bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of promoter mutations in the TERT gene in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chang Kai‐Ping , Wang Chun‐I , Pickering Curtis R. , Huang Yenlin , Tsai Chi‐Neu , Tsang Ngan‐Ming , Kao Huang‐Kai , Cheng Ming‐Huei , Myers Jeffrey N.
Published: February 2017

Background

Mutations in the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter contribute to increased TERT activity. The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence of TERT promoter mutations in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods

Total DNA was extracted from 201 oral cavity SCC tumors and adjacent normal tissues. Primers were used to amplify the sequence region containing 2 TERT promoter mutations (C228T and C250T) that were then sequenced using the Sanger method.

Results

Sequencing revealed that 52.5% (104/201) and 12.9% (26/201) of oral cavity SCC tumor tissues and 6.0% (12/201) and 2.5% (5/201) of adjacent normal tissues contained C228T and C250T mutations, respectively. In addition, the C228T mutation was significantly associated with betel nut chewing.

Conclusion

Our results show that mutations in the TERT promoter occur in patients with oral cavity SCC at a high frequency. This suggests that somatic TERT promoter mutations could play a vital role in the pathogenesis and progression of oral cavity SCC. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 1131–1137, 2017
Location of tumor affects local and distant immune cell type and number
Authors: Hensel Jonathan A. , Khattar Vinayak , Ashton Reading , Lee Carnellia , Siegal Gene P. , Ponnazhagan Selvarangan
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Tumors comprise heterogeneous populations of cells, including immune infiltrates that polarize during growth and metastasis. Our preclinical studies on breast cancer (BCa) identified functional differences in myeloid‐derived suppressor cells based on tumor microenvironment (TME), prompting variations in host immune response to tumor growth, and dissemination based on tissue type.

Methods

In order to understand if such variations existed among other immune cells, and if such alteration occurs in response to tumor growth at the primary site or due to bone dissemination, we characterized immune cells, examining localized growth and in the tibia. In addition, immune cells from the spleen were examined from animals of both tumor locations by flow cytometry.

Results

The study demonstrates that location of tumor, and not simply the tumor itself, has a definitive role in regulating immune effectors. Among all immune cells characterized, macrophages were decreased and myeloid dendritic cell were increased in both tumor locations. This difference was more evident in subcutaneous tumors. Additionally, spleens from mice with subcutaneous tumors contained greater increases in both macrophages and myeloid dendritic cells than in mice with bone tumors. Furthermore, in subcutaneous tumors there was an increase in CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell numbers, which was also observed in their spleens.

Conclusions

These data indicate that alterations in tumor‐reactive immune cells are more pronounced at the primary site, and exert a similar change at the major secondary lymphoid organ than in the bone TME. These findings could provide translational insight into designing therapeutic strategies that account for location of metastatic foci.
Therapeutic Potential of Targeting PI3K/AKT Pathway in Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: Rational and Progress
Authors: Bahrami Afsane , Khazaei Majid , Hasanzadeh Malihe , ShahidSales Soodabeh , Joudi Mashhad Mona , Farazestanian Marjaneh , Sadeghnia Hamid Reza , Rezayi Majid , Maftouh Mina , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi , Avan Amir
Published: February 2017

PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is one of the key dysregulated pathways in different tumor types, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Activation of this pathway is shown to be related with cellular transformation, tumor progression, cell survival, and drug resistance. There is growing body of data evaluating the value of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in CRC (e.g., BEZ235, NVP‐BEZ235, OSI‐027, everolimus, MK‐2206, KRX‐0401, BYL719, and BKM120). This report summarizes the current knowledge about PI3K/AKT pathway and its cross talk with ERK/MAPK and mTOR pathways with particular emphasis on the value of targeting this pathway as a potential therapeutic target in treatment of colorectal cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 2460–2469, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of Pathogen Eradication Rate and Safety of Anti‐Bacterial Agents for Bronchitis: A Network Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wang Jinghua , Xu Haiyang , Wang Dunwei , Li Mingxian
Published: February 2017

A large number of population in both developing and developed countries are affected by bronchitis, among all the factors, bacterial infection was considered as a critical cause of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Although several anti‐bacterial agents were proved to have the effect of alleviating bronchitis, their relative efficacies and potential side effects remained not clear. We are keen to compare the pathogen eradication rate and safety of anti‐bacterial agents for bronchitis. Relevant studies were searched in multiple sources and data were extracted from eligible studies. Then conventional meta‐analysis and network meta‐analysis (NMA) were conducted to determine the relative efficacy and safety of bronchitis medications. The efficacy of bronchitis medications was determined by using the outcome of pathogen eradication, including total pathogen eradication, pathogen eradication of Haemophilus influenzae, pathogen eradication of Moraxella catarrhalis, and pathogen eradication of Streptococcus pneumoniae. In addition, safety was assessed by using the outcome of adverse effects and diarrhoea. A 27 RCTs with 9,414 participants were included in the study. Among the medications, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin exhibited better performance than clarithromycin with respect to pathogen eradication of H. influenzae (OR = 21.37, CI: 1.22–541.28; OR = 7.43, CI: 1.79–30.50). Clarithromycin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and telithromycin appeared to be more preferable than amoxicillin + clavulanate and azithromycin with respect to diarrhoea (all OR <1). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) results suggested that gemifloxacin and levofloxacin had a relatively high ranking in total pathogen eradication, whereas amoxicillin + clavulanate and azithromycin exhibited relatively lower ranking with respect to adverse effects and diarrhoea. Gemifloxacin and levofloxacin are more preferable than others for lowering respiratory tract inflammation and infections considering their balanced performance between pathogen eradication and adverse effects. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3171–3183, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of genome sequences and clinical features of coxsackievirus A6 strains collected in Hyogo, Japan in 1999‐2013
Authors: Ogi Miki , Yano Yoshihiko , Chikahira Masatsugu , Takai Denshi , Oshibe Tomohiro , Arashiro Takeshi , Hanaoka Nozomu , Fujimoto Tsuguto , Hayashi Yoshitake
Published: February 2017

