bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro improvement of quail primordial germ cell expansion through activation of TGF‐beta signaling pathway
Authors: Yakhkeshi Saeed , Rahimi Shaban , Sharafi Mohsen , Hassani Seyedeh‐Nafiseh , Taleahmad Sara , Shahverdi Abdolhossein , Baharvand Hossein
Published: December 2017

Avian primordial germ cells (PGCs) have valuable potentials to cell‐based approaches for transgenic bird production. In this regard, improvement of avian PGC expansion in vitro is necessary. Among experimental avian species, quail is a good model for transgenic technology, especially due to its short generation time. In the present study, we have examined the proliferative effects of transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) on the quail PGCs. After isolation of quail PGCs from blood (Hamburger‐Hamilton [HH stages 13‐15]) and gonads (HH stages 28‐30), these cells were cultured on quail embryonic fibroblasts (QEF). Our results indicated th at cultured gonadal‐derived PGCs proliferated 400 times in comparison to 100 times for blood PGCs over 40‐50 days. Upon in vitro exposure to TGF‐β inducers by Activin or the inducer of definitive endoderm 1 (IDE1) small molecule, the number of gonad PGCs significantly increased to 26% and 64%, respectively. In contrast, inhibition of the TGF‐β signaling pathway by SB431542 resulted in a significant reduction in the numbers of PGCs (P < 0.001). Moreover, Phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 in the IDE1 group was higher compared to the Activin‐treated ones. We confirmed the PGC identification with periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) staining, anti‐SSEA1, β‐catenin, β‐integrin, and Nanog immunofluorescence staining. Exogenously IDE1 treated‐PGCs migrated toward the embryonic gonads after transplantation into the heart of the recipient embryo at HH stages 13‐15. Our results suggested that the application of IDE1 small molecule into the culture of quail PGCs represented a step toward achieving efficient expansion of the avian PGCs.
GATA1 activated lncRNA (Galont) promotes anoxia/reoxygenation‐induced autophagy and cell death in cardiomyocytes by sponging miR‐338
Authors: Yin Guotian , Yang Xiuli , Li Qiong , Guo Zhikun
Published: December 2017

The hypernomic autophagy is associated with various cardiovascular diseases. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important regulators in gene expression, which have been involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes. However, the function of lncRNAs and how they functioned in the autophagy in cardiomyocytes were rarely reported. In this study, we report that a lncRNA, named GATA1 activated lncRNA (Galont), can directly interact with miR‐338 and promote ATG5‐mediated autophagic cell death in murine cardiomyocytes. First, we found that Galont was upregulated by anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) stimulus, and it was able to promote autophagy and cell death in cardiomyocytes exposure to A/R. Then, miR‐338 was identified as a novel suppressor in autophagy and autophagic cell death. Our results from bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter gene assay indicated that ATG5 is a target gene of miR‐338. Furthermore, RNA pull‐down assays demonstrated that Galont directly interacted with miR‐338, and thus promoted ATG5 expression and autophagic cell death. Our findings reveal a novel regulatory circuit in the autophagy in cardiomyocytes, which consists of Galont, miR‐338 and ATG5.
Daily hassles score associates with the somatic and psychological health of patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: Sarid Orly , Slonim‐Nevo Vered , Sergienko Ruslan , Pereg Avihu , Chernin Elena , Singer Terri , Greenberg Dan , Schwartz Doron , Vardi Hillel , Friger Michael , Odes Shmuel
Published: December 2017

Objective

To examine the associations of daily hassles with the somatic and psychological health of Crohn's disease (CD) patients.

Method

A cross‐sectional study of 400 self‐selected adult CD patients was performed with completion of demographic, medical, and psychosocial questionnaires: economic status; Patient Harvey‐Bradshaw Index of disease activity; Daily Hassles Scale (DHS); Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ) and Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36 Physical and Mental Health) quality of life measures; Brief Symptom Inventory of psychological stress with summary Global Severity Index (GSI); Family Assessment Device; and List of Threatening Life Experiences. Analyses included correlations, regressions, and Sobel test statistic.

Results

The patients were aged 38.7 ± 14.1 years, 61% female and 67% working. The Patient Harvey‐Bradshaw Index was 5.52 ± 4.87. The DHS was 88.0 ± 23.2, similar in men and women, higher in smokers, and increased with greater disease activity (p < .001). The most commonly reported hassles were time, social, and work. DHS had significant negative correlations with age, disease duration, and economic status and positive correlations with GSI, SF‐36, and SIBDQ. An increased Daily Hassles score was associated with reduced SIBDQ (p < .001) and SF‐36 Mental Health (p < .001) and increased GSI (p < .001) and Patient Harvey‐Bradshaw Index (p < .001). This effect of DHS on Patient Harvey‐Bradshaw Index was mediated by GSI (Sobel t = 6.09, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Daily hassles in CD patients are shown for the first time to be associated with increased psychological stress and disease activity and reduced quality of life and lower economic status. This has psychotherapeutic implications.
Comparative peptidomic profile between human hypertrophic scar tissue and matched normal skin for identification of endogenous peptides involved in scar pathology
Authors: Li Jingyun , Chen Ling , Li Qian , Cao Jing , Gao Yanli , Li Jun
Published: December 2017

