bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ambulation capacity and functional outcome in patients undergoing neuromuscular electrical stimulation after cardiac valve surgery
Authors: Fontes Cerqueira Telma Cristina , Cerqueira Neto Manoel Luiz de , Cacau Lucas de Assis Pereira , Oliveira Géssica Uruga , Silva Júnior Walderi Monteiro da , Carvalho Vitor Oliveira , Mendonça José Teles de , Santana Filho Valter Joviniano de
Published: November 2018

Background:

Early mobilization and physical exercise are considered fundamental components in cardiovascular surgery rehabilitation; however, occasionally they are inadequate for inhibiting functional decline. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a promising tool in cardiovascular rehabilitation; however, to date, no randomized clinical trial has measured the effects of NMES on functional capacity and quality of life in patients who undergo routine cardiac surgery with a short intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of NMES on walking ability, muscle strength, functional independence, and quality of life in cardiac valve surgery patients in the immediate postoperative period.

Methods:

A randomized, parallel, controlled, 2-arm clinical trial with assessor blinding was conducted. Fifty-nine adult patients in the preoperative period after cardiac valve reconstruction and/or replacement were randomly assigned to a control or intervention group. The intervention group underwent NMES in the quadriceps and gastrocnemius, bilaterally, for 60 minutes, for up to 10 sessions. The primary outcome was ambulation ability, assessed through the Six-Minute Walk Test and Walking Speed Test at postoperative day 5 (5PO). Secondary outcomes were muscular strength (assessed through the Medical Research Council scale), functional independence measure (assessed through the Functional Independence Measurement Questionnaire), and quality of life (assessed through the Nottingham Health Profile) at baseline (preoperative) and at postoperative days 3 and 5.

Results:

The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups, except for body mass index. There was no statistically significant difference, with a small effect size, between both groups regarding the distance walked (95% CI, −64.87 to 65.97) and walking speed (95% CI, −0.55 to 0.57). There was a statistically significant difference in upper-limb muscle strength loss and decline in mobility at postoperative day 3, which had a tendency to recover to initial values at 5PO, in both groups. No significant between-group difference was noted for muscle strength, functional independence, and quality of life.

Conclusions:

The use of NMES had no effect on walking ability, strength, quality of life, or functional outcome in the postoperative period for patients that underwent regular valve replacement.
The relation of passive smoking with cervical cancer
Authors: Su Benyu , Qin Wen , Xue Feng , Wei Xiaomin , Guan Qiangdong , Jiang Wenchong , Wang Shue , Xu Mengmeng , Yu Sufang
Published: November 2018

Background:

Published studies about passive smoking and cervical cancer have found inconsistent results. Hence, the present meta-analysis was performed to assess this association.

Methods:

A systematical search was performed to identify eligible cohort and case–control studies in PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases (up to March, 2018). The quality of included studies was assessed by the Newcastle–Ottawa quality scale (NOS). The random effects model (REM) was used to calculate the pooled odds ratio (ORs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot, using Begg's test and Egger's test.

Results:

Around 14 eligible studies were included for analysis, which included a total of 384,995 participants. The pooled ORs of passive smoking with cervical cancer risk was 1.70 (95% CI: 1.40–2.07, I
2 = 64.3%). Subgroups stratified by continent, study design, quality score, and cervical cancer types/phases suggested that the result was robust. For instance, the pooled ORs for the cohort and case–control studies was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.16–1.62, I
2 = 0%) and 2.09 (95% CI: 1.52–2.89, I
2 = 76.6%), respectively. The pooled ORs ranged from 1.61 (95%CI: 1.34–1.92) to 1.77 (95%CI: 1.44–2.16) after one study was removed each time in the sensitivity analyses, indicating that the result was stable. Publication bias was detected by funnel plot and Egger's tests. The recalculated ORs were 1.33 (95% CI: 1.21–1.47).

Conclusions:

This meta-analysis provides evidence that passive smoking is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Identification of 11 potentially relevant gene mutations involved in growth retardation, intellectual disability, joint contracture, and hepatopathy
Authors: Diao Hongyan , Zhu Peng , Dai Yong , Chen Wenbiao
Published: November 2018

The multisystemic clinical characteristics of growth retardation, intellectual disability, joint contracture, and hepatopathy in humans are rare and there are no clear diagnoses of these conditions. However, previous studies using exome sequencing have suggested that they are caused by gene mutations, and some related pathogenic gene variants have been found.

Here, we performed resequencing and genome-wide variation analysis of 3 individuals (an affected proband and unaffected parents) from a consanguineous family using Solexa sequencing technology to identify mutated genes.

The following genetic features were identified: 3,586,775 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 583,416 insertion/deletion polymorphisms (InDels), and 8579 structural variations (SVs) in the genome of the father; 3,624,800 SNPs, 608,685 InDels, and 8,827 SVs in the genome of the mother; 3,574,431 SNPs, 571,196 InDels, and 8371 SVs in the genome of the proband. Variations between samples were determined by comparative analysis of authentic collections of SNPs and were functionally annotated. Variations in several important genes, including SEC22B, FLG, ZNF717, MUC4, TRIL, CTAGE4, FOXG1, LOC100287399, KRTAP1-3, and LRRC37A3, were surveyed by alignment analysis.

