bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secular trends in the prognostic factors for papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Choi Hoonsung , Lim Jung Ah , Ahn Hwa Young , Cho Sun Wook , Lee Kyu Eun , Kim Kyung Won , Yi Ka Hee , Sung Myung-Whun , Youn Yeo-Kyu , Chung June-Key , Park Young Joo , Park Do Joon , Cho Bo Youn
Published: August 2014

Objective

With the recent increasing rates of screening for thyroid cancer, the cancers now tend to be smaller and less aggressive than those that are diagnosed when presented with symptoms, suggesting changes in the clinical validity of conventional prognostic factors for outcomes. We performed the retrospective study to identify the secular trends in the prognostic factors of thyroid cancer.

Methods

We used medical records of 3147 patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) at the Seoul National University Hospital Thyroid Cancer Clinic between 1962 and 2009.

Results

During the median 5.1-year follow-up, the overall recurrence rate was 13.3%, and male sex, tumor size, lymph node (LN) involvement, and extrathyroidal extension (ETE) were the significant prognostic factors for recurrence. Thyroid cancer-specific mortality was 1.4%, and the associated prognostic factors were older age, male sex, and LN involvement. For tumor recurrence, the hazard ratio (HR) for male sex decreased from 2.809 (95% CI, 1.497–5.269) in the pre-1989 period to 1.142 (95% CI, 0.736–1.772) in the post-1999 period. The pathologic characteristics, such as tumor size, LN involvement, and ETE, showed similar or increasing HRs over the time periods. For cancer-specific mortality, the HR for male sex decreased from 6.460 (95% CI, 1.714–24.348) in the pre-1990 period to 0.781 (95% CI, 0.083–7.379) in the post-1999 period.

Conclusion

The risk for poor outcomes in PTC associated with male sex decreased over time; in contrast, the risk associated with pathologic characteristics remained the same or increased over time. These trends might be associated with recent changes in the characteristics of patients with thyroid cancer.
RECENT RESEARCH ON THE GROWTH PLATE: Advances in fibroblast growth factor signaling in growth plate development and disorders
Authors: Xie Yangli , Zhou Siru , Chen Hangang , Du Xiaolan , Chen Lin
Published: August 2014

Skeletons are formed through two distinct developmental actions, intramembranous ossification and endochondral ossification. During embryonic development, most bone is formed by endochondral ossification. The growth plate is the developmental center for endochondral ossification. Multiple signaling pathways participate in the regulation of endochondral ossification. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling has been found to play a vital role in the development and maintenance of growth plates. Missense mutations inFGFsandFGFRscan cause multiple genetic skeletal diseases with disordered endochondral ossification. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of FGFs/FGFRs signaling in skeletal development and genetic skeletal diseases will have implications for the development of therapies for FGF-signaling-related skeletal dysplasias and growth plate injuries. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in elucidating the role of FGFs/FGFRs signaling in growth plate development, genetic skeletal disorders, and the promising therapies for those genetic skeletal diseases resulting from FGFs/FGFRs dysfunction. Finally, we also examine the potential important research in this field in the future.
RECENT RESEARCH ON THE GROWTH PLATE: Mechanisms for growth plate injury repair and potential cell-based therapies for regeneration
Authors: Chung Rosa , Xian Cory J
Published: August 2014

Injuries to the growth plate cartilage often lead to bony repair, resulting in bone growth defects such as limb length discrepancy and angulation deformity in children. Currently utilised corrective surgeries are highly invasive and limited in their effectiveness, and there are no known biological therapies to induce cartilage regeneration and prevent the undesirable bony repair. In the last 2 decades, studies have investigated the cellular and molecular events that lead to bony repair at the injured growth plate including the identification of the four phases of injury repair responses (inflammatory, fibrogenic, osteogenic and remodelling), the important role of inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha in regulating downstream repair responses, the role of chemotactic and mitogenic platelet-derived growth factor in the fibrogenic response, the involvement and roles of bone morphogenic protein and Wnt/B-catenin signalling pathways, as well as vascular endothelial growth factor-based angiogenesis during the osteogenic response. These new findings could potentially lead to identification of new targets for developing a future biological therapy. In addition, recent advances in cartilage tissue engineering highlight the promising potential for utilising multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for inducing regeneration of injured growth plate cartilage. This review aims to summarise current understanding of the mechanisms for growth plate injury repair and discuss some progress, potential and challenges of MSC-based therapies to induce growth plate cartilage regeneration in combination with chemotactic and chondrogenic growth factors and supporting scaffolds.
The insulin-sensitivity sulphonylurea receptor variant is associated with thyrotoxic paralysis
Authors: Rolim Ana Luiza R , Lindsey Susan C , Kunii Ilda S , Crispim Felipe , Moisés Regina Célia M S , Maciel Rui M B , Dias-da-Silva Magnus R
Published: August 2014