Endogenous peptides recently attract increasing attention for their participation in various biological processes. Their roles in the pathogenesis of human hypertrophic scar remains poorly understood. In this study, we used liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry to construct a comparative peptidomic profiling between human hypertrophic scar tissue and matched normal skin. A total of 179 peptides were significantly differentially expressed in human hypertrophic scar tissue, with 95 upregulated and 84 downregulated peptides between hypertrophic scar tissue and matched normal skin. Further bioinformatics analysis (Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis) indicated that precursor proteins of these differentially expressed peptides correlate with cellular process, biological regulation, cell part, binding and structural molecule activity ribosome, and PPAR signaling pathway occurring during pathological changes of hypertrophic scar. Based on prediction database, we found that 78 differentially expressed peptides shared homology with antimicrobial peptides and five matched known immunomodulatory peptides. In conclusion, our results show significantly altered expression profiles of peptides in human hypertrophic scar tissue. These peptides may participate in the etiology of hypertrophic scar and provide beneficial scheme for scar evaluation and treatments.
Effects of shRNA‐mediated silencing of PSMA7 on cell proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor expression via the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway in cervical cancer
Authors: Ren Chen‐Chen , Yang Li , Liu Ling , Chen Yan‐Nan , Cheng Guo‐Mei , Zhang Xiao‐An , Liu Hui
Published: December 2017

This study aims to evaluate the effects of PSMA7 silencing on cervical cancer (CC) cell proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression through the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway. CC tissues (n = 43) and normal tissues (n = 27) were first collected from patients. Human CC cell line (SiHa) and human normal cervical epithelial cells (H8) were obtained and classified into the normal, blank, negative control (NC), PSMA7‐shRNA1, and PSMA7‐shRNA2 groups, respectively. In situ hybridization was used to detect the expressions of wild‐type and mutant p53 proteins. Immunofluorescence assay was carried out to test the activity of 20S proteasomes. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were both performed to determine the expressions of PSMA7, ubiquitin, P27, P53, and VEGF in sample tissues and cells. 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to analyze cell proliferation rates, and flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle and the apoptotic rate. Compared with normal tissues, CC tissues showed increased expression levels of PSMA7, ubiquitin, p53, VEGF as well as increased activity of 20S proteasomes but exhibited a decrease in p27 expression. Compared with the blank and NC groups, the PSMA7‐shRNA1 and PSMA7‐shRNA2 groups all had decreased expression levels of PSMA7, ubiquitin, p53, and VEGF as well as decreased cell proliferation, 20S proteasomes activity, and cell number in the S phase, increased p27 expression, cell apoptosis and cell number in the G0/G1 phase. Our study demonstrated that PSMA7 silencing can suppress CC cell proliferation and VEGF expression in addition to promoting cell apoptosis through inhibiting the UPP signaling pathway.
Medical support with acupuncture and massage therapies for disaster victims
Authors: Miwa Masataka , Takayama Shin , Kaneko Soichiro
Published: December 2017

Background

After the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster (GEJED) and Joso City Flood (JCF), a number of people were relocated to evacuation centers. In situations following a large‐scale disaster, acupuncture can be applied for various health problems in evacuation centers. In this study, we report the medical support operation for evacuees with acupuncture and massage therapy (AP/MT) and its effectiveness. In addition, we propose an experience‐based guideline for AP/MT in such situations.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated the treatment with AP/MT after GEJED and JCF based on the medical records that were coded. We performed AP/MT for evacuees or supporters in Iwanuma City, Shiogama City, and Natori City after the GEJED (total number of 1042), and in Joso City after the JCF (total number of 110).

Results

The most common complaints, shoulder, back, and knee pain, were reported in 67.6% of patients after the GEJED and 80.9% of patients after the JCF. Acupuncture and massage therapy (AP/MT) significantly decreased the median Face Scale score of subjective symptoms in evacuees (before, 3.0 vs after, 1.0, P < .001) and supporters (before, 3.0 vs after, 1.0, P < .001) in the JCF.

Conclusions

Evacuees and supporters in affected areas could benefit from AP/MT for relief of subjective symptoms. For proper management and safety support, we proposed a guideline of AP/MT for postdisaster situations.
Rethinking the origins of autism: Ida Frye and the unraveling of children's inner world in the Netherlands in the late 1930s
Authors: Van Drenth Annemieke
Published: December 2017

