bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capturing the Impact of Unobserved Sector‐Wide Shocks on Stock Returns with Panel Data Model
Authors: Hong KiHoon Jimmy , Peng Bin , Zhang Xiaohui
Published: August 2015

Unobserved sector‐wide common shocks cause the issue of cross‐sectional dependence (CSD) in panel data modelling of stock returns. In this study we apply two econometric techniques: the seemingly unrelated regression approach and a Bayesian estimator for panel data models with factor structural errors, to allow for CSD within a particular sector. By applying these models to monthly stock returns of S&P100 companies from six sectors over 10 years, we can capture and measure the heterogeneous impacts of not only observed individual company accounting fundamentals and market‐wide common shocks, but also unobservable sector‐wide common shocks. Results from the empirical study show that the impacts from both observed factors and unobserved sector‐wide common shocks vary markedly across companies. After controlling for observed accounting fundamentals and market‐wide common factors, a considerable proportion of the variation in stock returns can be attributed to unobservable sector‐wide common shocks.
Hydrocellular foam dressing increases the leptin level in wound fluid
Authors: Yoshino Sawako , Nakagami Gojiro , Ohira Tomomi , Kawasaki Rui , Shimura Mari , Iwatsuki Ken , Sanada Hiromi , Kobayashi‐Hattori Kazuo , Oishi Yuichi , Yamane Takumi
Published: August 2015

Hydrocellular foam dressing (HCF) absorbs excessive wound fluid, which contains various cytokines and growth factors, and ensures a moist environment to promote wound healing. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the wound fluid component changes induced by HCF are poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the effect of HCF on wound healing and the associated regulatory mechanisms in relation to variations in cytokine levels in the wound fluid. We created full‐thickness wounds on the dorsolateral skin of rats and collected the resulting wound fluid samples. HCF was immersed in a plate containing the wound fluids. HCF was then removed and the excess wound fluid remaining in the plate was examined by cytokine array and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. We also used a rat model and human dermal fibroblast cultures to examine the effect of wound fluid component changes during the wound healing process. Upon treatment with HCF, leptin levels were upregulated in the wound fluid. Fibroblast proliferation was enhanced and the effect was suppressed in the presence of leptin antagonist. In our in vivo model, HCF increased wound contraction compared with film dressings and this positive effect of HCF was suppressed by addition of leptin antagonist. Our results suggest that dermal fibroblast proliferation is upregulated by HCF due to increased leptin level at the wound surface, and these effects promote wound healing. We believe that the present study contributes to furthering the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of HCF‐induced wound healing.
Creation of Highly Defined Mesenchymal Stem Cell Patterns in Three Dimensions by Laser-Assisted Bioprinting
Authors: Pagès Emeline , Rémy Murielle , Kériquel Virginie , Correa Manuela Medina , Guillotin Bertrand , Guillemot Fabien
Published: August 2015

Bioprinting is a technology that allows making complex tissues from the bottom-up. The need to control accurately both the resolution of the printed droplet and the precision of its positioning was reported. Using a bioink with 1 × 108 cells/mL, we present evidence that the laser-assisted bioprinter (LAB) can deposit droplets of functional mesenchymal stem cells with a resolution of 138 ± 28 μm and a precision of 16 ± 13 μm. We demonstrate that this high printing definition is maintained in three dimensions.
Assessment of T-History Method Variants to Obtain Enthalpy–Temperature Curves for Phase Change Materials With Significant Subcooling
Authors: D’Avignon Katherine , Kummert Michaël
Published: August 2015

To assess the potential of thermal energy storage systems using phase change materials (PCMs), numerical simulations rely on an enthalpy–temperature curve (or equivalent specific heat curve) to model the PCM thermal storage behavior. The so-called “T-history method” can be used to obtain an enthalpy–temperature curve (H versus T) through conventional laboratory equipment and a simple experimental procedure. Different data processing variants of the T-history method have been proposed yet no systematic comparison between these versions exists in the literature nor is there a consensus as to which should be used to obtain reliable enthalpy–temperature curves. In this paper, an inorganic salt hydrate is tested in both heating and cooling. Four different data processing variants of the T-history method are used to characterize the PCM and produce enthalpy–temperature curves for this original experimental data set. Differences in the results produced by the different methods are discussed, the issues encountered are indicated, and possible approaches to overcome these problems are provided. A specific variant is recommended when using the T-history method to determine enthalpy–temperature curves. For PCMs that exhibit subcooling, an alternative interpretation using an absolute temperature interval is described so that the subcooling phase is taken into account in the enthalpy–temperature curve.
A targeted real-time early warning score (TREWScore) for septic shock
Authors: Henry Katharine E. , Hager David N. , Pronovost Peter J. , Saria Suchi
Published: August 2015

TREWScore, a targeted early warning score for septic shock, identifies patients who develop septic shock before the onset of sepsis-related organ failure.
Deficient Natural Killer Dendritic Cell Responses Underlay the Induction of Theiler's Virus-Induced Autoimmunity
Authors: Chastain Emily M. L. , Getts Daniel R. , Miller Stephen D.
Published: August 2015

