bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical Expression of Ki67 and p53 in Wilms Tumor and Its Relationship with Tumor Histology and Stage at Presentation
Authors: Krishna O. H. Radhika , Kayla Geetha , Abdul Aleem Mohammed , Malleboyina Ramani , Reddy Kota Ramesh
Published: January 2016

Aim. Evaluate tumor proliferation marker (Ki67) and p53 tumor suppressor marker in Wilms tumor and correlate with histology, anaplasia, and staging. Design. Prospective, hospital based study conducted at a tertiary pediatric referral centre in south India. Setting. Wilms tumor is the most common childhood renal malignancy worldwide. Anaplasia on histology is associated with treatment resistance but not with aggressiveness clinical presentation. Chemotherapy for Wilms tumor is based on histology and staging. Most patients respond to current chemotherapy protocol. However, a small fraction relapses or metastasizes. Affordable prognostic markers are needed for histopathological evaluation of this tumor. Subjects. Cases of histologically confirmed Wilms tumor over five years. Cases after chemotherapy were excluded as the immunostaining was inconsistent in necrotic areas. Methods. The clinical and radiological findings of 31 cases of Wilms tumor were documented at a tertiary pediatric referral hospital over five years. In addition to Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, Ki67 proliferation index and p53 expression were correlated with tumor histology and staging. Results. Age incidence was 3–8 years with female preponderance. Significant correlation was noted between Ki67 proliferation index and tumor staging. p53 expression was not useful in stratification of Wilms tumor. Conclusion. Ki67 was cost-effective immunohistochemical marker for prognostication of pediatric Wilms tumor.
Antibacterial Properties of Alkaloid Extracts from Callistemon citrinus and Vernonia adoensis against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Mabhiza Donald , Chitemerere Tariro , Mukanganyama Stanley
Published: January 2016

The development of new antibiotics from new chemical entities is becoming more and more expensive, time-consuming, and compounded by emerging strains that are drug resistant. Alkaloids are plant secondary metabolites which have been shown to have potent pharmacological activities. The effect of alkaloids from Callistemon citrinus and Vernonia adoensis leaves on bacterial growth and efflux pump activity was evaluated on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. At a concentration of 1.67 mg/mL, the alkaloids inhibited bacterial growth with comparable effects to ampicillin, a standard antibiotic. The alkaloids from C. citrinus were the most potent against S. aureus with an MIC of 0.0025 mg/mL and MBC of 0.835 mg/mL. It was shown that effects on P. aeruginosa by both plant alkaloids were bacteriostatic. P. aeruginosa was most susceptible to drug efflux pump inhibition by C. citrinus alkaloids which caused an accumulation of Rhodamine 6G of 121% compared to the control. Thus, C. citrinus alkaloids showed antibacterial activity as well as inhibiting ATP-dependent transport of compounds across the cell membrane. These alkaloids may serve as potential courses of compounds that can act as lead compounds for the development of plant-based antibacterials and/or their adjunct compounds.
Antiepileptic Effects of Lacosamide Loaded Polymers Implanted Subdurally in GAERS
Authors: Bauquier Sebastien H. , Jiang Jonathan L. , Yue Zhilian , Lai Alan , Chen Yu , Moulton Simon E. , McLean Karen J. , Vogrin Sara , Halliday Amy J. , Wallace Gordon , Cook Mark J.
Published: January 2016

The current experiment investigated the ability of coaxial electrospun poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) biodegradable polymer implants loaded with the antiepileptic drugs (AED) lacosamide to reduce seizures following implantation above the motor cortex in the Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rat from Strasbourg (GAERS). In this prospective, randomized, masked experiments, GAERS underwent surgery for implantation of skull electrodes (n=6), skull electrodes and blank polymers (n=6), or skull electrodes and lacosamide loaded polymers (n=6). Thirty-minute electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were started at day 7 after surgery and continued for eight weeks. The number of SWDs and mean duration of one SWD were compared week-by-week between the three groups. There was no difference in the number of SWDs between any of the groups. However, the mean duration of one SWD was significantly lower in the lacosamide polymer group for up to 7 weeks when compared to the control group (0.004<p<0.038). The mean duration of one seizure was also lower at weeks 3, 5, 6, and 7 when compared to the blank polymer group (p= 0.016, 0.037, 0.025, and 0.025, resp.). We have demonstrated that AED loaded PLGA polymer sheets implanted on the surface of the cortex could affect seizure activity in GAERS for a sustained period.
Parameter Estimation for a 2D Tidal Model with POD 4D VAR Data Assimilation
Authors: Qian Shouguo , Lv Xianqing , Cao Yanhua , Shao Fenjing
Published: January 2016

Combining the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) reduced order method and 4D VAR (four-dimensional Variational) data assimilation method with a two-dimensional (2D) tidal model, a model is constructed to simulate theM2tide in the Bohai, Yellow, and East China Seas (BYECS). This model consists of two submodels: the POD reduced order forward model is used to simulate the tides, while its adjoint model is used to optimize the control variables. Numerical experiment is carried out to assimilate the harmonic constants, which are derived from TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) altimeter data, into the 2D tidal model through optimizing the initial values and the temporally and spatially varying open boundary conditions (OBCs). The absolute mean difference between the model results and observations is 3.2 cm and 2.9∘for amplitude and phase-lag, respectively, better than the results of Lu and Zhang (2006), suggesting that the construction of the POD reduced order model and the inversion of control variables are successful.
Neonatal Tetanus Immunity in Nigeria: The Effect of HIV Infection on Serum Levels and Transplacental Transfer of Antibodies
Authors: Bashir Muhammad Faruk , Elechi Hassan Abdullahi , Ashir Mohammed Garba , Rabasa Adamu Ibrahim , Bukbuk David Nadeba , Usman Ahmadu Baba , Mustapha Modu Gofama , Alhaji Mohammad Arab
Published: January 2016

