bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PREDICTION OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE BASED ON ENSEMBLE LEARNING APPROACHES AND CO-EXPRESSED OBSERVATIONS
Authors: LO YING-TSANG , FUJITA HAMIDO , PAI TUN-WEN
Published: February 2016

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most representative cardiovascular diseases. Early and accurate prediction of CAD based on physiological measurements can reduce the risk of heart attack through medicine therapy, healthy diet, and regular physical activity. Methods:Four heart disease datasets from the UC Irvine Machine Learning Repository were combined and re-examined to remove incomplete entries, and a total of 822 cases were utilized in this study. Seven machine learning methods, including Naïve Bayes, artificial neural networks (ANNs), sequential minimal optimization (SMO), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), AdaBoost, J48, and random forest, were adopted to analyze the collected datasets for CAD prediction. By combining co-expressed observations and an ensemble voting mechanism, we designed and evaluated a new medical decision classifier for CAD prediction. The TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) algorithm was applied to determine the best prediction method for CAD diagnosis. Results: Features of systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate, and ST depression are considered to be the most significant differences between patients with and without CADs. We show that the prediction capability of seven machine learning classifiers can be enhanced by integrating combinations of observed co-expressed features. Finally, compared to the use of any single classifier, the proposed voting mechanism achieved optimal performance according to TOPSIS.
DIRECTED ACYCLIC GRAPH-BASED PATIENT EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR CARDIOVASCULAR PATIENTS IN TAIWAN
Authors: HUANG JHEN-LI , CHEN CHIEN-MING , PAI TUN-WEN , LIU MIN-HUI , WANG CHAO-HUNG
Published: February 2016

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of death and the number of patients is expected to grow yearly. Pertinent patient education materials provide adequate medical information to cardiovascular patients to change their behaviors, improve their health status, and reduce medical costs. However, systematic and patient-oriented education materials for cardiovascular disease are currently not available to the public, especially in Chinese. Methods: A directed acyclic graph (DAG) database structure is proposed for storing all created low-demand medical illustrations and video clips. Further, all designed medical media elements are evaluated according to the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) to assure the quality of the medical information content. Each media element is automatically annotated by calculating representative keywords; relationships between different media elements are constructed according to keyword associations. Results: A total of 222 video clips and 45 printable medical documents in Chinese were created in the proposed patient education system. This contains fundamental knowledge of diseases, causes of diseases, medical and surgical treatments, and a prognosis of the medical care for the majority of types of cardiovascular disease. It is the first constructive and intelligent patient education system for cardiovascular patients in Taiwan.
A study of nonlinear biochemical reaction model
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Asad , Mohyud-Din Syed Tauseef , Bin-Mohsin Bandar
Published: February 2016

The present study deals with the introduction of an alteration in Legendre wavelets method by availing of the Picard iteration method for system of differential equations and named it Legendre wavelet-Picard method (LWPM). Convergence of the proposed method is also discussed. In order to check the competence of the proposed method, basic enzyme kinetics is considered. Systems of nonlinear ordinary differential equations are formed from the considered enzyme-substrate reaction. The results obtained by the proposed LWPM are compared with the numerical results obtained from Runge–Kutta method of order four (RK-4). Numerical results and those obtained by LWPM are in excellent conformance, which would be explained by the help of table and figures. The proposed method is easy and simple to implement as compared to the other existing analytical methods used for solving systems of differential equations arising in biology, physics and engineering.
Dynamic deformability of sickle red blood cells in microphysiological flow
Authors: Alapan Y. , Matsuyama Y. , Little J. A. , Gurkan U. A.
Published: February 2016

In sickle cell disease (SCD), hemoglobin molecules polymerize intracellularly and lead to a cascade of events resulting in decreased deformability and increased adhesion of red blood cells (RBCs). Decreased deformability and increased adhesion of sickle RBCs lead to blood vessel occlusion (vaso-occlusion) in SCD patients. Here, we present a microfluidic approach integrated with a cell dimensioning algorithm to analyze dynamic deformability of adhered RBC at the single-cell level in controlled microphysiological flow. We measured and compared dynamic deformability and adhesion of healthy hemoglobin A (HbA) and homozygous sickle hemoglobin (HbS) containing RBCs in blood samples obtained from 24 subjects. We introduce a new parameter to assess deformability of RBCs: the dynamic deformability index (DDI), which is defined as the time-dependent change of the cell's aspect ratio in response to fluid flow shear stress. Our results show that DDI of HbS-containing RBCs were significantly lower compared to that of HbA-containing RBCs. Moreover, we observed subpopulations of HbS containing RBCs in terms of their dynamic deformability characteristics: deformable and non-deformable RBCs. Then, we tested blood samples from SCD patients and analyzed RBC adhesion and deformability at physiological and above physiological flow shear stresses. We observed significantly greater number of adhered non-deformable sickle RBCs than deformable sickle RBCs at flow shear stresses well above the physiological range, suggesting an interplay between dynamic deformability and increased adhesion of RBCs in vaso-occlusive events.
A Generic Framework for Configuration Management of SPL and Controlling Evolution of Complex Software Products
Authors: Soujanya K. L.S. , AnandaRao A.
Published: February 2016

