bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Separation of aerobic glycolysis from oxidative metabolism and contractility in rat anococcygeus muscle
Authors: Davidheiser S. , Joseph J. , Davies R. E.
Published: December 2017

The relationship of aerobic glycolysis (JLac) and O2 utilization (JO2) to contractility and the activity of the Na+-K+ pump was investigated in rat anococcygeus smooth muscle. Removal of extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) caused an initial increase followed by a decrease in JLac below the resting rate. Restoration of [K+]o caused JLac to increase, and this response, but not the initial one observed in zero [K+]o, was prevented by ouabain. These changes in JLac were not related to contractility, since a similar response was observed in both phentolamine-treated and chemically denervated muscles that exhibited minimal force and no significant changes in JO2. Tension development of innervated muscles incubated in K+-free medium was related to changes in JO2. A logarithmic relationship between JLac and [K+]o suggested that changes in JLac resulted from effects on glucose transport or utilization secondary to changes in the membrane potential. In stimulated muscles JLac and JO2 were both positively correlated with isometric force and were not affected by ouabain. Separation of JLac from JO2 and force production under some conditions supports the hypothesis that a functional compartmentalization of metabolic pathways exists in anococcygeus muscle.
Characterization of a beta-adrenergic receptor in porcine trachealis muscle
Authors: Popovich K. J. , Hiller C. , Hough A. , Norris J. S. , Cornett L. E.
Published: December 2017

To establish a model of airway smooth muscle function we studied binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol [( 3H]DHA), a beta-adrenergic antagonist, to membrane preparations of porcine trachealis muscle and investigated the response of adenylate cyclase to l-isoproterenol in tissue and plasma membranes. [3H]DHA binding was of high affinity (Kd = 1.0 +/- 0.1 nM), was saturable (Bmax = 87.6 +/- 13.2 fmol/mg protein), and was 90% beta 2 and 10% beta 1. Adenylate cyclase activity in the membrane preparation was (in pmol.10 min-1.mg protein-1 +/- SE): basal 420 +/- 74, guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) (10 micron) 600 +/- 45, GTP (10 microM) + l-isoproterenol (100 microM) 660 +/- 63, NaF (10 mM) 1,500 +/- 134, and forskolin (100 microM) 3,000 +/- 410. Guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP) and GTP were active cofactors; l-isoproterenol appeared to function as an effector exchanging GTP for GDP on the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein. There was close agreement of the effective dose (ED50) of the l-isoproterenol-induced relaxation (0.95 +/- 0.45 microM) and the inhibitory constant of l-isoproterenol binding (0.39 +/- 0.10 microM). l-Isoproterenol (100 microM) induced a 100% increase in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels in tissue strips over basal activity. Investigation of the difference in adenylate cyclase activity between tissue and plasma membranes revealed that l-isoproterenol responsive adenylate cyclase was diminished after initial homogenization. Electron microscopy demonstrated disruption of all cells at this early stage of preparation. The decrease in l-isoproterenol responsive adenylate cyclase following cell rupture is different from other tissues and suggests a difference in the actions of beta-agonist in smooth muscle compared with other tissues.
Toxic and osmotic effects of glycerol on human granulocytes
Authors: Armitage W. J. , Mazur P.
Published: December 2017

Human granulocytes are damaged by exposure to concentrations of glycerol as low as 0.5 M. We therefore investigated the addition of glycerol to granulocytes and its subsequent dilution under various conditions to try to distinguish between toxic and harmful osmotic effects of glycerol. The lesion caused by glycerol at 0 degree C was expressed as a loss of plasma membrane integrity (as visualized by fluorescein diacetate) only after incubation (greater than or equal to 1 h) at 37 degrees C. This damage was not ameliorated when osmotic stress was lessened by reducing the rates of addition and dilution of glycerol to keep the computed cell volume within 80-170% of isotonic cell volume. However, when osmotic stress was reduced further by increasing the temperature of addition and dilution of glycerol from 0 degree C to 22 degrees C, the tolerance of the cells to 1 M glycerol increased somewhat. Reducing exposure to glycerol to 3 min or less at 0 degree C greatly increased survival, but this time was too short to allow glycerol to equilibrate intracellularly. Finally, the presence of extra impermeant solute (NaCl or sucrose) in the medium to reduce the equilibrium cell volume to 60% of isotonic cell volume enabled granulocytes to survive 30-min exposure to 1 M glycerol at 0 degree C, but cells had to remain shrunken during the 37 degrees C incubation to prevent the loss of membrane integrity. Suspensions that contained damaged granulocytes formed aggregates when incubated at 37 degrees C, and these aggregates were responsible for a major fraction of the observed loss in viability.
Energy dependence of RNA degradation in rabbit reticulocytes
Authors: Park E. A. , Morgan H. E.
Published: December 2017

