bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two distinct conformational states of Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulent factor early secreted antigenic target 6 kDa are behind the discrepancy around its biological functions
Authors: Refai Amira , Haoues Meriam , Othman Houcemeddine , Barbouche Mohamed Ridha , Moua Philippe , Bondon Arnaud , Mouret Liza , Srairi‐Abid Najet , Essafi Makram
Published: August 2015

Early secreted antigenic target 6 kDa (ESAT‐6) and culture filtrate protein 10 kDa (CFP‐10) are complex proteins secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that play a major role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. However, studies focusing on the biological functions of ESAT‐6 led to discordant results and the role of ESAT‐6 remains controversial. In the present study, we aim to address a potential explanation for this discrepancy and to highlight the physiological impact of two conformational states of ESAT‐6. Analysis of a recombinant form of ESAT‐6 by native gel electrophoresis, size exclusion chromatography and CD spectroscopy revealed that ESAT‐6 forms dimers/multimers with higher molecular weight, which disappeared under the action of the detergent amidosulfobetaine‐14 (ASB), giving rise to another conformational state of the protein. NMR has further indicated that ASB‐treated versus nontreated ESAT‐6 adopted distinct structural forms but with no well defined tertiary structure. However, protein–protein docking analysis favored a dimeric state of ESAT‐6. Interestingly, the two preparations presented opposing effects on mycobacterial infectivity, as well as macrophage survival, interferon‐γ secretion and membrane pore formation. Thereafter, we generated a recombinant form of the physiological heterodimer ESAT‐6/CFP‐10 that ASB was also able to dissociate and which showed functions similar to those of ESAT‐6 dimers/multimers. Our data suggest that, in the absence of CFP‐10, the hydrophobic regions of the ESAT‐6 can form dimers/multimers, mimicking the ESAT‐6/CFP‐10 heterodimer, whereas their dissociation generates a protein presenting entirely different activities. Overall, the present study clarifies the intriguing divergences between reports that could be attributed to the ESAT‐6 oligomeric state and sheds light on its importance for a better comprehension of the physiopathology of tuberculosis.
Analysis of the association between IL‐23R rs11209026 polymorphism and incidence of atherosclerosis
Authors: Kave M. , Shadman M. , Alizadeh A. , Samadi M.
Published: August 2015

Th17/IL‐23 axis is an important pro‐inflammatory pathway in atherosclerosis. IL‐23 receptor (IL‐23R) pathway has an important role in T‐helper cells 17 (Th17) differentiation and survival. We compared normal subjects and patients with atherosclerosis in terms of the R381Q variant of the IL‐23R gene as a functional single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). This case–control study recruited 200 patients who presented with cardiovascular symptoms to Afshar Hospital, Yazd, Iran. The participants were allocated to five groups based on angiographic results. The severity of the disease was determined according to the numbers of involved vessels. Patients with normal coronary arteries, minimal coronary artery involvement, one involved vessel, two involved vessels and three‐vessel disease were allocated to groups I–V, respectively. DNA was extracted from whole blood samples by the salting‐out method. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and multinomial logistic regression for analyses The presence of SNP A>G rs11209026 of IL‐23 receptor gene was significantly associated with disease severity (P = 0.008). The frequencies of the heterozygous (AG) genotype in the control group and subjects with minimal involvement, and patients with one‐, two‐, and three‐vessel disease were 22.5%, 12.5%, 10%, 10.24% and 4.8%, respectively. Our results indicated an association between the rs11209026 G>A polymorphism of the IL‐23 receptor gene and the risk of atherosclerosis. This genetic variant may in fact cause protection against atherosclerosis progression. However, further studies on gene polymorphism and cell expression are required to clarify the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
STAT3 promotes CD1d‐mediated lipid antigen presentation by regulating a critical gene in glycosphingolipid biosynthesis
Authors: Iyer Abhirami K. , Liu Jianyun , Gallo Richard M. , Kaplan Mark H. , Brutkiewicz Randy R.
Published: August 2015

Cytokines that regulate the immune response signal through the Janus kinase / signal transducer and activation of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, but whether this pathway can regulate CD1d‐mediated lipid antigen presentation to natural killer T (NKT) cells is unknown. Here, we found that STAT3 promotes antigen presentation by CD1d. Antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) in which STAT3 expression was inhibited exhibited markedly reduced endogenous lipid antigen presentation to NKT cells without an impact on exogenous lipid antigen presentation by CD1d. Consistent with this observation, in APCs where STAT3 was knocked down, dramatically decreased levels of UDP glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG), an enzyme involved in the first step of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, were observed. Impaired lipid antigen presentation was reversed by ectopic expression of UGCG in STAT3‐silenced CD1d+ APCs. Hence, by controlling a fundamental step in CD1d‐mediated lipid antigen presentation, STAT3 signalling promotes innate immune responses driven by CD1d.
Ablative CO2 fractional resurfacing in treatment of thermal burn scars: an open‐label controlled clinical and histopathological study
Authors: El‐Zawahry Bakr M , Sobhi Rehab M , Bassiouny Dalia A , Tabak Sahar A
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Burn scars can cause permanent disfiguring problems with limited treatments available.

