presented them with existing and mock waterpipe tobacco products, designed to be compliant with current and future UK/EU legislation. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results. Participants felt packs were less attractive and health warnings were more impactful as health warnings increased in size and packaging became less branded. However, participants highlighted their lack of exposure to waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings due to the inherent nature of waterpipe smoking, that is, smoking in a café with the apparatus already prepacked by staff. Health warnings at the point of consumption had more reported impact than health warnings at the point of sale.Conclusions. Waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings are likely to be effective if compliant with existing laws and exposed to end-users. Legislations should be reviewed to extend health warning labels to waterpipe accessories, particularly the apparatus, and to waterpipe-serving premises.
Redox Regulation in Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Ding Shijie , Li Chunbao , Cheng Ninghui , Cui Xiaojiang , Xu Xinglian , Zhou Guanghong
Published: July 2015

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS-dependent (redox regulation) signaling pathways and transcriptional activities are thought to be critical in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation during growth and organogenesis. Aberrant ROS burst and dysregulation of those ROS-dependent cellular processes are strongly associated with human diseases including many cancers. ROS levels are elevated in cancer cells partially due to their higher metabolism rate. In the past 15 years, the concept of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been gaining ground as the subpopulation of cancer cells with stem cell-like properties and characteristics have been identified in various cancers. CSCs possess low levels of ROS and are responsible for cancer recurrence after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Unfortunately, how CSCs control ROS production and scavenging and how ROS-dependent signaling pathways contribute to CSCs function remain poorly understood. This review focuses on the role of redox balance, especially in ROS-dependent cellular processes in cancer stem cells (CSCs). We updated recent advances in our understanding of ROS generation and elimination in CSCs and their effects on CSC self-renewal and differentiation through modulating signaling pathways and transcriptional activities. The review concludes that targeting CSCs by manipulating ROS metabolism/dependent pathways may be an effective approach for improving cancer treatment.
Fixed Point Theorems for an Elastic Nonlinear Mapping in Banach Spaces
Authors: Manaka Hiroko
Published: July 2015

LetEbe a smooth Banach space with a norm·. LetV(x,y)=x2+y2-2 x,Jyfor anyx,y∈E, where·,·stands for the duality pair andJis the normalized duality mapping. We define aV-strongly nonexpansive mapping byV(·,·). This nonlinear mapping is nonexpansive in a Hilbert space. However, we show that there exists aV-strongly nonexpansive mapping with fixed points which is not nonexpansive in a Banach space. In this paper, we show a weak convergence theorem and strong convergence theorems for fixed points of this elastic nonlinear mapping and give the existence theorem.
Regulation of Cell Cycle Regulators by SIRT1 Contributes to Resveratrol-Mediated Prevention of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Zhou Shuang , Li Meng-Tao , Jia Yu-Yan , Liu Jin-Jing , Wang Qian , Tian Zhuang , Liu Yong-Tai , Chen Hou-Zao , Liu De-Pei , Zeng Xiao-Feng
Published: July 2015

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in rheumatic diseases. Vascular remodeling due to the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is central to the development of PAH. To date, it is still unclear if Silence Information Regulator 1 (SIRT1) regulates cell cycle regulators in the proliferation of PASMCs and contributes to prevention of PAH by resveratrol. In this study, we found that a significant decrease of SIRT1 expression levels in platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) treated human PASMCs (HPASMCs) and in monocrotaline (MCT) induced PAH rat. Overexpression of SIRT1 induced G1 phase arrest and increased p21 expression but decreased cyclin D1 expression in PDGF-BB treated HPASMCs. Moreover, resveratrol attenuated pulmonary arterial remodeling, decreased pulmonary arterial pressure, and upregulated SIRT1 and p21 expression but downregulated cyclin D1 expression in MCT induced PAH rat. Notably, knockdown of SIRT1 eliminated the regulation of resveratrol on p21 and cyclin D1 expression in PDGF-BB treated HPASMCs. These results demonstrated that SIRT1 mediated the regulation of resveratrol on the expression of cell cycle regulatory molecules. It suggests that SIRT1 exerts a protective role in PAH associated with rheumatic diseases and can be a potential treatment target.
A Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgery for Infectious Spondylodiscitis of the Thoracic and Upper Lumbar Spine in Immunocompromised Patients
Authors: Chen Hsin-Chuan , Huang Teng-Le , Chen Yen-Jen , Tsou Hsi-Kai , Lin Wei-Ching , Hung Chih-Hung , Tsai Chun-Hao , Hsu Horng-Chaung , Chen Hsien-Te
Published: July 2015

