bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Draft Genome Sequence of the Naturally Competent Bacillus simplex Strain WY10
Authors: Keen Eric C. , Bliskovsky Valery V. , Adhya Sankar L. , Dantas Gautam
Published: November 2017

We sequenced a naturally competent bacterial isolate, WY10, cultured from a Wyoming soil sample. Sequence analysis revealed that WY10 is a novel strain of
Bacillus simplex
. To our knowledge, WY10 is the first
B. simplex
strain to be characterized as naturally competent for DNA uptake by transformation.
Low alcohol consumption and pregnancy and childhood outcomes: time to change guidelines indicating apparently ‘safe’ levels of alcohol during pregnancy? A systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Mamluk Loubaba , Edwards Hannah B , Savović Jelena , Leach Verity , Jones Timothy , Moore Theresa H M , Ijaz Sharea , Lewis Sarah J , Donovan Jenny L , Lawlor Debbie , Smith George Davey , Fraser Abigail , Zuccolo Luisa
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To determine the effects of low-to-moderate levels of maternal alcohol consumption in pregnancy on pregnancy and longer-term offspring outcomes.

Search strategy

Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Psychinfo from inception to 11 July 2016.

Selection criteria

Prospective observational studies, negative control and quasiexperimental studies of pregnant women estimating effects of light drinking in pregnancy (≤32 g/week) versus abstaining. Pregnancy outcomes such as birth weight and features of fetal alcohol syndrome were examined.

Data collection and analysis

One reviewer extracted data and another checked extracted data. Random effects meta-analyses were performed where applicable, and a narrative summary of findings was carried out otherwise.

Main results

24 cohort and two quasiexperimental studies were included. With the exception of birth size and gestational age, there was insufficient data to meta-analyse or make robust conclusions. Odds of small for gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth were higher for babies whose mothers consumed up to 32 g/week versus none, but estimates for preterm birth were also compatible with no association: summary OR 1.08, 95% CI (1.02 to 1.14), I20%, (seven studies, all estimates were adjusted) OR 1.10, 95% CI (0.95 to 1.28), I260%, (nine studies, includes one unadjusted estimates), respectively. The earliest time points of exposure were used in the analysis.

Conclusion

Evidence of the effects of drinking ≤32 g/week in pregnancy is sparse. As there was some evidence that even light prenatal alcohol consumption is associated with being SGA and preterm delivery, guidance could advise abstention as a precautionary principle but should explain the paucity of evidence.
Survival after bone metastasis by primary cancer type: a Danish population-based cohort study
Authors: Svensson Elisabeth , Christiansen Christian F , Ulrichsen Sinna P , Rørth Mikael R , Sørensen Henrik T
Published: November 2017

Objective

In the 10 most common primary types with bone metastases, we aimed to examine survival, further stratifying on bone metastases only or with additional synchronous metastases.

Methods

We included all patients aged 18 years and older with incident hospital diagnosis of solid cancer between 1994 and 2010, subsequently diagnosed with BM until 2012. We followed patients from date of bone metastasis diagnosis until death, emigration or 31 December 2012, whichever came first. We computed 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival (%) and the corresponding 95% CIs stratified on primary cancer type. Comparing patients with bone metastasis only and patients with other synchronous metastases, we estimated crude and adjusted HRs and corresponding 95% CI for mortality.

Results

We included 17 251 patients with bone metastasis. The most common primary cancer types with bone metastasis were prostate (34%), breast (22%) and lung (20%). One-year survival after bone metastasis diagnosis was lowest in patients with lung cancer (10%, 95% CI 9% to 11%) and highest in patients with breast cancer (51%, 50% to 53%). At 5 years of follow-up, only patients with breast cancer had over 10% survival (13%, 11% to 14%). The risk of mortality was increased for the majority of cancer types among patients with bone and synchronous metastases compared with bone only (adjusted relative risk 1.29–1.57), except for cervix, ovarian and bladder cancer.

Conclusions

While patients with bone metastases after most primary cancers have poor survival, one of ten patients with bone metastasis from breast cancer survived 5 years.
Demographic profile and pregnancy outcomes of adolescents and older mothers in Saudi Arabia: analysis from Riyadh Mother (RAHMA) and Baby cohort study
Authors: Fayed Amel A , Wahabi Hayfaa , Mamdouh Heba , Kotb Reham , Esmaeil Samia
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To investigate the impact of maternal age on pregnancy outcomes with special emphasis on adolescents and older mothers and to investigate the differences in demographic profile between adolescents and older mothers.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of pregnancy outcomes of women in Riyadh Mother and Baby cohort study according to maternal age. The study population was grouped according to maternal age into five subgroups; <20, 20–29, 30–34, 35–39 and 40+years. The age group 20–29 years was considered as a reference group. Investigation of maternal age impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes was conducted with adjustment of confounders using regression models.

Results

All mothers were married when conceived with the index pregnancy. Young mothers were less likely to be illiterate, more likely to achieve higher education and be employed compared with mothers ≥ 40 years. Compared with the reference group, adolescents were more likely to have vaginal delivery (and least likely to deliver by caesarean section (CS); OR=0.6, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.9, while women ≥40 years, were more likely to deliver by CS; OR 2.9, 95% CI 2.3 to 3.7. Maternal age was a risk factor for gestational diabetes in women ≥40 years; OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.1. Adolescents had increased risk of preterm delivery; OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.1 and women ≥40 years had similar risk; OR, 1.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.6.

