bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of optic nerve head coloboma in the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever identifies discordance with the NHEJ1 intronic deletion (collie eye anomaly mutation)
Authors: Brown Emily A. , Thomasy Sara M. , Murphy Christopher J. , Bannasch Danika L.
Published: July 2017

Collie eye anomaly (CEA) encompasses a spectrum of different ophthalmic phenotypes from clinically inconsequential choroidal hypoplasia to blindness from coloboma of the optic nerve head (ONH). A previous study found a 7.8‐kb deletion in intron 4 of the NHEJ1 gene to be associated with CEA. A genetic test based on this association is recommended for many breeds, including the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NSDTR). Collection of ONH coloboma‐affected NSDTR showed lack of concordance of the NHEJ1 intronic deletion with ONH coloboma. Using genomewide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping in 7 ONH coloboma‐affected NSDTR cases and 47 unaffected NSDTR controls with no ophthalmic signs, one SNP, located on chromosome 7, demonstrated genomewide significance. However, high genomic inflation may have confounded the results. Therefore, the genomewide association study was repeated using EMMAX to control for population structure in the cohort of 7 cases and 47 controls. However, no regions of the genome were significantly associated with ONH coloboma. These results failed to document significant association with the CEA locus. Due to the complex genetic etiology of ONH coloboma, the NHEJ1 intronic deletion test results should be carefully considered when making breeding decisions. If the goal is to select for visually competent dogs, our data suggest that eye examinations of puppies would be more effective as a guide in selection of breeding pairs than relying solely on currently available genetic tests.
Effect of mHealth in improving antenatal care utilization and skilled birth attendance in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Abraha Yosef G. , Gebrie Serebe A. , Garoma Desalegn A. , Deribe Fasil M. , Tefera Mamuye H. , Morankar Sudhakar
Published: July 2017

Review question/objective:

The objective of this review is to identify and synthesize the best available evidence on the effect of mobile health (mHealth) interventions in antenatal care utilization and skilled birth attendance in low- and middle-income countries.

More specifically, the review questions are as follows:

Is mHealth effective in improving antenatal care utilization compared with routine care received without the support of mHealth applications?

Is mHealth effective in improving skilled birth attendance compared with routine care received without the support of mHealth applications?
Gas rarefaction effects during high power pulsed magnetron sputtering of groups IVb and VIb transition metals in Ar
Authors: Greczynski Grzegorz , Zhirkov Igor , Petrov Ivan , Greene J. E. , Rosen Johanna
Published: July 2017

The authors use energy- and time-dependent mass spectrometry to analyze the evolution of metal- and gas-ion fluxes incident at the substrate during high-power pulsed magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) of groups IVb and VIb transition-metal (TM) targets in Ar. For all TMs, the time-and energy-integrated metal/gas-ion ratio at the substrate plane NMe+/NAr+ increases with increasing peak target current density JT,peak due to rarefaction. In addition, NMe+/NAr+ exhibits a strong dependence on metal/gas-atom mass ratio mMe/mg and varies from ∼1 for Ti (mTi/mAr = 1.20) to ∼100 for W (mW/mAr = 4.60), with JT,peak maintained constant at 1 A/cm2. Time-resolved ion-energy distribution functions confirm that the degree of rarefaction scales with mMe/mg: for heavier TMs, the original sputtered-atom Sigmund-Thompson energy distributions are preserved long after the HiPIMS pulse, which is in distinct contrast to lighter metals for which the energy distributions collapse into a narrow thermalized peak. Hence, precise timing of synchronous substrate-bias pulses, applied in order to reduce film stress while increasing densification, is critical for metal/gas combinations with mMe/mg near unity, while with mMe/mg≫1, the width of the synchronous bias pulse is essentially controlled by the metal-ion time of flight. The good agreement between results obtained in an industrial system employing 440 cm2 cathodes and a laboratory-scale system with a 20 cm2 target is indicative of the fundamental nature of the phenomena.
Sound source localization identification accuracy: Envelope dependencies
Authors: Yost William A.
Published: July 2017

Sound source localization accuracy as measured in an identification procedure in a front azimuth sound field was studied for click trains, modulated noises, and a modulated tonal carrier. Sound source localization accuracy was determined as a function of the number of clicks in a 64 Hz click train and click rate for a 500 ms duration click train. The clicks were either broadband or high-pass filtered. Sound source localization accuracy was also measured for a single broadband filtered click and compared to a similar broadband filtered, short-duration noise. Sound source localization accuracy was determined as a function of sinusoidal amplitude modulation and the “transposed” process of modulation of filtered noises and a 4 kHz tone. Different rates (16 to 512 Hz) of modulation (including unmodulated conditions) were used. Providing modulation for filtered click stimuli, filtered noises, and the 4 kHz tone had, at most, a very small effect on sound source localization accuracy. These data suggest that amplitude modulation, while providing information about interaural time differences in headphone studies, does not have much influence on sound source localization accuracy in a sound field.
Electrochemical electron beam lithography: Write, read, and erase metallic nanocrystals on demand
Authors: Park Jeung Hun , Steingart Daniel A. , Kodambaka Suneel , Ross Frances M.
Published: July 2017

We develop an electrochemistry- and radiolysis-based patterning technique for site-specific deposition and dissolution of metallic nanocrystals.
Carbon nanotube transistors scaled to a 40-nanometer footprint
Authors: Cao Qing , Tersoff Jerry , Farmer Damon B. , Zhu Yu , Han Shu-Jen
Published: July 2017

Carbon nanotubes on the roadmap

The formal challenge for high-performance transistors is to fit within ever smaller
devices. They need to shrink from a lateral dimension of about 100 to 40 nanometers. Cao
et al.
fabricated tiny devices by using a single semiconducting
carbon nanotubes, as well as arrays of these nanotubes. High performance (a high
saturation on-state current >1.2 milliamperes per micrometer and a conductance >2
millisiemens per micrometer) was delivered by making end-bonded contacts to the
nanotubes with cobalt-molybdenum alloys.

