bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upstream regulation for initiation of restricted Shh expression in the chick limb bud
Authors: Matsubara Haruka , Saito Daisuke , Abe Gembu , Yokoyama Hitoshi , Suzuki Takayuki , Tamura Koji
Published: February 2017

Background: The organizing center, which serves as a morphogen source, has crucial functions in morphogenesis in animal development. The center is necessarily located in a certain restricted area in the morphogenetic field, and there are several ways in which an organizing center can be restricted. The organizing center for limb morphogenesis, the ZPA (zone of polarizing activity), specifically expresses the Shh gene and is restricted to the posterior region of the developing limb bud. Results: The pre‐pattern along the limb anteroposterior axis, provided by anterior Gli3 expression and posterior Hand2 expression, seems insufficient for the initiation of Shh expression restricted to a narrow, small spot in the posterior limb field. Comparison of the spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression between Shh and some candidate genes (Fgf8, Hoxd10, Hoxd11, Tbx2, and Alx4) upstream of Shh expression suggested that a combination of these genes' expression provides the restricted initiation of Shh expression. Conclusions: Taken together with results of functional assays, we propose a model in which positive and negative transcriptional regulatory networks accumulate their functions in the intersection area of their expression regions to provide a restricted spot for the ZPA, the source of morphogen, Shh. Developmental Dynamics 246:417–430, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Psychometric evaluation of the youth eating disorder examination questionnaire in children with overweight or obesity
Authors: Kass Andrea E. , Theim Hurst Kelly , Kolko Rachel P. , Ruzicka Elizabeth B. , Stein Richard I. , Saelens Brian E. , Welch R. Robinson , Perri Michael G. , Schechtman Kenneth B. , Epstein Leonard H. , Wilfley Denise E.
Published: February 2017

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Youth Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (YEDE‐Q) and its utility for detecting loss of control (LOC) eating (i.e., eating episodes, regardless of size, involving a perceived inability to control what or how much one is eating) among school‐age children with overweight or obesity. Identifying eating pathology, particularly LOC eating, in this population may facilitate treatment that improves weight outcomes and reduces eating disorder risk. Children with overweight or obesity (N = 241; 7–11 years) completed the YEDE‐Q and abbreviated Child EDE (ChEDE) to assess LOC eating, prior to entering a weight management treatment trial. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were conducted on children's YEDE‐Q responses and compared to the standard adult EDE‐Q factor structure and newer, alternate factor structures. CFA supported a three‐factor structure, which distinguished youth with versus without LOC. The YEDE‐Q showed low accuracy for detecting LOC eating as measured by the ChEDE, which served as the gold‐standard benchmark (AUC = 0.69). Among children who endorsed LOC eating, more episodes per month were reported on the YEDE‐Q than ChEDE (p < .001). The YEDE‐Q may not have utility as a screener for identifying true cases of LOC eating among school‐age children with overweight or obesity. Further evaluation of the YEDE‐Q and the alternate three‐factor structure is warranted.
When perception reflects reality: Non‐native grass invasion alters small mammal risk landscapes and survival
Authors: Ceradini Joseph P. , Chalfoun Anna D.
Published: February 2017

Modification of habitat structure due to invasive plants can alter the risk landscape for wildlife by, for example, changing the quality or availability of refuge habitat. Whether perceived risk corresponds with actual fitness outcomes, however, remains an important open question. We simultaneously measured how habitat changes due to a common invasive grass (cheatgrass, Bromus tectorum) affected the perceived risk, habitat selection, and apparent survival of a small mammal, enabling us to assess how well perceived risk influenced important behaviors and reflected actual risk. We measured perceived risk by nocturnal rodents using a giving‐up density foraging experiment with paired shrub (safe) and open (risky) foraging trays in cheatgrass and native habitats. We also evaluated microhabitat selection across a cheatgrass gradient as an additional assay of perceived risk and behavioral responses for deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) at two spatial scales of habitat availability. Finally, we used mark‐recapture analysis to quantify deer mouse apparent survival across a cheatgrass gradient while accounting for detection probability and other habitat features. In the foraging experiment, shrubs were more important as protective cover in cheatgrass‐dominated habitats, suggesting that cheatgrass increased perceived predation risk. Additionally, deer mice avoided cheatgrass and selected shrubs, and marginally avoided native grass, at two spatial scales. Deer mouse apparent survival varied with a cheatgrass–shrub interaction, corresponding with our foraging experiment results, and providing a rare example of a native plant mediating the effects of an invasive plant on wildlife. By synthesizing the results of three individual lines of evidence (foraging behavior, habitat selection, and apparent survival), we provide a rare example of linkage between behavioral responses of animals indicative of perceived predation risk and actual fitness outcomes. Moreover, our results suggest that exotic grass invasions can influence wildlife populations by altering risk landscapes and survival.
How the evaporation of dry dune grasslands evolves during the concerted succession of soil and vegetation
Authors: Voortman B.R. , Fujita Y. , Bartholomeus R.P. , Aggenbach C.J.S. , Witte J.P.M.
Published: February 2017

