bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly Sensitive Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for the Detection of Leptospira
Authors: Chen Hua-Wei , Weissenberger Giulia , Atkins Erin , Chao Chien-Chung , Suputtamongkol Yupin , Ching Wei-Mei
Published: January 2015

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by an infection with the pathogenic species of Leptospira. We have developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to detect the DNA of Leptospira spp. Six sets of primers targeting the gene of the subsurface protein, lipL32, were evaluated for their detection sensitivity. The best primer set detected less than 25 copies of lipL32 per reaction of both plasmid DNA template and purified leptospiral genomic DNA. By combining primers targeting lipL32 with the previously published primer set targeting lipL41, the sensitivity of the assay was improved to 12 copies of L. interrogans. The specificity of the LAMP assay was evaluated by using the genomic DNA from other clinically encountered bacterial species such as different strains of Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, Rickettsia conorii, Rickettsia rickettsii, Coxiella burnetii, and Bartonella bacilliformis. These genomic DNA samples were all negative in our LAMP assay. The sensitivity of the LAMP assay was very similar to that of quantitative real time PCR. Several detection methods for the amplified product of LAMP assay were performed to demonstrate the simplicity of the assay. In summary, our results have suggested that this assay is rapid, robust, and easy to perform and has the potential to be used in endemic locations.
Nonbacterial Osteitis of the Clavicle: Longitudinal Imaging Series from Initial Diagnosis to Clinical Improvement
Authors: Roos E. , Maas M. , Breugem S. J. M. , Schaap G. R. , Bramer J. A. M.
Published: January 2015

Nonbacterial osteitis is a rare autoinflammatory disease. Often it is mistaken for a tumor or osteomyelitis. We present a case of a twelve-year-old girl referred to our hospital because of a lesion of the right clavicle. The differential diagnoses were sarcoma, osteitis, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. After biopsy the diagnosis nonbacterial osteitis (NBO) was established. Treatment of choice is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This case report gives a complete follow-up of the disease, showing the pitfalls of the diagnosis.
Cryptococcus laurentiiDiarrhea in a Neoplastic Patient
Authors: Calista Franco , Tomei Federica , Assalone Pasquale , Traficante Divina , Di Pilla Gianni , Pepe Carla , Di Lullo Liberato
Published: January 2015

We present a rare case of diarrhea and neutropenia caused byCryptococcus laurentii (C. laurentii)infection in old patient with metastatic rectal cancer who underwent FOLFOX plus Cetuximab chemotherapy.C. laurentiiis an extremely rare human pathogen. To the best of our knowledge, here, we report the first case of diarrhea and neutropenia caused byC. laurentiiin a 74-year-old man with metastatic rectal cancer and hepatic metastases who underwent FOLFOX plus Cetuximab chemotherapy.
Prolonged Helium Postconditioning Protocols during Early Reperfusion Do Not Induce Cardioprotection in the Rat HeartIn Vivo: Role of Inflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Oei Gezina Tanya Mei Ling , Aslami Hamid , Kerindongo Raphaela Priscilla , Steenstra Renske Johanna , Beurskens Charlotte Jacqueline Peter , Tuip-de Boer Anita Maria , Juffermans Nicole Petra , Hollmann Markus Werner , Preckel Benedikt , Weber Nina Claudia
Published: January 2015

Postconditioning of myocardial tissue employs short cycles of ischemia or pharmacologic agents during early reperfusion. Effects of helium postconditioning protocols on infarct size and the ischemia/reperfusion-induced immune response were investigated by measurement of protein and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Rats were anesthetized with S-ketamine (150 mg/kg) and diazepam (1.5 mg/kg). Regional myocardial ischemia/reperfusion was induced; additional groups inhaled 15, 30, or 60 min of 70% helium during reperfusion. Fifteen minutes of helium reduced infarct size from 43% in control to 21%, whereas 30 and 60 minutes of helium inhalation led to an infarct size of 47% and 39%, respectively. Increased protein levels of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC-3) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were found after 30 or 60 min of helium inhalation, in comparison to control. 30 min of helium increased mRNA levels of CINC-3, IL-1β, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in myocardial tissue not directly subjected to ischemia/reperfusion. These results suggest that the effectiveness of the helium postconditioning protocol is very sensitive to duration of noble gas application. Additionally, helium was associated with higher levels of inflammatory cytokines; however, it is not clear whether this is causative of nature or part of an epiphenomenon.
Measuring Loss-Based Process Capability IndexLeand Its GenerationLe′′with Fuzzy Numbers
Authors: Abdolshah Mohammad
Published: January 2015

Loss-based process capability indices are appropriate and realistic tools in order to measure the process capability. Among them, indexLeand its generationLe′′are well-known loss-based process capability indices, whose concepts are based on the worth (the opposite concept of loss). Sometimes, in order to calculateLeandLe′′there are some uncertainties in observations, so fuzzy logic can be employed to manage the uncertainties. This paper investigates fuzzification of process capability indexL~eand its generationL~e′′. In order to find the membership function of process capability indicesL~eandL~e′′, theα-cuts of fuzzy observation were employed. Then with an example of fuzzy process capability index,L~eandL~e′′were calculated and compared. Results showed that fuzzyL~e′′was more sensitive compared withL~eand was increased while the target departs (asymmetric tolerance). This example also showed that, with departure from the target, variation of fuzzyL~e′′and consequently its fuzziness were increased.
Optimized Hybrid Methods for Solving Oscillatory Second Order Initial Value Problems
Authors: Senu N. , Ismail F. , Ahmad S. Z. , Suleiman M.
Published: January 2015

