bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tanshinone IIA Induces Heme Oxygenase 1 Expression and Inhibits Cyclic Strain-Induced Interleukin 8 Expression in Vascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Zhuang Shaowei , Cheng Tzu-Hurng , Shih Nang-Lang , Liu Ju-Chi , Chen Jin-Jer , Hong Hong-Jye , Chan Paul
Published: April 2016

Tanshinone IIA is the main effective component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, known as “Danshen,” which has been used in many therapeutic remedies in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the direct effects of tanshinone IIA on vascular endothelial cells have not yet been fully described. In the present study, we demonstrated that tanshinone IIA increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Western blot analyses and experiments with specific inhibitors indicated tanshinone IIA enhanced HO-1 expression through the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and the subsequent induction of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation. In addition, tanshinone IIA inhibited cyclic strain induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression. HO-1 silencing significantly abrogated the repressive effects of tanshinone IIA on strain-induced IL-8 expression, which suggests HO-1 has a role in mediating the effects of tanshinone IIA. This study reports for the first time that tanshinone IIA inhibits cyclic strain-induced IL-8 expression via the induction of HO-1 in endothelial cells, providing valuable new insight into the molecular pathways that may contribute to the effects of tanshinone IIA.
Allyl Isothiocyanate Induces Cell Toxicity by Multiple Pathways in Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Bo Peng , Lien Jin-Cherng , Chen Ya-Yin , Yu Fu-Shun , Lu Hsu-Feng , Yu Chun-Shu , Chou Yu-Cheng , Yu Chien-Chih , Chung Jing-Gung
Published: April 2016

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) occur in many cruciferous vegetables. These compounds, which have significant anticancer actions, can induce apoptosis in different human cancer cell lines. In the present study, we investigated if allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) would induce toxicity in human breast cancer MCF-7 (estrogen receptor positive) and MDA-MB-231 (estrogen receptor negative) cells. We found that AITC stimulated reactive oxygen species and Ca[Formula: see text] production, and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. Activity of caspase-8, -9 and -3 was increased by AITC in both cell lines. AITC also induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, as shown by cytochrome c, AIF and Endo G release from mitochondria, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and formation of DAPI-positive cells. There was a significant reduction in the levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 along with a marked increase in the pro-apoptotic protein Bax in both cell lines. AITC induced apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells via AIF and Endo G signaling pathways, but in MDA-MB-231 cells apoptosis occurred via the GADD153 pathway. This study has revealed novel anti-cancer mechanisms of AITC, a compound that is ordinarily present in human diets and may have potential therapeutic effects in various cancers.
Holographic Ricci dark energy as running vacuum
Authors: George Paxy , Mathew Titus K.
Published: April 2016

Holographic Ricci dark energy (DE) that has been proposed ago has faced problems of future singularity. In the present work, we consider the Ricci DE with an additive constant in its density as running vacuum energy. We have analytically solved the Friedmann equations and also the role played by the general conservation law followed by the cosmic components together. We have shown that the running vacuum energy status of the Ricci DE helps to remove the possible future singularity in the model. The additive constant in the density of the running vacuum played an important role, such that, without that, the model predicts either eternal deceleration or eternal acceleration. But along with the additive constant, equivalent to a cosmological constant, the model predicts a late time acceleration in the expansion of the universe, and in the far future of the evolution it tends to de Sitter universe.
Some uncertainties of neutrino oscillation effect in the NOνA experiment
Authors: Kolupaeva Lyudmila D. , Kuzmin Konstantin S. , Petrova Olga N. , Shandrov Igor M.
Published: April 2016

Uncertainties related to the effect of neutrino coherent forward scattering in Earth’s matter (MSW mechanism) and with the cross-sections of quasi-elastic (QE) neutrino scattering on nuclear targets of the NO[Formula: see text]A detectors are studied. The NO[Formula: see text]A sensitivity to the neutrino mass hierarchy and the CP violating phase is discussed.
Dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking in the model of electroweak-scale right-handed neutrinos
Authors: Hung Pham Quang , Le Nguyen Nhu
Published: April 2016

We present the Higgs mechanism in the context of the EW-scale [Formula: see text] model in which electroweak symmetry is dynamically broken by condensates of mirror quark and right-handed neutrino through the exchange of one fundamental Higgs doublet and one fundamental Higgs triplet, respectively. The formation of these condensates is dynamically investigated by using the Schwinger–Dyson approach. The occurrence of these condensates will give rise to the rich Higgs spectrum. In addition, the VEVs of Higgs fields is also discussed in this dynamical phenomenon.
Effects of cerium substitution on magnetic properties of naturally layered TbMn6Sn6 compound
Authors: Chen X. X. , Zhao M. , Liu G. Z. , Yao J. L. , Gao J.
Published: April 2016

The Tb[Formula: see text]Ce[Formula: see text]Mn6Sn6 compounds with [Formula: see text] crystallize in the hexagonal HfFe6Ge6-type structure (space group [Formula: see text]). The cerium (Ce) substitution for Tb increases the magnetization while reduces the Curie and spin-orientation temperatures. The hard magnetic properties are enhanced by the Ce substitution, e.g., from a coercivity of [Formula: see text] kOe for TbMn6Sn6 to [Formula: see text] kOe for the Ce-substituted compounds with [Formula: see text] at 5 K. The role of Ce substitution in the magnetocrystalline anisotropy is discussed based on the single-ion anisotropy model. The substitution of Ce for critical rare-earth atoms provides an opportunity of improving hard magnetic properties of the rare-earth-based intermetallics.
Magnetic field induced trions in a Telluride-based II–VI material
Authors: Sujanah P. , John Peter A. , Lee Chang Woo
Published: April 2016

