bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seamless stitching of tile scan microscope images
Authors: LEGESSE F.B. , CHERNAVSKAIA O. , HEUKE S. , BOCKLITZ T. , MEYER T. , POPP J. , HEINTZMANN R.
Published: March 2015

For diagnostic purposes, optical imaging techniques need to obtain high‐resolution images of extended biological specimens in reasonable time. The field of view of an objective lens, however, is often smaller than the sample size. To image the whole sample, laser scanning microscopes acquire tile scans that are stitched into larger mosaics. The appearance of such image mosaics is affected by visible edge artefacts that arise from various optical aberrations which manifest in grey level jumps across tile boundaries. In this contribution, a technique for stitching tiles into a seamless mosaic is presented. The stitching algorithm operates by equilibrating neighbouring edges and forcing the brightness at corners to a common value. The corrected image mosaics appear to be free from stitching artefacts and are, therefore, suited for further image analysis procedures. The contribution presents a novel method to seamlessly stitch tiles captured by a laser scanning microscope into a large mosaic. The motivation for the work is the failure of currently existing methods for stitching nonlinear, multimodal images captured by our microscopic setups. Our method eliminates the visible edge artefacts that appear between neighbouring tiles by taking into account the overall illumination differences among tiles in such mosaics. The algorithm first corrects the nonuniform brightness that exists within each of the tiles. It then compensates for grey level differences across tile boundaries by equilibrating neighbouring edges and forcing the brightness at the corners to a common value. After these artefacts have been removed further image analysis procedures can be applied on the microscopic images. Even though the solution presented here is tailored for the aforementioned specific case, it could be easily adapted to other contexts where image tiles are assembled into mosaics such as in astronomical or satellite photos.
miR‐210 mediates vagus nerve stimulation‐induced antioxidant stress and anti‐apoptosis reactions following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Jiang Ying , Li Longling , Tan Xiaodan , Liu Bin , Zhang Yanhong , Li Changqing
Published: March 2015

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) exerts neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and modulates redox status, potentially through the activity of miR‐210, an important microRNA that is regulated by hypoxia‐inducible factor and Akt‐dependent pathways. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms of VNS‐ and miR‐210‐mediated hypoxic tolerance. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were preconditioned with a miR‐210 antagomir (A) or with an antagomir control (AC), followed by middle cerebral artery occlusion and VNS treatment. The animals were divided into eight groups: sham I/R, I/R, I/R+AC, I/R+A, sham I/R+VNS, I/R+VNS, I/R+VNS+AC, and I/R+VNS+A. Activation of the endogenous cholinergic a7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (a7nAchR) pathway was identified using double immunofluorescence staining. miR‐210 expression was measured by PCR. Behavioral outcomes, infarct volume, and neuronal apoptosis were observed at 24 h following reperfusion. Markers of oxidative stress were detected using ELISA. Rats treated with VNS showed increased miR‐210 expression as well as decreased apoptosis and antioxidant stress responses compared with the I/R group; these rats also showed increased p‐Akt protein expression and significantly decreased levels of cleaved caspase 3 in the ischemic penumbra, as measured by western blot and immunofluorescence analyses, respectively. Strikingly, the beneficial effects of VNS were attenuated following miR‐210 knockdown. In conclusion, our results indicate that miR‐210 is a potential mediator of VNS‐induced neuroprotection against I/R injury. Our study highlights the neuroprotective potential of VNS, which, to date, has been largely unexplored.

image

Since approved by the FDA in 1997, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for refractory epilepsy and resistant depression. Recent studies have found that VNS also provided neuroprotective effects against ischemic injury in a rat stroke model. We showed that miR‐210 played an important role in the antioxidant stress and anti‐apoptosis responses induced by VNS. This is the first report showing the effects of VNS at the mRNA level. Therefore, VNS represents a promising candidate treatment for ischemic stroke patients. Schematic view of the role of miR210 mediated in the protective effects of the VNS on the acute cerebral ischemia. VNS acts to activate neuronal and astrocytes a7nAchR , inhibits the apoptosis and oxidant stress responses possibly associated with increased Akt phosphorylation and miR210 expression.
Asset Quality Misrepresentation by Financial Intermediaries: Evidence from the RMBS Market
Authors: PISKORSKI TOMASZ , SERU AMIT , WITKIN JAMES
Published: March 2015

We document that contractual disclosures by intermediaries during the sale of mortgages contained false information about the borrower's housing equity in 7–14% of loans. The rate of misrepresented loan default was 70% higher than for similar loans. These misrepresentations likely occurred late in the intermediation and exist among securities sold by all reputable intermediaries. Investors—including large institutions—holding securities with misrepresented collateral suffered severe losses due to loan defaults, price declines, and ratings downgrades. Pools with misrepresentations were not issued at a discount. Misrepresentation on another easy‐to‐quantify dimension shows that these effects are a conservative lower bound.
Self‐reported gagging in dentistry: prevalence, psycho‐social correlates and oral health
Authors: van Houtem C. M. H. H. , van Wijk A. J. , Boomsma D. I. , Ligthart L. , Visscher C. M. , de Jongh A.
Published: March 2015

