bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selecting children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease for endoscopy with the calgranulin C or calprotectin stool test: protocol of the CACATU study
Authors: Heida Anke , Van de Vijver Els , Muller Kobold Anneke , van Rheenen Patrick
Published: May 2017

Introduction

The introduction of the faecal calprotectin (FC) test to screen children with chronic gastrointestinal complaints has helped the clinician to decide whether or not to subject the patient to endoscopy. In spite of this, a considerable number of patients without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still scoped. Faecal calgranulin C (S100A12) is a marker of intestinal inflammation that is potentially more specific for IBD than FC, as it is exclusively released by activated granulocytes.

Objective

To determine whether the specificity of S100A12 is superior to the specificity of FC without sacrificing sensitivity in patients with suspected IBD.

Methods

An international prospective cohort of children with suspected IBD will be screened with the existing FC stool test and the new S100A12 stool test. The reference standard (endoscopy with biopsies) will be applied to patients at high risk of IBD, while a secondary reference (clinical follow-up) will be applied to those at low risk of IBD. The differences in specificity and sensitivity between the two markers will be calculated.

Ethics and dissemination

This study is submitted to and approved by the Medical Ethics Review Committee of the University Medical Center Groningen (the Netherlands) and the Antwerp University Hospital (Belgium). The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication, conference presentation and incorporation in the upcoming National Guideline on Diagnosis and Therapy of IBD in Children.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT02197780.
If psychosis were cancer: a speculative comparison
Authors: Larkin Michael , Boden Zoë , Newton Elizabeth
Published: May 2017

Recently, health policy in the UK has begun to engage with the concept of ‘parity of esteem’ between physical and mental healthcare. This has led one recent initiative to improve service provision for first episode psychosis, which aims to bring it into line with some of the principles underpinning good practice in cancer care. In this paper, we consider some of the metaphorical consequences of likening psychosis to cancer. While we find the comparison unhelpful for clinical purposes, we argue that it can be a helpful lens through which to examine service provision for psychosis in young people. Through this lens, specialist community-based services would appear to compare reasonably well. Inpatient care for young people with psychosis, on the other hand, suffers very badly by comparison with inpatient facilities for teenage cancer care. We note some of the many positive features of inpatient cancer care for young adults, and—drawing upon previous research on inpatient psychiatric care—observe that many of these are usually absent from mental health facilities. We conclude that this metaphor may be a helpful rhetorical device for communicating the lack of ‘parity of esteem’ between mental and physical healthcare. This inequity must be made visible in health policy, in commissioning, and in service provision.
‘Trapped in the labyrinth’: exploring mental illness through devised theatrical performance
Authors: Patterson Paul , Sextou Persephone
Published: May 2017

Mental health difficulties remain a major source of burden and distress for individuals, families, health and social care providers with stigma a key target for educational campaigns attempting to improve care pathways and access to support. Stigma is a multifaceted concept having a range of drivers including shame and is thought to act as a barrier to successful help seeking and engagement with support services. The current paper explores some of the salient themes that emerged from a British university drama project on the impact of symptoms and behaviours associated with a severe mental health condition on a young couple's relationship and reflects on the opportunities for connection with an audience provided by the medium and experience. It is suggested that enabling the impact of mental ill health to be explored in a protected environment such as theatre can allow for reflection and empathy to develop, with potential for positive impact on awareness understanding and stigma. Elements of the drama setting and narrative are explored, and analogies are made with the emerging literature on post-traumatic growth.
Contextualizing the first-round failure of the AHCA: down but not out
Authors: Hirsch Joshua A , Rosenkrantz Andrew B , Nicola Greg N , Harvey H Benjamin , Duszak Richard , Silva Ezequiel , Barr Robert M , Klucznik Richard P , Brook Allan L , Manchikanti Laxmaiah
Published: May 2017

On 8 November 2016 the American electorate voted Donald Trump into the Presidency and a majority of Republicans into both houses of Congress. Since many Republicans ran for elected office on the promise to ‘repeal and replace’ Obamacare, this election result came with an expectation that campaign rhetoric would result in legislative action on healthcare. The American Health Care Act (AHCA) represented the Republican effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Key elements of the AHCA included modifications of Medicaid expansion, repeal of the individual mandate, replacement of ACA subsidies with tax credits, and a broadening of the opportunity to use healthcare savings accounts. Details of the bill and the political issues which ultimately impeded its passage are discussed here.
Flume-scale experiments on suffusion at bottom of cutoff wall in sandy gravel alluvium
Authors: Luo Yulong , Nie Min , Xiao Ming
Published: May 2017

