bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
reVITALize gynecology
Authors: Novotny Maria
Published: September 2015

As state and federal legislation continues to regulate women's reproductive health, it follows that the field of technical communication must continue to develop methodologies to facilitate stakeholder participation in health policymaking practices. Scott's (2003) scholarship on HIV testing and his "ethic of responsiveness" serve as a foundation for methods to broaden stakeholder participation. Yet, as current legislation attempts to regulate health decisions of female bodies, more explicit feminist methods inviting feminist perspectives to resist such anti-feminist legislation must be developed. Frost's (2013, 2014a, 2014b) apparent feminism serves as a useful methodology that builds upon Scott's methods to enact feminist interventional methods. This article provides a case study of the reVITALize Gynecology infertility initiative, a health intervention project that appears to function as an ally of apparent feminism. Applying an apparent feminist analysis to the initiative reveals limitations of the project's feminist commitments. To address the limitations of the initiative, the article articulates the need to expand apparent feminism's methodology by accounting for stakeholder participation throughout health intervention projects. This article posits that expanding feminist approaches to designing public stakeholder input is vital to upholding technical communication's commitment to advocacy and an ethical feminist commitment to facilitating spaces for all citizens to contribute as public intellectuals.
Designer Ecosystems: Incorporating Design Approaches into Applied Ecology
Authors: Ross Matthew R.V. , Bernhardt Emily S. , Doyle Martin W. , Heffernan James B.
Published: September 2015

To satisfy a growing population, much of Earth's surface has been designed to suit humanity's needs. Although these ecosystem designs have improved human welfare, they have also produced significant negative environmental impacts, which applied ecology as a field has attempted to address and solve. Many of the failures in applied ecology to achieve this goal of reducing negative environmental impacts are design failures, not failures in the science. Here, we review (a) how humans have designed much of Earth's surface, (b) the history of design ideas in ecology and the philosophical and practical critiques of these ideas, (c) design as a conceptual process, (d) how changing approaches and goals in subfields of applied ecology reflect changes and failures in design, and (e) why it is important not only for ecologists to encourage design fields to incorporate ecology into their practice but also for design to be more thoroughly incorporated into ours.
Drop Impact on a Solid Surface
Authors: Josserand C. , Thoroddsen S.T.
Published: September 2015

A drop hitting a solid surface can deposit, bounce, or splash. Splashing arises from the breakup of a fine liquid sheet that is ejected radially along the substrate. Bouncing and deposition depend crucially on the wetting properties of the substrate. In this review, we focus on recent experimental and theoretical studies, which aim at unraveling the underlying physics, characterized by the delicate interplay of not only liquid inertia, viscosity, and surface tension, but also the surrounding gas. The gas cushions the initial contact; it is entrapped in a central microbubble on the substrate; and it promotes the so-called corona splash, by lifting the lamella away from the solid. Particular attention is paid to the influence of surface roughness, natural or engineered to enhance repellency, relevant in many applications.
Novel Agents for Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Straus Farber Rebecca , Harel Asaff , Lublin Fred
Published: September 2015

Since 2004, five drugs with new mechanisms of action have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The expanded armamentarium of treatment options offers new opportunities for improved disease control and increased tolerability of medications, and also presents new safety concerns and monitoring requirements with which physicians must familiarize themselves. We review each of the newly approved agents—natalizumab, fingolimod, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, and alemtuzumab—with regard to their mechanism of action, clinical trial data, safety and tolerability concerns, and monitoring requirements. We also review available data for promising agents that are currently in late-phase clinical trials, including daclizumab, ocrelizumab, and ofatumumab.
Modular Brain Networks
Authors: Sporns Olaf , Betzel Richard F.
Published: September 2015

The development of new technologies for mapping structural and functional brain connectivity has led to the creation of comprehensive network maps of neuronal circuits and systems. The architecture of these brain networks can be examined and analyzed with a large variety of graph theory tools. Methods for detecting modules, or network communities, are of particular interest because they uncover major building blocks or subnetworks that are particularly densely connected, often corresponding to specialized functional components. A large number of methods for community detection have become available and are now widely applied in network neuroscience. This article first surveys a number of these methods, with an emphasis on their advantages and shortcomings; then it summarizes major findings on the existence of modules in both structural and functional brain networks and briefly considers their potential functional roles in brain evolution, wiring minimization, and the emergence of functional specialization and complex dynamics.
Preliminary Assessment of Methane Concentration Variation Observed by GOSAT in China
Authors: Qin Xiuchun , Lei Liping , He Zhonghua , Zeng Zhao-Cheng , Kawasaki Masahiro , Ohashi Masafumi , Matsumi Yutaka
Published: September 2015

