bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GABA
A
Receptor Coupling Junction and Pore GABRB3 Mutations are Linked to Early-Onset Epileptic Encephalopathy
Authors: Hernandez Ciria C. , Zhang Yujia , Hu Ningning , Shen Dingding , Shen Wangzhen , Liu Xiaoyan , Kong Weijing , Jiang Yuwu , Macdonald Robert L.
Published: November 2017

GABAA receptors are brain inhibitory chloride ion channels. Here we show functional analyses and structural simulations for three de novo missense mutations in the GABAA receptor β3 subunit gene (GABRB3) identified in patients with early-onset epileptic encephalopathy (EOEE) and profound developmental delay. We sought to obtain insights into the molecular mechanisms that might link defects in GABAA receptor biophysics and biogenesis to patients with EOEE. The mutant residues are part of conserved structural domains such as the Cys-loop (L170R) and M2-M3 loop (A305V) that form the GABA binding/channel gating coupling junction and the channel pore (T288N), which are functionally coupled during receptor activation. The mutant coupling junction residues caused rearrangements and formation of new hydrogen bonds in the open state, while the mutant pore residue reshaped the pore cavity. Whereas mutant coupling junction residues uncoupled during activation and caused gain of function, the mutant pore residue favoured low conductance receptors and differential sensitivity to diazepam and loss of function. These data reveal novel molecular mechanisms by which EOEE-linked mutations affect GABAA receptor function.
Intravesicular administration of sodium hyaluronate ameliorates the inflammation and cell proliferation of cystitis cystica et glandularis involving interleukin-6/JAK2/Stat3 signaling pathway
Authors: Ni Yongliang , Zhao Shaohua , Yin Xiaoxuan , Wang Haixin , Guang Qianqian , Hu Guangxia , Yang Yi , Jiao Shoubin , Shi Benkang
Published: November 2017

Cystitis cystica et glandularis (CCEG) is a chronic cystitis that causes extreme agony in affected patients. However, there are lack of effective conservative treatments. In this study, it is evident that intravesicular sodium hyaluronate (SH) therapy significantly improved the clinical symptoms of CCEG patients and ameliorated the bladder mucosal inflammation and cell proliferation characteristics of the disease. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the staining intensities of hyaluronidase (HYAL 1/2), CD44, IL-6 and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-Stat3) in bladder mucosal tissue were significantly increased in CCEG patients compared with control patients and that intravesicular SH treatment suppressed these protein expression. We established a CCEG rat model by treating rats with E. coli intravesicularly, and we found that HYAL 1/2 and CD44 expression levels were significantly increased in the E. coli group compared with the NC group. Activation of the IL-6/JAK2/Stat3 pathway and the expression levels of the downstream pro-apoptotic proteins Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL were also significantly increased in the E. coli group compared with the NC group. The above changes were significantly mitigated by intravesicular SH treatment. Therefore, SH may serve as an effective therapy for CCEG by inhibiting bladder mucosal inflammation and proliferation.
Effect of aerobic exercise and diet on liver fat in pre-diabetic patients with non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cheng Sulin , Ge Jun , Zhao Can , Le Shenglong , Yang Yifan , Ke Dandan , Wu Na , Tan Xiao , Zhang Xiaobo , Du Xiaming , Sun Jianqin , Wang Renwei , Shi Yongyong , Borra Ronald J. H. , Parkkola Riitta , Wiklund Petri , Lu Dajiang
Published: November 2017

The study aimed to assess whether aerobic exercise (AEx) training and a fibre-enriched diet can reduce hepatic fat content (HFC) and increase glycaemic control in pre-diabetic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Six-hundred-and-three patients from seven clinics in Yangpu district, Shanghai, China were recruited. Of them 115 individuals aged 50–65-year fulfilled the inclusion criteria (NAFLD with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance) and were randomly assigned into exercise (AEx n = 29), diet (Diet n = 28), exercise plus diet (AED n = 29), or no-intervention (NI n = 29) groups. Progressive supervised AEx training (60–75% VO2max intensity) was given 2-3 times/week in 30–60 min/sessions, and the diet intervention was provided as lunch with 38% carbohydrate and diet fibre of 12 g/day for 8.6-month. HFC was assessed by 1H MRS. We found that HFC was significantly reduced in the AEx (−24.4%), diet (−23.2%), and AED (−47.9%) groups by contrast to the 20.9% increase in the NI group (p = 0.001 for all) after intervention. However, only AED group significantly decreased HbA1c (−4.4%, p = 0.01) compared with the NI group (−0.6%). Aerobic exercise training combined with fibre-enriched diet can reduce HFC more effectively than either exercise or increased fibre-intake alone in pre-diabetic patients with NAFLD.
miR-500a-5p regulates oxidative stress response genes in breast cancer and predicts cancer survival
Authors: Degli Esposti Davide , Aushev Vasily N. , Lee Eunjee , Cros Marie-Pierre , Zhu Jun , Herceg Zdenko , Chen Jia , Hernandez-Vargas Hector
Published: November 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory non-coding RNAs with a diversity of cellular functions, and are frequently dysregulated in cancer. Using a novel computational method (ActMir) that we recently developed, the “activity” of miRNA hsa-miR-500a was implicated in estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer; however its targets and functional impact remain poorly understood. Here, we performed an extensive gene expression analysis in ER+ breast cancer cell lines, to reveal the targets of miR-500a-5p after experimental modulation of its levels. We found that among mRNAs targeted by miR-500a-5p there was enrichment in oxidative stress response genes. Moreover,in vitroexposure to oxidative stress using H2O2induces miR-500a-5p overexpression and downregulation of the oxidative stress targetsTXNRD1andNFE2L2. Finally, expression of several of the identified miR-500a-5p targets related to oxidative stress, includingTXNRD1, was associated with ER+ breast cancer survival in multiple datasets. Overall, we identify miR-500a-5p as an oxidative stress response miRNA whose activity may define breast cancer progression and survival.
Shear Stress Regulates TRPV4 Channel Clustering and Translocation from Adherens Junctions to the Basal Membrane
Authors: Baratchi Sara , Knoerzer Markus , Khoshmanesh Khashayar , Mitchell Arnan , McIntyre Peter
Published: November 2017