Coxsackievirus A6 (CV‐A6) is an enterovirus, which is known to cause herpangina. However, since 2009 it has frequently been isolated from children with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). In Japan, CV‐A6 has been linked to HFMD outbreaks in 2011 and 2013. In this study, the full‐length genome sequencing of CV‐A6 strains were analyzed to identify the association with clinical manifestations. Five thousand six hundred and twelve children with suspected enterovirus infection (0‐17 years old) between 1999 and 2013 in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, were enrolled. Enterovirus infection was confirmed with reverse transcriptase‐PCR in 753 children (791 samples), 127 of whom (133 samples) were positive for CV‐A6 based on the direct sequencing of the VP4 region. The complete genomes of CV‐A6 from 22 positive patients with different clinical manifestations were investigated. A phylogenetic analysis divided these 22 strains into two clusters based on the VP1 region; cluster I contained strains collected in 1999‐2009 and mostly related to herpangina, and cluster II contained strains collected in 2011‐2013 and related to HFMD outbreak. Based on the full‐length polyprotein analysis, the amino acid differences between the strains in cluster I and II were 97.7 ± 0.28%. Amino acid differences were detected in 17 positions within the polyprotein. Strains collected in 1999‐2009 and those in 2011‐2013 were separately clustered by phylogenetic analysis based on 5′UTR and 3Dpol region, as well as VP1 region. In conclusion, HFMD outbreaks by CV‐A6 were recently frequent in Japan and the accumulation of genomic change might be associated with the clinical course.
Integrating straw yield and quality into multi‐dimensional improvement of lentil (Lens culinaris)
Authors: Alkhtib Ashraf , Wamatu Jane , Ejeta T Tolemariam , Rischkowsky Barbara
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Lentil straw is an important source of fodder for livestock in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. However, improvement programmes of lentil do not pay attention to straw traits, neither are straw traits considered in release criteria of new varieties. This study aimed to determine whether straw traits can be integrated into multi‐trait improvement of lentil.

RESULTS

Wide genotypic variation (P < 0.001) was found in grain yield, straw yield and nutritive value of straw. Urea treatment significantly (P < 0.01) improved the nutritive value of straw; however, the genotypic range was comparatively higher by 13.3 units, 56 units, 0.82 units, 106 units, 18.3 units and 1.62 units in crude protein, in vitro organic matter digestibility, metabolisable energy, potential dry matter intake, potential crude protein intake and potential metabolisable energy intake respectively. Acid detergent fibre correlated very strongly (pooled r = 0.87) with other nutritive value parameters of straw, therefore, it can be used to screen lentil varieties for fodder quality. Furthermore, acid detergent fibre can accurately predict in vitro organic matter digestibility (R2 = 0.9) and metabolisable energy (R2 = 0.8). Straw yield weakly correlated (r = 0.39, P < 0.001) with grain yield while no relation (P > 0.05) was found between grain yield.

CONCLUSION

The possibility to simultaneously improve grain yield and nutritive traits of lentil straw. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
CT‐guided percutaneous hookwire localization increases the efficacy and safety of VATS for pulmonary nodules
Authors: Klinkenberg Theo J. , Dinjens Lars , Wolf Rienhart F. E. , van der Wekken Anthonie J. , van de Wauwer Caroline , de Bock Geertruida H. , Timens Wim , Mariani Massimo A. , Groen Harry J. M.
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The diagnosis of pulmonary nodules of unknown origin is challenging, and such nodules are not always suitable for transthoracic needle biopsy. With the advent of video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and CT‐guided percutaneous hookwire localization (CT‐PHL) we hypothesized that the combination of these two procedures will improve early diagnosis.

METHODS

Selection criteria were a nodule not well approachable with fine needle biopsy and the therapeutic consequences of a diagnosis as assessed by the multidisciplinary oncology board. Efficacy and safety of the combination of CT‐PHL prior to VATS was studied in terms of, histological diagnosis, complete resection rate, complications, conversion rate to thoracotomy, and duration of procedures.

RESULTS

A total of 150 pulmonary nodules were located and resected in 150 patients. The median nodule diameter was 9 mm (range 4‐24) and located within 30 mm of the pleural surface (median 7, range 0‐29). The resection was complete in 96%, and in 100% a definitive histological diagnosis was obtained. Complications requiring intervention during the CT‐procedure occurred in 11 patients (7.3%). Complications of VATS consisted of major complications (2.0%) and minor complications (4.0%). The 30 Day mortality was 1.4% and in hospital mortality 0.7%. Conversion to thoracotomy occurred in 4.7% patients. Median CT‐localization time was 25 min (range 5‐72), median VATS time was 49 min (range 14‐169).