Atmospheric column-averaged methane (XCH4) observations from GOSAT are analyzed to study the spatiotemporal variation of XCH4in China. Furthermore, we investigate the driving mechanism of XCH4spatiotemporal variations, especially for high XCH4values shown over Sichuan Basin, by analyzing both the emission mechanism of rice planting process and the regional atmosphere dynamic transportation. The results indicate that spatially the Sichuan Basin presents a higher XCH4concentration than other regions in China and is 17 ppb higher than the paddy area in the same latitude zone. Seasonally, XCH4in Sichuan Basin during rice harvest season is generally higher than that in early cultivation period. However, comparing to paddy area in the same latitude zone, Sichuan Basin shows a relatively higher XCH4value during the winter of noncultivation period when the emissions from rice paddies are weak and surface air temperature is low. To further investigate the high XCH4concentration during this low-emission period, we use the HYSPLIT model to simulate the atmosphere dynamic transport process, and the result suggests that the typical closed topography of Sichuan Basin, which may lead to CH4accumulation and keep it from diffusion, is one possible reason for the high XCH4value in winter.
The Depths from Skin to the Major Organs at Chest Acupoints of Pediatric Patients
Authors: Ma Yi-Chun , Peng Ching-Tien , Huang Yu-Chuen , Lin Hung-Yi , Lin Jaung-Geng
Published: September 2015

Background. Acupuncture is applied to treat numerous diseases in pediatric patients. Few reports have been published on the depth to which it is safe to insert needle acupoints in pediatric patients. We evaluated the depths to which acupuncture needles can be inserted safely in chest acupoints in pediatric patients and the variations in safe depth according to sex, age, body weight, and body mass index (BMI).Methods. We retrospectively studied computed tomography (CT) images of pediatric patients aged 4 to 18 years who had undergone chest CT at China Medical University Hospital from December 2004 to May 2013. The safe depth of chest acupoints was directly measured from the CT images. The relationships between the safe depth of these acupoints and sex, age, body weight, and BMI were analyzed.Results. The results demonstrated significant differences in depth among boys and girls at KI25 (kidney meridian), ST16 (stomach meridian), ST18, SP17 (spleen meridian), SP19, SP20, PC1 (pericardium meridian), LU2 (lung meridian), and GB22 (gallbladder meridian). Safe depth significantly differed among the age groupsP<0.001, weight groupsP<0.05, and BMI groupsP<0.05.Conclusion. Physicians should focus on large variations in needle depth during acupuncture for achieving optimal therapeutic effect and preventing complications.
Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma with Extensive Cutaneous Relapse
Authors: Malkan Umit Yavuz , Gunes Gursel , Yayar Okan , Demiroglu Haluk
Published: September 2015

Herein, we aimed to report a diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) case that had extensive cutaneous relapse with no skin involvement previously. A 59-year-old man presented to hospital in April 2014 with fatigue, anorexia, fever, and anemia. Cervical lymph node biopsy revealed CD20+, BCL2+, MUM1+, BCL6+ high grade B lymphoproliferative neoplasm. After FISH investigation, he was diagnosed as DLBCL. He was given 7 cycles of R-CHOP and achieved remission. However, in November 2014, he had emerging skin lesions that cover nearly all of his body. A control PET-CT revealed diffuse cutaneous involvement. CD20+, BCL2+, MUM1+, BCL6+ high grade B cell lymphoma infiltration was detected with skin biopsy. He was diagnosed as relapse lymphoma, so 2 cycles of R-DHAP were given. There was no treatment response; therefore, R-ICE regimen was started. The patient had achieved second complete remission and his skin lesions were completely regressed. The involvement of skin with CD20+ cells after 7 cycles of rituximab therapy favors that there is a rituximab resistant disease which tends to involve the skin. To conclude, DLBCL may relapse extensively with cutaneous involvement and the best treatment option in these patients is salvage chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
Modeling Material Flow Behavior during Hot Deformation Based on Metamodeling Methods
Authors: Xiao Gang , Yang Qinwen , Li Luoxing , Xu Zhengbing
Published: September 2015

Modeling material flow behavior is an essential step to design and optimize the forming process. In this context, four popular metamodel types Kriging, radial basis function, multivariate polynomial, and artificial neural network are investigated as potential methods for modeling the flow behavior of 6013 aluminum alloy. Based on the experimental data from hot compression tests, the modeling performance of these four methods was tested and subsequently compared from different aspects. It is found that all the methods are capable of constructing models for describing the hot deformation behavior. The merits of Kriging method over other three methods are highlighted when the sample size for modeling is decreased. Furthermore, the applicability of Kriging method is validated while decreasing the sample uniformity with respect to temperature or strain rate. It is proved that Kriging method is competent in modeling the material flow behavior and is the most effective one among the four popular types of metamodeling method.
Wavelet Network: Online Sequential Extreme Learning Machine for Nonlinear Dynamic Systems Identification
Authors: Salih Dhiadeen Mohammed , Noor Samsul Bahari Mohd , Hamiruce Merhaban Mohammad , Kamil Raja Mohd
Published: September 2015

A single hidden layer feedforward neural network (SLFN) with online sequential extreme learning machine (OSELM) algorithm has been introduced and applied in many regression problems successfully. However, using SLFN with OSELM as black-box for nonlinear system identification may lead to building models for the identified plant with inconsistency responses from control perspective. The reason can refer to the random initialization procedure of the SLFN hidden node parameters with OSELM algorithm. In this paper, a single hidden layer feedforward wavelet network (WN) is introduced with OSELM for nonlinear system identification aimed at getting better generalization performances by reducing the effect of a random initialization procedure.
Experimental Researches on Long-Term Strength of Granite Gneiss
Authors: Liu Lin , Xu Weiya
Published: September 2015

