bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Dual-Phase Steels: Advances in Microstructure-Oriented Processing and Micromechanically Guided Design
Authors: Tasan C.C. , Diehl M. , Yan D. , Bechtold M. , Roters F. , Schemmann L. , Zheng C. , Peranio N. , Ponge D. , Koyama M. , Tsuzaki K. , Raabe D.
Published: May 2015

Dual-phase (DP) steel is the flagship of advanced high-strength steels, which were the first among various candidate alloy systems to find application in weight-reduced automotive components. On the one hand, this is a metallurgical success story: Lean alloying and simple thermomechanical treatment enable use of less material to accomplish more performance while complying with demanding environmental and economic constraints. On the other hand, the enormous literature on DP steels demonstrates the immense complexity of microstructure physics in multiphase alloys: Roughly 50 years after the first reports on ferrite-martensite steels, there are still various open scientific questions. Fortunately, the last decades witnessed enormous advances in the development of enabling experimental and simulation techniques, significantly improving the understanding of DP steels. This review provides a detailed account of these improvements, focusing specifically on (a) microstructure evolution during processing, (b) experimental characterization of micromechanical behavior, and (c) the simulation of mechanical behavior, to highlight the critical unresolved issues and to guide future research efforts.
The Brain's Default Mode Network
Authors: Raichle Marcus E.
Published: May 2015

The brain's default mode network consists of discrete, bilateral and symmetrical cortical areas, in the medial and lateral parietal, medial prefrontal, and medial and lateral temporal cortices of the human, nonhuman primate, cat, and rodent brains. Its discovery was an unexpected consequence of brain-imaging studies first performed with positron emission tomography in which various novel, attention-demanding, and non-self-referential tasks were compared with quiet repose either with eyes closed or with simple visual fixation. The default mode network consistently decreases its activity when compared with activity during these relaxed nontask states. The discovery of the default mode network reignited a longstanding interest in the significance of the brain's ongoing or intrinsic activity. Presently, studies of the brain's intrinsic activity, popularly referred to as resting-state studies, have come to play a major role in studies of the human brain in health and disease. The brain's default mode network plays a central role in this work.
Cell Types, Circuits, and Receptive Fields in the Mouse Visual Cortex
Authors: Niell Cristopher M.
Published: May 2015

Over the past decade, the mouse has emerged as an important model system for studying cortical function, owing to the advent of powerful tools that can record and manipulate neural activity in intact neural circuits. This advance has been particularly prominent in the visual cortex, where studies in the mouse have begun to bridge the gap between cortical structure and function, allowing investigators to determine the circuits that underlie specific visual computations. This review describes the advances in our understanding of the mouse visual cortex, including neural coding, the role of different cell types, and links between vision and behavior, and discusses how recent findings and new approaches can guide future studies.
Naturalness Under Stress
Authors: Dine Michael
Published: May 2015

Naturalness has for many years been a guiding principle in the search for physics beyond the Standard Model, particularly for understanding the physics of electroweak symmetry breaking. However, the discovery of the Higgs particle at 125 GeV, accompanied by the exclusion of many types of new physics expected in natural models, has called the principle into question. In addition, apart from the scale of weak interactions, there are other quantities in nature that appear unnaturally small and for which we have no proposal for a natural explanation. I first review the principle, then discuss some of the conjectures it has spawned. I then turn to some of the challenges to the naturalness idea and consider alternatives.
The Management of Natural Resources Under Asymmetry of Information
Authors: Gaudet Gérard , Lasserre Pierre
Published: May 2015

We provide an introductory review to the application of the theory of incentives under asymmetry of information to the exploitation and management of natural resources. We concentrate mostly on principal-agent problems with adverse selection as posed by the regulation of nonrenewable resources, stressing the fact that the inherently dynamic nature of natural resource exploitation creates situations and results not found in other contexts. We also point out private information issues that may arise involving renewable as opposed to nonrenewable resources, strategic interactions with signaling between decision makers in resource exploitation games, and the design of environmental policy in which principal-agent problems subject to moral hazard may occur.
Understanding Behavioral Explanations of the WTP-WTA Divergence Through a Neoclassical Lens: Implications for Environmental Policy
Authors: Kim Younjun , Kling Catherine L. , Zhao Jinhua
Published: May 2015

The often observed empirical divergence between WTA and WTP measures of welfare change continues to be a topic of interest to both theoretical and applied economists. The divergence has particularly important implications for environmental policy. In this article, we review behavioral and other explanations of the disparity, with a focus on their connections to neoclassical welfare theory, and evaluate the empirical evidence of these explanations through the same lens. Some explanations of the disparity are consistent with neoclassical models, and some are not. Likewise, some imply that the divergences are attributed to underlying preferences (neoclassical or not), whereas others suggest that the divergences are due to elicitation methods, cognitive limitations, or other non-preference-related reasons. We argue that the source of the divergence can inform the choice of which measure, WTP or WTA, to use in a given empirical application.
The Stigma Complex
Authors: Pescosolido Bernice A. , Martin Jack K.
Published: May 2015

Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, research on stigma has continued. Building on conceptual and empirical work, the recent period clarifies new types of stigmas, expansion of measures, identification of new directions, and increasingly complex levels. Standard beliefs have been challenged, the relationship between stigma research and public debates reconsidered, and new scientific foundations for policy and programs suggested. We begin with a summary of the most recent Annual Review articles on stigma, which reminded sociologists of conceptual tools, informed them of developments from academic neighbors, and claimed findings from the early period of “resurgence.” Continued (even accelerated) progress has also revealed a central problem. Terms and measures are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion and decreasing accumulated knowledge. Drawing from this work but focusing on the past 14 years of stigma research (including mental illness, sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS, and race/ethnicity), we provide a theoretical architecture of concepts (e.g., prejudice, experienced/received discrimination), drawn together through a stigma process (i.e., stigmatization), based on four theoretical premises. Many characteristics of the mark (e.g., discredited, concealable) and variants (i.e., stigma types and targets) become the focus of increasingly specific and multidimensional definitions. Drawing from complex and systems science, we propose a stigma complex, a system of interrelated, heterogeneous parts bringing together insights across disciplines to provide a more realistic and complicated sense of the challenge facing research and change efforts. The Framework Integrating Normative Influences on Stigma (FINIS) offers a multilevel approach that can be tailored to stigmatized statuses. Finally, we outline challenges for the next phase of stigma research, with the goal of continuing scientific activity that enhances our understanding of stigma and builds the scientific foundation for efforts to reduce intolerance.
Beyond Altruism: Sociological Foundations of Cooperation and Prosocial Behavior
Authors: Simpson Brent , Willer Robb
Published: May 2015

In explaining the sources of cooperation and prosocial behavior, psychologists, behavioral economists, and biologists often focus on factors internal to the individual, such as altruistic motivations, other-regarding preferences, and prosocial emotions. By contrast, sociologists typically emphasize social forces external to the individual, including norms, reputation systems, and social networks. Here we review evidence for these rules, reputations, and relations, showing that they have powerful and pervasive effects on cooperation and prosocial behavior. Our discussion highlights two emergent themes of the reviewed literature. First, although these classes of sociological mechanisms typically promote cooperation, their presence can also create ambiguity for individuals regarding the reasons for their own and others' prosocial acts, and that ambiguity can undermine future prosociality in subsequent settings where the mechanisms are absent. Second, altruistic preferences and social mechanisms often interact, such that the causal significance of altruism is attenuated where these mechanisms are present.
Reproduction
Authors: Almeling Rene
Published: May 2015

Every human being in every society results from reproduction, and most American men and women will have a child at some point in their lives. Even those who do not want to have children must contend with strong cultural presumptions around parenthood and, if they are sexually active, take steps to ensure they do not reproduce. In this review I discuss recent research on pregnancy, birth, abortion, contraception, infertility, and assisted reproduction. I argue that social scientists have conceptualized reproduction as a series of events that occur primarily in women's bodies. To stimulate theoretical and empirical research in this area, I develop a new conceptualization of reproduction as a biological and social process. I conclude by pointing to areas in need of further research, including reproductive aging, men, and the integration of qualitative and quantitative research.
Financialization of the Economy
Authors: Davis Gerald F. , Kim Suntae
Published: May 2015

Financialization refers to the increasing importance of finance, financial markets, and financial institutions to the workings of the economy. This article reviews evidence on the causes and consequences of financialization in the United States and around the world, with particular attention to the spread of financial markets. Researchers have focused on two broad themes at the level of corporations and broader societies. First, an orientation toward shareholder value has led to substantial changes in corporate strategies and structures that have encouraged outsourcing and corporate disaggregation while increasing compensation at the top. Second, financialization has shaped patterns of inequality, culture, and social change in the broader society. Underlying these changes is a broad shift in how capital is intermediated, from financial institutions to financial markets, through mechanisms such as securitization (turning debts into marketable securities). Enabled by a combination of theory, technology, and ideology, financialization is a potent force for changing social institutions.
Marriage and Family in East Asia: Continuity and Change
Authors: Raymo James M. , Park Hyunjoon , Xie Yu , Yeung Wei-jun Jean
Published: May 2015

Trends toward later and less marriage and childbearing have been even more pronounced in East Asia than in the West. At the same time, many other features of East Asian families have changed very little. We review recent research on trends in a wide range of family behaviors in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. We also draw upon a range of theoretical frameworks to argue that trends in marriage and fertility reflect tension between rapid social and economic changes and limited change in family expectations and obligations. We discuss how this tension may be contributing to growing socioeconomic differences in patterns of family formation. This focus on East Asia extends research on the second demographic transition in the West by describing how rapid decline in marriage and fertility rates can occur in the absence of major changes in family attitudes or rising individualism.
Punishment Regimes and the Multilevel Effects of Parental Incarceration: Intergenerational, Intersectional, and Interinstitutional Models of Social Inequality and Systemic Exclusion
Authors: Foster Holly , Hagan John
Published: May 2015

