bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Responses of RPC-Filled Steel Tubular Columns Post Fire Under Blast Loading
Authors: Wang Jinghai , Chen Wanxiang , Guo Zhikun , Liang Wenguang
Published: May 2016

Blast-resistant capacities of 4 large scale circular Reactive Powder Concrete Filled Steel Tubular (RPC-FST) columns after exposure to fire are experimentally examined. The overpressures of shock wave, the deflections and strains of RPC-FST column specimens are recorded by advanced gauges. The influences of fire durations and scaled standoff distances of explosive charge on the dynamic behaviors and failure modes are discussed. It is shown that the RPC-FST columns remain excellent blast-resistant capacities after exposure to fire. RPC core column can be effectively confined by steel tube, but the blast-resistant capacities of RPC-FST columns are decreased as explosive charge or fire duration increased. The failure modes are transited from bending types to bending-shear types as explosive charge increased, and an obvious plastic hinge at mid-span section can be observed in the RPC-FST column with fire duration of 105min. It is also indicated that the maximum displacements of RPC-FST columns are more sensitive to fire duration than to explosive charge weight.
Corrigendum: Radenovic L, Selakovic V, Andjus P.R. Neuroprotection by MK-801 following cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils. Arch Biol Sci. 2008;60(3):341-346. DOI: 10.2298/ABS0803341R
Authors: Editorial E
Published: May 2016

The corresponding author has informed the Editor-in-Chief that Fig. 2 in the
article: Neuroprotection by MK-801 following cerebral ischemia in Mongolian
gerbils, published in the Archives of Biological Sciences in 2008, Vol. 60,
Issue 3, is incorrect due to submission of wrong figure.

 Link to the corrected article 10.2298/ABS0803341R
Determinants of job satisfaction of healthcare professionals in public hospitals in Belgrade, Serbia - cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Kuburovic Nina , Dedic Velimir , Djuricic Slavisa , Kuburovic Vladimir
Published: May 2016

Introduction. The quality of health care significantly depends on the
satisfaction of the employees. Objective. The objective of this study was to
establish the level of professional satisfaction of healthcare professionals
in state hospitals in Belgrade, Serbia, and to determine and to rank the
factors which impact on their satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Method.
Professional satisfaction survey was designed and conducted as a
cross-sectional study in 2008. Completed questionnaires were returned by
6,595 healthcare professionals from Belgrade?s hospitals. Statistical
analysis was performed using the Student?s t-test, ?2 test and ANOVA. Factor
analysis was applied in order to define determinants of professional
satisfaction, i.e. dissatisfaction. Results. This study showed that the
degree of professional satisfaction of Serbian healthcare professionals was
low. The main causes of professionals? dissatisfaction were wages, equipment,
the possibility of continuous medical education/training and the
opportunities for professional development. Healthcare professionals with
university education were more satisfied with all the individual aspects of
job satisfaction than those with secondary school and college education.
Conclusion. There were significantly more healthcare professionals satisfied
with their job among males, older than 60 years, in the age group 50-59
years, with managerial function, and with 30 or more years of service.
Development strategy of human resources in the Serbian health care system
would significantly improve the professional satisfaction and quality of the
provided health care.
Challenges in interpretation of thyroid hormone test results
Authors: Lalic Tijana , Beleslin Biljana , Savic Slavica , Stojkovic Mirjana , Ciric Jasmina , Zarkovic Milos
Published: May 2016

Introduction. In interpreting thyroid hormones results it is preferable to
think of interference and changes in concentration of their carrier proteins.
Outline of Cases. We present two patients with discrepancy between the
results of thyroid function tests and clinical status. The first case
presents a 62-year-old patient with a nodular goiter and Hashimoto
thyroiditis. Thyroid function test showed low thyroid-stimulating hormone
(TSH) and normal to low fT4. By determining thyroid status (?SH, T4, fT4, T3,
fT3) in two laboratories, basal and after dilution, as well as
thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), it was concluded that the thyroid hormone
levels were normal. The results were influenced by heterophile antibodies
leading to a false lower TSH level and suspected secondary hypothyroidism.
The second case, a 40-year-old patient, was examined and followed because of
the variable size thyroid nodule and initially borderline elevated TSH, after
which thyroid status showed low level of total thyroid hormones and normal
TSH. Based on additional analysis it was concluded that low T4 and T3 were a
result of low TBG. It is a hereditary genetic disorder with no clinical
significance. Conclusion. Erroneous diagnosis of thyroid disorders and
potentially harmful treatment could be avoided by proving the interference or
TBG deficiency whenever there is a discrepancy between the thyroid function
results and the clinical picture.
4E-BP2/SH2B1/IRS2 Are Part of a Novel Feedback Loop That Controls β-Cell Mass
Authors: Blandino-Rosano Manuel , Scheys Joshua O. , Jimenez-Palomares Margarita , Barbaresso Rebecca , Bender Aaron S. , Yanagiya Akiko , Liu Ming , Rui Liangyou , Sonenberg Nahum , Bernal-Mizrachi Ernesto
Published: May 2016