Thyrotoxicosis is the most common cause of the acquired flaccid muscle paralysis in adults called thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) and is characterised by transient hypokalaemia and hypophosphataemia under high thyroid hormone levels that is frequently precipitated by carbohydrate load. The sulphonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1 (ABCC8)) is an essential regulatory subunit of the β-cell ATP-sensitive K+ channel that controls insulin secretion after feeding. Additionally, the SUR1 Ala1369Ser variant appears to be associated with insulin sensitivity. We examined the ABCC8 gene at the single nucleotide level using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis to determine its allelic variant frequency and calculated the frequency of the Ala1369Ser C-allele variant in a cohort of 36 Brazilian TPP patients in comparison with 32 controls presenting with thyrotoxicosis without paralysis (TWP). We verified that the frequency of the alanine 1369 C-allele was significantly higher in TPP patients than in TWP patients (61.1 vs 34.4%, odds ratio (OR)=3.42, P=0.039) and was significantly more common than the minor allele frequency observed in the general population from the 1000 Genomes database (61.1 vs 29.0%, OR=4.87, P<0.005). Additionally, the C-allele frequency was similar between TWP patients and the general population (34.4 vs 29%, OR=1.42, P=0.325). We have demonstrated that SUR1 alanine 1369 variant is associated with allelic susceptibility to TPP. We suggest that the hyperinsulinaemia that is observed in TPP may be linked to the ATP-sensitive K+/SUR1 alanine variant and, therefore, contribute to the major feedforward precipitating factors in the pathophysiology of TPP.
Cellular distribution of Egr1 transcription in the male rat pituitary gland
Authors: Man Pui-Sin , Wells Timothy , Carter David A
Published: August 2014

The transcription factor gene Egr1 is necessary for female fertility; EGR1 protein is an established molecular regulator of adult female gonadotroph function where it mediates GNRH-stimulated transcription of the Lhb gene. Recent studies have also implicated pituitary EGR1 in the mediation of other physiological signals indicating an integrative function. However, the role of EGR1 in males is less well defined and this uncertainty is compounded by the absence of cellular expression data in the male pituitary gland. The aim of this study, therefore, was to define the distribution of Egr1 gene expression in the adult male rat pituitary. To further this aim, we have evaluated cellular populations in a transgenic rat model (Egr1-d2EGFP), in which we demonstrate regulated green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in EGR1+ pituitary cells. Cellular filling by GFP enabled morphological and molecular differentiation of different populations of gonadotrophs; Egr1 transcription and LHB were highly co-localised in a major population of large cells but only minimally co-localised in small GFP+ cells; the latter cells were shown to be largely (80%) composed of minority populations of GH+ somatotrophs (9% of total GH+) and PRL+ lactotrophs (3% of total PRL+). Egr1 transcription was not found in TSH+, ACTH+ or SOX2+ precursor cells and was only minimally co-localised in S-100β+ folliculostellate cells. Our demonstration that the Egr1 gene is actively and selectively transcribed in a major sub-population of male LHB+ cells indicates a largely conserved role in gonadotroph function and has provided a basis for further defining this role.
1,25-Vitamin D3 promotes cardiac differentiation through modulation of the WNT signaling pathway
Authors: Hlaing Su M , Garcia Leah A , Contreras Jaime R , Norris Keith C , Ferrini Monica G , Artaza Jorge N
Published: August 2014

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Low levels of vitamin D are associated with high risk of myocardial infarction, even after controlling for factors associated with coronary artery disease. A growing body of evidence indicates that vitamin D plays an important role in CVD-related signaling pathways. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism by which vitamin D modulates heart development. The WNT signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in tissue development by controlling stem cell renewal, lineage selection and, even more importantly, heart development. In this study, we examined the role of 1,25-D3(the active form of vitamin D) on cardiomyocyte proliferation, apoptosis, cell phenotype, cell cycle progression and differentiation into cardiomyotubes. We determined that the addition of 1,25-D3to cardiomyocytes cells: i) inhibits cell proliferation without promoting apoptosis; ii) decreases expression of genes related to the regulation of the cell cycle; iii) promotes formation of cardiomyotubes; iv) induces the expression of casein kinase-1-α1, a negative regulator of the canonical WNT signaling pathway; and v) increases the expression of the noncanonicalWNT11, which it has been demonstrated to induce cardiac differentiation during embryonic development and in adult cells. In conclusion, we postulate that vitamin D promotes cardiac differentiation through a negative modulation of the canonical WNT signaling pathway and by upregulating the expression ofWNT11. These results indicate that vitamin D repletion to prevent and/or improve cardiovascular disorders that are linked with abnormal cardiac differentiation, such as post infarction cardiac remodeling, deserve further study.
The role of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) in the preservation of renal function: DPP4 involvement in hemoglobin expression
Authors: Sato Youichi , Kamada Takanobu , Yamauchi Aiko
Published: August 2014

