bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coupling of excitation to Ca2+ release is modulated by dysferlin
Authors: Lukyanenko Valeriy , Muriel Joaquin M. , Bloch Robert J.
Published: June 2017

Key points

Dysferlin, the protein missing in limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B and Miyoshi myopathy, concentrates in transverse tubules of skeletal muscle, where it stabilizes voltage‐induced Ca2+ transients against loss after osmotic shock injury (OSI).

Local expression of dysferlin in dysferlin‐null myofibres increases transient amplitude to control levels and protects them from loss after OSI.

Inhibitors of ryanodine receptors (RyR1) and L‐type Ca2+ channels protect voltage‐induced Ca2+ transients from loss; thus both proteins play a role in injury in dysferlin's absence. Effects of Ca2+‐free medium and S107, which inhibits SR Ca2+ leak, suggest the SR as the primary source of Ca2+ responsible for the loss of the Ca2+ transient upon injury.

Ca2+ waves were induced by OSI and suppressed by exogenous dysferlin.

We conclude that dysferlin prevents injury‐induced SR Ca2+ leak.

Dysferlin concentrates in the transverse tubules of skeletal muscle and stabilizes Ca2+ transients when muscle fibres are subjected to osmotic shock injury (OSI). We show here that voltage‐induced Ca2+ transients elicited in dysferlin‐null A/J myofibres were smaller than control A/WySnJ fibres. Regional expression of Venus‐dysferlin chimeras in A/J fibres restored the full amplitude of the Ca2+ transients and protected against OSI. We also show that drugs that target ryanodine receptors (RyR1: dantrolene, tetracaine, S107) and L‐type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs: nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem) prevented the decrease in Ca2+ transients in A/J fibres following OSI. Diltiazem specifically increased transients by ∼20% in uninjured A/J fibres, restoring them to control values. The fact that both RyR1s and LTCCs were involved in OSI‐induced damage suggests that damage is mediated by increased Ca2+ leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) through the RyR1. Congruent with this, injured A/J fibres produced Ca2+ sparks and Ca2+ waves. S107 (a stabilizer of RyR1–FK506 binding protein coupling that reduces Ca2+ leak) or local expression of Venus‐dysferlin prevented OSI‐induced Ca2+ waves. Our data suggest that dysferlin modulates SR Ca2+ release in skeletal muscle, and that in its absence OSI causes increased RyR1‐mediated Ca2+ leak from the SR into the cytoplasm.
Antibody-Based Correlates of Protection against Cholera: Analysis of a Challenge Study of a Cholera-Naive Population
Authors: Haney Douglas J. , Lock Michael D. , Simon Jakub K. , Harris Jason , Gurwith Marc
Published: June 2017

Immunologic correlates of protection can be used to infer vaccine efficacy for populations in which challenge trials or field studies are infeasible. In a recent cholera challenge trial (W. H. Chen et al., Clin Infect Dis 62:1329–1335, 2016,
https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciw145
), 134 North American cholera-naive volunteers were randomized to receive either the live, attenuated single-dose cholera vaccine CVD (Center for Vaccine Development) 103-HgR or placebo, and the titers of vibriocidal antibodies against the classical Inaba strain were assessed at 10 days after treatment. Subsequent to the immunologic evaluation, each subject ingested a fixed quantity of virulent
Vibrio cholerae
O1 El Tor Inaba. Data from this trial suggest that the vaccine-induced increase in the vibriocidal antibody titer prior to challenge is tightly linked with protection: 51/51 vaccinees with postvaccination vibriocidal antibody titers of ≥2,560 were protected against moderate/severe diarrhea, and 60/62 vaccinees who seroconverted or experienced a 4-fold or greater increase in vibriocidal antibody titer relative to prevaccination levels were similarly protected. Atypically high vibriocidal antibody titers were observed in some placebo subjects; protection was limited in these individuals and differed substantially from the level of protection experienced by vaccinees with the same postvaccination titers. Since only 1 of 66 placebo recipients experienced seroconversion, seroconversion was found to be uniquely associated with vaccination and insensitive to the effects of factors that can cause titers to be elevated but are weakly associated with protection. Thus, vibriocidal antibody seroconversion was found to be better than the vibriocidal antibody titer for inferring vaccine efficacy in cholera-naive populations for which studies based upon exposure to
V. cholerae
are impractical. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01895855.)
Breadth and Duration of Meningococcal Serum Bactericidal Activity in Health Care Workers and Microbiologists Immunized with the MenB-FHbp Vaccine
Authors: Lujan Eduardo , Partridge Elizabeth , Giuntini Serena , Ram Sanjay , Granoff Dan M.
Published: June 2017

