bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Osteogenesis of Vancomycin Loaded Nanohydroxyapatite/Collagen/Calcium Sulfate Composite for Treating Infectious Bone Defect Induced by Chronic Osteomyelitis
Authors: Lian Xiaojie , Mao Kezheng , Liu Xi , Wang Xiumei , Cui Fuzhai
Published: July 2015

A novel antibacterial bone graft substitute was developed to repair bone defects and to inhibit related infections simultaneously. This bone composite was prepared by introducing vancomycin (VCM) to nanohydroxyapatite/collagen/calcium sulphate hemihydrate (nHAC/CSH). XRD, SEM, and CCK‐8 tests were used to characterize the structure and morphology and to investigate the adhesion and proliferation of murine osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cell on VCM/nHAC/CSH composite. The effectiveness in restoring infectious bone defects was evaluated in vivo using a rabbit model of chronic osteomyelitis. Our in vivo results implied that the VCM/nHAC/CSH composite performed well both in antibacterial ability and in bone regeneration. This novel bone graft substitute should be very promising for the treatment of bone defect‐related infection in orthopedic surgeries.
Huge Pyogenic Granuloma of the Penis
Authors: Akbulut Fatih , Akbulut Tugba , Kucukdurmaz Faruk , Sonmezay Erkan , Simsek Abdulmuttalip , Gurbuz Gokhan
Published: July 2015

Pyogenic granulomas are benign vascular disorders of the skin and mucose membranes, generally developed by trauma and irritation. The lesions are generally small. They are most commonly seen in the skin and oral mucosa and rarely seen on penis. We present the case of a huge pyogenic granuloma on the penis.
Neural Plasticity in Multiple Sclerosis: The Functional and Molecular Background
Authors: Ksiazek-Winiarek Dominika Justyna , Szpakowski Piotr , Glabinski Andrzej
Published: July 2015

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disorder resulting in motor dysfunction and cognitive decline. The inflammatory and neurodegenerative changes seen in the brains of MS patients lead to progressive disability and increasing brain atrophy. The most common type of MS is characterized by episodes of clinical exacerbations and remissions. This suggests the presence of compensating mechanisms for accumulating damage. Apart from the widely known repair mechanisms like remyelination, another important phenomenon is neuronal plasticity. Initially, neuroplasticity was connected with the developmental stages of life; however, there is now growing evidence confirming that structural and functional reorganization occurs throughout our lifetime. Several functional studies, utilizing such techniques as fMRI, TBS, or MRS, have provided valuable data about the presence of neuronal plasticity in MS patients. CNS ability to compensate for neuronal damage is most evident in RR-MS; however it has been shown that brain plasticity is also preserved in patients with substantial brain damage. Regardless of the numerous studies, the molecular background of neuronal plasticity in MS is still not well understood. Several factors, like IL-1β, BDNF, PDGF, or CB1Rs, have been implicated in functional recovery from the acute phase of MS and are thus considered as potential therapeutic targets.
Lupus-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Variable Course and Importance of Prompt Recognition
Authors: Mensah Kofi A. , Yadav Rajwardhan , Trow Terence K. , Brunet Cristina M. , Fares Wassim H.
Published: July 2015

We describe a critically ill young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting with circulatory shock, multiorgan dysfunction, and elevated right-sided heart pressures. She was found to have recurrent acute severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the setting of an SLE flare. Our report highlights the variable course that SLE-associated PAH can take in the same patient and the implications of this for instituting the most effective treatment approach with each episode. This report also highlights the potential for SLE-associated PAH to present with life-threatening symptoms requiring critical care level interventions. We also describe evidence-based therapies, which can result in significant improvement in symptoms, function, and long-term outcomes.
Achalasia in Pregnancy: Botulinum Toxin A Injection of Lower Esophageal Sphincter
Authors: Hooft Nicole , Schmidt Emily S. , Bremner Ross M.
Published: July 2015

Background. Achalasia, a rare esophageal motility disorder that may cause malnutrition during pregnancy, can result in fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Many medical treatment regimens are contraindicated or not tolerated during pregnancy, and surgery is generally avoided due to potential risks to the fetus.Case Report. Severe, medically refractory achalasia in a 23-year-old pregnant woman that caused malnutrition was successfully managed by administering a botulinum toxin A injection to the lower esophageal sphincter. The injection was performed at approximately 14 weeks’ gestation and the patient reported clinically significant relief from dysphagia. She gained weight and ultimately delivered a healthy baby girl at term, but her symptoms returned a few months postpartum. She underwent a second treatment of botulinum toxin A injection, but it offered only one month of relief. Roughly eight months after delivery, the patient underwent a laparoscopic extended Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication. The patient resumed a normal diet one week postoperatively, and her baby has had no complications.Conclusion. This is only the second reported case of botulinum toxin A injection being used to treat achalasia in pregnancy. This treatment proved to be a safe temporary alternative without the risks of surgery and anesthesia during pregnancy.
Dual-Homomorphic Message Authentication Code Scheme for Network Coding-Enabled Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Esfahani Alireza , Yang Du , Mantas Georgios , Nascimento Alberto , Rodriguez Jonathan
Published: July 2015