Sustainable water and vegetation management of coastal dunes requires fundamental knowledge of how interactions between soil, water, and vegetation evolve during succession. Therefore, we quantified the effect of succession on evaporation in dry dune grasslands of the Netherlands. On the basis of vegetation and soil records, we simulated the evaporation rate of vegetation plots that differed in successional stage, slope angle and slope orientation. Starting from bare sand, average yearly evaporation increased with 94 mm in a period of 52 to 76 years of soil and vegetation succession. The increase in evaporation was for the greater part caused by soil development (an increase of the water holding capacity) and the lesser part by an increase in vascular plant cover. In an early successional stage, ground layer evaporation could be both higher and lower compared to bare soil evaporation, depending on the moss species. At a later successional stage, moss species primarily decreased ground layer evaporation and facilitated vascular plants. Despite clear differences in slope angle and slope orientation, the simulated actual evaporation rate was not significantly correlated to the incoming solar radiation because the vascular plant cover and soil water holding capacity decreased with incoming solar radiation. These results show that biotic processes can eliminate the effects of micrometeorological differences on evaporation. On the basis of our findings, we hypothesize that vegetation shifts towards more moss‐ and lichen‐dominated vegetation could mitigate the adverse effects of climate change (e.g., drier summers) on water resources.
ZnS:Cu Phosphor Layers as Energy Conversion Materials for Nuclear Batteries: A Combined Theoretical and Experimental Study of Their Geometric Structure
Authors: Xu Zhiheng , Tang Xiaobin , Liu Yunpeng , Zhang Zhengrong , Chen Wang , Yuan Zicheng , Liu Kai
Published: February 2017

The feasibility of utilizing the method of phosphor layer structure optimization to improve the performance of beta‐radioluminescent nuclear batteries is investigated. The designs of different V‐groove structures and conventional planar structures of ZnS:Cu phosphor layers are discussed. Monte Carlo simulations have been used to analysis the transportation of beta‐particles released from the 63Ni and 147Pm plate sources, along with the corresponding energy deposition in the phosphor layers. Radioluminescence properties are characterized and the influence of configuration parameters on the luminescence intensity and emission wavelength is revealed. The current–voltage characteristic curves of beta‐radioluminescent nuclear batteries with the above phosphor layer structures are used to analyze the electrical properties. Additionally, the deposited energy in the phosphors and radioluminescence luminous flux as a linear function of the maximum output power are investigated for different combinations of those phosphor layers and beta sources.
A new smooth hysteretic model for ductile flexural‐dominated reinforced concrete bridge columns
Authors: Wang Ping‐Hsiung , Ou Yu‐Chen , Chang Kuo‐Chun
Published: February 2017

A new smooth hysteretic model is proposed for ductile, flexural‐dominated reinforced concrete bridge columns. Four columns designed per modern seismic codes were tested using monotonically increasing and variable‐amplitude cyclic loading protocols and ground motion loading to develop the model. Based on the test results, hysteretic rules for damage accumulation and path dependence of reloading were constructed. For damage accumulation, unloading stiffness degradation is correlated with the maximum displacement and hysteretic energy dissipation, while reloading stiffness degradation is set equal to the unloading stiffness degradation. Pinching severity is related to the residual displacement in the direction opposite to the loading direction. Strength deterioration is correlated with the damage index and does not occur until the damage index reaches a threshold, after which the deterioration is proportional to the increase of the damage index. For path dependence of reloading, reloading paths are classified into primary paths and associate paths. The primary paths are those that start from a residual displacement that is equal to or larger than the previous maximum one. The associate paths are those that do not belong to primary paths and tend to be directed towards certain points. Reloading without load reversal is assumed to be linear. Comparison with the results of pseudo‐dynamic tests using three consecutive ground motions showed that the proposed model closely matched the test results. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A two‐step system for direct bank telemarketing outcome classification
Authors: Lahmiri Salim
Published: February 2017

A two‐step system is presented to improve prediction of telemarketing outcomes and to help the marketing management team effectively manage customer relationships in the banking industry. In the first step, several neural networks are trained with different categories of information to make initial predictions. In the second step, all initial predictions are combined by a single neural network to make a final prediction. Particle swarm optimization is employed to optimize the initial weights of each neural network in the ensemble system. Empirical results indicate that the two‐step system presented performs better than all its individual components. In addition, the two‐step system outperforms a baseline one where all categories of marketing information are used to train a single neural network. As a neural networks ensemble model, the proposed two‐step system is robust to noisy and nonlinear data, easy to interpret, suitable for large and heterogeneous marketing databases, fast and easy to implement.
Status of internal quality control for thyroid hormones immunoassays from 2011 to 2016 in China
Authors: Zhang Shishi , Wang Wei , Zhao Haijian , He Falin , Zhong Kun , Yuan Shuai , Wang Zhiguo
Published: February 2017

Background

Internal quality control (IQC) plays a key role in the evaluation of precision performance in clinical laboratories. This report aims to present precision status of thyroid hormones immunoassays from 2011 to 2016 in China.

Methods

Through Clinet‐EQA reporting system, IQC information of Triiodothyronine and Thyroxine in the form of free and total (FT3, TT3, FT4, TT4), as well as Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) were collected from participant laboratories submitting IQC data in February, 2011‐2016. For each analyte, current CVs were compared among different years and measurement systems. Percentages of laboratories meeting five allowable imprecision specifications (pass rates) were also calculated. Analysis of IQC practice was conducted to constitute a complete report.

