bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multicenter Evaluation of Nine Commercial Kits for the Quantitation of Anticardiolipin Antibodies
Authors: Reber G , Arvieux J , Comby E , Degenne D , de Moerloose P , Sanmarco M , Potron G ,   On behalf of the working group on Methodologies in Haemostasis from the GEHT (Groupe d’Etudes sur I’Hémostase et la Thrombose), France
Published: July 2018

The performances of nine commercial kits and an in-house method (HM) for the quantitation of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) have been evaluated in a multicenter study. Ninety control and patient samples and six standards from Louisville University were run with kits and with the HM. Marked differences in positivity rate between kits were observed, ranging from 31 to 60% for IgG and 6 to 50% for IgM. Concordance between kits occurred in 59 and 51% of samples for IgG and IgM respectively. Concordance coefficients (kappa) ranged from 0.13 to 0.92. Slopes of regression lines between the declared units of Louisville standards and the units measured from the calibrators of the kits showed great diversity and ranged from 0.159 to 0.931 for IgG and from 0.236 to 0.836 for IgM. The β2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) content of the dilution buffers and the wells supplied with the kits revealed noticeable differences. However samples containing anti-(β2-GPI antibodies were classified similarly by all but one kit. In contrast the ability to measure samples devoid of anti-β2-GPI antibodies differed markedly between the kits.

This study shows that differences in positivity rates between the commercial kits may contribute to the differences in ACA prevalence rate found in the literature. The choice of cut-off levels may partly explain the moderate concordance between the kits. In addition some samples behave very differently depending on the kits. In spite of the expression of results in PL units, standardization of ACA assays has not been achieved.
Ultrasound Increases Flow through Fibrin Gels
Authors: Siddiqi Farhan , Blinc Ales , Braaten Julie , Francis Charles W
Published: July 2018

Ultrasound accelerates fibrinolysis in vitro and in animal models of thrombosis. Since transport of fibrinolytic enzymes into clots by permeation may be an important determinant of the rate of fibrinolysis, we examined the effect of ultrasound on permeation through fibrin gels in vitro. Gels of purified fibrin were prepared in plastic tubes, and the rate of pressure-mediated fluid permeation was measured. Exposure to 1 MHz ultrasound at 2 W/cm2 and a duty cycle of 5 msec on, 5 msec off resulted in a significant (p = .005) increase in flow through the gel of 29.0 ± 4.2% (SEM). The ultrasound-induced flow increase was intensity-dependent, increasing from 17.0 ± 1.2% at 1 W/cm2 to 30.1 ± 1.9% at 2.3 W/cm2. Increased flow was not due to heating, detachment of fibrin from the tube wall or fragmentation of the gel resulting in channeling. However, degassing the fluid by autoclaving significantly reduced the ultrasound-induced increase in flow. We conclude that exposure of fibrin gels to ultrasound increases pressure-mediated permeation. This effect may be related to cavitation-induced changes in fibrin gel structure, and could contribute to the accelerated fibrinolysis observed in an ultrasound field.
Platelet Unresponsiveness to Collagen: Involvement of Glycoprotein Ia-IIa (α2β1 Integrin) Deficiency Associated with a Myeloproliferative Disorder
Authors: Handa Makoto , Kawai Yohko , Kamata Tetuji , Koyama Takushi , Nagai Hirofumi , Ikeda Yasuo , Watanabe Kiyoaki
Published: July 2018

We studied a 66-year-old man with a myeloproliferative disorder who presented with a prolonged bleeding time and marked thrombocytosis (platelet count, 3,890 × 109/1). There was no past history of a bleeding disorder. The patient had normal coagulation data. His platelets completely lacked collagen-induced platelet aggregation and adhesion, but showed normal responses to other agonists. All family members tested showed normal platelet aggregation with collagen.

Analysis of 125I surface-labeled platelets by two-dimensional SDS gel electrophoresis disclosed absence of the spot corresponding to platelet membrane GPIa (α2) but no other significant deficiencies of major platelet glycoproteins i.e., GPIb, IIb-IIIa, and IV. Immunoisolation studies of the patient’s platelets indicated that neither anti-GPIa nor anti-GPIIa (β1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) isolated any surface membrane proteins corresponding to GPIa. GPVI, a putative collagen receptor, was immunoisolated from the platelets. Indirect immunofluorescence study using flow cytometry confirmed that the patient’s platelets were totally deficient in surface expression of the GPIa-IIa complex (α2β1, integrin). In contrast, phytohemoagglutinin-activated T-lymphocytes from the patient expressed normal concentrations of this complex.

The data suggest that our patient had an acquired deficiency of the platelet GPIa-IIa complex, due to a myeloproliferative disorder, which might account for the absence of responsiveness of his platelet to collagen.
Haemostasis Factors in Angina Pectoris; Relation to Gender, Age and Acute-phase Reaction
Authors: Haverkate F , Thompson S G , Duckert F
Published: July 2018

The ECAT Angina Pectoris Study is a European multicentre study with the aim of investigating the pathogenetic and predictive role of haemostatic factors in the progression of coronary heart disease. It is the largest study performed up to now with regard to both the number of patients with angina pectoris (n = 3043) and the number of haemostasis assays (n = 23) included.