The results present new evidence that mutations in 11 genes may be associated with characteristic clinical growth retardation, intellectual disability, joint contracture, and hepatopathy.
Invasive ACTH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma in remission after transsphenoidal resection
Authors: Zhuang Zhe , Liu Xiaohai , Bao Xinjie , Pan Boju , Deng Kan , Yao Yong , Lian Wei , Xing Bing , Zhu Huijuan , Lu Lin , Wang Renzhi , Feng Ming
Published: November 2018

Rationale:

Knosp grade 4 adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenoma is a rare cause of Cushing disease. After the 1st surgery, the remission rate among these patients is extremely low.

Patient concerns:

We presented a case of a 33-year-old female with classical Cushingoid symptoms. Further investigations revealed ATCH-dependent hypercortisolemia, as well as a Knosp grade 4 pituitary macroadenoma.

Diagnosis:

Cushing disease, caused by a Knosp grade 4 pituitary macroadenoma.

Interventions:

The patient underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery with the assistance of intraoperative transsphenoidal Doppler and image-guidance devices.

Outcomes:

Pathologic examinations confirmed that the lesion was an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma. The patient was in biochemical remission after surgery. Her postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed gross-total tumor resection. There was no evidence of recurrence during the 1-year follow-up.

Lessons:

With intraoperative Doppler and image-guidance, gross-total resection and biochemical remission can be achieved in Cushing disease when the internal carotid artery is completely encased by the pituitary adenoma.
Pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium as rare complications after retroperitoneal transpsoas lateral lumbar interbody fusion surgery
Authors: Lee Hyun Uk , Kang Deokwon , Lee Jae Chul , Choi Sung-Woo , Jang Hae-Dong , Kim Jahyung , Shin Byung-Joon
Published: November 2018

Rationale:

Pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium refer to conditions in which air exists within the mediastinum and pericardium, respectively. There is the communication between the mediastinum, pericardium, and retroperitoneum. We present the first report of rare complications (pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium) after retroperitoneal transpsoas lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) surgery.

Patient concerns:

A 73-year-old female who underwent LLIF using the retroperitoneal approach complained of dysphagia but no other abnormal symptom after surgery.

Diagnosis and interventions:

A plain chest radiograph (CXR) taken immediately the following surgery did not show any unusual findings but CXR took on postoperative day (POD) 1 indicated pneumopericardium and pneumomediastinum with abnormal air density along the pericardium and mediastinum with subdiaphragmatic air density. A chest computed tomography revealed bilateral pleural effusion and abnormal air density (pneumopericardium and pneumomediastinum) connected to a large amount of air around the aorta and retroperitoneal space (pneumoretroperitoneum).

Outcomes:

The patient complained of no unusual symptom and the CXR on POD 6 indicated that no air density surrounding the mediastinum and pericardium was found.

Lessons:

Pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium should be considered possible complications of LLIF using retroperitoneal transpsoas approach. Such a condition may progress to fatal conditions without early recognition and rapid management.
Urethral defect due to periurethral abscess treated with a tunica vaginalis flap
Authors: Kim Sung Jin , Lee Jongpill , Park Chang-Hoo , Park Jong Yeon , Song Sang Hoon , Kim Kun Suk , Kim Han Gwun
Published: November 2018

Rationale:

Periurethral abscess is a life-threatening disease, and the occurrence of a urethral defect with periurethral abscess is a rare finding. In this case, the patient had a lengthy urethral defect from the bulbous urethra to the membranous urethra accompanied by periurethral abscess that developed within a short time. Herein, we report a case of a pedicle-sparing tunica vaginalis flap utilized in urethral reconstruction which degenerated due to fibrotic changes and soft tissue defects in the urethral bed.

Patient concerns:

The patient was a 36-year-old man with fever and lower urinary tract symptoms who had been treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs for urinary tract infections 3 days before admission. Purulent necrosis was formed by the urethral abscess, and a long-length urethral defect was formed in the bulbous urethra.

Diagnosis:

Based on the initial computed tomography and laboratory findings, empirical antibiotics were administered to treat a lower urinary tract infection. On the 7th day of hospitalization, ultrasonography was performed due to the sudden swelling of the scrotum, and the patient was diagnosed with a periurethral abscess that was 10 × 3 cm in size.

Intervention:

Initial urinary diversion, wide debridement, and a large amount of abscess drainage were performed. Necrosis of the urethral ventral part caused a urethral defect that was 5 cm in size. After treatment with antibiotics, long-term disinfection and intermittent debridement were conducted and urethral reconstruction was performed using a tunica vaginalis flap with preserved vascular structure.