RNA degradation in rabbit reticulocytes was partially energy dependent. Reticulocytes were incubated for 10 h in Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer that was gassed with 95% O2-5% CO2 and contained glucose (30 mM) or 2-deoxyglucose (20 mM) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (0.2 mM). The rate of RNA degradation was reduced 41% in the presence of the metabolic inhibitors. When the buffer was gassed with 95% N2-5% CO2 and no substrate was added, the disappearance of RNA was decreased 55%. The cellular ATP content was depleted either by addition of the metabolic inhibitors or by incubation under anoxic conditions. ATP depletion did not modify the ratio of ribosomal subunits + monomers to polysomes. Puromycin and cycloheximide, which increased or decreased, respectively, the proportion of ribosomal RNA in subunits + monomers, blocked protein synthesis but did not alter the rate of RNA degradation. These experiments indicated that energy depletion inhibited RNA degradation by a mechanism that did not depend on the inhibition of protein synthesis. No evidence was obtained to indicate that the ratio of subunits + monomers to polysomes affected RNA degradation.
Amphotericin B-induced active transport of K+ and the Na+-K+ flux ratio in frog corneal epithelium
Authors: Candia O. A. , Reinach P. S. , Alvarez L.
Published: December 2017

Transepithelial unidirectional K+ fluxes across the isolated frog cornea were primarily paracellular and proportional to the K+ concentration in the bathing solution (from 2.5 to 25 mM). The net K+ flux was not different from zero. Amphotericin B (10(-5) M) elicited a large and sustained net K+ transport from the stroma- to the tear-side bathing solution of about 10 microA/cm2. Concomitantly, a net Na+ transport occurs in the opposite direction with a short-circuit current from tear to stroma of about 25 microA/cm2. The net K+ transport exhibited saturation, increasing only 35% when the K+ concentration in the bathing solution was augmented five times. Cellular K+ content measured analytically after scraping off the epithelium was reduced by amphotericin B from 0.56 to 0.10 mueq. The amphotericin B-induced K+ transport was inhibited by ouabain and low Na+ (5 mM) in the tear-side solution. Paracellular permeability determined with mannitol or estimated from the tear-to-stroma K+ flux increased four times with amphotericin B. From the net K+ transport and the short-circuit current, the Na+-K+ flux ratio was calculated and found to vary between 2.2 and possibly as high as 5.5 among corneas in the same experimental conditions. The Na+-K+ flux ratio determined in the same cornea decreased as the K+ concentration in the bathing solution increased. Such variability suggests that in corneal epithelial cells the Na+-K+ coupling ratio is sensitive to changes in the electrochemical gradient across the basolateral membrane of the cell.
Insulin binding and effects on glucose and transepithelial transport by alveolar type II cells
Authors: Sugahara K. , Freidenberg G. R. , Mason R. J.
Published: December 2017

The present experiments were designed to investigate the presence of insulin receptors on isolated adult rat alveolar type II epithelial cells and to study the effect of insulin on glucose transport and ion transport in alveolar type II cell monolayers. Alveolar type II cells in primary culture possess high affinity insulin binding sites, which share biochemical and immunologic similarities with insulin receptors previously identified on other cell types. Competition curves demonstrated half-maximal inhibition of 125I-porcine insulin binding at an unlabeled insulin concentration of 4 ng/ml. Scatchard plots of the binding data were concave upward, as has been reported for insulin binding to other cell types, and were used to calculate that alveolar type II cells contained 17,000 insulin receptor sites per cell. Glucose transport was determined by measurement of initial rates of 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake. Insulin-stimulated 2-deoxy-D-glucose transport [67.8 +/- 15.7% (mean +/- SE), n = 5, P less than 0.01] with a half-maximally effective insulin concentration of 1.2 +/- 0.6 ng/ml, which is in the physiological range of rat serum insulin concentrations. Insulin effects on the electrical properties of the alveolar type II cell monolayers maintained on collagen-coated Millipore filters were tested in Ussing-type chambers. Insulin increased the potential difference (PD) by 44 +/- 10% (n = 5, P less than 0.01) and short-circuit current (Isc) by 50 +/- 13% (n = 5, P less than 0.01) when it was added to the basolateral side but produced little effect when it was added to the apical side.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates Na+ influx in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Owen N. E.
Published: December 2017

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is known to be a potent mitogenic agent for vascular smooth muscle cells. The effect of PDGF on amiloride-sensitive Na+ influx was investigated in A-10 vascular smooth muscle cells. At a dose which maximally stimulates DNA synthesis, PDGF stimulates net Na+ influx in vascular smooth muscle cells. The PDGF-stimulated Na+ influx is linear over a 5-min time course. PDGF stimulates Na+ influx in a concentration-dependent manner, with a concentration of 0.5 U/ml causing half-maximal inhibition. The effects of PDGF on Na+ influx can be mimicked by 10% fetal bovine serum or by the divalent cation ionophore A23187 (5 microM). Net Na+ influx in response to each of these agents was inhibited by amiloride and by benzamil. PDGF-stimulated net Na+ influx was blocked by the intracellular Ca2+ antagonist 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate as well as by the calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine, and imipramine. These data suggest that PDGF may stimulate an amiloride-sensitive Na+ influx pathway via an elevation in intracellular Ca2+ and formation of a Ca-calmodulin complex. This Na+ influx pathway may be a trigger for PDGF-stimulated DNA synthesis.
Intracellular pH of perfused single frog skin: combined 19F- and 31P-NMR analysis
Authors: Civan M. M. , Lin L. E. , Peterson-Yantorno K. , Taylor J. , Deutsch C.
Published: December 2017