Two-step optimized hybrid methods of order five and order six are developed for the integration of second order oscillatory initial value problems. The optimized hybrid method (OHMs) are based on the existing nonzero dissipative hybrid methods. Phase-lag, dissipation or amplification error, and the differentiation of the phase-lag relations are required to obtain the methods. Phase-fitted methods based on the same nonzero dissipative hybrid methods are also constructed. Numerical results show that OHMs are more accurate compared to the phase-fitted methods and some well-known methods appeared in the scientific literature in solving oscillating second order initial value problems. It is also found that the nonzero dissipative hybrid methods are more suitable to be optimized than phase-fitted methods.
Cytokines Modulate the “Immune-Metabolism” Interactions during Behçet Disease: Effect on Arginine Metabolism
Authors: Belguendouz Houda , Lahmar-Belguendouz Karima , Messaoudene Djamel , Djeraba Zineb , Otmani Fifi , Hakem Djennat , Lahlou-Boukoffa Ouided S. , Youinou Pierre , Touil-Boukoffa Chafia
Published: January 2015

Aim and Methods. In this study, we evaluated NOS and arginase activities and their regulation during Behçet disease, a systemic chronic inflammatory disorder with uncertain etiology. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 36 patients and 15 control samples (PBMC) were cultured in either RPMI 1640, MEM, or DMEM complemented with 10% of FBS and antibiotics. Cultures were performed with or without the control or patients plasma. Subsequent treatment contained anticytokines (IL-6, TGF-β), a mitogenic effector (PHA), or NOS modulators (L-NMMA, BH4). Culture supernatants were harvested after 24 h of incubation. NO and urea measurements were, respectively, performed by modified Griess and Berthelot methods.Results. Higher urea levels were found in patients’ plasma compared to the control’s (P< 0.05). NOS modulators induced inverted production profiles for NO and urea (P< 0.05). Their results differed depending on the clinical findings (P< 0.05). It was also found that cytokine neutralization induced different response profiles in patients as opposed to control cultures (P< 0.05).Conclusion. Our results suggest that arginases can compete with NOS2 for L-arginine during Behçet disease. Both enzymes are regulated by environmental cytokines and substrate availability. Furthermore, it seems that NOS/arginase balance is dependent on clinical expression.
Functional Relevance of Coronary Artery Disease by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance and Cardiac Computed Tomography: Myocardial Perfusion and Fractional Flow Reserve
Authors: Pontone Gianluca , Andreini Daniele , Baggiano Andrea , Bertella Erika , Mushtaq Saima , Conte Edoardo , Beltrama Virginia , Guaricci Andrea Igoren , Pepi Mauro
Published: January 2015

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality and it is responsible for an increasing resource burden. The identification of patients at high risk for adverse events is crucial to select those who will receive the greatest benefit from revascularization. To this aim, several non-invasive functional imaging modalities are usually used as gatekeeper to invasive coronary angiography, but the diagnostic yield of elective invasive coronary angiography remains unfortunately low. Stress myocardial perfusion imaging by cardiac magnetic resonance (stress-CMR) has emerged as an accurate technique for diagnosis and prognostic stratification of the patients with known or suspected CAD thanks to high spatial and temporal resolution, absence of ionizing radiation, and the multiparametric value including the assessment of cardiac anatomy, function, and viability. On the other side, cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has emerged as unique technique providing coronary arteries anatomy and more recently, due to the introduction of stress-CCT and noninvasive fractional flow reserve (FFR-CT), functional relevance of CAD in a single shot scan. The current review evaluates the technical aspects and clinical experience of stress-CMR and CCT in the evaluation of functional relevance of CAD discussing the strength and weakness of each approach.
A Case of Battery Ingestion in a Pediatric Patient: What Is Its Importance?
Authors: Alam Elie , Mourad Marc , Akel Samir , Hadi Usamah
Published: January 2015

This is a case of a two-year-old boy who has been suffering from food regurgitation and frequent vomiting over the past seven months which were progressively worsening with time. He was initially diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease and treated accordingly but responded only minimally. Investigations and interventional procedures including a chest X-ray showed a metallic round object in the upper esophagus consistent with a button battery which was removed via a thoracotomy after an esophagoscopy was not successful. This child would not have developed such serious complications and would not have required major surgery had the foreign body been identified and removed early on.
New Construction of PVPKE Scheme and Its Application in Information Systems and Mobile Communication
Authors: Zhang Minqing , Wang Xu An , Yang Xiaoyuan , Li Weihua
Published: January 2015