Background. Tetanus toxoid immunisation of pregnant mother has remained the most effective strategy in eliminating neonatal tetanus. Impaired production and/or transplacental transfer of antibodies may affect the effectiveness of this strategy. We studied the effect of maternal HIV infection on serum levels and transplacental transfer of anti-tetanus antibodies.Methods. A total of 162 mother-baby paired serum samples were taken and analysed for anti-tetanus antibody levels using ELISA. Maternal HIV status was also determined by double ELISA technique. Maternal TT vaccination status was also documented.Results. Thirty-eight (23.5%) mothers and 41 (25.3%) babies were seronegative, out of whom 8 mothers were HIV positive and 9 babies were HIV exposed. HIV infected mothers and HIV exposed infants were, respectively, 16.27 times (OR = 16.27, 95% CI = 3.28 to 80.61) and 33.75 times (OR = 33.75, 95% CI = 4.12 to 276.40) more likely to be seronegative for anti-tetanus antibody. Similarly, HIV positive mother-newborn pairs were 7.46 times more likely to have a poor transplacental transfer of tetanus antibodies (OR = 7.46, 95% CI = 1.96 to 28.41).Conclusions. Maternal HIV infection is associated with impaired maternofoetal transfer of anti-tetanus antibodies and seronegativity among mothers and their newborns. Hence, this may hinder efforts to eliminate neonatal tetanus.
Synergistic Effects of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and Chitosan onIn VitroSeeds Germination, Greenhouse Growth, and Nutrient Uptake of Maize (Zea maysL.)
Authors: Agbodjato Nadège A. , Noumavo Pacôme A. , Adjanohoun Adolphe , Agbessi Léonce , Baba-Moussa Lamine
Published: January 2016

This study aimed to assess the effects of three plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and chitosan either singly or in combination on maize seeds germination and growth and nutrient uptake. Maize seeds were treated with chitosan and bacterial solution. The germination and growth tests were carried out in square Petri dishes and plastic pots. The combination chitosan-A. lipoferum-P. fluorescenshas increased the seeds vigor index up to 36.44% compared to the control. In comparison to the control,P. putidahas significantly improved root weight (44.84%) and germinated seed weight (31.39%) whereas chitosan-P. putidahas increased the shoot weight (65.67%). For the growth test, the maximal heights (17.66%) were obtained by plants treated with the combinationA. lipoferum-P. fluorescens-P. putida. Chitosan-P. fluorescensinduced the highest increases of leaves per plant (50.09%), aerial (84.66%), and underground biomass (108.77%) production. The plants inoculated withA. lipoferumhad the large leaf areas with an increase of 54.08%, while combinationsP. fluorescens-P. putidaand chitosan-A. lipoferumimproved the aerial and underground dry matter of plants to 26.35% and 18.18%. The nitrogen content of the plants was increased by chitosan-A. lipoferum-P. fluorescens-P. putidawith an increasing of 41.61%. The combination of chitosan and PGPR can be used as biological fertilizers to increase maize production.
Sirtuins Link Inflammation and Metabolism
Authors: Vachharajani Vidula T. , Liu Tiefu , Wang Xianfeng , Hoth Jason J. , Yoza Barbara K. , McCall Charles E.
Published: January 2016

Sirtuins (SIRT), first discovered in yeast as NAD+ dependent epigenetic and metabolic regulators, have comparable activities in human physiology and disease. Mounting evidence supports that the seven-member mammalian sirtuin family (SIRT1–7) guard homeostasis by sensing bioenergy needs and responding by making alterations in the cell nutrients. Sirtuins play a critical role in restoring homeostasis during stress responses. Inflammation is designed to “defend and mend” against the invading organisms. Emerging evidence supports that metabolism and bioenergy reprogramming direct the sequential course of inflammation; failure of homeostasis retrieval results in many chronic and acute inflammatory diseases. Anabolic glycolysis quickly induced (compared to oxidative phosphorylation) for ROS and ATP generation is needed for immune activation to “defend” against invading microorganisms. Lipolysis/fatty acid oxidation, essential for cellular protection/hibernation and cell survival in order to “mend,” leads to immune repression. Acute/chronic inflammations are linked to altered glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation, at least in part, by NAD+ dependent function of sirtuins. Therapeutically targeting sirtuins may provide a new class of inflammation and immune regulators. This review discusses how sirtuins integrate metabolism, bioenergetics, and immunity during inflammation and how sirtuin-directed treatment improves outcome in chronic inflammatory diseases and in the extreme stress response of sepsis.
Forecasting of Surface Currents via Correcting Wind Stress with Assimilation of High-Frequency Radar Data in a Three-Dimensional Model
Authors: Ren Lei , Nash Stephen , Hartnett Michael
Published: January 2016