This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of computed tomography- (CT-) assisted endoscopic surgery in the treatment of infectious spondylodiscitis of the thoracic and upper lumbar spine in immunocompromised patients. From October 2006 to March 2014, a total of 41 patients with infectious spondylodiscitis underwent percutaneous endoscopic surgery under local anesthesia, and 13 lesions from 13 patients on the thoracic or upper lumbar spine were selected for evaluation. A CT-guided catheter was placed before percutaneous endoscopic surgery as a guide to avoid injury to visceral organs, major vessels, and the spinal cord. All 13 patients had quick pain relief after endoscopic surgery without complications. The bacterial culture rate was 77%. Inflammatory parameters returned to normal after adequate antibiotic treatment. Postoperative radiographs showed no significant kyphotic deformity when compared with preoperative films. As of the last follow-up visit, no recurrent infections were noted. Traditional transthoracic or diaphragmatic surgery with or without posterior instrumentation is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, especially in elderly patients, patients with multiple comorbidities, or immunocompromised patients. Percutaneous endoscopic surgery assisted by a CT-guided catheter provides a safe and effective alternative treatment for infectious spondylodiscitis of the thoracic and upper lumbar spine.
GC-Rich Extracellular DNA Induces Oxidative Stress, Double-Strand DNA Breaks, and DNA Damage Response in Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Kostyuk Svetlana , Smirnova Tatiana , Kameneva Larisa , Porokhovnik Lev , Speranskij Anatolij , Ershova Elizaveta , Stukalov Sergey , Izevskaya Vera , Veiko Natalia
Published: July 2015

Background. Cell free DNA (cfDNA) circulates throughout the bloodstream of both healthy people and patients with various diseases. CfDNA is substantially enriched in its GC-content as compared with human genomic DNA.Principal Findings. Exposure of haMSCs to GC-DNA induces short-term oxidative stress (determined with H2DCFH-DA) and results in both single- and double-strand DNA breaks (comet assay andγH2AX, foci). As a result in the cells significantly increases the expression of repair genes (BRCA1(RT-PCR), PCNA (FACS)) and antiapoptotic genes (BCL2(RT-PCR and FACS),BCL2A1,BCL2L1, BIRC3, andBIRC2(RT-PCR)). Under the action of GC-DNA the potential of mitochondria was increased. Here we show that GC-rich extracellular DNA stimulates adipocyte differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (haMSCs). Exposure to GC-DNA leads to an increase in the level of RNAPPARG2andLPL(RT-PCR), in the level of fatty acid binding protein FABP4 (FACS analysis) and in the level of fat (Oil Red O).Conclusions. GC-rich fragments in the pool of cfDNA can potentially induce oxidative stress and DNA damage response and affect the direction of mesenchymal stem cells differentiation in human adipose—derived mesenchymal stem cells. Such a response may be one of the causes of obesity or osteoporosis.
Provable Secure and Efficient Digital Rights Management Authentication Scheme Using Smart Card Based on Elliptic Curve Cryptography
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Khan Muhammad Khurram , Chen Jianhua , He Debiao
Published: July 2015

Since the concept of ubiquitous computing is firstly proposed by Mark Weiser, its connotation has been extending and expanding by many scholars. In pervasive computing application environment, many kinds of small devices containing smart cart are used to communicate with others. In 2013, Yang et al. proposed an enhanced authentication scheme using smart card for digital rights management. They demonstrated that their scheme is secure enough. However, Mishra et al. pointed out that Yang et al.’s scheme suffers from the password guessing attack and the denial of service attack. Moreover, they also demonstrated that Yang et al.’s scheme is not efficient enough when the user inputs an incorrect password. In this paper, we analyze Yang et al.’s scheme again, and find that their scheme is vulnerable to the session key attack. And, there are some mistakes in their scheme. To surmount the weakness of Yang et al.’s scheme, we propose a more efficient and provable secure digital rights management authentication scheme using smart card based on elliptic curve cryptography.
Prediction of MicroRNA-Disease Associations Based on Social Network Analysis Methods
Authors: Zou Quan , Li Jinjin , Hong Qingqi , Lin Ziyu , Wu Yun , Shi Hua , Ju Ying
Published: July 2015

