bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetic ketoacidosis and severe hypertriglyceridaemia as a consequence of an atypical antipsychotic agent
Authors: Hepburn Kirsten , Brzozowska Malgorzata Monika
Published: August 2016

The atypical antipsychotic agent clozapine, although an effective treatment for schizophrenia, is linked with metabolic adverse effects. We report a case of diabetic ketoacidosis and very severe hypertriglyceridaemia associated with clozapine use, in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who was successfully treated with continuous insulin infusion and fluids. As clozapine proved to be the most efficacious in controlling the patient's psychotic symptoms, the patient has been continued on clozapine despite its known metabolic side effects. Importantly the patient has achieved satisfactory long-term lipid and glycaemic control. The current recommendations related to the metabolic care for patients treated with atypical antipsychotic agents as well as the mechanisms behind abnormal glucose and lipid regulation with clozapine therapy are discussed.
Association between home birth and breast feeding outcomes: a cross-sectional study in 28 125 mother–infant pairs from Ireland and the UK
Authors: Quigley Clare , Taut Cristina , Zigman Tamara , Gallagher Louise , Campbell Harry , Zgaga Lina
Published: August 2016

Objectives

To examine the association between breast feeding outcomes and place of birth (home vs hospital birth).

Design

Population-based cross-sectional study.

Setting

Ireland and UK.

Participants

10 604 mother–infant pairs from theGrowing Up in Irelandstudy (GUI, 2008–2009) and 17 521 pairs from theUK Millennium Cohort Study(UKMCS, 2001–2002) at low risk of delivery complications were included in the study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Breast feeding initiation, exclusivity and duration.

Results

Home birth was found to be significantly associated with breast feeding at all examined time points, including at birth, 8 weeks, 6 months and breast feeding exclusively at 6 months. In GUI, adjusted OR was 1.90 (95% CI 1.19 to 3.02), 1.78 (1.18 to 2.69), 1.85 (1.23 to 2.77) and 2.77 (1.78 to 4.33), respectively, and in UKMCS it was 2.49 (1.84 to 3.44), 2.49 (1.92 to 3.26), 2.90 (2.25 to 3.73) and 2.24 (1.14 to 4.03).

Conclusions

Home birth was strongly associated with improved breast feeding outcomes in low-risk deliveries. While the association between home birth and breast feeding is unlikely to be directly causal, further research is needed to determine which factor(s) drive the observed differences, to facilitate development of perinatal care that supports breast feeding.
Prospective, observational study comparing automated and visual point-of-care urinalysis in general practice
Authors: van Delft Sanne , Goedhart Annelijn , Spigt Mark , van Pinxteren Bart , de Wit Niek , Hopstaken Rogier
Published: August 2016

Objective

Point-of-care testing (POCT) urinalysis might reduce errors in (subjective) reading, registration and communication of test results, and might also improve diagnostic outcome and optimise patient management. Evidence is lacking. In the present study, we have studied the analytical performance of automated urinalysis and visual urinalysis compared with a reference standard in routine general practice.

Setting

The study was performed in six general practitioner (GP) group practices in the Netherlands. Automated urinalysis was compared with visual urinalysis in these practices. Reference testing was performed in a primary care laboratory (Saltro, Utrecht, The Netherlands).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Analytical performance of automated and visual urinalysis compared with the reference laboratory method was the primary outcome measure, analysed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) and Cohen's κ coefficient for agreement. Secondary outcome measure was the user-friendliness of the POCT analyser.

Results

Automated urinalysis by experienced and routinely trained practice assistants in general practice performs as good as visual urinalysis for nitrite, leucocytes and erythrocytes. Agreement for nitrite is high for automated and visual urinalysis. κ's are 0.824 and 0.803 (ranked as very good and good, respectively). Agreement with the central laboratory reference standard for automated and visual urinalysis for leucocytes is rather poor (0.256 for POCT and 0.197 for visual, respectively, ranked as fair and poor). κ's for erythrocytes are higher: 0.517 (automated) and 0.416 (visual), both ranked as moderate. The Urisys 1100 analyser was easy to use and considered to be not prone to flaws.

Conclusions

Automated urinalysis performed as good as traditional visual urinalysis on reading of nitrite, leucocytes and erythrocytes in routine general practice. Implementation of automated urinalysis in general practice is justified as automation is expected to reduce human errors in patient identification and transcribing of results.
Periodontitis is an independent risk indicator for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases among 60 174 participants in a large dental school in the Netherlands
Authors: Beukers Nicky G F M , van der Heijden Geert J M G , van Wijk Arjen J , Loos Bruno G
Published: August 2016

Background

The association between periodontitis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ACVD) has been established in some modestly sized studies (<10 000). Rarely, however, periodontitis has been studied directly; often tooth loss or self-reported periodontitis has been used as a proxy measure for periodontitis. Our aim is to investigate the adjusted association between periodontitis and ACVD among all individuals registered in a large dental school in the Netherlands (Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA)).

Methods

Anonymised data were extracted from the electronic health records for all registered patients aged >35 years (period 1998–2013). A participant was recorded as having periodontitis based on diagnostic and treatment codes. Any affirmative answer for cerebrovascular accidents, angina pectoris and/or myocardial infarction labelled a participant as having ACVD. Other risk factors for ACVD, notably age, sex, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and social economic status, were also extracted. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the adjusted associations between periodontitis and ACVD.