Efficient configuration management system is crucial for the success of any software product line (SPL). Due to ever changing needs of customers, SPL undergoes constant changes that are to be tracked in real time. In the context of customer-driven development, anticipation and change management are to be given paramount importance. It demands implementation of software variability that drives home changed, extended and customized configurations besides economy at scale. Moreover, the emergence of distributed technologies, the unprecedented growth of component based, serviceoriented systems throw ever increasing challenges to software product line configuration management. Derivation of a new product is a dynamic process in software product line that should consider functionality and quality attributes. Very few approaches are found on configuration management (CM) of SPL though CM is enough matured for traditional products. They are tailor made and inadequate to provide a general solution. Stated differently, a comprehensive approach for SPL configuration management and product derivation is still to be desired. In this paper, we proposed a framework that guides in doing so besides helping in SPL definitions in generic way. Our framework facilitates SPL configuration management and product derivation based on critical path analysis, weight computation and feedback. We proposed two algorithms namely Quality Driven Product Derivation (QDPD) and Composition Analysis algorithm for generating satisfied compositions and to find best possible composition respectively. The usage of weights and critical path analysis improves quality of product derivation. The framework is extensible and flexible thus it can be leveraged with variability-aware design patterns and ontology. We built a prototype that demonstrates the proof of concept. We tested our approach with Dr. School product line. The results reveal that the framework supports configuration management of SPL and derivation of high quality product in the product line. We evaluated results with ground truth to establish significance of our implementation
Template for a System Design File Using OODPM Version 2015
Authors: Drori Offer
Published: February 2016

Object Oriented Design by Prototype Methodology (OODPM) integrates two known technologies: the object approach and the prototype concept. Object oriented methodology is used for internal system design, and prototype methodology is used for external system design. This document is a template for a system design file using OODPM version 2015 (titles of paragraphs only). For full explanations for each paragraph look at [1]. This version developed after tens of projects that developed and plan using version 6 in a very vast projects for national information systems. This version companion by "OODPM - Methodology for Management Information Systems life Cycle" (meanwhile only in Hebrew)
The Quantitative Safety Assessment and Evaluation for Safety-Critical Computer Systems
Authors: kotti Jayasri , Panchumarthy Seetharamaiah
Published: February 2016

The rapid increase in computer-related technologies puts greater demands on the software-controlled systems. These demands place the software in total control over safety-critical systems. A fault in such a Safety-Critical Computer Systems (SCCS) can result in catastrophic concerns such as loss of life, harm, or equipment damage. In order to detect and prevent such faults, some safety standards, safety analysis and fault-tolerant techniques have been developed. Still, it requires adequate methodologies and frameworks to complete verification of these SCCS. In this work, the software safety is considered into 3 parts: Safety Modeling, Safety Measurement and Safety Management, with assurance lying down to develop high quality software for SCCS. The proposed methodology is SM-Cube (Safety Modeling, Safety Measurement and Safety Management) which is the Safety-Critical Computer Systems concerned. SM-Cube provides a clarified differentiation for assessing and evaluating the safety embedded into the software. SM-Cube consists of required processes and operations for developing SCCS free of faults. This proposed SM-cube has been applied to safety-critical software based Railroad Crossing Control System (RCCS) which is a laboratory prototype. The outcomes of the prototype confirmed that all critical operations have been safe and risk free. The development of the software based on the proposed SM-cube for RCCS have shown a simplified and improved safety-critical operations of the overall system performance
Separability Principles for a General Theory of Software Engineering
Authors: Exman Iaakov , Perry Dewayne E. , Barn Balbir , Ralph Paul
Published: February 2016

The four GTSE (General Theory of Software Engineering) Workshops have brought awareness to, more or less mature, differing approaches, candidate theories for SE (Software Engineering). But one asks how to appraise the generality of these theories? And in case they are specialized sub-theories, are they amenable to combination into more general theories? The papers of the fourth GTSE Workshop addressed these questions by means of what can be collectively refer to as
Separability Principles
. In a sense, participants used well known techniques applied to design software systems to design SE theories. Separability is a powerful tool for understanding relations among SE candidate theories and guide how to assemble sub-theories into a general framework. Participants enthusiastically debated a series of related issues. The specialized vs. general theories questions were raised in diverse forms, such as, SE meaning multiple things, good predictive theories for narrow problems, ability of General theories to generate specific theories, and last but not least, whether "General" capture the contents of the workshop itself. The 4th GTSE edition was collocated with ICSE 2015 (International Conference of Software Engineering) in Firenze, Italy
TOR Signaling and Nutrient Sensing
Authors: Dobrenel Thomas , Caldana Camila , Hanson Johannes , Robaglia Christophe , Vincentz Michel , Veit Bruce , Meyer Christian
Published: February 2016