Network coding has shown a considerable improvement in terms of capacity and robustness compared to traditional store-and-forward transmission paradigm. However, since the intermediate nodes in network coding-enabled networks have the ability to change the packets en route, network coding-enabled networks are vulnerable to pollution attacks where a small number of polluted messages can corrupt bunches of legitimate messages. Recently, research effort has been put on schemes for protecting the transmitted messages against data pollution attacks. However, most of them cannot resist tag pollution attacks. This paper presents a new homomorphic MAC-based scheme, called Dual-Homomorphic MAC (Dual-HMAC), for network coding-enabled wireless sensor networks. The proposed scheme makes use of two types of tags (i.e., MACs and D-MACs) to provide resistance against data pollution attacks and partially tag pollution attacks. Furthermore, our proposed scheme presents low communication overhead and low computational complexity compared to other existing schemes.
A Class of Parameter Estimation Methods for Nonlinear Muskingum Model Using Hybrid Invasive Weed Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Ouyang Aijia , Liu Li-Bin , Sheng Zhou , Wu Fan
Published: July 2015

Nonlinear Muskingum models are important tools in hydrological forecasting. In this paper, we have come up with a class of new discretization schemes including a parameterθto approximate the nonlinear Muskingum model based on general trapezoid formulas. The accuracy of these schemes is second order, ifθ≠1/3, but interestingly whenθ=1/3, the accuracy of the presented scheme gets improved to third order. Then, the present schemes are transformed into an unconstrained optimization problem which can be solved by a hybrid invasive weed optimization (HIWO) algorithm. Finally, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the present methods. The numerical results substantiate the fact that the presented methods have better precision in estimating the parameters of nonlinear Muskingum models.
Perspectives of Managing Mobile Service Security Risks
Authors: AlSudiary Mohammed Ahmed Truki
Published: July 2015

The rapid growth of mobile telecommunications industry has been influencing the tremendous technological diffusion offering lower access cost, mobility, and convenience based communication as compared to wired telecom. The global rise of mobile competition helped service providers to offer much improved services both in terms of capabilities, information processing, retrieval, and communication over typical problems of inefficiencies generated by monopolies in wired networks. While there are significant opportunities to leverage the growth of mobile devices to increase the effectiveness of mobile users, also there are significant concerns about security and privacy of sensitive data that must be handled in these devices. Correspondingly, cyber security is becoming one of the top priorities for any nation. This paper reviews and presents some of the literature exercises in this regard. Objectives of this paper are: (i) to bring into light the explicit and implicit assumptions on the nature of technological change and how they could raise security issues, (ii) to discuss the technology and management perspectives on the security issues, and (iii) to present them through a methodology oriented taxonomy. It is believed that the adoption of methodology driven by sense-and-respond model would serve as an effective means to achieve these objectives.
Antidepressant-Like and Antioxidant Effects ofPlinia trunciflorain Mice
Authors: Sacchet Cassia , Mocelin Ricieri , Sachett Adrieli , Bevilaqua Fernanda , Chitolina Rafael , Kuhn Fernanda , Boligon Aline Augusti , Athayde Margareth Linde , Roman Junior Walter Antonio , Rosemberg Denis Broock , Dal Magro Jacir , Conterato Greicy Michelle Marafiga , Piato Angelo L.
Published: July 2015

The jaboticaba tree,Plinia trunciflora(O. Berg) Kausel, is popularly named “jabuticabeira” in Brazil and is used in folk medicine to treat diabetes and chronic inflammation of the tonsils, but studies evaluating the central effects of this species are limited. This study evaluated the antidepressant-like and antioxidant effects ofP. trunciflora(PT) aqueous extract, in which five different anthocyanins were identified. PT showed significant ferric-reduction power and DPPH radical scavenging activityin vitroand reduced lipid peroxidation bothin vitroandex vivo. At the behavioural level, PT (400 and 800 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently reduced immobility time in the tail suspension test in Swiss male mice. The identification of bioactive compounds accompanied by thein vitroandex vivoantioxidant activity of PT suggests that these activities might be related to the antidepressant-like activity ofP. trunciflora.
Clinical Efficacy of Various Diagnostic Tests for Small Bowel Tumors and Clinical Features of Tumors Missed by Capsule Endoscopy
Authors: Han Jung Wan , Hong Sung Noh , Jang Hyun Joo , Jeon Seong Ran , Cha Jae Myung , Park Soo Jung , Byeon Jung Sik , Ko Bong Min , Kim Eun Ran , Choi Hwang , Chang Dong Kyung
Published: July 2015