The present paper presents baseline cross-sectional data with particular reference to the relationship of haemostatic factors with each other and with the coronary risk factors age, gender and acute-phase reaction (1). Two clusters of haemostatic factors could be distinguished in which each variable was correlated (P < 0.001) to every other variable: (a) Eight fibrinolysis assays including t-PA, PAI-1 and euglo- bulin clot lysis time (ECLT), for which PAI-1 appeared to be the dominating factor; (b) antithrombin III, protein C, α2-antiplasmin and plasminogen, the interdependence of which has no obvious explanation. (2). Twelve out of the 23 haemostasis assays were associated (P < 0.01) with age. Except for α2-antiplasmin, these relationships indicated an increased tendency to thrombosis with increasing age. (3). Gender differences found in 14 haemostasis parameters do not indicate a consistent difference in the tendency to thrombosis between men and women. Eight haemostasis parameters were on average higher in female than in male patients in the age group over 50 years. (4). C-reactive protein, an acute-phase reactant, was positively correlated (P < 0.001) with fibrinogen, factor VIIIc, von Willebrand factor, the fibrinolysis assays t-PA, PAI-1, ECLT and plasminogen. These parameters are therefore potential markers of an ongoing, low-grade inflammatory response in patients with atherosclerosis and, as most of them have been reported as cardiovascular risk markers, they may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease as a link in the relation between inflammation and arterial thrombosis.
Relationships of Insulin and Intact and Split Proinsulin to Haemostatic Function in Young Men with and without Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Båvenholm Peter , Proudler Anthony , Silveira Angela , Crook David , Blombäck Margareta , de Faire Ulf , Hamsten Anders
Published: July 2018

Glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinaemia, dyslipoproteinaemia and multiple disturbances of haemostatic function are characteristics of young men with premature coronary artery disease. The relations between glucose, insulin and insulin propeptides, in the fasting state, and after an oral glucose load, and haemostatic function were examined in 62 consecutive non-diabetic men with myocardial infarction before the age of 45 and in 41 age-matched healthy men. “True” hyperinsulinaemia, raised plasma concentrations of insulin propeptides, dyslipoproteinaemia, elevated plasma levels of fibrinogen, factor VII antigen (VIIag) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity, and lower antithrombin activity (p <0.05-0.001) characterized the patients. PAI-1 activity was more closely associated with insulin, intact proinsulin and des 31,32proinsulin in patients than in controls, whereas the plasma levels of fibrinogen, activated factor VII (VIIa) and VIIag were stronger correlated with insulin and insulin propeptides in subjects without coronary artery disease. Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride was a strong determinant of VIIag and PAI-1 activity levels in both cases and controls, whereas VLDL triglyceride in controls and LDL cholesterol in patients related significantly to the plasma fibrinogen concentration. Thus, our data suggests that plasma insulin and insulin propeptides might be involved in the regulation of plasma fibrinogen concentration, factor VII level and plasma PAI-1 activity. However, apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins appear to influence the relationships between insulin, insulin propeptides and haemostatic factors in individuals with premature coronary artery disease.
Varicose Vein Stripping - A Prospective Study of the Thrombotic Risk and the Diagnostic Significance of Preoperative Color Coded Duplex Sonography
Authors: Böhler Kornelia , Baldt Manfred , Schuller-Petrovic Sanja , Grünwald Christian , Sellner Wolfgang , Watzke Herbert , Wolff Klaus
Published: July 2018

Insufficiency of epifascial veins promotes venous ulceration and increases thromboembolic risk in general surgery patients. Epifascial varicose vein stripping is therefore considered the most effective prophylactic procedure. Thromboembolic risk of patients undergoing this surgical procedure has not yet been prospectively evaluated but appears to be lower than in general surgery patients. The gold standard of preoperative assessment of varicose surgery patients is ascending pressure phlebography, but this technique is invasive, time consuming and costly.

We prospectively investigated 100 consecutive varicose vein surgery patients for postoperative thrombosis. Ascending pressure phlebography (APP) and colour coded duplex sonography (CCDS) were performed before and 10 to 21 days after the stripping operation in 100 and 70 patients, respectively.

APP revealed no postoperative deep vein thrombosis in all 100 limbs investigated (0 percent; 95 percent confidence interval: 0 to 2.95). With regard to epifascial vein reflux there was good agreement between APP and CCDS (quadratic weighted kappa: 0.76). In 67 out of 73 superficial veins investigated excellent agreement of diagnostic accuracy was found for both diagnostic procedures (91.78 percent; 95 percent confidence interval: 82.96 to 96.92).