Effects of geometrical confinement and magnetic field strength on the binding energies of trions (positive trion and negative trion) in a CdTe/ZnTe parabolic dot are investigated. Coulomb interaction energy is obtained by employing Hartree potential and the results are found numerically. The modified Chandrasekhar wavefunctions are employed to obtain the respective energies. The confined energies and the respective binding energies of charged trions are investigated by the self-consistent method. The Poisson equation is used to find the electron and hole potentials. The dielectric mismatch is included throughout the calculations. Magneto-optical transition energies for charged trions in the presence of magnetic field are observed. The effective Landé factor is brought out. Raman shift and the Raman intensity of positive and negative trions for various magnetic field strengths in the CdTe/ZnTe nanostructures are investigated. The dependence of Raman resonance on the magnetic field and the geometrical confinement effect is brought out.
INVESTIGATING THE LINKS BETWEEN THE DISTINCT LAYERS OF AN ORGANISATION’S CULTURE AND INNOVATIVE BEHAVIOURS
Authors: MAROOFI FAKHRADDIN
Published: April 2016

This journal article has been retracted from the International Journal of Innovation Management due to plagiarism.
Multiobjective Optimization for Brokering of Multicloud Service Composition
Authors: Amato Alba , Venticinque Salvatore
Published: April 2016

The choice of cloud providers whose offers best fit the requirements of a particular application is a complex issue due to the heterogeneity of the services in terms of resources, costs, technology, and service levels that providers ensure. This article investigates the effectiveness of multiobjective genetic algorithms to resolve a multicloud brokering problem. Experimental results provide clear evidence about how such a solution improves the choice made manually by users returning in real time optimal alternatives. It also investigates how the optimality depends on different genetic algorithms and parameters, problem type, and time constraints.
Accurate, Dynamic, and Distributed Localization of Phenomena for Mobile Sensor Networks
Authors: Anagnostopoulos Christos , Hadjiefthymiades Stathes , Kolomvatsos Kostas
Published: April 2016

We present a robust, dynamic scheme for the automatic self-deployment and relocation of mobile sensor nodes (e.g., unmanned ground vehicles, robots) around areas where phenomena take place. Our scheme aims (i) to sense environmental contextual parameters and accurately capture the spatiotemporal evolution of a certain phenomenon (e.g., fire, air contamination) and (ii) to fully automate the deployment process by letting nodes relocate, self-organize (and self-reorganize), and optimally cover the focus area. Our intention is to “opportunistically” modify the previous placement of nodes to attain high-quality phenomenon monitoring. The required intelligence is fully distributed within the mobile sensor network so the deployment algorithm is executed incrementally by different nodes. The presented algorithm adopts the Particle Swarm Optimization technique, which yields very promising results as reported in the article (performance assessment). Our findings show that the proposed algorithm captures a certain phenomenon with very high accuracy while maintaining the networkwide energy expenditure at low levels. Random occurrences of similar phenomena put stress upon the algorithm which manages to react promptly and efficiently manage the available sensing resources in the broader setting.
Node or Link? Fine-Grained Analysis of Packet-Loss Attacks in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Midi Daniele , Bertino Elisa
Published: April 2016

In wireless sensor networks, packet losses are often an indicator of possible undergoing attacks. Therefore, security solutions aiming at providing comprehensive protection must include functions for packet-loss detection. Determining the actual cause of these losses is crucial to a quick and automated reaction to the attack, be it a simple reporting of the attack or a more sophisticated action such as packet rerouting and retransmission. Packet losses in wireless sensor networks can be caused by either attacks affecting the nodes or attacks focused on the wireless links. The efficacy of the response to such attacks is highly dependent on an accurate identification of the actual attack cause. Therefore, approaches to correctly identifying the cause of packet losses are needed. The work presented in this article addresses this problem by designing and implementing a fine-grained analysis (FGA) tool that investigates packet-loss events and reports their most likely cause. Our FGA tool profiles the wireless links between the nodes, as well as their neighborhood, by leveraging resident parameters, such as RSSI and LQI, available within every received packet. The design of the system is fully distributed and event-driven, and its low overhead makes it suitable for resource-constrained entities such as wireless motes. We have validated our approach through real-world experiments, showing that our FGA tool is effective in differentiating between the various attacks that may affect nodes and links.
Incentive Mechanisms for Participatory Sensing
Authors: Restuccia Francesco , Das Sajal K. , Payton Jamie
Published: April 2016

Participatory sensing is a powerful paradigm that takes advantage of smartphones to collect and analyze data beyond the scale of what was previously possible. Given that participatory sensing systems rely completely on the users’ willingness to submit up-to-date and accurate information, it is paramount to effectively incentivize users’ active and reliable participation. In this article, we survey existing literature on incentive mechanisms for participatory sensing systems. In particular, we present a taxonomy of existing incentive mechanisms for participatory sensing systems, which are subsequently discussed in depth by comparing and contrasting different approaches. Finally, we discuss an agenda of open research challenges in incentivizing users in participatory sensing.
"Personalized and adaptive semantic filtering for social media" by Pavan Kapanipathi, with Prateek Jain as coordinator
Authors: Kapanipathir Pavan
Published: April 2016