Background. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various diagnostic tools such as computerized tomography (CT), small bowel follow-through (SBFT), and capsule endoscopy (CE) in diagnosing small bowel tumors (SBTs). Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the clinical features of SBTs missed by CE. Methods. We retrospectively studied 79 patients with histologically proven SBT. Clinical data were analyzed with particular attention to the efficacy of CT, SBFT, and CE in detecting SBT preoperatively. We also analyzed the clinical features of SBTs missed by CE. Results. The most common symptoms of SBT were bleeding (43%) and abdominal pain (13.9%). Diagnostic yields were as follows: CT detected 55.8% of proven SBTs; SBFT, 46.1%; and CE, 83.3%. The sensitivity for detecting SBTs was 40.4% for CT, 43.9% for SBFT, and 79.6% for CE. Two patients with nondiagnostic but suspicious findings on CE and seven patients with negative findings on CE were eventually found to have SBT. These nine patients were eventually diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (4), small polyps (3), inflammatory fibroid polyp (1), and adenocarcinoma (1). These tumors were located in the proximal jejunum (5), middle jejunum (1), distal jejunum (1), and proximal ileum (1). Conclusion. CE is more efficacious than CT or SBFT for detecting SBTs. However, significant tumors may go undetected with CE, particularly when located in the proximal jejunum.
Evolution of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient and Fractional Anisotropy in the Cerebrum of Asphyxiated Newborns Treated with Hypothermia over the First Month of Life
Authors: Kwan Saskia , Boudes Elodie , Benseler Anouk , Gilbert Guillaume , Saint-Martin Christine , Shevell Michael , Wintermark Pia
Published: July 2015

The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) over the first month of life in asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia and to compare it with that of healthy newborns. Asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia were enrolled prospectively; and the presence and extent of brain injury were scored on each MRI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values were measured in the basal ganglia, in the white matter and in the cortical grey matter. Sixty-one asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia had a total of 126 ADC and FA maps. Asphyxiated newborns developing brain injury eventually had significantly decreased ADC values on days 2-3 of life and decreased FA values around day 10 and 1 month of life compared with those not developing brain injury. Despite hypothermia treatment, asphyxiated newborns may develop brain injury that still can be detected with advanced neuroimaging techniques such as DWI and DTI as early as days 2-3 of life. A study of ADC and FA values over time may aid in the understanding of how brain injury develops in these newborns despite hypothermia treatment.
On Mann’s Type Method for Nonexpansive and Strongly Quasinonexpansive Mappings in Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Hussain Nawab , Marino Giuseppe , Alamri Badriah A. S.
Published: July 2015

In the setting of Hilbert spaces, we study Mann’s type method to approximate strong solutions of variational inequalities. We show that these solutions are fixed points of a nonexpansive mapping and/or a strongly quasinonexpansive mapping, depending on the coefficients involved in the algorithm.
Validation of the Official Slovak Version of the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS)
Authors: Skorvanek Matej , Minar Michal , Grofik Milan , Kracunova Katarina , Han Vladimir , Cibulcik Frantisek , Necpal Jan , Gurcik Ladislav , Valkovic Peter
Published: July 2015

After successful clinimetric testing of the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS), a program for translation and validation of non-English versions of the UDysRS was initiated. The aim of this study was to validate and confirm the factor structure of the Slovak translation of the UDysRS. We examined 251 patients with Parkinson’s disease and dyskinesia using the Slovak version of the UDysRS. The average age of our sample was 65.2 ± 9.2 years and average disease duration was 10.9 ± 5.0 years. Slovak data were compared using confirmatory factor analysis with the Spanish data. To be designated as the official Slovak UDysRS translation, the comparative fit index (CFI) had to be≥0.90 relative to the Spanish language version. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to explore the underlying factor structure without the constraint of a prespecified factor structure. For all four parts of the Slovak UDysRS, the CFI, in comparison with the Spanish language factor structure, was≥0.98. Isolated differences in the factor structure of the Slovak UDysRS were identified by exploratory factor analysis compared with the Spanish version. The Slovak version of the UDysRS was designated as an official non-English translation and can be downloaded from the website of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Forest Fire Smoke Video Detection Using Spatiotemporal and Dynamic Texture Features
Authors: Zhao Yaqin , Zhou Zhong , Xu Mingming
Published: July 2015

Smoke detection is a very key part of fire recognition in a forest fire surveillance video since the smoke produced by forest fires is visible much before the flames. The performance of smoke video detection algorithm is often influenced by some smoke-like objects such as heavy fog. This paper presents a novel forest fire smoke video detection based on spatiotemporal features and dynamic texture features. At first, Kalman filtering is used to segment candidate smoke regions. Then, candidate smoke region is divided into small blocks. Spatiotemporal energy feature of each block is extracted by computing the energy features of its 8-neighboring blocks in the current frame and its two adjacent frames. Flutter direction angle is computed by analyzing the centroid motion of the segmented regions in one candidate smoke video clip. Local Binary Motion Pattern (LBMP) is used to define dynamic texture features of smoke videos. Finally, smoke video is recognized by Adaboost algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively detect smoke image recorded from different scenes.
Isolated Subclinical Hyperthyrotropinemia in Obese Children: Does Levothyroxine (LT4) Improve Weight Reduction during Combined Behavioral Therapy?
Authors: Matusik Pawel , Gawlik Aneta , Januszek-Trzciakowska Aleksandra , Malecka-Tendera Ewa
Published: July 2015