This paper details work in assessing the capability of a hydrodynamic model to forecast surface currents and in applying data assimilation techniques to improve model forecasts. A three-dimensional model Environment Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC) was forced with tidal boundary data and onshore wind data, and so forth. Surface current data from a high-frequency (HF) radar system in Galway Bay were used for model intercomparisons and as a source for data assimilation. The impact of bottom roughness was also investigated. Having developed a “good” water circulation model the authors sought to improve its forecasting ability through correcting wind shear stress boundary conditions. The differences in surface velocity components between HF radar measurements and model output were calculated and used to correct surface shear stresses. Moreover, data assimilation cycle lengths were examined to extend the improvements of surface current’s patterns during forecasting period, especially for north-south velocity component. The influence of data assimilation in model forecasting was assessed using a Data Assimilation Skill Score (DASS). Positive magnitude of DASS indicated that both velocity components were considerably improved during forecasting period. Additionally, the improvements of RMSE for vector direction over domain were significant compared with the “free run.”
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Displaced Supracondylar Fracture of Late Presentation in Children: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Shah Ram K. , Rijal Raju , Kalawar Rosan P. Shah , Shrestha Sujit R. , Shah Niraj Kumar
Published: January 2016

Background. In late presentation of cases there is dilemma whether to wait for osteotomy later or do open reduction on arrival. The purpose of this prospective multicentric study is to evaluate the functional outcome of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with crossed Kirschner wires fixation and early joint motion in the late presentation of supracondylar fractures in children. Methods. A total of 21 children, with an average delay of 20.3 days, with displaced type III Gartland supracondylar fracture, were treated by ORIF with crossed Kirschner wires fixation and early joint motion. Average follow-up was 12 months. Results. Flynn’s criteria were used to evaluate the outcome. All of them had more functional range of motion of the injured elbow than the published reports. Conclusions. Most of the surgeons in the developing world prefer ORIF for optimal results. Thus it appears to be justifiable to go for ORIF with K-wires even in the late presentation of supracondylar fractures. The overall results are encouraging. However, the small number of cases and lack of control group are the limitations of this study. The study is ongoing and so the full report with more cases will be presented later.
Combined Treatment with Epigenetic, Differentiating, and Chemotherapeutic Agents Cooperatively Targets Tumor-Initiating Cells in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Merino Vanessa F. , Nguyen Nguyen , Jin Kideok , Sadik Helen , Cho Soonweng , Korangath Preethi , Han Liangfeng , Foster Yolanda M.N. , Zhou Xian C. , Zhang Zhe , Connolly Roisin M. , Stearns Vered , Ali Syed Z. , Adams Christina , Chen Qian , Pan Duojia , Huso David L. , Ordentlich Peter , Brodie Angela , Sukumar Saraswati
Published: January 2016

Efforts to induce the differentiation of cancer stem cells through treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) have yielded limited success, partially due to the epigenetic silencing of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR)-β. The histone deacetylase inhibitor entinostat is emerging as a promising antitumor agent when added to the standard-of-care treatment for breast cancer. However, the combination of epigenetic, cellular differentiation, and chemotherapeutic approaches against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has not been investigated. In this study, we found that combined treatment of TNBC xenografts with entinostat, ATRA, and doxorubicin (EAD) resulted in significant tumor regression and restoration of epigenetically silenced RAR-β expression. Entinostat and doxorubicin treatment inhibited topoisomerase II-β (TopoII-β) and relieved TopoII-β-mediated transcriptional silencing of RAR-β. Notably, EAD was the most effective combination in inducing differentiation of breast tumor–initiating cells in vivo. Furthermore, gene expression analysis revealed that the epithelium-specific ETS transcription factor-1 (ESE-1 or ELF3), known to regulate proliferation and differentiation, enhanced cell differentiation in response to EAD triple therapy. Finally, we demonstrate that patient-derived metastatic cells also responded to treatment with EAD. Collectively, our findings strongly suggest that entinostat potentiates doxorubicin-mediated cytotoxicity and retinoid-driven differentiation to achieve significant tumor regression in TNBC. Cancer Res; 76(7); 2013–24. ©2016 AACR.
Ovarian Cancers Harboring Inactivating Mutations in CDK12 Display a Distinct Genomic Instability Pattern Characterized by Large Tandem Duplications
Authors: Popova Tatiana , Manié Elodie , Boeva Valentina , Battistella Aude , Goundiam Oumou , Smith Nicholas K. , Mueller Christopher R. , Raynal Virginie , Mariani Odette , Sastre-Garau Xavier , Stern Marc-Henri
Published: January 2016

CDK12 is a recurrently mutated gene in serous ovarian carcinoma, whose downregulation is associated with impaired expression of DNA damage repair genes and subsequent hypersensitivity to DNA-damaging agents and PARP1/2 inhibitors. In this study, we investigated the genomic landscape associated with CDK12 inactivation in patients with serous ovarian carcinoma. We show that CDK12 loss was consistently associated with a particular genomic instability pattern characterized by hundreds of tandem duplications of up to 10 megabases (Mb) in size. Tandem duplications were characterized by a bimodal (∼0.3 and ∼3 Mb) size distribution and overlapping microhomology at the breakpoints. This genomic instability, denoted as the CDK12 TD-plus phenotype, is remarkably distinct from other alteration patterns described in breast and ovarian cancers. The CDK12 TD-plus phenotype was associated with a greater than 10% gain in genomic content and occurred at a 3% to 4% rate in The Cancer Genome Atlas–derived and in-house cohorts of patients with serous ovarian carcinoma. Moreover, CDK12-inactivating mutations together with the TD-plus phenotype were also observed in prostate cancers. Our finding provides new insight toward deciphering the function of CDK12 in genome maintenance and oncogenesis. Cancer Res; 76(7); 1882–91. ©2016 AACR.
Larger Size of Donor Alloreactive NK Cell Repertoire Correlates with Better Response to NK Cell Immunotherapy in Elderly Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients
Authors: Curti Antonio , Ruggeri Loredana , Parisi Sarah , Bontadini Andrea , Dan Elisa , Motta Maria Rosa , Rizzi Simonetta , Trabanelli Sara , Ocadlikova Darina , Lecciso Mariangela , Giudice Valeria , Fruet Fiorenza , Urbani Elena , Papayannidis Cristina , Martinelli Giovanni , Bandini Giuseppe , Bonifazi Francesca , Lewis Russell E. , Cavo Michele , Velardi Andrea , Lemoli Roberto M.
Published: January 2016

Purpose: In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), alloreactive natural killer (NK) cells are crucial mediators of immune responses after haploidentical stem cell transplantation. Allogeneic NK cell infusions have been adoptively transferred with promising clinical results. We aimed at determining whether the composition of NK graft in terms of frequency of alloreactive NK cells influence the clinical response in a group of elderly AML patients undergoing NK immunotherapy.