In SCN12, Nieto et al. discussed an interesting property of public key encryption with chosen ciphertext security, that is, ciphertexts with public verifiability. Independently, we introduced a new cryptographic primitive, CCA-secure publicly verifiable public key encryption without pairings in the standard model (PVPKE), and discussed its application in proxy reencryption (PRE) and threshold public key encryption (TPKE). In Crypto’09, Hofheiz and Kiltz introduced the group of signed quadratic residues and discussed its application; the most interesting feature of this group is its “gap” property, while the computational problem is as hard as factoring, and the corresponding decisional problem is easy. In this paper, we give new constructions ofPVPKEscheme based on signed quadratic residues and analyze their security. We also discussPVPKE’s important application in modern information systems, such as achieving ciphertext checkable in the cloud setting for the mobile laptop, reducing workload by the gateway between the open internet and the trusted private network, and dropping invalid ciphertext by the routers for helping the network to preserve its communication bandwidth.
Impella Induced Massive Hemolysis: Reemphasizing Echocardiographic Guidance for Correct Placement
Authors: Cardozo Shaun , Ahmed Tasneem , Belgrave Kevin
Published: January 2015

The Impella LP 2.5 (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) has been a tool of use for high risk coronary procedures and for cardiogenic shock. As with any invasive or intracardiac device, improper placement can result in disastrous complications. Hemolytic anemia secondary to Impella implantation is one of the documented complications. However, cases of severe hemolytic anemia are rare in the literature. Proven imaging modalities like ultrasound need to be used to guide proper placement. We present a case of device induced severe hemolysis due to Impella insertion and the need to use ultrasound guidance to avoid such an unnecessary complication.
Ostwald Ripening Process of Coherentβ′ Precipitates during Aging in Fe0.75Ni0.10Al0.15and Fe0.74Ni0.10Al0.15Cr0.01Alloys
Authors: Cayetano-Castro N. , Saucedo-Muñoz M. L. , Dorantes-Rosales H. J. , Gonzalez-Velazquez Jorge L. , Villegas-Cardenas J. D. , Lopez-Hirata V. M.
Published: January 2015

The Ostwald ripening process was studied in Fe0.75Ni0.10Al0.15and Fe0.74Ni0.10Al0.15Cr0.01alloys after aging at 750, 850, and 950°C for different times. The microstructural evolution shows a rounded cube morphology (Fe, Ni)Alβ′ precipitates aligned in the ferrite matrix, which changes to elongated plates after prolonged aging. The variation of the equivalent radii of precipitates with time follows the modified Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory for diffusion-controlled coarsening. Thermo-Calc analysis shows that the chromium content is richer in the matrix than in the precipitates which causes higher hardness and coarsening resistance in the aged Fe0.74Ni0.10Al0.15Cr0.01alloy.
Syringomyelia with Chiari I Malformation Presenting as Hip Charcot Arthropathy: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Memarpour Roya , Tashtoush Basheer , Issac Lydia , Gonzalez-Ibarra Fernando
Published: January 2015

Neuroarthropathy (neuropathic osteoarthropathy), also known as Charcot joint, is a condition characterized by a progressive articular surface destruction in the setting of impaired nociceptive and proprioceptive innervation of the involved joint. It is seen most commonly in the foot and ankle secondary to peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus. Cases of hip (Charcot) neuroarthropathy are rare and almost exclusively reported in patients with neurosyphilis (tabes dorsalis). We report a case of a 36-year-old man who presented to the emergency department complaining of right hip pain. On physical examination, pain and thermal sensory deficits were noted in the upper torso with a cape-like distribution, as well as signs of an upper motor neuron lesion in the left upper and lower extremities. A magnetic resonance imaging study (MRI) of the right hip showed evidence of early articular surface destruction and periarticular edema consistent with hip Charcot arthropathy. An MRI of the spine revealed an Arnold-Chiari type I malformation with extensive syringohydromyelia of the cervical and thoracic spine.
Aspiration Thrombectomy in a Patient with Suprarenal Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis
Authors: Kishima Hideyuki , Fukunaga Masashi , Nishian Kunihiko , Saita Ten , Horimatsu Tetsuo , Sugahara Masataka , Mine Takanao , Masuyama Tohru
Published: January 2015

DVT has rarely been observed in the inferior vena cava (IVC). Pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be life-threatening, often occurred in patients with IVC thrombosis. Therefore, an IVC filter is frequently used in those patients for the prevention of PE. A case of successful endovascular treatment of an IVC thrombus in a patient with relative contraindications to implantation of an IVC filter is presented. This case report shows that aspiration of thrombi caught in the removable IVC filter may be an alternative to surgery in high-risk patients with catheter-related suprarenal inferior vena cava thrombosis.
Thermal Decomposition Studies of Layered Metal Hydroxynitrates (Metal: Cu, Zn, Cu/Co, and Zn/Co)
Authors: Ramesh Thimmasandra Narayan , Madhu Theeta Lakshamaiah
Published: January 2015

Layered metal hydroxynitrates and mixed metal hydroxynitrates (copper/cobalt hydroxynitrates and zinc/cobalt hydroxynitrates at different mole ratios) were synthesized by hydrolysis of urea and metal nitrates at 140°C. Layered metal hydroxyl nitrates derive their structure from brucite mineral and generally crystallize in hexagonal and monoclinic phases. Isothermal decomposition studies of Cu2(OH)3(NO3), Co2(OH)3(NO3), Cu1.5Co0.5(OH)3(NO3), Cu1.34Co0.66(OH)3(NO3), Zn5(OH)8(NO3)2(H2O)2, Zn3.75Co1.25(OH)8(NO3)2(H2O)2, and Zn3.35Co1.65(OH)8(NO3)2(H2O)2samples were carried out at different intervals of temperature and the structural transformations during the process were monitored using powder X-ray diffractograms. Biphasic mixture of metal hydroxynitrate/metal oxide is observed in case of cobalt/zinc based layered hydroxynitrates, while copper hydroxynitrate or copper/cobalt metal hydroxynitrate decomposes in a single step. The decomposition temperatures of layered metal hydroxynitrates and mixed layered metal hydroxides depend on the method of preparation, their composition and the nature of metal ion, and their coordination.
A Comparative Study of Prevalence of RTI/STI Symptoms and Treatment Seeking Behaviour among the Married Women in Urban and Rural Areas of Delhi
Authors: Verma Anjana , Kumar Meena Jitendra , Banerjee Bratati
Published: January 2015

