bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heuristics for Routing Heterogeneous Unmanned Vehicles with Fuel Constraints
Authors: Levy David , Sundar Kaarthik , Rathinam Sivakumar
Published: April 2014

This paper addresses a multiple depot, multiple unmanned vehicle routing problem with fuel constraints. The objective of the problem is to find a tour for each vehicle such that all the specified targets are visited at least once by some vehicle, the tours satisfy the fuel constraints, and the total travel cost of the vehicles is a minimum. We consider a scenario where the vehicles are allowed to refuel by visiting any of the depots or fuel stations. This is a difficult optimization problem that involves partitioning the targets among the vehicles and finding a feasible tour for each vehicle. The focus of this paper is on developing fast variable neighborhood descent (VND) and variable neighborhood search (VNS) heuristics for finding good feasible solutions for large instances of the vehicle routing problem. Simulation results are presented to corroborate the performance of the proposed heuristics on a set of 23 large instances obtained from a standard library. These results show that the proposed VND heuristic, on an average, performed better than the proposed VNS heuristic for the tested instances.
Snapping Knee Caused by Medial Meniscal Cyst
Authors: Ohishi Tsuyoshi , Suzuki Daisuke , Yamamoto Kazufumi , Banno Tomohiro , Ushirozako Hiroki , Koide Yoichi , Matsuyama Yukihiro
Published: April 2014

Snapping phenomenon around the medial aspect of the knee is rare. We present this case of snapping knee caused by the sartorius muscle over a large medial meniscal cyst in a 66-year-old female. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated a large medial meniscal cyst with a horizontal tear of the medial meniscus. Arthroscopic cyst decompression with limited meniscectomy resulted in the disappearance of snapping, and no recurrence of the cyst was observed during a 2-year follow-up period.
The Effects of Early-Life Predator Stress on Anxiety- and Depression-Like Behaviors of Adult Rats
Authors: Chen Lu-jing , Shen Bing-qing , Liu Dan-dan , Li Sheng-tian
Published: April 2014

Childhood emotional trauma contributes significantly to certain psychopathologies, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. In experimental animals, however, whether or not early-life stress results in behavioral abnormalities in adult animals still remains controversial. Here, we investigated both short-term and long-term changes of anxiety- and depression-like behaviors of Wistar rats after being exposed to chronic feral cat stress in juvenile ages. The 2-week predator stress decreased spontaneous activities immediately following stress but did not increase depression- or anxiety-like behaviors 4 weeks after the stimulation in adulthood. Instead, juvenile predator stress had some protective effects, though not very obvious, in adulthood. We also exposed genetic depression model rats, Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, to the same predator stress. In WKY rats, the same early-life predator stress did not enhance anxiety- or depression-like behaviors in both the short-term and long-term. However, the stressed WKY rats showed slightly reduced depression-like behaviors in adulthood. These results indicate that in both normal Wistar rats and WKY rats, early-life predator stress led to protective, rather than negative, effects in adulthood.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome—Hypermobility Type and Hemorrhoids
Authors: Plackett Timothy P. , Kwon Edward , Gagliano Ronald A. , Oh Robert C.
Published: April 2014

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome-hypermobility type (EDS-HT) is a connective tissue disorder associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The diagnosis is based on simple clinical examination, although it is easily overlooked. Herein we present a case of EDS-HT associated with hemorrhoids and suggest that there may be an association between the two conditions.
Morphometric and Statistical Analysis of the Palmaris Longus Muscle in Human and Non-Human Primates
Authors: Aversi-Ferreira Roqueline A. G. M. F. , Bretas Rafael Vieira , Maior Rafael Souto , Davaasuren Munkhzul , Paraguassú-Chaves Carlos Alberto , Nishijo Hisao , Aversi-Ferreira Tales Alexandre
Published: April 2014

The palmaris longus is considered a phylogenetic degenerate metacarpophalangeal joint flexor muscle in humans, a small vestigial forearm muscle; it is the most variable muscle in humans, showing variation in position, duplication, slips and could be reverted. It is frequently studied in papers about human anatomical variations in cadavers andin vivo, its variation has importance in medical clinic, surgery, radiological analysis, in studies about high-performance athletes, in genetics and anthropologic studies. Most studies about palmaris longus in humans are associated to frequency or case studies, but comparative anatomy in primates and comparative morphometry were not found in scientific literature. Comparative anatomy associated to morphometry of palmaris longus could explain the degeneration observed in this muscle in two of three of the great apes. Hypothetically, the comparison of the relative length of tendons and belly could indicate the pathway of the degeneration of this muscle, that is, the degeneration could be associated to increased tendon length and decreased belly from more primitive primates to those most derivate, that is, great apes to modern humans. In conclusion, in primates, the tendon of the palmaris longus increase from Lemuriformes to modern humans, that is, from arboreal to terrestrial primates and the muscle became weaker and tending to be missing.
Fare Design in Urban Transit Network considering Elastic Demand and Adverse Weather’s Impact
Authors: Zhang Jiantong , Lv Biyu , Tian Guichao , Liu Wenchi
Published: April 2014