Experimental Design: Seventeen AML patients, in first complete remission (CR; median age 64 years, range 53–73) received NK cells from haploidentical KIR-ligand–mismatched donors after fludarabine/cyclophosphamide chemotherapy, followed by IL2. To correlate donor NK cell activity with clinical response, donor NK cells were assessed before and after infusion.

Results: Toxicity was moderate, although 1 patient died due to bacterial pneumonia and was censored for clinical follow-up. With a median follow-up of 22.5 months (range, 6–68 months), 9 of 16 evaluable patients (0.56) are alive disease-free, whereas 7 of 16 (0.44) relapsed with a median time to relapse of 9 months (range, 3–51 months). All patients treated with molecular disease achieved molecular CR. A significantly higher number of donor alloreactive NK cell clones was observed in responders over nonresponders. The infusion of higher number of alloreactive NK cells was associated with prolonged disease-free survival (0.81 vs. 0.14, respectively; P = 0.03).

Conclusions: Infusion of purified NK cells is feasible in elderly AML patients as post-CR consolidation strategy. The clinical efficacy of adoptively transferred haploidentical NK cells may be improved by infusing high numbers of alloreactive NK cells. Clin Cancer Res; 22(8); 1914–21. ©2016 AACR.

See related commentary by Muntasell and López-Botet, p. 1831
Suppression of Metastases Using a New Lymphocyte Checkpoint Target for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Blake Stephen J. , Stannard Kimberley , Liu Jing , Allen Stacey , Yong Michelle C.R. , Mittal Deepak , Aguilera Amelia Roman , Miles John J. , Lutzky Viviana P. , de Andrade Lucas Ferrari , Martinet Ludovic , Colonna Marco , Takeda Kazuyoshi , Kühnel Florian , Gurlevik Engin , Bernhardt Günter , Teng Michele W.L. , Smyth Mark J.
Published: January 2016

CD96 has recently been shown as a negative regulator of mouse natural killer (NK)–cell activity, with Cd96−/− mice displaying hyperresponsive NK cells upon immune challenge. In this study, we have demonstrated that blocking CD96 with a monoclonal antibody inhibited experimental metastases in three different tumor models. The antimetastatic activity of anti-CD96 was dependent on NK cells, CD226 (DNAM-1), and IFNγ, but independent of activating Fc receptors. Anti-CD96 was more effective in combination with anti–CTLA-4, anti–PD-1, or doxorubicin chemotherapy. Blocking CD96 in Tigit−/− mice significantly reduced experimental and spontaneous metastases compared with its activity in wild-type mice. Co-blockade of CD96 and PD-1 potently inhibited lung metastases, with the combination increasing local NK-cell IFNγ production and infiltration. Overall, these data demonstrate that blocking CD96 is a new and complementary immunotherapeutic strategy to reduce tumor metastases.

Significance: This article illustrates the antimetastatic activity and mechanism of action of an anti-CD96 antibody that inhibits the CD96–CD155 interaction and stimulates NK-cell function. Targeting host CD96 is shown to complement surgery and conventional immune checkpoint blockade. Cancer Discov; 6(4); 446–59. ©2016 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 331
Phase I Study of Random Healthy Donor–Derived Allogeneic Natural Killer Cell Therapy in Patients with Malignant Lymphoma or Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Yang Yaewon , Lim Okjae , Kim Tae Min , Ahn Yong-Oon , Choi Hana , Chung Hyejin , Min Bokyung , Her Jung Hyun , Cho Sung Yoo , Keam Bhumsuk , Lee Se-Hoon , Kim Dong-Wan , Hwang Yu Kyeong , Heo Dae Seog
Published: January 2016

Natural killer (NK) cells with mismatched killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor–ligand pairs have shown efficacy and been proven safe in treatment of cancer patients. Ex vivo–expanded and highly activated NK cells (MG4101) had been generated under good manufacturing practice conditions, which demonstrated potent anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo in preclinical studies. The current phase I clinical trial was designed to evaluate safety and possible clinical efficacy of repetitive administrations of MG4101 derived from random unrelated healthy donors into patients with malignant lymphoma or advanced, recurrent solid tumors. The maximum dose (3 × 107 cells/kg, triple infusion) was tolerable without significant adverse events. Of 17 evaluable patients, 8 patients (47.1%) showed stable disease and 9 (52.9%) showed progressive disease. We also evaluated the capacity of MG4101 to influence host immune responses. Administration of MG4101 augmented NKG2D expression on CD8+ T cells and upregulated chemokines that recruit T cells. In contrast, administration of MG4101 reduced regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells and suppressed TGFβ production. In conclusion, administration of a large number of MG4101 cells was not only safe and feasible, but also exhibited efficacy in maintaining the effector arm of the host immune response. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(3); 215–24. ©2016 AACR.
Cognitive-Linguistic Performance and Quality of Life in Healthy Aging
Authors: Constantinidou Fofi , Prokopiou Juliana , Nikou Maria , Papacostas Savvas
Published: January 2016

