bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporating chemical shrinkage volume into Gibson’s solution
Authors: Walske Megan L. , Doherty James
Published: October 2017

Rapid filling of low-permeability cemented paste backfill (CPB) into underground stopes results in the generation of significant excess pore pressures. These are dissipated through conventional consolidation and shrinkage due to cement hydration. Gibson’s solution for excess pore pressures in an accreting sediment can be used to assess the self-weight consolidation of CPB in a stope. In this paper, numerical modelling is used to determine the chemical shrinkage–induced pore pressure response for hydration of CPB for an accreting material and the results presented in a series of dimensionless design charts. It is shown that superposition can be used to combine Gibson’s solution with the newly developed charts for chemical shrinkage–induced pore pressures. This allows a qualitative assessment of potential pore pressure development in a CPB backfilled stope.
Cross-incompatibility and self-incompatibility: unrelated phenomena in wild and cultivated potatoes?
Authors: Maune Juan Federico , Camadro Elsa Lucila , Erazzú Luis Ernesto
Published: October 2017

Knowledge of internal hybridization barriers is relevant for germplasm conservation and utilization. The two pre-zygotic barriers are pollen–pistil self-incompatibility (SI) and cross-incompatibility (CI). To ascertain whether SI and CI were phenotypically related phenomena in potatoes, extensive intra- and interspecific, both intra- and interploidy breeding relationships were established, without previous assumptions on the compatibility behavior of the studied germplasm. Pollen–pistil relationships were analyzed at the individual genotype/accession/family level. In two seasons, 828 intra- and interspecific genotypic combinations were performed, using accessions of the wild potatoes Solanum chacoense Bitter (2n = 2x = 24), S. gourlayi Hawkes (2n = 2x = 24; 2n = 4x = 48), and S. spegazzinii Bitter (2n = 2x = 24), full-sibling (hereinafter “full-sib”) families (2n = 2x = 24) within/between the latter two diploids, and S. tuberosum L. (2n = 4x = 48) cultivars. Pollen–pistil incompatibility occurred in the upper first third of the style (I1/3) in all selfed diploids. In both the intra- and interspecific combinations, the most frequent relationship was compatibility, followed by I1/3, but incompatibility also occurred in the stigma and the style (middle third and bottom third). We observed segregation for these relationships in full-sib families, and unilateral and bilateral incompatibility in reciprocal crosses between functional SI genotypes. Cross-incompatibility in potatoes is, apparently, controlled by genes independent of the S-locus or its S-haplotype recognition region (although molecular evidence is needed to confirm it), with segregation even within accessions.
Differences in early hyphal development of Podosphaera xanthii on Cucumis sativus leaves acclimatized to high or low relative humidity
Authors: Itagaki Kaori , Shibuya Toshio
Published: October 2017

This research investigated early hyphal development of cucurbit powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) on leaves of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) acclimatized to different relative humidities to clarify the factors that limit it. Cucumber seedlings were acclimatized to a low (10%) or high (90%) relative humidity (RH) at 30 °C from germination. When the cotyledons had expanded and the first true leaf had begun to emerge, the plants were inoculated, and initial conidial invasion, hyphal development, and secondary haustorial formation were evaluated. The initial invasion of P. xanthii into the epidermis was slower on the low-RH leaves than on the high-RH leaves, suggesting that structural properties, such as greater leaf mass per area, physically limited the development of P. xanthii. The hyphal development and secondary haustoria of conidia that had successfully infected the epidermis were also slower on the low-RH leaves. These post-invasion behaviors indicate that conidial development was also suppressed by nonstructural properties of low-RH leaves such as nutrients, which correlate with nonstructural defense. The reduced leaf N content of the low-RH leaves may in part have inhibited the post-invasion behaviors of P. xanthii.
Room temperature ferromagnetism in pure and ion-doped SnO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Apostolov A. T. , Apostolova I. N. , Trimper S. , Wesselinowa J. M.
Published: October 2017

Using a microscopic model taking into account the spin–phonon interactions we have studied the magnetic properties of pure and ion-doped SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs). The magnetization M in pure SnO2 NPs is due to surface oxygen vacancies. By doping with magnetic Co ion we observe a maximum in M for small Co-concentration, x = 1%, whereas for nonmagnetic Cu ion M increases with x. By Co-doping there is a local distribution for small Co-concentration, whereas by Cu this is not the case. It is shown that there is a strong connection between the lattice and M. The results are in good agreement with the experimental data.
Supporting Continuous Changes to Business Intents
Authors: Silvander Johan , Wilson Magnus , Wnuk Krzysztof , Svahnberg Mikael
Published: October 2017

Software supporting an enterprise’s business, also known as a business support system, needs to support the correlation of activities between actors as well as influence the activities based on knowledge about the value networks in which the enterprise acts. This requires the use of policies and rules to guide or enforce the execution of strategies or tactics within an enterprise as well as in collaborations between enterprises. With the help of policies and rules, an enterprise is able to capture an actor’s intent in its business support system, and act according to this intent on behalf of the actor. Since the value networks an enterprise is part of will change over time the business intents’ life cycle states might change. Achieving the changes in an effective and efficient way requires knowledge about the affected intents and the correlation between intents.