Background. In developing countries, women are at high risk for several reproductive health problems especially RTI/STIs. Since all RTIs/ STIs are preventable and most of them are curable, it is pertinent to study the determinants of the health seeking behaviour.Objectives. To compare the prevalence and treatment seeking behaviour about RTI/STI symptoms among the married women of reproductive age group (18–45 years) living in urban and rural area of Delhi.Methods. A cross-sectional study was done among the married women of reproductive age group residing in Pooth Khurd, a village in North West district of Delhi, and Delhi Gate, an urban locality situated in central Delhi.Results. In this study, the prevalence of RTI/STI symptoms was found to be similar in both urban (42.3%) and rural area (42%). In urban area, 73% sought treatment, while in rural area only 45.6% sought treatment. Prevalence of the symptoms was found to be higher among the study subjects who were not using any contraceptive method, had history of abortion, and were with lower educational status, in both urban and rural areas. Treatment seeking behaviour was significantly higher among the educated women, contraceptive users, and older age group women in both rural and urban area.
MRI-Targeted Biopsies versus Systematic Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Biopsies for the Diagnosis of Localized Prostate Cancer in Biopsy Naïve Men
Authors: Peltier Alexandre , Aoun Fouad , Lemort Marc , Kwizera Félix , Paesmans Marianne , Van Velthoven Roland
Published: January 2015

Introduction. To compare, in the same cohort of men, the detection of clinically significant disease in standard (STD) cores versus multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) targeted (TAR) cores.Material and Methods. A prospective study was conducted on 129 biopsy naïve men with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer. These patients underwent prebiopsy mpMRI with STD systematic biopsies and TAR biopsies when lesions were found. The agreement between the TAR and the STD protocols was measured using Cohen’s kappa coefficient.Results. Cancer detection rate of MRI-targeted biopsy was 62.7%. TAR protocol demonstrated higher detection rate of clinically significant disease compared to STD protocol. The proportion of cores positive for clinically significant cancer in TAR cores was 28.9% versus 9.8% for STD cores (P<0.001). The proportion of men with clinically significant cancer and the proportion of men with Gleason score 7 were higher with the TAR protocol than with the STD protocol (P=0.003;P=0.0008, resp.).Conclusion. mpMRI improved clinically significant prostate cancer detection rate compared to STD protocol alone with less tissue sampling and higher Gleason score. Further development in imaging as well as multicentre studies using the START recommendation is needed to elucidate the role of mpMRI targeted biopsy in the management of prostate cancer.
Multiple People Tracking Using Camera Networks with Overlapping Views
Authors: Jiuqing Wan , Achuan Li
Published: January 2015

We present a novel framework for multiple pedestrian tracking using overlapping cameras in which the problems of object detection and data association are solved alternately. In each round of our algorithm, the people are detected by inference on a factor graph model at each time slice. The outputs of the inference, namely, the probabilistic occupancy maps, are used to define a cost network model. Data association is achieved by solving a min-cost flow problem on the resulting network model. The outputs of the data association, namely, the ground occupancy maps, are used to control the size of factors in graph model in the next round. By alternating between object detection and data association, a desirable compromise between complexity and accuracy is obtained. Experiments results on public datasets demonstrate the competitiveness of our method compared with other state-of-the-art approaches.
Exosomes: Novel Biomarkers for Clinical Diagnosis
Authors: Lin Jin , Li Jing , Huang Bo , Liu Jing , Chen Xin , Chen Xi-Min , Xu Yan-Mei , Huang Lin-Feng , Wang Xiao-Zhong
Published: January 2015

Exosomes are 30–120 nm endocytic membrane‐derived vesicles that participate in cell‐to‐cell communication and protein and RNA delivery. Exosomes harbor a variety of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids and are present in many and perhaps all bodily fluids. A significant body of literature has demonstrated that molecular constituents of exosomes, especially exosomal proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs), hold great promise as novel biomarkers for clinical diagnosis. In this minireview, we summarize recent advances in the research of exosomal biomarkers and their potential application in clinical diagnostics. We also provide a brief overview of the formation, function, and isolation of exosomes.
The Application Study in Solar Energy Technology for Highway Service Area: A Case Study of West Lushan Highway Low-Carbon Service Area in China
Authors: Qin Xiaochun , Shen Yi , Shao Shegang
Published: January 2015

