bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Випадок синдрому Паскуаліні
Authors: Liashuk P.M. , Liashuk R.P.
Published: September 2016

У статті наведений випадок вродженої ізольованої недостатності лютеїнізуючого гормона (синдром Паскуаліні), що проявилася вторинним гіпогонадизмом із порушенням копулятивної та фертильної функції, які нормалізувались внаслідок лікування хоріонічним гонадотропіном.
Досвід лікування Ноліпрелом пацієнтів з артеріальною гіпертензією та цукровим діабетом 2-го типу в Україні (огляд досліджень)
Authors: Sirenko Yu.N. , Rekovets O.L.
Published: September 2016

Дана стаття присвячена оцінці результатів 7 досліджень з Ноліпрелом у пацієнтів з артеріальною гіпертензією й цукровим діабетом 2-го типу, проведених в Україні: ПРАКТИК, ВЕКТОР ЖИЗНИ, СКИФ, СКИФ-2, ДИАГНОЗ, СТАТУС, UNIA. Усього в дослідження було включено 17 265 пацієнтів. У 94 % пацієнтів із цукровим діабетом була виявлена артеріальна гіпертензія. Середнє зниження офісного артеріального тиску (АТ) за всіма дослідженнями становило 36,7/17,6 мм рт.ст. Досягнення цільового рівня АТ відзначено в 77 % пацієнтів. Альбумінурія у пацієнтів із цукровим діабетом 2-го типу й артеріальною гіпертензією визначалася в 3 із 7 досліджень: СТАТУС (88,8 %), ПРАКТИК (30,8 %) і СКИФ (71 %). У середньому частота виявлення альбумінурії в дослідженнях становила 63,53 %. Швидкість клубочкової фільтрації (ШКФ) менше від 60 мл/хв визначалася в дослідженнях ПРАКТИК (31,3 % пацієнтів), СКИФ-2 (18,4 % пацієнтів). У середньому частота зниження ШКФ менше від 60 мл/хв у пацієнтів із цукровим діабетом 2-го типу й артеріальною гіпертензією становила 24,7 %. Гіпертрофія лівого шлуночка виявлена у 87,1 % пацієнтів. В Україні серед хворих на цукровий діабет 2-го типу спостерігається поганий контроль АТ у пацієнтів з високим ризиком серцево-судинних ускладнень. Основні причини поганого контролю АТ: лікарська інерція з недостатнім призначенням раціональних фіксованих комбінацій і адекватних доз препаратів. Усього в 7 дослідженнях у 25 пацієнтів з 17 265, включених в дослідження, спостерігалися побічні реакції, їх частота становила 0,13 %. Відміна препарату була в 0,02 % випадків.
Антигіпертензивна ефективність препарату Хітен (периндоприл) у хворих із м’якою та помірною артеріальною гіпертензією
Authors: Rekovets O.L.
Published: September 2016

Мета: вивчити антигіпертензивну ефективність і переносимість препарату Хітен (периндоприл) виробництва компанії «Ауробіндо Фарма Лімітед», Індія, у хворих з м’якою й помірною артеріальною гіпертензією. Методи. У дослідження були включені 53 пацієнти. Здійснювався контроль офісного артеріального тиску (АТ) і частоти серцевих скорочень, ефективності проведеної терапії, реєструвалися випадки розвитку побічних реакцій, проводилися амбулаторне моніторування АТ, контроль біохімічних показників сироватки крові, загальний аналіз крові. Хітен у дозі 4–8 мг 1 раз на день призначався протягом 30 днів. У випадках, коли не було досягнуто цільового рівня офісного АТ, при необхідності додавався гідрохлортіазид у дозі 12,5 мг 1 раз на день. Загальний курс лікування для одного пацієнта становив 6 місяців. Середній вік хворих становив 51,38 ± 1,40 року, індекс маси тіла — 29,50 ± 0,59 кг/м2. Вихідний рівень офісного середнього систолічного АТ (САТ) і діастолічного АТ (ДАТ) у цілому по групі становив 156,77 ± 0,66 мм рт.ст. і 95,19 ± 0,98 мм рт.ст. Результати. Встановлено, що у хворих із м’якою і помірною артеріальною гіпертензією лікування Хітеном (периндоприлом) у дозі 4–8 мг (одним або в комбінації з гідрохлортіазидом) забезпечує достовірне зниження як офісного САТ — на 28,67 мм рт.ст. і ДАТ — на 14,57 мм рт.ст., так і середньодобового САТ — на 14,14 мм рт.ст. і ДАТ — на 7,55 мм рт.ст., а також зниження індексів часу й тиску. Цільовий АТ за даними офісного вимірювання (< 140/90 мм рт.ст.) було досягнуто у 88 %, за даними добового моніторування АТ (< 130/80 мм рт.ст.) — у 78 % випадків. Відміна препарату була в 3 пацієнтів (5,6 %). Висновок. Результати проведеного дослідження свідчать про високу антигіпертензивну ефективність і добру переносимість лікування Хітеном (периндоприлом) як монотерапії, так і в комбінації з гідрохлортіазидом у хворих з м’якою та помірною АГ.
Омолодження інфарктів міокарда та інсультів: сучасні методи профілактики
Authors: Chistik T.
Published: September 2016