Background/Aims: This study investigated quality of life (QoL) in relation to cognitive-linguistic performance and demographic characteristics (age, education and gender) in a large cohort of cognitively healthy older adults. Method: A total of 578 Greek-Cypriots aged 60-91 years were recruited from the Neurocognitive Study on Aging. Of those, 395 healthy participants (171 males and 224 females) who met all study criteria were retained. They completed measures of executive functioning, working memory, receptive vocabulary and confrontational naming in addition to the WHOQOL-BREF (brief version of the WHO QoL questionnaire). Results: There were modest but significant relationships between executive functioning, working memory, vocabulary measures and the WHOQOL-BREF (p < 0.01). MANOVA yielded significant gender and education effects on QoL. Sequential stepwise regression confirmed that gender, depression scores and years of education made significant contributions to predicting the total score on WHOQOL-BREF and accounted for 31% of the variance (R2 = 0.310). Conclusion: Self-reports of QoL remain stable in older adulthood. Demographic variables such as gender and years of education affected several domains of QoL, and, along with depression symptomatology, accounted for a significant part of the WHOQOL-BREF variance. Cognitive-linguistic measures correlated on the physical and psychological health domains of the WHOQOL-BREF in healthy older adults.
Key Issues Associated with Helicobacter pylori Eradication
Authors: Kawai Takashi , Moriyasu Fuminori , Tsuchida Akihiko
Published: January 2016

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori causes improvement of gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Gastric acid secretion levels in corpus predominant gastritis increase after eradication. These changes can increase the risk of reflux esophagitis and low-dosage aspirin ulcers. Although eradication may reduce the overall risk of gastric cancer, a certain degree of risk remains, related to the extent of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Many post-eradication gastric cancers are the early depressed type, with low levels of epithelial atypia, and therefore can be difficult to distinguish endoscopically from benign erosion. Further research is required in this area.
Recent Progress in the Research of Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Gastroenteritis
Authors: Kinoshita Yoshikazu , Ishimura Norihisa , Oshima Naoki , Mikami Hironobu , Okimoto Eiko , Jiao Di Jin , Ishihara Shunji
Published: January 2016

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and gastroenteritis are allergic gastrointestinal diseases mainly caused by food allergens. The number of patients with EoE is rapidly increasing in both Western and Asian countries. Basic knowledge of these diseases has mainly come from studies of EoE and Th2 type allergic reactions, including IL-5, IL-13, and IL-15, thymic stromal protein, and eotaxin 3, which are considered to have important roles. For a diagnosis of EoE, endoscopic abnormalities and histological confirmation of dense eosinophile infiltration in the esophageal epithelial layer are important, in addition to identifying dysphagia symptoms. As for eosinophilic gastroenteritis, blood test findings are more useful and the role of an endoscopic examination is reduced. For both diseases, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori is lower than in healthy controls. Glucocorticoid administration is standard treatment for these diseases, while proton pump inhibitors are frequently effective for EoE.
Clinicopathological Outcomes of Patients with Early Gastric Cancer after Non-Curative Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
Authors: Hoteya Shu , Iizuka Toshiro , Kikuchi Daisuke , Ogawa Osamu , Mitani Toshifumi , Matsui Akira , Furuhata Tsukasa , Yamashita Satoshi , Yamada Akihiro , Kaise Mitsuru
Published: January 2016

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was developed to resect early gastric cancer (EGC), which could not be resected by conventional endoscopic mucosal resection, and the indications for ESD are expanding to include more types of EGCs. Favorable long-term outcomes of ESD for EGCs that meet the expanded curability criteria have been reported. However, the outcomes of non-curative ESD are not known in detail. Summary: We analyzed the outcomes of 165 EGCs in 165 patients after non-curative ESD, as well as the clinical course. Of these patients, 109 underwent additional surgical resection (group S) and 56 patients were followed up without additional surgery (group F). The complete resection rate was 90.7% (39/43) for intramucosal cancer (M), 97.3% (36/37) for minimally submucosal invasive cancer (SM1), and 74.1% (63/85) for deep submucosal invasive cancer (SM2). The lymph node metastasis rate was 0% for M, 5.4% for SM1, and 10.6% for SM2 cancers. Regarding long-term survival, although the number of patients who died of another disease was significantly higher in group F than in group S, there was no significant difference in overall survival between the groups. Key Message: The resectability of ESD for ECGs with an invasion depth of M to SM1 after non-curative ESD was excellent, and lesions without lymphovascular invasion did not metastasize or recur, resulting in a favorable prognosis. Our data may help in deciding whether additional surgery should be performed for borderline lesions after non-curative ESD. Furthermore, we suggest the possibility of further expanding the indications for ESD.
Effect of Phototherapy on the Reliability of Transcutaneous Bilirubin Devices in Term and Near-Term Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nagar Gaurav , Vandermeer Ben , Campbell Sandy , Kumar Manoj
Published: January 2016