In a previous study, we demonstrated that dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4)-deficient rats were susceptible to reduced glomerular filtration rate as a result of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Therefore, we proposed that DPP4 might be responsible for the preservation of renal function. In this study, to verify the role of DPP4 in the preservation of renal function, we performed a microarray analysis of the kidneys of WT and DPP4-deficient rats after STZ treatment, and gene expression analysis using rat kidneys, human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells, and human renal cancer cells (CakI-1). The microarray analysis indicated that the expression levels of the transporter activity, heme-binding, and pheromone binding-related genes changed significantly. The results of gene expression analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in the expression levels of hemoglobin mRNA between the DPP4-deficient and WT rats; however, the expression levels of hemoglobin mRNA in the kidneys of DPP4-deficient rats tended to decrease when compared with those of both the non-STZ-treated and STZ-treated WT rats. The expression levels of hemoglobin in HEK293 and Caki-1 cells were significantly decreased whenDPP4was knocked down by siRNA, were significantly increased by the addition of soluble human DPP4, and were also significantly increased by the addition of the DPP4 inhibitor, sitagliptin. The expression level ofDPP4was also significantly increased by the addition of sitagliptin in both cell types. Our findings indicate that DPP4 regulates the expression of the hemoglobin genes, and might play a role in the preservation of renal function; however, the underlying mechanism of this preservation remains to be elucidated.
Early-postnatal changes in adiposity and lipids profile by transgenerational developmental programming in swine with obesity/leptin resistance
Authors: Gonzalez-Bulnes Antonio , Astiz Susana , Ovilo Cristina , Lopez-Bote Clemente J , Sanchez-Sanchez Raul , Perez-Solana Maria L , Torres-Rovira Laura , Ayuso Miriam , Gonzalez Jorge
Published: August 2014

Maternal malnutrition during pregnancy, both deficiency and excess, induces changes in the intrauterine environment and the metabolic status of the offspring, playing a key role in the growth, status of fitness/obesity and appearance of metabolic disorders during postnatal life. There is increasing evidence that these effects may not be only limited to the first generation of descendants, the offspring directly exposed to metabolic challenges, but to subsequent generations. This study evaluated, in a swine model of obesity/leptin resistance, the existence and extent of transgenerational developmental programming effects. Pre- and postnatal development, adiposity and metabolic features were assessed in the second generation of piglets, descendant of sows exposed to either undernutrition or overnutrition during pregnancy. The results indicated that these piglets exhibited early-postnatal increases in adiposity and disturbances in lipid profiles compatible with the early prodrome of metabolic syndrome, with liver tissue also displaying evidence of paediatric liver disease. These features indicative of early-life metabolic disorders were more evident in the males that were descended from overfed grandmothers and during the transition from milk to solid feeding. Thus, this study provides evidence supporting transgenerational developmental programming and supports the necessity for the development of strategies for avoiding the current epidemics of childhood overweight and obesity.
Treatment of Cushing's disease: a mechanistic update
Authors: Cuevas-Ramos Daniel , Fleseriu Maria
Published: August 2014

Cushing's disease (CD) is characterized by an ACTH-producing anterior corticotrope pituitary adenoma. If hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis physiology is disrupted, ACTH secretion increases, which in turn stimulates adrenocortical steroidogenesis and cortisol production. Medical treatment plays an important role for patients with persistent disease after surgery, for those in whom surgery is not feasible, or while awaiting effects of radiation. Multiple drugs, with different mechanisms of action and variable efficacy and tolerability for controlling the deleterious effects of chronic glucocorticoid excess, are available. The molecular basis and clinical data for centrally acting drugs, adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors, and glucocorticoid receptor antagonists are reviewed, as are potential novel molecules and future possible targets for CD treatment. Although progress has been made in the understanding of specific corticotrope adenoma receptor physiology and recent clinical studies have detected improved effects with a combined medical therapy approach, there is a clear need for a more efficacious and better-tolerated medical therapy for patients with CD. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms in CD and of HPA axis physiology should advance the development of new drugs in the future.
Oestrogen, ocular function and low-level vision: a review
Authors: Hutchinson Claire V , Walker James A , Davidson Colin
Published: August 2014

Over the past 10 years, a literature has emerged concerning the sex steroid hormone oestrogen and its role in human vision. Herein, we review evidence that oestrogen (oestradiol) levels may significantly affect ocular function and low-level vision, particularly in older females. In doing so, we have examined a number of vision-related disorders including dry eye, cataract, increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. In each case, we have found oestrogen, or lack thereof, to have a role. We have also included discussion of how oestrogen-related pharmacological treatments for menopause and breast cancer can impact the pathology of the eye and a number of psychophysical aspects of vision. Finally, we have reviewed oestrogen's pharmacology and suggest potential mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects, with particular emphasis on anti-apoptotic and vascular effects.
CAR expression in human embryos and hESC illustrates its role in pluripotency and tight junctions
Authors: Krivega M , Geens M , Van de Velde H
Published: August 2014