We conclude that thrombotic risk of varicose vein surgery is low in properly selected patients. CCDS provides a high degree of accuracy in diagnosis of reflux and regular vein morphology and should therefore replace APP; however, APP does remain essential in the preoperative workup of a typical anatomical variants.
Comparison of Antithrombotic Effects of GPIIb-IIIa Receptor Antagonist and TXA2 Receptor Antagonist in the Guinea-pig Thrombosis Model: Possible Role of TXA2 in Reocclusion after Thrombolysis
Authors: Takiguchi Yoshiharu , Asai Fumitoshi , Wada Kouichirou , Nakashima Mitsuyoshi
Published: July 2018

The effects of Ro 44-9883, a new specific antagonist of platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa receptor, on thrombus formation and reocclusion after thrombolysis induced by tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) were compared with those of vapiprost, a thromboxane (TX) A2 receptor antagonist, using a photochemically-induced thrombosis model in the guinea-pig femoral artery. Pretreatment with Ro 44-9883 (5,10 and 20 μg/kg/min, i. v.) prolonged the time required to occlude the artery in a dose-dependent manner. Ro 44-9883 at 10 and 20 μg/kg/min significantly inhibited ex vivo platelet aggregation in whole blood induced by collagen, ADP or U46619. Vapiprost 0.3 mg/kg inhibited thrombus formation and platelet aggregation induced by collagen or U46619, to the same extent as Ro 44-9883 at the higher doses. In the thrombolysis study, Ro 44-9883 at the higher doses given as comedication with t-PA reduced the time to achieve reperfusion and increased the vascular patency after successful reperfusion. Vapiprost also significantly reduced the time to reperfusion and prevented reocclusion. However, the vascular patency after thrombolysis by t-PA with vapiprost was significantly increased compared with Ro 44-9883. Ro 44-9883 inhibited platelet aggregation, but did not prevent TXA2 formation in platelets. Thus, vascular contraction mediated by platelet-derived TXA2 may be responsible for lower efficacy of Ro 44-9883 against reocclusion compared with vapiprost. These results indicate that not only platelet aggregation but also vasoconstriction may contribute to reocclusion after t-PA-induced thrombolysis in the guinea-pig.
Ristocetin-induced Platelet Agglutination Stimulates GPIIb/IIIa-dependent Calcium Influx
Authors: Bertolino Giampiera , Noris Patrizia , Spedini Pierangelo , Balduini Carlo L
Published: July 2018

We found that intracellular Ca2+ concentration i[Ca2+]i) increased during ristocetin-induced agglutination of aequorin loaded platelets resuspended in plasma. Chelation of extracellular Ca2+ had no effect on platelet clumping, but delayed and greatly reduced Ca2+ increase, indicating that it derived for the most part from Ca2+ influx. Nine monoclonal antibodies (MA) against glycoprotein (GP) Ib largely prevented ristocetin-induced platelet clumping and [Ca2+]i increase, while three anti-GPIb MA with no effect on platelet clumping did not interfere with Ca2+ movement. In unstirred samples platelet agglutination was greatly reduced and [Ca2+]i increase was abolished, suggesting that close plate- let-to-platelet contact, in addition to von Willebrand factor (vWF) binding to GPIb, is necessary for Ca2+ transient. Nine MA against GPIIb/IIIa, the gly-arg-gly-asp-ser (GRGDS) peptide and GPIIb/IIIa complex dissociation had no effect on platelet agglutination, but significantly reduced Ca2+ increase. Our results suggest that platelet clumping induced by vWF binding to GPIb is responsible for GPIIb-IIIa dependent Ca2+ influx.
Cultured Endothelial Cells Regulate Platelet Adhesion to their Extracellular Matrix by Regulating its von Willebrand Factor Content
Authors: Wu Ya-Ping , Sixma Jan J , de Groot Philip G
Published: July 2018

Endothelial cells and their extracellular matrix formed in vitro are often used as a model for subendothelium in studies on platelet-vessel wall interaction. We have characterized the influence of culture conditions of endothelial cells on the formation of extracellular matrix and on the interaction of the matrix with platelets. Passage number, time of confluence, serum concentration and the addition of heparin, growth factors and antibiotics to the culture medium were varied and the extracellular matrices were isolated. The amount of fibronectin and von Willebrand factor present in the matrix were measured and the number of platelets adhering to these matrices after perfusion with citrated whole blood at a shear rate of 1000 s-l was determined. A three times increase of the amount of von Willebrand factor in the matrix was found when the serum concentration was increased from 2.5% to 30%. When the passage number of the cells was increased or the period during which the cells were at confluence was extended, the amount of von Willebrand factor in the matrix was decreased up to 50%. Addition of heparin or ECGS (endothelial cell growth supplement) decreased the von Willebrand factor content in the matrix. Addition of penicillin or streptomycin to the culture medium had no influence on the amount of von Willebrand factor deposited in the matrix or secreted into the medium, however, other antibiotics such as gentamycin and neomycin decrease the amount of von Willebrand factor in the matrix. No influence on the amount of fibronectin in the matrix was found under all conditions tested.

There was a strong correlation between the amount of von Willebrand factor in the matrix and the number of platelets adhering to the matrix. A decrease or increase of the amount of von Willebrand factor was always correlated with a decrease or increase of the number of platelets adhering to the matrix. These results indicate that the synthesis and deposition of von Willebrand factor in the extracellular matrix by cultured endothelial cells is very sensitive to variations in culture conditions and that the amount of von Willebrand factor in the matrix predominantly determines the reactivity of the matrix for platelets.
The Suppression of the Coagulation of Nonanticoagulated Whole Blood in vitro by Human Umbilical Endothelial Cells Cultivated on Microcarriers is not Dependent on Protein C Activation
Authors: Kohler Hans-Peter , Müller Michele , Bombeli Thomas , Straub P Werner , Haeberli André
Published: July 2018