The initiating events in autoimmune disease remain to be completely understood, but it is thought that genetic predisposition synergizes with “environmental” factors, including viral infection, leading to disease. One elegant animal model used to study the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis that perfectly blends genetics and environmental components in the context of virus-induced autoimmunity is Theiler's murine encephalitis virus-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD). TMEV-infected disease-susceptible SJL/J mice develop a persistent central nervous system (CNS) infection and later develop autoimmune demyelination, while disease-resistant C57BL/6 (B6) mice rapidly clear the infection and develop no autoimmune pathology. Mice of the (B6 × SJL/J)F1cross between these two mouse strains are classified as intermediately susceptible. We employed this model to investigate if rapid virus clearance in B6 versus SJL/J mice was perhaps related to differences in the innate immune response in the CNS of the two strains in the first few days following intracerebral virus inoculation. Here we show that SJL/J mice lack, in addition to NK cells, a novel innate immune subset known as natural killer dendritic cells (NKDCs), which express phenotypic markers (CD11cintNK1.1+) and functional activity of both NK cells and DCs. These NKDCs are activated in the periphery and migrate into the infected CNS in a very late antigen 4 (VLA-4)-dependent fashion. Most significantly, NKDCs are critical for CNS clearance of TMEV, as transfer of NKDCs purified from B6 mice into TMEV-IDD-susceptible (B6 × SJL/J)F1mice promotes viral clearance. Together the findings of this work show for the first time a link between NKDCs, viral infection, and CNS autoimmunity.

IMPORTANCEViral infection is an important cofactor, along with genetic susceptibility, in the initiation of a variety of organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Thus, in-depth understanding of how virus infections trigger autoimmunity may lead to novel ways to prevent or treat these diseases. Theiler's murine encephalitis virus-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD) serves as an important model for the human T cell-mediated autoimmune demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis. Induction of TMEV-IDD is genetically controlled as SJL/J mice develop persistent central nervous system (CNS) infection leading to chronic autoimmune demyelination, while C57BL/6 mice rapidly clear virus and are disease resistant. We determined that, as opposed to resistant B6 mice, disease-susceptible SJL/J mice lacked a unique innate immune population, the natural killer dendritic cell (NKDC), which was shown to play a critical role in early CNS virus clearance via its ability to both present virus antigen to T cells and to lyse target cells.
Multidisciplinary approach for management of a patient with fibrous dysplasia of maxilla
Authors: Eachempati Prashanti , Aggarwal Himanshi , Shenoy Vidya , Baliga Mohan
Published: August 2015

Fibrous dysplasia is a non-neoplastic hamartomatous developmental fibro-osseous lesion of bone. Monostotic fibrous dysplasia is more common than the polyostotic form and usually involves jaw bones, ribs and femur. Maxillary lesions may extend to involve the maxillary sinus, zygoma, sphenoid bone and floor of the orbit and require surgical intervention resulting in an acquired defect of the involved site. A multidisciplinary team approach involving an oral pathologist, oral surgeon, oral medicine expert and maxillofacial prosthodontist is required for successful treatment and rehabilitation of such patients. This article describes a case of a patient with fibrous dysplasia of the left maxilla, which was successfully managed by integrating surgical intervention and postoperative rehabilitation, with a surgical obturator and an interim partial denture prosthesis that successfully limited the detrimental effects of surgery, and helped the patient in resocialisation, thereby improving her quality of life.
Much more than anxiety…
Authors: Teixeira Joana , Almeida Marta , Afonso Mariana , Pinto Armando
Published: August 2015

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are rare neuroendocrine tumours in paediatric ages. We report a case of a 14-year-old girl referred to our oncology centre due to an abdominal mass. She had an 11-month history of paroxysmal episodes of headache, nausea, dizziness, palpitations and visual disturbances. Imaging studies showed a left paravertebral mass measuring 5.8×4.6×3.5 cm. Metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy revealed an abnormal hyperfixation on the left upper quadrant. Chromogranin A was elevated, as well as normetanephrine. The patient was submitted to surgery during which a connection between this mass and the adrenal gland was found. A diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was performed.
Glycated haemoglobin A1c is associated with low-grade albuminuria in Chinese adults
Authors: Huang Xiaolin , Zhou Yulin , Xu Baihui , Sun Wanwan , Lin Lin , Sun Jichao , Xu Min , Lu Jieli , Bi Yufang , Wang Weiqing , Xu Yu , Ning Guang
Published: August 2015

Background and objective

Diabetes is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, whereas few studies have investigated simultaneously the associations of glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (fasting plasma glucose (FPG)) and 2 h postload blood glucose (2 h PG) with low-grade albuminuria, which is an earlier marker of cardiovascular diseases in the general population. Our study aimed to investigate and compare associations of HbA1c, FPG, and 2 h PG levels with risks of low-grade albuminuria in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Design and methods

This was a cross-sectional study involving 9188 participants aged 40 years or older. All participants underwent a standard 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Low-grade albuminuria was defined as the highest quartile of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) (>6.10 mg/g in males and >8.76 mg/g in females) in respondents without microalbuminuria or macroalbuminuria.