Серцево-судинні захворювання (ССЗ) є основною причиною смерті та інвалідності населення в більшості країн світу. Також відмічається небезпечна тенденція омолодження інфарктів міокарда та інсультів. Очікується, що до 2030 р. смертність від ССЗ буде становити понад 23 млн людей і ССЗ утримають першість серед причин смерті населення планети. Проте якщо в розвинених країнах світу кількість смертей від ССЗ знижується, то в інших стрімко зростає. Україна — в числі останніх. За даними Всесвітньої організації охорони здоров’я (ВООЗ), Всесвітньої федерації серця і Всесвітньої організації боротьби з інсультом, 30 % випадків смерті від ССЗ у світі передчасні і 2/3 таких випадків можна уникнути завдяки профілактиці, основні напрями якої на основі доказової медицини розглянуті в цьому огляді.
Approximate solution of the non-linear diffusion equation of multiple orders
Authors: Wu Fei , Yang Xiao-Jun
Published: September 2016

In this paper, fractional diffusion equation of multiple orders is
approximately solved. The equation is given in the equivalent integral form.
The Adomian polynomial is adopted and analytical solutions are obtained. The
result contains two parameters that can have more space for fitting the
experiment data.
Sumudu transform series expansion method for solving the local fractional Laplace equation in fractal thermal problems
Authors: Guo Zheng-Hong , Acan Omer , Kumar Sunil
Published: September 2016

In this article, the Sumudu transform series expansion method is used to
handle the local fractional Laplace equation arising in the steady fractal
heat-transfer problem via local fractional calculus.
On local fractional Volterra integro-differential equations in fractal steady heat transfer
Authors: Yang Ai-Min , Han Yang , Zhang Yu-Zhu , Wang Li-Ting , Zhang Di , Yang Xiao-Jun
Published: September 2016

In this paper we address the inverse problems for the fractal steady heat
transfer described by the local fractional linear and non-linear Volterra
integro-differential equations. The Volterra integro-differential equations
are presented for investigating the fractal heat-transfer.
Interfacial surface investigation of super-critical water gasification of corn cob
Authors: Jin Hui , Wu Zhen-Qun , Su Xiao-Hui , Guo Lie-Jin , Song Xing-Xing
Published: September 2016

Super-critical water gasification of biomass is a promising technology for
hydrogen production. In order to achieve high hydrogen yield and complete
gasification, the operating parameters were investigated and the solid
residual was analyzed to study the reaction bottleneck by Fourier transform
infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental
results showed that most organic functional groups in corn cob were consumed
by super-critical water above 500?C, however, the aromatic substance and
cyclic ketone were remained. The K2CO3 has the best catalytic effect due to
the formation of pore structure in the residual particle surface. The carbon
gasification efficiency of 97.97% and the hydrogen yield was 50.28 mol/kg.
Preeclampsia and level of oxidative stress in the first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Bogavac Mirjana , Jakovljevic Ana , Stajic Zoran , Nikolic Aleksandra , Milosevic-Tosic Mirjana , Dejanovic Jadranka , Lozanov-Crvenkovic Zagorka
Published: September 2016

Background/Aim. Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystemic syndrome that complicates 5?8% of all pregnancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical parameters of oxidative stress in the first trimester of pregnancy in patients with preeclampsia, with the purpose of comparing the level of oxidative stress with normal pregnancy. Methods. The study was conducted as a prospective study. It included totally 107 pregnant women divided into two groups. In the study group (n = 33) there were women who developed preeclampsia in the current pregnancy. The control group (n = 74) included healthy pregnant women. Blood samples were taken between 11th and 14th weeks of gestation, and the values of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were determined in serum by enzymatic colorimetric methods. Results. The values of SOD and GHS-Px were statistically higher in the study group, while the values of TAS were statistically higher in the control group. The level of TAS inversely correlated with GSH-Px and SOD, but there is no statistically significant correlation between GSHPx and SOD in the study group. Conclusion. The results of this study suggest a higher level of oxidative stress in the first trimester of pregnancy with preeclampsia, which may indicate that the initiation and development of pathophysiological processes underlying preeclampsia start much earlier than the clinical syndrome exhibit.
Does the Ability of Operating Cash Flows to Measure Firm Performance Improve during Periods of Financial Distress?
Authors: Lee Jong Eun , Glasscock Robson , Park Myung Seok
Published: September 2016

SYNOPSIS

This study examines whether the associations between stock returns and earnings, and stock returns and cash flows from operations (OCF), vary during periods of firm-specific financial distress. We find that a firm's stock returns are more strongly associated with its OCF than its earnings when the firm is in financial distress. In a regression of stock returns on both OCF and earnings, and interactions of these two variables with an indicator for financial distress, the Shapley value, which measures contribution to the regression R2, is higher for the interaction of OCF with distress than for the interaction of earnings with distress. We also find that the strength of the observed return-OCF relation increases in a market-wide crisis. These findings support the view that investors, in times of firm distress, place significantly more weight on OCF information than on earnings information.

JEL Classifications: G01; G10; M41.