Results

60 174 individuals were identified; 4.7% of the periodontitis participants (455/9730) and 1.9% of the non-periodontitis participants (962/50 444) reported ACVD; periodontitis showed a significant association with ACVD (OR 2.52; 95% CI 2.3 to 2.8). After adjustment for the confounders, periodontitis remained independently associated with ACVD (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.39 to 1.81). With subsequent stratification for age and sex, periodontitis remained independently associated with ACVD.

Conclusions

This cross-sectional analysis of a large cohort in the Netherlands of 60 174 participants shows the independent association of periodontitis with ACVD.
Operationalising resilience in longitudinal studies: a systematic review of methodological approaches
Authors: Cosco T D , Kaushal A , Hardy R , Richards M , Kuh D , Stafford M
Published: August 2016

Over the life course, we are invariably faced with some form of adversity. The process of positively adapting to adverse events is known as ‘resilience’. Despite the acknowledgement of 2 common components of resilience, that is, adversity and positive adaptation, no consensus operational definition has been agreed. Resilience operationalisations have been reviewed in a cross-sectional context; however, a review of longitudinal methods of operationalising resilience has not been conducted. The present study conducts a systematic review across Scopus and Web of Science capturing studies of ageing that posited operational definitions of resilience in longitudinal studies of ageing. Thirty-six studies met inclusion criteria. Non-acute events, for example, cancer, were the most common form of adversity identified and psychological components, for example, the absence of depression, the most common forms of positive adaptation. Of the included studies, 4 used psychometrically driven methods, that is, repeated administration of established resilience metrics, 9 used definition-driven methods, that is, a priori establishment of resilience components and criteria, and 23 used data-driven methods, that is, techniques that identify resilient individuals using latent variable models. Acknowledging the strengths and limitations of each operationalisation is integral to the appropriate application of these methods to life course and longitudinal resilience research.
Endovascular treatment of previously clipped aneurysms: continued evolution of hybrid neurosurgery
Authors: Gross Bradley A , Albuquerque Felipe C , Moon Karam , Ducruet Andrew F , McDougall Cameron G
Published: August 2016

Background/objective

The optimal management of residual or recurrent clipped aneurysms is infrequently addressed in the literature.

Methods

We reviewed our endovascular database from January 1998 to May 2016 to identify patients with clipped aneurysms undergoing subsequent endovascular treatment, evaluating treatment approach, and clinical and angiographic outcomes.

Results

60 patients underwent endovascular treatment of residual/recurrent clipped aneurysms; 7 rebled prior to endovascular therapy. Treatment was via coiling alone (n=25, 42%), stent assisted coiling (n=15, 25%), balloon assisted coiling (n=8, 13%), flow diversion (n=8, 13%), stenting alone (n=3, 5%), or flow diversion with coiling (n=1, 2%). The procedural permanent neurological morbidity and mortality rates were 3% and 2%, respectively. Over a clinical follow-up of 253.4 patient years (median 3.9 years), there was one rebleed in a patient who had declined further treatment. For 43 patients with at least 1 month of digital subtraction angiographic follow-up (median 3.4 years), complete aneurysm occlusion was seen in 79% of cases. Neck remnants were observed in 14%, and stable small dome remnants were observed in 7% of cases. In a subgroup of 18 patients with ‘clip induced’ narrow neck aneurysms, all domes were initially coil occluded (Raymond 1 or 2); there was no permanent procedural morbidity and no aneurysms required retreatment or recanalized over a median follow-up of 3.9 years.

Conclusions

Endovascular treatment of residual or recurrent clipped aneurysms is an excellent treatment approach in well selected patients; ‘clip induced’ narrow neck aneurysms fare particularly well after treatment both angiographically and clinically.
Secretory duct distribution and leaf venation patterns of Aldama species (Asteraceae) and their application in taxonomy
Authors: Filartiga Arinawa Liz , Bassinello Vanessa , Filippi Gustavo Mortean , Bombo Aline Bertolosi , Appezzato-da-Glória Beatriz
Published: August 2016

Features of leaf morphology such as secretory duct distribution and venation patterns are important taxonomical tools; however, some species can have variation in these traits. This study evaluates whether the secretory duct distribution in the midrib and venation is similar across different leaves of 17 Aldama species. Six fully expanded leaves (three each of the largest and smallest size) from five distinct plants were selected to analyze the duct distribution. The samples were histologically examined, and the quantitative data were statistically analyzed. The venation pattern was analyzed in five fully expanded leaves of different plants. In all, 23 secretory duct distribution patterns were identified; they showed intra- and inter-species variations except in Aldama anchusifolia (DC.) E.E.Schill. & Panero and A. trichophylla (Dusén) Magenta. The largest number of ducts was not correlated with leaf and midrib dimensions (width and length). Further, Aldama venation could be divided into two groups: (1) pinnate camptodromous brochidodromous type (four species), and (2) acrodromous venation type and its basal and suprabasal variations (13 species). Thus, distinct secretory duct arrangements of the midrib might assist in the discrimination of Aldama species. The venation patterns were also important for distinguishing the majority of species selected.
Smoke originating from different plants has various effects on germination and seedling growth of species in Fescue Prairie
Authors: Ren Lei , Bai Yuguang
Published: August 2016