Intracellular pH (pHc) has been determined in frog skin by applying two different methods of pH measurement, 19F and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, to the same tissues. Results from both NMR approaches confirm an observation by Lin, Shporer, and Civan [Am. J. Physiol. 248 (Cell Physiol. 17): 1985] that acidification of the extracellular medium reverses the sign of the pH gradient present under baseline conditions. The fluorinated probe, alpha-(difluoromethyl)-alanine methyl ester, was introduced into the epithelial cells by preincubating skins for 4.7-10.4 h at room temperature in Ringer solutions containing 1 mM ester. The free amino acid was subsequently released by intracellular esterase activity, thus providing a high enough probe concentration for NMR analysis to be practicable. From measurements of short-circuit current and transepithelial resistance under base-line and experimental conditions and the appearance of phosphocreatine (PCr) in the 31P spectrum of preloaded tissues, the fluorinated probe appears to be nontoxic to frog skin. Measurement of the chemical shift of methylphosphonate relative to PCr permitted calculation of extracellular pH. Estimation of the intracellular pH was performed both by measurement of the chemical shift of inorganic phosphate (Pi) relative to PCr and by measurement of the central peak spacing of the 19F spectrum. From four direct comparisons of the two techniques in two experiments, the difference in the estimated pH was only 0.03 +/- 0.07 pH units, supporting the concept that 31P-NMR analysis is a valid method of measuring pH in this tissue.
A Pediatric Case of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Secondary to Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Markland Alison , Hansen Gregory , Banks Anke , Chibbar Rajni , Adamko Darryl
Published: December 2017

This report summarizes a case of a 4-year-old girl with poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, an atypical presentation in this age group and type of vasculitic disease. We propose that her rapid improvement in clinical status was due to her treatment, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This mechanism would have impacted recovery by removing factors such as endothelial microparticles, superantigens, and immune complexes that have been postulated as the pulmonary-renal link. This may be an interesting avenue of exploration going forward given the lack of evidence in treating such conditions and emergence of CRRT.
Is Esophageal Temperature Better to Estimate Brain Temperature during Target Temperature Management in a Porcine Model of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation?
Authors: Li Heng , Yang Zhengfei , Liu Yuanshan , Wu Zhixin , Pan Weibiao , Li Shaohong , Ling Qin , Tang Wanchun
Published: December 2017

Brain temperature monitoring is important in target temperature management for comatose survivors after cardiac arrest. Since acquisition of brain temperature is invasive and unrealistic in scene of resuscitation, we tried to sought out surrogate sites of temperature measurements that can precisely reflect cerebral temperature. Therefore, we designed this controlled, randomized animal study to investigate whether esophageal temperature can better predict brain temperature in two different hypothermia protocols. The results indicated that esophageal temperature had a stronger correlation with brain temperature in the early phase of hypothermia in both whole and regional body cooling protocols. It means that esophageal temperature was considered as priority method for early monitoring once hypothermia is initiated. This clinical significance of this study is as follows. Since resuscitated patients have unstable hemodynamics, collecting temperature data from esophagus probe is cost-efficient and easier than the catheter in central vein. Moreover, it can prevent the risk of iatrogenic infection comparing with deep vein catheterization, especially in survivors with transient immunoexpressing in hypothermia protocol.
Efficient Privacy-Preserving Protocol for k-NN Search over Encrypted Data in Location-Based Service
Authors: Lian Huijuan , Qiu Weidong , Yan Di , Huang Zheng , Guo Jie
Published: December 2017

With the development of mobile communication technology, location-based services (LBS) are booming prosperously. Meanwhile privacy protection has become the main obstacle for the further development of LBS. The k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) search is one of the most common types of LBS. In this paper, we propose an efficient private circular query protocol (EPCQP) with high accuracy rate and low computation and communication cost. We adopt the Moore curve to convert two-dimensional spatial data into one-dimensional sequence and encrypt the points of interest (POIs) information with the Brakerski-Gentry-Vaikuntanathan homomorphic encryption scheme for privacy-preserving. The proposed scheme performs the secret circular shift of the encrypted POIs information to hide the location of the user without a trusted third party. To reduce the computation and communication cost, we dynamically divide the table of the POIs information according to the value of k. Experiments show that the proposed scheme provides high accuracy query results while maintaining low computation and communication cost.
The Role of Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Reducing Bacterial Contamination of Autologous Bone Graft Collected from Implant Site
Authors: Mauceri Rodolfo , Campisi Giuseppina , Matranga Domenica , Mauceri Nicola , Pizzo Giuseppe , Melilli Dario
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate if antibiotic prophylaxis reduces the bacterial contamination of bone particles collected directly from the burs used for implant site preparation. Thirty-four patients underwent the surgical procedures for a total of 34 implant sites. One 1 gr. tablet of amoxicillin + clavulanic acid was given to the test group 12 hours and 1 hour before the surgery. The control group did not take antibiotic prophylaxis. Bone particles were collected and centrifuged. The suspensions were subjected to serial dilutions and each dilution was examined twice using a spatulation technique in Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA), in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, and in Mitis Salivarius Agar (MSA). The number of colonies was calculated and the identification of various microorganisms was made. The most represented species, in both groups of patients, belonged to the “oral Streptococci.” For TSA, the test and control groups differed significantly (p = 0.018). Conversely, there was no significant difference for MSA (p = 0.201) and for the number of bacterial species isolated in the samples of the two groups of patients (p = 0.898). The antibiotic prophylaxis reduced, but did not cancel, the risk of infection of the autogenous particulate bone graft. This trial is registered with IRCT2017102537002N1.
A Modified 2D Multiresolution Hybrid Algorithm for Ultrasound Strain Imaging
Authors: Wu Jibing , Jiao Yang , Han Zhile , Xu Jie , Cui Yaoyao
Published: December 2017