Outcomes:

No complications occurred until 6 months after urethral reconstruction.

Lessons:

Urethral reconstruction using a tunica vaginalis flap is a good method for selected patients. Pedicle-sparing tunica vaginalis is an advantageous material for resolving urethral defects, especially when the surrounding circulation conditions are poor.
Retroperitoneal extramedullary plasmacytoma
Authors: Wang Jing , Li Jie , Zhang Fuli , Zhang Ping
Published: November 2018

Rationale:

The incidence of extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) accounts for 3% to 4% of all cases of generalized plasmacytoma. The most common pathogenic sites are the head and the neck. It is noteworthy that the pathogenic site in this case is extraperitoneal, which is uncommon in clinical practice. In this case report, we aim to discuss the clinical features and diagnosis as well as the treatment methods of EMP.

Patient concerns:

A 30-year-old female was admitted to our hospital due to a palpable right upper abdominal mass without symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, fever, or oliguria.

Diagnosis and interventions:

Enhanced CT scan showed a right retroperitoneal mass, which we considered to be isolated fibroma. Multiple myeloma (MM) was excluded through whole-body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and bone marrow biopsy. The patient underwent retroperitoneal tumor resection, and the postoperative pathology revealed plasmacytoma. Thereafter, she received only postoperative radiotherapy.

Outcomes:

During the radiotherapy, the patient's condition and appetite were acceptable with I° gastrointestinal reaction. The CT examination of the chest and upper abdomen performed 4, 8, and 12 months after the radiotherapy still showed postoperative and postradiotherapy changes after retroperitoneal plasmacytoma resection without obvious abnormal signs. No recurrence and metastasis were detected after a one-year follow-up.

Lessons:

Retroperitoneal extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare condition that is frequently a diagnostic challenge, mainly due to its unusual location and nonspecific symptoms, especially in the early stages. The diagnosis of EMP is made through a combination of imaging and pathological examination. Presently, the combinations of radiotherapy and surgery or radiotherapy are the primary treatments, usually leading to an acceptable local control rate. The application of chemotherapy, however, should be carefully considered.
Prognostic and clinical value of Targeting protein for Xenopus kinesin-like protein 2 in patients with gastrointestinal tract cancers
Authors: Liu Wanwei , Xu Jiwei , Zhang Caiyun
Published: November 2018

Background:

Accumulating studies have indicated that Targeting protein for Xenopus kinesin-like protein 2 (TPX2) was overexpressed in various types of human cancers. However, the prognostic and clinical value of TPX2 in gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancers was not well-understood. This study was aimed to comprehensively explore the prognostic and clinical significance of TPX2 in GI tract cancers.

Methods:

Eligible studies were systematically retrieved in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang database. The eligible studies were collected to evaluate the association of TPX2 with prognosis and clinicopathological features, with the pooling hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Result:

The meta-analysis suggested that overexpression of TPX2 protein was significantly correlated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.60–2.80, P <.001) in GI tract cancers, the subgroup meta-analysis also confirmed the prognostic value of TPX2 protein. Furthermore, clinical significances of TPX2 protein in gastric cancer were discussed.

Conclusion:

Upregulated TPX2 protein was correlated with poor clinical outcomes, suggesting that TPX2 protein can serve as a promising predictive biomarker in patients with GI tract cancers.
Prediction of HIV Transmission Cluster Growth With Statewide Surveillance Data
Authors: Billock Rachael M. , Powers Kimberly A. , Pasquale Dana K. , Samoff Erika , Mobley Victoria L. , Miller William C. , Eron Joseph J. , Dennis Ann M.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Prediction of HIV transmission cluster growth may help guide public health action. We developed a predictive model for cluster growth in North Carolina (NC) using routine HIV surveillance data.

Methods:

We identified putative transmission clusters with ≥2 members through pairwise genetic distances ≤1.5% from HIV-1 pol sequences sampled November 2010–December 2017 in NC. Clusters established by a baseline of January 2015 with any sequences sampled within 2 years before baseline were assessed for growth (new diagnoses) over 18 months. We developed a predictive model for cluster growth incorporating demographic, clinical, temporal, and contact tracing characteristics of baseline cluster members. We internally and temporally externally validated the final model in the periods January 2015–June 2016 and July 2016–December 2017.

Results:

Cluster growth was predicted by larger baseline cluster size, shorter time between diagnosis and HIV care entry, younger age, shorter time since the most recent HIV diagnosis, higher proportion with no named contacts, and higher proportion with HIV viremia. The model showed areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves of 0.82 and 0.83 in the internal and temporal external validation samples.

Conclusions:

The predictive model developed and validated here is a novel means of identifying HIV transmission clusters that may benefit from targeted HIV control resources.
Brief Report: Gut Structural Damage: an Ongoing Process in Chronically Untreated HIV Infection
Authors: El Kamari Vanessa , Sattar Abdus , Mccomsey Grace A.
Published: November 2018

Objective:

To investigate the longitudinal changes of gut structural damage in chronically untreated HIV infection.

