bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of the Head of State on National Security Issues in Presidential Democracies - The USA Case
Authors: Jashari Murat , Selimi Behar
Published: June 2017

American democracy continues to be one of the most stable democracies in the world and the model followed by many countries of the world. The practice of presidential governance based on the principle of 'checks and balances' of powers, has shown that the head of state should have sufficient executive powers to preserve and guarantee the democracy, especially in the field of defense and security. Furthermore, in circumstances of threats to national security, its powers can and should set a ''balance'' of powers in favor of the executive power, while not ignoring ''control'' of other powers over the executive power. It is precisely the power of the US president in the field of defense and security that is the subject of the treatment of this paper, which will be addressed beyond classical analyses based solely on his powers as commander in chief of the army. So, we will try to analyze all the powers, which in one way or another, can affect the defense and security policies.
Impact of ageing on postsynaptic neuronal nicotinic neurotransmission in auditory thalamus
Authors: Sottile Sarah Y. , Ling Lynne , Cox Brandon C. , Caspary Donald M.
Published: June 2017

Key points

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a fundamental role in the attentional circuitry throughout the mammalian CNS.

In the present study, we report a novel finding that ageing negatively impacts nAChR efficacy in auditory thalamus, and this is probably the result of a loss of nAChR density (Bmax) and changes in the subunit composition of nAChRs.

Our data support the hypothesis that age‐related maladaptive changes involving nAChRs within thalamocortical circuits partially underpin the difficulty that elderly adults experience with respect to attending to speech and other salient acoustic signals.

The flow of auditory information through the medial geniculate body (MGB) is regulated, in part, by cholinergic projections from the pontomesencephalic tegmentum. The functional significance of these projections is not fully established, although they have been strongly implicated in the allocation of auditory attention. Using in vitro slice recordings, we have analysed postsynaptic function and pharmacology of neuronal nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) in young adult and the aged rat MGB. We find that ACh produces significant excitatory postsynaptic actions on young MGB neurons, probably mediated by β2‐containing heteromeric nAChRs. Radioligand binding studies show a significant age‐related loss of heteromeric nAChR receptor number, which supports patch clamp data showing an age‐related loss in ACh efficacy in evoking postsynaptic responses. Use of the β2‐selective nAChR antagonist, dihydro‐β‐erythroidine, suggests that loss of cholinergic efficacy may also be the result of an age‐related subunit switch from high affinity β2‐containing nAChRs to low affinity β4‐containing nAChRs, in addition to the loss of total nAChR number. This age‐related nAChR dysfunction may partially underpin the attentional deficits that contribute to the loss of speech understanding in the elderly.
In Plane Mechanical Properties of Tetrachiral and Antitetrachiral Hybrid Metastructures
Authors: Li Huimin , Ma Yongbin , Wen Weibin , Wu Wenwang , Lei Hongshuai , Fang Daining
Published: June 2017

A novel tetrachiral and antitetrachiral hybrid metastructure is proposed, and its in-plane mechanical properties are studied through strain energy analysis. Based on rigid ring rotation assumption, the analytical expression for the in-plane modulus of anisotropic tetrachiral and antitetrachiral hybrid metastructure is derived, and in-plane tensile experimental test and finite element simulation are performed and compared with the theoretical models. The corresponding in-plane anisotropic mechanical properties can be tuned with three independent dimensionless geometrical parameters, and effects of dimensionless geometrical parameters on the in-plane mechanical properties are studied systematically. Finally, an innovative tetrachiral and antitetrachiral hybrid metastructure stent is designed, and its mechanical behaviors under uniaxial tensile loading are investigated. It is found that the designed tetrachiral and antitetrachiral hybrid stent shows negative Poisson ratio properties, and the axial and circumferential deformation can be controlled through adjusting the spacing of unit cell along axial and circumferential directions.
Technical, Economic, and Environmental Assessment of PEFC Power Generation System Using Surplus Hydrogen Produced From an Oil Refinery
Authors: Haneda Takahide , Akisawa Atsushi
Published: June 2017

The potential of an energy system that comprises hydrogen-fueled polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), a steam reformer, and a hydrogen storage tank, using surplus hydrogen produced from an oil refinery, was evaluated using a mathematical model based on linear programming. The aim of this study was to optimize the capacity of the hydrogen-fueled PEFC, the hydrogen production of the steam reformer, and the utilization amount of the hydrogen storage tank in order to minimize the total system cost. Based on the optimization results, the system cost reduction and CO2 emission reduction effects were calculated in relation to the power generation efficiency and the installation cost of the hydrogen-fueled PEFC. As a result, the conditions for the hydrogen-fueled PEFC where a system cost reduction could be achieved in the PEFC power generation system, compared with the conventional system, were shown to be an initial cost lower than 3000 $/kW for a power generation efficiency of 50% or an initial cost lower than 5000 $/kW for a power generation efficiency of 65%.
Rapid Identification of Different Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 Clades
Authors: Matsumura Yasufumi , Pitout Johann D. D. , Peirano Gisele , DeVinney Rebekah , Noguchi Taro , Yamamoto Masaki , Gomi Ryota , Matsuda Tomonari , Nakano Satoshi , Nagao Miki , Tanaka Michio , Ichiyama Satoshi
Published: June 2017

