bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accessibility of computer therapy and technology for people with aphasia
Authors: Roper Abi
Published: March 2014

Language difficulties present within aphasia can substantially affect a user's ability to access and interact with technology. Surprisingly however, there is comparatively little research into the impact of this condition upon accessibility. The described project aims to examine general technology access and confidence in users with aphasia. It additionally seeks to shed light on the specific cognitive and linguistic factors affecting rehabilitative therapy technology use. Using an interdisciplinary approach, outcomes are intended to provide new language and technology insights to both the accessibility and the speech and language therapy communities.
Sighted eye for the blind guy
Authors: Williams Michele A.
Published: March 2014

Technology has fostered many opportunities for increased independence for people with vision impairments, often making visual information available (such as screen readers announcing on-screen text). However, not all entities are made accessible simply by translating visual information into another medium. Many situations present questions that are complex, context-filled, and require personalized responses often based on feedback from others. Our research has encountered such challenges in two specific domains: fashion and pedestrian navigation. Though inroads for providing personalized responses are being made via question-asking and social networking Internet systems and other collaborative technologies, there is no clear ideal solution for facilitating personalized question asking. Thus our work intends to contribute a typology of questions and propose the best technological solutions to help facilitate reliable, trusted responses.
A Look at Web-based Instruction Today
Authors: Taylor Ann
Published: March 2014

In part two of our interview with Badrul Khan, Ann Taylor and Badrul examine Web-based instruction in relation to Khan's "Framework for e-Learning." They also discuss Badrul's interviews with visionaries leading the way in technology-based education, and he shares advice for those just entering the Web-based instruction realm.
Air-Independent Hybrid SOFC-Battery Energy System for Undersea Vehicles
Authors: Ghezel-Ayagh Hossein , Jolly Stephen , Davis Keith E , Lukas Michael , Nagar Jacob , Willman Carl , Howard Christopher , DiNitto Mathew , Pastula Michael , Nuttall Benjamin , Grande Oliver
Published: March 2014

FuelCell Energy is developing a Hybrid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)-Battery Energy System for Large Displacement Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (LDUUV) propulsion as part of the Office of Naval Research’s LDUUV Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) Energy Program. The project objective is the development of an air-independent refuelable power system with high energy density suitable for long duration underwater missions. The Hybrid SOFC-Battery system will be capable of generating 1800kWhr of electricity over a 70 day mission with no exhaust discharged outside of the vehicle at any time. The energy system is fueled by JP-10 logistic fuel, utilizes liquid O2 for air-independent operation, and is compact enough to fit within a 42-inch square by 120-inch long LDUUV power section. Phase I of the project includes process design and cost analysis, development of a 3-D CAD model of the energy system, breadboard testing of components and the integrated system, as well as completion of a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA).
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Kikuchi Luciana , Oliveira Cláudia P. , Carrilho Flair J.
Published: March 2014

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence is increasing worldwide in recent years. Most HCC cases develop in the presence of advanced chronic liver disease related to chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection, and alcohol abuse. Approximately 15–50% of HCC cases are classified as idiopathic, suggesting that other risk factors are responsible for its rising incidence. Recent studies suggest that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be associated with these “idiopathic” cases. NAFLD progresses slowly and can develop into liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and HCC. In the last few years, NAFLD has received more attention because of its high prevalence worldwide.
Chondroid Syringoma of the Medial Canthus
Authors: Paraskevopoulos Konstantinos , Cheva Angeliki , Koloutsos Giorgos , Matzarakis Ioannis , Vahtsevanos Kostas
Published: March 2014

Chondroid syringoma, or pleomorphic adenoma of the skin, is a rare, benign skin adnexal tumor. It is usually exhibited as a slowly growing intradermal or subcutaneous nodule, typically located in the head and neck region. Because of the unremarkable clinical symptomatology of this rare tumor, the diagnosis is exclusively made retrospectively based on histological confirmation of the surgically excised tumor. We present a rare case of a chondroid syringoma located in the left medial canthus of a 58-year-old man. The patient had no symptoms and decided to excise it for cosmetic reasons only. Local excision with a macroscopic wide cuff of normal tissue was done, without destroying the aesthetic and functional structures, since the defect was restored by a finger flap. One year postoperatively, the patient has remained disease-free. Chondroid syringoma usually appears in the face but the location in the medial canthus is not mentioned in the literature for the last twenty years.
Asymptotic Stabilization by State Feedback for a Class of Stochastic Nonlinear Systems with Time‐Varying Coefficients
Authors: Wang Hui , Li Wuquan , Wang Xiuhong
Published: March 2014