A lot of research works have been made concerning highway service area or solar technology and acquired great achievements. However, unfortunately, few works have been made combining the two topics together of highway service areas and solar energy saving to make a systemic research on solar technology application for highway service area. In this paper, taking West Lushan highway low-carbon service area in Jiangxi Province of China as the case study, the advantages, technical principles, and application methods of solar energy technology for highway service area including solar photoelectric technology and solar water heating technology were discussed based on the analysis of characteristics of highway low-carbon service area; the system types, operation mode, and installing tilt angle of the two kinds of solar systems suitable for highway service areas were confirmed. It was proved that the reduction of the cost by electricity savings of solar system was huge. Taking the investment of the solar systems into account, the payback period of solar photoelectric systems and solar water heating systems was calculated. The economic effect of the solar systems in West Lushan highway service area during the effective operation periods was also calculated and proved very considerable.
Novel Approach to Preview Control for a Class of Continuous-Time Systems
Authors: Liao Fucheng , Xu Yujie , Wu Jiang
Published: January 2015

This paper explicates a new method of designing a preview controller for a class of continuous-time systems. The augmented error system is constructed by the error system with the derivative of the tracking error signal, the state equation, and an identical equation of the derivative of the control input, which transforms a tracking problem into a regulation problem. Therefore, in the paper, the performance index contains the derivative of the control input. Based on the theory of optimal control, the regulator problem of the augmented error system is solved. Thus, the controller with preview compensation for the original system is deduced. The response speed of the closed-loop system is accelerated by the previewed demand output. A final numerical example is given to illustrate the validity of the proposed method.
Injecting Drug Users and Their Health Seeking Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Shariful Islam Sheikh Mohammed , Biswas Tuhin , Bhuiyan Faiz Ahmed , Islam Md. Serajul , Rahman Mohammad Mizanur , Nessa Hurun
Published: January 2015

Introduction and Aim.Injecting drug users (IDUs) are amongst the most vulnerable people to acquisition of HIV/AIDS. This study aims to collect information on IDUs and their health seeking behavior in Bangladesh.Design and Methods.A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 IDUs attending a drug rehabilitation center in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected on sociodemographics, drug use, health seeking behavior, knowledge of injecting drugs, and sexual behavior.Results.The mean ± SD and median (IQR) age of the participants were32.5±21.3and 33 (27–38) years, respectively, with only 9.2% females. Injection buprenorphine was the drug of choice for 40% of participants, and 58% of the participants first started drug use with smoking cannabis. 73.3% of participants shared needles sometimes and 57.5% were willing to use the needle exchange programs. 60% of the participants had no knowledge about the diseases spread by injection. Condom use during the last intercourse with regular partners was 11.7% and with any partners 15.8%.Conclusion.IDUs in Bangladesh are a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS due to lack of knowledge and risky behaviors. Education and interventions specifically aimed at IDUs are needed, because traditional education may not reach IDUs or influence their behavior.
Untypical Amlodipine-Induced Gingival Hyperplasia
Authors: Pavlic Verica , Zubovic Nina , Ilic Sanja , Adamovic Tijana
Published: January 2015

Amlodipine is a third generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that is frequently used in therapy of hypertension. Among many side effects, amlodipine has been found associated with gingival overgrowth (GO) which usually occurs within the first three months of starting therapy at a dose of 10 mg/day. However, there are very few reports on amlodipine-induced gingival overgrowth (AIGO) at a lower dose (5 mg/day) and only after short term administration. A 64-year-old male patient with hypertension, who received amlodipine (5 mg/day) for four years, sought medical attention at the Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The patient complained of masticatory problems due to extensive maxillary GO along with pain, bleeding, and foul odor. The clinical and the histological evidences were consistent with AIGO. The first line treatment consisted of the amlodipine substitution (amlodipine was replaced with enalapril, 5 mg/day) and the scaling and root planning/SRP. At one-month follow-up, drug replacement and SRP resulted in some reduction of the inflammation and significant reduction of symptoms. Further, gingivectomy/gingivoplasty helped overcome the effect of these drugs. The possibility of AIGO should be considered for a lower dose, as well as a late presentation.
The Increased Expression of CCL20 and CCR6 in Rectal Mucosa Correlated to Severe Inflammation in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Uchida Keiichi , Koike Yuhki , Hashimoto Kiyoshi , Saigusa Susumu , Inoue Mikihiro , Otake Kohei , Tanaka Koji , Matsushita Kohei , Okita Yoshiki , Fujikawa Hiroyuki , Araki Toshimitsu , Mohri Yasuhiko , Kusunoki Masato
Published: January 2015

Background/Aims. The aim of this study is to clarify the differences of CCL20 and CCR6 expression, chemokine correlated to intestinal homeostasis, between pediatric and adult ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.Methods. Onehundred forty-one patients who underwent proctocolectomy were divided to two groups including childhood-onset UC (CUC,<16 years old,n=24)and adult-onset UC (AUC,≧16 years old,n=117). A total of 141 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of rectum were obtained from these patients. Histological inflammation of rectum in resected specimen was evaluated by using Geboes histological assessment. In immunohistochemistry study, the CCL20 expression was evaluated by intensity and the stained area, and the CCR6 expression was evaluated by lymphocytes infiltration pattern.Results. CCL20 score and CCR6 positive lymphocytes infiltration pattern were statistically significantly correlated with histological inflammation severity of UC in all patients(P<0.05). CCL20 and CCR6 expression in CUC were statistically significantly higher than that in AUC in all or pathologically severe cases(P<0.05).Conclusions. CCL20 and CCR6 may play a significant role in local damage and pathological changes in UC especially pediatric patients. In the future, our understanding of the differences in CCL-CCR6 interaction between adults and children may lead to the pathogenesis of IBD.
Towards Efficient, Secure, and Fine-Grained Access Control System in MSNs with Flexible Revocations
Authors: Sun Shi-Feng , Lyu Chen , Gu Dawu , Zhang Yuanyuan , Ren Yanli
Published: January 2015