It is important to confirm the long-term strength of rock materials for the purpose of evaluating the long-term stability of rock engineering. In this study, a series of triaxial creep tests were conducted on granite gneiss under different pore pressures. Based on the test data, we proposed two new quantitative methods, tangent method and intersection method, to confirm the long-term strength of rock. Meanwhile, the isochronous stress-strain curve method was adopted to make sure of the accuracy and operability of the two new methods. It is concluded that the new methods are suitable for the study of the long-term strength of rock. The effect of pore pressure on the long-term strength of rock in triaxial creep tests is also discussed.
Risk Factors for Refractory Diabetic Macular Oedema after Sub-Tenon’s Capsule Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection
Authors: Oshitari Toshiyuki , Kitamura Yuta , Nonomura Sakiko , Arai Miyuki , Takatsuna Yoko , Sato Eiju , Baba Takayuki , Yamamoto Shuichi
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this study is to identify the risk factors for a recurrence or persistence of diabetic macular oedema (DME) after a sub-Tenon’s capsule triamcinolone acetonide (STTA) injection. The medical records of 124 patients (124 eyes) treated by STTA were reviewed. The age, sex, HbA1c level, best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, insulin use, pioglitazone use, systemic hypertension, serous retinal detachment, proteinuria, panretinal photocoagulation, microaneurysm photocoagulation (MAPC), subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation (SMDLP), cataract surgery, and history of vitrectomy were examined by logistic regression analysis. Procedures of MAPC and SMDLP were significantly associated with DME treated with STTA (P=0.0315,P=0.04, resp.). However, a history of vitrectomy was found to have significantly fewer recurrences or persistent DME after STTA (P=0.0464). In conclusion, patients who required combined MAPC or SMDLP with a STTA injection had significantly higher refractoriness to STTA, but postvitrectomy may prevent the recurrence or persistence of DME after STTA injection.
Er:YAG Laser Assisted Treatment of Central Odontogenic Fibroma of the Mandible
Authors: Monteiro Luis Silva , Martins Marco , Pacheco José Júlio , Salazar Filomena , Magalhães João , Vescovi Paolo , Meleti Marco
Published: September 2015

Central odontogenic fibroma is a very rare benign odontogenic tumour characterized by a fibrous mature stroma with variable strands or islands of inactive-looking odontogenic epithelium. Our aim is to report a case of a central odontogenic fibroma and describe the clinical usefulness of Er:YAG laser for the surgical treatment of this tumour. A 74-year-old woman presented with an expansive lesion located in a mandible with multilocular and mixed radiographic appearance. A conservative excision using Er:YAG laser was performed. Complete removal was obtained. There were no postoperative complications. The histopatologic features were consistent with the diagnosis of central odontogenic fibroma of rich-epithelium type. No recurrence was observed during follow-up.
Interdigital Piezopolymer Transducers for Time of Flight Measurements with Ultrasonic Lamb Waves on Carbon-Epoxy Composites under Pure Bending Stress
Authors: Bulletti Andrea , Capineri Lorenzo
Published: September 2015

Interdigital transducers fabricated with piezopolymer film have been realized to excite ultrasonic Lamb waves in a composite laminate subjected to pure bending stresses. Lamb waves were generated and detected in a cross-ply [0°/90°] 4 mm thick carbon-fiber composite, by using two interdigital transducers in pitch-catch configuration. We demonstrate that the choice of the piezopolymer transducer technology is suitable for this type of investigation and the advantages of the proposed transducer assembly and bonding are described. A full set-up is described to determine the relationship between the time of flight of the recorded signals and the applied bending moment. Interdigital transducers were designed according to simulations of the dispersion curves, in order to operate at a central frequency of 450 kHz. This frequency corresponds to a central wavelength of 16 mm and to a group velocity of about 6000 m/s for the first symmetric guided wave mode. The variations in the time of flight of ultrasonic recorded signals were measured as a function of the variations in the bending moment. The static and dynamic load tests were in good agreement with strain gage measurements performed in the micro deformation range (0–1400 µm/m).
Newer Classification System for Fissured Tongue: An Epidemiological Approach
Authors: Sudarshan Ramachandran , Sree Vijayabala G. , Samata Y. , Ravikiran A.
Published: September 2015

Introduction.Fissured tongue is a commonly encountered tongue disorder in dental practice. But there is a lack of data on different pattern, severity, and association of fissuring with various systemic disorders and other tongue anomalies. This study attempts to establish a classification system for fissured tongue and to know the correlation with the systemic health and other disorders of the tongue.Materials and Methods.A total of 1000 subjects between the age groups of 10 and 80 years were included in the study. Pattern of fissuring, allied systemic diseases, and related tongue anomalies were tabulated.Results.Out of 1000 subjects, 387 subjects presented with fissured tongue. Out of 387 subjects, hypertension was present in 57 cases, 18 subjects had diabetes, and 3 subjects had both hypertension and diabetes. Central longitudinal type was found to be the most common type of tongue fissuring.Conclusion.Fissured tongue has been found to be associated with certain systemic disease and further researches are required to know positive correlation. If a correlation exists, such disorders could be diagnosed earlier by identifying fissured tongue at an earlier age.
Support Vector Regression Based Indoor Location in IEEE 802.11 Environments
Authors: Shi Ke , Ma Zhenjie , Zhang Rentong , Hu Wenbiao , Chen Hongsheng
Published: September 2015