Objectives

To assess and correlate the clinical and histopathological effects of fractional CO2 laser on thermal burns in a controlled study.

Methods

Fifteen patients 11 with hypertrophic and four with keloidal scars received three CO2 fractional laser sessions every 4–6 weeks. Half of the scar was untreated as a control. Clinical evaluation by Vancouver, PSOAS scores, and photography before, monthly, and 3 months after the last laser session was performed. Ten patients were evaluated histopathologically by standard H&E, Masson trichrome, and Elastica von Gieson special stains.

Results

Hypertrophic scars (HTSs) showed textural improvement and a significant decrease of Vancouver, POSAS observer, and patient scores by the end of follow‐up period in the laser‐treated area (P = 0.011, 0.017 and 0.018, respectively) unlike keloidal scars. Histopathology revealed significant decrease in scar thickness in HTSs only (P < 0.001) as well as a significant decrease in collagen bundle thickness and density in the upper dermis in both types of scars.

Conclusions

Fractional CO2 laser is a possible safe and effective modality for the treatment of hypertrophic burn scars with improvement achieved both clinically and histopathologically.
Fluid role boundaries: exploring the contribution of the advanced nurse practitioner to multi‐professional palliative care
Authors: Kennedy Catriona , Brooks Young Patricia , Nicol Jacqueline , Campbell Karen , Gray Brunton Carol
Published: August 2015

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the introduction of Advanced Nurse Practitioners in a specialist, multi‐professional palliative care context. The objective is to explore the core domains and competencies of the advanced nurse practitioner role in a multi‐professional palliative care context.

Background

New models of health care and service delivery are emerging alongside expanded levels of autonomy, skills and decision‐making for nurses and midwives. This has resulted in some confusion in the health service community internationally about the professional role and scope of the advanced nurse practitioner.

Design

A qualitative evaluation study (n = 21).

Methods

Three phases of data collection were conducted over 10 months. Twenty‐one participants took part from a specialist palliative care unit in one health board in a UK region spanning ANPs (n = 2) multi‐professional staff (n = 14) and patients/carers (n = 5). Data collection methods included individual and focus group interviews with key stakeholders and observation of the advanced nurse practitioners at work and their reflexive diaries.

Results

The findings of this evaluation demonstrate that if the advanced nurse practitioner role can flourish it has the potential to shape ‘new identities’, re‐construct the boundaries of nursing roles and emphasise the relationship based elements of excellent nursing work.

Conclusions

The advanced nurse practitioner has the potential to enhance specialist palliative care service delivery through fluid role boundaries. The context in which advanced nurse practitioner roles are developed is important as acceptance of the role is linked to the co‐construction of a different nursing identity. Our findings support the need to define, defend and name the work of advanced nursing roles.

Relevance to clinical practice

The advanced nurse practitioner roles were regarded as providing a unique contribution to service delivery and were characterised by fluid role boundaries which crossed the traditional disciplinary boundaries between nursing and medicine.
Concordance between nurses' perception of their ability to provide spiritual care and the identified spiritual needs of hospitalized patients: A cross‐sectional observational study
Authors: Wu Li‐Fen , Koo Malcolm , Tseng Hui‐Chen , Liao Yu‐Chen , Chen Yuh‐Min
Published: August 2015

Spiritual care is essential to the well‐being of patients, and nurses provide spiritual care as a fundamental part of nursing practice. In this study, we investigated the spiritual care needs of hospitalized patients to determine whether the perceived knowledge of nurses corresponded with these spiritual care needs. A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 1351 hospitalized patients and 200 registered nurses recruited from a medical center in central Taiwan. A questionnaire, including the 21–item Spiritual Care Needs Inventory (patient and nurse version) and basic demographic information, was distributed to eligible participants. The top three items of the spiritual care needs expressed by the hospitalized patients were respect for privacy and dignity, showing concern, and guidance in gaining a sense of hope in life; the percentages of nurses not knowing how to provide these spiritual care needs were 0%, 1%, and 15%, respectively. The spiritual care needs of patients showed a significant relationship with the knowledge of nurses, suggesting that the perceived knowledge of the nurses generally corresponded with the spiritual care items that the patients required most.
The impact of donor characteristics on the immune cell composition of mixture allografts of granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor–mobilized marrow harvests and peripheral blood harvests
Authors: Wang Yu‐Tong , Zhao Xiang‐Yu , Zhao Xiao‐Su , Xu Lan‐Ping , Zhang Xiao‐Hui , Wang Yu , Liu Kai‐Yan , Chang Ying‐Jun , Huang Xiao‐Jun
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