The aim of the study is to identify how a business support system can support continuous changes to business intents. The first step is to find a theoretical model which serves as a foundation for intent-driven systems. We conducted a case study using a focus group approach with employees from Ericsson. This case study was influenced by the spiral case study process. The study resulted in a model supporting continuous definition and execution of an enterprise. The model is divided into three layers; Define, Execute, and a common governance view layer. This makes it possible to support continuous definition and execution of business intents and to identify the actors needed to support the business intents’ life cycles. This model is supported by a meta-model for capturing information into viewpoints.

The research question is addressed by suggesting a solution supporting continuous definition and execution of an enterprise as a model of value architecture components and business functions. The results will affect how Ericsson will build the business studio for their next generation business support systems.
Requirements Engineering Based on Knowledge Management: Theoretical Aspects and a Practical Proposal
Authors: Olmos-Sánchez Karla , Rodas-Osollo Jorge
Published: October 2017

Despite significant advances in requirements engineering, the problem of eliciting the appropriate and correct requirements persists, partly due to the difficulties to transfer and transform knowledge. In this paper, the final revised version of a requirements elicitation strategy based on a full knowledge management perspective is presented. We assume that a knowledge management perspective is a useful approach for addressing certain inherent problems of requirements elicitation; especially in domains characterized by informal and unstructured information and where domain specialists use large amounts of tacit knowledge to solve everyday situations. Our motivation is to give competitive advantage to any business that faces the challenge of eliciting requirements to design products, find solutions or structure its own valuable knowledge. The promising results of applying the strategy to different real case studies provide empirical insights about the usefulness and value of the strategy.
Non-Abelian cosmic string in the Starobinsky model of gravity
Authors: Morais Graça J. P. , de Pádua Santos A. , Bezerra de Mello Eugênio R. , Bezerra V. B.
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we analyze numerically the behavior of the solutions corresponding to a non-Abelian cosmic string in the framework of the Starobinsky model, i.e. where [Formula: see text]. We perform the calculations for both an asymptotically flat and asymptotically (anti)-de Sitter spacetimes. We found that the angular deficit generated by the string decreases as the parameter [Formula: see text] increases, in the case of a null cosmological constant. For a positive cosmological constant, we found that the cosmic horizon is affected in a nontrivial way by the parameter [Formula: see text].
Deep Learning Approach for Devanagari Script Recognition
Authors: Prabhanjan S. , Dinesh R.
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we have proposed a new technique for recognition of handwritten Devanagari Script using deep learning architecture. In any OCR or classification system extracting discriminating feature is most important and crucial step for its success. Accuracy of such system often depends on the good feature representation. Deciding upon the appropriate features for classification system is highly subjective and requires lot of experience to decide proper set of features for a given classification system. For handwritten Devanagari characters it is very difficult to decide on optimal set of good feature to get good recognition rate. These methods use raw pixel values as features. Deep Learning architectures learn hierarchies of features. In this work, first image is preprocessed to remove noise, converted to binary image, resized to fixed size of 30[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]40 and then convert to gray scale image using mask operation, it blurs the edges of the images. Then we learn features using an unsupervised stacked Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBM) and use it with the deep belief network for recognition. Finally network weight parameters are fine tuned by supervised back propagation learning to improve the overall recognition performance. The proposed method has been tested on large set of handwritten numerical, character, vowel modifiers and compound characters and experimental results reveals that unsupervised method yields very good accuracy of (83.44%) and upon fine tuning of network parameters with supervised learning yields accuracy of (91.81%) which is the best results reported so far for handwritten Devanagari characters.
Evaluation of performance and perceptions of electronic vs. paper multiple-choice exams
Authors: Washburn Shannon , Herman James , Stewart Randolph
Published: October 2017

In the veterinary professional curriculum, methods of examination in many courses are transitioning from the traditional paper-based exams to electronic-based exams. Therefore, a controlled trial to evaluate the impact of testing methodology on examination performance in a veterinary physiology course was designed and implemented. Formalized surveys and focus group discussions were also used to determine student attitudes toward the examination formats. In total, 134 first-year veterinary students and 11 PhD/MS students were administered a total of 4 exams throughout 1 semester (2 on paper and 2 electronically) using a split-halves design. The paper (P) and electronic (E) exams contained 25 identical multiple-choice questions. Students were randomly assigned to two groups and were given exams in one of two sequences (E-P-E-P or P-E-P-E). Participants consented to and completed two anonymous surveys vis à vis their experience. Out of a maximum raw score of 25, the mean score for electronic examinations (20.8; 95% confidence interval, 20.3–21.2) was significantly ( P = 0.01) greater than that for paper examinations (20.3; 95% confidence interval, 20.0–20.7). However, students expressed numerous concerns with the electronic examination format, and, at the completion of the study, 87% preferred to take their examination on paper rather than the electronic format. These data show that student attitudes concerning the examination format are not primarily determined by examination results, and that the additional anxiety related to the electronic examination format plays a large role in student attitudes.
Inactivation of SPAK kinase reduces body weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet by improving energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity
Authors: Torre-Villalvazo Ivan , Cervantes-Pérez Luz Graciela , Noriega Lilia G. , Jiménez Jose V. , Uribe Norma , Chávez-Canales María , Tovar-Palacio Claudia , Marfil-Garza Braulio A. , Torres Nimbe , Bobadilla Norma A. , Tovar Armando R. , Gamba Gerardo
Published: October 2017