Due to the disturbance of unexpected effects and adverse weather conditions, transit supply and demand manifests many uncertainties. In this paper, we take account of these uncertainties and propose a transit fare structure design model including both ground and underground public transportation. Such transit fare design problem is described through bilevel programming, in which the upper level is the transportation authority’s transit fare structure decision aiming to minimize the transit network’s total travel and operation cost, while the lower level is a transit network assignment model considering supply and demand uncertainties that influence passengers’ travel choice decisions. A heuristic algorithm is developed to solve the problem, and a numerical example is presented to illustrate the application. We get some important results: (1) a diversified fare structure considering uncertain weather’s impact is quite necessary; (2) when the value of time is at a high level, metro fare should be higher than bus fare; (3) the optimal metro and bus fare should be close under an extremely adverse weather condition; (4) fare structure could be quite different with varied value of time.
Stateless Malware Packet Detection by Incorporating Naive Bayes with Known Malware Signatures
Authors: Ismail Ismahani , Mohd Nor Sulaiman , Marsono Muhammad Nadzir
Published: April 2014

Malware detection done at the network infrastructure level is still an open research problem ,considering the evolution of malwares and high detection accuracy needed to detect these threats. Content based classification techniques have been proven capable of detecting malware without matching for malware signatures. However, the performance of the classification techniques depends on observed training samples. In this paper, a new detection method that incorporates Snort malware signatures into Naive Bayes model training is proposed. Through experimental work, we prove that the proposed work results in low features search space for effective detection at the packet level. This paper also demonstrates the viability of detecting malware at the stateless level (using packets) as well as at the stateful level (using TCP byte stream). The result shows that it is feasible to detect malware at the stateless level with similar accuracy to the stateful level, thus requiring minimal resource for implementation on middleboxes. Stateless detection can give a better protection to end users by detecting malware on middleboxes without having to reconstruct stateful sessions and before malwares reach the end users.
On Quasi-Pseudometric Type Spaces
Authors: Kazeem Eniola Funmilayo , Agyingi Collins Amburo , Gaba Yaé Ulrich
Published: April 2014

We introduce the concept of a quasi-pseudometric type space and prove some fixed point theorems. Moreover, we connect this concept to the existing notion of quasi-cone metric space.
Exercise Training Could Improve Age-Related Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow and Capillary Vascularity through the Upregulation of VEGF and eNOS
Authors: Viboolvorakul Sheepsumon , Patumraj Suthiluk
Published: April 2014

This study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise training on age-induced microvascular alterations in the brain. Additionally, the association with the protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was also assessed. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: sedentary-young (SE-Young,n=5), sedentary aged (SE-Aged,n=8), immersed-aged (IM-Aged,n=5), and exercise trained-aged (ET-Aged, 60 minutes/day and 5 days/week for 8 weeks,n=8) rats. The MAPs of all aged groups, SE-Aged, IM-Aged, and ET-Aged, were significantly higher than that of the SE-Young group. The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the SE-Aged and IM-Aged was significantly decreased as compared to SE-Young groups. However, rCBF of ET-Aged group was significantly higher than that in the IM-Aged group (P<0.05). Moreover, the percentage of capillary vascularity (%CV) and the levels of VEGF and eNOS in the ET-Aged group were significantly increased compared to the IM-Aged group (P<0.05). These results imply that exercise training could improve age-induced microvascular changes and hypoperfusion closely associated with the upregulation of VEGF and eNOS.
Biofilm Localization in the Vertical Wall of Shaking 96-Well Plates
Authors: Gomes Luciana C. , Moreira Joana M. R. , Simões Manuel , Melo Luís F. , Mergulhão Filipe J.
Published: April 2014

Microtiter plates with 96 wells are being increasingly used for biofilm studies due to their high throughput, low cost, easy handling, and easy application of several analytical methods to evaluate different biofilm parameters. These methods provide bulk information about the biofilm formed in each well but lack in detail, namely, regarding the spatial location of the biofilms. This location can be obtained by microscopy observation using optical and electron microscopes, but these techniques have lower throughput and higher cost and are subjected to equipment availability. This work describes a differential crystal violet (CV) staining method that enabled the determination of the spatial location ofEscherichia colibiofilms formed in the vertical wall of shaking 96-well plates. It was shown that the biofilms were unevenly distributed on the wall with denser cell accumulation near the air-liquid interface. The results were corroborated by scanning electron microscopy and a correlation was found between biofilm accumulation and the wall shear strain rates determined by computational fluid dynamics. The developed method is quicker and less expensive and has a higher throughput than the existing methods available for spatial location of biofilms in microtiter plates.
Sufficient Descent Polak-Ribière-Polyak Conjugate Gradient Algorithm for Large-Scale Box-Constrained Optimization
Authors: Wang Qiuyu , Che Yingtao
Published: April 2014

A practical algorithm for solving large-scale box-constrained optimization problems is developed, analyzed, and tested. In the proposed algorithm, an identification strategy is involved to estimate the active set at per-iteration. The components of inactive variables are determined by the steepest descent method at first finite number of steps and then by conjugate gradient method subsequently. Under some appropriate conditions, we show that the algorithm converges globally. Numerical experiments and comparisons by using some box-constrained problems from CUTEr library are reported. Numerical comparisons illustrate that the proposed method is promising and competitive with the well-known method—L-BFGS-B.
Analysis and Enhancement of a Password Authentication and Update Scheme Based on Elliptic Curve Cryptography
Authors: Wang Lili
Published: April 2014