This paper investigates the problem of state‐feedback stabilization for a class of upper‐triangular stochastic nonlinear systems with time‐varying control coefficients. By introducing effective coordinates, the original system is transformed into an equivalent one with tunable gain. After that, by using
the low gain homogeneous domination technique and choosing the low gain parameter skillfully, the closed‐loop system can be proved to be globally asymptotically stable in probability. The efficiency of the state‐feedback controller is demonstrated by a simulation example.
Human Adipose Tissue Macrophages Are Enhanced but Changed to an Anti-Inflammatory Profile in Obesity
Authors: Fjeldborg Karen , Pedersen Steen B. , Møller Holger J. , Christiansen Tore , Bennetzen Marianne , Richelsen Bjørn
Published: March 2014

Objective. Adipose tissue (AT) macrophages are increased in obesity and associated with low grade inflammation. We aimed to characterize the phenotype of AT macrophages in humans in relation to obesity and insulin resistance.Design. Gene-expression levels of general macrophage markers (CD68 and CD14), proinflammatory markers/M1 (TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-6), and anti-inflammatory markers/M2 (CD163, CD206, and IL-10) were determined by RT-PCR in subcutaneous AT samples from lean and obese subjects. Insulin resistance was determined by HOMA-IR.Results. All the macrophage markers were elevated in the AT from obese compared to lean subjects (P<0.001). To determine the phenotype of the macrophages the level of CD14 was used to adjust the total number of macrophages. The relative expression of CD163 and IL-10 was elevated, and TNF-αand IL-6 were reduced in AT from obese subjects (allP<0.05). In a multivariate regression analysis CD163 was the only macrophage marker significantly associated with HOMA-IR (β: 0.57;P<0.05). Conclusion. Obesity is associated with elevated numbers of macrophages in the AT. Unexpectedly, the macrophages change phenotype by obesity, with a preponderance of M2 and a decrement of M1 markers in AT from obese subjects. Moreover, CD163 was the only macrophage marker associated with HOMA-IR after multiple adjustments.
A Novel Strategy for Inducing the Antitumor Effects of Triterpenoid Compounds: Blocking the Protumoral Functions of Tumor-Associated Macrophages via STAT3 Inhibition
Authors: Fujiwara Yukio , Takeya Motohiro , Komohara Yoshihiro
Published: March 2014

There are many types of nontumor cells, including leukocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, in the tumor microenvironment. Among these cells, infiltrating macrophages have recently received attention as novel target cells due to their protumoral functions. Infiltrating macrophages are called tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs polarized to the M2 phenotype are involved in tumor development and are associated with a poor clinical prognosis. Therefore, the regulation of TAM activation or M2 polarization is a new strategy for antitumor therapy. We screened natural compounds possessing an inhibitory effect on the M2 polarization of human macrophages. Among 200 purified natural compounds examined, corosolic acid (CA) and oleanolic acid (OA), both are categorized in triterpenoid compounds, inhibited macrophage polarization to M2 phenotype by suppressing STAT3 activation. CA and OA also directly inhibited tumor cell proliferation and sensitized tumor cells to anticancer drugs, such as adriamycin and cisplatin. Thein vivoexperiments showed that CA significantly suppressed subcutaneous tumor development and lung metastasis in a murine sarcoma model. The application of triterpenoid compounds, such as CA and OA, is a potential new anticancer therapy targeting macrophage activation, with synergistic effects with anticancer agents.
Identification of Psychological Dysfunctions and Eating Disorders in Obese Women Seeking Weight Loss: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Panchaud Cornut Maude , Szymanski Jennifer , Marques-Vidal Pedro , Giusti Vittorio
Published: March 2014

Objective. The aim of this study is to analyse associations between eating behaviour and psychological dysfunctions in treatment-seeking obese patients and identify parameters for the development of diagnostic tools with regard to eating and psychological disorders.Design and Methods. Cross-sectional data were analysed from 138 obese women. Bulimic Investigatory Test of Edinburgh and Eating Disorder Inventory-2 assessed eating behaviours. Beck Depression Inventory II, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, form Y, Rathus Assertiveness Schedule, and Marks and Mathews Fear Questionnaire assessed psychological profile.Results. 61% of patients showed moderate or major depressive symptoms and 77% showed symptoms of anxiety. Half of the participants presented with a low degree of assertiveness. No correlation was found between psychological profile and age or anthropometric measurements. The prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and assertiveness increased with the degree of eating disorders. The feeling of ineffectiveness explained a large degree of score variance. It explained 30 to 50% of the variability of assertiveness, phobias, anxiety, and depression.Conclusion. Psychological dysfunctions had a high prevalence and their severity is correlated with degree of eating disorders. The feeling of ineffectiveness constitutes the major predictor of the psychological profile and could open new ways to develop screening tools.
AMycobacterium bovisBCG-Naked DNA Prime-Boost Vaccination Strategy Induced CD4+and CD8+T-Cell Response againstMycobacterium tuberculosisImmunogens
Authors: Lu Miao , Xia Zhi Yang , Bao Lang
Published: March 2014

