Elevated plasma osteopontin in metastatic breast cancer associated with increased tumor burden and decreased survival

Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted, integrin-binding phosphoprotein that has been implicated in both normal and pathological processes; qualitative increases in OPN blood levels have been reported in a small number of patients with metastatic tumors of various kinds. We measured plasma OPN levels in 70 women with known metastatic breast carcinoma, 44 patient controls who were on follow-up after completion of adjuvant treatment for early breast cancer, and 35 normal volunteers. The median plasma OPN of patients with metastatic disease was 142 microgram/liter (range, 38-1312 microgram/liter) and was significantly different (P < 0.0001, Mann Whitney U test) from both control groups (medians, 60 and 47 microgram/liter; ranges, 15-117 and 22-122 microgram/liter). Furthermore, we found that increasing plasma OPN is associated with shorter survival (P < 0.001) when patients were grouped in terciles for plasma OPN. This was also demonstrated when using a Cox proportional hazards model. Median plasma OPN levels were significantly increased for three or more sites of involvement (median, 232 microgram/liter; n = 13) versus 1 or 2 metastatic sites (medians, 129 and 130 microgram/liter; n = 29 and 28, respectively). Plasma OPN levels were correlated with other biochemical markers related to the extent of disease, such as serum alkaline phosphatase, aspartate succinate aminotransaminase, and albumin (r = 0.81, 0.62, and -0.56, respectively; all P < 0.001). This study demonstrates a statistically significant elevation in plasma OPN in the majority ( approximately 70%) of a large series of patients with metastatic breast cancer when compared (95th percentile) to healthy women or patients who had completed adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer. Furthermore, this is the first study to demonstrate that higher OPN levels in patients with metastatic breast cancer may be associated with an increased number of involved sites and decreased survival.     

Texture features for classification of ultrasonic liver images

The classification of ultrasonic liver images is studied, making use of the spatial gray-level dependence matrices, the Fourier power spectrum, the gray-level difference statistics, and the Laws texture energy measures. Features of these types are used to classify three sets of ultrasonic liver images-normal liver, hepatoma, and cirrhosis (30 samples each). The Bayes classifier and the Hotelling trace criterion are employed to evaluate the performance of these features. From the viewpoint of speed and accuracy of classification, it is found that these features do not perform well enough. Hence, a new texture feature set (multiresolution fractal features) based on multiple resolution imagery and the fractional Brownian motion model is proposed to detect diffuse liver diseases quickly and accurately. Fractal dimensions estimated at various resolutions of the image are gathered to form the feature vector. Texture information contained in the proposed feature vector is discussed. A real-time implementation of the algorithm produces about 90% correct classification for the three sets of ultrasonic liver images.     

Mobile Edge Computing Platform with Container-Based Virtualization Technology for IoT Applications

The next generation of fifth generation (5G) network, implementing mobile edge computing (MEC), network function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking technologies, establishes a flexible and resilient network in line with various internet of things (IoT) devices. While NFV adds flexibility scale in or out networks by allowing network functions to be dynamically deployed and inter-connected, MEC provide intelligence at the edge of a mobile network; reduces latency, and increases capacity. With the diverse development of networking applications, the proposed MEC with container-based virtualization technology (CVT) as IoT gateway with IoT devices for flow control mechanism in scheduling and analysis methods will effectively enhance the quality of service. In this work, the proposed IoT gateway will be analyzed to elucidate the combined effect of simultaneously deploying virtual network functions and MEC applications on the same network infrastructure. Low latency, high bandwidth and high agility, supporting the connection of large-scale devices, and the efficient combination of resources from network edge and cluster clouds, account for real-time network conditions, reducing the IoT applications and services to indicate that a number is the average of 30% of the latency, that could get more suitable service quality to develop such as both augmented reality and virtual reality application intelligence in coming 5G network.

     

Production of multifluted drills on six-axis CNC tool-grinding machine

This paper presents a kinematic model to produce multifluted drills on a six-axis CNC tool-grinding machine. There are three special features of the proposed model. The first is the use of Denavit-Hartenberg notation to establish the ability matrix of a six-axis CNC tool-grinding machine. The second feature, the concept of a virtual hollow grinding wheel and virtual solid dresser, is invented to allow flutes and flanks to be machined by a single grinding wheel in one setup, thus improving manufacturing precision and lowering production costs. Thirdly, we present configuration matrices to express grinding wheel positions and orientations during machining of flutes and flanks. NC data equations are obtained by equating corresponding elements of the ability matrix and the configuration matrices of the grinding wheel. To verify the proposed methodology, a designed three-fluted drill was machined on a six-axis CNC tool-grinding machine. This paper combines the activities of drill design and manufacturing, making the production process more flexible, automatic, cost efficient and controllable.     

Thermal–mechanical analysis on the transient deformation during pulsed laser forming

The transient deformation of thin grade 304 stainless steel metal sheets heated by a single pulse of a CO₂ laser beam is simulated in this paper. The laser beam is assumed to be Gaussian mode and the coupled thermo-elastoplastic problem is treated as three-dimensional. The temperature field, deformation pattern, stress–strain states, and the residual stress distribution of the specimens have been calculated numerically and the transient response of the bending angle has been validated by experiments. Good agreement has been obtained between the numerical simulation and the experiments under various operating conditions. The numerical study reveals that a high temperature gradient exists for a positive bending angle and a low one for a negative angle. It transpires that the mechanisms of pulsed laser forming are dependent mainly upon the laser power, the heating time, the clamping arrangement, as well as the geometry, the thermal properties, and the original stress states of the specimen.     