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultivated on globular microcarriers in order to improve the endothelial cell surface to blood-volume ratio over the conventional flat bed cultures. HUVEC-beads were tested for their modulation of blood coagulation using a combination of two steps: HUVEC-beads were added into the syringe used for the venipuncture, in order to achieve immediate contact between cells and blood, and no anticoagulant was used during the incubation time of HUVEC-beads with whole blood. The coagulation initiation produced by venipuncture was almost completely suppressed as judged by thrombin measurements over a period of 60 min. The activated partial thromboplastin time showed a prolongation by a factor >3. Direct measurements of activated protein C (APC) were negative. Moreover, inhibition of APC-generation with a monoclonal anti-human protein C antibody did not affect the anticoagulant properties of endothelial cells. Therefore the anticoagulant properties exerted by HUVEC-beads are not dependent on APC.
Abnormal Processing of the Glycoprotein IIb Transcript due to a Nonsense Mutation in Exon 17 Associated with Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia
Authors: Tomiyama Yoshiaki , Kashiwagi Hirokazu , Kosugi Satoru , Shiraga Masamichi , Kanayama Yoshio , Kurata Yoshiyuki , Matsuzawa Yuji
Published: July 2018

We analyzed the molecular genetic defect responsible for type I Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia in a Japanese patient. In an immunoblot assay using polyclonal anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies, some GPIIIa (15% of normal amount) could be detected in the patient’s platelets, whereas GPIIb could not (<2% of normal amount). Nucleotide sequence analysis of platelet GPIIb mRNA-derived polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products revealed that patient’s GPIIb cDNA had a 75-bp deletion in the 3’ boundary of exon 17 resulting in an in-frame deletion of 25 amino acids. DNA analysis and family study revealed that the patient was a compound heterozygote of two GPIIb gene defects. One allele derived from her father was not expressed in platelets, and the other allele derived from her mother had a 9644C → T mutation which was located at the position -3 of the splice donor junction of exon 17 and resulted in a termination codon (TGA). Moreover, quantitative analysis demonstrated that the amount of the abnormal GPIIb transcript in the patient’s platelets was markedly reduced. Thus, the C → T mutation resulting in the abnormal splicing of GPIIb transcript and the reduction in its amount is responsible for Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia.
Antiphospholipid Antibodies, Haemostatic Variables and Thrombosis – A Survey of 144 Patients
Authors: Ames Paul R J , Pyke Stephen , Iannaccone Luigi , Brancaccio Vincenzo
Published: July 2018

Several clotting abnormalities have been put forth to explain the thrombotic tendency of the antiphospholipid syndrome, but a possible role for fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor has been poorly investigated. The present cross-sectional retrospective study evaluated the relationship of IgG anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulants, fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor with the occurrence of arterial and venous thromboses in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. Among the clotting assays for the detection of lupus anticoagulant, dilute Russell’s viper venom time correlated with a history of venous thrombosis more strongly than activated partial thromboplastin time (p <0.0002 vs p <0.009) and was the only test which correlated with a history of arterial thrombosis (p <0.01), also at low levels of IgG anticardiolipin antibodies (p = 0.003). By regression analysis, and after correction for confounders, serum levels of IgG anticardiolipin antibodies were found to be positively associated with the number of venous events (p <0.001). Plasma levels of fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor were associated with each other (p <0.0001; r: 0.48) and with the occurrence of arterial and venous thromboses (p <0.001). Moreover, plasma levels of fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor in thrombotic patients with antiphospholipid antibodies were significantly higher than those of a control group of thrombotic patients who suffered thrombosis for other reasons (p <0.0001 and p = 0.0008 respectively). Titres of IgG anticardiolipin antibodies correlated with plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (p <0.0001; r: 0.42). These findings support the hypothesis that within the antiphospholipid antibody family, subgroups exist which may preferentially associate with arterial or venous occlusions and raise the possibility that elevated plasma levels of fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor may be implicated in the thrombotic tendency of the antiphospholipid syndrome through an involvement of the vascular endothelium, as the relationship between IgG anticardiolipin and von Willebrand factor suggests. Measurement of fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor in prospective studies, besides anticardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulants, may help assess the risk of developing arterial and venous thrombosis in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies.
Platelet Accumulation on Fibrin-coated Polyethylene: Role of Platelet Activation and Factor XIII
Authors: Rubens F D , Perry D W , Hatton M W C , Bishop P D , Packham M A , Kinlough-Rathbone R L
Published: July 2018