The association of donor characteristics with immune cell composition in allografts remains poorly understood. In this retrospective study, the effects of donor characteristics on immune cell composition in allografts were investigated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The correlations of donor characteristics with the immune cell composition in mixture allografts of granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor–mobilized marrow harvests and peripheral blood harvests of 390 healthy donors (male, 240; female, 150; median age, 40 years old) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median doses of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD3+CD4–CD8– T cells, and monocytes in mixture allografts were 160.57 × 106, 89.29 × 106, 56.16 × 106, 10.87 × 106, and 137.94 × 106/kg, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that younger donor age was associated with a higher dose of CD3+ T cells (p = 0.006), CD3+CD8+ T cells (p < 0.001), CD3+CD4–CD8– T cells (p = 0.004), and monocytes (p = 0.014), as well as a higher ratio of CD3+CD4–CD8– T cells/CD3+ T cells (p < 0.001) in the mixture allografts. A negative association of donor weight with CD3+ T cells (p < 0.001), CD4+ T cells (p = 0.002), CD8+ T cells (p < 0.001), and CD3+CD4–CD8– T cells (p = 0.044) was observed. The count of peripheral blood lymphocyte pre–peripheral blood apheresis was correlated with the yield of CD3+ T cells (p < 0.001) and CD4+ T cells (p = 0.001). The peripheral blood monocyte count before marrow harvest predicted the monocyte dose (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that older and overweight donors should not be chosen. The monocyte and lymphocyte counts before harvest could predict the yield of immune cells in allografts.
Reappraising Threat: How to Optimize Performance Under Pressure
Authors: Moore Lee J. , Vine Samuel J. , Wilson Mark R. , Freeman Paul
Published: August 2015

Competitive situations often hinge on one pressurized moment. In these situations, individuals’ psychophysiological states determine performance, with a challenge state associated with better performance than a threat state. But what can be done if an individual experiences a threat state? This study examined one potential solution: arousal reappraisal. Fifty participants received either arousal reappraisal or control instructions before performing a pressurized, single-trial, motor task. Although both groups initially displayed cardiovascular responses consistent with a threat state, the reappraisal group displayed a cardiovascular response more reflective of a challenge state (relatively higher cardiac output and/or lower total peripheral resistance) after the reappraisal manipulation. Furthermore, despite performing similarly at baseline, the reappraisal group outperformed the control group during the pressurized task. The results demonstrate that encouraging individuals to interpret heightened physiological arousal as a tool that can help maximize performance can result in more adaptive cardiovascular responses and motor performance under pressure.
Injury Risk Estimation Expertise: Cognitive-Perceptual Mechanisms of ACL-IQ
Authors: Petushek Erich J. , Cokely Edward T. , Ward Paul , Myer Gregory D.
Published: August 2015

Instrument-based biomechanical movement analysis is an effective injury screening method but relies on expensive equipment and time-consuming analysis. Screening methods that rely on visual inspection and perceptual skill for prognosticating injury risk provide an alternative approach that can significantly reduce cost and time. However, substantial individual differences exist in skill when estimating injury risk performance via observation. The underlying perceptual-cognitive mechanisms of injury risk identification were explored to better understand the nature of this skill and provide a foundation for improving performance. Quantitative structural and process modeling of risk estimation indicated that superior performance was largely mediated by specific strategies and skills (e.g., irrelevant information reduction), and independent of domain-general cognitive abilities (e.g., mental rotation, general decision skill). These cognitive models suggest that injury prediction expertise (i.e., ACL-IQ) is a trainable skill, and provide a foundation for future research and applications in training, decision support, and ultimately clinical screening investigations.
In Vivo
Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of an FtsZ Inhibitor, TXA-709, and Its Active Metabolite, TXA-707, in a Murine Neutropenic Thigh Infection Model
Authors: Lepak Alexander J. , Parhi Ajit , Madison Michaela , Marchillo Karen , VanHecker Jamie , Andes David R.
Published: August 2015

Antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed. Processes of cellular division are attractive targets for new drug development. FtsZ, an integral protein involved in cell cytokinesis, is a representative example. In the present study, the pharmacodynamic (PD) activity of an FtsZ inhibitor, TXA-709, and its active metabolite, TXA-707, was evaluated in the neutropenic murine thigh infection model against 5
Staphylococcus aureus
isolates, including both methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant isolates. The pharmacokinetics (PK) of the TXA-707 active metabolite were examined after oral administration of the TXA-709 prodrug at 10, 40, and 160 mg/kg of body weight. The half-life ranged from 3.2 to 4.4 h, and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum concentration of drug in serum (
C
max
) were relatively linear over the doses studied. All organisms exhibited an MIC of 1 mg/liter. Dose fractionation demonstrated the area under the concentration-time curve over 24 h in the steady state divided by the MIC (AUC/MIC ratio) to be the PD index most closely linked to efficacy (
R
2
= 0.72). Dose-dependent activity was demonstrated against all 5 isolates, and the methicillin-resistance phenotype did not alter the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) targets. Net stasis was achieved against all isolates and a 1-log
10
kill level against 4 isolates. PD targets included total drug 24-h AUC/MIC values of 122 for net stasis and 243 for 1-log
10
killing. TXA-709 and TXA-707 are a promising novel antibacterial class and compound for
S. aureus
infections. These results should prove useful for design of clinical dosing regimen trials.
Origin and Impact of Nitric Oxide in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms
Authors: Cutruzzolà Francesca , Frankenberg-Dinkel Nicole
Published: August 2015