Conclusion

Adverse pregnancy outcomes show a continuum with the advancement of maternal age. Adolescents mother are more likely to have vaginal delivery; however, they are at increased risk of preterm delivery. Advanced maternal age is associated with increased risk of preterm delivery, gestational diabetes and CS.
Differences in optimality index between planned place of birth in a birth centre and alternative planned places of birth, a nationwide prospective cohort study in The Netherlands: results of the Dutch Birth Centre Study
Authors: Hermus Marieke A A , Hitzert Marit , Boesveld Inge C , van den Akker-van Marle M Elske , Dommelen Paula van , Franx Arie , Graaf Johanna P de , Lith Jan M M van , Luurssen-Masurel Nathalie , Steegers Eric A P , Wiegers Therese A , Bruin Karin M van der Pal-de
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To compare the Optimality Index of planned birth in a birth centre with planned birth in a hospital and planned home birth for low-risk term pregnant women who start labour under the responsibility of a community midwife.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Low-risk pregnant women under care of a community midwife and living in a region with one of the 21 participating Dutch birth centres or in a region with the possibility for midwife-led hospital birth. Home birth was commonly available in all regions included in the study.

Participants

3455 low-risk term pregnant women (1686 nulliparous and 1769 multiparous) who gave birth between 1 July 2013 and 31 December 2013: 1668 planned birth centre births, 701 planned midwife-led hospital births and 1086 planned home births.

Main outcome measurements

The Optimality IndexNL-2015, a tool to measure ‘maximum outcome with minimal intervention’, was assessed by planned place of birth being a birth centre, a hospital setting or at home. Also, a composite maternal and perinatal adverse outcome score was calculated for the different planned places of birth.

Results

There were no differences in Optimality Index NL-2015 for pregnant women who planned to give birth in a birth centre compared with women who planned to give birth in a hospital. Although effect sizes were small, women who planned to give birth at home had a higher Optimality Index NL-2015 than women who planned to give birth in a birth centre. The differences were larger for multiparous than for nulliparous women.

Conclusion

The Optimality Index NL-2015 for women with planned birth centre births was comparable with planned midwife-led hospital births. Women with planned home births had a higher Optimality Index NL-2015, that is, a higher sum score of evidence-based items with an optimal value than women with planned birth centre births.
UpToDate adherence to GRADE criteria for strong recommendations: an analytical survey
Authors: Agoritsas Thomas , Merglen Arnaud , Heen Anja Fog , Kristiansen Annette , Neumann Ignacio , Brito Juan P , Brignardello-Petersen Romina , Alexander Paul E , Rind David M , Vandvik Per O , Guyatt Gordon H
Published: November 2017

Introduction

UpToDate is widely used by clinicians worldwide and includes more than 9400 recommendations that apply the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. GRADE guidance warns against strong recommendations when certainty of the evidence is low or very low (discordant recommendations) but has identified five paradigmatic situations in which discordant recommendations may be justified.

Objectives

Our objective was to document the strength of recommendations in UpToDate and assess the frequency and appropriateness of discordant recommendations.

Design

Analytical survey of all recommendations in UpToDate.

Methods

We identified all GRADE recommendations in UpToDate and examined their strength (strong or weak) and certainty of the evidence (high, moderate or low certainty). We identified all discordant recommendations as of January 2015, and pairs of reviewers independently classified them either into one of the five appropriate paradigms or into one of three categories inconsistent with GRADE guidance, based on the evidence presented in UpToDate.

Results

UpToDate included 9451 GRADE recommendations, of which 6501 (68.8%) were formulated as weak recommendations and 2950 (31.2%) as strong. Among the strong, 844 (28.6%) were based on high certainty in effect estimates, 1740 (59.0%) on moderate certainty and 366 (12.4%) on low certainty. Of the 349 discordant recommendations 204 (58.5%) were judged appropriately (consistent with one of the five paradigms); we classified 47 (13.5%) as good practice statements; 38 (10.9%) misclassified the evidence as low certainty when it was at least moderate and 60 (17.2%) warranted a weak rather than a strong recommendation.

Conclusion

The proportion of discordant recommendations in UpToDate is small (3.7% of all recommendations) and the proportion that is truly problematic (strong recommendations that would best have been weak) is very small (0.6%). Clinicians should nevertheless be cautious and look for clear explanations—in UpToDate and elsewhere—when guidelines offer strong recommendations based on low certainty evidence.
Circinotrichum sinense, a new asexual fungus from Hubei, China
Authors: Li De-Wei , Schultes Neil P. , Chen Jing-Yuan , Wang Yi-Xun , Castañeda-Ruiz Rafael Felipe
Published: November 2017