Localized Ca2+ influx via TRPV4 on the surface of endothelial cells greatly influences endothelial adaptation to blood flow, but how mechanical stress from blood flow controls TRPV4 integration into this physiological function is not fully understood. Here, we studied the spatial organization of TRPV4 and its relationship to the adherens junction component β-catenin using single- and dual-color direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM). In non-stimulated endothelial cells, TRPV4 is clustered in small protein islands, as is β-catenin. Using dual-color imaging, we found that TRPV4 and β-catenin reside in similar islands and can be found at both the basolateral and basal membranes. Following shear stress stimulation, TRPV4 molecules formed smaller clusters, with the majority residing outside of clusters. Further shear stress stimulation changed the molecular distribution of TRPV4 molecules, limiting them to the basal membrane. This redistribution and the smaller clusters resulted in the segregation of TRPV4 from β-catenin. Furthermore, TRPV4 trafficking was controlled by focal adhesion kinase and activation of the α5ß1 integrin. These highly differentiated spatial redistributions suggest that mechanotransduction of blood flow is controlled via a more complex hierarchy than previously thought.
Temporary Diverting Stoma Improves Recovery of Anastomotic Leakage after Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Wu Yuchen , Zheng Hongtu , Guo Tianan , Keranmu Adili , Liu Fangqi , Xu Ye
Published: November 2017

Temporary diverting stoma might be a protective factor for the prevention of anastomotic leakage (AL) after anterior resection. Its role in leakage recovery is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of temporary diverting stoma on anastomotic leakage severity and recovery. We analyzed 323 patients who underwent anterior resection for rectal cancer and developed anastomotic leakage, in which 44 had temporary diverting stoma. Association between diverting stoma and occurrence of anastomotic leakage, recovery time, length of hospital stay, overall costs, local and distant relapse-free survival were further studied. In non-severe AL group, temporary diverting stoma improved leakage recovery by 4 days (mean: 20.7 days vs. 16.1 days, p = 0.031), especially in patients who did not receive neoadjuvant treatment (mean time: 20.9 days vs. 14.4 days, p = 0.016). However, it did not delay the occurrence of anastomotic leakage. Moreover, no significant difference was found in the overall length of hospital stay and costs among patients with versus without a diverting stoma. In severe AL group, however, no difference was detected. The advantage of shortened leakage recovery did not reduce the local and distant relapse-free survival. In conclusion, our findings indicated the recovery benefit from diverting stoma in patients with anterior resection.
Formulation and catalytic performance of MOF-derived Fe@C/Al composites for high temperature Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
Authors: Oar-Arteta Lide , Valero-Romero María José , Wezendonk Tim , Kapteijn Freek , Gascon Jorge
Published: November 2017

The synthesis of MOF/AlOOH derived composites enhances the selectivity towards light olefins in HTFTS and the mechanical stability of the catalysts.
Design and self-assembly of PBLG-b-ELP hybrid diblock copolymers based on synthetic and elastin-like polypeptides
Authors: Le Fer Gaëlle , Portes Delphine , Goudounet Guillaume , Guigner Jean-Michel , Garanger Elisabeth , Lecommandoux Sébastien
Published: November 2017

The synthesis and self-assembly of amphiphilic copolypeptides containing a recombinant elastin-like polypeptide block used as a macroinitiator for the ROP of γ-BLG NCA are presented.
A computational investigation of the solvent-dependent enantioselective intramolecular Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction of enones
Authors: Singh Nitin Kumar , Satpathi Bishnupada , Balanarayan P. , Ramasastry S. S. V.
Published: November 2017

A DFT study of the enantioselective organocatalytic intramolecular Morita–Baylis–Hillman (IMBH) reaction of enones under the influence of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol is reported. This study establishes an excellent fit between the experiment and theory.
Tailoring perpendicular magnetic anisotropy with graphene oxide membranes
Authors: Ning Keyu , Liu Houfang , Li Linsen , Li Huanglong , Feng Jiafeng , Yang Baishun , Liu Xiao , Li Yuxing , Chen Yanhui , Wei Hongxiang , Han Xiufeng , Mao Shengcheng , Zhang Xixiang , Yang Yi , Ren Tian-ling
Published: November 2017

We report the enhancement of the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of CoFeB film by coating of GO membranes and even reaches 0.6 mJ m−2.
Fabrication of N1-butyl substituted 4,5-dimethyl-imidazole based crosslinked anion exchange membranes for fuel cells
Authors: Hao Jinkai , Gao Xueqiang , Jiang Yongyi , Xie Feng , Shao Zhigang , Yi Baolian
Published: November 2017