All living organisms rely on nutrients to sustain cell metabolism and energy production, which in turn need to be adjusted based on available resources. The evolutionarily conserved target of rapamycin (TOR) protein kinase is a central regulatory hub that connects environmental information about the quantity and quality of nutrients to developmental and metabolic processes in order to maintain cellular homeostasis. TOR is activated by both nitrogen and carbon metabolites and promotes energy-consuming processes such as cell division, mRNA translation, and anabolism in times of abundance while repressing nutrient remobilization through autophagy. In animals and yeasts, TOR acts antagonistically to the starvation-induced AMP-activated kinase (AMPK)/sucrose nonfermenting 1 (Snf1) kinase, called Snf1-related kinase 1 (SnRK1) in plants. This review summarizes the immense knowledge on the relationship between TOR signaling and nutrients in nonphotosynthetic organisms and presents recent findings in plants that illuminate the crucial role of this pathway in conveying nutrient-derived signals and regulating many aspects of metabolism and growth.
Antibody Production in Plants and Green Algae
Authors: Yusibov Vidadi , Kushnir Natasha , Streatfield Stephen J.
Published: February 2016

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have a wide range of modern applications, including research, diagnostic, therapeutic, and industrial uses. Market demand for mAbs is high and continues to grow. Although mammalian systems, which currently dominate the biomanufacturing industry, produce effective and safe recombinant mAbs, they have a limited manufacturing capacity and high costs. Bacteria, yeast, and insect cell systems are highly scalable and cost effective but vary in their ability to produce appropriate posttranslationally modified mAbs. Plants and green algae are emerging as promising production platforms because of their time and cost efficiencies, scalability, lack of mammalian pathogens, and eukaryotic posttranslational protein modification machinery. So far, plant- and algae-derived mAbs have been produced predominantly as candidate therapeutics for infectious diseases and cancer. These candidates have been extensively evaluated in animal models, and some have shown efficacy in clinical trials. Here, we review ongoing efforts to advance the production of mAbs in plants and algae.
Light-Mediated Hormonal Regulation of Plant Growth and Development
Authors: de Wit Mieke , Galvão Vinicius Costa , Fankhauser Christian
Published: February 2016

Light is crucial for plant life, and perception of the light environment dictates plant growth, morphology, and developmental changes. Such adjustments in growth and development in response to light conditions are often established through changes in hormone levels and signaling. This review discusses examples of light-regulated processes throughout a plant's life cycle for which it is known how light signals lead to hormonal regulation. Light acts as an important developmental switch in germination, photomorphogenesis, and transition to flowering, and light cues are essential to ensure light capture through architectural changes during phototropism and the shade avoidance response. In describing well-established links between light perception and hormonal changes, we aim to give insight into the mechanisms that enable plants to thrive in variable light environments.
Variations in MHC Class II Antigen Processing and Presentation in Health and Disease
Authors: Unanue Emil R. , Turk Vito , Neefjes Jacques
Published: February 2016

MHC class II (MHC-II) molecules are critical in the control of many immune responses. They are also involved in most autoimmune diseases and other pathologies. Here, we describe the biology of MHC-II and MHC-II variations that affect immune responses. We discuss the classic cell biology of MHC-II and various perturbations. Proteolysis is a major process in the biology of MHC-II, and we describe the various components forming and controlling this endosomal proteolytic machinery. This process ultimately determines the MHC-II–presented peptidome, including cryptic peptides, modified peptides, and other peptides that are relevant in autoimmune responses. MHC-II also variable in expression, glycosylation, and turnover. We illustrate that MHC-II is variable not only in amino acids (polymorphic) but also in its biology, with consequences for both health and disease.
Dynamic Modeling
Authors: Wang Mo , Zhou Le , Zhang Zhen
Published: February 2016

Recent effort in organizational psychology and organizational behavior (OPOB) research has placed increasing emphasis on understanding dynamic phenomena and processes. This calls for more and better use of dynamic modeling in OPOB research than before. The goals of this review are to provide an overview of the general forms of dynamic modeling in OPOB research, discuss three longitudinal data analytic techniques for conducting dynamic modeling with empirical data [i.e., time-series-based modeling, latent-change-scores-based modeling, and functional data analysis (FDA)], and introduce various dynamic modeling approaches for building theories about dynamic phenomena and processes (i.e., agent-based modeling, system dynamics modeling, and hybrid modeling). This review also highlights several OPOB research areas to which dynamic modeling has been applied and discusses future research directions for better utilizing dynamic modeling in those areas.
Organoids as Models for Neoplastic Transformation
Authors: Neal James T. , Kuo Calvin J.
Published: February 2016

Cancer models strive to recapitulate the incredible diversity inherent in human tumors. A key challenge in accurate tumor modeling lies in capturing the panoply of homo- and heterotypic cellular interactions within the context of a three-dimensional tissue microenvironment. To address this challenge, researchers have developed organotypic cancer models (organoids) that combine the 3D architecture of in vivo tissues with the experimental facility of 2D cell lines. Here we address the benefits and drawbacks of these systems, as well as their most recent advances. In particular, we focus on the application of such models to the discovery of novel cancer drivers, the study of tumor biology, and the development of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer.
Prognostic Relevance of the Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score Compared to the Peritoneal Cancer Index for Colorectal Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
Authors: Ng Jia Lin , Ong Whee Sze , Chia Claramae Shulyn , Tan Grace Hwei Ching , Soo Khee-Chee , Teo Melissa Ching Ching
Published: February 2016

