bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monosomy 18p is a risk factor for facioscapulohumeral dystrophy
Authors: Balog Judit , Goossens Remko , Lemmers Richard J L F , Straasheijm Kirsten R , van der Vliet Patrick J , Heuvel Anita van den , Cambieri Chiara , Capet Nicolas , Feasson Léonard , Manel Veronique , Contet Julian , Kriek Marjolein , Donlin-Smith Colleen M , Ruivenkamp Claudia A L , Heard Patricia , Tapscott Stephen J , Cody Jannine D , Tawil Rabi , Sacconi Sabrina , van der Maarel Silvère M
Published: March 2018

Background

18p deletion syndrome is a rare disorder caused by partial or full monosomy of the short arm of chromosome 18. Clinical symptoms caused by 18p hemizygosity include cognitive impairment, mild facial dysmorphism, strabismus and ptosis. Among other genes, structural maintenance of chromosomes flexible hinge domain containing 1 (SMCHD1) is hemizygous in most patients with 18p deletions. Digenic inheritance of a SMCHD1 mutation and a moderately sized D4Z4 repeat on a facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) permissive genetic background of chromosome 4 can cause FSHD type 2 (FSHD2).

Objectives

Since 12% of Caucasian individuals harbour moderately sized D4Z4 repeats on an FSHD permissive background, we tested if people with 18p deletions are at risk of developing FSHD.

Methods

To test our hypothesis we studied different cellular systems originating from individuals with 18p deletions not presenting FSHD2 phenotype for transcriptional and epigenetic characteristics of FSHD at D4Z4. Furthermore, individuals with an idiopathic muscle phenotype and an 18p deletion were subjected to neurological examination.

Results

Primary fibroblasts hemizygous for SMCHD1 have a D4Z4 chromatin structure comparable with FSHD2 concomitant with DUX4 expression after transdifferentiation into myocytes. Neurological examination of 18p deletion individuals from two independent families with a moderately sized D4Z4 repeat identified muscle features compatible with FSHD.

Conclusions

18p deletions leading to haploinsufficiency of SMCHD1, together with a moderately sized FSHD permissive D4Z4 allele, can associate with symptoms and molecular features of FSHD. We propose that patients with 18p deletion should be characterised for their D4Z4 repeat size and haplotype and monitored for clinical features of FSHD.
Republished: Unexpected early radiographic findings associated with a ruptured blister-like carotid wall aneurysm
Authors: West James L , Singh Jasmeet , Wolfe Stacey Q , Fargen Kyle M
Published: March 2018

A 33-year-old man presented with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured, blister-type sidewall internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm. Balloon-assisted coiling was performed with residual neck. He subsequently developed severe vasospasm requiring intra-arterial therapies on multiple occasions, during which it was noted that despite widespread vasospasm, a focal segment of the ICA at the site of the aneurysm showed no significant spasm, suggesting underlying vessel abnormality. He was discharged without deficit and scheduled for flow diversion given concern over this potentially pathologic segment of vessel. At time of scheduled flow diversion 6 weeks later, a de novo unstable-appearing 6 mm stalk-like pseudoaneurysm was identified in this segment. Both aneurysms and the diseased vessel were successfully treated with Pipeline stenting, with excellent clinical and angiographic result. This case highlights the need for close angiographic follow-up when there is a heterogeneous vasospastic response in arterial segments adjacent to a ruptured aneurysm.
Republished: Cortical blindness as a rare presentation of hemorrhagic cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome following vertebral angioplasty
Authors: Fu Chao , Xu Zhongxin , Hu Zhenzhen , Yao Shuai , Liu Fengmin , Feng Baiqi , Zhao Conghai , Yu Weidong
Published: March 2018

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is a well-documented complication after carotid endarterectomy or stenting. In contrast, CHS following vertebral revascularization is extremely rare. Here we present a case of a 77-year-old man with high-grade vertebral stenosis who subsequently underwent balloon angioplasty, complicated by hemorrhagic CHS manifesting as cortical blindness, although strict postoperative blood pressure control was administered. To our knowledge, cortical blindness as a presentation of hemorrhagic CHS has not previously been reported. This study highlights the fact that identifying high-risk patients, as well as making an individual therapeutic plan, is important prior to revascularization. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanism of this condition and thereby prevent it.
Venous waveform morphological changes associated with treatment of symptomatic venous sinus stenosis
Authors: West James L , Garner Rebecca M , Greeneway Garret P , Traunero Justin R , Aschenbrenner Carol A , Singh Jasmeet , Wolfe Stacey Q , Fargen Kyle M
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Venous outflow obstruction is recognized as a contributing factor in a subset of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Little is known about venous sinus waveform morphology or how it changes after stenting.

Methods

Fifteen patients with IIH underwent waveform recording during catheter venography and manometry. Ten patients (Group A) with venous sinus stenosis and pressure gradient ≥7 mm Hg underwent waveform recording during awake venography and during stenting under general anesthesia. Five control IIH patients (Group B) without a gradient underwent awake recording only.

