Prediction-error of Prediction Error (PPE)-based Reversible Data Hiding

This paper presents a novel reversible data hiding (RDH) algorithm for gray-scaled images, in which the prediction-error of prediction error (PPE) of a pixel is used to carry the secret data. In the proposed method, the pixels to be embedded are firstly predicted with their neighboring pixels to obtain the corresponding prediction errors (PEs). Then, by exploiting the PEs of the neighboring pixels, the prediction of the PEs of the pixels can be determined. And, a sorting technique based on the local complexity of a pixel is used to collect the PPEs to generate an ordered PPE sequence so that, smaller PPEs will be processed first for data embedding. By reversibly shifting the PPE histogram (PPEH) with optimized parameters, the pixels corresponding to the altered PPEH bins can be finally modified to carry the secret data. Experimental results have implied that the proposed method can benefit from the prediction procedure of the PEs, sorting technique as well as parameters selection, and therefore outperform some state-of-the-art works in terms of payload-distortion performance when applied to different images.Comment: There has no technical difference to previous versions, but rather some minor word corrections. A 2-page summary of this paper was accepted by ACM IH&MMSec'16 "Ongoing work session". My homepage: hzwu.github.i

Expression of CD44v6 and Its Association with Prognosis in Epithelial Ovarian Carcinomas

The aim of this study was to evaluate CD44v6 protein expression and its prognostic value of CD44v6 in ovarian carcinoma. The expression of CD44v6 was analyzed in 62 patients with ovarian carcinoma by immunohistochemical method. The data obtained were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. The present study clearly demonstrates that tumor tissues from 41 (66.1%) patients showed positive expression with CD44v6. The expression of CD44v6 was significantly correlated with histological type, FIGO stage and histological grade of ovarian carcinomas. Concerning the prognosis, the survival period of patients with CD44v6 positive was shorter than that of patients with CD44v6 negative (36.6% versus 66.7%, 5-year survival, P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that CD44v6 expression, histological type, FIGO stage and histological grade were associated with 5-year survival, and CD44v6 expression was associated with histological type, FIGO stage and histological grade and 5-year survival. In multivariate analysis, using the COX-regression model, CD44v6 expression was important prognostic factor. In conclusion, these results suggest that CD44v6 may be related to histological type, FIGO stage and histological grade of ovarian carcinomas, and CD44v6 may be an important molecular marker for poor prognosis in ovarian carcinomas

WARM STANDBY REPAIRABLE SYSTEM CONSISTS OF TWO COMPONENTS WITH PRIORITY AND A UNRELIABLE SWITCH

Based on References, the paper studies a more commonly used system in project, that is, under the condition of unreliable switch, we study the warm standby repairable system which consists of two components with priority and a repair facility. A repairable model of this system is set up where both the lifetime and repaired time of the components and the switch obey the general time-distribution and the system fails immediately when the switch fails. Finally, several reliability indices of this model are obtained. Key words: Priority, Warm Standby Repairable System, Markov Renewal Proces

Chloroquine prevents acute kidney injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats via inhibition of inflammatory factors

Purpose: To investigate the role of chloroquine (CQ) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal injury in rats.Methods: Rats were assigned to one of four groups (n = 10). Control group was only given saline solution, whereas the model control, LPS + CQ, and LPS + yohimbine (YOH) + CQ groups were administered LPS intraperitoneally. At the end of the study, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) levels were determined.Results: CQ treatment significantly decreased the blood concentrations of tissue necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-18, BUN, and Cr in the model control rats. There were also significant decreases in the levels of high mobility group protein 1 and kidney injury molecule-1 in the renal injury rats compared to the model control group. However, the inhibitory effects of CQ in the LPS-treated rats were blocked by treatment with YOH, an α-2-adrenergic receptor antagonist.Conclusions: Treatment with CQ attenuates LPS-induced renal injury by inhibiting inflammatory response.Keywords: Creatinine, Chloroquine, Inflammatory reactions, Kidney injury, Lipopolysaccharid

Plant diversity of Southeast Asia-II

The special issue of plant diversity in Southeast Asia will focus on the documentation of new discoveries in SE Asia. There are four global biodiversity hotspots in Southeast Asia. Although there are many plans to protect this rich biodiversity, however, the rich biodiversity in SE Asia is under threat due to economic development and population growth. There is a huge gap between our knowledge and biodiversity in SE Asia. During the last six investigations, many new taxa, including new species, new genera, have been discovered. This special issue will bring the rich but little known biodiversity to the public and protect them

The correlation between the severity of radiotherapy-induced glossitis and endothelial cell injury in local tissues in a rat model