Historiographies on the phenomenon of “autism” display Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger as the great pioneers. The recent controversy on who was first in “discovering” autism urges research into the question of how scientific discoveries relate to processes of academic reflection and social intervention. The Netherlands provide an interesting case in pioneering work in autism, since Dutch experts described autism in children already in the late 1930s, preceding the first publications on autism in children by Kanner and Asperger. This paper examines the Dutch origins of autism by focusing on Ida Frye's contribution to the teamwork at the Paedological Institute in Nijmegen, which resulted in descriptions of children with autism. The theoretical aim of this paper is to underline the importance of the productive interplay between social interventions and scientific efforts concerning the complex inner world of special children.
From Hohenschönhausen to Guantanamo Bay: Psychology's role in the secret services of the GDR and the United States
Authors: Michels Moritz , Wieser Martin
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a historical analysis of the genesis, context, and function of “Operative Psychology,” a little‐known branch of applied psychology developed by employees of the Ministry of State Security in the German Democratic Republic. For 25 years, theories and practices of Operative Psychology were taught to elite agents at the Juridical Academy in Potsdam, introducing them to various “silent” psychological techniques of persuasion, interrogation, and repression. After highlighting the economic and political context that increased the need for “silent” techniques of observation and repression, an overview of the topics that were taught and researched at the chair for Operative Psychology is given. Examples of how these techniques were put into practice are provided and the consequences for the victims of Operative Psychology are discussed. Furthermore, commonalities and differences between Operative Psychology and the use of psychological torture by the CIA during the “war on terror” are discussed and questions regarding the relation between methodological and moral strategies of justification are addressed.
Roles of neutrophils in cancer growth and progression
Authors: Galdiero Maria Rosaria , Varricchi Gilda , Loffredo Stefania , Mantovani Alberto , Marone Gianni
Published: December 2017

Chronic inflammation is a well-known tumor-enabling capacity, which allows nascent tumors to acquire all the hallmark capabilities, including the escape from immunosurveillance. Soluble and cellular inflammatory mediators constitute the complex network of the tumor microenvironment, in which tumors grow and with which constantly interact. Myeloid cells (e.g., tumor associated macrophages) are pivotal players of the tumor microenvironment and are characterized by plasticity, which consists of the ability to acquire distinct phenotypes in response to the microenvironment in which they reside. Neutrophils are emerging as important players of tumor microenvironment, given their heterogeneity and plasticity. Increasing evidence suggests a dual role for neutrophils in modulating tumor behavior and highlights the need for a reassessment of neutrophil functions in cancer initiation and progression.
Serum M2BPGi level is a novel predictive biomarker for the responses to pegylated interferon‐α treatment in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Zhu Ming‐Yu , Chen Pei‐Zhan , Li Jing , Yu De‐Min , Huang Dao , Zhu Xue‐Juan , Han Yue , Chen Jie , Huang Wei , Chen Yong‐Yan , Gong Qi‐Ming , Jiang Jie‐Hong , Zhang Dong‐Hua , Zhang Yan , Zhang Ji‐Ming , Zhang Xin‐Xin
Published: December 2017

Serum Mac‐2‐binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) level was found to be a useful prognostic marker for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with nucleoside/nucleotide analogs (NUCs) therapy, and the aim of our study is to evaluate the clinical implementation of M2BPGi level in the prediction of antiviral responses to pegylated‐interferon‐α (PEG‐IFN‐α) treatment in HBeAg‐positive CHB patients. Ninety‐six CHB patients who received PEG‐IFN‐α treatment for at least 48 weeks were recruited. The serum M2BPGi, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HBeAg, and HBV DNA levels at baseline, weeks 4, 12, and 24 after PEG‐IFN‐α treatment were determined and their associations with antiviral responses were evaluated and the virological response (VR) rate and serological response (SR) rate after 48 weeks of treatment were 65.6% and 35.4%, respectively. Baseline serum M2BPGi level was significantly different between VR and non‐VR (P = 0.002) or SR and non‐SR groups (P = 0.012). Multivariate analyses suggested that baseline serum M2BPGi level was independently associated with VR and SR of PEG‐IFN‐α treatment at week 48. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of baseline M2BPGi was 0.682 in predicting VR, which was superior to HBsAg (AUC = 0.566) or HBV DNA (AUC = 0.567). The AUC of baseline M2BPGi in predicting SR was 0.655, which was also higher than that of HBsAg (AUC = 0.548) or HBV DNA (AUC = 0.583). These results suggested that baseline serum M2BPGi level was a novel predictor of VR and SR for PEG‐IFN‐α treatment in HBeAg‐positive CHB patients.
Evaluation of Umbilical Vein Blood Volume Flow in Preeclampsia by Angle‐Independent 3D Sonography
Authors: Pinter Stephen Z. , Kripfgans Oliver D. , Treadwell Marjorie C. , Kneitel Anna W. , Fowlkes J. Brian , Rubin Jonathan M.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To investigate the association between umbilical vein blood volume flow and the condition of preeclampsia in an at‐risk maternal patient cohort. Umbilical vein volume flow was quantified by a 3‐dimensional (3D) sonographic technique that overcomes several limitations of standard sonographic flow measurement methods.

Methods

A total of 35 patients, each with a singleton pregnancy, were recruited to provide 5 patients with preeclampsia, derived as a subset from a 26‐patient at‐risk group, and 9 patients with normal pregnancies. An ultrasound system equipped with a 2.0–8.0‐MHz transducer was used to acquire multivolume 3D color flow and power mode data sets to compute the mean umbilical vein volume flow in patients with normal pregnancies and preeclampsia.