MicroRNAs constitute an important class of noncoding, single-stranded, ~22 nucleotide long RNA molecules encoded by endogenous genes. They play an important role in regulating gene transcription and the regulation of normal development. MicroRNAs can be associated with disease; however, only a few microRNA-disease associations have been confirmed by traditional experimental approaches. We introduce two methods to predict microRNA-disease association. The first method, KATZ, focuses on integrating the social network analysis method with machine learning and is based on networks derived from known microRNA-disease associations, disease-disease associations, and microRNA-microRNA associations. The other method, CATAPULT, is a supervised machine learning method. We applied the two methods to 242 known microRNA-disease associations and evaluated their performance using leave-one-out cross-validation and 3-fold cross-validation. Experiments proved that our methods outperformed the state-of-the-art methods.
Bioprecipitation of Calcium Carbonate Crystals by Bacteria Isolated from Saline Environments Grown in Culture Media Amended with Seawater and Real Brine
Authors: Silva-Castro G. A. , Uad I. , Gonzalez-Martinez A. , Rivadeneyra A. , Gonzalez-Lopez J. , Rivadeneyra M. A.
Published: July 2015

The precipitation of calcium carbonate and calcium sulphate by isolated bacteria from seawater and real brine obtained in a desalination plant growth in culture media containing seawater and brine as mineral sources has been studied. However, only bioprecipitation was detected when the bacteria were grown in media with added organic matter. Biomineralization process started rapidly, crystal formation taking place in the beginning a few days after inoculation of media; roughly 90% of total cultivated bacteria showed. Six major colonies with carbonate precipitation capacity dominated bacterial community structure cultivated in heterotrophic platable bacteria medium. Taxonomic identification of these six strains through partial 16S rRNA gene sequences showed their affiliation with Gram-positiveBacillusandVirgibacillusgenera. These strains were able to form calcium carbonate minerals, which precipitated as calcite and aragonite crystals and showed bacterial fingerprints or bacteria calcification. Also, carbonic anhydrase activity was observed in three of these isolated bacteria. The results of this research suggest that microbiota isolated from sea water and brine is capable of precipitation of carbonate biominerals, which can occurin situwith mediation of organic matter concentrations. Moreover, calcium carbonate precipitation ability of this microbiota could be of importance in bioremediation of CO2and calcium in certain environments.
Quitline Use and Outcomes among Callers with and without Mental Health Conditions: A 7-Month Follow-Up Evaluation in Three States
Authors: Vickerman Katrina A. , Schauer Gillian L. , Malarcher Ann M. , Zhang Lei , Mowery Paul , Nash Chelsea M.
Published: July 2015

Objectives. To examine abstinence outcomes among tobacco users with and without a reported mental health condition (MHC) who enrolled in state tobacco quitline programs.Methods. Data were analyzed from a 7-month follow-up survey (response rate: 41% [3,132/7,459]) of three state-funded telephone quitline programs in the United States that assessed seven self-reported MHCs at quitline registration. We examined 30-day point prevalence tobacco quit rates for callers with any MHC versus none. Data were weighted to adjust for response bias and oversampling. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine cessation outcomes.Results. Overall, 45.8% of respondents reported ≥1 MHC; 57.4% of those reporting a MHC reported ≥2 MHCs. The unadjusted quit rate for callers with any MHC was lower than for callers with no MHC (22.0% versus 31.0%,P<0.001). After adjusting for demographics, nicotine dependence, and program engagement, callers reporting ≥1 MHC were less likely to be abstinent at follow-up (adjusted OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.51–0.78,P<0.001).Conclusions. More intensive or tailored quitline programs may need to be developed among callers with MHCs as their quit rates appear to be lower than callers without MHCs.
Social Inequality in Cigarette Consumption, Cigarette Dependence, and Intention to Quit among Norwegian Smokers
Authors: Lund Marianne
Published: July 2015

Background. The study aim was to examine the influence of education and income on multiple measures of risk of smoking continuation.Methods. Three logistic regression models were run on cigarette consumption, dependence, and intention to quit based on nationally representative samples (2007–2012) of approximately 1 200 current smokers aged 30–66 years in Norway.Results. The relative risk ratio for current versus never smokers was RRR 5.37, 95% CI [4.26–6.77] among individuals with low educational level versus high and RRR 1.53, 95% CI [1.14–2.06] in the low-income group versus high (adjusted model). Low educational level was associated with high cigarette consumption, high cigarette dependence, and no intention to quit. The difference in predicted probability for having high cigarette consumption, high cigarette dependence, and no intention to quit were in the range of 10–20 percentage points between smokers with low versus those with high educational level. A significant difference between low- and high-income levels was observed for intention to quit. The effect of education on high consumption and dependence was mainly found in smokers with high income.Conclusion. Increased effort to combat social differences in smoking behaviour is needed. Implementation of smoking cessation programmes with high reach among low socioeconomic groups is recommended.
Socioeconomic Gradients in Different Types of Tobacco Use in India: Evidence from Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2009-10
Authors: Singh Ankur , Arora Monika , English Dallas R. , Mathur Manu R.
Published: July 2015