Escherichia coli
sequence type 131 (ST131) is a pandemic clonal lineage that is responsible for the global increase in fluoroquinolone resistance and extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) producers. The members of ST131 clade C, especially subclades C2 and C1-M27, are associated with ESBLs. We developed a multiplex conventional PCR assay with the ability to detect all ST131 clades (A, B, and C), as well as C subclades (C1-M27, C1-nM27 [C1-non-M27], and C2). To validate the assay, we used 80 ST131 global isolates that had been fully sequenced. We then used the assay to define the prevalence of each clade in two Japanese collections consisting of 460 ESBL-producing
E. coli
ST131 (2001-12) and 329
E. coli
isolates from extraintestinal sites (ExPEC) (2014). The assay correctly identified the different clades in all 80 global isolates: clades A (
n
= 12), B (
n
= 12), and C, including subclades C1-M27 (
n
= 16), C1-nM27 (
n
= 20), C2 (
n
= 17), and other C (
n
= 3). The assay also detected all 565 ST131 isolates in both collections without any false positives. Isolates from clades A (
n
= 54), B (
n
= 23), and C (
n
= 483) corresponded to the O serotypes and the
fimH
types of O16-H41, O25b-H22, and O25b-H30, respectively. Of the 483 clade C isolates, C1-M27 was the most common subclade (36%), followed by C1-nM27 (32%) and C2 (15%). The C1-M27 subclade with
bla
CTX-M-27
became especially prominent after 2009. Our novel multiplex PCR assay revealed the predominance of the C1-M27 subclade in recent Japanese ESBL-producing
E. coli
isolates and is a promising tool for epidemiological studies of ST131.
Menoctone Resistance in Malaria Parasites Is Conferred by M133I Mutations in Cytochrome
b
That Are Transmissible through Mosquitoes
Authors: Blake Lynn D. , Johnson Myles E. , Siegel Sasha V. , McQueen Adonis , Iyamu Iredia D. , Shaikh Abdul Kadar , Shultis Michael W. , Manetsch Roman , Kyle Dennis E.
Published: June 2017

Malaria-related mortality has slowly decreased over the past decade; however, eradication of malaria requires the development of new antimalarial chemotherapies that target liver stages of the parasite and combat the emergence of drug resistance. The diminishing arsenal of anti-liver-stage compounds sparked our interest in reviving the old and previously abandoned compound menoctone. In support of these studies, we developed a new convergent synthesis method that was facile, required fewer steps, produced better yields, and utilized less expensive reagents than the previously published method. Menoctone proved to be highly potent against liver stages of
Plasmodium berghei
(50 percent inhibitory concentration [IC
50
] = 0.41 nM) and erythrocytic stages of
Plasmodium falciparum
(113 nM). We selected for resistance to menoctone and found M133I mutations in cytochrome
b
of both
P. falciparum
and
P. berghei
. The same mutation has been observed previously in atovaquone resistance, and we confirmed cross-resistance between menoctone and atovaquone
in vitro
(for
P. falciparum
) and
in vivo
(for
P. berghei
). Finally, we assessed the transmission potential of menoctone-resistant
P. berghei
and found that the M133I mutant parasites were readily transmitted from mouse to mosquitoes and back to mice. In each step, the M133I mutation in cytochrome
b
, inducing menoctone resistance, was confirmed. In summary, this study is the first to show the mechanism of resistance to menoctone and that menoctone and atovaquone resistance is transmissible through mosquitoes.
Association betweenCOL11A1(rs1337185) andADAMTS5(rs162509) gene polymorphisms and lumbar spine pathologies in Chinese Han population: an observational study
Authors: Jiang Hua , Yang Qinghua , Jiang Jie , Zhan Xinli , Xiao Zengming
Published: June 2017

Objectives

A previous study identified a significant association between several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) in Indians. To validate the association between these SNPs and specific lumbar spine pathologies, we performed a case–control study in Chinese Han population.

Design

An observational study.

Setting

University Hospital in Nanning, China.

Participants

This study included 428 patients with LDD and 400 normal controls.

Outcome measures

Patients with LDD were classified into four subgroups, including disc herniation only (subgroup 1), discopathies or/and osteochondrosis associated with disc herniation (subgroup 2), spinal stenosis or/and spondylolisthesis (subgroup 3) and degenerative scoliosis (subgroup 4). This study was conducted by examining two aspects: environmental factors and SNP genotyping. The environmental factors were evaluated with a questionnaire survey including questions about body mass index, smoking habits, the physical demands of their job and exposure to vibrations. Rs1337185, rs5275, rs5277, rs7575934, rs3213718 and rs162509 were genotyped using a PCR-based invader assay.

Results

The physical workload was significantly higher in patients with lumbar spine pathologies than in the normal controls (p=0.035). The genotype and allele frequencies of rs1337185 and rs162509 were significantly different between the patients with LDD and the normal controls. In rs1337185, a significant association was found between the C allele (risk allele) and the presence of disc herniation (OR=1.80; 95% CI 1.21 to 2.68; p=0.003,adjustedp=0.012) and the presence of spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis (OR=1.92; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.89; p=0.001, adjusted p=0.004). In rs162509, the G allele represented 1.58-fold increased risk to suffer from disc herniation (OR=1.58; 95% CI 1.20 to 2.09; p=0.001, adjusted p=0.004).

