bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Long-Term Fertility and Bleeding Outcomes after Robotic-Assisted, Laparoscopic, and Abdominal Myomectomy
Authors: Flyckt Rebecca , Soto Enrique , Nutter Benjamin , Falcone Tommaso
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims. To compare long-term fertility and bleeding outcomes of women who underwent robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and abdominal myomectomy at our institution over a 15-year period. Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study of myomectomy patients 18–39 years old that had surgery between January 1995 and December 2009 at our institution. Long-term follow-up on fertility and bleeding outcomes was collected from the patient directly. The uterine fibroid symptom and quality of life survey was also administered to assess current bleeding patterns. Baseline characteristics were compared across groups. Univariable comparisons of fertility and bleeding outcomes based on surgical approach were made using analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis analysis of ranks, and Chi-square tests as appropriate. Results. 134/374 (36%) subjects agreed to participate in the study. 81 subjects underwent an open procedure versus 28 and 25 subjects in the laparoscopic and robotic groups, respectively. Median follow-up after surgery was 8 years. 50% of patients desired pregnancy following surgery and, of those, 60% achieved spontaneous pregnancy; the spontaneous pregnancy rate did not differ between groups. Additionally, UFS-QOL scores and/or subscores did not differ between groups. Conclusion. There is no significant difference in long-term bleeding or fertility outcomes in robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, or abdominal myomectomy.
Adaptive Fuzzy Tracking Control for a Class of Uncertain Nonlinear Time-Delayed Systems with Saturation Constrains
Authors: Zhang Yu-Jun , Wu Li-Bing , Zhao Hong-Yang , Hu Xiao-Dong , Zhang Wen-Yu , Ju Dong-Ying
Published: December 2016

In this paper, the problem of adaptive fuzzy tracking control is considered for a class of uncertain nonaffine nonlinear systems with external disturbances, multiple time delays, and nonsymmetric saturation constrains. First, the mean value theorem is employed to deal with the nonaffine term with input nonlinearity. Then, a new adaptive fuzzy tracking controller with parameter updating laws is designed by using fuzzy approximation technique. Moreover, it is shown that all the closed-loop signals are bounded and the tracking errors can asymptotically converge to zero via the Lyapunov stability analysis. Finally, the simulation example for van der Pol oscillator system is worked out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive fuzzy design approach.
A Consistent Track-to-Track Fusion Method Based on Copula Theory
Authors: Lu Kelin , Chang K. C. , Zhou Rui
Published: December 2016

This paper addresses the problem of distributed fusion when the conditional independence assumptions on sensor measurements or local estimates are not met. A new data fusion algorithm called Copula fusion is presented. The proposed method is grounded on Copula statistical modeling and Bayesian analysis. The primary advantage of the Copula-based methodology is that it could reveal the unknown correlation that allows one to build joint probability distributions with potentially arbitrary underlying marginals and a desired intermodal dependence. The proposed fusion algorithm requires no a priori knowledge of communications patterns or network connectivity. The simulation results show that the Copula fusion brings a consistent estimate for a wide range of process noises.
Bipartite Fuzzy Stochastic Differential Equations with Global Lipschitz Condition
Authors: Malinowski Marek T.
Published: December 2016

We introduce and analyze a new type of fuzzy stochastic differential equations. We consider equations with drift and diffusion terms occurring at both sides of equations. Therefore we call them the bipartite fuzzy stochastic differential equations. Under the Lipschitz and boundedness conditions imposed on drifts and diffusions coefficients we prove existence of a unique solution. Then, insensitivity of the solution under small changes of data of equation is examined. Finally, we mention that all results can be repeated for solutions to bipartite set-valued stochastic differential equations.
A Novel Assay for the Identification of NOTCH1 PEST Domain Mutations in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Campregher Paulo Vidal , Petroni Roberta Cardoso , Muto Nair Hideko , Sitnik Roberta , Carvalho Flavia Pereira de , Bacal Nydia Strachman , Velloso Elvira Deolinda Rodrigues Pereira , Oliveira Gislaine Borba , Pinho João Renato Rebello , Torres Davi Coe , Mansur Marcela Braga , Hassan Rocio , Lorand-Metze Irene Gyongyvér Heidemarie , Chiattone Carlos Sérgio , Hamerschlak Nelson , Mangueira Cristovão Luis Pitangueira
Published: December 2016

Aims.To develop a fast and robust DNA-based assay to detect insertions and deletions mutations in exon 34 that encodes the PEST domain ofNOTCH1in order to evaluate patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).Methods.We designed a multiplexed allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with a fragment analysis assay to detect specifically the mutation c.7544_7545delCT and possibly other insertions and deletions in exon 34 ofNOTCH1.Results.We evaluated our assay in peripheral blood samples from two cohorts of patients with CLL. The frequency ofNOTCH1mutations was 8.4% in the first cohort of 71 unselected CLL patients. We then evaluated a second cohort of 26 CLL patients with known cytogenetic abnormalities that were enriched for patients with trisomy 12.NOTCH1mutations were detected in 43.7% of the patients with trisomy 12.Conclusions.We have developed a fast and robust assay combining allele-specific PCR and fragment analysis able to detectNOTCH1PEST domain insertions and deletions.
Role of Bioadsorbents in Reducing Toxic Metals
Authors: Mathew Blessy Baby , Jaishankar Monisha , Biju Vinai George , Krishnamurthy Nideghatta Beeregowda
Published: December 2016