Although gagging has a profound effect on the delivery of dental care, it is a relatively under‐investigated phenomenon. This study aimed to derive a prevalence estimate of gagging during dental treatment based on patient‐reported information, to determine some socio‐demographic and psychological correlates and to assess the relationship of gagging with self‐reported oral health and avoidance of dental care. Data were collected with a survey among Dutch twin families (n = 11 771). Estimated overall prevalence of gagging during dental treatment was 8·2% (95% CI 7·7–8·7). Patients' self‐report of gagging was found to be significantly associated with female sex, a lower level of education and higher levels of dental trait anxiety, gagging‐related fears (e.g. fear of objects in the mouth), anxious depression and neuroticism. Gagging also appeared to be significantly associated with untreated cavities, gingival bleeding and wearing full dentures, but not with avoidance of dental care. It can be concluded that individuals who report to gag during dental treatment are moderately dentally anxious, fear‐specific situations that can trigger a gagging response and, albeit visiting the dentist equally frequently, report to have a poorer oral health compared to those who do not gag.
The investigation of interspecies diversity of erythrocyte aggregation properties by two different photometric methods in four animal species
Authors: Kiss F. , Toth E. , Peto K. , Miko I. , Nemeth N.
Published: March 2015

Among the haemorheological parameters, red blood cell (RBC) aggregation shows the largest interspecies diversity, and often controversial data can be found in the literature, besides the methodology‐dependent issues. In this present investigation, we compared four experimental/laboratory animal species’ RBC aggregation by two different photometric methods for better revealing the differences. Blood samples (K3‐EDTA, 1.5 mg/ml) were taken from female animals: 16 inbred mice (Mus musculus, cardiac puncture), 15 outbred rats (Rattus norvegicus, caudal caval vein puncture), 15 beagle dogs (Canis canis, cephalic vein) and 23 juvenile pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus, medial saphenous vein). Haematological parameters (microcell counter) and RBC aggregation (light transmission and syllectometry‐laser backscatter methods) were determined within 2 h after sampling. Describing the first 5–10 s of the aggregation process, additional parameters were calculated out of the syllectometric raw data. Standardized difference was calculated to determine the sensitivity of the two devices. Parameters describing the extent and magnitude of red blood cell aggregation showed the lowest values in the rat and the highest in the pig and canine blood. In turn, parameters describing the kinetics of aggregation showed the lowest values in the mouse and the highest in the rat. The standardized difference values for the laser backscattering method were 2–4 times larger vs. the light transmission one. The magnitude of the differences was not consequent in the aggregation parameters. These comparative results show that the laser backscattering method can detect the RBC aggregation differences between the investigated species more sensitively than the light transmission method.
Evolution of the HCV viral population from a patient with S282T detected at relapse after sofosbuvir monotherapy
Authors: Hedskog C. , Dvory‐Sobol H. , Gontcharova V. , Martin R. , Ouyang W. , Han B. , Gane E. J. , Brainard D. , Hyland R. H. , Miller M. D. , Mo H. , Svarovskaia E.
Published: March 2015

Clinical phase II/III studies of the nucleotide analogue HCV NS5B inhibitor sofosbuvir (SOF) have demonstrated high efficacy in HCV‐infected patients in combination therapy. To date, resistance to SOF (S282T in NS5B) has rarely been detected in patients. In this study, we investigated the evolution of S282T viral variants detected in one HCV genotype 2b‐infected patient who relapsed following 12 weeks of SOF monotherapy. Deep sequencing of the NS5B gene was performed on longitudinal plasma samples at baseline, days 2 and 3 on SOF, and longitudinal samples post‐SOF treatment through week 48. Intrapatient HCV evolution was analysed by maximum‐likelihood phylogenetic analysis. Deep sequencing analysis revealed a low level pre‐existence of S282T at 0.05% of viral sequences (4/7755 reads) at baseline and 0.03% (6/23 415 reads) at day 2 on SOF. Viral relapse was detected at week 4 post‐treatment where 99.8% of the viral population harboured S282T. Follow‐up analysis determined that S282T levels diminished post‐treatment reaching undetectable levels 24–48 weeks post‐SOF. Phylogenetic analysis together with the persistence of unique post‐treatment mutations in all post‐SOF samples suggested that growth of wild type resulted from reversion of the S282T mutant to a wild type and not outgrowth of the baseline wild‐type population. Our data suggest that a very low level of pre‐existing S282T at baseline in this patient was enriched and transiently detected following SOF monotherapy. Despite relapse with drug resistance to SOF, this patient was successfully retreated with SOF plus ribavirin for 12 weeks and is now cured from HCV infection.
Striking longevity in a hibernating lemur
Authors: Blanco M. B. , Zehr S. M.
Published: March 2015