Results

The gestational ages of the pregnancies ranged from 29.7 to 34.3 weeks in the patients with preeclampsia and from 25.9 to 34.7 weeks in the patients with normal pregnancies. Comparisons between patients with normal pregnancies and those with preeclampsia showed weight‐normalized flow with a moderately high separation between groups (P = .11) and depth‐corrected, weight‐normalized flow with a statistically significant difference between groups (P = .035). Umbilical vein volume flow measurements were highly reproducible in the mean estimate, with an intrapatient relative SE of 12.1% ± 5.9% and an intrameasurement relative SE of 5.6% ± 1.9 %. In patients who developed pregnancy‐induced hypertension or severe pregnancy‐induced hypertension, umbilical vein volume flow suggested gestational hypertensive disorder before clinical diagnosis.

Conclusions

Results indicate that mean depth‐corrected, weight‐normalized umbilical vein volume flow is reduced in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and that volume flow may indicate hypertensive disorder earlier in gestation. Volume flow measurements are highly reproducible, and further study in a larger clinical population is encouraged to determine whether 3D volume flow can complement the management of preeclampsia and, in general, at‐risk pregnancy.
The effectiveness of platelet‐rich plasma in an anosmia‐induced mice model
Authors: Yasak Ahmet Gorkem , Yigit Ozgur , Araz Server Ela , Durna Dastan Sevgi , Gul Mehmet
Published: December 2017

Objective

In this study, we aimed to functionally and morphologically demonstrate the effectiveness of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) on anosmia in a mouse model of anosmia.

Study Design

Animal study.

Methods

A total of 16 male mice were included. When selecting the mice, the food‐finding test (FFT) was used to make sure that the animals could smell, and anosmia was induced by administration of intraperitoneal 3‐methylindole. The mice were randomly divided into two groups of eight (groups A and B). After 1 week, topical PRP was administered to the mice in group A and topical saline was administered to the mice in group B. The FFT was again administered at 7, 14, and 21 days. The mice were sacrificed on day 21, the olfactory neuroepithelium was histopathologically examined, and the epithelial damage scores and epithelial thickness were measured.

Results

After topical administration of PRP and saline, the difference in the average FFT values of the groups was statistically significant at 7, 14, and 21 days (P < 0,005). During the histopathological examination, the epithelial damage score was statistically significantly lower in the PRP group (P = 0.001) than in the saline group, and epithelial thickness was statistically significantly greater in the PRP group compared to the saline group (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

We showed that PRP administration has a curative effect on olfactory functions in an anosmia‐induced mice model. However, there is a need for further research before PRP can be considered for use in patients with anosmia in clinical practice.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 128:E157–E162, 2018
The diagnostic pathway of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in a large U.S. healthcare system
Authors: Gilde Jason , Song Brian , Masroor Farzad , Darbinian Jeanne A. , Ritterman Weintraub Miranda L. , Salazar James , Yang Eleanor , Gurushanthaiah Deepak , Wang Kevin H.
Published: December 2017

Objective

To examine the current diagnostic pathway of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and identify factors associated with time to diagnosis.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of patients with OPSCC in an integrated healthcare system from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013. Patient demographics, tobacco and alcohol use, chief complaint, tumor stage, human papilloma virus (HPV) status, physician factors (diagnosis, antibiotic prescription, performance of endoscopic exam, biopsy), and time intervals were examined. Time variations by patient characteristics and physician practice were assessed.

Results

We identified 152 patients with OPSCC. Of those, 90% had stage III to IV disease. The cohort was largely male (85%), white (79%), with HPV‐positive tumors (84%). Most common chief complaints were neck mass (52%) and sore throat (20%). Among those with neck a mass, 94% had HPV‐positive tumors. Prescription of antibiotics was associated with longer time to first otolaryngology evaluation. Median time from symptom onset to first primary care physician (PCP) contact was 3.0 weeks; from PCP to otolaryngologist was 1.1 weeks, and from otolaryngologist to tissue diagnosis was 0.4 weeks. At the first otolaryngology visit, 82% underwent in‐office flexible endoscopy and 58% had same‐day biopsy, resulting in rapid time to tissue diagnosis. Diagnostic time intervals did not differ by HPV status.

Conclusion

The overall diagnostic process was efficient, although initial antibiotic treatment resulted in longer time to first otolaryngology visit. Tumor HPV status was associated with presenting findings but not time to diagnosis. The variation in diagnostic delay time and impact on survival outcomes is unknown and merits further investigation.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 1867–1873, 2018
Sustainable open access for scholarly journals in 6 years – the incubator model at Utrecht University Library Open Access Journals
Authors: Sondervan Jeroen , Stigter Fleur
Published: December 2017

Key points

Humanities and the social science journals need flexible funding models.

Pragmatism and collaboration are key to transforming traditional publishing initiatives.

The Uopen Journals model sets a 6‐year development target for developing sustainable journals.