Data Availability: Data used in this study are available from public sources identified in the study.
How to Effectively Integrate Professionally Oriented Faculty to Achieve the Department's Mission
Authors: Showalter D. Scott , Bodtke James
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this commentary is to describe the successful assimilation of Professionally Oriented Faculty into the department of accounting through the use of the Pathways Commission Professionally Oriented Faculty Integration Principles. Further, building upon the Integration Principles, we provide recommendations for attracting and retaining Professionally Oriented Faculty. We accomplish this by describing the varied journeys of six different Professionally Oriented Faculty as compared with the POF Integration Principles. We also summarize the Professionally Oriented Faculty Integration Principles and encourage adoption by member institutions of these principles with an affirmative statement.
Determinants of the Readability of SOX 404 Reports
Authors: Boritz J. Efrim , Hayes Louise , Timoshenko Lev M.
Published: September 2016

This study examines SOX 404 reports with fiscal year-ends between 2004 and 2014 to determine their readability as measured by the FOG Index. We investigate the association between readability and company characteristics, auditor type, opinion type, time period, report content, and report length. We find that the sign and significance of certain associations depend on whether the reports contain material weaknesses. Overall, results show that management's reports are more readable than auditor's reports; longer reports are more readable—contrary to findings for other corporate communications such as 10-Ks; reports of Big 6 firms are less readable than non-Big 6 reports. Interestingly, the Big 4 firms differed in the readability of their reports.

Data Availability: Data are available from sources identified in the text.
KPMG Knowledge Management and the Next Phase: Using Enterprise Social Media
Authors: O'Leary Daniel E.
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study summarizing some of the issues associated with KPMG's knowledge management system and their recent adoption of social media for collaboration and knowledge management. In particular, this case examines KPMG's knowledge management initiative starting roughly when Robert Armacost was hired to lead the global firm's efforts in knowledge management, from 2007 through 2014, with KPMG's adoption of social media as part of their knowledge management system. This case study shows a fundamental and strategic shift in knowledge management at KPMG from focusing on content to including collaboration. In addition, this paper illustrates some of the advantages of including enterprise social media as part of the knowledge management system.
Deceptive Superiors and Budgetary Reporting: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Brink Alisa G. , Coats Jennifer C. , Rankin Frederick W.
Published: September 2016

Past research demonstrates that superiors possess private information about many features of the organization including cost systems. These studies provide evidence that superiors strategically disclose this information to influence the subordinates' actions, yet this issue has not been explored in a budgeting context. Accordingly, we study behavior in a budgeting setting with a cost system accuracy that is known to both the superior and subordinate or only known by the superior. When the accuracy is only observed by the superior, she might misrepresent it in an effort to elicit more truthful budget proposals from subordinates. Final budget authority affects how subordinates frame the budgeting setting; therefore, we compare cases where either the subordinate or the superior has final budget authority. Results indicate that superiors strategically misrepresent their private information in an attempt to reduce the creation of slack. Further, a cost system that sends an accuracy signal as private information to superiors reduces slack and increases superiors' earnings when subordinates unilaterally set their budgets, but not when superiors have final budget authority. Our results imply that superiors may strategically misrepresent information to mitigate slack consumption and that superiors may design information systems in such a way that they provide them with private information.

JEL Classifications: C90; D82; M41; M55.

Data Availability: Contact the authors.
The Journal of Management Accounting Research: A Content and Citation Analysis of the First 25 Years
Authors: Guffey Daryl M. , Harp Nancy L.
Published: September 2016

This article provides a descriptive content analysis and citation analysis for the Journal of Management Accounting Research (JMAR) between 1989 and 2013. Adopting the Shields (1997) taxonomy of managerial accounting research, we categorize articles published in JMAR by research method, topic, and underlying discipline (theory) and present information on changes in content over time to identify potential trends. We also collect citations to articles in JMAR and use citation metrics to identify which research methods, topics, underlying disciplines, and specific articles have contributed the most toward establishing JMAR as a premier accounting journal. Finally, we interpret content trends in conjunction with citation results to provide insights for the future of JMAR. Most notably, we report that research methods such as Survey, Literature Review, and Field Study are decreasing in prevalence in JMAR over time, yet these are the research methods that have the greatest impact based on citations collected.
Ionizing Radiation Potentiates High-Fat Diet–Induced Insulin Resistance and Reprograms Skeletal Muscle and Adipose Progenitor Cells
Authors: Nylander Vibe , Ingerslev Lars R. , Andersen Emil , Fabre Odile , Garde Christian , Rasmussen Morten , Citirikkaya Kiymet , Bæk Josephine , Christensen Gitte L. , Aznar Marianne , Specht Lena , Simar David , Barrès Romain
Published: September 2016

Exposure to ionizing radiation increases the risk of chronic metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes later in life. We hypothesized that irradiation reprograms the epigenome of metabolic progenitor cells, which could account for impaired metabolism after cancer treatment. C57Bl/6 mice were treated with a single dose of irradiation and subjected to high-fat diet (HFD). RNA sequencing and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing were used to create transcriptomic and epigenomic profiles of preadipocytes and skeletal muscle satellite cells collected from irradiated mice. Mice subjected to total body irradiation showed alterations in glucose metabolism and, when challenged with HFD, marked hyperinsulinemia. Insulin signaling was chronically disrupted in skeletal muscle and adipose progenitor cells collected from irradiated mice and differentiated in culture. Epigenomic profiling of skeletal muscle and adipose progenitor cells from irradiated animals revealed substantial DNA methylation changes, notably for genes regulating the cell cycle, glucose/lipid metabolism, and expression of epigenetic modifiers. Our results show that total body irradiation alters intracellular signaling and epigenetic pathways regulating cell proliferation and differentiation of skeletal muscle and adipose progenitor cells and provide a possible mechanism by which irradiation used in cancer treatment increases the risk for metabolic disease later in life.
Toll-Like Receptor 4 Activation Contributes to Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction in a Murine Model of Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Szasz Theodora , Wenceslau Camilla F. , Burgess Beth , Nunes Kenia P. , Webb R. Clinton
Published: September 2016

Diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) is a common urological complication of diabetes. Innate immune system activation via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) leads to inflammation and oxidative stress and was implicated in diabetes pathophysiology. We hypothesized that bladder hypertrophy and hypercontractility in DBD is mediated by TLR4 activation. Wild-type (WT) and TLR4 knockout (TLR4KO) mice were made diabetic by streptozotocin (STZ) treatment, and bladder contractile function and TLR4 pathway expression were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the expression of TLR4 in human and mouse bladder. Recombinant high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) increased bladder TLR4 and MyD88 expression and enhanced contractile response to electrical field stimulation. Bladder expression of TLR4 and MyD88 and serum expression of HMGB1 were increased in STZ compared with control mice. Carbachol (CCh)-mediated contraction was increased in bladders from STZ mice, and TLR4 inhibitor CLI-095 attenuated this increase. Induction of diabetes by STZ in WT mice increased bladder weight and contractile responses to CCh and to electrical field stimulation. TLR4KO mice were not protected from STZ-induced diabetes; however, despite levels of hyperglycemia similar to those of WT STZ mice, TLR4KO STZ mice were protected from diabetes-induced bladder hypertrophy and hypercontractility. These data suggest that TLR4 activation during diabetes mediates DBD-associated bladder hypertrophy and hypercontractility.
Treatment of a perforating thoracic bite wound in a dog with negative pressure wound therapy
Authors: Nolff Mirja C. , Pieper Korbinian , Meyer-Lindenberg Andrea
Published: September 2016

CASE DESCRIPTION A 4-year-old male Dachshund was examined following a bite attack that had occurred 5 days previously. The dog had acutely deteriorated despite IV antimicrobial treatment and fluid therapy.

CLINICAL FINDINGS On initial examination, the patient was recumbent with signs of septic shock and a flail chest. Three penetrating wounds in the left thoracic wall with malodorous discharge were evident. The animal trauma triage score was 8 out of 18. Thoracic and abdominal radiography revealed displaced fractures of the left seventh, eighth, and ninth ribs and extensive subcutaneous emphysema. Additionally, a marked diffuse bronchointerstitial pattern, areas of alveolar pattern, and pneumothorax were present bilaterally.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Open surgical debridement with left lateral lung lobectomy and resection of portions of the left thoracic wall were performed. Extensive soft tissue loss precluded primary reconstruction. The defect was stabilized with a polypropylene mesh implant, and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) at −100 mm Hg was initiated. Microbial culture and susceptibility testing of tissue samples indicated the presence of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. The NPWT dressing was changed 2, 5, and 7 days after surgery. Treatment was well tolerated, and the mesh was completely covered with granulation tissue 10 days after surgery. On follow-up 5, 7, 12, and 19 months after surgery, the dog was clinically normal with no apparent complications.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggested that NPWT may be a valuable adjunct when treating small animal patients with severe thoracic trauma.
Has Technology Trumped Adaptive Management? A Review of Israel’s Idiosyncratic Hydrological History
Authors: Tal Alon
Published: September 2016

Adaptive management has been championed as an effective strategy for designing water policy and its implementation. An effective water management strategy, it is argued, must be adaptive and build in an ability to change management practices based on new experiences and insights. While such an approach was not part of official nomenclature, over the years, Israel’s water managers developed a nimble orientation, responding to available data, hydrological exigencies and emerging technological opportunities. This retroactive look at Israel’s water management history through this adaptive paradigm, identifies five distinct stages:
Hydro-Socialism, Wastewater Reuse, Water Storage, Conservation and Demand Reduction
. Although threats to a reliable supply remain, Israel’s water managers’ ability to adapt to numerous changes enabled a dryland country to flourish, with a highly productive agricultural sector and a plentiful and clean water supply for a rapidly growing population. Israel’s desalination plants are less subject to the stochastic variability of the climate. But Israel will still have to maintain an ‘adaptive management strategy’, albeit with less reason to monitor rainfall and more to monitor geopolitical and environmental threats to a sustainable water supply.
Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals
Authors: Knight Andrew , Leitsberger Madelaine
Published: September 2016

Companion animal owners are increasingly concerned about the links between degenerative health conditions, farm animal welfare problems, environmental degradation, fertilizers and herbicides, climate change, and causative factors; such as animal farming and the consumption of animal products. Accordingly, many owners are increasingly interested in vegetarian diets for themselves and their companion animals. However, are vegetarian canine and feline diets nutritious and safe? Four studies assessing the nutritional soundness of these diets were reviewed, and manufacturer responses to the most recent studies are provided. Additional reviewed studies examined the nutritional soundness of commercial meat-based diets and the health status of cats and dogs maintained on vegetarian and meat-based diets. Problems with all of these dietary choices have been documented, including nutritional inadequacies and health problems. However, a significant and growing body of population studies and case reports have indicated that cats and dogs maintained on vegetarian diets may be healthy—including those exercising at the highest levels—and, indeed, may experience a range of health benefits. Such diets must be nutritionally complete and reasonably balanced, however, and owners should regularly monitor urinary acidity and should correct urinary alkalinisation through appropriate dietary additives, if necessary.
Effects of Fatty Infiltration of the Liver on the Shannon Entropy of Ultrasound Backscattered Signals
Authors: Tsui Po-Hsiang , Wan Yung-Liang
Published: September 2016