Objective. The study aim was to analyze whether anthropometrical parameters and TSH values in obese children with isolated subclinical hypothyroidism (IsHT) treated with levothyroxine (LT4) and weight reduction program differ from those managed by dietary and behavior counselling only.Material and Methods. 51 obese children with IsHT, who were treated according to the same weight reduction program, were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups: Group 1,n=26, and Group 2,n=25, without or with LT4 therapy, respectively. Changes in anthropometrical (delta BMIz-score) and hormonal (delta TSH) status were analyzed at the first follow-up visit.Results. In both groups significant decrease of TSH and BMIz-score values were noted. TSH normalized in 80.9% of children from Group 1 versus 90.5% from Group 2,p= NS. Delta BMIz-score was insignificantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2. Delta TSH was significantly related to initial TSH level in children treated by lifestyle intervention program only.Conclusions. In obese children with sHT dietary-behavioral management intervention contributed to reduction of body mass index, irrespective of levothyroxine use. This finding suggests that moderately elevated levels of TSH are a consequence rather than cause of overweight and pharmacological treatment should be avoided.
A Study on the Effect of the Contact Point and the Contact Force of a Glass Fiber under End-Face Polishing Process
Authors: Tsai Ying-Chien , Huang Guang-Miao , Cheng Shin-Wei , Hsu Cheng-An , Her Innchyn
Published: July 2015

The offset between the center lines of the polished end-face and the fiber core has a significant effect on coupling efficiency. The initial contact point and the contact force are two of the most important parameters that induce the offset. This study proposes an image assistant method to find the initial contact point and a mathematical model to estimate the contact force when fabricating the double-variable-curvature end-face of single mode glass fiber. The repeatability of finding the initial contact point via the vision assistant program is 0.3 μm. Based on the assumption of a large deflection, a mathematical model is developed to study the relationship between the contact force and the displacement of the lapping film. In order to verify the feasibility of the mathematical model, experiments, as well as DEFORM simulations, are carried out. The results show that the contact forces are alomst linearly proportional to the feed amounts of the lapping film and the errors are less than 9%. By using the method developed in this study, the offset between the grinding end-face and the center line of the fiber core is within 0.15 to 0.35 μm.
Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of the Essential Oils fromThymbra capitataandThymusSpecies Grown in Portugal
Authors: Miguel Maria Graça , Gago Custódia , Antunes Maria Dulce , Megías Cristina , Cortés-Giraldo Isabel , Vioque Javier , Lima A. Sofia , Figueiredo A. Cristina
Published: July 2015

The antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of the essential oils fromThymbra capitataandThymusspecies grown in Portugal were evaluated.ThymbraandThymusessential oils were grouped into two clusters: Cluster I in which carvacrol, thymol,p-cymene,α-terpineol, andγ-terpinene dominated and Cluster II in which thymol and carvacrol were absent and the main constituent was linalool. The ability for scavenging ABTS•+and peroxyl free radicals as well as for preventing the growth of THP-1 leukemia cells was better in essential oils with the highest contents of thymol and carvacrol. These results show the importance of these two terpene-phenolic compounds as antioxidants and cytotoxic agents against THP-1 cells.
Thermal Properties of Asphalt Mixtures Modified with Conductive Fillers
Authors: Bai Byong Chol , Park Dae-Wook , Vo Hai Viet , Dessouky Samer , Im Ji Sun
Published: July 2015

This paper investigates the thermal properties of asphalt mixtures modified with conductive fillers used for snow melting and solar harvesting pavements. Two different mixing processes were adopted to mold asphalt mixtures, dry‐ and wet‐mixing, and two conductive fillers were used in this study, graphite and carbon black. The thermal conductivity was compared to investigate the effects of asphalt mixture preparing methods, the quantity, and the distribution of conductive filler on thermal properties. The combination of conductive filler with carbon fiber in asphalt mixture was evaluated. Also, rheological properties of modified asphalt binders with conductive fillers were measured using dynamic shear rheometer and bending beam rheometer at grade‐specific temperatures. Based on rheological testing, the conductive fillers improve rutting resistance and decrease thermal cracking resistance. Thermal testing indicated that graphite and carbon black improve the thermal properties of asphalt mixes and the combined conductive fillers are more effective than the single filler.
Salmonella-Based Therapy Targeting Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Coupled with Enzymatic Depletion of Tumor Hyaluronan Induces Complete Regression of Aggressive Pancreatic Tumors
Authors: Manuel Edwin R. , Chen Jeremy , D'Apuzzo Massimo , Lampa Melanie G. , Kaltcheva Teodora I. , Thompson Curtis B. , Ludwig Thomas , Chung Vincent , Diamond Don J.
Published: July 2015

Bacterial-based therapies are emerging as effective cancer treatments and hold promise for refractory neoplasms, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which has not shown significant improvement in therapy for more than 25 years. Using a novel combination of shIDO-ST, a Salmonella-based therapy targeting the immunosuppressive molecule indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), with an enzyme, PEGPH20, which depletes extracellular matrix hyaluronan, we observed extended survival with frequent total regression of autochthonous and orthotopic PDAC tumors. This observation was associated with migration and accumulation of activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) from spleens into tumors, which was not seen using a scrambled control (shScr-ST). Purified splenic PMNs from PEGPH20/shIDO-ST-treated mice exhibited significant IDO knockdown and were able to kill tumor targets ex vivo through mechanisms involving FasL and serine proteases. In addition, CD8+ T cells were observed to contribute to late control of pancreatic tumors. Collectively, our data demonstrate that entry of shIDO-ST and PMNs into otherwise impermeable desmoplastic tumors is facilitated by PEGPH20-mediated HA removal, further highlighting an important component of effective treatment for PDAC. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(9); 1096–107. ©2015 AACR.
Promoter Methylation and BDNF and DAT1 Gene Expression Profiles in Patients with Drug Addiction
Authors: Kordi-Tamandani Dor Mohammad , Tajoddini Shahrad , Salimi Farzaneh
Published: July 2015