Novel N1, C4, C5-substituted imidazolium-based crosslinked anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are prepared by the incorporation of polybenzimidazole (PBI) into the poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PVBC) matrix.
Dual-phase spinel Li4Ti5O12/anatase TiO2 nanosheet anchored 3D reduced graphene oxide aerogel scaffolds as self-supporting electrodes for high-performance Na- and Li-ion batteries
Authors: Tian Ye , Xu Guobao , Wu Zelin , Zhong Jianxin , Yang Liwen
Published: November 2017

Self-supporting LTO-AT/RGO composite as anode materiel was prepared via a facile hetero-assembly, freeze-drying, mechanical compression and annealing. They exhibit excellent electrochemical capability when used for LIBs and SIBs.
Photocatalytic copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition click reaction with Cu(ii) coordination polymer
Authors: Guo Xiangyang , Zeng Le , Wang Zhe , Zhang Tiexin , He Cheng , Duan Chunying
Published: November 2017

Cu(ii) coordination polymers as photocatalysts for the copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition click reaction under household light irradiation in air.
A novel thermo-responsive supramolecular organogel based on dual acylhydrazone: fluorescent detection for Al3+ ions
Authors: Ma Xinxian , Liu Shiwei , Zhang Zhifeng , Niu Yanbing , Wu Jincai
Published: November 2017

A new dual acylhydrazone-functionalized gelator (L) has been synthesized, which could self-assemble into a supramolecular organogel (L-gel) in DMSO. The L-gel can identify Al3+ and assemble into an enhanced blue-light-emitting supramolecular metallogel (Al@gel).
Sustainable polysaccharide-derived mesoporous carbons (Starbon®) as additives in lithium-ion batteries negative electrodes
Authors: Kim Sanghoon , Escamilla-Pérez Angel Manuel , De bruyn Mario , Alauzun Johan G. , Louvain Nicolas , Brun Nicolas , Macquarrie Duncan , Stievano Lorenzo , Boury Bruno , Monconduit Laure , Mutin P. Hubert
Published: November 2017

Mesoporous Starbon® was shown to surpass conventional carbon additives in Li-ion batteries negative electrodes.
Type-I Ca(OH)2/α-MoTe2 vdW heterostructure for ultraviolet optoelectronic device applications: electric field effects
Authors: Gao Qiang , Xia Congxin , Xiong Wenqi , Du Juan , Wang Tianxing , Wei Zhongming , Li Jingbo
Published: November 2017

The Ca(OH)2/α-MoTe2 vdW heterostructure exhibits the characteristics of electric field-tunable band alignment, outstanding absorption strength (∼105 cm−1) and broad spectrum absorption.
Electrochromic tuning of transparent gold nanorods with poly[(3,4-propylenedioxy)pyrrole] shells in the near-infrared region
Authors: Zhou Jing , Jeon Ju-Won , Ponder James F. , Geldmeier Jeffrey A. , Mahmoud Mahmoud A. , El-Sayed Mostafa , Reynolds John R. , Tsukruk Vladimir V.
Published: November 2017

An electrochemically tunable plasmonic system with narrow visible-NIR absorption bands was designed by synthesizing poly[(3,4-propylenedioxy)pyrrole] nanoshells onto a AuNR core.
Mimosa inspired bilayer hydrogel actuator functioning in multi-environments
Authors: Zheng Jing , Xiao Peng , Le Xiaoxia , Lu Wei , Théato Patrick , Ma Chunxin , Du Binyang , Zhang Jiawei , Huang Youju , Chen Tao
Published: November 2017

Inspired by the water self-circulation mechanism that contributes to the motion of Mimosa leafs, a hydrogel actuator with a reverse thermal responsive bilayer structure was prepared, which can generate motions in water, oil and even in open-air environment.
Spectroscopic and calorimetric characterization of spermine oxidase and its association forms
Authors: Leonetti Alessia , Cervoni Laura , Polticelli Fabio , Kanamori Yuta , Yurtsever Zuleyha Nihan , Agostinelli Enzo , Mariottini Paolo , Stano Pasquale , Cervelli Manuela
Published: November 2017

Spermine oxidase (SMOX) is a flavin-containing enzyme that oxidizes spermine to produce spermidine, 3-aminopropanaldehyde, and hydrogen peroxide. SMOX has been shown to play key roles in inflammation and carcinogenesis; indeed, it is differentially expressed in several human cancer types. Our previous investigation has revealed that SMOX purified after heterologous expression in Escherichia coli actually consists of monomers, covalent homodimers, and other higher-order forms. All association forms oxidize spermine and, after treatment with dithiothreitol, revert to SMOX monomer. Here, we report a detailed investigation on the thermal denaturation of SMOX and its association forms in native and reducing conditions. By combining spectroscopic methods (circular dichroism, fluorescence) and thermal methods (differential scanning calorimetry), we provide new insights into the structure, the transformation, and the stability of SMOX. While the crystal structure of this protein is not available yet, experimental results are interpreted also on the basis of a novel SMOX structural model, obtained in silico exploiting the recently solved acetylspermine oxidase crystal structure. We conclude that while at least one specific intermolecular disulfide bond links two SMOX molecules to form the homodimer, the thermal denaturation profiles can be justified by the presence of at least one intramolecular disulfide bond, which also plays a critical role in the stabilization of the overall three-dimensional SMOX structure, and in particular of its ﬂavin adenine dinucleotide-containing active site.
Low‐profile circularly polarised patch–ring antenna with compact feeding network
Authors: Deng Changjiang , Lv Xin , Feng Zhenghe
Published: November 2017

