Alteration of Gene and miRNA Expression in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Cervical Cancer

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women in terms of prevalence and mortality. Cervical cancer has some particularities that distinguish it from any other oncologic pathology: first, it is completely preventable by prompt detection of its precursor, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); second, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a known etiological agent; third, the mean age at diagnosis is much lower than in other oncologic conditions, as a consequence of the sexually-transmitted HPV. Methods: We evaluated the expression level of several long noncoding RNAs and a microRNA in samples from 30 patients with CIN, 9 with cervical cancer and 38 normal samples using qRT-PCR technology. Results: We observed higher expression levels for MEG3, DAPK1, MLH1 and MALAT1 in CIN samples than in normal samples, whereas TIMP3 and SOX1 had lower expression levels. For cancer samples, DAPK1, MLH1 and MALAT1 had higher expression, and MEG3, TIMP3 and SOX1 had lower expression when compared to normal samples. In the case of CIN versus cancer samples, only MEG3 gene showed a statistically significant difference. The expression of miR-205-5p was lower in both CIN and cancer samples compared to normal samples. Conclusion: Decreased MEG3 expression could be considered an alarm signal in the transition from a premalignant cervical lesion to invasive cancer, while altered expression levels of TIMP3, SOX1, MLH1, MALAT1 and miR-205-5p could serve as early biomarkers in the diagnosis of premalignant cervical lesions. Future studies, including a larger number of patients with CIN, will be of particular importance in validating these observations.     

Numerical analysis of J–V characteristics of a polymer solar cell

A numerical method to determine the cell parameters from the analysis of the J–V characteristics of a polymer solar cell is proposed. This method uses the equations given by the diode model, experimental data from the literature, and an adequate fitting procedure with seven fit parameters. Different aspects of the obtained results are discussed. Information concerning cell design optimization is also obtained. The method is of general application in the field of polymer solar cells, as well as to any kind of diode‐like cell. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A constrained motion perspective of railway vehicles collision

Impacts, friction, and normal contact forces occur in the railway vehicles couplers. This paper presents a novel nonsmooth model of the train collision; until now, only penalized models have been approached. The train dynamics is described by an equality of measures formulated at the velocity level. The equations of motion are integrated using the Moreau time-stepping algorithm. Impulsive and normal contact forces are described by a set-valued law of Signorini type, while friction forces are described by a set-valued law of Coulomb type. The constrained forces are computed deducing a particular, simplified formulation of the Udwadia–Kalaba equations. The resulting algorithm is simple and straightforward. Both impulsive and nonimpulsive dynamics are casted in the same framework. Any feature or situation regarding train collisions may be modeled. A demonstrative application is presented. Simulations reveal nonsmooth phenomena like simultaneous multiple collisions, stick-slip, captures, and offset in the final equilibrium position.     

Workflow-based semantics for peer-to-peer specifications

In this paper we introduce SMoL, a simplified BPEL-like language for specifying peer and service behaviour in P2P systems. We then define a transformational semantics of SMoL in terms of Yet Another Workflow Language (YAWL) workflows, which enables the simulation (e.g., testing possible execution scenarios) and analysis (e.g., verifying reachability or lock freedom) of the behaviour of P2P peers and services.     

Triaxial extension and tension tests on lime-cement-improved clay

This paper presents the results of a series of undrained and drained isotropic consolidated triaxial extension, tension and compression laboratory tests on lime-cement-improved very soft clay. The main objective of these tests was to investigate the material strength and stiffness properties for stress conditions similar to those expected on the passive side of excavations where a retaining structure is supported by Deep Mixing columns. The different stress paths to failure were obtained by varying the directions of the major and minor principal stresses in a conventional triaxial test cell. The undrained tests conducted at low consolidation stresses, corresponding to depths of approximately 0–10 m below the ground surface, revealed significant differences in undrained strength depending on the directions of the major and minor principal stresses, indicating anisotropic material behavior. Based on the undrained triaxial test results, the relationship among the undrained strength, the effective consolidation stress and the over-consolidation ratio (OCR) is presented for different stress paths to failure.The experimental data from the drained tests show that a failure surface comprised of a shear failure function based on the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and a tensile failure function based on the tensile strength and the confining stress can be applied for lime-cement-stabilized clay.     

Resveratrol Modulation of Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Response to Cisplatin in Head and Neck Cancer Cell Lines

In head and neck cancers, the effectiveness of cisplatin (CisPt) treatment is limited by its toxicity, especially when higher doses are necessary, and the possible occurrence of cisplatin resistance. This study evaluated the effects of resveratrol (RSV) on the expression of different genes involved in the response of human tumor cells (FaDu, PE/CA-PJ49) to cisplatin therapy. Our results revealed that RSV induced apoptosis amplification in both FaDu and PE/CA-PJ49 cells and modulated the expression of specific genes differently than in normal HaCaT cells. In FaDu cells, combined CisPt + RSV treatment induced an increase in apoptosis, which was associated with an increase in c-MYC and TP53 and a decrease in BCL-2 expression. While CisPt + RSV treatment induced apoptosis in PE/CA-PJ49 cells by inhibition of BCL-2 associated with high levels of MDM-2 and subsequently led to inhibition of TP53 gene expression. Decreased c-MYC expression in PE/CA-PJ49 treated with CisPt + RSV was accompanied by cell cycle blockage in G0/G1 phase. In conclusion, RSV influences tumor cell response to CisPt by inducing apoptosis and modulating gene expression. In addition, in normal HaCaT cells, RSV was able to reduce the harmful effects of CisPt.     