A setose hyphomycete was collected as part of a recent expedition to search for microfungi in the Duheyuan National Nature Reserve in Hubei, China. The conidia are typical of Circinotrichum Nees, being curved or falcate, single-celled, colorless, smooth with a setula at the apical end, and similar to Circinotrichum rigidum. Circinotrichum sinense has a longer setula only at the apical end and verrucose setae, while C. rigidum has a setula on both ends and smooth setae. Phylogenetic analyses using ITS and LSU DNA sequence data and examination of the morphological characters showed that this fungus cannot be identified as any previously described species of Circinotrichum. Thus, a new fungal taxon is described. A key to recognized species of Circinotrichum is also provided.
ISLAMIC BANKS’ MARKET POWER, STATE-OWNED BANKS, AND RAMADAN: EVIDENCE FROM INDONESIA
Authors: RISFANDY TASTAFTIYAN , TRINARNINGSIH WAHYU , HARMADI HARMADI , TRINUGROHO IRWAN
Published: November 2017

We use a monthly dataset to analyze whether Islamic banks have greater market power compared with their conventional counterparts. Using a sample of Indonesian banks, we find that Islamic banks possess greater market power than conventional banks. This condition does not hold, however, when we compare state-owned Islamic and conventional banks. We also find some specific determinants of Islamic banks’ market power: the Ramadan holy month (positive impact), the proportion of profit-and-loss sharing in their financing (negative impact), and the presence of a Sharia board (positive impact). Interestingly, Ramadan benefits not only Islamic banks but also conventional banks. Our findings support prior literature emphasizing the role of religiosity in Islamic banks’ behavior.
Inverse square law isothermal property in relativistic charged static distributions
Authors: Hansraj Sudan , Qwabe Nkululeko
Published: November 2017

We analyze the impact of the inverse square law fall-off of the energy density in a charged isotropic spherically symmetric fluid. Initially, we impose a linear barotropic equation of state [Formula: see text] but this leads to an intractable differential equation. Next, we consider the neutral isothermal metric of Saslaw et al. [Phys. Rev. D 13, 471 (1996)] in an electric field and the usual inverse square law of energy density and pressure results thus preserving the equation of state. Additionally, we discard a linear equation of state and endeavor to find new classes of solutions with the inverse square law fall-off of density. Certain prescribed forms of the spatial and temporal gravitational forms result in new exact solutions. An interesting result that emerges is that while isothermal fluid spheres are unbounded in the neutral case, this is not so when charge is involved. Indeed it was found that barotropic equations of state exist and hypersurfaces of vanishing pressure exist establishing a boundary in practically all models. One model was studied in depth and found to satisfy other elementary requirements for physical admissibility such as a subluminal sound speed as well as gravitational surface redshifts smaller than 2. Buchdahl [Acta Phys. Pol. B 10, 673 (1965)], Böhmer and Harko [Gen. Relat. Gravit. 39, 757 (2007)] and Andréasson [Commum. Math. Phys. 198, 507 (2009)] mass-radius bounds were also found to be satisfied. Graphical plots utilizing constants selected from the boundary conditions established that the model displayed characteristics consistent with physically viable models.
Warped graviton couplings to bulk vectors with brane-localized kinetic terms
Authors: Kobakhidze Archil , McDonald Kristian L. , Wu Lei , Yue Jason
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we realize nonuniversal couplings between Kaluza–Klein (KK) gravitons and bulk Standard Model (SM) vectors in the Randall–Sundrum (RS) model by including both UV and IR brane-localized gauge kinetic terms. We find that such kinetic terms can reduce the couplings of KK gravitons to SM gauge bosons and also ensure the KK vector masses are consistent with electroweak precision constraints.
Localization of interacting fields in five-dimensional braneworld models
Authors: Wulandari Dewi , Triyanta  , Kosasih Jusak S. , Singleton Douglas , Jones Preston
Published: November 2017

We study the localization properties of fundamental fields which are coupled to one another through the gauge mechanism both in the original Randall–Sundrum (RS) and in the modified Randall–Sundrum (MRS) braneworld models: scalar–vector, vector–vector, and spinor–vector configuration systems. For this purpose, we derive conditions of localization, namely, the finiteness of integrals over the extra coordinate in the action of the system considered. We also derive field equations for each of the systems and then obtain their solutions corresponding to the extra dimension by a separation of variable method for every field involved in each system. We then insert the obtained solutions into the conditions of localization to seek whether or not the solutions are in accordance with the conditions of localization. We obtain that not all of the configuration systems considered are localizable on the brane of the original RS model while, on the contrary, they are localizable on the MRS braneworld model with some restrictions. In terms of field localizability on the brane, this result shows that the MRS model is much better than the original RS model.
Covariant perturbations in the gonihedric string model
Authors: Rojas Efraín
Published: November 2017

We provide a covariant framework to study classically the stability of small perturbations on the so-called gonihedric string model by making precise use of variational techniques. The local action depends on the square root of the quadratic mean extrinsic curvature of the worldsheet swept out by the string, and is reparametrization invariant. A general expression for the worldsheet perturbations, guided by Jacobi equations without any early gauge fixing, is obtained. This is manifested through a set of highly coupled nonlinear differential partial equations where the perturbations are described by scalar fields, [Formula: see text], living in the worldsheet. This model contains, as a special limit, to the linear model in the mean extrinsic curvature. In such a case the Jacobi equations specialize to a single wave-like equation for [Formula: see text].
Analysis of energy consumption and emission of the heterogeneous traffic flow consisting of traditional vehicles and electric vehicles
Authors: Xiao Hong , Huang Hai-Jun , Tang Tie-Qiao
Published: November 2017

