Genital ulcer severity score and genital health quality of life in Behçet's disease

Background: Behçet's Disease (BD) is a chronic auto-inflammatory, multisystem relapsing/remitting disorder of unknown aetiology. Oro-genital ulceration is a key feature of the disease and has a major impact on the patients' quality of life. Other clinical manifestations include ocular inflammation, rheumatologic and skin involvement, while CNS and vascular complications can lead to considerable morbidity. The availability of a valid monitoring tool for BD activity is crucial in evaluating the impact of the disease on daily life activity. The aims of this study were to validate a novel tool for monitoring genital ulceration severity in BD and to assess the impact of genital ulcers on the Genital Health Quality of Life (GHQoL). Methods: Genital Ulcer Severity Score (GUSS) was developed using six genital ulcer characteristics: number, size, duration, ulcer-free period, pain and site. A total of 207 BD patients were examined, (137 females: mean age∈±∈SD: 39.83∈±∈13.42 and 70 males: mean age∈±∈SD: 39.98∈±∈11.95) from the multidisciplinary Behçet's Centre of Excellence at Barts Health NHS Trust. GUSS was used in conjunction with Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF). Results: The over-all score of GUSS showed a strong correlation with all genital ulcer characteristics, and the strongest correlation was with the pain domain (r∈=∈0.936; P∈2: 0.600; P∈<∈0.0001). Conclusions: This study established the practicality of GUSS as a severity monitoring tool for BD genital ulcers and validated its use in 207 patients. Genital ulcers of BD have a considerable impact on the patients GHQoL

Modeling of traceability information system for material flow control data

This paper focuses on data modeling for traceability of material/work flow in informationlayer of manufacturing control system. The model is able to trace all associated data throughout theproduct manufacturing from order to final product. Dynamic data processing of Quality and Purchaseactivities are considered in data modeling as well as Order and Operation base on lots particulars. Themodeling consisted of four steps and integrated as one final model. Entity-Relationships Modeling asdata modeling methodology is proposed. The model is reengineered with Toad Data Modeler softwarein physical modeling step. The developed model promises to handle fundamental issues of atraceability system effectively. It supports for customization and real-time control of material in flowin all levels of manufacturing processes. Through enhanced visibility and dynamic store/retrieval ofdata, all traceability usages and applications is responded. Designed solution is initially applicable asreference data model in identical lot-base traceability system.QC 20150618</p

Modelling Trade Logistics Based on Multi-Method Simulation Approach: Case-in-Point: Mongolia

Most of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) such as Mongolia suffer economically due to their geographical location, lack of access to seaports and underdeveloped infrastructure. Political influences and cross-border delays add to the challenges in which Mongolian firms involved in trade operate. However, recent changes in the political atmosphere of the Northeast Asian region have encouraged firms to conduct trade through advanced logistics designs. This chapter discusses a multi-method simulation approach using Anylogic software as one of the few approaches which can be used to model end-to-end cross-border trade logistics in Mongolia with a view to optimise/improve trade opportunities/operations. Successful implementation of this method could significantly impact the effectiveness of supply chain networks and trade logistics of LLDCs with similar geographical and political attributes

Experimental study of thermal properties of a new ecological building material based on peanut shells and plaster

The aim of the present work was to investigate the thermal properties of a new building material consisting of a mixture of plaster and peanut shells for use as insulating materials in building. The properties are commonly measured by using the steady state asymmetric hot plate method, the asymmetrical transient hot plate method and the flash method. The experimental study that we have conducted, enabled us to determine the conductivity, the effusivity and the thermal diffusivity of our material. The influence of the size and the mass fraction of the peanut shell shards on thermophysical properties of tested material, was investigated. Our experimental data show a good efficiency and a significant decrease in the thermal conductivity of material with peanut shell shards compared to simple plaster material. The purpose is to obtain ecological composite materials with better thermal performance, which can contribute to improve the thermal comfort in constructions in Morocco. The results show that the density of the new material was not substantially influenced by the size of the peanut shell shards. However, the thermal conductivity and diffusivity decrease from 0.3 Wm−1 K−1 and 3.75 × 10−7 m2 s−1 to 0.14 Wm−1 K−1 and 2.11 × 10−7m2 s−1, respectively, according to the variation of the mass fraction of peanut from 0 to20%

Correlation of the invasive potential of glioblastoma and expression of caveola-forming proteins caveolin-1 and CAVIN1