With the pervasiveness of mobile communications, MSNs have become a promising networking paradigm for users to share contents with others through mobile devices. This convenience comes at the cost of some serious security and privacy issues. In this work, we propose a novel privacy-preserving scheme for MSNs, which can efficiently solve some of the most serious security and privacy issues such as data confidentiality, fine-grained access control, and flexible revocation. In particular, we leverage the attribute based encryption technique to realize fine-grained access control over encrypted data. Moreover, we enhance this technique and design a flexible and fine-grained revocation mechanism which enables not only efficient user revocation but also efficient attribute revocation. As we show, our system can achieve both forward secrecy and backward secrecy using such mechanism. We compare our scheme with other related works and show that not only most of the previous works suffer from larger size of encrypted data but also their decryption time grows linearly with the complexity of access policies. In comparison, our scheme achieves higher efficiency and smaller computation time while consuming lesser storage space. We provide extensive analysis and performance evaluation to demonstrate the security, scalability, and efficiency of our proposed framework.
The Relationship between Intramuscular Adipose Tissue, Functional Mobility, and Strength in Postmenopausal Women with and without Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Pritchard Janet M. , Karampatos Sarah , Beattie Karen A. , Giangregorio Lora M. , Ioannidis George , Atkinson Stephanie A. , Thabane Lehana , Gerstein Hertzel , Punthakee Zubin , Adachi Jonathan D. , Papaioannou Alexandra
Published: January 2015

Objectives. To determine (1) whether intramuscular adipose tissue (IntraMAT) differs between women with and without type 2 diabetes and (2) the association between IntraMAT and mobility and strength.Methods. 59 women ≥ 65 years with and without type 2 diabetes were included. A 1-Tesla MRI was used to acquire images of the leg. Timed-up-and-go (TUG) and grip strength were measured. Regression was used to determine associations between the following: (1) type 2 diabetes and IntraMAT (covariates: age, ethnicity, BMI, waist : hip ratio, and energy expenditure), (2) IntraMAT and TUG (covariates: diabetes, age, BMI, and energy expenditure), and (3) IntraMAT and grip strength (covariates: diabetes, age, height, and lean mass).Results. Women with diabetes had more IntraMAT. After adjustment, IntraMAT was similar between groups (diabetes mean [SD] = 13.2 [1.4]%, controls 11.8 [1.3]%,P=0.515). IntraMAT was related to TUG and grip strength, but the relationships became nonsignificant after adjustment for covariates (difference/percent IntraMAT [95% CI]: TUG = 0.041 seconds [−0.079–0.161],P=0.498, grip strength = −0.144 kg [−0.335–0.066],P=0.175).Conclusions. IntraMAT alone may not be a clinically important predictor of functional mobility and strength; however, whether losses in functional mobility and strength are promoted by IntraMAT accumulation should be explored.
Repeated Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy within 72 Hours in a Patient with a Clear Contraindication for Intravenous Thrombolysis
Authors: Laible Mona , Möhlenbruch Markus , Hacke Werner , Bendszus Martin , Ringleb Peter Arthur , Rizos Timolaos
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Treating patients with acute ischemic stroke, proximal arterial vessel occlusion, and absolute contraindication for administering intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) poses a therapeutic challenge. Intra-arterial thrombectomy constitutes an alternative treatment option.Materials and Methods. We report a case of a 57-year-old patient with concomitant gastric adenocarcinoma, who received three intra-arterial thrombectomies in 72 hours due to repeated occlusion of the left medial cerebral artery (MCA).Findings. Intra-arterial recanalization of the left medial cerebral artery was performed three times with initially good success. However, two days later, the right medial cerebral artery became occluded. Owing to the overall poor prognosis at that time and knowing the wishes of the patient, we decided not to perform another intra-arterial recanalization procedure.Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first case illustrating the use of repeated intra-arterial recanalization in early reocclusion of intracranial vessels.
Metastatic Extramammary Paget’s Disease of Scrotum Responds Completely to Single Agent Trastuzumab in a Hemodialysis Patient: Case Report, Molecular Profiling and Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Barth Peter , Dulaimi Al-Saleem Essel , Edwards Kristin W. , Millis Sherri Z. , Wong Yu-Ning , Geynisman Daniel M.
Published: January 2015

Extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) is a rare cancer. Although EMPD is usually noninvasive and treated with local therapy, once metastatic the prognosis of EMPD is poor and treatment options are limited. We report a case of a complete response to single agent trastuzumab in a hemodialysis patient with metastatic Her2/neu overexpressed EMPD of the scrotum. Molecular profiling of his case as well as 12 other EMPD and 8 mammary Paget disease (MPD) cases was completed and revealed multiple biomarker aberrations. Overexpression of Her2 was frequently noted (30%–40%) in both EMPD and MPD patients and when present can be effectively treated with Her2 targeted agents. Trastuzumab therapy can be safely utilized in a hemodialysis patient. In addition, multiple protein overexpression and loss were seen in EMPD including PD-1, PD-L1, PTEN, and AR as well as PIK3CA mutation. These findings may lead to possible therapeutic interventions targeting these pathways in a disease with few effective treatment options.
Ultraviolet Beam Focusing in Gallium Arsenide by Direct Excitation of Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Authors: Lai Senfeng , Wu Wen , Gu Wenhua
Published: January 2015