Coxsackie virus and adenovirus receptor,CXADR(CAR), is present during embryogenesis and is involved in tissue regeneration, cancer and intercellular adhesion. We investigated the expression of CAR in human preimplantation embryos and embryonic stem cells (hESC) to identify its role in early embryogenesis and differentiation. CAR protein was ubiquitously present during preimplantation development. It was localised in the nucleus of uncommitted cells, from the cleavage stage up to the precursor epiblast, and corresponded with the presence of solubleCXADR3/7splice variant. CAR was displayed on the membrane, involving in the formation of tight junction at compaction and blastocyst stages in both outer and inner cells, and CAR corresponded with the full-length CAR-containing transmembrane domain. In trophectodermal cells of hatched blastocysts, CAR was reduced in the membrane and concentrated in the nucleus, which correlated with the switch in RNA expression to theCXADR4/7andCXADR2/7splice variants. The cells in the outer layer of hESC colonies contained CAR on the membrane and all the cells of the colony had CAR in the nucleus, corresponding with the transmembraneCXADRandCXADR4/7. Upon differentiation of hESC into cells representing the three germ layers and trophoblast lineage, the expression ofCXADRwas downregulated. We concluded thatCXADRis differentially expressed during human preimplantation development. We described various CAR expressions: i) solubleCXADRmarking undifferentiated blastomeres; ii) transmembrane CAR related with epithelial-like cell types, such as the trophectoderm (TE) and the outer layer of hESC colonies; and iii) soluble CAR present in TE nuclei after hatching. The functions of these distinct forms remain to be elucidated.
Seminal plasma aids the survival and cervical transit of epididymal ram spermatozoa
Authors: Rickard J P , Pini T , Soleilhavoup C , Cognie J , Bathgate R , Lynch G W , Evans G , Maxwell W M C , Druart X , de Graaf S P
Published: August 2014

Seminal plasma purportedly plays a critical role in reproduction, but epididymal spermatozoa are capable of fertilisation following deposition in the uterus, calling into question the biological requirement of this substance. Through a combination of direct observation of spermatozoa in utero using probe-based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy, in vivo assessment of sperm fertility and in vitro analysis of various sperm functional parameters, this study investigated the role of seminal plasma in spermatozoa transit through the cervix of the ewe. Following deposition in the cervical os, epididymal spermatozoa previously exposed to seminal plasma displayed an enhanced ability to traverse the cervix as evidenced by both significantly higher pregnancy rates and numbers of spermatozoa observed at the utero-tubal junction when compared with epididymal spermatozoa not previously exposed to seminal plasma. The beneficial effect of seminal plasma on sperm transport was clearly localised to transit through the cervix as pregnancy rates of spermatozoa deposited directly into the uterus were unaffected by exposure to seminal plasma. This phenomenon was not explained by changes to sperm motion characteristics, as seminal plasma had no effect on the motility, kinematic parameters or mitochondrial membrane potential of spermatozoa. Rather, in vitro testing revealed that seminal plasma improved the ability of epididymal spermatozoa to penetrate cervical mucus recovered from ewes in oestrus. These results demonstrate that the survival and transport of ram spermatozoa through the cervix of the ewe is not linked to their motility or velocity but rather the presence of some cervical penetration trait conferred by exposure to seminal plasma.
La teoría del decrecimiento y el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de lenguas
Authors: Barrantes-Montero Luis Guillermo
Published: August 2014

Recibido 14 de marzo de 2014 • Corregido 30 de julio de 2014 • Aceptado 22 de agosto de 2014Esta disertación se propone mostrar cómo las consecutivas crisis que enfrentan las sociedades regidas por la economía de mercado involucran todas las esferas de generación y difusión del conocimiento y demandan de ellas serias redefiniciones, tanto en sus presupuestos epistemológicos como en sus acciones sustantivas. Más exactamente, se analizan los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje de lenguas a la luz de la teoría del decrecimiento, como un planteamiento alternativo a las tendencias de instrumentalizar las lenguas a favor de la legitimación de la vorágine de producción y consumo que amenaza el futuro global.
Spontaneous Clearance of Hepatitis C Virus in a Patient Co- Infected with Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeciency Virus: a Case Report
Authors: Kaung Aung , Sundaram Vinay , Tran Tram T.
Published: August 2014

The effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains unclear. Spontaneous HCV clearance with initiation of HAART in non-cirrhotic HCV patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been reported. We describe an HIV/HCV patient with decompensated cirrhosis, who had spontaneous HCV clearance after an episode of elevated liver enzymes and a change in HAART regimen. His HCV RNA level remained undetectable for six months by quantitative and qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. The disappearance of HCV RNA may be due to a combination of host immune recovery, genetic polymorphism and direct effect of HAART against HCV.
Standard versus Limited Colon Resection for High Risk T1 Colon Cancer. A Matched Case-Control Study
Authors: La Torre Marco , Nigri Giuseppe , Mazzuca Federica , Ferri Mario , Botticelli Andrea , Lorenzon Laura , Pilozzi Emanuela , Ziparo Vincenzo
Published: August 2014

Background & Aims: National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends a colectomy in presence of high risk T1 colon polyps considering the risk of incomplete lymph node dissection or presence of residual disease. We evaluated the outcomes of segmental versus standard colon resection for high risk T1 colon cancers, in order to demonstrate if segmental colectomy (SegCR) allows same short-term and oncological results compared to standard radical colectomy (StaCR).Methods. A matched case-control study on patients who had undergone segmental versus standard colon resection was performed. One-hundred and two patients with high risk T1 colon cancer after endoscopic polypectomy, divided in 2 homogeneous groups of 51 cases, were analyzed, and intra-operative, post-operative and oncological data were compared.Results. Segmental colectomy allowed less operative time and intra-operative blood loss compared to StaCR (p < 0.001). Hospital stay after SegCR was shorter compared to StaCR (p < 0.001). No differences were found in terms of overall morbidity and mortality rates. Five-year actuarial overall, disease-free and disease-specific survival after StaCR were similar to SegCR (87%, 96% and 95% vs. 88%, 97% and 94%, respectively, p = 0.51, p=0.33, p=0.78).Conclusions. According to our findings, SegCR can be a valid alternative to StaCR for high risk T1 colon polyps. Segmental colectomy allows better peri-operative outcomes compared to StaCR ensuring the same oncological long-term outcomes.
Melanoma and non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients following Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitor Monotherapy and in Combination with Thiopurines: Analysis of the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System
Authors: McKenna Michael R. , Stobaugh Derrick J. , Deepak Parakkal
Published: August 2014