Conclusion

The SNPs rs1337185 inCOL11A1and rs162509 inADAMTS5are associated with susceptibility to LDD. The C allele of rs1337185 is risky for patients who are affected by lumbar pathologies such as disc herniation, stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The G allele of rs16250 represents a risk factor for the development of disc herniation.
Effect of vitamin D3on the antimicrobial activity of human airway surface liquid: preliminary results of a randomised placebo-controlled double-blind trial
Authors: Vargas Buonfiglio Luis G , Cano Marlene , Pezzulo Alejandro A , Vanegas Calderon Oriana G , Zabner Joseph , Gerke Alicia K , Comellas Alejandro P
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Vitamin D3supplementation has been reported to prevent lung infections and increase the gene expression of antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin. We investigated the effect of vitamin D3supplementation on the antimicrobial activity of airway surface liquid (ASL) in human subjects. Since smoking can increase the risk of respiratory infections, we also investigated the effect of smoking in the cathelicidin response to vitamin D3in human airway epithelia in vitro.

Methods

This study is a subanalysis of single-centre community-based randomised placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Participants were randomised to receive 1000 international units per day of oral vitamin D3or identical placebo for 90 days. Blood and ASL samples were collected preintervention and postintervention. 105 participants were originally enrolled, 86 completed the trial, and due to low protein concentration in the samples, 40 participants were finally analysed. Our primary outcome was ASL antimicrobial activity. We also considered secondary outcomes including changes in serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3(25(OH)D3), 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D3, calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH). In addition, we studied the effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure to primary human airway epithelial cell cultures on the gene expression of cathelicidin in response to vitamin D3and expression of CYP27B1 (1-alpha hydroxylase), responsible for vitamin D3activation.

Results

Vitamin D3supplementation significantly increased both ASL antimicrobial activity and serum concentration of 25(OH)D3. In a subgroup analysis, we found that smokers did not increase their baseline antimicrobial activity in response to vitamin D3. Exposure to CSE on human airway epithelia decreased baseline CYP27B1 gene expression and cathelicidin response to 25(OH)D3.

Conclusion

Vitamin D3supplementation for 90 days increases ASL antimicrobial activity. Data from this preliminary study suggest that smoking may alter the ability of airway epithelia to activate vitamin D3and increase the gene expression of cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide.

Trial registration number

NCT01967628; Post-results.
Use of EHR-based simulation to diagnose aetiology of information gathering issues in struggling learners: a proof of concept study
Authors: Mohan Vishnu , Scholl Gretchen , Gold Jeffrey A
Published: June 2017

Learners who struggle with clinical decision making are often the most challenging to identify and remediate. While for some learners, struggles can be directly traced to a poor knowledge base, for many others, it is more difficult to understand the reason for their struggles. One of the main component of effective decision making is access to accurate and complete clinical information. The electronic health record (EHR) is the main source of clinical information and, with its widespread adoption, has come increased realisation that a large fraction of users have difficulty in effectively gathering and subsequently processing information out of the EHR. We previously documented that high-fidelity EHR-based simulation improves EHR usability and, when combined with eye and screen tracking, generates important measures of usability. We hypothesised that the same simulation exercise could help distinguish whether learners had difficulty in knowledge, information gathering or information processing. We report the results of the first three struggling learners who participated in this exercise. In each case, the simulation was able to ‘diagnose’ the aetiology for the learners’ struggle and assist in formulating an appropriate solution. We suggest that high-fidelity EHR-based simulation can be a powerful tool in the standard approach to understanding struggling learners.
Observational evidence for intermediate-mass black holes
Authors: Mezcua Mar
Published: June 2017

Intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs), with masses in the range [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M[Formula: see text], are the link between stellar-mass BHs and supermassive BHs (SMBHs). They are thought to be the seeds from which SMBHs grow, which would explain the existence of quasars with BH masses of up to 10[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M[Formula: see text] when the Universe was only 0.8 Gyr old. The detection and study of IMBHs has thus strong implications for understanding how SMBHs form and grow, which is ultimately linked to galaxy formation and growth, as well as for studies of the universality of BH accretion or the epoch of reionization. Proving the existence of seed BHs in the early Universe is not yet feasible with the current instrumentation; however, those seeds that did not grow into SMBHs can be found as IMBHs in the nearby Universe. In this review, I summarize the different scenarios proposed for the formation of IMBHs and gather all the observational evidence for the few hundreds of nearby IMBH candidates found in dwarf galaxies, globular clusters, and ultraluminous X-ray sources, as well as the possible discovery of a few seed BHs at high redshift. I discuss some of their properties, such as X-ray weakness and location in the BH mass scaling relations, and the possibility to discover IMBHs through high velocity clouds, tidal disruption events, gravitational waves, or accretion disks in active galactic nuclei. I finalize with the prospects for the detection of IMBHs with up-coming observatories.
Optimization of Machining Condition in WEDM for Titanium Grade 6 Using MOORA Coupled with PCA — A Multivariate Hybrid Approach
Authors: Majumder Himadri , Maity Kalipada
Published: June 2017