The US prison boom has resulted in the mass incarceration of parents in the United States. We review recent scholarship on the relationship between parental incarceration and child inequality and social exclusion over the life course. We develop a multilevel social exclusion framework to stimulate future research on the effects of paternal and maternal incarceration. This framework is intergenerational in its focus on incarcerated parents and their children, interinstitutional in its attention to state and school regimes, and intersectional in its consideration of the role of gender and race and ethnic contingencies. It is also systemic in its focus on multiple chosen and overlapping institutional policy domains of exclusion. We address both mediators and moderators of the effects of parental incarceration on child outcomes. We emphasize the underresearched importance of meso-level (e.g., school) and macro-level (e.g., state and cross-national) exclusionary and inclusionary regimes in understanding the effects of parental incarceration. We propose hypotheses to synthesize current research on the impact of maternal and paternal incarceration on children.
Current Review of Genetically Modified Lactic Acid Bacteria for the Prevention and Treatment of Colitis Using Murine Models
Authors: de Moreno de LeBlanc Alejandra , del Carmen Silvina , Chatel Jean-Marc , Miyoshi Anderson , Azevedo Vasco , Langella Philippe , Bermúdez-Humarán Luis G. , LeBlanc Jean Guy
Published: May 2015

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are disorders of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by recurrent inflammation that requires lifelong treatments. Probiotic microorganisms appear as an alternative for these patients; however, probiotic characteristics are strain dependent and each probiotic needs to be tested to understand the underlining mechanisms involved in their beneficial properties. Genetic modification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was also described as a tool for new IBD treatments. The first part of this review shows different genetically modified LAB (GM-LAB) described for IBD treatment since 2000. Then, the two principally studied strategies are discussed (i) GM-LAB producing antioxidant enzymes and (ii) GM-LAB producing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Different delivery systems, including protein delivery and DNA delivery, will also be discussed. Studies show the efficacy of GM-LAB (using different expression systems) for the prevention and treatment of IBD, highlighting the importance of the bacterial strain selection (with anti-inflammatory innate properties) as a promising alternative. These microorganisms could be used in the near future for the development of therapeutic products with anti-inflammatory properties that can improve the quality of life of IBD patients.
Pim-2/mTORC1 Pathway Shapes Inflammatory Capacity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Cells Exposed to Lipid Peroxidations
Authors: Yin Geng , Li Yan , Yang Min , Cen Xiao-min , Xie Qi-bing
Published: May 2015

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of multiple joints, with disruption of joint cartilage. The proliferation of synovial fibroblasts in response to multiple inflammation factors is central to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Our previous studies showed that 4-HNE may induce synovial intrinsic inflammations by activating NF-κB pathways and lead to cell apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms of how synovial NF-κB activation is modulated are not fully understood. Here, the present findings demonstrated that 4-HNE may induce synovial intrinsic inflammations by mTORC1 inactivation. While ectopic activation of mTORC1 pathway by the overexpression of Pim-2 may disrupt the initiation of inflammatory reactions and maintain synovial homeostasis, our findings will help to uncover novel signaling pathways between inflammations and oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis development and imply that Pim-2/mTORC1 pathway may be critical for the initiation of inflammatory reactions in human rheumatoid arthritis synovial cells.
Electrospun Carbon Nanofiber Membranes for Filtration of Nanoparticles from Water
Authors: Faccini Mirko , Borja Guadalupe , Boerrigter Marcel , Morillo Martín Diego , Martìnez Crespiera Sandra , Vázquez-Campos Socorro , Aubouy Laurent , Amantia David
Published: May 2015

Nowadays, hundreds of consumer products contain metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NP); this increases the probability of such particles to be released to natural waters generating a potential risk to human health and the environment. This paper presents the development of efficient carboneous nanofibrous membranes for NP filtration from aqueous solutions. Free‐standing carbon nanofiber (CNF) mats with different fiber size distribution ranging from 126 to 554 nm in diameter were produced by electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor solution followed by thermal treatment. Moreover, tetraethoxyorthosilicate was added to provide flexibility and increase the specific surface area of the CNF. The resulting membranes are bendable and mechanically strong enough to withstand filtration under pressure or vacuum. The experimental results of filtration revealed that the fabricated membranes could efficiently reject nanoparticles of different types (Au, Ag, and TiO2) and size (from 10 to 100 nm in diameter) from aqueous solutions. It is worth mentioning that the removal of Ag NP with diameters as small as 10 nm was close to 100% with an extremely high flux of 47620 L m−2 h−1 bar−1.
A Framework for Context Sensitive Risk-Based Access Control in Medical Information Systems
Authors: Choi Donghee , Kim Dohoon , Park Seog
Published: May 2015