Industrialization and urbanization have led to the release of increasing amounts of heavy metals into the environment. Metal ion contamination of drinking water and waste water is a serious ongoing problem especially with high toxic metals such as lead and cadmium and less toxic metals such as copper and zinc. Several biological materials have attracted many researchers and scientists as they offer both cheap and effective removal of heavy metals from waste water. Therefore it is urgent to study and explore all possible sources of agrobased inexpensive adsorbents for their feasibility in the removal of heavy metals. The objective was to study inexpensive adsorbents like various agricultural wastes such as sugarcane bagasse, rice husk, oil palm shell, coconut shell, and coconut husk in eliminating heavy metals from waste water and their utilization possibilities based on our research and literature survey. It also shows the significance of developing and evaluating new potential biosorbents in the near future with higher adsorption capacity and greater reusable options.
Characterization and Classification of Soils of Abobo Area, Western Ethiopia
Authors: Yitbarek Teshome , Beyene Shelem , Kibret Kibebew
Published: December 2016

Knowledge of the kinds and properties of soils is critical for making decisions with respect to crop production and other land use types. A field survey and soil morphological description and laboratory analysis were carried out to describe, characterize, and classify the soils of Abobo area, western Ethiopia. Seven representative pedons (A-1 to A-7) were opened and described across the study area. The results revealed variation in morphological, physical, and chemical properties of the soils. The soils are clay loam to clayey in texture with bulk density values ranging from 1.12 to 1.32 g cm−3 and basic infiltration rate varying from slow to moderate (0.4 to 3.3 cm hr−1). They were moderately acidic to neutral in pH (5.5 to 7.1) and had very low to medium organic carbon (OC) (0.27 to 2.98%). Four soil types, Haplic Cambisols, Vertic Luvisols, Mollic Leptosols, and Mollic Vertisols, were identified in the area based on World Reference Base. Generally, the properties of the soils differed along the transect indicating their variation in productive potential and management requirements for specific agricultural use.
Effects of Exercise Training under Hyperbaric Oxygen on Oxidative Stress Markers and Endurance Performance in Young Soccer Players: A Pilot Study
Authors: Burgos Carlos , Henríquez-Olguín Carlos , Andrade David Cristóbal , Ramírez-Campillo Rodrigo , Araneda Oscar F. , White Allan , Cerda-Kohler Hugo
Published: December 2016

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of three weeks of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) training on oxidative stress markers and endurance performance in young soccer players. Participants (18.6±1.6 years) were randomized into hyperbaric-hyperoxic (HH) training (n=6) and normobaric normoxic (NN) training (n=6) groups. Immediately before and after the 5th, 10th, and 15th training sessions, plasma oxidative stress markers (lipid hydroperoxides and uric acid), plasma antioxidant capacity (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid [TROLOX]), arterial blood gases, acid-base balance, bases excess (BE), and blood lactate analyses were performed. Before and after intervention, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and peak power output (PPO) were determined. Neither HH nor NN experienced significant changes on oxidative stress markers or antioxidant capacity during intervention. VO2max and PPO were improved (moderate effect size) after HH training. The results suggest that HBO2 endurance training does not increase oxidative stress markers and improves endurance performance in young soccer players. Our findings warrant future investigation to corroborate that HBO2 endurance training could be a potential training approach for highly competitive young soccer players.
Mechanical and Durability Evaluation of Concrete with Sulfate Solution Corrosion
Authors: Ming Feng , Deng You-sheng , Li Dong-qing
Published: December 2016

Concrete material has been a choice for the construction structures, even in the cold regions and saline zone. However, these environmental factors have critical damaging effect on the concrete characters. Consequently, this damage will decrease the servicing time of the concrete construction within this environment. In order to evaluate the durability of concrete, the behavior of concrete specimens under the sulfate solution corrosion attacks was studied in this presented work. Two groups of the specimens were immersed into the sulfate solutions with a concentration of 10% and 20%, respectively. The strength development of the specimens under different immersing time was studied. Based on Fick’s law, a steady diffusion equation for sulfate ions in concrete was presented, and the depth of penetration of the attacking sulfate ions was also determined. Based on the depth of penetration and the definition of damage, a damage model for concrete material is developed and a new equation (strength-time) describing the chemical corrosion concrete material is proposed. Results show that the suggested analytical methods can quantify the damage process of concrete under sulfate attack, and the power laws damage developing formula can be used to describe the damage development of the concrete construction subjected to chemical corrosion.
Simultaneous Wood Defect and Species Detection with 3D Laser Scanning Scheme
Authors: Peng Zhao , Yue Li , Xiao Ning
Published: December 2016