Pavan Kapanipathi is a final year PhD candidate at Kno.e.sis Center, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. He will soon join IBM TJ Watson Research Center as a Research Staff Member. His PhD dissertation is focused on harnessing knowledge bases for addressing Big Data challenges on social media. He has published his research at top conferences in his areas of expertise such as ISWC, and ESWC. On the basis of his research, he has given invited talks at institutions such as IBM TJ Watson Research Center and EMC, CTO Office, Bangalore. He was part of the team that developed a Tweet filtering system Twarql that won a LOD Triplification challenge, which was organized at I-Semantics 2010, a prominent venue for the Semantic Web community. For more information see http://www.knoesis.org/researchers/pavan
Quantile estimation in dynamic and stationary environments using the theory of stochastic learning
Authors: Yazidi Anis , Hammer Hugo
Published: April 2016

The goal of our research is to estimate the quantiles of a distribution from a large set of samples that arrive sequentially. Since the data set is large, the model we choose is that the data cannot be stored, but rather that estimates of the quantiles are computed in a real-time setting. In such settings, classical estimators that require storing the whole history of the data (or stream) cannot be deployed. In this paper, we present an incremental quantile estimator of a distribution, i.e., one that utilizes the previously-computed estimates and only resorts to the last sample for updating these estimates. The state-of-the-art work on obtaining incremental quantile estimators is due to Tierney [12], and is based on the theory of stochastic approximation. However, a primary shortcoming of the latter work is the requirement to incrementally build local approximations of the distribution function in the neighborhood of the quantiles. This requirement, unfortunately, increases the complexity of the algorithm.

In addition to treating the case of a constant update parameter, we extend our work to include the case of a decreasing update parameter. Such modification is suitable for the case of a stationary environment where the true quantile is invariant over time. Experimental results demonstrate that our estimator outperforms the state-of-the-art estimators. In addition, it also copes with dynamic environments.
SIGCSE award winners
Authors: Doyle Maureen
Published: April 2016

The SIGCSE Symposium includes the presentation of SIGCSE's two major awards. The SIGCSE Award for Lifetime Service to the Computer Science Education Community was awarded to Barbara Boucher Owens, Emeritus Faculty from Southwestern University.
An improved process for the SIGCSE technical symposium
Authors: Casperson Michael
Published: April 2016

Most conferences have a Program Committee (PC) with personally invited members (typically in the range of 25--50 people). The setup for the SIGCSE Technical Symposium is radically different with a huge pool of ∼1,000 volunteers serving as reviewers.
Member spotlight
Authors: Doyle Maureen
Published: April 2016

In this feature of the Bulletin, we highlight members of the SIGCSE community. In this issue, Bulletin co-editor Maureen Doyle interviewed ACM Outstanding Contribution to Computer Science Education Award winner Jan Cuny, National Science foundation.
SIGCSE business meeting report
Authors: Sheard Judy
Published: April 2016

The annual business meeting of the SIGCSE Board was held on March 4, 2016. The SIGCSE Board Chair, Susan Rodger, introduced the SIGCSE Board members. Susan thanked past, present and future Chairs of the Symposium, ITiCSE, and ICER. She also thanked the co-editors of the SIGCSE Bulletin and the new co-editors of ACM Inroads.
Making Better Chimeric Antigen Receptors for Adoptive T-cell Therapy
Authors: Maus Marcela V. , June Carl H.
Published: April 2016

Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) are engineered fusion proteins constructed from antigen recognition, signaling, and costimulatory domains that can be expressed in cytotoxic T cells with the purpose of reprograming the T cells to specifically target tumor cells. CAR T-cell therapy uses gene transfer technology to reprogram a patient's own T cells to stably express CARs, thereby combining the specificity of an antibody with the potent cytotoxic and memory functions of a T cell. In early-phase clinical trials, CAR T cells targeting CD19 have resulted in sustained complete responses within a population of otherwise refractory patients with B-cell malignancies and, more specifically, have shown complete response rates of approximately 90% in patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Given this clinical efficacy, preclinical development of CAR T-cell therapy for a number of cancer indications has been actively investigated, and the future of the CAR T-cell field is extensive and dynamic. Several approaches to increase the feasibility and safety of CAR T cells are currently being explored, including investigation into the mechanisms regulating the persistence of CAR T cells. In addition, numerous early-phase clinical trials are now investigating CAR T-cell therapy beyond targeting CD19, especially in solid tumors. Trials investigating combinations of CAR T cells with immune checkpoint blockade therapies are now beginning and results are eagerly awaited. This review evaluates several of the ongoing and future directions of CAR T-cell therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 22(8); 1875–84. ©2016 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Opportunities and Challenges in Cancer Immunotherapy.”
The Where, the When, and the How of Immune Monitoring for Cancer Immunotherapies in the Era of Checkpoint Inhibition
Authors: Hegde Priti S. , Karanikas Vaios , Evers Stefan
Published: April 2016

Clinical trials with immune checkpoint inhibitors have provided important insights into the mode of action of anticancer immune therapies and potential mechanisms of immune escape. Development of the next wave of rational clinical combination strategies will require a deep understanding of the mechanisms by which combination partners influence the battle between the immune system's capabilities to fight cancer and the immune-suppressive processes that promote tumor growth. This review focuses on our current understanding of tumor and circulating pharmacodynamic correlates of immune modulation and elaborates on lessons learned from human translational research with checkpoint inhibitors. Actionable tumor markers of immune activation including CD8+ T cells, PD-L1 IHC as a pharmacodynamic marker of T-cell function, T-cell clonality, and challenges with conduct of trials that ask scientific questions from serial biopsies are addressed. Proposals for clinical trial design, as well as future applications of peripheral pharmacodynamic endpoints as potential surrogates of early clinical activity, are discussed. On the basis of emerging mechanisms of response and immune escape, we propose the concept of the tumor immunity continuum as a framework for developing rational combination strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 22(8); 1865–74. ©2016 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Opportunities and Challenges in Cancer Immunotherapy.”
Targeting the Heterogeneity of Cancer with Individualized Neoepitope Vaccines
Authors: Türeci Özlem , Vormehr Mathias , Diken Mustafa , Kreiter Sebastian , Huber Christoph , Sahin Ugur
Published: April 2016

