bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi Organ Dysfunction in Term Neonates with Perinatal Asphyxia
Authors: Vemuri Aditya , Lalwani Sanjay
Published: June 2016

Introduction: Multiorgan dysfunction (MOD) is one of the four consensus based criteria for the diagnosis of intrapartum asphyxia. The theoretical concept behind MOD is the diving reflex -conservation of blood flow to vital organs at the cost of non-vital organs. The objective of this study was to assess the patterns of involvement of each major organ/system in term asphyxiated neonates.Material and Methods: This was a hospital based prospective study. Sixty term neonates who had suffered perinatal asphyxia were assessed for central nervous system, kidney, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system and liver dysfunction. Results: Out of 60 eligible neonates, 57 (95%) had evidence of at least one organ dysfunction. Cardiovascular system involvement (95%) was most common, followed by renal system (37%), hepatic system (22%), central nervous system and hematological system (20% each) and finally, gastrointestinal tract (8%).Conclusion: MOD is frequently associated with perinatal asphyxia with cardiovascular system being the most commonly affected.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2015;35(3):307-311.
Incidence of Retinopathy of Prematurity and Its Association with Oxygen Therapy in Preterm Low Birth Weight Babies
Authors: Pal AK , Sur Somen , Gupta AK
Published: June 2016

Introduction: The objectives of this study were to study the incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among preterm low birth weight babies and its association with oxygen therapy.Material and Methods: During one year study period, 50 neonates, who had fulfilled the inclusion criteria (born at gestational age ≤ 35 wks), were included in the present study. They were examined by indirect ophthalmoscopy by an ophthalmologist in NICU or ophthalmology outdoor. Staging of ROP was done according to the International classification. Data obtained from this study were entered in Microsoft Excel and subsequently analysed in SPSS version 20.0.Results: Among study population, 12 neonates (24%) showed evidence of retinopathy of prematurity, and Stage 2 ROP was most common (41.7%) within this group. Those neonates who had born ≤28 wks gestational age, showed more incidence (75%) of ROP. There was significant association between ROP and prematurity, low birth weight, mechanical ventilation, duration and concentration of oxygen therapy.Conclusion: Apart from prematurity and low birth weight, oxygen therapy also carries significant risk for ROP. Thus, judicious use of oxygen in premature babies can reduce incidence of ROP significantly.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2015;35(3):247-252
Monitoring intra-abdominal pressure : should it be a routine for critically ill?
Authors: Hashmi Madiha
Published: June 2016

Abstract not availableBangladesh Crit Care J March 2016; 4 (1): 1-2
Raised Arterial Pressure and Microalbuminuria in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects with Familial Hypertension
Authors: Rahman Md Anisur , Billah Md Mostarshid , Mitra Palash , Hossan Md Emtiaz , Hossain Md Jakir , Haque Wasim Md Mohosin Ul , Mansur Md Abul
Published: June 2016

Background and Aims : Microalbuminuria is claimed to be an early marker of nephropathy in type 2 diabetes.The raised arterial pressure is an important factor in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. There is a significant correlation between blood pressure and the progression of albuminuria in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This study in Bangladeshi type 2 diabetic patients was to evaluate whether microalbuminuria and raised arterial pressure are influenced by familial predisposition to hypertension.Methods : Sixty three newly diagnosed Bangladeshi type 2 diabetic patients were investigated. The diabetic subjects were divided into two groups as diabetes with family history of hypertension (n=37) and diabetes without family history of hypertension (n=26). Diabetic subjects were further divided into normotensive (n= 46) and hypertensive (n= 17); diabetic normoalbuminuric (n 44) and diabetic microalbuminuric (n 19) subgroups. Serum glucose was measured by glucose-oxidase; blood urea, serum creatinine and urinary creatinine by enzymatic-colorimetric method and urinary albumin by immunoturbidimetry method.Results : systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and microalbuminuria were significantly elevated in diabetic subjects with familial predisposition to hypertension when compared to diabetic subjects without familial predisposition to hypertension [SBP (127±16 vs 110±14) mmHg P= 0.001; DBP (81±9 vs 72±11) mmHg P= 0.001; Microalbuminuria 2.23(0.28-9.43) vs 1.52(.29-3.91) mg/mmol p<0.03]. When diabetic normotensive subjects were compared with diabetic hypertensive subjects for microalbuminuria, no significant difference was found among themselves [median (range) 1.67(0.17-8.62) vs 1.70(.28-9.43) mg/mmol p = NS]. Comparison of blood pressure was found no significant difference between diabetic normoalbuminuric and diabetic microalbuminuric subjects [systolic blood pressure (117±17 vs 125±17) mmHg p= NS ; diastolic blood pressure (76±11 vs 82±10) mmHg p= NS ].Conclusion : Microalbuminuria, a marker of early diabetic nephropathy and raised arterial pressure, a progression factor of nephropathy are more influenced by familial predisposition to hypertension in diabetic population irrespective of presence or absence of microalbuminuria and hypertension.Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2016; 4 (1): 14-18
Bilateral pulmonary embolism and ilio-femoral DVT associated with recent amputation of lower limb, long distance air travel and suspected thrombophilia.
Authors: Faruq Mohammad Omar , Hayat Syed Muhammad Shahin ur , Karim Rezaul , Salam Tahsin , Sardar Aslam Uddin , Kabir Faisal , Khan Arifur Rahman , Gafur Dewan Muhammad Mahmudul , Syam Mohammad , Arefin AKM Nahid , Choudhury Shamima
Published: June 2016