Background: Drug addiction is a brain disorder that has negative consequences for individuals and society. Addictions are chronic relapsing diseases of the brain that are caused by direct drug-induced effects and persevering neuroadaptations at the epigenetic, neuropeptide and neurotransmitter levels. Because the dopaminergic system has a significant role in drug abuse, the purpose of this study was to analyze the methylation and expression profile of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dopamine transporter (DAT1) genes in individuals with drug addiction. Materials and Methods:BDNF and DAT1 promoter methylation were investigated with a methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in blood samples from 75 individuals with drug addiction and 65 healthy controls. The expression levels of BDNF and DAT1 were assessed in 12 mRNA samples from the blood of patients and compared to the samples of healthy controls (n = 12) with real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Results: No significant differences were found in the methylation of BDNF and DAT1 between patients and controls, but the relative levels of expression of BDNF and DAT1 mRNA differed significantly in the patients compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: These results showed that the methylation status of the BDNF and DAT1 genes had no significant function in the processes of drug addiction.
Histopathological Study of a Mummified Eye and Optic Nerve from a Strangled Peruvian Mummy
Authors: Esteban Jordi , Cases-Mérida Sandra , Tortosa Montserrat , Marzal Berta , Fernández Arabel , Gálvez Cesar , Franco Regulo , Fernández Pedro Luis
Published: July 2015

We present the histopathological findings of a naturally mummified eye from the Peruvian Lambayeque culture (900-1,200 AD), in which rehydration, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy allowed a detailed analysis of several eye tissues including the eyelids, sclera, and optic nerve, the latter showing evidence of hemorrhage likely related to the documented strangulation as the cause of death. We conclude that histopathological analysis of rehydrated mummified tissues can provide valuable information from fragile eye structures including the optic nerve, and these findings can be useful from a forensic point of view.
Regulation of Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System Control across Frailty Statuses: A Systematic Review
Authors: Parvaneh Saman , Howe Carol L. , Toosizadeh Nima , Honarvar Bahareh , Slepian Marvin J. , Fain Mindy , Mohler Jane , Najafi Bijan
Published: July 2015

Background: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome that leads to impairment in interrelated physiological systems and progressive homeostatic dysregulation in physiological systems. Objective: The focus of the present systematic review was to study the association between the activity of the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) and frailty. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in multiple databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov; the last search was performed in March 2015. Inclusion criteria were: (1) that the studied population was classified for frailty according to a standard definition, such as Fried's criteria; (2) that the study had a nonfrail control group, and (3) that heart rate (HR) and/or heart rate variability (HRV) were parameters of interest in the study. Results: Of the 1,544 articles screened, 54 were selected for full-text review and 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. Assessment of HRV using different standard time domain, frequency domain, and nonlinear domain approaches confirmed the presence of an impaired cardiac ANS function in frail compared to nonfrail participants. Furthermore, HR changes while performing a clinical test (e.g., the seated step test or the lying-to-standing orthostatic test) were decreased in the frail group compared to the nonfrail group. Conclusions: The current systematic review provides evidence that the cardiac ANS is impaired in frail compared to nonfrail older adults, as indicated by a reduction in the complexity of HR dynamics, reduced HRV, and reduced HR changes in response to daily activities. Four out of 6 included articles recruited only female participants, and in the other 2 articles the effect of gender on impairment of cardiac ANS was insufficiently investigated. Therefore, further studies are required to study the association between cardiac ANS impairments and frailty in males. Furthermore, HRV was studied only during static postures such as sitting, or without considering the level of activity as a potential confounder. Accordingly, simultaneous measurement of both physiological (i.e., HRV) and kinematic (e.g., using wearable sensor technology) information may provide a better understanding of cardiac ANS impairments with frailty while controlling for activity.
Diagnosis of D-Bifunctional Protein Deficiency through Whole-Genome Sequencing: Implications for Cost-Effective Care
Authors: Khromykh Alina , Solomon Benjamin D. , Bodian Dale L. , Leon Eyby L. , Iyer Ramaswamy K. , Baker Robin L. , Ascher David P. , Baveja Rajiv , Vockley Joseph G. , Niederhuber John E.
Published: July 2015

D-Bifunctional protein deficiency, caused by recessive mutations in HSD17B4, is a severe disorder of peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation. Nonspecific clinical features may contribute to diagnostic challenges. We describe a newborn female with infantile-onset seizures and nonspecific mild dysmorphisms who underwent extensive genetic workup that resulted in the detection of a novel homozygous mutation (c.302+1_4delGTGA) in the HSD17B4 gene, consistent with a diagnosis of D-bifunctional protein deficiency. By comparing the standard clinical workup to diagnostic analysis performed through research-based whole-genome sequencing (WGS), which independently identified the causative mutation, we demonstrated the ability of genomic sequencing to serve as a timely and cost-effective diagnostic tool for the molecular diagnosis of apparent and occult newborn diseases. As genomic sequencing becomes more available and affordable, we anticipate that WGS and related omics technologies will eventually replace the traditional tiered approach to newborn diagnostic workup.
The Association of FTO SNP rs9939609 with Weight Gain at University
Authors: Meisel Susanne F. , Beeken Rebecca J. , van Jaarsveld Cornelia H.M. , Wardle Jane
Published: July 2015