CONCLUSIONS

CT‐PHL is a very efficient and safe procedure prior to VATS for pulmonary nodules and allows in 96% radical resection with a diagnostic accuracy of 100%.
Routine port‐site excision in incidentally discovered gallbladder cancer is not associated with improved survival: A multi‐institution analysis from the US Extrahepatic Biliary Malignancy Consortium
Authors: Ethun Cecilia G. , Postlewait Lauren M. , Le Nina , Pawlik Timothy M. , Poultsides George , Tran Thuy , Idrees Kamran , Isom Chelsea A. , Fields Ryan C. , Krasnick Bradley A. , Weber Sharon M. , Salem Ahmed , Martin Robert C. G. , Scoggins Charles R. , Shen Perry , Mogal Harveshp D. , Schmidt Carl , Beal Eliza , Hatzaras Ioannis , Shenoy Rivfka , Cardona Kenneth , Maithel Shishir K.
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Current data on the utility of port‐site excision (PSE) during re‐resection for incidentally discovered gallbladder cancer (IGBC) in the US are conflicting and limited to single‐institution series.

METHODS

All patients with IGBC who underwent curative re‐resection at 10 institutions from 2000 to 2015 were included. Patients with and without PSE were compared. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Of 449 pts with GBC, 266 were incidentally discovered, of which 193(73%) underwent curative re‐resection and had port‐site data; 47 pts(24%) underwent PSE, 146(76%) did not. The PSE rate remained similar over time (2000‐2004: 33%; 2005‐2009: 22%; 2010‐2015:22%; P = 0.36). Both groups had similar demographics, operative procedures, and post‐operative complications. There was no difference in T‐stage (T1: 9 vs. 11%; T2: 52 vs. 52%; T3: 39 vs. 38%; P = 0.96) or LN involvement (36 vs. 41%; P = 0.7) between groups. A 3‐year OS was similar between PSE and no PSE groups (65 vs. 43%; P = 0.07). On univariable analysis, residual disease at re‐resection (HR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.4‐3.3; P = 0.001), high tumor grade, and advanced T‐stage were associated with decreased OS. Only grade and T‐stage, but not PSE, persisted on multivariable analysis. Distant disease recurrence‐rate was identical between PSE and no PSE groups (80 vs. 81%; P = 1.0).

CONCLUSION

Port‐site excision during re‐resection for IGBC is not associated with improved overall survival and has the same distant disease recurrence compared to no port‐site excision. Routine port‐site excision is not recommended.
Mapping Land Suitability for Agriculture in Malawi
Authors: Li Guiying , Messina Joseph P. , Peter Brad G. , Snapp Sieglinde S.
Published: February 2017

Population growth, climate sensitivity, and edaphic properties are important factors that influence decision‐making and risk mitigation for agricultural production. Within the agricultural sector in Malawi, continuous cropping without the use of long‐term sustainable strategies and frequent cultivation on marginal lands have resulted in continually declining soil fertility. Improving soil quality of marginal lands using innovative technologies is imperative for increasing agricultural productivity and improving food security. Here, we propose an ensemble approach to map agricultural land suitability and identify the distribution of marginal land in Malawi. Quantitative data available for eight soil and terrain factors were rated individually, and five distinct models were applied to generate a spatial distribution map of land suitability. The results indicate that highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable, and unsuitable agricultural areas account for 8·2%, 24·1%, 28·0%, and 39·7% of the total land area, respectively. The majority of suitable lands are currently used for agriculture, but more than half (57·4%) of Malawi's total cropland exists on marginally suitable or unsuitable land categories and is likely a candidate for rehabilitation through sustainable agricultural practices. The methods and products herein will be valuable resources for effectively managing and improving Malawi's agricultural lands for increasing food security. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using OSL Measurements to Decipher Soil History in Archaeological Terraces, Judean Highlands, Israel
Authors: Porat Naomi , Davidovich Uri , Avni Yoav , Avni Gideon , Gadot Yuval
Published: February 2017

Archaeological terraces are a prominent feature of the agricultural sphere in hilly landscape throughout the Mediterranean, and dating of these simply built features is of utmost importance. Excavations and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of the soil fill of terraces were previously carried out on Mt. Eitan, the Judean Highlands, Israel. Archaeological surveys showed that Mt. Eitan was almost continuously settled from the Middle Bronze Age until modern times. However, OSL dating showed that all extant terraces were constructed 500–200 years ago, during the Ottoman Period, while older ages (Hellenistic to Mamluk periods) are limited to the base of several terraces. Many samples dated to the Ottoman period contain older quartz grains, indicating partial bleaching at the time of terrace construction; these grains might preserve older episodes of terrace building. To test this, we calculated ages for all measured aliquots and used the finite mixture model on the dataset to identify age components not apparent in the OSL age spectrum. Results show that aliquot ages cluster into only a few periods, of which four distinct components fall within the 14th–19th centuries (Christ era). The Hellenistic–Roman and Early Islamic periods are also represented, even in areas where terraces with such ages were not found, while the Persian Iron and Bronze Age periods are not represented at all. The unbleached grains thus preserve episodes of terrace building no longer represented in the landscape. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of iron limitation on cyanobacteria major nutrient and trace element stoichiometry
Authors: Cunningham Brady R. , John Seth G.
Published: February 2017

