bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uptake of Gold Nanoparticles in Several Rat Organs after Intraperitoneal AdministrationIn Vivo: A Fluorescence Study
Authors: Abdelhalim Mohamed Anwar K.
Published: July 2013

Background. The gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have potential applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy. In an attempt to characterise the potential toxicity or hazards of GNPs as a therapeutic or diagnostic tool, the fluorescence spectra in several rat organsin vivowere measured after intraperitoneal administration of GNPs.Methods. The experimental rats were divided into control and six groups (G1A, G1B, G2A, G2B, G3A, and G3B; G1: 20 nm; G2: 10 nm; G3: 50 nm; A: infusion of GNPs for 3 days; B: infusion of GNPs for 7 days). The fluorescence measurements were investigated in the liver, kidney, heart, and lung organs of rats after intraperitoneal administration of GNPs for periods of 3 and 7 daysin vivo.Results. The 10 and 20 nm GNPs exhibited spherical morphology shape, while the 50 nm GNPs exhibited hexagonal shape. A sharp decrease in the fluorescence intensity induced with the larger 50 nm GNPs in the liver, kidney, heart, and lung organs of rats at the exposure duration of 3 and 7 daysin vivocompared with the smaller 10 and 20 nm GNPs was observed.Conclusions. The decrease in fluorescence intensity may be attributed to occurrence of strong quenching, decrease in number and surface area of GNPs, and high clearance of GNPs via urine and bile. Moreover, decreasing size may lead to an exponential increase in surface area relative to volume, thus making GNPs surface more reactive on aggregation and to its surrounding biological components. The size, shape, surface area, number, and clearance of GNPs play a key role in toxicity and accumulation in the different rat organs. This study demonstrates that fluorescence peak intensity is particle size and exposure duration dependent. This study suggests that fluorescence intensity can be used as a useful tool for pointing to bioaccumulation and toxicity induced by GNPs in the different rat organs.
Pharmacokinetic Properties and Systemic Safety of Vancomycin-Impregnated Cancellous Bone Grafts in the Treatment of Spondylodiscitis
Authors: Anagnostakos Konstantinos , Koch Katrin
Published: July 2013

The aim of the present study was to investigate the local pharmacokinetic properties and the systemic safety of vancomycin-impregnated cancellous bone grafts in the treatment of spondylodiscitis. Between 2010 and 2012, 8 patients (5 females, 3 males, mean age 68.75 y.) were treated with this method. Local vancomycin concentrations reached median values of 179 µg/mL (maximum 365 µg/mL) on day 1, decreasing to 98 µg/mL on day 3. The urine vancomycin concentrations showed similar pharmacokinetic properties as those locally determined. On day 1, median values were at 28.05 µg/mL (maximum 287 µg/mL). All serum vancomycin concentrations were in all cases and on every day below <2 µg/mL. The median serum creatinine values were preoperatively 0.87 mg/dL, followed by 0.625 mg/dL, 0.705 mg/dL, and 0.835 mg/dL on day 7, 14, and 28, respectively. No cases of ototoxicity could be observed. At a mean follow-up of 16.5 [4–36] months no cases of reinfections or persistent infections could be seen. In conclusion, the implantation of vancomycin-loaded cancellous bone grafts is an effective option in the treatment of spondylodiscitis with a high infection eradication rate and no risk of any systemic toxicity. The pharmacokinetic properties can be easily monitored locally, in the urine and the serum.
Complete Controllability of Impulsive Fractional Linear Time-Invariant Systems with Delay
Authors: Zhou Xian-Feng , Liu Song , Jiang Wei
Published: July 2013

Some flaws on impulsive fractional differential equations (systems) have been found. This paper is concerned with the complete controllability of impulsive fractional linear time-invariant dynamical systems with delay. The criteria on the controllability of the system, which is sufficient and necessary, are established by constructing suitable control inputs. Two examples are provided to illustrate the obtained results.
Axial Vascularization of Nano‐HA/Collagen/PLA Composites by Arteriovenous Bundle
Authors: Wang Hai , Chang Xiao , Qiu Guixing , Cui Fuzhai , Weng Xisheng , Zhang Baozhong , Yang Bo , Lian Xiaojie , Wu Zhihong
Published: July 2013

In previous studies, nano‐hydroxyapatite/collagen/poly(L‐lactic acid) (nHAC/PLA) composites have been prepared and confirmed to repair small sized bone defects. However, they are restricted to repair a large defect without sufficient oxygen and nutrition for cell survival. The result of this study confirmed that nHAC/PLA composites could be axially vascularized by being implanted intramuscularly with arteriovenous (AV) bundle (Group A) in the groins of rabbits. The combination with autologous bone marrow (Group B) could not enhance it the vascularization in early phase (2 weeks, P > 0.05), but it could enhance in middle and later phases (6 and 10 weeks, P < 0.01). It meant that nHAC/PLA could be prefabricated as a vascularized bone substitute for grafting.
Effects of Increasing Electrodes on CNTs Yield Synthesized by Using Arc‐Discharge Technique
Authors: Yousef Samy , Khattab A. , Osman T. A. , Zaki M.
Published: July 2013