Structural and spectroscopic effects of Ag–Eu3+ codoping of TeO2–PbO glass ceramics

Structural and spectroscopic behavior of TeO₂–PbO–Eu₂O₃ glass ceramics containing small amounts of Ag₂O (0.5 mol%) or metallic Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) (0.33 mol%) have been studied by varying their Eu₂O₃ content (0–10 mol%). The structural behavior of these samples was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The average unit-cell parameters, crystallites size, and the quantitative ratio of the crystallographic phases in the samples were evaluated based on XRD data. FTIR spectroscopy data revealed that the TeO₃ and TeO₄ are the main structural units of these glass ceramics and their ratio, TeO₃/TeO₄, changes as function of the europium oxide content and the codoping of the samples. Luminescence spectroscopy measurements evidenced the important peaks located at 438, 550, and 722 nm due to the Pb²⁺ ions and at 589 and 611 nm due to the Eu³⁺ ions present in the studied samples. The presence of AgNPs in the studied glass ceramics determines a considerable enhancement of the luminescence bands of Eu³⁺ ions from 589 and 611 nm.     

A computer vision-based perception system for visually impaired

In this paper, we introduce a novel computer vision-based perception system, dedicated to the autonomous navigation of visually impaired people. A first feature concerns the real-time detection and recognition of obstacles and moving objects present in potentially cluttered urban scenes. To this purpose, a motion-based, real-time object detection and classification method is proposed. The method requires no a priori information about the obstacle type, size, position or location. In order to enhance the navigation/positioning capabilities offered by traditional GPS-based approaches, which are often unreliably in urban environments, a building/landmark recognition approach is also proposed. Finally, for the specific case of indoor applications, the system has the possibility to learn a set of user-defined objects of interest. Here, multi-object identification and tracking is applied in order to guide the user to localize such objects of interest. The feedback is presented to user by audio warnings/alerts/indications. Bone conduction headphones are employed in order to allow visually impaired to hear the systems warnings without obstructing the sounds from the environment. At the hardware level, the system is totally integrated on an android smartphone which makes it easy to wear, non-invasive and low-cost.

     

Investigation of the functional properties of Mg x Ni1−x Fe2O4 ceramics

The paper presents a complex study of the effect of Mg substitution on the functional properties of Ni-ferrite ceramics prepared by self-combustion sol–gel method. The sintered ceramics have pure cubic spinel structures with an increase of the lattice parameter and the grain size with Mg content. The electrical properties of Mg _x Ni_1?x Fe₂O₄ (x = 0; 0.17; 0.34; 0.5; 0.66; 1) ceramics have been investigated. The complex impedance spectra suggest a grain boundary contribution in the conduction process and reveal that the real part of impedance and the imaginary component (reactance) increase with increasing the Mg amount. The temperature dependence of dielectric properties shows that the hopping of charge carriers is thermally activated. The resistivity as a function of frequency for different degree of humidity was also investigated. All the investigated samples show a typical ferrimagnetic character with a strong non-linearity, small coercitive field (~50 Oe) and a saturation field of ~1kOe, typical to the investigated Mg _x Ni_1?x Fe₂O₄ ceramics. The Curie temperature determined from magnetic susceptibility versus temperature dependences presents a decrease with the addition of non-magnetic Mg²⁺ ion concentration from 603 °C (for x = 0) to 384 °C (for x = 1).     

Changes in proton transverse relaxation times of rat myocardium that has suffered a previous oxidative insult

An oxidative insult can induce severe damage, as in the phenomenon of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. However, there are situations in which the damage is not so obvious (e.g., silent ischemia or aging), and the negative effects will be seen only in time. Our aim was to reveal these small changes in the myofilaments by using the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. We used Wistar rat hearts in a constant-pressure Langendorff system, perfused with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 37°C. After 15 minutes of stabilization, the hearts were perfused with buffer supplemented with H₂O₂ at 50, 75, or 100 μmol/L for 15 or 30 minutes. Fifteen-minute and 45-minute perfusion controls and unperfused hearts were also collected. Heart rate (HR) and left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) were determined with the help of a latex balloon, inserted in the left ventricle and connected with a pressure transducer. Proton transverse relaxation times (T ₂) were determined at the end of the experiment.T ₂ values were measured again in the same tissue fragments after they had been glycerinated and incubated in relaxation and rigor media. The functional parameters (HR, LVDP, coronary flow) were not significantly changed in control and 50 μmol/L H₂O₂ groups but were increased in the 75 μmol/L H₂O₂ group and significantly decreased in the 100 μmol/L H₂O₂ group.T ₂ is significantly decreased in rigor media starting with 50 μmol/L H₂O₂ administrated for 30 minutes and does not correlate with dose and duration of the oxidative insult.T ₂ in rigor is shorter than in relaxation media within the groups, and this difference is increased in the treated hearts.