Little is known about how smoke, an important germination cue, influences seed regeneration of species in Fescue Prairies. Whether germination and seedling growth responses vary with smoke produced from different materials is still ambiguous. In this study, seeds of four forbs from a Fescue Prairie were primed in serial dilutions of aqueous smoke solutions produced from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), prairie hay (Festuca hallii (Vasey) Piper), and wheat straw (Triticum aestivum L.), and incubated at 10–0 °C or 25–15 °C in a 12 h light – 12 h dark cycle or 24 h darkness for 49 d. Nonprimed seeds and those primed in distilled water were used as controls. Germination and radical length of Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist increased after priming in concentrated smoke-solutions derived from alfalfa, but decreased after priming in the same concentrated smoke solutions made from prairie hay and wheat straw at 25–15 °C in 24 h darkness. Smoke substituted for light improved germination of Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. Our results indicate that the effect of smoke on seed germination and seedling growth was temperature- and light-dependent. It appears that smoke produced from alfalfa had different compounds that, in turn, had different germination and seedling growth responses as compared with the smoke produced from prairie hay and wheat straw.
A method of providing engaging formative feedback to large cohort first-year physiology and anatomy students
Authors: Weston-Green Katrina , Wallace Margaret
Published: August 2016

A growing body of evidence demonstrates a critical role for effective, meaningful feedback to enhance student learning. Effective feedback can become part of the learning cycle that is not only a learning opportunity for the student but can also be used to inform the teacher and ongoing curriculum development. Feedback is considered particularly important during the first year of university and can even be viewed as a retention strategy that can help attenuate student performance anxieties and solidify perceptions of academic support. Unfortunately, the provision of individualized, timely feedback can be particularly challenging in first-year courses as they tend to be large and diverse cohort classes that pose challenges of time and logistics. Various forms of generic feedback can provide rapid and cost-effect feedback to large cohorts but may be of limited benefit to students other than signaling weaknesses in knowledge. The present study describes a method that was used to provide formative task-related feedback to a large cohort of first-year physiology and anatomy students. Based on student evaluations presented in this study, this method provided feedback in a manner that engaged students, uncovered underlying misconceptions, facilitated peer discussion, and provided opportunity for new instruction while allowing the lecturer to recognize common gaps in knowledge and inform ongoing curriculum development.
Muscle expression of a malonyl-CoA-insensitive carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 protects mice against high-fat/high-sucrose diet-induced insulin resistance
Authors: Vavrova Eliska , Lenoir Véronique , Alves-Guerra Marie-Clotilde , Denis Raphaël G. , Castel Julien , Esnous Catherine , Dyck Jason R. B. , Luquet Serge , Metzger Daniel , Bouillaud Frédéric , Prip-Buus Carina
Published: August 2016

Impaired skeletal muscle mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (mFAO) has been implicated in the etiology of insulin resistance. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) is a key regulatory enzyme of mFAO whose activity is inhibited by malonyl-CoA, a lipogenic intermediate. Whereas increasing CPT1 activity in vitro has been shown to exert a protective effect against lipid-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle cells, only a few studies have addressed this issue in vivo. We thus examined whether a direct modulation of muscle CPT1/malonyl-CoA partnership is detrimental or beneficial for insulin sensitivity in the context of diet-induced obesity. By using a Cre- LoxP recombination approach, we generated mice with skeletal muscle-specific and inducible expression of a mutated CPT1 form (CPT1mt) that is active but insensitive to malonyl-CoA inhibition. When fed control chow, homozygous CPT1mt transgenic (dbTg) mice exhibited decreased CPT1 sensitivity to malonyl-CoA inhibition in isolated muscle mitochondria, which was sufficient to substantially increase ex vivo muscle mFAO capacity and whole body fatty acid utilization in vivo. Moreover, dbTg mice were less prone to high-fat/high-sucrose (HFHS) diet-induced insulin resistance and muscle lipotoxicity despite similar body weight gain, adiposity, and muscle malonyl-CoA content. Interestingly, these CPT1mt-protective effects in dbTg-HFHS mice were associated with preserved muscle insulin signaling, increased muscle glycogen content, and upregulation of key genes involved in muscle glucose metabolism. These beneficial effects of muscle CPT1mt expression suggest that a direct modulation of the malonyl-CoA/CPT1 partnership in skeletal muscle could represent a potential strategy to prevent obesity-induced insulin resistance.
Acute Thermotherapy Prevents Impairments in Cutaneous Microvascular Function Induced by a High Fat Meal
Authors: Harvey Jennifer C. , Roseguini Bruno T. , Goerger Benjamin M. , Fallon Elizabeth A. , Wong Brett J.
Published: August 2016