Electric vehicle (EV) has become a potential traffic tool, which has attracted researchers to explore various traffic phenomena caused by EV (e.g. congestion, electricity consumption, etc.). In this paper, we study the energy consumption (including the fuel consumption and the electricity consumption) and emissions of heterogeneous traffic flow (that consists of the traditional vehicle (TV) and EV) under three traffic situations (i.e. uniform flow, shock and rarefaction waves, and a small perturbation) from the perspective of macro traffic flow. The numerical results show that the proportion of electric vehicular flow has great effects on the TV’s fuel consumption and emissions and the EV’s electricity consumption, i.e. the fuel consumption and emissions decrease while the electricity consumption increases with the increase of the proportion of electric vehicular flow. The results can help us better understand the energy consumption and emissions of the heterogeneous traffic flow consisting of TV and EV.
Titanium nitride nano-disk arrays-based metasurface as a perfect absorber in the visible range
Authors: Liang Qiuqun , Fu Yongqi , Xia Xiongping , Wang Liu , Gao Rummei
Published: November 2017

An ultrathin metasurface-based absorber consisting of titanium nitride (TiN) nano-disk arrays–dielectric layer-TiN substrate is proposed in this paper. The absorber exhibits near-unity absorption in the whole visible range of 380–780 nm. Our results demonstrate that the proposed metasurface-based absorber is not only independent of light polarization, but also exhibits angle-independent absorption behavior for oblique incidence up to 70[Formula: see text]. The high absorption performance of the TiN nano-disk arrays-based absorber can attribute to two different loss mechanisms associated with the intrinsic loss and plasmonic resonance.
Adaptive On-Time-Controlled PFM Boost Converter with a Below-Threshold Startup Voltage
Authors: Liu Lianxi , Liao Xufeng , Huang Wenbin , Zhu Zhangming , Yang Yintang
Published: November 2017

A high-efficiency pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) boost DC–DC converter with adaptive on-time (AOT) control method is proposed. A novel three-step startup procedure is proposed and applied on the boost converter, which makes the converter start up with a below-threshold voltage. Besides, adaptive on-time control method can reduce the output ripple dramatically. The proposed integrated boost converter is designed in an SMIC 0.18-[Formula: see text]m standard CMOS process and occupied a chip area of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mm2 without any low-[Formula: see text] MOSFETs. In the adopted process, the threshold voltages of PMOS and NMOS are [Formula: see text]0.45[Formula: see text]V and 0.48[Formula: see text]V, respectively. The simulation results show that the proposed converter can start up successfully at the input voltage of 0.25[Formula: see text]V, the output voltage is 1.8[Formula: see text]V with the ripple less than 33[Formula: see text]mV, and the peak efficiency can be up to 94.7%.
Matching polynomial tails to the cut-off Woods–Saxon potential
Authors: Baran Á. , Vertse T.
Published: November 2017

Cutting off the tail of the Woods–Saxon (WS) and generalized WS (GWS) potentials changes the distribution of the poles of the [Formula: see text]-matrix considerably. Here, we modify the tail of the cut-off WS (CWS) and cut-off generalized WS (CGWS) potentials by attaching Hermite polynomial tails to them beyond the cut. The tails reach the zero value more or less smoothly at the finite ranges of the potential. Reflections of the resonant wave functions can take place at different distances. The starting points of the pole trajectories have been reproduced not only for the real values and the moduli of the starting points, but also for the imaginary parts.
A Robust Credal Assignment Solution Based on the Generalized Bayes’ Theorem
Authors: Hachour Samir , Delmotte François , Mercier David
Published: November 2017

This paper proposes a new assignment solution based on the Generalized Bayes’ Theorem (GBT) which aims to establish the best matching between two sets of uncertain data. In order to estimate the effectiveness of the proposition, it is compared to the best credal assignment solutions and the well known Global Nearest Neighbor (GNN) algorithm, through synthetic data and a literature example of multi-target tracking scenarios. Given the same input data, the proposed solution gives better assignment results, especially when sensor imprecision increases. However, the proposed solution stills actually computationally more complex than the GNN and the solution proposed by Denoeux et al.
Point-Sensitive Aggregation Operators: Functional Equations and Applications to Social Choice
Authors: Candeal Juan Carlos , Induráin Esteban
Published: November 2017

In this paper we study aggregation operators that are point-sensitive which means that their values depend on the point where the functions to be aggregated are defined, as well as on the values of those functions at that point. This analysis gives rise to consider several functional equations that appear in a natural way. Further applications in mathematical social choice also appear as a by-product. In particular, we characterize the representation of certain social choice rules by means of specific numerical functions.
PREDICTIVE MODELS FOR ESTIMATION OF THE HUMAN STANCE EQUILIBRIUM PARAMETERS USING INVERSE DYNAMICS AND RESPONSE SURFACE METHOD
Authors: Ashtiani Mohammed N. , Azghani Mahmood-Reza
Published: November 2017