Mycobacterium tuberculosisinfection is still a major global public health problem. Presently the only tuberculosis (TB) vaccine available is Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), although it fails to adequately protect against pulmonary TB in adults. To solve this problem, the development of a new effective vaccine is urgently desired. BCG-prime DNA-booster vaccinations strategy has been shown to induce greater protection against tuberculosis (TB) than BCG alone. Some studies have demonstrated that the two genes (Rv1769 and Rv1772) are excellent T-cell antigens and could induce T-cell immune responses. In this research, we built BCG-C or BCG-P prime-recombination plasmid PcDNA3.1-Rv1769 or PcDNA3.1-Rv1772 boost vaccinations strategy to immunize BALB/c mice and evaluated its immunogenicity. The data suggests that the BCG-C+3.1-72 strategy could elicit the most long-lasting and strongest Th1-type cellular immune responses and the BCG-C+3.1-69 strategy could induce the high level CD8+ T-cell response at certain time points. These findings support the ideas that the prime-boost strategy as a combination of vaccines may be better than a single vaccine for protection against tuberculosis.
Adult Neurogenesis and Glial Oncogenesis: When the Process Fails
Authors: Batista Chary Marquez , Mariano Eric Domingos , Barbosa Breno José Alencar Pires , Morgalla Matthias , Marie Suely Kazue Nagahashi , Teixeira Manoel Jacobsen , Lepski Guilherme
Published: March 2014

Malignant brain tumors, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are known for their high degree of invasiveness, aggressiveness, and lethality. These tumors are made up of heterogeneous cell populations and only a small part of these cells (known as cancer stem cells) is responsible for the initiation and recurrence of the tumor. The biology of cancer stem cells and their role in brain tumor growth and therapeutic resistance has been extensively investigated. Recent work suggests that glial tumors arise from neural stem cells that undergo a defective process of differentiation. The understanding of this process might permit the development of novel treatment strategies targeting cancer stem cells. In the present review, we address the mechanisms underlying glial tumor formation, paying special attention to cancer stem cells and the role of the microenvironment in preserving them and promoting tumor growth. Recent advancements in cancer stem cell biology, especially regarding tumor initiation and resistance to chemo- or radiotherapy, have led to the development of novel treatment strategies that focus on the niche of the stem cells that make up the tumor. Encouraging results from preclinical studies predict that these findings will be translated into the clinical field in the near future.
The Role of M1 and M2 Macrophages in Prostate Cancer in relation to Extracapsular Tumor Extension and Biochemical Recurrence after Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Lanciotti M. , Masieri L. , Raspollini M. R. , Minervini A. , Mari A. , Comito G. , Giannoni E. , Carini M. , Chiarugi P. , Serni S.
Published: March 2014

Introduction. The aim of our work was to investigate the causal connection between M1 and M2 macrophage phenotypes occurrence and prostate cancer, their correlation with tumor extension (ECE), and biochemical recurrence (BR).Patient and Methods. Clinical and pathological data were prospectively gathered from 93 patients treated with radical prostatectomy. Correlations of commonly used variables were evaluated with uni- and multivariate analysis. The relationship between M1 and M2 occurrence and BR was also assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Results. Above all in 63.4% there was a M2 prevalence. M1 occurred more frequently in OC disease, while M2 was more represented in ECE. At univariate analysis biopsy and pathologic GS and M2 were statistically correlated with ECE. Only pathologic GS and M2 confirmed to be correlated with ECE. According to macrophage density BCR free survival curves presented a statistically significant difference. When we stratified our population for M1 and M2,we did not find any statistical difference among curves. At univariate analysis GS, pTNM, and positive margins resulted to be significant predictors of BCR, while M1 and M2 did not achieve the statistical significance. At multivariate analysis, only GS and pathologic stage were independent predictors of BR.Conclusion. In our study patients with higher density of M count were associated with poor prognosis; M2 phenotype was significantly associated with ECE.
Numerical Implementation of Stochastic Operational Matrix Driven by a Fractional Brownian Motion for Solving a Stochastic Differential Equation
Authors: Ezzati R. , Khodabin M. , Sadati Z.
Published: March 2014

An efficient method to determine a numerical solution of a stochastic differential equation (SDE) driven by fractional Brownian motion (FBM) with Hurst parameterH∈(1/2,1)andnindependent one-dimensional standard Brownian motion (SBM) is proposed. The method is stated via a stochastic operational matrix based on the block pulse functions (BPFs). With using this approach, the SDE is reduced to a stochastic linear system ofmequations andmunknowns. Then, the error analysis is demonstrated by some theorems and defnitions. Finally, the numerical examples demonstrate applicability and accuracy of this method.
Partition Function in One, Two, and Three Spatial Dimensions from Effective Lagrangian Field Theory
Authors: Hofmann Christoph P.
Published: March 2014