Background. Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) is a widely established scoring system that describes disease burden in isolated colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis (CPC). Its significance may be diminished with complete cytoreduction. We explore the utility of the recently described Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score (PSDSS) and compare its prognostic value against PCI.Methods.The endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and survival less than 18 months (18 MS).Results.Fifty patients underwent cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) for CPC from 2003 to 2014, with 98% achieving complete cytoreduction. Median OS was 28.8 months (95% CI, 18.0–39.1); median PFS was 9.4 months (95% CI, 7.7–13.9). Univariate analysis showed that higher PCI was significantly associated with poorer OS (HR 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03–1.20) and PFS (HR 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03–1.14). Conversely, PSDSS was not associated with either endpoint. Multivariate analysis showed that PCI, but not PSDSS, was predictive of OS and PFS. PCI was also able to discriminate survival outcomes better than PSDSS for both OS and PFS. There was no association between 18 MS and either score.Conclusion.PCI is superior to PSDSS in predicting OS and PFS and remains the prognostic score of choice in CPC patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC.
Aircraft Scheduled Airframe Maintenance and Downtime Integrated Cost Model
Authors: Saltoğlu Remzi , Humaira Nazmia , İnalhan Gökhan
Published: February 2016

Aviation industry has grown rapidly since the first scheduled commercial aviation started one hundred years ago. There is a fast growth in the number of passengers, routes, and frequencies, with high revenues and low margins, which make this industry one of the most challenging businesses in the world. Every operator aims to undertake the minimum operating cost and gain profit as much as possible. One of the significant elements of operator’s operating cost is the maintenance cost. During maintenance scheduling, operator calculates the maintenance cost that it needs to budget. Previous works show that this calculation includes only costs that are directly related to the maintenance process such as cost of labor, material, and equipment. In some cases, overhead cost is also included. Some of previous works also discuss the existence of another cost throughout aircraft downtime, which is defined as cost of revenue loss. Nevertheless, there is not any standard model that shows how to define and calculate downtime cost. For that reason, the purpose of this paper is to introduce a new model and analysis technique that can be used to calculate aircraft downtime cost due to maintenance.
A Survey on Geographic Routing Protocols in Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networks
Authors: Wang Tong , Cao Yue , Zhou Yongzhe , Li Pengcheng
Published: February 2016

Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networks (DTNs) have been attracting great interest from research community, where data communication naturally does not require contemporaneous end-to-end connectivity. Although they are suffering from a large variation of network topology, numerous previous routing protocols proposed for DTNs still make effort to qualify delivery potential, via network topology information. Geographic routing is an alternative, conceptually, by relying on the geographic information instead of topological information. In the literature, since this technique branch has not been extensively investigated in DTNs, our paper identifies the motivation and challenges for applying geographic routing in DTNs with the state of the art. Also, we highlight the future research directions for this branch.
Chemistry and Functionality of Bioactive Compounds Present in Persimmon
Authors: Yaqub Shazia , Farooq Umar , Shafi Afshan , Akram Kashif , Murtaza Mian Anjum , Kausar Tusneem , Siddique Farzana
Published: February 2016

Extensive research has related the consumption of persimmon with the reduced risk of various diseases and particularly highlighted the presence of bioactive phenolic compounds for their therapeutic properties. Major phenolic compounds present in persimmon are ferulic acid,p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid.β-Cryptoxanthin, lycopene,β-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein are important carotenoids having antioxidant potential. They are important to prevent oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, safeguard beta cells of the pancreas, and reduce cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and damage caused by chronic alcohol consumption. In this paper, the chemistry and health benefits of bioactive compounds present in persimmon are reviewed to encourage impending applications and to facilitate further research activities.
A High Efficiency Chlorophyll Sensitized Solar Cell with Quasi Solid PVA Based Electrolyte
Authors: Hassan H. C. , Abidin Z. H. Z. , Chowdhury F. I. , Arof A. K.
Published: February 2016

The objective of this work is to investigate the performance of chlorophyll sensitized solar cells (CSSCs) with gel electrolyte based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with single iodide salt (potassium iodide (KI)) and double salt (KI and tetrapropylammonium iodide (TPAI)). Chlorophyll was extracted from the bryophyteHyophila involuta. The CSSC with electrolyte containing only KI salt produced a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 4.59 mA cm−2, open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.61 V, fill factor (FF) of 0.64, and efficiency (η) of 1.77%. However, the CSSC with double salt electrolyte exhibitedJscof 5.96 mA cm−2,Vocof 0.58 V, fill factor FF of 0.58, andηof 2.00%. Since CSSC with double salt electrolyte showed better efficiency, other cells fabricated will use the double salt electrolyte. On addition of 0.7 M tetrabutyl pyridine (TBP) to the double salt electrolyte, the cell’s efficiency increased to 2.17%,Jsc=5.37 mA cm−2,Voc=0.55 V, and FF = 0.73. With 5 mM chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) added to the chlorophyll, the light to electricity efficiency increased to 2.62% withJscof 8.44 mA cm−2,Vocof 0.54 V, and FF of 0.58.
Convex Sweeping Processes with Noncompact Perturbations and with Delay in Banach Spaces
Authors: Ibrahim A. G. , Aladsani F.
Published: February 2016