Science
, this issue p.
1369
Laboratory Workflow Analysis of Culture of Periprosthetic Tissues in Blood Culture Bottles
Authors: Peel Trisha N. , Sedarski John A. , Dylla Brenda L. , Shannon Samantha K. , Amirahmadi Fazlollaah , Hughes John G. , Cheng Allen C. , Patel Robin
Published: July 2017

Culture of periprosthetic tissue specimens in blood culture bottles is more sensitive than conventional techniques, but the impact on laboratory workflow has yet to be addressed. Herein, we examined the impact of culture of periprosthetic tissues in blood culture bottles on laboratory workflow and cost. The workflow was process mapped, decision tree models were constructed using probabilities of positive and negative cultures drawn from our published study (T. N. Peel, B. L. Dylla, J. G. Hughes, D. T. Lynch, K. E. Greenwood-Quaintance, A. C. Cheng, J. N. Mandrekar, and R. Patel, mBio 7:e01776-15, 2016,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01776-15
), and the processing times and resource costs from the laboratory staff time viewpoint were used to compare periprosthetic tissues culture processes using conventional techniques with culture in blood culture bottles. Sensitivity analysis was performed using various rates of positive cultures. Annualized labor savings were estimated based on salary costs from the U.S. Labor Bureau for Laboratory staff. The model demonstrated a 60.1% reduction in mean total staff time with the adoption of tissue inoculation into blood culture bottles compared to conventional techniques (mean ± standard deviation, 30.7 ± 27.6 versus 77.0 ± 35.3 h per month, respectively;
P
< 0.001). The estimated annualized labor cost savings of culture using blood culture bottles was $10,876.83 (±$337.16). Sensitivity analysis was performed using various rates of culture positivity (5 to 50%). Culture in blood culture bottles was cost-effective, based on the estimated labor cost savings of $2,132.71 for each percent increase in test accuracy. In conclusion, culture of periprosthetic tissue in blood culture bottles is not only more accurate than but is also cost-saving compared to conventional culture methods.
Propagation of Astrovirus VA1, a Neurotropic Human Astrovirus, in Cell Culture
Authors: Janowski Andrew B. , Bauer Irma K. , Holtz Lori R. , Wang David
Published: July 2017

Astrovirus VA1/HMO-C (VA1; mamastrovirus 9) is a recently discovered astrovirus genotype that is divergent from the classic human astroviruses (mamastrovirus 1). The gastrointestinal tract is presumed to be the primary site of infection and pathogenicity for astroviruses. However, VA1 has been independently detected in brain tissue of five cases of human encephalitis. Studies of the pathogenicity of VA1 are currently impossible because there are no reported cell culture systems or
in vivo
models that support VA1 infection. Here, we describe successful propagation of VA1 in multiple human cell lines. The initial inoculum, a filtered clinical stool sample from the index gastroenteritis case cluster that led to the discovery of VA1, was first passaged in Vero cells. Serial blind passage in Caco-2 cells yielded increasing copies of VA1 RNA, and multistep growth curves demonstrated a >100-fold increase in VA1 RNA 72 h after inoculation. The full-length genomic and subgenomic RNA strands were detected by Northern blotting, and crystalline lattices of viral particles of ∼26-nm diameter were observed by electron microscopy in infected Caco-2 cells. Unlike other human astrovirus cell culture systems, which require addition of exogenous trypsin for continued propagation, VA1 could be propagated equally well with or without the addition of trypsin. Furthermore, VA1 was sensitive to the type I interferon (IFN-I) response, as VA1 RNA levels were reduced by pretreatment of Caco-2 cells with IFN-β1a. The ability to propagate VA1 in cell culture will facilitate studies of the neurotropism and neuropathogenesis of VA1.

IMPORTANCE
Astroviruses are an emerging cause of central nervous system infections in mammals, and astrovirus VA1/HMO-C is the most prevalent astrovirus in cases of human encephalitis. This virus has not been previously propagated, preventing elucidation of the biology of this virus. We describe the first cell culture system for VA1, a key step necessary for the study of its ability to cause disease.
Whole-Genome Sequencing and Variant Analysis of Human Papillomavirus 16 Infections
Authors: van der Weele Pascal , Meijer Chris J. L. M. , King Audrey J.
Published: July 2017