We present a 36 years old Bangladeshi male, known smoker, while working in Bahrain, suffered from arterial thromboembolism on left lower extremity resulting in gangrene of left leg. He underwent above knee amputation of the affected limb. After 16 days stay in the hospital with an open amputated stump wound, he was sent back to Bangladesh by air. While in the airplane, he complained of chest discomfort about two hours before landing at Dhaka airport of Bangladesh. Following disembarkation he was admitted into local cardiac hospital where a diagnosis of left ventricular failure with unstable angina was made. Five days later he was transferred to ICU of Ibn Sina Hospital for better management. Patient had high serum D-dimer level and fibrin degradation products (FDP) level. negative antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, negative anti-cardiolipin antibody test, normal troponin I, Homocysteine, antithrombin III, protein S, & protein C levels. Initial X-ray chest showed left lower zone wedge shaped density. ECG showed sinus tachycardia. CT angiogram of chest showed bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE) and large left pleural effusion. Contrast CT abdomen showed bilateral iliac vein thrombus extending to lower inferior vena cava. Left pleural effusion was found to be grossly hemorrhagic. Patient was treated with low molecular weight heparin and warfarin. As thrombolysis was not feasible, he was advised to have thrombo-embolectomy. He refused surgical option and left hospital against medical advice. This case illustrates that multiple risk factors can be responsible for PE, and appropriate & timely interventions are always needed to prevent morbidity and or mortalityBangladesh Crit Care J March 2016; 4 (1): 46-50
Effects of Alchemilla mollis and Alchemilla persica on the wound healing process
Authors: Ergene Öz Burçin , Ilhan Mert , Ozbilgin Serkan , Küpeli Akkol Esra , Bahadır Acıkara Özlem , Saltan Gülçin , Keleş Hikmet , Süntar Ipek
Published: June 2016

Alchemilla mollis, is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds and excessive menstruation. Aqueous methanol extracts of A. mollis and A. persica were evaluated for wound healing acivity by using linear incision and circular excision wound models along with hydroxyproline estimation and histopathological analysis. Anti-inflammatory effect was determined according to Whittle method. The extracts prepared from the aerial parts of A. mollis and A. persica exerted significant wound healing activity with the tensile strength values of 39.3% and 33.3%, respectively, and with the contraction values of 51.4% and 43.5%, respectively. Hydroxyproline estimation and histopathological analysis also confirmed the results. The extracts of A. mollis and A. persica showed significant anti-inflammatory activity with the values of 30.6% and 26.6% respectively. These results showed that A. mollis and A. persica possess significant wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities.

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Circular excision wound model: 2 min

 
Extraction, isolation and purification of exopolysaccharide from lactic acid bacteria using ethanol precipitation method
Authors: Bajpai Vivek K. , Majumder Rajib , Rather Irfan A. , Kim Kangmin
Published: June 2016

Lactic acid bacteria are classified ‘Generally Recognized As Safe’ (GRAS) with most effective potential to divert significant amount of fermentable sugars towards the biosynthesis of functional exopolysaccharide. Exopolysaccharides from lactic acid bacteria are receiving a renewed interest due to the claims of human health benefits, such as modulation of immune response system and more importantly in food and pharma industries as a texturizer, viscosifer, emulsifier and syneresis-lowering agent. Its purification methodology involves: a) Extraction of cell-free supernatant from lactic acid bacteria; b) Denature of protein using trichloroacetic acid; c) Ethanol precipitation; d) Dialysis; and e) Freeze drying. However, depending on nature of research, compounds can be further purified using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectrum (IR); and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral analyses.

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Part 2:   3 min 36 sec
Tooth Organ Bioengineering: Cell Sources and Innovative Approaches
Authors: Jamal Hasan
Published: June 2016

Various treatment approaches for restoring missing teeth are being utilized nowadays by using artificial dental crowns/bridges or the use of dental implants. All aforementioned restorative modalities are considered to be the conventional way of treating such cases. Although these artificial therapies are commonly used for tooth loss rehabilitation, they are still less conservative, show less biocompatibility and fail to restore the natural biological and physiological function. Adding to that, they are considered to be costly due to the risk of failure and they also require regular maintenance. Regenerative dentistry is currently considered a novel therapeutic concept with high potential for a complete recovery of the natural function and esthetics of teeth. Biological-cell based dental therapies would involve replacement of teeth by using stem cells that will ultimately grow a bioengineered tooth, thereby restoring both the biological and physiological functions of the natural tooth, and are considered to be the ultimate goal in regenerative dentistry. In this review, various stem cell-based therapeutic approaches for tooth organ bioengineering will be discussed.
Experimental Study of Single Phase Flow in a Closed-Loop Cooling System with Integrated Mini-Channel Heat Sink
Authors: Ma Lei , Zhao Xuxin , Sun Hongyuan , Wu Qixing , Liu Wei
Published: June 2016