Activation of the muscles and reaction forces of the joints rely on the body posture. The aim of the present paper is to investigate the relationship between the kinematics of static postures and muscle activation and joint forces by means of predictive regression models. To cover a reasonable number of postures and muscle recruitment patterns in forward inclinations, 4096 postures were analyzed. The response surface method was used to estimate the results of optimization-based inverse dynamics analysis. Two sorts of input variables (three angular positions of the lower limb joints and optimized muscular activation levels) and two model responses (muscle activation and joint force) were designed. The predictive models showed adequate goodness-of-fit in average ([Formula: see text]). The predictive models that applied on the feasible balanced postures revealed considerable reliance of the biomechanical efforts on the postural angles. The ankle force was majorly supported by activation of the calf muscles as [Formula: see text] (kN). The knee and the hip joint were dominantly influenced by the hamstring activation. Quantitative assessment of biomechanical parameters in the balanced standing postures may help researchers in finding standing information by knowing one type of experimental data such as the kinematic angles or the muscle electromyography.
On smooth approximation for random attractor of stochastic partial differential equations with multiplicative noise
Authors: Fu Hongbo , Liu Xianming , Liu Jicheng , Wang Xiangjun
Published: November 2017

Wong–Zakai type approximation for stochastic partial differential equations (abbreviate as PDEs) is well studied. Besides the polygonal approximation, a type of smooth noise approximation is considered. After showing the existence of random attractor for a class of random partial differential equations defined on the entire space [Formula: see text], when random color noises tend to white noise, the solutions and invariant sets between original stochastic PDEs and random PDEs are compared. Some continuity results of random attractor in random dynamical systems are indicated.
Experience from Two Years of Visualizing Flash with SSDPlayer
Authors: Yadgar Gala , Shor Roman
Published: November 2017

Data visualization is a thriving field of computer science, with widespread impact on diverse scientific disciplines, from medicine and meteorology to visual data mining. Advances in large-scale storage systems, as well as low-level storage technology, played a significant role in accelerating the applicability and adoption of modern visualization techniques. Ironically, “the cobbler’s children have no shoes”: Researchers who wish to analyze storage systems and devices are usually limited to a variety of static histograms and basic displays.

The dynamic nature ofdata movementon flash has motivated the introduction of SSDPlayer, a graphical tool for visualizing the various processes that cause data movement on solid-state drives (SSDs). In 2015, we used the initial version of SSDPlayer to demonstrate how visualization can assist researchers and developers in their understanding of modern, complex flash-based systems. While we continued to use SSDPlayer for analysis purposes, we found it extremely useful for education and presentation purposes as well. In this article, we describe our experience from two years of using, sharing, and extending SSDPlayer and how similar techniques can further advance storage systems research and education.
Viscerosensory input drives angiotensin II type 1A receptor-expressing neurons in the solitary tract nucleus
Authors: Carter D. A. , Guo H. , Connelly A. A. , Bassi J. K. , Fong A. Y. , Allen A. M. , McDougall S. J.
Published: November 2017

Homeostatic regulation of visceral organ function requires integrated processing of neural and neurohormonal sensory signals. The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is the primary sensory nucleus for cranial visceral sensory afferents. Angiotensin II (ANG II) is known to modulate peripheral visceral reflexes, in part, by activating ANG II type 1A receptors (AT1AR) in the NTS. AT1AR-expressing NTS neurons occur throughout the NTS with a defined subnuclear distribution, and most of these neurons are depolarized by ANG II. In this study we determined whether AT1AR-expressing NTS neurons receive direct visceral sensory input, and whether this input is modulated by ANG II. Using AT1AR-GFP mice to make targeted whole cell recordings from AT1AR-expressing NTS neurons, we demonstrate that two-thirds (37 of 56) of AT1AR-expressing neurons receive direct excitatory, visceral sensory input. In half of the neurons tested (4 of 8) the excitatory visceral sensory input was significantly reduced by application of the transient receptor potential vallinoid type 1 receptor agonist, capsaicin, indicating AT1AR-expressing neurons can receive either C- or A-fiber-mediated input. Application of ANG II to a subset of second-order AT1AR-expressing neurons did not affect spontaneous, evoked, or asynchronous glutamate release from visceral sensory afferents. Thus it is unlikely that AT1AR-expressing viscerosensory neurons terminate on AT1AR-expressing NTS neurons. Our data suggest that ANG II is likely to modulate multiple visceral sensory modalities by altering the excitability of second-order AT1AR-expressing NTS neurons.
Arsenic exposure induces glucose intolerance and alters global energy metabolism
Authors: Kirkley Andrew G. , Carmean Christopher M. , Ruiz Daniel , Ye Honggang , Regnier Shane M. , Poudel Ananta , Hara Manami , Kamau Wakanene , Johnson Daniel N. , Roberts Austin A. , Parsons Patrick J. , Seino Susumu , Sargis Robert M.
Published: November 2017