Design:

This is a 96-week prospective, single-site, cohort study of antiretroviral therapy–naive HIV-infected participants.

Methods:

Intestinal fatty acid-binding proteins (I-FABP) were used as a surrogate marker of gut structural damage. We assessed changes in I-FABP over 96 weeks and examined the associations between I-FABP, HIV variables, and inflammation. Spearman's correlations and linear mixed-effect models were used to study relationships among variables.

Results:

A total of 63 HIV-infected, antiretroviral therapy–naive patients were included in this analysis. At baseline, 76% were male; 62% were African American, with median age and body mass index of 40 years and 27 kg/m2, respectively. Median HIV-RNA and CD4+ T-cell counts were 5520 copies per milliliter and 588 cells per mm3, respectively. I-FABP significantly increased from baseline to week 96 (mean change +333.9 pg/mL; P = 0.03), and this increase was associated with viral replication (rho = +0.4; P = 0.03). I-FABP levels were found to be associated with markers of inflammation: sTNFR-II (rho = 0.4, P = 0.02) and sVCAM-1 (rho = 0.04; P < 0.01) at all study time points. Lower baseline CD4+ T-cell counts was found to be independently associated with I-FABP progression after adjusting for baseline characteristic variables (P = 0.02).

Conclusion:

Gut structural damage is an ongoing process in the chronic phase of untreated HIV infection and is largely dependent on viral replication. I-FABP was found to be associated with worse immune function, increased inflammation, and viremia in chronically untreated HIV infection, supporting its role as a biomarker of intestinal barrier dysfunction.
S100A14 Is Increased in Activated NK Cells and Plasma of HIV-Exposed Seronegative People Who Inject Drugs and Promotes Monocyte–NK Crosstalk
Authors: Colón Krystal , Speicher David W. , Smith Peter , Taylor Mack , Metzger David S. , Montaner Luis J. , Tomescu Costin
Published: November 2018

Background:

HIV-exposed seronegative people who inject drugs (HESN-PWID) have been shown to have increased natural killer (NK) cell and myeloid activation when compared with control donors.

Methods:

We investigated potential mechanisms maintaining NK activation by conducting quantitative proteome comparisons of NK cells from HESN-PWID subjects and control donors. Proteins upregulated in NK cells were measured in the plasma of HESN-PWID subjects by ELISA and further investigated for their ability to induce innate immune activation in vitro.

Results:

The NK cell proteome comparison showed markedly higher levels of interferon-stimulated proteins and S100 proteins, including S100A14. Consistent with these results, we observed significantly higher levels of S100A14 in the plasma of HESN-PWID subjects compared with controls (P = 0.033, n = 25). In vitro, the addition of recombinant S100A14 protein significantly activated NK cells in a peripheral blood mononuclear cell mixture (P = 0.011, n = 9), but not purified NK cells alone. Treatment of purified monocytes with recombinant S100A14 protein induced secretion of TNF-alpha and led to significantly higher NK CD69 activation (P = 0.0156, n = 7) in a co-culture through a TLR4-dependent interaction.

Conclusions:

Our study identified S100A14 as a novel protein increased within NK cells and plasma of HESN-PWID subjects with the capacity to sustain NK activation through TLR4-dependent activation of myeloid cells.
Filament formation by the translation factor eIF2B regulates protein synthesis in starved cells
Authors: Nüske Elisabeth , Marini Guendalina , Richter Doris , Leng Weihua , Bogdanova Aliona , Franzmann Titus , Pigino Gaia , Alberti Simon
Published: November 2018

Cells exposed to starvation have to adjust their metabolism to conserve energy and protect themselves. Protein synthesis is one of the major energy-consuming processes and as such has to be tightly controlled. The mechanism by which starved cells regulate the process of protein synthesis is largely unknown. Here, we report that the essential translation initiation factor eIF2B forms filaments in starved budding yeast cells. We demonstrate that filamentation is triggered by starvation-induced acidification of the cytosol, which is caused by an influx of protons from the extracellular environment. We show that filament assembly by eIF2B is necessary for rapid and efficient downregulation of translation. Importantly, this mechanism does not require the kinase Gcn2. Furthermore, analysis of site-specific variants of eIF2B suggests that eIF2B assembly results in enzymatically inactive filaments that promote stress survival and fast recovery of cells from starvation. We propose that translation regulation through protein assembly is a widespread mechanism that allows cells to adapt to fluctuating environments.
Proteogenomic annotation of the Chinese hamster reveals extensive novel translation events and endogenous retroviral elements
Authors: Li Shangzhong , Cha Seong Won , Hefner Kelly , Hizal Deniz Baycin , Bowen Michael , Chaerkady Raghothama , Cole Robert N. , Tejwani Vijay , Kaushik Prashant , Henry Michael , Meleady Paula , Sharfstein Susan T. , Betenbaugh Michael J. , Bafna Vineet , Lewis Nathan E.
Published: November 2018