Results

Current CVs were decreasing significantly but pass rates increasing only for FT3 during 6 years. FT3, TT3, FT4, and TT4 had the highest pass rates comparing with 1/3TEa imprecision specification but TSH had this comparing with minimum imprecision specification derived from biological variation. Constituent ratios of four mainstream measurement systems changed insignificantly. In 2016, precision performance of Abbott and Roche systems were better than Beckman and Siemens systems for all analytes except FT3 had Siemens also better than Beckman. Analysis of IQC practice demonstrated wide variation and great progress in aspects of IQC rules and control frequency.

Conclusion

With change of IQC practice, only FT3 had precision performance improved in 6 years. However, precision status of five analytes in China was still unsatisfying. Ongoing investigation and improvement of IQC have yet to be achieved.
Comparison of AdvanSure HPV GenoBlot and Hybrid Capture 2 assays for detection of HPV infection
Authors: Ko Kiwoong , Yu Shinae , Kwon Min‐Jung , Lee Eun Hee , Woo Hee‐Yeon , Park Hyosoon
Published: February 2017

Background

We sought to compare the performance of the AdvanSure assay to the Hybrid Capture (HC) 2 for the detection of high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR HPV).

Methods

A total of 855 cervical swab specimens were obtained. We submitted all specimens for HR HPV detection with HC2 and the AdvanSure assay. We subsequently analyzed discordant results and specimens that were positive on both assays using restriction fragment mass polymorphism (RFMP) genotyping analysis.

Results

HC2 yielded positive results in 12.0% of specimens, while the AdvanSure assay detected one of 13 HR HPV types in 11.5% of specimens. The overall agreement rate between the assays was 98.5% with a kappa coefficient of 0.928. Discordant results between these two assays were observed in 12 cases, seven were positive only on HC2 and five were positive only on AdvanSure. RFMP analysis of the 12 discordant cases revealed three false‐positive results using HC2, and one false‐positive and five false‐negative results using AdvanSure.

Conclusions

Considering the high agreement rate with HC2 and the ability to differentiate 35 HPV genotypes including HPV 16/18, the AdvanSure assay could be used as a laboratory testing method for HPV infection screening.
Evaluation and comparison of Abbott Jaffe and enzymatic creatinine methods: Could the old method meet the new requirements?
Authors: Küme Tuncay , Sağlam Barıs , Ergon Cem , Sisman Ali Rıza
Published: February 2017

Background

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the analytical performance characteristics of the two creatinine methods based on the Jaffe and enzymatic methods.

Methods

Two original creatinine methods, Jaffe and enzymatic, were evaluated on Architect c16000 automated analyzer via limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ), linearity, intra‐assay and inter‐assay precision, and comparability in serum and urine samples. The method comparison and bias estimation using patient samples according to CLSI guideline were performed on 230 serum and 141 urine samples by analyzing on the same auto‐analyzer.

Results

The LODs were determined as 0.1 mg/dL for both serum methods and as 0.25 and 0.07 mg/dL for the Jaffe and the enzymatic urine method respectively. The LOQs were similar with 0.05 mg/dL value for both serum methods, and enzymatic urine method had a lower LOQ than Jaffe urine method, values at 0.5 and 2 mg/dL respectively. Both methods were linear up to 65 mg/dL for serum and 260 mg/dL for urine. The intra‐assay and inter‐assay precision data were under desirable levels in both methods. The higher correlations were determined between two methods in serum and urine (r=.9994, r=.9998 respectively). On the other hand, Jaffe method gave the higher creatinine results than enzymatic method, especially at the low concentrations in both serum and urine.

Conclusions

Both Jaffe and enzymatic methods were found to meet the analytical performance requirements in routine use. However, enzymatic method was found to have better performance in low creatinine levels.
Genetic variants rs1994016 and rs3825807 in ADAMTS7 affect its mRNA expression in atherosclerotic occlusive peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Bayoglu Burcu , Arslan Caner , Tel Cigdem , Ulutin Turgut , Dirican Ahmet , Deser Serkan Burc , Cengiz Mujgan
Published: February 2017

Aim

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a vascular disease affecting peripheral circulation. Recently, genome‐wide association studies revealed a relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADAMTS7 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motif 7) and atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to determine ADAMTS7 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the frequency of ADAMTS7 rs1994016 and rs3825807 polymorphisms in a sample of Turkish patients with PAD, and to evaluate the association of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels with PAD development.

Methods

In this case–control study, ADAMTS7mRNA and protein expression was determined using reverse transcription quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and western blot, respectively, and rs1994016 and rs3825807 variants in ADAMTS7 were determined by real‐time PCR in 115 PAD patients and 116 healthy controls. Plasma levels of nine MMPs were determined using a multiplex immunoassay system.

Results

ADAMTS7mRNA levels were significantly higher in PAD patients than in controls (t=−2.75, P=.007). There was no significant difference in the frequencies of rs1994016 and rs3825807 between PAD patients and controls (P>.05). In PAD patients, ADAMTS7mRNA levels were significantly increased for the CC genotype of rs1994016 (t=−2.31, P=.026) and TT genotype of rs3825807 (t=−2.23, P=.032). Furthermore, plasma levels of MMP‐1, MMP‐3, MMP‐7, MMP‐10, MMP‐12, and MMP‐13 were significantly higher in PAD patients than in controls (P<.05).