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) regulates several biological processes, although the key downstream mechanisms responsible for these effects are poorly defined. Using mice with deletion of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 2 (4E-BP2), we determine that this downstream target is a major regulator of glucose homeostasis and β-cell mass, proliferation, and survival by increasing insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) levels and identify a novel feedback mechanism by which mTORC1 signaling increases IRS2 levels. In this feedback loop, we show that 4E-BP2 deletion induces translation of the adaptor protein SH2B1 and promotes the formation of a complex with IRS2 and Janus kinase 2, preventing IRS2 ubiquitination. The changes in IRS2 levels result in increases in cell cycle progression, cell survival, and β-cell mass by increasing Akt signaling and reducing p27 levels. Importantly, 4E-BP2 deletion confers resistance to cytokine treatment in vitro. Our data identify SH2B1 as a major regulator of IRS2 stability, demonstrate a novel feedback mechanism linking mTORC1 signaling with IRS2, and identify 4E-BP2 as a major regulator of proliferation and survival of β-cells.
Deficiency of Nuclear Factor-κB c-Rel Accelerates the Development of Autoimmune Diabetes in NOD Mice
Authors: Ramakrishnan Parameswaran , Yui Mary A. , Tomalka Jeffrey A. , Majumdar Devdoot , Parameswaran Reshmi , Baltimore David
Published: May 2016

The nuclear factor-κB protein c-Rel plays a critical role in controlling autoimmunity. c-Rel–deficient mice are resistant to streptozotocin-induced diabetes, a drug-induced model of autoimmune diabetes. We generated c-Rel–deficient NOD mice to examine the role of c-Rel in the development of spontaneous autoimmune diabetes. We found that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from c-Rel–deficient NOD mice showed significantly decreased T-cell receptor–induced IL-2, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF expression. Despite compromised T-cell function, c-Rel deficiency dramatically accelerated insulitis and hyperglycemia in NOD mice along with a substantial reduction in T-regulatory (Treg) cell numbers. Supplementation of isogenic c-Rel–competent Treg cells from prediabetic NOD mice reversed the accelerated diabetes development in c-Rel–deficient NOD mice. The results suggest that c-Rel–dependent Treg cell function is critical in suppressing early-onset autoimmune diabetogenesis in NOD mice. This study provides a novel natural system to study autoimmune diabetes pathogenesis and reveals a previously unknown c-Rel–dependent mechanistic difference between chemically induced and spontaneous diabetogenesis. The study also reveals a unique protective role of c-Rel in autoimmune diabetes, which is distinct from other T-cell–dependent autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, where c-Rel promotes autoimmunity.
Overexpressing IRS1 in Endothelial Cells Enhances Angioblast Differentiation and Wound Healing in Diabetes and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Katagiri Sayaka , Park Kyoungmin , Maeda Yasutaka , Rao Tata Nageswara , Khamaisi Mogher , Li Qian , Yokomizo Hisashi , Mima Akira , Lancerotto Luca , Wagers Amy , Orgill Dennis P. , King George L.
Published: May 2016

The effect of enhancing insulin’s actions in endothelial cells (ECs) to improve angiogenesis and wound healing was studied in obesity and diabetes. Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) was overexpressed in ECs using the VE-cadherin promoter to create ECIRS1 TG mice, which elevated pAkt activation and expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Flk1, and VE-cadherin in ECs and granulation tissues (GTs) of full-thickness wounds. Open wound and epithelialization rates and angiogenesis significantly improved in normal mice and high fat (HF) diet–induced diabetic mice with hyperinsulinemia in ECIRS1 TG versus wild type (WT), but not in insulin-deficient diabetic mice. Increased angioblasts and EC numbers in GT of ECIRS1 mice were due to proliferation in situ rather than uptake. GT in HF-fed diabetic mice exhibited parallel decreases in insulin and VEGF-induced pAkt and EC numbers by >50% without changes in angioblasts versus WT mice, which were improved in ECIRS1 TG mice on normal chow or HF diet. Thus, HF-induced diabetes impaired angiogenesis by inhibiting insulin signaling in GT to decrease the differentiation of angioblasts to EC, which was normalized by enhancing insulin’s action targeted to EC, a potential target to improve wound healing in diabetes and obesity.
Connections Between the Gut Microbiome and Metabolic Hormones in Early Pregnancy in Overweight and Obese Women
Authors: Gomez-Arango Luisa F. , Barrett Helen L. , McIntyre H. David , Callaway Leonie K. , Morrison Mark , Dekker Nitert Marloes
Published: May 2016

Overweight and obese women are at a higher risk for gestational diabetes mellitus. The gut microbiome could modulate metabolic health and may affect insulin resistance and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to reveal relationships between gut microbiome composition and circulating metabolic hormones in overweight and obese pregnant women at 16 weeks' gestation. Fecal microbiota profiles from overweight (n = 29) and obese (n = 41) pregnant women were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Fasting metabolic hormone (insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, incretin, and adipokine) concentrations were measured using multiplex ELISA. Metabolic hormone levels as well as microbiome profiles differed between overweight and obese women. Furthermore, changes in some metabolic hormone levels were correlated with alterations in the relative abundance of specific microbes. Adipokine levels were strongly correlated with Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae, which are dominant families in energy metabolism. Insulin was positively correlated with the genus Collinsella. Gastrointestinal polypeptide was positively correlated with the genus Coprococcus but negatively with family Ruminococcaceae. This study shows novel relationships between gut microbiome composition and the metabolic hormonal environment in overweight and obese pregnant women at 16 weeks' gestation. These results suggest that manipulation of the gut microbiome composition may influence pregnancy metabolism.
Age inM. Butterfly: Unquestioned Performance
Authors: Lipscomb Valerie Barnes
Published: May 2016