The STE20/SPS1-related proline-alanine-rich protein kinase (SPAK) controls the activity of the electroneutral cation-chloride cotransporters (SLC12 family) and thus physiological processes such as modulation of cell volume, intracellular chloride concentration [Cl−]i, and transepithelial salt transport. Modulation of SPAK kinase activity may have an impact on hypertension and obesity, as STK39, the gene encoding SPAK, has been suggested as a hypertension and obesity susceptibility gene. In fact, the absence of SPAK activity in mice in which the activating threonine in the T loop was substituted by alanine (SPAK-KI mice) is associated with decreased blood pressure; however its consequences in metabolism have not been explored. Here, we fed wild-type and homozygous SPAK-KI mice a high-fat diet for 17 wk to evaluate weight gain, circulating substrates and hormones, energy expenditure, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity. SPAK-KI mice exhibit resistance to HFD-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis associated with increased energy expenditure, higher thermogenic activity in brown adipose tissue, increased mitochondrial activity in skeletal muscle, and reduced white adipose tissue hypertrophy mediated by augmented whole body insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Our data reveal a previously unrecognized role for the SPAK kinase in the regulation of energy balance, thermogenesis, and insulin sensitivity, suggesting that this kinase could be a new drug target for the treatment of obesity and the metabolic syndrome.
Feature-Based Retinal Image Registration Using D-Saddle Feature
Authors: Ramli Roziana , Idris Mohd Yamani Idna , Hasikin Khairunnisa , A. Karim Noor Khairiah , Abdul Wahab Ainuddin Wahid , Ahmedy Ismail , Ahmedy Fatimah , Kadri Nahrizul Adib , Arof Hamzah
Published: October 2017

Retinal image registration is important to assist diagnosis and monitor retinal diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. However, registering retinal images for various registration applications requires the detection and distribution of feature points on the low-quality region that consists of vessels of varying contrast and sizes. A recent feature detector known as Saddle detects feature points on vessels that are poorly distributed and densely positioned on strong contrast vessels. Therefore, we propose a multiresolution difference of Gaussian pyramid with Saddle detector (D-Saddle) to detect feature points on the low-quality region that consists of vessels with varying contrast and sizes. D-Saddle is tested on Fundus Image Registration (FIRE) Dataset that consists of 134 retinal image pairs. Experimental results show that D-Saddle successfully registered 43% of retinal image pairs with average registration accuracy of 2.329 pixels while a lower success rate is observed in other four state-of-the-art retinal image registration methods GDB-ICP (28%), Harris-PIIFD (4%), H-M (16%), and Saddle (16%). Furthermore, the registration accuracy of D-Saddle has the weakest correlation (Spearman) with the intensity uniformity metric among all methods. Finally, the paired t-test shows that D-Saddle significantly improved the overall registration accuracy of the original Saddle.
Numerical Simulation of Bubble Free Rise after Sudden Contraction Using the Front-Tracking Method
Authors: Zhang Ying , Lu Min , Shang Wenqiang , Xia Zhen , Zeng Liang , Li Peisheng
Published: October 2017

Based on the front-tracking method (FTM), the movement of a single bubble that rose freely in a transverse ridged tube was simulated to analyze the influence of a contractive channel on the movement of bubbles. The influence of a symmetric contractive channel on the shape, speed, and trajectory of the bubbles was analyzed by contrasting the movement with bubbles in a noncontractive channel. As the research indicates, the bubbles became more flat when they move close to the contractive section of the channel, and the bubbles become less flat when passing through the contractive section. This effect becomes more obvious with an increase in the contractive degree of the channel. The symmetric contractive channel can make the bubbles first decelerate and later accelerate, and this effect is deeply affected by Reynolds number (Re) and Eötvös number (Eo).
A Remote Health Monitoring System for the Elderly Based on Smart Home Gateway
Authors: Guan Kai , Shao Minggang , Wu Shuicai
Published: October 2017

This paper proposed a remote health monitoring system for the elderly based on smart home gateway. The proposed system consists of three parts: the smart clothing, the smart home gateway, and the health care server. The smart clothing collects the elderly’s electrocardiogram (ECG) and motion signals. The home gateway is used for data transmission. The health care server provides services of data storage and user information management; it is constructed on the Windows-Apache-MySQL-PHP (WAMP) platform and is tested on the Ali Cloud platform. To resolve the issues of data overload and network congestion of the home gateway, an ECG compression algorithm is applied. System demonstration shows that the ECG signals and motion signals of the elderly can be monitored. Evaluation of the compression algorithm shows that it has a high compression ratio and low distortion and consumes little time, which is suitable for home gateways. The proposed system has good scalability, and it is simple to operate. It has the potential to provide long-term and continuous home health monitoring services for the elderly.
Pricing Strategies of a Three-Stage Supply Chain: A New Research in the Big Data Era
Authors: Liu Pan
Published: October 2017