Actively involved editors are key to a journal's success.
Thermophilic bacterial communities inhabiting the microbial mats of “indifferent” and chalybeate (iron‐rich) thermal springs: Diversity and biotechnological analysis
Authors: Selvarajan Ramganesh , Sibanda Timothy , Tekere Memory
Published: December 2017

Microbial mats are occasionally reported in thermal springs and information on such mats is very scarce. In this study, microbial mats were collected from two hot springs (Brandvlei (BV) and Calitzdorp (CA)), South Africa and subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and targeted 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Spring water temperature was 55°C for Brandvlei and 58°C for Calitzdorp while the pH of both springs was slightly acidic, with an almost identical pH range (6.2–6.3). NGS analysis resulted in a total of 4943 reads, 517 and 736 OTUs for BV and CA at, respectively, a combined total of 14 different phyla in both samples, 88 genera in CA compared to 45 in BV and 37.64% unclassified sequences in CA compared to 27.32% recorded in BV. Dominant bacterial genera in CA microbial mat were Proteobacteria (29.19%), Bacteroidetes (9.41%), Firmicutes (9.01%), Cyanobacteria (6.89%), Actinobacteria (2.65%), Deinococcus‐Thermus (2.57%), and Planctomycetes (1.94%) while the BV microbial mat was dominated by Bacteroidetes (47.3%), Deinococcus‐Thermus (12.35%), Proteobacteria (7.98%), and Planctomycetes (2.97%). Scanning electron microscopy results showed the presence of microbial filaments possibly resembling cyanobacteria, coccids, rod‐shaped bacteria and diatoms in both microbial mats. Dominant genera that were detected in this study have been linked to different biotechnological applications including hydrocarbon degradation, glycerol fermentation, anoxic‐fermentation, dehalogenation, and biomining processes. Overall, the results of this study exhibited thermophilic bacterial community structures with high diversity in microbial mats, which have a potential for biotechnological exploitation.
The triterpenoid corosolic acid blocks transformation and epigenetically reactivates Nrf2 in TRAMP‐C1 prostate cells
Authors: Yang Jie , Wu Renyi , Li Wenji , Gao Linbo , Yang Yuqing , Li Ping , Kong Ah‐Ng
Published: December 2017

Corosolic acid (CRA) is found in various plants and has been used as a health food supplement worldwide. Although it has been reported that CRA exhibits significant anticancer activity, the effect of this compound on prostate cancer remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of CRA on cellular transformation and the reactivation of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) through epigenetic regulation in TRAMP‐C1 prostate cells. Specifically, we found that CRA inhibited anchorage‐independent growth of prostate cancer TRAMP‐C1 cells but not Nrf2 knockout prostate cancer TRAMP‐C1 cells. Moreover, CRA induced mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2, heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) and NAD(P)H Quinone Oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Bisulfite genomic sequencing and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation results revealed that CRA treatment decreased the level of methylation of the first five CpG sites of the Nrf2 promoter. Histone modification was analyzed using a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, which revealed that CRA treatment increased the acetylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27ac) while decreasing the trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) in the promoter region of Nrf2. Furthermore, CRA treatment attenuated the protein expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). These findings indicate that CRA has a significant anticancer effect in TRAMP‐C1 cells, which could be partly attributed to epigenetics including its ability to epigenetically restore the expression of Nrf2.
Oocyte oxidative DNA damage may be involved in minimal/mild endometriosis‐related infertility
Authors: Da Broi Michele G. , Jordão‐Jr Alceu A. , Ferriani Rui A. , Navarro Paula A.
Published: December 2017

Early endometriosis is associated with infertility, and oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of disease‐related infertility. This prospective case‐control study aimed to compare the presence of oxidative stress markers in the follicular microenvironment and systemic circulation of infertile women with minimal/mild endometriosis (EI/II) versus individuals undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Seventy‐one blood samples (27 from infertile women with EI/II and 44 controls with tubal and/or male infertility factor) and 51 follicular fluid samples (19 EI/II and 32 controls) were obtained on the day of oocyte retrieval. Total hydroperoxides (FOX1), reduced glutathione, vitamin E, Superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, and 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) concentrations were measured in both fluids. Women with EI/II showed higher FOX1 (8.48 ± 1.72 vs. 7.69 ± 1.71 μmol/g protein) and lower total antioxidant capacity (0.38 ± 0.18 vs. 0.46 ± 0.15 mEq Trolox/L) concentrations in serum, and higher 8OHdG concentrations (24.21 ± 8.56 vs. 17.22 ± 5.6 ng/ml) in follicular fluid compared with controls. These data implicate both systemic and follicular oxidative stress may in infertile women with EI/II undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for ICSI. Furthermore, the elevated 8OHdG concentrations in follicular fluid of women with EI/II may be related to compromised oocyte quality.
Interventions developed with the Intervention Mapping protocol in the field of cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Lamort‐Bouché Marion , Sarnin Philippe , Kok Gerjo , Rouat Sabrina , Péron Julien , Letrilliart Laurent , Fassier Jean‐Baptiste
Published: December 2017

Objectives

The Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol provides a structured framework to develop, implement, and evaluate complex interventions. The main objective of this review was to identify and describe the content of the interventions developed in the field of cancer with the IM protocol. Secondary objectives were to assess their fidelity to the IM protocol and to review their theoretical frameworks.