A new design of fully automatic system was built up to produce multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) using arc discharge technique in deionized water and extra pure graphite multiple electrodes (99.9% pure). The goal of the experimental research is to determine the yield of CNT in two different cases: (a) single plasma electrodes and (b) multiplasma electrodes, particularly 10 electrodes. The experiments were performed at constant parameters (75 A, 238 V). The obtained CNT was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that the produced CNT is of type MWCNT, with a diameter of 5 nm, when using multiplasma electrodes and 13 nm when using single plasma electrodes. The yield of MWCNT was found to be 320% higher in case of comparing multielectrodes to that of single plasma electrodes. Under the experimental test conditions, a yield of 0.6 g/hr soot containing 40% by mass nanotube was obtained in case of single plasma electrodes and above 60% in case of multiplasma electrodes.
The Destructive Capacity of Drug Abuse: An Overview Exploring the Harmful Potential of Drug Abuse Both to the Individual and to Society
Authors: Fox Thomas Peter , Oliver Govind , Ellis Sophie Marie
Published: July 2013

From a public health perspective, substance abuse has long been a source of major concern, both for the individual’s health and for wider society as a whole. The UK has the highest rates of recorded illegal drug misuse in the western world. In particular, it has comparatively high rates of heroin and crack cocaine use. Substances that are considered harmful are strictly regulated according to a classification system that takes into account the harms and risks of taking each drug (see the tables) (Nutt et al. (2007)). The adverse effects of drug abuse can be thought of in three parts that together determine the overall harm in taking it: (1) the direct physical harm of the substance to the individual user, (2) the tendency of the drug to induce dependence, and (3) the effect of abuse of the drug on families, communities, and society (Gable (2004, 1993)). In this report, we discuss published evidence relating to the harm of substance misuse and consider the neuropsychopharmacological mechanisms behind addiction in an attempt to gain an improved picture of the potential devastation that abuse of these substances may evoke.
Modeling a Sensor to Improve Its Efficacy
Authors: Malakar Nabin K. , Gladkov Daniil , Knuth Kevin H.
Published: July 2013

Robots rely on sensors to provide them with information about their surroundings. However, high-quality sensors can be extremely expensive and cost-prohibitive. Thus many robotic systems must make due with lower-quality sensors. Here we demonstrate via a case study how modeling a sensor can improve its efficacy when employed within a Bayesian inferential framework. As a test bed we employ a robotic arm that is designed to autonomously take its own measurements using an inexpensive LEGO light sensor to estimate the position and radius of a white circle on a black field. The light sensor integrates the light arriving from a spatially distributed region within its field of view weighted by its spatial sensitivity function (SSF). We demonstrate that by incorporating an accurate model of the light sensor SSF into the likelihood function of a Bayesian inference engine, an autonomous system can make improved inferences about its surroundings. The method presented here is data based, fairly general, and made with plug-and-play in mind so that it could be implemented in similar problems.
Utilizing an Adaptive Grey Model for Short-Term Time Series Forecasting: A Case Study of Wafer-Level Packaging
Authors: Chang Che-Jung , Li Der-Chiang , Dai Wen-Li , Chen Chien-Chih
Published: July 2013

The wafer-level packaging process is an important technology used in semiconductor manufacturing, and how to effectively control this manufacturing system is thus an important issue for packaging firms. One way to aid in this process is to use a forecasting tool. However, the number of observations collected in the early stages of this process is usually too few to use with traditional forecasting techniques, and thus inaccurate results are obtained. One potential solution to this problem is the use of grey system theory, with its feature of small dataset modeling. This study thus uses the AGM(1,1) grey model to solve the problem of forecasting in the pilot run stage of the packaging process. The experimental results show that the grey approach is an appropriate and effective forecasting tool for use with small datasets and that it can be applied to improve the wafer-level packaging process.
Kernel Sliced Inverse Regression: Regularization and Consistency
Authors: Wu Qiang , Liang Feng , Mukherjee Sayan
Published: July 2013

Kernel sliced inverse regression (KSIR) is a natural framework for nonlinear dimension reduction using the mapping induced by kernels. However, there are numeric, algorithmic, and conceptual subtleties in making the method robust and consistent. We apply two types of regularization in this framework to address computational stability and generalization performance. We also provide an interpretation of the algorithm and prove consistency. The utility of this approach is illustrated on simulated and real data.
Molecular Imaging of Nonsmall Cell Lung Carcinomas Expressing Active Mutant EGFR Kinase Using PET with [124I]-Morpholino-IPQA
Authors: Yeh Skye Hsin-Hsien , Lin Chien-Feng , Kong Fan-Lin , Wang Hsin-Ell , Hsieh Ya-Ju , Gelovani Juri G. , Liu Ren-Shyan
Published: July 2013