Ultrasound elastography is an imaging modality to evaluate elastic properties of soft tissue. Recently, 1D quasi-static elastography method has been commercialized by some companies. However, its performance is still limited on high strain level. In order to improve the precision of estimation during high compression, some algorithms have been proposed to expand the 1D window to a 2D window for avoiding the side-slipping. But they are usually more computationally expensive. In this paper, we proposed a modified 2D multiresolution hybrid method for displacement estimation, which can offer an efficient strain imaging with stable and accurate results. A FEM phantom with a stiffer circular inclusion is simulated for testing the algorithm. The elastographic contrast-to-noise rate (CNRe) is calculated for quantitatively comparing the performance of the proposed algorithm with conventional 1D elastography using phase zero estimation and the 1D elastography using downsampled (d-s) baseband signals. Results show that the proposed method is robust and performs similarly as other algorithms in low strain but is superior when high level strain is applied. Particularly, the CNRe of our algorithm is 15 times higher than original method under 4% strain level. Furthermore, the execution time of our algorithm is five times faster than other algorithms.
Quantitative Assessment of Blood Pressure Measurement Accuracy and Variability from Visual Auscultation Method by Observers without Receiving Medical Training
Authors: Chen Wenai , Chen Fei , Feng Yong , Chen Aiqing , Zheng Dingchang
Published: December 2017

This study aimed to quantify blood pressure (BP) measurement accuracy and variability with different techniques. Thirty video clips of BP recordings from the BHS training database were converted to Korotkoff sound waveforms. Ten observers without receiving medical training were asked to determine BPs using (a) traditional manual auscultatory method and (b) visual auscultation method by visualizing the Korotkoff sound waveform, which was repeated three times on different days. The measurement error was calculated against the reference answers, and the measurement variability was calculated from the SD of the three repeats. Statistical analysis showed that, in comparison with the auscultatory method, visual method significantly reduced overall variability from 2.2 to 1.1 mmHg for SBP and from 1.9 to 0.9 mmHg for DBP (both p<0.001). It also showed that BP measurement errors were significant for both techniques (all p<0.01, except DBP from the traditional method). Although significant, the overall mean errors were small (−1.5 and −1.2 mmHg for SBP and −0.7 and 2.6 mmHg for DBP, resp., from the traditional auscultatory and visual auscultation methods). In conclusion, the visual auscultation method had the ability to achieve an acceptable degree of BP measurement accuracy, with smaller variability in comparison with the traditional auscultatory method.
In Vivo siRNA Delivery and Rebound of Renal LRP2 in Mice
Authors: Eadon Michael T. , Cheng Ying-Hua , Hato Takashi , Benson Eric A. , Ipe Joseph , Collins Kimberly S. , De Luca Thomas , El-Achkar Tarek M. , Bacallao Robert L. , Skaar Todd C. , Dagher Pierre C.
Published: December 2017

siRNA stabilized for in vivo applications is filtered and reabsorbed in the renal proximal tubule (PT), reducing mRNA expression transiently. Prior siRNA efforts have successfully prevented upregulation of mRNA in response to injury. We proposed reducing constitutive gene and protein expression of LRP2 (megalin) in order to understand its molecular regulation in mice. Using siRNA targeting mouse LRP2 (siLRP2), reduction of LRP2 mRNA expression was compared to scrambled siRNA (siSCR) in mouse PT cells. Mice received siLRP2 administration optimized for dose, administration site, carrier solution, administration frequency, and administration duration. Kidney cortex was collected upon sacrifice. Renal gene and protein expression were compared by qRT-PCR, immunoblot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Compared to siSCR, siLRP2 reduced mRNA expression in PT cells to 16.6%±0.6%. In mouse kidney cortex, siLRP2 reduced mRNA expression to 74.8 ± 6.3% 3 h and 70.1 ± 6.3% 6 h after administration. mRNA expression rebounded at 12 h (160.6 ± 11.2%). No megalin renal protein expression reduction was observed by immunoblot or IHC, even after serial twice daily dosing for 3.5 days. Megalin is a constitutively expressed protein. Although LRP2 renal mRNA expression reduction was achieved, siRNA remains a costly and inefficient intervention to reduce in vivo megalin protein expression.
Clinicopathological Characteristics, Treatment, and Prognosis of Rarely Primary Epididymal Adenocarcinoma: A Review and Update
Authors: Zou Zi-jun , Xiao Ying-ming , Liu Zhi-hong , Zhang Ruo-chen , Liang Jia-yu , Tang Yong-quan , Lu Yi-ping
Published: December 2017

Primary epididymal adenocarcinoma (PEA) is exceedingly rare. Only 22 cases had been published worldwide by 2008; nearly 80% of these cases were reported before 2007. In order to investigate the current clinical status of PEA, we search for relevant literatures with “epididymis and adenocarcinoma” and “epididymal and adenocarcinoma” as keywords published between January 1997 and November 2017 in PubMed. As a result, 17 cases are identified. We review these cases and summarize new and important perspectives about the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of PEA in the present review.
A False Positive I-131 Metastatic Survey Caused by Radioactive Iodine Uptake by a Benign Thymic Cyst
Authors: Singh Avneet K. , Bodolan Adina A. , Gilbert Matthew P.
Published: December 2017

Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy in the United States with increasing incidence and diagnosis but stable mortality. Differentiated thyroid cancer rarely presents with distant metastases and is associated with a low risk of morbidity and mortality. Despite this, current protocols recommend remnant ablation with radioactive iodine and evaluation for local and distant metastasis in some patients with higher risk disease. There are several case reports of false positive results of metastatic surveys that are either normal physiologic variants or other pathological findings. Most false positive findings are associated with tissue that has physiologic increased uptake of I-131, such as breast tissue or lung tissue; pathological findings such as thymic cysts are also known to have increased uptake. Our case describes a rare finding of a thymic cyst found on a false positive I-131 metastatic survey. The patient was taken for surgical excision and the final pathology was a benign thymic cyst. Given that pulmonary metastases of differentiated thyroid cancer are rare, thymic cysts, though also rare, must be part of the differential diagnosis for false positive findings on an I-131 survey.
Facile Synthesis of Indium Sulfide/Flexible Electrospun Carbon Nanofiber for Enhanced Photocatalytic Efficiency and Its Application
Authors: Han Liu , Dong Haohao , Mao Dong , Hua Baolv , Li Qinyu , Fang Dong
Published: December 2017

Heterojunction system has been proved as one of the best architectures for photocatalyst owing to extending specific surface area, expanding spectral response range, and increasing photoinduced charges generation, separation, and transmission, which can provide better light absorption range and higher reaction site. In this paper, Indium Sulfide/Flexible Electrospun Carbon Nanofiber (In2S3/CNF) heterogeneous systems were synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method. The results from characterizations of SEM, TEM, XRD, Raman, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy displayed that flower-like In2S3 was deposited on the hair-like CNF template, forming a one-dimensional nanofibrous network heterojunction photocatalyst. And the newly prepared In2S3/CNF photocatalysts exhibit greatly enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to pure In2S3. In addition, the formation mechanism of the one-dimensional heterojunction In2S3/CNF photocatalyst is discussed and a promising approach to degrade Rhodamine B (RB) in the photocatalytic process is processed.
Joint-2D-SL0 Algorithm for Joint Sparse Matrix Reconstruction
Authors: Zhang Dong , Zhang Yongshun , Feng Cunqian
Published: December 2017

Sparse matrix reconstruction has a wide application such as DOA estimation and STAP. However, its performance is usually restricted by the grid mismatch problem. In this paper, we revise the sparse matrix reconstruction model and propose the joint sparse matrix reconstruction model based on one-order Taylor expansion. And it can overcome the grid mismatch problem. Then, we put forward the Joint-2D-SL0 algorithm which can solve the joint sparse matrix reconstruction problem efficiently. Compared with the Kronecker compressive sensing method, our proposed method has a higher computational efficiency and acceptable reconstruction accuracy. Finally, simulation results validate the superiority of the proposed method.
Synergistic Effects of Cabozantinib and EGFR-Specific CAR-NK-92 Cells in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Qing , Tian Kang , Xu Jinjing , Zhang Haixu , Li Liantao , Fu Qiang , Chai Dafei , Li Huizhong , Zheng Junnian
Published: December 2017

The chimeric antigen receptor-modified immune effector cell (CAR-T and CAR-NK) therapies are newly developed adoptive treatments of cancers. However, their therapeutic efficacy against solid tumors is limited. Combining CAR-T or CAR-NK cells with chemotherapeutic drugs to treat solid tumor may be a promising strategy. We developed an epidermal growth factor- (EGFR-) specific third-generation CAR. NK-92 cells were modified with the CAR by lentivirus infection. The specific killing ability of the CAR-modified NK-92 cells (CAR-NK-92) against renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines was confirmed in vitro. The synergistic effects of cabozantinib and EGFR-specific CAR-NK-92 cells were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that the CAR-NK-92 cells lyse RCC cells in an EGFR-specific manner. Treatment with cabozantinib could increase EGFR and decrease PD-L1 membrane surface expression in RCC cells and enhance the killing ability of CAR-NK-92 cells against the RCC cells in vitro. Furthermore, the CAR-NK-92 cells show synergistic therapeutic efficacy with cabozantinib against human RCC xenograft models. Our results provided the basis for combination with chemotherapy as a novel strategy for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of CAR-modified immune effector cells for solid tumors.
Physical Activity in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Waltersson Lisa , Rodby-Bousquet Elisabet
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to examine the level of physical activity in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and to analyse its relationship with physical activity as adolescents, pain, and gross motor function. A prospective cohort study was performed using data from the Swedish National CP Registry (CPUP) for all 129 individuals born in 1991–1993 living in Skåne and Blekinge who reported to CPUP at 14–16 years of age. Physical activity as adult was analysed relative to physical activity as adolescents, pain, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Seventy-one individuals at GMFCS I–V were followed up as adults and included in the analyses. Of these, 65% were physically active, but only 56% performed physical activity at least once a week. Their physical activity as adults differed relative to their physical activity as adolescents (p=0.011) but not to pain or GMFCS. Being physically active as an adolescent doubled the probability of being active as an adult (OR 2.1;p=0.054), indicating that physical activity in adults with CP is related to their physical activity as adolescents. Therefore, interventions to increase physical activity among adolescents with CP are likely also to improve physical activity in adulthood.
Direct Bilirubin Levels and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Healthy Chinese Men
Authors: Li Xiao-Hong , Lin Hai-Yan , Guan Li-Ying , Peng Hui , Wen Meng-Meng , Cao Yong-Qian , Jiang Xiu-Yun , Wang Yi-Bing
Published: December 2017