Results

HbA1c, FPG and 2 h PG were all significantly correlated with urinary ACR after adjustment for confounders (all p values <0.0001). After adjustment for HbA1c, the relationships of FPG and 2 h PG with ACR reduced to null. HbA1c levels were still significantly associated with ACR after further adjustment for FPG and 2 h PG. Multiple logistic regression showed that risks of low-grade albuminuria were positively associated with HbA1c levels in a dose–response manner. Compared with participants with HbA1c ≤37 mmol/mol (5.5%), ORs (95% CIs) for low-grade albuminuria were 1.05 (0.94 to 1.18), 1.25 (1.04 to 1.50), 1.40 (1.04 to 1.90) and 2.21 (1.61 to 3.03) for HbA1c categories of 38–42 mmol/mol (5.6–6.0%), 43–48 mmol/mol (6.1–6.5%), 49–53 mmol/mol (6.6–7.0%), and >53 mmol/mol (7.0%), respectively (pfor trend<0.0001).

Conclusions

HbA1c, but not FPG or 2 h PG, was independently associated with an increased risk of low-grade albuminuria in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese.
Pancreatic cancer: current management and treatment strategies
Authors: Gall Tamara M H , Tsakok Maria , Wasan Harpreet , Jiao Long R
Published: August 2015

The 5-year survival of patients with pancreatic cancer is poor and, despite oncological advances over the past two decades, has not significantly improved. However, there have been several surgical and oncological advances which have improved morbidity and mortality in surgery and more efficacious chemotherapy regimens, resulting in a better patient experience and an increase in survival by a number of months. Most patients have a tumour at the head of the pancreas and those with resectable disease undergo a pancreaticoduodenectomy, which can be performed laparoscopically. Those who have a pancreatic resection have an increased survival in comparison with those receiving oncological treatment only; however, only a quarter of patients have resectable disease at diagnosis. Some centres are now performing venous resections and/or arterial resections in order to increase the number of patients eligible for curative surgery. Innovative techniques using ablation technologies to downstage tumours for resection are also being investigated. After surgery, all patients should be offered adjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. Those with locally advanced tumours not suitable for surgery should be offered FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy, after which the tumour may be suitable for surgical resection. The use of radiotherapy in this group of patients is controversial but offered by a few centres. Patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis should also be offered FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy, which can improve survival by a few months. As our knowledge of the tumour biology of pancreatic cancer progresses, a number of new agents targeting specific genes and proteins are under investigation and there is hope that median survival will continue to improve over the next decade.
Some Binomial and Trinomial Differentially 4-Uniform Permutation Polynomials
Authors: Zhu Xishun , Zeng Xiangyong , Chen Yuan
Published: August 2015

Permutation polynomials with low differential uniformity are important candidate functions to design substitution boxes of block ciphers. In this paper, we investigate several classes of differential 4-uniform binomial and trinomial permutation polynomials over the finite field [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] elements.
Shortest, Fastest, and Foremost Broadcast in Dynamic Networks
Authors: Casteigts Arnaud , Flocchini Paola , Mans Bernard , Santoro Nicola
Published: August 2015

Highly dynamic networks rarely offer end-to-end connectivity at a given time. Yet, connectivity in these networks can be established over time and space, based on temporal analogues of multi-hop paths (also called journeys). Attempting to optimize the selection of the journeys in these networks naturally leads to the study of three cases: shortest (minimum hop), fastest (minimum duration), and foremost (earliest arrival) journeys. Efficient centralized algorithms exists to compute all cases, when the full knowledge of the network evolution is given.

In this paper, we study the distributed counterparts of these problems, i.e. shortest, fastest, and foremost broadcast with termination detection (TDB), with minimal knowledge on the topology. We show that the feasibility of each of these problems requires distinct features on the evolution, through identifying three classes of dynamic graphs wherein the problems become gradually feasible: graphs in which the re-appearance of edges is recurrent (class [Formula: see text]), bounded-recurrent ([Formula: see text]), or periodic ([Formula: see text]), together with specific knowledge that are respectively n (the number of nodes), Δ (a bound on the recurrence time), and p (the period). In these classes it is not required that all pairs of nodes get in contact — only that the overall footprint of the graph is connected over time.

Our results, together with the strict inclusion between [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], implies a feasibility order among the three variants of the problem, i.e. TDB[foremost] requires weaker assumptions on the topology dynamics than TDB[shortest], which itself requires less than TDB[fastest]. Reversely, these differences in feasibility imply that the computational powers of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] also form a strict hierarchy.
Terahertz Sensing Technology
Authors: Shur Michael
Published: August 2015

Sensing applications of THz technology include applications for space exploration, detection of concealed objects, explosive identification, and THz cancer detection. This paper will review these and other emerging applications and existing and potential THz sources and detectors, including photonic and electronic THz devices, such as plasmonic field effect transistors capable of detecting and emitting THz radiation. Plasma wave electronics devices demonstrated THz detection using GaAs-based and GaN-based HEMTs, Si MOS, SOI, and FINFETs and FET arrays. This technology has potential to become a dominant THz electronics technology.
Moduli of decorated swamps on a smooth projective curve
Authors: Beck N.
Published: August 2015