Body mass correlates with life span across mammals; larger species tend to live longer than small ones. There are, however, exceptions to this pattern. One metabolic strategy that has been linked to increased longevity is hibernation; that is, small‐bodied hibernating mammals live longer than expected based on their size alone. Hibernation may be beneficial in seasonal and unpredictable habitats because individuals can reduce metabolic rates to conserve energy in times of resource scarcity. On the downside, the extended periods of dormancy hibernating mammals undergo afford them fewer reproductive opportunities per year compared with their similarly sized non‐hibernating relatives. One strategy to compensate for a reduced reproductive rate is to extend reproductive life span. Increased longevity may also be expected if hibernators possess cellular machinery resilient to metabolic stress, which is generally associated with aging. Here we present data on life span and other life‐history variables for four small‐bodied strepsirrhine primates: (1) the fat‐tailed dwarf lemur Cheirogaleus medius, a hibernator; (2) the gray mouse lemur Microcebus murinus, a closely related species, which opportunistically expresses torpor and/or hibernation; (3) the Northern giant mouse lemur Mirza zaza another closely related species, which does not hibernate, but may employ daily torpor; (4) the bushbaby Galago moholi, a non‐lemur, non‐hibernating strepsirrhine that employs torpor only as an emergency response to harsh conditions. We analyzed newly compiled captive data from the developing Duke Lemur Center Database, and report that dwarf lemurs live significantly longer, reproduce longer and show later incidences of both morphologic and reproductive senescence than the other species analyzed. That these correlations hold in captive populations with no predation indicates that intrinsic biologic effects must play some role.
Blind toads in paradise: the cascading effect of vision loss on a tropical archipelago
Authors: Tolledo J. , Toledo L. F.
Published: March 2015

On the archipelago ofFernandode Noronha, nearly half of the individuals in the invasive population ofCururu toads have mouthpart, limb or eye deformities. Among these, a subset of adult toads is completely blind or has just one functional eye. In this study, we examined the consequences of this vision loss in relation to feeding and reproductive biology. Blind toads were handicapped relative to normal toads, whereas the half‐blind individuals were intermediate. In contrast to the expected active hunting mode used by normal toads, blind toads searched for prey using a sit‐and‐wait foraging strategy. The small sample of blind toads (n = 4) had no stomach contents. However, eight half‐blinded and 86 sighted animals presented stomach contents, and differed in general diet profile. Body condition as well as reproductive effort increased according to the number of functional eyes. Therefore, we suggest that shifts in feeding and hunting, as a consequence of vision loss, influence diet, with subsequent impact on overall body condition and reproductive effort. A cascade effect of this kind has not been previously reported and provides insightful data related to behavioral plasticity and reproductive fitness.
Mismatched Discourses in the Petition Offices of Chinese Courts
Authors: He Xin , Feng Yuqing
Published: March 2015

Based on participation observations and interviews with petitioners and petition officials in Chinese courts, this article analyzes how the petitioning discourse is organized and how it influences the dispute resolution process. It finds that the discourses between the petitioners and the petition officials are mismatched. The petitioners fight to frame their disputes in legal terms, while the petition officials use a “channeling discourse” to divert the petitioners to legal or extralegal institutions. The two types of discourse barely confront each other; nor are the substantive issues seriously debated. Since being channeled into other institutions does not resolve their disputes, petitioners start calling their petitioning experiences as injurious, blaming officials, and making new claims. Disputes are thus reproduced. The research sheds light on the petitioners’ legal consciousness and the operation of the petition system in China, and explores the contextual reasons why the phenomenon of mismatched discourses occurs in China.
High Concentrations of Uric Acid Inhibit Endothelial Cell Migration via miR‐663 Which Regulates Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog by Targeting Transforming Growth Factor‐β1
Authors: Hong Quan , Yu Shandong , Geng Xiaodong , Duan Liping , Zheng Wei , Fan Men , Chen Xiangmei , Wu Di
Published: March 2015

Background

Whether microRNAs participate in endothelial dysfunction HUA remains unknown. A previous study indicated that miR‐663 was the most significantly differentially expressed endothelial microRNA under HUA conditions. Some studies have demonstrated that the miR‐663 target gene and TGF‐β1, promoted endothelial cell migration by inhibiting PTEN deleted on chromosome 10. Therefore, we hypothesized that HUA inhibits endothelial migration via miR‐663, which regulates PTEN by targeting TGF‐β1.

Methods

PCR analysis was performed to determine miR‐663 expression levels. A luciferase assay was performed to validate whether miR‐663 targets TGF‐β1 directly. Western blot analysis was performed to determine TGF‐β1 and PTEN expression levels. An miR‐663 inhibitor and TGF‐β1‐ and PTEN‐specific siRNAs were transfected into EA.hy926 cells to inhibit miR‐663, TGF‐β1, and PTEN expression, respectively. A wound healing assay was performed to determine the migratory ability of EA.hy926 cells.

Results

miR‐663 had higher expression levels in HUA‐stimulated endothelial cells and in the sera of hyperuricemic patients and animals. TGF‐β1 was targeted directly by miR‐663. Endothelial miR‐663 was up‐regulated under HUA conditions, and HUA inhibited endothelial cell migration via miR‐663, which targeted TGF‐β1. Thus, TGF‐β1 regulated cell migration in a PTEN‐dependent manner.