Platelet accumulation on small- and medium-calibre vascular grafts plays a significant role in graft occlusion. We examined platelet accumulation on the surface of fibrin-coated polyethylene tubing (internal diameter 0.17 cm) during 10 min of flow (l0ml/min) at high wall shear rate (764 s-1). Washed platelets labelled with 51Cr were resuspended in Tyrode solution containing albumin, apyrase and red blood cells (hematocrit 40%). When the thrombin that was used to form the fibrin-coated surface was inactivated with FPRCH2C1 before perfusion of the tubes with the platelet:red blood cell suspension, the accumulation of platelets was 59,840 ± 27,960 platelets per mm2, whereas accumulation on fibrin with residual active thrombin was 316,750 ± 32,560 platelets per mm2 (n = 4). When the fibrin on the surface was cross-linked by including recombinant factor XIII (rFXIII) in the fibrinogen solution used to prepare the fibrin-coated surface, platelet accumulation, after thrombin neutralization, was reduced by the cross-linking from 46,974 ± 9702 to 36,818 ± 7964 platelets per mm2 (n = 12, p <0.01). Platelet accumulation on tubes coated with D-dimer was ten times less than on tubes coated with D-domain; this finding also supports the observation that cross-linking of fibrin with the formation of γ-γ dimers reduces platelet accumulation on the fibrin-coated surface. Thrombin-activated platelets themselves were shown to cross-link fibrin when they had adhered to it during perfusion, or in a static system in which thrombin was used to form clots from FXIII-free fibrinogen in the presence of platelets. Thus, cross-linking of fibrin by FXIII in plasma or from platelets probably decreases the reactivity of the fibrin-containing thrombi to platelets by altering the lysine residue at or near the platelet-binding site of each of the γ-chains of the fibrinogen which was converted into the fibrin of these thrombi.
Comparison of Postoperative Pain and Recovery between Single-Port and Two-Port Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for Lung Cancer
Authors: Liu Zhengcheng , Yang Rusong , Shao Feng
Published: July 2018

Objective To investigate whether the single-port (SP) technique had more favorable postoperative outcomes than had the two-port (TP) technique.

Methods One hundred sixty-six single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SP-VATS) lobectomy and 162 two-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (TP-VATS) lobectomy had been successfully completed between August 2015 and September 2016. A single incision of ∼3 cm was made in an intercostal space along the anterior axillary line. Perioperative outcomes and the safety between SP-VATS and TP-VATS lobectomy for NSCLC was compared.

Results In the SP-VATS group, incision size was kept to a minimum, with a median of 3 cm; mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed in all patients with malignancy. Overall, median operative time was 89 minutes, and median chest tube duration was 3.1 days. The VAS on postoperative days 3, 7, and 14 was less in the SP-VATS group than that in the TP-VATS group. The VAS on days 1, 30, 60, 90, 180, and 360 did not differ significantly between the two groups. The number of days of use of analgesic agents after surgery was less in the SP-VATS group. The pathological symptoms of wound pain were significantly less in the SP-VATS group.

Conclusions Compared with the multiport approach, SP VATS lobectomy might reduce postoperative pain and lead to faster recovery.
The Micro-Elimination Approach to Eliminating Hepatitis C: Strategic and Operational Considerations
Authors: Safreed-Harmon Kelly , Thursz Mark , Dillon John , El-Sayed Manal , Elsharkawy Ahmed , Hatzakis Angelos , Jadoul Michel , Prestileo Tullio , Razavi Homie , Rockstroh Jürgen , Wiktor Stefan , Colombo Massimo , Lazarus Jeffrey
Published: July 2018

The introduction of efficacious new hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatments galvanized the World Health Organization to define ambitious targets for eliminating HCV as a public health threat by 2030. Formidable obstacles to reaching this goal can best be overcome through a micro-elimination approach, which entails pursuing elimination goals in discrete populations through multi-stakeholder initiatives that tailor interventions to the needs of these populations. Micro-elimination is less daunting, less complex, and less costly than full-scale, country-level initiatives to eliminate HCV, and it can build momentum by producing small victories that inspire more ambitious efforts. The micro-elimination approach encourages stakeholders who are most knowledgeable about specific populations to engage with each other and also promotes the uptake of new models of care. Examples of micro-elimination target populations include medical patients, people who inject drugs, migrants, and prisoners, although candidate populations can be expected to vary greatly in different countries and subnational areas.
Otitis media – Definition, Pathogenese, Klinik, Diagnose und Therapie
Authors: Leichtle A. , Hoffmann T.K. , Wigand M.C.
Published: July 2018

Unter dem Begriff Otitis media werden die akute Otitis media, die rezidivierende akute Otitis media, die Otitis media mit Erguss, die chronische Otitis media
mesotympanalis und die chronische Otitis media epitympanalis, das Cholesteatom, zusammengefasst. Es handelt sich um vielfältige Krankheitsbilder, die teils
ineinander übergehen können und eine individuell angepasste, zielgerichtete Therapie erfordern.
Promoting the development of the new energy automobile industry in China: Technology selection and evaluation perspective
Authors: Wang Xiaojia , Song Yiming , Xia Wei , Liu Hui , Yang Shanlin
Published: July 2018

With the rapid development of new energy vehicles, China, as the largest producer, has achieved great success. However, weaknesses in the key technologies (KTs) have been exposed. Therefore, to aid China's new energy automobile market to further expand and to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the current KTs, this paper investigates 20 of the new energy vehicle KTs in China and independently evaluates their performance at the technical level and their economic-social benefits. We first use uncertain linguistic variables to simulate an uncertain decision environment and more closely reflect the decision maker's thinking model; we then propose a weighting method that integrates subjective (Analytical Network Process) and objective (Entropy Weight Method) evaluations to rank the 20 KTs. Compared with conventional methods, the proposed model mitigates the adverse effects of uncertainty while providing a practicable approach that reflects the sentiments of area experts. The model is comprehensive, flexible, and easily applicable to other industries and markets.
A method for determining band parameters from the optical absorption edge of amorphous semiconductor: Application to a-Si:H
Authors: Li Zhen , Lin Shun Hui , Qiu Gui Ming , Wang Jiang Yong , Yu Yun Peng
Published: July 2018