This study presents a low‐profile circularly polarised microstrip antenna with two radiators composed of a corner‐truncated patch and a corner‐truncated ring. They are stacked and printed on the two sides of a suspended FR4 substrate. The axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of the proposed design is greatly improved compared with the traditional patch by merging the existing bandwidth of the patch with the additional bandwidth of the ring. Parametric analysis indicates that the modes of the patch and the ring can be tuned independently. A λ/4 microstrip line is meandered in the inner part of the ring to reduce the size of the feeding network. The antenna profile is only 0.065λ. A prototype of the proposed antenna is built and tested. The simulated and measured results agree well. The measured 10 dB return‐loss bandwidth is 20.6% (2.375–2.88 GHz) and the 3 dB AR bandwidth is 6.94% (2.39–2.56 GHz). The measured gain is ∼7 dBiC in the concerned bandwidth, with a variation of 1 dB.
Simplified transformer‐based multilevel inverter topology and generalisations for renewable energy applications
Authors: Behara Siva , Sandeep N. , Yaragatti Udaykumar R.
Published: November 2017

Multilevel inverters (MLIs) generating high‐quality voltage waveforms are playing a significant role in renewable energy applications. However, the requirement of higher number of power devices, complex pulse‐width‐modulation (PWM) and voltage unbalancing issues are the impediments associated with their direct usage. Consequently, several attempts to devise MLIs with lesser number of overall components are witnessed. This study focuses on developing a nine‐level inverter comprising of a single transformer and reduced component count. An optimisation of the number of transformers and their turn's ratio for a given number of voltage levels resulting in the least number of switches is investigated and deliberated in detail. Besides, an uncomplicated logic gate‐based PWM strategy is developed for generating the gating signals of switches using simple Boolean logic relations. A detailed comparison with other recommended MLI topologies is presented to highlight the notable features of the proposed topology. Simulation results obtained using the model developed in MATLAB/Simulink along with the experimental measurements obtained from a downscale prototype is presented to validate the practicability, effectiveness, and viability of the proposed topology. An explicit agreement among the simulation and experimental results is observed.
On‐line decentralised economical dispatch for power system with highly penetrated uncertain renewables
Authors: Shiwei Xia , Weiwei Zou , Qian Zhang , Gengyin Li
Published: November 2017

With the increasing concern on environmental and energy conserving, the new advancements in distributed generators (DGs) have enabled them to be grid‐connected with high penetration in distribution network. The remarkable characteristic of distributed network is that various small‐scale DGs, such as wind generators, solar generators, fuel cell and gas generator, would widely scatter across power network, and there is a pressing need for revisiting some of the fundamental problems in electric grid, e.g. economical dispatch (ED), to figure out better solutions to suit these new features. Therefore, it is the aim of this study to develop an on‐line decentralised ED to effectively and flexibly allocate the fast DGs outputs to quickly match the frequently and fast fluctuating outputs of uncertain renewables in distribution network. Firstly, the dynamic model of fast DGs will be designed to simulate their good capability of reference tracking, which would be used in the on‐line ED approach later. Then wind power generation is analysed based on the probabilistic model to generate typical time‐series data for ED. Finally, an on‐line decentralised ED approach based on the alternating direction method with multiplier algorithm is proposed to optimally allocate the frequently changed load demand and fluctuating uncertain renewables among multiple DGs in real time. The proposed on‐line decentralised ED approach could solve large complex problems by minimising the control variables and the dual variables in sequential iterations, and it is a novel divide‐and‐conquer decentralised optimisation method for ED. The proposed approach will be thoroughly tested on a distribution network consisting of multiple DGs and uncertain wind power generations. Comparative results with the conventional centralised ED algorithm confirm the accuracy and validity of the on‐line decentralised ED approach for power system operating with highly penetrated uncertain wind power generations.
DG planning in stand‐alone microgrid considering stochastic characteristic
Authors: Fang Wanliang , Liu Haoming , Chen Feng , Zheng Hao , Hua Guanghui , He Weiguo
Published: November 2017

To deploy distributed generation (DG) properly in the stand‐alone microgrid, a multi‐type DG planning model considering stochastic characteristic of photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT) and load is established. The annual total cost including the investment cost of DG, the maintenance cost, the fuel cost and the environment compensation cost is taken as objective function, and node voltage boundary, state of charge of battery storage boundary are taken as the main constraints. According to the probability density function of PV, WT and load, the voltage violation ratio of nodes in microgrid is calculated by the probability power flow based on Monte Carlo method. Finally, the optimisation model is solved by the genetic algorithm. The simulation results of a 33‐bus microgrid system case show that the proposed plan strategy has good performance in economy.
Phalloplasty in Female-to-Male Transsexuals by Gottlieb and Levine's Free Radial Forearm Flap Technique—A Long-Term Single-Center Experience Over More than Two Decades
Authors: Majenka Pawel , Kaufmann Melanie , Wellenbrock Sascha , Kasper Lara , Hüttinger Susanne , Djedovic Gabriel , Bozkurt Ahmet , Sohn Michael , Rieger Ulrich , Wirthmann Anna
Published: November 2017

Background The free radial forearm flap phalloplasty is the most utilized method for penile reconstruction. Among the techniques described in the literature, evidence for the flap design after Gottlieb and Levine is poor.