Results

Group A patients underwent successful stenting with reduction of their gradient from 15.1±6.19 mm Hg to 1.2±0.60 mm Hg. This resulted in an amplitude reduction from 8.3 mm Hg to 2.8 mm Hg (P=0.02). Qualitative evaluation of the waveform yielded a number of novel findings. In Group A before stenting, the observed waveform progressed from an intracranial pressure (ICP)-dominated to central venous pressure (CVP)-dominated waveform. Stenting abolished the high amplitude waveform and smoothed the transition from the intracranial to central venous measurement points. Group B displayed primarily CVP-influenced waveforms distal and proximal to the transverse-sigmoid junction along with respiratory variability of the waveform, absent in 8/10 Group A patients. General anesthesia appeared to blunt the waveform in 5/10 Group A patients.

Conclusion

The cerebral venous waveform appears to be influenced by both the ICP and CVP waveforms. As measurement moves proximally, the waveform progressively changes to mirror the CVP waveform. Venous sinus stenosis results in a high amplitude waveform which improves with treatment of the stenosis.
Establishment and application of an index system for prevention of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis: a Delphi and analytic hierarchy process study in four state-owned coal enterprises of China
Authors: Cui Kai , Shen Fuhai , Han Bing , Liu Hongbo , Chen Jie
Published: March 2018

Objective

To explore the difference of cumulative incidence rate of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) among four large state-owned coal enterprises in northern China, we created an index system for evaluating the quality of comprehensive measures against CWP and applied the system to evaluate and compare the measures of the four coal enterprises.

Methods

A two-round Delphi investigation was conducted to identify the indicators in the index system. The weight values of the indicators were calculated with analytic hierarchy process methods. Measures of CWP, mine annals, records and other information in each coal mine of the four enterprises were collected. The evaluation scores, which ranged from 0 to 100, were calculated and compared with.

Results

A three-grade index system with 3 first-grade indicators, 9 second-grade indicators and 44 tertiary-grade indicators was established. The expert authority coefficient (Cr) was 0.75 and the Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (Kendall’s W) was 0.15 (χ2=193.30, P<0.001). The weight value of ‘Geological conditions’ was 0.43, equal to ‘Dust control engineering technology’, and that of ‘Occupational health management’ was 0.14. The medians and quartiles of the evaluation scores of comprehensive measures against CWP of the four enterprises were 58.38 (54.60~63.02), 64.63 (60.83~67.06), 72.99 (68.92~77.67) and 75.07 (70.73~79.20), respectively.

Conclusions

The index system could be effectively used for evaluation and comparison of the comprehensive measures against CWP among different enterprises. The geological conditions and dust control engineering technology played an important role in preventing and controlling CWP.
Resolving the effects of compositional change on structures in Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals by X-ray absorption fine structure
Authors: Turnbull Matthew J. , Khoshmashrab Saghar , Yiu Yun Mui , Ding Zhifeng
Published: March 2018

Renewable energy sources, and solar energy in particular, are a high impact research topic in the push for sustainable, long-term energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is one of the attractive, cost-effective materials that meets these needs. The quaternary nature makes the structure prone to defects and crystal alignment disorder. Some of these defects create advantageous electronic effects through antisite substitutions of Zn for Cu, [Formula: see text]. Others such as Sn for Zn replacements are detrimental. Synchrotron-based X-ray absorbance fine structure (XAFS) analysis was used to identify specific patterns in the antisite contributions to the structure of low-cost CZTS films that produced the highest photoresponse in each of our samples. Correlations were found between the Cu/(Zn + Sn) ratio and advantageous antisite formations, though at the cost of increased alignment disorder. Similarly, the Zn/Sn ratio showed relationships between both advantageous and disadvantageous antisite and vacancy pairs. Variations in the local surroundings for each metal center were confirmed through X-ray absorption near-edge structures (XANES). Extended X-ray absorption fine structures (EXAFS), verified through FEFF fitting of the EXAFS, confirmed the patterns in crystal alignment disorder, and the effects each antisite had on the overall crystal structure. The precision and unique nature of such synchrotron techniques offers opportunities to identify these trends at each metal center, providing guidance to balance negative and positive structural components during fabrication. Each minor change in stoichiometry has been shown to affect several interactions within the structure.
Geochronology, geochemistry, and tectonic implications of upper Silurian – Lower Devonian meta-sedimentary rocks from the Jiangyu Group in eastern Jilin Province, Northeast China
Authors: Han Zuo-Zhen , Liu Hui , Song Zhi-Gang , Zhong Wen-Jian , Han Chao , Han Mei , Du Qing-Xiang , Gao Li-Hua , Li Jing-Jing , Yan Jun-Lei
Published: March 2018