In order to unify the construction of the moduli space of vector bundles with different types of global decorations, such as Higgs bundles, framed vector bundles and conic bundles, A. H. W. Schmitt introduced the concept of a swamp. In this work, we consider vector bundles with both a global and a local decoration over a fixed point of the base. This generalizes the notion of parabolic vector bundles, vector bundles with a level structure and parabolic Higgs bundles. We introduce a notion of stability and construct the coarse moduli space for these objects as the GIT-quotient of a parameter space. In the case of parabolic vector bundles and vector bundles with a level structure our stability concept reproduces the known ones. Thus, our work unifies the construction of their moduli spaces.
Chemical Constituents, Quality Control, and Bioactivity of Epimedii Folium (Yinyanghuo)
Authors: Chen Xiao-Jia , Tang Zheng-Hai , Li Xi-Wen , Xie Cai-Xiang , Lu Jin-Jian , Wang Yi-Tao
Published: August 2015

Epimedii Folium (Yinyanghuo in Chinese) is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines. Its main active components are flavonoids, which exhibit multiple biological activities, such as promotion of bone formation and sexual function, protection of the nervous system, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Flavonoids also show anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Various effective methods, including genetic and chemical approaches, have been developed for the quality control of Yinyanghuo. In this review, the studies conducted in the last decade about the chemical constituents, quality control, and bioactivity of Yinyanghuo are summarized and discussed.
Cnidium monnieri: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemical and Ethnopharmacological Properties
Authors: Li Yi-Min , Jia Min , Li Hua-Qiang , Zhang Nai-Dan , Wen Xian , Rahman Khalid , Zhang Qiao-Yan , Qin Lu-Ping
Published: August 2015

Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss., an annual plant of the Umbelliferae species is one of the most widely used traditional herbal medicines and its fruits have been used to treat a variety of diseases in China, Vietnam, and Japan. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and contraindication of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss. and to provide future directions of research on this plant. To date, 350 compounds have been isolated and identified from Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss., including the main active constituent, coumarins. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that osthole and other coumarin compounds possess wide range of pharmacological properties for the treatment of female genitals, male impotence, frigidity, skin-related diseases, and exhibit strong antipruritic, anti-allergic, antidermatophytic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-osteoporotic effects. Although coumarins have been identified as the main active constituents responsible for the observed pharmacological effects, the molecular mechanisms of their actions are still unknown. Therefore, further studies are still required to reveal the structure–activity relationship of these active constituents. In addition, toxicological and clinical studies are also required to provide further data for pharmaceutical use.
Neural Network-Based Approach for Face Recognition Across Varying Pose
Authors: Shahdi Seyed Omid , Abu-Bakar S. A. R.
Published: August 2015

At present, frontal or even near frontal face recognition problem is no longer considered as a challenge. Recently, the shift has been to improve the recognition rate for the nonfrontal face. In this work, a neural network paradigm based on the radial basis function approach is proposed to tackle the challenge of recognizing faces in different poses. Exploiting the symmetrical properties of human face, our work takes the advantage of the existence of even half of the face. The strategy is to maximize the linearity relationship based on the local information of the face rather than on the global information. To establish the relationship, our proposed method employs discrete wavelet transform and multi-color uniform local binary pattern (ULBP) in order to obtain features for the local information. The local information will then be represented by a single vector known as the face feature vector. This face feature vector will be used to estimate the frontal face feature vector which will be used for matching with the actual vector. With such an approach, our proposed method relies on a database that contains only single frontal face images. The results shown in this paper demonstrate the robustness of our proposed method even at low-resolution conditions.
Omnidirectional Surveillance System Featuring Trespasser and Faint Detection for i-Habitat
Authors: Wong Wai Kit , Fo Joshua Shin-Ton
Published: August 2015

This paper proposed an efficient omnidirectional surveillance system for i-habitat (intelligent habitat or smart home in another name) security. In this surveillance system, the omnidirectional scenes in a room, kitchen, balcony, dining hall, corridor, garage or backyard within an i-habitat are first captured using wireless webcam attached to a specially designed hyperbolic optical mirror. The captured scenes are then fed into a wireless router connected to laptop computer for image processing and alarm purposes. A mapping algorithm is developed to match the captured omnidirectional image into panoramic image, hence providing the observer or image processing tools a complete wide angle of view. An efficient trespasser detection algorithm is designed for trespasser detection purpose, and an efficient faint detection algorithm is designed to identify/monitor if there is any member who stay in i-habitat (old-folks or ill-patients) who fall down or faint and thus, immediate attention can be carried out. Based on the experimental findings, both the proposed trespasser and faint detection algorithm achieves high accuracy.
Ab initioand DFT studies on the structures, binding energies and nature of bonds in X2Y3metal clusters (X+=Li+,Na+andK+; ${\rm Y}_{3}^{2-} = {\rm Zn}_{3}^{2-}, {\rm Cd}_{3}^{2-}$ and ${\rm Hg}_{3}^{2-}$)
Authors: Hatami Masoud , Bayat Mehdi , Keypour Hassan , Salehzadeh Sadegh
Published: August 2015