Since the access control environment has changed and the threat of insider information leakage has come to the fore, studies on risk-based access control models that decide access permissions dynamically have been conducted vigorously. Medical information systems should protect sensitive data such as medical information from insider threat and enable dynamic access control depending on the context such as life-threatening emergencies. In this paper, we suggest an approach and framework for context sensitive risk-based access control suitable for medical information systems. This approach categorizes context information, estimating and applying risk through context- and treatment-based permission profiling and specifications by expanding the eXtensible Access Control Markup Language (XACML) to apply risk. The proposed framework supports quick responses to medical situations and prevents unnecessary insider data access through dynamic access authorization decisions in accordance with the severity of the context and treatment.
Effects of Jae-Seng Acupuncture Treatment on the Improvement of Nasolabial Folds and Eye Wrinkles
Authors: Cho Jin Hyong , Lee Ho Jin , Chung Kyu Jin , Park Byung Chun , Chang Mun Seog , Park Seong Kyu
Published: May 2015

The microneedle therapy system (MTS), a mechanical method involving making minute multiple holes in the skin, reportedly improves skin condition, such as by reducing flushing and melanin. A newly attempted bloodletting therapy, Jae-Seng Acupuncture, has several advantages over traditional mechanical punching methods because it allows the practitioner to regulate the depth and direction of needle stimulations and to choose whether to stimulate the muscle layers. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of Jae-Seng Acupuncture in the treatment of nasolabial folds and eye wrinkles. The nasolabial folds and eye wrinkles of 107 patients ranging in age from their 20s to their 70s were subjected to DermaVision, a digital skin image analyzer, before the treatment and one to six months after treatment. Additionally, stimulation of the meridians, such as Taeyang, Tongjaryo, Chongmyong, Sungup, Sabaek, Yonghyang, Chichang, Taeyong, was performed to improve the function of the stomach, large intestine. Analyses of the images indicate that Jae-Seng Acupuncture improved nasolabial folds and eye wrinkles, suggesting that this technique is a safe and effective method for the improvement of facial skin conditions.
Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Cytotoxic, and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of the Leaves ofSolanum lycocarpumA. St. Hil. (Solanaceae)
Authors: da Costa Guilherme Augusto Ferreira , Morais Melissa Grazielle , Saldanha Aline Aparecida , Assis Silva Izabela Caputo , Aleixo Álan Alex , Ferreira Jaqueline Maria Siqueira , Soares Adriana Cristina , Duarte-Almeida Joaquim Maurício , Lima Luciana Alves Rodrigues dos Santos
Published: May 2015

Ethanol extract and fractions obtained from leaves ofSolanum lycocarpumwere examined in order to determine their phenolic composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic potential. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with DAD analysis indicated that the flavonoids apigenin and kaempferol were the main phenolic compounds present in dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions, respectively. The antioxidant activity was significantly more pronounced for dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and hydroethanol fractions than that of the commercial antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol. The hexane and dichloromethane fractions were more active against the tested bacteria. The hydroethanol fraction exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity at the dose of 75 and 150 mg/kg in the later phase of inflammation. However, the antiedematogenic effect of the higher dose of the ethyl acetate fraction (150 mg/kg) was more pronounced. The ethyl acetate fraction also presented a less cytotoxic effect than the ethanol extract and other fractions. These activities found inS. lycocarpumleaves can be attributed, at least in part, to the presence of phenolic constituents such as flavonoids. This work provided the knowledge of phenolic composition in the extract and fractions and the antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of leaves ofS. lycocarpum.
Clinical Characteristics of Inpatients with Anaphylaxis in China
Authors: Tang Rui , Xu Han-Yi , Cao Ju , Chen Shi , Sun Jin-Lu , Hu Hong , Li Hai-Chao , Diao Ying , Li Zhi
Published: May 2015

Objective.To analyze the clinical characteristics of inpatients with anaphylaxis and the factors that influenced those characteristics.Methods.Using the patient records from 1990 to 2013 from three highly ranked Chinese hospitals, we retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of 108 inpatients with anaphylaxis (not anaphylaxis admitted).Results.The mean patient age was42±20years old and male-to-female ratio was 1 : 1.3. The number of patients with anaphylaxis increased gradually, and cases diagnosed after 2005 accounted for 68.5% of the 108 total cases. The most common trigger was medications. The most common clinical manifestations included cutaneous, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, and digestive signs and symptoms. Male patients were more likely to experience loss of consciousness. Multisystem involvement was more likely to develop in patients with low BP, whereas it was uncommon in those with anaphylaxis induced by antibiotics or anesthetics. Epinephrine was used as the first-line treatment for 56 cases.Conclusions.Inpatient with anaphylaxis was more common in female patients and the number increased gradually during the study period. The most common trigger was medications. Patients with low BP were prone to having multisystem involvement, whereas the cases of anaphylaxis induced by antibiotics and anesthetics were less likely to involve multiple organ systems.
Fabrication of Robust Superhydrophobic Bamboo Based on ZnO Nanosheet Networks with Improved Water‐, UV‐, and Fire‐Resistant Properties
Authors: Li Jingpeng , Sun Qingfeng , Yao Qiufang , Wang Jin , Han Shenjie , Jin Chunde
Published: May 2015