In this study, we present detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic data and whole-rock geochemical data from meta-sedimentary rocks of the Jiangyu Group in eastern Jilin Province (Northeast China) to constrain the late Silurian – Early Devonian tectonic evolution of the southeastern Xing’an–Mongolia Orogenic Belt. Two samples of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the Jiangyu Group yielded concordant ages ranging from 2926 to 415 Ma, and the youngest zircon populations of the two samples yielded weighted mean ages of 427 ± 3 and 426 ± 3 Ma, respectively. Combined with reliable published muscovite 40Ar-39Ar ages of 408 Ma from the overlying metamorphic ophiolitic mélange, these data indicate that the protoliths of the Jiangyu Group were deposited during the late Silurian – Early Devonian Era. A comparison of the U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic data for detrital zircons from northeastern Gondwana and the Jiangyu Group indicates a probable tectonic affinity. The whole-rock geochemical data indicate that the protoliths of the meta-sedimentary rocks from the Jiangyu Group were graywackes deposited in a continental arc setting. Based on the recognition of the early to middle Paleozoic subduction–accretion events along the eastern segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC), we infer that the subduction–accretion events may have occurred in the Yanbian area followed by one or more arc–continent collisions after the Early Devonian.
Ramond and Neveu–Schwarz paraspinning strings in presence of D-branes
Authors: Hamam D. , Belaloui N.
Published: March 2018

We investigate the theory of an open parafermionic string between two parallel Dp-, Dq-branes in Ramond and Neveu–Schwarz sectors. Trilinear commutation relations between the string variables are postulated and the corresponding ones in terms of modes are derived. The analysis of the spectrum shows that one can again have a free tachyon Neveu–Schwarz model for some values of the order of the paraquantization associated to some values of p and q. The consistency of this model requires the calculation of the partition function and its confrontation with the results of the degeneracies. A perfect agreement between the two results is obtained and the closure of the Virasoro superalgebra is confirmed.
A New Model Based Signal Processing Scheme for Detecting Delay and Doppler in Bistatic Radars
Authors: Shojaedini Seyed Vahab , Goldar Alireza
Published: March 2018

In this paper, a new method is presented for joint estimation of delay and Doppler in bistatic radars by using model-based signal processing framework. In the proposed method, the time history of each cell in ambiguity function is modeled as a stochastic process consisting of a stationary component caused by clutter and noise as well as a possible transient component which is caused by a target. Then some cells are indicated as candidates for being targeted based on estimating the higher order statistics of the above stochastic processes. Finally, the spatial processing scheme is performed to prune false candidates. To evaluate the proposed method, its performance is simulated under two different scenarios (i.e., slow and fast moving targets) which have been inspirited from real conditions. Comparison of the results obtained from the proposed method with its alternatives, shows its better performance in such a way that it detects fast targets at least 8% better than the best among all examined methods. Furthermore, the proposed method detects slow targets at least 4.3% better than the best among all examined methods. Both of the above superiorities are obtained in those conditions while the false alarm of the proposed method does not show the meaningful difference against other examined algorithms.
APEM — Approximate Performance Evaluation for Multi-Core Computers
Authors: Zhang Lei , Down Douglas G.
Published: March 2018

Mean Value Analysis (MVA) has long been a standard approach for performance analysis of computer systems. While the exact load-dependent MVA algorithm is an efficient technique for computer system performance modeling, it fails to address multi-core computer systems with Dynamic Frequency Scaling (DFS). In addition, the load-dependent MVA algorithm suffers from numerical difficulties under heavy load conditions. The goal of our paper is to find an efficient and robust method which is easy to use in practice and is also accurate for performance prediction for multi-core platforms. The proposed method, called Approximate Performance Evaluation for Multi-core computers (APEM), uses a flow-equivalent performance model designed specifically to address multi-core computer systems and identify the influence on the CPU demand of the effect of DFS. We adopt an approximation technique to estimate resource demands to parametrize MVA algorithms. To validate the application of our method, we investigate three case studies with extended TPC-W benchmark kits, showing that our method achieves better accuracy compared with other commonly used MVA algorithms. We compare the three different performance models, and we also extend our approach to multi-class models.
INTERSECTIONS OF TRANSLATION OF A CLASS OF SIERPINSKI CARPETS
Authors: LU JIAN , TAN BO , ZOU YURU
Published: March 2018

For [Formula: see text], a middle-[Formula: see text] Sierpinski carpet [Formula: see text] is defined as the self-similar set generated by the iterated function system (IFS) [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is defined by [Formula: see text] Here, [Formula: see text]. In this paper, for [Formula: see text], we investigated the equivalent characterizations of the intersection [Formula: see text] being a generalized Moran set. Furthermore, under some conditions, we show that [Formula: see text] can be represented as a graph-directed set satisfying the open set condition (OSC), and then the Hausdorff dimension can be explicitly calculated.
BERNSTEIN FRACTAL RATIONAL APPROXIMANTS WITH NO CONDITION ON SCALING VECTORS
Authors: VIJENDER N.
Published: March 2018