Conclusion

This is the first report of the relationship between PAD and ADAMTS7 expression and the effects of the rs1994016 and rs3825807 variants on PAD development. ADAMTS7 may be associated with PAD development.
Design and Synthesis Pairing Between Xanthene and Tetrazole in Pentacyclic System Using Tetrachlorosilane with Aurora Kinase Inhibitor Validation
Authors: Khatab Tamer K. , Mubarak Ahmed Y. , Soliman Hanan A.
Published: February 2017

A competent new one‐pot synthesis for tetrahydrobenzo[f]chromeno[3,2‐c]tetrazolo[1,5‐a]azepines through the catalytic synthesis of related xanthenes. β‐naphthol, dimedone, aromatic aldehydes were stirred under solvent free condition in the presence of tetrachlorosilane (TCS), then azidochlorosilane (which prepared in situ from sodium azide and TCS in acetonitrile as solvent) was added and the reaction was stirred at 50‐60 oC. A molecular docking of the synthesized compounds was carried out in order to investigate their binding pattern with the prospective target Aurora kinase all the synthesized molecules gave strong interaction with protein pocket residues and low energy score (−6.99 to −6.52 kcal/mol and rmsd < 1.5) compared with AKI‐001 reference molecule (−5.87 kcal/mol and rmsd = 0.90). (PDB‐ID: 3COH)
Altered expression of CXCR3 and CCR6 and their ligands in HTLV‐1 carriers and HAM/TSP patients
Authors: Rafatpanah Houshang , Felegari Mehdi , Azarpazhooh Mahmoud Reza , Vakili Rosita , Rajaei Taraneh , Hampson Ian , Hassanshahi Golmahossein , Valizadeh Narges , Gerayli Sina , Hamid Farajifard , Zamanian Shadi , MollaHosseini Farzad , Rezaee Seyed Abdolrahim
Published: February 2017

Recruitment of leukocytes by chemokines and chemokine receptors to CNS plays a crucial role in the induction of inflammatory response in HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). In the present study, chemokine and chemokine receptors involved in trafficking of lymphocytes to the CNS were measured in HAM/TSP patients, HTLV‐1 asymptomatic carriers (ACs), and healthy controls. The PVL, CCR6, and CXCR3 mRNA expression, and CXCL9 and CXCL10 protein levels were measured in all subjects. The PVL of HAM/TSP patients was higher than that of ACs (P = 0.02). CCR6 expression was higher in HAM/TSP patients and in ACs compared to the healthy controls (P = 0.005 and P = 0.04, respectively). A significant difference was observed in CCR6 expression when a combination of HAM/TSP patients and ACs were compared to the healthy individuals (P = 0.005). Furthermore, there was a significantly lower CXCR3 expression between HAM/TSP and control groups (P = 0.001), and between the ACs and healthy controls (P = 0.001). However, the increased CXCR3 expression in ACs compared to HAM/TSP patients was not significant. Furthermore, the CXCL10 protein levels in HAM/TSP patients was higher than in controls (P = 0.012), and CXCL9 protein levels was also higher in the HAM/TSP and ACs groups than in the controls (P = 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). In conclusion, it seems that decreased expression of CXCR3 and higher expression of CCR6 were associated with HTLV‐1 infection, what indicate that these alterations may favor virus dissemination but not disease manifestation.
Differences in the nutrient concentrations, in vitro methanogenic potential and other fermentative traits of tropical grasses and legumes for beef production systems in northern Australia
Authors: Durmic Zoey , Ramírez‐Restrepo Carlos A , Gardiner Chris , O'Neill Christopher J , Hussein Eman , Vercoe Philip E
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

In northern Australia, beef cattle grazed extensively on tropical rangelands are responsible for 5% of the nation's total greenhouse gas emissions. Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas and in grazing ruminants might be mitigated by selecting forages that, when consumed, produce less CH4 when fermented by rumen microbes. This study examined variability in the in vitro fermentation patterns, including CH4 production of selected tropical grasses and legumes, to identify candidates for CH4 mitigation in grazing livestock in northern Australia.

RESULTS

Nutritive values and fermentation parameters varied between plant species and across seasons. Grasses with a relatively low methanogenic potential were Urochloa mosambicensis (wet summer), Bothriochloa decipiens (autumn), Sorghum plumosum (winter) and Andropogon gayanus (spring), while the legumes were Calliandra calothyrsus (wet summer and autumn), Stylosanthes scabra (winter) and Desmanthus leptophyllus (spring). There was some correlation between CH4 production and overall fermentation (volatile fatty acid concentrations) in grasses (R2 = 0.67), but not in legumes (R2 = 0.01) and there were multiple plants that had lower CH4 not associated with reduction in microbial activity.