Wood grading and wood price are mainly connected with the wood defect and wood species. In this paper, a wood defect quantitative detection scheme and a wood species qualitative identification scheme are proposed simultaneously based on 3D laser scanning point cloud. First, an Artec 3D scanner is used to scan the wood surface to get the 3D point cloud. Each 3D point contains its X, Y, and Z coordinate and its RGB color information. After preprocessing, the Z coordinate value of current point is compared with the set threshold to judge whether it is a defect point (i.e., cavity, worm tunnel, and crack). Second, a deep preferred search algorithm is used to segment the retained defect points marked with different colors. The integration algorithm is used to calculate the surface area and volume of every defect. Finally, wood species identification is performed with the wood surface’s color information. The color moments of scanned points are used for classification, but the defect points are not used. Experiments indicate that our scheme can accurately measure the surface areas and volumes of cavity, worm tunnel, and crack on wood surface with measurement error less than 5% and it can also reach a wood species recognition accuracy of 95%.
A “Tuned” Mask Learnt Approach Based on Gravitational Search Algorithm
Authors: Wan Youchuan , Wang Mingwei , Ye Zhiwei , Lai Xudong
Published: December 2016

Texture image classification is an important topic in many applications in machine vision and image analysis. Texture feature extracted from the original texture image by using “Tuned” mask is one of the simplest and most effective methods. However, hill climbing based training methods could not acquire the satisfying mask at a time; on the other hand, some commonly used evolutionary algorithms like genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) easily fall into the local optimum. A novel approach for texture image classification exemplified with recognition of residential area is detailed in the paper. In the proposed approach, “Tuned” mask is viewed as a constrained optimization problem and the optimal “Tuned” mask is acquired by maximizing the texture energy via a newly proposed gravitational search algorithm (GSA). The optimal “Tuned” mask is achieved through the convergence of GSA. The proposed approach has been, respectively, tested on some public texture and remote sensing images. The results are then compared with that of GA, PSO, honey-bee mating optimization (HBMO), and artificial immune algorithm (AIA). Moreover, feature extracted by Gabor wavelet is also utilized to make a further comparison. Experimental results show that the proposed method is robust and adaptive and exhibits better performance than other methods involved in the paper in terms of fitness value and classification accuracy.
Registration and Summation of Respiratory-Gated or Breath-Hold PET Images Based on Deformation Estimation of Lung from CT Image
Authors: Haneishi Hideaki , Kanai Masayuki , Tamai Yoshitaka , Sakohira Atsushi , Suga Kazuyoshi
Published: December 2016

Lung motion due to respiration causes image degradation in medical imaging, especially in nuclear medicine which requires long acquisition times. We have developed a method for image correction between the respiratory-gated (RG) PET images in different respiration phases or breath-hold (BH) PET images in an inconsistent respiration phase. In the method, the RG or BH-PET images in different respiration phases are deformed under two criteria: similarity of the image intensity distribution and smoothness of the estimated motion vector field (MVF). However, only these criteria may cause unnatural motion estimation of lung. In this paper, assuming the use of a PET-CT scanner, we add another criterion that is the similarity for the motion direction estimated from inhalation and exhalation CT images. The proposed method was first applied to a numerical phantom XCAT with tumors and then applied to BH-PET image data for seven patients. The resultant tumor contrasts and the estimated motion vector fields were compared with those obtained by our previous method. Through those experiments we confirmed that the proposed method can provide an improved and more stable image quality for both RG and BH-PET images.
Overview of the Role of Vanillin on Redox Status and Cancer Development
Authors: Bezerra Daniel Pereira , Soares Anne Karine Nascimento , de Sousa Damião Pergentino
Published: December 2016

Bioactive natural products play critical roles in modern drug development, especially anticancer agents. It has been widely reported that various pharmacological activities of such compounds are related to their antioxidant properties. Vanillin is a natural substance widely found in many plant species and often used in beverages, foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. Antioxidant and anticancer potential have been described for this compound. Considering the importance of vanillin in the area of human health and food and pharmaceuticals sectors, in this review, we discuss the role of vanillin on redox status and its potential contribution to the prevention and the treatment of cancer.
MMP20 rs1784418 Protects Certain Populations against Caries
Authors: Filho Arnôldo V.A. , Calixto Merilene S. , Deeley Kathleen , Santos Neide , Rosenblatt Aronita , Vieira Alexandre R.
Published: December 2016