The flow and heat transfer characteristics of a closed-loop cooling system with a mini-channel heat sink for thermal management of electronics is studied experimentally. The heat sink is designed with corrugated fins to improve its heat dissipation capability. The experiments are performed using variable coolant volumetric flow rates and input heating powers. The experimental results show a high and reliable thermal performance using the heat sink with corrugated fins. The heat transfer capability is improved up to 30 W/cm2 when the base temperature is kept at a stable and acceptable level. Besides the heat transfer capability enhancement, the capability of the system to transfer heat for a long distance is also studied and a fast thermal response time to reach steady state is observed once the input heating power or the volume flow rate are varied. Under different input heat source powers and volumetric flow rates, our results suggest potential applications of the designed mini-channel heat sink in cooling microelectronics.
Thermo-Structural Response Caused by Structure Gap and Gap Design for Solid Rocket Motor Nozzles
Authors: Sun Lin , Bao Futing , Zhang Ning , Hui Weihua , Wang Shaozeng , Zhang Nan , Deng Heng
Published: June 2016

The thermo-structural response of solid rocket motor nozzles is widely investigated in the design of modern rockets, and many factors related to the material properties have been considered. However, little work has been done to evaluate the effects of structure gaps on the generation of flame leaks. In this paper, a numerical simulation was performed by the finite element method to study the thermo-structural response of a typical nozzle with consideration of the structure gap. Initial boundary conditions for thermo-structural simulation were defined by a quasi-1D model, and then coupled simulations of different gap size matching modes were conducted. It was found that frictional interface treatment could efficiently reduce the stress level. Based on the defined flame leak criteria, gap size optimization was carried out, and the best gap matching mode was determined for designing the nozzle. Testing experiment indicated that the simulation results from the proposed method agreed well with the experimental results. It is believed that the simulation method is effective for investigating thermo-structural responses, as well as designing proper gaps for solid rocket motor nozzles.
A Multi-Step miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network Construction Approach Identifies Gene Signatures Associated with Endometrioid Endometrial Carcinoma
Authors: Xiong Hanzhen , Li Qiulian , Chen Ruichao , Liu Shaoyan , Lin Qiongyan , Xiong Zhongtang , Jiang Qingping , Guo Linlang
Published: June 2016

We aimed to identify endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC)-related gene signatures using a multi-step miRNA-mRNA regulatory network construction approach. Pathway analysis showed that 61 genes were enriched on many carcinoma-related pathways. Among the 14 highest scoring gene signatures, six genes had been previously shown to be endometrial carcinoma. By qRT-PCR and next generation sequencing, we found that a gene signature (CPEB1) was significantly down-regulated in EEC tissues, which may be caused by hsa-miR-183-5p up-regulation. In addition, our literature surveys suggested that CPEB1 may play an important role in EEC pathogenesis by regulating the EMT/p53 pathway. The miRNA-mRNA network is worthy of further investigation with respect to the regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in EEC. CPEB1 appeared to be a tumor suppressor in EEC. Our results provided valuable guidance for the functional study at the cellular level, as well as the EEC mouse models.
A Cloud Computing-Enabled Spatio-Temporal Cyber-Physical Information Infrastructure for Efficient Soil Moisture Monitoring
Authors: Zhou Lianjie , Chen Nengcheng , Chen Zeqiang
Published: June 2016

Comprehensive surface soil moisture (SM) monitoring is a vital task in precision agriculture applications. SM monitoring includes remote sensing imagery monitoring and in situ sensor-based observational monitoring. Cloud computing can increase computational efficiency enormously. A geographical web service was developed to assist in agronomic decision making, and this tool can be scaled to any location and crop. By integrating cloud computing and the web service-enabled information infrastructure, this study uses the cloud computing-enabled spatio-temporal cyber-physical infrastructure (CESCI) to provide an efficient solution for soil moisture monitoring in precision agriculture. On the server side of CESCI, diverse Open Geospatial Consortium web services work closely with each other. Hubei Province, located on the Jianghan Plain in central China, is selected as the remote sensing study area in the experiment. The Baoxie scientific experimental field in Wuhan City is selected as the in situ sensor study area. The results show that the proposed method enhances the efficiency of remote sensing imagery mapping and in situ soil moisture interpolation. In addition, the proposed method is compared to other existing precision agriculture infrastructures. In this comparison, the proposed infrastructure performs soil moisture mapping in Hubei Province in 1.4 min and near real-time in situ soil moisture interpolation in an efficient manner. Moreover, an enhanced performance monitoring method can help to reduce costs in precision agriculture monitoring, as well as increasing agricultural productivity and farmers’ net-income.
Mechanism of Action and Applications of Interleukin 24 in Immunotherapy
Authors: Persaud Leah , De Jesus Dayenny , Brannigan Oliver , Richiez-Paredes Maria , Huaman Jeannette , Alvarado Giselle , Riker Linda , Mendez Gissete , Dejoie Jordan , Sauane Moira
Published: June 2016