Phytoplankton elemental stoichiometry provides a window into the interactions between marine nutrient distributions and phytoplankton growth. Here, we report the extended elemental stoichiometry of two non‐diazotrophic cyanobacteria strains, Synechococcus WH7803 and Prochlorococcus MED4, in both Fe‐replete and Fe‐deplete media. Fe concentrations were reduced by two orders of magnitude in the Fe‐deplete media, causing growth rates to decline by 38% and 24%, respectively. The average elemental composition of Fe‐replete cells was (C76.5N19P1)1000Fe52.5Mn1.90Zn0.86Cu0.40Ni0.40Co0.05Cd0.0020, while Fe‐limited cells averaged (C121N30P1)1000Fe12.2Mn3.22Zn1.70Cu0.41Ni0.36Co0.11Cd0.0038 The trace‐metal stoichiometries measured here are similar to the ranges previously measured for a strain of Synechococcus and for many species of large eukaryotic phytoplankton. In contrast to large eukaryotic phytoplankton, which have previously exhibited either unchanged or decreased N : P under Fe‐limited conditions, Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus increased N : P in Fe‐deplete media by 58% and 67%, respectively. Previous studies have examined the direct role of Fe in limiting nitrogen fixation by diazotrophs, but this study suggests a second mechanism by which Fe may impact nutrient cycling, by influencing the N : P uptake ratio of non‐diazotrophic cyanobacteria. A model of cyanobacteria distribution and Fe limitation is combined with the N : P stoichiometries measured here to suggest that up to 40% of the particulate organic nitrogen in the surface ocean might be associated with Fe‐limited waters, with the strongest effect observed in the Prochlorococcus dominated subtropical Pacific. Thus, if the effect on N : P we observe in culture is widespread in the oceans it would mean that Fe‐limitation could play a major role in global nitrogen and carbon cycling.
A method for determining the polarization state of the metal with the middle potential in order to calculate the corrosion rate of multi‐metals complicated galvanic couple
Authors: Hu Q. F. , Zhang T. , Geng S. J. , Wang F. H.
Published: February 2017

A method based on the mixed potential theory is put forward to determine the polarization state of the metal with the middle potential in tri‐metals galvanic couple. The potential distribution and current density distribution of the complicated galvanic couple composed of AA5083, 20# steel, and H62 copper alloy were simulated by finite element method, and the effect of configuration position on the complicated galvanic corrosion behavior was studied, which was verified by the galvanic current measurement. The results of experiment and numerical simulation match well, indicating that the method to determine the polarization state of the metal with the middle potential is reliable, which provides the reference to modeling multi‐metals complicated galvanic corrosion.
All‐aramid composites by partial fiber dissolution in mixed solvents
Authors: Zhang Jian Min , Cortés‐Ballesteros Beatriz , Peijs Ton
Published: February 2017

A new self‐reinforced polymer composite based on high‐performance aramid fibers was successfully prepared by applying an elaborately designed surface‐dissolution method to fuse poly(p‐phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) fibers and consolidate them into “all‐aramid” composites. A mixture of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) was selected as a milder alternative to highly concentrated sulfuric acid which was used in our previous study. This milder solvent requires longer immersion times to partially dissolve PPTA fiber surfaces, therefore a more controllable consolidation process to create all‐aramid composites. After selection of the optimal H3PO4/H2SO4 concentration, PPTA fibers were immersed in the mixed solvent for selected periods of time to partially dissolve PPTA fiber surfaces and convert them into the matrix phase which is needed to fuse the remaining PPTA fiber cores together. Following extraction of the mixed solvent and drying, a consolidated all‐aramid composite was formed. The structure, mechanical‐, and thermal properties of these all‐aramid composites were investigated and reported. Based on high temperature performance of aramid fiber, these all‐aramid composites are promising candidates for high temperature applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3013–3021, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and properties of poly(lactic acid)/cellulose nanocrystals nanocomposites compatibilized with maleated poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Chen Jian , He Hui , Yu Peng , Jia Yunchao , Meng Shuna , Wang Jingyuan
Published: February 2017

High thermally stable cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), prepared by acid hydrolysis, were obtained by combination of alkali treatment (label as CNCs) and mixing with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Dry mixture of PEO/CNCs (oCNCs) was subsequently introduced into poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix by melt extrusion and then compatibilizing with maleated PLA. The effects of compatibilization with maleated PLA (PLA‐g‐MAH) on the structure and properties of PLA/PEO/CNCs nanocomposites were investigated. PLA/PEO/CNCs/PLA‐g‐MAH nanocomposites displayed improved interfacial adhesion as compared to PLA/PEO/CNCs composites. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed enhanced crystallization ability for the resulting nanocomposites. The significant enhancement of thermal stability and tensile parameters, as strength and elongation at break were observed for the composites, which was primarily attributed to strong interfacial adhesion between filler and matrix and the uniform dispersion of CNCs. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3092–3101, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
A Review on the Cognitive Neuroscience of Autism
Authors: Koyama Alain
Published: February 2017