This study explored the effects of fatty infiltration on the signal uncertainty of ultrasound backscattered echoes from the liver. Standard ultrasound examinations were performed on 107 volunteers. For each participant, raw ultrasound image data of the right lobe of liver were acquired using a clinical scanner equipped with a 3.5-MHz convex transducer. An algorithmic scheme was proposed for ultrasound B-mode and entropy imaging. Fatty liver stage was evaluated using a sonographic scoring system. Entropy values constructed using the ultrasound radiofrequency (RF) and uncompressed envelope signals (denoted by HR and HE, respectively) as a function of fatty liver stage were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Data were expressed as the median and interquartile range (IQR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was performed to obtain the area under the ROC curve (AUC). The brightness of the entropy image typically increased as the fatty stage varied from mild to severe. The median value of HR monotonically increased from 4.69 (IQR: 4.60–4.79) to 4.90 (IQR: 4.87–4.92) as the severity of fatty liver increased (r = 0.63, p < 0.0001). Concurrently, the median value of HE increased from 4.80 (IQR: 4.69–4.89) to 5.05 (IQR: 5.02–5.07) (r = 0.69, p < 0.0001). In particular, the AUCs obtained using HE (95% CI) were 0.93 (0.87–0.99), 0.88 (0.82–0.94), and 0.76 (0.65–0.87) for fatty stages ≥mild, ≥moderate, and ≥severe, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 93.33%, 83.11%, and 86.00%, respectively (≥mild). Fatty infiltration increases the uncertainty of backscattered signals from livers. Ultrasound entropy imaging has potential for the routine examination of fatty liver disease.
Evolution of Mindsight and Psychological Commitment among Strategically Interacting Agents
Authors: Rtischev Dimitry
Published: September 2016

We study the evolution of strategic psychological capabilities in a population of interacting agents. Specifically, we consider agents which are either blind or with mindsight, and either transparent or opaque. An agent with mindsight can observe the psychological makeup of a transparent agent, i.e., its logic, emotions, commitments and other elements that determine how it chooses actions. A blind agent cannot observe and opaque agents cannot be observed. Our assumption that mindsight and transparency are costly and optional exposes a middle ground between standard game theory without mindsight and evolution of preferences theory with obligatory and costless mindsight. We show that the only evolutionarily stable monomorphic population is one in which all agents are blind, opaque, and act-rational. We find that mindsight, transparency, and rule-rational commitments may evolve, albeit only in a portion of the population that fluctuates in size over generations. We reexamine the Ultimatum and Trust games in light of our findings and demonstrate that an evolved population of agents can differ significantly from a population of simplistic payoff-maximizers in terms of psychological traits and economic outcomes.
Molecular Inconsistencies in a Fragile X Male with Early Onset Ataxia
Authors: Hwang Yun , Dudding Tracy , Aliaga Solange , Arpone Marta , Francis David , Li Xin , Slater Howard , Rogers Carolyn , Bretherton Lesley , Du Sart Desirée , Heard Robert , Godler David
Published: September 2016

Mosaicism for FMR1 premutation (PM: 55–199 CGG)/full mutation (FM: >200 CGG) alleles or the presence of unmethylated FM (UFM) have been associated with a less severe fragile X syndrome (FXS) phenotype and fragile X associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS)—a late onset neurodegenerative disorder. We describe a 38 year old male carrying a 100% methylated FM detected with Southern blot (SB), which is consistent with complete silencing of FMR1 and a diagnosis of fragile X syndrome. However, his formal cognitive scores were not at the most severe end of the FXS phenotype and he displayed tremor and ataxic gait. With the association of UFM with FXTAS, we speculated that his ataxia might be related to an undetected proportion of UFM alleles. Such UFM alleles were confirmed by more sensitive PCR based methylation testing showing FM methylation between 60% and 70% in blood, buccal, and saliva samples and real-time PCR analysis showing incomplete silencing of FMR1. While he did not meet diagnostic criteria for FXTAS based on MRI findings, the underlying cause of his ataxia may be related to UFM alleles not detected by SB, and follow-up clinical and molecular assessment are justified if his symptoms worsen.
Regulation of BLM Nucleolar Localization
Authors: Tangeman Larissa , McIlhatton Michael , Grierson Patrick , Groden Joanna , Acharya Samir
Published: September 2016

Defects in coordinated ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription in the nucleolus cause cellular and organismal growth deficiencies. Bloom’s syndrome, an autosomal recessive human disorder caused by mutated recQ-like helicase BLM, presents with growth defects suggestive of underlying defects in rRNA transcription. Our previous studies showed that BLM facilitates rRNA transcription and interacts with RNA polymerase I and topoisomerase I (TOP1) in the nucleolus. The mechanisms regulating localization of BLM to the nucleolus are unknown. In this study, we identify the TOP1-interaction region of BLM by co-immunoprecipitation of in vitro transcribed and translated BLM segments and show that this region includes the highly conserved nuclear localization sequence (NLS) of BLM. Biochemical and nucleolar co-localization studies using site-specific mutants show that two serines within the NLS (S1342 and S1345) are critical for nucleolar localization of BLM but do not affect the functional interaction of BLM with TOP1. Mutagenesis of both serines to aspartic acid (phospho-mimetic), but not alanine (phospho-dead), results in approximately 80% reduction in nucleolar localization of BLM while retaining the biochemical functions and nuclear localization of BLM. Our studies suggest a role for this region in regulating nucleolar localization of BLM via modification of the two serines within the NLS.
Ups and Downs: Mechanisms of Repeat Instability in the Fragile X-Related Disorders
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Nan , Usdin Karen
Published: September 2016