Aim: We tested the hypothesis that the obesity-associated FTO SNP rs9939609 would be associated with clinically significant weight gain (≥5% of initial body weight) in the first year of university; a time identified as high risk for weight gain. Methods: We collected anthropometric data from university students (n = 1,411, mean age: 22.4 ± 2.5 years, 49.1% male) at the beginning and end of the academic year. DNA was analysed for FTO rs9939609. Associations of FTO genotype with BMI at baseline were analysed using ANCOVA, and with risk of 5% weight gain over follow-up with logistic regression; both analyses adjusting for age and sex. The alpha level was reduced to 0.0125 to account for multiple testing. Results: Using an additive model, FTO status was not associated with higher BMI at baseline (22.2 vs. 21.9 kg/m2, p = 0.059). Dropout was high but unrelated to genotype. Among the 310 (21.9%) completing follow-up, those with AT genotypes had twice the odds of ≥5% weight gain compared with TTs (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.05-4.01, p = 0.036), but this was no longer significant after Bonferroni correction. There was a trend for AA carriers for ≥5% weight gain compared with TT carriers (p = 0.089), but sample size was small. Conclusion: This study provides nominal evidence for the genetic susceptibility hypothesis, but findings need to be replicated.
The Association between Sleep Duration and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Japanese Men and Women
Authors: Imaizumi Hiromichi , Takahashi Atsushi , Tanji Nobuo , Abe Kazumichi , Sato Yuji , Anzai Yukio , Watanabe Hiroshi , Ohira Hiromasa
Published: July 2015

Objective: To examine the relationship between sleep duration and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: We evaluated 3,968 subjects who underwent health check-ups from June 2012 to May 2013 at the Watari Hospital Health Center in Fukushima Prefecture in Japan. Fatty liver was detected by ultrasonography. Sleep duration and lifestyle factors were estimated using a questionnaire. Sleep duration was categorized into the following groups: ≤6, 6 to ≤7, >7 to ≤8, and >8 h. The four sleep duration groups were compared using the χ2 test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: In total, 2,172 subjects were enrolled. The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 29.6% (men, 38.0%; women, 25.3%). The proportion of NAFLD tended to decrease as sleep duration increased in men. The proportion with NAFLD was lowest in the group with a sleep duration of 6 to ≤7 h and highest in the groups with sleep durations of ≤6 and >8 h in women. The distribution showed a U-shaped curve. The age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) for subjects with NAFLD with a sleep duration ≤6 h compared to the reference (6 to ≤7 h) was 1.44 (1.06-1.96) in women. Conclusion: Sleep shortage tends to be associated with NAFLD in women and may be mediated by body adiposity.
Association between Obesity and Chronic Laryngitis in Women - Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Joo Young-Hoon , Han Kyung-Do , Lee Seong-Su
Published: July 2015

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between obesity and chronic laryngitis in South Korea using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) collected during 2008-2010. Methods: KNHANES was a cross-sectional survey of the civilian, non-institutionalized population of South Korea (n = 13,819). Obesity status was measured by using BMI and waist circumference. Results: Among the population over 19 years of age, the prevalence of chronic laryngitis was 4.0 ± 0.4%. Chronic laryngitis was significantly associated with age, BMI, waist circumference, fat proportion, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in women. Old age and current smoking were significantly associated with chronic laryngitis in men. Obese women were at a higher risk for chronic laryngitis than women without obesity (odds ratio (OR) 2.022, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.412-2.895) after further adjustment for confounders. Women with abdominal obesity were also at higher risk for chronic laryngitis (OR 1.475, 95% CI 1.024-2.126). Conclusion: Obese women in Korea have an elevated risk for developing chronic laryngitis. Further epidemiological and experimental studies are necessary to clarify the impact of obesity on this condition.
Effects of Long-Term Treatment with Estradiol and Estrogen Receptor Subtype Agonists on Serotonergic Function in Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Benmansour Saloua , Adeniji Opeyemi S. , Privratsky Anthony A. , Frazer Alan
Published: July 2015