A comprehensive theoretical study on the structure and stability of linear and triangular isomers of anionic clusters of zinc, cadmium and mercury [Formula: see text] and their binding with one and two alkali metal cations ( X+= Li+, Na+, K+) has been investigated at the density functional (BP86 and B3LYP) and ab initio (MP2, MP4and coupled cluster single and double (CCSD)) methods. The results showed that in all cases, the triangular geometry with D3hsymmetry is more stable than linear one. The calculated values of interaction energies (IE) between [Formula: see text] anions and two X+cations, Wiberg bond indices (WBI) and the electron densities at bond critical points (BCP), ρ(BCP), for Y–X bonds show that among all complexes investigated here at all levels of theory Zn3Li2and Hg3K2have the largest and the smallest values of IE, WBI and ρ(BCP), respectively. The natural charges of the atoms and WBI involved in the bonding as well as the global value of the charge transfer ΔQ from [Formula: see text] to X+cation in X2Y3clusters, evaluated through natural population analysis, confirmed that covalent contribution in Y–X bond formation increases from K+to Li+. Also the energy decomposition analyses (EDA) were used to detect the nature of interaction in the complexes. The results confirmed that the contribution of electrostatic interactions in present complexes is almost more than 70%.
Learning by atomic norm regularization with polynomial kernels
Authors: Chen Shouyin , Chen Na
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we propose a learning scheme for regression generated by atomic norm regularization and data independent hypothesis spaces. The hypothesis spaces based on polynomial kernels are trained from finite datasets, which is independent of the given sample. We also present an error analysis for the proposed atomic norm regularization algorithm with polynomial kernels. When dealing with algorithms with polynomial kernels, the regularization error is a main difficulty. We estimate the regularization error by local polynomial reproduction formula. Better error estimates are derived by applying projection and iteration techniques. Our study shows that the proposed algorithm has a fast convergence rate with O(mζ-1), which is the best convergence rate in the literature.
Irrotational-fluid cosmologies in fourth-order gravity
Authors: Abebe Amare , Elmardi Maye
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we explore classes of irrotational-fluid cosmological models in the context of f(R)-gravity in an attempt to put some theoretical and mathematical restrictions on the form of the f(R) gravitational Lagrangian. In particular, we investigate the consistency of linearized dust models for shear-free cases as well as in the limiting cases when either the gravito-magnetic or gravito-elecric components of the Weyl tensor vanish. We also discuss the existence and consistency of classes of non-expanding irrotational spacetimes in f(R)-gravity.
Power moments of automorphic L-function attached to Maass forms
Authors: Liu Huafeng , Li Shuai , Zhang Deyu
Published: August 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a normalized Maass cusp form for [Formula: see text]. For [Formula: see text], we define [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] as the supremum of all numbers [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the automorphic [Formula: see text]-function attached to [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we shall establish the lower bounds of [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and obtain asymptotic formulas for the second, fourth and sixth powers of [Formula: see text].
Two congruences involving harmonic numbers with applications
Authors: Mao Guo-Shuai , Sun Zhi-Wei
Published: August 2015

The harmonic numbers [Formula: see text] play important roles in mathematics. Let [Formula: see text] be a prime. With the help of some combinatorial identities, we establish the following two new congruences: [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] denotes the Bernoulli polynomial of degree [Formula: see text]. As an application, we determine [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] modulo [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text].
Mitochondrial-Targeted Polyethylenimine Functionalized Graphene Oxide Nanocarrier and its Anti-Tumor Effect on Human Lung Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Jin Mei , Liu Zhiming , Zhang Wen , Dong Haixin , Zhou Fang , Yu Jianfeng , Wang Xinpeng , Guo Zhouyi
Published: August 2015

Graphene oxide nanosheet (NGO) was covalently functionalized with positively charged, branched polyethylenimine (bPEI) via an amide bond, coated with serum proteins by electrostatic interaction. Operating as a newly fashioned, multifunctional nanocarrier, the processed NGO showed promise for use in combined gene therapy, chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, bioimaging and as a biosensor of cancer cells. Our current research is focused on the systematic studies of mechanisms of cancer cellular uptake, subcellular location, cytotoxicity and the cellular exclusion of the NGO–bPEI nanocarriers. It was observed that NGO–bPEI accumulated in the mitochondria and that long-term retention of NGO–bPEI led to a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential while levels of reactive oxygen species increased. The mitochondrial effects associated with long-term retention of NGO–bPEI have potential as a synergistic enhancer of the cytotoxic effects of anti-cancer drugs or genes in human lung carcinoma (A549) cells. This work demonstrated the utility of NGO–bPEI-based multifunctional nanocarriers while detailing the mechanism at the cellular level and providing guidance for further research in cancer therapy.
Global dynamics of a heroin epidemic model with age structure and nonlinear incidence
Authors: Yang Junyuan , Li Xiaoxia , Zhang Fengqin
Published: August 2015

A heroin model with nonlinear incidence rate and age structure is investigated. The basic reproduction number is determined whether or not a heroin epidemic breaks out. By employing the Lyapunov functionals, the drug-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if [Formula: see text]; while the drug spread equilibrium is also globally asymptotically stable if [Formula: see text]. Our results imply that improving detected rates and drawing up the efficient prevention play more important role than increasing the treatment for drug users.
Symmetries of the Feinberg–Zee random hopping matrix
Authors: Hagger Raffael
Published: August 2015