The Fragile X-related disorders (FXDs) are a group of clinical conditions resulting from the expansion of a CGG/CCG-repeat tract in exon 1 of the Fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. While expansions of the repeat tract predominate, contractions are also seen with the net result being that individuals can show extensive repeat length heterogeneity in different tissues. The mechanisms responsible for expansion and contraction are still not well understood. This review will discuss what is known about these processes and current evidence that supports a model in which expansion arises from the interaction of components of the base excision repair, mismatch repair and transcription coupled repair pathways.
Multiplex Gene Expression Profiling of 16 Target Genes in Neoplastic and Non-Neoplastic Canine Mammary Tissues Using Branched-DNA Assay
Authors: Lüder Ripoli Florenza , Conradine Hammer Susanne , Mohr Annika , Willenbrock Saskia , Hewicker-Trautwein Marion , Brenig Bertram , Murua Escobar Hugo , Nolte Ingo
Published: September 2016

Mammary gland tumors are one of the most common neoplasms in female dogs, and certain breeds are prone to develop the disease. The use of biomarkers in canines is still restricted to research purposes. Therefore, the necessity to analyze gene profiles in different mammary entities in large sample sets is evident in order to evaluate the strength of potential markers serving as future prognostic factors. The aim of the present study was to analyze the gene expression of 16 target genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, FOXO3, GATA4, HER2, HMGA1, HMGA2, HMGB1, MAPK1, MAPK3, MCL1, MYC, PFDN5, PIK3CA, PTEN, and TP53) known to be involved in human and canine mammary neoplasm development. Expression was analyzed in 111 fresh frozen (FF) and in 170 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens of neoplastic and non-neoplastic canine mammary tissues using a multiplexed branched-DNA (b-DNA) assay. TP53, FOXO3, PTEN, and PFDN5 expression revealed consistent results with significant low expression in malignant tumors. The possibility of utilizing them as predictive factors as well as for assisting in the choice of an adequate gene therapy may help in the development of new and improved approaches in canine mammary tumors.
Involvement of Ca2+ Signaling in the Synergistic Effects between Muscarinic Receptor Antagonists and β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists in Airway Smooth Muscle
Authors: Fukunaga Kentaro , Kume Hiroaki , Oguma Tetsuya , Shigemori Wataru , Tohda Yuji , Ogawa Emiko , Nakano Yasutaka
Published: September 2016

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) and short-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonists (SABAs) play important roles in remedy for COPD. To propel a translational research for development of bronchodilator therapy, synergistic effects between SABAs with LAMAs were examined focused on Ca2+ signaling using simultaneous records of isometric tension and F340/F380 in fura-2-loaded tracheal smooth muscle. Glycopyrronium (3 nM), a LAMA, modestly reduced methacholine (1 μM)-induced contraction. When procaterol, salbutamol and SABAs were applied in the presence of glycopyrronium, relaxant effects of these SABAs are markedly enhanced, and percent inhibition of tension was much greater than the sum of those for each agent and those expected from the BI theory. In contrast, percent inhibition of F340/F380 was not greater than those values. Bisindolylmaleimide, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), significantly increased the relaxant effect of LAMA without reducing F340/F380. Iberiotoxin, an inhibitor of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa) channels, significantly suppressed the effects of these combined agents with reducing F340/F380. In conclusion, combination of SABAs with LAMAs synergistically enhances inhibition of muscarinic contraction via decreasing both Ca2+ sensitization mediated by PKC and Ca2+ dynamics mediated by KCa channels. PKC and KCa channels may be molecular targets for cross talk between β2-adrenoceptors and muscarinic receptors.
Imperfection Sensitivity of Nonlinear Vibration of Curved Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Based on Nonlocal Timoshenko Beam Theory
Authors: Eshraghi Iman , Jalali Seyed , Pugno Nicola
Published: September 2016

Imperfection sensitivity of large amplitude vibration of curved single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is considered in this study. The SWCNT is modeled as a Timoshenko nano-beam and its curved shape is included as an initial geometric imperfection term in the displacement field. Geometric nonlinearities of von Kármán type and nonlocal elasticity theory of Eringen are employed to derive governing equations of motion. Spatial discretization of governing equations and associated boundary conditions is performed using differential quadrature (DQ) method and the corresponding nonlinear eigenvalue problem is iteratively solved. Effects of amplitude and location of the geometric imperfection, and the nonlocal small-scale parameter on the nonlinear frequency for various boundary conditions are investigated. The results show that the geometric imperfection and non-locality play a significant role in the nonlinear vibration characteristics of curved SWCNTs.
Characteristics of Ceramic Fiber Modified Asphalt Mortar
Authors: Wan Jiuming , Wu Shaopeng , Xiao Yue , Liu Quantao , Schlangen Erik
Published: September 2016