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a strongly conserved DNA virus, high-risk types of which can cause cervical cancer in persistent infections. The most common type found in HPV-attributable cancer is HPV16, which can be subdivided into four lineages (A to D) with different carcinogenic properties. Studies have shown HPV16 sequence diversity in different geographical areas, but only limited information is available regarding HPV16 diversity within a population, especially at the whole-genome level. We analyzed HPV16 major variant diversity and conservation in persistent infections and performed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) comparison between persistent and clearing infections. Materials were obtained in the Netherlands from a cohort study with longitudinal follow-up for up to 3 years. Our analysis shows a remarkably large variant diversity in the population. Whole-genome sequences were obtained for 57 persistent and 59 clearing HPV16 infections, resulting in 109 unique variants. Interestingly, persistent infections were completely conserved through time. One reinfection event was identified where the initial and follow-up samples clustered differently. Non-A1/A2 variants seemed to clear preferentially (
P
= 0.02). Our analysis shows that population-wide HPV16 sequence diversity is very large. In persistent infections, the HPV16 sequence was fully conserved. Sequencing can identify HPV16 reinfections, although occurrence is rare. SNP comparison identified no strongly acting effect of the viral genome affecting HPV16 infection clearance or persistence in up to 3 years of follow-up. These findings suggest the progression of an early HPV16 infection could be host related.

IMPORTANCE
Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) is the predominant type found in cervical cancer. Progression of initial infection to cervical cancer has been linked to sequence properties; however, knowledge of variants circulating in European populations, especially with longitudinal follow-up, is limited. By sequencing a number of infections with known follow-up for up to 3 years, we gained initial insights into the genetic diversity of HPV16 and the effects of the viral genome on the persistence of infections. A SNP comparison between sequences obtained from clearing and persistent infections did not identify strongly acting DNA variations responsible for these infection outcomes. In addition, we identified an HPV16 reinfection event where sequencing of initial and follow-up samples showed different HPV16 variants. Based on conventional genotyping, this infection would incorrectly be considered a persistent HPV16 infection. In the context of vaccine efficacy and monitoring studies, such infections could potentially cause reduced reported efficacy or efficiency.
40-4-40: educational and economic outcomes of a free, international surgical training event
Authors: Glasbey James , Sinclair Piriyah , Mohan Helen , Harries Rhiannon
Published: July 2017

Purpose of study

To demonstrate a model for delivery of an international surgical training event, and demonstrate its educational and economic outcomes.

Study design

The Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) ran a course series on 16 January 2016 across the UK and Ireland. A mandatory, self-reported, online questionnaire collected delegate feedback, using 5-point Likert Scales, and a NetPromoter feedback tool. Precourse and postcourse matched questionnaires were collected for ‘Foundation Skills in Surgery’ (FSS) courses. Paired economic analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was carried out using RStudio (V.3.1.1 Boston, Massachusetts, USA).

Results

Forty courses were held across the UK and Ireland (65.0% technical, 35.0% non-technical), with 184 faculty members. Of 570 delegates, 529 fully completed the feedback survey (92.8% response rate); 56.5% were male. The median age was 26 years (range: 18–67 years). The mean overall course NetPromoter Score was 8.7 out of 10. On logistic regression high NetPromoter Score was associated with completing a Foundation Skills in Surgery course (R=0.44, OR: 1.49, p=0.025) and having clear learning outcomes (R=0.72, OR: 2.04, p=0.029) but not associated with specialty, course style or teaching style. For Foundation Skills in Surgery courses, delegates reported increased commitment to a career in surgery (p<0.001), confidence with basic surgical skills (p<0.001) and confidence with assisting in theatre (p<0.001). A comparable cost saving of £231,462.37 was calculated across the 40 courses.

Conclusion

The ASiT ‘40-4-40’ event demonstrated the diversity and depth of surgical training, with 40 synchronous technical and non-technical courses, demonstrable educational benefit and a significant cost saving to surgical trainees.
Banning tobacco price promotions, smoking-related beliefs and behaviour: findings from the International Tobacco Control Four Country (ITC 4C) Survey
Authors: El-Toukhy Sherine , Choi Kelvin , Hitchman Sara C , Bansal-Travers Maansi , Thrasher James F , Yong Hua-Hie , O’Connor Richard J , Shang Ce
Published: July 2017

Background

Ecological models emphasise multilevel influences on health behaviours. While studies show that exposure to price promotions is associated with smoking behaviour and its antecedents, less is known about whether these associations differ by macro-level factors such as national price promotion policies.

Methods

Current and former smokers (N=4698) from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project four-country cohort were included in weighted multivariate logistic regression models to examine individual-level associations between exposure to price promotions at waves 7 and 8 (conducted in 2008–2009 and 2010–2011) and beliefs (social and injunctive norms, functional value of smoking, misconceptions around smoking and beliefs of tobacco industry and its regulations) and behaviour at wave 8, stratified by whether countries allow (Australia and USA) or ban (Canada and UK) price promotions.

Results

Associations between exposure to price promotions and smoking-related beliefs and behaviour differed by national price promotion policies. In countries that allow price promotions, participants repeatedly exposed to price promotions at waves 7 and 8 were more likely to associate functional values to smoking (ie, calms down when stressed (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.83) and to be current smokers at wave 8 (AOR 1.94). In countries that ban price promotions, participants repeatedly exposed to price promotions were less likely to hold misconceptions around smoking (ie, harsher smoke is more dangerous).