The dispersion model for fitting the absorption spectrum of amorphous semiconductors is an important method for probing into the electronic structure near the mobility edge. In this paper, a model for describing the absorption coefficient is developed based on optical transitions with a normalized average dipole matrix element. This developed model is employed for fitting the optical absorption edges of annealed a-Si:H films and the values of the optical gap, tail breadth, and mobility gap are determined accordingly. These determined parameters and their corresponding characteristics with structural disorder are consistent with the experimental observations in the literature. A further analysis of the relationship between the optical gap and the band tail breadth reveals that the tail breadth depends linearly on the structural disorder.
Kinetic ballooning mode under steep gradient: High order eigenstates and mode structure parity transition
Authors: Xie Hua-Sheng , Lu Zhi-Xin , Li Bo
Published: July 2018

The existence of kinetic ballooning mode (KBM) high order (non-ground) eigenstates for tokamak plasmas with a steep gradient is demonstrated via gyrokinetic electromagnetic eigenvalue solutions, which reveals that eigenmode parity transition is an intrinsic property of electromagnetic plasmas. The eigenstates with quantum number l = 0 for ground state and l = 1, 2, 3…for non-ground states are found to coexist and the most unstable one can be the high order states (l ≠ 0). The conventional KBM is the l = 0 state. It is shown that the l = 1 KBM has the same mode structure parity as the micro-tearing mode (MTM). In contrast to the MTM, the l = 1 KBM can be driven by the pressure gradient even without collisions and the electron temperature gradient. The relevance between various eigenstates of the KBM under a steep gradient and edge plasma physics is discussed.
Elliptic basis for the Zernike system: Heun function solutions
Authors: Atakishiyev Natig M. , Pogosyan George S. , Wolf Kurt Bernardo , Yakhno Alexander
Published: July 2018

The differential equation that defines the Zernike system, originally proposed to classify wavefront aberrations of the wavefields in the disk of a circular pupil, had been shown to separate in three distinct coordinate systems obtained from polar coordinates on a half-sphere. Here we find and examine the separation in the generic elliptic coordinate system on the half-sphere and its projected disk, where the solutions, separated in Jacobi coordinates, contain Heun polynomials.
Resistively-limited current sheet implosions in planar anti-parallel (1D) and null-point containing (2D) magnetic field geometries
Authors: Thurgood Jonathan O. , Pontin David I. , McLaughlin James A.
Published: July 2018

Implosive formation of current sheets is a fundamental plasma process. Previous studies focused on the early time evolution, while here our primary aim is to explore the longer-term evolution, which may be critical for determining the efficiency of energy release. To address this problem, we investigate two closely related problems, namely: (i) 1D, pinched anti-parallel magnetic fields and (ii) 2D, null point containing fields which are locally imbalanced (“null-collapse” or “X-point collapse”). Within the framework of resistive MHD, we simulate the full nonlinear evolution through three distinct phases: the initial implosion, its eventual halting mechanism, and subsequent evolution post-halting. In a parameter study, we find that the scaling with resistivity of current sheet properties at the halting time is in good agreement—in both geometries—with that inferred from a known 1D similarity solution. We find that the halting of the implosions occurs rapidly after reaching the diffusion scale by sudden Ohmic heating of the dense plasma within the current sheet, which provides a pressure gradient sufficient to oppose further collapse and decelerate the converging flow. This back-pressure grows to exceed that required for force balance and so the post-implosion evolution is characterised by the consequences of the current sheet “bouncing” outwards. These are: (i) the launching of propagating fast MHD waves (shocks) outwards and (ii) the width-wise expansion of the current sheet itself. The expansion is only observed to stall in the 2D case, where the pressurisation is relieved by outflow in the reconnection jets. In the 2D case, we quantify the maximum amount of current sheet expansion as it scales with resistivity and analyse the structure of the reconnection region, which forms post-expansion, replete with Petschek-type slow shocks and fast termination shocks.
Analysis of nanomechanical sensing signals; physical parameter estimation for gas identification
Authors: Imamura Gaku , Shiba Kota , Yoshikawa Genki , Washio Takashi
Published: July 2018

Nanomechanical sensors—emerging chemical sensors which detect changes in mechanical properties caused by gas sorption—have been attracting much attention owing to their high sensitivity and versatility. In the data analysis of sensing signals, empirically extracted signal features have been commonly employed to identify the gas species. Such an empiric approach cannot be optimized further without a solid guideline, resulting in a limited identification performance. Therefore, a new analytical protocol based on intrinsic physical properties of a target gas and a receptor material has been highly demanded. In this study, we have developed a parameter estimation protocol based on a theoretical model for a cantilever-type nanomechanical sensor coated with a viscoelastic material. This protocol provides a practical estimation method for intrinsic parameters, which can be used for gas identification. As a demonstration of gas identification based on intrinsic parameters, we focused on the time constant for gas diffusion τs, which reflects the physicochemical interaction between gas species and a receptor material. Based on τs estimated from different receptor materials, we succeeded in the identification of solvent vapors. This parameter estimation protocol not only enables the gas identification based on the intrinsic property of target gases, but also provides a scientific guideline for the selection and optimization of receptor materials for nanomechanical sensors.
Use of tall wooden poles by four species of gliding mammal provides further proof of concept for habitat restoration
Authors: Goldingay Ross L. , Taylor Brendan D. , Parkyn Jonathan L.
Published: July 2018