Ceramic fiber, with a major composition of Al2O3 and SiO2, has advantages of stability at relatively high temperature, big specific surface area and resistance to external mechanical vibration. It has the potential contribution of improving the rutting resistance and temperature sensitivity of modified asphalt binder by proper modification design. In this research, ceramic fiber was introduced into both pen 60/80 and pen 80/100 asphalt binder by different weight ratios. An asphalt penetration test, softening point test, ductility test and dynamic viscoelastic behavior were conducted to characterize and predict the ceramic fiber modified asphalt mortar (CFAM). Research results indicated that the ceramic fiber has a great effect on reinforcement of asphalt, which makes the asphalt stiffer so that the asphalt can only undertake less strain under the same stress. The heat insulation effect of the ceramic fiber will improve the temperature stability. Complex modulus and phase angle results indicate that the ceramic fiber can significantly enhance the high temperature resistance of soft binder.
Pickering Particles Prepared from Food Waste
Authors: Gould Joanne , Garcia-Garcia Guillermo , Wolf Bettina
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we demonstrate the functionality and functionalisation of waste particles as an emulsifier for oil-in-water (o/w) and water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions. Ground coffee waste was chosen as a candidate waste material due to its naturally high content of lignin, a chemical component imparting emulsifying ability. The waste coffee particles readily stabilised o/w emulsions and following hydrothermal treatment adapted from the bioenergy field they also stabilised w/o emulsions. The hydrothermal treatment relocated the lignin component of the cell walls within the coffee particles onto the particle surface thereby increasing the surface hydrophobicity of the particles as demonstrated by an emulsion assay. Emulsion droplet sizes were comparable to those found in processed foods in the case of hydrophilic waste coffee particles stabilizing o/w emulsions. These emulsions were stable against coalescence for at least 12 weeks, flocculated but stable against coalescence in shear and stable to pasteurisation conditions (10 min at 80 °C). Emulsion droplet size was also insensitive to pH of the aqueous phase during preparation (pH 3–pH 9). Stable against coalescence, the water droplets in w/o emulsions prepared with hydrothermally treated waste coffee particles were considerably larger and microscopic examination showed evidence of arrested coalescence indicative of particle jamming at the surface of the emulsion droplets. Refinement of the hydrothermal treatment and broadening out to other lignin-rich plant or plant based food waste material are promising routes to bring closer the development of commercially relevant lignin based food Pickering particles applicable to emulsion based processed foods ranging from fat continuous spreads and fillings to salad dressings.
Modulating the Slow Relaxation Dynamics of Binuclear Dysprosium(III) Complexes through Coordination Geometry
Authors: Mondal Amit , Parmar Vijay , Konar Sanjit
Published: September 2016

A class of two dinuclear dysprosium based complexes 1 and 2 were synthesized by employing salicyloylhydrazone derived pentadentate ligand (L). Structural analysis reveals that in complex 1, two DyIII centers are in muffin (Cs) coordination geometry while in 2, one DyIII center is in bicapped square antiprism (D4d) and other one is in triangular dodecahedron (D2d) coordination geometry. AC magnetic susceptibility measurements disclose that complexes 1 and 2 exhibit single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior, with effective energy barrier of 36.4 and 9.7 K, respectively. The overall studies reveal that small differences in the coordination environment around the DyIII centers played a significant role in the difference in relaxation dynamics of the complexes. In order to elucidate the role of intermolecular interactions between nearby DyIII centers in the magnetic relaxation behavior, a diamagnetic isostructural YIII analog (3) was synthesized and magnetic behavior was examined.
Depolymerization of Fucosylated Chondroitin Sulfate with a Modified Fenton-System and Anticoagulant Activity of the Resulting Fragments
Authors: Li Jun-hui , Li Shan , Zhi Zi-jian , Yan Lu-feng , Ye Xing-qian , Ding Tian , Yan Lei , Linhardt Robert , Chen Shi-guo
Published: September 2016

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (fCS) from sea cucumber Isostichopus badionotus (fCS-Ib) with a chondroitin sulfate type E (CSE) backbone and 2,4-O-sulfo fucose branches has shown excellent anticoagulant activity although has also show severe adverse effects. Depolymerization represents an effective method to diminish this polysaccharide’s side effects. The present study reports a modified controlled Fenton system for degradation of fCS-Ib and the anticoagulant activity of the resulting fragments. Monosaccharides and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of the resulting fragments indicate that no significant chemical changes in the backbone of fCS-Ib and no loss of sulfate groups take place during depolymerization. A reduction in the molecular weight of fCS-Ib should result in a dramatic decrease in prolonging activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time. A decrease in the inhibition of thrombin (FIIa) by antithromin III (AT III) and heparin cofactor II (HCII), and the slight decrease of the inhibition of factor X activity, results in a significant increase of anti-factor Xa (FXa)/anti-FIIa activity ratio. The modified free-radical depolymerization method enables preparation of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) oligosaccharides suitable for investigation of clinical anticoagulant application.
Microstructure and Dry-Sliding Wear Behavior of B4C Ceramic Particulate Reinforced Al 5083 Matrix Composite
Authors: Zhao Qian , Liang Yunhong , Zhang Zhihui , Li Xiujuan , Ren Luquan
Published: September 2016