With increased recognition in the media, heightened prevalence, and advances in research technologies, investigation into the causes of autism has broadened in recent years. Studies at the molecular, structural, and behavioral levels have resulted in significant findings, linking autism to qualitative differences in neurological function and an alteration of early development. Familial aggregation of autism demonstrates a strong genetic factor, although genetics can not completely account for its pathogenesis. Studies show autism having one of the most complex pathologies among neurodevelopmental disorders. Future studies applying sophisticated methodologies in new areas may shed light on current mysteries surrounding the disorder.
Electrodermal Recordings During Human Orgasm
Authors: Kerassidis Stelios
Published: February 2017

We tested the hypothesis that palmar sweat glands activation is expressed every time a mass sympathetic activation takes place. We performed (i) eleven palmar electrodermal recordings during sexual intercourse and orgasm of one male and one female student, (ii) 4 palmar electrodermal recordings plus heart rate during sexual intercourse and orgasm of the same couple, and (iii) 3 plantar electrodermal recordings during masturbation and ejaculation of 3 male students. High palmar electodermal activity was recorded during sexual intercourse but small during orgasm. The higher value of heart rate was recorded at the moment of orgasm. Sizeable plantar electodermal response was recorded during ejaculation after masturbation. We concluded that the palmar sweat glands activation cannot be considered as an indiscriminate following of sympathetic discharge.
Trauma-related Structural Dissociation of the Personality
Authors: Nijenhuis Ellert , van der Hart Onno , Steele Kathy
Published: February 2017

Many traumatized individuals alternate between re-experiencing their trauma and being detached from, or even relatively unaware of the trauma and its effects. At first sight one may be inclined to conceptualize detachment from trauma and re-experiencing of trauma as mental states. However, on closer scrutiny it becomes apparent that in both cases a range or cluster of states rather than a singular state is involved. For example, being detached from trauma does not itself exclude being joyful, ashamed, sexually aroused, or curious at times, and re-experiencing trauma can encompass states such as fleeing, freezing, and being in pain or being analgesic. In this paper we relate detachment from trauma and re-experiencing trauma to emotional operating systems (Panksepp, 1998) and functional systems (Fanselow & Lester, 1988), briefly addressed as action systems. Action systems control a range of functions, but some are more complex than others. Reexperiencing trauma will be associated with the inborn and evolutionary derived defensive system that is evoked by severe threat, in particular threat to the integrity of the body. As a complex system, it encompasses various subsystems, such as flight, freeze, and fight. Detachment from trauma, in our view, is associated with several action systems (Panksepp, 1998), i.e., the ones that control functions in daily life (e.g., exploration of the environment, energy control), and the ones that are dedicated to survival of the species (e.g., reproduction, attachment to and care for offspring). In this context we will maintain that severe threat may provoke a structural dissociation of the premorbid personality (Van der Hart, 2000). In its primary form this dissociation is between the defensive system on one hand, and the systems that involve managing daily life and survival of the species on the other hand. To summarize the essence of the theory of structural dissociation of the personality, we argue (1) that traumatic experiences, especially when they occur early in life and involve severe threat to the integrity of the body, may activate psychobiological action systems that have been developed by evolution, and (2) that due to extreme stress levels and classical as well as evaluative conditioning to traumatic memories these systems may remain unintegrated to varying degrees.
Theoretical Implications on Visual (Color) Representation and Cytochrome Oxidase Blobs
Authors: Bókkon István , Vimal Ram L. P.
Published: February 2017

The rich concentration of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (CO) blobs in the V1 (striate) primate visual cortex has never been explained. Although the distribution of CO blobs provided a persuasive example of columnar structure in the V1, there are contradictions about the existence of hypercolumns. Since photoreceptors and other retinal cells process and convey basically external visible photonic signals, it suggests that one of the most important tasks of early visual areas is to represent these external visible color photonic signals during visual perception. This representation may occur essentially in CO-rich blobs of the V1. Here we suggest that the representation of external visible photon signals (i.e. visual representation) can be the most energetic allocation process in the brain, which is reasonably performed by the highest density neuron al V1 areas and mitochondrial-rich cytochrome oxidases. It is also raised that the functional unit for phosphene induction can be linked to small clusters of Co —rich blobs in V1. We present some implications about distinction between the physics of visible photons/ light and its subjective experiences. We also discuss that amodal and modal visual completions are possible due to the visual perception induced visualization when the brain tries to interpret the unseen parts of objects or represent features of perceived objects that are not actually visible. It is raised that continuously produced intrinsic bioluminescent photons from retinal lipid peroxidation may have functional role in initial development of retinogeniculate pathways as well as initial appearance topographic organizations of V1 before birth. Finally, the metaphysical framework is the extended version of dual-aspect monism (DAMv) that has the least number of problems compared to all other frameworks and hence it is better than the materialism that is currently dominant in science.
Polythematic Delusions and Logico-Theoretical vs. Experimentalist Turn of Mind
Authors: Franceschi Paul
Published: February 2017

This article aims to contribute to cognitive therapy of polythematic delusions by proposing a preliminary step to the implementation of traditional cognitive therapy, based on the construction of alternative hypotheses to delusions and testing of the latter. This additional step resides in the construction in the patient of the necessary skills to use the general experimentalist method of knowledge acquisition. Such an approach is based on the contrast between the logico-theoretical and the experimentalist turn of mind. Some elements such as to allow any such construction in the patient are then described and analyzed.
Moravec’s Paradox: Consideration in the Context of Two Brain Hemisphere Functions
Authors: Rotenberg Vadim S.
Published: February 2017