Tall wooden poles (glide poles) and rope canopy-bridges are frequently installed along new highways in Australia to maintain population connectivity for gliding mammals. Knowledge of the use of these structures is rudimentary. We monitored two pairs of glide poles and a canopy-bridge over three years at Port Macquarie, New South Wales. The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) were collectively detected on 12–18% of nights on the pole pairs compared with 1% on the rope-bridge. The feathertail glider (Acrobates frontalis) was detected on 3% of nights on the pole pairs compared with 0.2% on the rope-bridge. The yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis) was detected twice on one pole. Our results demonstrate that gliding mammals readily use glide poles. Further research is needed to resolve whether glide poles can mitigate the barrier effect of the road canopy gap.
Reassessing protocarnivory – how hungry are triggerplants?
Authors: Nge Francis J. , Lambers Hans
Published: July 2018

Stylidium species (triggerplants) are claimed to be protocarnivorous based on the presence of glandular hairs, observations of trapped small organisms, and induction of proteinase activity. However, these traits might serve alternative functions. We aimed to re-assess and quantify the degree of carnivory for Stylidium species in an ecological context, by comparing the natural abundance (δ15N) of Stylidium species with co-occurring carnivorous (Drosera species) and non-carnivorous plants in their natural habitats. We hypothesised that the δ15N signature of Stylidium species would more closely match co-occurring carnivorous plant species than their non-carnivorous counterparts if they rely on captured organisms as a nutrient source, since there is an increase in fractionation by 3–5 ‰ per trophic level. Our results show that the Stylidium species sampled had δ15N signatures that matched more closely with co-occurring non-carnivorous plants than with carnivorous Drosera species. This does not support the claim that they rely on captured organisms as a nitrogen source, or the source is negligible. Other studies have shown that protocarnivorous species have a δ15N signature that is more similar to that of co-occurring carnivorous than that of non-carnivorous species. Therefore, our findings question the protocarnivory status of Stylidium species.
CircRNA-9119 regulates the expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) by sponging miR-26a in the endometrial epithelial cells of dairy goat
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liu Xiaorui , Che Sicheng , Cui Jiuzeng , Liu Yuexia , An Xiaopeng , Cao Binyun , Song Yuxuan
Published: July 2018

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to play important functional roles in epigenetic regulation under certain physiological and pathological conditions. However, knowledge of circRNAs during the development of receptive endometrium (RE) from pre-RE is limited. In the RE of dairy goats, higher circRNA-9119 levels, with lower miR-26a and higher prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) levels, were detected. Further study showed that circRNA-9119 decreased levels of miR-26a by acting as a microRNA sponge, and that miR-26a downregulated the expression of PTGS2 via the predicted target site in endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) of dairy goats in vitro. In this way, circRNA-9119 functioned as a competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) that sequestered miR-26a, thereby protecting PTGS2 transcripts from miR-26a-mediated suppression in dairy goat EECs in vitro. Furthermore, PTGS2 participated in the regulation of some protein markers for endometrial receptivity in dairy goat EECs in vitro. Thus, a circRNA-9119–miR-26a–PTGS2 pathway in the endometrium was identified, and modulation of circRNA-9119–miR-26a–PTGS2 expression in EECs may emerge as a potential target to regulate the development of RE.
PICK1 inhibits the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of Parkin and reduces its neuronal protective effect
Authors: He Jing , Xia Mengying , Yeung Patrick K. K. , Li Jiahua , Li Zhifang , Chung Kenny K. , Chung Sookja K. , Xia Jun
Published: July 2018

Significance

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. It is characterized by progressive deterioration of motor function caused by loss of dopamine-producing neurons. Currently, there is no treatment that could stop the progress of the disease. Loss-of-function mutations in Parkin account for ∼50% of early onset PD. Parkin functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that exhibits multiple protective roles especially in dopaminergic neurons. Here, we demonstrate that PICK1 directly binds to Parkin. PICK1 is a potent endogenous inhibitor of Parkin’s E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and blocks Parkin’s protective functions. Conversely, knockout of PICK1 enhances the neuroprotective effect of Parkin. Thus, the reduction of PICK1 may provide a therapeutic target for the treatment of PD.
A random first-order transition theory for an active glass
Authors: Nandi Saroj Kumar , Mandal Rituparno , Bhuyan Pranab Jyoti , Dasgupta Chandan , Rao Madan , Gov Nir S.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Understanding how activity affects the physics of dense glassy suspensions is of fundamental interest in a variety of cellular and tissue contexts. However, current simulations of dense active systems make qualitatively different predictions about the influence of activity on characteristic features of glass, such as fragility. Acknowledging the need for a broad theoretical framework, we extend random first-order transition (RFOT) theory to active glasses, based on an effective independent-particle treatment. We find that the analytic model predicts that the behavior of the active glass is strongly influenced by the microscopic details of activity. This not only resolves the apparent contradictions posed by previous studies but provides a number of testable predictions, some of which we verify using numerical simulations.
Size-dependent dynamic structures of supported gold nanoparticles in CO oxidation reaction condition
Authors: He Yang , Liu Jin-Cheng , Luo Langli , Wang Yang-Gang , Zhu Junfa , Du Yingge , Li Jun , Mao Scott X. , Wang Chongmin
Published: July 2018