A high quality genome annotation greatly facilitates successful cell line engineering. Standard draft genome annotation pipelines are based largely onde novogene prediction, homology, and RNA-Seq data. However, draft annotations can suffer from incorrectly predictions of translated sequence, incorrect splice isoforms and missing genes. Here we generated a draft annotation for the newly assembled Chinese hamster genome and used RNA-Seq, proteomics, and Ribo-Seq to experimentally annotate the genome. We identified 4,333 new proteins compared to the hamster RefSeq protein annotation and 2,503 novel translational events (e.g., alternative splices, mutations, novel splices). Finally, we used this pipeline to identify the source of translated retroviruses contaminating recombinant products from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines, including 131 type-C retroviruses, thus enabling future efforts to eliminate retroviruses by reducing the costs incurred with retroviral particle clearance. In summary, the improved annotation provides a more accurate platform for guiding CHO cell line engineering, including facilitating the interpretation of omics data, defining of cellular pathways, and engineering of complex phenotypes.
Dissociation of fear initiation and maintenance by breathing-driven prefrontal oscillations
Authors: Bagur Sophie , Lefort Julie M. , Lacroix Marie M. , de Lavilléon Gaëtan , Herry Cyril , Billand Clara , Geoffroy Hélène , Benchenane Karim
Published: November 2018

Does the body play an active role in emotions? Since the original James/Cannon controversy this debate has mainly been fueled by introspective accounts of human experience. Here, we use the animal model to demonstrate a physiological mechanism for bodily feedback and its causal role in the stabilization of emotional states. We report that during fear-related freezing mice breathe at 4Hz and show, using probabilistic modelling, that optogenetic perturbation of this feedback specifically reduces freezing maintenance without impacting its initiation. This rhythm is transmitted by the olfactory bulb to the prefrontal cortex where it organizes neural firing and optogenetic probing of the circuit demonstrates frequency-specific tuning that maximizes prefrontal cortex responsivity at 4Hz, the breathing frequency during freezing. These results point to a brain-body-brain loop in which the initiation of emotional behavior engenders somatic changes which then feedback to the cortex to directly participate in sustaining emotional states.
Computational metabolism modeling predicts risk of distant relapse-free survival in breast cancer patients
Authors: Trilla-Fuertes Lucía , Gámez-Pozo Angelo , Díaz-Almirón Mariana , Prado-Vázquez Guillermo , Zapater-Moros Andrea , López-Vacas Rocío , Nanni Paolo , Zamora Pilar , Espinosa Enrique , Vara Juan Ángel Fresno
Published: November 2018

Aims:

Differences in metabolism among breast cancer subtypes suggest that metabolism plays an important role in this disease. Flux Balance Analysis is used to explore these differences as well as drug response.

Materials & Methods:

Proteomics data from breast tumors were obtained by mass-spectrometry. Flux Balance Analysis was performed to study metabolic networks. Flux activities from metabolic pathways were calculated and used to build prognostic models.

Results:

Flux activities of vitamin A, tetrahydrobiopterin and beta-alanine metabolism pathways split our population into low- and high-risk patients. Additionally, flux activities of glycolysis and glutamate metabolism split triple negative tumors into low- and high-risk groups.

Conclusions:

Flux activities summarize Flux Balance Analysis data and can be associated with prognosis in cancer.
Identifying the diagnostic value of microRNA-421 in gastric cancer patients: a meta-analysis
Authors: Miao Yan , Zhang Ying , Wang Lina , Yin Lihong
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Emerging evidence has shown that the expression level of microRNA-421 (miR-421) was significantly different between gastric cancer (GC) patients and healthy individuals. However, the diagnostic accuracy of miR-421 in the reports remains inconsistent. This meta-analysis aims to assess the diagnostic value of miR-421 in GC detection.

Methods

All related articles on miR-421 in GC diagnosis were retrieved until September 2018. The QUADAS-2 checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of each study. The diagnostic performance of miR-421 for GC were assessed by using Meta-DiSc 1.4 and STATA 14.0 statistical software.

Results

A total of 172 GC patients and 154 healthy controls from three articles (four studies) were enrolled in this meta-analysis. The results of pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.85 to 0.93), 0.83 (95% CI: 0.77 to 0.87), and 37.18 (95% CI: 8.61 to 160.49), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) was 0.8977.