Methods

Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PASCAL, FRANCIS, and BDSP databases were searched. All titles and abstracts were reviewed. A standardized extraction form was developed. All included studies were reviewed by 2 reviewers blinded to each other.

Results

Sixteen studies were identified, and these reported 15 interventions. The objectives were to increase cancer screening participation (n = 7), early consultation (n = 1), and aftercare/quality of life among cancer survivors (n = 7). Six reported a complete participatory planning group, and 7 described a complete logic model of the problem. Ten studies described a complete logic model of change. The main theoretical frameworks used were the theory of planned behaviour (n = 8), the transtheoretical model (n = 6), the health belief model (n = 6), and the social cognitive theory (n = 6). The environment was rarely integrated in the interventions (n = 4). Five interventions were reported as effective.

Conclusions

Culturally relevant interventions were developed with the IM protocol that were effective to increase cancer screening and reduce social disparities, particularly when they were developed through a participative approach and integrated the environment. Stakeholders' involvement and the role of the environment were heterogeneously integrated in the interventions.
Penetration into membrane of amino‐terminal region of SecA when associated with SecYEG in active complexes
Authors: Findik Bahar T. , Smith Virginia F. , Randall Linda L.
Published: December 2017

The general secretory (Sec) system of Escherichia coli translocates both periplasmic and outer membrane proteins through the cytoplasmic membrane. The pathway through the membrane is provided by a highly conserved translocon, which in E. coli comprises two heterotrimeric integral membrane complexes, SecY, SecE, and SecG (SecYEG), and SecD, SecF, and YajC (SecDF/YajC). SecA is an associated ATPase that is essential to the function of the Sec system. SecA plays two roles, it targets precursors to the translocon with the help of SecB and it provides energy via hydrolysis of ATP. SecA exists both free in the cytoplasm and integrally membrane associated. Here we describe details of association of the amino‐terminal region of SecA with membrane. We use site‐directed spin labelling and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to show that when SecA is co‐assembled into lipids with SecYEG to yield highly active translocons, the N‐terminal region of SecA penetrates the membrane and lies at the interface between the polar and the hydrophobic regions, parallel to the plane of the membrane at a depth of approximately 5 Å. When SecA is bound to SecYEG, preassembled into proteoliposomes, or nonspecifically bound to lipids in the absence of SecYEG, the N‐terminal region penetrates more deeply (8 Å). Implications of partitioning of the SecA N‐terminal region into lipids on the complex between SecB carrying a precursor and SecA are discussed.
Fast, autonomous flight in GPS‐denied and cluttered environments
Authors: Mohta Kartik , Watterson Michael , Mulgaonkar Yash , Liu Sikang , Qu Chao , Makineni Anurag , Saulnier Kelsey , Sun Ke , Zhu Alex , Delmerico Jeffrey , Karydis Konstantinos , Atanasov Nikolay , Loianno Giuseppe , Scaramuzza Davide , Daniilidis Kostas , Taylor Camillo Jose , Kumar Vijay
Published: December 2017

One of the most challenging tasks for a flying robot is to autonomously navigate between target locations quickly and reliably while avoiding obstacles in its path, and with little to no a priori knowledge of the operating environment. This challenge is addressed in the present paper. We describe the system design and software architecture of our proposed solution and showcase how all the distinct components can be integrated to enable smooth robot operation. We provide critical insight on hardware and software component selection and development and present results from extensive experimental testing in real‐world warehouse environments. Experimental testing reveals that our proposed solution can deliver fast and robust aerial robot autonomous navigation in cluttered, GPS‐denied environments.
Effects of Extreme Hydrologic Regimes on Juvenile Chinook Salmon Prey Resources and Diet Composition in a Large River Floodplain
Authors: Goertler Pascale , Jones Kristopher , Cordell Jeffery , Schreier Brian , Sommer Ted
Published: December 2017

Climate and hydrologic variability are defining characteristics of California rivers. Recently, the region experienced an unprecedented drought, and the probability of similarly warm, dry conditions is predicted to increase. In addition to warming air and water temperatures, climate change projections predict increased flooding and sea level rise, likely aggravating the water resource issues that already challenge the western United States. Water managers balance many public interests, including the conservation of native fishes, such as the Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Given projected changes in climate and hydrology, there is an urgent need to understand how salmon respond to these conditions. In this study, we examined how young salmon responded to extreme drought (2012–2015) versus flood (1998–1999) conditions in the Yolo Bypass, a floodplain–tidal slough complex of the Sacramento River, California. We found that the diets of juvenile Chinook Salmon were dominated by aquatic–riparian insects during flooding and were dominated by zooplankton during the drought. Although juvenile salmon that were caught during the drought seemed to have eaten a higher number of prey items on average, they also had higher metabolic costs. Therefore, it is likely that juvenile salmon must augment their foraging behavior to offset higher temperatures and prey shifts. Finally, preferentially consumed, calorically valuable prey (i.e., larger zooplankton and aquatic–riparian insects) have become rare due to habitat degradation and biological invasions, and resource managers must consider re‐establishing productive off‐channel habitats, such as riparian corridors, floodplains, and wetlands.
Dermal fibroblast in cutaneous development and healing
Authors: Thulabandu Venkata , Chen Demeng , Atit Radhika P.
Published: December 2017