Socioeconomic differences in tobacco use have been reported, but there is a lack of evidence on how they vary according to types of tobacco use. This study explored socioeconomic differences associated with cigarette, bidi, smokeless tobacco (SLT), and dual use (smoking and smokeless tobacco use) in India and tested whether these differences vary by gender and residential area. Secondary analysis of Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2009-10 (n=69,296) was conducted. The primary outcomes were self-reported cigarette, bidi smoking, SLT, and dual use. The main explanatory variables were wealth, education, and occupation. Associations were assessed using multinomial logistic regressions. 69,030 adults participated in the study. Positive association was observed between wealth and prevalence of cigarette smoking while inverse associations were observed for bidi smoking, SLT, and dual use after adjustment for potential confounders. Inverse associations with education were observed for all four types after adjusting for confounders. Significant interactions were observed for gender and area in the association between cigarette, bidi, and smokeless tobacco use with wealth and education. The probability of cigarette smoking was higher for wealthier individuals while the probability of bidi smoking, smokeless tobacco use, and dual use was higher for those with lesser wealth and education.
Performance Improvement of Collision Warning System on Curved Road Based on Intervehicle Communication
Authors: Cho Hong , Kim Byeong-woo
Published: July 2015

The vehicle on-board sensor based Advanced Driver Assistant System possesses limitations on a small road with a small radius of curvature because of the sensor’s inability to operate in nondetectable domains. This study suggests an Improved Cooperative Collision Warning System (ICCWS) that considers the curvature of the road and is based on intervehicle communication. To predict the radius of curvature of the road, the Arc Relative Distance (ARD), the real relative distance to a preceding vehicle on a curved road has been used. The risk of collision with the preceding vehicle is decided by calculating an index of the risk of collision on a curved road using the computed ARD. The effects of ICCWS, proposed through this simulation, have been reviewed, and the improvement in performance in following a preceding vehicle has been analyzed quantitatively via comparative analysis with the conventional forward collision warning system. Accordingly, if the estimating algorithm for curvature developed in this study is applied to a real system, the performance of following a preceding vehicle can be improved without any specific changes to the system.
Management of Deep Infection after Instrumentation on Lumbar Spinal Surgery in a Single Institution
Authors: Liu Jung-Tung , Liao Wen-Jui , Chang Cheng-Siu , Chen Yung-Hsiang
Published: July 2015

Postoperative surgical site infections (SSIs) are more common complications after spinal surgery. SSIs often require extended hospitalisation and may worsen overall clinical outcomes. A retrospective database review of consecutive patients with traditional open lumbar spinal surgery was performed. SSIs patients were identified and reviewed for clinically relevant details, and postoperative SSIs’ incidence was calculated for the entire cohort as well as for subgroups with or without spinal implants. In 15 years, 1,176 patients underwent open lumbar spinal surgery with spinal implants and 699 without. Thirty-eight developed postoperative SSIs. Total SSI rate for the entire group was 2.03%. The incidence of postoperative SSIs in the nonimplant group was relatively low. Patients received antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and wet dressing. We provided the precise rates of postoperative SSIs in traditional open spinal surgery obtained from a single-centre data. Patients with spinal implants had higher SSIs’ incidence than those without.
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Involvement of the Telomerase and Proinflammatory Mediators
Authors: Serhal Rim , Hilal George , Boutros George , Sidaoui Joseph , Wardi Layal , Ezzeddine Salah , Alaaeddine Nada
Published: July 2015

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH is an excessive accumulation of fat in hepatocytes accompanied by inflammation and hepatic injury. Proinflammatory molecules such as IL-17, CCL20, S100A8, S100A9, and S100A8/A9 have been shown to be implicated in many types of cancer. Telomerase activity has been found to be associated with chronic inflammation and cancer. NASH can progress to fibrosis then cirrhosis and finally to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our objective is to try to find a relation between inflammation and the progression of NASH into HCC. We found that there was a significant elevation in the telomerase activity, detected by real-time PCR, between NASH and fibrotic NASH in the liver biopsies of patients. The expression of S100A8, S100A9, S100A8/A9, CCL20, and IL-17, detected by ELISA, is significantly increased in NASH patients with fibrosis in comparison with controls. But, in NASH patients, S100A9, S100A8/A9, and IL-17 only are significantly elevated in comparison with controls. The same, on the mRNA level, expression of IL-17, detected by RT-PCR, is significantly elevated in NASH patients in comparison with controls. Therefore, there is a direct link between the expression of IL-17, CCL20, telomerase, S100A8, and S100A9 in the fibrotic condition and the progression towards cancer.
RobustH∞Control for Switched Nonlinear System with Multiple Delays
Authors: Liu Juan , Huang Qingdao
Published: July 2015