Somatic mutations binding to the patient's MHC and recognized by autologous T cells (neoepitopes) are ideal cancer vaccine targets. They combine a favorable safety profile due to a lack of expression in healthy tissues with a high likelihood of immunogenicity, as T cells recognizing neoepitopes are not shaped by central immune tolerance. Proteins mutated in cancer (neoantigens) shared by patients have been explored as vaccine targets for many years. Shared (“public”) mutations, however, are rare, as the vast majority of cancer mutations in a given tumor are unique for the individual patient. Recently, the novel concept of truly individualized cancer vaccination emerged, which exploits the vast source of patient-specific “private” mutations. Concurrence of scientific advances and technological breakthroughs enables the rapid, cost-efficient, and comprehensive mapping of the “mutanome,” which is the entirety of somatic mutations in an individual tumor, and the rational selection of neoepitopes. How to transform tumor mutanome data to actionable knowledge for tailoring individualized vaccines “on demand” has become a novel research field with paradigm-shifting potential. This review gives an overview with particular focus on the clinical development of such vaccines. Clin Cancer Res; 22(8); 1885–96. ©2016 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Opportunities and Challenges in Cancer Immunotherapy.”
NOTCH1 and SOX10 are Essential for Proliferation and Radiation Resistance of Cancer Stem–Like Cells in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Authors: Panaccione Alex , Chang Michael T. , Carbone Beatrice E. , Guo Yan , Moskaluk Christopher A. , Virk Renu K. , Chiriboga Luis , Prasad Manju L. , Judson Benjamin , Mehra Saral , Yarbrough Wendell G. , Ivanov Sergey V.
Published: April 2016

Purpose: Although the existence of cancer stem cells (CSC) in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) has been proposed, lack of assays for their propagation and uncertainty about molecular markers prevented their characterization. Our objective was to isolate CSC from ACC and provide insight into signaling pathways that support their propagation.

Experimental Design: To isolate CSC from ACC and characterize them, we used ROCK inhibitor-supplemented cell culture, immunomagnetic cell sorting, and in vitro/in vivo assays for CSC viability and tumorigenicity.

Results: We identified in ACC CD133-positive CSC that expressed NOTCH1 and SOX10, formed spheroids, and initiated tumors in nude mice. CD133+ ACC cells produced activated NOTCH1 (N1ICD) and generated CD133− cells that expressed JAG1 as well as neural differentiation factors NR2F1, NR2F2, and p27Kip1. Knockdowns of NOTCH1, SOX10, and their common effector FABP7 had negative effects on each other, inhibited spheroidogenesis, and induced cell death pointing at their essential roles in CSC maintenance. Downstream effects of FABP7 knockdown included suppression of a broad spectrum of genes involved in proliferation, ribosome biogenesis, and metabolism. Among proliferation-linked NOTCH1/FABP7 targets, we identified SKP2 and its substrate p27Kip1. A γ-secretase inhibitor, DAPT, selectively depleted CD133+ cells, suppressed N1ICD and SKP2, induced p27Kip1, inhibited ACC growth in vivo, and sensitized CD133+ cells to radiation.

Conclusions: These results establish in the majority of ACC the presence of a previously uncharacterized population of CD133+ cells with neural stem properties, which are driven by SOX10, NOTCH1, and FABP7. Sensitivity of these cells to Notch inhibition and their dependence on SKP2 offer new opportunities for targeted ACC therapies. Clin Cancer Res; 22(8); 2083–95. ©2016 AACR.
Emerging Opportunities and Challenges in Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Whiteside Theresa L. , Demaria Sandra , Rodriguez-Ruiz Maria E. , Zarour Hassane M. , Melero Ignacio
Published: April 2016

Immunotherapy strategies against cancer are emerging as powerful weapons for treatment of this disease. The success of checkpoint inhibitors against metastatic melanoma and adoptive T-cell therapy with chimeric antigen receptor T cells against B-cell–derived leukemias and lymphomas are only two examples of developments that are changing the paradigms of clinical cancer management. These changes are a result of many years of intense research into complex and interrelated cellular and molecular mechanisms controling immune responses. Promising advances come from the discovery of cancer mutation-encoded neoantigens, improvements in vaccine development, progress in delivery of cellular therapies, and impressive achievements in biotechnology. As a result, radical transformation of cancer treatment is taking place in which conventional cancer treatments are being integrated with immunotherapeutic agents. Many clinical trials are in progress testing potential synergistic effects of treatments combining immunotherapy with other therapies. Much remains to be learned about the selection, delivery, and off-target effects of immunotherapy used alone or in combination. The existence of numerous escape mechanisms from the host immune system that human tumors have evolved still is a barrier to success. Efforts to understand the rules of immune cell dysfunction and of cancer-associated local and systemic immune suppression are providing new insights and fuel the enthusiasm for new therapeutic strategies. In the future, it might be possible to tailor immune therapy for each cancer patient. The use of new immune biomarkers and the ability to assess responses to therapy by noninvasive monitoring promise to improve early cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Personalized immunotherapy based on individual genetic, molecular, and immune profiling is a potentially achievable future goal. The current excitement for immunotherapy is justified in view of many existing opportunities for harnessing the immune system to treat cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 22(8); 1845–55. ©2016 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Opportunities and Challenges in Cancer Immunotherapy.”
Strategic Combinations: The Future of Oncolytic Virotherapy with Reovirus
Authors: Zhao Xing , Chester Cariad , Rajasekaran Narendiran , He ZhiXu , Kohrt Holbrook E.
Published: April 2016