MenB-FHbp is a meningococcal serogroup B vaccine with two factor H binding protein (FHbp) antigens from subfamilies A and B. For licensure, efficacy was inferred from serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) responses to four reference strains. Only limited information is available on the breadth or duration of protective SBA responses to genetically diverse disease-causing strains. Seventeen health care or laboratory workers were immunized with two (
n
= 2) or three (
n
= 15) doses of MenB-FHbp at 0, 2, and 6 months. SBA levels were measured against 14 serogroup B case isolates, including 6 from U.S. college outbreaks and 2 from Quebec during hyperendemic disease. Compared with preimmunization titers, the proportion of subjects with ≥4-fold increases in SBA titer 1 month after 2 doses of vaccine ranged from 35% to 94% for six isolates with FHbp subfamily A and from 24% to 76% for eight isolates with subfamily B FHbp. The respective proportions with ≥4-fold titer increases at 1 month after dose 3 were 73% to 100% and 67% to 100%. At that time point, the proportion of subjects with titers of ≥1:4 (presumed sufficient for short-term protection) ranged from 93% to 100% for all 14 isolates. By 9 to 11 months after dose 3, 50% or fewer of the subjects with follow-up sera had protective titers of ≥1:4 for 4 of 9 isolates tested. Three doses of MenB-FHbp elicited short-term protective SBA responses to diverse disease-causing serogroup B strains. For some strains, serum titers declined to <1:4 by 9 to 11 months, which raises concerns about the duration of broad, long-term protection. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT02569632.)
The Ecology of Prions
Authors: Zabel Mark , Ortega Aimee
Published: June 2017

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects cervids and is the only known prion disease readily transmitted among free-ranging wild animal populations in nature. The increasing spread and prevalence of CWD among cervid populations threaten the survival of deer and elk herds in North America, and potentially beyond. This review focuses on prion ecology, specifically that of CWD, and the current understanding of the role that the environment may play in disease propagation. We recount the discovery of CWD, discuss the role of the environment in indirect CWD transmission, and consider potentially relevant environmental reservoirs and vectors. We conclude by discussing how understanding the environmental persistence of CWD lends insight into transmission dynamics and potential management and mitigation strategies.
Lake Bacterial Assemblage Composition Is Sensitive to Biological Disturbance Caused by an Invasive Filter Feeder
Authors: Denef Vincent J. , Carrick Hunter J. , Cavaletto Joann , Chiang Edna , Johengen Thomas H. , Vanderploeg Henry A.
Published: June 2017

Freshwater bacteria play fundamental roles in global elemental cycling and are an intrinsic part of local food webs. Human activities are altering freshwater environments, and much has been learned regarding the sensitivity of bacterial assemblages to a variety of these disturbances. Yet, relatively few studies have focused on how species invasion, which is one of the most important aspects of anthropogenic global change, affects freshwater bacterial assemblages. This study focuses on the impact of invasive dreissenid mussels (IDMs), a globally distributed group of invasive species with large impacts on freshwater phyto- and zooplankton assemblages. We show that IDMs have direct effects on lake bacterioplankton abundance, taxonomic composition, and inferred bacterial functional group representation.
Exploring an adapted Risk Behaviour Diagnosis Scale among Indigenous Australian women who had experiences of smoking during pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey in regional New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Gould Gillian Sandra , Bovill Michelle , Chiu Simon , Bonevski Billie , Oldmeadow Christopher
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Explore Aboriginal women’s responses to an adapted Risk Behaviour Diagnosis (RBD) Scale about smoking in pregnancy.

Methods and design

An Aboriginal researcher interviewed women and completed a cross-sectional survey including 20 Likert scales.

Setting

Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, community groups and playgroups and Aboriginal Maternity Services in regional New South Wales, Australia.

Participants

Aboriginal women (n=20) who were pregnant or gave birth in the preceding 18 months; included if they had experiences of smoking or quitting during pregnancy.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcomes: RBD constructs of perceived threat and perceived efficacy, dichotomised into high versus low. Women who had quit smoking, answered retrospectively. Secondary outcome measures: smoking status, intentions to quit smoking (danger control), protection responses (to babies/others) and fear control responses (denial/refutation). Scales were assessed for internal consistency. A chart plotted responses from low to high efficacy and low to high threat.

Results

RBD Scales had moderate-to-good consistency (0.67–0.89 Cronbach’s alpha). Nine women had quit and 11 were smoking; 6 currently pregnant and 14 recently pregnant. Mean efficacy level 3.9 (SD=0.7); mean threat 4.3 (SD=0.7). On inspection, a scatter plot revealed a cluster of 12 women in the high efficacy-high threat quadrant—of these 11 had quit or had a high intention of quitting. Conversely, a group with low threat-low efficacy (5 women) were all smokers and had high fear control responses: of these, 4 had low protection responses. Pregnant women had a non-significant trend for higher threat and lower efficacy, than those previously pregnant.

Conclusion

Findings were consistent with a previously validated RBD Scale showing Aboriginal smokers with high efficacy-high threat had greater intentions to quit smoking. The RBD Scale could have diagnostic potential to tailor health messages. Longitudinal research required with a larger sample to explore associations with the RBD Scale and quitting.
Emergency treatment of decompensated aortic stenosis
Authors: Bongiovanni Dario , Kühl Constantin , Bleiziffer Sabine , Stecher Lynne , Poch Felix , Greif Martin , Mehilli Julinda , Massberg Steffen , Frey Norbert , Lange Rüdiger , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Schymik Gerhard , Frank Derk , Kupatt Christian
Published: June 2017

Objective

The optimal treatment of patients with acute and severe decompensation of aortic stenosis is unclear due to recent advances in transcatheter interventions and supportive therapies. Our aim was to assess the early outcome of emergency transcatheter aortic valve implantation (eTAVI) versus emergency balloon aortic valvuloplasty (eBAV) followed by TAVI under elective circumstances.