We tested the hypothesis that a high fat meal (HFM) would impair cutaneous vasodilation, while thermotherapy (TT) would reverse the detrimental effects. Eight participants were instrumented with skin heaters and laser-Doppler (LD) probes and tested in three trials: control, HFM, and HFM + TT. Participants wore a water-perfused suit perfused with 33°C (control and HFM) or 50°C (HFM + TT) water. Participants consumed 1 g fat/kg body weight. Blood samples were taken at baseline and two hours post-HFM. Blood pressure was measured every 5–10 minutes. Microvascular function was assessed via skin local heating from 33°C to 39°C two hours after HFM. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated and normalized to maximal vasodilation (%CVCmax). HFM had no effect on initial peak (48 ± 4 %CVCmax) compared to control (49 ± 4 %CVCmax) but attenuated the plateau (51 ± 4 %CVCmax) compared to control (63 ± 4 %CVCmax,P< 0.001). Initial peak was augmented in HFM + TT (66 ± 4 %CVCmax) compared to control and HFM (P< 0.05), while plateau (73 ± 3 %CVCmax) was augmented only compared to the HFM trial (P< 0.001). These data suggest that HFM negatively affects cutaneous vasodilation but can be minimized by TT.
HIV Infection in the Elderly: Arising Challenges
Authors: Mpondo Bonaventura C. T.
Published: August 2016

Globally there is an increase in the number of people living with HIV at an advanced age (50 years and above). This is mainly due to prolonged survival following the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Living with HIV at an advanced age has been shown to be associated with a number of challenges, both clinical and immunological. This minireview aims at discussing the challenges encountered by elderly HIV-infected patients.
Elevated Serum Levels of the Antiapoptotic Protein Decoy-Receptor 3 Are Associated with Advanced Liver Disease
Authors: Bamias Giorgos , Gizis Michalis , Delladetsima Ioanna , Laoudi Eyfrosyni , Siakavellas Spyros I. , Koutsounas Ioannis , Kaltsa Garyfallia , Vlachogiannakos John , Vafiadis-Zouboulis Irene , Daikos George L. , Papatheodoridis George V. , Ladas Spiros D.
Published: August 2016

Background. Decoy-receptor 3 (DcR3) exerts antiapoptotic and immunomodulatory function and is overexpressed in neoplastic and inflammatory conditions. Serum DcR3 (sDcR3) levels during the chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis/hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) sequence have not been explored.Objective. To assess the levels and significance of sDcR3 protein in various stages of chronic liver disease.Methods. We compared sDcR3 levels between healthy controls and patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH), decompensated cirrhosis (DC), and HCC. Correlations between sDcR3 levels and various patient- and disease-related factors were analyzed.Results. sDcR3 levels were significantly higher in patients with CVH than in controls (P<0.01). sDcR3 levels were elevated in DC and HCC, being significantly higher compared not only to controls (P<0.001for both) but to CVH patients as well (P<0.001for both). In addition, DcR3 protein was detected in large quantities in the ascitic fluid of cirrhotics. In patients with CVH, sDcR3 significantly correlated to fibrosis severity, as estimated by Ishak score (P=0.019) or by liver stiffness measured with elastography (Spearmanr=0.698,P<0.001). In cirrhotic patients, significant positive correlations were observed between sDcR3 levels and markers of severity of hepatic impairment, including MELD score (r=0.653,P<0.001).Conclusions. Circulating levels of DcR3 are elevated during chronic liver disease and correlate with severity of liver damage. sDcR3 may serve as marker for liver fibrosis severity and progression to end-stage liver disease.
Development of Health Parameter Model for Risk Prediction of CVD Using SVM
Authors: Unnikrishnan P. , Kumar D. K. , Poosapadi Arjunan S. , Kumar H. , Mitchell P. , Kawasaki R.
Published: August 2016

Current methods of cardiovascular risk assessment are performed using health factors which are often based on the Framingham study. However, these methods have significant limitations due to their poor sensitivity and specificity. We have compared the parameters from the Framingham equation with linear regression analysis to establish the effect of training of the model for the local database. Support vector machine was used to determine the effectiveness of machine learning approach with the Framingham health parameters for risk assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The result shows that while linear model trained using local database was an improvement on Framingham model, SVM based risk assessment model had high sensitivity and specificity of prediction of CVD. This indicates that using the health parameters identified using Framingham study, machine learning approach overcomes the low sensitivity and specificity of Framingham model.
Control of Bouncing in MEMS Switches Using Double Electrodes
Authors: Abdul Rahim Farhan , Younis Mohammad I.
Published: August 2016

This paper presents a novel way of controlling the bouncing phenomenon commonly present in the Radio Frequency Microelectromechanical Systems (RF MEMS) switches using a double-electrode configuration. The paper discusses modeling bouncing using both lumped parameter and beam models. The simulations of bouncing and its control are discussed. Comparison between the new proposed method and other available control techniques is also made. The Galerkin method is applied on the beam model accounting for the nonlinear electrostatic force, squeeze film damping, and surface contact effect. The results indicate that it is possible to reduce bouncing and hence beam degradation, by the use of double electrodes.
Cilostazol Improves Proangiogenesis Functions in Human Early Endothelial Progenitor Cells through the Stromal Cell-Derived Factor System and Hybrid Therapy Provides a Synergistic EffectIn Vivo
Authors: Tseng Shih-Ya , Chao Ting-Hsing , Li Yi-Heng , Cho Chung-Lung
Published: August 2016