Methods From January 1993 until December 2015, 402 phalloplasties were performed in our clinic. Among the 247 free radial forearm flap phalloplasties, 232 free radial forearm flap phalloplasties were performed after Gottlieb and Levine in 229 patients. Operation and patient-specific characteristics were evaluated.

Results This study presents the highest number of free radial forearm flap phalloplasties after Gottlieb and Levine. The rate of total flap failure was 3%; 46% of the patients were heavy smokers. Urinary fistulae and strictures are common. The revision rate for urinary fistulae and/or strictures was 1.3 per patient. The number of postoperative complications, such as bleeding (14.2%), thrombosis of the flap requiring revision (11.2%), or delayed wound healing (16.8%) was considering the high rate of nicotine abuse (45.9%) reasonable.

Conclusion The free radial forearm phalloplasty in the design by Gottlieb and Levine is well established at our institution and has proven safe and reliable since 1993. The operative results are satisfactory for both patients and surgeons even in the presence of relevant comorbidities and heavy smoking. We acknowledge the long ordeal and psychological pressure that our patients suffer from, before presenting in our outpatient clinic.
Sind die Arzneimittelprüfungen oder die klinischen  Erfahrungswerte ausschlaggebend?
Authors: Ravi Roy
Published: November 2017

Während die Arzneimittelprüfung die Grundrichtung einer Arznei deutlich aufzeigt – welche zusammenhängenden Symptome bei welcher Art von Pathologie bei der Arznei zugrunde liegen –, dient die genaue Analyse der klinischen Erfahrungen dazu, die unterschiedlichen, teilweise sogar widersprüchlichen Symptome den Krankheitsverläufen zuzuordnen. Aus einseitigen Darstellungen von Beobachtungen oder Prüfungen entstehen mitunter Lehrmeinungen, die womöglich keine Entsprechung mehr zu den Tatsachen beinhalten. Andererseits können durch eine wertschätzende Beachtung der klinischen Erfahrungen sogar ganz neue Erkenntnisse und Zusammenhänge gewonnen werden.
Physiological, anatomical and antioxidant responses to salinity in the Mediterranean pastoral grass plant Stipa lagascae
Authors: Abdellaoui Raoudha , Boughalleb Fayçal , Chebil Zohra , Mahmoudi Maher , Belgacem Azaiez Ouled
Published: November 2017

Soil and water salinity is a major environmental problem in the dry Mediterranean regions, affecting rangeland production. This study investigated the effects of salinity on the wild perennial grass (Poaceae) species Stipa lagascae R. & Sch., a potential forage plant that could be used to rehabilitate degraded rangelands in dry areas. In a laboratory, 3-month-old S. lagascae seedlings were subjected to increasing salt treatments (0–400 mm NaCl) for 45 days. Physiological and biochemical parameters such as leaf water potential (Ψw), leaf relative water content (RWC), proline, total soluble sugars, Na+, K+ and Ca2+ contents, and catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities were measured. Total soluble sugars and proline concentrations increased and Ψw and RWC decreased with increasing salt concentrations. Lower salt concentrations induced a non-significant degradation of chlorophyll pigments. Shoot Na+ content increased with a salinity level, whereas shoot K+ and Ca2+ concentrations decreased and the K+ : Na+ ratio was lower. The salinity threshold, above which S. lagascae showed signs of damage, occurred at 300 mm. Plants have evolved reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging enzymes including catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase, which provide cells with an efficient mechanism to neutralise ROS. The tolerance strategies of S. lagascae to moderate salinity seem to include osmotic adjustment through total soluble sugars and proline accumulation, and highly inducible antioxidative defence. Further investigations are necessary to study the effect of salt stress on distribution of ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl–, NO3–, SO42–) and osmotic adjustment. Photosynthesis and water-use efficiency parameters could be also useful tools.
Contested war remembrance and ethnopolitical identities in Kosovo
Authors: Baliqi Bekim
Published: November 2017

This paper examines the relationship between political power and war remembrance by considering the way war remembrance occurs in a divided society. The purpose of this paper is to explore memory of the violent past and its uses as an ongoing arena of disputes between former adversaries and within ethnopolitical groups pushing their distinct versions of memory. Moreover, this paper examines three key aspects of the politics of remembrance: prevalent narratives, arenas of commemoration, and agencies of war remembrance, based on the case study of Kosovo. The postwar narrative and commemoration in Kosovo have evolved along ethnic lines, perpetuating antagonism and conflicting identities. Memorialization in Kosovo raises serious challenges for comprehensive transitional justice and reconciliation between these ethnic groups. The paper concludes that through appropriate civic education, critical inquiry of commemoration practices, and especially through evidence-based adaptation of the history curriculum, there is a chance to promote a culture of shared memory and to establish inclusive politics of remembrance in Kosovo, as crucial components of reconciliation and peace-building.
Development and plasticity of meningeal lymphatic vessels
Authors: Antila Salli , Karaman Sinem , Nurmi Harri , Airavaara Mikko , Voutilainen Merja H. , Mathivet Thomas , Chilov Dmitri , Li Zhilin , Koppinen Tapani , Park Jun-Hee , Fang Shentong , Aspelund Aleksanteri , Saarma Mart , Eichmann Anne , Thomas Jean-Léon , Alitalo Kari
Published: November 2017