Background. Serum bilirubin is a potent endogenous antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Several cross-sectional studies have reported that bilirubin was negatively associated with metabolic syndrome. However, in recent longitudinal studies, the relations between bilirubin and metabolic syndrome are inconsistent. Moreover, previous studies mainly focused on serum total bilirubin which is the sum of direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin. For these reasons, the longitudinal effect of bilirubin subtypes on incident metabolic syndrome was evaluated in Chinese men. Methods. The study cohort involved 1339 Chinese men without metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome was defined by the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) criteria, using BMI for the replacement of waist circumference. Results. There are 117 incident metabolic syndrome cases (8.7%) during 5 years of follow-up among 1339 metabolic syndrome-free participants at baseline. After adjusting for age, drinking, smoking, physical activity, TG, and LDL-C, the odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for MetS incidence in the second, third, and fourth quartiles versus the first quartile of DBil concentration were 1.00 (0.61–1.63), 0.57 (0.32–1.02), and 0.51 (0.28–0.92) (Ptrend=0.031), respectively. Conclusions. Our findings support the negative association between direct bilirubin and incident metabolic syndrome in healthy Chinese men over 5-year period.
Protonation and Photocatalytic Activity of the Rb2La2Ti3O10 Layered Oxide in the Reaction of Hydrogen Production
Authors: Rodionov Ivan A. , Sokolova Iuliia P. , Silyukov Oleg I. , Burovikhina Alena A. , Fateev Sergey A. , Zvereva Irina A.
Published: December 2017

The Rb2La2Ti3O10 layered oxide was synthesized by the solid-state method. Three phases with different protonation degrees and intercalated water contents were obtained from the initial compound by the treatment with distilled water and hydrochloric acid. The obtained samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, SEM, X-ray microanalysis, BET, DRS, and TG. It was found that the complete ion exchange of Rb+ for H+ in the layered oxide Rb2La2Ti3O10 proceeds through the formation of two metastable intermediate phases with average protonation degrees of 0.5 and 0.75, which successively transform from one to another. Each of these phase transformations is accompanied not only by the contraction of the interlayer distance but also by the displacement of adjacent perovskite layers by 1/2 of the cell parameter which results in the change in the space group. The photocatalytic activity of obtained samples decreases with the increase in the protonation degree, which correlates with the decrease in the intercalated water content.
Enhancing the Infrastructure of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study for Cancer Epidemiology Research: ARIC Cancer
Authors: Joshu Corinne E. , Barber John R. , Coresh Josef , Couper David J. , Mosley Thomas H. , Vitolins Mara Z. , Butler Kenneth R. , Nelson Heather H. , Prizment Anna E. , Selvin Elizabeth , Tooze Janet A. , Visvanathan Kala , Folsom Aaron R. , Platz Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2017

Background: We describe the expansion of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study into a cancer cohort. In 1987 to 1989, ARIC recruited 15,792 participants 45 to 64 years old to be sex (55% female), race (27% black), and geographically diverse. ARIC has exceptional data collected during 6 clinical visits and calls every 6 months, repeated biospecimens, and linkage to Medicare claims data.

Methods: We established a Cancer Coordinating Center to implement infrastructure activities, convened a Working Group for data use, leveraged ARIC staff and procedures, and developed protocols. We initiated a cancer-specific participant contact, added questions to existing contacts, obtained permission to collect medical records and tissue, abstracted records, linked with state cancer registries, and adjudicated cases and characterizing data.

Results: Through 2012, we ascertained and characterized 4,743 incident invasive, first, and subsequent primary cancers among 4,107 participants and 1,660 cancer-related deaths. We generated a total cancer incidence and mortality analytic case file, and analytic case files for bladder, breast, colorectal, liver, lung, pancreas, and prostate cancer incidence, mortality, and case fatality. Adjudication of multiple data sources improved case records and identified cancers not identified via registries. From 2013 onward, we ascertain cases from self-report coupled with medical records. Additional cancer registry linkages are planned.

Conclusions: Compared with starting a new cohort, expanding a cardiovascular cohort into ARIC Cancer was an efficient strategy. Our efforts yielded enhanced case files with 25 years of follow-up.

Impact: Now that the cancer infrastructure is established, ARIC is contributing its unique features to modern cancer epidemiology research. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(3); 295–305. ©2017 AACR.
Association between Dietary Energy Density and Risk of Breast, Endometrial, Ovarian, and Colorectal Cancer among Canadian Women
Authors: Arthur Rhonda , Kirsh Victoria , Rohan Thomas E.
Published: December 2017

Background: Dietary energy density (DED) is strongly associated with cancer-associated metabolic disorders such as obesity and metabolic syndrome and may thus influence carcinogenesis. However, little is known about its association with cancer. Therefore, we investigated the association of DED with risk of breast, endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers in the Canadian Study of Diet, Lifestyle, and Health.