This paper presents a series of flume-scale experiments to investigate suffusion at the bottom of a cutoff wall in an internally unstable sandy gravel alluvium. The initiation, progression, and potential failure of suffusion and the interactive effects of geomechanical and hydraulic conditions with the evolution of suffusion were investigated in this particular application. Temporal and spatial development of pore pressure, earth pressure, and settlement demonstrated suffusion was a multi-phase (involving pore water, fine and coarse fractions) and multi-field (involving seepage, seepage-induced fine-fraction variation, and stress–deformation) coupling phenomenon. Suffusion initiated at the downstream side of the tip of the cutoff wall and then generally progressed backward to the upstream side. The monitored earth pressure provided an evidence of the heterogeneous stress distribution in internally unstable soil. Two linear empirical formulas for average hydraulic gradients at the initiation of suffusion and at blowout were derived based on the flume-scale model experiments.
Experimental investigation of compaction-grouted soil nails
Authors: Wang Qiong , Ye Xinyu , Wang Shanyong , Sloan Scott William , Sheng Daichao
Published: May 2017

An innovative compaction-grouted soil nail was designed by injecting grout into a special latex balloon (grouting bag) to avoid bleeding and penetration of grout into the surrounding soil. A series of large-scale model tests was performed to study the surrounding soil responses due to grouting and the subsequent pull-out resistance of the soil nail. The experimental results show that grouting pressure plays an important role in the enhancement of the density and (or) strength of the surrounding soil. In addition, during the pull-out process, the compaction-grouted soil nail exhibits a strain-hardening behaviour without a yield point. This is a significant advantage of this new soil nail, indicating that it can enable soil masses to remain stable against a relatively large deformation before ultimate failure. The main factors behind the improvement of the pull-out resistance of the new soil nail are, first, the compaction–densification of the soil near the grouting bag due to grouting, resulting in the enhancement of the shear strength of the soil, and, second, the enlargement of the grouting bag, causing the increase of the interface shear and end resistance to the pull-out of the soil nail.
A relativistic quantum theory of dyons wave propagation
Authors: Chanyal B.C.
Published: May 2017

Beginning with the quaternionic generalization of the quantum wave equation, we construct a simple model of relativistic quantum electrodynamics for massive dyons. A new quaternionic form of unified relativistic wave equation consisting of vector and scalar functions is obtained, and also satisfy the quaternionic momentum eigenvalue equation. Keeping in mind the importance of quantum field theory, we investigate the relativistic quantum structure of electromagnetic wave propagation of dyons. The present quantum theory of electromagnetism leads to generalized Lorentz gauge conditions for the electric and magnetic charge of dyons. We also demonstrate the universal quantum wave equations for two four-potentials as well as two four-currents of dyons. The generalized continuity equations for massive dyons in case of quantum fields are expressed. Furthermore, we concluded that the quantum generalization of electromagnetic field equations of dyons can be related to analogous London field equations (i.e., current to electromagnetic fields in and around a superconductor).
The stereodynamics study on the isotopic substitution C + SH(D, T) → H(D, T) + CS reactions on the new HCS(X2A′ ) potential energy surface
Authors: Zhang Lu-Lu , Gao Shou-Bao , Song Yu-Zhi , Yue Da-Guang , Chen Guo-Meng , Meng Qing-Tian
Published: May 2017

The quasi-classical trajectory calculations are carried out to investigate the isotopic substitution effect on title reactions based on the recently developed, accurate potential energy surface of the HCS(X2[Formula: see text]) (Song, Zhang, et al. Sci. Rep. 6, 37734 (2016)). The total integral cross sections (ICSs) and vibrational state resolved ICSs are obtained for C + SH(D, T) → H(D, T) + CS reactions. In addition, differential cross sections and two angle distribution functions P(θr), P([Formula: see text]) at different collision energies are investigated. It is found that the peaks of P(θr) and P([Formula: see text]) become lower with the reagent molecule SH turning into SD and ST.
Chiral perturbation theory and nucleon–pion-state contaminations in lattice QCD
Authors: Bär Oliver
Published: May 2017

Multiparticle states with additional pions are expected to be a non-negligible source of excited-state contamination in lattice simulations at the physical point. It is shown that baryon chiral perturbation theory can be employed to calculate the contamination due to two-particle nucleon–pion-states in various nucleon observables. Leading order results are presented for the nucleon axial, tensor and scalar charge and three Mellin moments of parton distribution functions (quark momentum fraction, helicity and transversity moment). Taking into account phenomenological results for the charges and moments the impact of the nucleon–pion-states on lattice estimates for these observables can be estimated. The nucleon–pion-state contribution results in an overestimation of all charges and moments obtained with the plateau method. The overestimation is at the 5–10% level for source-sink separations of about 2 fm. The source-sink separations accessible in contemporary lattice simulations are found to be too small for chiral perturbation theory to be directly applicable.
Vertical Variation of Z-R Relationship at Hallasan Mountain during Typhoon Nakri in 2014
Authors: Yoo Chulsang , Ku Jung Mo
Published: May 2017