Acute estradiol treatment was reported to slow the clearance of serotonin via activation of estrogen receptors (ER)β and/or GPR30 and to block the ability of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to slow serotonin clearance via activation of ERα. In this study, the behavioral consequences of longer-term treatments with estradiol or ER subtype-selective agonists and/or an SSRI were examined in the forced swim test (FST). Ovariectomized rats were administered the following for 2 weeks: estradiol, ERβ agonist (diarylpropionitrile, DPN), GPR30 agonist (G1), ERα agonist (PPT), and/or the SSRI sertraline. Similar to sertraline, longer-term treatment with estradiol, DPN or G1 induced an antidepressant-like effect. By contrast, PPT did not, even though it blocked the antidepressant-like effect of sertraline. Uterus weights, used as a peripheral measure of estrogenic activity, were increased by estradiol and PPT but not DPN or G1 treatment. A second part of this study investigated, using Western blot analyses in homogenates from hippocampus, whether these behavioral effects are accompanied by changes in the activation of specific signaling pathways and/or TrkB. Estradiol and G1 increased phosphorylation of Akt, ERK and TrkB. These effects were similar to those obtained after treatment with sertraline. Treatment with DPN increased phosphorylation of ERK and TrkB, but it did not alter that of Akt. Treatment with PPT increased phosphorylation of Akt and ERK without altering that of TrkB. In conclusion, activation of at least TrkB and possibly ERK may be involved in the antidepressant-like effect of estradiol, ERβ and GPR30 agonists whereas Akt activation may not be necessary.
Cardiomyocyte A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) Is Essential in Post–Myocardial Infarction Repair by Regulating Angiogenesis
Authors: Fan Dong , Takawale Abhijit , Shen Mengcheng , Wang Wang , Wang Xiuhua , Basu Ratnadeep , Oudit Gavin Y. , Kassiri Zamaneh
Published: July 2015

Background—

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) is a membrane-bound enzyme that mediates shedding of many membrane-bound molecules, thereby regulating multiple cellular responses. We investigated the role of cardiomyocyte ADAM17 in myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods and Results—

Cardiomyocyte-specific ADAM17 knockdown mice (ADAM17
flox/flox
/α-MHC-Cre; f/f/Cre) and parallel controls (ADAM17
flox/flox
; f/f) were subjected to MI by ligation of the left anterior descending artery. Post MI, f/f/Cre mice showed compromised survival, higher rates of cardiac rupture, more severe left ventricular dilation, and suppressed ejection fraction compared with parallel f/f-MI mice. Ex vivo ischemic injury (isolated hearts) resulted in comparable recovery in both genotypes. Myocardial vascular density (fluorescent-labeled lectin perfusion and CD31 immunofluorescence staining) was significantly lower in the infarct areas of f/f/Cre-MI compared with f/f-MI mice. Activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), its mRNA, and total protein levels were reduced in infarcted myocardium in ADAM17 knockdown mice. Transcriptional regulation of VEGFR2 by ADAM17 was confirmed in cocultured cardiomyocyte–fibroblast as ischemia-induced VEGFR2 expression was blocked by ADAM17-siRNA. Meanwhile, ADAM17-siRNA did not alter VEGF
A
bioavailability in the conditioned media. ADAM17 knockdown mice (f/f/Cre-MI) exhibited reduced nuclear factor-κB activation (DNA binding) in the infarcted myocardium, which could underlie the suppressed VEGFR2 expression in these hearts. Post MI, inflammatory response was not altered by ADAM17 downregulation.

Conclusions—

This study highlights the key role of cardiomyocyte ADAM17 in post-MI recovery by regulating VEGFR2 transcription and angiogenesis, thereby limiting left ventricular dilation and dysfunction. Therefore, ADAM17 upregulation, within the physiological range, could provide protective effects in ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Risk of Incident Coronary Heart Disease Events in Men Compared to Women by Menopause Type and Race
Authors: Kim Catherine , Cushman Mary , Khodneva Yulia , Lisabeth Lynda D. , Judd Suzanne , Kleindorfer Dawn O. , Howard Virginia J. , Safford Monika M.
Published: July 2015

Background

We examined whether type of menopause affects sex differences in coronary heart disease (
CHD
) events and whether the impact is similar in blacks and whites.

Methods and Results

Participants were enrolled in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (
REGARDS
) cohort between 2003 and 2007 without
CHD
at baseline (n=23 086). Cox regression models were used to calculate the hazard of incident nonfatal
CHD
(definite or probable myocardial infarction) and acute
CHD
death, adjusting for age, age at last menstrual period <45 years, region, education level, income, diabetes, smoking, systolic blood pressure, lipid levels, albumin‐creatinine ratio, physical activity, C‐reactive protein, body mass index, waist circumference, and medication use. White women in natural menopause (hazard ratio [
HR
], 0.45; 95% confidence interval [
CI],
0.31, 0.66) and surgical menopause (
HR,
0.65; 95%
CI,
0.42, 0.99) had a reduced hazard of nonfatal events, compared to white men. Black women in natural menopause (
HR,
0.69; 95%
CI,
0.47, 1.03), but not surgical menopause (
HR,
0.81; 95%
CI,
0.51, 1.29), had a marginally reduced hazard of nonfatal events, compared to black men. Women had lower risk of acute
CHD
death than men regardless of their menopause type and race.