Methods

Emergency conditions were defined as: cardiogenic shock with requirement of catecholamine therapy, severe acute dyspnoea (NYHA IV), cardiac resuscitation or mechanic respiratory support. The data were collected according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 (VARC-2) criteria.

Results

In five German centres, 23 patients (logistic Euroscore 37.7%±18.1) underwent eTAVI and 118 patients underwent eBAV (logistic Euroscore 35.3%±20.8). In the eTAVI group, immediate procedural mortality was 8.7%, compared with 20.3% for the eBAV group (p=0.19). After 30 days, cardiovascular mortality for the eTAVI group was 23.8% and for the eBAV group 33.0% (p=0.40). Analyses adjusting for potential confounders did not provide evidence of a difference between groups. Of note, the elective TAVI performed after eBAV (n=32, logistic Euroscore 25.9%±13.9) displayed an immediate procedural mortality of 9.4% and a cardiovascular mortality after 30 days of 15.6%. Major vascular complications were significantly more likely to occur after eTAVI (p=0.01) as well as stroke (p=0.01).

Conclusion

In this multicentre cohort, immediate procedural and 30-day mortality of eTAVI and eBAV were high, and mortality of secondary TAVI subsequent to eBAV was higher than expected. Randomised study data are required to define the role of emergency TAVI in tertiary care centres with current device generations.
Prognostic predictors of early mortality from exsanguination in adult trauma: a Malaysian trauma center experience
Authors: Huei Tan Jih , Mohamad Yuzaidi , Lip Henry Tan Chor , Md Noh Norazlin , Imran Alwi Rizal
Published: June 2017

Background

Trauma mortality due to exsanguination is the second most common cause of death. The objective of this study is to investigate the predictors for early death from exsanguination.

Methods

A prognostic study was done to identify predictors of early mortality due to exsanguination. Data were extracted from our Trauma Surgery Registry database of Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru, Malaysia. All patients who were treated from May 1, 2011 to April 31, 2014 by the trauma team were included. Adult trauma patients included from the Trauma Surgery Registry were divided into two groups for analysis: early death from exsanguination and death from non-exsanguination/survivors. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to look for significant predictors of death from exsanguination. Variables analyzed were demography, mechanism of injury, organ injury scale, physiological parameters (systolic blood pressure (SBP), respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS), New Injury Severity Score (NISS), Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) and cause of death.

Results

A total of 2208 patients with an average age of 36 (±16) years were included. Blunt trauma was the majority with 90.5%, followed by penetrating injuries (9.2%). The overall mortality is 239 out of 2208 (10.8%). Seventy-eight patients (32.6%) died due to central nervous system injury, 69 due to sepsis (28.9%) and 58 due to exsanguination (24.3%). After multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.026 (1.009 to 1.044), p=0.002), SBP (OR 0.985 (0.975 to 0.995), p=0.003) and temperature (OR 0.203 (0.076 to 0.543), p=0.001) were found to be the significant physiological parameters. Intra-abdominal injury and NISS were significant anatomic mortality predictors from exsanguination (p<0.001). Patients with intra-abdominal injury had four times higher risk of mortality from exsanguination (OR 3.948 (2.331 to 6.686), p<0.001).

Discussion

In a Malaysian trauma center, age, SBP, core body temperature, intra-abdominal injury and NISS were significant predictors of early death from exsanguination.

Level of evidence

II.
The structural parameters, structural stability and bulk modulus in RE2Sn2O7by first-principles calculations
Authors: Liu C. G. , Zhang J. , Chen L. J. , Wen J. , Dong L. Y. , Yang D. Y. , Li Y. H.
Published: June 2017

A systematic density functional theory study is performed to investigate the lattice parameters, the internal positional parameter [Formula: see text] and bond length of RE2Sn2O7(RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu) pyrochlores. To analyze the structural stability in extreme conditions and verify whether bond strength varies inversely to bond length in rare-earth stannate pyrochlores, the structural parameter and bonding strength under hydrostatic pressure are studied. The tight connection between the different bond length contraction and the variation of 48[Formula: see text] oxygen positional parameter [Formula: see text] is also discovered. We calculated the bond length and the bulk modulus of RE2Sn2O7and found that the [Formula: see text]RE–O[Formula: see text] bond plays a predominant role in determining the bulk modulus. Meanwhile, the present calculations suggest that the “bimodal effect” also exists in rare-earth stannate pyrochlores.
The transition point of the Chinese multilayer air transportation networks
Authors: Jiang J. , Han J. H. , Zhang R. , Li W.
Published: June 2017

The air transportation network across a certain area, a typical multilayer complex system, is composed of a number of individual airlines, each of which forms a single layer. A central problem in airline merging is the minimal number of layers, denoted by [Formula: see text], that is needed for the merged network to function nearly as well as the fully aggregated network. For this purpose, we monitor several structural measures during the network aggregation process in which [Formula: see text] is gradually increased. For China Air Transportation Network (CATN), we identify a common, sharp transition point yielding [Formula: see text]. Whereas, for European Air Transportation Networks (EATN) there is no clear signal of such a transition point. The transition point of CATN is confirmed by means of the Wasserstein distance and the relative entropy. Our results indicate that there is still room in the optimization of CATN while for EATN, it seems better to keep the present structure.
The Cooccurrence of Obesity, Osteoporosis, and Sarcopenia in the Ovariectomized Rat: A Study for Modeling Osteosarcopenic Obesity in Rodents
Authors: Ezzat-Zadeh Zahra , Kim Jeong-Su , Chase P. Bryant , Arjmandi Bahram H.
Published: June 2017