Hallasan Mountain is located at the center of Jeju Island, Korea. Even though the height of the mountain is just 1,950 m, the orographic effect is strong enough to cause heavy rainfall. In this study, a rainfall event, due to Typhoon Nakri in 2014, observed in Jeju Island was analyzed fully using the radar and rain gauge data. First, the Z-R relationship Z=ARb was derived for every 250 m interval from the sea level to the mountain top. The resulting Z-R relationships showed that the exponent b could be assumed as constant but that the parameter A showed a significant decreasing trend up to an altitude around 1,000 m before it increased again. The orographic effect was found to be most significant at this altitude of 1,000 m. Second, the derived Z-R relationships were applied to the corresponding altitude radar reflectivity data to generate the rain rate field over Jeju Island. This rain rate field was then used to derive the areal-average rain rate data. These data were found to be very similar to the rain gauge estimates but were significantly different from those derived from the application of the Marshall-Palmer equation to the 1.5 km CAPPI data, which is the data type that is generally used by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
Automated Generation of Reliable Blood Velocity Parameter Maps from Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Data
Authors: Theek Benjamin , Opacic Tatjana , Möckel Diana , Schmitz Georg , Lammers Twan , Kiessling Fabian
Published: May 2017

Objectives. The purpose of this study was the automated generation and validation of parametric blood flow velocity maps, based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) scans. Materials and Methods. Ethical approval for animal experiments was obtained. CEUS destruction-replenishment sequences were recorded in phantoms and three different tumor xenograft mouse models. Systematic pixel binning and intensity averaging was performed to generate parameter maps of blood flow velocities with different pixel resolution. The 95% confidence interval of the mean velocity, calculated on the basis of the whole tumor segmentation, served as ground truth for the different parameter maps. Results. In flow phantoms the measured mean velocity values were only weakly influenced by the pixel resolution and correlated with real velocities (r2≥0.94,  p<0.01). In tumor xenografts, however, calculated mean velocities varied significantly (p<0.0001), depending on the parameter maps’ resolution. Pixel binning was required for all in vivo measurements to obtain reliable parameter maps and its degree depended on the tumor model. Conclusion. Systematic pixel binning allows the automated identification of optimal pixel resolutions for parametric maps, supporting textural analysis of CEUS data. This approach is independent from the ultrasound setup and can be implemented in the software of other (clinical) ultrasound devices.
Thyroid Dysfunction in Non-Interferon Treated Hepatitis C Patients Residing in Hepatitis Endemic Area
Authors: Batool Nayab , Elahi Shan , Saleem Nazish , Ashraf Abrar
Published: May 2017

Background. Association of thyroid dysfunction (TD) with interferon treatment of HCV is well known to clinicians. However, a few studies have highlighted the role of hepatitis C virus per se in the development of TD. The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of TD in non-interferon treated HCV infected patients referred for thyroid function testing.Patients and Methods. Among 557 ELISA-positive HCV patients 446 (341 females, 105 males) were selected for this study. Serums FT4, FT3, and TSH were determined by radioimmunoassay method.Results. TD was detected in 15.2% of patients: 9.0% hypothyroidism and 6.3% hyperthyroidism. In increasing order subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, overt hyperthyroidism, and subclinical hyperthyroidism were found in 4.7%, 4.3%, 3.6%, and 2.7% patients, respectively. Overall TD was more common in female than in male HCV patients but the difference was not significant (16.1% versus 12.4%;p=0.648). Hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism were slightly more common in female and overall hypothyroidism and overt hypothyroidism in male patients but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The incidence of TD was relatively high in patients above 36 years (median age) but the difference was not statistically significant either collectively or in gender base groups (p>0.05).Conclusion. Prior to interferon treatment, HCV infection itself causes biochemical thyroid dysfunction in 15.2% of local HCV patients.
The Proline 7 Substitution in the Preproneuropeptide Y Is Associated with Higher Hepatic Lipase Activity In Vivo
Authors: Schiekofer Stephan , Kleber Marcus E. , Maerz Winfried , Rasche Franz M. , Schneider Jochen G.
Published: May 2017

Hepatic lipase (HL) functions as a lipolytic enzyme that hydrolyzes triglycerides and phospholipids present in circulating plasma lipoproteins. Plasma HL activity is known to be regulated by hormonal and metabolic factors, but HL responsiveness to insulin as well as its role in modulating atherosclerotic risk is still controversial. We investigated on the influence of a known polymorphism in the neurotransmitter neuropeptide Y (NPY) on HL activity in two different cohorts consisting of diabetic and nondiabetic patients. HL activity was 24% and 34% higher on nondiabetic and diabetic subjects in the presence of the 7Pro allele in NPY, respectively. The presence of the 7Pro allele was an independent predictor of HL activity in multivariate analyses in both cohorts. These data suggest a regulatory effect of NPY on HL activity. Among carriers of the 7Pro allele, we also found a statistically significant lower absolute number of infarctions compared to noncarriers (p<0.05) and a nonsignificant trend towards less myocardial infarction in the 7Pro allele diabetic carriers (p=0.085). In conclusion, the common 7Pro allele in NPY was associated with higher HL activity in nondiabetic and diabetic subjects and its presence seems to coincide with a lower frequency of certain cardiovascular events.
Danhong Huayu Koufuye Prevents Diabetic Retinopathy in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats via Antioxidation and Anti-Inflammation
Authors: Chen Wenpei , Yao Xiaolan , Zhou Chenghao , Zhang Ziyang , Gui Gang , Lin Baoqin
Published: May 2017