We study the symmetries of the spectrum of the Feinberg–Zee Random Hopping Matrix introduced in [J. Feinberg and A. Zee, Spectral curves of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, Nucl. Phys. B 552 (1999) 599–623] and studied in various papers thereafter (e.g. [S. N. Chandler-Wilde, R. Chonchaiya and M. Lindner, eigenvalue Problem meets Sierpinski triangle: Computing the spectrum of a non-self-adjoint random operator, Oper. Matrices 5 (2011) 633–648; S. N. Chandler-Wilde, R. Chonchaiya and M. Lindner, On the spectra and pseudospectra of a class of non-self-adjoint random matrices and operators, Oper. Matrices 7 (2013) 739–775; S. N. Chandler-Wilde and E. B. Davies, Spectrum of a Feinberg–Zee sandom hopping matrix, J. Spectral Theory 2 (2012) 147–179; R. Hagger, On the spectrum and numerical range of tridiagonal random operators, preprint (2014), arXiv: 1407.5486; D. E. Holz, H. Orland and A. Zee, On the remarkable spectrum of a non-Hermitian random matrix model, J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 36 (2003) 3385–3400]). In [J. Spectral Theory 2 (2012) 147–179], Chandler-Wilde and Davies proved that the spectrum of the Feinberg–Zee Random Hopping Matrix is invariant under taking square roots, which implied that the unit disk is contained in the spectrum (a result already obtained slightly earlier in [Oper. Matrices 5 (2011) 633–648]. In a similar approach we show that there is an infinite sequence of symmetries at least in the periodic part of the spectrum (which is conjectured to be dense). Using these symmetries and the result of [J. Spectral Theory 2 (2012) 147–179], we can exploit a considerably larger part of the spectrum than the unit disk. As a further consequence we find an infinite sequence of Julia sets contained in the spectrum. These facts may serve as a part of an explanation of the seemingly fractal-like behavior of the boundary.
Lattice QCD Thermodynamics with Physical Quark Masses
Authors: Soltz R.A. , DeTar C. , Karsch F. , Mukherjee Swagato , Vranas P.
Published: August 2015

Over the past few years, new physics methods and algorithms as well as the latest supercomputers have enabled the study of the QCD thermodynamic phase transition using lattice gauge theory numerical simulations and allowing unprecedented control over systematic errors. This progress is largely a consequence of the ability to perform continuum extrapolations with physical quark masses. We review recent progress in lattice QCD thermodynamics, focusing mainly on results that benefit from the use of physical quark masses: the crossover temperature, the equation of state, and fluctuations of the quark number susceptibilities. In addition, we emphasize calculations that are directly relevant to the study of relativistic heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and the LHC.
Exercise training does not affect anthracycline antitumor efficacy while attenuating cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Parry Traci L. , Hayward Reid
Published: August 2015

Highly effective anthracyclines, like doxorubicin (DOX), have limited clinical use due to protracted cardiotoxic effects. While exercise is known to be cardioprotective, it is unclear whether exercise compromises chemotherapy treatment efficacy. To determine the effect of exercise training on DOX antitumor efficacy as well as DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, female Fisher 344 rats were randomly assigned to sedentary + saline (SED+SAL), SED+DOX, wheel run exercise training + SAL (WR+SAL), or WR+DOX. On week 11, animals were inoculated with 1×106 MatBIII tumor cells. Once tumors reached ∼1 cm in diameter, animals were treated with 12 mg/kg of DOX or SAL. Animals were killed 1, 3, or 5 days following treatment. Tumor growth and cardiac function were measured at each interval. DOX accumulation and multidrug resistance protein (MRP) expression were quantified in tumor and heart tissue. No significant difference ( P > 0.05) existed between DOX-treated SED and WR groups for tumor measurements. Exercise preserved cardiac function up to 5 days following DOX treatment. Exercise reduced ventricular DOX accumulation and upregulated ventricular MPR1 and MPR2. In contrast, no differences were observed in DOX accumulation or MRP expression in tumors of SED and WR animals. Endurance exercise had no effect on DOX antitumor efficacy as evidenced by a definitive DOX-induced reduction in tumor growth in both the SED and WR groups. Although exercise did not affect the antitumor efficacy of DOX, it still provided protection against cardiac dysfunction. These effects may be mediated by the degree of DOX tissue accumulation secondary to the regulation of MRP expression.
Rod- and cone-driven responses in mice expressing human L-cone pigment
Authors: Tsai Tina I. , Atorf Jenny , Neitz Maureen , Neitz Jay , Kremers Jan
Published: August 2015