Conclusion

HUA inhibits endothelial cell migration via miR‐663, which regulates PTEN by targeting TGF‐β1.
Flow cytometry reveals that the rust fungus, Uromyces bidentis (Pucciniales), possesses the largest fungal genome reported—2489 Mbp
Authors: Ramos Ana Paula , Tavares Sílvia , Tavares Daniela , Silva Maria Do Céu , Loureiro João , Talhinhas Pedro
Published: March 2015

Among the Eukaryotes, Fungi have relatively small genomes (average of 44.2 Mbp across 1850 species). The order Pucciniales (Basidiomycota) has the largest average genome size among fungi (305 Mbp), and includes the two largest fungal genomes reported so far (Puccinia chrysanthemi and Gymnosporangium confusum, with 806.5 and 893.2 Mbp, respectively). In this work, flow cytometry was employed to determine the genome size of the Bidens pilosa rust pathogen, Uromyces bidentis. The results obtained revealed that U. bidentis presents a surprisingly large haploid genome size of 2489 Mbp. This value is almost three times larger than the previous largest fungal genome reported and over 50 times larger than the average fungal genome size. Microscopic examination of U. bidentis nuclei also showed that they are not as different in size from the B. pilosa nuclei when compared with the differences between other rusts and their host plants. This result further reinforces the position of the Pucciniales as the fungal group with the largest genomes, prompting studies addressing the role of repetitive elements and polyploidy in the evolution, pathological specialization and diversity of fungal species.
Psychometric testing of the Revised Humane Caring Scale for adult patients in Singapore
Authors: Goh Mien Li , Ang Emily NK , Chan Yiong‐Huak , He Hong‐Gu , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri
Published: March 2015

In this study, we examined the validity and reliability of the Revised Humane Caring Scale as used by adult patients in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. A three‐phase descriptive quantitative study was conducted. In phase I, an expert panel of nurses and inpatients examined the content validity of the scale; phase II comprised a pilot study on 20 patients; and in phase III, a large‐scale study on 235 patients was implemented to test the internal consistency of the scale. The results revealed that the content validity index of the scale ranged from 0.856 to 1, and the scale had a high inter‐rater agreement kappa value of 0.940. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.798 to 0.877 in phase II, and from 0.579 to 0.760 in phase III, respectively. The Revised Humane Caring Scale revealed good content validity and an acceptable level of internal consistency. The scale is an acceptable measurement tool for evaluating adult patients' satisfaction during hospitalization.
Enhanced osteoclastogenesis by mitochondrial retrograde signaling through transcriptional activation of the cathepsin K gene
Authors: Guha Manti , Srinivasan Satish , Koenigstein Alexander , Zaidi Mone , Avadhani Narayan G.
Published: March 2015

Mitochondrial dysfunction has emerged as an important factor in wide ranging human pathologies. We have previously defined a retrograde signaling pathway that originates from dysfunctional mitochondria (Mt‐RS) and causes a global nuclear transcriptional reprograming as its end point. Mitochondrial dysfunction causing disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and consequent increase in cytosolic calcium [Ca2](c) activates calcineurin and the transcription factors NF‐κB, NFAT, CREB, and C/EBPδ. In macrophages, this signaling complements receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL)–induced osteoclastic differentiation. Here, we show that the Mt‐RS activated transcriptional coactivator heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein A2 (hnRNP A2) is induced by hypoxia in murine macrophages. We demonstrate that the cathepsin K gene (Ctsk), one of the key genes upregulated during osteoclast differentiation, is transcriptionally activated by Mt‐RS factors. HnRNP A2 acts as a coactivator with nuclear transcription factors, cRel, and C/EBPδ for Ctsk promoter activation under hypoxic conditions. Notably, our study shows that hypoxia‐induced activation of the stress target factors mediates effects similar to that of RANKL with regard to Ctsk activation. We therefore suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of Mt‐RS, induced by various pathophysiologic conditions, is a potential risk factor for osteoclastogenesis and bone loss.
Salivary microRNAs in oral cancer
Authors: Zahran F , Ghalwash D , Shaker O , Al‐Johani K , Scully C
Published: March 2015

Objective

This study investigated the use of three salivary microRNAs (miRNA‐21, miRNA‐184, and miRNA‐145) as possible markers for malignant transformation in oral mucosal lesions.

Materials and methods

Salivary whole unstimulated samples were collected from a study group of 100 subjects, consisting of 20 clinically healthy controls, 40 patients with oral potentially malignant disorders (PMDs) [20 with dysplastic lesions and 20 without dysplasia], 20 with biopsy‐confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and 20 with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) as disease controls. Total RNA was isolated and purified from saliva samples using the microRNA Isolation Kit (Qiagen, UL). miRNA expression analysis was performed using qRT‐PCR (Applied Biosystems).

Results

There was a highly significant increase in salivary miRNA‐21 and miRNA‐184 in OSCC and PMD (with and without dysplasia) when compared to healthy and disease controls (P < 0.001). Conversely, miRNA‐145 levels showed a highly significant decrease in OSCC and PMD overall (P < 0.001). RAS cases showed no significant difference from normal controls in any measured miRNA (P > 0.05). The only microRNA to discriminate between OSCC and PMD with dysplasia was miRNA‐184. When receiver operating characteristic curves were designed for the three miRNAs, cutoff points delineating the occurrence of malignant change were a fourfold increase in miRNA‐21 with specificity 65% and sensitivity 65%, a 0.6 decrease in miRNA‐145, with specificity 70% and sensitivity 60%, and a threefold increase of miRNA‐184, with specificity 75% and sensitivity 80%. Calculating the area under the curve revealed that miRNA‐184 was the only one among the studied miRNAs that provided good diagnostic value.