Danhong Huayu Koufuye (DHK), a traditional Chinese prescription, is used to treat central retinal vein occlusion clinically. We previously reported that DHK prevented diabetic retinopathy (DR) in rats. Moreover, we found that it protected endothelial cells from hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis through antioxidation and anti-inflammation. Here, we investigated whether antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of DHK contributed to its therapeutic effect on DR in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic rats. DHK significantly blocked the breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) and increased the thickness of the inner nuclear layer (INL), as well as suppressed the swelling of the ganglion cell layer (GCL) in diabetic retinas. DHK remarkably increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in plasma, and decreased serum level of nitric oxide (NO). Moreover, DHK markedly reduced the serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Furthermore, DHK significantly downregulated protein expressions of VEGF and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and mRNA expression of ICAM-1 in retinas. These results suggest that the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of DHK may be important mechanisms involved in the protective effect of DHK on DR in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
Random Modeling and Control of Nonlinear Active Suspension
Authors: Cui Mingyue , Geng Liangchao , Wu Zhaojing
Published: May 2017

For a quarter car with nonlinear active suspension in rough road, the problem of random modeling and control is considered. According to the relative motion principle, the influence of rough road can be seen as that force is disturbed by the noise and a random model is constructed. By an appropriate transform, the model is transformed into a lower triangular system, which can be used as backstepping method. Then a controller is designed such that the mean square of the state converges to an arbitrarily small neighborhood of zero by tuning design parameters. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. Therefore, the active suspension system offers better riding comfort and vehicle handing to the passengers.
Severe Short Stature in an Adolescent Male with Prader-Willi Syndrome and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Therapeutic Conundrum
Authors: Wasserman Meredith , Mulvihill Erin M. , Ganan-Soto Angela , Uysal Serife , Quintos Jose Bernardo
Published: May 2017

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency results in excess androgen production which can lead to early epiphyseal fusion and short stature. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder resulting from a defect on chromosome 15 due to paternal deletion, maternal uniparental disomy, or imprinting defect. Ninety percent of patients with PWS have short stature. In this article we report a patient with simple-virilizing CAH and PWS who was overtreated with glucocorticoids for CAH and not supplemented with growth hormone for PWS, resulting in a significantly short adult height.
Torsade de Pointes Induced by Hypokalemia from Imipenem and Piperacillin
Authors: Kumar Varun , Khosla Sandeep , Stancu Monica
Published: May 2017

Imipenem-cilastatin and piperacillin-tazobactam are two antibiotics with broad antimicrobial coverage. Besides the many well established adverse effects of these drugs, there have been few case reports of hypokalemia. Here we present an interesting case of resistant hypokalemia caused by these drugs leading to Torsades de Pointes which has never been reported in the past. Hypokalemia resolved with discontinuation of piperacillin.
Abdominal Hernias, Giant Colon Diverticulum, GIST, Intestinal Pneumatosis, Colon Ischemia, Cold Intussusception, Gallstone Ileus, and Foreign Bodies: Our Experience and Literature Review of Incidental Gastrointestinal MDCT Findings
Authors: Di Grezia G. , Gatta G. , Rella R. , Donatello D. , Falco G. , Grassi R. , Grassi R.
Published: May 2017

Incidental gastrointestinal findings are commonly detected on MDCT exams performed for various medical indications. This review describes the radiological MDCT spectrum of appearances already present in the past literature and in today’s experience of several gastrointestinal acute conditions such as abdominal hernia, giant colon diverticulum, GIST, intestinal pneumatosis, colon ischemia, cold intussusception, gallstone ileus, and foreign bodies which can require medical and surgical intervention or clinical follow-up. The clinical presentation of this illness is frequently nonspecific: abdominal pain, distension, nausea, fever, rectal bleeding, vomiting, constipation, or a palpable mass, depending on the disease. A proper differential diagnosis is essential in the assessment of treatment and in this case MDCT exam plays a central rule. We wish that this article will familiarize the radiologist in the diagnosis of this kind of incidental MDCT findings for better orientation of the therapy.
The Channel Estimation and Modeling in High Altitude Platform Station Wireless Communication Dynamic Network
Authors: Liu Xiaoyang , Zeng Xiaoping , Liu Chao , Liu Wanping , Zhang Yihao
Published: May 2017

In order to analyze the channel estimation performance of near space high altitude platform station (HAPS) in wireless communication system, the structure and formation of HAPS are studied in this paper. The traditional Least Squares (LS) channel estimation method and Singular Value Decomposition-Linear Minimum Mean-Squared (SVD-LMMS) channel estimation method are compared and investigated. A novel channel estimation method and model are proposed. The channel estimation performance of HAPS is studied deeply. The simulation and theoretical analysis results show that the performance of the proposed method is better than the traditional methods. The lower Bit Error Rate (BER) and higher Signal Noise Ratio (SNR) can be obtained by the proposed method compared with the LS and SVD-LMMS methods.
Bundle Size Engineering of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Seo Deok Min , Hahm Myung Gwan , Kim Young Lae
Published: May 2017