The formation of the organized bacterial community called biofilm is a crucial event in bacterial physiology. Given that biofilms are often refractory to antibiotics and disinfectants to which planktonic bacteria are susceptible, their formation is also an industrially and medically relevant issue.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, a well-known human pathogen causing acute and chronic infections, is considered a model organism to study biofilms. A large number of environmental cues control biofilm dynamics in bacterial cells. In particular, the dispersal of individual cells from the biofilm requires metabolic and morphological reprogramming in which the second messenger bis-(3′-5′)-cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) plays a central role. The diatomic gas nitric oxide (NO), a well-known signaling molecule in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, is able to induce the dispersal of
P. aeruginosa
and other bacterial biofilms by lowering c-di-GMP levels. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms connecting NO sensing to the activation of c-di-GMP-specific phosphodiesterases in
P. aeruginosa
, ultimately leading to c-di-GMP decrease and biofilm dispersal.
Regulation of the Expression of
De Novo
Pyrimidine Biosynthesis Genes in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Tanaka Yuya , Teramoto Haruhiko , Inui Masayuki
Published: August 2015

Expression of pyrimidine
de novo
biosynthesis is downregulated by an exogenous uracil in many bacteria. In this study, we show that a putative binding motif sequence of PyrR is required for uracil-mediated repression of
pyrR-lacZ
translational fusion. However, the uracil response was still observed in the strain with the
pyrR
gene deleted, implying the existence of a uracil response factor other than PyrR which also acts through the PyrR binding loop region. Deletion of
rho
, encoding the transcription termination factor Rho, resulted in an increase in the expression of
pyrR-lacZ
. Moreover, the strain with a double deletion of
pyrR
and
rho
showed elimination of the uracil-responsive downregulation of the
pyrR-lacZ
. Therefore, expression of the pyrimidine biosynthetic gene cluster in
Corynebacterium glutamicum
is controlled by two different mechanisms mediated by PyrR and Rho.

IMPORTANCE
The
pyr
genes of
C. glutamicum
are downregulated in the presence of uracil in culture medium. The mRNA binding regulator PyrR represses the expression of
pyr
genes, as reported previously. However, the uracil response was still observed in the
pyrR
deletion strain. Deletion of
rho
in addition to
pyrR
deletion results in the elimination of the uracil response. Therefore, we identified the factors that are involved in the uracil response. Involvement of Rho in the regulation of pyrimidine
de novo
biosynthesis genes has not been reported.
Thrombolysis for stroke in pregnancy at 39 weeks gestation with a subsequent normal delivery
Authors: Ritchie Joanne , Lokman Mariam , Panikkar Jane
Published: August 2015

Stroke during pregnancy is fortunately a rare event, however, it can have severe consequences, with 9.5% of all maternal deaths being related to stroke. The most common presentation is an ischaemic stroke. There has been much debate as to the correct treatment for such cases’ and whether thrombolysis can be used safely in pregnancy. Our case describes a 28-year-old woman with a previous normal vaginal delivery presenting in her third trimester with a sudden onset of dense left hemiparesis. She was successfully treated with alteplase, an intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, and made a full recovery after normal delivery of a healthy infant. This case report highlights one of the first documented successful outcomes from thrombolysis for this condition in the UK and may help inform future management of these women.
Use of steroids for management of varicella pneumonia
Authors: Corrigan Ruth , Carter Ruth , Raza Mansoor
Published: August 2015

Varicella pneumonia (VP) is a critical complication of varicella infection and still carries significant morbidity and mortality, often requiring intensive care unit admission. Current accepted treatment is with intravenous aciclovir and organ support, if required. We report two cases of VP with acute respiratory failure, successfully treated with intravenous steroids in addition to aciclovir. Further research into the benefits of steroid therapy in VP is warranted.
A journey into a Mediterranean diet and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review with meta-analyses
Authors: Esposito Katherine , Maiorino Maria Ida , Bellastella Giuseppe , Chiodini Paolo , Panagiotakos Demosthenes , Giugliano Dario
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To summarise the evidence about the efficacy of a Mediterranean diet on the management of type 2 diabetes and prediabetic states.

Design

A systematic review of all meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the Mediterranean diet with a control diet on the treatment of type 2 diabetes and prediabetic states was conducted. Electronic searches were carried out up to January 2015. Trials were included for meta-analyses if they had a control group treated with another diet, if they were of sufficient duration (at least 6 months), and if they had at least 30 participants in each arm. A random-effect model was used to pool data.

Participants

Adults with or at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Interventions

Dietary patterns that described themselves as using a ‘Mediterranean’ dietary pattern.

Outcome measures

The outcomes were glycaemic control, cardiovascular risk factors and remission from the metabolic syndrome.

Results

From 2824 studies, 8 meta-analyses and 5 RCTs were eligible. A ‘de novo’ meta-analysis of 3 long-term (>6 months) RCTs of the Mediterranean diet and glycaemic control of diabetes favoured the Mediterranean diet as compared with lower fat diets. Another ‘de novo’ meta-analysis of two long-term RCTs showed a 49% increased probability of remission from the metabolic syndrome. 5 meta-analyses showed a favourable effect of the Mediterranean diet, as compared with other diets, on body weight, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. 2 meta-analyses demonstrated that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet reduced the risk of future diabetes by 19–23%.