Criticism of the memory play has not addressed the performance of age, even when thoroughly interrogating other identity discourses. David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly (1988) is a case in point: scholars have examined issues of performing gender, race, sexual orientation, and culture, but not age. As the play exposes the protagonist’s inadequate understanding of gender and ethnicity, it leaves unquestioned his representation of an ageless, essential self during action that spans more than forty years. This article contends that M. Butterfly nevertheless stages the tensions between chronological age, physiological age, and the cultural construction of age, providing an opportunity to transform the binary of youth and age into a performance continuum. There is much to be celebrated in the potential complexity of age depiction in Hwang’s play, but also much to criticize in how often that potential remains unrealized, both in textual choices and in production.
Frequency Dependence of Electrical Parameters of an Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Composite Based Humidity Sensor
Authors: Akram Rizwan
Published: May 2016

The present study highlights the interdependence of ambient humidity levels on the electrical parameters of organic-inorganic hybrid composite based humidity sensor at varied AC frequencies of input signal. Starting from the bottom, the layer stack of the fabricated humidity sensor was 200-nm silver (Ag) thin film and 4 μm spun-coated PEPC+NiPC+Cu2O active layer. Silver thin films were deposited by thermal evaporator on well cleaned microscopic glass slides, which served as a substrate. Conventional optical lithography procedure was adapted to define pairs of silver-silver surface electrodes with two sorts of configurations, i.e., interdigitated and rectangular. Humidity-sensitive layers of organic-inorganic composite were then spun-cast upon the channel between the silver electrodes. The changes in relative humidity levels induced variation in capacitance and impedance of the sensors. These variations in electrical parameters of sensors were also found to be highly dependent upon frequency of input AC signal. Our findings reveal that the organic-inorganic composite shows higher humidity sensitivity at smaller orders of frequency. This finding is in accordance with the established fact that organic semiconductors-based devices are not applicable for high frequency applications due to their lower charge carrier mobility values. Two distinct geometries of semiconducting medium between the silver electrodes were investigated to optimize the sensing parameters of the humidity sensor. Furthermore, the effect of temperature change on the resistance of organic composite has also been studied.
Geographic Clustering of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Metropolitan Centres in France and Australia
Authors: Paquet Catherine , Chaix Basile , Howard Natasha , Coffee Neil , Adams Robert , Taylor Anne , Thomas Frédérique , Daniel Mark
Published: May 2016

Understanding how health outcomes are spatially distributed represents a first step in investigating the scale and nature of environmental influences on health and has important implications for statistical power and analytic efficiency. Using Australian and French cohort data, this study aimed to describe and compare the extent of geographic variation, and the implications for analytic efficiency, across geographic units, countries and a range of cardiometabolic parameters (Body Mass Index (BMI) waist circumference, blood pressure, resting heart rate, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, HbA1c). Geographic clustering was assessed using Intra-Class Correlation (ICC) coefficients in biomedical cohorts from Adelaide (Australia, n = 3893) and Paris (France, n = 6430) for eight geographic administrative units. The median ICC was 0.01 suggesting 1% of risk factor variance attributable to variation between geographic units. Clustering differed by cardiometabolic parameters, administrative units and countries and was greatest for BMI and resting heart rate in the French sample, HbA1c in the Australian sample, and for smaller geographic units. Analytic inefficiency due to clustering was greatest for geographic units in which participants were nested in fewer, larger geographic units. Differences observed in geographic clustering across risk factors have implications for choice of geographic unit in sampling and analysis, and highlight potential cross-country differences in the distribution, or role, of environmental features related to cardiometabolic health.
Association of Children’s Urinary CC16 Levels with Arsenic Concentrations in Multiple Environmental Media
Authors: Beamer Paloma , Klimecki Walter , Loh Miranda , Van Horne Yoshira , Sugeng Anastasia , Lothrop Nathan , Billheimer Dean , Guerra Stefano , Lantz Robert , Canales Robert , Martinez Fernando
Published: May 2016

Arsenic exposure has been associated with decreased club cell secretory protein (CC16) levels in adults. Further, both arsenic exposure and decreased levels of CC16 in childhood have been associated with decreased adult lung function. Our objective was to determine if urinary CC16 levels in children are associated with arsenic concentrations in environmental media collected from their homes. Yard soil, house dust, and tap water were taken from 34 homes. Urine and toenail samples were collected from 68 children. All concentrations were natural log-transformed prior to data analysis. There were associations between urinary CC16 and arsenic concentration in soil (b = −0.43, p = 0.001, R2 = 0.08), water (b = −0.22, p = 0.07, R2 = 0.03), house dust (b = −0.37, p = 0.07, R2 = 0.04), and dust loading (b = −0.21, p = 0.04, R2 = 0.04). In multiple analyses, only the concentration of arsenic in soil was associated with urinary CC16 levels (b = −0.42, p = 0.02, R2 = 0.14 (full model)) after accounting for other factors. The association between urinary CC16 and soil arsenic may suggest that localized arsenic exposure in the lungs could damage the airway epithelium and predispose children for diminished lung function. Future work to assess this possible mechanism should examine potential associations between airborne arsenic exposures, CC16 levels, lung function, and other possible confounders in children in arsenic-impacted communities.
Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: Nature Provides Templates for the Design of Novel Compounds against Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Falanga Annarita , Lombardi Lucia , Franci Gianluigi , Vitiello Mariateresa , Iovene Maria , Morelli Giancarlo , Galdiero Massimiliano , Galdiero Stefania
Published: May 2016