In the Big Data era, Data Company as the Big Data information (BDI) supplier should be included in a supply chain. In the new situation, to research the pricing strategies of supply chain, a three-stage supply chain with one manufacturer, one retailer, and one Data Company was chosen. Meanwhile, considering the manufacturer contained the internal and external BDI, four benefit models about BDI investment were proposed and analyzed in both decentralized and centralized supply chain using Stackelberg game. Meanwhile, the optimal retail price and benefits in the four models were compared. Findings are as follows. (1) The industry cost improvement coefficient, the internal BDI investment cost of the manufacturer, and the added cost of the Data Company on using Big Data technology have different relationships with the optimal prices of supply chain members in different models. (2) In the retailer-dominated supply chain model, the optimal benefits of the retailer and the manufacturer are the same, and the optimal benefits of the Data Company are biggest in all the members.
Meiosis-like Functions in Oncogenesis: A New View of Cancer
Authors: McFarlane Ramsay J. , Wakeman Jane A.
Published: October 2017

Cancer cells have many abnormal characteristics enabling tumors to grow, spread, and avoid immunologic and therapeutic destruction. Central to this is the innate ability of populations of cancer cells to rapidly evolve. One feature of many cancers is that they activate genes that are normally associated with distinct developmental states, including germ cell–specific genes. This has historically led to the proposal that tumors take on embryonal characteristics, the so called embryonal theory of cancer. However, one group of germline genes, not directly associated with embryonic somatic tissue genesis, is the one that encodes the specific factors to drive the unique reductional chromosome segregation of meiosis I, which also results in chromosomal exchanges. Here, we propose that meiosis I–specific modulators of reductional segregation can contribute to oncogenic chromosome dynamics and that the embryonal theory for cancer cell growth/proliferation is overly simplistic, as meiotic factors are not a feature of most embryonic tissue development. We postulate that some meiotic chromosome-regulatory functions contribute to a soma-to-germline model for cancer, in which activation of germline (including meiosis) functions drive oncogenesis, and we extend this to propose that meiotic factors could be powerful sources of targets for therapeutics and biomonitoring in oncology. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5712–6. ©2017 AACR.
KRAS Mutation and Consensus Molecular Subtypes 2 and 3 Are Independently Associated with Reduced Immune Infiltration and Reactivity in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Lal Neeraj , White Brian S. , Goussous Ghaleb , Pickles Oliver , Mason Mike J. , Beggs Andrew D. , Taniere Philippe , Willcox Benjamin E. , Guinney Justin , Middleton Gary W.
Published: October 2017

Purpose: KRAS mutation is a common canonical mutation in colorectal cancer, found at differing frequencies in all consensus molecular subtypes (CMS). The independent immunobiological impacts of RAS mutation and CMS are unknown. Thus, we explored the immunobiological effects of KRAS mutation across the CMS spectrum.

Experimental Design: Expression analysis of immune genes/signatures was performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNA-seq and the KFSYSCC microarray datasets. Multivariate analysis included KRAS status, CMS, tumor location, MSI status, and neoantigen load. Protein expression of STAT1, HLA-class II, and CXCL10 was analyzed by digital IHC.

Results: The Th1-centric co-ordinate immune response cluster (CIRC) was significantly, albeit modestly, reduced in KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer in both datasets. Cytotoxic T cells, neutrophils, and the IFNγ pathway were suppressed in KRAS-mutant samples. The expressions of STAT1 and CXCL10 were reduced at the mRNA and protein levels. In multivariate analysis, KRAS mutation, CMS2, and CMS3 were independently predictive of reduced CIRC expression. Immune response was heterogeneous across KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer: KRAS-mutant CMS2 samples have the lowest CIRC expression, reduced expression of the IFNγ pathway, STAT1 and CXCL10, and reduced infiltration of cytotoxic cells and neutrophils relative to CMS1 and CMS4 and to KRAS wild-type CMS2 samples in the TCGA. These trends held in the KFSYSCC dataset.

Conclusions: KRAS mutation is associated with suppressed Th1/cytotoxic immunity in colorectal cancer, the extent of the effect being modulated by CMS subtype. These results add a novel immunobiological dimension to the biological heterogeneity of colorectal cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 24(1); 224–33. ©2017 AACR.
Comprehensive Pharmacogenomic Profiling of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Identifies a Subgroup Sensitive to FGFR Inhibition
Authors: Quispel-Janssen Josine M. , Badhai Jitendra , Schunselaar Laurel , Price Stacey , Brammeld Jonathan , Iorio Francesco , Kolluri Krishna , Garnett Matthew , Berns Anton , Baas Paul , McDermott Ultan , Neefjes Jacques , Alifrangis Constantine
Published: October 2017

Purpose: Despite intense research, treatment options for patients with mesothelioma are limited and offer only modest survival advantage. We screened a large panel of compounds in multiple mesothelioma models and correlated sensitivity with a range of molecular features to detect biomarkers of drug response.

Experimental design: We utilized a high-throughput chemical inhibitor screen in a panel of 889 cancer cell lines, including both immortalized and primary early-passage mesothelioma lines, alongside comprehensive molecular characterization using Illumina whole-exome sequencing, copy-number analysis and Affymetrix array whole transcriptome profiling. Subsequent validation was done using functional assays such as siRNA silencing and mesothelioma mouse xenograft models.