The dominant cancer treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and even targeted kinase inhibitors and mAbs are limited by low efficacy, toxicity, and treatment-resistant tumor subclones. Oncolytic viral therapy offers a novel therapeutic strategy that has the potential to dramatically improve clinical outcomes. Reovirus, a double-stranded benign human RNA virus, is a leading candidate for therapeutic development and currently in phase III trials. Reovirus selectively targets transformed cells with activated Ras signaling pathways; Ras genes are some of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human cancer and it is estimated that at least 30% of all human tumors exhibit aberrant Ras signaling. By targeting Ras-activated cells, reovirus can directly lyse cancer cells, disrupt tumor immunosuppressive mechanisms, reestablish multicellular immune surveillance, and generate robust antitumor responses. Reovirus therapy is currently being tested in combination with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. In this review, we discuss the current successes of these combinatorial therapeutic strategies and emphasize the importance of prioritizing combination oncolytic viral therapy as reovirus-based treatments progress in clinical development. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(5); 767–73. ©2016 AACR.
Isorhapontigenin (ISO) Inhibits Invasive Bladder Cancer Formation In Vivo and Human Bladder Cancer Invasion In Vitro by Targeting STAT1/FOXO1 Axis
Authors: Jiang Guosong , Wu Amy D. , Huang Chao , Gu Jiayan , Zhang Liping , Huang Haishan , Liao Xin , Li Jingxia , Zhang Dongyun , Zeng Xingruo , Jin Honglei , Huang Haojie , Huang Chuanshu
Published: April 2016

Although our most recent studies have identified Isorhapontigenin (ISO), a novel derivative of stilbene that isolated from a Chinese herb Gnetum cleistostachyum, for its inhibition of human bladder cancer growth, nothing is known whether ISO possesses an inhibitory effect on bladder cancer invasion. Thus, we addressed this important question in current study and discovered that ISO treatment could inhibit mouse-invasive bladder cancer development following bladder carcinogen N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN) exposure in vivo. We also found that ISO suppressed human bladder cancer cell invasion accompanied by upregulation of the forkhead box class O 1 (FOXO1) mRNA transcription in vitro. Accordingly, FOXO1 was profoundly downregulated in human bladder cancer tissues and was negatively correlated with bladder cancer invasion. Forced expression of FOXO1 specifically suppressed high-grade human bladder cancer cell invasion, whereas knockdown of FOXO1 promoted noninvasive bladder cancer cells becoming invasive bladder cancer cells. Moreover, knockout of FOXO1 significantly increased bladder cancer cell invasion and abolished the ISO inhibition of invasion in human bladder cancer cells. Further studies showed that the inhibition of Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) phosphorylation at Tyr701 was crucial for ISO upregulation of FOXO1 transcription. Furthermore, this study revealed that metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) was a FOXO1 downstream effector, which was also supported by data obtained from mouse model of ISO inhibition BBN-induced mouse-invasive bladder cancer formation. These findings not only provide a novel insight into the understanding of mechanism of bladder cancer's propensity to invasion, but also identify a new role and mechanisms underlying the natural compound ISO that specifically suppresses such bladder cancer invasion through targeting the STAT1–FOXO1–MMP-2 axis. Cancer Prev Res; 9(7); 567–80. ©2016 AACR.
Association Between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Atrial Fibrillation Risk
Authors: Zhang Chun-Hong , Huang Dang-Sheng , Shen Dong , Zhang Li-Wei , Ma Yong-Jiang , Wang Yu-Mei , Sun Hong-Yan
Published: April 2016

Background: Several studies were published to assess the association between serum uric acid levels and atrial fibrillation risk, but no consistent results were reported. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the evidence of the association between hyperuricemia and atrial fibrillation risk. Material/Methods: Pubmed and Embase databases were searched for prospective cohort studies assessing the association between hyperuricemia and atrial fibrillation risk. Relative risks (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were pooled using random-effect of meta-analysis to assess the risk of atrial fibrillation in individuals with hyperuricemia. Results: Six cohort studies were finally included into the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of those 6 studies showed that hyperuricemia was significantly associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (RR = 1.49, 95%CI 1.24-1.79, P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis by omitting single study sequentially by turns did not have any obvious influence on the pooled risk estimates. There was no obvious risk of publication bias in the meta-analysis. Conclusions: Based on the currently available data, hyperuricemia is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation.
Total Red Blood Cell Transfusions for Chronic Hemodialysis Patients in a Single Center, 2009-2013
Authors: Albright Jr. Robert C. , Dillon John J. , Hocum Craig L. , Stubbs James R. , Johnson Pamela M. , Hickson LaTonya J. , Williams Amy W. , Dingli David , McCarthy James T.
Published: April 2016