Background. Obesity, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia may individually occur due to age-related gradual alterations in body composition. This study investigates the cooccurrence of these age-related diseases in female animals with low levels of ovarian hormone in the absence of complex multifactorial process of chronological aging.Methods. Thirty-six 5- and 10-month-old female rats were chosen to model pre- and postmenopausal women, respectively. Rats were divided into three treatment groups in each age category—sham, ovariectomized (ovx), and ovx + E2(17β-estradiol, 10 μg/kg)—and were pair-fed. Volunteer wheel running activity, body composition, bone microstructure, serum C-telopeptides of type I collagen, bone specific alkaline phosphatase, E2, and gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were analyzed.Results. The cooccurrence of osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and obesity was observed in the older ovx rats associated with a significant (p<0.05) increased fat mass (30%), bone loss (9.6%), decreased normalized muscle mass-to-body-weight ratio (10.5%), and a significant decrease in physical activity (57%). The ratio of tibial bone mineral density to combined muscle mass was significantly decreased in both ovx age categories.Conclusion.Ovariectomized rat could be used as an experimental model to examine the effect of loss of ovarian hormones, while controlling for energy intake and expenditure, to conduct obesity and body composition translational research in females without the confounding effect of genetic background.
Impact of Aging and Exercise on Mitochondrial Quality Control in Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Kim Yuho , Triolo Matthew , Hood David A.
Published: June 2017

Mitochondria are characterized by its pivotal roles in managing energy production, reactive oxygen species, and calcium, whose aging‐related structural and functional deteriorations are observed in aging muscle. Although it is still unclear how aging alters mitochondrial quality and quantity in skeletal muscle, dysregulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamic controls has been suggested as key players for that. In this paper, we summarize current understandings on how aging regulates muscle mitochondrial biogenesis, while focusing on transcriptional regulations including PGC‐1α, AMPK, p53, mtDNA, and Tfam. Further, we review current findings on the muscle mitochondrial dynamic systems in aging muscle: fusion/fission, autophagy/mitophagy, and protein import. Next, we also discuss how endurance and resistance exercises impact on the mitochondrial quality controls in aging muscle, suggesting possible effective exercise strategies to improve/maintain mitochondrial health.
Protein Supplementation to Augment the Effects of High Intensity Resistance Training in Untrained Middle-Aged Males: The Randomized Controlled PUSH Trial
Authors: Wittke Andreas , von Stengel Simon , Hettchen Michael , Fröhlich Michael , Giessing Jürgen , Lell Michael , Scharf Michael , Bebenek Michael , Kohl Matthias , Kemmler Wolfgang
Published: June 2017

High intensity (resistance exercise) training (HIT) defined as a “single set resistance exercise to muscular failure” is an efficient exercise method that allows people with low time budgets to realize an adequate training stimulus. Although there is an ongoing discussion, recent meta-analysis suggests the significant superiority of multiple set (MST) methods for body composition and strength parameters. The aim of this study is to determine whether additional protein supplementation may increase the effect of a HIT-protocol on body composition and strength to an equal MST-level. One hundred and twenty untrained males 30–50 years old were randomly allocated to three groups: (a) HIT, (b) HIT and protein supplementation (HIT&P), and (c) waiting-control (CG) and (after cross-over) high volume/high-intensity-training (HVHIT). HIT was defined as “single set to failure protocol” while HVHIT consistently applied two equal sets. Protein supplementation provided an overall intake of 1.5–1.7 g/kg/d/body mass. Primary study endpoint was lean body mass (LBM). LBM significantly improved in all exercise groups (p≤0.043); however only HIT&P and HVHIT differ significantly from control (p≤0.002). HIT diverges significantly from HIT&P (p=0.017) and nonsignificantly from HVHIT (p=0.059), while no differences were observed for HIT&P versus HVHIT (p=0.691). In conclusion, moderate to high protein supplementation significantly increases the effects of a HIT-protocol on LBM in middle-aged untrained males.
Systemic Embolization from an Unusual Intracardiac Mass in the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract
Authors: Okoro Kelechukwu U. , Larsen Timothy R. , Lystash John C.
Published: June 2017

Endocarditis can affect any endocardial surface; in the vast majority of cases, the cardiac valves are involved. It is exceedingly rare to develop infective endocarditis on the endocardium of the left ventricular outflow tract due to the high velocity of blood that traverses this area. Herein, we present a rare case of left ventricular outflow tract endocarditis that likely occurred secondary to damage to the aortic valve leaflets (from healed prior aortic valve endocarditis) causing a high velocity aortic valve regurgitant jet that impinged upon the interventricular septum which damaged the endocardium and resulted in a fibrotic “jet lesion.” This fibrous jet lesion served as a nidus for bacterial proliferation and vegetation formation. The high shear stress (due to high blood flow velocity through the left ventricular outflow tract) likely promoted the multiple embolic events observed in this case. Our patient was successfully treated with aortic valve replacement, vegetation resection, and antibiotics.
Evaluation of Vitamin D Status in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Association with Disease Activity across 15 Countries: “The COMORA Study”
Authors: Hajjaj-Hassouni Najia , Mawani Nada , Allali Fadoua , Rkain Hanan , Hassouni Kenza , Hmamouchi Ihsane , Dougados Maxime
Published: June 2017