This paper represents a multivariate hybrid approach, combining Multi-Objective Optimization on the basis of Ratio Analysis (MOORA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to optimize different correlated responses during Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) process of titanium grade 6. The response parameters selected are the average cutting speed, average Kerf width and average surface roughness (Ra). All of them have been studied in terms of pulse-ON time, pulse-OFF time, wire feed and wire tension. As indicated by Taguchi’s signal-to-noise ratio, the optimum process parameters were achieved for the desired average cutting speed, average Kerf width and average surface roughness, respectively. At last, the optimum combination of process parameters was validated by affirmation test which gave considerably improved various quality characteristics. Confirmation test outcome revealed that multivariate hybrid approach MOORA coupled with PCA was a competent strategy to decide available cutting parameters for a desired response quality for WEDM of titanium grade 6.
Application of BSDE in Standard Inventory Financing Loan
Authors: Zhang Hui , Meng Wenyu , Wang Xiaojie , Zhang Jianwei
Published: June 2017

This paper examines the issue of loans obtained by the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from banks through the mortgage inventory of goods. And the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio which affects the loan business is a very critical factor. In this paper, we provide a general framework to determine a bank’s optimal loan-to-value (LTV) ratio when we consider the collateral value in the financial market with Knightian uncertainty. We assume that the short-term prices of the collateral follow a geometric Brownian motion. We use a set of equivalent martingale measures to build the models about a bank’s maximum and minimum levels of risk tolerance in an environment with Knightian uncertainty. The models about the LTV ratios are established with the bank’s maximum and minimum risk preferences. Applying backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs), we get the explicit solutions of the models. Applying the explicit solutions, we can obtain an interval solution for the optimal LTV ratio. Our numerical analysis shows that the LTV ratio in the Knightian uncertainty-neutral environment belongs to the interval solutions derived from the models.
A Novel Technique of Stenting of the Renal Artery In-Stent Restenosis with GuideLiner® through Radial Approach
Authors: Gedela Maheedhar , Li Shenjing , Stys Tomasz , Stys Adam
Published: June 2017

In-stent restenosis of the renal arteries is relatively common and its management is not well studied. An 83-year-old female with bilateral renal artery stenosis and balloon angioplasty and stenting bilaterally one year ago was found to have recurrent severe elevations in the blood pressure despite medical management. Renal artery duplex showed 60–99% stenosis of the right renal artery and 20–59% stenosis of the left renal artery. A subsequent angiography of the right renal artery revealed 80% in-stent restenosis at the ostium. We describe a new approach of balloon angioplasty and stenting through radial access site with the assistance of a GuideLiner in a complex in-stent restenosis of the renal artery.
Mechanisms Underlying Improvement in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome by Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Authors: Yamamoto Takahisa , Fujii Naoko , Nishimura Yoichi , Iwata Noboru , Nakata Seiichi
Published: June 2017

In a previous case report, we determined for the first time that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) does not change the volume of the upper airway but causes morphological changes in the entire upper airway. The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the improvement in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) by UPPP. We present an additional case involving a patient with OSAS treated using UPPP. Morphological and numerical parameter changes after surgery were compared with the corresponding preoperative values. Anatomically accurate upper airway computational models were reconstructed from computed tomographic imaging data. In addition, computed fluid dynamics analysis was performed to reveal inhalation flow characteristics before and after UPPP and clearly assess the effect of UPPP on airflow patterns in the patient’s upper airway. An important benefit of UPPP is the morphological changes in the entire upper airway, in addition to widening the restricted area. These morphological changes induce laminarization of the pharyngeal jet. To obtain sufficient efficacy of UPPP in OSAS, the morphological changes in the upper airway and the airflow pattern after the surgery must be controlled.
Relationship between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Hemoglobin Present in the Optic Nerve Head in Glaucoma
Authors: Gonzalez-Hernandez Marta , Sigut Saavedra Jose , Gonzalez de la Rosa Manuel
Published: June 2017

Purpose. To observe the relationship between topographic hemoglobin levels in the optic nerve head (ONH), the rim thickness (BMO-MRW), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.Methods.96 normal eyes and 82 glaucomas were examined using TOP strategy (Octopus 300 perimeter), SPECTRALIS OCT, and Laguna ONhE program which estimates hemoglobin from conventional color photographs (Horus Scope DEC 200 fundus camera).Results.The correlation between Laguna ONhE glaucoma discriminant function (GDF) and SPECTRALIS BMO-MRW wasR=0.81(P<0.0001), similar to that between the BMO-MRW and BMO-RNFL thicknesses (R=0.85,P<0.0001) (P=0.227between bothRvalues). GDF correlated well with RNFL thicknesses in the 360 degrees around the nerve, similar to mean perimetric sensitivity (MS) and BMO-MRW. The amount of hemoglobin in the nasal and temporal sectors showed low correlation with superior and inferior RNFL thicknesses. The superotemporal and inferotemporal sectors located on the vertical diameter of the disk showed good intercorrelation but without a clear RNFL topographic relationship.Conclusion.GDF showed high correlation with RNFL thickness. Except in the nasal and temporal sectors, ONH hemoglobin correlated well with RNFL thickness.
Anatomical and Functional Results Following 23-Gauge Primary Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: Superior versus Inferior Breaks
Authors: Stavrakas Panagiotis , Tranos Paris , Androu Angeliki , Xanthopoulou Paraskevi , Tsoukanas Dimitrios , Stamatiou Polixeni , Theodossiadis Panagiotis
Published: June 2017