This work aimed to further evaluate the association of MMP20 rs1784418 C>T and dental caries experience with the hypothesis that MMP20 rs1784418 C>T is a risk factor for dental caries. 184 children 4-7 years of age had their caries experience determined and buccal cheek swabs collected for DNA extraction to test for association with the MMP20 rs1784418 C>T using standard statistical approaches. A meta-analytic approach was also implemented to compile previous discrepant reports of the same association. We found an association between MMP20 rs1784418 C>T and dental caries experience in primary dentition (p = 0.01). The meta-analysis showed that this association appears to favor individuals born in Brazil and not Turkey. MMP20 rs1784418 C>T appears to protect against dental caries, but its effects are likely to be more marked in certain populations.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery of Brainstem Cavernous Malformations
Authors: Aboukais Rabih , Estrade Laurent , Devos Patrick , Blond Serge , Lejeune Jean-Paul , Reyns Nicolas
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims: Our study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and morbidity of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) in the treatment of hemorrhagic brainstem cavernous malformations (CMs). Methods: We included in this study all patients who underwent GKS for the treatment of a hemorrhagic brainstem CM(s) in our institution between January 2007 and December 2012. The GKS was privileged when the surgical procedure was evaluated as very risky. The mean dose of radiation was 14.8 Gy, and the mean target volume was 0.282 cm3. All patients participated in a scheduled clinical follow-up. The posttreatment MRI was performed after 6 months and after 1 year, and then all patients had an annual MRI follow-up. Results: There were 19 patients with a mean age of 36.7 years. The mean follow-up period was 51.2 months. The annual hemorrhage rate (AHR) was 27.31% before GKS, 2.46% during the first 2 years following the GKS, and 2.46% after the first 2 years following the GKS. The decrease in AHR after GKS was significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: GKS should be suggested when the surgical procedure harbors a high risk of neurological morbidity in patients with brainstem CM. Compared to prior literature results, a lower dose than applied in this study could be discussed.
Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of a Spatial EA Parallel Boosting Algorithm
Authors: Kamath Uday , Domeniconi Carlotta , De Jong Kenneth
Published: December 2016

Many real-world problems involve massive amounts of data. Under these circumstances learning algorithms often become prohibitively expensive, making scalability a pressing issue to be addressed. A common approach is to perform sampling to reduce the size of the dataset and enable efficient learning. Alternatively, one customizes learning algorithms to achieve scalability. In either case, the key challenge is to obtain algorithmic efficiency without compromising the quality of the results. In this article we discuss a meta-learning algorithm (PSBML) that combines concepts from spatially structured evolutionary algorithms (SSEAs) with concepts from ensemble and boosting methodologies to achieve the desired scalability property. We present both theoretical and empirical analyses which show that PSBML preserves a critical property of boosting, specifically, convergence to a distribution centered around the margin. We then present additional empirical analyses showing that this meta-level algorithm provides a general and effective framework that can be used in combination with a variety of learning classifiers. We perform extensive experiments to investigate the trade-off achieved between scalability and accuracy, and robustness to noise, on both synthetic and real-world data. These empirical results corroborate our theoretical analysis, and demonstrate the potential of PSBML in achieving scalability without sacrificing accuracy.
Timing in Predictive Coding: The Roles of Task Relevance and Global Probability
Authors: Sherwell Chase , Garrido Marta I. , Cunnington Ross
Published: December 2016

Predictive coding models of attention propose that attention and prediction operate synergistically to optimize perception, as reflected in interactive effects on early sensory neural responses. It is yet unclear whether attention and prediction based on the temporal attributes of expected events operate in a similar fashion. We investigated how attention and prediction based on timing interact by manipulating the task relevance and a priori probability of auditory stimulus onset timing within a go/no-go task while recording EEG. Preparatory activity, as indexed via the contingent negative variation, reflected temporally specific anticipation as a function of both attention and prediction. Higher stimulus probability led to significant predictive N1 suppression; however, we failed to find an effect of task relevance on N1 amplitude and an interaction of task relevance with prediction. We suggest the predictability of sensory timing is the predominant influence on early sensory responses where a priori probabilities allow for strong prior beliefs. When this is the case, we find that the effects of temporal prediction on early sensory responses are independent of the task relevance of sensory stimuli. Our findings contribute to the expansion of predictive coding frameworks to include the role of timing in sensory processing.
Parahippocampal and Entorhinal Resection Extent Predicts Verbal Memory Decline in an Epilepsy Surgery Cohort
Authors: Liu Anli , Thesen Thomas , Barr William , Morrison Chris , Dugan Patricia , Wang Xiuyuan , Meager Michael , Doyle Werner , Kuzniecky Ruben , Devinsky Orrin , Blackmon Karen
Published: December 2016

The differential contribution of medial-temporal lobe regions to verbal declarative memory is debated within the neuroscience, neuropsychology, and cognitive psychology communities. We evaluate whether the extent of surgical resection within medial-temporal regions predicts longitudinal verbal learning and memory outcomes. This single-center retrospective observational study involved patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy undergoing unilateral anterior temporal lobe resection from 2007 to 2015. Thirty-two participants with Engel Class 1 and 2 outcomes were included (14 left, 18 right) and followed for a mean of 2.3 years after surgery (±1.5 years). Participants had baseline and postsurgical neuropsychological testing and high-resolution T1-weighted MRI scans. Postsurgical lesions were manually traced and coregistered to presurgical scans to precisely quantify resection extent of medial-temporal regions. Verbal learning and memory change scores were regressed on hippocampal, entorhinal, and parahippocampal resection volume after accounting for baseline performance. Overall, there were no significant differences in learning and memory change between patients who received left and right anterior temporal lobe resection. After controlling for baseline performance, the extent of left parahippocampal resection accounted for 27% (p = .021) of the variance in verbal short delay free recall. The extent of left entorhinal resection accounted for 37% (p = .004) of the variance in verbal short delay free recall. Our findings highlight the critical role that the left parahippocampal and entorhinal regions play in recall for verbal material.
A new species of Solanum subg. Leptostemonum (Solanaceae) from the southern Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: AGRA MARIA DE FÁTIMA , STEHMANN JOÃO RENATO
Published: December 2016