The aims of this study are to evaluate vitamin D status in 1413 RA patients of COMORA study from 15 countries and to analyze relationship between patients’ RA characteristics and low levels of vitamin D. All demographic, clinical, and biological data and RA comorbidities were completed. The results showed that the average of vitamin D serum dosage was 27.3 ng/mL ± 15.1 [0.1–151]. Status of vitamin D was insufficient in 54.6% and deficient in 8.5% of patients. 43% of RA patients were supplemented with vitamin D and absence of supplementation on vitamin D was related to higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (p<0.001). Finally, our study shows that the status of low levels of vitamin D is common in RA in different countries and under different latitudes. Absence of supplementation on vitamin D was related to higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Low levels of vitamin D were associated with patients characteristics (age, BMI, and educational level), RA (disease activity and corticosteroid dosage), and comorbidities (lung disease and osteoporosis therapy). This suggests the need for a particular therapeutic strategy to improve vitamin D status in RA patients.
The Relationship between Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysfunction and Ocular Abnormality in Chinese T2DM
Authors: Wang Dandan , Shen Baiyu , Wu Chunrong , Xue Yanyan , Liu Yanjun
Published: June 2017

Objective. This study aims to explore the relationship between autonomic nerve dysfunction—assessed by cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy risk score (CAN-RS)—and ocular abnormality in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Method. This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 335 subjects with T2DM were enrolled. The state of visual acuity, the lens, the vitreous, and the fundus were tested by professional ophthalmic instruments. The electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) of the hands and feet was measured by SUDOSCAN, from which a cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy risk score (CAN-RS) was calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of CAN-RS in diabetic oculopathy screening.Results. Abnormalities of the lens, vitreous, and fundus accounted for 7.8%, 5.1%, and 9.9%, respectively, in this study. The means of hands and feet ESC were higher than 60 μS, and CAN-RS was 33.1 ± 14.8%. In logistic regression analysis, CAN-RS was positively associated with lens (OR = 1.055,P<0.001) and vitreous (OR = 1.044,P<0.01) abnormality. The area under ROC to detect lens and vitreous abnormality was 0.713 and 0.725, respectively.Conclusion. CAN-RS, a cardiac autonomic nerve dysfunction index calculated by SUDOSCAN, may be a promising index for lens and vitreous abnormality screening in T2DM patients. Further studies are needed to confirm the conclusion.
The Effects of Synbiotic “Bifidobacterium lactisB94 plus Inulin” Addition on Standard Triple Therapy ofHelicobacter pyloriEradication in Children
Authors: Ustundag Gonca Handan , Altuntas Halime , Soysal Yasemin Dilek , Kokturk Furuzan
Published: June 2017

Aim. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the synbioticBifidobacterium lactisB94 plus inulin addition to the standard triple therapy onHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori)infection eradication rates.Methods. Children aged 6–16 years who had biopsy provenH. pyloriinfection were randomly classified into two groups. The first group received the standard triple therapy consisting of amoxicillin + clarithromycin + omeprazole. The second group was treated with the standard triple therapy andBifidobacterium lactisB94 (5 × 109 CFU/dose) plus inulin (900 mg) for 14 days, concurrently. Eradication was determined by14C-urea breath test 4–6 weeks after therapy discontinuation.Results. From a total of 69H. pyloriinfected children (F/M = 36/33; mean ± SD = 11.2 ± 3.0 years), eradication was achieved in 20/34 participants in the standard therapy group and 27/35 participants in the synbiotic group. The eradication rates were not significantly different between the standard therapy and the synbiotic groups [intent-to-treat, 58.8% and 77.1%, resp.,p= 0.16; per-protocol, 64.5% and 81.8%, resp.,p= 0.19]. There was no difference between the groups in terms of symptom relief (p= 0.193). The reported side effects were ignorable.Conclusion. Considering the eradication rates, synbiotic addition to therapy showed no superiority over the standard triple therapy conducted alone. This trial is registered withNCT03165253.
Noninvasive Electroencephalogram Based Control of a Robotic Arm for Writing Task Using Hybrid BCI System
Authors: Gao Qiang , Dou Lixiang , Belkacem Abdelkader Nasreddine , Chen Chao
Published: June 2017