Conclusions

The Mediterranean diet was associated with better glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk factors than control diets, including a lower fat diet, suggesting that it is suitable for the overall management of type 2 diabetes.
Enhancement, ethics and society: towards an empirical research agenda for the medical humanities and social sciences
Authors: Pickersgill Martyn , Hogle Linda
Published: August 2015

For some time now, bioethicists have paid close attention to issues associated with ‘enhancement’; specifically, the appropriate use and regulation of substances and artefacts understood by some to improve the functioning of human bodies beyond that associated with ‘normal’ function. Medical humanities scholars (aside from philosophers and lawyers) and social scientists have not been frequent participants in debates around enhancement, but could shine a bright light on the range of dilemmas and opportunities techniques of enhancement are purported to introduce. In this paper, we argue that empirical research into the notion and practice of enhancement is necessary and timely. Such work could fruitfully engage with—and further develop—existing conceptual repertoires within the medical humanities and social sciences in ways that would afford benefit to scholars in those disciplines. We maintain that empirical engagements could also provide important resources to bioethicists seeking to regulate new enhancements in ways that are sensitive to societal context and cultural difference. To this end, we outline an empirical agenda for the medical humanities and social sciences around enhancement, emphasising especially how science and technology studies could bring benefits to—and be benefitted by—research in this area. We also use the example of (pharmaceutical) cognitive enhancement to show how empirical studies of actual and likely enhancement practices can nuance resonant bioethical debates.
Optimal Design for a Bivariate Simple Step-Stress Accelerated Life Testing Model with Type-II Censoring and Gompertz Distribution
Authors: Hakamipour Nooshin , Rezaei Sadegh
Published: August 2015

This paper deals with the optimal designing of step-stress accelerated life test (SSALT) for two stress variables. The lifetime of the items follows the Gompertz distribution and the test is subject to termination at a predetermined number of failures of test items (Type II censoring). Furthermore, we model the effects of changing stress as a cumulative exposure (CE) function. This test is presented to obtain the optimal hold times for each combination of stress levels. The optimal test plan with the minimum asymptotic variance (AV) of the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) of reliability at time [Formula: see text] is determined. Due to nonlinearity and complexity of the objective function, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is developed to calculate the optimal hold times. In this method, the research speed is very fast and optimization ability is more. Finally, simulation results are discussed to illustrate the proposed criteria. For some selected values of the parameters, the effect of initial estimates on optimal values has been studied.
Computational investigation on thermal expansivity behavior of Al 6061–SiC–Gr hybrid metal matrix composites
Authors: Mohan Krishna S. A. , Shridhar T. N. , Krishnamurthy L.
Published: August 2015

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) have been regarded as one of the most principal classifications in composite materials. The thermal characterization of hybrid MMCs has been increasingly important in a wide range of applications. The coefficient of thermal expansion is one of the most important properties of MMCs. Since nearly all MMCs are used in various temperature ranges, measurement of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) as a function of temperature is necessary in order to know the behavior of the material. In this research paper, the evaluation of thermal expansivity has been accomplished for Al 6061, silicon carbide ( SiC ) and Graphite ( Gr ) hybrid MMCs from room temperature to 300°C. Aluminum ( Al )-based composites reinforced with SiC and Gr particles have been prepared by stir casting technique. The thermal expansivity behavior of hybrid composites with different percentage compositions of reinforcements has been investigated. The results have indicated that the thermal expansivity of the different compositions of hybrid MMCs decreases by the addition of Gr with SiC and Al 6061. Few empirical models have been validated for the evaluation of thermal expansivity of composites. Using the experimental values namely modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio and thermal expansivity, computational investigation has been carried out to evaluate the thermal parameters namely thermal displacement, thermal strain and thermal stress.
A Survey on Hypervisor-Based Monitoring
Authors: Bauman Erick , Ayoade Gbadebo , Lin Zhiqiang
Published: August 2015

When designing computer monitoring systems, one goal has always been to have a complete view of the monitored target and at the same time stealthily protect the monitor itself. One way to achieve this is to use hypervisor-based, or more generally out of virtual machine (VM)-based, monitoring. There are, however, challenges that limit the use of this mechanism; the most significant of these is the semantic gap problem. Over the past decade, a considerable amount of research has been carried out to bridge the semantic gap and develop all kinds of out-of-VM monitoring techniques and applications. By tracing the evolution of out-of-VM security solutions, this article examines and classifies different approaches that have been proposed to overcome the semantic gap—the fundamental challenge in hypervisor-based monitoring—and how they have been used to develop various security applications. In particular, we review how the past approaches address different constraints, such as practicality, flexibility, coverage, and automation, while bridging the semantic gap; how they have developed different monitoring systems; and how the monitoring systems have been applied and deployed. In addition to systematizing all of the proposed techniques, we also discuss the remaining research problems and shed light on the future directions of hypervisor-based monitoring.
The Impact of Bio-Inspired Approaches Toward the Advancement of Face Recognition
Authors: Alsalibi Bisan , Venkat Ibrahim , Subramanian K.G. , Lutfi Syaheerah Lebai , Wilde Philippe De
Published: August 2015