Conclusion

Salivary determination of the miRNAs tested might furnish a noninvasive, rapid adjunctive aid for revealing malignant transformation in oral mucosal lesions, particularly miRNA‐184.
Senescence‐inducible LEC2 enhances triacylglycerol accumulation in leaves without negatively affecting plant growth
Authors: Kim Hyun Uk , Lee Kyeong‐Ryeol , Jung Su‐Jin , Shin Hyun A , Go Young Sam , Suh Mi‐Chung , Kim Jong Bum
Published: March 2015

The synthesis of fatty acids and glycerolipids in wild‐type Arabidopsis leaves does not typically lead to strong triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation. LEAFY COTYLEDON2 (LEC2) is a master regulator of seed maturation and oil accumulation in seeds. Constitutive ectopic LEC2 expression causes somatic embryogenesis and defects in seedling growth. Here, we report that senescence‐inducible LEC2 expression caused a threefold increase in TAG levels in transgenic leaves compared with that in the leaves of wild‐type plants. Plant growth was not severely affected by the accumulation the TAG in response to LEC2 expression. The levels of plastid‐synthesized lipids, mono‐ and di‐galactosyldiacylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol were reduced more in senescence‐induced LEC2 than in endoplasmic reticulum‐synthesized lipids, including phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol. Senescence‐induced LEC2 up‐regulated the expression of many genes involved in fatty acid and TAG biosynthesis at precise times in senescent leaves, including WRINKLED1 (WRI1), which encodes a fatty acid transcription factor. The expressions of glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase 1 and phospholipid:diacylglycerol 2 were increased in the transgenic leaves. Five seed‐type oleosin‐encoding genes, expressed during oil‐body formation, and the seed‐specific FAE1 gene, which encodes the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of C20:1 and C22:1 fatty acids, were also expressed at higher levels in senescing transgenic leaves than in wild‐type leaves. Senescence‐inducible LEC2 triggers the key metabolic steps that increase TAG accumulation in vegetative tissues.
Skin phototype: a new perspective
Authors: Maresca Vittoria , Flori Enrica , Picardo Mauro
Published: March 2015

Cutaneous phototype is considered mainly related to cutaneous pigmentation and to the eumelanin/pheomelanin ratio, which is mostly genetically determined by the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) polymorphisms. However, data in literature indicate that, in addition to stimulation of eumelanin synthesis, the MC1R signalling activates antioxidant, DNA repair and survival pathways. New emerging aspects regarding photoprotection and skin phototypes are going beyond those features connected to the melanin content in the skin. Important new findings link the MC1R to nuclear receptors activation, shedding light on new extra‐melanogenic effects dependent on the α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) activity and new ways through which such functions are modulated. These evidences indicate that several factors including melanin play a part in defining the basis for individual sun sensitivity, suggesting that the cutaneous phototype represents a ‘biochemical fingerprint’.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Benzoyl Peroxide Resembling Impetigo
Authors: Kim Changhyun , Craiglow Brittany G. , Watsky Kalman L. , Antaya Richard J.
Published: March 2015

A 17‐year‐old boy presented with recurring severe dermatitis of the face of 5‐months duration that resembled impetigo. He had been treated with several courses of antibiotics without improvement. Biopsy showed changes consistent with allergic contact dermatitis and patch testing later revealed sensitization to benzoyl peroxide, which the patient had been using for the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Basal cell carcinomas on sun‐protected vs. sun‐exposed body sites: a comparison of phenotypic and environmental risk factors
Authors: Khalesi Mohammad , Whiteman David C. , Rosendahl Cliff , Johns Richard , Hackett Timothy , Cameron Alan , Waterhouse Mary , Lucas Robyn M. , Kimlin Michael G. , Neale Rachel E. ,   the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Sun and Health
Published: March 2015

Background

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in White populations. There are indications that risk factors for BCC may differ according to the anatomic site of the tumour but this is not well understood.

Purpose

To compare phenotypic and environmental risk factors for BCCs arising on sun‐protected sites with that of those on sun‐exposed sites.

Methods

We conducted a case–case study in which people who had been diagnosed with incident BCC were recruited between February 2012 and September 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

Results

Fair skin (OR: 4.50; 95% CI: 1.22, 16.59), having more than 15 lesions frozen/burnt off compared to less than 5 (OR: 5.68; 95% CI: 1.78, 18.08) and severe acne (OR: 5.25; 95% CI: 1.34, 20.56) were associated with increased risk of BCC on sun‐protected sites. The presence of more than 5 nevi on the body was associated with decreased risk (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.71).