Results: A subgroup of immortalized and primary MPM lines appeared highly sensitive to FGFR inhibition. None of these lines harbored genomic alterations of FGFR family members, but rather BAP1 protein loss was associated with enhanced sensitivity to FGFR inhibition. This was confirmed in an MPM mouse xenograft model and by BAP1 knockdown and overexpression in cell line models. Gene expression analyses revealed an association between BAP1 loss and increased expression of the receptors FGFR1/3 and ligands FGF9/18. BAP1 loss was associated with activation of MAPK signaling. These associations were confirmed in a cohort of MPM patient samples.

Conclusions: A subgroup of mesotheliomas cell lines harbor sensitivity to FGFR inhibition. BAP1 protein loss enriches for this subgroup and could serve as a potential biomarker to select patients for FGFR inhibitor treatment. These data identify a clinically relevant MPM subgroup for consideration of FGFR therapeutics in future clinical studies. Clin Cancer Res; 24(1); 84–94. ©2017 AACR.
A Call to Action to Develop Integrated Curricula in Cardiorenal Medicine
Authors: Ronco Claudio , Ronco Federico , McCullough Peter A.
Published: October 2017

With the adoption of the new definition and classification of cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and its relevant subtypes, much attention has been placed on elucidating the mechanisms of heart and kidney interactions. Of great interest are the pathophysiological pathways by which acute heart failure may result in acute kidney injury (AKI; type 1), chronic heart failure accelerating the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD; type 2), AKI provoking cardiac events (type 3), and CKD increasing the risk and severity of cardiovascular disease (type 4). A remarkable interest has also been placed on the acute and chronic systemic conditions, such as sepsis and diabetes, which simultaneously affect heart and kidney function (type 5). Furthermore, the physiology of acute and chronic heart-kidney cross talk is drawing attention to hemodynamics (fluids, pressures, flows, resistances, perfusion), physiochemical (electrolytes, pH, and toxins), and biological (inflammation, immune system activation, neurohormonal signals) processes. Common clinical scenarios call for recognition, knowledge, and skill in managing CRS. There is a clear need for medical and surgical specialists that are well versed in the pathophysiology and the clinical manifestations that arise in the setting of CRS. With this editorial, we are making a call to action to stimulate universities, medical schools, and teaching hospitals to create a core curriculum for cardiorenal medicine to better equip the physicians of the future for these common, serious, and frequently fatal syndromes.
Definitive Radiotherapy for Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Vagina: Are High-Dose External Beam Radiotherapy and High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Boost the Best Treatment? Experience of Two Italian Institutes
Authors: Laliscia Concetta , Gadducci Angiolo , Fabrini Maria G. , Barcellini Amelia , Guerrieri Maria E. , Parietti Emanuela , Ursino Stefano , Morganti Riccardo , Cafaro Ines , Paiar Fabiola
Published: October 2017

Introduction: We assessed the clinical outcome and survival of 70 patients with primary vaginal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy (RT) at the Divisions of Radiotherapy, University of Pisa and ASST Cremona between January 1995 and June 2016. Methods: 58 patients received external beam RT (EBRT) to the entire vagina, para-vaginal area and pelvic nodes (total dose: 45-50.4 Gy). 29 patients (41.4%) received concomitant weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m2. 35 patients received an additional (15-36 Gy) high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) boost and 13 received an additional (9-25 Gy) EBRT boost to the primary tumor site. 12 women exclusively received HDR-BT up to a total dose of (30-58 Gy). Results: Median overall survival (OS) was 85 months. A total RT dose of > 60 Gy was significantly associated with a better OS (p = 0.015). There was a trend for a better OS for patients aged < 70 years and for those undergoing EBRT to the entire vagina and pelvis plus BT boost. The most common grade 1-2 acute toxicities were diarrhea (24.1%) and cystitis (20.7%); grade 3 cystitis only occurred in 2 patients (3.4%). Conclusions: EBRT followed by BT boost seems to be the best treatment for vaginal carcinoma. The total dose of RT should be > 60 Gy.
Cellular Immunotherapy in B-Cell Malignancy
Authors: Schwarzbich Mark-Alexander , Witzens-Harig Mathias
Published: October 2017

In recent years, cellular immunotherapy in B-cell malignancies has been driven by adoptive transfer of genetically engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). CARs consist of a single chain variable fragment (scFv) of a monoclonal antibody, a spacer domain, a transmembrane domain, an intracellular signaling domain, and additional costimulatory domains. The bulk of clinical data available is on CD19-targeting CAR T cells for the treatment of B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (B-ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Results so far have been promising with impressive rates and depth of remission especially among B-ALL patients. However, CAR T-cell therapy is a complex multi-step process, and clinical trials so far differ profoundly in CAR construct used, gene transfer method, composition of the cellular product, lymphodepletion, and CAR T-cell dose used. Randomized trials will be needed to conclusively evaluate the implications of these differences. The treatment concept is associated with significant neurotoxicity and potentially lethal cytokine release syndrome, both of which require specific management. Improvements in CAR design may help to overcome toxicity, the effects of an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and tumor escape by development of antigen-negative clones. This review will explain the mechanism of action, summarize the clinical experience with this treatment modality so far, and explore future developments in the field.
Long Non-Coding RNA-MALAT1 Mediates Retinal Ganglion Cell Apoptosis Through the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Rats with Glaucoma
Authors: Li Hai-Bo , You Qi-Sheng , Xu Li-Xin , Sun Li-Xin , Abdul Majid Aman Shah , Xia Xiao-Bo , Ji Dan
Published: October 2017