We prove two results concerning the existence of solutions for functional differential inclusions that are governed by sweeping processes, with noncompact valued perturbations in Banach spaces. Indeed, we have two goals. The first is to give a technique that allows considering sweeping processes with noncompact valued perturbations and associated with a multivalued function depending on time. The second is to give a technique to overcome the arising problem from the nonlinearity of the normalized mappings, when we deal with sweeping processes with noncompact valued perturbations and associated with a multivalued function depending on time and state.
Reliable Lifespan Evaluation of a Remote Environment Monitoring System Based on Wireless Sensor Networks and Global System for Mobile Communications
Authors: Antolín Diego , Medrano Nicolás , Calvo Belén
Published: February 2016

The use of wireless sensor networks (WSN) for monitoring physical and chemical variables in large areas allows density and frequency measurements which have been unavailable to date in classical measurement systems. To fully take advantage of this technology in a particular application, besides an accurate design and selection of all the components involved in its operation, it is essential to dispose of reliable lifetime estimation prior to deployment. This paper presents an experimental approach to determine the actual lifetime of such battery-operated systems, making use of a custom WSN architecture, and for different batteries technologies. To render a reliable evaluation, the energy consumption of the sensor nodes under their different operation modes, in correlation with the battery characteristics and the voltage regulation system, is jointly considered. The result is a complete and practical lifetime model, whose appropriate performance has been validated in a real deployment scenario.
Compact Wide Frequency Range Fractional-Order Models of Human Body Impedance against Contact Currents
Authors: Freeborn Todd J. , Elwakil Ahmed S. , Maundy Brent
Published: February 2016

Three circuit models using constant phase elements are investigated to represent the human body impedance against contact currents from 40 Hz to 110 MHz. The parameters required to represent the impedance are determined using a nonlinear least squares fitting (NLSF) applied to the averaged human body impedance dataset. The three fractional-order models with 4, 6, and 7 parameters are compared to an already existing integer-order, 11-parameter model. Simulations of the fractional-order models impedance are presented and discussed along with their limitations.
Sintering Bonding Process with Ag Nanoparticle Paste and Joint Properties in High Temperature Environment
Authors: Yan Jianfeng , Zhang Dongyue , Zou Guisheng , Liu Lei , Bai Hailin , Wu Aiping , Zhou Y. Norman
Published: February 2016

Ag nanoparticle paste is prepared based on the polyol method and subsequent concentration by centrifuging. The sintering bonding process using Ag nanoparticle paste at different bonding pressures is studied. The joint strengths are increased as the bonding pressure increases from 0 MPa to 7.5 MPa. This is due to the fact that the higher assistant bonding pressure is beneficial to the growth of neck size between the adjacent particles and forms denser sintered Ag layers. The joint strength bonded under 10 MPa is lower than that bonded under 7.5 MPa, which may be due to the residue of organic component in the sintered Ag layer. The joint properties bonded with Ag nanoparticle paste in high temperature environment are evaluated by heat treatments at temperatures ranges of 200–350°C for 50 hours. The results show that the mechanical properties of joint with Ag nanoparticle paste are better than the joint with Pb95Sn5 solder after storage at high temperatures.
Deletion ofHerpud1Enhances Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Le Thuong Manh , Hashida Koji , Ta Hieu Minh , Takarada-Iemata Mika , Kokame Koichi , Kitao Yasuko , Hori Osamu
Published: February 2016

Herp is an endoplasmic reticulum- (ER-) resident membrane protein that plays a role in ER-associated degradation. We studied the expression of Herp and its effect on neurodegeneration in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease (PD), in which both the oxidative stress and the ER stress are evoked. Eight hours after administering a PD-related neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), to mice, the expression of Herp increased at both the mRNA and the protein levels. Experiments usingHerpud1+/+andHerpud1−/−mice revealed that the status of acute degeneration of nigrostriatal neurons and reactive astrogliosis was comparable between two genotypes after MPTP injection. However, the expression of a potent antioxidant, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), was detected to a higher degree in the astrocytes ofHerpud1−/−mice than in the astrocytes ofHerpud1+/+mice 24 h after MPTP administration. Further experiments using cultured astrocytes revealed that the stress response against MPP+, an active form of MPTP, and hydrogen peroxide, both of which cause oxidative stress, was comparable between the two genotypes. These results suggest that deletion ofHerpud1may cause a slightly higher level of initial damage in the nigrastrial neurons after MPTP administration but is compensated for by higher induction of antioxidants such as HO-1 in astrocytes.
A Case of Rituximab Use as an Induction and Maintenance of Remission in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
Authors: Awad Neveen , Hafiz Shahd , Albeity Abdurahman , Almoallim Hani
Published: February 2016