The skin is the largest organ of the body and is composed of two layers: the overlying epidermis and the underlying dermis. The dermal fibroblasts originate from distinct locations of the embryo and contain the positional identity and patterning information in the skin. The dermal fibroblast progenitors differentiate into various cell types that are fated to perform specific functions such as hair follicle initiation and scar formation during wound healing. Recent studies have revealed the heterogeneity and plasticity of dermal fibroblasts within skin, which has implications for skin disease and tissue engineering. The objective of this review is to frame our current understanding and provide new insights on the origin and differentiation of dermal fibroblasts and their function during cutaneous development and healing. WIREs Dev Biol 2018, 7:e307. doi: 10.1002/wdev.307

This article is categorized under:

Birth Defects > Organ Anomalies

Signaling Pathways > Cell Fate Signaling

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Regeneration

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development
A history of genome editing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Alexander William G.
Published: December 2017

Genome editing is a form of highly precise genetic engineering which produces alterations to an organism's genome as small as a single base pair with no incidental or auxiliary modifications; this technique is crucial to the field of synthetic biology, which requires such precision in the installation of novel genetic circuits into host genomes. While a new methodology for most organisms, genome editing capabilities have been used in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for decades. In this review, I will present a brief history of genome editing in S. cerevisiae, discuss the current gold standard method of Cas9‐mediated genome editing, and speculate on future directions of the field.
Congenital rectovaginal fistula with anorectal agenesis
Authors: Tiwari Charu , Shah Hemanshi , Bothra Jyoti , Sandlas Gursev
Published: December 2017

Background:

Rectovaginal fistula is a rare type of anorectal malformation; the incidence being less than 1%. We describe five cases of rectovaginal fistula managed at our institution.

Materials and methods:

Case records of five female neonates with rectovaginal fistula managed at our institute between 2010 and 2016 were reviewed and analysed with respect to age at presentation, clinical presentations, physical findings, investigations, management and outcome.

Results:

The age at presentation varied from 1 day to 2 years of age. Three of them presented in the neonatal period, one presented at 1 month of age and one at two years of age with sigmoid loop colostomy done elsewhere. All had absent anal opening; two neonates passed small amounts of stools through vagina, but little in amounts. The one-month old patient had history of passing stools through vaginal orifice, but had presented to us with obstruction. All patients underwent high sigmoid loop colostomy followed by definitive procedure at a later date – Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty. One patient is awaiting definitive repair.

Conclusion:

Rectovaginal fistula is a rare anorectal malformation and needs thorough investigation and appropriate management for good outcome.
Intra- and inter-specific variation in alarm pheromone produced bySolenopsisfire ants
Authors: Hu L. , Balusu R.R. , Zhang W.-Q. , Ajayi O.S. , Lu Y.-Y. , Zeng R.-S. , Fadamiro H.Y. , Chen L.
Published: December 2017

Some fire ants of the genusSolenopsishave become invasive species in the southern United States displacing native species by competition. Although the displacement pattern seems clear, the mechanisms underlying competitive advantage remain unclear. The ability of ant workers to produce relatively larger amount of alarm pheromone may correspond to relative greater fitness among sympatric fire ant species. Here we report on quantitative intra-specific (i.e. inter-caste) and inter-specific differences of alarm pheromone component, 2-ethyl-3,6-dimethylpyrazine (2E36DMP), for several fire ant species. The alarm pheromone component was extracted by soaking ants in hexane for 48 h and subsequently quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry at single ion monitoring mode.Solenopsis invictaworkers had more 2E36DMP than male or female alates by relative weight; individual workers, however, contained significantly less pyrazine. We thus believe that alarm pheromones may serve additional roles in alates. Workers ofSolenopsis richteri,S. invicta, and hybrid (S. richteri×S. invicta) had significantly more 2E36DMP than a native fire ant species,Solenopsis geminata. The hybrid fire ant had significantly less 2E36DMP than the two parent species,S. richteriandS. invicta. It seems likely that higher alarm pheromone content may have favored invasion success of exotic fire ants over native species. We discuss the potential role of inter-specific variation in pyrazine content for the relationship between the observed shifts in the spatial distributions of the three exotic fire ant species in southern United States and the displacement of native fire ant species.
Punishing Violent Thoughts: Islamic Dissent and Thoreauvian Disobedience in Post-9/11 America
Authors: GOULD REBECCA RUTH
Published: December 2017