Fractal functions defined through iterated function system have been successfully used to approximate any continuous real-valued function defined on a compact interval. The fractal dimension is a quantifier (or index) of irregularity (non-differentiability) of fractal approximant and it depends on the scaling factors of the fractal approximant. Viswanathan and Chand [Approx. Theory 185 (2014) 31–50] studied fractal rational approximation under the hypothesis “magnitude of the scaling factors goes to zero”. In this paper, first, we introduce a new class of fractal approximants, namely, Bernstein [Formula: see text]-fractal functions which converge to the original function for every scaling vector. Using the proposed class of fractal approximants and imposing no condition on the corresponding scaling factors, we establish self-referential Bernstein [Formula: see text]-fractal rational functions and their approximation properties. In particular, (i) we study the fractal analogue of the Weierstrass theorem and Müntz theorem of rational functions, (ii) we study the one-sided approximation by Bernstein [Formula: see text]-fractal rational functions, (iii) we develop copositive Bernstein fractal rational approximation, (iv) we investigate the existence of a minimizing sequence of fractal rational approximation to a continuous function defined as a real compact interval. Finally, we introduce the non-self-referential Bernstein [Formula: see text]-fractal approximants.
FRACTAL DIMENSION OF A SPECIAL CONTINUOUS FUNCTION
Authors: LIU NING , YAO KUI
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we mainly construct a special fractal function defined on [Formula: see text] of unbounded variation by method of iteration, and prove that both Box and Hausdorff dimension of this function be 1. Further, we discuss the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral of this function. Finally, some numerical and graphic results are provided to characterize this special fractal function.
AGE-BASED VARIATIONS OF FRACTAL STRUCTURE OF EEG SIGNAL IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY
Authors: NAMAZI HAMIDREZA , JAFARI SAJAD
Published: March 2018

It is known that aging affects neuroplasticity. On the other hand, neuroplasticity can be studied by analyzing the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal. An important challenge in brain research is to study the variations of neuroplasticity during aging for patients suffering from epilepsy. This study investigates the variations of the complexity of EEG signal during aging for patients with epilepsy. For this purpose, we employed fractal dimension as an indicator of process complexity. We classified the subjects in different age groups and computed the fractal dimension of their EEG signals. Our investigations showed that as patients get older, their EEG signal will be more complex. The method of investigation that has been used in this study can be further employed to study the variations of EEG signal in case of other brain disorders during aging.
Gray State Dynamics in the Blinking of Single Type I Colloidal Quantum Dots
Authors: Belitsch Martin , Gruber Christian , Ditlbacher Harald , Hohenau Andreas , Krenn Joachim R.
Published: March 2018

We analyze the photoluminescence intermittency (blinking) of single colloidal CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs). Two distinct emission levels, a bright on-state and a low-intensity gray state, correspond to monoexponential decay times of 58[Formula: see text]ns and 4[Formula: see text]ns, respectively. The ratio gray/on states increases upon increasing excitation intensity. Conversely, the gray/on level intensity ratio increases upon coupling to a plasmonic nanostructure, while the states maintain their monoexponential character. Corroborated by data from a CdSeTe/ZnS QD, our results demonstrate that type I QDs can indeed show a gray (rather than completely dark) emission level with a distinct monoexponential decay, a point that is discussed controversially in the literature.
EMF32 RESULTS FROM NEMS: REVENUE RECYCLING
Authors: ARORA VIPIN , DANIELS DAVID , MEAD IAN , TARVER RUSSELL
Published: March 2018

We show results from the National Energy Modeling System generated during the Energy Modeling Forum 32 study — focusing on macroeconomic responses to different methods of recycling carbon tax revenue. We find that recycling such revenue directly to consumers in the form of lump sum payments results in smaller negative GDP impacts than using the revenues to reduce business taxes.
Confined Flow: Consequences and Implications for Bacteria and Biofilms
Authors: Conrad Jacinta C. , Poling-Skutvik Ryan
Published: March 2018

Bacteria overwhelmingly live in geometrically confined habitats that feature small pores or cavities, narrow channels, or nearby interfaces. Fluid flows through these confined habitats are ubiquitous in both natural and artificial environments colonized by bacteria. Moreover, these flows occur on time and length scales comparable to those associated with motility of bacteria and with the formation and growth of biofilms, which are surface-associated communities that house the vast majority of bacteria to protect them from host and environmental stresses. This review describes the emerging understanding of how flow near surfaces and within channels and pores alters physical processes that control how bacteria disperse, attach to surfaces, and form biofilms. This understanding will inform the development and deployment of technologies for drug delivery, water treatment, and antifouling coatings and guide the structuring of bacterial consortia for production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Role of Soil Erosion in Biogeochemical Cycling of Essential Elements: Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus
Authors: Berhe Asmeret Asefaw , Barnes Rebecca T. , Six Johan , Marín-Spiotta Erika
Published: March 2018