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody- (ANCA-) associated vasculitis (AAV) is a multisystem autoimmune disease affecting mainly microscopic blood vessels due to circulating autoantibodies against neutrophil cytoplasmic antigens. We report a case of a 57-year-old female patient presenting with hemoptysis, sinusitis, and conjunctivitis. Based on lung biopsy, the diagnosis of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody- (ANCA-) associated vasculitis (AAV) was established. She was put on rituximab as induction and maintenance therapy. She responded initially to rituximab as induction therapy but failed to respond in the maintenance course of the drug. Rituximab was stopped and mycophenolate mofetil was administered. She responded as laboratory c-ANCA titers turned negative and symptoms subsided. There are no randomized clinical trials addressing rituximab effect in induction and remission at the same time. This case report doubts the efficacy of the use of rituximab therapy for both induction and maintenance of remission at the same time, waiting for the results of the ongoing trials.
Overexpression ofAaWRKY1Leads to an Enhanced Content of Artemisinin inArtemisia annua
Authors: Jiang Weimin , Fu Xueqing , Pan Qifang , Tang Yueli , Shen Qian , Lv Zongyou , Yan Tingxiang , Shi Pu , Li Ling , Zhang Lida , Wang Guofeng , Sun Xiaofen , Tang Kexuan
Published: February 2016

Artemisinin is an effective component of drugs against malaria. The regulation of artemisinin biosynthesis is at the forefront of artemisinin research. Previous studies showed that AaWRKY1 can regulate the expression ofADS, which is the first key enzyme in artemisinin biosynthetic pathway. In this study,AaWRKY1was cloned, and it activated ADSpro and CYPpro in tobacco using dual-LUC assay. To further study the function of AaWRKY1, pCAMBIA2300-AaWRKY1 construct under 35S promoter was generated. Transgenic plants containingAaWRKY1were obtained, and four independent lines with high expression ofAaWRKY1were analyzed. The expression ofADSandCYP, the key enzymes in artemisinin biosynthetic pathway, was dramatically increased inAaWRKY1-overexpressingA. annuaplants. Furthermore, the artemisinin yield increased significantly inAaWRKY1-overexpressingA. annuaplants. These results showed that AaWRKY1 increased the content of artemisinin by regulating the expression of bothADSandCYP. It provides a new insight into the mechanism of regulation on artemisinin biosynthesis via transcription factors in the future.
Diagnosis of Human Axillary Osmidrosis by Genotyping of the HumanABCC11Gene: Clinical Practice and Basic Scientific Evidence
Authors: Toyoda Yu , Gomi Tsuneaki , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Nagakura Makoto , Ishikawa Toshihisa
Published: February 2016

The importance of personalized medicine and healthcare is becoming increasingly recognized. Genetic polymorphisms associated with potential risks of various human genetic diseases as well as drug-induced adverse reactions have recently been well studied, and their underlying molecular mechanisms are being uncovered by functional genomics as well as genome-wide association studies. Knowledge of certain genetic polymorphisms is clinically important for our understanding of interindividual differences in drug response and/or disease risk. As such evidence accumulates, new clinical applications and practices are needed. In this context, the development of new technologies for simple, fast, accurate, and cost-effective genotyping is imperative. Here, we describe a simple isothermal genotyping method capable of detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporterABCC11gene and its application to the clinical diagnosis of axillary osmidrosis. We have recently reported that axillary osmidrosis is linked with one SNP 538G>A in theABCC11gene. Our molecular biological and biochemical studies have revealed that this SNP greatly affects the protein expression level and the function of ABCC11. In this review, we highlight the clinical relevance and importance of this diagnostic strategy in axillary osmidrosis therapy.
A Survey on the Effect of Livestock Production System and Finishing Diet on Sensory Characteristics of Foal Meat Using Generalized Procrustes Analysis
Authors: Lorenzo José M. , Purriños Laura , Carballo Javier
Published: February 2016

The influence of livestock production system [Freedom Extensive System (FES) versus Semi-Extensive System (SES)] and finishing feed (1.5 kg versus 3.0 kg of commercial feed in the finishing period) diet on sensory properties of foal meat using Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) was studied. For this work, a total of 24 foals (8 from FES and 16 from SES) were used. Samples were evaluated by eight panelists for eight sensory attributes: colour, marbling, odour intensity, sweetness, springiness, hardness, chewiness, and juiciness. Data were analyzed using a GPA to minimize differences among testers. Highly appreciated sensory properties (odour intensity, red colour, marbling, and juiciness) were mostly associated with foals from the Semi-Extensive System. On the other hand, the three groups studied (FES, 1.5SES, and 3SES) were clearly recognized by panelists on the consensus configuration and they were clearly separated on the map. This study concluded that sensory characteristics of foal meat from a Semi-Extensive Production System with a finishing diet of 3 kg concentrate were more preferable than the other ones.
Optimization of LDPC Codes over the Underwater Acoustic Channel
Authors: Liu Shengxing , Song Aijun
Published: February 2016