American Muslims increasingly negotiate their relation to a government that is suspicious of Islam, yet which recognizes them as rights-bearing citizens, within a culture they claim as their own. To better understand how the post-9/11 state is reshaping American Islam, I examine the case of Muslim American dissident Tarek Mehanna, sentenced to seventeen years in prison in 2012 for providing material support for terrorism. I read Mehanna's verbal and visual depictions of his persecution in relation to the American dissidents Mehanna claims as intellectual predecessors, above all Henry David Thoreau and John Brown, while situating this dissent within a long history of American activism
Willingness of Firefighting Program Students to Work in Disasters—Turkey
Authors: Kaya Edip , Altintas Hakan
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Firefighting is an important profession during disasters. Firefighters are on duty for many vital functions, including fire extinguishing, search and rescue work, and evacuation of disaster victims to a safe zone. In case of a disaster situation, it is vital to have willing personnel to work in disasters. In the literature, type of disaster, individual demographic factors, family factors, and workplace factors have been identified as factors that influence health care personnel’s willingness to work during a disaster. However, little is known about firefighters and firefighter candidates’ willingness to work in a disaster.

Hypothesis/Problem

This study was aimed to identify the willingness of civil defense and firefighting program students to work in different disasters after graduation and the factors associated with their willingness.

Methods

The universe of this descriptive, epidemiological study was 1,116 students of civil defense and firefighting programs in Turkey. They were from 11 different universities. In the research study, a sample was not chosen as it was aimed at reaching the whole universe. A standardized survey form of 58 questions, prepared by researchers, was used to gather data.

Results

The rate of participation was 65.5%. Of the students, 82.8% said that after graduation they would like to work in disasters, whereas 16.2% were indecisive. The students were less willing to work in nuclear accidents (42.4%) and epidemic disasters (32.1%). In chi-square analysis, “willingness of students to work in disasters after graduation” (dependent variable) and the independent variables: “university of student,” “exercising regularly,” “having a hobby related to disaster,” “having been educated about disaster,” and “being satisfied from the received education” were found statistically significant. When students’ willingness to work in disasters after graduation (ref=unwilling) was analyzed with multi-variate analysis, only “university of students” and “having a hobby related to disasters” were found statistically significant.

Conclusion

Overall, 16.2% of the students stated that they were indecisive to work in disasters in the future, and 1.0% of them stated that they did not want to work in disasters. Moreover, willingness of students to work in nuclear accident and contagious disease disasters has been found to be lower compared to other disaster types.

KayaE, AltintasH. Willingness of firefighting program students to work in disasters—Turkey. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(1):13–22.
Tunable energy harvesting on UHF bands especially for GSM frequencies
Authors: Bakır Mehmet , Karaaslan Muharrem , Altıntaş Olcay , Bagmancı Mehmet , Akdogan Volkan , Temurtaş Feyzullah
Published: December 2017

Metamaterial-based energy harvesting structures operating at GSM 900 and GSM 1800 frequency bands have been proposed. The basic structure is composed of four nested U-shaped elements on the front and back side of the dielectric substrate, with a 180° relationship between the front and back resonators. As energy harvesting capability is directly related to the quality of absorption, with the aim being perfect absorption, there is an air gap to allow tuning of the resonance frequency, and copper plate follows the air gap to facilitate the perfect absorption of electromagnetic waves, which is verified by means of simulation and experimental tests. A set of simulations and experimental study were further carried out to demonstrate incident and polarization angle dependency, the effects of Schottky diodes, and the optimal orientation of the U-shapes. Spectrum analysis and DC voltage measurements across the HSMS 2860 Schottky diode are also presented to test the energy harvesting capability: the spectrum analyzer shows a 40 dBm difference, while 81.7 mV maximum DC voltage is observed at 900 MHz. The simulation and experimental study results, while displaying several differences, do suggest that the proposed design can be used for running low-energy consumption devices such as sensors and switches.
After Obliteration, How Long Until Life Returned?
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: December 2017

By studying the Chicxulub crater associated with the extinction of more than 75% of species then on Earth, researchers have begun to fill in a timeline for life’s rebound after the cataclysm.
Unified control of Z‐source grid‐connected photovoltaic system with reactive power compensation and harmonics restraint: design and application
Authors: Zhang Jingwei
Published: December 2017

Based on the Z‐source inverter (ZSI), a unified control strategy of grid‐connected photovoltaic (PV) system is investigated. It can both compensate the reactive power and restrain the current harmonics. At first, the principle of the proposed unified control is analysed. Then, the space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) is improved for inserting the shoot‐through time into the modulation period. Simulation results show that the proposed unified control strategy is feasible and effective. Besides, a hardware controller is designed based on the digital signal processor (DSP). The corresponding approach for applying the improved SVPWM with the DSP and the driver circuit is illustrated in detail. Eventually, an experiment apparatus is implemented. Experiment results reveal that the proposed unified control strategy can effectively regulate active and reactive power generated by the grid‐connected PV system. Besides, the fifth current harmonic of grid can be restrained effectively, the total harmonic distortion of the grid current decreases from 20.9 to 8.1%, which indicates that the restraint of the current harmonics is feasible for the proposed unified control strategy.