Conclusions

Differential associations emerged between exposure to price promotions, smoking-related beliefs and behaviour across countries with and without a price promotions ban. Adopting price promotion bans could ameliorate the associations between exposure to price promotions and smoking beliefs and behaviours.
Facile synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity study of new 3-(indol-2-yl)bicyclotetrazatridecahexaens
Authors: Sweidan Kamal , Sabbah Dima A. , Bardaweel Sanaa , Abu Sheikha Ghassan , Al-Qirim Tariq , Salih Hanadi , El-Abadelah Mustafa M. , Mubarak Mohammad S. , Voelter Wolfgang
Published: July 2017

A new series of thiosemicarbazone-based indole derivatives 12–15 has been prepared by condensation reaction of indole-2-carboxamide derivatives 8–11 with thiosemicarbazide. The former compounds underwent intracyclization in the presence of chloroacetic acid and sodium acetate to afford a set of new 3-(indol-2-yl)bicyclotetrazatridecahexaens 16–19. These newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by means of FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS and by elemental analyses. Cytotoxic activities of the prepared compounds along with LY294002 were evaluated in vitro against normal human skin fibroblast, human colon carcinoma (HCT116), and leukemia (K562) cell lines; results revealed that the series inhibits only HCT116 cell line. In addition, results showed that compound 18 exerts moderate potency in HCT116 with an IC50 value of 54 μmol/L and significantly induces apoptosis.
Investigation on growth, optical, thermal, mechanical, dielectric, LDT studies of sulphanilic acid monohydrate: A promising third-order nonlinear optical material
Authors: Rathika Thaya Kumari C. , Nageshwari M. , Jayaprakash P. , Sangeetha P. , Sudha S. , Lydia Caroline M.
Published: July 2017

An organic nonlinear optical centric single crystal, sulphanilic acid monohydrate (SAM) was successfully grown by slow evaporation method. The cell parameters of the grown crystal were assessed by single crystal XRD. The UV absorption edge was found to be 249[Formula: see text]nm providing a wide optical transmittance covering the visible region. The thermal, mechanical and dielectric properties of the grown crystal were examined. Fluorescence emission spectrum was recorded and lifetime was studied. A multiple shot laser technique was adopted to investigate the surface laser damage of the crystal. The third-order nonlinear optical characteristics of the grown crystal, investigated by [Formula: see text]-scan technique attest its suitability in the field of nonlinear optical applications.
Homogeneity in Web Search Results
Authors: Agrawal Rakesh , Golshan Behzad , Papalexakis Evangelos E.
Published: July 2017

Access to diverse perspectives nurtures an informed citizenry. Google and Bing have emerged as the duopoly that largely arbitrates which English-language documents are seen by web searchers. We present our empirical study over the search results produced by Google and Bing that shows a large overlap. Thus, citizens may not gain different perspectives by simultaneously probing them for the same query. Fortunately, our study also shows that by mining Twitter data, one can obtain search results that are quite distinct from those produced by Google, Bing, and Bing News. Additionally, the users found those results to be quite informative.

We also present two novel tools we designed for this study. One uses tensor analysis to derive low-dimensional compact representation of search results and study their behavior over time. The other uses machine learning and quantifies the similarity of results between two search engines by framing it as a prediction problem. Although these tools have different underpinnings, the analytical results obtained using them corroborate each other, which reinforces the confidence one can place in them for finding meaningful insights from big data.
Fast In-Memory Transaction Processing Using RDMA and HTM
Authors: Chen Haibo , Chen Rong , Wei Xingda , Shi Jiaxin , Chen Yanzhe , Wang Zhaoguo , Zang Binyu , Guan Haibing
Published: July 2017

DrTM is a fast in-memory transaction processing system that exploits advanced hardware features such as remote direct memory access (RDMA) and hardware transactional memory (HTM). To achieve high efficiency, it mostly offloads concurrency control such as tracking read/write accesses and conflict detection into HTM in a local machine and leverages the strong consistency between RDMA and HTM to ensure serializability among concurrent transactions across machines. To mitigate the high probability of HTM aborts for large transactions, we design and implement an optimized transaction chopping algorithm to decompose a set of large transactions into smaller pieces such that HTM is only required to protect each piece. We further build an efficient hash table for DrTM by leveraging HTM and RDMA to simplify the design and notably improve the performance. We describe how DrTM supports common database features like read-only transactions and logging for durability. Evaluation using typical OLTP workloads including TPC-C and SmallBank shows that DrTM has better single-node efficiency and scales well on a six-node cluster; it achieves greater than 1.51, 34 and 5.24, 138 million transactions per second for TPC-C and SmallBank on a single node and the cluster, respectively. Such numbers outperform a state-of-the-art single-node system (i.e., Silo) and a distributed transaction system (i.e., Calvin) by at least 1.9X and 29.6X for TPC-C.
AI policy
Authors: Medsker Larry
Published: July 2017

AI Policy is a regular column in
AI Matters
featuring summaries and commentary based on postings that appear twice a month in the AI Matters blog (https://sigai.acm.org/aimatters/blog/).
Indoor localization and navigation independent of sensor based technologies
Authors: Winter Stephan , Tomko Martin , Vasardani Maria , Richter Kai-Florian , Khoshelham Kourosh
Published: July 2017