Interleukin 24 (IL-24) is an important pleiotropic immunoregulatory cytokine, whose gene is located in human chromosome 1q32-33. IL-24’s signaling pathways have diverse biological functions related to cell differentiation, proliferation, development, apoptosis, and inflammation, placing it at the center of an active area of research. IL-24 is well known for its apoptotic effect in cancer cells while having no such effect on normal cells. IL-24 can also be secreted by both immune and non-immune cells. Downstream effects of IL-24, after binding to the IL-20 receptor, can occur dependently or independently of the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway, which is classically involved in cytokine-mediated activities. After exogenous addition of IL-24, apoptosis is induced in tumor cells independently of the JAK/STAT pathway. We have shown that IL-24 binds to Sigma 1 Receptor and this event induces endoplasmic reticulum stress, calcium mobilization, reactive oxygen species generation, p38MAPK activity, and ceramide production. Here we review IL-24’s role in autoimmunity, infectious disease response, wound repair, and vascular disease. Detailed understanding of the pleiotropic roles of IL-24 signaling can assist in the selection of more accurate therapeutic approaches, as well as targeting of appropriate cell types in treatment strategy development, and ultimately achieve desired therapeutic effects.
A Rapid and Sensitive UPLC-MS/MS-Method for the Separation and Quantification of Branched-Chain Amino Acids from Dried Blood Samples of Patients with Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)
Authors: Fingerhut Ralph , Röschinger Wulf , Heck Markus
Published: June 2016

Newborn screening for MSUD is a special challenge since patients with MSUD can metabolically decompensate rapidly without adequate treatment within the first two weeks of life. However, the screening method does not detect the actual marker metabolite (alloisoleucine) specifically, but only as part of the group of the other isobaric amino acids leucine, isoleucine and hydroxyproline. We describe a sensitive and rapid second-tier UPLC-MS/MS method to determine branched-chain amino acids from the initial extraction of the screening sample. Quantification is based on a seven-point calibration curve. Reference ranges (mean ± SD in µmol/L) were determined from 179 normal, not pre-selected samples from the newborn screening: leucine: 72 ± 27; isoleucine: 37 ± 19; valine: 98 ± 46; hydroxyproline: 23 ± 13. The concentration of alloisoleucine was below the detection limit in about 55% of the cases, and the highest concentration was 1.9 µmol/L. In all 30 retrospectively studied screening samples from patients with confirmed MSUD the concentration of alloisoleucine was significantly increased. In 238 samples with false-positive newborn screening due to a significant increase in the combined concentration of leucine + isoleucine + alloisoleucine + hydroxyproline (400 to >4000 µmol/L), alloisoleucine was below 6.5 µmol/L (n = 57) or not detectable (n = 181). The application of this assay markedly reduces the false-positive rate and the associated anxiety and costs. It is also suitable for routinely monitoring blood spots of patients with MSUD.
The Death Penalty and Human Dignity: An Existential Fallacy
Authors: Nagelsen Susan , Huckelbury Charles
Published: June 2016

Proponents of capital punishment in the United States frequently cite the evolution from electrocution and hanging to lethal injection as an indication that the evolving standards of decency exhibited by such a transition demonstrate a respect for human dignity. This essay examines that claim by evaluating two standards for assessing whether an act comports with accepted definitions of human dignity: a personal-achievement model, based on work by economist Amartya Sen of Harvard University, and a universal and intrinsic approach to human dignity articulated by criminologist Robert Johnson of the American University. We evaluate Sen’s capabilities model through the lens of a condemned prisoner’s ability to achieve self-defined goals. We then assess Johnson’s claim that preserving human dignity requires an elimination of the death penalty, irrespective of any prisoner’s ability to lead a restricted, albeit goal-directed, existence.
Bio-Inspired Supramolecular Chemistry Provides Highly Concentrated Dispersions of Carbon Nanotubes in Polythiophene
Authors: Lin Yen-Ting , Singh Ranjodh , Kuo Shiao-Wei , Ko Fu-Hsiang
Published: June 2016

In this paper we report the first observation, through X-ray diffraction, of noncovalent uracil–uracil (U–U) dimeric π-stacking interactions in carbon nanotube (CNT)–based supramolecular assemblies. The directionally oriented morphology determined using atomic force microscopy revealed highly organized behavior through π-stacking of U moieties in a U-functionalized CNT derivative (CNT–U). We developed a dispersion system to investigate the bio-inspired interactions between an adenine (A)-terminated poly(3-adeninehexyl thiophene) (PAT) and CNT–U. These hybrid CNT–U/PAT materials interacted through π-stacking and multiple hydrogen bonding between the U moieties of CNT–U and the A moieties of PAT. Most importantly, the U···A multiple hydrogen bonding interactions between CNT–U and PAT enhanced the dispersion of CNT–U in a high-polarity solvent (DMSO). The morphology of these hybrids, determined using transmission electron microscopy, featured grape-like PAT bundles wrapped around the CNT–U surface; this tight connection was responsible for the enhanced dispersion of CNT–U in DMSO.
A New Non-Destructive TDR System Combined with a Piezoelectric Stack for Measuring Properties of Geomaterials
Authors: Choi Chanyong , Song Minwoo , Kim Daehyeon , Yu Xiong
Published: June 2016