This paper proposed that ultraviolet beam could be focused by gallium arsenide (GaAs) through direct excitation of surface plasmon polaritons. Both theoretical analysis and computer simulation showed that GaAs could be a reasonably good plasmonic material in the air in the deep ultraviolet waveband. With a properly designed bull’s eye structure etched in GaAs, the ultraviolet electric field could be enhanced to as high as 20 times the incident value, and the full‐width‐half‐maximum (FWHM) of the light beam could be shrunk from ~48° to ~6°. As a plasmonic material, GaAs was compared to Ag and Al. Within the studied ultraviolet waveband, the field enhancement in GaAs was much stronger than Ag but not as high as Al.
Contralateral Risk-Reducing Mastectomy: Review of Risk Factors and Risk-Reducing Strategies
Authors: Basu N. N. , Barr L. , Ross G. L. , Evans D. G.
Published: January 2015

Rates of contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy have increased substantially over the last decade. Surgical oncologists are often in the frontline, dealing with requests for this procedure. This paper reviews the current evidence base regarding contralateral breast cancer, assesses the various risk-reducing strategies, and evaluates the cost-effectiveness of contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy.
Regulation of DEAH/RHA Helicases by G-Patch Proteins
Authors: Robert-Paganin Julien , Réty Stéphane , Leulliot Nicolas
Published: January 2015

RNA helicases from the DEAH/RHA family are present in all the processes of RNA metabolism. The function of two helicases from this family, Prp2 and Prp43, is regulated by protein partners containing a G-patch domain. The G-patch is a glycine-rich domain discovered by sequence alignment, involved in protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interaction. Although it has been shown to stimulate the helicase’s enzymatic activities, the precise role of the G-patch domain remains unclear. The role of G-patch proteins in the regulation of Prp43 activity has been studied in the two biological processes in which it is involved: splicing and ribosome biogenesis. Depending on the pathway, the activity of Prp43 is modulated by different G-patch proteins. A particular feature of the structure of DEAH/RHA helicases revealed by the Prp43 structure is the OB-fold domain in C-terminal part. The OB-fold has been shown to be a platform responsible for the interaction with G-patch proteins and RNA. Though there is still no structural data on the G-patch domain, in the current model, the interaction between the helicase, the G-patch protein, and RNA leads to a cooperative binding of RNA and conformational changes of the helicase.
Low Oxygen Tension Enhances Osteogenic Potential of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Osteonecrosis-Related Functional Impairment
Authors: Fan Lihong , Liu Ruiyu , Li Jia , Shi Zhibin , Dang Xiaoqian , Wang Kunzheng
Published: January 2015

Objective.Glucocorticoids can affect the function of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) adversely and merit the requirement for a strategy to correct this anomaly; we assessed the effect of low oxygen (2%) on BMMSCs from rabbits with osteonecrosis.Methods.Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells from normal rabbits and rabbits with osteonecrosis were divided into four groups: (1) normal-normoxia group, with normal BMMSCs cultured under 20% oxygen; (2) osteonecrosis-normoxia group, with BMMSCs from rabbits with osteonecrosis cultured under 20% oxygen; (3) osteonecrosis-low oxygen treated group, with BMMSCs from rabbits with osteonecrosis cultured under 2% oxygen; (4) normal-low oxygen treated group, with normal BMMSCs cultured under 2% oxygen. The proliferation, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation of MSCs and expression of stemness genes, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation markers were investigated.Results.Compared with BMMSCs from normal rabbits, those from osteonecrosis rabbits showed significantly reduced proliferation ability, repressed expression of stemness genes, decreased osteoblasts formation, and increased adipocytes formation, indicating an osteonecrosis-related impairment. Low oxygen (2%) treated BMMSCs from osteonecrosis rabbits showed not only increased proliferation and osteogenic potential but also decreased adipogenic potential.Conclusion.Low oxygen (2%) culture represents a novel strategy to augment BMMSC function affected by glucocorticoids and holds significance for future strategies to treat femoral head osteonecrosis.
Population Distribution of Lifetime Risk of Ovarian Cancer in the United States
Authors: Pearce Celeste Leigh , Stram Daniel O. , Ness Roberta B. , Stram Douglas A. , Roman Lynda D. , Templeman Claire , Lee Alice W. , Menon Usha , Fasching Peter A. , McAlpine Jessica N. , Doherty Jennifer A. , Modugno Francesmary , Schildkraut Joellen M. , Rossing Mary Anne , Huntsman David G. , Wu Anna H. , Berchuck Andrew , Pike Malcolm C. , Pharoah Paul D.P.
Published: January 2015

Background: In U.S. women, lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is 1.37%, but some women are at a substantially lower or higher risk than this average.