In this short article we present concepts of indoor localization and navigation that are independent of sensors embedded in the environment, and thus, standing against the tide of technology-based indoor localization. The motivation for doing so is clear: We seek solutions that are independent of particular environments, and thus globally applicable.
Intermittent cortical involvement in the preservation of tremor in essential tremor
Authors: Sharifi Sarvi , Luft Frauke , Verhagen Rens , Heida Tjitske , Speelman Johannes D. , Bour Lo J. , van Rootselaar Anne-Fleur
Published: July 2017

Cortical involvement in essential tremor, an involuntary action tremor supposedly of subcortical origin, is uncertain. Conflicting results of corticomuscular coherence studies in essential tremor suggest an intermittent corticomuscular coupling. On the basis of the literature, we hypothesized that corticomuscular coupling is influenced by bilateral motor synchronization and “cognitive states” such as awareness of tremor. In the present study, we investigated 1) the existence of intermittent corticomuscular coherence (CMC) in essential tremor and 2) factors that influence CMC strength. In 18 essential tremor patients and 18 healthy controls, who mimicked tremor, we simultaneously recorded 64-channel EEG and 6-channel bipolar surface EMG from right and left wrist extensors and flexors. Right-sided (mimicked) hand tremor was recorded with and without a cognitive arithmetic task and with left-sided (mimicked) hand tremor. CMC values per task were compared within and between groups. Changes in CMC strength during tasks were calculated. Our main findings are 1) significant CMC around the (mimicked) tremor frequency across all tasks in both groups; 2) significant differences in CMC between unilateral tasks, with the highest values during the cognitive task only in the essential tremor group; and 3) significant fluctuations of CMC strength over time, independent of the tremor intensity, only in the essential tremor group. Our results suggest a limited role, and certainly not a continuous steering role, of sensorimotor cortical neurons in the generation of tremor. In clinical practice, these findings might help to standardize tremor registration and the interpretation of the analysis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The part of the motor cortex involved in essential tremor is uncertain. The current electrophysiological study is the first to assess corticomuscular coherence systematically. The study shows a dynamic nature of corticomuscular coherence and a possible influence of cognitive states. The results elucidate the involvement of the motor cortex in tremor and help interpret the varying results in the literature. In clinical practice, the findings may guide in standardizing tremor registration and its interpretation.
Nonlinear Waves in Rods and Beams of Power-Law Materials
Authors: Wei Dongming , Skrzypacz Piotr , Yu Xijun
Published: July 2017

Some novel traveling waves and special solutions to the 1D nonlinear dynamic equations of rod and beam of power-law materials are found in closed forms. The traveling solutions represent waves of high elevation that propagates without change of forms in time. These waves resemble the usual kink waves except that they do not possess bounded elevations. The special solutions satisfying certain boundary and initial conditions are presented to demonstrate the nonlinear behavior of the materials. This note demonstrates the apparent distinctions between linear elastic and nonlinear plastic waves.
Pulse Granulomas of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Gallbladder: Report of Five Cases
Authors: DeRoche Tom C. , Gates Gregory A. , Huber Aaron R.
Published: July 2017

Hyaline rings with admixed multinucleated giant cells characterize pulse granulomas; the term pulse refers to edible seeds of legume vegetables. The etiology has been controversial, with theories including vascular degenerative changes or a reaction to vegetable material; ultrastructural studies and experimentally induced lesions in animals favor the latter. This lesion is typically seen in the oral cavity, with only rare reports in the gastrointestinal tract and gallbladder. We herein describe five cases of pulse granulomas identified in these sites. All cases contained foreign-body giant cells and vegetable debris within or near hyaline rings. Pulse granulomas may form mass lesions but are usually an incidental finding on microscopic examination. In incidentally detected cases, recognition of pulse granulomas can suggest a mural abscess, fistula, or perforation of the gut, findings which may not be grossly apparent. The presence of vegetable material in all five cases further supports an exogenous pathogenesis.
Anti-Parkinson Drug Biperiden Inhibits Enzyme Acetylcholinesterase
Authors: Kostelnik Adam , Cegan Alexander , Pohanka Miroslav
Published: July 2017

Biperiden is a drug used in Parkinson disease treatment and it serves also as an antiseizures compound in organophosphates poisoning. It acts as antagonist of muscarinic receptor activated by acetylcholine while the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) cleaves acetylcholine in synaptic junction into choline and acetic acid. This enzyme is inhibited by various compounds; however there has not been proposed evidence about interaction with biperiden molecule. We investigated this interaction using standard Ellman’s assay and experimental findings were critically completed with an in silico prediction by SwissDock docking software. Uncompetitive mechanism of action was revealed from Dixon plot and inhibition constant (Ki) was calculated to be 1.11 mmol/l. The lowest predicted binding energy was −7.84 kcal/mol corresponding to H-bond between biperiden molecule and Tyr 341 residuum in protein structure of AChE. This interaction seems to be further stabilized by π-π interaction with Tyr 72, Trp 286, and Tyr 341. In conclusion, biperiden appears as a very weak inhibitor but it can serve as a lead structure in a pharmacological research.
Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Nurses Working in Hospitals of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Authors: Yan Ping , Li Fuye , Zhang Li , Yang Yi , Huang Amei , Wang Yanan , Yao Hua
Published: July 2017