Mutations in the kinase domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have high levels of basal receptor phosphorylation and are associated with clinical responsiveness to Iressa in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to assess the feasibility of morpholino-[124I]IPQA derivative as anin vivoPET imaging tool for the expression of different EGFR mutants in NSCLC.In vitroradiotracer accumulation and washout studies demonstrated a rapid accumulation and progressive retention after washout of morpholino-[131I]IPQA derivative in high EGFR-expressing H1299 NSCLC derivative cell lines (L858R and E746-A750 del cell lines), but not in EGFR-transfected H1299 cell line and vector-transfected H1299 cell line. Using the morpholino-[124I]IPQA derivative, we obtained noninvasive microPET images of EGFR activity in L858R and E746-A750 del subcutaneous tumor xenografts, but not in subcutaneous tumor xenografts grown form control cell line. Different EGFR mutant (activity) tumors have a different morpholino-[∗I]IPQA derivative uptake. However, it still needs to modify the structure of IPQA to increase its water solubility and reduce hepatobiliary clearance. Morpholino-[124I]IPQA derivative may be a potential probe for selection of the candidate patients suffering from NSCLC for the small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy (e.g., Iressa) in the future.
On the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Heteromers and Their Allosteric Receptor-Receptor Interactions in the Central Nervous System: Focus on Their Role in Pain Modulation
Authors: Borroto-Escuela Dasiel O. , Romero-Fernandez Wilber , Rivera Alicia , Van Craenenbroeck Kathleen , Tarakanov Alexander O. , Agnati Luigi F. , Fuxe Kjell
Published: July 2013

The modulatory role of allosteric receptor-receptor interactions in the pain pathways of the Central Nervous System and the peripheral nociceptors has become of increasing interest. As integrators of nociceptive and antinociceptive wiring and volume transmission signals, with a major role for the opioid receptor heteromers, they likely have an important role in the pain circuits and may be involved in acupuncture. The delta opioid receptor (DOR) exerts an antagonistic allosteric influence on the mu opioid receptor (MOR) function in a MOR-DOR heteromer. This heteromer contributes to morphine-induced tolerance and dependence, since it becomes abundant and develops a reduced G-protein-coupling with reduced signaling mainly operating viaβ-arrestin2 upon chronic morphine treatment. A DOR antagonist causes a return of the Gi/o binding and coupling to the heteromer and the biological actions of morphine. The gender- and ovarian steroid-dependent recruitment of spinal cord MOR/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) heterodimers enhances antinociceptive functions and if impaired could contribute to chronic pain states in women. MOR1D heterodimerizes with gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in the spinal cord, mediating morphine induced itch. Other mechanism for the antinociceptive actions of acupuncture along meridians may be that it enhances the cross-desensitization of the TRPA1 (chemical nociceptor)-TRPV1 (capsaicin receptor) heteromeric channel complexes within the nociceptor terminals located along these meridians. Selective ionotropic cannabinoids may also produce cross-desensitization of the TRPA1-TRPV1 heteromeric nociceptor channels by being negative allosteric modulators of these channels leading to antinociception and antihyperalgesia.
Metabolic Factors and Chronic Hepatitis C: A Complex Interplay
Authors: Macaluso Fabio Salvatore , Maida Marcello , Minissale Maria Giovanna , Li Vigni Teresa , Attardo Simona , Orlando Emanuele , Petta Salvatore
Published: July 2013

In the last years, several lines of evidence showed how metabolic factors may influence the natural history of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Chronic HCV infection is able to perturb the metabolic homeostasis of the host, in a context of complex interactions where pre-existent metabolic status and genetic background play an important role, allowing us to state that HCV infection is a systemic disease. In this review, we discuss the most recent lines of evidence on the main metabolic factors that are known to be associated with CHC, namely, insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, steatosis, visceral obesity, atherosclerosis, vitamin D, menopause, fructose and coffee intake, lipoproteins, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase status, and hyperuricaemia. In particular, we focus on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the correlation between HCV infection and metabolic disorders, the impact of metabolic factors on the progression of liver and non-liver-related diseases, and, on the contrary, the possible influence of chronic HCV infection on metabolic features. In this setting, the importance of a multifaceted evaluation of CHC patients and a prompt correction of modifiable metabolic risk factors should be emphasized.
Open Reduction Internal Fixation Poststernotomy Mediastinitis
Authors: Sinno Hani , Dionisopoulos Tassos
Published: July 2013

Introduction. Mediastinitis has been reported to complicate 5% of sternotomy surgery. We have adopted an open reduction and rigid internal fixation (ORIF) approach during the conventional rescue surgery in the treatment of mediastinitis. Methods. A retrospective review was performed to compare the outcomes of patients that had an ORIF to correct postoperative mediastinitis following median sternotomy. These were compared with the outcome of the patients that did not undergo ORIF. Results. In the 5-year study period, we reviewed 35 mediastinitis patient charts. Postoperatively, the ORIF patient group remained in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and on a ventilator for a mean of 1.5 and 0.75 days, respectively. Patients treated without ORIF spent significantly more days in the ICU (mean of 7.5 days, P<0.05) and on a ventilator (mean of 2.15 days, P=0.1). Furthermore, it was found that none of the patients (0%) who underwent ORIF complained of any postoperative sternal instability or pain. Preoperatively, however, these rates were as high as 72%. Conclusions. In the select patient, ORIF can be a safe option in the management of mediastinitis, which we have shown to significantly decrease morbidity and mortality by providing anatomic reduction as well as physiologic stabilization. We have shown that ORIF will improve the quality of life of the patient by minimizing abnormal sternal mobility and pain and will also decrease inpatient costs by decreasing days spent in the ICU and ventilator dependence.
Exact Multiplicity of Solutions for a Class of Singular Generalized One-Dimensionalp-Laplacian Problem
Authors: Zhang Youwei
Published: July 2013