Background: Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) devices are commonly used for screening of hyperbilirubinemia in term and near-term infants not exposed to phototherapy. However, the accuracy of TcB devices in infants exposed to phototherapy is unclear. Objectives: To conduct a systematic review of studies comparing TcB devices with total serum bilirubin (TSB) in infants receiving phototherapy or in the postphototherapy phase. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Scopus databases (from inception to May 8, 2014) were searched. Additional citations were identified from the bibliography of selected articles and from the abstracts of conference proceedings. The studies were included if they compared TcB results with TSB in term and near-term infants during phototherapy or after discontinuation of phototherapy. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion, and discrepancies were resolved with consensus. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. Results: Fourteen studies were identified. The pooled estimates of correlation coefficients (r) during phototherapy were: covered sites 0.71 (95% CI 0.64-0.77, 11 studies), uncovered sites 0.65 (95% CI 0.55-0.74), 8 studies), forehead 0.70 (95% CI 0.64-0.75, 12 studies) and sternum 0.64 (95% CI 0.43-0.77, 5 studies). Two studies also provided results as Bland-Altman difference plots (mean TcB-TSB differences -29.2 and 30 µmol/l, respectively). The correlation coefficient improved marginally in the postphototherapy phase (r = 0.72, 95% CI 0.64-0.78, 4 studies). Conclusion: We found a moderate correlation between TcB and TSB during phototherapy with a marginal improvement in the postphototherapy phase. Further research is needed before the use of TcB devices can be recommended for these settings.
Serum Biomarkers of Allergic Contact Dermatitis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Zinkevičienė Auksė , Kainov Denis , Lastauskienė Eglė , Kvedarienė Violeta , Bychkov Dmitrii , Byrne Myles , Girkontaitė Irutė
Published: January 2016

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an inflammatory skin disease caused by repeated skin exposure to contact allergens. The goal of this pilot study was to identify inflammatory proteins which can serve as biomarkers for ACD. Methods: We measured levels of 102 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in the sera of 16 ACD patients during acute and remission phases, and 16 healthy volunteers. Results: Serum levels of adiponectin, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5), C-reactive protein (CRP), chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1), complement factor D (CFD), endoglin, lipocalin-2, osteopontin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), and platelet factor 4 (PF4) were significantly higher, whereas levels of trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) were significantly lower, in ACD patients than in healthy controls. In ACD patients, serum levels of CCL5 were elevated, whereas levels of TFF3, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB/BB were found to be lower during the remission phase of the disease. Conclusions: Serum levels of adiponectin, CCL5, CRP, CHI3L1, CFD, endoglin, lipocalin-2, osteopontin, RBP4, PF4, and TFF3 might be exploited as biomarkers for ACD, whereas levels of CCL5, TFF3, sICAM-1, and PDGF-AB/BB might be exploited for evaluation of disease progression and efficacy of ACD treatment.
Maternal Diet Enriched with α-Linolenic or Saturated Fatty Acids Differentially Regulates Gene Expression in the Liver of Mouse Offspring
Authors: Leikin-Frenkel Alicia , Shomonov-Wagner Limor , Juknat Ana , Pasmanik-Chor Metsada
Published: January 2016

Background/Aims: Lipid metabolic disarray in the liver of young and adult mice offspring is induced by saturated fatty acids (SFA) but prevented by α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3 ω-3) in the maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of maternal dietary ALA compared to an SFA diet on the liver gene expression in the newborn offspring. Methods: C57Bl6/J dams were fed with diets normal in calories but rich in ALA or SFA before mating and during pregnancy. Pups were sacrificed at birth and liver parameters were assessed. Gene expression was characterized by microarray analysis and validated by real-time quantitative PCR. Results: ALA, compared to SFA, in maternal diets during pregnancy increased polyunsaturated fatty acids, while it differentially modified fatty acid desaturase activities in offspring liver. Overall, 474 and 662 genes from the liver of newborn pups were differentially regulated by ALA and SFA compared to control diet (p < 0.05; fold change 2), respectively. Notably, Per3 was upregulated by ALA, whereas it was downregulated by SFA, compared to control diet. Conclusions: ALA- and SFA-enriched diets differentially affect the gene expression pattern in the offspring's liver. ALA, in particular, upregulates genes associated with low adiposity.
Significance of Monoclonal PCSK9-Antibodies - New Approaches to the Therapy of Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Neumann Claas L. , Schettler Elke , Schettler Volker J.J.
Published: January 2016

Increased concentrations of low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein a (Lp(a)) are scientifically accepted, independent risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. The complications of atherosclerosis occur early and more frequently. They are strongly linked with lifestyle factors and an increase of LDL-C concentrations in industrialized countries. A new therapeutic approach seems to be the modulation of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which reduces the number of LDL-receptors at the cell membrane of the liver cells and thus increases the concentration of LDL-C in the blood. Results of current studies show, that in particular, a combination of PCSK9-AB and statins, independent of the dosage of the statins, is suitable to increase a reduction of LDL-C and Lp(a). This article gives an overview of the pathophysiology, the current study and research situation as well as the possible different approaches to the therapeutic influence of PCSK9 in the future.
Luz e cena: impactos e trocas
Authors: Camargo Roberto Gill
Published: January 2016

Este artigo analisa alguns aspectos da relação coevolutiva entre a luz e a cena no teatro, a partir dos impactos de uma sobre a outra e consequentes trocas e processos adaptativos. O texto toma por base estudos de Katz e Greiner sobre corpo e ambiente, e busca referências históricas sobre luz nas concepções de Brecht, Artaud e Grotowski.
Olhos, ouvidos e ossos: percepções da luz e do som no teatro nô
Authors: Nagai Ângela Mayumi
Published: January 2016

O artigo realiza uma reflexão sobre aspectos técnicos e poéticos de
iluminação e som na tradição do teatro Nô, desde sua origem, no
século XIV, até os dias atuais, considerando a introdução da energia
elétrica e a transposição da arquitetura cênica do exterior para o interior
de prédios modernos. Para compor tal reflexão, serão utilizados
dados colhidos em campo e relatados pela pesquisadora, aliados ao
material bibliográfico.
Tensões e acomodações da representação
Authors: Ramos Luiz Fernando
Published: January 2016