A novel hybrid brain-computer interface (BCI) based on the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal which consists of a motor imagery- (MI-) based online interactive brain-controlled switch, “teeth clenching” state detector, and a steady-state visual evoked potential- (SSVEP-) based BCI was proposed to provide multidimensional BCI control. MI-based BCI was used as single-pole double throw brain switch (SPDTBS). By combining the SPDTBS with 4-class SSEVP-based BCI, movement of robotic arm was controlled in three-dimensional (3D) space. In addition, muscle artifact (EMG) of “teeth clenching” condition recorded from EEG signal was detected and employed as interrupter, which can initialize the statement of SPDTBS. Real-time writing task was implemented to verify the reliability of the proposed noninvasive hybrid EEG-EMG-BCI. Eight subjects participated in this study and succeeded to manipulate a robotic arm in 3D space to write some English letters. The mean decoding accuracy of writing task was 0.93±0.03. Four subjects achieved the optimal criteria of writing the word “HI” which is the minimum movement of robotic arm directions (15 steps). Other subjects had needed to take from 2 to 4 additional steps to finish the whole process. These results suggested that our proposed hybrid noninvasive EEG-EMG-BCI was robust and efficient for real-time multidimensional robotic arm control.
Multicriteria Decision Analysis of Spectrum Management Frameworks for Futuristic Wireless Networks: The Context of Developing Countries
Authors: Mfupe Luzango , Mekuria Fisseha , Mzyece Mjumo
Published: June 2017

National regulatory authorities (NRAs) in developing countries need an accelerated means to formulate technical regulations for the telecommunications sector. This will enable countries to gain maximum benefits from the rapid advances in technology. The existing regulation-making processes are time-consuming and do not cope with the emergence of global technological changes. This article presents an efficient and quicker approach to formulate regulatory framework to govern the wireless technologies that are based on the Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) technique. The approach utilises Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) tools. The article uses a case study to evaluate dominant Dynamic Spectrum Management (DSM) frameworks. Finally, a sustainable DSM framework that has potential to address the digital divide challenges in the context of developing countries is proposed.
Study of the Molecular Properties of Mono- and Binuclear Metal s-Indacenyl Complexes with Ir, Rh, and Re: A Theoretical Approach
Authors: Zarate Ximena , Schott Eduardo , Bunel Emilio , Manríquez Juan M. , Chávez Ivonne
Published: June 2017

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on a new family of mono- and bimetallic complexes, containing 4,8-([10]paracyclophane)-1,5-dihydro-s-indacene as the bridging ligand between the two metallic centers and different ancillary ligands. The s-indacene was blocked by substitution of the central benzene ring with the [10]paracyclophane to obtain the syn-conformations. This would force the metallic centers to be close together. It is proposed, due to the calculated molecular and electronic properties such as the reactivity indexes, the delocalized nature of the s-indacenyl ligand, and the electron-rich metals, that these systems could be reactive in a catalytic reaction. The results indicate that the systems with Rh and Re holding ancillary ligands such as bipy and CO show the best properties to be active in a chemical reaction. In this sense, by the assessed geometrical and electronic properties, when compared with a previously reported system, these complexes could be candidates for the reduction of CO2 to oxalate.
Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer: What Are We Missing?
Authors: Vonderheide Robert H. , Domchek Susan M. , Clark Amy S.
Published: June 2017

The recent demonstration of modest single-agent activity of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) antibodies in patients with breast cancer has generated hope that breast cancer can be made amenable to immunotherapy. Depending on the subtype of breast cancer, it is now clear in both primary and metastatic disease that the extent of tumor-infiltrating T cells is not only prognostic for survival but predictive of response to nonimmune, standard therapies. Despite these findings, immune cytolytic activity in spontaneous breast tumors, the burden of nonsynonymous tumor mutations, and the predicted load of neoepitopes—factors linked to response to checkpoint blockade in other malignancies—are all relatively modest in breast cancer compared with melanoma or lung cancer. Thus, in breast cancer, combinations of immune agents with nonredundant mechanisms of action are high-priority strategies. For most breast cancers that exhibit relatively modest T-cell infiltration, major challenges include immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment as well as failed or suboptimal T-cell priming. Agents that trigger de novo T-cell responses may be critical for the successful development of cancer immunotherapy and immune prevention in breast cancer. Success may also require reaching beyond nonsynonymous mutations as the T-cell epitopes to target, especially as numerous unmutated proteins were validated as breast cancer–associated antigens in the pre-checkpoint era. A deeper understanding of the immunobiology of breast cancer will be critical for immunotherapy to become broadly relevant in this disease. Clin Cancer Res; 23(11); 2640–6. ©2017 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Breast Cancer Research: From Base Pairs to Populations.”
Recommendations for Childhood Cancer Screening and Surveillance in DNA Repair Disorders
Authors: Walsh Michael F. , Chang Vivian Y. , Kohlmann Wendy K. , Scott Hamish S. , Cunniff Christopher , Bourdeaut Franck , Molenaar Jan J. , Porter Christopher C. , Sandlund John T. , Plon Sharon E. , Wang Lisa L. , Savage Sharon A.
Published: June 2017

DNA repair syndromes are heterogeneous disorders caused by pathogenic variants in genes encoding proteins key in DNA replication and/or the cellular response to DNA damage. The majority of these syndromes are inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, but autosomal-dominant and X-linked recessive disorders also exist. The clinical features of patients with DNA repair syndromes are highly varied and dependent on the underlying genetic cause. Notably, all patients have elevated risks of syndrome-associated cancers, and many of these cancers present in childhood. Although it is clear that the risk of cancer is increased, there are limited data defining the true incidence of cancer and almost no evidence-based approaches to cancer surveillance in patients with DNA repair disorders. This article is the product of the October 2016 AACR Childhood Cancer Predisposition Workshop, which brought together experts from around the world to discuss and develop cancer surveillance guidelines for children with cancer-prone disorders. Herein, we focus on the more common of the rare DNA repair disorders: ataxia telangiectasia, Bloom syndrome, Fanconi anemia, dyskeratosis congenita, Nijmegen breakage syndrome, Rothmund–Thomson syndrome, and Xeroderma pigmentosum. Dedicated syndrome registries and a combination of basic science and clinical research have led to important insights into the underlying biology of these disorders. Given the rarity of these disorders, it is recommended that centralized centers of excellence be involved directly or through consultation in caring for patients with heritable DNA repair syndromes. Clin Cancer Res; 23(11); e23–e31. ©2017 AACR.