The recent discovery of meningeal lymphatic vessels (LVs) has raised interest in their possible involvement in neuropathological processes, yet little is known about their development or maintenance. We show here that meningeal LVs develop postnatally, appearing first around the foramina in the basal parts of the skull and spinal canal, sprouting along the blood vessels and cranial and spinal nerves to various parts of the meninges surrounding the central nervous system (CNS). VEGF-C, expressed mainly in vascular smooth muscle cells, and VEGFR3 in lymphatic endothelial cells were essential for their development, whereas VEGF-D deletion had no effect. Surprisingly, in adult mice, the LVs showed regression after VEGF-C or VEGFR3 deletion, administration of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib, or expression of VEGF-C/D trap, which also compromised the lymphatic drainage function. Conversely, an excess of VEGF-C induced meningeal lymphangiogenesis. The plasticity and regenerative potential of meningeal LVs should allow manipulation of cerebrospinal fluid drainage and neuropathological processes in the CNS.
Geographic clonal tracking in macaques provides insights into HSPC migration and differentiation
Authors: Wu Chuanfeng , Espinoza Diego A. , Koelle Samson J. , Potter E. Lake , Lu Rong , Li Brian , Yang Di , Fan Xing , Donahue Robert E. , Roederer Mario , Dunbar Cynthia E.
Published: November 2017

The geographic distribution of hematopoiesis at a clonal level is of interest in understanding how hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and their progeny interact with bone marrow (BM) niches during regeneration. We tagged rhesus macaque autologous HSPCs with genetic barcodes, allowing clonal tracking over time and space after transplantation. We found marked geographic segregation of CD34+ HSPCs for at least 6 mo posttransplantation, followed by very gradual clonal mixing at different BM sites over subsequent months to years. Clonal mapping was used to document local production of granulocytes, monocytes, B cells, and CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells. In contrast, CD16+CD56− NK cells were not produced in the BM, and in fact were clonally distinct from multipotent progenitors producing all other lineages. Most surprisingly, we documented local BM production of CD3+ T cells early after transplantation, using both clonal mapping and intravascular versus tissue-resident T cell staining, suggesting a thymus-independent T cell developmental pathway operating during BM regeneration, perhaps before thymic recovery.
GfapandOsmrregulation by BRG1 and STAT3 via interchromosomal gene clustering in astrocytes
Authors: Ito Kenji , Noguchi Azumi , Uosaki Yuichi , Taga Testuya , Arakawa Hirokazu , Takizawa Takumi
Published: November 2017

Gene clustering is relevant in the regulation of gene expression. However, the mechanisms of gene clustering remain to be elucidated. Using a glial differentiation system, we found that the clustering of Gfap, an astrocyte-pecific gene, with Osmr enhances transcription of both genes. BRG1 and the JAK-STAT pathway are central to the clustering.
PIE: A prior knowledge guided integrated likelihood estimation method for bias reduction in association studies using electronic health records data
Authors: Huang Jing , Duan Rui , Hubbard Rebecca A , Wu Yonghui , Moore Jason H , Xu Hua , Chen Yong
Published: November 2017

Objectives

This study proposes a novelPrior knowledge guidedIntegrated likelihoodEstimation (PIE) method to correct bias in estimations of associations due to misclassification of electronic health record (EHR)-derived binary phenotypes, and evaluates the performance of the proposed method by comparing it to 2 methods in common practice.

Methods

We conducted simulation studies and data analysis of real EHR-derived data on diabetes from Kaiser Permanente Washington to compare the estimation bias of associations using the proposed method, the method ignoring phenotyping errors, the maximum likelihood method with misspecified sensitivity and specificity, and the maximum likelihood method with correctly specified sensitivity and specificity (gold standard). The proposed method effectively leverages available information on phenotyping accuracy to construct a prior distribution for sensitivity and specificity, and incorporates this prior information through the integrated likelihood for bias reduction.

Results

Our simulation studies and real data application demonstrated that the proposed method effectively reduces the estimation bias compared to the 2 current methods. It performed almost as well as the gold standard method when the prior had highest density around true sensitivity and specificity. The analysis of EHR data from Kaiser Permanente Washington showed that the estimated associations from PIE were very close to the estimates from the gold standard method and reduced bias by 60%–100% compared to the 2 commonly used methods in current practice for EHR data.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the proposed method can effectively reduce estimation bias caused by imperfect phenotyping in EHR-derived data by incorporating prior information through integrated likelihood.
Use of Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Tooth Extractions, Dental Implants, and Periodontal Surgical Procedures
Authors: Suda Katie J , Henschel Heather , Patel Ursula , Fitzpatrick Margaret A , Evans Charlesnika T
Published: November 2017

Background

Guidelines for antibiotics prior to dental procedures for patients with specific cardiac conditions and prosthetic joints have changed, reducing indications for antibiotic prophylaxis. In addition to guidelines focused on patient comorbidities, systematic reviews specific to dental extractions and implants support preprocedure antibiotics for all patients. However, data on dentist adherence to these recommendations are scarce.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of veterans undergoing tooth extractions, dental implants, and periodontal procedures. Patients receiving antibiotics for oral or nonoral infections were excluded. Data were collected through manual review of the health record.