An increased number of bio-inspired face recognition systems have emerged in recent decades owing to their intelligent problem-solving ability, flexibility, scalability, and adaptive nature. Hence, this survey aims to present a detailed overview of bio-inspired approaches pertaining to the advancement of face recognition. Based on a well-classified taxonomy, relevant bio-inspired techniques and their merits and demerits in countering potential problems vital to face recognition are analyzed. A synthesis of various approaches in terms of key governing principles and their associated performance analysis are systematically portrayed. Finally, some intuitive future directions are suggested on how bio-inspired approaches can contribute to the advancement of face biometrics in the years to come.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders in Indian Population
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Debnath Nitai , Ismail Mohammed B. , Kumar Arunoday , Kumar Amit , Badiyani Bhumika K. , Dubey Pavan K. , Sukhtankar Laxmi V.
Published: August 2015

Objective. To assess the prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders and to determine the potential risk factors for its development in Indian population.Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 1241 individuals in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. A questionnaire was designed to record information about sociodemographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and risk factors for oral potentially malignant disorders. Oral mucosal lesions were examined by a skilled person.Results. The overall prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders was found to be 13.7% with oral submucous fibrosis (8.06%) found to be more common and erythroplakia (0.24%) found to be least prevalent. Results of Logistic Regression analysis showed that males (OR = 2.09,Pvalue < 0.0001) who were ever consumers of tobacco (OR = 2.06,Pvalue = 0.030) and areca nut chewing (OR = 2.64,Pvalue = 0.004) were more likely to develop oral potentially malignant disorders compared to never consumers. Diabetic (OR = 2.21,Pvalue = 0.014) and underweight individuals (OR = 2.23,Pvalue = 0.007) were more likely to suffer from oral potentially malignant disorders.Conclusion. The study reinforces the association of tobacco and areca nut consumption with oral potentially malignant disorders. An association of oral potentially malignant disorders with diabetes and BMI was confirmed by this study.
Characteristics of UV-MicroO3Reactor and Its Application to Microcystins Degradation during Surface Water Treatment
Authors: Zhu Guangcan , Lu Xiwu , Yang Zhonglian
Published: August 2015

The UV-ozone (UV-O3) process is not widely applied in wastewater and potable water treatment partly for the relatively high cost since complicated UV radiation and ozone generating systems are utilized. The UV-microozone (UV-microO3), a new advanced process that can solve the abovementioned problems, was introduced in this study. The effects of air flux, air pressure, and air humidity on generation and concentration of O3in UV-microO3reactor were investigated. The utilization of this UV-microO3reactor in microcystins (MCs) degradation was also carried out. Experimental results indicated that the optimum air flux in the reactor equipped with 37 mm diameter quartz tube was determined to be 18∼25 L/h for efficient O3generation. The air pressure and humidity in UV-microO3reactor should be low enough in order to get optimum O3output. Moreover, microcystin-RR, YR, and LR (MC-RR, MC-YR, and MC-LR) could be degraded effectively by UV-microO3process. The degradation of different MCs was characterized by first-order reaction kinetics. The pseudofirst-order kinetic constants for MC-RR, MC-YR, and MC-LR degradation were 0.0093, 0.0215, and 0.0286 min−1, respectively. Glucose had no influence on MC degradation through UV-microO3. The UV-microO3process is hence recommended as a suitable advanced treatment method for dissolved MCs degradation.
Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance of Polyacrylonitrile Carbon Nanostructure Microspheres for Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Ma Mimgjie , Zhang Chao , Huang Guangxu , Xing Baolin , Duan Yuling , Wang Xiaojiao , Yang Zhengpeng , Zhang Chuanxiang
Published: August 2015

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon nanostructure microspheres (CNM) with the average particle size of 200 nm were prepared in the range of 500 to 800°C. The precursors of CNM were obtained through soap‐free emulsion polymerization followed by freeze drying, oxidative stabilization, and half‐carbonization. KOH was employed as the activation agent of the precursor material, and the ratio between KOH and the precursor was selected as 2 : 1. The element content, pore structure, nitrogen‐containing functional groups, and microstructure characterization were characterized via elemental analysis, N2 adsorption at low temperature, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the electrochemical properties were examined as well. The results revealed that the CNM displayed specific surface area as high as 2134 m2/g and the total pore volume could reach 2.01 cm3/g when the activation temperature was 700°C. Furthermore, its specific capacitance in 3 M KOH and 1 M organic electrolyte could reach 311 F/g and 179 F/g, respectively. And, also, abundant functional groups of N‐5 and N‐6 were rich in the surface of the material, which could cause Faraday reaction and got the increasing specific capacitance via improvement of the wettability of the electrode material.
Cubic Phases in the Gd2O3-ZrO2 and Dy2O3-TiO2 Systems for Nuclear Industry Applications
Authors: Malachevsky Maria Teresa , Rodríguez Salvador Diego , Leiva Sergio , D'Ovidio Claudio Alberto
Published: August 2015