Solanum mellobarretoi, a new species of Solanum subg. Leptostemonum (Solanaceae), is described and illustrated. It is endemic to Brazil and restricted to the southern Espinhaço Range in the State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Solanum mellobarretoi is morphologically related to S. leptostachys Dunal, from which it differs by its irregularly lobed lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate leaves, irregularly lobed, ovate to lanceolate calyx lobes, larger flowers, and pentagonal rotate corolla with cuspidate lobes. Although known in other groups of Solanum, the explosive seed dispersal mechanism found in this species is described here for the first time for the spiny solanums. The affinities with S. leptostachys, geographic distribution, ecology and conservation status of S. mellobarretoi are discussed.
In vitro patterning of pluripotent stem cell-derived intestine recapitulates in vivo human development
Authors: Tsai Yu-Hwai , Nattiv Roy , Dedhia Priya H. , Nagy Melinda S. , Chin Alana M. , Thomson Matthew , Klein Ophir , Spence Jason
Published: December 2016

The intestine plays a central role in digestion, nutrient absorption and metabolism, with individual regions of the intestine having distinct functional roles. For example, the most proximal region of the small intestine, the duodenum, is associated with absorption of micronutrients such as iron and folate, whereas the more distal ileum is responsible for recycling bile salts. Many examples of region-specific gene expression in the adult intestine are known, but how intestinal regional identity is established during development is a largely open question. Here, we identified several genes that are expressed in a region-specific manner in the developing human intestine, and using human embryonic stem cell derived intestinal organoids, we demonstrate that the time of exposure to active FGF and WNT signaling controls regional identity. Exposure to short durations of FGF4 and CHIR99021 (a GSK3β inhibitor that stabilizes β-CATENIN) resulted in organoids with gene expression patterns similar to developing human duodenum, whereas long durations of exposure resulted in organoids similar to ileum. When region-specific organoids were transplanted into immunocompromised mice, duodenum-like organoids and ileum-like organoids retained their regional identity, demonstrating that regional identity of organoids is stable after initial patterning occurs. This work provides insights into the mechanisms that control regional specification of the developing human intestine and provides new tools for basic and translational research.
Orally administrated fatty acids enhanced anorectic potential but did not activate central fatty acid sensing in Senegalese sole post-larvae
Authors: Velasco Cristina , Bonacic Kruno , Soengas José L. , Morais Sofia
Published: December 2016

Studies in fish have reported the presence and function of fatty acid (FA)-sensing systems comparable in many aspects to those known in mammals. Such studies were carried out in juvenile and adult fish, but the presence of FA sensing systems and control of food intake has never been evaluated in early stages, despite the importance of establishing when appetite regulation becomes functional in larval fish. In this study we aimed to elucidate the possible effects of different specific FA on neural FA sensing systems and neuropeptides involved in the control of food intake in Senegalese sole post-larvae. To achieve this, we orally administered post-larvae with different solutions containing pure FA - oleate (OA), linoleate (LA), α-linolenate (ALA) or eicosapentaenoate (EPA) - and evaluated changes in mRNA abundance of neuropeptides involved in the control of food intake and of transcripts related to putative FA-sensing systems, 3 h and 6 h post-administration. Results of neuropeptide gene expression were relatively consistent with the activation of anorectic pathways (enhanced cart4 and pomcb) and decrease in orexigenic factors (npy) following intake of FA. Even if there were a few differences depending on the nature of the FA, the observed changes appear to suggest the existence of a putative anorectic response in fish post-larvae to the ingestion of all four tested FA. However, changes in neuropeptides cannot be explained by the integration of metabolic information of FA in circulation through FA sensing mechanisms in the brain. Only the reduction in mRNA levels of acc in OA- (6 h), ALA- (3 h) and EPA-treated (3 h and 6 h) post-larvae could be indicative of the presence of a FA sensing system, but most genes were either not significantly regulated (fat/cd36-lmp2, acly, kir6.x, srebp1c) or were affected (fat/cd36-pg4l, fas, cpt1.1, cpt1.2, cpt1.3, sur, pparα and lxrα) in a way inconsistent with FA sensing mechanisms.
RT-qPCR and RT-Digital PCR: A Comparison of Different Platforms for the Evaluation of Residual Disease in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Alikian Mary , Whale Alexandra S , Akiki Susanna , Piechocki Kim , Torrado Celia , Myint Thet , Cowen Simon , Griffiths Michael , Reid Alistair G , Apperley Jane , White Helen , Huggett Jim F , Foroni Letizia
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the cornerstone of successful clinical management of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Quantitative monitoring of the percentage of the fusion transcript BCR-ABL1 (breakpoint cluster region–c-abl oncogene 1, non-receptor tyrosine kinase) BCR-ABL1IS (%BCR-ABL1IS) by reverse transcription–quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is the gold standard strategy for evaluating patient response to TKIs and classification into prognostic subgroups. However, this approach can be challenging to perform in a reproducible manner. Reverse-transcription digital PCR (RT-dPCR) is an adaptation of this method that could provide the robust and standardized workflow needed for truly standardized patient stratification.