See all articles in the online-only CCR Pediatric Oncology Series.
Blood Pressure of Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients in the Dalmatian Region of Croatia: Differences between Hospital and Out-of-Hospital Dialysis Centers
Authors: Gulin Marijana , Klarić Dragan , Ilić Mario , Radić Josipa , Kovačić Vedran , Šain Milenka
Published: June 2017

Aims: This study was aimed at comparing the incidence of arterial hypertension and blood pressure (BP) variance in hospital and out-of-hospital hemodialysis (HD) patients during HD sessions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for 1 week at all the HD centers in Dalmatia, Croatia. The pre-, intra-, and post-dialysis BP values were collected for 3 consecutive HD sessions per patient. Results: Of the 399 subjects, 73.9% were hypertensives, who showed higher interdialytic weight gain compared to the normotensives (2.58 vs. 2.40). Hospital and out-of-hospital HD patients received identical antihypertensive therapies, except that beta blockers were more frequently administered to out-of-hospital HD patients. Higher pre-, intra-, and post-dialysis BP values were recorded in patients at out-of-hospital HD centers. Conclusion: The differences in BP variability and antihypertensive therapies administered to hospital HD patients as compared to out-of-hospital HD patients may reflect differing approaches by the nephrologists at these centers.
Perimortem Demonstration and Treatment of Recipient-to-Donor Transfusion in Monochorionic-Diamniotic Twin Gestation
Authors: Parrott Jessica , Schwartz Tricia , Cowles Tracy , Holland Marium , Weiner Carl P.
Published: June 2017

Twin-twin transfusion syndrome is a complication of monochorionic-diamniotic placentation. Should one twin die, ≈30% of co-twins will also die, and if they survive, ≈30% experience severe morbidity rates, each believed secondary to hemorrhage of the co-twin into the deceased twin. We report apparently the first ultrasound-documented case of perimortem hemorrhage in twin-twin transfusion syndrome and its treatment by emergent ultrasound-guided percutaneous cord occlusion followed by percutaneous fetal intravascular transfusion. The case illustrates three important pathophysiologic events. First, it confirms acute twin-to-twin hemorrhage occurs and reveals it can begin before the first twin dies. Thus, delivery of the survivor after its dead co-twin is discovered is unlikely to protect the survivor. Second, the elevated fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity due to acute anemia requires hours to develop. And thirdly, intracardiac epinephrine can correct the acute fetal bradycardia associated with hemorrhage that is presumably due to fetal hypotension.
High-Flux Dialysis: Clinical, Biochemical, and Proteomic Comparison with Low-Flux Dialysis and On-Line Hemodiafiltration
Authors: Donadio Carlo , Kanaki Angeliki , Sami Nadia , Tognotti Danika
Published: June 2017

Hemodiafiltration on-line (on-line HDF) is a more efficient treatment than low-flux hemodialysis (HD). Unfortunately, it cannot be proposed to all patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficiency, and mechanisms of removal of toxins with high-flux HD vs. low-flux HD and on-line HDF. Randomized cross-over study designed to evaluate efficiency and tolerability of high-flux HD vs. low-flux HD in aged patients; to compare by means of biochemical and proteomic analyses the efficiency and mechanisms of removal of toxins with high-flux HD vs. on-line HDF. The removal of small toxins was similar with high-flux and low-flux HD. β2-microglobulin was removed only with high-flux HD, which had an excellent tolerability. The efficiency of high-flux HD was similar to on-line HDF. Proteomic analysis demonstrated that only high-flux membranes remove and adsorb small proteins. High-flux HD may be an efficient alternative to on-line HDF.
A Case of Facial Partial Unilateral Lentiginosis Treated with Low-Fluence 1,064 nm Q-Switched Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser
Authors: Kim En Hyung
Published: June 2017

Partial unilateral lentiginosis (PUL) is an unusual pigmentary disorder characterized by numerous lentigines grouped within an area of normal skin. Although treatment is not necessary, many patients with facial PUL seek medical help for cosmetic reasons. There is no established standard treatment for PUL. Conventional lasers may cause postinflammatory hyperpigmentation because keratinocytes are injured during the process. Also, scarring, long downtime, and pain are important issues. A 19-year-old patient with facial PUL was successfully treated with low-fluence 1,064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (QS Nd:YAG) laser. Although the exact mechanism by which low-fluence 1,064-nm QS Nd:YAG laser improves pigmentary lesions is unclear, the terms “subcellular selective photothermolysis” and “melanocyte apoptosis and replacement” have been proposed. If appropriate measures are taken to monitor patient response during and after the procedure, low-fluence 1,064-nm QS Nd:YAG laser may achieve good cosmetic results in the treatment of PUL with a very safe and effective profile.
Um estudo das estratégias de internacionalização das indústrias farmacêuticas brasileiras
Authors: Pereira Antonio José Patrocinio , Gomes Josir Simeone
Published: June 2017