Bamboo with water‐resistant, UV‐resistant, and fire‐resistant properties was desirable in modern society. In this paper, the original bamboo was firstly treated with ZnO sol and then hydrothermally the ZnO nanosheet networks grow onto the bamboo surface and subsequently modified with fluoroalkyl silane (FAS‐17). The FAS‐17 treated bamboo substrate exhibited not only robust superhydrophobicity with a high contact angle of 161° but also stable repellency towards simulated acid rain (pH = 3) with a contact angle of 152°. Except for its robust superhydrophobicity, such a bamboo also presents superior water‐resistant, UV‐resistant, and fire‐resistant properties.
The In Vivo Granulopoietic Response to Dexamethasone Injection Is Abolished in Perforin‐Deficient Mutant Mice and Corrected by Lymphocyte Transfer from Nonsensitized Wild‐Type Donors
Authors: Xavier-Elsas Pedro , da Silva Cássio Luiz Coutinho Almeida , Vieira Bruno Marques , Masid-de-Brito Daniela , Queto Túlio , de Luca Bianca , Vieira Thiago Soares de Souza , Gaspar-Elsas Maria Ignez C.
Published: May 2015

Exogenously administered glucocorticoids enhance eosinophil and neutrophil granulocyte production from murine bone‐marrow. A hematological response dependent on endogenous glucocorticoids underlies bone‐marrow eosinophilia induced by trauma or allergic sensitization/challenge. We detected a defect in granulopoiesis in nonsensitized, perforin‐deficient mice. In steady‐state conditions, perforin‐ (Pfp‐) deficient mice showed significantly decreased bone‐marrow and blood eosinophil and neutrophil counts, and colony formation in response to GM‐CSF, relative to wild‐type controls of comparable age and/or weight. By contrast, peripheral blood or spleen total cell and lymphocyte numbers were not affected by perforin deficiency. Dexamethasone enhanced colony formation by GM‐CSF‐stimulated progenitors from wild‐type controls, but not Pfp mice. Dexamethasone injection increased bone‐marrow eosinophil and neutrophil counts in wild‐type controls, but not Pfp mice. Because perforin is expressed in effector lymphocytes, we examined whether this defect would be corrected by transferring wild‐type lymphocytes into perforin‐deficient recipients. Short‐term reconstitution of the response to dexamethasone was separately achieved for eosinophils and neutrophils by transfer of distinct populations of splenic lymphocytes from nonsensitized wild‐type donors. Transfer of the same amount of splenic lymphocytes from perforin‐deficient donors was ineffective. This demonstrates that the perforin‐dependent, granulopoietic response to dexamethasone can be restored by transfer of innate lymphocyte subpopulations.
Impact of Population Stratification on Family-Based Association in an Admixed Population
Authors: Mersha T. B. , Ding L. , He H. , Alexander E. S. , Zhang X. , Kurowski B. G. , Pilipenko V. , Kottyan L. , Martin L. J. , Fardo D. W.
Published: May 2015

Population substructure is a well-known confounder in population-based case-control genetic studies, but its impact in family-based studies is unclear. We performed population substructure analysis using extended families of admixed population to evaluate power and Type I error in an association study framework. Our analysis shows that power was improved by 1.5% after principal components adjustment. Type I error was also reduced by 2.2% after adjusting for family substratification. The presence of population substructure was underscored by discriminant analysis, in which over 92% of individuals were correctly assigned to their actual family using only 100 principal components. This study demonstrates the importance of adjusting for population substructure in family-based studies of admixed populations.
Expression of Spindle and Kinetochore-Associated Protein 1 Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Dong Chao , Wang Xiao-li , Ma Bin-lin
Published: May 2015

Aim. Spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 (SKA1) is one subtype of SKA, whose protein can make spindle microtubules attach steadily to the kinetochore in the middle of mitosis. At present, there are fewer researches on the relationship between SKA1 expression and tumor development.Methods. In this study, immunohistochemical analysis was used to determine the expression of SKA1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and adjacent tissues. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis to further verify the results.Results. We found that SKA1 expression was significantly higher in PTC tissues than normal adjacent tissues(P<0.05). There existed a significant correlation among a higher SKA1 expression, including lymphoid node(P=0.005), clinical stage(P=0.015), and extrathyroid invasion(P=0.004). Survival analysis showed high SKA1 expression in PTC patients more likely to relapse after surgery.Conclusion. High SKA1 expression is predictive of poor prognosis of PTC, implying that SKA1 may be a promising new target for targeted therapies for PTC.
Multifocal Tubercular Osteomyelitis with Tubercular Breast Abscess: An Atypical Presentation of Tuberculosis
Authors: Bar Mita , Santra Tuhin , Guha Pradipta , Agrawal Neha , Adhikary Apu , Das Anirban , Mahapatra Chanchal
Published: May 2015