This paper focuses on the problem of robustH∞control for a class of switched nonlinear systems with multiple time delays which are allowed to appear not only in state but also in input. We will design a controller and a switching law under which the system is “robust stable” and has performanceL2-gainγ. Besides, multiple Lyapunov-Razumikhin functions which are relatively less conservative are introduced to investigate the stability of the candidate switched system. In detail, firstly, for uncertain nonlinear switched system with time-varying delays, sufficient condition is given by inequalities which are equivalent to LMIs, so it is easy to be solved; then, as a special case, nonlinear switched system with constant time delay is also considered. Finally, by providing numerical examples, the feasibility of the proposed approach is demonstrated.
A High Diversity in Chitinolytic and Chitosanolytic Species and Enzymes and Their Oligomeric Products Exist in Soil with a History of Chitin and Chitosan Exposure
Authors: Nampally Malathi , Rajulu M. B. Govinda , Gillet Dominique , Suryanarayanan T. S. , Moerschbacher Bruno B.
Published: July 2015

Chitin is one of the most abundant biomolecules on earth, and its partially de-N-acetylated counterpart, chitosan, is one of the most promising biotechnological resources due to its diversity in structure and function. Recently, chitin and chitosan modifying enzymes (CCMEs) have gained increasing interest as tools to engineer chitosans with specific functions and reliable performance in biotechnological and biomedical applications. In a search for novel CCME, we isolated chitinolytic and chitosanolytic microorganisms from soils with more than ten-years history of chitin and chitosan exposure and screened them for chitinase and chitosanase isoenzymes as well as for their patterns of oligomeric products by incubating their secretomes with chitosan polymers. Of the 60 bacterial strains isolated, only eight were chitinolytic and/or chitosanolytic, while 20 out of 25 fungal isolates were chitinolytic and/or chitosanolytic. The bacterial isolates produced rather similar patterns of chitinolytic and chitosanolytic enzymes, while the fungal isolates produced a much broader range of different isoenzymes. Furthermore, diverse mixtures of oligosaccharides were formed when chitosan polymers were incubated with the secretomes of select fungal species. Our study indicates that soils with a history of chitin and chitosan exposure are a good source of novel CCME for chitosan bioengineering.
A Rare Complication of Biliary Stent Migration: Small Bowel Perforation in a Patient with Incisional Hernia
Authors: Yilmaz Özkan , Kiziltan Remzi , Aydin Oktay , Bayrak Vedat , Kotan Çetin
Published: July 2015

Endoscopic biliary stents have been recently applied with increasing frequency as a palliative and curable method in several benign and malignant diseases. As a reminder, although most of the migrated stents pass through the intestinal tract without symptoms, a small portion can lead to complications. Herein, we present a case of intestinal perforation caused by a biliary stent in the hernia of a patient with a rarely encountered incarcerated incisional hernia.
Predictive Factors of Clinical Response of Infliximab Therapy in Active Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis Patients
Authors: Lin Zhiming , Liao Zetao , Huang Jianlin , Ai Maixing , Pan Yunfeng , Wu Henglian , Lu Jun , Cao Shuangyan , Li Li , Wei Qiujing , Tang Deshen , Wei Yanlin , Li Tianwang , Wu Yuqiong , Xu Manlong , Li Qiuxia , Jin Ou , Yu Buyun , Gu Jieruo
Published: July 2015