CONCLUSION

Differences in nutrient concentrations of tropical grasses and legumes may provide opportunities for productive grazing on these pastures, while offering some CH4 mitigation options in the context of northern Australian extensive beef farming systems. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Interactive effects of ultraviolet radiation and thermal stress on two reef‐building corals
Authors: Courtial Lucile , Roberty Stéphane , Shick J.Malcolm , Houlbrèque Fanny , Ferrier‐Pagès Christine
Published: February 2017

In shallow tropical waters, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) occurs at high intensity simultaneously with high water temperatures, and both stressors are predicted to increase in the future and to have a major impact on reef coral survival. The poor knowledge of the interactive effects of those two factors, however, prevents a good estimation of the coral resistance to climate change pressure. The results obtained in this study on two genetically distant scleractinian coral species, Pocillopora damicornis and Turbinaria reniformis, highlight an interaction of temperature and UVR on the corals' physiology as well as a species‐specific response. Overall, increase in UVR level exacerbated the negative impact of thermal stress. Whereas stressors did not reduce the autotrophic capacity (symbiont density, net photosynthetic rates) of T. reniformis, they significantly lowered it in P. damicornis, which initially contained twice more symbionts in its tissue. Only grazing rates (heterotrophy) were significantly decreased in T. reniformis under thermal stress. For both corals, calcification was slowed by the combination of thermal and UVR stress. Calcification was impaired likely due to a decrease in autotrophic energy supply in P. damicornis, and in heterotrophic energy supply in T. reniformis. This study confirms that the response of corals to global change needs to be studied using multifactorial approaches and a combination of different environmental factors.
Colonization dynamics of the invasive predatory cladoceran, Bythotrephes longimanus, inferred from sediment records
Authors: Branstrator Donn K. , Beranek Ashley E. , Brown Meghan E. , Hembre Leif K. , Engstrom Daniel R.
Published: February 2017

Despite the central role of colonization to invasion biology, little is known about the early dynamics of founder populations because this time period is often unobserved and short‐lived. This study documents with high resolution the early population ecology of an invading freshwater zooplankton, Bythotrephes longimanus (Cladocera : Cercopagidae), by measuring accumulation rates of its caudal spine in sediments. Using dated (210Pb and 137Cs) sediment cores from four spatially distinct sites in Island Lake Reservoir (Minnesota, USA), we describe its first presence, early distribution, growth trajectory, and early impacts on prey. The sediment record shows that B. longimanus first appeared and was widely distributed in the lake in 1982 (± 2 yr, standard deviation), 8 yr before its first detection in the water, making it one of the earliest documented invasions in North America and suggesting that ecosystems may serve as dispersal hubs for years prior to detection. Logistic growth models describing spine accumulation rates show that B. longimanus required about two decades to achieve an annual equilibrium (K). Prolonged buildup to K may owe to several factors, including accumulation of a sufficiently large bank of resting eggs, the obligate overwintering life stage. Early exponential growth was incongruent with the presence of a lag phase. Post invasion, Daphnia mendotae became proportionally the most abundant daphniid in the lake, but the timing of the switch in prey species composition coincided more with the proliferation of B. longimanus density and its attainment of K than with its arrival to the lake.
Sensory deficits after a radial nerve injury
Authors: Bertelli Jayme Augusto , Cavalli Erica , Mendes Lehn Vera Lúcia , Ghizoni Marcos Flávio
Published: February 2017

Background

The aim of our study was to objectively test sensibility on the dorsal side of the hand in patients with radial nerve injury, to document deficits and to detect if surgery for sensory reconstruction is needed.

Methods

Nineteen patients of mean age 31 ± 10 years were examined at a mean of 26.4 ± 27.8 months post radial nerve injury. Sensory mechanical thresholds on the dorsal surface of the hand were evaluated using Semmes‐Weinstein monofilaments. Sensation was considered significantly impaired when there was no perception of a 2.0 gr. Semmes‐Weinstein filament. Nociception was evaluated using Adson forceps.

Results

Five patients had normal 2.0 monofilament perception. Two of these five also had normal perception of the lighter 0.05 monofilament. In nine patients, zones of impaired sensibility were restricted to the first web space. In combined radial and musculocutaneous nerve lesions, the zone of impaired sensibility extended to the dorsum of the third metacarpus and occasionally to the dorsal aspect of the thumb. This zone averaged being five times the size as in isolated radial nerve injuries. On average, the zone of decreased 0.05 monofilament perception was six times the size detected for the 2.0 monofilament. No patient had complete anesthesia over the dorsum of the hand. No patient complained about pain or numbness. Only one patient among four with a combined radial and musculocutaneous nerve injury required sensory reconstruction.

Conclusions

Minimal sensory abnormalities should be expected after a radial nerve injury. Patients likely neither warrant nor request sensory reconstruction.
Developmental pharmacokinetics of sirolimus: Implications for precision dosing in neonates and infants with complicated vascular anomalies
Authors: Mizuno Tomoyuki , Fukuda Tsuyoshi , Emoto Chie , Mobberley‐Schuman Paula S. , Hammill Adrienne M. , Adams Denise M. , Vinks Alexander A.
Published: February 2017

Background

Sirolimus has recently been shown to be efficacious and tolerable in pediatric patients with complicated vascular anomalies. Nevertheless, dosing information remains very limited especially for neonates and infants. The purpose of this study was to develop an age‐appropriate sirolimus starting dosing regimen based on the developmental changes in drug elimination capacity using data collected in neonates and infants.