The systematic effective Lagrangian method was first formulated in the context of the strong interaction; chiral perturbation theory (CHPT) is the effective theory of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). It was then pointed out that the method can be transferred to the nonrelativistic domain—in particular, to describe the low-energy properties of ferromagnets. Interestingly, whereas for Lorentz-invariant systems the effective Lagrangian method fails in one spatial dimension (ds=1), it perfectly works for nonrelativistic systems in ds=1. In the present brief review, we give an outline of the method and then focus on the partition function for ferromagnetic spin chains, ferromagnetic films, and ferromagnetic crystals up to three loops in the perturbative expansion—an accuracy never achieved by conventional condensed matter methods. We then compare ferromagnets in ds=1, 2, 3 with the behavior of QCD at low temperatures by considering the pressure and the order parameter. The two apparently very different systems (ferromagnets and QCD) are related from a universal point of view based on the spontaneously broken symmetry. In either case, the low-energy dynamics is described by an effective theory containing Goldstone bosons as basic degrees of freedom.
A Joint Learning Approach to Face Detection in Wavelet Compressed Domain
Authors: Huang Szu-Hao , Lai Shang-Hong
Published: March 2014

Face detection has been an important and active research topic in computer vision and image processing. In recent years, learning‐based face detection algorithms have prevailed with successful applications. In this paper, we propose a new face detection algorithm that works directly in wavelet compressed domain. In order to simplify the processes of image decompression and feature extraction, we modify the AdaBoost learning algorithm to select a set of complimentary joint‐coefficient classifiers and integrate them to achieve optimal face detection. Since the face detection on the wavelet compression domain is restricted by the limited discrimination power of the designated feature space, the proposed learning mechanism is developed to achieve the best discrimination from the restricted feature space. The major contributions in the proposed AdaBoost face detection learning algorithm contain the feature space warping, joint feature representation, ID3‐like plane quantization, and weak probabilistic classifier, which dramatically increase the discrimination power of the face classifier. Experimental results on the CBCL benchmark and the MIT + CMU real image dataset show that the proposed algorithm can detect faces in the wavelet compressed domain accurately and efficiently.
County-Scale Spatial Variability of Macronutrient Availability Ratios in Paddy Soils
Authors: Qu Mingkai , Li Weidong , Zhang Chuanrong
Published: March 2014

Macronutrients (N, P, and K) are essential to plants but also can be harmful to the environment when their available concentrations in soil are excessive. Availability ratios (available concentration/total concentration) of macronutrients may reflect their transforming potential between fixed and available forms in soil. Understanding their spatial distributions and impact factors can be, therefore, helpful to applying specific measures to modify the availability of macronutrients for agricultural and environmental management purposes. In this study, 636 topsoil samples (0–15 cm) were collected from paddy fields in Shayang County, Central China, for measuring soil properties. Factors influencing macronutrient availability ratios were investigated, and total and available concentrations of macronutrients were mapped using geostatistical method. Spatial distribution maps of macronutrient availability ratios were further derived. Results show that (1) availability of macronutrients is controlled by multiple factors, and (2) macronutrient availability ratios are spatially varied and may not always have spatial patterns identical to those of their corresponding total and available concentrations. These results are more useful than traditional soil macronutrient average content data for guiding site-specific field management for agricultural production and environmental protection.
Inverted (Reverse) Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy following Cerebellar Hemorrhage
Authors: Piérard Sophie , Vinetti Marco , Hantson Philippe
Published: March 2014

Background. First described in 2005, inverted takotsubo is one of the four stress-induced cardiomyopathy patterns. It is rarely associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage but was not previously reported after intraparenchymal bleeding.Purpose. We reported a symptomatic case of inverted takotsubo pattern following a cerebellar hemorrhage.Case Report. A 26-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with sudden headache and hemorrhage of the posterior fossa was diagnosed, probably caused by a vascular malformation. Several hours later, she developed acute pulmonary edema due to acute heart failure. Echocardiography showed left ventricular dysfunction with hypokinetic basal segments and hyperkinetic apex corresponding to inverted takotsubo. Outcome was spontaneously favorable within a few days.Conclusion. Inverted takotsubo pattern is a stress-induced cardiomyopathy that could be encountered in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and is generally of good prognosis. We described the first case following a cerebellar hematoma.
A Comparative Study on Decision Making Methods with Interval Data
Authors: Chauhan Aditya , Vaish Rahul
Published: March 2014

Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) models are used to solve a number of decision making problems universally. Most of these methods require the use of integers as input data. However, there are problems which have indeterminate values or data intervals which need to be analysed. In order to solve problems with interval data, many methods have been reported. Through this study an attempt has been made to compare and analyse the popular decision making tools for interval data problems. Namely, I-TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), DI-TOPSIS, cross entropy, and interval VIKOR (VlseKriterijumska Optimiza-cija I Kompromisno Resenje) have been compared and a novel algorithm has been proposed. The new algorithm makes use of basic TOPSIS technique to overcome the limitations of known methods. To compare the effectiveness of the various methods, an example problem has been used where selection of best material family for the capacitor application has to be made. It was observed that the proposed algorithm is able to overcome the known limitations of the previous techniques. Thus, it can be easily and efficiently applied to various decision making problems with interval data.
Constitutive Investigation on Viscoelasticity of PolyVinyl Butyral: Experiments Based on Dynamic Mechanical Analysis Method
Authors: Liu Bohan , Xu Jun , Li Yibing
Published: March 2014