Recently, a password authentication and update scheme has been presented by Islam and Biswas to remove the security weaknesses in Lin and Huang’s scheme. Unfortunately, He et al., Wang et al., and Li have found out that Islam and Biswas’ improvement was vulnerable to offline password guessing attack, stolen verifier attack, privilege insider attack, and denial of service attack. In this paper, we further analyze Islam and Biswas’ scheme and demonstrate that their scheme cannot resist password compromise impersonation attack. In order to remedy the weaknesses mentioned above, we propose an improved anonymous remote authentication scheme using smart card without using bilinear paring computation. In addition, the verifier tables are no longer existent, and the privacy of users could be protected better. Furthermore, our proposal not only inherits the advantages in Islam and Biswas’ scheme, but also provides more features, including preserving user anonymity, supporting offline password change, revocation, reregistration with the same identifier, and system update. Finally, we compare our enhancement with related works to illustrate that the improvement is more secure and robust, while maintaining low performance cost.
Anticontrol of Chaos for a Class of Delay Difference Equations Based on Heteroclinic Cycles Connecting Repellers
Authors: Li Zongcheng
Published: April 2014

This paper is concerned with anticontrol of chaos for a class of delay difference equations via the feedback control technique. The controlled system is first reformulated into a high-dimensional discrete dynamical system. Then, a chaotification theorem based on the heteroclinic cycles connecting repellers for maps is established. The controlled system is proved to be chaotic in the sense of both Devaney and Li-Yorke. An illustrative example is provided with computer simulations.
Budd-Chiari Syndrome Caused by TIPS Malposition: A Case Report
Authors: Katkar A. S. , Kuo Anderson H. , Calle S. , Gangadhar K. , Chintapalli K.
Published: April 2014

Budd-Chiari syndrome refers to hepatic pathology secondary to diminished venous outflow, most commonly associated with venothrombotic disease. Clinically, patients with Budd-Chiari present with hepatomegaly, ascites, abdominal distension, and pain. On imaging, Budd-Chiari syndrome is hallmarked by occluded IVC and or hepatic veins, caudate lobe enlargement, heterogeneous liver enhancement, intrahepatic collaterals, and hypervascular nodules. Etiopathological factors for Budd-Chiari syndrome include several systemic thrombotic and nonthrombotic conditions that can cause venous outflow obstruction at hepatic veins and/or IVC. While the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is used as a treatment option for Budd-Chiari syndrome, Budd-Chiari syndrome is not a well-known complication of TIPS procedure. We report a case of Budd-Chiari syndrome that occurred in a transplanted cirrhotic liver from malpositioned proximal portion of the TIPS in IVC causing occlusion of the ostia of hepatic veins which was subsequently diagnosed on contrast-enhanced CT.
Aerobic Sludge Granulation in a Full-Scale Sequencing Batch Reactor
Authors: Li Jun , Ding Li-Bin , Cai Ang , Huang Guo-Xian , Horn Harald
Published: April 2014

Aerobic granulation of activated sludge was successfully achieved in a full-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with 50,000 m3 d−1for treating a town’s wastewater. After operation for 337 days, in this full-scale SBR, aerobic granules with an average SVI30of 47.1 mL g−1, diameter of 0.5 mm, and settling velocity of 42 m h−1were obtained. Compared to an anaerobic/oxic plug flow (A/O) reactor and an oxidation ditch (OD) being operated in this wastewater treatment plant, the sludge from full-scale SBR has more compact structure and excellent settling ability. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis indicated thatFlavobacteriumsp., uncultured beta proteobacterium, unculturedAquabacteriumsp., and unculturedLeptothrixsp. were just dominant in SBR, whereas uncultured bacteroidetes were only found in A/O and OD. Three kinds of sludge had a high content of protein in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis revealed that metal ions and some inorganics from raw wastewater precipitated in sludge acted as core to enhance granulation. Raw wastewater characteristics had a positive effect on the granule formation, but the SBR mode operating with periodic feast-famine, shorter settling time, and no return sludge pump played a crucial role in aerobic sludge granulation.
Immune Responses in Parkinson’s Disease: Interplay between Central and Peripheral Immune Systems
Authors: Su Xiaomin , Federoff Howard J.
Published: April 2014

The etiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and most likely involves numerous environmental and heritable risk factors. Recent studies establish that central and peripheral inflammation occurs in the prodromal stage of the disease and sustains disease progression. Aging, heritable risk factors, or environmental exposures may contribute to the initiation of central or peripheral inflammation. One emerging hypothesis is that inflammation plays a critical role in PD neuropathology. Increasing evidence suggest that activation of the peripheral immune system exacerbates the discordant central inflammatory response and synergistically drives neurodegeneration. We provide an overview of current knowledge on the temporal profile of central and peripheral immune responses in PD and discuss the potential synergistic effects of the central and peripheral inflammation in disease development. The understanding of the nature of the chronic inflammation in disease progression and the possible risk factors that contribute to altered central and peripheral immune responses will offer mechanistic insights into PD etiology and pathology and benefit the development of effective tailored therapeutics for human PD.
Integrated Analysis of Gene Network in Childhood Leukemia from Microarray and Pathway Databases
Authors: Chaiboonchoe Amphun , Samarasinghe Sandhya , Kulasiri Don , Salehi-Ashtiani Kourosh
Published: April 2014