B4C ceramic particulate–reinforced Al 5083 matrix composite with various B4C content was fabricated successfully via hot-press sintering under Argon atmosphere. B4C particles presented relative high wettability, bonding strength and symmetrical distribution in the Al 5083 matrix. The hardness value, friction coefficient and wear resistance of the composite were higher than those of the Al 5083 matrix. The augment of the B4C content resulted in the increase of the friction coefficient and decrease of the wear mass loss, respectively. The 30 wt % B4C/Al 5083 composite exhibited the highest wear resistance. At a low load of 50 N, the dominant wear mechanisms of the B4C/Al 5083 composite were micro-cutting and abrasive wear. At a high load of 200 N, the dominant wear mechanisms were micro-cutting and adhesion wear associated with the formation of the delamination layer which protected the composite from further wear and enhanced the wear resistance under the condition of high load.
Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside: Physical-Chemistry, Foodomics and Health Effects
Authors: Olivas-Aguirre Francisco , Rodrigo-García Joaquín , Martínez-Ruiz Nina , Cárdenas-Robles Arely , Mendoza-Díaz Sandra , Álvarez-Parrilla Emilio , González-Aguilar Gustavo , De la Rosa Laura , Ramos-Jiménez Arnulfo , Wall-Medrano Abraham
Published: September 2016

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are plant secondary metabolites from the flavonoid family. Red to blue fruits are major dietary sources of ACNs (up to 1 g/100 g FW), being cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (Cy3G) one of the most widely distributed. Cy3G confers a red hue to fruits, but its content in raspberries and strawberries is low. It has a good radical scavenging capacity (RSC) against superoxide but not hydroxyl radicals, and its oxidative potential is pH-dependent (58 mV/pH unit). After intake, Cy3G can be metabolized (phases I, II) by oral epithelial cells, absorbed by the gastric epithelium (1%–10%) and it is gut-transformed (phase II & microbial metabolism), reaching the bloodstream (<1%) and urine (about 0.02%) in low amounts. In humans and Caco-2 cells, Cy3G’s major metabolites are protocatechuic acid and phloroglucinaldehyde which are also subjected to entero-hepatic recycling, although caffeic acid and peonidin-3-glucoside seem to be strictly produced in the large bowel and renal tissues. Solid evidence supports Cy3G’s bioactivity as DNA-RSC, gastro protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic chemo-preventive and as an epigenetic factor, exerting protection against Helicobacter pylori infection, age-related diseases, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and oral cancer. Most relevant mechanisms include RSC, epigenetic action, competitive protein-binding and enzyme inhibition. These and other novel aspects on Cy3G’s physical-chemistry, foodomics, and health effects are discussed.
New Oral Formulation and in Vitro Evaluation of Docetaxel-Loaded Nanomicelles
Authors: Hekmat Atefeh , Attar Hossein , Seyf Kordi Ali , Iman Maryam , Jaafari Mahmoud
Published: September 2016

Intravenous administration of Taxotere® (a commercial form of docetaxel, DTX) leads to many problems such as hypersensitivity, hemolysis, cutaneous allergy, and patient refusal due to its prolonged injection. The oral absorption of DTX is very low due to its hydrophobic nature. The purpose of this study was to prepare and carry out an in vitro evaluation of DTX-loaded nanomicelles for oral administration in order to increase the oral delivery of DTX. Studied formulations were prepared with the two surfactants Tween 20 and Tween 80 and were characterized for their particle size, zeta potential, stability, encapsulation efficiency, stability studies in gastric fluid and intestinal fluid, toxicity studies in C26 colon carcinoma cell line, and cellular uptake. The prepared nanomicelles with particle size of around 14 nm and encapsulation efficiency of 99% were stable in gastric fluid and intestinal fluid for at least 6 h and IC50 decreased significantly after 72 h exposure compared to that of Taxotere®. Nanomicelles increased the water solubility of DTX more than 1500 times (10 mg/mL in nanomicelles compared to 6 µg/mL in water). Results of this study reveal that the new formulation of DTX could be used for the oral delivery of DTX and merits further investigation.
Argonaute 2 Expression Correlates with a Luminal B Breast Cancer Subtype and Induces Estrogen Receptor Alpha Isoform Variation
Authors: Conger Adrienne , Martin Elizabeth , Yan Thomas , Rhodes Lyndsay , Hoang Van , La Jacqueline , Anbalagan Muralidharan , Burks Hope , Rowan Brian , Nephew Kenneth , Collins-Burow Bridgette , Burow Matthew
Published: September 2016

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) signaling pathways are frequently disrupted in breast cancer and contribute to disease progression. ERα signaling is multifaceted and many ERα regulators have been identified including transcription factors and growth factor pathways. More recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) are shown to deregulate ERα activity in breast carcinomas, with alterations in both ERα and miRNA expression correlating to cancer progression. In this study, we show that a high expression of Argonaute 2 (AGO2), a translation regulatory protein and mediator of miRNA function, correlates with the luminal B breast cancer subtype. We further demonstrate that a high expression of AGO2 in ERα+ tumors correlates with a poor clinical outcome. MCF-7 breast cancer cells overexpressing AGO2 (MCF7-AGO2) altered ERα downstream signaling and selective ERα variant expression. Enhanced ERα-36, a 36 kDa ERα isoform, protein and gene expression was observed in vitro. Through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), we demonstrate decreased basal expression of the full-length ERα and progesterone receptor genes, in addition to loss of estrogen stimulated gene expression in vitro. Despite the loss, MCF-7-AGO2 cells demonstrated increased estrogen stimulated tumorigenesis in vivo. Together with our clinical findings on AGO2 expression and the luminal B subtype, we suggest that AGO2 is a regulator of altered ERα signaling in breast tumors.