Purpose. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the anatomical and functional outcomes of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment primarily treated with pars plana vitrectomy in regard to the location of the breaks. Methods. 160 eyes were enrolled in this study, divided into two groups based on break location: the superior break group (115 eyes) and the inferior break group (45 eyes). The main endpoint of our study was the anatomical success at 3 months following surgery.Results. Primary retinal reattachment was achieved in 96.5% of patients in group A and in 93.3% in group B (no statistically significant difference, OR 1.98, 95% CI: 0.4, 7.7). Mean BCVA change and intraoperative complication rate were also not statistically significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05, OR: 1.0, 95% CI: 0.9, 1.01, resp.). Statistical analyses showed that macula status, age, and preoperative BCVA had a significant effect on mean BCVA change (p=0.0001,p=0.005, andp=0.001, resp.).Conclusion. This study supports that acceptable reattachment rates can be achieved using PPV for uncomplicated RRD irrespective of the breaks location and inferior breaks do not constitute an independent risk factor for worse anatomical or functional outcome.
Analysis of Nonlinear Duopoly Games with Product Differentiation: Stability, Global Dynamics, and Control
Authors: Askar S. S. , Al-khedhairi A.
Published: June 2017

Many researchers have used quadratic utility function to study its influences on economic games with product differentiation. Such games include Cournot, Bertrand, and a mixed-type game called Cournot-Bertrand. Within this paper, a cubic utility function that is derived from a constant elasticity of substitution production function (CES) is introduced. This cubic function is more desirable than the quadratic one besides its amenability to efficiency analysis. Based on that utility a two-dimensional Cournot duopoly game with horizontal product differentiation is modeled using a discrete time scale. Two different types of games are studied in this paper. In the first game, firms are updating their output production using the traditional bounded rationality approach. In the second game, firms adopt Puu’s mechanism to update their productions. Puu’s mechanism does not require any information about the profit function; instead it needs both firms to know their production and their profits in the past time periods. In both scenarios, an explicit form for the Nash equilibrium point is obtained under certain conditions. The stability analysis of Nash point is considered. Furthermore, some numerical simulations are carried out to confirm the chaotic behavior of Nash equilibrium point. This analysis includes bifurcation, attractor, maximum Lyapunov exponent, and sensitivity to initial conditions.
Sliding Window Based Machine Learning System for the Left Ventricle Localization in MR Cardiac Images
Authors: Helwan Abdulkader , Uzun Ozsahin Dilber
Published: June 2017

The most commonly encountered problem in vision systems includes its capability to suffice for different scenes containing the object of interest to be detected. Generally, the different backgrounds in which the objects of interest are contained significantly dwindle the performance of vision systems. In this work, we design a sliding windows machine learning system for the recognition and detection of left ventricles in MR cardiac images. We leverage on the capability of artificial neural networks to cope with some of the inevitable scene constraints encountered in medical objects detection tasks. We train a backpropagation neural network on samples of left and nonleft ventricles. We reformulate the left ventricles detection task as a machine learning problem and employ an intelligent system (backpropagation neural network) to achieve the detection task. We treat the left ventricle detection problem as binary classification tasks by assigning collected left ventricle samples as one class, and random (nonleft ventricles) objects are the other class. The trained backpropagation neural network is validated to possess a good generalization power by simulating it with a test set. A recognition rate of 100% and 88% is achieved on the training and test set, respectively. The trained backpropagation neural network is used to determine if the sampled region in a target image contains a left ventricle or not. Lastly, we show the effectiveness of the proposed system by comparing the manual detection of left ventricles drawn by medical experts and the automatic detection by the trained network.
Expression and Clinical Significance of Cancer Stem Cell Markers CD24, CD44, and CD133 in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Durko L. , Wlodarski W. , Stasikowska-Kanicka O. , Wagrowska-Danilewicz M. , Danilewicz M. , Hogendorf P. , Strzelczyk J. , Malecka-Panas E.
Published: June 2017

