A novel composite web service selection based on quality of service

Using the internet, as a dynamic environment thanks to its distributed characteristic, for web service deployment has become a crucial issue in QoS-driven service composition. An accurate adaption should be undertaken to provide a reliable service composition which enables the composited services are being executed appropriately. That is, the critical aspect of service composition is the proper execution of combination of web services while the appropriate service adaption performed with respect to predetermined functional and non-functional characteristics. In this paper, we attempts to deliberate the optimization approaches to devise the appropriate scheme for QoS-based composite web service selection

Expression analysis of vimentin and the related lncRNA network in breast cancer

Vimentin (VIM) is a mesenchymal marker which is expressed in some cancer types including breast cancer. A long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been identified to be transcribed from VIM gene locus and positively regulate expression of VIM. This lncRNA has been named as VIM-antisense 1 (VIM-AS1). Expression of VIM is also regulated by another lncRNA namely AGAP2-antisense RNA 1 (AGAP2-AS1). In the current study, we aimed at identification of the expression pattern of VIM, VIM-AS1, AGAP2 and AGAP2-AS1 in 78 breast cancer samples and their paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs) by means of real time PCR. All mentioned genes were significantly down-regulated in tumoral tissues compared with ANCTs (P values less than 0.000). Relative expression of VIM-AS1 in tumoral tissues versus ANCTs was associated with menopause age (P = .02) in a way that this gene was down-regulated in most of patients whose menopause age was between 40 and 50 years. Moreover, AGAP2�AS1 relative expression was associated with patients' body mass index (P = .03). There were trends toward association between VIM relative expression and tumor size (P = .07) and association between VIM-AS1 relative expression and obesity (P = .06). Expression of VIM was significantly higher in tumoral tissues of patients who had history of hormone replacement therapy compared with those without such history (P = .03). Moreover, expression levels of both VIM and AGAP2-AS1 were lower in patients whose menarche age was between 10 and 12 years old compared with those whose menarche age was between 13 and 15 years old (P values = .01 and 0.04, respectively). Transcript quantities of VIM, VIM-AS1, AGAP2 and AGAP2-AS1 were correlated with each other both in tumoral tissues and in ANCTs. Among four assessed genes, AGAP2 had the best diagnostic power for discrimination of tumoral tissues from ANCTs (AUC value = 0.87). Combination of four genes led to enhancement of AUC value to 0.94. The current study shows the importance of VIM and its associated lncRNAs in breast cancer and potentiates these genes as biomarkers for this malignancy. Moreover, these lncRNAs might be regarded as therapeutic targets in breast cancer. © 202

Expression analysis of a panel of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) revealed their potential as diagnostic biomarkers in bladder cancer

Introduction: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have fundamental roles in cell migration, proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Methods: In the current study, we evaluated expression of a panel of lncRNAs in bladder cancer tissues, adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs) and normal bladder tissues to evaluate their diagnostic power. Results: PV1 was down-regulated in tumor tissues compared with both ANCTs and normal controls (Expression ratios of 0.48 and 0.14; P values of 0.4 and <0.001 respectively). HOTAIR, NEAT1, TUG1 and FAS-AS1 were significantly down-regulated in tumor tissues compared with normal controls (Expression ratios of 0.4, 0.68, 0.54 and 0.11; P values of 0.04, 0.02, 0.02 and <0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Combination of transcript levels of seven lncRNAs improved both sensitivity and specificity values to 100. The current study shows dysregulation of lncRNAs in bladder cancer and implies their role as diagnostic markers in this malignancy. © 201

Evaluation of Progressive Neuroretinal Rim Loss as a Surrogate End Point for Development of Visual Field Loss in Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the validity of using progressive neuroretinal rim area loss as a surrogate endpoint for development of visual field loss in glaucoma. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: The study group included 492 eyes of 328 patients classified as suspected of having glaucoma at the baseline visit. These eyes had an average of 7.4 ± 2.8 confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) images during a mean follow-up time of 6.6 ± 1.6 years. METHODS: Rim area measurements were acquired with CSLO during follow-up. The visual field endpoint was considered as development of 3 consecutive abnormal visual fields on standard automated perimetry. Strong predictive ability and large proportion of treatment effect explained (PTE) are requisites for a suitable surrogate endpoint. A joint longitudinal survival model was used to evaluate the ability of rates of rim area loss in predicting visual field development, adjusting for confounding variables (baseline age, race and corneal thickness, and follow-up measurements of intraocular pressure [IOP] and pattern standard deviation). The PTE was calculated comparing the effect of IOP on the risk of development of visual field loss when incorporating rim area loss in the same model versus the effect of IOP in the model excluding rim area measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Predictive strength measured by survival-adapted R(2) and PTE. RESULTS: Sixty-two of 492 (13%) eyes developed visual field loss during follow-up. The mean rate of rim area change in eyes that developed visual field loss was −0.011mm(2)/year versus −0.003mm(2)/year in those that did not (P <0.001). In the multivariable model, each 0.01mm(2)/year faster rate of rim area loss was associated with a 2.94 higher risk of visual field loss (hazard ratio = 2.94; 95% confidence interval: 1.38 – 6.23; P = 0.005). R(2) values were 62% and 81% for univariable and multivariable models, respectively. The PTE was 65%. CONCLUSION: Progressive rim area loss was highly predictive of development of visual field loss in glaucoma and explained a significant proportion of treatment effect on the clinically relevant outcome. These findings suggest that rim area measurements may be suitable surrogate endpoints in glaucoma clinical trials