Neutron absorbers are elements with a high neutron capture cross section that are employed at nuclear reactors to control excess fuel reactivity. If these absorbers are converted into materials of relatively low absorption cross section as the result of neutron absorption, they consume during the reactor core life and so are called burnable. These elements can be distributed inside an oxide ceramic that is stable under irradiation and thus called inert. Cubic zirconium oxide is one of the preferred materials to be used as inert matrix. It is stable under irradiation, experiments very low swelling, and is isomorphic to uranium oxide. The cubic phase is stabilized by adding small amounts of dopants like Dy2O3 and Gd2O3. As both dysprosium and gadolinium have a high neutron cross section, they are good candidates to prepare burnable neutron absorbers. Pyrochlores, like Gd2Zr2O7 and Dy2Ti2O7, allow the solid solution of a large quantity of elements besides being stable under irradiation. These characteristics make them also useful for safe storage of nuclear wastes. We present a preliminary study of the thermal analysis of different compositions in the systems Gd2O3-ZrO2 and Dy2O3-TiO2, investigating the feasibility to obtain oxide ceramics useful for the nuclear industry.
Application of the Periodic Average System Model in Dam Deformation Analysis
Authors: Shen Yueqian , Huang Teng
Published: August 2015

Dams are among the most important hydraulic engineering facilities used for water supply, flood control, and hydroelectric power. Monitoring of dams is crucial since deformation might have occurred. How to obtain the deformation information and then judge the safe conditions is the key and difficult problem in dam deformation monitoring field. This paper proposes the periodic average system model and creates the concept of “settlement activity” based on the dam deformation issue. Long-term deformation monitoring data is carried out in a pumped-storage power station, this model combined with settlement activity is used to make the single point deformation analysis, and then the whole settlement activity profile is drawn by clustering analysis. Considering the cumulative settlement value of every point, the dam deformation trend is analyzed in an intuitive effect way. The analysis mode of combined single point with multipoints is realized. The results show that the key deformation information of the dam can be easily grasped by the application of the periodic average system model combined with the distribution diagram of settlement activity. And, above all, the ideas of this research provide an effective method for dam deformation analysis.
Oxidation of Enrofloxacin with Permanganate: Kinetics, Multivariate Effects, Identification of Oxidation Products, and Determination of Residual Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Xu Yongpeng , Liu Shiyao , Guo Fang , Cui Fuyi
Published: August 2015

Permanganate [Mn(VII)] chemistry oxidation of fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotic enrofloxacin (ENR) in water is investigated with respect to the kinetics, pH effect, buffer effect, and the evaluation of residual antibacterial activity after oxidative treatment. The degradation of ENR by Mn(VII) obeyed a secondary-order kinetics. Modern high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry coupled with high performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze the structures of degradation products. Four main oxidation products were identified at different pH values. Several influencing factors, pH value, and buffer obviously affect reaction rate and products relative abundance. Autocatalysis taking place at slightly acidic pH promotes the reaction but has no effect on the product types. A plausible oxidation pathway for enrofloxacin with Mn(VII) was proposed. The oxidation took place at the piperazine ring. Structural changes to the piperazine ring include N-dealkylation, hydroxylation, and hydrolysis. Residual antibacterial activity of the oxidative reaction solutions against nonresistantEscherichia colireference strain DH5αis evaluated by means of quantitative bioassays. It is noticed that the oxidation products exhibited negligible antibacterial activity just when the structures of the products changed.
The Effects of Probiotic Soymilk Fortified with Omega-3 on Blood Glucose, Lipid Profile, Haematological and Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Parameters in Streptozotocin Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Mohammadi Sartang Mohsen , Mazloomi Seyed Mohammad , Tanideh Nader , Rezaian Zadeh Abbas
Published: August 2015

Objective. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic soymilk fortified with omega-3 in diabetic rats.Methods. Soymilk (SM), fermented soymilk (FSM), and fermented soymilk fortified with omega-3 (FSM + omega-3) were prepared. Rats were randomly assigned to five groups of 13 animals per group. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ) 15 min after the intraperitoneal administration of nicotinamide (NA). Normal control (NC) and diabetic control (DC) rats received 1 mL/day of distilled water and three groups of diabetic rats were given 1 mL/day of SM, FSM, and FSM + omega-3 products by oral gavage for 28 days.Results. Three products significantly (P<0.05) reduced blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations compared to the DC group, with the maximum reduction seen in the FSM + omega-3 group. Body weight, red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) also significantly increased in the FSM + omega-3 group. In the FSM + omega-3 group, MDA level compared with the SM and FSM groups and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations compared with the DC and FSM groups were significantly lower (P<0.05).Conclusion. Fermented soymilk fortified with omega-3 may be beneficial in diabetes.
Poststroke Cell Therapy of the Aged Brain
Authors: Popa-Wagner Aurel , Filfan Madalina , Uzoni Adriana , Pourgolafshan Pouya , Buga Ana-Maria
Published: August 2015