Dry density and water content are two important factors affecting the degree of soil compaction. Conventional methods such as the sand cone test and the plate load test are used to measure such properties for evaluating the degree of compaction and the stiffness of soil in the field. However, these tests are generally very time-consuming and are inherent with some errors depending on the operator (in particular for the sand cone test). Elastic modulus is an indicator to describe the stress-strain behavior of soil and in some cases is used as a design input parameter. Although a rod type TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) system has been recently proposed to overcome some shortcomings of the conventional methods (particularly the sand cone test), it requires driving the probes into the ground, thus implying that it is still a time-consuming and destructive testing method. This study aims to develop a new non-destructive TDR system that can rapidly measure the dry density, water content, and elastic modulus of soil on the surface of compacted soil, without disturbing the ground. In this study, the Piezoelectric Stack, which is an instrument for measuring the elastic modulus of soil, has been added to the TDR system with a flat type probe, leading to a non-destructive TDR system that is capable of measuring the dry density, water content, and elastic modulus of soil. The new TDR system developed is light enough for an engineer to carry. Results of the standard compaction and TDR tests on sand showed that the dry densities and the moisture contents measured with the new TDR system were in good agreement with those measured with the standard compaction test, respectively. Consequently, it appears that the new TDR system developed will be very useful to advance the current practice of compaction quality control.
An Investigation into the Use of Manufactured Sand as a 100% Replacement for Fine Aggregate in Concrete
Authors: Pilegis Martins , Gardner Diane , Lark Robert
Published: June 2016

Manufactured sand differs from natural sea and river dredged sand in its physical and mineralogical properties. These can be both beneficial and detrimental to the fresh and hardened properties of concrete. This paper presents the results of a laboratory study in which manufactured sand produced in an industry sized crushing plant was characterised with respect to its physical and mineralogical properties. The influence of these characteristics on concrete workability and strength, when manufactured sand completely replaced natural sand in concrete, was investigated and modelled using artificial neural networks (ANN). The results show that the manufactured sand concrete made in this study generally requires a higher water/cement (w/c) ratio for workability equal to that of natural sand concrete due to the higher angularity of the manufactured sand particles. Water reducing admixtures can be used to compensate for this if the manufactured sand does not contain clay particles. At the same w/c ratio, the compressive and flexural strength of manufactured sand concrete exceeds that of natural sand concrete. ANN proved a valuable and reliable method of predicting concrete strength and workability based on the properties of the fine aggregate (FA) and the concrete mix composition.
Measurement Uncertainty for Finite Quantum Observables
Authors: Schwonnek René , Reeb David , Werner Reinhard
Published: June 2016

Measurement uncertainty relations are lower bounds on the errors of any approximate joint measurement of two or more quantum observables. The aim of this paper is to provide methods to compute optimal bounds of this type. The basic method is semidefinite programming, which we apply to arbitrary finite collections of projective observables on a finite dimensional Hilbert space. The quantification of errors is based on an arbitrary cost function, which assigns a penalty to getting result x rather than y, for any pair ( x , y ) . This induces a notion of optimal transport cost for a pair of probability distributions, and we include an Appendix with a short summary of optimal transport theory as needed in our context. There are then different ways to form an overall figure of merit from the comparison of distributions. We consider three, which are related to different physical testing scenarios. The most thorough test compares the transport distances between the marginals of a joint measurement and the reference observables for every input state. Less demanding is a test just on the states for which a “true value” is known in the sense that the reference observable yields a definite outcome. Finally, we can measure a deviation as a single expectation value by comparing the two observables on the two parts of a maximally-entangled state. All three error quantities have the property that they vanish if and only if the tested observable is equal to the reference. The theory is illustrated with some characteristic examples.
Next-Generation Sequencing: The Translational Medicine Approach from “Bench to Bedside to Population”
Authors: Beigh Mohammad
Published: June 2016

Humans have predicted the relationship between heredity and diseases for a long time. Only in the beginning of the last century, scientists begin to discover the connotations between different genes and disease phenotypes. Recent trends in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have brought a great momentum in biomedical research that in turn has remarkably augmented our basic understanding of human biology and its associated diseases. State-of-the-art next generation biotechnologies have started making huge strides in our current understanding of mechanisms of various chronic illnesses like cancers, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative anomalies, etc. We are experiencing a renaissance in biomedical research primarily driven by next generation biotechnologies like genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics etc. Although genomic discoveries are at the forefront of next generation omics technologies, however, their implementation into clinical arena had been painstakingly slow mainly because of high reaction costs and unavailability of requisite computational tools for large-scale data analysis. However rapid innovations and steadily lowering cost of sequence-based chemistries along with the development of advanced bioinformatics tools have lately prompted launching and implementation of large-scale massively parallel genome sequencing programs in different fields ranging from medical genetics, infectious biology, agriculture sciences etc. Recent advances in large-scale omics-technologies is bringing healthcare research beyond the traditional “bench to bedside” approach to more of a continuum that will include improvements, in public healthcare and will be primarily based on predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory medicine approach (P4). Recent large-scale research projects in genetic and infectious disease biology have indicated that massively parallel whole-genome/whole-exome sequencing, transcriptome analysis, and other functional genomic tools can reveal large number of unique functional elements and/or markers that otherwise would be undetected by traditional sequencing methodologies. Therefore, latest trends in the biomedical research is giving birth to the new branch in medicine commonly referred to as personalized and/or precision medicine. Developments in the post-genomic era are believed to completely restructure the present clinical pattern of disease prevention and treatment as well as methods of diagnosis and prognosis. The next important step in the direction of the precision/personalized medicine approach should be its early adoption in clinics for future medical interventions. Consequently, in coming year’s next generation biotechnologies will reorient medical practice more towards disease prediction and prevention approaches rather than curing them at later stages of their development and progression, even at wider population level(s) for general public healthcare system.
Retrospective Proteomic Analysis of Cellular Immune Responses and Protective Correlates of p24 Vaccination in an HIV Elite Controller Using Antibody Arrays
Authors: Perera Suneth , Wang Bin , Damian Arturo , Dyer Wayne , Zhou Li , Conceicao Viviane , Saksena Nitin
Published: June 2016