Objective. To investigate the status of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in nurses working in the hospitals in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Methods. The prevalence of WMSDs since working and in the previous 12 months was evaluated using self-administrated modified musculoskeletal questionnaire based on North European questionnaire. In this cross-sectional study, 6674 nurses involved in the nursing profession were selected from 16 hospitals using the stratified cluster sampling method. Results. The most commonly affected regions by WMSDs were lower back, neck, shoulder, and back, with an annual prevalence of 62.71%, 59.77%, 49.66%, and 39.50%, respectively. Statistical differences were noticed in the annual prevalence of WMSDs in those with different ages (P<0.01) and working durations (P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the following risk factors were associated with the prevalence of WMSDs: working duration of ≥6 years; working in the Emergency Department, Department of Anesthesia, or Supply Room; night shift of more than once, working duration of >40 hrs per week; poor health status; and feeling of fatigue. Rest time of >10 min and no history of WMSDs were the protective factors of WMSDs. Conclusions. Shift and working/rest duration was closely related to WMSDs.
Postural Stability after Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty and Patient-Specific Interpositional Knee Spacer
Authors: Goetz J. , Baeurle M. , Dullien S. , Grifka J. , Koeck F. , Baier C.
Published: July 2017

Purpose and Hypothesis. Knee osteoarthritis results, inter alia, in decreased postural stability. After arthroplasty, postural stability recovers, but it is unclear whether this can be ascribed to a reduction of pain or to the preserving of receptor-rich intraarticular soft tissue and natural knee kinematics. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether an unicondylar knee arthroplasty provides better results regarding postural stability or a patient-specific knee spacer. Methods. In this comparative study, we assessed functional results and postural stability 16 months after 20 unicondylar knee arthroplasties (group A) and 20 patient-specific interpositional knee device implantations (group B). Patients were evaluated using the KSS and WOMAC score. Postural stability was analysed during single leg stance on a force platform (Biodex Balance System). Results. Concerning postural stability, range of motion (ROM), and KSS 16 months after the procedure, there were no significant differences between both groups. Conclusion. Successful treatment of knee osteoarthritis restores postural stability to the level of the contralateral side, regardless of the implant device.
Delayed Presentation of Suture Erosion following Burch Colposuspension
Authors: Shapiro Robert , Hajiran Ali , Zaslau Stanley
Published: July 2017

Background. Synthetic mid-urethral mesh slings are the most common primary surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and have been designated as the standard of care by the American Urogynecologic Society. In recent years, synthetic mesh has come under increased scrutiny by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) due to concerns over patient safety. This has led to more surgeons and patients preferring Burch colposuspension to treat SUI. Case. We discuss two cases of suture erosion into the urethra and bladder. They presented with irritative voiding symptoms and recurrent urinary tract infections. Both were discovered years after a Burch colposuspension. Conclusion. As reported in the literature as early as 1999, erosion is a complication associated with many types of incontinence surgery and not unique to mesh based sling operations. Burch colposuspension should not be favored solely to avoid erosion and patients should be counseled accordingly. Teaching Point. Cystourethroscopy performed intraoperatively or postoperatively is essential for early diagnosis and treatment of complications related to incontinence surgery.
A Disease-Modifying Approach for Advanced Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Regimen with Metformin, Liraglutide, Dapsone, and Finasteride): A Case Report
Authors: Khandalavala Birgit N.
Published: July 2017

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a challenging skin disease with limited therapeutic options. Obesity and metabolic syndrome are being increasingly implicated and associated with younger ages and greater metabolic severity. A 19-year-old female with an 8-year history of progressively debilitating cicatricial HS disease presented with obesity, profound anemia, leukocytosis, increased platelet count, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated liver enzymes. A combination of metformin, liraglutide, levonorgestrel-ethinyl estradiol, dapsone, and finasteride was initiated. Acute antibiotic use for recurrences and flares could be slowly discontinued. Over the course of 3 years on this regimen, the liver enzymes normalized in 1 year, followed in2 years by complete resolution of the majority of the hematological and metabolic abnormalities. The sedimentation rate reduced from over 120 to 34 mm/h. She required 1 surgical intervention for perianal disease after 9 months on the regimen. Flares greatly diminished in intensity and duration, with none in the past 6 months. Right axillary lesions have completely healed with residual disease greatly reduced. Chiefly abdominal lesions are persistent. She was able to complete high school from home, start a job, and resume a normal life. Initial weight loss of 40 pounds was not maintained. The current regimen is being well tolerated and continued.
Long-Term Prognosis of Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis: A Longitudinal Study with More than 10 Years of Follow-Up: Better than Reported
Authors: Jang Yong Hyun , Hong Nam-Soo , Moon Sun Young , Eun Dong Hyuk , Lee Won Kee , Chi Seong Geun , Kim Jun Young , Lee Weon Ju , Lee Seok-Jong , Kim Do Won
Published: July 2017