PolyVinyl Butyral (PVB) film is now widely used in automotive industry and architectures serving as the protective interlayer. The dynamic modulus of PVB is measured through systematic experiments based on Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) method at various temperatures, heating rates, and vibration frequencies. Further, viscoelasticity of PVB influenced by time and temperature is systematically studied. Fitted empirical formulas describing the relationship between glass transition temperature and frequency, as well as the heating rate of PVB, are established. The master curve of PVB at 293 K is suggested based on the experiment data as to express the dynamic modulus variation at various frequencies in a wider range. Constitutive behavior of PVB is then analyzed based on Generalized Maxwell (GM) model and Fractional Derivative (FD) model, respectively. It is shown that PVB has higher efficiency of energy dissipation in its high energy absorption state, while both fifth-order GM model and FD model can characterize the viscoelasticity of PVB at glassy transition area. Results may offer useful fundamental experimental data and important constitutive characteristics of PVB and shed lights on further studies on viscoelasticity behavior of PVB and energy mitigation ability of laminated glass.
Postcardiotomy Mechanical Circulatory Support in Two Infants with Williams’ Syndrome
Authors: Contrafouris Constantinos A. , Chatzis Andrew C. , Kanakis Meletios A. , Azariadis Prodromos A. , Mitropoulos Fotios A.
Published: March 2014

Supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) in patients with Williams’ syndrome is often accompanied by coronary, pulmonary, and even myocardial lesions and therefore associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides reliable short-term mechanical circulatory support to patients, especially young, in acute postoperative cardiac failure when conventional means are ineffective. The incorporation of centrifugal pumps in these systems has made their use more efficient and less traumatic. We describe our experience of using the Levitronix CentriMag pump in two patients with Williams' syndrome who underwent surgical correction of supravalvular aortic stenosis.
Average Derivative Estimation from Biased Data
Authors: Chesneau Christophe , Kachour Maher , Navarro Fabien
Published: March 2014

We investigate the estimation of the density-weighted average derivative from biased data. An estimator integrating a plug-in approach and wavelet projections is constructed. We prove that it attains the parametric rate of convergence 1/n under the mean squared error.
Optimizing Crew Rostering with Multilicense on High-Speed Railway Lines
Authors: Tian Zhiqiang
Published: March 2014

This paper studies the crew rostering problem with the consideration of multilicense of crewmembers. A 0-1 integer programming model is established to minimize the number of crewmembers used and to maintain the working time balance and the income balance of crewmembers. The method for calculating the reasonable cycle schemes is designed by considering the parameters of monthly working time standard and the number and the average working time of crew routes. The order for selecting the optimal cycle scheme is then determined with consideration of the connection relationships between crew routes. According to the characteristics of the problem and the requirements in application, this paper presents the design of an improved ant colony algorithm for solving the optimization model. The reasonableness of the model and the effectiveness of the algorithm are verified by a numerical example with 43 generated crew routes.
New Oscillatory Behavior of Third-Order Nonlinear Delay Dynamic Equations on Time Scales
Authors: Gao Li , Zhang Quanxin , Liu Shouhua
Published: March 2014

A class of third-order nonlinear delay dynamic equations on time scales is studied. By using the generalized Riccati transformation and the inequality technique, four new sufficient conditions which ensure that every solution is oscillatory or converges to zero are established. The results obtained essentially improve earlier ones. Some examples are considered to illustrate the main results.
Basal-Supported Oral Therapy with Sitagliptin Counteracts Rebound Hyperglycemia Caused by GLP-1 Tachyphylaxis
Authors: Meguro Shu , Kawai Toshihide , Matsuhashi Tomohiro , Sano Motoaki , Fukuda Keiichi , Itoh Hiroshi , Suzuki Yoshihiko
Published: March 2014

Introduction. Treatment with a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analog fails in some patients due to rebound hyperglycemia caused by tachyphylaxis (GLP-1 tachyphylaxis). We investigated the efficacy of basal-supported oral therapy (BOT) with insulin glargine and sitagliptin for counteracting GLP-1 tachyphylaxis.Materials and Methods. The subjects were 12 men and 3 women aged59.9±10.0years who had been treated with GLP-1 analogs. All of them had developed rebound hyperglycemia caused by GLP-1 tachyphylaxis. Their GLP-1 analog-based therapy was switched to BOT with insulin glargine plus sitagliptin and other medications. The primary outcomes were whether switching of therapy was associated with a change of hemoglobinA1c(HbA1c) and whether weight gain occurred.Results. BaselineHbA1cwas8.0±0.9%. It decreased to7.3±0.9% at 3 months after switching (P<0.01) and to7.2±0.9% at 4 months (P<0.05). Weight gain was 1.1 kg after 1 month (P<0.01) and 2.3 kg after 5 months (P<0.01).Conclusion. Switching to BOT with insulin glargine and sitagliptin improved glycemic control. The significant decrease ofHbA1cdemonstrated that this combination can counteract deterioration of glycemic control due to rebound hyperglycemia secondary to GLP-1 tachyphylaxis. However, weight gain remains a problem.
Unique Cytokine Signature in the Plasma of Patients with Fibromyalgia
Authors: Sturgill Jamie , McGee Elizabeth , Menzies Victoria
Published: March 2014