Small and large single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) bundles from different-sized cobalt catalyst clusters have been synthesized and prepared through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method by using Co-acetate ethanol solution with silica nanoparticles. By controlling concentration of Co-acetate ethanol solution (0.2 wt% and 0.4 wt%), various sizes and types of bundle of SWCNTs are grown on the silica nanoparticle substrates. Synthesized SWCNT’s diameter ranged from 0.92 nm to 1.63 nm, and chirality of SWCNTs and their electronic property from high concentration solution show diverse characteristics. In high concentration solution, the large number of cobalt clusters is induced to merge on the surface of silica nanoparticles and then lots of nucleation points are provided by cobalt clusters for growth of SWNTs. These results give us a promising path to selectively synthesize various types of SWCNTs with different shapes of merged cobalt catalyst. Engineering bundle sizes of SWCNTs can be promising key for diverse applications of carbon nanotubes.
In Situ Cytokine Expression and Morphometric Evaluation of Total Collagen and Collagens Type I and Type III in Keloid Scars
Authors: Silva Isabela Rios da , Tiveron Luciana Colombo Rodrigues da Cunha , da Silva Marcos Vinicius , Peixoto Alberto Borges , Carneiro Carla Aparecida Xavier , Reis M. A. dos , Furtado Pedro Carvalho , Rodrigues Bárbara Rocha , Rodrigues Virmondes , Rodrigues Denise Bertulucci Rocha
Published: May 2017

Keloids are characterized by excessive collagen deposition and growth beyond the edges of the initial injury, and cytokines may be related to their formation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the collagen fibers, analyze in situ expression of cytokines in keloid lesions, and compare to the control group. Results showed that there was a predominance of women and nonwhite and direct black ancestry. Keloid showed a significant increase in total and type III collagen. Significantly, the expression of mRNA for TGF-βin keloid was increased, the expressions of IFN-γ, IFN-γR1, and IL-10 were lower, and IFN-γR1 and TNF-αhad no statistical difference. Correlations between collagen type III and TGF-βmRNA expression were positive and significant, IFN-γ, IFN-γR1, and IL-10 were negative and significant, and TNF-αshowed no statistical difference. We conclude that there was a significant increase of total collagen in keloid and predominance of collagen type III compared to the controls, showing keloid as an immature lesion. There is a significant increase in TGF-βmRNA in keloid lesions, and a significant decrease in IFN-γand IL-10, suggesting that these cytokines are related to keloid lesions.
Mechanical Stimulation of the HT7 Acupuncture Point to Reduce Ethanol Self‐Administration in Rats
Authors: Kang Suk-Yun , Kwon O Sang , Moon Ji-Young , Cho Seong Jin , Choi Kwang-Ho , Kim Junbeom , Ahn Seong-Hun , Ryu Yeonhee
Published: May 2017

Background. Alcoholism, which is a disabling addiction disorder, is a major public health problem worldwide. The present study was designed to determine whether the application of acupuncture at the Shenmen (HT7) point suppresses voluntary alcohol consumption in addicted rats and whether this suppressive effect is potentiated by the administration of naltrexone. Methods. Rats were initially trained to self‐administer a sucrose solution by operating a lever. A mechanical acupuncture instrument (MAI) for objective mechanical stimulation was used on rats whose baseline response had been determined. In addition, the effect of HT7 acupuncture on beta‐endorphin concentration and ethanol intake via naltrexone were investigated in different groups. Results. We found that ethanol intake and beta‐endorphin level in rats being treated with the MAI at the HT7 point reduced significantly. The treatment of naltrexone at high doses reduced the ethanol intake and low‐dose injection of naltrexone in conjunction with the MAI also suppressed ethanol intake. Conclusions. The results of the current study indicate that using the MAI at the HT7 point effectively reduces ethanol consumption in rats. Furthermore, the coadministration of the MAI and a low dose of naltrexone can produce some more potent reducing effect of ethanol intake than can acupuncture alone.
Shenqiwan Ameliorates Renal Fibrosis in Rats by Inhibiting TGF‐β1/Smads Signaling Pathway
Authors: Chen Hongshu , Xu Yiqing , Yang Yuanxiao , Zhou Xiaojie , Dai Shijie , Li Changyu
Published: May 2017

Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) refers to the transition of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells. Emerging evidence suggests that EMT is a key point in renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF). Traditional Chinese Medicine Shenqiwan (SQW) is widely used in clinical treatment of chronic kidney disease, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of SQW on renal fibrosis and its association with TGF‐β1/Smads signaling pathway. A rat model of adenine (150 mg/kg) was established and intragastrically treated with various concentrations of SQW at dose of 1.5 g/kg, 3 g/kg, and 6 g/kg. Control group and model group were given the same volume of saline. Meanwhile, the positive control group was treated with Enalapril (4 mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed on 21st day after administration. The results showed that SQW could significantly relieve renal pathological damage caused by adenine, increase gene and protein expression of E‐cadherin, and decrease the expression of Vimentin in kidney samples. In addition, SQW efficiently inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of p‐Smad2/3 by upregulating Smad7. These results suggest that SQW could slow down the progression of renal fibrosis, possibly by inhibiting TGF‐β1/Smads signaling pathway.
Robust Active MPC Synchronization for Two Discrete-Time Chaotic Systems with Bounded Disturbance
Authors: Zhang Longge
Published: May 2017