Results

Of 183 veterans (mean age, 62 years; 94.5% male) undergoing the included procedures, 82.5% received antibiotic prophylaxis (mean duration, 7.1 ± 1.6 days). Amoxicillin (71.3% of antibiotics) and clindamycin (23.8%) were prescribed most frequently; 44.7% of patients prescribed clindamycin were not labeled as penicillin allergic. Of those who received prophylaxis, 92.1% received postprocedure antibiotics only, 2.6% received preprocedural antibiotics only, and 5.3% received pre- and postprocedure antibiotics. When prophylaxis was indicated, 87.3% of patients received an antibiotic. However, 84.9% received postprocedure antibiotics when preprocedure administration was indicated. While the majority of antibiotics were indicated, only 8.2% of patients received antibiotics appropriately. The primary reason was secondary to prolonged duration. Three months postprocedure, there were no occurrences of Clostridium difficile infection, infective endocarditis, prosthetic joint infections, or postprocedure oral infections.

Conclusion

The majority of patients undergoing a dental procedure received antibiotic prophylaxis as indicated. Although patients for whom antibiotic prophylaxis was indicated should have received a single preprocedure dose, most antibiotics were prescribed postprocedure. Dental stewardship efforts should ensure appropriate antibiotic timing, indication, and duration.
Quantitative Evaluation of Muscle Function, Gait, and Postural Control in People Experiencing Critical Illness After Discharge From the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Kiriella Jeevaka B , Araujo Tamara , Vergara Martin , Lopez-Hernandez Laura , Cameron Jill I , Herridge Margaret , Gage William H , Mathur Sunita
Published: November 2017

Background

The path to recovery of muscle strength and mobility following discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) has not been well described.

Objective

The study objective was to quantify muscle function, gait, and postural control at 3 and 6 months after discharge in people who were recovering from critical illness and who were ventilated for 7 days or more.

Design

This was a nested longitudinal study with continuous inclusion of individuals over a 2-year period and with age- and sex-matched controls.

Methods

Twenty-four people were tested at 3 months after ICU discharge; 16 of them (67%) were reevaluated at 6 months (post-ICU group). Healthy controls (n = 12) were tested at a single time point. Muscle function of the knee extensors (KEs), plantar flexors (PFs), and dorsiflexors (DFs) was assessed on a dynamometer. Gait was measured using an electronic walkway, and postural control was measured with 2 portable force plates.

Results

Muscle weakness was observed across all muscle groups at 3 months, with the greatest strength reductions in the ankle PFs (45%) and DFs (30%). Muscle power was reduced in the PFs and DFs but was not reduced in the KEs. Gait in the post-ICU group was characterized by a narrower step, longer stride, and longer double-support time than in the controls. Improvements were found in KE strength and in stride time and double-support time during gait at 6 months. Leg muscle strength and power had moderate associations with gait velocity, step width, and stride length (r = .44–.65).

Limitations

The small heterogeneous sample of people with a high level of function was a limitation of this study.

Conclusions

Muscle strength and power were impaired at 6 months after ICU discharge and were associated with gait parameters. Future studies are needed to examine the role of muscle strength and power training in post-ICU rehabilitation programs to improve mobility.
Exercise, Manual Therapy, and Booster Sessions in Knee Osteoarthritis: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis From a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bove Allyn M , Smith Kenneth J , Bise Christopher G , Fritz Julie M , Childs John D , Brennan Gerard P , Abbott J Haxby , Fitzgerald G Kelley
Published: November 2017

Background

Limited information exists regarding the cost-effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Objective

The study objective was to compare the cost-effectiveness of 4 different combinations of exercise, manual therapy, and booster sessions for individuals with knee OA.

Design

This economic evaluation involved a cost-effectiveness analysis performed alongside a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Setting

The study took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Salt Lake City, Utah; and San Antonio, Texas.

Participants

The study participants were 300 individuals taking part in a randomized controlled trial investigating various physical therapy strategies for knee OA.

Intervention

Participants were randomized into 4 treatment groups: exercise only (EX), exercise plus booster sessions (EX+B), exercise plus manual therapy (EX+MT), and exercise plus manual therapy and booster sessions (EX+MT+B).

Measurements

For the 2-year base case scenario, a Markov model was constructed using the United States societal perspective and a 3% discount rate for costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated to compare differences in cost per QALY gained among the 4 treatment strategies.

Results

In the 2-year analysis, booster strategies (EX+MT+B and EX+B) dominated no-booster strategies, with both lower health care costs and greater effectiveness. EX+MT+B had the lowest total health care costs. EX+B cost${\$}$1061 more and gained 0.082 more QALYs than EX+MT+B, for an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of${\$}$12,900/QALY gained.

Limitations

The small number of total knee arthroplasty surgeries received by individuals in this study made the assessment of whether any particular strategy was more successful at delaying or preventing surgery in individuals with knee OA difficult.