METHODS

BCR-ABL1 and ABL1 transcript copy numbers were quantified in a total of 102 samples; 70 CML patients undergoing TKI therapy and 32 non-CML individuals. 3 commercially available digital PCR platforms (QS3D, QX200 and Raindrop) were compared with the platform routinely used in the clinic for RT-qPCR using the EAC (Europe Against Cancer) assay.

RESULTS

Measurements on all instruments correlated well when the %BCR-ABL1IS was ≥0.1%. In patients with residual disease below this level, greater variations were measured both within and between instruments limiting comparable performance to a 4 log dynamic range.

CONCLUSIONS

RT-dPCR was able to quantify low-level BCR-ABL1 transcript copies but was unable to improve sensitivity below the level of detection achieved by RT-qPCR. However, RT-dPCR was able to perform these sensitive measurements without use of a calibration curve. Adaptions to the protocol to increase the amount of RNA measured are likely to be necessary to improve the analytical sensitivity of BCR-ABL testing on a dPCR platform.
The Solar Army
Authors: Colón Jorge
Published: December 2016

In February 2011, I participated in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Conference held in Washington, DC. At the conference, I attended a symposium titled,
The Political Economy of an “Asian” Mega-FTA
Authors: Ravenhill John
Published: December 2016

Like other proposed mega-FTAs, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is intended to address twenty-first-century trade issues. The attributes of the RCEP negotiations are unique, however—being shaped by the dominant political interests in its member states and by the particular character of economic interdependence in the region.
The Working Memory of Musicians and Nonmusicians
Authors: Talamini Francesca , Carretti Barbara , Grassi Massimo
Published: December 2016

Musicians have superior performances compared to nonmusicians in many auditory perception tasks. This superiority extends to memory tasks such as the digit span. Literature suggests that the musicians’ advantage unfolds along two axes: sensory modality (musicians perform better when the task is auditory) and task complexity (musicians tend to perform better in the forward and not — for example — backward digit span). In addition, it is unclear whether there are specific music abilities linked with improved performance in the digit span. Here, musicians and nonmusicians performed a digit span task that was presented aurally, visually, or audiovisually. The task was performed with or without a concurrent task (i.e., articulatory suppression) in order to explore the role of rehearsal strategies and also manipulate task complexity. Finally, music abilities of all participants were assessed using the Profile of Music Perception Skills (PROMS) test. Musicians had larger spans than nonmusicians regardless of the sensory modality and the concurrent task. In addition, the auditory and audiovisual spans (but not visual) were correlated with one subscale of the PROMS test. Findings suggest a general advantage of musicians over nonmusicians in verbal working memory tasks, with a possible role of sensory modality and task complexity.
Growth hormone: a newly identified developmental organizer
Authors: Das Rajat K , Banerjee Sarmistha , Shapiro Bernard H
Published: December 2016

The sexually dimorphic expression of cytochromes P450 (CYP) drug-metabolizing enzymes has been reported in all species examined. These sex differences are only expressed during adulthood and are solely regulated by sex differences in circulating growth hormone (GH) profiles. Once established, however, the different male- and female-dependent CYP isoform profiles are permanent and immutable, suggesting that adult CYP expression requires imprinting. As the hormone that regulates an adult function is likely the same hormone that imprints the function, we selectively blocked GH secretion in some newborn male rats, whereas others received concurrent physiologic replacement of rat GH. The results demonstrate that adult male GH activation of the signal transduction pathway regulating expression of the principal CYP2C11 isoform is obligatorily dependent on perinatal GH imprinting, without which CYP2C11 and drug metabolism would be permanently and profoundly suppressed. As there are other adult metabolic functions also regulated by GH, pediatric drug therapy known to disrupt GH secretion could unintentionally impair adult health.
EFFECT OF ROSELLE CALYX EXTRACT ON GINGIPAIN ACTIVITY, PRODUCTION OF INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES, AND ORAL BACTERIAL MORPHOLOGY
Authors: Sulistyani Herastuti , Fujita Mari , Nakazawa Futoshi
Published: December 2016