Background: HIV p24 is an extracellular HIV antigen involved in viral replication. Falling p24 antibody responses are associated with clinical disease progression and their preservation with non-progressive disease. Stimulation of p24 antibody production by immunization to delay progression was the basis of discontinued p24 vaccine. We studied a therapy-naive HIV+ man from Sydney, Australia, infected in 1988. He received the HIV-p24-virus like particle (VLP) vaccine in 1993, and continues to show vigorous p24 antigen responses (>4% p24-specific CD4+ T cells), coupled with undetectable plasma viremia. We defined immune-protective correlates of p24 vaccination at the proteomic level through parallel retrospective analysis of cellular immune responses to p24 antigen in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD14+ monocytes at viremic and aviremic phases using antibody-array. We found statistically significant coordinated up-regulation by all three cell-types with high fold-changes in fractalkine, ITAC, IGFBP-2, and MIP-1α in the aviremic phase. TECK and TRAIL-R4 were down-regulated in the viremic phase and up-regulated in the aviremic phase. The up-regulation of fractalkine in all three cell-types coincided with protective effect, whereas the dysfunction in anti-apoptotic chemokines with the loss of immune function. This study highlights the fact that induction of HIV-1-specific helper cells together with coordinated cellular immune response (p < 0.001) might be important in immunotherapeutic interventions and HIV vaccine development.
Poly (l-γ-glutamylglutamine) Polymer Enhances Doxorubicin Accumulation in Multidrug Resistant Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Peng Ting , Liu Kai , Gao Liefang , Gao Lipeng , Chen Jing , Wang Jing , Liu Yu , Wang Yiting , Yan Zhiqiang , Yu Lei
Published: June 2016

Background: Drug resistance is one of the bottlenecks of cancer chemotherapy in the clinic. Polymeric nanomedicine is one of the most promising strategies for overcoming poor chemotherapy responses due to the multidrug resistance (MDR). Methods: In this study, a new polymer-based drug delivery system, poly (l-γ-glutamylglutamine)-doxorubicin (PGG-Dox) conjugate, was studied in both drug-induced resistant human breast cancer MDA-MB-231/MDR cells and their parent human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. The effect of PGG on facilitating the growth inhibition of Dox against multidrug resistant cells were investigated by evaluating the cytotoxicity of PGG-Dox conjugate, PGG/Dox unconjugated complex and free Dox on both cells. The underlying mechanisms in resistant cells were further studied via the intracellular traffic studies. Results: Both conjugated and unconjugated PGG significantly increased Dox uptake, prolonged Dox retention and reduced Dox efflux in the MDA-MB-231/MDR cells. The PGG-Dox conjugate is taken up by tumor cells mainly by pinocytosis pathway, in which PGG-Dox conjugate-containing vesicles are formed and enter the cells. Conclusions: This study indicated that both polymer-drug conjugate and unconjugated complex are promising strategies of overcoming resistance of anti-tumor drugs.
Expression of Concern: Segneanu et al. Helleborus purpurascens—Amino Acid and Peptide Analysis Linked to the Chemical and Antiproliferative Properties of the Extracted Compounds. Molecules 2015, 20, 22170–22187
Authors: McPhee Derek , Ferreira Isabel
Published: June 2016

As Editor in Chief of Molecules and Academic Editor of the article [1], respectively, we wish to advise readers that Molecules has been informed that its authorship is currently in dispute and the subject of a formal lawsuit.[...]
The Distribution of Obesity Phenotypes in HIV-Infected African Population
Authors: Nguyen Kim , Peer Nasheeta , De Villiers Anniza , Mukasa Barbara , Matsha Tandi , Mills Edward , Kengne Andre
Published: June 2016

The distribution of body size phenotypes in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has yet to be characterized. We assessed the distribution of body size phenotypes overall, and according to antiretroviral therapy (ART), diagnosed duration of the infection and CD4 count in a sample of HIV infected people recruited across primary care facilities in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Adults aged ≥ 18 years were consecutively recruited using random sampling procedures, and their cardio-metabolic profile were assessed during March 2014 and February 2015. They were classified across body mass index (BMI) categories as normal-weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2), and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), and further classified according to their metabolic status as “metabolically healthy” vs. “metabolically abnormal” if they had less than two vs. two or more of the following abnormalities: high blood glucose, raised blood pressure, raised triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol. Their cross-classification gave the following six phenotypes: normal-weight metabolically healthy (NWMH), normal-weight metabolically abnormal (NWMA), overweight metabolically healthy (OvMH), overweight metabolically abnormal (OvMA), obese metabolically healthy (OMH), and obese metabolically abnormal (OMA). Among the 748 participants included (median age 38 years (25th–75th percentiles: 32–44)), 79% were women. The median diagnosed duration of HIV was five years; the median CD4 count was 392 cells/mm3 and most participants were on ART. The overall distribution of body size phenotypes was the following: 31.7% (NWMH), 11.7% (NWMA), 13.4% (OvMH), 9.5% (OvMA), 18.6% (OMH), and 15.1% (OMA). The distribution of metabolic phenotypes across BMI levels did not differ significantly in men vs. women (p = 0.062), in participants below vs. those at or above median diagnosed duration of HIV infection (p = 0.897), in participants below vs. those at or above median CD4 count (p = 0.447), and by ART regimens (p = 0.205). In this relatively young sample of HIV-infected individuals, metabolically abnormal phenotypes are frequent across BMI categories. This highlights the importance of general measures targeting an overall improvement in cardiometabolic risk profile across the spectrum of BMI distribution in all adults with HIV.
Examining Spectral Reflectance Saturation in Landsat Imagery and Corresponding Solutions to Improve Forest Aboveground Biomass Estimation
Authors: Zhao Panpan , Lu Dengsheng , Wang Guangxing , Wu Chuping , Huang Yujie , Yu Shuquan
Published: June 2016