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a chronic pain syndrome with a complex but poorly understood pathogenesis affecting approximately 10 million adults in the United States. The lack of a clear etiology of FMS has limited the effective diagnosis and treatment of this debilitating condition. The objective of this secondary data analysis was to examine plasma cytokine levels in women with FMS using the Bio-Plex Human Cytokine 17-plex Assay. Post hoc analysis of plasma cytokine levels was performed to evaluate patterns that were not specifieda priori. Upon examination, patients with FMS exhibited a marked reduction inTH2cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. The finding of this pattern of altered cytokine milieu not only supports the role of inflammation in FMS but also may lead to more definitive diagnostic tools for clinicians treating FMS. TheTH2suppression provides strong evidence of immune dysregulation in patients with FMS.
A Software Reliability Model Using Quantile Function
Authors: Thomas Bijamma , Nellikkattu Midhu Narayanan , Godan Paduthol Sankaran
Published: March 2014

We study a class of software reliability models using quantile function. Various distributional properties of the class of distributions are studied. We also discuss the reliability characteristics of the class of distributions. Inference procedures on parameters of the model based on L-moments are studied. We apply the proposed model to a real data set.
Cyclic (ϕ)-Contractions in Uniform Spaces and Related Fixed Point Results
Authors: Hussain N. , Karapınar E. , Sedghi S. , Shobkolaei N. , Firouzian S.
Published: March 2014

First, we define cyclic (ϕ)-contractions of different types in a uniform space. Then, we apply these concepts of cyclic (ϕ)-contractions to establish certain fixed and common point theorems on a Hausdorff uniform space. Some more general results are obtained as corollaries. Moreover, some examples are provided to demonstrate the usability of the proved theorems.
Visualization of Genome Signatures of Eukaryote Genomes by Batch-Learning Self-Organizing Map with a Special Emphasis onDrosophilaGenomes
Authors: Abe Takashi , Hamano Yuta , Ikemura Toshimichi
Published: March 2014

A strategy of evolutionary studies that can compare vast numbers of genome sequences is becoming increasingly important with the remarkable progress of high-throughput DNA sequencing methods. We previously established a sequence alignment-free clustering method “BLSOM” for di-, tri-, and tetranucleotide compositions in genome sequences, which can characterize sequence characteristics (genome signatures) of a wide range of species. In the present study, we generated BLSOMs for tetra- and pentanucleotide compositions in approximately one million sequence fragments derived from 101 eukaryotes, for which almost complete genome sequences were available. BLSOM recognized phylotype-specific characteristics (e.g., key combinations of oligonucleotide frequencies) in the genome sequences, permitting phylotype-specific clustering of the sequences without any information regarding the species. In our detailed examination of 12Drosophilaspecies, the correlation between their phylogenetic classification and the classification on the BLSOMs was observed to visualize oligonucleotides diagnostic for species-specific clustering.
REDD1/DDIT4-Independent mTORC1 Inhibition and Apoptosis by Glucocorticoids in Thymocytes
Authors: Wolff Nicholas C. , McKay Renée M. , Brugarolas James
Published: March 2014

Glucocorticoids induce apoptosis in lymphocytes and are commonly used to treat hematologic malignancies. However, they are also associated with significant adverse effects and their molecular mechanism of action is not fully understood. Glucocorticoid treatment induces expression of the mTORC1 inhibitor Regulated in Development and DNA Damage Response 1 (REDD1), also known as DNA-Damage Inducible Transcript 4 (DDIT4), and mTORC1 inhibition may distinguish glucocorticoid-sensitive from glucocorticoid-resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Interestingly, REDD1 induction was impaired in glucocorticoid-resistant ALL cells and inhibition of mTORC1 using rapamycin restored glucocorticoid sensitivity. These data suggest that REDD1 may be essential for the response of ALL cells to glucocorticoids. To further investigate the role of REDD1, we evaluated the effects of glucocorticoids on primary thymocytes from wild-type and REDD1-deficient mice. Glucocorticoid-mediated apoptosis was blocked by a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist and by an inhibitor of transcription, which interfered with REDD1 induction and mTORC1 inhibition. However, REDD1 ablation had no effect on glucocorticoid-induced mTORC1 inhibition and apoptosis in thymocytes ex vivo. Overall, these data not only demonstrate the contextual differences of downstream signaling following glucocorticoid treatment but also provide a better mechanistic understanding of the role of REDD1.