This study to investigate the effect of roselle calyx extract on gingipain activity, production of inflammatory cytokines, and oral bacterial morphology. The inhibitory effect of roselle calyx extract (RCE) on Arg- (Rgp) and Lys-gingipain (Kgp) was evaluated using synthetic substrate colorimetric assay with a 96-well microtiter plate. RCE with various concentrations was tested for determination of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 produced from KB cells stimulated with heat-inactivated P. gingivalis. The production of IL-6 and IL-8 was quantified using an ELISA kit. The morphological alterations in cells of S. mutans and P. gingivalis after treatment with RCE were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RCE could inhibit both Rgp (90%) and Kgp (70%) activities significantly at concentrations lower than the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (2.2 mg/mL). Furthermore, the production of IL-6 and IL-8 from KB cells stimulated with P. gingivalis was significantly inhibited by RCE at 6 h after exposure, in a dose-dependent manner. After treatment with RCE, the morphological alterations were observed in cells of S. mutans and P. gingivalis by using SEM. The ability of RCE to inhibit gingipain activity and production of inflammatory cytokines indicates that RCE could be considered for prevention and clinical treatment for periodontitis.
Fabric, Skin, Color: Picturing Antilles’ Markets as an Inventory of Human Diversity
Authors: Lafont Anne
Published: December 2016

The confrontation of West Indies’ variegated and mixed-race populations with painting’s material (canvas and pigments) and human classificatory systems proper to the era of Encyclopédie’s illustrations prove to be, regarding race and racialization process, a notably interesting research field. Yet, until today, the idea of early modern Caribbean painting has not been raised as such and this is therefore what I propose to study in this article. Indeed, Caribbean painting by means of figurative inventiveness and because of his grounding in the geographical, political, and historical specificity of racial and cultural archipelago, created an original pictorial inventory of human diversity.
Antropología étnica: raza en la institucionalización de la antropología en Colombia
Authors: Castañeda V Carolina
Published: December 2016

En este artículo rastreo la introducción de la noción de raza durante la institucionalización de la antropología en Colombia en la década los cuarenta, concretamente en la práctica antropológica de la primera generación de antropólogos dirigidos por Paul Rivet. Me interesa mostrar que las ideas de antropología de Rivet y su firme propósito de eliminar la verdad de la raza biológica impuesta en la Segunda Guerra Mundial (sgm) reemplazaron la idea de raza por la de cultura, al tiempo que problematizo la forma en que la antropología étnica intercambió nominalmente raza por cultura. En este texto se adelanta una genealogía a través de los primeros trabajos antropológicos que sirvieron de fuente para Los orígenes del hombre americano. Con ello, se pretende evidenciar cómo la idea de cultura “desracializó” la discusión antropológica pero “re-racializó” los cuerpos indígenas. Al describir el modelo de estudio antropológico enseñado por Rivet a grupos sociales previamente marcados como indios, concluyo que la práctica antropométrica y etnográfica fue un violento camino epistémico de “re-racialización” de lo indio en Colombia.
Editorial. Raza: Perspectivas transatlánticas
Authors: Schaub Jean-Frédéric , Sebastiani Silvia , Hering Torres Max S.
Published: December 2016

Dos mujeres bajo un parasol rojo. Una de ellas, blanca; la otra, negra. La esclava porta la sombrilla para proteger a su ama de los efectos del sol. Todo ocurre en un mercado, en medio de la vida cotidiana en las Antillas. Esta circunstancia hace parte de algo más amplio. En un primer plano aparecen seres de diferentes colores, mercancías de consumo, textiles, arte, animales y, nuevamente, esclavos o pardos libres. En un segundo plano, incluso más extenso, se divisa el mar insinuando una red de comercio transatlántico. En medio de ese acontecimiento congelado se intuyen aspectos, aunque sin representación evidente. Muchos los sentían y vivían: prejuicios, estereotipos y jerarquías sociales que juntos formaban una poderosa matriz social del mundo colonial. La imagen es sin duda solo un fragmento del día a día. No hace falta decirlo, se trata de la portada del presente número, una pintura de Agostino Brunias de finales del siglo xviii que comentamos como abrebocas para el nuevo dossier en manos del lector.
Mauro Vega Bendezú. Discursos sobre “raza” y nación en Colombia, 1880-1930.
Authors: Rubiano Muñoz Rafael
Published: December 2016

Discursos sobre “raza” y nación en Colombia, 1880-1930 constituye un aporte a la investigación sobre la formación de la nación en Colombia durante los siglos xix al xx. El libro es producto de la investigación de tesis de maestría del autor y se centra en mostrar cómo las elites del país concibieron y, en específico, aplicaron con la legislación y otros recursos políticos y culturales, formas de poder y hegemonía mediante las cuales establecieron su dominio a partir del control social, la higienización -“depuración racial o blanqueamiento de la raza”- y el señalamiento a los grupos que resistieron esas formas arbitrarias de poder desde arriba. La estructura del libro está dividida en una introducción, cuatro capítulos, las conclusiones, la bibliografía y una corta semblanza del autor. El primer capítulo es un análisis metodológico de la “alteridad”, a partir de la perspectiva poscolonial y decolonial; siguiendo a autores de renombre en ese campo, trata de demostrar – lamentablemente de modo uniforme– el carácter cruel y violento del proceso de europeización y de sus valores “irracionales” más recurrentes. Los capítulos del dos al cinco se dedican a sustentar la postura metodológica con un material de fuentes y de análisis sobre el racismo colombiano en los siglos xix y xx.
Andrés Felipe Castañeda Morales. Encantos y peligros de la ciudad nocturna. Cali 1910-1930.
Authors: Cuevas Arenas Héctor
Published: December 2016