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar as estratégias de internacionalização utilizadas por quatro indústrias farmacêuticas brasileiras. A metodologia empregada foi a de estudo de caso. A literatura sobre estratégias de internacionalização das empresas ao longo das últimas décadas pode ser dividida sob dois enfoques distintos: a econômica e sob o enfoque organizacional. Considerando as estratégias adotadas pelas farmacêuticas, nota-se uma aproximação com o modelo econômico do paradigma eclético e com o modelo comportamental da Escola de Uppsala. Percebeu-se que o modo de entrada na Internacionalização, da EUROFARMA, EMS e CRISTÁLIA foi por exportação adotando o processo de gradualismo do modelo Uppsala, e a BIOLAB por via contratual e não considerou   a menor distância psíquica em relação aos demais laboratórios. Todas com foco em P& D, Inovação e encontram-se em estágios diferentes em seu processo de internacionalização, gerando um aprendizado organizacional que lhes tem permitido se manterem competitivas no mercado internacional.
Who Thought That Early Christians Formed Associations?
Authors: Eckhardt Benedikt
Published: June 2017

In the long-standing debate whether or not early Christians formed associations like their non-Christian contemporaries (collegia, θίασοι vel sim.), it has always been taken for granted that this is how they were seen by at least some authors in the second centuryad. However, a close investigation of the relevant texts by Pliny, Lucian, Celsus and Tertullian shows that this assumption is in fact unwarranted. The comparison may be fruitful as a scholarly enterprise, but the argument that it was already a preoccupation of ancient observers needs to be abandoned.
Taxonomic and distributional notes on Spongilla-flies (Neuroptera: Sisyridae) from Southeastern Brazil with first interactive key to the species of the country
Authors: ASSMAR ALICE CARVALHO , SALLES FREDERICO FALCÃO
Published: June 2017

Based on adults collected from Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil, we present the first reports of Sisyridae from the state, expanding the known distributional range of five species of Climacia McLachlan and Sisyra Burmeister. Adults were collected throughout two basins, Rio Doce and São Mateus, and its tributaries in the north of the state with Pennsylvania light trap. Two species are reported for the first time from Southeastern Brazil. Furthermore, we describe the male of Climacia basalis Banks and compare it with the male of its junior synonym, C. desordenata Monserrat. In addition, traditional and interactive keys are proposed for the identification of all the species of Sisyridae reported from Brazil.
Nonlinear Energy Transfer among Ocean Internal Waves in the Wake of a Moving Cyclone
Authors: Meroni Agostino N. , Miller Madeline D. , Tziperman Eli , Pasquero Claudia
Published: June 2017

The nonlinear dynamics leading to the generation of superinertial internal waves in the ocean, in the wake of a cyclonic storm, is investigated by means of theoretical arguments and of numerical integration of the hydrostatic Boussinesq equations in a simplified, realistic, open-ocean setting. The velocity fields are first decomposed into internal baroclinic modes, and then the energy transfer across modes and at different frequencies is calculated analytically. The energy transfer across modes is dominated by the advection of high-mode m waves by the second- and third-mode waves (n = 2 or 3), which are the most energetic, and this results in the excitation of the l = m − 2 or m − 3 mode wave at the double-inertial frequency. The analyzed nonlinear interactions lead to a transfer of energy from near-inertial waves, directly excited by the storm, to superinertial waves, which typically propagate faster and farther than their lower-frequency parents and can lead to internal mixing even at large distances from the region of large air–sea momentum fluxes. Energy is found to flow from large to small scales as well. Thus, the double-inertial peak formation is thought to represent a small but fundamental intermediate step in the energy cascade toward dissipation.
Gli articoli ritrovati della Démocratie pacifique: Cristina Trivulzio Belgiojoso alias UN ITALIEN
Authors: Caporuscio Flavia
Published: June 2017

Il saggio analizza due serie di articoli pubblicati da “un italien” nel biennio 1845–1846 sulla Démocratie pacifique e ne suggerisce l’attribuzione a Cristina Trivulzio Belgiojoso. Tali articoli, infatti, che affrontano tematiche particolarmente care all’intellettuale milanese come le istituzioni comunali in Italia e il sistema educativo in Lombardia, presentano precisi rimandi tematici e stilistici ad articoli di certa attribuzione e dimostrano pertanto l’assidua collaborazione dell’italiana con la testata parigina diretta da Victor Considerant. L’ipotesi di attribuzione trova inoltre piena conferma nella corrispondenza privata, dove si fa esplicito riferimento ai due progetti di lavoro da inviare alla Démocratie pacifique.

La scelta della pubblicazione in forma anonima viene infine indagata all’interno di una prospettiva di genere che mette in evidenza la duplice difficoltà, della comunità e della stessa autrice, a conciliare la vocazione intellettuale con l’identità femminile.