Conclusions

BCCs on sun‐protected sites arise as a result of excessive sun exposure, most likely combined with phenotypic susceptibility. The strong negative association with nevi also suggests that there are constitutional factors that underlie the propensity for BCCs to arise on these body sites.
Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter Removals by Non‐Interventional Nephrologists: The University of Mississippi Experience
Authors: Fülöp Tibor , Rodríguez Betzaida , Kosztaczky Béla A. , Gharaibeh Kamel A. , Lengvárszky Zsolt , Dossabhoy Neville R. , Tapolyai Mihály B.
Published: March 2015

Bedside removal of tunneled hemodialysis catheters (TDC) by noninterventional Nephrologists has not been frequently performed or studied. We performed a retrospective review of bedside TDC removal at the University of Mississippi Medical Center between January, 2010 and June, 2013. We collected data on multiple patients and procedure‐related variables, success, and complications rates. Of the 138 subjects, mean age was 50 (±15.9) years, 49.3% were female, 88.2% African American and 41% diabetics. Site of removal was the right internal jugular (IJ) in 76.8%, the left IJ in 15.2%, and the femoral vein in 8% of patients. Exactly 44.9% of removals took place in the outpatient setting. Main indications for the removal were proven bacteremia in 30.4%, sepsis or clinical concerns for infection in 15.2% of the cases, while TDC was no longer necessary in 52.2% of patients. All removals were technically successful and well tolerated, but we observed Dacron “cuff” separation and subcutaneous retention in 6.5% of the cases. There was a significant association between outpatient removal and cuff retention (p = 0.007), but not with the site of removal or operator experience. In this relatively large mixed cohort of inpatients and outpatients, bedside TDC removal was well tolerated with a minimal complication rate.
Effect of friction on vibrotactile sensation of normal and dehydrated skin
Authors: Chen S. , Ge S. , Tang W. , Zhang J.
Published: March 2015

Background

Vibrotactile sensation mediated is highly dependent on surface mechanical and frictional properties. Dehydration of skin could change these properties. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between friction and vibrotactile sensation of normal and dehydrated skin.

Methods

Vibrations were firstly measured during surface exploration using a biomimetic sensor. Piglet skin was used as human skin model to study frictional properties for both normal and dehydrated skin using an atomic force microscope on nanoscale and a pin‐on‐disk tribometer on macroscale. Effect of vibrational frequency on friction and vibrotactile perception was also observed on nano and macro scale for normal and dehydrated skin.

Results

The result indicated that dehydrated skin was less sensitive than normal skin. The coefficient of friction of dehydrated skin is smaller than that of normal skin on both nano and macro scale. The coefficient of friction increases as increasing scanning frequencies.

Conclusion

There is a positive correlation between coefficient of friction and vibrotactile sensation on nanoscale and macroscale.
Tactile friction of topical formulations
Authors: Skedung L. , Buraczewska‐Norin I. , Dawood N. , Rutland M. W. , Ringstad L.
Published: March 2015

Background

The tactile perception is essential for all types of topical formulations (cosmetic, pharmaceutical, medical device) and the possibility to predict the sensorial response by using instrumental methods instead of sensory testing would save time and cost at an early stage product development. Here, we report on an instrumental evaluation method using tactile friction measurements to estimate perceptual attributes of topical formulations.

Methods

Friction was measured between an index finger and an artificial skin substrate after application of formulations using a force sensor. Both model formulations of liquid crystalline phase structures with significantly different tactile properties, as well as commercial pharmaceutical moisturizing creams being more tactile‐similar, were investigated. Friction coefficients were calculated as the ratio of the friction force to the applied load. The structures of the model formulations and phase transitions as a result of water evaporation were identified using optical microscopy.

Results

The friction device could distinguish friction coefficients between the phase structures, as well as the commercial creams after spreading and absorption into the substrate. In addition, phase transitions resulting in alterations in the feel of the formulations could be detected. A correlation was established between skin hydration and friction coefficient, where hydrated skin gave rise to higher friction. Also a link between skin smoothening and finger friction was established for the commercial moisturizing creams, although further investigations are needed to analyse this and correlations with other sensorial attributes in more detail.

Conclusion

The present investigation shows that tactile friction measurements have potential as an alternative or complement in the evaluation of perception of topical formulations.
Examination of the effect of Stratum Corneum isolation process on the integrity of the barrier function: a confocal Raman spectroscopy study
Authors: Quatela A. , Tfayli A. , Baillet‐Guffroy A.
Published: March 2015

Background

Stratum Corneum (SC) is the most superficial layer of the epidermis. It plays the main barrier role against water loss and the aggression of external chemical and biological substances. Thermal treatment in warm purified water followed by trypsin incubation of excised human skin is a well‐established in vitro method for SC removal. Different protocols can be found in literature, but little is described about the effect of temperature and trypsin during isolation process on its barrier function.

Methods

In this study, we have examined the epidermis and SC matrix structural change upon isolation by means of confocal Raman spectroscopy.

Results

Several spectral features, i.e. in‐depth and planar lateral packing, conformational order and secondary structure have been investigated to reveal modifications in the structural properties of the lipids and proteins in the SC. Thermal treatment at 60°C leads to a losing in compactness and a steeper concentration of the lipid and protein descriptors while the trypsinization step modifies the organization of the proteins and of the lipid barrier, leading to a domain organization.