Cancer stem cells (CSC) play an important role in pancreatic carcinogenesis and prognosis. The study aimed at examining the expression of CD24, CD44, and CD133 in human PDAC and CP in order to evaluate its clinicopathological correlations and the clinical significance. Surgical specimens from 23 patients with PDAC and 15 patients with chronic pancreatitis after pancreatic resection were stained with CD24, CD44, and CD133 antibodies. The intensity of staining was scored from 0 (negative) to 3 (strongly positive). Results. Mean CD24 staining score in PDAC was 1.38 ± 0.76 and was significantly higher than that in CP: 0.70 ± 0.53 (p<0.01); CD44 score in PDAC was 2.23 ± 0.42 and was significantly higher than that in CP: 1.87 ± 0.55 (p<0.05); CD133 score 0.93 ± 0.58 was not different from CP: 0.71 ± 0.43 (p>0.05). CD44 immunoreactivity was significantly higher (p<0.05) in pT1 and pT2 patients together as regards pT3: 2.45 ± 0.37 versus 2.06 ± 0.38 as well as in N0 patients compared to N1 patients: 2.5 ± 0.38 versus 2.04 ± 0.34. Conclusions. CD24 and CD44 are upregulated in human pancreatic cancer compared to chronic pancreatitis. CD44 immunoreactivity decreases with the tumor advancement and may represent the negative PDAC prognostic factor. Each CSC marker was differently related to PDAC advancement. CD133 may lack clinical significance in PDAC.
A Role of the ABCC4 Gene Polymorphism in Airway Inflammation of Asthmatics
Authors: Palikhe Sailesh , Uuganbayar Udval , Trinh Hoang Kim Tu , Ban Ga-Young , Yang Eun-Mi , Park Hae-Sim , Kim Seung-Hyun
Published: June 2017

The ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 4 gene encodes a transmembrane protein involved in the export of proinflammatory molecules, including leukotriene, prostaglandin, and sphingosine-1-phosphate across the plasma membrane. Those metabolites play important roles in asthma. We investigated the potential associations between ABCC4 gene polymorphisms and asthma phenotype. In total, 270 asthma patients and 120 normal healthy controls were enrolled for a genetic association study. Two polymorphisms (−1508A>G and −642C>G) in the ABCC4 promoter were genotyped. The functional variability of the promoter polymorphisms was analyzed by luciferase reporter assay. Inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum and urinary eicosanoid metabolites, sphingosine-1-phosphate, were evaluated by quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Asthma patients carrying the G allele at −1508A>G had significantly higher serum levels of periostin, myeloperoxidase, and urinary levels of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and sphingosine-1-phosphate (P=0.016, P=0.027, P=0.032, and P=0.010, resp.) compared with noncarrier asthma patients. Luciferase activity was significantly enhanced in human epithelial A549 cells harboring a construct containing the −1508G allele (P<0.01 for each) compared with a construct containing the −1508A allele. A functional polymorphism in the ABCC4 promoter, −1508A>G, may increase extracellular 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and periostin levels, contributing to airway inflammation in asthmatics.
The Leukemic Stem Cell Niche: Adaptation to “Hypoxia” versus Oncogene Addiction
Authors: Cheloni Giulia , Poteti Martina , Bono Silvia , Masala Erico , Mazure Nathalie M. , Rovida Elisabetta , Lulli Matteo , Dello Sbarba Persio
Published: June 2017

Previous studies based on low oxygen concentrations in the incubation atmosphere revealed that metabolic factors govern the maintenance of normal hematopoietic or leukemic stem cells (HSC and LSC). The physiological oxygen concentration in tissues ranges between 0.1 and 5.0%. Stem cell niches (SCN) are placed in tissue areas at the lower end of this range (“hypoxic” SCN), to which stem cells are metabolically adapted and where they are selectively hosted. The data reported here indicated that driver oncogenic proteins of several leukemias are suppressed following cell incubation at oxygen concentration compatible with SCN physiology. This suppression is likely to represent a key positive regulator of LSC survival and maintenance (self-renewal) within the SCN. On the other hand, LSC committed to differentiation, unable to stand suppression because of addiction to oncogenic signalling, would be unfit to home in SCN. The loss of oncogene addiction in SCN-adapted LSC has a consequence of crucial practical relevance: the refractoriness to inhibitors of the biological activity of oncogenic protein due to the lack of their molecular target. Thus, LSC hosted in SCN are suited to sustain the long-term maintenance of therapy-resistant minimal residual disease.
Analysis of Urine Flow in Three Different Ureter Models
Authors: Kim Kyung-Wuk , Choi Young Ho , Lee Seung Bae , Baba Yasutaka , Kim Hyoung-Ho , Suh Sang-Ho
Published: June 2017

The ureter provides a way for urine to flow from the kidney to the bladder. Peristalsis in the ureter partially forces the urine flow, along with hydrostatic pressure. Ureteral diseases and a double J stent, which is commonly inserted in a ureteral stenosis or occlusion, disturb normal peristalsis. Ineffective or no peristalsis could make the contour of the ureter a tube, a funnel, or a combination of the two. In this study, we investigated urine flow in the abnormal situation. We made three different, curved tubular, funnel-shaped, and undulated ureter models that were based on human anatomy. A numerical analysis of the urine flow rate and pattern in the ureter was performed for a combination of the three different ureters, with and without a ureteral stenosis and with four different types of double J stents. The three ureters showed a difference in urine flow rate and pattern. Luminal flow rate was affected by ureter shape. The side holes of a double J stent played a different role in detour, which depended on ureter geometry.
Proinflammatory Cytokines IL-6 and TNF-αIncreased Telomerase Activity through NF-κB/STAT1/STAT3 Activation, and Withaferin A Inhibited the Signaling in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Chung Seyung S. , Wu Yong , Okobi Quincy , Adekoya Debbie , Atefi Mohammad , Clarke Orette , Dutta Pranabananda , Vadgama Jaydutt V.
Published: June 2017