The mouse is commonly used for studying retinal processing, primarily because it is amenable to genetic manipulation. To accurately study photoreceptor driven signals in the healthy and diseased retina, it is of great importance to isolate the responses of single photoreceptor types. This is not easily achieved in mice because of the strong overlap of rod and M-cone absorption spectra (i.e., maxima at 498 and 508 nm, respectively). With a newly developed mouse model ( Opn1lwLIAIS) expressing a variant of the human L-cone pigment (561 nm) instead of the mouse M-opsin, the absorption spectra are substantially separated, allowing retinal physiology to be studied using silent substitution stimuli. Unlike conventional chromatic isolation methods, this spectral compensation approach can isolate single photoreceptor subtypes without changing the retinal adaptation. We measured flicker electroretinograms in these mutants under ketamine-xylazine sedation with double silent substitution (silent S-cone and either rod or M/L-cones) and obtained robust responses for both rods and (L-)cones. Small signals were yielded in wild-type mice, whereas heterozygotes exhibited responses that were generally intermediate to both. Fundamental response amplitudes and phase behaviors (as a function of temporal frequency) in all genotypes were largely similar. Surprisingly, isolated (L-)cone and rod response properties in the mutant strain were alike. Thus the LIAIS mouse warrants a more comprehensive in vivo assessment of photoreceptor subtype-specific physiology, because it overcomes the hindrance of overlapping spectral sensitivities present in the normal mouse.
Huangqin-Tang Ameliorates TNBS-Induced Colitis by Regulating Effector and Regulatory CD4+T Cells
Authors: Zou Ying , Li Wen-Yang , Wan Zheng , Zhao Bing , He Zhi-Wei , Wu Zhu-Guo , Huang Guo-Liang , Wang Jian , Li Bin-Bin , Lu Yang-Jia , Ding Cong-Cong , Chi Hong-Gang , Zheng Xue-Bao
Published: August 2015

Huangqin-Tang decoction (HQT) is a classic traditional Chinese herbal formulation that is widely used to ameliorate the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic potential and immunological regulatory activity of HQT in experimental colitis in rats. Using an animal model of colitis by intrarectally administering 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS), we found that administration of HQT significantly inhibited the severity of TNBS-induced colitis in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, treatment with HQT produced better results than that with mesalazine, as shown by improvedweight loss bleeding and diarrhoea scores, colon length, and intestinal inflammation. As for potential immunological regulation of HQT action, the percentages of Th1 and Th17 cells were reduced, but those Th2 and Treg cells were enhanced in LPMCs after HQT treatment. Additionally, HQT lowered the levels of Th1/Th17-associated cytokines but increased production of Th2/Treg-associated cytokines in the colon and MLNs. Furthermore, we observed a remarkable suppression of the Th1/Th17-associated transcription factors T-bet and ROR-γt. However, expression levels of the Th2/Treg-associated transcription factors GATA-3 and Foxp3 were enhanced during treatment with HQT. Our results suggest that HQT has the therapeutic potential to ameliorate TNBS-induced colitis symptoms. This protective effect is possibly mediated by its effects on CD4+T cells subsets.
Sarcopenia Is Associated with High Pulse Pressure in Older Women
Authors: Coelho Júnior Hélio José , Aguiar Samuel da Silva , Gonçalves Ivan de Oliveira , Sampaio Ricardo Aurélio Carvalho , Uchida Marco Carlos , Moraes Milton Rocha , Asano Ricardo Yukio
Published: August 2015

Introduction. Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome associated with impairment of muscle function, metabolism, and cognition in older women. Recent studies have shown a relationship between changes in muscle mass and the cardiovascular system. However, this relationship has not been fully elucidated.Methods. One hundred and thirty community-dwelling Brazilian older women (65.4 ± 6.3 years) were recruited to participate in this study. Data on body composition (via bioelectrical impedance measurements), cardiovascular parameters (using an automatic and noninvasive monitor), and muscle function (using a 3-meter gait speed test) were measured.Results. Sarcopenic older women (n=43) presented higher levels of pulse pressure (PP) (60.3 ± 2.6 mmHg) and lower muscle function (0.5 ± 0.0 m/s) compared with nonsarcopenic subjects (n=87) (53.7 ± 1.5 mmHg; 0.9 ± 0.0 m/s) (P<0.05). Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significantly negative association between skeletal muscle index (SMI) and PP levels (β=−226,P<0.05). Furthermore, sarcopenic older women showed a 3.1-fold increased risk of having higher PP levels compared with nonsarcopenic women (IC = 1.323–7.506) (P<0.05).Conclusion. Sarcopenic older women showed lower muscle function and higher cardiovascular risk due to increased PP levels compared with nonsarcopenic subjects.
Blood Pressure Response to Zofenopril or Irbesartan Each Combined with Hydrochlorothiazide in High-Risk Hypertensives Uncontrolled by Monotherapy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled, Parallel Group, Noninferiority Trial
Authors: Malacco Ettore , Omboni Stefano , Parati Gianfranco
Published: August 2015