The discovery of antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections brought the idea that bacteria would no longer endanger human health. However, bacterial diseases still represent a worldwide treat. The ability of microorganisms to develop resistance, together with the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, is mainly responsible for this situation; thus, resistance has compelled the scientific community to search for novel therapeutics. In this scenario, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) provide a promising strategy against a wide array of pathogenic microorganisms, being able to act directly as antimicrobial agents but also being important regulators of the innate immune system. This review is an attempt to explore marine AMPs as a rich source of molecules with antimicrobial activity. In fact, the sea is poorly explored in terms of AMPs, but it represents a resource with plentiful antibacterial agents performing their role in a harsh environment. For the application of AMPs in the medical field limitations correlated to their peptide nature, their inactivation by environmental pH, presence of salts, proteases, or other components have to be solved. Thus, these peptides may act as templates for the design of more potent and less toxic compounds.
Functions of miRNAs during Mammalian Heart Development
Authors: Yan Shun , Jiao Kai
Published: May 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles during mammalian heart development and have emerged as attractive therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases. The mammalian embryonic heart is mainly derived from four major cell types during development. These include cardiomyocytes, endocardial cells, epicardial cells, and neural crest cells. Recent data have identified various miRNAs as critical regulators of the proper differentiation, proliferation, and survival of these cell types. In this review, we briefly introduce the contemporary understanding of mammalian cardiac development. We also focus on recent developments in the field of cardiac miRNAs and their functions during the development of different cell types.
Variability in Immunohistochemical Detection of Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) in Cancer Tissue Types
Authors: Scognamiglio Giosuè , De Chiara Anna , Di Bonito Maurizio , Tatangelo Fabiana , Losito Nunzia , Anniciello Annamaria , De Cecio Rossella , D’Alterio Crescenzo , Scala Stefania , Cantile Monica , Botti Gerardo
Published: May 2016

In normal cell physiology, programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand, PD-L1, play an immunoregulatory role in T-cell activation, tolerance, and immune-mediated tissue damage. The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway also plays a critical role in immune escape of tumor cells and has been demonstrated to correlate with a poor prognosis of patients with several types of cancer. However, recent reports have revealed that the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of the PD-L1 in tumor cells is not uniform for the use of different antibodies clones, with variable specificity, often doubtful topographical localization, and with a score not uniquely defined. The purpose of this study was to analyze the IHC expression of PD-L1 on a large series of several human tumors to correctly define its staining in different tumor tissues.
Cold-Induced Browning Dynamically Alters the Expression Profiles of Inflammatory Adipokines with Tissue Specificity in Mice
Authors: Luo Xiao , Jia Ru , Zhang Qiangling , Sun Bo , Yan Jianqun
Published: May 2016

Cold exposure or β3-adrenoceptor agonist treatment induces the adipose tissues remodeling, relevant for beige adipogenesis within white adipose tissue (WAT). It remains unclear whether this process influences inflammatory adipokines expression in adipose tissues. We determine the temporal profile of cold or β3-adrenoceptor agonist (CL316,243)-induced changes in the expression of inflammatory adipokines in adipose tissues in mice or primary mice adipocytes. Male C57BL/6J mice at eight weeks old were exposed to 4 °C for 1–5 days. Interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT), inguinal subcutaneous WAT (sWAT) and epididymal WAT (eWAT) were harvested for gene and protein expression analysis. In addition, cultured primary mice brown adipocyte (BA) and white adipocyte (WA) treated with or without CL316,243 were harvested for gene expression analysis. The inflammatory adipokines expressed significantly higher in WAT than BAT at baseline. They were rapidly changed in iBAT, while down-regulated in sWAT and up-regulated in eWAT during the cold acclimation. Upon CL316,243 treatment, detected inflammatory adipokines except Leptin were transiently increased in both BA and WA. Our in vivo and in vitro data demonstrate that the browning process alters the inflammatory adipokines expression in adipose tissues, which is acutely responded to in iBAT, dynamically decreased in sWAT whilst increased in eWAT for compensation.
Prodrug Strategies for Paclitaxel
Authors: Meng Ziyuan , Lv Quanxia , Lu Jun , Yao Houzong , Lv Xiaoqing , Jiang Feng , Lu Aiping , Zhang Ge
Published: May 2016