Objectives.To evaluate the efficiency and the predictive factors of clinical response of infliximab in active nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients.Methods.Active nonradiographic patients fulfilling ESSG criteria for SpA but not fulfilling modified New York criteria were included. All patients received infliximab treatment for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was ASAS20 response at weeks 12 and 24. The abilities of baseline parameters and response at week 2 to predict ASAS20 response at weeks 12 and 24 were assessed using ROC curve and logistic regression analysis, respectively.Results.Of 70 axial SpA patients included, the proportions of patients achieving an ASAS20 response at weeks 2, 6, 12, and 24 were 85.7%, 88.6%, 87.1%, and 84.3%, respectively. Baseline MRI sacroiliitis score (AUC = 0.791;P=0.005), CRP (AUC = 0.75;P=0.017), and ASDAS (AUC = 0.778,P=0.007) significantly predicted ASAS20 response at week 12. However, only ASDAS (AUC = 0.696,P=0.040) significantly predicted ASAS20 response at week 24. Achievement of ASAS20 response after the first infliximab infusion was a significant predictor of subsequent ASAS20 response at weeks 12 and 24 (waldχ2=6.87,P=0.009, and waldχ2=5.171,P=0.023).Conclusions.Infliximab shows efficiency in active nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients. ASDAS score and first-dose response could help predicting clinical efficacy of infliximab therapy in these patients.
Fructose-Drinking Water Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Ultrastructural Alteration of Hepatocyte Mitochondria in Male Wistar Rat
Authors: Mamikutty Norshalizah , Thent Zar Chi , Haji Suhaimi Farihah
Published: July 2015

Background.Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the complications of the metabolic syndrome. It encompasses a wide range of disease spectrum from simple steatosis to liver cirrhosis. Structural alteration of hepatic mitochondria might be involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.Aims.In the present study, we used a newly established model of fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in male Wistar rats in order to investigate the ultrastructural changes in hepatic mitochondria that occur with fructose consumption and their association with NAFLD pathogenesis.Methods.The concentration of fructose-drinking water (FDW) used in this study was 20%. Six male Wistar rats were supplemented with FDW 20% for eight weeks. Body composition and metabolic parameters were measured before and after 8 weeks of FDW 20%. Histomorphology of the liver was evaluated and ultrastructural changes of mitochondria were assessed with transmission electron micrograph.Results.After 8 weeks of fructose consumption, the animals developed several features of the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, fructose consumption led to the development of macrovesicular hepatic steatosis and mitochondrial ultrastructural changes, such as increase in mitochondrial size, disruption of the cristae, and reduction of matrix density.Conclusion.We conclude that in male Wistar rat 8-week consumption of FDW 20% leads to NAFLD likely via mitochondrial structural alteration.
Bone Components Downregulate Expression of Toll‐Like Receptor 4 on the Surface of Human Monocytic U937 Cells: A Cell Model for Postfracture Immune Dysfunction
Authors: Lin Jui-An , Lin Feng-Yen , Chen Ta-Liang
Published: July 2015

To mimic the immune status of monocyte in the localized fracture region, toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) surface expression in human monocytic U937 cells was used as the main target to assess immune dysfunction following bone component exposure. We first identified the effects of bone components (including the marrow content) on TLR4 surface expression and then examined the mechanisms underlying the changes. The level of microRNA‐146a expression, an indicator of endotoxin tolerance, was also assayed. Bone component exposure downregulated TLR4 surface expression at 24 h by flow cytometry analysis, compatible with the result obtained from the membranous portion of TLR4 by western blot analysis. The cytoplasmic portion of TLR4 paradoxically increased after bone component exposure. Impaired TLR4 trafficking from the cytoplasm to the membrane was related to gp96 downregulation, as observed by western blot analysis, and this was further evidenced by gp96‐TLR4 colocalization under confocal microscopy. TaqMan analysis revealed that the expression of microRNA‐146a was also upregulated. This cell model demonstrated that bone component exposure downregulated TLR4 surface expression in a gp96‐related manner in human monocytic U937 cells, an indicator of immunosuppression at 24 h. Immune dysfunction was further evidenced by upregulation of microRNA‐146a expression at the same time point.
Deciphering the Correlation between Breast Tumor Samples and Cell Lines by Integrating Copy Number Changes and Gene Expression Profiles
Authors: Sun Yi , Liu Qi
Published: July 2015

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers with high incident rate and high mortality rate worldwide. Although different breast cancer cell lines were widely used in laboratory investigations, accumulated evidences have indicated that genomic differences exist between cancer cell lines and tissue samples in the past decades. The abundant molecular profiles of cancer cell lines and tumor samples deposited in the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia and The Cancer Genome Atlas now allow a systematical comparison of the breast cancer cell lines with breast tumors. We depicted the genomic characteristics of breast primary tumors based on the copy number variation and gene expression profiles and the breast cancer cell lines were compared to different subgroups of breast tumors. We identified that some of the breast cancer cell lines show high correlation with the tumor group that agrees with previous knowledge, while a big part of them do not, including the most used MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and T-47D. We presented a computational framework to identify cell lines that mostly resemble a certain tumor group for the breast tumor study. Our investigation presents a useful guide to bridge the gap between cell lines and tumors and helps to select the most suitable cell line models for personalized cancer studies.
Qualitative Spatial Reasoning with Directional and Topological Relations
Authors: Nam Sangha , Kim Incheol
Published: July 2015