A novel pathogenic taxon of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, Canetti: characterization of an exceptional isolate from Africa

In an attempt to characterize an unusual mycobacterial strain isolated from a 2-year-old Somali patient with lymphadenitis, we applied various molecular methods not previously used for the taxonomic classification of mycobacteria. This isolate, designated So93, did not differ from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the biochemical tests and in its 16S rRNA sequence, but produced smooth and glossy colonies, which is highly exceptional for this species. This smooth phenotype was unstable and switched nonreversibly to a rough colony morphology with a low frequency. The two colony types were equally virulent for the guinea pig, exhibiting characteristic tuberculous disease. Both morphotypes had shorter generation times than the M. tuberculosis reference laboratory strain H37Rv and clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis. Furthermore, the So93 isolate differed from all M. tuberculosis complex strains described thus far by having only a single copy of insertion sequence IS1081, an unusual composition of the direct repeat cluster, and a characteristic phenolic glycolipid and lipooligosaccharide. This glycolipid had previously been observed only in a smooth isolate of M. tuberculosis obtained in 1969 by Canetti in France. Analysis of the Canetti strain showed that it shared virtually all genetic properties characteristic of So93, distinguishing these two strains from the known M. tuberculosis complex taxa, M. tuberculosis, Mycobacterium africanum, M. bovis, and Mycobacterium microti. The natural reservoir, host range, and mode of transmission of the group of bacteria described in this paper are presently unknown. This study, partly based on not previously used molecular criteria, supports the idea that the established members within the M. tuberculosis complex and the newly described Canetti grouping should be regarded as a single species, which likely will be designated "M. tuberculosis".     

Acute testicular ischemia results in germ cell-specific apoptosis in the rat

Testis torsion-induced aspermatogenesis is not necessarily due to permanent loss of blood flow nor to dysfunctional Leydig cells or Sertoli cells. This investigation was undertaken to gain further insight into the mechanism underlying torsion-induced germ cell loss. Male rats were subjected to 1-h or 2-h ischemia-inducing torsion, and testes were examined at either 1, 2, 4, 24, or 48 h after torsion, depending on the study. Testes were examined for evidence of 1) in situ apoptosis by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP)-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique, 2) apoptosis by the DNA "laddering" technique, 3) leukocyte margination and diapedesis in testicular vessels by immunocytochemical and histological techniques, and 4) testicular lipid peroxidation by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay. The first TUNEL evidence for torsion-induced apoptosis was at 4 h after repair of 1-h torsion. Induction of apoptosis was confirmed by the electrophoretic laddering of DNA fragments. It was hypothesized that apoptosis was induced by reactive oxygen species arising from reperfusing leukocytes. A significant increase in both leukocyte margination and diapedesis occurred 4 h after torsion repair as did a significant increase in intratesticular lipid peroxidation products. These events were contemporaneous with the first appearance of apoptosis and consistent with the hypothesis that post-torsion, germ cell-specific apoptosis is induced by reactive oxygen species.     

Survival, developmental and morphogenic deficiencies of Parasarcophaga argyrostoma (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) induced by the biosynthesis inhibitor, chlorfluazuron (IKI-7899)

To evaluate the activity of benzoylphenyl urea chitin biosynthesis inhibitor chlorfluazuron (IKI-7899) against Parasarcophaga argyrostoma, seven doses were topically applied (once) onto early third (last) instar larvae, puparia, or newly formed pupa: 150, 100, 50, 10, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25 microgram/insect. After topical treatment of last instar larvae, the highest mortality was caused by both higher doses and the lowest mortality was caused by the lowest dose. The lethal activity of IKI-7899 as pronouncedly decreased as the treatment was lately carried out (at the puparial time). IKI-7899 failed to cause cumulative mortality because no pupal or adult mortalities were observed, irrespective of the time of treatment. Treated larvae suffered the action of IKI-7899 because they had decreased weight gain. Except the lowest dose, the weight gain of larvae inversely correlated with the dose-levels. IKI-7899 prolonged not only the larval duration but also the pupal duration after topical treatment of last instar larvae with doses 50-0.25 micrograms/larva. With no exception, all doses topically applied onto puparia or newly formed pupae enhanced pupae to live longer. Topical application onto last instar larvae resulted in different degrees of reduction of pupation rate, but IKI-7899 could not affect the pupal morphogenesis after larval treatment except by its highest dose which led to 8.33% pupal deformities and 7.69% larval-pupal intermediates. The dose 100 micrograms/larva topically applied onto last instar larvae detained 7.69% of what known as "permanent larvae" which suffered the action of the compound along 16 days and eventually perished without any external feature of puparium formation. A metamorphic effect of IKI-7899 pronouncedly appeared in the adult stage. Three higher doses completely arrested the adult flies. Topical application of the compound onto prepupae did not greatly reduce the pupation rate especially at the doses 50, 10 and 1.0 micrograms/puparium. The dose 50 micrograms/puparium was only the dose halting the pupal moulting program because 7.14% of permanent prepupae remained about 12 days and then died. In respect to adult emergence, the highest dose led to zero rate and the lowest dose allowed to all pupae to emerge without malformation.