Background: Anemia management in chronic hemodialysis (HD) has been affected by the implementation of the prospective payment system (PPS) and changes in clinical guidelines. These factors could impact red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in HD patients. Our distinctive care system contains complete records for all RBC transfusions among our HD patients. Aims: To determine RBC transfusions in patients with prevalent chronic HD, site of administration (inpatient or outpatient), and ordering physician specialty for inpatients; compare pre- and post-PPS RBC transfusions; and compare RBC transfusions during changes in desired outpatient hemoglobin (Hb) range for patients with chronic HD. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical and blood bank records for patients with prevalent chronic HD July 2009 through June 2013. Results: In total, 310-356 patients were studied. Mean (SD) units of RBCs per 100 patients per month for the study's 48 months were outpatient, 2.6 (1.5), and inpatient, 9.4 (4.6). Outpatient pre-PPS RBC units transfused were 2.1 (0.6) vs. post-PPS of 2.6 (1.5; p = 0.22, t test); for inpatients pre-PPS, 7.9 (4.5) RBC units per month vs. post-PPS, 11.5 (5.1; p = 0.11, t test). Inpatient RBC transfusions accounted for 75.2% (14.2%) of all RBC transfusions; 67.3% (16.3%) of inpatient transfusions were ordered by nonnephrologists. Changes in desired Hb range for outpatient HD patients did not lead to changes in RBC transfusions. Conclusions: No changes in RBC transfusions occurred among our patients with chronic HD with PPS implementation and in desired Hb range during the study period. Most transfusions were given in inpatient settings by nonnephrologists.
A Single Nucleotide Variant in the Promoter Region of 17β-HSD Type 5 Gene Influences External Genitalia Virilization in Females with 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency
Authors: Kaupert Laura C. , Gomes Larissa G. , Brito Vinícius N. , Lemos-Marini Sofia H.V. , de Mello Maricilda P. , Longui Carlos A. , Kochi Cristiane , de Castro Margaret , Guerra Jr. Gil , Mendonca Berenice B. , Bachega Tânia A.S.S.
Published: April 2016

Background: In 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD), there is an influence of genotype on the severity of external genitalia virilization. However, females carrying mutations predicting a similar impairment of enzymatic activity present a wide variability of genital phenotypes. In such cases, interindividual variability in genes related to the sex steroid hormone pathway could play a role. Objective: To evaluate the influence of POR, HSD17B5 and SRD5A2 variants on the severity of external genitalia virilization in 21-OHD females. Design and Patients: Prader stages were evaluated in 178 females with 21-OHD from a multicenter study. The 21-OHD genotypes were divided into two groups according to their severity: severe and moderate. The influences of the POR p.A503V, HSD17B5 c.-71A>G, HSD17B5 c.-210A>C, and SRD5A2 p.A49T and p.V89L variants on the degree of external genitalia virilization were analyzed. Results: The POR p.A503V, HSD17B5 c.-71A>G, HSD17B5 c.-210A>C, and SRD5A2 p.A49T and p.V89L variants were found in 25, 33, 17, 1, and 31% of the alleles, respectively. In uni- and multilinear regression, HSD17B5 c.-210A>C has a significant influence on the degree of external genitalia virilization. This variant was also identified with a higher frequency in the most severely virilized females. Conclusion: We demonstrated that a variant in the promoter region of HSD17B5 related to fetal androgen synthesis influences the genital phenotype in 21-OHD females.
Role of Tamsulosin Therapy after Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy for Renal Stones: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ahmed Abul-fotouh , Shalaby Essam , El-feky Mohamed , Kotb Ayman , Elsotohi Ebrahim , El-kholy Jr. Mohamed , Ragab Ahmed , Salem Emad
Published: April 2016

Introduction: To evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive tamsulosin therapy after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for renal stones. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on patients who underwent single-session SWL for solitary renal stone less than 20 mm. Post-SWL, patients were randomly divided into 2 groups; the tamsulosin group (TG), received a daily dose of tamsulosin 0.4 mg, for a maximum of 12 weeks, with post-SWL traditional analgesia and control group (CG), received the traditional analgesia alone. Results: The study enrolled 271 patients and eventually only 249 (123 in TG and 126 in CG) completed the study. The overall stone free rate was 73.5%: 78.0% in TG and 69.0% in CG (p = 0.108). In TG, 8.1% of patients experienced at least one episode of acute renal/ureteral colic compared with 19.8% of controls (p = 0.008). The mean cumulative analgesia dosage per subject was 313 mg in TG and 346 mg in CG (p < 0.001). Overall, 14 patients developed steinstrasse and 6 of them (all in CG) needed urgent intervention (p = 0.031). Conclusions: Daily tamsulosin therapy does not enhance the clearance of stone fragments but decreases the pain episodes, analgesia dosage and need for adjuvant intervention after SWL for renal stones.
Paul Celan: A expressão do indizível
Authors: Aron Irene
Published: April 2016

Unter dem Titel "Paul Celan: Ausdruck des Unsagbaren" wird gezeigt, wie Celan mit einfachen linguistischen Mitteln und den aus der lyrischen Tradition übernommenen Topoi die Realität des Bösen im Dritten Reich darstellt. Zugleich wird dadurch in seiner Todesfuge die deutsche Sprache nach Auschwitz in Frage gestellt.
Conflito de gerações: O expressionismo e Christoph Meckel
Authors: Dornbusch Claudia
Published: April 2016

In diesem Artikel geht es darum, Charakteristika des deutschen Expressionismus und ihre Varianten in der deutschen Gegenwarsliteratur nachzuweisen. Unter dem Gesichtspunkt des Generationenkonflikts wird das 1980 veröffentlichte Werk Suchbild über meinen Vater von Christoph Meckel untersucht.
Os dois Brasis de Marie Luise Kaschnitz
Authors: Sousa Celeste H. M. Ribeiro de
Published: April 2016