According to Moravec’s paradox contrary to traditional assumptions, high-level reasoning requires very little computation compared to low-level sensorimotor skills that require enormous computational resources. For example, it is possible to make computers exhibit adult level performance on intelligence tests or playing checkers, but extremely difficult or impossible to give them the skills like perception or mobility. Several findings suggest that explanation of Moravec’s paradox is related to the different functions of the human left and right hemispheres.
Is Epilepsy a Cause of Cognitive Decline in Developing Brain
Authors: Nehra Ashima , Tripathi Manjari , Bhatia Rohit , Srivastava M. V. Padma , Singh Mamta B. , Chopra Sakshi , Kaur Harsimarpreet , Bajpai Swati
Published: February 2017

Epilepsy is a chronic noncommunicable disorder of the brain that affects people of all ages. Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy (WHO, 2012). 45,000 children under the age of 15, develop epilepsy each year (Epilepsy Foundation, 2010). Lower income was, however, associated with a higher incidence of epilepsy in all ethnic groups (Benn, et al., 2008). Neuropsychological impairment is an important co-morbidity of chronic epilepsy (Elger et al., 2004). Recent investigations have focused on the cumulative neurobiological burden associated with epilepsy and the risk of progressive cognitive impairment, but none have studied the effect of epilepsy on cognition on the developing brain, from India so far. Hence, the aim of the study was to study the effect of the temporal and extra temporal epilepsy on the cognitive functioning of children aged 7–12 years. Methodology: a cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 52 consenting children with an history of seizure (the 1st seizure occurred at least three months back i.e. the problem of seizure disorder was at least three months old) of neuropsychological assessment of epilepsy were administered with standardized neuropsychological tests, namely (Gesell’s Drawing Test- by Verma et al., 1972, PGI-Memory Scale for children- by Kohli et al., 1998) Results indicated significant findings in nine areas of neuropsychological functioning, namely immediate recall (p=0.001), followed by delayed recall (p=0.001), attention and concentration (p=0.001), recent memory (p=0.001), remote memory (p=0.001), visual retention (p=0.001), retention for similar pairs (p=0.001), mental balance (p=0.001), recognition (p=0.001) as compared to controls. Conclusion: results show that epilepsy does have a significant effect on cognition of children. However, a larger cohort study needs to be carried out to make substantiate claims.
Rapid Relief of Treatment Resistant Depression by Facilitated Ketamine Infusion: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Devore Best Steven R.
Published: February 2017

By combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with intravenous ketamine therapy, we sought to increase the therapeutic value of TMS and, at the same time, to improve the efficacy of intravenous ketamine therapy among depressed patients previously classified as non-responders. In this preliminary report, we provide evidence for a new and much more reliable method of treating patients with treatment resistant depression. Twenty-eight patients with various degrees of treatment unresponsive depression were treated with a combination of TMS and ketamine infusion. Of these patients, twenty received pretreatment for 3 days to 2 weeks involving intensive (thrice daily) rTMS treatment administered 6 or 7 days/week or priming TMS treatment immediately prior to the combination TMSketamine infusion combination therapy. Eight patients received neither pretreatment nor priming. All of the 28 patients who did fully participate in the first month of treatment experienced relief of psychiatric symptoms, and showed significant psychosocial recovery. In contrast to previous studies examining ketamine or rTMS individually, the positive outcomes presented here suggest a synergistic effect of the combination therapy of TMS and ketamine infusion.
Psychological Principles of Learning Language in Children with ADHD and Dyslexia
Authors: Konicarova Jana
Published: February 2017

Recent epidemiological data show that Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Dyslexia are highly prevalent in children population which needs to focus on research of special forms of education that are specifically different for various learning disciplines. Major problems of these children with ADHD and dyslexia that were found in developmental and school psychology research are high occurrence of reading and spelling errors and attentional deficits. Serious problem in special education that play very important role in school environment of these children represent also various forms of behavioral disorders that in typical forms may manifest as uncontrolled and involuntary speech and movements. In many cases these deficits are developmentally influenced and may be specifically linked to increased fatigue and decreased attention that may lead to manifestation of cognitive tiredness or exhaustion and various forms primary reflex behavior related to involuntary movements. In addition these children with ADHD and dyslexia are highly sensitive to various psychosocial stressors that make school environment highly specific with respect to relaxed atmosphere in the classroom. In addition these children need a high level of acceptance and special learning regimes as for time schedules and classroom arrangement which is inconsistent with majority of traditional forms of teaching and learning in the classroom. These specific regimes of teaching and learning in children with ADHD and dyslexia, although they have certain general rules, need to be specifically applied to various learning disciplines and in teaching and learning language the main focus is on non stressful environment and communicative atmosphere of acceptance.
Case of “Premonitory Depression” in Patient with Major Depressive Disorder Followed by Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Okamura Tsuyoshi , Arai Hitomi , Furukaw Masaomi , Tanaka Osamu , Hosoda Masuhiro , Nakajima Sayaka , Furuta Kou , Ito Kae , Awata Shuichi , Matsushita Masaaki
Published: February 2017