We describe the existence of positive solutions for a class of singular generalized one-dimensionalp-Laplacian problem. By applying the related fixed point theory in cone, some new and general results on the existence of positive solutions to the singular generalizedp-Laplacian problem are obtained. Note that the nonlinear termfinvolves the first-order derivative explicitly.
Nesting Biology of Odynerus albopictus calcaratus (Morawitz, 1885) and Odynerus femoratus de Saussure, 1856 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae)
Authors: Fateryga Alexander V.
Published: July 2013

The nesting biology of Odynerus albopictus calcaratus and Odynerus femoratus was studied in the Crimea (south of Ukraine); 46 nests of O. a. calcaratus and 18 nests of O. femoratus were examined. Both species nest on horizontal ground surfaces. The nests are vertical burrows surmounted by turrets. Females use water during nest construction and retrieve mud pellets from the nest burrow; these pellets are of two distinct sizes: small ones are used for the turret construction and big ones are dropped away. Females hunt for larvae of curculionid beetles of the genus Hypera. Completed nests are sealed with demolished turrets and nest burrows are usually entirely filled with mud. The nests of O. a. calcaratus contain 1-2 cells; the nests of O. femoratus contain 1–10 cells. The turrets of O. a. calcaratus are curved, and opened sideward; the turrets of O. femoratus are straight, and opened upward. The nesting success is 83% in O. a. calcaratus and 55% in O. femoratus. Most of the wasps died due to abiotic factors (e.g., rain). The nest structures of the species in the genus Odynerus studied so far are compared, and the function of the nest turret is discussed.
IM-Dedup: An Image Management System Based on Deduplication Applied in DWSNs
Authors: Zhang Jilin , Han Shuting , Wan Jian , Zhu Baojin , Zhou Li , Ren Yongjian , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2013

In distributed wireless sensor networks (DWSNs), the data gathered by sink is always massive and consumes a lot of resources. It is suitable for cloud computing platform to apply service in data processing system. In cloud computing, IAAS platform provides services and calculation to the user through the virtual machine. The management of virtual machine images not only consumes a huge amount of storage space but also gives large pressure on network transmission. By using deduplication technology in openstack, this paper designed and implemented, an image management system IM-dedup, which uses static chunking (SC) to divide image file into blocks of data, avoid duplication data blocks transmission on network by using fingerprint pretransmission technology, and reduce storage space by deploying kernel mode file system with deduplication in the image storage server. The experimental results showed that the system not only reduced 80% usage of the virtual machine image storage, but also saved at least 30% of transmission time. Furthermore, the research on virtual machine image format showed that “VMWare Virtual Machine Disk Format” (VMDK), “Virtual Desktop Infrastructure” (VDI), “QEMU Copy On Write2” (QCOW2), and RAW image formats are more suitable for the IM-dedup system.
Fluorescent DNA Stabilized Silver Nanoclusters as Biosensors
Authors: Latorre Alfonso , Lorca Romina , Somoza Álvaro
Published: July 2013

DNA stabilized fluorescent silver nanoclusters are promising materials, of which fluorescent properties can be exploited to develop sensors. Particularly, the presence of a DNA strand in the structure has promoted the development of gene sensors where one part of the sensor is able to recognize the target gene sequence. Moreover, since oligonucleotides can be designed to have binding properties (aptamers) a variety of sensors for proteins and cells have been developed using silver nanoclusters. In this review the applications of this material as sensors of different biomolecules are summarized.
Characterizations of Ideals in IntermediateC-RingsA(X)via theA-Compactifications ofX
Authors: Sack Joshua , Watson Saleem
Published: July 2013

LetXbe a completely regular topological space. An intermediate ring is a ringA(X)of continuous functions satisfyingC*(X)⊆A(X)⊆C(X). In Redlin and Watson (1987) and in Panman et al. (2012), correspondences𝒵AandℨAare defined between ideals inA(X)andz-filters onX, and it is shown that these extend the well-known correspondences studied separately forC∗(X)andC(X), respectively, to any intermediate ring. Moreover, the inverse map𝒵A←sets up a one-one correspondence between the maximal ideals ofA(X)and thez-ultrafilters onX. In this paper, we define a function𝔎Athat, in the case thatA(X)is aC-ring, describesℨAin terms of extensions of functions to realcompactifications ofX. For such rings, we show thatℨA←mapsz-filters to ideals. We also give a characterization of the maximal ideals inA(X)that generalize the Gelfand-Kolmogorov theorem fromC(X)toA(X).
First Case of Complete Bladder Duplication in the Coronal Plane with Concomitant Duplication of the Urethra in an Adult Male
Authors: Karpathakis Nikolaos , Vasileiou Georgia , Fasoulakis Konstantinos , Heretis Ioannis
Published: July 2013

Duplication of the lower urinary tract is a very rare congenital anomaly which is diagnosed either at birth or during early childhood. These rare malformations are most of the times accompanied by other concomitant anomalies and are therefore diagnosed immediately after birth. In some even rarer cases there are no concomitant anomalies and symptoms thus leading to a diagnosis later in childhood. This is the first case in the literature of complete bladder duplication in the coronal plane with concomitant duplication of the urethra and no other associated anomalies in a 52-year-old male who remained asymptomatic and therefore undiagnosed for more than 5 decades.
An Iterative Method with Norm Convergence for a Class of Generalized Equilibrium Problems
Authors: Zhang Haixia , Wang Fenghui
Published: July 2013