Crítica publicada na Folha de S.Paulo no dia 2 de outubro de 2012
O anseio de imagem na cultura contemporânea visto através do espelho de Tchekhov
Authors: Xavier Ismail
Published: January 2016

A encenação de As três irmãs, de Anton Tchekhov, dirigida por Cristiane
Jatahy explicita em sua abertura que se trata de um espetáculo
que não visa à encenação do texto do dramaturgo, mas sim a um
diálogo com sua obra, conduzido com liberdade.
O desempenho da escuridão: análise do valor dramatúrgico do black-out em Cercles/Fictions de Joël Pommerat
Authors: Ferrer Maria Clara
Published: January 2016

O black-out tornou-se, ao longo da trajetória artística de Joël Pommerat, uma “figura de estilo” pela qual se pode reconhecer os espetáculos da Companhia Louis Brouillard. Este artigo questiona a importância dramatúrgica desse procedimento dentro da escrita cênica do autor-encenador francês. Concentrando-se na análise de Cercles/Fictions (2010), criação que marca na obra do artista uma primeira ruptura com a frontalidade da caixa cênica, busca-se entender como a escuridão atua na composição e na percepção do espetáculo, adquirindo um valor performativo.
POST-MODERNISMO: O FUTURO DO PASSADO NO ROMANCE PORTUGUÊS CONTEMPORÂNEO
Authors: Arnaut Ana Paula
Published: January 2016

DEPOIS DE UMA BREVE REFERÊNCIA ÀS DIFICULDADES LEVANTADAS PELO TERMO E PELO CONCEITO POST-MODERNISMO, APRESENTAREMOS AS PRINCIPAIS CARACTERÍSTICAS DA NOVA LITERATURA E, A PARTIR DA MÁXIMA NON NOVA, SED NOVE, VERIFICAREMOS COMO ELAS SE ACTUALIZAM EM ALGUNS ROMANCES PORTUGUESES.
A CRISE ESTRUTURAL NO SISTEMA-MUNDO: PARA ONDE VAMOS A PARTIR DAQUI?
Authors: Wallerstein Immanuel
Published: January 2016

O TEXTO ABORDA AS QUESTÕES FULCRAIS DA TEORIA DO SISTEMA MUNDO RELACIONANDO-AS COM A PRESENTE CRISE SISTÉMICA, QUE SUGERE PODER SER UMA CRISE TERMINAL. O ARTIGO CONSIDERA QUE QUAISQUER ALTERNATIVAS À PRESENTE SITUAÇÃO SE INSCREVEM NECESSARIAMENTE OU NO QUE CHAMA O “ESPÍRITO DE DAVOS”, APRESENTADO COMO UMA TENTATIVA PROVAVELMENTE INCONSEQUENTE DE REFORMAR O PRESENTE, OU NO “ESPÍRITO DE PORTO ALEGRE”, QUE APONTA NO SENTIDO DE UMA ECONOMIA MUNDO MAIS JUSTA E EQUITATIVA.
Novas configurações familiares na Literatura Brasileira Infantil e Juvenil: Leitura de Meus dois Pais, de Walcyr Carrasco, e de Olívia Tem dois pais, de Márcia Leite
Authors: Camargo Flávio Pereira
Published: January 2016

Este trabalho objetiva refletir a respeito das configurações familiares representadas na literatura brasileira contemporânea. O artigo está dividido em duas seções principais: inicialmente, é proposto um estudo acerca dos processos de subjetivação e dos modos como a identidade do outro é representada discursivamente em nossa sociedade; a seguir, analisamos as novas configurações familiares na narrativa brasileira infantil e juvenil.
O encontro no universo lésbico de Cassandra Rios: desafios, ambiguidades e tensões nos atos performativos masculinizados em “mulheres lésbicas”
Authors: Messeder Suely Aldir , Pereira Ana Gabriela Pio
Published: January 2016

Pretende-se explorar a ideia do encontro como um fazer etnográfico, tendo como locus do trabalho de campo cenas dos atos performativos reproduzidos pelas mulheres lésbicas das obras de Cassandra Rios. Em tais cenas, perscrutam-se as enunciações sobre os corpos das mulheres lésbicas e observa-se como a proliferação de gênero entre elas rompe com a dicotomia homem e mulher, ao mesmo tempo que vemos as tensões e as ambiguidades vivenciadas pelas mulheres lésbicas que re-significam as masculinidades em seus corpos, anunciando, assim, um espaço fronteiriço com os “homem trans”/“transhomem”.
Discriminação racial e (re)construção nacional em Moçambique: O alegre canto da perdiz, de Paulina Chiziane
Authors: Wieser Doris
Published: January 2016

Neste ensaio analiso os efeitos da discriminação racial colonial em Moçambique e as suas consequências na época pós-independência, em O alegre canto da perdiz (2008), de Paulina Chiziane. A análise inspira-se nos “espaços semânticos” de Jurij Lotman e nos “cronotopos” de Mikhail Bakhtin. Identificam-se assim um espaço mítico, um espaço histórico (colonial e pós-colonial) e um espaço do futuro imaginado, e questiona-se o papel desses espaços para a construção de uma identidade nacional.
Getting Really Edgy: On the Edge of the Edge
Authors: Bošković Željko
Published: January 2016