We present the case of a patient who was diagnosed with “premonitory depression.” It is well known that cancer patients have higher rates of depression than general population. This is particularly true for those who suffer from pancreatic cancer, and such patients have a high incidence of depression compared to those who suffer from other malignancies. According to some hypotheses depression disorder associated with pancreatic cancer may be related to immunological interference with the activity of serotonin.
Functional Outcome in Patients With Schizophrenia: The Concept and Measurement
Authors: Sumiyoshi Chika , Sumiyoshi Tomiki
Published: February 2017

Functional outcome has attracted interest from the perspective of interventions in patients with schizophrenia. It includes a wide range of abilities, from successful performance on neurocognitive tests to living independently in the community. The functional outcome is classified into three levels: neuropsychological performance, functional capacity, and functional performance. In the last decades, much effort has been directed into the development of assessment measures covering these domains of functional outcomes. The paper presents the concept of functional outcome and an overview of the assessments tools. Factors affecting predictability of functional outcomes and cautions in the process of translation into foreign languages are also discussed.
Religious Experiences and Mind-Brain Sciences in the 21st Century
Authors: Laker Matthew K.
Published: February 2017

The classical work by William James in context of current ideas in religion and modern psychology points to the difference between a “moralist” and a religious or mystical understanding. James described that specific psychological mechanisms related to religious experience (“re-unification”) are compensatory influences on divided consciousness or heterogeneous self, which is determined by a conflict between moral and immoral behavior symbolized by a personified evil as for example the ‘Satan’. According to recent findings there is not widely accepted evidence about specific neural mechanisms of these processes related to psychological integration and re-unification. Nevertheless recent findings indicate very specific and significant influences of these specific experiences related to meditation on brain functions and morphology.
Persistent homoclinic tangencies and the unfolding of cycles
Authors: Díaz Lorenzo J. , Ures Raúl
Published: February 2017

We describe a new mechanism implying the persistence of homoclinic tangencies after the unfolding of a bifurcating cycle. The cycles we consider are heterodimensional: the index of the hyperbolic points involved in the cycle are different.

Nous décrivons un nouveau mécanisme impliquant la persistance de tangences homocliniques après le déploiement d’un cycle. Les cycles que l’on considère sont hétérodimensionnels : l’index des points hyperboliques impliqués dans le cycle sont différents.
Relaxation for a class of nonconvex functionals defined on measures
Authors: Bouchitté Guy , Buttazzo Giuseppe
Published: February 2017

We characterize in a suitable integral form like

\bar{\mathrm{F}}(\mathrm{\lambda }) = \int ^{\:}_{\mathrm{\Omega}} \bar f\left(x,\frac{d\mathrm{\lambda }}{d\mathrm{\mu }}\right) d\mathrm{\mu } +
\int ^{\:}_{\mathrm{\Omega } \setminus \mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{\lambda }}}\bar{\mathrm{\varphi}} (x,\mathrm{\lambda }^{s}) + \int ^{\:}_{\mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{\lambda }}}\bar g(x,\mathrm{\lambda }(x))\:d\#

the lower semicontinuous envelope

\bar{\mathrm{F}}

of functionals

F

defined on the space

\mathcal M(\Omega),\mathbf R^n

of all

\mathbf R^n

-valued measures with finite variation on

Ω

.

On établit une représentation intégrale de la forme:

\bar{\mathrm{F}}(\mathrm{\lambda }) = \int ^{\:}_{\mathrm{\Omega}} \bar f\left(x,\frac{d\mathrm{\lambda }}{d\mathrm{\mu }}\right) d\mathrm{\mu } +
\int ^{\:}_{\mathrm{\Omega } \setminus \mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{\lambda }}}\bar{\mathrm{\varphi}} (x,\mathrm{\lambda }^{s}) + \int ^{\:}_{\mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{\lambda }}}\bar g(x,\mathrm{\lambda }(x))\:d\#

pour la régularisée semicontinue inférieure

\bar{\mathrm{F}}

d’une fonctionnelle

F

définie sur l’espace

\mathcal M(\Omega),\mathbf R^n

des mesures à variation bornée sur

Ω

à valeurs dans

\mathbf R^n

.
Equivariant harmonic maps between manifolds with metrics of (p, q)-signature
Authors: Ratto Andrea
Published: February 2017

The equivariant theory for harmonic maps is extended to manifolds with indefinite metrics. We apply it to produce many new examples of harmonic maps and global solutions for the associated Cauchy problems.

La théorie équivariante pour les applications harmoniques est étendue aux variétées avec métriques indéfinies. Nous l’appliquons pour produire beaucoup de nouvelles applications harmoniques et solutions globales pour les problèmes de Cauchy associés.
Periodic and heteroclinic orbits for a periodic hamiltonian system
Authors: Rabinowitz Paul H.
Published: February 2017

Consider the Hamiltonian system:

\"q + \mathrm{V}'(q) = 0
\tag{★}

where

q = (q_1,…, q_n)

and

\mathrm{V}

is periodic in

q_i

,

1 ≦ i ≦ n

. It is known that (★) then possesses at least

n + 1

equilibrium solutions. Here we (
a
) give criteria for

\mathrm{V}

so that (★) has non-constant periodic solutions and (
b
) prove the existence of multiple heteroclinic orbits joining maxima of

\mathrm{V}

.