Glucocorticoids (GCs) have been used as therapeutic agents for children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) for over 50 years. However, much remains to be understood about the molecular mechanism of GCs actions in ALL subtypes. In this study, we delineate differential responses of ALL subtypes, B- and T-ALL, to GCs treatment at systems level by identifying the differences among biological processes, molecular pathways, and interaction networks that emerge from the action of GCs through the use of a selected number of available bioinformatics methods and tools. We provide biological insight into GC-regulated genes, their related functions, and their networks specific to the ALL subtypes. We show that differentially expressed GC-regulated genes participate in distinct underlying biological processes affected by GCs in B-ALL and T-ALL with little to no overlap. These findings provide the opportunity towards identifying new therapeutic targets.
Salt Effect on the Cloud Point Phenomenon of Amphiphilic Drug-Hydroxypropylmethyl Cellulose System
Authors: Ali Mohd. Sajid , Kumar Dileep , Al-Lohedan Hamad A.
Published: April 2014

Effect of two amphiphilic drugs (tricyclic antidepressant, nortriptyline hydrochloride (NORT), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, sodium salt of ibuprofen (IBF)) on the cloud point of biopolymer hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) was studied. Effect of NaCl was also seen on the CP of HPMC-drug system. CP of HPMC increases uniformly on increasing the (drug). Both drugs, though one being anionic (IBF) and other cationic (NORT), affect the CP in almost the same manner but with different extent implying the role of hydrophobicity in the interaction between drug and polymer. Salt affects the CP of the drug in a dramatic way as low concentration of salt was only able to increase the value of the CP, though not affecting the pattern. However, in presence of high concentration of salts, minimum was observed on CP versus (drug) plots. Various thermodynamic parameters were evaluated and discussed on the basis of the observed results.
Management of Cardiorenal Metabolic Syndrome in Diabetes Mellitus: A Phytotherapeutic Perspective
Authors: Song Min Kyong , Davies Neal M. , Roufogalis Basil D. , Huang Tom Hsun-Wei
Published: April 2014

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a complex disease in which the heart and kidney are simultaneously affected and their deleterious declining functions are reinforced in a feedback cycle, with an accelerated progression. Although the coexistence of kidney and heart failure in the same individual carries an extremely bad prognosis, the exact cause of deterioration and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the initiation and maintenance of the interaction are complex, multifactorial in nature, and poorly understood. Current therapy includes diuretics, natriuretic hormones, aquaretics (arginine vasopressin antagonists), vasodilators, and inotropes. However, large numbers of patients still develop intractable disease. Moreover, the development of resistance to many standard therapies, such as diuretics and inotropes, has led to an increasing movement toward utilization and development of novel therapies. Herbal and traditional natural medicines may complement or provide an alternative to prevent or delay the progression of CRS. This review provides an analysis of the possible mechanisms and the therapeutic potential of phytotherapeutic medicines for the amelioration of the progression of CRS.
Comparing the Activity Profiles of Wheelchair Rugby Using a Miniaturised Data Logger and Radio-Frequency Tracking System
Authors: Mason Barry , Lenton John , Rhodes James , Cooper Rory , Goosey-Tolfrey Victoria
Published: April 2014

The current study assessed the validity and reliability of a miniaturised data logger (MDL) against a radio-frequency-based indoor tracking system (ITS) for quantifying key aspects of mobility performance during wheelchair rugby. Eleven international wheelchair rugby players were monitored by both devices during four wheelchair rugby matches. MDL data were averaged over both 1-second (MDL-1) and 5-second (MDL-5) intervals to calculate distance, mean, and peak speeds. The results revealed no significant differences between devices for the distance covered or mean speeds, although random errors of 10% and 12%, respectively, were identified in relation to the mean values. No significant differences in peak speed were revealed between ITS (3.91±0.32 m·s−1) and MDL-1 (3.85±0.45 m·s−1). Whereas peak speeds in MDL-5 (2.75±0.29  m·s−1) were significantly lower than ITS. Errors in peak speed led to large random errors in time and distance spent in speed zones relative to peak speed, especially in MDL-5. The current study revealed that MDL provide a reasonable representation of the distance and mean speed reported during wheelchair rugby. However, inaccuracy in the detection of peak speeds limits its use for monitoring performance and prescribing wheelchair rugby training programmes.
Tumor Microenvironment: A New Treatment Target for Cancer
Authors: Tsai Ming-Ju , Chang Wei-An , Huang Ming-Shyan , Kuo Po-Lin
Published: April 2014