Background: In alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU), the chance of full hair regrowth is known to be less than 10%. However, this information is based on a few older studies conducted in the 1950s and 1960s. Objective: We investigated the current long-term prognosis of individuals with AT/AU. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed in patients with AT/AU between 1994 and 2005. Outcome data were collected by reviewing outpatient clinical files or by phone interviews. Finally, the long-term assessment of 70 patients with valid outcome data was performed. Results: Twelve out of 70 patients with AT/AU (17.1%) had complete hair regrowth. Five out of 24 patients with AT (20.8%) showed complete hair regrowth, and 7 of 46 patients with AU (15.2%) achieved complete regrowth. Seventeen out of 70 patients with AT/AU (24.2%) reported hair regrowth greater than or equal to 90%. Thirty patients with AU (65.2%) remained in an alopecic state without improvement, while 5 patients with AT (20.8%) showed no hair regrowth. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the long-term prognosis of AT/AU is more favorable than previously thought. However, the clinical burden of AT/AU is still substantial.
Outcome of Preterm Neonates with a Birth Weight <1,500 g with Severe Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure Rescued by Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy and High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation
Authors: Golfar Atoosa , Bhogal Jagmeet , Kamstra Barbara , Hudson-Mason Ann , Qureshi Mosarrat , Schmölzer Georg M. , Cheung Po-Yin
Published: July 2017

Background: Despite being an experimental therapy in preterm neonates, inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is used as a rescue therapy when high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and other conventional therapies fail. Objective: We aimed to determine the outcomes of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) neonates with hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF) who had received iNO after maximal conventional therapies. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed preterm neonates (<33 weeks of gestation with a birth weight <1,500 g) who had all received HFOV and then iNO from March 1, 2009 to April 1, 2014 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. We collected demographic and clinical parameters, doses, duration and response to iNO, survival to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge, major complications, and neurodevelopmental outcome at 18-24 months of corrected age. Results: During the study period, 1,168 eligible preterm neonates were admitted; 155 (13%) had HRF treated with HFOV, of whom 47 (30%) received iNO. The baseline characteristics between the 24 survivors and 23 nonsurvivors were not different. Survivors had a greater decrease in oxygenation index than nonsurvivors (61 vs. 33%) after 6 h of iNO (p = 0.003). The causes of death were refractory hypoxemia (8), multi-organ failure (7), treatment withdrawal (6), and others (2). During the NICU stay, 23 survivors (96%) developed complications. At 18-24 months, 7 (29%) had significant disabilities. Conclusions: Of the VLBW neonates with severe HRF rescued by HFOV and iNO, many survived without neurodevelopmental disability at early childhood, despite multiple short-term complications. Further research is necessary to understand the clinical course and risk factors of adverse outcomes and to improve the management care of these critically ill neonates.
Dimensões da relação estética na obra fotográfica de Cao Guimarães
Authors: Picado Benjamim , Lins Consuelo
Published: July 2017

Analisaremos aqui algumas séries fotográficas do artista mineiro Cao Guimarães considerando os padrões de interação sensível promovidos por sua obra, em quadros pragmáticos da experiência estética da fotografia. A “relação estética” será identificada tanto com atitudes e regimes sensoriais que originam a obra quanto na interação com um potencial apreciador. O corpus desse estudo compreende Paisagens reais – homenagem a Guignard (2009), Úmido (2015), Plano de voo (2015) e Steps (2015) e salienta aspectos que conectam cada série com a experiência estética suscitada por suas fotografias.
Comparative Biomechanical Behavior and Healing Profile of a Novel Thinned Wall Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Amorphous Poly-
l
-Lactic Acid Sirolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold
Authors: Cheng Yanping , Gasior Pawel , Xia Jing-Gang , Ramzipoor Kamal , Lee Chang , Estrada Edward A. , Dokko Daniell , McGregor Jenn C. , Conditt Gerard B. , McAndrew Thomas , Kaluza Greg L. , Granada Juan F.
Published: July 2017

Background—

Mechanical strength of bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) is highly dependent on strut dimensions and polymer features. To date, the successful development of thin-walled BRS has been challenging. We compared the biomechanical behavior and vascular healing profile of a novel thin-walled (115 µm) sirolimus-eluting ultrahigh molecular weight amorphous poly-
l
-lactic acid-based BRS (APTITUDE, Amaranth Medical [AMA]) to Absorb (bioresorbable vascular scaffold [BVS]) using different experimental models.

Methods and Results—

In vitro biomechanical testing showed no fractures in the AMA-BRS when overexpanded 1.3 mm above nominal dilatation values (≈48%) and lower number of fractures on accelerated cycle testing over time (at 21 K cycles=20.0 [19.5–20.5] in BVS versus 4.0 [3.0–4.3] in AMA-BRS). In the healing response study, 35 AMA-BRS and 23 BVS were implanted in 58 coronary arteries of 23 swine and followed-up to 180 days. Scaffold strut healing was evaluated in vivo using weekly optical coherence tomography analysis. At 14 days, the AMA-BRS demonstrated a higher percentage of embedded struts (71.0% [47.6, 89.1] compared with BVS 40.3% [20.5, 63.2];
P
=0.01). At 21 days, uncovered struts were still present in the BVS group (3.8% [2.1, 10.2]). Histopathology revealed lower area stenosis (AMA-BRS, 21.0±6.1% versus BVS 31.0±4.5%;
P
=0.002) in the AMA-BRS at 28 days. Neointimal thickness and inflammatory scores were comparable between both devices at 180 days.