Background & Aims: Reports have shown an increased risk of melanoma skin cancer (MSC) with exposure to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) with thiopurine exposure in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Using the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) we sought to evaluate the odds of developing MSC and NMSC for patients on TNF-α inhibitors as monotherapy and in combination therapy with thiopurines and/or steroids.Methods: The FAERS was queried for reports between January 2003 and June 2012. A proportional reporting ratio (PRR) metric analyses was performed on the data to determine the odds of developing MSC and NMSC.Results: The PRR analysis showed increased odds of developing MSC and NMSC for patients on a TNF-α inhibitor (p-value = 0.035 and p-value = 0.03, respectively) and those on a TNF-α inhibitor in combination with a thiopurine (p-value < 0.001 and p-value < 0.001).Conclusion: TNF-α inhibitor monotherapy or use with concomitant thiopurines in patients with IBD is associated with higher odds of developing MSC and NMSC.
Primary Pure Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Duodenum: a Case Report
Authors: Graur Florin , Mois Emil , Al Hajjar Nadim
Published: August 2014

Primary pure squamous cell carcinoma of the duodenum is a very rare type of duodenal neoplasm and is more likely to be presented as a metastatic tumor. The literature offers little information on this subject and includes very few articles and case reports. Laboratory tests, CT and ultrasound examinations, x-rays and immunohistochemical markers assisted us in making this rare diagnosis of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the duodenum in a 47 year old female patient, who presented with weight loss and melena. The 8 cm duodenal tumor with pancreas invasion was resected by a cephalic duodenopancreatectomy. The pathology examination revealed a primary duodenal squamous cell carcinoma moderately differentiated (G2), invasive in the head of the pancreas, with keratinization, stage II B (pT4N0MxL0V0R0). Positive outcome after surgery was highlighted, no recurrence being registered at the 6 month CT scan follow-up.
Rapid Fecal Calprotectin Level Assessment and the SIBDQ Score Can Accurately Detect Active Mucosal Inammation in IBD Patients in Clinical Remission: a Prospective Study
Authors: Voiosu Theodor , Bengus Andreea , Dinu Roxana , Voiosu Andrei M. , Balanescu Paul , Baicus Cristian , Diculescu Mircea , Voiosu Radu , Mateescu Bogdan
Published: August 2014

Background & Aims: Mucosal healing is an important predictor of disease-related outcome in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, including those in clinical remission. However, colonoscopy is an invasive procedure and many patients decline repeated endoscopic examinations. We aimed to assess whether noninvasive biomarkers could accurately detect endoscopic mucosal inflammatory activity in IBD patients in clinical remission.Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study on IBD patients in clinical remission at Colentina Hospital, Bucharest. Clinical activity was assessed using the Mayo score and Crohns Disease Activity Index (CDAI), quality of life was assessed using the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ). Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin (FC) levels were determined. All patients underwent ileo-colonoscopy to assess mucosal inflammatory activity.Results: 48 patients were included in this study, with 67% showing endoscopic disease activity. SIBD questionnaire and FC performed well as noninvasive markers of intestinal inflammation (AUROC 0.78 and 0.77, respectively), while CRP could not accurately predict endoscopic disease activity. Fecal calprotectin levels > 30 ľg/g showed a 93% sensitivity and a 50% specificity for detecting inflammatory changes of the mucosa while a combined test using FC > 30µg/g and a SIBDQ score < 6 achieved 81.2% sensitivity and 75% specificity, respectively, in detecting active endoscopic disease.Conclusion: Fecal calprotectin and SIBDQ have good diagnostic accuracy in detecting mucosal inflammatory changes in IBD patients in clinical remission. Combining simple, noninvasive tests such as the SIBDQ and FC levels appears to be a practical method for monitoring disease activity in these patients, possibly reducing the need for repeat endoscopic examinations.
An image analysis procedure to quantify the air void system of mortar and concrete
Authors: Fonseca P. C. , Scherer G. W.
Published: August 2014

The entrained air void system in cement paste and concrete directly affects both the fresh-state workability and the freeze-thaw durability of concrete pavements and structures. In order to effectively study the air void system, the volume, spacing, and size distribution of the air bubbles must be quantified. This manuscript describes an inexpensive and effective procedure to quantify the air void system using automatic image analysis. We compare various materials used for sample preparation and recommend a procedure to create more accurate images. We further implement a stereological analysis method in the form of a user-friendly and customizable Matlab script. The script was verified by comparing bulk density measurements between air-entrained and control samples with the air content computed by image analysis. As a result, the user can quantify the air void system in a variety of samples by computing the air content, specific surface, spacing, and size distribution of the bubbles.
Briefing: Towards exploring profession-specific BIM challenges in the UK
Authors: Navendren Dharshana , Manu Patrick , Mahamadu Abdul-Majeed , Shelbourn Mark , Wildin Keith
Published: August 2014