This study investigated the effect of cilostazol on proangiogenesis functions in human early endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs)in vitroand the therapeutic implication of hybrid therapy with cilostazol and human early EPCsin vivo. Cilostazol significantly increased colony-forming units and enhanced differentiation of EPCs toward endothelial lineage. Treatments resulted in antiapoptotic effects and stimulated proliferation and migration andin vitrovascular tube formation through activation of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)/phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. Blood flow recovery and capillary density in murine ischemic hindlimbs were significantly improved in cilostazol-treated, human early EPCs-treated, and cotreatment groups. The effects were attenuated with SDF-1αinhibition. Plasma SDF-1αlevels were significantly higher in 3 active treatment groups after surgery, with greatest effects observed in hybrid therapy. The angiogenic effects of transplanted EPCs pretreated with cilostazolex vivowere superior to untreated EPCs usingin vivoMatrigel assay. Implanted EPCs were incorporated into the capillary, with pretreatment or cotreatment with cilostazol resulting in enhanced effects. Taken together, cilostazol promotes a large number of proangiogenic functions in human early EPCs through activation of SDF-1/CXCR4/PI3K/Akt signaling, and hybrid therapy provides a synergistic effectin vivo. Cotreatment may be beneficial in ischemic disease.
Management of Highway Projects in Egypt through Identifying Factors Influencing Quality Performance
Authors: Ebrahim Abu El-Maaty Ahmed , Akal Ahmed Yousry , El-Hamrawy Saad
Published: August 2016

While project management success focuses upon the processes and the successful accomplishments of cost and time objectives, product success deals with the quality of the final product. Recently, quality of the constructed highway has been considered highly important reason for the pavement response and its design life. The main objective of this paper is to improve the management of highway projects in Egypt by determining the most important factors influencing the quality performance of this industry. In total, 39 factors that may influence the quality of highway projects have been defined through a detailed literature review. The factors are tabulated in a questionnaire form, which is sent out to 13 owners of divided highways, 27 owners of regional roads, and 15 consultants. The analysis of the respondents’ perspectives using fuzzy triangle approach shows that the most important factors affecting the quality are availability of experienced staff in the owner’s and contractor’s teams during the project execution; efficiency of the owner’s inspection team; clarity of responsibilities and roles for each owner, consultant, and contractor; pavement which is not designed according to the regional conditions (e.g., soil type, temperature, and traffic volume); and asphalt quality and type used in the construction process.
Adaptive Online Sequential ELM for Concept Drift Tackling
Authors: Budiman Arif , Fanany Mohamad Ivan , Basaruddin Chan
Published: August 2016

A machine learning method needs to adapt to over time changes in the environment. Such changes are known as concept drift. In this paper, we propose concept drift tackling method as an enhancement of Online Sequential Extreme Learning Machine (OS-ELM) and Constructive Enhancement OS-ELM (CEOS-ELM) by adding adaptive capability for classification and regression problem. The scheme is named as adaptive OS-ELM (AOS-ELM). It is a single classifier scheme that works well to handle real drift, virtual drift, and hybrid drift. The AOS-ELM also works well for sudden drift and recurrent context change type. The scheme is a simple unified method implemented in simple lines of code. We evaluated AOS-ELM on regression and classification problem by using concept drift public data set (SEA and STAGGER) and other public data sets such as MNIST, USPS, and IDS. Experiments show that our method gives higher kappa value compared to the multiclassifier ELM ensemble. Even though AOS-ELM in practice does not need hidden nodes increase, we address some issues related to the increasing of the hidden nodes such as error condition and rank values. We propose taking the rank of the pseudoinverse matrix as an indicator parameter to detect “underfitting” condition.
An ImprovedμTESLA Protocol Based on Queuing Theory and Benaloh-Leichter SSS in WSNs
Authors: Huang Haiping , Gong Tianhe , Chen Tao , Xiong Mingliang , Pan Xinxing , Dai Ting
Published: August 2016

Broadcast authentication is a fundamental security technology in wireless sensor networks (ab. WSNs). As an authentication protocol, the most widely used in WSN,μTESLA protocol, its publication of key is based on a fixed time interval, which may lead to unsatisfactory performance under the unstable network traffic environment. Furthermore, the frequent network communication will cause the delay authentication for some broadcast packets while the infrequent one will increase the overhead of key computation. To solve these problems, this paper improves the traditionalμTESLA by determining the publication of broadcast key based on the network data flow rather than the fixed time interval. Meanwhile, aiming at the finite length of hash chain and the problem of exhaustion, a self-renewal hash chain based on Benaloh-Leichter secret sharing scheme (SRHC-BL SSS) is designed, which can prolong the lifetime of network. Moreover, by introducing the queue theory model, we demonstrate that our scheme has much lower key consumption thanμTESLA through simulation evaluations. Finally, we analyze and prove the security and efficiency of the proposed self-renewal hash chain, comparing with other typical schemes.
Regularized Iterative Weighted Filtered Back-Projection for Few-View Data Photoacoustic Imaging
Authors: Liu Xueyan , Peng Dong
Published: August 2016