The wide spread of the 802.11-based wireless technology brings about a good opportunity for the indoor positioning system. In this paper, we present a new 802.11-based indoor positioning method using support vector regression (SVR), which consists of offline training stage and online location stage. The model that describes the relations between the position and the received signal strength (RSS) of the mobile device is established at the offline training stage by SVR, and at the online location stage the exact position is determined by this model. Due to the complex indoor environment, RSS is vulnerable and changeable. To address this issue, data filtering rules obtained through statistical analysis are applied at offline training stage to improve the quality of training samples and thus improve the quality of prediction model. At the online location stage,k-times continuous measurement is utilized to obtain the high quality RSS input, which guarantees the consistency with the training samples and improves the position accuracy of mobile devices. Performance evaluation shows that the proposed method has a higher positioning accuracy compared with the probability and neutral network method, and the demand for the storage capacity and computing power is also low at the same time.
Lightweight Investigation of Extended-Range Electric Vehicle Based on Collision Failure Using Numerical Simulation
Authors: Long Jiangqi , Huang Wenhao , Zhang Wuhu
Published: September 2015

The total weight of Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) is too heavy, which affects rear-end collision safety. Using numerical simulation, a lightweight method is designed to reduce E-REV body and key parts weight based on rear-end collision failure analysis. To calculate and optimize the performance of vehicle safety, the simulation model of E-REV rear-end collision safety is built by using finite element analysis. Drive battery pack lightweight design method is analyzed and the bending mode and torsional mode of E-REV before and after lightweight are compared to evaluate E-REV rear-end collision safety performance. The simulation results of optimized E-REV safety structure are verified by both numerical simulation and experimental investigation of the entire vehicle crash test.
Three-Scale Multiphysics Modeling of Transport Phenomena within Cortical Bone
Authors: Lemaire T. , Kaiser J. , Naili S. , Sansalone V.
Published: September 2015

Bone tissue can adapt its properties and geometry to its physical environment. This ability is a key point in the osteointegration of bone implants since it controls the tissue remodeling in the vicinity of the treated site. Since interstitial fluid and ionic transport taking place in the fluid compartments of bone plays a major role in the mechanotransduction of bone remodeling, this theoretical study presents a three-scale model of the multiphysical transport phenomena taking place within the vasculature porosity and the lacunocanalicular network of cortical bone. These two porosity levels exchange mass and ions through the permeable outer wall of the Haversian-Volkmann canals. Thus, coupled equations of electrochemohydraulic transport are derived from the nanoscale of the canaliculi toward the cortical tissue, considering the intermediate scale of the intraosteonal tissue. In particular, the Onsager reciprocity relations that govern the coupled transport are checked.
A Master-Slave Calibration Algorithm with Fish-Eye Correction
Authors: Neves J. C. , Moreno J. C. , Proença H.
Published: September 2015

Surveillance systems capable of autonomously monitoring vast areas are an emerging trend, particularly when wide-angle cameras are combined with pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras in a master-slave configuration. The use of fish-eye lenses allows the master camera to maximize the coverage area while the PTZ acts as a foveal sensor, providing high-resolution images of regions of interest. Despite the advantages of this architecture, the mapping between image coordinates and pan-tilt values is the major bottleneck in such systems, since it depends on depth information and fish-eye effect correction. In this paper, we address these problems by exploiting geometric cues to perform height estimation. This information is used both for inferring 3D information from a single static camera deployed on an arbitrary position and for determining lens parameters to remove fish-eye distortion. When compared with the previous approaches, our method has the following advantages: (1) fish-eye distortion is corrected without relying on calibration patterns; (2) 3D information is inferred from a single static camera disposed on an arbitrary location of the scene.
Push‐Out Bond Strength of Restorations with Bulk‐Fill, Flow, and Conventional Resin Composites
Authors: Caixeta Rodrigo Vieira , Guiraldo Ricardo Danil , Kaneshima Edmilson Nobumitu , Barbosa Aline Silvestre , Picolotto Cassiana Pedrotti , Lima Ana Eliza de Souza , Gonini Júnior Alcides , Berger Sandrine Bittencourt
Published: September 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bond strengths of composite restorations made with different filler amounts and resin composites that were photoactivated using a light‐emitting diode (LED). Thirty bovine incisors were selected, and a conical cavity was prepared in the facial surface of each tooth. All preparations were etched with Scotchbond Etching Gel, the Adper Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus adhesive system was applied followed by photoactivation, and the cavities were filled with a single increment of Filtek Z350 XT, Filtek Z350 XT Flow, or bulk‐fill X‐tra fil resin composite (n = 10) followed by photoactivation. A push‐out test to determine bond strength was conducted using a universal testing machine. Data (MPa) were submitted to Student’s t‐test at a 5% significance level. After the test, the fractured specimens were examined using an optical microscope under magnification (10x). Although all three composites demonstrated a high prevalence of adhesive failures, the bond strength values of the different resin composites photoactivated by LED showed that the X‐tra fil resin composite had a lower bond strength than the Filtek Z350 XT and Filtek Z350 XT Flow resin composites.
Computational Study of a Transverse Rotor Aircraft in Hover Using the Unsteady Vortex Lattice Method
Authors: Colmenares Juan D. , López Omar D. , Preidikman Sergio
Published: September 2015