Building information modelling (BIM) has been proposed as an enabler for greater efficiency and effectiveness within the UK construction industry, providing digital management of construction data throughout the project life cycle. The potential benefits of BIM have been widely discussed in published literature but relatively less attention has been paid to the discipline/profession-specific challenges of wider industry adoption. Further studies, such as the authors' ongoing research, could help to remedy this.
Interference Fracturing: Nonuniform Distributions of Perforation Clusters That Promote Simultaneous Growth of Multiple Hydraulic Fractures
Authors: Peirce A.P.. P. , Bunger A.P.. P.
Published: August 2014

One of the important hurdles in horizontal-well stimulation is the generation of hydraulic fractures (HFs) from all perforation clusters within a given stage, despite the challenges posed by stress shadowing and reservoir variability. In this paper, we use a newly developed, fully coupled, parallel-planar 3D HF model to investigate the potential to minimize the negative impact of stress shadowing and thereby to promote more-uniform fracture growth across an array of HFs by adjusting the location of the perforation clusters. In this model, the HFs are assumed to evolve in an array of parallel planes with full 3D stress coupling while the constant fluid influx into the wellbore is dynamically partitioned to each fracture so that the wellbore pressure is the same throughout the array. The model confirms the phenomenon of inner-fracture suppression because of stress shadowing when the perforation clusters are uniformly distributed. Indeed, the localization of the fracture growth to the outer fractures is so dominant that the total fractured area generated by uniform arrays is largely independent of the number of perforation clusters. However, numerical experiments indicate that certain nonuniform cluster spacings promote a profound improvement in the even development of fracture growth. Identifying this effect relies on this new model's ability to capture the full hydrodynamical coupling between the simultaneously evolving HFs in their transition from radial to Perkins-Kern-Nordgren (PKN)-like geometries (Perkins and Kern 1961; Nordgren 1972).
Myxopapillary Ependymoma of Filum Terminale
Authors: Koev Ilian G. , Poryazova Elena G. , Kitova Tania T. , Miryanov Petar Zh. , Kitov Borislav D.
Published: August 2014

We report a case of 56-year-old patient suffering from myxopapillary ependymoma of filum terminale at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra. The patient presented with progressive complaints of permanent pain in the anal and sacral region with duration of 8 months. When sneezing or attempting to do brisk movements, the pain irradiated to the posterior surface of the right thigh. Vertebral syndrome was absent. Neurological examination demonstrated no other abnormalities. Magnetic-resonance imaging showed intradural tumor of cauda equina at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra. The present article discusses the role of MRI in the diagnosis of clinical cases presenting with atypical lumboradiculalgia. We have put an emphasis on the early diagnosis of myxopapillary ependymoma of filum terminale which has an impact on the surgical strategy and postoperative outcome.
Nitrieren von hochfesten, bainitischen Langprodukten*
Authors: Lembke M. I. , Olschewski G. , Roelofs H. , Klümper-Westkamp H.
Published: August 2014

Kurzfassung

Moderne bainitische Langprodukte mit Zugfestigkeiten zwischen 800–1400 MPa bieten neue Eigenschaftsprofile und erlauben die Herstellung von komplexen Bauteilen ohne Schlussvergütung. Wie bei Vergütungsstählen können Verschleiß- und Dauerfestigkeit durch eine nachgelagerte Oberflächenhärtung oder -beschichtung verbessert werden. Am IWT in Bremen wurde das Verhalten der bainitischen Stahlsorten 7MnB8 und 18MnCrSiMoS641 beim Nitrieren und Nitrocarburieren systematisch untersucht und mit bekannten (ferritsch-perlitischen) Stählen 44SMn282 und 16MnCrS5Pb+HH3 verglichen. Die Ergebnisse wurden anhand von metallographischen Schliffbildern, Härtemessungen und Elementtiefenprofilen beurteilt. Bei den verwendeten Stählen konnten bei einer Nitrierkennzahl von KN = 2 bar−1/2 und einer Temperatur von 520°C nach 10 h kompakte Verbindungsschichten von ca. 8μm Dicke mit geringem Porenanteil erzeugt werden. Die erzielte Oberflächenhärte lag im Bereich, der auch bei Vergütungsstählen erzielt wird
Neogeography and Preparedness for Real-to-Virtual World Knowledge Transfer: Conceptual Steps to Minecraft Malta
Authors: Formosa Saviour
Published: August 2014