Background/Aims: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA-MALAT1 (LncRNA-MALAT1) on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis mediated by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in rats with glaucoma. Methods: RGCs were isolated and cultured, and monoclonal antibodies (anti-rat Thy-1, Brn3a and RBPMS) were examined by immunocytochemistry. An overexpression vector MALAT1-RNA activation (RNAa), gene knockout vector MALAT1-RNA interference (RNAi), and control vector MALAT1-negative control (NC) were constructed. A chronic high intraocular pressure (IOP) rat model of glaucoma was established by episcleral vein cauterization. The RGCs were divided into the RGC control, RGC pressure, RGC pressure + MALAT1-NC, RGC pressure + MALAT1-RNAi and RGC pressure + MALAT1-RNAa groups. Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the normal, high IOP, high IOP + MALAT1-NC, high IOP + MALAT1-RNAa and high IOP + MALAT1-RNAi groups. qRT-PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of LncRNA-MALAT1 and PI3K/Akt. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and flow cytometry were used to detect RGC apoptosis. Results: Immunocytochemistry revealed that the cultured RGCs reached 90% purity. Compared with the RGC pressure + MALAT1-NC group, the RGC pressure + MALAT1-RNAa group exhibited elevated expression levels of MALAT1, lower total protein levels of PI3K and Akt and decreased RGC apoptosis, while these expression levels were reversed in the RGC pressure + MALAT1-RNAi group. RGC numbers and PI3K/Akt expression levels in the high IOP model groups were lower than those in the normal group. In the high IOP + MALAT1-RNAa group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K/Akt were reduced but higher than those in the other three high IOP model groups. Additionally, RGC numbers in the high IOP + MALAT1-RNAa group were lower than those in the normal group but higher than those in the other three high IOP model groups. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that LncRNA-MALAT1 could inhibit RGC apoptosis in glaucoma through activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Gut Microbiota and Host Metabolism: What Relationship
Authors: Mithieux Gilles
Published: October 2017

A large number of genomic studies have reported associations between the gut microbiota composition and metabolic diseases such as obesity or type 2 diabetes. This led to the widespread idea that a causal relationship could exist between intestinal microbiota and metabolic diseases. At odds with this idea, some compelling studies reported that global changes in microbiota composition have no effect on the host metabolism in obese mice or humans. However, specific bacteria are able to confer host metabolic benefits, such as Akkermansia muciniphila or Prevotella copri, when they are given by gavage in obese mice. A crucial link by which gut bacteria communicate with the host mucosa is based on metabolites or low-molecular-weight compounds. Among them, short-chain fatty acids produced from the fermentation of dietary fibers initiate beneficial effects on the host metabolism via the activation of intestinal gluconeogenesis (a mucosal function exerting antidiabetic and antiobesity effects through the activation of gut-brain neural circuits). However, fermentation of short-chain fatty acids is a function that is widespread among the main bacterial phyla and thus weakly depends on microbiota composition. Therefore, even if some bacteria may confer on the host metabolic benefits, the causal role of microbiota in metabolic diseases is not established.
ICHTYOFAUNA AT CIJALU RIVER, CILACAP REGENCY CENTRAL JAVA PROVINCE, INDONESIA
Authors: Nuryanto Agus , Bhagawati Dian , Abulias M Nadjmi , Indarmawan Indarmawan
Published: October 2017

Cijalu River is located in Western Cilacap Regency of Central Java Province. The river runs through forestry, housing and farming areas. This condition leads to a prediction that the river has been altered on its physico-chemical characteristics causing the river to be inhabited by a variety of fish species. This study aimed to collect data about fish species inhabiting Cijalu River and its distribution. A survey method has been done with clustered random sampling technique. The river was divided into three different areas, i.e. upper-, middle- and downstreams. Species diversitywas measured as the number of species, while distribution was measured as the presentation of fish species in each site. Nineteen fish species of 10 families were identified from Cijalu River. The 10 families were Anabantidae, Bagridae, Balitoridae, Channidae, Cichlidae, Cyprinidae, Loricariidae, Osphronemidae, Poecilidae and Sisoridae. Cyprinidae was the family having the highest number of species (6 species), followed by Bagridae (3 species), Channidae (2 species) and Osphronemidae (2 species). The remaining respective families were represented by one species. A complex pattern of fish distribution was observed during the study. Glyptothorax platypogon and Channa gacua were only found at the upper-streams, while Anabas testudineus was obtained in downstreams. The other remaining species could be observed either from the middle-to downstreams, or even from upper- to downstreams. Different pattern of species distribution could be caused by physico-chemical characteristics variation from upper to lower parts of the river, especiallywater velocity and substrate types.Keywords: Cijalu River, distribution, diversity, fish
SEED GERMINATION OF Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. BY PERICARP REMOVAL TREATMENT
Authors: Purnobasuki Hery , Utami Edy Setiti Wida
Published: October 2017

