Downregulation and Prognostic Performance of MicroRNA 224 Expression in Prostate Cancer

The extensive use of prostate-specific antigen as a general prostate cancer biomarker has introduced the hazards of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Recent studies have revealed the immense biomarker capacity of microRNAs (miRNAs) in prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression pattern of miR-224, a cancer-related miRNA, in prostate tumors and investigate its clinical utility

From sequence to trajectory and vice versa: solving the inverse QTC problem and coping with real-world trajectories

Spatial interactions between agents carry information of high value to human observers, as exemplified by the high-level interpretations that humans make when watching the Heider and Simmel movie, or other such videos which just contain motions of simple objects, such as points, lines and triangles. However, not all the information contained in a pair of continuous trajectories is important; and thus the need for qualitative descriptions of interaction trajectories arises. Towards that purpose, Qualitative Trajectory Calculus (QTC) has been proposed in (Van de Weghe, 2004). However, the original definition of QTC handles uncorrupted continuous-time trajectories, while real-world signals are noisy and sampled in discrete-time. Also, although QTC presents a method for transforming trajectories to qualitative descriptions, the inverse problem has not yet been studied. Thus, in this paper, after discussing several aspects of the transition from ideal QTC to discrete-time noisy QTC, we introduce a novel algorithm for solving the QTC inverse problem; i.e. transforming qualitative descriptions to archetypal trajectories that satisfy them. Both of these problems are particularly important for the successful application of qualitative trajectory calculus to Human-Robot Interaction

Products and Markets – The Activities of the Imperial Guilds of Constantinople

AbstractIn the present paper the questions that are covered concern specific entrepreneurial aspects of the imperial guilds in Constantinople of the 10th century. The mentioned aspects are dealing first with the products and services offered by the guilds and secondly with the places, streets and areas where the guild members allowed to do their business. All this information is stated in the Book of the Eparch (BE) or Book of the Prefect («Tο Eπαρχικóν Bιβλίον»). Accordingly we are analyzing first the structure and quantity of the products / services mentioned in the Book of Eparch (BE) and next we are mentioning the used locations prescribed by the Prefect himself. Therefore the investigation analyses the products / services as well as the places connected with each of the products and services that are sold there

Targeting kallikrein-related peptidases in prostate cancer

Introduction: Novel therapeutic compounds are needed for prostate cancer (CaP), given the limitations of already used drugs and the disease’s mortality, often attributed to castrate resistance. Tissue kallikrein and kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) form a family of serine proteases aberrantly expressed and broadly implicated in human malignancies. In CaP, KLKs participate in the promotion of cell proliferation, extracellular matrix degradation, tumour cell invasion and metastasis. Areas covered: This review discusses the different ways of inhibiting, modulating and exploiting KLK activity and/or expression as emerging CaP therapeutics. KLKs are targeted by diverse naturally occurring substances, including proteinaceous inhibitors, low-molecular-weight peptides and Zn2+. Synthetic KLK inhibitors include protein/peptide-based inhibitors and small molecules. A re-engineered serpin-based KLK inhibitor is under evaluation in first-in-human trials as a CaP therapeutic, whereas additional potent and selective KLK inhibitors with relevance to CaP have been synthesized. KLK3-activated pro-drugs have entered Phase I and Phase II clinical trials as therapeutics for prostate tumours. The KLK3-based PROSTVAC vaccine is evaluated in Phase III clinical trials. Targeting KLK expression via RNA interference methods could represent another promising therapeutic approach for CaP. Expert opinion: Apart from their immense biomarker potential, KLKs also hold promise as the basis of novel CaP therapeutics

Significance and interpretation of molecular diagnostics for insecticide resistance management of agricultural pests

Insecticide resistant pests become increasingly difficult to control in current day agriculture. Because of environmental and health concerns, the insecticide portfolio to combat agricultural pests is gradually decreasing. It is therefore crucial to make rational decisions on insecticide use to assure effective resistance management. However, resistance monitoring programs that inform on pest susceptibility and resistance are not yet common practice in agriculture. Molecular markers of resistance that are turned into convenient diagnostic tools are urgently needed and will only increase in importance. This review investigates which factors determine the strength, diagnostic value, and success of a diagnostic marker, and in which cases recent technical advances might provide new opportunities for decision making in an operational meaningful way