Societies have rapidly morphed into complex entities that are creating accessibility, yet, at the same time, they are developing new forms of neogeographic-poverty related to information uptake. Those that have managed to partake in the opportunities provided by the web have new vistas to survive in, in contrast to the new poor who have limited or no access to information. New forms of data in spatial format are accessible to all, however few realize the implications of such a transitional change in wellbeing: Whether entire societies or individuals. The different generations taking up the information access can face different levels of accessibility that may be limited by access to online data, knowledge of usage of tools and the understanding of the results, all within the limits on the spaces they are familiar with. This paper reviews a conceptual process underlining the initial steps of a long-term project in the Maltese Islands that seeks to create an online series of tools that bring the concept of “physical place” to the different generations through the management of a major project, the creation of a 3D virtuality, employing scanning processes, GIS, conversion aspects, and a small block-based Minecraft engine.
Enterococcus faecalis Infection and Reactive Oxygen Species Down-Regulates the miR-17-92 Cluster in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cell Culture
Authors: Strickertsson Jesper , Rasmussen Lene , Friis-Hansen Lennart
Published: August 2014

Chronic inflammation due to bacterial overgrowth of the stomach predisposes to the development of gastric cancer and is also associated with high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In recent years increasing attention has been drawn to microRNAs (miRNAs) due to their role in the pathogenesis of many human diseases including gastric cancer. Here we studied the impact of infection by the gram-positive bacteria Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) on global miRNA expression as well as the effect of ROS on selected miRNAs. Human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line MKN74 was infected with living E. faecalis for 24 h or for 5 days or with E. faecalis lysate for 5 days. The miRNA expression was examined by microarray analysis using Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA Arrays. To test the effect of ROS, MKN74 cells were treated with 100 mM tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). Following 5 days of E. faecalis infection we found 91 differentially expressed miRNAs in response to living bacteria and 2 miRNAs responded to E. faecalis lysate. We verified the down-regulation of the miR-17-92 and miR-106-363 clusters and of other miRNAs involved in the oxidative stress-response by qRT-PCR. We conclude that only infection by living E. faecalis bacteria caused a significant global response in miRNA expression in the MKN74 cell culture. E. faecalis infection as well as ROS stimulation down-regulated the expression of the miR-17-92 cluster. We believe that these changes could reflect a general response of gastric epithelial cells to bacterial infections.
Endophytic Fungi from Lycium chinense Mill and Characterization of Two New Korean Records of Colletotrichum
Authors: Paul Narayan , Lee Hyang , Lee Ji , Shin Kyu , Ryu Tae , Kwon Hye , Kim Yeong , Youn Young , Yu Seung
Published: August 2014

Chinese boxthorn or matrimony vine (Lycium chinense Mill) is found primarily in southeastern Europe and Asia, including Korea. The dried ripe fruits are commonly used as oriental medicinal purposes. Endophytic fungi were isolated from surface sterilized tissues and fruits of the medicinal plant in 2013 to identify the new or unreported species in Korea. Among 14 isolates, 10 morphospecies were selected for molecular identification with the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all isolates belonged to Ascomycota including the genera Acremonium, Colletotrichum, Cochliobolus, Fusarium, Hypocrea and Nemania. Two Colletotrichum species were identified at the species level, using three genes including internal transcribed spacer (ITS), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and Actin (ACT) for PCR and molecular data analysis along with morphological observations. The fungal isolates, CNU122031 and CNU122032 were identified as Colletotrichum fructicola and C. brevisporum, respectively. Morphological observations also well supported the molecular identification. C. brevisporum is represented unrecorded species in Korea and C. fructicola is the first record from the host plant.
Image-Based Environmental Monitoring Sensor Application Using an Embedded Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Paek Jeongyeup , Hicks John , Coe Sharon , Govindan Ramesh
Published: August 2014

This article discusses the experiences from the development and deployment of two image-based environmental monitoring sensor applications using an embedded wireless sensor network. Our system uses low-power image sensors and the Tenet general purpose sensing system for tiered embedded wireless sensor networks. It leverages Tenet’s built-in support for reliable delivery of high rate sensing data, scalability and its flexible scripting language, which enables mote-side image compression and the ease of deployment. Our first deployment of a pitfall trap monitoring application at the James San Jacinto Mountain Reserve provided us with insights and lessons learned into the deployment of and compression schemes for these embedded wireless imaging systems. Our three month-long deployment of a bird nest monitoring application resulted in over 100,000 images collected from a 19-camera node network deployed over an area of 0.05 square miles, despite highly variable environmental conditions. Our biologists found the on-line, near-real-time access to images to be useful for obtaining data on answering their biological questions.
La qualité de l'eau et son incidence sur la biodiversité : l'exemple de la retenue de Petit Saut (Guyane française)
Authors: Horeau Véronique , Richard Sandrine , Cerdan Philippe
Published: August 2014