Paclitaxel is an anti-tumor agent with remarkable anti-tumor activity and wide clinical uses. However, it is also faced with various challenges especially for its poor water solubility and low selectivity for the target. To overcome these disadvantages of paclitaxel, approaches using small molecule modifications and macromolecule modifications have been developed by many research groups from all over the world. In this review, we discuss the different strategies especially prodrug strategies that are currently used to make paclitaxel more effective.
Preemptive Therapy for Cryptococcal Meningitis: A Valid Strategy for Latin America?
Authors: Vidal José
Published: May 2016

AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis continues to cause a substantial burden of death in low and middle income countries. Better diagnostics allow detection of cryptococcosis in the asymptomatic phase and using these technologies to screen at-risk persons would likely reduce mortality. The World Health Organization recommends cryptococcal antigen screening among populations with a prevalence of cryptococcal antigenaemia (CRAG) > 3%. There is scarce data about CRAG prevalence in Latin America. Four studies (only one published as a full text) showed asymptomatic CRAG prevalence between 2.7% and 6.2% in several sub-sets of HIV-infected patients. The CRAG lateral flow assay (LFA) has several advantages over other techniques for actual implementation of a screening program. Although more studies are necessary to confirm available data, implementation of the CRAG screening strategy seems to be opportune in Latin America.
Time Dependency of Chemodiversity and Biosynthetic Pathways: An LC-MS Metabolomic Study of Marine-Sourced Penicillium
Authors: Roullier Catherine , Bertrand Samuel , Blanchet Elodie , Peigné Mathilde , Robiou du Pont Thibaut , Guitton Yann , Pouchus Yves , Grovel Olivier
Published: May 2016

This work aimed at studying metabolome variations of marine fungal strains along their growth to highlight the importance of the parameter “time” for new natural products discovery. An untargeted time-scale metabolomic study has been performed on two different marine-derived Penicillium strains. They were cultivated for 18 days and their crude extracts were analyzed by HPLC-DAD-HRMS (High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry) each day. With the example of griseofulvin biosynthesis, a pathway shared by both strains, this work provides a new approach to study biosynthetic pathway regulations, which could be applied to other metabolites and more particularly new ones. Moreover, the results of this study emphasize the interest of such an approach for the discovery of new chemical entities. In particular, at every harvesting time, previously undetected features were observed in the LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) data. Therefore, harvesting times for metabolite extraction should be performed at different time points to access the hidden metabolome.
Astragalin, a Flavonoid from Morus alba (Mulberry) Increases Endogenous Estrogen and Progesterone by Inhibiting Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis in an Aged Rat Model of Menopause
Authors: Wei Min , Mahady Gail , Liu Daniel , Zheng Zhi , Lu Ye
Published: May 2016

Background: To determine the mechanism by which the flavonoid glycoside astragalin (AST) reduces ovarian failure in an aged rat model of menopause. Methods: The in vivo effect of AST on granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis in aged female rats was determined using flow cytometry. In vitro, the effects of AST on cultured GCs were investigated using the MTT proliferation assay and western blot assays. Results: Aged rats had significantly higher GC apoptosis as compared with young female rats. Treatment of aged rats with AST (all three doses; p < 0.01) or Progynova (p < 0.01) significantly reduced GC apoptosis as compared with the aged controls. The proportions of total apoptotic GCs was 25.70%, 86.65%, 47.04%, 27.02%, 42.09% and 56.42% in the normal, aged, 17β-estradiol (E2), high dose AST, medium dose AST, and low dose AST-treated groups, respectively. Significant increases of serum E2 and P4 levels, as well as altered levels of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. In cultured rat GCs, AST stimulated GC proliferation, E2 and progesterone (P4) secretion, reduced apoptosis, reduced the level of the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 (p < 0.01), but had no effect on BAX. Conclusions: AST enhanced ovarian function in aged female rats by increasing E2 and P4 levels, and reducing ovarian GC apoptosis via a mechanism involving Bcl-2. These data demonstrate a new pharmacological activity for AST, as well as a novel mechanism of action, and further suggest that AST may be a new therapeutic agent for the management of menopausal symptoms.
Impact of a High-Fat or High-Fiber Diet on Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolic Markers in a Pig Model
Authors: Heinritz Sonja , Weiss Eva , Eklund Meike , Aumiller Tobias , Heyer Charlotte , Messner Sabine , Rings Andreas , Louis Sandrine , Bischoff Stephan , Mosenthin Rainer
Published: May 2016

To further elaborate interactions between nutrition, gut microbiota and host health, an animal model to simulate changes in microbial composition and activity due to dietary changes similar to those in humans is needed. Therefore, the impact of two different diets on cecal and colonic microbial gene copies and metabolic activity, organ development and biochemical parameters in blood serum was investigated using a pig model. Four pigs were either fed a low-fat/high-fiber (LF), or a high-fat/low-fiber (HF) diet for seven weeks, with both diets being isocaloric. A hypotrophic effect of the HF diet on digestive organs could be observed compared to the LF diet (p < 0.05). Higher gene copy numbers of Bacteroides (p < 0.05) and Enterobacteriaceae (p < 0.001) were present in intestinal contents of HF pigs, bifidobacteria were more abundant in LF pigs (p < 0.05). Concentrations of acetate and butyrate were higher in LF pigs (p < 0.05). Glucose was higher in HF pigs, while glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) showed higher concentrations upon feeding the LF diet (p < 0.001). However, C-reactive protein (CRP) decreased with time in LF pigs (p < 0.05). In part, these findings correspond to those in humans, and are in support of the concept of using the pig as human model.
Domotics Project Housing Block
Authors: Morón Carlos , Payán Alejandro , García Alfonso , Bosquet Francisco
Published: May 2016