This paper presents the simulation of a two-rotor aircraft in different geometric configurations during hover flight. The analysis was performed using an implementation of the unsteady vortex-lattice method (UVLM). A description of the UVLM is presented as well as the techniques used to enhance the stability of results for rotors in hover flight. The model is validated for an isolated rotor in hover, comparing numerical results to experimental data (high-Reynolds, low-Mach conditions). Results show that an exclusion of the root vortex generates a more stable wake, without affecting results. Results for the two-rotor aircraft show an important influence of the number of blades on the vertical thrust. Furthermore, the geometric configuration has a considerable influence on the pitching moment.
Dual Band and Beam-Steering Antennas Using Reconfigurable Feed on Sierpinski Structure
Authors: Kang Seonghun , Jung Chang Won
Published: September 2015

Fractal patch antennas based on the Sierpinski structure are studied in this paper. The antennas operate at dual bands (around 2 and 5 GHz) and are designed to steer the beam directions at around 5 GHz band (the first harmonic). The antennas use reconfigurable triple feeds on the same antenna plane to have three beam directions. The same scale factor defines the geometrical self-similarity of the Sierpinski fractal. The proposed antennas are fabricated through three iterations from 1st order to 3rd order and utilize FR-4 (εr= 4.4) for the microwave substrate. The performances of the antennas, such as reflection coefficients and radiation patterns are verified by simulation and measurement. The results show that the properties of the proposed antennas in three orders are similar.
A Fully Gradient Model for Euler-Bernoulli Nanobeams
Authors: Barretta Raffaele , Luciano Raimondo , Marotti de Sciarra Francesco
Published: September 2015

A fully gradient elasticity model for bending of nanobeams is proposed by using a nonlocal thermodynamic approach. As a basic theoretical novelty, the proposed constitutive law is assumed to depend on the axial strain gradient, while existing gradient elasticity formulations for nanobeams contemplate only the derivative of the axial strain with respect to the axis of the structure. Variational equations governing the elastic equilibrium problem of bending of a fully gradient nanobeam and the corresponding differential and boundary conditions are thus provided. Analytical solutions for a nanocantilever are given and the results are compared with those predicted by other theories. As a relevant implication of applicative interest in the research field of nanobeams used in nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), it is shown that displacements obtained by the present model are quite different from those predicted by the known gradient elasticity treatments.
Modeling and Simulation of Process-Machine Interaction in Grinding of Cemented Carbide Indexable Inserts
Authors: Feng Wei , Yao Bin , Chen BinQiang , Zhang DongSheng , Zhang XiangLei , Shen ZhiHuang
Published: September 2015

Interaction of process and machine in grinding of hard and brittle materials such as cemented carbide may cause dynamic instability of the machining process resulting in machining errors and a decrease in productivity. Commonly, the process and machine tools were dealt with separately, which does not take into consideration the mutual interaction between the two subsystems and thus cannot represent the real cutting operations. This paper proposes a method of modeling and simulation to understand well the process-machine interaction in grinding process of cemented carbide indexable inserts. First, a virtual grinding wheel model is built by considering the random nature of abrasive grains and a kinematic-geometrical simulation is adopted to describe the grinding process. Then, a wheel-spindle model is simulated by means of the finite element method to represent the machine structure. The characteristic equation of the closed-loop dynamic grinding system is derived to provide a mathematic description of the process-machine interaction. Furthermore, a coupling simulation of grinding wheel-spindle deformations and grinding process force by combining both the process and machine model is developed to investigate the interaction between process and machine. This paper provides an integrated grinding model combining the machine and process models, which can be used to predict process-machine interactions in grinding process.
The Association of Serum IL-33 and sST2 with Breast Cancer
Authors: Yang Zhi-Ping , Ling Dan-Yan , Xie Yong-Hong , Wu Wan-Xin , Li Jin-Rui , Jiang Jin , Zheng Jia-Lian , Fan Yao-Hua , Zhang Ye
Published: September 2015

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in women. The main cause of death from breast cancer is its metastases at distant sites in the body. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a cytokine of the IL-1 family and found overexpressed in various cancers. The aim of the present study was to explore the association of serum IL-33 and sST2 with breast cancer. Here, the serum levels of Interleukin-33 (IL-33) and sST2 were found significantly higher in breast cancer patients than in healthy volunteers. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), metalloproteinase-11 (MMP-11), and platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C) were also greater in breast cancer patients compared to healthy volunteers. We found that serum levels of IL-33 or sST2 were positively correlated with the serum levels of VEGF, MMP-11, and PDGF-C. Moreover, breast cancer dataset downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas showed that patients with higher level of MMP-11 or PDGF-C expression had shorter survival time than those with lower level of these proteins. In conclusion, IL-33 and sST2 may serve as noninvasive diagnosis markers for breast cancer. IL-33 and sST2 were significantly associated with MMP-11 or PDGF-C which indicated poor prognosis of breast cancer patients.
Glycaemic Control Impact on Renal Endpoints in Diabetic Patients on Haemodialysis
Authors: Creme Danielle , McCafferty Kieran
Published: September 2015