There are increasing evidences of proinflammatory cytokine involvement in cancer development. Here, we found that two cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α, activated colorectal cancer cells to be more invasive and stem-like. Combined treatment of IL-6 and TNF-αphosphorylated transcription factors STAT3 in a synergistic manner. STAT3, STAT1, and NF-κB physically interacted upon the cytokine stimulation. STAT3 was bound to the promoter region of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). IL-6 and TNF-αstimulation further enhanced STAT3 binding affinity. Stem cell marker Oct-4 was upregulated in colorectal cancer cells upon IL-6 and TNF-αstimulation. Withaferin A, an anti-inflammatory steroidal lactone, inhibited the IL-6- and TNF-α-induced cancer cell invasion and decreased colonosphere formation. Notably, withaferin A inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and abolished the STAT3, STAT1, and NF-κB interactions. Oct-4 expression was also downregulated by withaferin A inhibition. The binding of STAT3 to the hTERT promoter region and telomerase activity showed reduction with withaferin A treatments. Proinflammatory cytokine-induced cancer cell invasiveness is mediated by a STAT3-regulated mechanism in colorectal cancer cells. Our data suggest that withaferin A could be a promising anticancer agent that effectively inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer.
Cell Connections by Tunneling Nanotubes: Effects of Mitochondrial Trafficking on Target Cell Metabolism, Homeostasis, and Response to Therapy
Authors: Vignais Marie-Luce , Caicedo Andrés , Brondello Jean-Marc , Jorgensen Christian
Published: June 2017

Intercellular communications play a major role in tissue homeostasis and responses to external cues. Novel structures for this communication have recently been described. These tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) consist of thin-extended membrane protrusions that connect cells together. TNTs allow the cell-to-cell transfer of various cellular components, including proteins, RNAs, viruses, and organelles, such as mitochondria. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are both naturally present and recruited to many different tissues where their interaction with resident cells via secreted factors has been largely documented. Their immunosuppressive and repairing capacities constitute the basis for many current clinical trials. MSCs recruited to the tumor microenvironment also play an important role in tumor progression and resistance to therapy. MSCs are now the focus of intense scrutiny due to their capacity to form TNTs and transfer mitochondria to target cells, either in normal physiological or in pathological conditions, leading to changes in cell energy metabolism and functions, as described in this review.
Effect of Intranasal Calcitonin in a Patient with McCune-Albright Syndrome, Fibrous Dysplasia, and Refractory Bone Pain
Authors: Fighera Tayane Muniz , Spritzer Poli Mara
Published: June 2017

McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is a rare disease defined by the triad of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of bone, café-au-lait skin spots, and precocious puberty. No available treatment is effective in changing the course of fibrous dysplasia of bone, but symptomatic patients require therapeutic support to reduce bone pain and prevent fractures and deformities. We report the case of a 27-year-old woman with MAS and severe fibrous dysplasia. She was diagnosed with MAS at 4 years of age and, during follow-up, she had multiple pathological fractures and bone pain refractory to treatment with bisphosphonates, tricyclic antidepressants, and opioids. The pain was incapacitating and the patient required a wheelchair. Intranasal calcitonin was then started, and, 30 days later, the patient already showed significant improvement in pain severity at the affected sites. After 3 months, she was able to walk without assistance. No adverse effects were observed, nor were any significant changes in serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase. Calcitonin has a well-recognized analgesic effect on bone tissue. Despite the small number of studies involving patients with MAS, calcitonin may be considered a short-term therapeutic option in cases of severe and refractory bone pain.
The Discrete Wavelet Transform and Its Application for Noise Removal in Localized Corrosion Measurements
Authors: Ramos Rogelio , Valdez-Salas Benjamin , Zlatev Roumen , Schorr Wiener Michael , Bastidas Rull Jose María
Published: June 2017

The present work discusses the problem of induced external electrical noise as well as its removal from the electrical potential obtained from Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET) in the pitting corrosion process of aluminum alloy A96061 in 3.5% NaCl. An accessible and efficient solution of this problem is presented with the use of virtual instrumentation (VI), embedded systems, and the discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The DWT is a computational algorithm for digital processing that allows obtaining electrical noise with Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) superior to those obtained with Lock-In Amplifier equipment. The results show that DWT and the threshold method are efficient and powerful alternatives to carry out electrical measurements of potential signals from localized corrosion processes measured by SVET.
Inherited Variation in Cytokine, Acute Phase Response, and Calcium Metabolism Genes Affects Susceptibility to Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Ponasenko Anastasia V. , Kutikhin Anton G. , Khutornaya Maria V. , Rutkovskaya Natalia V. , Kondyukova Natalia V. , Odarenko Yuri N. , Kazachek Yana V. , Tsepokina Anna V. , Barbarash Leonid S. , Yuzhalin Arseniy E.
Published: June 2017