This document develops the study of an implementation project of a home automation system in a housing placed in the town of Galapagar, Madrid. This house, which is going to be occupied by a four-member family, consists of 67 constructed square meters distributed in lounge, kitchen, three bedrooms, bath, bathroom and terrace, this being a common arrangement in Spain. Thus, this study will allow extracting conclusions about the adequacy of the home automation in a wide percentage of housing in Spain. In this document, three house automation proposals are developed based on the requirements of the client and the different home automation levels that the Spanish House and Building Automation Association has established, besides two parallel proposals relating to the safety and the technical alarms. The mentioned proposed systems are described by means of product datasheets and descriptions, distribution plans, measurements, budgets and flow charts that describe the functioning of the system in every case. An evaluation of each system is included, based on other studies conclusions on this matter, where expected energy savings from each design, depending on the current cost of lighting, water and gas, as well as the expected economic amortization period is evaluated.
A Task-Centric Cooperative Sensing Scheme for Mobile Crowdsourcing Systems
Authors: Liu Ziwei , Niu Xiaoguang , Lin Xu , Huang Ting , Wu Yunlong , Li Hui
Published: May 2016

In a densely distributed mobile crowdsourcing system, data collected by neighboring participants often exhibit strong spatial correlations. By exploiting this property, one may employ a portion of the users as active participants and set the other users as idling ones without compromising the quality of sensing or the connectivity of the network. In this work, two participant selection questions are considered: (a) how to recruit an optimal number of users as active participants to guarantee that the overall sensing data integrity is kept above a preset threshold; and (b) how to recruit an optimal number of participants with some inaccurate data so that the fairness of selection and resource conservation can be achieved while maintaining sufficient sensing data integrity. For question (a), we propose a novel task-centric approach to explicitly exploit data correlation among participants. This subset selection problem is regarded as a constrained optimization problem and we propose an efficient polynomial time algorithm to solve it. For question (b), we formulate this set partitioning problem as a constrained min-max optimization problem. A solution using an improved version of the polynomial time algorithm is proposed based on (a). We validate these algorithms using a publicly available Intel-Berkeley lab sensing dataset and satisfactory performance is achieved.
Sleep Monitoring Based on a Tri-Axial Accelerometer and a Pressure Sensor
Authors: Nam Yunyoung , Kim Yeesock , Lee Jinseok
Published: May 2016

Sleep disorders are a common affliction for many people even though sleep is one of the most important factors in maintaining good physiological and emotional health. Numerous researchers have proposed various approaches to monitor sleep, such as polysomnography and actigraphy. However, such approaches are costly and often require overnight treatment in clinics. With this in mind, the research presented here has emerged from the question: “Can data be easily collected and analyzed without causing discomfort to patients?” Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide a novel monitoring system for quantifying sleep quality. The data acquisition system is equipped with multimodal sensors, including a three-axis accelerometer and a pressure sensor. To identify sleep quality based on measured data, a novel algorithm, which uses numerous physiological parameters, was proposed. Such parameters include non-REM sleep time, the number of apneic episodes, and sleep durations for dominant poses. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed system, three participants were enrolled in this experimental study for a duration of 20 days. From the experimental results, it can be seen that the proposed monitoring system is effective for quantifying sleep quality.
Deletion of A44L, A46R and C12L Vaccinia Virus Genes from the MVA Genome Improved the Vector Immunogenicity by Modifying the Innate Immune Response Generating Enhanced and Optimized Specific T-Cell Responses
Authors: Holgado María , Falivene Juliana , Maeto Cynthia , Amigo Micaela , Pascutti María , Vecchione María , Bruttomesso Andrea , Calamante Gabriela , Del Médico-Zajac María , Gherardi María
Published: May 2016

MVA is an attenuated vector that still retains immunomodulatory genes. We have previously reported its optimization after deleting the C12L gene, coding for the IL-18 binding-protein. Here, we analyzed the immunogenicity of MVA vectors harboring the simultaneous deletion of A44L, related to steroid synthesis and A46R, a TLR-signaling inhibitor (MVAΔA44L-A46R); or also including a deletion of C12L (MVAΔC12L/ΔA44L-A46R). The absence of biological activities of the deleted genes in the MVA vectors was demonstrated. Adaptive T-cell responses against VACV epitopes, evaluated in spleen and draining lymph-nodes of C57Bl/6 mice at acute/memory phases, were of higher magnitude in those animals that received deleted MVAs compared to MVAwt. MVAΔC12L/ΔA44L-A46R generated cellular specific memory responses of higher quality characterized by bifunctionality (CD107a/b+/IFN-γ+) and proliferation capacity. Deletion of selected genes from MVA generated innate immune responses with higher levels of determining cytokines related to T-cell response generation, such as IL-12, IFN-γ, as well as IL-1β and IFN-β. This study describes for the first time that simultaneous deletion of the A44L, A46R and C12L genes from MVA improved its immunogenicity by enhancing the host adaptive and innate immune responses, suggesting that this approach comprises an appropriate strategy to increase the MVA vaccine potential.
Experimental Infection of Calves by Two Genetically-Distinct Strains of Rift Valley Fever Virus
Authors: Wilson William , Davis A. , Gaudreault Natasha , Faburay Bonto , Trujillo Jessie , Shivanna Vinay , Sunwoo Sun , Balogh Aaron , Endalew Abaineh , Ma Wenjun , Drolet Barbara , Ruder Mark , Morozov Igor , McVey D. , Richt Juergen
Published: May 2016