Environmental pollutants acting as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are recognized as potential contributors to metabolic disease pathogenesis. One such pollutant, arsenic, contaminates the drinking water of ~100 million people globally and has been associated with insulin resistance and diabetes in epidemiological studies. Despite these observations, the precise metabolic derangements induced by arsenic remain incompletely characterized. In the present study, the impact of arsenic on in vivo metabolic physiology was examined in 8-wk-old male C57BL/6J mice exposed to 50 mg/l inorganic arsenite in their drinking water for 8 wk. Glucose metabolism was assessed via in vivo metabolic testing, and feeding behavior was analyzed using indirect calorimetry in metabolic cages. Pancreatic islet composition was assessed via immunofluorescence microscopy. Arsenic-exposed mice exhibited impaired glucose tolerance compared with controls; however, no difference in peripheral insulin resistance was noted between groups. Instead, early insulin release during glucose challenge was attenuated relative to the rise in glycemia. Despite decreased insulin secretion, pancreatic β-cell mass was not altered, suggesting that arsenic primarily disrupts β-cell function. Finally, metabolic cage analyses revealed that arsenic exposure induced novel alterations in the diurnal rhythm of food intake and energy metabolism. Taken together, these data suggest that arsenic exposure impairs glucose tolerance through functional impairments in insulin secretion from β-cells rather than by augmenting peripheral insulin resistance. Further elucidation of the mechanisms underlying arsenic-induced behavioral and β-cell-specific metabolic disruptions will inform future intervention strategies to address this ubiquitous environmental contaminant and novel diabetes risk factor.
Property Optimisation of EPDM Rubber Composites Using Mathematical and Statistical Strategies
Authors: Correia Sivaldo Leite , Palaoro Denilso , Segadães Ana Maria
Published: November 2017

This paper describes a study in which EPDM-based rubber composites were investigated aiming at developing formulations subjected to restrictions on cost and the properties of the material. The contents of components other than calcium carbonate, paraffinic oil, and CBS vulcanising accelerator, as well as additives and processing conditions, were kept constant. Fractional factorial design coupled with computational numerical optimisation was used to minimise the number of mixtures. The results demonstrate that statistical design of experiments and particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithms are promising methods to design composition variables. Mixture costs as low as 1.92 US$/kg can be achieved in compositions containing, for example, 107 phr of calcium carbonate, 95 phr of paraffinic oil, and 1.13 phr of CBS accelerator. The corresponding composite property-predicted values were 66.8 Shore A for hardness, tensile strength of 7.8 MPa, 570.8% elongation at break, and 23.0% rebound resilience. This demonstrates that, in this way, the desired product with specified characteristics can be comfortably manufactured at minimum cost.
Impact of Power Ultrasound on Antihypertensive Activity, Functional Properties, and Thermal Stability of Rapeseed Protein Hydrolysates
Authors: Wali Asif , Ma Haile , Shahnawaz Muhammad , Hayat Khizar , Xiaong Jian , Jing Li
Published: November 2017

The effects of power ultrasound pretreatments on the degree of hydrolysis (DH), angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, amino acid composition, surface hydrophobicity, protein solubility, and thermal stability of ACE inhibition of rapeseed protein hydrolysates were evaluated. Ultrasonic pretreatments before enzymolysis in terms of power and exposure time increased the DH and ACE inhibitory activities over the control (without sonication). In this study, maximum DH 22.07% and ACE inhibitory activity 72.13% were achieved at 600 W and 12 min pretreatment. Compared to the hydrolysates obtained without sonication, the amino acid profile of ultrasound pretreated hydrolysates showed significant changes particularly in the proline content and hydrophobic amino acids with an increased rate of 2.47% and 6.31%, respectively. Ultrasound pretreatment (600 watts, 12 min) improved functional properties of protein hydrolysates over control by enhancing surface hydrophobicity and solubility index with an increased rate of 130.76% and 34.22%. Moreover, the stability test showed that the ACE inhibitory activity remains stable against heat treatments. However, extensive heat, prolonged heating time, and alkaline conditions were not in the favor of stability test, while under mild heat and acidic conditions their ACE inhibitory activities were not significantly different from unheated samples.
On Topological Properties of Metrics Defined via Generalized “Linking Construction”
Authors: Borkowski Marcin , Bugajewski Dariusz , Burchardt Adam
Published: November 2017

We analyze topological properties of metric spaces obtained by using Száz’s construction, which we used to call generalized “linking construction.” In particular, we provide necessary and sufficient conditions for completeness of metric spaces obtained in this way. Moreover, we examine the relation between Száz’s construction and the “linking construction.” A particular attention is drawn to the “floor” metric, the analysis of which provides some interesting observations.
Sustained Activity of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor: Homer, Arrestin, and Beyond
Authors: Chung Geehoon , Kim Sang Jeong
Published: November 2017

When activated, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlus) exert long-lasting changes within the glutamatergic synapses. One mechanism is a tonic effect of downstream signal transduction pathways via sustained activation of mGlu itself. Like many other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), mGlu can exist in a constitutively active state, which persists agonist independently. In this paper, we review the current knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the constitutive activity of group I mGlus. The issues concerning Homer1a mechanism in the constitutive activity of group I mGlus and recent findings regarding the significant role ofβ-arrestin in sustained GPCR activity are also discussed. We propose that once in a state of sustained activation, the mGlu persistently activates downstream signaling pathways, including various adaptor proteins and kinases, such asβ-arrestin and mitogen-activated protein kinases. In turn, these effector molecules bind to or phosphorylate the mGlu C-terminal binding domains and consequently regulate the activation state of the mGlu.
Tang‐Luo‐Ning, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, Inhibits Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress‐Induced Apoptosis of Schwann Cells under High Glucose Environment
Authors: Yao Weijie , Yang Xinwei , Zhu Jiayue , Gao Biane , Liu Renhui , Xu Liping
Published: November 2017