Conclusions

Spacing exercise-based physical therapy sessions over 12 months using periodic booster sessions was less costly and more effective over 2 years than strategies not containing booster sessions for individuals with knee OA.
Effects of Sublabeled Rates of Dazomet and Metam-Sodium Applied Under Low-Permeability Films on Calonectria Microsclerotia Survival
Authors: Aiello Dalia , Vitale Alessandro , Alfenas Rafael F. , Alfenas Acelino C. , Cirvilleri Gabriella , Polizzi Giancarlo
Published: November 2017

Infested soil is the primary inoculum source for Calonectria spp. for initiating disease in ornamental and forestry crops. The effects of dazomet and metam-sodium on survival of microsclerotia of 28 isolates belonging to 19 Calonectria spp. were evaluated in this study under nursery conditions. Two experiments with exotic Calonectria spp. in plastic containers in a greenhouse and three trials with endemic species in field plots were performed during different seasons. The containers and plots were artificially infested with Calonectria microsclerotia differentiated on carnation leaf tissues. Basamid (dazomet) was applied at 100, 160, 200, 400, and 500 kg/ha, while Divapan (metam-sodium) was applied at 250, 350, 400, 700, and 1,000 liters/ha in both the containers and plots. The fumigants were applied under virtually and totally impermeable films. Fungal survival was evaluated after 21 days using leaf tissues collected from treated soil and plated on potato dextrose agar, and the ability of microsclerotia to cause infection was tested on red clover. The survival of Calonectria inocula and microsclerotia decreased with increasing fumigant rates. In the greenhouse trials, where Basamid was applied at 200, 400, and 500 kg/ha and Divapan at 400, 700, and 1,000 liters/ha, no viable microsclerotia were recovered for 14 exotic Calonectria spp., whereas viable inocula of Calonectria hongkongensis, C. naviculata, and C. sulawesiensis were retrieved from the fumigated plots. Low rates of Basamid (100 and 160 kg/ha) and Divapan (250 and 350 liters/ha) were less effective at reducing Calonectria viability and, for these treatments, the rate of microsclerotia survival was highly variable among the different isolates and species. Furthermore, totally impermeable film significantly enhanced fumigant performance. Relative to endemic Calonectria spp., all of the treatments killed microsclerotia of C. polizzii and C. pauciramosa independent from fumigant, rate, and film. This research demonstrated the possibility of reducing the application rates by up to 160 kg/ha for Basamid and 400 liters/ha for Divapan under low-permeability films (virtually impermeable film or totally impermeable film) for eradicating or reducing the primary inoculum of Calonectria spp. in soil.
Responding to child sexual abuse disclosure
Authors: Dolan Carolyn M. , Raber Micki S.
Published: November 2017

In cases of child sexual abuse (CSA), NPs are faced with a variety of options dictated by community, agency, and individual resources. This article looks at victim-centered care from current guidelines and offers resources for clinical practice decision making when responding to CSA disclosure.
The menopausal woman
Authors: Pace Diane Todd
Published: November 2017

With life expectancy increasing, women will spend one-third of their lives in and beyond menopause. A collaborative discussion with the clinician facilitates informed decision-making and should include evidence-based discussion of physiologic changes, assessment of symptoms and treatment options, review of screening recommendations, and discussion of disease risk-reduction strategies and psychosocial issues.
Hearing Loss in Children With Otitis Media With Effusion: Actual and Simulated Effects on Speech Perception
Authors: Cai Ting , McPherson Bradley , Li Caiwei , Yang Feng
Published: November 2017

Objective:

Conductive hearing loss simulations have attempted to estimate the speech-understanding difficulties of children with otitis media with effusion (OME). However, the validity of this approach has not been evaluated. The research aim of the present study was to investigate whether a simple, frequency-specific, attenuation-based simulation of OME-related hearing loss was able to reflect the actual effects of conductive hearing loss on speech perception.

Design:

Forty-one school-age children with OME-related hearing loss were recruited. Each child with OME was matched with a same sex and age counterpart with normal hearing to make a participant pair. Pure-tone threshold differences at octave frequencies from 125 to 8000 Hz for every participant pair were used as the simulation attenuation levels for the normal-hearing children. Another group of 41 school-age otologically normal children were recruited as a control group without actual or simulated hearing loss. The Mandarin Hearing in Noise Test was utilized, and sentence recall accuracy at four signal to noise ratios (SNR) considered representative of classroom-listening conditions were derived, as well as reception thresholds for sentences (RTS) in quiet and in noise using adaptive protocols.

Results:

The speech perception in quiet and in noise of children with simulated OME-related hearing loss was significantly poorer than that of otologically normal children. Analysis showed that RTS in quiet of children with OME-related hearing loss and of children with simulated OME-related hearing loss was significantly correlated and comparable. A repeated-measures analysis suggested that sentence recall accuracy obtained at 5-dB SNR, 0-dB SNR, and –5-dB SNR was similar between children with actual and simulated OME-related hearing loss. However, RTS in noise in children with OME was significantly better than that for children with simulated OME-related hearing loss.

Conclusions:

The present frequency-specific, attenuation-based simulation method reflected the effects of OME-related hearing loss on speech perception impairment in quiet environments. In noisy environments, the simulation method could only approximately estimate the effects of OME-related hearing loss on speech perception in typical classroom noise levels. Children with OME-related hearing loss may develop compensatory strategies to reduce the effects of hearing loss in adverse listening environments.