Le fleuve Sinnamary (Guyane française) a fait l'objet d'études sur la qualité physico-chimique et biologique de l'eau avant, pendant et après la mise en eau du barrage hydroélectrique de Petit Saut. Avant l'aménagement, les eaux du fleuve sont chaudes, acides, peu conductrices, riches en oxygène dissous, pauvres en éléments nutritifs et relativement homogènes de l'amont vers l'aval. Elles sont soumises à des variations saisonnières essentiellement commandées par la pluviométrie. La zonation biologique classique des rivières tempérées (crénon, rythron, potamon) ne s'observe pas ici, probablement en raison de la faible pente du fleuve. En revanche, l'alternance de sauts et d'entre-sauts constitue une succession d'unités. Le lac créé par la mise en eau du barrage est stratifié : dans l'épilimnion oxygéné, les communautés biologiques se concentrent sur quelques mètres d'épaisseur, tandis que l'hypolimnion anoxique interdit la vie aérobie. Les fluctuations saisonnières des pluies et du temps de rétention des eaux sont les principaux facteurs qui influencent la qualité physicochimique et biologique des eaux. En aval du barrage, les produits réducteurs résiduels entraînent une consommation d'oxygène qui se traduit par une courbe en sac du pied du barrage à l'estuaire. Les communautés zooplanctoniques sont issues de la retenue. La qualité physico-chimique et biologique est maintenue grâce à la mise en place d'une double cascade permettant la réoxygénation et le dégazage des eaux restituées. L'influence de la qualité des eaux sur la biodiversité est ainsi mieux comprise, ce qui devrait permettre de trouver un compromis acceptable entre les intérêts écologiques et énergétiques.
Se nourrir à Trois-Sauts : analyse diachronique de la prédation chez les Wayâpi du Haut-Oyapock (Guyane française)
Authors: Ouhoud-Renoux François
Published: August 2014

This article reports on the relationships that the Upper Oyapock Wayâpi living in French Guiana maintain with their natural environment. The approach involves a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the yields from hunting, fishing and gathering in order to determine the input of natural resources in the Wayâpi subsistence economy. Two questions are subjacent to this study : Are the Wayâpi more managers of natural resources than they are foragers of those resources ? Can Wayâpi knowledge and know-how in exploiting the natural environment be used as the basis for modern management models of the resources drawn from the Amazonian forest ? These questions raise a fundamental scientific issue in human and natural sciences, the import of which reaches far beyond the scientific community.
Préservation et valorisation des ressources naturelles : quel compromis ?
Authors: Gombauld Pascal , Gachet Jean-Paul
Published: August 2014

Les aires protégées représentent environ 6 % de la surface de la Guyane ; ce département est dépourvu de loi sur la chasse, le code forestier français n'y étant pas applicable. La majorité de son territoire se trouve donc potentiellement sous l'influence de prélèvements anarchiques par l'homme. Pour assurer un développement durable, il apparaît important d'intensifier la protection et la valorisation du patrimoine naturel en créant des outils nouveaux de gestion pour la Guyane : zones témoins (protection intégrale), observatoire de la biodiversité, réglementation de la chasse. La faisabilité d'une gestion cohérente et efficace de la biodiversité en Guyane repose d'une part sur une implication plus forte de la recherche scientifique dans les processus de transfert de connaissances et de valorisation durable des ressources naturelles, d'autre part sur une appropriation, au niveau régional, de la démarche « gestion des ressources » par les décideurs et les utilisateurs du milieu naturel. Les demandes de développement économique et social témoignent implicitement de la nécessité d'un compromis entre préservation et valorisation des ressources naturelles en Guyane.
La connaissance actuelle de la flore de Guyane peut-elle étayer les projets de conservation ?
Authors: Poncy Odile , Hoff Michel , Brulard Jean-François
Published: August 2014

To answer the question addressed in the title, we propose a survey of the present state of knowledge on vascular plants in French Guiana. The data from herbarium collections and taxonomic treatments are compiled in the « aublet » database. This data is analyzed with a view to determining whether present knowledge is sufficiently accurate to support conservation projects, with emphasis on such aspects as taxa inventory, collection densities, and geographical as well as taxonomic and ecological disparities. We point out that, in light of the heterogeneity of the data available today, extreme care should be taken in evaluating plant diversity. Should priorities for the future be considered, a program that would optimize progress in botanical knowledge by associating appropriate data acquisition and quantitative measuring methods would be recommended.
Apports et limites de la télédétection aérienne et satellitale pour la gestion des milieux naturels en Guyane : exemple du zonage écologique et humain de la région de Saül
Authors: Girou Denis , Deschamps Nathalie , Delorme Michaël
Published: August 2014

Progress has been made in working out habitat management methods compatible with the existence of the future national park in French Guiana. A more substantial presence in the field is called for, as well as a more systematic approach to the environment, backed by modern cartographic tools (geographic information systems, satellite imaging). The integration of multisource data (cartography, aerial photographs, etc.) into a geographic information system provides an opportunity for an initial assessment of human impact on the natural environment. This article reports on the first results of a cartographic study, on differing scales, of vegetation and land occupancy in the Saul Region (French Guiana). This research is part of the scientific and technical work preparatory to the establishment of the national park in French Guiana.
Les mesures de la biodiversité : outil de conservation en forêt guyanaise
Authors: Bordenave Bruno Georges , de Granville Jean-Jacques
Published: August 2014

Des méthodes de mesure de biodiversité de différents habitats forestiers, mises au point en Guyane, sont exposées dans cet article : elles permettent d'analyser comparativement la diversité spécifique et écologique de différentes forêts à l'aide de courbes aire-espèces et d'indices de diversité établis pour chaque composante du peuplement de plantes vasculaires. En plus de la connaissance fondamentale de la structure et de la composition floristique, indispensables à la compréhension du fonctionnement de l'écosystème forestier, ces nouveaux outils trouvent des applications concrètes pour orienter les actions de gestion et de conservation du patrimoine naturel des forêts guyanaises.