A wide range of application domains from cognitive robotics to intelligent systems encompassing diverse paradigms such as ambient intelligence and ubiquitous computing environments require the ability to represent and reason about the spatial aspects of the environment within which an agent or a system is functional. Many existing spatial reasoners share a common limitation that they do not provide any checking functions for cross-consistency between the directional and the topological relation set. They provide only the checking function for path-consistency within a directional or topological relation set. This paper presents an efficient spatial reasoning algorithm working on a mixture of directional and topological relations between spatial entities and then explains the implementation of a spatial reasoner based on the proposed algorithm. Our algorithm not only has the checking function for path-consistency within each directional or topological relation set, but also provides the checking function for cross-consistency between them. This paper also presents an application system developed to demonstrate the applicability of the spatial reasoner and then introduces the results of the experiment carried out to evaluate the performance of our spatial reasoner.
Detection of Antibodies against Human and Plant Aquaporins in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Vojdani Aristo , Mukherjee Partha Sarathi , Berookhim Joshua , Kharrazian Datis
Published: July 2015

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the body’s central nervous system. Around 90% of MS sufferers are diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). We used ELISA to measure IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies against linear epitopes of human and plant aquaporins (AQP4) as well as neural antigens in RRMS patients and controls to determine whether patients suffering from RRMS have simultaneous elevations in antibodies against these peptides and antigens. In comparison to controls, significant elevations in isotype-specific antibodies against human and plant AQP4 and neural antigens such as MBP, MOG, and S100B were detected in RRMS patients, indicating a high correlation in antibody reaction between plant aquaporins and brain antigens. This correlation between the reactivities of RRMS patients with various tested antigens was the most significant for the IgM isotype. We conclude that a subclass of patients with RRMS reacts to both plant and human AQP4 peptides. This immune reaction against different plant aquaporins may help in the development of dietary modifications for patients with MS and other neuroimmune disorders.
Dexmedetomidine Ameliorate CLP‐Induced Rat Intestinal Injury via Inhibition of Inflammation
Authors: Chen Yanqing , Miao Liyan , Yao Yusheng , Wu Weilan , Wu Xiaodan , Gong Cansheng , Qiu Liangcheng , Chen Jianping
Published: July 2015

The aim was to verify that dexmedetomidine (DEX) can attenuate CLP‐induced intestinal injury via inhibition of inflammation. Male Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated into Sham group and the other three CLP model groups, in terms of different treatments: placebo, DEX, and yohimbine plus DEX (DEX + YOH) groups. Pathology examination was conducted with HE stain. To identify differences among groups, the levels of DAO, and D‐lactate in serum were measured by spectrophotometry, and the levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 in serum and organ were measured by ELISA. The expressions of occludin and TLR4 in tissue were detected by Western blot. The survival rate of an additional group of animals within 7 d was recorded. In DEX group, mortality was lower, histology change was minor, DAO, and D‐lactate levels were reduced, and occludin expression was increased; the expressions of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TLR4 were also decreased in DEX group. These results indicated that acute intestinal injury induced by CLP was mitigated by DEX treatment. However, these effects of DEX were significantly attenuated by yohimbine in DEX + YOH group. Our study indicated the protective effects of DEX on CLP‐induced injury, which may be associated with the inhibition of inflammation via modulating TLR4 pathway and can be blocked by yohimbine.
Analysis of Erythrocyte C4d to Complement Receptor 1 Ratio: Use in Distinguishing between Infection and Flare-Up in Febrile Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Chen Chen-Hung , Tai Shun-Ban , Chen Hsiang-Cheng , Yang Deng-Ho , Peng Ming-Yieh , Lin Yuh-Feng
Published: July 2015

Objective.Fever in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be caused by infection or flare-up of the disease. This study aimed to determine whether the ratio of the level of erythrocyte-bound C4d to that of complement receptor 1 (C4d/CR1) can serve as a useful biomarker in the differentiation between infection and flare-up in febrile SLE patients.Methods.We enrolled febrile SLE patients and determined the ratio on the day of admission. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the subsequent clinical course.Results.Among the febrile SLE patients, those with flare-up had higher ratios and lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels than those with infection. Cut-off values of <1.2447 and >4.67 for C4d/CR1 ratio and CRP, respectively, were 40.91% sensitive and 100.0% specific for the presence of infection in febrile SLE patients; similarly, cut-off values of >1.2447 and <2.2, respectively, were 80% sensitive and 100% specific for the absence of infection in febrile SLE patients.Conclusion.The C4d/CR1 ratio is a simple and quickly determinable biomarker that enables the differentiation between infection and flare-up in febrile SLE patients at initial evaluation. Further, when combined with the CRP level, it is useful to evaluate disease activity in SLE patients with infection.
Therapeutic Effect of Saponin Rich Fraction ofAchyranthes asperaLinn. on Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Kothavade Pankaj S. , Bulani Vipin D. , Nagmoti Dnyaneshwar M. , Deshpande Padmini S. , Gawali Nitin B. , Juvekar Archana R.
Published: July 2015