Conclusions

The present study improves the knowledge of the effects on the barrier function of SC removal protocol.
Concurrent Drainage Network Rendering for Automated Pen‐and‐ink Style Landscape Illustration
Authors: Mower James E.
Published: March 2015

Pen‐and‐ink style geomorphological illustrations render landscape elements critical to the understanding of surface processes within a viewshed and, at their highest levels of execution, represent works of art, being both practical and beautiful. The execution of a pen‐and‐ink composition, however, requires inordinate amounts of time and skill. This article will introduce an algorithm for rendering creases – linework representing visually significant morphological features – at animation speeds, made possible with recent advances in graphics processing unit (GPU) architectures and rendering APIs. Beginning with a preprocessed high‐resolution drainage network model, creases are rendered from selected stream segments if their weighted criteria (slope, flow accumulation, and surface illumination), attenuated by perspective distance from the viewpoint, exceed a threshold. The algorithm thus provides a methodology for crease representation at continuous levels of detail down to the highest resolution of the preprocessed drainage model over a range of surface orientation and illumination conditions. The article also presents an implementation of the crease algorithm with frame rates exceeding those necessary to support animation, supporting the proposition that parallel processing techniques exposed through modern GPU programming environments provide cartographers with a new and inexpensive toolkit for constructing alternative and attractive real‐time animated landscape visualizations for spatial analysis.
An Actin Filament Population Defined by the Tropomyosin Tpm3.1 Regulates Glucose Uptake
Authors: Kee Anthony J. , Yang Lingyan , Lucas Christine A. , Greenberg Michael J. , Martel Nick , Leong Gary M. , Hughes William E. , Cooney Gregory J. , James David E. , Ostap E. Michael , Han Weiping , Gunning Peter W. , Hardeman Edna C.
Published: March 2015

Actin has an ill‐defined role in the trafficking of GLUT4 glucose transporter vesicles to the plasma membrane (PM). We have identified novel actin filaments defined by the tropomyosin Tpm3.1 at glucose uptake sites in white adipose tissue (WAT) and skeletal muscle. In Tpm 3.1‐overexpressing mice, insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake was increased; while Tpm3.1‐null mice they were more sensitive to the impact of high‐fat diet on glucose uptake. Inhibition of Tpm3.1 function in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes abrogates insulin‐stimulated GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake. In WAT, the amount of filamentous actin is determined by Tpm3.1 levels and is paralleled by changes in exocyst component (sec8) and Myo1c levels. In adipocytes, Tpm3.1 localizes with MyoIIA, but not Myo1c, and it inhibits Myo1c binding to actin. We propose that Tpm3.1 determines the amount of cortical actin that can engage MyoIIA and generate contractile force, and in parallel limits the interaction of Myo1c with actin filaments. The balance between these actin filament populations may determine the efficiency of movement and/or fusion of GLUT4 vesicles with the PM.
Recruitment of VPS33A to HOPS by VPS16 Is Required for Lysosome Fusion with Endosomes and Autophagosomes
Authors: Wartosch Lena , Günesdogan Ufuk , Graham Stephen C. , Luzio J. Paul
Published: March 2015

The mammalian homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting (HOPS) complex is comprised of six subunits: VPS11, VPS16, VPS18, VPS39, VPS41 and the Sec1/Munc18 (SM) family member VPS33A. Human HOPS has been predicted to be a tethering complex required for fusion of intracellular compartments with lysosomes, but it remains unclear whether all HOPS subunits are required. We showed that the whole HOPS complex is required for fusion of endosomes with lysosomes by monitoring the delivery of endocytosed fluorescent dextran to lysosomes in cells depleted of individual HOPS proteins. We used the crystal structure of the VPS16/VPS33A complex to design VPS16 and VPS33A mutants that no longer bind each other and showed that, unlike the wild‐type proteins, these mutants no longer rescue lysosome fusion with endosomes or autophagosomes in cells depleted of the endogenous proteins. There was no effect of depleting either VIPAR or VPS33B, paralogs of VPS16 and VPS33A, on fusion of lysosomes with either endosomes or autophagosomes and immunoprecipitation showed that they form a complex distinct from HOPS. Our data demonstrate the necessity of recruiting the SM protein VPS33A to HOPS via its interaction with VPS16 and that HOPS proteins, but not VIPAR or VPS33B, are essential for fusion of endosomes or autophagosomes with lysosomes.
INTRAARTERIAL INJECTION OF IODINATED CONTRAST MEDIUM FOR CONTRAST ENHANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF THE EQUINE HEAD
Authors: Carmalt James L. , Montgomery James
Published: March 2015

Minimizing the volume of contrast administered for contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the equine head is desirable for reducing costs and risks of adverse reactions, however evidence‐based studies on the effects of varying volumes on image quality are currently lacking. The objective of the current study was to determine whether low‐volume intraarterial administration of contrast medium would result in an equivalent image quality and tissue attenuation vs. high‐volume intravenous bolus administration. A prospective cross‐over experimental design was used in a sample of six horses. After anesthetic induction, the right carotid artery was exposed surgically and catheterized. Four CT scans of the cranium were performed for each horse: baseline, immediately following intraarterial contrast injection, five‐min postinjection (return to baseline) and a final scan after intravenous contrast administration. Soft tissue attenuation in predetermined regions of interest (ROI); and length, width, and height measurements of the pituitary gland were recorded at each time point. Horses were euthanized and measurements of the pituitary gland were repeated postmortem. No adverse reactions to contrast administration were observed. Intraarterial and intravenous administration of contrast medium resulted in significantly greater soft tissue enhancement of some brain ROI's and the pituitary gland vs. baseline values. Pituitary gland measurements made on postcontrast CT images did not differ from those obtained during postmortem examination. Findings indicated that low‐dose intraarterial administration of contrast material in the equine head resulted in comparable soft tissue enhancement vs. high volume intravenous administration.
Impact of Basel Accord on Banking System (Evidence from Islamic Banks of Pakistan)
Authors: Azeem Muhammad Mehtab , Marsap Akin , Ozari Cigdem
Published: March 2015