Most of Earth's terrestrial surface is made up of sloping landscapes. The lateral distribution of topsoil by erosion controls the availability, stock, and persistence of essential elements in the terrestrial ecosystem. Over the last two decades, the role of soil erosion in biogeochemical cycling of essential elements has gained considerable interest from the climate, global change, and biogeochemistry communities after soil erosion and terrestrial sedimentation were found to induce a previously unaccounted terrestrial sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide. More recent studies have highlighted the role of erosion in the persistence of organic matter in soil and in the biogeochemical cycling of elements beyond carbon . Here we synthesize available knowledge and data on how erosion serves as a major driver of biogeochemical cycling of essential elements. We address implications of erosion-driven changes in biogeochemical cycles on the availability of essential elements for primary production, on the magnitude of elemental exports downstream, and on the exchange of greenhouse gases from the terrestrial ecosystem to the atmosphere. Furthermore, we explore fates of eroded material and how terrestrial mass movement events play major roles in modifying Earth's climate.
The Evolution and Fossil History of Sensory Perception in Amniote Vertebrates
Authors: Müller Johannes , Bickelmann Constanze , Sobral Gabriela
Published: March 2018

Sensory perception is of crucial importance for animals to interact with their biotic and abiotic environment. In amniotes, the clade including modern mammals (Synapsida), modern reptiles (Reptilia), and their fossil relatives, the evolution of sensory perception took place in a stepwise manner after amniotes appeared in the Carboniferous. Fossil evidence suggests that Paleozoic taxa had only a limited amount of sensory capacities relative to later forms, with the majority of more sophisticated types of sensing evolving during the Triassic and Jurassic. Alongside the evolution of improved sensory capacities, various types of social communication evolved across different groups. At present there is no definitive evidence for a relationship between sensory evolution and species diversification. It cannot be excluded, however, that selection for improved sensing was partially triggered by biotic interactions, e.g., in the context of niche competition, whereas ecospace expansion, especially during the Mesozoic, might also have played an important role.
IUGR decreases cardiomyocyte endowment and alters cardiac metabolism in a sex- and cause-of-IUGR-specific manner
Authors: Botting K. J. , Loke X. Y. , Zhang S. , Andersen J. B. , Nyengaard J. R. , Morrison J. L.
Published: March 2018

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases the risk of ischemic heart disease in adulthood. Studies in rats suggest cardiac vulnerability is more pronounced in males and in offspring that were exposed to hypoxia in utero. Therefore, we aimed to test the hypotheses that 1) IUGR adolescent males, but not females, have fewer cardiomyocytes and altered expression of cardiometabolic genes compared with controls; and 2) IUGR due to hypoxia has a greater effect on these parameters compared with IUGR due to nutrient restriction. IUGR was induced in guinea pigs by maternal hypoxia (MH; 10% O2, n = 9) or maternal nutrient restriction (MNR; ~30% reduction in food intake, n = 9) in the second half of pregnancy and compared with control ( n = 11). At 120 days of age, postmortem was performed and the left ventricle perfusion fixed for stereological determination of cardiomyocyte number or snap frozen to determine the abundance of cardiometabolic genes and proteins by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. MH reduced the number of cardiomyocytes in female ( P < 0.05), but not male or MNR, adolescent offspring. Furthermore, IUGR males had decreased expression of genes responsible for fatty acid activation in the sarcoplasm ( FACS) and transport into the mitochondria ( AMPK-a2 and ACC; P < 0.05) and females exposed to MH had increased activation/phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase-α ( P < 0.05). We postulate that the changes in cardiomyocyte endowment and cardiac gene expression observed in the present study are a direct result of in utero programming, as offspring at this age did not suffer from obesity, hypertension, or left ventricular hypertrophy.
ASIC3 fine-tunes bladder sensory signaling
Authors: Montalbetti Nicolas , Rooney James G. , Marciszyn Allison L. , Carattino Marcelo D.
Published: March 2018

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are trimeric proton-activated, cation-selective neuronal channels that are considered to play important roles in mechanosensation and nociception. Here we investigated the role of ASIC3, a subunit primarily expressed in sensory neurons, in bladder sensory signaling and function. We found that extracellular acidification evokes a transient increase in current, consistent with the kinetics of activation and desensitization of ASICs, in ~25% of the bladder sensory neurons harvested from both wild-type (WT) and ASIC3 knockout (KO) mice. The absence of ASIC3 increased the magnitude of the peak evoked by extracellular acidification and reduced the rate of decay of the ASIC-like currents. These findings suggest that ASICs are assembled as heteromers and that the absence of ASIC3 alters the composition of these channels in bladder sensory neurons. Consistent with the notion that ASIC3 serves as a proton sensor, 59% of the bladder sensory neurons harvested from WT, but none from ASIC3 KO mice, fired action potentials in response to extracellular acidification. Studies of bladder function revealed that ASIC3 deletion reduces voiding volume and the pressure required to trigger micturition. In summary, our findings indicate that ASIC3 plays a role in the control of bladder function by modulating the response of afferents to filling.
Numerical Simulation for Mechanical Behavior of Asphalt Pavement with Graded Aggregate Base
Authors: He Dongliang , Cheng Yanhui
Published: March 2018