Photoacoustic imaging is an emerging noninvasive imaging technique with great potential for a wide range of biomedical imaging applications. However, with few-view data the filtered back-projection method will create streak artifacts. In this study, the regularized iterative weighted filtered back-projection method was applied to our photoacoustic imaging of the optical absorption in phantom from few-view data. This method is based on iterative application of a nonexact 2DFBP. By adding a regularization operation in the iterative loop, the streak artifacts have been reduced to a great extent and the convergence properties of the iterative scheme have been improved. Results of numerical simulations demonstrated that the proposed method was superior to the iterative FBP method in terms of both accuracy and robustness to noise. The quantitative image evaluation studies have shown that the proposed method outperforms conventional iterative methods.
SIRT2 Deacetylates and Inhibits the Peroxidase Activity of Peroxiredoxin-1 to Sensitize Breast Cancer Cells to Oxidant Stress-Inducing Agents
Authors: Fiskus Warren , Coothankandaswamy Veena , Chen Jianguang , Ma Hongwei , Ha Kyungsoo , Saenz Dyana T. , Krieger Stephanie S. , Mill Christopher P. , Sun Baohua , Huang Peng , Mumm Jeffrey S. , Melnick Ari M. , Bhalla Kapil N.
Published: August 2016

SIRT2 is a protein deacetylase with tumor suppressor activity in breast and liver tumors where it is mutated; however, the critical substrates mediating its antitumor activity are not fully defined. Here we demonstrate that SIRT2 binds, deacetylates, and inhibits the peroxidase activity of the antioxidant protein peroxiredoxin (Prdx-1) in breast cancer cells. Ectopic overexpression of SIRT2, but not its catalytically dead mutant, increased intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by hydrogen peroxide, which led to increased levels of an overoxidized and multimeric form of Prdx-1 with activity as a molecular chaperone. Elevated levels of SIRT2 sensitized breast cancer cells to intracellular DNA damage and cell death induced by oxidative stress, as associated with increased levels of nuclear FOXO3A and the proapoptotic BIM protein. In addition, elevated levels of SIRT2 sensitized breast cancer cells to arsenic trioxide, an approved therapeutic agent, along with other intracellular ROS-inducing agents. Conversely, antisense RNA-mediated attenuation of SIRT2 reversed ROS-induced toxicity as demonstrated in a zebrafish embryo model system. Collectively, our findings suggest that the tumor suppressor activity of SIRT2 requires its ability to restrict the antioxidant activity of Prdx-1, thereby sensitizing breast cancer cells to ROS-induced DNA damage and cell cytotoxicity. Cancer Res; 76(18); 5467–78. ©2016 AACR.
Snail1-Dependent Activation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Controls Epithelial Tumor Cell Invasion and Metastasis
Authors: Alba-Castellón Lorena , Olivera-Salguero Rubén , Mestre-Farrera Aida , Peña Raúl , Herrera Mercedes , Bonilla Félix , Casal J. Ignacio , Baulida Josep , Peña Cristina , García de Herreros Antonio
Published: August 2016

Snail1 transcriptional factor is essential for triggering epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inducing tumor cell invasion. We report here an EMT-independent action of Snail1 on tumor invasion, as it is required for the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). Snail1 expression in fibroblasts requires signals derived from tumor cells, such as TGFβ; reciprocally, in fibroblasts, Snail1 organizes a complex program that stimulates invasion of epithelial cells independent of the expression of Snail1 in these cells. Epithelial cell invasion is stimulated by the secretion by fibroblast of diffusible signaling molecules, such as prostaglandin E2. The capability of human or murine CAFs to promote tumor invasion is dependent on Snail1 expression. Inducible Snail1 depletion in mice decreases the invasion of breast tumors; moreover, epithelial tumor cells coxenografted with Snail1-depleted fibroblasts originated tumors with lower invasion than those transplanted with control fibroblasts. Therefore, these results demonstrate that the role of Snail1 in tumor invasion is not limited to EMT, but it is also dependent on its activity in stromal fibroblasts, where it orchestrates the cross-talk with epithelial tumor cells. Cancer Res; 76(21); 6205–17. ©2016 AACR.
Chromatin-Remodeling Complex SWI/SNF Controls Multidrug Resistance by Transcriptionally Regulating the Drug Efflux Pump ABCB1
Authors: Dubey Ramin , Lebensohn Andres M. , Bahrami-Nejad Zahra , Marceau Caleb , Champion Magali , Gevaert Olivier , Sikic Branimir I. , Carette Jan E. , Rohatgi Rajat
Published: August 2016