Conclusions

This study indicates that miR-421 could serve as a promising biomarker for GC detecting. Further studies are needed to verify the generalizability of these findings.
Impact of a Patient-Derived Hepatitis C Viral RNA Genome with a Mutated MicroRNA Binding Site
Authors: Mata Miguel , Neben Steven , Majzoub Karim , Carette Jan , Sarnow Peter
Published: November 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) depends on liver-specific microRNA miR-122 for efficient viral RNA amplification in liver cells. This microRNA interacts with two different conserved sites at the very 5’ end of the viral RNA, enhancing miR-122 stability and promoting replication of the viral RNA. Treatment of HCV patients with oligonucleotides that sequester mir-122 resulted in profound loss of viral RNA in phase II clinical trials. However, some patients accumulated in their sera a viral RNA genome that contained a single cytidine to uridine mutation at the third nucleotide from the 5’ genomic end. It is shown here that this C3U variant indeed displayed higher rates of replication than that of wild-type HCV when miR-122 abundance is low in liver cells. However, when miR-122 abundance is high, binding of miR-122 to site 1, most proximal to the 5’ end in the C3U variant RNA, is impaired without disrupting the binding of miR-122 to site 2. As a result, C3U RNA displays a much lower rate of replication than wild-type mRNA when miR-122 abundance is high in the liver. These findings suggest that sequestration of miR-122 leads to a resistance-associated mutation that has only been observed in treated patients so far, and raises the question about the function of the C3U variant in the peripheral blood.

Author Summary

With the advent of potent direct-acting antivirals (DAA), hepatitis C virus (HCV) can now be eliminated from the majority of patients, using multidrug therapy with DAAs. However, such DAAs are not available for the treatment of most RNA virus infections. The main problem is the high error rate by which RNA-dependent RNA polymerases copy viral RNA genomes, allowing the selection of mutations that are resistant to DAAs. Thus, targeting host-encoded functions that are essential for growth of the virus but not for the host cell offer promising, novel approaches. HCV needs host-encoded microRNA miR-122 for its viral RNA replication in the liver, and depletion of miR-122 in HCV patients results in loss of viral RNA. This study shows that a single-nucleotide mutation in HCV allows viral RNA amplification when miR-122 abundances are low, concomitant with changes in its tropism.
Crystal structure of bis(μ2-methanolato-κO:κO)hexamethylbis(μ2-triphenylacetato-κO:κO′)bis(μ2-triphenylacetato-κ2
O,O′:κO)dialuminiumdilanthanum toluene tetrasolvate
Authors: Vinogradov Alexander A. , Roitershtein Dmitrii M. , Minyaev Mikhail E. , Lyssenko Konstantin A. , Nifant'ev Ilya E.
Published: November 2018

The title compound, [Al2La2(C20H15O2)4(CH3)6(CH3O)2]·4CH3C6H5 or [{La(Ph3CCOO)2(Me3AlOMe)}2]·4CH3C6H5, was formed in a reaction between lanthanum tris(tetramethylaluminate) and triphenylacetic acid (1:1) with unintended partial oxidation. The triphenylacetate ligand exhibits μ2-κ1
O:κ1
O′ bridging and μ2-κ2
O,O′:κ1
O semi-bridging coordination modes, forming a dimeric La2(μ-OCO)4 core. The semi-bridging triphenylacetate group provides additional bonding with an La3+ cation via the π-system of one of its phenyl rings. The trimethylmethoxyaluminate anion, which is coordinated to the La3+ cation by its O atom, displays a rather long La—CMe bond. Two toluene molecules are each disordered over two orientations about centres of symmetry with site occupancy factors of 0.5. The title compound represents the first example of an LnIII complex containing both alkyl alkoxide aluminate and π-bounded arene fragments.
Impact analysis and adaptive sliding mode control for cislunar payload transportation using spinning tether system
Authors: Lu Hongshi , Aijun Li , Changqing Wang , Yuriy Zabolotnov Michaelovitch
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present the impact analysis of payload rendezvous with tethered satellite system and the design of an adaptive sliding mode controller which can deal with mass parameter uncertainty of targeted payload, so that the proposed cislunar transportation scheme with spinning tether system could be extended to a wider and more practical range.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, dynamical model is first derived based on Langrangian equations to describe the motion of a spinning tether system in an arbitrary Keplerian orbit, which takes the mass of spacecraft, tether and payload into account. Orbital design and optimal open-loop control for the payload tossed by the spinning tether system are then presented. The real payload rendezvous impact around docking point is also analyzed. Based on reference acceleration trajectory given by optimal theories, a sliding mode controller with saturation functions is designed in the close-loop control of payload tossing stage under initial disturbance caused by actual rendezvous error. To alleviate the influence of inaccurate/unknown payload mass parameters, the adaptive law is designed and integrated into sliding mode controller. Finally, the performance of the proposed controller is evaluated using simulations. Simulation results validate that proposed controller is found effective in driving the spinning tether system to carry payload into desired cislunar transfer orbit and in dealing with payload mass parameter uncertainty in a relatively large range.

Findings

The results show that unideal rendezvous manoeuvres have significant impact on in-plane motion of spinning tether system, and the proposed adaptive sliding mode controller with saturation functions not only guarantees the stability but also provides good performance and robustness against the parameter and unstructured uncertainties.