The performance of asphalt pavement is determined by the combination of its material properties, road structure, and loading configurations. A DEM numerical simulation study was conducted to determine stress distribution and deformation behavior of asphalt pavement with graded aggregate base under standard traffic loading. Stress contour and displacement contour were presented via a self‐made program. Compressive stress concentrated area located in both sides of wheel, while tensile stress concentrated area appeared in lower part of the asphalt layer. The traffic loading transferred downward by graded aggregate base and to both sides at the same time, and has a trend to expand gradually with increasing depth within graded aggregate base. Therefore, stress was well distributed in the subgrade soil layer with a great action scope, and the value decreased obviously because of the stress dispersion of graded aggregate base. Vertical displacement was the main displacement of the asphalt layer, and on the both sides of traffic loading, displacement was downward and inclined slightly to the central of loading. Vertical and horizontal deformations included in both graded aggregate base layers, and displacement extended to both sides gradually with increasing depth corresponding to stress‐distribution trends. Vertical displacement was dominated in the subgrade soil layer which was relatively small.
Hypogammaglobulinemia Observed One Year after Rituximab Treatment for Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Authors: Shoukat Bilal Ahmad , Ali Osama , Kumar Dileep , Bilal Gilani Muhammad , Zahid Adeela , Aslam Joiya Shaheer , Anwar Malik Maqsood
Published: March 2018

We present the case of a 19-year-old female with severe hypogammaglobulinemia after having had treatment with rituximab for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura requiring intravenous immunoglobulins. She was admitted with the diagnosis of left-sided pneumonia with parapneumonic effusion. The patient was treated with piperacillin/tazobactam after having a poor response to co-amoxiclav. The patient had been tested for immunoglobulin levels, and the levels were very low. She has a history of ITP for which she received steroids. She also received rituximab for the same on four separate occasions, and the last one was about 1 year ago.
Expression and Regulation Profile of Mature MicroRNA in the Pig: Relevance to Xenotransplantation
Authors: Song Zongpei , Cooper David K. C. , Cai Zhiming , Mou Lisha
Published: March 2018

The pig is an important source of meat production and provides a valuable model for certain human diseases. MicroRNA (miRNA), which is noncoding RNA and regulates gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, plays a critical role in various biological processes. Studies on identification and function of mature miRNAs in multiple pig tissues are increasing, yet the literature is limited. Therefore, we reviewed current research to determine the miRNAs expressed in specific pig tissues that are involved in carcass values (including muscle and adipocytes), reproduction (including pituitary, testis, and ovary), and development of some solid organs (e.g., brain, lung, kidney, and liver). We also discuss the possible regulating mechanisms of miRNA. Finally, as pig organs are suitable candidates for xenotransplantation, biomarkers of their miRNA in xenotransplantation were evaluated.
Evaluation of Regulatory Immune Response in Skin Lesions of Patients Affected by Nonulcerated or Atypical Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Honduras, Central America
Authors: Araujo Flores Gabriela Venicia , Sandoval Pacheco Carmen Maria , Tomokane Thaise Yumie , Sosa Ochoa Wilfredo , Zúniga Valeriano Concepción , Castro Gomes Claudia Maria , Corbett Carlos Eduardo Pereira , Laurenti Marcia Dalastra
Published: March 2018

In Honduras, Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi causes both visceral leishmaniasis (LV) and nonulcerated or atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis (NUCL). NUCL is characterized by mononuclear inflammatory infiltration of the dermis, composed mainly of lymphocytes followed by macrophages with discrete parasitism. Considering that little is known about the pathogenesis of NUCL, the aim of this study was to evaluate the regulatory response in situ in skin lesions of patients affected by NUCL. Biopsies (n=20) from human cutaneous nonulcerative lesions were collected and processed by usual histological techniques. The in situ regulatory immune response was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using antihuman CD4, FoxP3, IL-10, and TGF-β antibodies. CD4+, FoxP3+, TGF-β+, and IL-10+ cells were observed in the dermis with inflammatory infiltration in all studied cases and at higher densities compared to the normal skin controls. A positive and strong correlation was observed between CD4+ and FoxP3+ cells, and a positive and moderate correlation was observed between FoxP3+ and TGF-β+ but not with IL-10+ cells. The data suggest that T regulatory FoxP3+ cells and the regulatory cytokines, especially TGF-β, play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of NUCL, modulating a cellular immune response in the skin, avoiding tissue damage, and leading to low tissue parasitic persistence.
Melatonin Inhibits Reactive Oxygen Species‐Driven Proliferation, Epithelial‐Mesenchymal Transition, and Vasculogenic Mimicry in Oral Cancer
Authors: Liu Rui , Wang Hui-li , Deng Man-jing , Wen Xiu-jie , Mo Yuan-yuan , Chen Fa-ming , Zou Chun-li , Duan Wei-feng , Li Lei , Nie Xin
Published: March 2018