Tuberculosis of spine is common in a developing country like India. However, involvement of spine at multiple levels along with involvement of rib and tubercular breast abscess in an immunocompetent patient without any pulmonary involvement is extremely rare. Here we report a case of 53-year-old immunocompetent lady who presented with quadriparesis and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of spine revealed multiple lesions involving cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral region without any involvement of intervertebral disc. On detailed examination she was found to have a lump in right breast. Fine needle aspiration cytology of both paravertebral collection and breast lump revealed presence of acid fast bacilli. She was put on antitubercular drug for one year and she responded well to therapy.
A Facile Low‐Temperature Hydrothermal Method to Prepare Anatase Titania/Cellulose Aerogels with Strong Photocatalytic Activities for Rhodamine B and Methyl Orange Degradations
Authors: Wan Caichao , Lu Yun , Jin Chunde , Sun Qingfeng , Li Jian
Published: May 2015

A facile low‐temperature hydrothermal method for in situ preparation of anatase titania (TiO2) homogeneously dispersed in cellulose aerogels substrates was described. The formed anatase TiO2 aggregations composed of a mass of evenly dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles with sizes of 2−5 nm were embedded in the interconnected three‐dimensional (3D) architecture of the cellulose aerogels matrixes without large‐scale reunion phenomenon; meanwhile, the obtained anatase titania/cellulose (ATC) aerogels also had a high loading amount of TiO2 (ca. 35.7%). Furthermore, compared with commercially available Degussa P25, ATC aerogels displayed comparable photocatalytic activities for Rhodamine B and methyl orange degradations under UV radiation, which might be useful in the fields of catalysts, wastewater treatment, and organic pollutant degradation. Meanwhile, the photocatalytic reaction behaviors of ATC aerogels under UV irradiation were also illuminated.
N Mineralisation from Bioresources Incubated at 12.5°C
Authors: Ives S. W. , Sparrow L. A. , Cotching W. E. , Doyle R. B. , Lisson S.
Published: May 2015

Soils treated with lime-amended biosolids (LAB), poppy seed waste (PSW), anaerobically digested biosolids (ADB) and poppy mulch (PM) and incubated at 12.5°C for 56 days released 45%, 36%, 25%, and −8%, respectively, of total applied N as plant available nitrogen (PAN) by the end of the incubation. The mineralisation rates were contrary to expectations based on the C : N ratios of the four products: LAB (5 : 1), PSW (7 : 1), ADB (3 : 1), and PM (16 : 1). PM showed a significant negative priming effect over the incubation period. These results have implications for production agriculture in temperate regions where application and incorporation of bio-resources traditionally occurs in autumn and spring when soil and air temperatures are relatively low. Current application times may not be suitable for nitrogen release to satisfy crop demand.
Standard Triple Therapy versus Sequential Therapy inHelicobacter pyloriEradication: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Controlled Trial
Authors: Eisig Jaime Natan , Navarro-Rodriguez Tomás , Teixeira Ana Cristina Sá , Silva Fernando Marcuz , Mattar Rejane , Chinzon Decio , Haro Christiane , Diniz Márcio Augusto , Moraes-Filho Joaquim Prado , Fass Ronnie , Barbuti Ricardo Correa
Published: May 2015

Aim. To compare 10-day standard triple therapy versus sequential therapy as first-line treatment in patients infected withH. pylori.Methods. One hundredH. pyloripositive patients (diagnosed by rapid urease test and histology), with average age of 47.2, M/F = 28/72, were randomized to receive either standard triple treatment (TT) as follows: lansoprazole 30 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, and amoxicillin 1 g, b.i.d. for ten days, or sequential treatment (ST) as follows: lansoprazole 30 mg, amoxicillin and placebo 1.0 g b.i.d for the first five days, followed by lansoprazole 30 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, and tinidazole 500 mg b.i.d, for the remaining five days. Eradication rates were determined 60 days after treatment by urease, histology, or13C-urea breath test.Results. In intention to treat (ITT) analysis, the rate ofH. pylorieradication in the TT and ST groups was the same for both regimens as follows: 86% (43/50), 95% CI 93,3 to 73.4%. In Per protocol (PP) analysis, the rate ofH. pylorieradication in the TT and ST groups was 87.8% (43/49), 95% CI 94,5 to 75.3% and 89.6% (43/48), 95% CI 95,8 to 77.3%, respectively.Conclusions. In Brazil, standard triple therapy is as equally effective as sequential therapy in eradicatingHelicobacter pyloripatients. This study was registered under Clinical Trials with numberISRCTN62400496.
A Study of Thin Film Resistors Prepared Using Ni-Cr-Si-Al-Ta High Entropy Alloy
Authors: Lin Ruei-Cheng , Lee Tai-Kuang , Wu Der-Ho , Lee Ying-Chieh
Published: May 2015