Significance

Gold is the noblest metal. However, when the size decreases to nanoscale and is supported on reducible oxides, the gold nanoparticle shows exceptionally high catalytic performance even at low temperatures. Here, through state-of-the-art in situ aberration-corrected environmental transmission electron microscopy and ab initio molecular-dynamic simulations, we discovered that, upon exposing to reactant gas (carbon monoxide and oxygen), ultrasmall gold clusters on ceria show a size-dependent order-to-disorder transformation with generation of dynamic low-coordinated atoms, which presumably can effectively boost the oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide. The findings provide much-needed insights on the origin of size-dependent catalytic properties of supported gold and demonstrate a size effect in absorbent–particle interactions that may widely exist and play an essential role in heterogeneous catalysts.
Genetic analysis of social-class mobility in five longitudinal studies
Authors: Belsky Daniel W. , Domingue Benjamin W. , Wedow Robbee , Arseneault Louise , Boardman Jason D. , Caspi Avshalom , Conley Dalton , Fletcher Jason M. , Freese Jeremy , Herd Pamela , Moffitt Terrie E. , Poulton Richie , Sicinski Kamil , Wertz Jasmin , Harris Kathleen Mullan
Published: July 2018

Significance

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) discoveries about educational attainment have raised questions about the meaning of the genetics of success. These discoveries could offer clues about biological mechanisms or, because children inherit genetics and social class from parents, education-linked genetics could be spurious correlates of socially transmitted advantages. To distinguish between these hypotheses, we studied social mobility in five cohorts from three countries. We found that people with more education-linked genetics were more successful compared with parents and siblings. We also found mothers’ education-linked genetics predicted their children’s attainment over and above the children’s own genetics, indicating an environmentally mediated genetic effect. Findings reject pure social-transmission explanations of education GWAS discoveries. Instead, genetics influences attainment directly through social mobility and indirectly through family environments.
Enhanced brain activity associated with memory access in highly superior autobiographical memory
Authors: Santangelo Valerio , Cavallina Clarissa , Colucci Paola , Santori Alessia , Macrì Simone , McGaugh James L. , Campolongo Patrizia
Published: July 2018

Significance

Recent research has identified human subjects who have highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM). Here, we investigated, using fMRI, the neural activation induced by retrieval of autobiographical memories (AMs) and semantic memories (SMs) in subjects with HSAM and control subjects. While their brains were being scanned, subjects had to retrieve AMs as well as SMs (e.g., examples of animals). The subjects with HSAM displayed a superior ability to retrieve details of AMs, supported by enhanced activation of several brain regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex and temporoparietal junction, as well as increased connectivity of the prefrontal cortex with the hippocampus, a region well known to be involved in memory representation. These findings suggest that activation of these systems may play a critical role in enabling HSAM.
Role of elemental carbon in the photochemical aging of soot
Authors: Li Meng , Bao Fengxia , Zhang Yue , Song Wenjing , Chen Chuncheng , Zhao Jincai
Published: July 2018

Significance

Photochemical oxidation is an important aging pathway for soot. The organic carbon (OC) component in soot is believed to be photoactive, while the elemental carbon (EC) part with strong light absorption is photochemically inert. By considering the distinct light absorption properties of OC and EC, we have provided direct experimental evidence that EC also plays an important role in the photochemical aging of soot by absorbing the solar light. Our work reveals that the photochemical aging of soot occurs in an extended active spectrum (up to red light) by the light absorption of EC and has major environmental effects, such as enhancing the hydrophilicity of soot, that would enhance its ability to act as cloud condensation nuclei.
Picture perception reveals mental geometry of 3D scene inferences
Authors: Koch Erin , Baig Famya , Zaidi Qasim
Published: July 2018

Significance

We show that, in both 3D scene understanding and picture perception, observers mentally apply projective geometry to retinal images. Reliance on the same geometrical function is revealed by the surprisingly close agreement between observers in making judgments of 3D object poses. These judgments are in accordance with that predicted by a back-projection from retinal orientations to 3D poses, but are distorted by a bias to see poses as closer to fronto-parallel. Reliance on retinal images explains distortions in perceptions of real scenes, and invariance in pictures, including the classical conundrum of why certain image features always point at the observer regardless of viewpoint. These results have implications for investigating 3D scene inferences in biological systems, and designing machine vision systems.
GC content elevates mutation and recombination rates in the yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kiktev Denis A. , Sheng Ziwei , Lobachev Kirill S. , Petes Thomas D.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Chromosomes of most organisms have regions of high GC content interspersed with regions of low GC content. We constructed three variants of the yeast
URA3
gene with GC contents of 31%, 43%, and 63%. We found that the high-GC
URA3
gene had a substantially elevated rate of mutations, both single-base substitutions and deletions. The elevated base substitutions require an error-prone DNA polymerase, and the high rate of deletions occurs as a consequence of DNA polymerase slippage. The high-GC gene also had substantially elevated rates of mitotic and meiotic recombination. These observations indicate that GC content is an important parameter influencing genome evolution.