Recently, Takahashi and Takahashi proposed an iterative algorithm for solving a problem for finding common solutions of generalized equilibrium problems governed by inverse strongly monotone mappings and of fixed point problems for nonexpansive mappings. In this paper, we provide a result that allows for the removal of one condition ensuring the strong convergence of the algorithm.
Strong Convergence Theorems for Maximal Monotone Operators, Fixed-Point Problems, and Equilibrium Problems
Authors: Wu Huan-chun , Cheng Cao-zong , Qu De-ning
Published: July 2013

We present a new iterative method for finding a common element of the set of fixed points of a nonexpansive mapping, the set of solutions to an equilibrium problem, and the set of zeros of the sum of maximal monotone operators and prove the strong convergence theorems in the Hilbert spaces. We also apply our results to variational inequality and optimization problems.
Parkia speciosaHassk.: A Potential Phytomedicine
Authors: Kamisah Yusof , Othman Faizah , Qodriyah Hj Mohd Saad , Jaarin Kamsiah
Published: July 2013

Parkia speciosaHassk., or stink bean, is a plant indigenous to Southeast Asia. It is consumed either raw or cooked. It has been used in folk medicine to treat diabetes, hypertension, and kidney problems. It contains minerals and vitamins. It displays many beneficial properties. Its extracts from the empty pods and seeds have a high content of total polyphenol, phytosterol, and flavonoids. It demonstrates a good antioxidant activity. Its hypoglycemic effect is reported to be attributable to the presence ofβ-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and stigmast-4-en-3-one. The cyclic polysulfide compounds exhibit antibacterial activity, while thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid possesses anticancer property. The pharmacological properties of the plant extract are described in this review. With ongoing research conducted on the plant extracts,Parkia speciosahas a potential to be developed as a phytomedicine.
Cellular and Biochemical Mechanisms of the Retroviral Restriction Factor SAMHD1
Authors: Wu Li
Published: July 2013

Replication of HIV-1 and other retroviruses is dependent on numerous host proteins in the cells. Some of the host proteins, however, function as restriction factors to block retroviral infection of target cells. The host protein SAMHD1 has been identified as the first mammalian deoxynucleoside triphosphate triphosphohydrolase (dNTPase), which blocks the infection of HIV-1 and other retroviruses in non-cycling immune cells. SAMHD1 protein is highly expressed in human myeloid-lineage cells and CD4+ T-lymphocytes, but its retroviral restriction function is only observed in noncycling cells. Recent studies have revealed biochemical mechanisms of SAMHD1-mediated retroviral restriction. In this review, the latest progress on SAMHD1 research is summarized and the mechanisms by which SAMHD1 mediates retroviral restriction are analyzed. Although the physiological function of SAMHD1 is largely unknown, this review provides perspectives about the role of endogenous SAMHD1 protein in maintaining normal cellular function, such as nucleic acid metabolism and the proliferation of cells.
Blow-Up of Solutions to a Novel Two-Component Rod System
Authors: Liu Shengrong , Guo Zhengguang , Wang Weiming
Published: July 2013

We consider a novel two-component rod system which is closely connected to the shallow water theory. The present work is mainly concerned with the blow-up mechanism of strong solutions; we establish new conditions in view of some special classes of initial value to guarantee finite time blow-up of solutions.
Graph Operations and Neighbor Rupture Degree
Authors: Kandİlcİ Saadet , Bacak-Turan Goksen , Polat Refet
Published: July 2013

In a communication network, the vulnerability parameters measure the resistance of the network to disruption of operation after the failure of certain stations or communication links. A vertex subversion strategy of a graph , say , is a set of vertices in whose closed neighborhood is removed from . The survival subgraph is denoted by . The neighbor rupture degree of , , is defined to be , where is any vertex subversion strategy of , is the number of connected components in and is the maximum order of the components of (G. Bacak Turan, 2010). In this paper we give some results for the neighbor rupture degree of the graphs obtained by some graph operations.
Xiao-Ai-Ping, a TCM Injection, Enhances the Antigrowth Effects of Cisplatin on Lewis Lung Cancer Cells through Promoting the Infiltration and Function of CD8+T Lymphocytes
Authors: Li Wanshuai , Yang Yang , Ouyang Zijun , Zhang Qi , Wang Lu , Tao Feifei , Shu Yongqian , Gu Yanhong , Xu Qiang , Sun Yang
Published: July 2013