Methods: We have characterized the distribution of lifetime risk in the general population. Published data on the relative risks and their variances for five well-accepted risk and protective factors for ovarian cancer, oral contraceptive use, parity, tubal ligation, endometriosis, and first-degree family history of ovarian cancer in conjunction with a genetic risk score using genome-wide significant common, low penetrance variants were used. The joint distribution of these factors (i.e., risk/protective factor profiles) was derived using control data from four U.S. population–based studies, providing a broad representation of women in the United States.

Results: A total of 214 combinations of risk/protective factors were observed, and the lifetime risk estimates ranged from 0.35% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29–0.42] to 8.78% (95% CI, 7.10–10.9). Among women with lifetime risk ranging from 4% to 9%, 73% had no family history of ovarian cancer; most of these women had a self-reported history of endometriosis.

Conclusions: Profiles including the known modifiable protective factors of oral contraceptive use and tubal ligation were associated with a lower lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. Oral contraceptive use and tubal ligation were essentially absent among the women at 4% to 9% lifetime risk.

Impact: This work demonstrates that there are women in the general population who have a much higher than average lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. Preventive strategies are available. Should effective screening become available, higher than average risk women can be identified. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(4); 671–6. ©2015 AACR.
Nonviral Oncogenic Antigens and the Inflammatory Signals Driving Early Cancer Development as Targets for Cancer Immunoprevention
Authors: Chu Nina J. , Armstrong Todd D. , Jaffee Elizabeth M.
Published: January 2015

Cancer immunoprevention is an emerging field that holds much promise. Within the past 20 years, prophylactic vaccines have been implemented on the population level for the immunoprevention of carcinomas induced by viruses, specifically hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Armed with the success of prophylactic vaccines that prevent viral-induced tumors, the field must overcome its next hurdle: to develop robust prophylactic vaccines that prevent the remaining >80% of human cancers not induced by viral infection. In this review, we discuss some of the most promising non–virus-associated prophylactic vaccines that target endogenous neoantigens, including the earliest oncogene products, altered mucin 1 (MUC1) and α-enolase (ENO1), all of which produce new targets in the earliest stages of nonviral-induced tumorigenesis. We also highlight a novel attenuated Listeria monocytogenes–based vaccine expressing mutant oncogene KrasG12D (LM-Kras) effective in a pancreatic cancer model. A novel chimeric human/rat HER-2 plasmid vaccine (HuRT-DNA vaccine) effective in a breast cancer model is also discussed. In addition to prophylactic vaccine developments, this review highlights the potential use of classic drugs, such as aspirin and metformin, as chemopreventive agents that can potentially be used as adjuvants to enhance the anticancer immunogenicity and efficacy of noninfectious prophylactic vaccines by modulating the inflammatory pathways within the early tumor microenvironment (TME) that propels tumorigenesis. Finally, timing of prophylactic vaccine administration is critical to its immunopreventive efficacy, providing a necessary role of current and emerging biomarkers for cancer screening and early cancer detection. Clin Cancer Res; 21(7); 1549–57. ©2015 AACR.
Emergence of Multiple EGFR Extracellular Mutations during Cetuximab Treatment in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Arena Sabrina , Bellosillo Beatriz , Siravegna Giulia , Martínez Alejandro , Cañadas Israel , Lazzari Luca , Ferruz Noelia , Russo Mariangela , Misale Sandra , González Iria , Iglesias Mar , Gavilan Elena , Corti Giorgio , Hobor Sebastijan , Crisafulli Giovanni , Salido Marta , Sánchez Juan , Dalmases Alba , Bellmunt Joaquim , De Fabritiis Gianni , Rovira Ana , Di Nicolantonio Federica , Albanell Joan , Bardelli Alberto , Montagut Clara
Published: January 2015

Purpose: Patients with colorectal cancer who respond to the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab often develop resistance within several months of initiating therapy. To design new lines of treatment, the molecular landscape of resistant tumors must be ascertained. We investigated the role of mutations in the EGFR signaling axis on the acquisition of resistance to cetuximab in patients and cellular models.

Experimental Design: Tissue samples were obtained from 37 patients with colorectal cancer who became refractory to cetuximab. Colorectal cancer cells sensitive to cetuximab were treated until resistant derivatives emerged. Mutational profiling of biopsies and cell lines was performed. Structural modeling and functional analyses were performed to causally associate the alleles to resistance.

Results: The genetic profile of tumor specimens obtained after cetuximab treatment revealed the emergence of a complex pattern of mutations in EGFR, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA genes, including two novel EGFR ectodomain mutations (R451C and K467T). Mutational profiling of cetuximab-resistant cells recapitulated the molecular landscape observed in clinical samples and revealed three additional EGFR alleles: S464L, G465R, and I491M. Structurally, these mutations are located in the cetuximab-binding region, except for the R451C mutant. Functionally, EGFR ectodomain mutations prevent binding to cetuximab but a subset is permissive for interaction with panitumumab.

Conclusions: Colorectal tumors evade EGFR blockade by constitutive activation of downstream signaling effectors and through mutations affecting receptor–antibody binding. Both mechanisms of resistance may occur concomitantly. Our data have implications for designing additional lines of therapy for patients with colorectal cancer who relapse upon treatment with anti-EGFR antibodies. Clin Cancer Res; 21(9); 2157–66. ©2015 AACR.