Anthracyclines are among the most effective yet most toxic drugs used in the oncology clinic. The nucleosome-remodeling SWI/SNF complex, a potent tumor suppressor, is thought to promote sensitivity to anthracyclines by recruiting topoisomerase IIa (TOP2A) to DNA and increasing double-strand breaks. In this study, we discovered a novel mechanism through which SWI/SNF influences resistance to the widely used anthracycline doxorubicin based on the use of a forward genetic screen in haploid human cells, followed by a rigorous single and double-mutant epistasis analysis using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated engineering. Doxorubicin resistance conferred by loss of the SMARCB1 subunit of the SWI/SNF complex was caused by transcriptional upregulation of a single gene, encoding the multidrug resistance pump ABCB1. Remarkably, both ABCB1 upregulation and doxorubicin resistance caused by SMARCB1 loss were dependent on the function of SMARCA4, a catalytic subunit of the SWI/SNF complex. We propose that residual SWI/SNF complexes lacking SMARCB1 are vital determinants of drug sensitivity, not just to TOP2A-targeted agents, but to the much broader range of cancer drugs effluxed by ABCB1. Cancer Res; 76(19); 5810–21. ©2016 AACR.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Status Dystonicus: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ben-Haim Sharona , Flatow Virginia , Cheung Tyler , Cho Catherine , Tagliati Michele , Alterman Ron L.
Published: August 2016

Background: Status dystonicus (SD) is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication of primary or secondary dystonia, characterized by acute worsening of dystonic movements. There is no consensus regarding optimal treatment, which may be medical and/or surgical. Methods: We present our experience with pallidal deep brain stimulation (DBS) in 5 DYT1-positive patients with SD and provide a review of the literature to examine optimal management. Results: Of the 5 patients treated with pallidal DBS, all experienced postoperative resolution of their dystonic crisis within a range of 1-21 days. Long-term follow-up resulted in 1 patient returning to preoperative baseline, 3 patients improving from baseline, and 1 patient making a complete recovery. Of the 28 SD patients (including our 5 patients) reported in the literature who were treated with DBS or ablative surgery, 26 experienced cessation of their dystonic crisis with a return to baseline function and, in most cases, clinical improvement. Conclusion: DBS is an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of SD. In addition to the long-term benefits of stimulation, early and aggressive treatment may improve the overall outcome.
With or Beyond Piaget? A Dialogue between New Probabilistic Models of Learning and the Theories of Jean Piaget
Authors: Tourmen Claire
Published: August 2016

For more than 10 years, we have seen the emergence of new “probabilistic” models of learning. They clearly echo Jean Piaget's works and theories but they also claim to go further. However, references to Piaget are often quick and rarely take the time to explore the rich heritage of the Genevan's works. This article takes a closer look at their links through a systematic review of the literature. To do so, I selected, read, and compared articles and books about the probabilistic models of learning and the works of Jean Piaget dealing with similar questions. I will first present the theoretical evolutions offered by the probabilistic models of learning. Then, I will reexamine the words and works of Jean Piaget to show how he had in fact formulated and addressed similar questions at his time, from his point of view. I will finally discuss how we could question, today, Jean Piaget's works in regard to these new models, but also how these new models could be discussed with regard to Piagetian works.
Acute Cholecystitis with Significantly Elevated Levels of Serum Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9
Authors: Akimoto Shuji , Banshodani Masataka , Nishihara Masahiro , Nambu Junko , Kawaguchi Yasuo , Shimamoto Fumio , Dohi Kiyohiko , Sugino Keizo , Ohdan Hideki
Published: August 2016

Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), a marker of malignant tumors, is generally slightly elevated in benign conditions. We report a case of acute cholecystitis with a significantly elevated level of serum CA 19-9 based on positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) findings. A 65-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and fever. A CT image revealed an enlarged gallbladder without tumor shadows. The C-reactive protein (CRP) level was elevated to 7.66 mg/dl. Moreover, the serum CA 19-9 level was significantly elevated to 19,392 U/ml. We started antibiotic treatment, because we suspected acute cholecystitis, but still, we could not ignore the possible presence of malignant tumors. After 11 days of antibiotic treatment, serum CRP and CA 19-9 levels decreased to 0.11 mg/dl and 1,049 U/ml, respectively. There was an accumulation of fluorine 18-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (maximum standardized uptake value, 9.3) without tumor shadows in the liver, near the gallbladder, on the PET-CT examination. We considered the possibility that the inflammation had spread from the gallbladder to the liver, made a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, and performed a cholecystectomy 33 days after treatment initiation. The serum CA 19-9 level decreased to 45 U/ml after the surgery. One year after the surgery, the patient was alive, and the serum CA 19-9 level was 34 U/ml. Acute cholecystitis with a significantly high elevation of the serum CA 19-9 level is rare. In such cases, it is important to confirm the change in the serum CA 19-9 level over time after antibiotic treatment and perform imaging studies to distinguish between inflammation and malignancy.
Vitamin D3 Partly Antagonizes Advanced-Glycation Endproducts-Induced NFκB Activation in Mouse Podocytes
Authors: Rüster Christiane , Franke Sybille , Reuter Stefanie , Mrowka Ralf , Bondeva Tzvetanka , Wolf Gunter
Published: August 2016