Objectives. To investigate how Xiao-Ai-Ping injection, a traditional Chinese medicine and an ancillary drug in tumor treatment, enhances the antitumor effects of cisplatin on Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells.Methods. LLC-bearing mice were daily intraperitoneally injected with various doses of cisplatin, Xiao-Ai-Ping, or cisplatin plus Xiao-Ai-Ping, respectively. Body weight and tumor volumes were measured every three days.Results. Combination of Xiao-Ai-Ping and cisplatin yielded significantly better antigrowth and proapoptotic effects on LLC xenografts than sole drug treatment did. In addition, we found that Xiao-Ai-Ping triggered the infiltration of CD8+T cells, a group of cytotoxic T cells, to LLC xenografts. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of interferon-γ(ifn-γ), perforin-1 (prf-1), and granzyme B (gzmb) in CD8+T cells were significantly increased after combination treatment of Xiao-Ai-Ping and cisplatin.In vitrostudies showed that Xiao-Ai-Ping markedly upregulated the mRNA levels ofifn-γ,prf-1,andgzmbin CD8+T cells in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that Xiao-Ai-Ping augments the function of CD8+T cells.Conclusions. Xiao-Ai-Ping promotes the infiltration and function of CD8+T cells and thus enhances the antigrowth effects of cisplatin on LLC xenografts, which provides new evidence for the combination of Xiao-Ai-Ping and cisplatin in clinic in China.
Cardiac Contractile Reserve Parameters Are Related to Prognosis in Septic Shock
Authors: Kimmoun Antoine , Ducrocq Nicolas , Mory Sébastien , Delfosse Remi , Muller Laura , Perez Pierre , Fay Renaud , Levy Bruno
Published: July 2013

Introduction.Cardiac reserve could be defined as the spontaneous magnitude from basal to maximal cardiac power under stress conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of cardiac reserve parameters in resuscitated septic shock patients.Methods. Seventy patients with septic shock were included in a prospective and observational study. Prior to inclusion, patients were resuscitated to reach a mean arterial pressure of 65–75 mmHg with an euvolemic status. General, hemodynamic, and cardiac reserve-related parameters (cardiac index, double product, and cardiac power index) were collected at inclusion and at day 1.Results. Seventy patients were included with 28-day mortality at 38.5%. Ten of the 70 patients died during the first day. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of death were SAPS II ≥58 (OR: 3.36 [1.11–10.17]; ), a high double product at inclusion (OR [95% IC]: 1.20 [1.00–1.45] per 103 mmHg·min; ), and at day 1, a decrease in cardiac index (1.30 [1.08–1.56] per 0.5 L/min/m2; ) or cardiac power index (1.84 [1.18–2.87] per 0.1 W/m2, ).Conclusion. In the first 24 hours, parameters related to cardiac reserve, such as double product and cardiac index evolution, provide crucial and easy to achieve hemodynamic physiological information, which may impact the outcome.
Acoustic Angiography: A New Imaging Modality for Assessing Microvasculature Architecture
Authors: Gessner Ryan C. , Frederick C. Brandon , Foster F. Stuart , Dayton Paul A.
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this paper is to provide the biomedical imaging community with details of a new high resolution contrast imaging approach referred to as “acoustic angiography.” Through the use of dual-frequency ultrasound transducer technology, images acquired with this approach possess both high resolution and a high contrast-to-tissue ratio, which enables the visualization of microvascular architecture without significant contribution from background tissues. Additionally, volumetric vessel-tissue integration can be visualized by using b-mode overlays acquired with the same probe. We present a brief technical overview of how the images are acquired, followed by several examples of images of both healthy and diseased tissue volumes. 3D images from alternate modalities often used in preclinical imaging, contrast-enhanced micro-CT and photoacoustics, are also included to provide a perspective on how acoustic angiography has qualitatively similar capabilities to these other techniques. These preliminary images provide visually compelling evidence to suggest that acoustic angiography may serve as a powerful new tool in preclinical and future clinical imaging.
Factors Associated with HIV/AIDS in Sudan
Authors: Mohamed Badreldin Abdelrhman , Mahfouz Mohamed Salih
Published: July 2013

Objectives. To assess participants’ knowledge about HIV/AIDS and to identify the factors associated with HIV/AIDS in Sudan.Methods. Observational cross-sectional study carried out at Omdurman National Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre, Sudan covered 870 participants. Sociodemographic data as well as information related to sexual behavior were collected.Results. Most of the respondents were knowledgeable about the true transmission modes for AIDS virus. Very few respondents knew someone infected with AIDS (4.5%), died of AIDS (8.1%), accepted to live with someone infected with AIDS (4.7%) or to work with someone infected with AIDS (2.1%). Regarding sexual behavior, 96.5% had reported their first sexual experience between 20 and 30 years, with 85.7% reporting one or two partners, and only 1.8% reported using condom. Multivariate logistic regression showed that circumcision, religion, marital status, age at first sex, number of sexual partners, education level, and misconception of knowledge are the main risk factors associated with HIV/AIDS.Conclusion. Our results showed that a number of diversity risk factors were associated with HIV/AIDS. It is unlikely that a holistic approach will be found to immediately change sexual-risk-relating behavior. Interventions including sustained educational programs, promotion of condom, and encouragement of voluntary testing and active involvement of the country’s political and religious leaders will be needed to alleviate this problem.
Radiotherapy of Human Sarcoma Promotes an Intratumoral Immune Effector Signature
Authors: Sharma Anu , Bode Beata , Studer Gabriela , Moch Holger , Okoniewski Michal , Knuth Alexander , von Boehmer Lotta , van den Broek Maries
Published: July 2013

Purpose: The tumor immune microenvironment plays a crucial role in the development and progression of cancer. Sarcomas are a group of heterogeneous soft tissue malignancies that are often treated with radiotherapy as a part of the treatment concept. There is increasing evidence that radiotherapy leads to alterations in the tumor microenvironment, particularly with respect to the immune infiltrate. This study has been carried out to develop a better understanding of such changes following radiotherapy.