Objectives: To explore the correlation between the severity of radiotherapy-induced glossitis (RTG) and endothelial cell injury in local tissues in a rat model. Study Design: The RTG animal model was designed and used by our team. The Oral mucositis index(OMI) was documented daily. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) Staining of CD34 was utilized to identify endothelial cells in the RTG tissues. Apoptosis of endothelial cells in local lesions due to RTG was detected by the TUNEL assay. The dynamic relationship between the OMI and apoptotic endothelial cells was statistically analyzed by time. Results and Conclusions: The injury and apoptosis of endothelial cells were observed 3 day post-irradiation. The vascular lumens of the post-irradiation tongue lesions were irregular; thrombosis formation in the center of the lumens, unsmooth lumen walls and vasodilated vessels were observed. Also, endothelial cells detached from the basal membrane and were found in the lumens. The percentages (%) of apoptotic endothelial cells were 78.3±0.31 (5 day); 89.3±0.83 (8 day); 83.5±0.41 (14 day); 69.3±0.57 (21 day); and 47.3±0.59 (28 day). The OMI was correlated with the percentage of apoptotic endothelial cells (R=0.67, P=0.034). Summary, endothelial cell injury was correlated with the pathogenic condition of RTG. © Medicina Oral S. L

All-trans retinoic acid restores gap junctional intercellular communication between oral cancer cells with upregulation of Cx32 and Cx43 expressions in vitro

Objective: All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been demonstrated to inhibit tumor growth by restoration of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) via upregulation of connexin (Cx) expression in some solid tumors. However, the relationship between ATRA and GJIC remains unclear in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ATRA on the GJIC function of OSCC. Study design: We measured the effects of ATRA on the viability and cell cycle distribution of SCC9 and Tca8113 OSCC cells. The GJIC function was observed using the scrape-loading dye transfer technique, and the mRNA and protein levels of Cx32 and Cx43 were detected by qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assays. Results: ATRA inhibited the growth of OSCC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P <0.05) and caused cell cycle arrest. ATRA-treated cells showed a 2.69-fold and 2.06-fold enhancement of GJIC in SCC9 and Tca8113 cells, respectively (P <0.05). Moreover, ATRA induced upregulation of Cx32 and Cx43 at both the mRNA and protein levels in OSCC cells. Conclusion: Our results indicated that restoration of GJIC via enhanced Cx32 and Cx43 expression might serve as a novel mechanism for the anti-tumor effect of ATRA in OSCC

trans-Diaqua­bis[5-carb­oxy-4-carboxyl­ato-2-(4-pyridinio)-1H-imidazol-1-ido-κ2 N 3,O 4]iron(II)

In the title complex, [Fe(C10H6N3O4)2(H2O)2], the FeII atom is located on a twofold rotation axis and is coordinated by two trans-positioned N,O-bidentate and zwitterionic 5-carboxy-2-(pyridinium-4-yl)-1H-imidazol-1-ide-4-carboxylate H2PIDC− ligands and two water mol­ecules in a distorted environment. In the crystal packing, a three-dimensional network is constructed via hydrogen-bonding involving the water mol­ecules, uncoordinated imidazole N atom, protonated pyridine N and carboxyl­ate O atoms

Expressions of CXCL12/CXCR4 in Oral Premalignant and Malignant Lesions

Objective. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand CXCL12 have been suggested to play important roles in the initiation or progression of cancers. The goal of the present study was to investigate alterations of CXCL12/CXCR4 in oral premalignant lesions and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods. In 13 normal oral epithelia, 24 dysplastic oral leukoplakia (OLK), and 40 OSCC specimens, expressions of CXCL12 and CXCR4 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results. CXCR4 was expressed in 37.5% of OLK and 60% of OSCC. CXCL12 was detected in 50% of OLK and 62.5% of OSCC. In OLK, CXCR4 positive ratio showed no significant difference from normal epithelia, but the CXCL12 positive ratio was significantly higher. Significant relationship between CXCL12 and CXCR4 was found both in OLK and OSCC. Conclusion. Our results indicated that CXCL12/CXCR4 axis may play roles from early steps of oral malignant transformation and contribute to the progress of oral carcinogenesis

trans-Diaqua­bis­[5-carb­oxy-4-carboxyl­ato-2-(4-pyridinio)-1H-imidazol-1-ido-κ2 N 3,O 4]zinc(II)

In the title complex, [Zn(C10H6N3O4)2(H2O)2], the ZnII atom is located on a twofold rotation axis and is coordinated by two trans-positioned N,O-bidentate and zwitterionic 5-carb­oxy-4-carboxyl­ato-2-(4-pyridinio)-1H-imidazol-1-ide (H2PIDC−) ligands and two water mol­ecules, defining a distorted octa­hedral environment. The complete solid-state structure can be described as a three-dimensional supra­molecular framework, stabilized by extensive hydrogen-bonding inter­actions involving the coordinated water mol­ecules, uncoordin­ated imidazole N atom, protonated pyridine N and carboxyl­ate O atoms of the H2PIDC− ligands