Recent advances in cancer therapy encounter a bottleneck. Relapsing/recurrent disease almost always developed eventually with resistance to the initially effective drugs. Tumor microenvironment has been gradually recognized as a key contributor for cancer progression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition of the cancer cells, angiogenesis, cancer metastasis, and development of drug resistance, while dysregulated immune responses and interactions between various components in the microenvironment all play important roles. Future development of anticancer treatment should take tumor microenvironment into consideration. Besides, we also discuss the limitations of current pre-clinical testing models that mainly come from the impossibility in simulating all detailed carcinogenic mechanisms in human, especially failure to create the same tumor microenvironment. With the cumulating knowledge about tumor microenvironment, the design of a novel anticancer therapy may be facilitated and may have better chance for success in cancer eradication.
Computational Simulations of Flow and Oxygen/Drug Delivery in a Three-Dimensional Capillary Network
Authors: Lee T.-W. , Bae K.-S. , Choi Heung S. , Chern Ming-Jyh
Published: April 2014

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed to simulate the flow and delivery of oxygen and other substances in a capillary network. A three-dimensional capillary network has been constructed to replicate the one studied by Secomb et al. (2000), and the computational framework features a non-Newtonian viscosity model of blood and the oxygen transport model including in-stream oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation and wall flux due to tissue absorption, as well as an ability to study delivery of drugs and other materials in the capillary streams. The model is first run to compute the volumetric flow rates from the velocity profiles in the segments and compared with Secomb’s work with good agreement. Effects of abnormal pressure and stenosis conditions, as well as those arising from different capillary configurations, on the flow and oxygen delivery are investigated, along with a brief look at the unsteady effects and drug dispersion in the capillary network. The current approach allows for inclusion of oxygen and other material transports, including drugs, nutrients, or contaminants based on the flow simulations. Also, three-dimensional models of complex circulatory systems ranging in scale from macro- to microvascular vessels, in principle, can be constructed and analyzed in detail using the current method.
Convergence in Distribution of Some Self-Interacting Diffusions
Authors: Kurtzmann Aline
Published: April 2014

The present paper is concerned with some self-interacting diffusions(Xt,t≥0)living onℝd. These diffusions are solutions to stochastic differential equations:dXt=dBt-g(t)∇V(Xt-μ¯t)dt, whereμ¯tis the empirical mean of the processX,Vis an asymptotically strictly convex potential, andgis a given positive function. We study the asymptotic behaviour ofXfor three different families of functionsg. Ifgt=klog⁡twithksmall enough, then the processXconverges in distribution towards the global minima ofV, whereas iftg(t)→c∈]0,+∞]or ifg(t)→g(∞)∈[0,+∞[, thenXconverges in distribution if and only if∫xe-2V(x)  dx=0.
An Adult Patient with Ocular Myasthenia and Unusually Long Spontaneous Remission
Authors: Al-Hashel Jasem , Rashad Hanaa M. , Rousseff Rossen T.
Published: April 2014

A male patient developed ocular myasthenia gravis (MG) at the age of 33. He was anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody (anti-AChR Ab) negative. He received cholinesterase blocker for 5 months and went into a complete clinical remission that lasted untreated for 17 years. He relapsed recently with ocular symptoms only. He is now anti-AChR Ab positive and SFEMG is abnormal in a facial muscle. The patient is controlled with steroids. He had one of the longest spontaneous remissions reported in the natural history of MG, particularly unusual for an adult with the disease.
Assessment of Antioxidant Activity of Spray Dried Extracts ofPsidium guajavaLeaves by DPPH and Chemiluminescence Inhibition in Human Neutrophils
Authors: Fernandes M. R. V. , Azzolini A. E. C. S. , Martinez M. L. L. , Souza C. R. F. , Lucisano-Valim Y. M. , Oliveira W. P.
Published: April 2014

This work evaluated the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of spray dried extracts (SDE) fromPsidium guajavaL. leaves. Different drying carriers, namely, maltodextrin, colloidal silicon dioxide, Arabic gum, andβ-cyclodextrin at concentrations of 40 and 80% relative to solids content, were added to drying composition. SDE were characterized through determination of the total phenolic, tannins, and flavonoid content. Antioxidant potential of the SDE was assessed by two assays: cellular test that measures the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LumCL) produced by neutrophils stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and the DPPH radical scavenging (DPPH* method). In both assays the antioxidant activity of the SDE occurred in a concentration-dependent manner and showed no toxicity to the cells. Using the CLlummethod, the IC50ranged from 5.42 to 6.50 µg/mL. The IC50of the SDE ranged from 7.96 to 8.11 µg/mL using the DPPH•method.Psidium guajavaSDE presented significant antioxidant activity; thus they show high potential as an active phytopharmaceutical ingredient. Our findings in human neutrophils are pharmacologically relevant since they indicate thatP. guajavaSDE is a potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in human cells.
Transgastric Synthetic Mesh Migration, 9 Years after Liver Resection
Authors: You Jae , Onizuka Neil , Wong Linda
Published: April 2014