Objective. To identify the number of haemodialysis patients with diabetes in a large NHS Trust, their current glycaemic control, and the impact on other renal specific outcomes.Design. Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study.Methods. Data was collected from an electronic patient management system. Glycaemic control was assessed from HbA1c results that were then further adjusted for albumin (Alb) and haemoglobin (Hb). Interdialytic weight gains were analysed from weights recorded before and after dialysis, 2 weeks before and after the most recent HbA1c date. Amputations were identified from electronic records.Results. 39% of patients had poor glycaemic control (HbA1c > 8%). Adjusted HbA1c resulted in a greater number of patients with poor control (55%). Significant correlations were found with interdialytic weight gains (P<0.02,r=0.14), predialysis sodium (P<0.0001,r=-1.9), and predialysis bicarbonate (P<0.02,r=0.12). Trends were observed with albumin and C-reactive protein. Patients with diabetes had more amputations (24 versus 2).Conclusion. Large number of diabetic patients on haemdialysis have poor glycaemic control. This may lead to higher interdialytic weight gains, larger sodium and bicarbonate shifts, increased number of amputations, and possibly increased inflammation and decreased nutritional status. Comprehensive guidelines and more accurate long-term tests for glycaemic control are needed.
NSAIDs and Cardiovascular Diseases: Role of Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Ghosh Rajeshwary , Alajbegovic Azra , Gomes Aldrin V.
Published: September 2015

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly used drugs worldwide. NSAIDs are used for a variety of conditions including pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and musculoskeletal disorders. The beneficial effects of NSAIDs in reducing or relieving pain are well established, and other benefits such as reducing inflammation and anticancer effects are also documented. The undesirable side effects of NSAIDs include ulcers, internal bleeding, kidney failure, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Some of these side effects may be due to the oxidative stress induced by NSAIDs in different tissues. NSAIDs have been shown to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in different cell types including cardiac and cardiovascular related cells. Increases in ROS result in increased levels of oxidized proteins which alters key intracellular signaling pathways. One of these key pathways is apoptosis which causes cell death when significantly activated. This review discusses the relationship between NSAIDs and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and the role of NSAID-induced ROS in CVD.
Compound Danshen Dripping Pill for Treating Early Diabetic Retinopathy: A Randomized, Double-Dummy, Double-Blind Study
Authors: Luo Dan , Qin Yali , Yuan Wei , Deng Hui , Zhang Youhua , Jin Ming
Published: September 2015

This randomized, double-dummy, double-blind study was to observe the therapeutic effects of compound Danshen dripping pill (CDDP) in treating early diabetic retinopathy (DR). All the 57 type 2 diabetes cases in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) stage were divided into two groups randomly: 28 cases treated with CDDP as the treated group and 29 cases treated with calcium dobesilate as the control group. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the treated group was significantly improved after treatment when compared to that before treatment (P<0.05). Mean defect (MD) of visual field, hemorrhage area of the fundus, microaneurysm number, fluorescent leakage area, and capillary nonperfusion area evaluated by visual field, fundus photography, and fundus fluorescein angiography in the treated group had the same results as BCVA. However, there was no statistical difference in each index between the two groups. No obvious adverse events with clinical significance occurred. Our present study showed that CDDP has a similar improvement and safety to calcium dobesilate for NPDR. In future DR treatments, CDDP may function as the auxiliary drug.
Functional Importance of Mobile Ribosomal Proteins
Authors: Chang Kai-Chun , Wen Jin-Der , Yang Lee-Wei
Published: September 2015

Although the dynamic motions and peptidyl transferase activity seem to be embedded in the rRNAs, the ribosome contains more than 50 ribosomal proteins (r-proteins), whose functions remain largely elusive. Also, the precise forms of some of these r-proteins, as being part of the ribosome, are not structurally solved due to their high flexibility, which hinders the efforts in their functional elucidation. Owing to recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy, single-molecule techniques, and theoretical modeling, much has been learned about the dynamics of these r-proteins. Surprisingly, allosteric regulations have been found in between spatially separated components as distant as those in the opposite sides of the ribosome. Here, we focus on the functional roles and intricate regulations of the mobile L1 and L12 stalks and L9 and S1 proteins. Conformational flexibility also enables versatile functions for r-proteins beyond translation. The arrangement of r-proteins may be under evolutionary pressure that fine-tunes mass distributions for optimal structural dynamics and catalytic activity of the ribosome.
Numerical Solution of Riccati Equations by the Adomian and Asymptotic Decomposition Methods over Extended Domains
Authors: Biazar Jafar , Didgar Mohsen
Published: September 2015