Procedure

A recently developed sirolimus maturation model [Emoto et al. CPT Pharmacometrics Syst Pharmacol, 2016] was used to simulate clearance estimates using realistic age and weight covariates for age cohorts aged 0–24 months. Next, predose concentrations at steady state were generated for each age cohort of neonates and infants. Dose requirements to attain predefined target trough concentration ranges (10–15 and 5–10 ng/ml) were simulated across the different age groups. Starting doses were chosen to maximize the likelihood of achieving sirolimus‐targeted concentrations.

Results

The trajectory of simulated sirolimus clearances increased with age and was in agreement with the previous findings in the Phase 2 study. The proposed dosing regimens covered eight age cohorts and resulted in target attainment of more than 75–95% across selected regimens.

Conclusions

This study identified age‐appropriate sirolimus dosing regimens for neonates and infants. The algorithm in combination with therapeutic drug management will facilitate sirolimus precision dosing in young children with vascular anomalies. A prospective evaluation is being planned.
Pediatric neuroendocrine carcinoid tumors: Management, pathology, and imaging findings in a pediatric referral center
Authors: Degnan Andrew J. , Tocchio Shannon , Kurtom Waleed , Tadros Sameh S.
Published: February 2017

Background

While neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors are increasingly recognized in the adult population, they are often not suspected in children.

Procedure

Retrospective review of all well‐differentiated neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors was performed based on pathology reports from a quaternary pediatric medical center between January 2003 and June 2016. Clinical presentations, treatment approaches, imaging findings, and outcomes were reviewed and analyzed.

Results

A total of 45 cases of pathology‐proven carcinoid tumor were reported with an average age of 14.1 years (range: 7–21 years, SD: 2.8 years). Of these cases, 80% (36) were appendiceal, 11% (5) bronchial, 2% (1) colonic, 2% (1) gastric, 2% (1) enteric, and 2% (1) testicular. Metastases were observed in one (3%) appendiceal, one (100%) enteric, and two (40%) bronchial cases. No recurrence was demonstrated in any appendiceal carcinoid cases. Recurrence was seen in one of three extra‐appendiceal gastrointestinal tumors. Tumor site and size significantly correlated with metastases and recurrence.

Conclusions

Contrary to recent epidemiological investigations in adults, appendiceal carcinoid tumors remain the most common site for pediatric carcinoid tumors. Appendiceal carcinoid tumors exhibited benign clinical courses without recurrence during short‐term follow‐up. Extra‐appendiceal gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors exhibited much more aggressive behavior with greater metastases and recurrence. Bronchial carcinoid tumors demonstrated good clinical response to resection even in cases with mediastinal lymph node involvement. While increased use of urine 5‐HIAA levels and somatostatin receptor‐specific imaging might improve detection and guide management of extra‐appendiceal carcinoid tumors, longer‐term follow‐up is needed.
False negative fetal cell free DNA screening for microdeletion syndromes in the presence of an unbalanced translocation involving monosomy 4p
Authors: Qi Zhongxia , Madaan Shreshtha , Chetty Shilpa , Yu Jingwei , Wiita Arun P.
Published: February 2017

What's Already Known About This Topic?

Aneuploidy screening using cell‐free DNA has recently been expanded to include selected microdeletion syndromes. However, real‐world performance characteristics for the majority of these variants remain unknown. Many primary obstetric providers are unaware of performance limitations and appropriate clinical contexts for ordering these assays.

What Does This Study Add?

Cell‐free DNA screening using a commercial platform designed to detect chromosomal microdeletions can lead to false negative results, even in the case of a pregnancy at known high risk because of a previous child with 4p‐ syndrome and a paternal translocation carrier. This finding underscores the need for clinician education about the limitations of such testing, the utility of invasive diagnostic testing in similar high‐risk pregnancies, and additional validation of cell‐free DNA assays for microdeletions before further expansion into routine practice.
Crystal structure of dibenzothiophene sulfone monooxygenase BdsA from Bacillus subtilis WU‐S2B
Authors: Okai Masahiko , Lee Woo Cheol , Guan Li‐Jun , Ohshiro Takashi , Izumi Yoshikazu , Tanokura Masaru
Published: February 2017

The dibenzothiophene (DBT) sulfone monooxygenase BdsA from Bacillus subtilis WU‐S2B catalyzes the conversion of DBT sulfone to 2′‐hydroxybiphenyl 2‐sulfinate. We report the crystal structures of BdsA at a resolution of 2.80 Å. BdsA exists as a homotetramer with a dimer‐of‐dimers configuration in the crystal, and the interaction between E288 and R296 in BdsA is important for tetramer formation. A structural comparison with homologous proteins shows that the orientation and location of the α9‐α12 helices in BdsA are closer to those of the closed form than those of the open form in the EDTA monooxygenase EmoA. Proteins 2017; 85:1171–1177. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Suspended Particle Characteristics and Composition in Navigation Pool 19 of the Upper Mississippi River
Authors: Milde A. S. , Richardson W. B. , Strauss E. A. , Larson J. H. , Vallazza J. M. , Knights B. C.
Published: February 2017