Recent outbreaks of Rift Valley fever in ruminant livestock, characterized by mass abortion and high mortality rates in neonates, have raised international interest in improving vaccine control strategies. Previously, we developed a reliable challenge model for sheep that improves the evaluation of existing and novel vaccines in sheep. This sheep model demonstrated differences in the pathogenesis of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection between two genetically-distinct wild-type strains of the virus, Saudi Arabia 2001 (SA01) and Kenya 2006 (Ken06). Here, we evaluated the pathogenicity of these two RVFV strains in mixed breed beef calves. There was a transient increase in rectal temperatures with both virus strains, but this clinical sign was less consistent than previously reported with sheep. Three of the five Ken06-infected animals had an early-onset viremia, one day post-infection (dpi), with viremia lasting at least three days. The same number of SA01-infected animals developed viremia at 2 dpi, but it only persisted through 3 dpi in one animal. The average virus titer for the SA01-infected calves was 1.6 logs less than for the Ken06-infected calves. Calves, inoculated with either strain, seroconverted by 5 dpi and showed time-dependent increases in their virus-neutralizing antibody titers. Consistent with the results obtained in the previous sheep study, elevated liver enzyme levels, more severe liver pathology and higher virus titers occurred with the Ken06 strain as compared to the SA01 strain. These results demonstrate the establishment of a virulent challenge model for vaccine evaluation in calves.
Biological Characteristics of Experimental Genotype Mixtures of Cydia Pomonella Granulovirus (CpGV): Ability to Control Susceptible and Resistant Pest Populations
Authors: Graillot Benoit , Bayle Sandrine , Blachere-Lopez Christine , Besse Samantha , Siegwart Myriam , Lopez-Ferber Miguel
Published: May 2016

The detection of resistance in codling moth (Cydia pomonella) populations against the Mexican isolate of its granulovirus (CpGV-M), raised questions on the sustainability of the use of this biological insecticide. In resistant host cells, CpGV-M is not able to complete its replication cycle because replication is blocked at an early step. Virus isolates able to overcome this resistance have been characterized—among them, the CpGV-R5 isolate. In mixed infections on resistant insects, both CpGV-M and CpGV-R5 viruses replicate, while CpGV-M alone does not induce mortality. Genetically heterogeneous virus populations, containing 50% of each CpGV-M and CpGV-R5 appear to control resistant host populations as well as CpGV-R5 alone at the same final concentration, even if the concentration of CpGV-R5 is only half in the former. The use of mixed genotype virus preparations instead of genotypically homogeneous populations may constitute a better approach than traditional methods for the development of baculovirus-based biological insecticides.
Neural Stem Cells Derived from Human Parthenogenetic Stem Cells Engraft and Promote Recovery in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Gonzalez Rodolfo , Garitaonandia Ibon , Poustovoitov Maxim , Abramihina Tatiana , McEntire Caleb , Culp Ben , Attwood Jordan , Noskov Alexander , Christiansen-Weber Trudy , Khater Marwa , Mora-Castilla Sergio , To Cuong , Crain Andrew , Sherman Glenn , Semechkin Andrey , Laurent Louise C. , Elsworth John D. , Sladek John , Snyder Evan Y. , Redmond D. Eugene , Kern Russell A.
Published: May 2016

Cell therapy has attracted considerable interest as a promising therapeutic alternative for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Clinical studies have shown that grafted fetal neural tissue can achieve considerable biochemical and clinical improvements in PD. However, the source of fetal tissue grafts is limited and ethically controversial. Human parthenogenetic stem cells offer a good alternative because they are derived from unfertilized oocytes without destroying potentially viable human embryos and can be used to generate an unlimited supply of neural cells for transplantation. We have previously reported that human parthenogenetic stem cell-derived neural stem cells (hpNSCs) successfully engraft, survive long term, and increase brain dopamine (DA) levels in rodent and nonhuman primate models of PD. Here we report the results of a 12-month transplantation study of hpNSCs in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-lesioned African green monkeys with moderate to severe clinical parkinsonian symptoms. The hpNSCs manufactured under current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) conditions were injected bilaterally into the striatum and substantia nigra of immunosuppressed monkeys. Transplantation of hpNSCs was safe and well tolerated by the animals with no dyskinesia, tumors, ectopic tissue formation, or other test article-related serious adverse events. We observed that hpNSCs promoted behavioral recovery; increased striatal DA concentration, fiber innervation, and number of dopaminergic neurons; and induced the expression of genes and pathways downregulated in PD compared to vehicle control animals. These results provide further evidence for the clinical translation of hpNSCs and support the approval of the world's first pluripotent stem cell-based phase I/IIa study for the treatment of PD (Clinical Trial Identifier NCT02452723).
Les clusters au Maroc : vers l’émergence d’une nouvelle politique industrielle territoriale
Authors: Amine Rajae
Published: May 2016