Conclusions

Sex differences in the risk of incident
CHD
events were larger among whites than blacks and varied by type of menopause. Women consistently had a lower risk of incident
CHD
death than men, but the magnitude of sex differences was greater in whites than blacks for nonfatal events, regardless of menopause type.
Polulichloris henanensis gen. et sp. nov. (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta), a novel subaerial coccoid green alga
Authors: Song Huiyin , Zhang Qi , Liu Guoxiang , Hu Zhengyu
Published: July 2015

Coccoid green algae are abundant in subaerial habitats, but they are largely unexplored because of their morphological uniformity. Several new genus-level lineages have recently been described on the basis of molecular data. In this study, a coccoid green alga was isolated from surface soil in Zhoukou, Henan Province, China, and the cultured cells were described using light and electron microscopy. The ellipsoidal cell had smooth cell wall and parietal chloroplast with a pyrenoid surrounded by a starch envelope. Reproduction occurred by formation of 2‒16 autospores. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear 18S rDNA gene and the chloroplast ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase gene (rbcL) indicated that this coccoid green alga represents a new lineage of the Watanabea clade (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta). Here, we describe this organism as a new genus and species, Polulichloris henanensis, gen. et sp. nov.
Pueraria stracheyi, a new synonym to Apios carnea (Fabaceae)
Authors: Egan Ashley N. , Pan Bo
Published: July 2015

Pueraria stracheyi has long been recognized as erroneously placed in the genus Pueraria. Here we examined the history behind this collection, past hypotheses concerning its taxonomic affinities, and morphological and ecological comparisons with Shuteria and Apios carnea, wherein we conclude that Pueraria stracheyi represents a synonym of the latter.
Notes on Hexapodidae (Crustacea, Brachyura) from Indonesia and Malaysia, with description of a new species of Mariaplax Rahayu & Ng, 2014, from Lombok, Indonesia
Authors: NG PETER K. L. , RAHAYU DWI LISTYO
Published: July 2015

The male of Hexapinus latipes (De Haan, 1835), so far known only from female specimens, is described based on the material reported by De Man (1888) as “Hexapus sexpes”. Material referred to “Hexapus sexpes” by Tesch (1918) is shown instead to belong to Hexapinus simplex Rahayu & Ng, 2014, and Hexapinus latus Rahayu & Ng, 2014, while his “Hexaplax megalops Doflein, 1904” belongs to Hexaplax aurantium Rahayu & Ng, 2014. A new species, Mariaplax aspera n. sp., is described from a female collected in Lombok, Indonesia. This new species most closely resembles M. narusei Rahayu & Ng, 2014, described from Japan, but differs by its relatively narrower carapace, shorter ambulatory legs, tuberculated third maxillipeds, and shorter telson.
Dense Network Observations of the Twin Cities Canopy-Layer Urban Heat Island
Authors: Smoliak Brian V. , Snyder Peter K. , Twine Tracy E. , Mykleby Phillip M. , Hertel William F.
Published: July 2015

Data from a dense urban meteorological network (UMN) are analyzed, revealing the spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota) canopy-layer urban heat island (UHI). Data from individual sensors represent surface air temperature (SAT) across a variety of local climate zones within a 5000-km2 area and span the 3-yr period from 1 August 2011 to 1 August 2014. Irregularly spaced data are interpolated to a uniform 1 km × 1 km grid using two statistical methods: 1) kriging and 2) cokriging with impervious surface area data. The cokriged SAT field exhibits lower bias and lower RMSE than does the kriged SAT field when evaluated against an independent set of observations. Maps, time series, and statistics that are based on the cokriged field are presented to describe the spatial structure and magnitude of the Twin Cities metropolitan area (TCMA) UHI on hourly, daily, and seasonal time scales. The average diurnal variation of the TCMA UHI exhibits distinct seasonal modulation wherein the daily maximum occurs by night during summer and by day during winter. Daily variations in the UHI magnitude are linked to changes in weather patterns. Seasonal variations in the UHI magnitude are discussed in terms of land–atmosphere interactions. To the extent that they more fully resolve the spatial structure of the UHI, dense UMNs are advantageous relative to limited collections of existing urban meteorological observations. Dense UMNs are thus capable of providing valuable information for UHI monitoring and for implementing and evaluating UHI mitigation efforts.
Lagrangian Droplet Dynamics in the Subsiding Shell of a Cloud Using Direct Numerical Simulations
Authors: Perrin Vincent E. , Jonker Harmen J. J.
Published: July 2015

This study investigates the droplet dynamics at the lateral cloud–environment interface in shallow cumulus clouds. A mixing layer is used to study a small part of the cloud edge using direct numerical simulation combined with a Lagrangian particle tracking and collision algorithm. The effect of evaporation, gravity, coalescence, and the initial droplet size distribution on the intensity of the mixing layer and the evolution of the droplet size distribution is studied. Mixing of the droplets with environmental air induces evaporative cooling, which results in a very characteristic subsiding shell. As a consequence, stronger horizontal velocity gradients are found in the mixing layer, which induces more mixing and evaporation. A broadening of the droplet size distribution is observed as a result of evaporation and coalescence. Gravity acting on the droplets allows droplets in cloudy filaments detrained from the cloud to sediment and remain longer in the unsaturated environment. While this effect of gravity did not have a significant impact in this case on the mean evolution of the mixing layer, it does contribute to the broadening of the droplet size distribution and thereby significantly increases the collision rate. Although more but smaller droplets result in more evaporative cooling, more droplets also increase small-scale fluctuations and the production of turbulent dissipation. For the smallest droplets considered with a radius of 10 μm, the authors found that, although a more pronounced buoyancy dip was present, the increase in dissipation rate actually led to a decrease in the turbulent intensity of the mixing layer. Extrapolation of the results to realistic clouds is discussed.