This paper proposes a synchronization scheme for two discrete-time chaotic systems with bounded disturbance. By using active control method and imposing some restriction on the error state, the computation of controller’s feedback matrix is converted to the min-max optimization problem. The theoretical results are derived with the aid of predictive model predictive paradigm and linear matrix inequality technique. Two example simulations are performed to show the effectiveness of the designed control method.
Deliberative Self-Organizing Traffic Lights with Elementary Cellular Automata
Authors: Zapotecatl Jorge L. , Rosenblueth David A. , Gershenson Carlos
Published: May 2017

Self-organizing traffic lights have shown considerable improvements compared to traditional methods in computer simulations. Self-organizing methods, however, use sophisticated sensors, increasing their cost and limiting their deployment. We propose a novel approach using simple sensors to achieve self-organizing traffic light coordination. The proposed approach involves placing a computer and a presence sensor at the beginning of each block; each such sensor detects a single vehicle. Each computer builds a virtual environment simulating vehicle movement to predict arrivals and departures at the downstream intersection. At each intersection, a computer receives information across a data network from the computers of the neighboring blocks and runs a self-organizing method to control traffic lights. Our simulations showed a superior performance for our approach compared with a traditional method (a green wave) and a similar performance (close to optimal) compared with a self-organizing method using sophisticated sensors but at a lower cost. Moreover, the developed sensing approach exhibited greater robustness against sensor failures.
Fast Switching 4H-SiC P-i-n Structures Fabricated by Low Temperature Diffusion of Al
Authors: Atabaev I. G. , Juraev Kh. N. , Pak V. A.
Published: May 2017

P-i-n 4H-SiCAl diode structures are fabricated by a new approach which is low temperature diffusion of aluminium (Al) in SiC using flow of vacancy defects from surface into volume of crystal. In conventional diffusion in SiC, the operating temperature is usually >2050°C while, in this approach, the diffusion temperature is between 1150 and 1300°C. As the conditions of formation of junction in this method essentially differ from conventional diffusion (low temperature and process of diffusion are accompanied by forming structure defects), it is interesting to identify the advantages and disadvantages of a new method of diffusion. Fabricated p-i-n structures have low breakdown voltage between 80 and 140 V (due to the influence of dislocations and micropipes) and are capable of operating at temperatures up to 300°C. Structure has fast switching time and duration of the reverse recovery current less than 10 ns. We believe that because of low diffusion temperature, the concentration of nitrogen related trapping levels is relatively low and as a result the fast switching time is observed in our samples. It has been shown that this low temperature diffusion technology can be used to fabricate p-region and high resistive i-region of SiC diode in single-step process.
A Review of the Aetiopathogenesis and Clinical and Histopathological Features of Oral Mucosal Melanoma
Authors: Feller Liviu , Khammissa Razia A. G. , Lemmer Johan
Published: May 2017

Oral mucosal melanoma is an uncommon, usually heavily melanin-pigmented, but occasionally amelanotic aggressive tumour with a poor prognosis. Despite radical surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, local recurrence and distant metastasis are frequent. Microscopical examination is essential for diagnosis, and routine histological staining must be supplemented by immunohistochemical studies. The aetiology is unknown, the pathogenesis is poorly understood, and the 5-year survival rate rarely exceeds 30%. In most cases, oral mucosal melanoma arises from epithelial melanocytes in the basal layer of the epithelium and less frequently from immature melanocytes arrested in the lamina propria. In both cases the melanocytes undergo malignant transformation, invade deeper tissues, and metastasize to regional lymph nodes and to distant sites. Very rarely metastasis from skin melanoma may give rise to oral mucosal melanoma that may be mistaken for primary oral mucosal melanoma. The pathogenesis of oral mucosal melanoma is complex involving multiple interactions between cytogenetic factors including dysregulation of the cKit signalling pathways, cell cycle, apoptosis, and cell-to-cell interactions on the one hand and melanin itself, melanin intermediates, and local microenvironmental agents regulating melanogenesis on the other hand. The detailed mechanisms that initiate the malignant transformation of oral melanocytes and thereafter sustain and promote the process of melanomagenesis are unknown.
Regular Dental Visits: Influence on Health-Related Quality of Life in 1,607 Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Spalthoff Simon , Holtmann Henrik , Krüskemper Gertrud , Zimmerer Rüdiger , Handschel Jörg , Gellrich Nils-Claudius , Jehn Philipp
Published: May 2017

Background. The incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is in the top 10 of all cancer entities. Regular oral examinations by dentists play an important role in oral cancer prevention.Methods. Patients with OSCC (n=1,607) and physicians (n=1,489) completed questionnaires during the DÖSAK Rehab Study. The psychosocial and functional factors collected in these questionnaires were assessed in the present study. We compared patients who visited their dentist at least once a year (group A) with those who visited their dentist less than once a year (group B).Results. Patients in group A had significantly better health-related quality of life after tumor treatment than patients in group B. Patients in group A also had a smaller tumor size and less lymph node metastasis and lost fewer teeth during the treatment. This resulted in better prosthetic rehabilitation and better psychological status after tumor treatment.Conclusions. Dentists play an important role in the early recognition of oral cancer. This study should encourage dentists to take a more active role in oral cancer prevention.
Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Presenting as Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Report of 2 Patients
Authors: Trüeb Ralph M. , El Shabrawi-Caelen Laila , Kempf Werner
Published: May 2017