We combine the Adomian decomposition method (ADM) and Adomian’s asymptotic decomposition method (AADM) for solving Riccati equations. We investigate the approximate global solution by matching the near-field approximation derived from the Adomian decomposition method with the far-field approximation derived from Adomian’s asymptotic decomposition method for Riccati equations and in such cases when we do not find any region of overlap between the obtained approximate solutions by the two proposed methods, we connect the two approximations by the Padé approximant of the near-field approximation. We illustrate the efficiency of the technique for several specific examples of the Riccati equation for which the exact solution is known in advance.
Phase Plane Analysis Method of Nonlinear Traffic Phenomena
Authors: Ai Wenhuan , Shi Zhongke , Liu Dawei
Published: September 2015

A new phase plane analysis method for analyzing the complex nonlinear traffic phenomena is presented in this paper. This method makes use of variable substitution to transform a traditional traffic flow model into a new model which is suitable for the analysis in phase plane. According to the new model, various traffic phenomena, such as the well-known shock waves, rarefaction waves, and stop-and-go waves, are analyzed in the phase plane. From the phase plane diagrams, we can see the relationship between traffic jams and system instability. So the problem of traffic flow could be converted into that of system stability. The results show that the traffic phenomena described by the new method is consistent with that described by traditional methods. Moreover, the phase plane analysis highlights the unstable traffic phenomena we are chiefly concerned about and describes the variation of density or velocity with time or sections more clearly.
Effect of Selenium Supplementation on Redox Status of the Aortic Wall in Young Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Ruseva Boryana , Atanasova Milena , Tsvetkova Reni , Betova Tatyana , Mollova Margarita , Alexandrova Margarita , Laleva Pavlina , Dimitrova Aneliya
Published: September 2015

Selenium (Se) is an exogenous antioxidant that performs its function via the expression of selenoproteins. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of varying Se intake on the redox status of the aortic wall in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Sixteen male Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats and nineteen male SHR, 16-week-old, were tested after being given diets with different Se content for eight weeks. They were divided into 4 groups: control groups of WKY NSe and SHR NSe on an adequate Se diet and groups of WKY HSe and SHR HSe that received Se supplementation. The Se nutritional status was assessed by measuring whole blood glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) activity. Serum concentration of lipid hydroperoxides and serum level of antibodies against advanced glycation end products (anti-AGEs abs) were determined. Expression of GPx-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were examined in aortic wall. Se supplementation significantly increased GPx-1 activity of whole blood and in the aortas of WKY and SHR. Decreased lipid peroxidation level, eNOS-3 expression in the aortic wall, and serum level of anti-AGEs abs were found in SHR HSe compared with SHR NSe. In conclusion, Se supplementation improved the redox status of the aortic wall in young SHR.
Understanding the Morphological Changes in the Polypropylene/Polyamide 6 Fifty/Fifty Blends by Interfacial Modifiers Based on Grafted Atactic Polypropylenes: Microscopic, Mechanical, and Thermal Characterization
Authors: Collar E. P. , Taranco J. , Areso S. , García-Martínez Jesús María
Published: September 2015

The main aim of the present work is to correlate the morphological changes observed in the modified PP/PA6 fifty/fifty blends molded at confined flow conditions with both their mechanical and thermal properties and the kind and the amount of the interfacial modifiers used. Both transmitted light optical microscopy in the positive phase contrast mode, PC TOM, and field emission scanning electronic microscopy, FE SEM, were the used techniques for, respectively, general morphology overview and fractures surface analysis. The interfacial modifiers, a succinic anhydride, aPP-SA, and a succinyl-fluorescein, aPP-SF/SA, grafted atactic polypropylenes obtained and well characterized in authors’ laboratories came from the chemical modification of an atactic polypropylene industrial by-product. The amounts of any of both the interfacial modifiers came coded by the Box-Wilson experiment design methodology applied to the overall PP/PA6 binary system, watching that the interfacial agent was not a third component on a ternary blend but a true interfacial modifier in a binary one. All the studies were carried out over suitable specimens according to each test procedure with no further material manipulations to preserve at any moment the morphology of the blends as they emerge from the compression molding step at confined flow conditions.
Diagnosis and Management of Cornu Cutaneum of Nasal Vestibule: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Ezerarslan Hande , Basaran Mustafa Mert , Akmansu Sefik Halit
Published: September 2015

Cornu cutaneum is a relatively uncommon projectile, irregular, hyperkeratotic nodule that can be seen in places such as scalp, forehead, eyelids, ear, nose, lips, and upper extremities which are subjectable to sunlight. Treatment is surgery with radical margins. Excisional biopsy is enough for treatment of the lesion on head and face. However, there is only little literature about cornu cutaneum on the nasal vestibule. We present an 82-year-old male patient with a necrotic, irregular shaped lesion with pedicle on the left nasal vestibule excised and diagnosed as cornu cutaneum.
CCR9 Antagonists in the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Bekker Pirow , Ebsworth Karen , Walters Matthew J. , Berahovich Robert D. , Ertl Linda S. , Charvat Trevor T. , Punna Sreenivas , Powers Jay P. , Campbell James J. , Sullivan Timothy J. , Jaen Juan C. , Schall Thomas J.
Published: September 2015