The data saturation problem in Landsat imagery is well recognized and is regarded as an important factor resulting in inaccurate forest aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation. However, no study has examined the saturation values for different vegetation types such as coniferous and broadleaf forests. The objective of this study is to estimate the saturation values in Landsat imagery for different vegetation types in a subtropical region and to explore approaches to improving forest AGB estimation. Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery, digital elevation model data, and field measurements in Zhejiang province of Eastern China were used. Correlation analysis and scatterplots were first used to examine specific spectral bands and their relationships with AGB. A spherical model was then used to quantitatively estimate the saturation value of AGB for each vegetation type. A stratification of vegetation types and/or slope aspects was used to determine the potential to improve AGB estimation performance by developing a specific AGB estimation model for each category. Stepwise regression analysis based on Landsat spectral signatures and textures using grey-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) was used to develop AGB estimation models for different scenarios: non-stratification, stratification based on either vegetation types, slope aspects, or the combination of vegetation types and slope aspects. The results indicate that pine forest and mixed forest have the highest AGB saturation values (159 and 152 Mg/ha, respectively), Chinese fir and broadleaf forest have lower saturation values (143 and 123 Mg/ha, respectively), and bamboo forest and shrub have the lowest saturation values (75 and 55 Mg/ha, respectively). The stratification based on either vegetation types or slope aspects provided smaller root mean squared errors (RMSEs) than non-stratification. The AGB estimation models based on stratification of both vegetation types and slope aspects provided the most accurate estimation with the smallest RMSE of 24.5 Mg/ha. Relatively low AGB (e.g., less than 40 Mg/ha) sites resulted in overestimation and higher AGB (e.g., greater than 140 Mg/ha) sites resulted in underestimation. The smallest RMSE was obtained when AGB was 80–120 Mg/ha. This research indicates the importance of stratification in mitigating the data saturation problem, thus improving AGB estimation.
A Synergy-Based Optimally Designed Sensing Glove for Functional Grasp Recognition
Authors: Ciotti Simone , Battaglia Edoardo , Carbonaro Nicola , Bicchi Antonio , Tognetti Alessandro , Bianchi Matteo
Published: June 2016

Achieving accurate and reliable kinematic hand pose reconstructions represents a challenging task. The main reason for this is the complexity of hand biomechanics, where several degrees of freedom are distributed along a continuous deformable structure. Wearable sensing can represent a viable solution to tackle this issue, since it enables a more natural kinematic monitoring. However, the intrinsic accuracy (as well as the number of sensing elements) of wearable hand pose reconstruction (HPR) systems can be severely limited by ergonomics and cost considerations. In this paper, we combined the theoretical foundations of the optimal design of HPR devices based on hand synergy information, i.e., the inter-joint covariation patterns, with textile goniometers based on knitted piezoresistive fabrics (KPF) technology, to develop, for the first time, an optimally-designed under-sensed glove for measuring hand kinematics. We used only five sensors optimally placed on the hand and completed hand pose reconstruction (described according to a kinematic model with 19 degrees of freedom) leveraging upon synergistic information. The reconstructions we obtained from five different subjects were used to implement an unsupervised method for the recognition of eight functional grasps, showing a high degree of accuracy and robustness.
Que savons-nous du Contre Porphyre d’Eusèbe ?
Authors: Morlet Sébastien
Published: June 2016

Différents témoins attribuent à Eusèbe de Césarée un traité contre Porphyre de Tyr. L’article propose la première collection exhaustive des témoignages et des fragments dont nous disposons. L’étude des textes permet d’en finir avec les conjectures déjà proposées concernant le contenu de ce traité, dont les liens supposés avec d’autres oeuvres d’Eusèbe, notamment la Préparation et la Démonstration évangéliques, ne sont pas démontrés. La réfutation d’Eusèbe était une réponse précise aux attaques du philosophe dans son Contre les chrétiens. Il s’agissait d’un ouvrage qui comptait plutôt 25 que 30 livres, et qui devait suivre le mouvement de l’argumentation de Porphyre. Les rares fragments disponibles montrent qu’Eusèbe présentait le philosophe comme un ancien chrétien qui aurait écrit contre le christianisme à la suite de coups reçus à Césarée ; il cherchait à répondre à une attaque de Porphyre contre le chapitre 15 des Actes des apôtres ; il justifiait l’authenticité et la véracité du livre de Daniel. Contre la tendance qui suppose que ce texte ferait partie des premières oeuvres d’Eusèbe, cette recherche propose de le situer plutôt à la fin de sa carrière : il est tentant de le mettre en lien avec un texte de Constantin datable de 332/ 333 où il est question de Porphyre, et il est curieux qu’Eusèbe ne renvoie jamais à sa réfutation lorsqu’il évoque les objections du philosophe, y compris dans des ouvrages tardifs comme l’Histoire ecclésiastique (dont la dernière version date de 325) et le Contre Marcel, rédigé vers 337. S’il y a de bonnes raisons de penser que l’évêque de Césarée a bien composé cette oeuvre, on rappelle cependant que sa perte interdit d’être trop affirmatif à ce sujet.
STELLAR VARIABILITY AND FLARE RATES FROM DOME A, ANTARCTICA, USING 2009 AND 2010 CSTAR OBSERVATIONS
Authors: Oelkers Ryan J. , Macri Lucas M. , Wang Lifan , Ashley Michael C. B. , Cui Xiangqun , Feng Long-Long , Gong Xuefei , Lawrence Jon S. , Qiang Liu , Luong-Van Daniel , Pennypacker Carl R. , Yuan Xiangyan , York Donald G. , Zhou Xu , Zhu Zhenxi
Published: June 2016