Banks and bank regulatory authorities are vital players for the stability of economy and financial system in potential way. Basel III and its related to capital’s requirement obligations have been effective useful tool for the banking system. Since, this is tough job for the bankers to maintain the liquidity for hedging the future risk but it also been expensive for bankers to keep the extra capital and become more liquid since this discourage the provision of loans but promote the credit ratings. However, it has become necessary to investigate the impact of Basel III on Islamic banking system and analyze the trade off. The study analyzes empirically on the (Financial) anomalies in term of three factors (i) Financial size (ii) Spread and (iii) Provisions for non performing financing. The study also discusses the impact of Basel III on Islamic banking performance if applicable, in context of trade off and impact on country’s economy. We can ask that Basel III framework is difficult to be consistent for conventional banks; we can also realize that either new regulation will be flexible for Islamic banks under Basel III while Islamic and Conventional banks are totally different. Further, we shall estimate if the Basel III is more or less important in Islamic banks of Pakistan than conventional banks. At the end, we shall see from theoretical framework either the impact of Basel III is important for Islamic banks if and only if Islamic banks adopt to follow Basel III regulations and analyzing the potential influence on conventional banks.
Discontinuous Projection-Based Adaptive Robust Control for Displacement-Controlled Actuators
Authors: Busquets Enrique , Ivantysynova Monika
Published: March 2015

Displacement-controlled (DC) actuation is a revolutionary fluid power technology which has been utilized on a broad range of applications demonstrating substantial fuel savings and significant performance improvements over traditional valve-controlled (VC) systems. In this paper, a nonlinear discontinuous projection-based adaptive controller is synthesized to achieve precision motion control of DC actuators. The controller is formulated to compensate for uncertain parameters through online parameter adaptation. Additionally, its structure allows for the inclusion of unmodeled nonlinearities such as friction and external loads and disturbances. Transient performance and tracking accuracy are also guaranteed in the presence of both parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities, and asymptotic tracking is achieved in the presence of parametric uncertainties. To evaluate the synthesized controller, a test bench comprising a large hydraulically powered end-effector was utilized. The actuator, a vane-type hydraulic motor is mechanically connected to a large robotic arm with a wide range of motion. Measurement results demonstrate that the synthesized controller achieves the aforementioned advantages while attaining a high degree of motion accuracy.
A Water Quenched Low NOx Coal Slurry Combustor for Industrial Gas Turbines
Authors: Wilkes C. , Razdan M. K. , Santanam C. B.
Published: March 2015

A 1.8 kgs/sec (4 lbs/sec) bench-scale rich-quench-lean combustor has been successfully developed to burn micronized coal-water slurry (CWS) mixtures with 50% solids loading. Water quenching is used to freeze and shatter slag particles leaving the rich zone which are trapped and removed from the hot gas stream in a cyclone separator. Rich zone carbon burnout efficiencies in excess of 99% have been measured experimentally and are in good agreement with two-dimensional (2-D) coal combustion model predictions. Stable operation in the rich zone on 100% CWS at design conditions has been achieved. The low calorific value gas (125 to 445 Kcal/scm, 14 to 50 Btu/scf) produced in the quench zone, auto ignited in the lean zone at all conditions and self-sustained combustion was maintained without the need for auxiliary fuel. Low measured values of carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) concentrations in the exhaust gases have demonstrated the ability of the combustor to control emissions to well within acceptable levels.

The bench-scale data provides a technology base for the design of a 15 kgs/sec (33 lbs/sec) combustor that will be used for testing of an advanced coal-fueled gas turbine engine.
The American Turboliner: A Progress Report
Authors: Pier Jerome R.
Published: March 2015

ASME Paper 75-GT-108, “The American Turboliner”, described the first gas turbine-hydraulic passenger trains manufactured in the U.S.A and subsequently placed in service by AMTRAK. The paper also developed design criteria for future improvements. This paper reviews the performance of these trains in their twelve years of service and describes the improvements in railway gas turbines which have been accomplished during this time. The potential for additional improvements is also developed and the significance of these improvements in the development of longer, higher speed trains for potential applications in the U.S.A. is explored to complete the progress report.
The Optimization of a Coal Water Slurry Atomizer
Authors: Roesler T. C. , Wilkes C.
Published: March 2015

A coal water slurry (CWS) air assist atomizer has been optimized for use in a coal fueled gas turbine engine. The nozzle is a refinement of a successful atomizer originally designed to operate at an atomizing air/fuel ratio of 1:1 and a pressure ratio of 2:1. Several configurations of the nozzle have been tested at atmospheric pressure conditions and scaled fuel flow rate using a CWS with 50% solids loading. The configurations studied included changes in air/liquid ratio, airflow split between inner and outer airflow paths, and geometry of the flow path. The data show that the optimized atomizer design can produce Sauter mean diameter (SMD) droplets of less than 50 microns at pressure ratios less than 3:1. The data also show that the lower limit on SMD is approximately 25 microns for the CWS tested.