Conclusions—

A new generation thinned wall BRS displayed a more favorable biomechanical behavior and strut healing profile compared with BVS in normal porcine coronary arteries. This novel BRS concept has the potential to improve the clinical outcomes of current generation BRS.
Brain Transforming Growth Factor-β Resists Hypertension Via Regulating Microglial Activation
Authors: Li You , Shen Xiao Z. , Li Liang , Zhao Tuantuan V. , Bernstein Kenneth E. , Johnson Alan K. , Lyden Patrick , Fang Jianmin , Shi Peng
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose—

Hypertension is the major risk factor for stroke. Recent work unveiled that hypertension is associated with chronic neuroinflammation; microglia are the major players in neuroinflammation, and the activated microglia elevate sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure. This study is to understand how brain homeostasis is kept from hypertensive disturbance and microglial activation at the onset of hypertension.

Methods—

Hypertension was induced by subcutaneous delivery of angiotensin II, and blood pressure was monitored in conscious animals. Microglial activity was analyzed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Antibody, pharmacological chemical, and recombinant cytokine were administered to the brain through intracerebroventricular infusion. Microglial depletion was performed by intracerebroventricular delivering diphtheria toxin to CD11b-diphtheria toxin receptor mice. Gene expression profile in sympathetic controlling nucleus was analyzed by customized qRT-PCR array.

Results—

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is constitutively expressed in the brains of normotensive mice. Removal of TGF-β or blocking its signaling before hypertension induction accelerated hypertension progression, whereas supplementation of TGF-β1 substantially suppressed neuroinflammation, kidney norepinephrine level, and blood pressure. By means of microglial depletion and adoptive transfer, we showed that the effects of TGF-β on hypertension are mediated through microglia. In contrast to the activated microglia in established hypertension, the resting microglia are immunosuppressive and important in maintaining neural homeostasis at the onset of hypertension. Further, we profiled the signature molecules of neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity associated with hypertension and TGF-β by qRT-PCR array.

Conclusions—

Our results identify that TGF-β–modulated microglia are critical to keeping brain homeostasis responding to hypertensive disturbance.
Could Human Development Be the Key to Environmental Sustainability?
Authors: Adil Ahmed Affan
Published: July 2017

This paper identifies gaps in the theoretical literature on Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and compares it with empirical evidence on barriers to environmental strategies. Although NRBV’s components may allow firms to gain a sustained competitive advantage, the determinants of these components may be affected by the market conditions. The barriers to environmental strategies align with the gaps found in the NRBV literature, suggesting that NRBV may need to address these issues in order to be generalizable across various market conditions. The barriers to environmental strategies may intensify in countries with low levels of human development, making it difficult for firms to gain a competitive advantage in developing countries, as compared to developed countries. This implies that the optimal market conditions for environmental strategies may depend on the human development level of both developed and developing economies.
Ontohacking: Onto-Ecological Politics in the Algoricene
Authors: del Val Jaime
Published: July 2017

The METABODY project proposes an ontological critique of perceptual regimes, such as perspective and rationalized vision, which eventually underlie contemporary control society and imperial colonization projects, thus being an ontological substrate of contemporary environmental problems. Metabody proposes relational and perceptual modes exceeding the ontological splits (subject-object divide) that account for colonization processes as well as for models of control based on quantification, prediction and modulation in the Big Data Era or Algoricene. These proposals become enacted in a novel architectural paradigm of dynamic self-construction techniques across the digital and physical for an indeterminate and emergent space, called METATOPIA.
Gardens, Machines and Education
Authors: McMullen Shannon , Winkler Fabian , Zuiker Steven
Published: July 2017

The authors discuss their contributions to the 2015 Balance-Unbalance conference goals, bringing together McMullen_Winkler’s Soybots artwork and Zuiker’s Connected Gardening partnership with a local Phoenix elementary school. This collaborative effort balanced art, plants and technology for alternative learning experiences about future natures.
A new species of Miogryllus Saussure, 1877 and new record of Miogryllus piracicabensis Piza, 1960 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) from State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with calling song and chromosome complement
Authors: ORSINI MARCELO PINHEIRO , COSTA MARIA KÁTIA MATIOTTI DA , SZINWELSKI NEUCIR , MARTINS LUCIANO DE PINHO , CORRÊA ROBSON CREPES , TIMM VITOR FALCHI , ZEFA EDISON
Published: July 2017

In this paper we describe a new species of Miogryllus cricket collected from the grasses at urban area of the municipality of Itaqui, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, highlighting phallic sclerites morphology, calling song parameters and chromosome complement. We also provide a new record for Miogryllus piracicabensis Piza, 1960 to the southern Brazil, improving calling song and karyotype information for this species. The type-material and vouchers are deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP).
Taxonomy of the genus Protocypus J. Müller, 1923 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini) and two new species from China
Authors: HE LIANG , ZHOU HONG-ZHANG
Published: July 2017

Two new species of the genus Protocypus J. Müller, 1923 are described from China: Protocypus taibaiensis sp. nov. and Protocypus admirabilis sp. nov.. Line drawings and color illustrations of the adults, and the genitalia of the new species and Protocypus fulvotomentosus (Eppelsheim, 1889), Protocypus latro Smetana, 2005, Protocypus lupus Smetana, 2005, Protocypus pilifer Smetana, 2005, Protocypus wrasei Smetana, 2005 are given. A key to the Chinese species of the genus Protocypus is provided.