During aging, many neurodegenerative disorders are associated with reduced neurogenesis and a decline in the proliferation of stem/progenitor cells. The development of the stem cell (SC), the regenerative therapy field, gained tremendous expectations in the diseases that suffer from the lack of treatment options. Stem cell based therapy is a promising approach to promote neuroregeneration after brain injury and can be potentiated when combined with supportive pharmacological drug treatment, especially in the aged. However, the mechanism of action for a particular grafted cell type, the optimal delivery route, doses, or time window of administration after lesion is still under debate. Today, it is proved that these protections are most likely due to modulatory mechanisms rather than the expected cell replacement. Our group proved that important differences appear in the aged brain compared with young one, that is, the accelerated progression of ischemic area, or the delayed initiation of neurological recovery. In this light, these age-related aspects should be carefully evaluated in the clinical translation of neurorestorative therapies. This review is focused on the current perspectives and suitable sources of stem cells (SCs), mechanisms of action, and the most efficient delivery routes in neurorestoration therapies in the poststroke aged environment.
Necrotizing Fasciitis in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
Authors: Patir Pusem , Isik Yakup , Turk Yigit , Ugur Mehmet Can , Ceylan Cengiz , Gorgun Gulnur , Mete Gokmen Nihal , Saydam Guray , Sahin Fahri
Published: August 2015

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, progressive, and life-threatening hematopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis and a prothrombotic state. Patients with PNH might have slightly increased risk of infections due to complement-associated defects subsequent to CD59 deficiency. Here, we report a rare case of a 65-year-old male patient with necrotic ulcers on both legs, where the recognition of pancytopenia and microthrombi led to the diagnosis of PNH based on FLAER (FLuorescent AERolysin) flow cytometric analysis. He was subsequently started on eculizumab therapy, with starting and maintenance doses set as per drug labelling. Progression of the patient’s leg ulcers during follow-up, with fulminant tissue destruction, purulent discharge, and necrotic patches, led to a later diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis due toPseudomonas aeruginosaandKlebsiella pneumoniainfection. Courses of broad-spectrum antibiotics, surgical debridement, and superficial skin grafting were applied with successful effect during ongoing eculizumab therapy. This case highlights the point that it is important to maintain treatment of underlying disorders such as PNH in the presence of life-threatening infections like NF.
Exposure of Monocytes to Lipoarabinomannan Promotes Their Differentiation into Functionally and Phenotypically Immature Macrophages
Authors: Chávez-Galán Leslie , Ocaña-Guzmán Ranferi , Torre-Bouscoulet Luis , García-de-Alba Carolina , Sada-Ovalle Isabel
Published: August 2015

Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is a lipid virulence factor secreted byMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb), the etiologic agent of tuberculosis. LAM can be measured in the urine or serum of tuberculosis patients (TB-patients). Circulating monocytes are the precursor cells of alveolar macrophages and might be exposed to LAM in patients with active TB. We speculated that exposing monocytes to LAM could produce phenotypically and functionally immature macrophages. To test our hypothesis, human monocytes were stimulated with LAM (24–120 hours) and various readouts were measured. The study showed that when monocytes were exposed to LAM, the frequency of CD68+, CD33+, and CD86+macrophages decreased, suggesting that monocyte differentiation into mature macrophages was affected. Regarding functionality markers, TLR2+and TLR4+macrophages also decreased, but the percentage of MMR+expression did not change. LAM-exposed monocytes generated macrophages that were less efficient in producing proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-αand IFN-γ; however, their phagocytic capacity was not modified. Taken together, these data indicate that LAM exposure influenced monocyte differentiation and produced poorly functional macrophages with a different phenotype. These results may help us understand how mycobacteria can limit the quality of the innate and adaptive immune responses.
MiR-761 Promotes Progression and Metastasis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Targeting ING4 and TIMP2
Authors: Yan An , Yang Chunyu , Chen Zhibo , Li Chunhong , Cai Li
Published: August 2015

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of microRNA miR-761 in the progression and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the mechanisms by which miR-761 regulates cell proliferation and metastatic activity of NSCLC cell lines. Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to assess miR-761 expression in NSCLC serum and tissue. MTT, wound healing, and transwell assays were performed to examine the role of miR-761 in regulation of cell proliferation and metastatic activity in NSCLC cell lines. In addition, the correlations of miR-761 expression with clinical-pathologic factors were statistically analyzed. Finally, we investigated whether miR-761 promotes proliferation and metastasis in NSCLC cell lines by targeting ING4 (inhibitor of growth family, member 4) and TIMP2 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2). Results: MiR-761 was significantly upregulated in both NSCLC serum and tissues as compared to normal participants and paired noncancerous tissues respectively. Ectopic expression of miR-761 promoted cell proliferation and metastasis in H460 cells, while miR-761 inhibitor reduced proliferation rates and metastasis in H23 cells. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay and functional analyses indicated that miR-761 directly targeted ING4 and TIMP2. Conclusion: miR-761 promotes progression and metastasis of NSCLC by targeting ING4 and TIMP2.