Complications of synthetic mesh have been described in various hernia procedures including migration and erosion, but no previous report mentions this complication after liver resection. This case describes a patient who had undergone a left hepatic resection with mesh pledgets sutured along the cut edge of the liver. He remained complication-free until nine years later when he presented with weight loss and early satiety, and endoscopy revealed mesh within the lumen of the stomach. While still attached to the liver, the mesh had eroded into the lumen of the stomach and he ultimately required surgery to remove this. The use of synthetic mesh in hepatectomies and other abdominal procedures may require further consideration by surgeons regarding its relatively unknown tendency for migration and erosion.
Singleton Pregnancy Outcomes after In Vitro Fertilization with Fresh or Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer and Incidence of Placenta Praevia
Authors: Korosec Sara , Ban Frangez Helena , Verdenik Ivan , Kladnik Urska , Kotar Vanja , Virant-Klun Irma , Vrtacnik Bokal Eda
Published: April 2014

The aim of the study was to compare the single pregnancy and neonate outcome after fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfer in the in vitro fertilization programme (IVF). The study focused on clinical and laboratory factors affecting the abnormal placentation, especially placenta praevia, in patients conceiving in the IVF programme. The results confirm that neonates born after frozen-thawed embryo transfer had significantly higher mean birth weight than after fresh embryo transfer (ET). Moreover, the birth weight distribution in singletons was found to shift towards “large for gestation” (LGA) after frozen-thawed ET. On the other hand, the pregnancies after fresh ET were characterized by a higher incidence of placenta praevia and 3rd trimester bleeding. Placenta praevia was more common in IVF patients with fresh ET in a stimulated cycle than in patients with ET in a spontaneous cycle. It occurred more frequently in patients with transfer of 2 embryos. From this point of view, single ET and ET in a spontaneous cycle should be encouraged in good prognosis patients in the future with more than two good quality embryos developed. An important issue arose of how the ovarian hormonal stimulation relates to abnormal placentation and if the serum hormone levels interfere with in the IVF treatment results.
The Pilot Study of Fibrin with Temporomandibular Joint Derived Synovial Stem Cells in Repairing TMJ Disc Perforation
Authors: Wu Yang , Gong Zhongcheng , Li Jian , Meng Qinggong , Fang Wei , Long Xing
Published: April 2014

TMJ disc related diseases are difficult to be cured due to the poor repair ability of the disc. TMJ-SDSCs were ideal cell sources for cartilage tissue engineering which have been widely used in hyaline cartilage regeneration. Fibrin gel has been demonstrated as a potential scaffold for neocartilage formation. The aim of this study was to repair the TMJ disc perforation using fibrin/chitosan hybrid scaffold combined with TMJ-SDSCs. Rat TMJ-SDSCs were cultured on hybrid scaffold or pure chitosan scaffolds. The cell seeding efficiency, distribution, proliferation, and chondrogenic differentiation capacity were investigated. To evaluate thein vivorepair ability of cell/scaffold construct, rat TMJ disc explants were punched with a defect to mimic TMJ disc perforation. Cell seeded scaffolds were inserted into the defect of TMJ disc explants and then were implanted subcutaneously in nude mice for 4 weeks. Results demonstrated that fibrin may improve cell seeding, proliferation, and chondrogenic inductionin vitro. Thein vivoexperiments showed more cartilage ECM deposition in fibrin/chitosan scaffold, which suggested an enhanced reparative ability. This pilot study demonstrated that the regenerative ability of TMJ-SDSCs seeded in fibrin/chitosan scaffold could be applied for repairing TMJ disc perforation.
The Relationship of Antibodies to Modified Citrullinated Vimentin and Markers of Bone and Cartilage Destruction in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Avdeeva A. S. , Aleksandrova E. N. , Novikov A. A. , Smirnov A. V. , Cherkasova M. V. , Nasonov E. L.
Published: April 2014

Objective.To make individualised decisions regarding treatment is one of the most important challenges in clinical practise, and identification of sensitive and specific markers of prognosis is an important research question. The main objective of this study was to evaluate relationships between the level of autoantibodies, radiographic changes and laboratory markers of bone, and cartilage destruction.Methods.A total of 114 RA patients were examined. The serum concentration of IgM RF, antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), modified citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV), matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP, ng/mL) were measured. The van der Heijde-modified Sharp Score was used to quantify the radiologic changes.Results. Among the patients who were high-positive for anti-MCV, the value of total modified Sharp score (mTSS) (96.5; 66–120) was higher as well as the joint space narrowing (82; 60.5–105.5), and a higher level of MMP-3 was recorded more frequently (56%) in comparison with negative/low-positive patients (57; 31–88, 50; 29–82, 31% resp.,P<0.05). The level of COMP was also higher among patients high-positive for anti-MCV (9.7; 8.1–13.1 and 6.8; 5.4–10.7, resp.,P=0.02).Conclusion.A high positive level of anti-MCV as contrasted with anti-CCP and IgM RF is associated with more pronounced destructive changes in the joints.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty for Glaucoma Secondary to Emulsified Silicone Oil after Pars Plana Vitrectomy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Alkin Zeynep , Satana Banu , Ozkaya Abdullah , Basarir Berna , Altan Cigdem , Yazici Ahmet Taylan , Demirok Ahmet
Published: April 2014