Frontal fibrosing alopecia represents a peculiar condition with a quasi-symmetrical, marginal scarring alopecia along the frontal and temporal hairline. The condition has been associated with further histopathologic and/or clinical evidence of lichen planopilaris. Since its emergence with the original report of Kossard in 1994, frontal fibrosing alopecia has been recognized to be associated with a number of comorbidities, including lupus erythematosus. So far, respective case reports and case series have given account of frontal fibrosing alopecia with the histopathologic features of lichen planopilaris associated or overlapping with lupus erythematosus. In contrast, we present cases of histopathologically proven cutaneous lupus erythematosus presenting as frontal fibrosing alopecia with a good response to the respective treatment with oral hydroxychloroquine and/or intralesional triamcinolone acetonide.
Urinary Tract Infection Associated with a Celiac Crisis: A Preceding or Precipitating Event
Authors: Tiwari Abhinav , Qamar Khola , Sharma Himani , Almadani Sameh Bashar
Published: May 2017

Celiac crisis is a rare life-threatening presentation of celiac disease that manifests as profuse diarrhea, hypoproteinemia, and severe metabolic disturbances. It may be precipitated by a general immune stimulus such as surgery, infection, or pregnancy. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman who presented with a celiac crisis, potentially triggered by a preceding urinary tract infection. Metabolic derangement is caused by malabsorption and profuse diarrhea, which can be unremitting unless the celiac crisis is recognized, and treatment with gluten restriction is initiated.
Risk Factors for Overall Survival Outcome in Surgically Treated Human Papillomavirus-Negative and Positive Patients with Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Wuerdemann Nora , Wittekindt Claus , Sharma Shachi Jenny , Prigge Elena-Sophie , Reuschenbach Miriam , Gattenlöhner Stefan , Klussmann Jens Peter , Wagner Steffen
Published: May 2017

Introduction: This study reports the oncological outcome of a non-selected series of patients with human papillomavirus(HPV)-positive and -negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) preferentially managed with upfront surgery. Methods: Consecutive OSCC cases (n = 378) diagnosed from 2000 to 2010 in our department were evaluated for risk factors, HPV association, therapy and overall survival (OS). HPV status was determined by combined DNA and p16 testing, and treatment was defined as the first course of treatment with any kind of surgery (upfront surgery) or primary chemoradiotherapy. OS of HPV-associated and HPV-negative patients was compared using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses. Results: The majority of OSCC patients (215 of 361; 69.5%) received upfront surgery as first-line treatment in curative intent. The 5-year OS rate in patients with HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors were 81.1 and 39.7%, respectively. Upfront surgery in HPV-negative (p < 0.001) and HPV-positive patients (p = 0.05) resulted in improved OS only in advanced stages. Multivariate analysis for patients revealed age in HPV-associated OSCC as an independent predictor for improved survival, and age, performance, N status and therapy as independent predictors in HPV-negative OSCC. Conclusions: Non-selected OSCC patients amenable to curative therapy show poor 5-year OS. The benefit of upfront surgery remains unclear. A younger patient age was the main factor for a better outcome in patients with HPV-associated OSCC.
Periodic Mechanical Stress INDUCES Chondrocyte Proliferation and Matrix Synthesis via CaMKII-Mediated Pyk2 Signaling
Authors: Liang Wenwei , Li Zeng , Wang Zhen , Zhou Jinchun , Song Huanghe , Xu Shun , Cui Weiding , Wang Qing , Chen Zhefeng , Liu Feng , Fan Weimin
Published: May 2017

Background/Aims: Periodic mechanical stress can promote chondrocyte proliferation and matrix synthesis to improve the quality of tissue-engineered cartilage. Although the integrin β1–ERK1/2 signal cascade has been implicated in periodic mechanical stress-induced mitogenic effects in chondrocytes, the precise mechanisms have not been fully established. The current study was designed to probe the roles of CaMKII and Pyk2 signaling in periodic mechanical stress-mediated chondrocyte proliferation and matrix synthesis. Methods: Chondrocytes were subjected to periodic mechanical stress, proliferation was assessed by direct cell counting and CCK-8 assay; gene expressions were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR, protein abundance by Western blotting. Results: Mechanical stress, markedly enhanced the phosphorylation levels of Pyk2 at Tyr402 and CaMKII at Thr286. Both suppression of Pyk2 with Pyk2 inhibitor PF431396 or Pyk2 shRNA and suppression of CaMKII with CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 or CaMKII shRNA blocked periodic mechanical stress-induced chondrocyte proliferation and matrix synthesis. Additionally, either pretreatment with KN-93 or shRNA targeted to CaMKII prevented the activation of ERK1/2 and Pyk2 under conditions of periodic mechanical stress. Interestingly, in relation to periodic mechanical stress, in the context of Pyk2 inhibition with PF431396 or its targeted shRNA, only the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 were abrogated, while CaMKII signal activation was not affected. Moreover, the phosphorylation levels of CaMKII- Thr286 and Pyk2- Tyr402 were abolished after pretreatment with blocking antibody against integrinβ1 exposed to periodic mechanical stress. Conclusion: Our results collectively indicate that periodic mechanical stress promotes chondrocyte proliferation and matrix synthesis through the integrinβ1–CaMKII–Pyk2–ERK1/2 signaling cascade.
Aldolase B Overexpression is Associated with Poor Prognosis and Promotes Tumor Progression by Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Qingguo , Li Yaqi , Xu Junyan , Wang Sheng , Xu Ye , Li Xinxiang , Cai Sanjun
Published: May 2017