Experimental Design: We retrospectively analyzed the expression of 35 immune response-related genes by quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry on paired formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples from 38 sarcoma patients before and after radiotherapy.

Results: We observed that radiotherapy results in a significant upregulation of several immune effectors and cancer-testis antigens and a concomitant downregulation of immune suppressors, indicating that radiotherapy may support the immune defense in sarcomas.

Conclusions: These novel findings may have implications for the design of therapeutic regimens which exploite the immune system in sarcoma patients by combining standard radiotherapy with immunotherapeutic strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 19(17); 4843–53. ©2013 AACR.
Inhibition of ABCB1 Expression Overcomes Acquired Docetaxel Resistance in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Zhu Yezi , Liu Chengfei , Nadiminty Nagalakshmi , Lou Wei , Tummala Ramakumar , Evans Christopher P. , Gao Allen C.
Published: July 2013

Docetaxel is the first-line standard treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, relapse eventually occurs due to the development of resistance to docetaxel. To unravel the mechanism of acquired docetaxel resistance, we established docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer cells, TaxR, from castration-resistant C4-2B prostate cancer cells. The IC50 for docetaxel in TaxR cells was about 70-fold higher than parental C4-2B cells. Global gene expression analysis revealed alteration of expression of a total of 1,604 genes, with 52% being upregulated and 48% downregulated. ABCB1, which belongs to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family, was identified among the top upregulated genes in TaxR cells. The role of ABCB1 in the development of docetaxel resistance was examined. Knockdown of ABCB1 expression by its specific shRNA or inhibitor resensitized docetaxel-resistant TaxR cells to docetaxel treatment by enhancing apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, we identified that apigenin, a natural product of the flavone family, inhibits ABCB1 expression and resensitizes docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer cells to docetaxel treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that overexpression of ABCB1 mediates acquired docetaxel resistance and targeting ABCB1 expression could be a potential approach to resensitize docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer cells to docetaxel treatment. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(9); 1829–36. ©2013 AACR.
The Pathobiology of Collagens in Glioma
Authors: Payne Leo S. , Huang Paul H.
Published: July 2013

Malignant gliomas are characterized by a diffuse infiltration into the surrounding brain parenchyma. Infiltrating glioma cells exist in close proximity with components of the tumor microenvironment, including the extracellular matrix (ECM). Whereas levels of collagens in the normal adult brain are low, in glioma, collagen levels are elevated and play a vital role in driving tumor progression. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the nature of collagens found in gliomas and offers unique insight into the mechanisms by which cancer cells interact with this ECM via cellular factors such as integrins, discoidin domain receptors, and mannose receptors. Also discussed are the major remodeling pathways of brain tumor collagen, mediated primarily by matrix metalloproteinases, and the reciprocal relationship between these enzymes and the collagen receptors. Finally, a concluding perspective is offered on how the biophysical properties of the collagen ECM, in particular, mechanical stiffness and compliance, influence malignant outcome. A better understanding of the complex molecular interactions between glioma cells and the collagen ECM will provide new avenues to combat the rampant tumor progression and chemoresistance in brain cancer patients. Mol Cancer Res; 11(10); 1129–40. ©2013 AACR.
Impact of Maternal Obesity on Fetal Health
Authors: Tenenbaum-Gavish Kinneret , Hod Moshe
Published: July 2013

The obesity epidemic is a problem of global importance with a profound impact on maternal-fetal health. Maternal overweight and obesity causes pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension and preeclampsia and affects fetal growth. Maternal obesity offers an altered genetic, hormonal and biochemical environment for the developing fetus/embryo and influences fetal growth and organ development. Offspring of obese mothers are subject to an increased risk of fetal demise, congenital anomalies and disrupted growth patterns, causing an increase in perinatal mortality. The impact of maternal obesity extends beyond intrauterine and neonatal life to childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
Overview of Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Therapy for Resectable Gastric Cancer in the East
Authors: Fujitani Kazumasa
Published: July 2013

This review presents the current status of adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment options for primary resectable gastric cancer in the East, with updated data from recent studies. Marked disparities between the East and the West in standard surgical procedures (D2 vs. D1/0 lymphadenectomy) and their outcomes result in significant geographical variation in preferred adjuvant treatments. Currently, oral fluoropyrimidine-based postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, 1 year of S-1 chemotherapy, or capecitabine plus oxaliplatin for 6 months are the standards of care after curative resection with D2 lymphadenectomy for stage II/III gastric cancer in the East, though there is still some room for improvement. The role of postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) following curative D2 gastrectomy has long been debated in the East. However, the first prospective randomized controlled trial comparing CRT with chemotherapy alone failed to demonstrate a survival benefit, thus further studies are required. Chemotherapy has been pursued as a neoadjuvant approach in East Asia because of a rare locoregional recurrence after curative D2 gastrectomy. Locally advanced, marginally resectable gastric cancer with poor prognosis, such as large type 3 or 4 tumors, para-aortic and/or bulky nodal disease, and serosa-positive gastric cancer, is the main target of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Promising efficacy has been demonstrated in several phase II studies with the safe use of D2 or more extended surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Although the results of ongoing phase III trials are awaited, Asian findings could be relevant and generalizable to other regions when D2 surgery is performed by experienced surgeons.
Follow-Up: The Evidence
Authors: D'Ugo Domenico , Biondi Alberto , Tufo Andrea , Persiani Roberto
Published: July 2013