Background. To investigate the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) secondary to emulsified silicone oil (SO).Methodology/Principal Findings. Prospective, interventional, consecutive case series of 11 eyes with sustained elevation of IOP after SO removal. The mean IOP at baseline, week 1, month 1, month 3, and month 6 was evaluated. The mean baseline IOP was significantly decreased from 25 ± 2.7 mmHg to 18.4 ± 5.5 mmHg at week 1(P=0.01), 17.9 ± 3.1 mmHg at month 1(P=0.008), 15.8 ± 3.9 mmHg at month 3(P=0.003), and 16.2 ± 4.7 mmHg at month 6(P=0.004). IOP < 21 mmHg was achieved in 91% of the eyes without a significant complication at month 6.Conclusion/Significance. SLT may be successful for lowering IOP in patients with OAG secondary to emulsified SO which was not controlled with maximum antiglaucomatous medical treatment.
Scattering Coefficients of Mice Organs Categorized Pathologically by Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Zhang Q. Q. , Wu X. J. , Wang C. , Zhu S. W. , Wang Y. L. , Gao Bruce Z. , Yuan X.-C.
Published: April 2014

Differences in tissue density cause a variety of scattering coefficients. To quantify optical coherence tomography (OCT) images for diagnosis, the tissue's scattering coefficient is estimated by curve fitting the OCT signals to a confocal single backscattering mode. The results from a group of 30 mice show that the scattering coefficients of bone, skin, liver, brain, testis, and spleen can be categorized into three groups: a scattering coefficient between 1.947 and 2.134 mm−1: bone and skin; a scattering coefficient between 1.303 and 1.461 mm−1: liver and brain; a scattering coefficient between 0.523 and 0.634 mm−1: testis and spleen. The results indicate that the scattering coefficient is tissue specific and could be used in tissue diagnosis.
Bone Remodelling Markers in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Fardellone Patrice , Séjourné Alice , Paccou Julien , Goëb Vincent
Published: April 2014

Bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients results from chronic inflammation and can lead to osteoporosis and fractures. A few bone remodeling markers have been studied in RA witnessing bone formation (osteocalcin), serum aminoterminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP), serum carboxyterminal propeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC), and bone resorption: C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (I-CTX), N-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (I-NTX), pyridinolines (DPD and PYD), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). Bone resorption can be seen either in periarticular bone (demineralization and erosion) or in the total skeleton (osteoporosis). Whatever the location, bone resorption results from activation of osteoclasts when the ratio between osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (OPG/RANKL) is decreased under influence of various proinflammatory cytokines. Bone remodeling markers also allow physicians to evaluate the effect of drugs used in RA like biologic agents, which reduce inflammation and exert a protecting effect on bone. We will discuss in this review changes in bone markers remodeling in patients with RA treated with biologics.
LaSalle-Type Theorems for General Nonlinear Stochastic Functional Differential Equations by Multiple Lyapunov Functions
Authors: Zhao Xueyan , Deng Feiqi , Zhong Xiaojing
Published: April 2014

We investigate LaSalle-type theorems for general nonlinear stochastic functional differential equations. With some preliminaries on lemmas and the derivation techniques, we establish three LaSalle-type theorems for the general nonlinear stochastic functional differential equations via multiple Lyapunov functions. For the typical special case with estimations involving|xt|pfor the derivatives of the Lyapunov functions, a theorem is established as the corollary of the main theorem. At the end of the paper, an example is given to illustrate the usage of the method proposed and show the advantage of the results obtained.
Ketosis Onset Type 2 Diabetes Had Better Isletβ-Cell Function and More Serious Insulin Resistance
Authors: Lu Hongyun , Hu Fang , Zeng Yingjuan , Zou Lingling , Luo Shunkui , Sun Ying , Liu Hong , Sun Liao
Published: April 2014

Diabetic ketosis had been identified as a characteristic of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), but now emerging evidence has identified that they were diagnosed as T2DM after long time follow up. This case control study was aimed at comparing the clinical characteristic,β-cell function, and insulin resistance of ketosis and nonketotic onset T2DM and providing evidence for treatment selection. 140 cases of newly diagnosed T2DM patients were divided into ketosis (62 cases) and nonketotic onset group (78 cases). After correction of hyperglycemia and ketosis with insulin therapy, plasma C-peptide concentrations were measured at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 hours after 75 g glucose oral administration. Area under the curve (AUC) of C-peptide was calculated. Homoeostasis model assessment was used to estimate basalβ-cell function (HOMA-β) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Our results showed that ketosis onset group had higher prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) than nonketotic group (P=0.04). Ketosis onset group had increased plasma C-peptide levels at 0 h, 0.5 h, and 3 h and higherAUC0–0.5,AUC0–1,AUC0–3(P<0.05). Moreover, this group also had higher HOMA-βand HOMA-IR than nonketotic group (P<0.05). From these data, we concluded that ketosis onset T2DM had better isletβ-cell function and more serious insulin resistance than nonketotic onset T2DM.
Rapid Progression of Pulmonary Blastomycosis in an Untreated Patient of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Sarkar Pralay K. , Malhotra Paras , Sriram P. S.
Published: April 2014