On considère le système hamiltonien

\"q + \mathrm{V}'(q) = 0
\tag{★}

où

q = (q_1,…, q_n)

et

\mathrm{V}

est périodique en
q
. On sait qu’il existe

n

points d’équilibre au moins. Nous donnons ici des conditions sur

\mathrm{V}

pour que (★) ait des solutions périodiques non constantes et des trajectoires hétéroclines joignant les maxima de

\mathrm{V}

.
Homogénéisation d’équations hyperboliques du premier ordre et application aux écoulements miscibles en milieu poreux
Authors: Amirat Youcef , Hamdache Kamel , Ziani Abdelhamid
Published: February 2017

This paper is devoted to the homogenization of the following hyperbolic équation

∂_{t}\:u^{\mathrm{\varepsilon }} + a^{\mathrm{\varepsilon }}(t,y)∂_{x}\:u^{\mathrm{\varepsilon }} = 0,\:t > 0,\:x \in ℝ,\:y \in \mathrm{\Omega } \subset ℝ^{\mathrm{N}},

with initial data and boundary condition when

x \in ]0, 1[

. One characterize the

L^∞

weak

\ast

limit of some holomorphic functions of the type

\mathrm{\varphi }_{x}^{\mathrm{\varepsilon }}(\mathrm{\lambda }) = (\mathrm{\lambda }−\mathrm{A}^{\mathrm{\varepsilon }}(y))^{−1}

,

\lambda \in \mathbb C \setminus [m,M]

with

0 < m ≦ A^ε(y) ≦ M

for a.e., y, by using the integral representation of
Nevanlinna–Pick’s
holomorphic functions. It appears in the homogenized equation the natural transport operator and a diffusion operator (in the

x

variable) with memory effect (in the time variable

t

). An application for a multidimensional miscible flow in porous media is given.

On s’intéresse à l’homogénéisation de l’équation hyperbolique modèle

∂_{t}\:u^{\mathrm{\varepsilon }} + a^{\mathrm{\varepsilon }}(t,y)∂_{x}\:u^{\mathrm{\varepsilon }} = 0,\:t > 0,\:\:x \in ℝ,\:y \in \mathrm{\Omega } \subset ℝ^{\mathrm{N}},

munie d’une condition initiale (et d’une condition aux limites lorsque

x \in ]0, 1[

). Pour cela, nous caractérisons la limite

L^∞(Ω)

faible

\ast

de fonctions du type

\mathrm{\varphi }_{x}^{\mathrm{\varepsilon }}(\mathrm{\lambda }) = (\mathrm{\lambda }−\mathrm{A}^{\mathrm{\varepsilon }}(y))^{−1}

définies pour ,

λ\notin [m, M]

et vérifiant

0 < m ≦ Α^ε(y) ≦ M

, en utilisant la représentation intégrale de fonctions holomorphes du type
Nevanlinna–Pick
. L’équation homogénéisée fait apparaître en plus de la partie de transport de l’équation, un opérateur de diffusion à mémoire. Une application à un modèle multidimensionnel d’écoulements miscibles en milieu poreux est considérée.
Variational problems on classes of rearrangements and multiple configurations for steady vortices
Authors: Burton G.R.
Published: February 2017

A Mountain Pass Lemma is proved for a convex functional restricted to the class

\mathscr F

of rearrangements of a fixed

L^p

function. Together with results on maximization and minimization relative to

\mathscr F

, this proves the existence of a least four solutions for a problem on the steady configurations of a vortex in an ideal fluid.

On prouve un Lemme du type « Mountain Pass » pour une fonctionnelle convexe restreinte à la classe

\mathscr F

des réarrangements d’une fonction seule en

L^p

. On l’applique conjointement à des résultats sur la maximisation et minimisation relatifs à

\mathscr F

, à la démonstration de l’existenoe d’au moins quatre solutions pour un problème qui regarde les configurations stationnaires d’un tourbillon dans un fluide parfait.
On the local solution of the tangential Cauchy–Riemann equations
Authors: Webster Sidney M.
Published: February 2017

We study the solution operators

P

and homotopy formula introduced by G. M. Henkin for the tangential Cauchy–Riemann complex of a suitable small domain

D

on a strictly pseudoconvex real hypersurface in complex

n

-space. The main difficulties stem from the fact that

P

is an integral operator with a rather complicated kernel. For

U \Subset D

, we derive a

C^k

-norm estimate of the form

∥Pφ∥_{U, k} ≦ K∥φ∥_{D, k}

, where the constant

K

blows up as

U

increases to

D

. We obtain careful control of the rate of this blow-up and of the dependence of

K

on the derivatives of the function defining the real hypersurface. Our estimates are sufficient for application to the local CR embedding problem.

Nous étudions les opérateurs intégraux

P

dans la formule d’homotopie de G. M. Henkin pour le complexe tangentiel de Cauchy–Riemann sur un petit domaine d’une hypersurface réelle strictement pseudoconvexe dans l’espace

ℂ^n

. Avec les

C^k

-normes pour les domaines

U\Subset D

nous dérivons une borne,

|Pφ|_{U, k} ≦ K|φ|_{D, k}

, dans laquelle le constant

K

tend vers

+ ∞

lorsque

U

tend vers

D

. Nous constatons cette croissance de

K

et la dépendance de

K

sur les dérivées de la fonction qui définit ľhypersurface.