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a septic inflammation of the endocardium. Recognition of microbial patterns, cytokine and acute phase responses, hemostasis features, and alterations in plasma lipid and calcium profile all have been reported to affect pathogenesis and clinical course of IE. Having recruited 123 patients with IE and 300 age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched healthy blood donors, we profiled their genomic DNA for 35 functionally significant polymorphisms within the 22 selected genes involved in the abovementioned pathways, with the further genetic association analysis. We found that the G/A genotype of the rs1143634 polymorphism within the IL1B gene, the G/T genotype of the rs3212227 polymorphism within the IL12B gene, the A/G genotype of the rs1130864 polymorphism within the CRP gene, and the G allele of the rs1801197 polymorphism within the CALCR gene were associated with a decreased risk of IE whereas the T/T genotype of the rs1205 polymorphism within the CRP gene was associated with a higher risk of IE. Furthermore, heterozygous genotypes of the rs1143634 and rs3212227 polymorphisms were associated with the higher plasma levels of IL-1β and IL-12, respectively. Our results indicate that inherited variation in the cytokine, acute phase response, and calcium metabolism pathways may be linked to IE.
Repeatability and Reproducibility of Intraocular Pressure and Dynamic Corneal Response Parameters Assessed by the Corvis ST
Authors: Lopes Bernardo T. , Roberts Cynthia J. , Elsheikh Ahmed , Vinciguerra Riccardo , Vinciguerra Paolo , Reisdorf Sven , Berger Stefanie , Koprowski Robert , Ambrósio Renato
Published: June 2017

Purpose. To assess the repeatability and reproducibility of dynamic corneal response parameters measured by the Corvis ST (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). Methods. One eye randomly selected from 32 healthy volunteers was examined by the Corvis ST. Three different devices were used in an alternated random order for taking three measurements at each device in each subject. Standard intraocular pressure (IOP), the biomechanical-compensated IOP (bIOP), and DCR parameters were evaluated. The within-subject standard deviation (ζw) and coefficient of variation (CV) were assessed. Results. Regarding pressure indices, the ζw was below 1 mmHg for repeatability (0.98 for IOP and 0.89 for bIOP) and the CV was 6.6% for IOP and 6.1% for bIOP. For reproducibility, the ζw was around 1 mmHg (1.12 for IOP and 1.05 for bIOP) and the CV was 7.6% for IOP and 7.1% for bIOP. Most of DCR indices presented CV for repeatability below 4%. For reproducibility, the CV of most of the indices were below 6%. The deformation amplitude (DA) ratio in 1 mm and integrated radius were below 4% (1.2% and 3.8%, resp.). Conclusions. The Corvis ST showed good precision (repeatability and reproducibility) for IOP measurements and for DCR in healthy eyes.
Influence of Dietary Factors onHelicobacter pyloriand CagA Seroprevalence in Bulgaria
Authors: Yordanov Daniel , Boyanova Lyudmila , Markovska Rumyana , Ilieva Juliana , Andreev Nikolay , Gergova Galina , Mitov Ivan
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to assess the association between some dietary factors and prevalence ofH. pyloriinfection or strain virulence in 294 adult asymptomatic blood donors.Methods. Seroprevalence was evaluated using ELISA. Logistic regression was used.Results. Anti-H. pyloriIgG prevalence was 72.4%, and CagA IgG seroprevalence was 49.3%. In the multivariate analyses, the frequent (>5 days per week) honey consumption was associated with both reducedH. pyloriseroprevalence OR, 0.68 with 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.473–0.967 and reduced CagA IgG seroprevalence OR, 0.65 with 95% CI, 0.486–0859. Frequent (>5 days per week) yoghurt consumption also was associated with lowerH. pylorivirulence of the strains (CagA IgG OR, 0.56 with 95% CI, 0.341–0.921). Smoking and consumption of the other dietary factors resulted in no significant differences in the prevalence ofH. pyloriIgG and CagA IgG within the subject groups.Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report revealing reverse associations between honey or yoghurt consumption and CagA IgG prevalence as well as between frequent honey consumption and lower prevalence of theH. pyloriinfection. Regular honey and yoghurt consumption can be of value as a supplement in the control ofH. pyloritherapy.
The Effects of Nonperforming Loans on Dynamic Network Bank Performance
Authors: Liu Day-Yang , Wu Ya-Chiang , Lin Cheng-Hsien , Lu Wen-Min
Published: June 2017

This paper is to explore the relationship between banks’ performance and their nonperforming loans (NPLs). The banks’ performance through a network production process structure with NPLs is developed. With increasing NPLs in recent years, the quality of lending assets is a key significant and influencing factor for banks’ operational risk. The research methodology is to integrate the radial and nonradial measures of efficiency into the network production process framework with NPLs; this study utilizes network epsilon-based measure model to evaluate the banking industry performance. In addition, the key characteristics of the bank industry including those of financial holding companies and privatized government banks are needed to be figured out and to provide insight into what causes imperfectly competitive conditions for some banks. The results demonstrate that the banking sector grew consistently in three aspects of operation: operating performance, profitability performance, and risk management in the last five years of the subject period. These results showed that the overall banking sector was capable of pursuing growth in both operations and profits while accounting for risk management. The potential applications and strengths of network data envelopment analysis in assessing financial organizations are also highlighted.