Tang‐Luo‐Ning (TLN) has a definite effect in the clinical treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Schwann cells (SCs) apoptosis induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) is one of the main pathogeneses of DPN. This study investigates whether TLN can inhibit SCs apoptosis by inhibiting ER stress‐induced apoptosis. Our previous researches have demonstrated that TLN could increase the expression of ER stress marker protein GRP78 and inhibited the expression of apoptosis marker protein CHOP in ER stress. In this study, the results showed that TLN attenuated apoptosis by decreasing Ca2+ level in SCs and maintaining ER morphology. TLN could decrease downstream proteins of CHOP including GADD34 and Ero1α, while it increased P‐eIF2α and decreased the upstream proteins of CHOP including P‐IRE1α/IRE1α and XBP‐1, thereby reducing ER stress‐induced apoptosis.
Early-Life Intestine Microbiota and Lung Health in Children
Authors: Ranucci Giusy , Buccigrossi Vittoria , Freitas Maiara Brusco de , Guarino Alfredo , Giannattasio Antonietta
Published: November 2017

The gastrointestinal microbiota plays a critical role in nutritional, metabolic, and immune functions in infants and young children and has implications for future lung health status. Understanding the role of intestinal dysbiosis in chronic lung disease progression will provide opportunities to design early interventions to improve the course of the disease. Gut microbiota is established within the first 1 to 3 years of life and remains relatively stable throughout the life span. In this review, we report the recent development in research in gut-lung axis, with focus on the effects of targeting microbiota of infants and children at risk of or with progressive lung diseases. The basic concept is to exploit this approach in critical window to achieve the best results in the control of future health.
Molecular Basis for Necitumumab Inhibition of EGFR Variants Associated with Acquired Cetuximab Resistance
Authors: Bagchi Atrish , Haidar Jaafar N. , Eastman Scott W. , Vieth Michal , Topper Michael , Iacolina Michelle D. , Walker Jason M. , Forest Amelie , Shen Yang , Novosiadly Ruslan D. , Ferguson Kathryn M.
Published: November 2017

Acquired resistance to cetuximab, an antibody that targets the EGFR, impacts clinical benefit in head and neck, and colorectal cancers. One of the mechanisms of resistance to cetuximab is the acquisition of mutations that map to the cetuximab epitope on EGFR and prevent drug binding. We find that necitumumab, another FDA-approved EGFR antibody, can bind to EGFR that harbors the most common cetuximab-resistant substitution, S468R (or S492R, depending on the amino acid numbering system). We determined an X-ray crystal structure to 2.8 Å resolution of the necitumumab Fab bound to an S468R variant of EGFR domain III. The arginine is accommodated in a large, preexisting cavity in the necitumumab paratope. We predict that this paratope shape will be permissive to other epitope substitutions, and show that necitumumab binds to most cetuximab- and panitumumab-resistant EGFR variants. We find that a simple computational approach can predict with high success which EGFR epitope substitutions abrogate antibody binding. This computational method will be valuable to determine whether necitumumab will bind to EGFR as new epitope resistance variants are identified. This method could also be useful for rapid evaluation of the effect on binding of alterations in other antibody/antigen interfaces. Together, these data suggest that necitumumab may be active in patients who are resistant to cetuximab or panitumumab through EGFR epitope mutation. Furthermore, our analysis leads us to speculate that antibodies with large paratope cavities may be less susceptible to resistance due to mutations mapping to the antigen epitope. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(2); 521–31. ©2017 AACR.
Obesity Knowledge among Final-Year Medical Students in Norway
Authors: Martins Catia , Norsett-Carr Anette
Published: November 2017

Objectives: To assess the level of obesity knowledge in final-year medical students in Norway and to compare it to an expert group and first-year medical students. Methods: A 20-item questionnaire was specifically designed for this purpose (18 knowledge-based questions and 2 subjective questions looking at attitudes and self-perceived proficiency). All medical schools in Norway were included (n = 226). For comparison purposes, an expert group (n = 13) and first-year medical students (n = 96) were included. Results: Experts (81%; 15 out of 18 (13.5-16.0)) scored significantly higher than both final-year (60%; 11 out of 18 (9.0-12.0)) and first-year (48%; 9 out of 18 (7.0-10.0)) students. Final-year students scored significantly higher than first-year students, but showed inadequate obesity knowledge, especially with regard to etiology, diagnosis, and treatment aspects. Subjective questions revealed that medical students trust their acquired knowledge, but feel pressured by time constraints and the complexity of lifestyle issues and experience barriers to long-term follow-up. Conclusion: Final-year medical students in Norway show an inadequate knowledge level within the obesity field, although a significant improvement is seen during the course of medical education. They also show a high self-perceived proficiency in dealing with obesity, despite several constraints/barriers.
Management of Biochemical Recurrence after Primary Curative Treatment for Prostate Cancer: A Review
Authors: Artibani Walter , Porcaro Antonio Benito , De Marco Vincenzo , Cerruto Maria A. , Siracusano Salvatore
Published: November 2017