Ni-Cr-Si-Al-Ta resistive thin films were prepared on glass and Al2O3substrates by DC magnetron cosputtering from targets of Ni0.35-Cr0.25-Si0.2-Al0.2casting alloy and Ta metal. Electrical properties and microstructures of Ni-Cr-Si-Al-Ta films under different sputtering powers and annealing temperatures were investigated. The phase evolution, microstructure, and composition of Ni-Cr-Si-Al-Ta films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). When the annealing temperature was set to 300°C, the Ni-Cr-Si-Al-Ta films with an amorphous structure were observed. When the annealing temperature was at 500°C, the Ni-Cr-Si-Al-Ta films crystallized into Al0.9Ni4.22, Cr2Ta, and Ta5Si3phases. The Ni-Cr-Si-Al-Ta films deposited at 100 W and annealed at 300°C which exhibited the higher resistivity 2215 μΩ-cm with −10 ppm/°C of temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR).
Acute Kidney Injury Complicated Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Infancy
Authors: Ozgurhan Gamze , Ozcetin Mustafa , Vehapoglu Aysel , Karakaya Zeynep , Aygun Fatih
Published: May 2015

Infectious mononucleosis is an acute lymphoproliferative disorder caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and seen most commonly in children and young adults. Clinical presentation of the disease is characterized by fever, tonsillopharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly, whereas serological findings of this benign disorder include positive heterophilic antibody formation (transient increase in heterophilic antibodies) and prominence of hematological lymphocytosis of more than 10% of atypical lymphocytes. An EBV infection is usually asymptomatic in childhood, but acute kidney injury can be a rare complication during its course. Most cases recover from the disease completely. Early recognition of EBV infection and estimation of its complication are important for its prognosis. In light of previous literature, we discuss the case evaluated as an EBV infection complicated by acute kidney injury in early childhood and results of tubulointerstitial nephritis shown on a renal biopsy that was later diagnosed as an EBV infection by serological examination.
Arginase as a Critical Prooxidant Mediator in the Binomial Endothelial Dysfunction-Atherosclerosis
Authors: Rabelo Luiza A. , Ferreira Fernanda O. , Nunes-Souza Valéria , Fonseca Lucas José Sá da , Goulart Marília O. F.
Published: May 2015

Arginase is a metalloenzyme which hydrolyzes L-arginine to L-ornithine and urea. Since its discovery, in the early 1900s, this enzyme has gained increasing attention, as literature reports have progressively pointed to its critical participation in regulating nitric oxide bioavailability. Indeed, accumulating evidence in the following years would picture arginase as a key player in vascular health. Recent studies have highlighted the arginase regulatory role in the progression of atherosclerosis, the latter an essentially prooxidant state. Apart from the fact that arginase has been proven to impair different metabolic pathways, and also as a consequence of this, the repercussions of the actions of such enzyme go further than first thought. In fact, such metalloenzyme exhibits direct implications in multiple cardiometabolic diseases, among which are hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. Considering the epidemiological repercussions of these clinical conditions, arginase is currently seen under the spotlights of the search for developing specific inhibitors, in order to mitigate its deleterious effects. That said, the present review focuses on the role of arginase in endothelial function and its participation in the establishment of atherosclerotic lesions, discussing the main regulatory mechanisms of the enzyme, also highlighting the potential development of pharmacological strategies in related cardiovascular diseases.
Effects of Static Magnetic Fields on the Physical, Mechanical, and Microstructural Properties of Cement Pastes
Authors: Soto-Bernal Juan J. , Gonzalez-Mota Rosario , Rosales-Candelas Iliana , Ortiz-Lozano Jose A.
Published: May 2015

This paper presents the results of an experimental study carried out to comprehend the physical, mechanical, and microstructural behavior of cement pastes subjected to static magnetic fields while hydrating and setting. The experimental methodology consisted in exposing fresh cement pastes to static magnetic fields at three different magnetic induction strengths: 19.07, 22.22, and 25.37 Gauss. The microstructural characterization makes evident that there are differences in relation to amount and morphology of CSH gel; the amount of CSH is larger and its morphology becomes denser and less porous with higher magnetostatic induction strengths; it also shows the evidence of changes in the mineralogical composition of the hydrated cement pastes. The temperature increasing has no negative effects over the cement paste compressive strength since the magnetostatic field affects the process of hydration through a molecular restructuring process, which makes cement pastes improve microstructurally, with a reduced porosity and a higher mechanical strength.
Abstract 1446: Isolation of a novel metastasis-related microRNA, miR-518c-5p, induced by the stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1/CXCR4 system in oral cancer
Authors: Kinouchi Makoto , Uchida Daisuke , Kuribayashi Nobuyuki , Tamatani Tetsuya , Nagai Hirokazu , Miyamoto Youji
Published: May 2015

We have demonstrated that stromal-cell derived factor (SDF)-1/CXCR4 system is involved in the metastatic process of oral cancer. Recently, small non coding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the metastatic process of several types of cancers. However, the miRNAs contributed to metastases induced by the SDF-1/CXCR4 system in oral cancer are largely unknown. Thus, we examined the metastasis-related miRNAs induced by the SDF-1/CXCR4 system, using oral cancer cells, B88-SDF-1 which exhibits functional CXCR4 and distant metastatic potential, in vivo.