Background/Aims: We have previously shown that advanced glycation-endproducts (AGEs) induced NFκB activation in differentiated mouse podocytes. This NFκB activation may contribute to the progression of renal disease and mediation of fibrosis by various mechanisms. This study was undertaken to test whether this detrimental response may be reversed by vitamin D3 or its analogue paricalcitol. Methods: Differentiated mouse podocytes were challenged with glycated bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA), or non-glycated control BSA (in the presence or absence of various concentrations of vitamin D3 (decostriol, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3)) or its active analog paricalcitol. Quantitative mRNA expressions were measured by real-time PCR, whereas protein expressions were determined by Western blotting followed by densitometry. Cytoplasmic and nuclear protein expression of the NFκB subunit p65 (Rel A) were determined by Western blotting. Furthermore, the ratio of phosphorylated to non-phosphorylated IκB-α was measured using specific antibodies. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and a capture ELISA assay were used to assess NFκB transactivation in vitro. In addition, NFκB transactivation was also monitored in HEK-NFκBIA reporter cells using live cell luminometry. Results: Podocytes expressed the receptor for vitamin D. The vitamins did not suppress receptor for AGEs (RAGE) expression; instead, they rather upregulated RAGE. Although vitamin D3 and paricalcitol partly and differentially modified some of the studied parameters, both hormones inhibited AGE-BSA-induced NFκB transactivation, presumably by various mechanisms including the upregulation of IκB-α protein, keeping NFκB sequestered in an inactive state in the cytoplasm. Conclusion: Vitamin D3 or its analog paricalcitol partly prevented AGE-mediated NFκB activation, an important feature of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Whether this in vitro finding is of clinical relevance to prevent/treat DN requires further studies.
Renal Autotransplantation at Three Academic Institutions in Turkey
Authors: Yakupoglu Yarkin Kamil , Aki Fazil Tuncay , Kordan Yakup , Ozden Ender , Tonyali Senol , Bostanci Yakup , Vuruskan Hakan , Bilen Cenk Yucel , Sarikaya Saban
Published: August 2016

Objective: The objective of this study is to present the experience of 3 institutions performing renal autotransplantation (RAT) and to discuss surgical techniques employed and the results in the light of the medical literature. Materials and Methods: A total of 14 patients (11 male and 3 female) with a mean age of 47 ± 8 years (35-61 years), who underwent RAT procedure at 3 different institutions between October 2006 and November 2014, in Turkey, were evaluated retrospectively. Indications for RAT procedure are ureteral avulsion, renal artery aneurysm and intimal dissection caused by percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty (PTRA). Twelve patients with ureteral avulsion, 1 patient with renal artery aneurysm and 1 patient with intimal dissection caused by PTRA were followed-up for 103 months. Seven (50%) open and 7 (50%) laparoscopic nephrectomies were performed. Nine patients (64.3%) were right-sided and 5 patients (35.7%) were left-sided. Complications of grade III and above as per Clavien-Dindo classification were assessed. Results: Mean time from injury to RAT was 21.2 ± 40.1 days. However, 5 (35.7%) patients were treated on the same day of the injury. As per Clavien-Dindo classification, 2 (14.2%) grade IVa and 1 (7.1%) grade IIIa complications were reported. However, no significant correlation was observed between the complications and graft loss regarding type and side of the nephrectomy performed (p = 0.462 and p = 0.505, respectively) and timing of the intervention (p = 0.692). Conclusion: RAT is a safe procedure in combination with minimally invasive laparoscopic technique in carefully selected patients; however, it requires expertise and proficiency in laparoscopy, reconstructive urology and transplantation. Nevertheless RAT should be considered as the last resort, when other modalities fail.
Comparison of Holmium: YAG Laser and Pneumatic Lithotripsy in the Treatment of Ureteral Stones: An Update Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Shulian , Zhou Liang , Wei Tangqiang , Luo Deyi , Jin Tao , Li Hong , Wang Kunjie
Published: August 2016

Purpose: Holmium YAG laser lithotripsy (LL) and pneumatic lithotripsy (PL) are the most commonly used procedures in the treatment of ureteral calculi. In a previous meta-analysis examining the treatment effect of the 2 modalities, the authors highlighted the need for large sample size and high quality trials to provide more uncovered outcome. Recently, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the same issue with larger patient number and more complicated data have been published. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to update and synthesize evidence on the efficacy and safety of the 2 procedures in the treatment of ureteral calculi. Methods: The relevant studies were identified by searching Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Library Database from January 1990 to November 2015. RCTs assessing the efficacy and safety of Holmium YAG laser and PL for ureteral stones were included. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data. Results: A total of 8 studies were identified including 1,555 patients. Compared with PL, Holmium YAG LL significantly reduced the mean operative time (weighted mean difference = -11.52, 95% CI -17.06 to -5.99, p < 0.0001) and increased the early stone-free rate (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.91-3.78, p < 0.00001) and the delayed stone-free rate (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.40-3.21, p = 0.0004). However, a higher postoperative ureteral stricture rate (OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.56-7.31, p = 0.002) was observed in LL group over PL group. There was no statistical significance in the ureteral perforation rate (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.65-2.16, p = 0.58), the stone migration rate (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.41-1.00, p = 0.05), the postoperative gross hematuria rate (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.40-1.25, p = 0.23) and the postoperative fever rate (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.50-1.09, p = 0.12). Conclusions: Our data reconfirmed that Holmium LL for ureteral stones can achieve shorter mean operative time, better early and delayed stone-free rate with larger sample size and more high quality studies. And further trials are unlikely to considerably alter this conclusion. In terms of higher risk of postoperative ureteral stricture in LL group over PL group observed in our review, more high quality, multicenter RCTs with long-term follow-up outcome are warranted to better assess this issue.