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with a state of immunosuppression characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia as well as B and T lymphocyte dysfunction. Though opportunistic infections are common in CLL patients, particularly after treatment, reports of infections by endemic dimorphic fungi are very few. Here we report a case of pulmonary blastomycosis in a CLL patient who initially presented with an indolent pulmonary mass lesion. The pulmonary lesions progressed rapidly over a two-week period. The diagnosis was established by transbronchial lung biopsy. He was treated with Amphotericin B lipid complex followed by oral itraconazole and recovered uneventfully. This case illustrates the importance of a timely diagnosis and treatment. The presentation of blastomycosis in immunocompromised patients, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed.
Interaction of Submerged Breakwater by a Solitary Wave Using WC-SPH Method
Authors: Mansouri Afshin , Aminnejad Babak
Published: April 2014

Interaction of a solitary wave and submerged breakwater is studied in a meshless, Lagrangian approach. For this purpose, a two-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code is developed. Furthermore, an extensive set of simulations is conducted. In the first step, the generated solitary wave is validated. Subsequently, the interaction of solitary wave and submerged breakwater is investigated thoroughly. Results of the interaction of solitary wave and a submerged breakwater are also shown to be in good agreement with published experimental studies. Afterwards, the effects of the inclination and length of breakwater as well as distance between two breakwaters are evaluated on damping ratio of breakwater.
Leukocyte Gene Expression in Patients with Medication Refractory Depression before and after Treatment with ECT or Isoflurane Anesthesia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Iacob E. , Tadler S. C. , Light K. C. , Weeks H. R. , Smith K. W. , White A. T. , Hughen R. W. , VanHaitsma T. A. , Bushnell L. A. , Light A. R.
Published: April 2014

Objective. To evaluate leukocyte gene expression for 9 selected genes (mRNAs) as biological markers in patients with medication refractory depression before and after treatment with ECT or isoflurane anesthesia (ISO).Methods. In a substudy of a nonrandomized open-label trial comparing effects of ECT to ISO therapy, blood samples were obtained before and after treatment from 22 patients with refractory depression, and leukocyte mRNA was assessed by quantitative PCR. Patients’ mRNAs were also compared to 17 healthy controls.Results. Relative to controls, patients before treatment showed significantly higher IL10 and DBI and lower ADRA2A and ASIC3 mRNA (P<0.025). Both ECT and ISO induced significant decreases after treatment in 4 genes: IL10, NR3C1, DRD4, and Sult1A1. After treatment, patients’ DBI, ASIC3, and ADRA2A mRNA remained dysregulated.Conclusion. Significant differences from controls and/or significant changes after ECT or ISO treatment were observed for 7 of the 9 mRNAs studied. Decreased expression of 4 genes after effective treatment with either ECT or ISO suggests possible overlap of underlying mechanisms. Three genes showing dysregulation before and after treatment may be trait-like biomarkers of medication refractory depression. Gene expression for these patients has the potential to facilitate diagnosis, clarify pathophysiology, and identify potential biomarkers for treatment effects.
The Molecular Mechanisms of Tanshinone IIA on the Apoptosis and Arrest of Human Esophageal Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Wang Jiang-Feng , Feng Jian-Guo , Han Jing , Zhang Bei-Bei , Mao Wei-Min
Published: April 2014

Objective.To explore the possible mechanisms of Tanshinone IIA (TanIIA) on esophageal carcinoma cell lines.Methods.Two human esophageal carcinoma cell lines (EC-1 cells and ECa-109 cells) were treated with different concentrations of TanIIA. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8, colony-forming efficiency was calculated, cell cycle and apoptosis were measured, and changes in cell cycle- and apoptosis-related gene expression were measured by Western blotting.Results.The CCK-8 and colony formation assay indicated that TanIIA inhibited the cell proliferation of human esophageal cancer cells (IC50 below 1 μg/mL) at 48 h. Hoechst 33258 and flow cytometry showed that TanIIA induced apoptosis in both esophageal cancer cell lines. Flow cytometry showed that TanIIA arrested cell cycle in S phase and G2/M phase. Western blotting analysis showed that Akt1 and its phosphorylation were inhibited, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increased, and both caspase-9 and caspase-3 were activated after treatment with 1.3 μg/mL TanIIA at 48 h. Meanwhile, p53 and p21 protein levels increased, whereas cyclin B1, CDC2, and CDC2 phosphorylation were inhibited.Conclusion.TanIIA inhibits the growth of esophageal cancer cells and induces apoptosis in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner, possibly by affecting cell cycle- and apoptosis-related signaling pathways.
Spectrum of Discrete Second-Order Difference Operator with Sign-Changing Weight and Its Applications
Authors: Ma Ruyun , Gao Chenghua
Published: April 2014

LetT>1be an integer, and let𝕋=1,2,…,T. We discuss the spectrum of discrete linear second-order eigenvalue problemsΔ2ut-1+λmtut=0, t∈𝕋,  u0=uT+1=0, whereλ≠0is a parameter,m:𝕋→ℝchanges sign andmt≠0on𝕋. At last, as an application of this spectrum result, we show the existence of sign-changing solutions of discrete nonlinear second-order problems by using bifurcate technique.