Absicht dieses Aufsatzes ist es, die zwei verschiedenen, in den Reiseaufzeichnungen und der Lyrik von Marie Luise Kaschnitz gestalteten Brasilienbilder zu zeigen und zu deuten.
Die Verkümmerung der Erfahrung: Eine vergleichende Analyse von Peter Schlemihls Wundersame Geschichte und Das Parfum
Authors: Seidel Roberto Henrique
Published: April 2016

O presente artigo é uma análise comparativa de Das Parfum de Patrick Süskind e Peter Schlemihts wundersame Geschichte de Adalbert von Chamisso. A análise aplica os conceitos de experiência e evento de Walter Benjamin à estrutura profunda das narrativas e dos caracteres e confronta a temática da identidade do herói moderno sem nenhuma experiência com a perda de sentido que o indivíduo sofre em função do desencantamento do mundo.
Os verbos de conexão no alemão e no português
Authors: Fischer Eliana Gabriela
Published: April 2016

Der vorliegende Aufsatz stellt eine Klasse von Verben vor, die dazu dienen, zwei oder mehr Propositionen zu verbinden, ähnlich wie dies durch Konjunktionen und Präpositionen geschieht. Das Ziel der Arbeit ist, die Typen der semantischen Verbindungen, die sie herstellen, zu klassifizieren: Ursache und Wirkung, Äquivalenz und Temporalität. Verben mit dieser Art von Konnektivität werden Konnektions verben genannt. Sie werden sowohl für das Deutsche als auch für das Portugiesische untersucht, nach semantischen Relationen geordnet und mit Hilfe semantischer und syntaktischer Kriterien beschrieben.
Aspectos dos tempos verbais
Authors: Battaglia Maria Helena V.
Published: April 2016

In diesem Aufsatz werde ich zwei Tempora der Vergangenheit im Deutschen behandeln, das Doppelperfekt und das Doppelplusquamperfekt. Ein Grund dafür, gerade diese beiden Formen zu beschreiben, liegt darin, daß sie einerseits in den Grammatiken kaum berücksichtigt werden, in entsprechenden linguistischen Arbeiten aber einen neuen Aufschwung bekommen haben. Für die Beschreibung beziehe ich mich überwiegend auf die Arbeiten von HAUSER-SUIDA & HOPPE-BEUGEL (1972), EROMS (1984), THIEROFF (1992) und VATER (1994). Die Formen werden zuerst rein formal und dann in ihrer Bedeutung und Anwendung beschrieben, ergänzt durch Beispiele, die den oben genannten. Arbeiten entnommen wurden.
Os verbos de transporte aprefixados com weg-. Uma análise contrastiva de dados produzidos por informantes alemães e brasileiros
Authors: Silva Renato Ferreira da , Moreira Luis Fernando Dias , Blühdorn Hardarik
Published: April 2016

Der vorliegende Aufsatz untersucht vier deutsche Transportverben mit dem Präfix weg- hinsichtlich ihrer Syntax sowie ihrer semantischen und pragmatischen Interpretationen. Die analysierten empirischen Daten stammen aus einem kontrastiven Korpus des Deutschen und des brasilianischen Portugiesich als Fremdsprachen. Die Analyse gründet sich auf das Konzept des Fokus, der definiert wird als ein Punkt auf dem vom Patiens des Prozesses durchlaufenen Weg. Der Fokus muß entwder erwähnt werden oder kontextuell evident sein. Jedes Transportverb besitzt die Fähigkeit, einen typischen Fokus zu etablieren. Deutsche Präfixverben mit weg- sind durch einen Fokuskonflikt gekennzeichnet, der durch verschiedene Interpretationsstrategien aufgelöst werden kann.
Die produktive Rezeption von Thomas Mann im Roman Ana em Veneza von João Silvério Trevisan (1994)
Authors: Pawlik Angela , Stahr Henrick
Published: April 2016

O romance Ana em Veneza (1994), de João Silvério Trevisan, é construído como um jogo literário de referências intertextuais à obra de Thomas Mann. Serviram de modelo, sobretudo, os contos Enttäuschung (Desilusão) e Tod in Venedig (Morte em Veneza) e o romance Doktor Faustus (Doutor Fausto). Trevisan utiliza personagens, motivos e temas de Thomas Mann em vários níveis de sua própria criação literária e os toma como padrão de uma noção "européia" de arte, cuja essência é discutida através das personagens, em busca de uma identidade artística especificamente brasileira. O artigo faz uma análise crítica desta recepção produtiva de motivos mannianos, referindo-se às idéias básicas do romance.
Heiner Müller e Brecht
Authors: Röhl Ruth
Published: April 2016

Gestützt auf Heiner Müllers Fatzer +- Keuner, zeigt diese Artikel Müllers Meinung über Brechts Werk. Müllers Bearbeitungen von Brechts Lehrstücken werden mit dem Original verglichen und kommentiert.
Da imagem do Brasil ao teatro de Brecht: A peça Baal
Authors: Sousa Celeste H.M. Ribeiro de
Published: April 2016

Das Stück Baal des jungen Brecht enthält eine Anspielung auf Brasilien. Aus der Interpretation des dort vermittelten Brasilienbildes kann sich eine nützliche Diskussion entwickeln, um das Theater Brechts im Unterricht einzuführen und den Schüler zur Beschäftigung mit ihm zu motivieren. Der vorliegende Aufsatz will dazu anregen, die Auseinandersetzung mit Brecht mit seinem Erstlingsstück zu beginnen, und skizziert dazu einen möglichen Weg.
Mesa-redonda - A estética do teatro de Brecht
Authors: Coelho Caco , Peixoto Fernando , Bolle Willi
Published: April 2016