INTRODUCTION:Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain cancer. The average survival time for the majority of patients is approximately 15 months after diagnosis. A major feature of GBM that contributes to its poor prognosis is its high invasiveness. Caveolae are plasma membrane subdomains that participate in numerous biological functions. Caveolin-1 and Caveolae Associated Protein 1 (CAVIN1), formerly termed Polymerase I and Transcript Release Factor, are both necessary for caveola formation. We hypothesized that high expression of caveola-forming proteins in GBM promotes invasiveness via modulation of the production of matrix-degrading enzymes. METHODS:The mRNA expression of caveola-forming proteins and matrix proteases in GBM samples, and survival after stratifying patients according to caveolin-1 or CAVIN1 expression, were analyzed from TCGA and REMBRANDT databases. The proteolytic profile of cell lines expressing or devoid of caveola-forming proteins was investigated using zymography and real-time qPCR. Invasion through basement membrane-like protein was investigated in vitro. RESULTS:Expression of both caveolin-1 and CAVIN1 was increased in GBM compared to normal samples and correlated with expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and gelatinases. High expression of caveola-forming proteins was associated with shorter survival time. GBM cell lines capable of forming caveolae expressed more uPA and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and/or -9 (MMP-9) and were more invasive than GBM cells devoid of caveola-forming proteins. Experimental manipulation of caveolin-1 or CAVIN1 expression in GBM cells recapitulated some, but not all of these features. Caveolae modulate GBM cell invasion in part via matrix protease expression.Wenjun Pu, Zeyad D. Nassar, Samira Khabbazi, Nan Xie, Kerrie-Ann McMahon, Robert G. Parton ... et al

Modelling Trade Logistics Based on Multi-Method Simulation Approach: Case-in-Point: Mongolia

Historically, landlocked countries have been pessimistic about creating an export-oriented economy and associated development strategies. With stringent trade policies and complex border problems often cited, most of these nations remain poor, requiring so much improvement in infrastructure development. Mongolia, being a large nation without any direct access to a sea, shares its border with China and Russia. Although China and Russia are considered huge economies, Mongolia\u27s trade exchange with either country has been very limited, resulting in low revenue generation for Mongolia. While China is the major export destination for Mongolia, with 64.5% of overall exports of products such as minerals, apparels or livestock, a large portion of the rich mineral deposits of this East Asian nation still remains unexploited (Lv & Li, 2009). Even with such abundant choices, the available transportation and logistics in Mongolia have not excelled, a major hurdle in carrying out trade with global partners. Everything from road conditions to political will has been identified as a reason for such a calamitous logistics system in the country (Pomfret, 2011)

Morphine alters the circulating proteolytic profile in mice: functional consequences on cellular migration and invasion

Opioids modulate the tumor microenvironment with potential functional consequences for tumor growth and metastasis. We evaluated the effects of morphine administration on the circulating proteolytic profile of tumor-free mice. Serum from morphine-treated (1 or 10 mg/kg, i.p. every 12 h) or saline-treated mice was collected at different time points and tested ex vivo in endothelial, lymphatic endothelial, and breast cancer cell migration assays. Serum from mice that were treated with 10 mg/kg morphine for 3 d displayed reduced chemotactic potential for endothelial and breast cancer cells, and elicited reduced cancer cell invasion through reconstituted basement membrane compared with serum from saline controls. This was associated with decreased circulating matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and increased circulating tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-3/4 as assessed by zymography and reverse zymography. By using quantitative RT-PCR, we confirmed morphine-induced alterations in MMP-9 and TIMP expression and identified organs, including the liver and spleen, in which these changes originated. Pharmacologic inhibition of MMP-9 abrogated the difference in chemotactic attraction between serum from saline-treated and morphine-treated mice, which indicated that reduced proteolytic ability mediated the decreased migration toward serum from morphine-treated mice. This novel mechanism may enable morphine administration to promote an environment that is less conducive to tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis.-Xie, N., Khabbazi, S., Nassar, Z. D., Gregory, K., Vithanage, T., Anand-Apte, B., Cabot, P. J., Sturgess, D., Shaw, P. N., Parat, M.-O. Morphine alters the circulating proteolytic profile in mice: functional consequences on cellular migration and invasion.Nan Xie, Samira Khabbazi, Zeyad D. Nassar, Kye Gregory, Tharindu Vithanage, Bela Anand-Apte, Peter J. Cabot, David Sturgess, Paul N. Shaw and Marie-Odile Para

Effect of the Biphenyl Neolignan Honokiol on Aβ42-Induced Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans, Aβ42 Fibrillation, Cholinesterase Activity, DPPH Radicals, and Iron(II) Chelation

The biphenyl neolignan honokiol is a neuroprotectant which has been proposed as a treatment for central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The death of cholinergic neurons in AD is attributed to multiple factors, including accumulation and fibrillation of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) within the brain; metal ion toxicity; and oxidative stress. In this study, we used a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans model expressing full length Aβ as a convenient in vivo system for examining the effect of honokiol against Aβ-induced toxicity. Furthermore, honokiol was evaluated for its ability to inhibit Aβ oligomerization and fibrillation; inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase; scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals; and chelate iron(II). Honokiol displayed activity similar to that of resveratrol and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in delaying Aβ-induced paralysis in C. elegans, and it exhibited moderate-to-weak ability to inhibit Aβ on-pathway aggregation, inhibit cholinesterases, scavenge DPPH radicals, and chelate iron(II). Moreover, honokiol was found to be chemically stable relative to EGCG, which was highly unstable. Together with its good drug-likeness and brain availability, these results suggest that honokiol may be amenable to drug development and that the synthesis of honokiol analogues to optimize these properties should be considered