Implications: These molecular findings underlying glucocorticoid action and the role of REDD1 are fundamental for the design of novel, more efficacious, and less toxic analogs. Mol Cancer Res; 12(6); 867–77. ©2014 AACR.
Tracking Navigation Imaging of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Three-Dimensional Cone-Beam CT Angiography
Authors: Minami Yasunori , Yagyu Yukinobu , Murakami Takamichi , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: March 2014

Purpose: New tracking navigation imaging software was used to evaluate the usefulness of three dimensional (3D) CT angiography for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients with 73 HCCs were enrolled in this study retrospectively. Rotational angiography was performed from the hepatic artery for evaluation of the tumor feeding vessels. Arteries feeding the tumor were traced automatically by adjusting the region of interest around the targeted tumor on axial and coronal images using tracking navigation imaging with 3D cone-beam CT angiography. Results: Using final selective angiographic findings as the gold standard, the detection of feeding vessels was 90.4% (66/73) for tracking navigation imaging and 50.7% (37/73) for celiac trunk angiography. This difference was statistically significant (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the detection of feeding arteries were 97.1% (66/68), 80.0% (4/5), 98.5% (66/67), and 66.7% (4/6), respectively. The kappa coefficient had a value of 0.638 (95% CI: 0.471-0.805), which is considered to indicate a good degree of agreement. With the assistance of tracking navigation imaging, the disease control rate of TACE for HCC was 67.3% (35/52) according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. During follow-up periods of 1-11 months, 10 patients (19.2%) remained cancer-free after TACE. Conclusion: Tracking navigation imaging with 3D cone-beam CT angiography should be useful for TACE in HCC patients with complicated feeding arteries.
Unraveling the Mechanisms Responsible for the Comorbidity between Metabolic Syndrome and Mental Health Disorders
Authors: Nousen Elizabeth K. , Franco Juliana G. , Sullivan Elinor L.
Published: March 2014

The increased prevalence and high comorbidity of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and mental health disorders (MHDs) have prompted investigation into the potential contributing mechanisms. There is a bidirectional association between MetS and MHDs including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorders. Medication side effects and social repercussions are contributing environmental factors, but there are a number of shared underlying neurological and physiological mechanisms that explain the high comorbidity between these two disorders. Inflammation is a state shared by both disorders, and it contributes to disruptions of neuroregulatory systems (including the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and neuropeptide Y systems) as well as dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. MetS in pregnant women also exposes the developing fetal brain to inflammatory factors that predispose the offspring to MetS and psychopathologies. Due to the shared nature of these conditions, treatment should address aspects of both mental health and metabolic disorders. Additionally, interventions that can interrupt the transfer of increased risk of the disorders to the next generation need to be developed.
Terrestrosin D, a Steroidal Saponin from Tribulus terrestris L., Inhibits Growth and Angiogenesis of Human Prostate Cancer in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Wei Shihu , Fukuhara Hideo , Chen Guang , Kawada Chiaki , Kurabayashi Atsushi , Furihata Mutsuo , Inoue Keiji , Shuin Taro
Published: March 2014

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether terrestrosin D (TED) inhibits the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer and consider its mechanism. Methods: Cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. Caspase-3 activity and vascular endothelial growth factor secretion were detected by a caspase-3 assay and human vascular endothelial growth factor kit, respectively. A PC-3 xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate the anticancer effect of TED in vivo. Results: In vitro, TED strongly suppressed the growth of prostate cancer cells and endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. TED induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PC-3 cells and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). TED-induced apoptosis did not involve the caspase pathway. TED also decreased ΔΨm in PC-3 cells and HUVECs. In vivo, TED significantly suppressed tumor growth in nude mice bearing PC-3 cells, without any overt toxicity. Immunohistochemical analysis showed TED induced apoptotic cell death and inhibited angiogenesis in xenograft tumor cells. Conclusion: Cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells and endothelial cells might be plausible mechanisms of actions for the observed antitumor and antiangiogenic activities of TED.
Neglect Performance in Acute Stroke Is Related to Severity of White Matter Hyperintensities
Authors: Bahrainwala Zainab S. , Hillis Argye E. , Dearborn Jennifer , Gottesman Rebecca F.
Published: March 2014