Drei Erfahrungsberichte über Bertolt Brechts Theater auf brasilianischen Bühnen. Caco Coelho spricht über den Zyklus der Brecht-Lesungen, -Aufführungen und -Vorträge seiner Theatergruppe Os Fodidos Privilegiados 1998 in Rio de Janeiro. Fernando Peixoto vertritt die Ansicht, daß der zentrale Punkt von Brechts Theater darin besteht, Emotionen im zwischenmenschlichen Verhalten und in ihren politisch-historischen Kontexten verstehbar zu machen. Er erzählt unter anderm von einer "Wiederentdeckung" der Brechtschen Theaterästhetik durch eine Laiengruppe in Amazonien und vertritt insgesamt ein undogmatisches, auf die heutigen Verhältnisse ausgerichtetes Lernen mit Brecht. Willi Bolle berichtet von seiner Inszenierung von Brechts Die Hochzeit (1919) mit einer Laien-Theatergruppe in São Paulo 1997-1998, in der die lineare Struktur des Textes durchbrochen wurde durch die Einführung einer neuen Perspektive sowie einer neuen Figur, der Braut, die sich das Hochzeitsfest in der Erinnerung vergegenwärtigt.
Grimmelshausen - Um tratadista político por trás do romancista?
Authors: Malheiros Maria Do Carmo
Published: April 2016

Die Absicht dieses Aufsatzes besteht darin, dem brasilianischen Leser einige Aspekte des wichtigsten deutschen Prosatextes des 17. Jahrhunderts, des Romans Simplicissimus Teutsch (1668), und seines Autors Hans Jacob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen (1621/2-1676), vorzustellen. Ausserdem behandelt er die möglichen Kontakte Grimmelshausens zu den politischen Theorien seiner Zeit.
Kontingenz-Erfahrung in der Romantik. Ausdrucksbegehren und Zensur bei Karoline von Günderrode
Authors: Von Hoff Dagmar
Published: April 2016

Este artigo oferece um panorama da vida e obra de Karoline von Günderrode (1780-1806) no Romantismo alemão. Karoline von Günderrode é uma das mais modernas e radicais escritoras de seu tempo, porque ela expressa a contingência, a marca de uma era moderna. O artigo tambéme examina aspectos de gendered censorship [censura em função de gênero] em seu trabalho, especialmente em seus dramas. Para compreender o fenômeno, é necessário ter uma visão da censura de dentro e de fora. O drama e o teatro no século XVIII eram um tabu para as mulheres. Günderrode reagiu com tripla auto-censura: em sua forma de expressar-se, em sua opção por escrever sob dois pseudônimos (Tian e Ion) e em sua decisão de deixar um número de dramas inacabados. Karoline von Günderrode cometeu suicídio aos 26 anos. É possível entender também seu suicídio como um ato de censura no contexto da experiência de contingência no Romantismo.
Etnografia e etnopoesia: Estudos sobre a Casa das Minas
Authors: Ferretti Sergio
Published: April 2016

Dies ist der Erfahrungsbericht eines brasilianischen Anthropologen über seine Feldforschung in Zusammenarbeit mit dem deutschen Schriftsteller Hubert Fichte in der Casa das Minas, in São Luis do Maranhão, 1981-1982. Wenngleich einige Fehlinformationen Fichtes berichtigt sowie seine Indiskretion gegenüber Informanten kritisiert werden, stellt dieser Aufsatz die mit dem deutschen 'Ethnopoeten' gemachten Lernerfahrungen in den Vordergrund: seine Kunst des Interviews, die Priorität von Gegenständen allgemeinen Interesses, die Wichtigkeit der Karteikarten-Datei, die Suche nach Schönheit in den Aussagen... Was die methodologischen Unterschiede betrifft, so erweist sich die Ethnopoesie als frei von den Konventionen anthropologischer Feldforschung und kann sich damit auf die ästhetischen Qualitäten des Textes, auf die literarische Form konzentrieren. Andererseits liegen die Vorzüge der Ethnographie, besonders in der Tradition Malinowskis, in der Verpflichtung gegenüber der Wahrheit der Fakten und der Präzision der Details. - Siehe auch, in dieser Nummer von Pandaemonium Germanicum, Willi Bolles komplementären Aufsatz über "Ethnopoesie und Ethnographie".
O modo subjuntivo no português do Brasil e no alemão
Authors: Glenk Eva , Gatti Iris Kurz
Published: April 2016

Für Lernende des Portugiesischen bzw. des Deutschen als Fremdsprache stellt der Konjuntiv eine Lernschwierigkeit dar. Ausgehend von syntaktischen und pragmatischen Kategorien wird hier versucht, eine Klassifikation des Konjunktivs durchzuführen, die seinen Gebrauch beschreibt und einen Vergleich des portugiesischen subjuntivo mit dem deutschen Konjunktiv ermöglicht.
Textproduktion bei bilingualen Daf-Studierenden - erste Analysen und Ergebnisse einer Forschungsarbeit zum Deutschunterricht am IFPLA in São Leopoldo (RS)
Authors: Gärtner Angelika
Published: April 2016

O artigo pretende chamar a atenção para a existência de uma forma específica do bilinguismo no Rio Grande do Sul: alemão (dialetal) e português. Assim, abordará as consequências linguísticas da imigração alemã e, com isso, a influência do alemão dialetal e do português no processo de aprendizagem da língua alemã padrão respectivamente estrangeira por estudantes teuto-brasileiros numa universidade.