Originality/value

This work addresses the analysis of actual impact on spinning tether system motion when payload is docking with system within tolerated docking window, rather than at the particular ideal docking point, and the robust tracking control of deep-space payload tossing missions with the spinning tether system using the adaptive sliding mode controller dealing with parameter uncertainties. This combination has not been proposed before for tracking control of multivariable spinning tether systems.
Enabling energy-efficient renovation: the case of vertical extension to buildings
Authors: Sundling Rikard , Blomsterberg Åke , Landin Anne
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper is based on a study of six similar buildings built in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1971, which were in urgent need of renovation. A life cycle profit analysis shows how four competing concepts were evaluated to find a financially viable renovation concept; additionally, the environmental impacts of these renovation concepts using a life cycle assessment are presented.

Design/methodology/approach

Four renovation concepts are compared to find the most appropriate concept, namely, minimalist, code-compliant, low-energy and low-energy plus vertical extension concepts. The methods used for comparison are life cycle profit analysis and life cycle impact assessment; the methods used for data gathering included site visits, interviews, document study, co-benefits study and energy simulation.

Findings

The findings show that vertical extension supported the energy-efficient renovation of the buildings and that the combination of low-energy and the vertical extension had the highest return on investment and the lowest environmental impact. The selected concept for renovating the remaining five buildings combined was the low-energy plus vertical extension. Additional benefits from vertical extension include more apartments in central locations for the housing company, a wider variety of apartment layouts and a wider range of tenants. Drawbacks include increased use of infrastructure, green space and common appliances, as well as gentrification.

Originality/value

This study shows how a vertical extension can financially enable an energy-efficient renovation and further lower its environmental impact. Benefits and drawbacks of densification are also highlighted to better understand the implementation of vertically extending a building.
The Italian breakfast: Mulino Bianco and the advent of a family practice (1971-1995)
Authors: Pirani Daniela , Cappellini Benedetta , Harman Vicki
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how Mulino Bianco, an iconic Italian bakery brand, has reshaped the symbolic and material aspects of breakfast in Italy, transforming a declining practice into a common family occasion.

Design/methodology/approach

A socio-historical analysis of the iconisation process has been undertaken with a framework for investigating the symbolic, material and practice-based aspects of the brand and their changes over time. Archival marketing material, advertising campaigns and interviews with brand managers constitute the main data for analysis.

Findings

Three crucial moments have been identified in which the brand articulates its relationship with the practice of breakfast. During the launch of the brand, the articulation was mainly instigated via the myths of tamed nature and rural past and the material aspect of the products reinforced such an articulation. In the second moment, the articulation was established with the brand’s materiality, emphasised through the use of promotional items targeting mothers and children. In the last phase, a cementification of the articulation was achieved mainly via the symbolic aspect of the brand – communicating Mulino Bianco as emblematic of a new family life in which the “Italian breakfast” was central.

Originality/value

Theoretically, this paper advances the understanding of the pervasive influence of brands in family life, showing how they do not simply reshape existing family food practices, rather they can re-create new ones, investing them with symbolic meanings, anchoring them with novel materiality and equipping consumers with new understandings and competences.
Towards digital scholarship services in China’s university libraries
Authors: Zhou Lihong , Huang Ruhua , Zijlstra Tim
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to report on a literature review that aimed to establish a guiding framework for the development of digital scholarship services in China’s university libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework was developed through systematically searching, screening, assessing, coding and aggregating digital scholarship services as reported in the existing body of literature. Three types of literature were included in the analysis: international academic literature as reported in English; academic literature in Chinese; and relevant professional reports.

Findings

The literature analysis pointed to 25 different digital scholarship services, which emerged in six themes: supporting services, formulating research ideas, locating research partners, writing proposals, conducting research and publishing results.

Originality/value

Although this literature review focused on university libraries in China, the research findings and the guiding framework developed provide useful insights and indications that can be shared across international borders.
Natural convection of Bingham fluids in rectangular cross-sectional cylindrical annuli with differentially heated vertical walls
Authors: Yigit Sahin , Chakraborty Nilanjan
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to numerically analyse natural convection of yield stress fluids in rectangular cross-sectional cylindrical annular enclosures. The laminar steady-state simulations have been conducted for a range of different values of normalised internal radius (ri/L1/8 to 16, whereLis the difference between outer and inner radii); aspect ratio (AR=H/Lfrom 1/8 to 8 whereHis the enclosure height); and nominal Rayleigh number (Rafrom 103to 106) for a single representative value of Prandtl number (Pris 500).

Design/methodology/approach

The Bingham model has been used to mimic the yield stress fluid motion, and numerical simulations have been conducted for both constant wall temperature (CWT) and constant wall heat flux (CWHF) boundary conditions for the vertical side walls. The conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy have been solved in a coupled manner using the finite volume method where a second-order central differencing scheme is used for the diffusive terms and a second-order up-wind scheme is used for the convective terms. The well-known semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations algorithm is used for the coupling of the pressure and velocity.