There is currently no consensus on the best strategy for the follow-up of patients who have undergone surgical treatment with curative intent for gastric cancer. The wide variation in recommendations for surveillance among international experts and hospital schedules clearly reflects a lack of an established body of evidence on this subject. Consequently, most of the international guidelines aimed at early detection of disease recurrence gloss over details concerning the mode, duration, and intensity of surveillance since they cannot be based on an acceptable grade of recommendation. Very few report anything other than the detection of recurrences or death as the primary endpoints, and, given the poor survival of patients with recurrent gastric cancer, the prognostic effect of early detection seems doubtful. In recent years, an increasing focus on evidence-based medicine, which has coincided with a growing concern about costs and efficiency in medicine, has caused a reevaluation of most surveillance practices. In this paper, we review and discuss the current body of evidence and follow-up practices after curative resection of gastric cancer.
Treatment Approaches to Esophagogastric Junction Tumors
Authors: Kurokawa Yukinori , Sasako Mitsuru , Doki Yuichiro
Published: July 2013

Esophagogastric junction (EGJ) adenocarcinomas are usually classified into one of the three categories of the Siewert system. The clinicopathological features of EGJ adenocarcinomas vary according to this classification scheme. The lymphatic flow in EGJ tumors of any type is mainly toward the abdomen, and nodal metastasis to the upper or middle mediastinum from Siewert type II or III tumors is relatively uncommon. Thus, the transhiatal approach is regarded as the standard in surgery for Siewert type II or III tumors, while the transthoracic approach via a right thoracotomy is recommended for Siewert type I tumors. Chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery is regarded as the standard treatment for resectable cancer of the EGJ in Western countries, but the necessity of adding radiation therapy to preoperative chemotherapy remains unknown. In the East, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is the current standard of care since the survival benefit was proven in pivotal randomized trials for stage II/III gastric cancer, including adenocarcinoma of the EGJ.
(Neo)-Adjuvant Chemo(-Radio) Therapy for Adenocarcinomas of the Gastroesophageal Junction and the Stomach in the West
Authors: Wilke Hansjochen , Lordick Florian , Meyer Hans-Joachim , Stahl Michael
Published: July 2013

Worldwide, the treatment of adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction and stomach has changed over the past decades. It is no longer surgery alone. Nowadays, most patients undergo surgery plus pre- and/or postoperative therapies. However, there are still marked differences in surgical procedures between the East and the West which might influence the surgical prognosis and thereby also the choice of perioperative treatment strategies. In the East, with its more extended surgical procedures, including standard D2 dissections, the current treatment philosophy is primary surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant approaches are restricted to really advanced tumors, and perioperative chemoradiation is not routinely used (at least to date). This clearly differs from treatment strategies currently recommended in Western countries. In Europe and North America, pre- plus postoperative chemotherapy has become the recommended treatment for locally more advanced tumors, and preoperative chemoradiation is increasingly administered to patients with adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction (Siewert type I/II). However, the role of postoperative chemotherapy (despite its increasing use) is still under discussion in the West (especially Europe) and not generally recommended/accepted as a standard treatment. Postoperative chemoradiation, which is one standard treatment in North America, is only regarded as a treatment option for patients after ‘inadequate surgery' (i.e. <D2 dissection) in many European countries.
Arsenic Trioxide Inhibits the Hedgehog Pathway Which Is Aberrantly Activated in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Authors: Yang Dongguang , Cao Fenglin , Ye Xiangmei , Zhao Hui , Liu Xiuhua , Li Yang , Shi Ce , Wang Hongling , Zhou Jin
Published: July 2013

Background/Aim: Dysregulated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been implicated in several human malignancies. Hh signaling inhibitors are predicted to have a minimal effect when the Smoothened receptor is mutated. Implications that Gli proteins are molecular targets of arsenic trioxide (ATO) action prompted us to investigate the expression of Hh signaling in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and the influence of ATO on the Hh signaling pathway in APL. Methods: Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were employed to analyze the expression of Hh pathway components and the influence of ATO on the Hh signaling pathway in APL. Results: The expression of Hh pathway components was significantly upregulated in APL. In newly diagnosed APL patients, Gli2 expression was significantly positively correlated with Gli1 (R = 0.57, p < 0.001) and Smo (R = 0.56, p < 0.001) and the expression of Hh pathway components was significantly higher in the high WBC group (p < 0.05). ATO can significantly downregulate the expression of Hh pathway components in vitro and in vivo (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The Hh pathway is aberrantly activated in APL and associated with a bad prognostic factor. ATO can effectively inhibit the expression of the Hh pathway. The obtained data give the first clinical evidence for the application of ATO in tumors exhibiting an aberrantly activated Hh pathway.