We examined metastasis-related miRNAs induced by the SDF-1/CXCR4 system using miRNA microarray analysis. Among these miRNAs, we confirmed the upregulation of miR-518c-5p in B88-SDF-1 cells by the real-time PCR analysis. Although LNA-based miR518c-5p inhibitor did not affect the cell growth, but did significantly inhibit the migration of B88-SDF-1 cells. Next, we transfected miR-518c expression vector into parental B88 cells, and isolated stable transfectant, B88-518c. The anchorage dependent and independent growth of B88-518c cells were significantly enhanced in compared with those of mock cells. Moreover, we could detect the enhanced migration of B88-518c cells. LNA-based miR-518c-5p inhibitor significantly impaired the enhanced cell growth and migration of B88-518c cells, indicating that these phenomenon were dependent on the expression of miR-518c-5p, not on that of miR-518c-3p. Next, we examined the function of miR-518c-5p in vivo. B88-518c cells or mock cells were inoculated into the masseter muscle or the blood vessels of nude mice. Tumor volume, lymph nodes metastasis, and lung metastasis were significantly increased in the mice inoculated with B88-518c cells. These results indicate that SDF-1/CXCR4 system regulates the metastases of oral cancer via induction of miR-518c-5p.

Citation Format: Makoto Kinouchi, Daisuke Uchida, Nobuyuki Kuribayashi, Tetsuya Tamatani, Hirokazu Nagai, Youji Miyamoto. Isolation of a novel metastasis-related microRNA, miR-518c-5p, induced by the stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1/CXCR4 system in oral cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1446. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1446
Abstract 1473: Indentification of microRNA signature and deregulation in breast, lung and colon cancer through next generation sequencing and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR
Authors: Liu Chunmei
Published: May 2015

Global alterations of microRNA expression have been described in a large number of malignancies and microRNA signatures have been used as classifier for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic response in cancer. In current study, we compared the global patterns of microRNA expression in breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer patients with their normal adjacent tissues through next generation sequencing (NGS). Differentially expressed microRNAs such as let-7 family, miR34 family, miR21 and miR29 family, miR17, miR92a, miR205, miR145 as well as other signature microRNAs were further validated through quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). Since microRNAs do not function in isolation, we also compared the expression level of possible targeted mRNAs such as target s for Let-7 family, HMGA2 (high mobility group AT-hook2) , RAS, KRAS; targets for miR-34, SNAIL(zinc finger protein) , Wnt1, SIRT1 and CDK6; targets for miR-21 , tropomyosin (TPM1), PDCD4 and PTEN; targets for MiR29 family, MCL1, KLF4 through qRT-PCR.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting.

Citation Format: Chunmei Liu. Indentification of microRNA signature and deregulation in breast, lung and colon cancer through next generation sequencing and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1473. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1473
Abstract 1476: Hypermethylation of a TGF-β regulated micro-RNA, miR-193a, predicts prognosis in ovarian cancer
Authors: Cheng Frank Hsueh-Che , Chen Gary C.W. , Chou Jian-Liang , Lin Ya-Wen , Chen Lin-Yu , Lai Hung-Cheng , Li Chin , Chan Michael W.Y.
Published: May 2015

Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in the female reproductive system. One of the hypotheses suggests that ovarian cancer arises from cancer stem/progenitor cell with surface antigen CD117 (or c-kit). In order to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) that can regulate the expression of c-kit, bioinformatic prediction was performed and identified miR-193a as one of the regulators. Expression analysis showed that miR-193a was up-regulated upon TGF-β treatment in immortalized ovarian surface epithelial cells (IOSE) cells. On the contrary, expression of miR-193a cannot be detected in a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3, A2780, CP70, MCP2, MCP3). Bisulphite pyrosequencing revealed that promoter CpG island of miR-193a was not methylated in IOSE cell but hypermethylated in the ovarian cancer cells showing down-regulation of miR-193a. Treatment of 5azaDC, a DNMT inhibitor, partially restored miR-193a expression in the ovarian cancer cells, thus suggesting DNA hypermethylation may be responsible for the down-regulation of miR-193a in ovarian cancer. Further clinical studies using bisulphite pyrosequencing found that promoter region of miR-193a was heavily methylated in 109 ovarian cancer patient samples but not in normal OSE samples. Kaplan-meier analysis revealed that patients with higher methylation of miR-193a was significantly associated with shorter overall survival and progression-free survival. Taken together, miR-193a may be a TGF-β regulated tumor suppressor micro-RNA and is epigenetically silenced in ovarian cancer. Methylation of miR-193a may be able to predict prognosis in ovarian cancer patients.

Citation Format: Frank Hsueh-Che Cheng, Gary C.W. Chen, Jian-Liang Chou, Ya-Wen Lin, Lin-Yu Chen, Hung-Cheng Lai, Chin Li, Michael W.Y. Chan. Hypermethylation of a TGF-β regulated micro-RNA, miR-193a, predicts prognosis in ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1476. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1476