In this randomized, double-blind, controlled, parallel group study (ZENITH), 434 essential hypertensives with additional cardiovascular risk factors, uncontrolled by a previous monotherapy, were treated for 18 weeks with zofenopril 30 or 60 mg plus hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 mg or irbesartan 150 or 300 mg plus HCTZ. Rate of office blood pressure (BP) response (zofenopril: 68% versus irbesartan: 70%;p=0.778) and 24-hour BP response (zofenopril: 85% versus irbesartan: 84%;p=0.781) was similar between the two treatment groups. Cardiac and renal damage was equally reduced by both treatments, whereas the rate of carotid plaque regression was significantly larger with zofenopril. In conclusion, uncontrolled monotherapy treated hypertensives effectively respond to a combination of zofenopril or irbesartan plus a thiazide diuretic, in terms of either BP response or target organ damage progression.
University Education in Human Nutrition: The Italian Experience—A Position Paper of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition
Authors: Scalfi Luca , Brighenti Furio , Battistini Nino Carlo , Bordoni Alessandra , Casini Alessandro , Ciappellano Salvatore , Del Rio Daniele , Scazzina Francesca , Galvano Fabio , Merendino Nicolò
Published: August 2015

As a broad range of professionals in clinical and nonclinical settings requires some expertise in human nutrition, the university system must offer academic courses tailored to these different specific needs. In the Italian university system there is still uncertainty with regard to the learning objectives regarding human nutrition. In the ministerial decrees defining the criteria for establishing university courses, the indications about education in human nutrition are rather inconsistent, sometimes detailed, but often just mentioned or even only implied. Education in human nutrition requires both an appropriate duration (number of university credits included in the degree format for different disciplines) and course units that are designed in order to achieve specific expertise. The university system should appropriately design and distinguish the nutritional competencies of the different types of graduates. Physiology and biochemistry are the academic disciplines mostly involved in teaching fundamentals of human nutrition, while the discipline sciences of applied nutrition and dietetics more strictly focuses on applied nutrition and clinical nutrition. Other academic disciplines that may contribute to education in human nutrition, depending on the type of degree, are internal medicine (and its subspecialties), hygiene, endocrinology, food technologies, food chemistry, commodity science, and so forth.
Approximate Controllability of the Degenerate System with the First-Order Term
Authors: Du Runmei
Published: August 2015

We consider the approximate controllability of the degenerate system with the first-order term. The first-order term in the equation cannot be controlled by the diffusion term. The system is shown to be approximately controllable by constructing a control by means of its conjugate problem.
Detection of Nanoscale Soil Organic Matter by Middle Infrared Spectrum for Forensic Science
Authors: Liu Yingzi , Li Qiang , Li Yumei , Bao Jie , Hu Zhiheng , Hao Dakui , Song Dongxue , Wang Yiwei , Yang Min
Published: August 2015

Soil is useful as a kind of trace evidence for forensic science. Thus it is very crucial to identify sources of soil. The nanoscale soil organic matter (NSOMs) can be used to differentiate soil sources because their constituents and contents are relatively stable with time but variant by location. In this study, NSOMs from eighteen regions of Shandong Province in China were examined by middle infrared spectrum (4000–400 cm−1). The results showed that the constituents and contents of NSOMs in eighteen samples were dramatically different; a NSOM fingerprint for each sample was drawn based on these characteristics. This suggests that a national or global NSOM fingerprint database could be rapidly established by the one-step middle infrared spectrum analysis for different soil samples, which will be helpful to determine crime scenes by comparing the middle infrared spectrum of forensic soil with the NSOMs fingerprint database.
Focal Intramucosal Adenocarcinoma Occurring in Gastric Hyperplastic Polyps: Two Case Reports
Authors: Taniuchi Keisuke , Okada Mitsuo , Sakaeda Hiroshi
Published: August 2015

Gastric hyperplastic polyps are generally considered benign lesions, although rare cases of adenocarcinoma have been reported. Two cases of intramucosal adenocarcinoma originating from gastric hyperplastic polyps that were successfully removed by endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection are reported. On pathological examination, adenocarcinoma limited to the hyperplastic foveolar epithelial mucosa of the gastric hyperplastic polyps was observed.
Quantification of Niacin and Its Metabolite Nicotinuric Acid in Human Plasma by LC-MS/MS: Application to a Clinical Trial of a Fixed Dose Combination Tablet of Niacin Extended-Release/Simvastatin (500 mg/10 mg) in Healthy Chinese Volunteers
Authors: Zhang Pingping , Sun Yantong , Shi Guobing , Sui Yin , Li Qiuying , Tang Yunbiao , Gu Jingkai
Published: August 2015

Our paper aimed to develop rapid, sensitive, and specific LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of niacin (NA) and its metabolite nicotinuric acid (NUA) in human plasma. Following protein precipitation with acetonitrile, the NA, NUA, and internal standard (5-fluorouracil) were separated on a Zorbax 300SB-C8column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-2 mM ammonium acetate (3 : 97, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min (split 1 : 1). A tandem mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source was used as the detector and operated in negative ion mode. The linear concentration ranges of the calibration curves were 5–800 ng/mL for NA and NUA. The intra-assay RSD for quality control (QC) samples were from 5.0% to 8.7% for NA, and 5.5% to 7.6% for NUA. The interassay RSD for QC samples were from 2.8% to 9.4% for NA, and 3.7% to 5.8% for NUA. The relative errors for QC samples were from −2.2% to 2.3% for NA, and −0.6% to 3.2% for NUA. The method was successfully applied to the investigation of the pharmacokinetic profiles of NA, NUA in human after single dose administration of Niacin extended-release/Simvastatin tablet (500 mg/10 mg).