QTC3D: extending the qualitative trajectory calculus to three dimensions

Spatial interactions between agents (humans, animals, or machines) carry information of high value to human or electronic observers. However, not all the information contained in a pair of continuous trajectories is important and thus the need for qualitative descriptions of interaction trajectories arises. The Qualitative Trajectory Calculus (QTC) (Van de Weghe, 2004) is a promising development towards this goal. Numerous variants of QTC have been proposed in the past and QTC has been applied towards analyzing various interaction domains. However, an inherent limitation of those QTC variations that deal with lateral movements is that they are limited to two-dimensional motion; therefore, complex three-dimensional interactions, such as those occurring between flying planes or birds, cannot be captured. Towards that purpose, in this paper QTC3D is presented: a novel qualitative trajectory calculus that can deal with full three-dimensional interactions. QTC3D is based on transformations of the Frenet-Serret frames accompanying the trajectories of the moving objects. Apart from the theoretical exposition, including definition and properties, as well as computational aspects, we also present an application of QTC3D towards modeling bird flight. Thus, the power of QTC is now extended to the full dimensionality of physical space, enabling succinct yet rich representations of spatial interactions between agents

Delayed Intraventricular Hemorrhage following a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement: Exploring the Surgical Anatomy of a Rare Complication

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement is one of the commoner neurosurgical procedures worldwide. The purpose of this article is to report a case of delayed intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) following a VPS and to review the literature regarding anatomic factors that could potentially explain this rare complication. A 78-year-old man with normal pressure hydrocephalus, who underwent an uneventful right VPS placement, suffered from a catastrophic isolated IVH five days later. The reported cases of delayed intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) following VPS are rare and those with IVH are even rarer. Potential factors of surgical anatomy that could cause delayed ICH/IVH following a VPS procedure include erosion of vasculature by catheter cannulation, multiple attempts at perforation, puncture of the choroid plexus, improper placement of the tubing within the brain parenchyma, VPS system revision, venous infarction, vascular malformations, head trauma, and brain tumors. Other causes include generalized convulsion, VPS system malfunction, increased intracranial or blood pressure, sudden intracranial hypotension, and bleeding disorders. According to the current literature, our case is the first reported delayed isolated IVH after a VPS placement so far. Neurosurgeons should be aware of the delayed ICH/IVH as a rare, potentially fatal complication of VPS, as well as of its risk factors

Vaspin: a novel adipokine, member of the family of serine protease inhibitors

In 2000, the novel adipokine vaspin, which belongs to the superfamily of serpins, was isolated from visceral adipose tissue. Vaspin is mainly produced in the visceral adipose tissue and is related to insulin resistance, blood glucose levels, sex hormones (women have higher levels compared to men) and nutritional status. Moreover, vaspin levels are modulated by weight loss and several agents, and it possibly constitutes a connecting link between obesity and its associated metabolic disorders. Many patients with polycystic ovary syndrome have insulin resistance, obesity (mostly visceral) and glucose intolerance, conditions associated with abnormalities in the production of vaspin. The role of vaspin in the regulation of human metabolism is unclear at present, but it appears that vaspin might represent a novel marker of obesity and insulin resistance. However, the controversial findings of existing studies on vaspin stress the need for further research in women with obesity and metabolic disorders in order to elucidate the role of this adipokine in these diseases and particularly in the polycystic ovary syndrome

Status of Insecticide Resistance and Its Mechanisms in and Populations from Forest Settings in South Cameroon.

A key factor affecting malaria vector control efforts in Cameroon is the rapid expansion of insecticide resistance in s.l ) populations; however, mechanisms involved in insecticide resistance in forest mosquito populations are still not well documented yet. The present study was conducted to screen molecular mechanisms conferring insecticide resistance in s.l. populations from the South Cameroon forest region. WHO bioassays were conducted with F0 females aged three to four days from forest (Sangmelima, Nyabessan, and Mbandjock) and urban sites (Yaoundé (Bastos and Nkolondom)), against pyrethroids (permethrin 0.75% and deltamethrin 0.05%) and carbamates (bendiocarb 0.1%). Members of the s.l. species complex were identified using molecular diagnostic tools. TaqMan assays were used to screen for target site mutations. The expression profiles of eight genes implicated in insecticide resistance were assessed using RT-qPCR. Cuticle hydrocarbon lipids were measured to assess their potential implication in insecticide resistance. Both and were detected. was highly prevalent in Sangmelima, Nyabessan, Mbandjock, and Nkolondom. was the only species found in the Yaoundé city center (Bastos). Low mortality rate to both pyrethroids and bendiocarb was recorded in all sites. High frequency of L1014F allele (75.32-95.82%) and low frequencies of L1014S (1.71-23.05%) and N1575Y (5.28-12.87%) were recorded. The G119S mutation (14.22-35.5%) was detected for the first time in populations from Cameroon. This mutation was rather absent from populations. The detoxification genes , , , , as well as which catalyzes epicuticular hydrocarbon biosynthesis, were found to be overexpressed in at least one population. The total cuticular hydrocarvbon content, a proxy of cuticular resistance, did not show a pattern associated with pyrethroid resistance in these populations. The rapid emergence of multiple resistance mechanisms in s.l. population from the South Cameroon forest region is of big concern and could deeply affect the sustainability of insecticide-based interventions strategies in this region