To combat severe intersymbol interference incurred by multipath propagation of sound waves in the underwater acoustic environment, we introduce an iterative equalization and decoding scheme by iteratively exchanging soft information between a low-density parity check (LDPC) decoder and a decision feedback equalizer. We apply extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) charts to analyze performance of LDPC codes over the acoustic multipath channel. Furthermore, using differential evolution technique, we develop an EXIT-aided method to optimize LDPC codes for the underwater acoustic channel. Design examples are presented for two different realizations of the underwater acoustic channel that are generated by an acoustic ray tracing model. Computer simulations show that the optimized LDPC codes outperform its regular counterpart or Turbo codes under the same coding rate and block length, with gains of 1.0 and 0.8 dB, respectively, at the bit error rate of 10−5.
Identifying Prognostic Criteria for Survival after Resuscitation Assisted by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Brunner Alexandrine , Dubois Natacha , Rimensberger Peter C. , Karam Oliver
Published: February 2016

To improve survival rates during CPR, some patients are put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Among children who have undergone ECMO cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), the overall rate of survival to discharge is close to 40%. However, despite its wide acceptance and use, the appropriate indications and organizational requirements for ECPR have yet to be defined. Our objective was to assess the clinical outcomes of children after ECPR and to determine pre-ECPR prognostic factors for survival to guide its indication. Among the 19 patients who underwent ECPR between 2008 and 2014 in our center, 16 patients (84%, 95% confidence interval: 62–95%) died during their hospital stay, including nine (47%) who were on ECMO and seven (37%) after successful weaning from ECMO. All three survivors had normal cognitive status, but one child suffered from spastic quadriplegia. Survivors tended to have lower lactate, higher bicarbonate, and higher pH levels before ECMO initiation, as well as shorter length of resuscitation. In conclusion, in our center, ECPR has a poorer outcome than expected. Therefore, it might be important to identify, a priori, patients who might benefit from this treatment.
(M,β)-Stability of Positive Linear Systems
Authors: Pastravanu Octavian , Matcovschi Mihaela-Hanako
Published: February 2016

The main purpose of this work is to show that the Perron-Frobenius eigenstructure of a positive linear system is involved not only in the characterization of long-term behavior (for which well-known results are available) but also in the characterization of short-term or transient behavior. We address the analysis of the short-term behavior by the help of the “(M,β)-stability” concept introduced in literature for general classes of dynamics. Our paper exploits this concept relative to Hölder vectorp-norms,1≤p≤∞, adequately weighted by scaling operators, focusing on positive linear systems. Given an asymptotically stable positive linear system, for each1≤p≤∞, we prove the existence of a scaling operator (built from the right and left Perron-Frobenius eigenvectors, with concrete expressions depending onp) that ensures the best possible values for the parametersMandβ, corresponding to an “ideal” short-term (transient) behavior. We provide results that cover both discrete- and continuous-time dynamics. Our analysis also captures the differences between the cases where the system dynamics is defined by matrices irreducible and reducible, respectively. The theoretical developments are applied to the practical study of the short-term behavior for two positive linear systems already discussed in literature by other authors.
Menstrual Disturbances in Premenopausal Women with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lin Chong-Ting , Liu Xi-Ning , Xu Hong-Lei , Sui Hui-Yan
Published: February 2016

Objective: To evaluate menstrual disturbances and sex hormonal status in premenopausal women with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Subjects and Methods: The study consisted of 184 patients with ESRD treated with one of four treatment modalities (46/modality): conventional hemodialysis (CHD), continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), nocturnal hemodialysis (NHD) and renal transplantation (RT). Blood samples were collected to determine sex hormone levels. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from medical records. A questionnaire was administered to analyze menstrual patterns, and the final analysis included 46, 43, 40 and 36 patients in the CHD, CAPD, NHD and RT groups, respectively. Results: The overall prevalence of menstrual disturbances was 64.2% for all four treatment modalities (RT: 50%; NHD: 55%; CAPD: 72.1%, and CHD: 76.1%). Serum prolactin levels were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in the NHD (25.1 ± 10.9 ng/ml) and RT (13.4 ± 5.1 ng/ml) groups than in the CHD group (55.2 ± 10.8 ng/ml). Serum progesterone levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the NHD (25.7 ± 8.3 nmol/l) and RT (30.1 ± 5.9 nmol/l) groups than in the CHD group (17.7 ± 7.3 nmol/l). Moreover, the hormonal status (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone) was much closer to normal in the NHD and RT groups compared to the other two groups. Conclusions: In this study, successful transplantation and NHD partially improved the symptoms of menstrual disturbances. Therefore, we recommend that further studies are necessary to confirm our finding in ESRD patients.
Do Women With Anxiety or Depression Have Higher Rates of Myocardial Ischemia During Exercise Testing Than Men?
Authors: Paine Nicola J. , Bacon Simon L. , Pelletier Roxanne , Arsenault André , Diodati Jean G. , Lavoie Kim L.
Published: February 2016

Background—

Women diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) typically experience worse outcomes relative to men, possibly through diagnosis and treatment delays. Reasons for these delays may be influenced by mood and anxiety disorders, which are more prevalent in women and have symptoms (eg, palpitations and fatigue) that may be confounded with CAD. Our study examined sex differences in the association between mood and anxiety disorders and myocardial ischemia in patients with and without a CAD history presenting for exercise stress tests.