Globally, oral cancer is the most common type of head and neck cancers. Melatonin elicits inhibitory effects on oral cancer; however, the biological function of melatonin and underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we found that melatonin impaired the proliferation and apoptosis resistance of oral cancer cells by inactivating ROS‐dependent Akt signaling, involving in downregulation of cyclin D1, PCNA, and Bcl‐2 and upregulation of Bax. Melatonin inhibited the migration and invasion of oral cancer cells by repressing ROS‐activated Akt signaling, implicating with the reduction of Snail and Vimentin and the enhancement of E‐cadherin. Moreover, melatonin hampered vasculogenic mimicry of oral cancer cells through blockage of ROS‐activated extracellular‐regulated protein kinases (ERKs) and Akt pathways involving the hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α. Consistently, melatonin retarded tumorigenesis of oral cancer in vivo. Overall, these findings indicated that melatonin exerts antisurvival, antimotility, and antiangiogenesis effects on oral cancer partly by suppressing ROS‐reliant Akt or ERK signaling.
Bioinformatical Analysis of Organ-Related (Heart, Brain, Liver, and Kidney) and Serum Proteomic Data to Identify Protein Regulation Patterns and Potential Sepsis Biomarkers
Authors: Hohn Andreas , Iovino Ivan , Cirillo Fabrizio , Drinhaus Hendrik , Kleinbrahm Kathrin , Boehm Lennert , De Robertis Edoardo , Hinkelbein Jochen
Published: March 2018

During the last years, proteomic studies have revealed several interesting findings in experimental sepsis models and septic patients. However, most studies investigated protein alterations only in single organs or in whole blood. To identify possible sepsis biomarkers and to evaluate the relationship between protein alteration in sepsis affected organs and blood, proteomics data from the heart, brain, liver, kidney, and serum were analysed. Using functional network analyses in combination with hierarchical cluster analysis, we found that protein regulation patterns in organ tissues as well as in serum are highly dynamic. In the tissue proteome, the main functions and pathways affected were the oxidoreductive activity, cell energy generation, or metabolism, whereas in the serum proteome, functions were associated with lipoproteins metabolism and, to a minor extent, with coagulation, inflammatory response, and organ regeneration. Proteins from network analyses of organ tissue did not correlate with statistically significantly regulated serum proteins or with predicted proteins of serum functions. In this study, the combination of proteomic network analyses with cluster analyses is introduced as an approach to deal with high-throughput proteomics data to evaluate the dynamics of protein regulation during sepsis.
Extracellular Pectinase from a Novel BacteriumChryseobacterium indologenesStrain SD and Its Application in Fruit Juice Clarification
Authors: Roy Karabi , Dey Sujan , Uddin Md. Kamal , Barua Rasel , Hossain Md. Towhid
Published: March 2018

Pectinase is one of the important enzymes of industrial sectors. Presently, most of the pectinases are of plant origin but there are only a few reports on bacterial pectinases. The aim of the present study was to isolate a novel and potential pectinase producing bacterium as well as optimization of its various parameters for maximum enzyme production. A total of forty bacterial isolates were isolated from vegetable dump waste soil using standard plate count methods. Primary screening was done by hydrolysis of pectin. Pectinase activity was determined by measuring the increase in reducing sugar formed by the enzymatic hydrolysis of pectin. Among the bacterial isolates, the isolate K6 exhibited higher pectinase activity in broth medium and was selected for further studies. The selected bacterial isolate K6 was identified asChryseobacterium indologenesstrain SD. The isolate was found to produce maximum pectinase at 37°C with pH 7.5 upon incubation for 72 hours, while cultured in production medium containing citrus pectin and yeast extract as C and N sources, respectively. During enzyme-substrate reaction phase, the enzyme exhibited its best activity at pH of 8.0 and temperature of 40°C using citrus pectin as substrate. The pectinase of the isolate showed potentiality on different types of fruit juice clarification.
Relationship of Meteorological and Air Pollution Parameters with Pneumonia in Elderly Patients
Authors: Tasci Suleyman Serdar , Kavalci Cemil , Kayipmaz Afsin Emre
Published: March 2018

Background and Purpose. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between pneumonia and meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, precipitation, airborne particles, sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrite oxide (NO), and nitric oxide (NOX)) in patients with the diagnosis of pneumonia in the emergency department. Methods. Our study was performed retrospectively with patients over 65 years of age who were diagnosed with pneumonia. The meteorological variables in the days of diagnosing pneumonia were compared with the meteorological variables in the days without diagnosis of pneumonia. The sociodemographic characteristics, complete blood count of the patients, and meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, precipitation, airborne particles, SO2, CO, NO2, NO, and NOX) were investigated. Results. When the temperature was high and low, the number of days consulted due to pneumonia was related to low air temperature (p<0.05). During the periods when PM 10, NO, NO2, NOX, and CO levels were high, the number of days referred for pneumonia was increased (p<0.05). Conclusion. As a result, climatic (temperature, humidity, pressure levels, rain, etc.) and environmental factors (airborne particles, CO, NO, and NOX) were found to be effective in the number of patients admitted to the hospital due to pneumonia.
Proton Pump Inhibitors and Dementia: Physiopathological Mechanisms and Clinical Consequences
Authors: Ortiz-Guerrero Gloria , Amador-Muñoz Diana , Calderón-Ospina Carlos Alberto , López-Fuentes Daniel , Nava Mesa Mauricio Orlando
Published: March 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, mainly encompassing cognitive decline in subjects aged ≥65 years. Further, AD is characterized by selective synaptic and neuronal degeneration, vascular dysfunction, and two histopathological features: extracellular amyloid plaques composed of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles formed by hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Dementia and AD are chronic neurodegenerative conditions with a complex physiopathology involving both genetic and environmental factors. Recent clinical studies have shown that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with risk of dementia, including AD. However, a recent case-control study reported decreased risk of dementia. PPIs are a widely indicated class of drugs for gastric acid-related disorders, although most older adult users are not treated for the correct indication. Although neurological side effects secondary to PPIs are rare, several preclinical reports indicate that PPIs might increase Aβ levels, interact with tau protein, and affect the neuronal microenvironment through several mechanisms. Considering the controversy between PPI use and dementia risk, as well as both cognitive and neuroprotective effects, the aim of this review is to examine the relationship between PPI use and brain effects from a neurobiological and clinical perspective.
Astaxanthin Promotes Nrf2/ARE Signaling to Alleviate Renal Fibronectin and Collagen IV Accumulation in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyu , Chen Yongjun , Chen Qing , Yang Huiyuan , Xie Xi
Published: March 2018