Background: Glycolysis is considered to be the root of cancer development and progression, which involved a multi-step enzymatic reaction. Our study aimed at figuring out which glycolysis enzyme participates in the development of colorectal cancer and its possible mechanisms. Methods: We firstly screened out Aldolase B (ALDOB) by performing qRT-PCR arrays of glycolysis-related genes in five paired liver metastasis and primary colorectal tissues, and further detected ALDOB protein with immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray (TMA) consisting of 229 samples from stage I-III colorectal cancer patients. CRISPR-Cas9 method was adopted to create knock out colon cancer cell lines (LoVo and SW480) of ALDOB. The effect of ALDOB on cell proliferation and metastasis was examined in vitro using colony formation assay as well as transwell migration and invasion assay, respectively. Results: In TMA, there was 64.6% of samples demonstrated strong intensity of ALDOB. High ALDOB expression were associated with poor overall survival and disease-free survival in both univariate and multivariate regression analyses (P<0.05). In vitro functional studies of CCK-8 demonstrated that silencing ALDOB expression significantly (P<0.05) inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of colon cancer cells. Mechanically, silencing ALDOB activated epithelial markers and repressed mesenchymal markers, indicating inactivation of ALDOB may lead to inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conclusion: Upregulation of ALDOB promotes colorectal cancer metastasis by facilitating EMT and acts as a potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.
Long-Term Outcomes of Patients with Central Precocious Puberty due to Hypothalamic Hamartoma after GnRHa Treatment: Anthropometric, Metabolic, and Reproductive Aspects
Authors: Ramos Carolina O. , Latronico Ana C. , Cukier Priscilla , Macedo Delanie B. , Bessa Danielle S. , Cunha-Silva Marina , Arnhold Ivo J. , Mendonca Berenice B. , Brito Vinicius N.
Published: May 2017

Background: Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) represents the commonest cause of organic central precocious puberty (CPP). Follow-up of these patients in adulthood is scarce. Objective: To describe the anthropometric, metabolic, and reproductive parameters of patients with CPP due to HH before and after treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa). Methods: We performed a retrospective and cross-sectional study in a single tertiary center including 14 patients (7 females) with CPP due to HH. Results: The mean duration of GnRHa treatment was 7.7 ± 2.4 years in boys and 7.9 ± 2.1 years in girls. GnRHa treatment was interrupted at the mean chronological age (CA) of 12.1 ± 1.1 years in boys and 10.7 ± 0.5 years in girls. At the last visit, the mean CA of the male and female patients was 21.5 ± 3.2 and 24 ± 3.9 years, respectively. Eleven of the 14 patients reached normal final height (FH) (standard deviation score -0.6 ± 0.9 for males and -0.6 ± 0.5 for females), all of them within the target height (TH) range. The remaining 3 patients had predicted height within the TH range. The mean body mass index and the percentage of body fat mass was significantly higher in females, with a higher prevalence of metabolic disorders. All patients presented normal gonadal function in adulthood, and 3 males fathered a child. Conclusion: All patients with CPP due to HH reached normal FH or near-FH. A higher prevalence of overweight/obesity and hypercholesterolemia was observed in the female patients. Finally, no reproductive disorder was identified in both sexes, indicating that HH per se has no deleterious effect on the gonadotropic axis in adulthood.
Estudos em Mediatização: causalidade, centralidade, interdisciplinaridade
Authors: Figueiras Rita
Published: May 2017

Aiming to take part in the debate regarding the mediatization concept, this article analyzes its contributions to communication and media studies. We set off in this path by analyzing the media as an environment in contemporary life, and then discuss core issues in this study field: the relationships among the media and their causality and centrality in the theories that conceptualize their relationship with society, as well as its interdisciplinary relevance.
A Stage Presence: Michael Kirby’s Embedded Sculptures
Authors: Streitberger Alexander
Published: May 2017

Well-known for his writing on Happenings, performance art, and avantgarde theatre, Michael Kirby also produced a series of highly notable photo-sculptures. Developed in conjunction with the theoretical concept of “situational aesthetics,” these “embedded sculptures” were conceived of as “visual instruments” that explored the relationship of space, time, context, and beholder.