Suspended particles are an essential component of large rivers influencing channel geomorphology, biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, and food web resources. The Upper Mississippi River is a large floodplain river that exhibits pronounced spatiotemporal variation in environmental conditions and biota, providing an ideal environment for investigating dynamics of suspended particles in large river ecosystems. Here we investigated two questions: (i) How do suspended particle characteristics (e.g. size and morphology) vary temporally and spatially? and (ii) What environmental variables have the strongest association with particle characteristics? Water sampling was conducted in June, August, and September of 2013 and 2014 in Navigation Pool 19 of the Upper Mississippi River. A FlowCAM® (Flow Cytometer and Microscope) particle imaging system was used to enumerate and measure particles 53–300 μm in diameter for size and shape characteristics (e.g. volume, elongation, and symmetry). Suspended particle characteristics varied considerably over space and time and were strongly associated with discharge and concentrations of nitrate + nitrite (NO3−) and soluble reactive phosphorus. Particle characteristics in backwaters were distinct from those in other habitats for most of the study period, likely due to reduced hydrologic connectivity and higher biotic production in backwaters. During low discharge, phytoplankton and zooplankton made up relatively greater proportions of the observed particles. Concurrently during low discharge, concentrations of chlorophyll, volatile suspended solids, and total phosphorus were higher. Our results suggest that there are complex interactions among space, time, discharge, and other environmental variables (e.g. water nutrients), which drive suspended particle dynamics in large rivers. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do Alluvial Sand Dunes Create Energetic Refugia for Benthic Fishes? An Experimental Test with the Endangered Pallid Sturgeon
Authors: Porreca A. P. , Hintz W. D. , Garvey J. E.
Published: February 2017

River modifications have altered critical habitats for fishes at a variety of spatial scales and caused global declines of many fluvial species. At small spatial scales (<1 m2), alluvial sand dunes, a ubiquitous habitat in highly modified rivers, are thought to provide energetic relief for benthic fishes in energetically costly riverine landscapes created by water flow. However, use of alluvial dune habitat is not well understood, and it is unclear whether dunes provide refuge that effectively reduces energetic costs. We designed a scale‐relevant experiment to examine the energetic responses associated with sand dune habitat in rivers. We tested whether the US federally endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), a benthic fish commonly associated with sand dunes, experienced reduced energetic costs with different configurations of simulated sand dune habitat. We quantified mass specific oxygen consumption (MO2; mg O2 kg−1 h−1) using intermittent flow‐through respirometry for age‐0 sturgeon (140–170 mm) in front of a sand dune, behind a sand dune and in the absence of a sand dune at two velocities (25 and 50 cm s−1) commonly observed in field studies of sturgeon habitat use. Sturgeon displayed distinct station holding behaviours for each habitat configuration. Dune location did not affect energy expenditure, but sturgeon MO2 was on average 16–20% higher in the absence of a sand dune depending on dune configuration. MO2 was on average 14% higher at 50 cm s−1 compared with 25 cm s−1. Our results provide a potential mechanism for over two decades of research on why sturgeon and other benthic fishes exhibit selection for sand dune habitat in large rivers. Fishes that select main channel habitats may depend on energetic relief provided by sand dunes, especially when other forms of structure are not available. For this reason, alluvial sand dune habitat may be important to the persistence of benthic fishes in high flow environments. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systemically Infused Mesenchymal Stem Cells Show Different Homing Profiles in Healthy and Tumor Mouse Models
Authors: Xie Chengying , Yang Zhangru , Suo Yuanzhen , Chen Qianqian , Wei Dan , Weng Xiaofu , Gu Zhengqin , Wei Xunbin
Published: February 2017

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can localize in injured, inflamed, and cancerous tissues after systemic infusion. However, the dynamic homing profile of MSCs in the peripheral blood is not well characterized. Here, using in vivo flow cytometry to noninvasively monitor the dynamics of fluorescence-labeled cells, we found different clearance kinetics of systemically infused MSCs between healthy and tumor mouse models. The circulation times of MSCs in healthy mice and mice with subcutaneous tumors, orthotopically transplanted liver tumors, or metastatic lung tumors were 30, 24, 18, and 12 hours, respectively, suggesting that MSCs actively home to tumor environments. MSCs infiltrated into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) sites and preferentially engrafted to micrometastatic regions both in vivo and in vitro. The expression of epidermal growth factor, CXCL9, CCL25, and matrix metalloproteinases-9 by HCC cells differed between primary tumor sites and metastatic regions. By characterizing the homing profiles of systemically perfused MSCs under physiological and cancerous conditions, these findings increase our understanding of the migration of MSCs from the circulation to tumor sites and constitute a basis for developing MSC-based anti-cancer therapeutic strategies.
Connectivity jamming game for physical layer attack in peer to peer networks
Authors: Liu Ying , Garnarv Andrey , Trappe Wade
Published: February 2017

Because of the open access nature of wireless communications, wireless networks can suffer from malicious activity, such as jamming attacks, aimed at undermining the network's ability to sustain communication links and acceptable throughput. One important consideration when designing networks is to appropriately tune the network topology and its connectivity so as to support the communication needs of those participating in the network. This paper examines the problem of interference attacks that are intended to harm connectivity and throughput, and illustrates the method of mapping network performance parameters into the metric of topographic connectivity. Specifically, this paper arrives at anti‐jamming strategies aimed at coping with interference attacks through a unified stochastic game. In such a framework, an entity trying to protect a network faces a dilemma: (i) the underlying motivations for the adversary can be quite varied, which depends largely on the network's characteristics such as power and distance; (ii) the metrics for such an attack can be incomparable (e.g., network connectivity and total throughput). To deal with the problem of such incomparable metrics, this paper proposes using the attack's expected duration as a unifying metric to compare distinct attack metrics because a longer‐duration of unsuccessful attack assumes a higher cost. Based on this common metric, a mechanism of maxmin selection for an attack prevention strategy is suggested. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The long‐term growth rate of evolving software: Empirical results and implications
Authors: Hatton Les , Spinellis Diomidis , van Genuchten Michiel
Published: February 2017