Astaxanthin (AST), a natural keto-carotenoid classified as a xanthophyll, is well known for its antioxidant properties. AST can ameliorate the pathological characteristics of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. This study was aimed at exploring whether AST exerts a protective effect on DN via activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2– (Nrf2–) antioxidative response element (ARE) signaling. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with AST for 12 weeks. We found that AST treatment ameliorated renal morphological injury. Reduced fibronectin and collagen IV protein expression were found in the kidneys of diabetic rats. Furthermore, AST promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and increased its downstream protein heme oxygenase-1 and superoxide dismutase 1 expression. AST also increased the activity of SOD and decreased malondialdehyde generation in the serum of diabetic rats. These results suggest that the renoprotective effect of AST on DN partly depends on Nrf2–ARE signaling. The antioxidative stress effect of AST is responsible for the activation of Nrf2–ARE signaling in DN.
Pricing Decisions of a Dual-Channel Supply Chain considering Supply Disruption Risk
Authors: Zhou Yancong , Feng Jin , Wei Jie , Sun Xiaochen
Published: March 2018

Supply disruption may cause strong complaints of customers, which is a cost loss for the firms in the supply chain. Obviously, if realizing that there is the disruption risk, the members in a supply chain will adjust their decisions. For analyzing the influence, we consider a popular supply chain mode with dual channels, where one manufacturer has its direct sales channel and one traditional retailer channel. The manufacturer may suffer a supply disruption so that all ordered products by the retailer or the direct retail channel will be lost, and the members in supply chain will bear the corresponding disruption penalty from the customers. By considering four structures with different market power relations, the closed-form optimal price decisions of the four models are given. We found that the disruption factor improves the sales prices for any member structure as compared to the supply chain without the disruption. And the direct retail prices in the different modes are the same as each other, but the price of the traditional channel is influenced by the market share. And the sorts of the sales prices under different structures are given. We also conduct some extensive numerical analysis and compare the results under different structures. We observe that the expected optimal profits of considering the external penalty are smaller than those of no external penalty, and we give a sort of the optimal expected profits. And we also provide the effects of some parameters on the optimal decisions and the optimal expected profits.
Hydrochemical Characteristics and Evolution of Geothermal Fluids in the Chabu High-Temperature Geothermal System, Southern Tibet
Authors: Wang X. , Wang G. L. , Gan H. N. , Liu Z. , Nan D. W.
Published: March 2018

This study defines reasonable reservoir temperatures and cooling processes of subsurface geothermal fluids in the Chabu high-temperature geothermal system. This system lies in the south-central part of the Shenzha-Xietongmen hydrothermal active belt and develops an extensive sinter platform with various and intense hydrothermal manifestations. All the geothermal spring samples collected systematically from the sinter platform are divided into three groups by cluster analysis of major elements. Samples of group 1 and group 3 are distributed in the central part and northern periphery of the sinter platform, respectively, while samples of group 2 are scattered in the transitional zone between groups 1 and 3. The hydrochemical characteristics show that the geothermal waters of the research area have generally mixed with shallow cooler waters in reservoirs. The reasonable reservoir temperatures and the mixing processes of the subsurface geothermal fluids could be speculated by combining the hydrochemical characteristics of geothermal springs, calculated results of the chemical geothermometers, and silica-enthalpy mixing models. Contour maps are applied to measured emerging temperatures, mass flow rates, total dissolved solids of spring samples, and reasonable subsurface temperatures. They indicate that the major cooling processes of the subsurface geothermal fluids gradually transform from adiabatic boiling to conduction from the central part to the peripheral belt. The geothermal reservoir temperatures also show an increasing trend. The point with the highest reservoir temperature (256°C) appears in the east-central part of the research area, which might be the main up-flow zone. The cooling processes of the subsurface geothermal fluids in the research area can be shown on an enthalpy-chloride plot. The deep parent fluid for the Chabu geothermal field has a Cl− concentration of 290 mg/L and an enthalpy of 1550 J/g (with a water temperature of 369°C).