While it has long been established that the chemokine receptor CCR9 and its ligand CCL25 are essential for the movement of leukocytes into the small intestine and the development of small‐intestinal inflammation, the role of this chemokine‐receptor pair in colonic inflammation is not clear. Toward this end, we compared colonic CCL25 protein levels in healthy individuals to those in patients with ulcerative colitis. In addition, we determined the effect of CCR9 pharmacological inhibition in the mdr1a−/− mouse model of ulcerative colitis. Colon samples from patients with ulcerative colitis had significantly higher levels of CCL25 protein compared to healthy controls, a finding mirrored in the mdr1a−/− mice. In the mdr1a−/− mice, CCR9 antagonists significantly decreased the extent of wasting and colonic remodeling and reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the colon. These findings indicate that the CCR9:CCL25 pair plays a causative role in ulcerative colitis and suggest that CCR9 antagonists will provide a therapeutic benefit in patients with colonic inflammation.
Analysis of Long-Range Transport of Carbon Dioxide and Its High Concentration Events over East Asian Region Using GOSAT Data and GEOS-Chem Modeling
Authors: Kim Seung-Yeon , Lee Sang-Deok , Lee Jae-Bum , Kim Deok-Rae , Han Jin-Seok , Choi Kwang-Ho , Song Chang-Keun
Published: September 2015

This study aims to evaluate the long-range transport of CO2in East Asian region, using concentration data in a surface measurement site (Gosan Station), column averaged concentration data of satellite-borne instrument (GOSAT), and GEOS-Chem modeling results for the period of June 2009 to May 2011. We perform a validation of the data from GOSAT and GEOS-Chem with total column observations (TCCON). The analysis of the long-range transport and high concentration (HC) events using surface/satellite observations and modeling results is conducted. During the HC events, the concentrations in CO2and other air pollutants such as SO2and CO are higher than that of all episodes. It means that CO2, known as a globally well-mixed gas, may also act as a fingerprint of human activity with unique regional characteristics like other air pollutants. This comprehensive analysis, in particular with GOSAT CO2observation data, shows that CO2plume with high concentration can be long-range transported with 1-2 days’ duration with regional scale. We can find out with GEOS-Chem tagging simulation that more than 45% of the elevated CO2concentration over central/eastern China, Korea, and Japan on high concentration days can be explained by emission sources of East Asia mainland.
FoxP3 Tregs Response to Sublingual Allergen Specific Immunotherapy in Children Depends on the Manifestation of Allergy
Authors: Stelmaszczyk-Emmel Anna , Zawadzka-Krajewska Anna , Głodkowska-Mrówka Eliza , Demkow Urszula
Published: September 2015

Over the last decades allergic diseases has become a major health problem worldwide. The only specific treatment to date is allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT). Although it was shown that ASIT generates allergen-tolerant T cells, detailed mechanism underlying its activity is still unclear and there is no reliable method to monitor its effectiveness. The aim of our study was to evaluate ASIT influence on the frequency of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) Tregs in allergic children with various clinical manifestations. The relative number of FoxP3 Tregs in 32 blood samples from allergic children at baseline and/or after 1 year of ASIT was assessed by flow cytometry. In the entire studied group, the percentage of FoxP3 Tregs did not increase 1 year after ASIT. Nevertheless, the percentage of FoxP3 Tregs after ASIT significantly increased in children with respiratory allergy (conjunctivitis, asthma, and rhinitis) coexisting with nonrespiratory manifestations (food allergy and/or atopic dermatitis), whereas, in patients with respiratory allergy only, the percentage of FoxP3 Tregs decreased. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing various differential FoxP3 Tregs response to ASIT in allergic children. FoxP3 Tregs number could be useful in treatment monitoring. Further studies are warranted to confirm these observations.
Will the Increasing of Anthropogenic Pressures Reduce the Biopotential Value of Sponges?
Authors: Januar Hedi Indra , Pratitis Asri , Bramandito Aditya
Published: September 2015

Production of bioactive compounds from marine benthic organisms is suggested to relate ecologically with environment. However, anthropogenic pressures cause a considerable damage to coral reefs environment. This research aimed to define the pattern sponges biopotential values at the increasing of anthropogenic pressures to coral reef environment. Three representative sponges were selected (Theonellasp.,Hyrtiossp., andNiphatessp.) and study had been conducted in Hoga Island, Indonesia, to define the relationship between seawater variables (DO, pH, phosphate, and ammonia ions), sponges spatial competition, and their bioactivity level (Brine Shrimp Lethality Test). The study showed anthropogenic pressures affect the reef environment, as abiotic cover was increased and eutrophication was detected at the site closer to the run-off domesticated area. Statistical multivariate analyses revealed sponges spatial competition was significantly different (P<0.05) between groups of high, moderate, and low bioactivity level. Abiotic cover was detected as the major factor (36.19%) contributed to the differences and also the most discriminant factor distinguishing sponges spatial competition in the groups of bioactivity level (93.91%). These results showed the increasing anthropogenic pressures may result in a higher abiotic area and may directly be a consequence to the lower production of bioactive compounds in sponges.