Dans le contexte économique mondial actuel, les pays développés et ceux en voie de développement ont fait le pari des pôles et des agglomérations d’entreprises, afin de consolider la compétitivité des territoires et ainsi de l’économie nationale. S’inspirant des expériences internationales, le Maroc s’est investi dans le renforcement de la compétitivité territoriale, à travers des politiques volontaristes, afin de permettre l’éclosion d’une industrie forte en valeur ajoutée et l’ancrage d’une logique d’innovation et de compétitivité territoriale. Cet article se donne pour but, d’abord, de présenter l’évolution des agglomérations d’entreprises et leur rôle dans la valorisation des territoires à travers une revue de littérature. Il s’agit ensuite, de donner un aperçu de l’expérience marocaine dans le développement des clusters à travers des politiques économiques et industrielles, et conclure par une matrice SWOT synthétisant l’expérience marocaine. Classification JEL  : L520, L160, R580, R120.
Le droit européen des investissements et le devenir du traitement juste et équitable
Authors: Bencheneb Ali
Published: May 2016

Cet article, qui reprend une communication présentée lors d’un colloque sur la cohabitation des systèmes juridiques organisé en novembre 2015 par l’Université d’Alger, revient sur l’intégration des investissements dans la politique commerciale commune de l’Union européenne et ses conséquences à un moment où il devient clair que le droit des investissements est appelé à connaître une évolution singulière. Malgré une critique de l’arbitrage des investissements, il apparaît que l’encadrement juridique de la notion de traitement juste et équitable emprunte à la pratique arbitrale.
A Comparative Study Between Patient-Specific Instrumentation and Conventional Technique in TKA
Authors: Lee Seung-Hun , Song Eun-Kyoo , Seon Jong-Keun , Seol Young-Jun , Prakash Jatin , Lee Won-Gyun
Published: May 2016

Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) was developed to improve the accuracy of component positioning through custom cutting blocks constructed based on preoperative 3-dimensional imaging in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between the patients who underwent PSI-assisted TKA or conventional TKA. Sixty-four patients (64 knees) underwent TKA by a single surgeon: 32 patients (32 knees) underwent TKA with PSI, 32 patients (32 knees) underwent TKA with conventional instrumentation. The mean age of the patients was 67.6 years, and the mean follow-up duration is 26.2 months. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and after surgery. The current authors evaluated clinical outcomes including knee range of motion, Hospital for Special Survey scale, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, and Knee Society pain and function scores. The current authors also compared radiological outcomes including mechanical axis and coronal and sagittal alignment. The current authors found no significant differences in any clinical outcomes between the PSI-assisted TKA group and the conventional TKA group. In terms of radiological outcomes, the PSI-assisted TKA group had fewer alignment outliers. The current authors found that PSI-assisted TKA restores limb alignment better than conventional TKA, but PSI does not confer a substantial advantage in early functional outcomes after TKA. Further follow-up is needed to ascertain the long-term impact of these findings. [
Orthopedics
. 2016; 39(3):S83–S87.]
TKA for Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis Is More Complex and Needs More Surgical Resources
Authors: Dexel Julian , Beyer Franziska , Lützner Cornelia , Kleber Christian , Lützner Jörg
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical effort of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) compared with primary osteoarthritis (OA). A total of 1841 TKAs were analyzed, including 170 patients with PTOA, that resulted from soft tissue trauma in 83 patients and fractures in 87 patients. Results showed that patients were significantly younger at the time of surgery in the posttraumatic group (62 vs 71 years;
P
<.001). Furthermore, fracture was associated with 3.7 years earlier need of TKA compared with soft tissue trauma. Operation time was significantly longer for both of the posttraumatic groups compared with OA (
P
<.001). Patients undergoing TKA after knee injuries are younger and surgical treatment is more challenging compared with TKA for OA. Extended operation time and implant systems with higher constraint and modular options are required. [
Orthopedics
. 2016; 39(3):S36–S40.]
Midshaft Clavicle Fractures: A Critical Review
Authors: Burnham Jeremy M. , Kim Daniel C. , Kamineni Srinath
Published: May 2016

The clavicle is the most commonly broken bone in the human body, accounting for up to 5% to 10% of all fractures seen in hospital emergency admissions. Fractures of the middle third, or midshaft, are the most common, accounting for up to 80% of all clavicle fractures. Traditional treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures is usually nonoperative management, using a sling or figure-of-eight bandage. The majority of adults treated nonoperatively for midshaft clavicle fractures will heal completely. However, newer studies have shown that malunion, pain, and deformity rates may be higher than previously reported with traditional management. Recent evidence demonstrates that operative treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures can result in better functional results and patient satisfaction than nonoperative treatment in patients meeting certain criteria. This article provides a review of relevant anatomy, classification systems, and injury mechanisms for midshaft clavicle fractures, as well as a comparison of various treatment options. [
Orthopedics.
2016; 39(5):e814–e821.]