Avicennia marina is one species used for building coastal ecosystem stabilization in Surabaya shores because of its tolerance to high salinity level and resistance to wave energy. Their existence is threatened byÂ various factors i.e. land conversion, pollution and interisland bridge existence. Â Growth of A. marina is currently limited by seed dormancy. In an effort to increase propagation efficiency, seed viability and vigor were compared based on collection dates and pericarp removal methods. The results showed no relationship between salinity levels of soaking water or seed buoyancy and seed viability or seed vigor. Collection dates may influence seed viability and vigor. Seeds collected in October and November germinated more quickly than those collected in December, although there were no differences in total germination. Hand-peeled seeds germinated more slowly than soaked seeds for all collections, but with no differences in total germination. Seeds collected in October and November grew more vigorously than those collected in December.
POTENCY OF RHIZOSPHERE BACTERIA TO PROMOTE RICE GROWTH UNDER SALINE CONDITION
Authors: Widawati Sri , Sudiana I Made
Published: October 2017

Saline soil is a common problem in coastal paddy field, especially in Indonesia. Salinity affects rice growth and the activities of soil functional microbes, including functional bacteria, which play roles in plant growth. Some of these microbes are associated with rice plants and are able to survive under saline condition. The presence of functional microbes is also important to improve soil quality. Nitrogen and phosphate are essential soil nutrients and is available in soil due to the activities of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and free-living plant-associated bacteria.Â  The objective of the present study was to obtain nitrogen-fixing, phosphate solubilizing and Indole Acetic Acid Â (IAA)-producing bacteria that are able to survive and promote the growth of rice under saline conditions. From rice and peanut rhizosphere, Ca-phosphate (Ca-P) solubilizing and nitrogen-fixing bacteria were isolated separately using specific media. Then, the Ca-P solubilizing ability, phosphomonoesterase activity and IAA-producing ability were quantitatively examined. Based on the abilities, 20 strains were selected and identified as Burkholderia cepacia-complex, Burkholderia anthina, Burkholderia cenocepacia, Bacillus cereus-complex (three strains), Achromobacter spanius, Azospirillum sp. (four strains), Azotobacter sp. (three strains), Rhizobium leguminosarum, Rhizobium sp. (two strains), and Pseudomonas sp. (three strains). The inoculation of several single strains or the mixture of the selected strains promoted the growth of rice under saline conditions. These inoculants could be potential as biofertilizer in saline paddy fields.
DISTRIBUTION OF INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IN DIFFERENT LAND-USE SYSTEMS IN SUMATERA, INDONESIA
Authors: Wahyuni Indah , Sulistijorini Sulistijorini , Setiabudi Setiabudi , Meijide Ana , Nomura Miki , Kreft Holger , Rembold Katja , Tjitrosoedirdjo Sri Sudarmiyati , Tjitrosoedirdjo Soekisman
Published: October 2017

Disturbances caused by the conversion of rain forests into agricultural systems provide an opportunity for the expansion of Invasive Plant Species (IPS). Bukit Duabelas National Park is one of the few remaining lowland forests in Jambi Province (Sumatera, Indonesia). The surrounding areas up to the national park borders have already been converted into jungle rubber agroforests as well as rubber and oil palm plantations which might lead to an increased spread of IPS into the forest. This study was aimed at compiling a list of IPS and determining their distribution and coverage of IPS in four land use systems (rain forest jungle rubber, rubber and oil palm plantations). Spatial distribution patterns were investigated by creating a horizontal vegetation profile diagram for the permanent plots of the EFForTS project (Ecological and Socioeconomic Functions of Tropical Lowland Rainforest Transformation Systems, http://www.uni-goettingen.de/crc990). The dominance of IPS was determined using Important Value Index. A total of forty IPS were identified across the four land-use systems. The numbers of IPS were the highest in oil palm (28 species) and rubber plantations (27 species), and the lowest in jungle rubber (10 species). IPS were absent in the lowland rain forest. The diversity of IPS was influenced by environmental factors, especially canopy openness. IPS with the highest ground coverage were Dicranopteris linearis and Clidemia hirta. Both of them were found in all three land-use systems outside the rain forest when the forest canopy opens due to illegal logging or other human disturbances. Therefore, reforestation of disturbed areas is recommended to prevent the spread of IPS.
ISOLATION OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI FROM THE COASTAL PLANT TERONG PUNGO (Solanum sp.) AND ITS ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY AGAINST ORAL PATHOGENIC BACTERIA
Authors: Ukhty Nabila , Tarman Kustiariyah , Setyaningsih Iriani
Published: October 2017

Coastal plant locally known as terong pungo (Solanum sp.) was used by Aceh community as traditional medicine for toothache. The objectives of this study were to isolate endophytic fungi from the leaves of terong pungo and determine the antibacterial activity of the fungi against bacteria causing dental caries and infection. Eight endophytic fungi were isolated. Antagonism test among the isolates was performed to select the most dominant fungus. TP6 was the selected fungus based on the antagonism assay. Crude extracts of the fungus were macerated from the culture broth using ethyl acetate. The strongest antibacterial activity of the extracts was obtained when the fungus was at 12 days of cultivation. The fungal crude extract was strongly active against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with inhibition zone diameter of 20, 21 and 23 mm, respectively.
POLLINATOR DIVERSITY AND FORAGING DYNAMICS ON MONSOON CROP OF CUCURBITS IN A TRADITIONAL LANDSCAPE OF SOUTH INDIAN WEST COAST
Authors: Balachandran C. , Chandran M. D. Subash , Vinay S. , Shrikant Naik , Ranachandra T. V.
Published: October 2017