Background: Leukoaraiosis and its progression have longitudinally been associated with cognitive decline and dementia. Its role in acute cognitive function and response to acute cerebral ischemia is less well understood. We evaluated whether the presence and extent of leukoaraiosis, or white matter hyperintensities (WMH), had an impact on performance on tests of hemispatial neglect in acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods: A series of 206 acute ischemic right-hemispheric stroke patients at Johns Hopkins Hospital underwent brain MRI and cognitive assessment for hemispatial neglect within 5 days of symptom onset. Error rates on neglect tests were evaluated, as were dichotomized measures of neglect, including ‘any', ‘severe' or ‘worst' neglect, based on Z scores of at least 2 on 1, 2 or 3 tests (respectively) within a neglect battery. Acute infarct volumes were measured on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images were reviewed for WMH, using the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) rating scale (ranging from 0 to 9, with 9 being ‘most extensive'). Linear regression was used to evaluate ‘error rate on neglect test' as the dependent variable, as a measure of neglect severity, with ‘WMH category' as the primary independent variable, including adjustment for age, sex, race and infarct volume (on DWI). Logistic regression was used to evaluate a binary definition of neglect (defined as above) relative to the same independent variable and covariates. Results: Each 1-point increase in CHS leukoaraiosis category was associated with 1.20-fold increased odds (95% CI: 1.00-1.43) of having any neglect, 1.23-fold increased odds (95% CI: 1.02-1.49) of having severe neglect and 1.33-fold increased odds of having worst neglect (95% CI: 1.01-1.76) after adjusting for infarct volume, age, sex and race. Increasing age and infarct size were also important predictors of neglect severity, with a 2.36% higher error rate (95% CI: 0.75-3.97%) on the line cancellation test associated with each category increase in CHS score; similar results were found for each of the neglect tests. Line cancellation neglect scores were worse in individuals with both severe WMH and large infarcts (p interaction, unadjusted = 0.03). Conclusions: More severe leukoaraiosis is associated with more hemispatial neglect after acute ischemic stroke, independent of infarct volume, age and sex. We found not only more frequent neglect but also more severe neglect, based on error rates on neglect tests, in individuals with increasing leukoaraiosis. This emphasizes the importance of preexisting brain microvascular disease in outcomes of stroke patients. Further studies of the possible mechanism behind this association are needed.
Diabetic Neuropathies: Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Deli Gabriella , Bosnyak Edit , Pusch Gabriella , Komoly Samuel , Feher Gergely
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Changes in human behaviour and lifestyle over the last century have resulted in a dramatic increase in the incidence of diabetes worldwide. Neuropathy is a common and costly complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of neuropathy is estimated to be about 8% in newly diagnosed patients and greater than 50% in patients with long-standing disease. There are two main types of diabetic neuropathies, named as sensorimotor and autonomic neuropathies. Sensorimotor neuropathy is marked by pain, paraesthesia and sensory loss, and autonomic neuropathy may contribute to myocardial infarction, malignant arrhythmia and sudden death. Methods: In this article we reviewed the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations diagnosis and treatment of diabetic neuropathies. Conclusion: Sensorimotor and autonomic neuropathies (cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and genitourinary autonomic neuropathies) are common in diabetic patients. Apart from strict glycaemic control, no further therapeutic approach exists in the prevention of this phenomenon. Intensive diabetes therapy, intensive multifactorial cardiovascular risk reduction and lifestyle intervention are recommended in patients with cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. Gastroparesis is the most debilitating complication of gastrointestinal autonomic neuropathy and genitourinary autonomic neuropathy can cause sexual dysfunction and neurogenic bladder; these conditions are hard to manage. The symptomatic treatment of sensory symptoms includes tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, gabapentin, pregabalin and opioids. Other treatment strategies are not so effective.
A Novel Mutation of the GNE Gene in Distal Myopathy with Rimmed Vacuoles: A Case with Inflammation
Authors: Tanboon Jantima , Rongsa Kanjana , Pithukpakorn Manop , Boonyapisit Kanokwan , Limwongse Chanin , Sangruchi Tumtip
Published: March 2014

Distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles (DMRV) is an autosomal recessive or sporadic early adult-onset myopathy caused by mutations in the UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase and N-acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE) gene. Characteristic pathologic features of DMRV are rimmed vacuoles on muscle biopsy and tubulofilamentous inclusion in ultrastructural study. Presence of inflammation in DMRV is unusual. We report a sporadic case of DMRV in a 40-year-old Thai man who presented with slowly progressive distal muscle weakness. Gene analysis revealed a compound heterozygous mutation of the GNE gene including a novel mutation c.1057A>G (p.K353E) and a known mutation c.2086G>A (p.V696M). The latter is the most common mutation in Thai DMRV patients. The muscle pathology was compatible with DMRV except for focal inflammation.
Abdominal Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor
Authors: Groenveld Roosmarijn L. , Raber Menno H. , Oosterhof-Berktas Richard , Eijken Erik , Klaase Joost M.
Published: March 2014

A 28-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of abdominal pain, weight loss and a palpable intra-abdominal mass. A CT scan revealed a tumor with a diameter of 7 cm with sharp margins, intra-tumoral fatty components and enhancing soft tissue. After initial workup, which suggested an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), she underwent laparotomy with complete resection. Pathological examination indeed revealed IMT. IMT is a rare benign neoplasm and has been described in nearly the entire body. It presents with nonspecific symptoms. The therapy of abdominal IMT consists of radical surgery because of high local recurrence rates. In this case report clinical, surgical, radiological and histological features with a review of the relevant literature are described.