Objective. Achyranthes asperaLinn. (AA) is used in folklore for the treatment of various inflammatory ailments and arthritis like conditions. Anti-inflammatory activity of saponin rich (SR) fraction of AA has been previously reported. The objective of this study was to assess the antiarthritic effect of SR fraction ofAchyranthes asperain adjuvant-induced arthritic rats.Methods.Arthritis was assessed by arthritis score, paw volume, changes in tibiotarsal joint thickness, hyperalgesic parameters, and spleen and thymus index. Haematological, serum, biochemical, and inflammatory cytokine andin vivoantioxidant parameters were measured on the last day of the study.Results.SR fraction significantly suppressed paw swelling and arthritic score and improved the pain threshold in motility and stair climbing tests. There was a reversal in the levels of altered parameters, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and antioxidant parameters like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide. SR fraction significantly decreased plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. Moreover, histopathology revealed a significant reduction in synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, and bone destruction in the joints.Conclusion.These observations explain the therapeutic benefit of SR fraction of AA in suppressing the progression of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.
BPI-ANCA Provides Additional Clinical Information to Anti-PseudomonasSerology: Results from a Cohort of 117 Swedish Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Lindberg Ulrika , Carlsson Malin , Hellmark Thomas , Segelmark Mårten
Published: July 2015

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) colonized withPseudomonas aeruginosa(P. aeruginosa) have worse prognosis compared with patients who are not. BPI-ANCA is an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody against BPI (bactericidal/permeability increasing protein) correlating withP. aeruginosacolonization and adverse long time prognosis. Whether it provides additional information as compared to standard anti-P. aeruginosaserology tests is not known. 117 nontransplanted CF patients at the CF centre in Lund, Sweden, were followed prospectively for ten years. Bacterial colonisation was classified according to the Leeds criteria. IgA BPI-ANCA was compared with assays for antibodies against alkaline protease (AP), Elastase (ELA), and Exotoxin A (ExoA). Lung function and patient outcome, alive, lung transplanted, or dead, were registered. BPI-ANCA showed the highest correlation with lung function impairment with anr-value of 0.44. Forty-eight of the 117 patients were chronically colonized withP. aeruginosa. Twenty of these patients experienced an adverse outcome. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis revealed that this could be predicted by BPI-ANCA (AUC = 0.77), (p=0.002) to a better degree compared with serology tests. BPI-ANCA correlates better with lung function impairment and long time prognosis than anti-P. aeruginosaserology and has similar ability to identify patients with chronicP. aeruginosa.
Damping Force Tracking Control of MR Damper System Using a New Direct Adaptive Fuzzy Controller
Authors: Do Xuan Phu , Shah Kruti , Choi Seung-Bok
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a new direct adaptive fuzzy controller and its effectiveness is verified by investigating the damping force tracking control of magnetorheological (MR) fluid based damper (MR damper in short) system. In the formulation of the proposed controller, a model of interval type 2 fuzzy controller is combined with the direct adaptive control to achieve high performance in vibration control. In addition,H∞(Hinfinity) tracking technique is used in building a model of the direct adaptive fuzzy controller in which an enhanced iterative algorithm is combined with the fuzzy model. After establishing a closed-loop control structure to achieve high control performance, a cylindrical MR damper is adopted and damping force tracking results are obtained and discussed. In addition, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy, two existing controllers are modified and tested for comparative work. It has been demonstrated from simulation and experiment that the proposed control scheme provides much better control performance in terms of damping force tracking error. This leads to excellent vibration control performance of the semiactive MR damper system associated with the proposed controller.
Second Order Equations in Functional Spaces: Qualitative and Discrete Well-Posedness
Authors: Ashyralyev A. , Pastor J. , Piskarev S. , Yurtsever H. A.
Published: July 2015

The present survey contains the recent results on the local and nonlocal well-posed problems for second order differential and difference equations. Results on the stability of differential problems for second order equations and of difference schemes for approximate solution of the second order problems are presented.