La noche como espacio de prácticas y relaciones sociales, de proyectos y contingencias entre los distintos actores, así como la exploración de valoraciones, experiencias y expectativas que se generaban sobre dicho horario, constituye una temática todavía inédita para la historiografía colombiana.Con este antecedente, el trabajo de Castañeda aporta desde una mirada descriptiva en la cimentación de este objeto de estudio, con un ejercicio interdisciplinar donde confluyen la historia social urbana y la de la vida cotidiana, junto a los aportes de la Comunicación Social, la Antropología y la Sociología urbana, e incluso la Literatura.
Historia intelectual: El pensamiento colombiano en el siglo xix
Authors: Cataño Gonzalo
Published: December 2016

Se ofrece un balance del libro de Jaime Jaramillo Uribe El pensamiento colombiano en el siglo xix, publicado en 1964. Se describe su contenido, se exploran sus fuentes y se evalúan sus contribuciones a la historia de las ideas en el país. Se apuntan, igualmente, algunas limitaciones y se subraya su carácter de obra precursora en el campo de la historia intelectual.
Reflexiones sobre la producción, circulación y uso de las publicaciones académicas en las ciencias sociales
Authors: Lux Martha , Pérez Ana
Published: December 2016

En el texto se reflexiona sobre las actuales exigencias de calidad y las formas de difusión de los trabajos de historiadores y académicos de las ciencias sociales en Colombia, Latinoamérica y otras geografías. Acceder y dialogar con una comunidad ampliada de investigadores lleva a consideraciones sobre la circulación y el uso de lo que se produce y divulga, a definir si la investigación debe publicarse en formato de libro, de revista, o en ambos, y también a decisiones sobre lo impreso y lo digital. Se analizan las dificultades que afrontan los científicos sociales para conciliar los medios tradicionales con los nuevos formatos de circulación y uso del conocimiento.
Growth model of the pineapple guava fruit as a function of thermal time and altitude
Authors: Parra-Coronado Alfonso , Fischer Gerhard , Fischer Gerhard , Camacho-Tamayo Jesus Hernan , Camacho-Tamayo Jesus Hernan
Published: December 2016

The growth of the pineapple guava fruit is primarily stimulated by temperature but is also influenced by other climactic factors, such as altitude. The goal of this study was to develop a growth model for the pineapple guava fruit as a function of thermal time (GDD, growing-degree day) and altitude (H) of the production area. Twenty trees per farm were marked in two sites in the Cundinamarca department (Colombia) during the 2012 and 2014 seasons. The measurements were performed every seven days after day 96 and 99 post-anthesis until harvest in the sites of Tenjo (2,580 m.a.s.l.) and San Francisco de Sales (1,800 m.a.s.l.), respectively. A growth model was produced for weight as a function of fruit length and diameter as well as for the weight of the fruit as a function of GDD and H, with this last measure adjusted to a sigmoidal logistic growth model. The parameters for the regression analysis showed that the models satisfactorily predicted fruit growth for both of the sites, with a high determination coefficient. The cross-validation showed good statistical fit between the predicted and observed models; the intercept was not significantly different than zero, and the slope was statistically equal to one.
Biomarkers identification in Alzheimer’s disease using effective connectivity analysis from electroencephalography recordings
Authors: Suárez Revelo Jazmín Ximena , Ochoa Gomez John Fredy , Duque Grajales Jon Edinson , Tobón Quintero Carlos Andres
Published: December 2016

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, which generally affects people over 65 years old. Some genetic mutations induce early onset of AD and help to track the evolution of the symptoms and the physiological changes at different stages of the disease. In Colombia there is a large family group with the PSEN1 E280A mutation with a median age of 46,8 years old for onset of symptoms. AD has been defined as a disconnection syndrome; consequently, network approaches could help to capture different features of the disease. The aim of the current work is to identify a biomarker in AD that helps in the tracking of the neurodegenerative process. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded during the encoding of visual information for four groups of individuals: asymptomatic and mild cognitive impairment carriers of the PSEN1 E280A mutation, and two non-carrier control groups. For each individual, the effective connectivity was estimated using the direct Directed Transfer Function and three measurements from graph theory were extracted: input strength, output strength and total strength. A relation between the cognitive status and age of the participants with the connectivity features was calculated. For those connectivity measures in which there is a relation with the age or the clinical scale, the performance as a diagnostic feature was evaluated. We found that output strength connectivity in the right occipito-parietal region is related to age of the carrier groups (r=−0,54, p=0,0036) and has a high sensitivity and high specificity to distinguish between carriers and non-carriers (67% sensitivity and 80% specificity in asymptomatic cases, and 83% sensitivity and 67% specificity in symptomatic cases). This relationship indicates that output strength connectivity could be related to the neurodegenerative process of the disease and could help to track the conversion from the asymptomatic stage to dementia.