Methods: We conducted a case–cohort study that included an age-stratified subcohort of 3,120 of the 39,532 female participants who completed self-administered lifestyle and dietary questionnaires at baseline, and in whom, respectively, 922, 188, 104, and 269 incident breast, endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancer cases were diagnosed, respectively. We estimated HRs and 95% confidence intervals for the association of DED with risk of these cancers using Cox proportional hazards regression models modified for the case–cohort design.

Results: There was no statistically significant association between DED and risk of breast, endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that DED is not independently associated with risk of breast, endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers among women.

Impact: Further investigation of the association between DED and risk of these cancers in larger prospective studies is warranted, as demonstration of associations may have important implications for primary prevention of these cancers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(3); 338–41. ©2017 AACR.
Sacubitril/Valsartan in an Elderly Patient with Heart Failure: A Case Report
Authors: Cameli Matteo , Pastore Maria Concetta , Pagliaro Antonio , Di Tommaso Cristina , Reccia Rosanna , Curci Valeria , Mandoli Giulia Elena , Mondillo Sergio
Published: December 2017

Sacubitril/valsartan has recently been approved for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Given its recent introduction in the armamentarium for the treatment of heart failure (HF), “field-practice” evidence is required to deepen the clinical management of sacubitril/valsartan therapy. We report a relevant case of an elderly patient who achieved major clinical benefits after only 3 months of sacubitril/valsartan therapy. Importantly, in our assessment, we employed speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), a recent echocardiography technique that is non-Doppler and not angle dependent, which analyzes deformations of heart chambers from standard images and allows a fast, reliable, and reproducible assessment of heart function. After 3 months of therapy, NHYA class decreased from III to I-II and hypertension was controlled. Echocardiography examination also showed a marked improvement, with a reduction of left ventricular diameter, improved diastolic function (E = 0.39 m/s; A 0.69 m/s; E/A 0.55), normalized diastolic function index (E/E' TDI = 6.93), normalized atrial volume (63 mL), and improved atrial strain (15.44%). This case report documents the fast clinical and symptom improvement with sacubitril/valsartan in an elderly patient with HF; comprehensive echocardiographic assessment, including STE, also revealed a marked functional improvement with this compound.
Sacubitril/Valsartan in “Field Practice” Patients with Advanced Heart Failure: A Monocentric Italian Experience
Authors: Vincenzi Antonella , Cesana Francesca , Cirò Antonio , Garatti Laura , Achilli Felice
Published: December 2017

Patients with advanced heart failure (HF) experience a continuous decline in quality of life and have a very poor prognosis. Moreover, due to numerous comorbidities present in these patients, transplantation and left ventricular assist devices are usually impracticable in clinical practice. In this challenging setting, administration of inotropic agents may be the only possible therapy; however, this treatment requires frequent hospitalizations. Our hypothesis is that sacubitril/valsartan, given its marked efficacy and manageability, can be safely used in clinical practice in this setting, potentially reducing hospitalizations and the need for inotropic support. We report here our experience in a small series of patients with advanced HF treated with sacubitril/valsartan.
Sacubitril/Valsartan: Effect on Walking Test and Physical Capability
Authors: Sgorbini Luca , Rossetti Antonella , Galati Alfonso
Published: December 2017

The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is a simple and inexpensive exercise test to evaluate physical functional capacity that is widely used in heart failure (HF) patients. With the 6MWT, a distance <350 m is associated with increased mortality in patients with HF, and change in walking distance >50 m is considered clinically relevant. To our knowledge, information on improvement in physical functional capacity with sacubitril/valsartan, as assessed by the 6MWT, is still scant. In our daily practice, we apply this test to all patients whenever possible; therefore, we report here the findings observed in a small series of 5 patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction after a 1-month treatment with sacubitril/valsartan at full dose. The mean distance walked on the 6MWT at baseline was 129 m (±64 SD), and this value increased to 436 m (±156) after 1 month of therapy with sacubitril/valsartan 97/103 mg b.i.d. The mean difference from baseline was 305 m (±110). According to these preliminary findings, in clinical practice, a 1-month therapy of sacubitril/valsartan optimized at a 97/103-mg b.i.d. dose appears to be associated with a relevant improvement in the 6MWT.
Whitening Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid Cataplasm on Melasma in Chinese Women
Authors: Lu Jun , Yang Lili , Xu Ping , Bian Fenghua , Zhang Huimin
Published: December 2017

Background/Aims: Oral tranexamic acid (TXA) has been reported to be effective for treating melasma. However, the effect of topical TXA on melasma remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of topical TXA cataplasm on melasma. Methods: Eighty-four patients with melasma were randomly assigned to a treatment group or a separate control group. They were instructed to apply 2 pieces of cataplasm with or without TXA. The melasma area severity index (MASI), skin color tone scale (SCTS), and area score were evaluated by dermatologists blinded to the treatment. Results: A significant decrease in the MASI and SCTS was observed on either or both sides of the face by the end of 8 weeks compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The area score was also significantly reduced on both tested sides compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, we believe that localized cataplasm of TXA may be used as a potentially new, effective, and safe therapeutic modality for treating melasma.
Neuroendocrine Tumor Involving the Epicardium
Authors: Soyano Aixa E. , Kassi Mahwash , Kasi Pashtoon M.
Published: December 2017