The Chinese Small Telescope Array (CSTAR) carried out high-cadence time-series observations of ∼20.1 square degrees centered on the South Celestial Pole during the 2008, 2009, and 2010 winter seasons from Dome A in Antarctica. The nearly continuous six months of dark conditions during each observing season allowed for

>

10

6

images to be collected through gri and clear filters, resulting in the detection of

>

10

4

sources over the course of three years of operation. The nearly space-like conditions in the Antarctic plateau are an ideal testbed for the suitability of very small-aperture (

<
20

cm) telescopes to detect transient events, variable stars, and stellar flares. We present the results of a robust search for such objects using difference image analysis of the data obtained during the 2009 and 2010 winter seasons. While no transients were found, we detected 29 flaring events and find a normalized flaring rate of 5 ± 4 × 10−7 flare hr−1 for late-K dwarfs, 1 ± 1 × 10−6 flare hr−1 for M dwarfs and 7 ± 1 × 10−7 flare hr−1 for all other stars in our sample. We suggest future small-aperture telescopes planned for deployment at Dome A would benefit from a tracking mechanism, to help alleviate effects from ghosting, and a finer pixel scale, to increase the telescope's sensitivity to faint objects. We find that the light curves of non-transient sources have excellent photometric qualities once corrected for systematics, and are limited only by photon noise and atmospheric scintillation.
THE ARAUCARIA PROJECT: ON THE TIP OF THE RED GIANT BRANCH DISTANCE DETERMINATION TO THE MAGELLANIC CLOUDS
Authors: Górski Marek , Pietrzyński Grzegorz , Gieren Wolfgang , Catelan Márcio , Pilecki Bogumił , Karczmarek Paulina , Suchomska Ksenia , Graczyk Dariusz , Konorski Piotr , Zgirski Bartłomiej , Wielgórski Piotr
Published: June 2016

We present a precise optical and near-infrared determination of the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) brightness in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (respectively, LMC and SMC). The commonly used calibrations of the absolute magnitude of the TRGB lead to an overestimation of the distance to the LMC and SMC in the K band, and an underestimation of the distance in the optical I band for both galaxies. Reported discrepancies are at the level of 0.2 mag, with respect to the very accurate distance determinations to both MCs based on late-type eclipsing binaries. The differential distances between the LMC and SMC obtained in the J and K bands, and for the bolometric brightness are consistent with each other, and with the results obtained from eclipsing binaries and other distance indicators.
TWO HOT JUPITERS FROM K2 CAMPAIGN 4
Authors: Johnson Marshall C. , Gandolfi Davide , Fridlund Malcolm , Csizmadia Szilard , Endl Michael , Cabrera Juan , Cochran William D. , Deeg Hans J. , Grziwa Sascha , Ramírez Ivan , Hatzes Artie P. , Eigmüller Philipp , Barragán Oscar , Erikson Anders , Guenther Eike W. , Korth Judith , Kuutma Teet , Nespral David , Pätzold Martin , Palle Enric , Prieto-Arranz Jorge , Rauer Heike , Saario Joonas
Published: June 2016

We confirm the planetary nature of two transiting hot Jupiters discovered by the Kepler  spacecraft’s K2 extended mission in its Campaign 4, using precise radial velocity measurements from FIES@NOT, HARPS-N@TNG, and the coudé spectrograph on the McDonald Observatory 2.7 m telescope. K2-29 b (EPIC 211089792b) transits a K1V star with a period of 3.2589263 ± 0.0000015 days; its orbit is slightly eccentric (

e
=

0.084

−
0.023

+
0.032

). It has a radius of

R

P

=

1.000

−
0.067

+
0.071

R
J and a mass of

M

P

=

0.613

−
0.026

+
0.027

M
J. Its host star exhibits significant rotational variability, and we measure a rotation period of

P

rot

=
10.777
±
0.031

days. K2-30 b (EPIC 210957318 b) transits a G6V star with a period of 4.098503 ± 0.000011 days. It has a radius of

R

P

=

1.039

−
0.051

+
0.050

R
J and a mass of

M

P

=

0.579

−
0.027

+
0.028

M
J. The star has a low metallicity for a hot Jupiter host,

[
Fe

/

H
]
=
−
0.15
±
0.05

.