Findings

It is found that the mean Nusselt number based on the inner peripheryNu¯iincreases (decreases) with an increase inRa(Bn) due to augmented buoyancy (viscous) forces irrespective of the boundary condition. The ratio of convective to diffusive thermal transport increases with increasingri/Lfor both Newtonian (i.e.Bn= 0) and Bingham fluids regardless of the boundary condition. Moreover, the mean Nusselt numberNu¯inormalised by the corresponding Nusselt number due to pure conductive transport (i.e.Nu¯i/(Nu¯i)cond) shows a non-monotonic trend with increasingARin the CWT configuration for a given set of values ofRa,Pr,Lifor both Newtonian (i.e.Bn= 0) and Bingham fluids, whereasNu¯i/(Nu¯i)condincreases monotonically with increasingARin the CWHF configuration. The influences of convective thermal transport strengthen while thermal diffusive transport weakens with increasingAR, and these competing effects are responsible for the non-monotonicNu¯i/(Nu¯i)condvariation withARin the CWT configuration.

Originality/value

Detailed scaling analysis is utilised to explain the observed influences ofRa,BN,ri/LandAR, which along with the simulation data has been used to propose correlations forNu¯i.
Anomaly data management and big data analytics: an application on disability datasets
Authors: Pan Zhiwen , Ji Wen , Chen Yiqiang , Dai Lianjun , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The disability datasets are the datasets that contain the information of disabled populations. By analyzing these datasets, professionals who work with disabled populations can have a better understanding of the inherent characteristics of the disabled populations, so that working plans and policies, which can effectively help the disabled populations, can be made accordingly.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors proposed a big data management and analytic approach for disability datasets.

Findings

By using a set of data mining algorithms, the proposed approach can provide the following services. The data management scheme in the approach can improve the quality of disability data by estimating miss attribute values and detecting anomaly and low-quality data instances. The data mining scheme in the approach can explore useful patterns which reflect the correlation, association and interactional between the disability data attributes. Experiments based on real-world dataset are conducted at the end to prove the effectiveness of the approach.

Originality/value

The proposed approach can enable data-driven decision-making for professionals who work with disabled populations.
Impact of internal branding on customer-based brand equity with mediating effect of organizational loyalty
Authors: Hasni Muhammad Junaid Shahid , Salo Jari , Naeem Hummayoun , Abbasi Kashif Shafique
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Branding has become a permanent source of competitive advantage for any leading business. Predominantly, it is execution inside the organization for employees. The purpose of this paper is to measure the influence of internal branding (IB) on customers-based brand equity (CBBE) and the mediating effect of organizational loyalty (OL) between two retail store chains of an under developing country (e.g. Pakistan).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on primary data. Data were collected from frontline officers and customers of selected retail stores. Descriptive analysis, mediation analysis and independent samplet-test data analysis techniques were applied through smart PLS and SPSS.

Findings

The results of the study revealed that IB influences OL and CBBE. The outcomes showed the mediation effect of OL on the relationship between IB and CBBE partially. Furthermore, results of this papers also disclosed a difference in the levels of IB and OL in both organizations. But, there was no difference in the level of brand equity among customers of both retail stores.

Practical implications

The retail store sector is growing at fast pace with new innovations in all dimensions of the sector. These results could help the retail industry with empirical pieces of evidence to implement IB in their organizations to make the strong relationship between store and customer through efficient and well-trained frontline officers.

Originality/value

The study’s noteworthy contribution to the industry and academic world is the empirical support for the relationship between IB and CBBE. This study has explored the IB in the service sector (i.e. the retail store) from the non-western and under developing context.
Mobile learning analytics in higher education: usability testing and evaluation of an app prototype
Authors: Kuhnel Matthias , Seiler Luisa , Honal Andrea , Ifenthaler Dirk
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to test the usability of the MyLA app prototype by its potential users. Furthermore, the Web app will be introduced in the framework of “Mobile Learning Analytics”, a cooperation project between the Cooperative State University Mannheim and University of Mannheim. The participating universities focus on the support of personalized and self-regulated learning. MyLA collects data such as learning behavior, as well as personality traits. Last but not least, the paper will contribute to the topic of learning analytics and mobile learning in higher education.

Design/methodology

For the empirical investigation, a mixed-method design was chosen. While 105 participants took part in the conducted online survey, after testing the app prototype, seven students joined an additional eye tracking study. For the quantitative part, a selected question pool from HIMATT (highly integrated model assessment technology and tools) instrument was chosen. The eye tracking investigation consisted of three tasks the participants had to solve.

Findings

The findings showed that the students assessed the idea of the app, as well as the navigation positively. Only the color scheme of the prototype was not very attractive to a noticeable amount of the participants. So, it requires slight modifications concerning the app design. For the eye tracking study, it can be stated that the students viewed the relevant parts, and they basically had no difficulties to solve the tasks.

Originality/value

Due to the empirical testing of the app prototype, the project team was able to adjust the application and to add further features. Furthermore, the backend was programmed and an additional tool (MyLA dashboard) was developed for lecturers. A mutual understanding of the targets, privacy issue and relevant features are indispensable for further development of the project.