The amount of code in evolving software‐intensive systems appears to be growing relentlessly, affecting products and entire businesses. Objective figures quantifying the software code growth rate bounds in systems over a large time scale can be used as a reliable predictive basis for the size of software assets. We analyze a reference base of over 404 million lines of open source and closed software systems to provide accurate bounds on source code growth rates. We find that software source code in systems doubles about every 42 months on average, corresponding to a median compound annual growth rate of 1.21 ± 0.01. Software product and development managers can use our findings to bound estimates, to assess the trustworthiness of road maps, to recognise unsustainable growth, to judge the health of a software development project, and to predict a system's hardware footprint.
A second look at inference for bivariate Skellam distributions
Authors: Aissaoui Sidi Allal , Genest Christian , Mesfioui Mhamed
Published: February 2017

Two bivariate extensions of the Skellam distribution were introduced in 2014 by a subset of the present authors, who also proposed moment estimators for the dependence parameters in these models. The limiting distribution of these estimators is established here, and their asymptotic efficiency is compared with that of the corresponding maximum likelihood estimators. © 2017 The Authors. Stat Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Edge and herbivory effects on leaf litter decomposability in a subtropical dry forest
Authors: Moreno María Laura , Rossetti María Rosa , Pérez‐Harguindeguy Natalia , Valladares Graciela Rosa
Published: February 2017

It is increasingly recognized that understanding the functional consequences of landscape change requires knowledge of aboveground and belowground processes and their interactions. For this reason, we provide novel information addressing insect herbivory and edge effects on litter quality and decomposition in fragmented subtropical dry forests in central Argentina. Using litter from Croton lachnostachyus (a common shrub species in the region) in a decomposition bed experiment, we evaluated whether litter quality (carbon and nitrogen content; carbon: nitrogen ratio) and decomposability (percentage of remaining dry weight) differ between litter from forest interiors or edges (origin) and with or without herbivory (damaged/undamaged leaves). We found that edge/interior origin had a strong effect on leaf litter quality (mainly on carbon content), while herbivory was associated with a smaller increase in nitrogen content. Herbivore damage increased leaf litter decomposability, but this effect was related to origin during the initial period of litter incubation. Overall, undamaged leaf litter from the forest edge showed the lowest decomposability, whereas damaged leaf litter decomposed at rates similar to those observed in litter from the forest interior. The interacting edge and herbivory effects on leaf litter quality and decomposability shown in our study are important because of the increasing dominance of forest edges in human‐modified landscapes and the profound effect of leaf litter decomposition on nutrient cycling.
La controverse de grotius, hobbes et spinoza sur le jus circa sacra textes, prétextes, contextes et circonstances
Authors: Lærke Mogens
Published: February 2017

Cette contribution esquisse un cadre méthodologique pour l'étude des controverses en histoire de la philosophie. Il se construit autour de quatre composants fondamentaux: textes, contextes, prétextes et circonstances. Nous montrons comment, une fois ces éléments identifiés et systématiquement distingués et distribués, une controverse est localisée et circonscrite. En outre, nous montrons comment, formellement, les controverses sont reliées entre elles par le biais de la migration des textes d'un contexte à un autre. Ensuite, nous prenons pour exemple une controverse clé dans l'histoire de la philosophie politique, la controverse à l'âge classique sur le jus circa sacra, « le droit des affaires sacrées », en nous penchant en particulier sur les travaux de Grotius, de Hobbes et de Spinoza.
La république des« humeurs»: les querelles dans le dictionnaire de bayle
Authors: Moreau Isabelle
Published: February 2017

Les querelles constituent une activité« routinière» plutôt qu'extraordinaire du monde lettré et savant. Nous montrons ici qu'elles ont un rôle à jouer dans le domaine de la critique historique. Notre apport est double. En nous intéressant aux enjeux épistémologiques del' écriture baylienne de la querelle. nous transposons sur le terrain del'historiographie l'apport des études récentes sur la productivité des querelles scientifiques. Nous présentons une perspective nouvelle de compréhension des querelles comme activité structurante de la république des lettres, tant sur le plan social qu'intellectuel. Ce faisant, nous prenons position dans le débat sur le « pyrrhonisme » historique de Bayle en montrant que les querelles sont centrales dans une démarche historiographique consciente de ses limites comme de ses pouvoirs d'investigation.
The first case report of double homozygous of 2 different mutations in the CFTR gene in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Banjar Hanaa , Moghrabi Nabil , Alotaibi Tariq , Alotaibi Sami , Gamalmaz Hisham
Published: February 2017

The first cases of a rare double homozygosity of two different mutations in the cystic fibrosis transregulator gene (CFTR) of a cystic fibrosis patient in Saudi Arabia. Details of the family screening and a review of the literature on similar cases are discussed.