Studies on insect pollinator ecology and dynamics are very rarely carried out in traditional Indian agriculture landscapes. Indiscriminate landscape changes in the rural areas and tendencies towards crop monocultures can have significant effects on pollinator habitats and effectiveness. This study was aimed at observing insect pollinators, their visitation frequencies and timings on monsoon cucurbit crops such as Cucumis sativus L., C. pubescens Willd., Momordica charantia L., Trichonsanthes anguina L. and Luffa acutangula L. (Roxb.), in a coastal Karnataka Village. Â This study was also aimed at covering the significance of the surrounding landscape elements in sustaining pollinator elements.Â  Bees, such as Apis dorsata, A. cerana and Trigona sp., were major visitors on all cucurbits, except snake gourd which was pollinated mainly by lepidopterans. Insect species were found to partition floral resources of any given crops between them by minimal overlapping in their visitation timings. Natural elements of the landscape around, mainly a village forest and rocky savanna furnished habitats for bees and lepidopterans. Prolifically blooming monsoon herbs on lateritic plateaus, by providing nectar resources for pollinators, presumably play key role in making the case study village well known for monsoon vegetables.
IDENTIFICATION OF SECRETORY STRUCTURE, HISTOCHEMISTRY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OF MEDICINAL PLANT Hyptis capitata Jacq.
Authors: Rupa Darius , Sulistyaningsih Yohana Caecilia , Dorly Dorly , Ratnadewi Diah
Published: October 2017

Hyptis capitata Jacq. (common name: Knobweed or False Ironwort) belongs to Lamiaceae family and is among known traditional medicine. The Anak Dalam Tribe of Jambi Province uses the leaves of H. capitata to cure external and internal wounds. This study was aimed at identifying and analyzing secretory structure, histochemistry and phytochemical content of H. capitata leaves. Â The results showed that H. capitata leaves have secretory structures in the form of peltate, capitate and uniseriate glandular trichomes on the upper and lower leaf surfaces, with idioblast cells scattered throughout the leaf mesophyll. Histochemical tests indicated that the peltate trichomes have four head cells, containing alkaloids and terpenoids. This study classified capitate trichomes into two types: 1. type I has one stalk cell and two head cells, all containing Â alkaloids, terpenoids and lipophilic compounds; 2. type II has long stalk cells consisting of seven to ten cells with one head cell, all containing alkaloids and terpenoids. Uniseriate glandular trichomes of H. capitata leaves consist of four to eight cells containing alkaloids and terpenoids. The idioblast cells are round-shaped and contain lipophilic compounds. GC-MS analysis showed that H. capitata leaves Â contain terpenoid compounds assumed to serve as anti-infective agents, including l-limonene, eugenol, farnesol isomers A, d-nerolidol, hexahydrofarnesol and neophytadiene.
OPTIMIZATION AND EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT OF INâ€HOUSE IMMUNOAFFINITY COLUMN KU-AF02 FOR AFLATOXIN DETECTION
Authors: Kooprasertying Phakpoom , Maneeboon Thanapoom , Iamtaweejaroen Panrapee , Hongprayoon Ratchanee , Mahakarnchanakul Warapa
Published: October 2017

In-house immunoaffinity column for aflatoxins (AFs) detection is firstly developed by Kasetsart University since 2011 i.e. the first IAC prototype, KU-AF01.Â  Detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) up to 200 ng is considered significantly efficient, but the production cost is considered high. The high cost was due to the cost of monoclonal antibody specific to aflatoxin and its supporting materials i.e. CNBr-activated sepharose 4B.Â  Therefore, this study was aimed to improve the efficiency of in-house immunoaffinity colums by replacing CNBr-activated sepharose 4B with other supporting materials and to lower the ratio of antibody to supporting materials.Â Â  Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to determine the optimum alternative supporting materials and the ratio.Â  Results revealed that when compared with CNBr-activated sepharose 4B, all materials tested could recover higher than 80% AFB1, except the activated CH sepharose 4B.Â  Results also indicated that the optimum ratio was 0.4 mg anti-aflatoxin monoclonal antibody to 204 ÂµL CNBr-activated sepharose 4B.Â  CNBr-activated sepharose 4B was considered to provide the best precision in recovering AFB1.Â  KU-AF02 increased the ability to detect AFB1 to 500 ppb.Â  The recovery of AFs in the reference materials using KU-AF02 was more than 96% successful, with HorRat value range of 0.34 â€“ 0.76.Â  The reference materials used were 2 levels of AFs in peanuts, i.e. 47.68 and 72.14 ng/g.Â  In terms of quality control in IAC production, there were no significant differences among the 5 batches produced (p > 0.05).Â  KU-AF02 demonstrated stable and constant percent recovery at 4 oC for up to 12 months (tested with standard 200 ppb AFB1).Â  This study indicated that KU-AF02 could lower the ratio of supporting materials to the antibody and that KU-AF02 has high stability and has good ability for cleaning up AFs.Â  Therefore, KU-AF02 is recommended to be used as an in-house immunoaffinity column for aflatoxin detection in Thailand.