Methods and Results—

A total of 2342 patients (women n=760) completed a single photon emission computed tomographic exercise stress test (standard Bruce Protocol) and underwent a psychiatric interview (The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders) to assess mood and anxiety disorders. Ischemia was assessed using single photon emission computed tomography, with odds ratio used to calculate the effect of sex and mood/anxiety on the presence of ischemia during stress testing by CAD history in a stratified analyses, adjusted for relevant covariates. There was a sex by anxiety interaction with ischemia in those without a CAD history (
P
=0.015): women with anxiety were more likely to exhibit ischemia during exercise than women without anxiety (odds ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–2.89). No significant effects were observed for men nor mood.

Conclusions—

Women with anxiety and no CAD history had higher rates of ischemia than women without anxiety. Results suggest that anxiety symptoms, many of which overlap with those of CAD, might mask CAD symptoms among women (but not men) and contribute to referral and diagnostic delays. Further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Return to Work After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Dreyer Rachel P. , Xu Xiao , Zhang Weiwei , Du Xue , Strait Kelly M. , Bierlein Maggie , Bucholz Emily M. , Geda Mary , Fox James , D’Onofrio Gail , Lichtman Judith H. , Bueno Héctor , Spertus John A. , Krumholz Harlan M.
Published: February 2016

Background—

Return to work after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an important outcome and is particularly relevant to young patients. Women may be at a greater risk for not returning to work given evidence of their worse recovery after AMI than similarly aged men. However, sex differences in return to work after AMI has not been studied extensively in a young population (≤55 years).

Methods and Results—

We analyzed data from 1680 patients with AMI aged 18 to 55 years (57% women) participating in the Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients (VIRGO) study who were working full time (≥35 hours) before the event. Data were obtained by medical record abstraction and patient interviews. We conducted multivariable regression analyses to examine sex differences in return to work at 12 months after AMI, and the association of patient characteristics with return to work. When compared with young men, young women were less likely to return to work (89% versus 85%; 85% versus 89%, P=0.02); however, this sex difference was not significant after adjusting for patient sociodemographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, and health measures. Being married, engaging in a professional or clerical type of work, having more favorable physical health, and having no previous coronary disease or hypertension were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of return to work at 12 months.

Conclusions—

Among a young population, women are less likely to return to work after AMI than men. This disadvantage is explained by differences in demographic, occupational, and health characteristics.
Persistent Maternal Cardiac Dysfunction After Preeclampsia Identifies Patients at Risk for Recurrent Preeclampsia
Authors: Valensise Herbert , Lo Presti Damiano , Gagliardi Giulia , Tiralongo Grazia Maria , Pisani Ilaria , Novelli Gian Paolo , Vasapollo Barbara
Published: February 2016

The purpose of our study was to assess cardiac function in nonpregnant women with previous early preeclampsia before a second pregnancy to highlight the cardiovascular pattern, which may take a risk for recurrent preeclampsia. Seventy-five normotensive patients with previous preeclampsia and 147 controls with a previous uneventful pregnancy were enrolled in a case-control study and submitted to echocardiographic examination in the nonpregnant state 12 to 18 months after the first delivery. All patients included in the study had pregnancy within 24 months from the echocardiographic examination and were followed until term. Twenty-two (29%) of the 75 patients developed recurrent preeclampsia. In the nonpregnant state, patients with recurrent preeclampsia compared with controls and nonrecurrent preeclampsia had lower stroke volume (63±14 mL versus 73±12 mL and 70±11 mL,
P
<0.05), cardiac output (4.6±1.2 L versus 5.3±0.9 L and 5.2±1.0 L,
P
<0.05), higher E/E′ ratio (11.02±3.43 versus 7.34±2.11 versus 9.03±3.43,
P
<0.05), and higher total vascular resistance (1638±261 dyne·s
−1
·cm
−5
versus 1341±270 dyne·s
−1
·cm
−5
and 1383±261 dyne·s
−1
·cm
−5
,
P
<0.05). Left ventricular mass index was higher in both recurrent and nonrecurrent preeclampsia compared with controls (30.0±6.3 g/m
2.7
and 30.4±6.8 g/m
2.7
versus 24.8±5.0 g/m
2.7
,
P
<0.05). Signs of diastolic dysfunction and different left ventricular characteristics are present in the nonpregnant state before a second pregnancy with recurrent preeclampsia. Previous preeclamptic patients with nonrecurrent preeclampsia show left ventricular structural and functional features intermediate with respect to controls and recurrent preeclampsia.