The article argues that in constructions where there is more than one phrase at a phasal edge, only the highest edge is available for movement and anaphor binding. This shows that only the outermost edge counts as the edge of a phase for the Phase Impenetrability Condition ( PIC). The article also demonstrates that moving the element that counts as the phasal edge in multiple specifier/adjunct cases can affect the PIC status of the remaining edges. These conclusions provide a new argument for the contextuality of phasehood. A number of recent works have argued that the phasal status of a phrase can be affected by the syntactic context in which it occurs. This article goes one step further: it shows that the concept of phasal edge, more precisely the status of a specifier/adjunct regarding the PIC, can also be affected by the syntactic context in which the specifier/adjunct occurs. The article also discusses several issues regarding the syntax and semantics of adjectives, possessors, and demonstratives, including what Partee (2006) calls familiar demonstratives, as well as anaphor binding.
Evidence for the Influence of Surface Heat Fluxes on Turbulent Mixing of Microplastic Marine Debris
Authors: Kukulka Tobias , Law Kara L. , Proskurowski Giora
Published: January 2016

Buoyant microplastic marine debris (MPMD) is a pollutant in the ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL) that is submerged by wave-driven turbulent transport processes. This study analyzes observed MPMD surface concentrations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to reveal a significant increase in concentrations during surface heating and a decrease during surface cooling. Turbulence-resolving large-eddy simulations of the OSBL for an idealized diurnal heating cycle suggest that turbulent downward fluxes of buoyant tracers are enhanced at night, facilitating deep submergence of plastics, and suppressed in heating conditions, resulting in surface-trapped MPMD. Simulations agree better with observations if enhanced mixing due to wave-driven Langmuir turbulence (LT) is included. The simulated time-dependent OSBL response results in hysteresis effects so that surface concentrations depend also on the phase of the diurnal heating cycle. The results demonstrate the controlling influence of surface heat fluxes and LT on turbulent transport in the OSBL and on vertical distributions of buoyant marine particles.
The Prognostic Impact of In-Hospital Change in Mean Platelet Volume in Patients With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Kırış Tuncay , Yazici Selcuk , Günaydin Zeki Yüksel , Akyüz Şükrü , Güzelburç Özge , Atmaca Hüsnü , Ertürk Mehmet , Nazli Cem , Dogan Abdullah
Published: January 2016

It is unclear whether changes in mean platelet volume (MPV) are associated with total mortality in acute coronary syndromes. We investigated whether the change in MPV predicts total mortality in patients with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We retrospectively analyzed 419 consecutive patients (19 patients were excluded). The remaining patients were categorized as survivors (n = 351) or nonsurvivors (n = 49). Measurements of MPV were performed at admission and after 24 hours. The difference between the 2 measurements was considered as the MPV change (ΔMPV). The end point of the study was total mortality at 1-year follow-up. During the follow-up, there were 49 deaths (12.2%). Admission MPV was comparable in the 2 groups. However, both MPV (9.6 ± 1.4 fL vs 9.2 ± 1.0 fL, P = .044) and ΔMPV (0.40 [0.10-0.70] fL vs 0.70 [0.40-1.20] fL, P < .001) at the first 24 hours were higher in nonsurvivors than survivors. In multivariate analysis, ΔMPV was an independent predictor of total mortality (odds ratio: 1.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.28-2.65, P = .001). An early increase in MPV after admission was independently associated with total mortality in patients with NSTEMI. Such patients may need more effective antiplatelet therapy.
Experimental and numerical analysis of drop-weight low-velocity impact tests on hybrid titanium composite laminates
Authors: Reiner Johannes , Torres Juan Pablo , Veidt Martin , Heitzmann Michael
Published: January 2016

An experimental and numerical study on low-velocity impact responses on [Ti/0/90] s hybrid titanium composite laminates (HTCLs) is presented. Different energy levels from 10 to 40 J are investigated using a drop-weight instrument and post-impact inspection. An explicit finite element implementation provides a detailed analysis of impact response in composite and titanium layers, respectively. It accounts for interfacial debonding, progressive failure in composite plies and elastic–plastic deformation in titanium. The main failure modes are experimentally and numerically found to be debonding between titanium and composite, matrix cracking and interlaminar delamination. The principal energy-absorbing mechanism is plastic dissipation of the two titanium sheets. The low cost numerical model is able to effectively predict the overall impact response and major failure modes with good accuracy.
Fracture behavior of polycaprolactone/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Ludueña LN , Stocchi A , Alvarez VA
Published: January 2016

The effect of clay-organo modifier on the thermal and mechanical properties and fracture behaviors of pure polycaprolactone (PCL) and 5 wt% PCL/clay nanocomposites were studied. The different materials were prepared by melt intercalation. It was demonstrated by X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile, and fracture tests that the addition of modified nanoclays affected significantly the final properties of the materials. The optimal combination of properties was achieved with the PCL reinforced with 5 wt% of C30B obtaining improvements of 17% in the Young’s modulus and 1500% in the specific essential fracture work.
Utilizing Smartphones to Study Disadvantaged and Hard-to-Reach Groups
Authors: Sugie Naomi F.
Published: January 2016

Mobile technologies, specifically smartphones, offer social scientists a potentially powerful approach to examine the social world. They enable researchers to collect information that was previously unobservable or difficult to measure, expanding the realm of empirical investigation. For research that concerns resource-poor and hard-to-reach groups, smartphones may be particularly advantageous by lessening sample selection and attrition and by improving measurement quality of irregular and unstable experiences. At the same time, smartphones are nascent social science tools, particularly with less advantaged populations that may have different phone usage patterns and privacy concerns. Using findings from a smartphone study of men recently released from prison, this article discusses the strengths and challenges of smartphones as data collection tools among disadvantaged and hard-to-reach groups.