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare malignancies that usually arise from the digestive tract or lungs. Metastases of NETs to the heart (epicardium) are a rare complication. We present a case of a metastatic NET involving the epicardium.
High-Grade Left Atrial Pleomorphic Sarcoma: Case Report and Review
Authors: Zapata Laguado Martin Ignacio , Palacios Rojas Jonathan Orlando , Gómez Lopez Efraín Alonso , Velasco Morales Martha Lucía , Orozco de la Hoz Carlos Eduardo
Published: December 2017

Primary pleomorphic sarcoma of the left atrium is a rare tumor. There is no actual evidence of the management of this pathological entity, so the main treatment is individualized, surgical management being the cornerstone of the treatment. We present a 78-year-old female who had a clinical picture of heart failure, documenting an atrial mass of the left atrium, with high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma revealed in histopathology. The tumor was surgical removed, with no clinical evidence of residual mass. The tumor recurred again within 3 years, to which the patient succumbed.
Anorexia Nervosa and First-Person Perspective: Altruism, Family System, and Body Experience
Authors: Englebert Jérôme , Follet Valérie , Valentiny Caroline
Published: December 2017

Based on the case study of Jeanne, the objective of this article is to study patterns of specific subjectivity in anorexic subjects. We seek to identify, in a first-person perspective, the core vulnerability features of anorexic existence, beyond the dimension of food alone. The identification of a psychopathological structure results in a better understanding of Jeanne's clinical situation and helps formulate psychotherapeutic and prophylactic recommendations. We suggest that so-called “denial” is a psychological mechanism that should be reconsidered. Denial is not a mechanism pertaining to anorexic subjects alone, but is also a process encountered both in the patient's family and in the therapeutic environment. Anorexic denial is based on anosognosia and the refusal to see one's own thinness, while other people's denial consists in a widespread inability to perceive the altruism and intersubjective problematic on which the existence of an anorexic subject fundamentally depends.
Characteristic MicroRNA Expression Induced by δ-Opioid Receptor Activation in the Rat Liver Under Prolonged Hypoxia
Authors: Zhi Feng , Shao Naiyuan , Xue Lian , Xu Yuan , Kang Xuezhi , Yang Yilin , Xia Ying
Published: December 2017

Background/Aims: Hypoxic/ischemic injury to the liver is a frequently encountered clinical problem with limited therapeutic options. Since microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in hypoxic/ ischemic events, and δ-opioid receptor (DOR) is protective against hypoxic/ischemic injury, we asked if pharmacological activation of DOR can alter hypoxic events by regulating miRNA expression in the liver. As the first step, the present work aimed at testing the effect of DOR activation on hepatic miRNA expression in hypoxia. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to hypoxia (9.5-10% O2) for 1, 5, or 10 days with or without DOR activation. The target miRNAs were selected according to TaqMan low-density array (TLDA) data and analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: We found that: 1) 1-day hypoxia caused the upregulation of 9 miRNAs (miR-7a-5p, miR-10a-5p, miR-25-3p, miR-26b-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-128a-3p, miR-135b-5p, miR-145-5p, and miR-181a-5p) and the downregulation of 2 miRNAs (miR-34a-5p and miR-182); 2) 5 and 10-days hypoxia altered the expression of 4 miRNAs (miR-34c-5p, miR-184, miR-107-3p and miR192-5p); 3) DOR activation shifted the expression of 8 miRNAs (miR-122-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-30e-5p, miR-128a-3p, miR-182, miR-192-5p miR-107-3p and miR-184) in normoxic condition; and 4) DOR activation modified hypoxia-induced changes in 6 miRNAs (miR-142-5p, miR-145-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-204-5p, miR-34a-5p and miR-192-5p). Conclusion: Hypoxia significantly modifies the miRNA profile in the liver, while DOR activation can modify the hypoxic modification. Therefore, it is potentially possible to alter hypoxic/ischemic pathophysiology in the liver through DOR pharmacotherapy.
CpG-Oligodeoxynucleotides Improved Irradiation-Induced Injuries by G-CSF and IL-6 Up-Regulation
Authors: Zhang Pei , Dong Suhe , Guo Jiaming , Yang Yanyong , Liu Cong , Li Bailong , Gao Fu , Su Xuejun , Cai Jianming
Published: December 2017

Background/Aims: This study investigated the radioprotective properties of three classes of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs) and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Mice irradiated at different doses(7Gy or 9Gy) were treated with or without ODNs(50μg via intraperitoneal injection). Assays were performed to determine survival rate and the number of white blood cell in peripheral blood. The levels of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor(G-CSF), interleukin 6(IL-6) and interferon-α (IFN-α) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Survival rate of mice irradiated in 7Gy was increased from 50% to about 100% with ODNs pretreatment. ODNs administration increased the number of WBCs of irradiated mice. G-CSF, IL-6 and IFN-α levels were up-regulated with ODNs treatment. Conclusion: All three classes of ODNs protected mice from irradiation-induced injuries. B-class ODNs exhibited the most potent radioprotective property via the up-regulation of G-CSF and IL-6.