How to manage patients with prostate cancer (PCa) with biochemical recurrence (BCR) following primary curative treatment is a controversial issue. Importantly, this prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-only recurrence is a surrogate neither of PCa-specific survival nor of overall survival. Physicians are therefore challenged with preventing or delaying the onset of clinical progression in those deemed at risk, while avoiding over-treating patients whose disease may never progress beyond PSA-only recurrence. Adjuvant therapy for radical prostatectomy (RP) or local radiotherapy (RT) has a role in certain at-risk patients, although it is not recommended in low-risk PCa owing to the significant side-effects associated with RT and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The recommendations for salvage therapy differ depending on whether BCR occurs after RP or primary RT, and in either case, definitive evidence regarding the best strategy is lacking. Options for treatment of BCR after RP are RT at least to the prostatic bed, complete or intermittent ADT, or observation; for BCR after RT, salvage RP, cryotherapy, complete or intermittent ADT, brachytherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), or observation can be considered. Many patient- and cancer-specific factors need to be taken into account when deciding on the best strategy, and optimal management depends on the involvement of a multidisciplinary team, consultation with the patient themselves, and the adoption of an individualised approach. Improvements in imaging techniques may enable earlier detection of metastases, which will hopefully refine future management decisions.
Subconjunctival PRGF Fibrin Membrane as an Adjuvant to Nonpenetrating Deep Sclerectomy: A 2-Year Pilot Study
Authors: Rodríguez-Agirretxe Iñaki , Freire Vanesa , Muruzabal Francisco , Orive Gorka , Anitua Eduardo , Díez-Feijóo Elio , Acera Arantxa
Published: November 2017

Purpose: To evaluate the potential role of the autologous PRGF (plasma rich in growth factors) fibrin membrane in tissue regeneration after glaucoma filtering surgery. Materials and Methods: Ten patients with medically uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma underwent nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy and were treated with PRGF fibrin membrane as adjuvant. Intraocular pressure reduction was the primary outcome. This variable was measured preoperatively and also at each follow-up visit. Secondary outcomes included the number of antiglaucoma medications, anterior segment optical coherence tomography bleb examination, photographic bleb evaluation, and subjective clinical symptomatology evaluation. Results: The surgical technique showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in intraocular pressure in relation to preoperative values at each time of the study, decreasing from 23.3 ± 6.4 to 15.2 ± 4.6 mm Hg at 2 years. Furthermore, the number of antiglaucoma medications consumed showed a significant reduction at the end point of the study compared with the preoperative situation. Optical coherence tomography and photographic filtering bleb variables experienced a progressive reduction during the follow-up. Subjective symptoms showed a reduction from 8.3 ± 4.5 to 4.2 ± 5.3 at 2 years. Conclusions: PRGF-Endoret treatment could promote ocular surface regeneration after glaucoma surgery, enhancing the surgery success rates and reducing the need for postoperative medications. It is important to highlight that this is a preliminary study and some large clinical studies are necessary to verify these results.
Interactive Effectiveness of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers or Their Combination on Survival of Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Kido Ryo , Akizawa Tadao , Fukagawa Masafumi , Onishi Yoshihiro  , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Fukuhara Shunichi
Published: November 2017

Background: Does the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers individually or as a combination confer a survival benefit in hemodialysis patients? The answer to this question is yet unclear. Methods: We performed a case-cohort study using data from the Mineral and Bone Disorder Outcomes Study for Japanese CKD stage 5D patients (MBD-5D), a 3-year multicenter prospective case-cohort study, including 8,229 hemodialysis patients registered from 86 facilities in Japan. All patients had secondary hyperparathyroidism, a condition defined as a parathyroid hormone level ≥180 pg/mL and/or receiving vitamin D receptor activators. We compared all-cause mortality rates between those receiving ACEI, ARB, and their combination and non-users with interaction testing. We used marginal structural Poisson regression (causal model) to estimate the causal effect and interaction adjusted for possible time-dependent confounding. Cardiovascular mortality was also evaluated. Results: Among 3,762 randomly sampled subcohort patients, those taking ACEI, ARB, and their combination at baseline accounted for 4.0, 31.6, and 3.8%, respectively. Over 3 years, 1,226 all-cause and 462 cardiovascular deaths occurred. Compared to non-users, ARB-alone users had a lower all-cause mortality rate (adjusted incident rate ratio [aIRR] 0.62, 95% CI 0.50–0.76), whereas ACEI-alone users showed a statistically similar rate (aIRR 1.01, 95% CI 0.57–1.77). On the contrary, combination users had a greater mortality rate (aIRR 2.56, 95% CI 1.22–5.37), showing significant interaction (p = 0.03). Analysis for cardiovascular mortality showed similar results. Conclusion: Among hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, unlike ACEI use, ARB use was associated with greater survival than non-use. Conversely, combination use was associated with greater mortality. Controlled trials are warranted to verify the causality factors of these associations.