bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MULTIPLEX REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION FOR CHICKEN TUMOR VIRUS DETECTION
Authors: Wang Lih-Chiann , Lin Der-Yuh , Thong Wei , Wang Ching-Ho
Published: October 2015

Tumor diseases occur frequently in chickens causing a great economic loss. Infected chickens’ pathological lesions are not pathognomonic. This study developed an accurate diagnosis for tumor diseases in chickens. Specific primers to reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), avian leucosis virus subgroup A (ALV-A), avian leucosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J), and Marek’s disease virus (MDV) were combined into one tube with a single step multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) performed to amplify the genes from each virus. A total of 117 sample pools containing blood and tissues were collected from chickens. Three of these pools (2.6%) showed REV positive, 22 (18.8%) ALV-J positive, 1 (0.8%) ALV-A positive, and 3 (2.6%) MDV positive. A total of 268 blood samples were used to compare the viral RNA detection from plasma using RT-PCR and provirus DNA from buffy coat using PCR. The result showed no difference from both tests. In conclusion, the present mRT-PCR could be used for tumor virus detections in chickens.
Temple University Physics Professor Xiaoxing Xi and The Dismissal of Wire Fraud Charges
Authors: Chang Albert
Published: October 2015

In the early morning of May 21 2015, FBI agents burst into the home of Prof. Xiaoxing Xi and his family and arrested Prof. Xi. The agents brandishing weapons, forcibly dragged Prof. Xi away in handcuffs. With a search warrant, the agents searched their home and seized belongings [ http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/09/18/xiaoxing-xi-china-spyfbi-state-visit-column/32560009/ ].
Nonlinear Properties of "Magnetic Light"
Authors: Shcherbakov M. R. , Neshev D. N. , Hopkins B. , Shorokhov A. S. , Staude I. , Melik-Gaykazyan E. V. , Decker M. , Ezhov A. A. , Miroshnichenko A. E. , Brener I. , Fedyanin A. A. , Kivshar Yu. S.
Published: October 2015

Control of light at the nanoscale is demanding for future successful on-chip integration. At the subwavelength scale, the conventional optical elements such as lenses become not functional, and they require conceptually new approach for a design of nanoscale photonic devices. The most common approach to the subwavelength photonics is based on plasmonic nanoparticles and plasmonic waveguides due to their ability to capture and concentrate visible light at subwavelength dimensions. But the main drawback of all plasmonic devices is their intrinsic losses due to metallic components which affect strongly the overall performance of plasmonic structures limiting their scalability and practical use.
Teleporting a Macroscopic Ensemble of Spins
Authors: Pyrkov A. N. , Byrnes T.
Published: October 2015

Quantum teleportation is one of the most enigmatic protocols realized so far in the area of quantum information, allowing for the transfer of quantum information assisted by an entangled state. It was a subject of science fiction 20 years ago, but now is a fundamental experimental protocol and quantum primitive for quantum information processing tasks. There have been many successful realizations of teleportation ranging from those using photons, atoms, and hybrid systems and long-range teleportation beyond 100km has already been achieved multiple times. These however typically involve explicitly single particle systems or effective few-particle systems. For larger (visible to the naked eye) objects involving many particles, teleportation is typically more difficult due to the fast decoherence such macroscopic objects suffer. In this case, the entanglement disappears almost as soon as it is created, making it useless for such tasks. More recently, teleportation was accomplished in the continuous variables (CV) framework between two atomic ensembles [1]. As remarkable as these achievements are, teleportation schemes that are known today (qubit/CV) do not allow us to teleport more complex quantum states at the macroscopic level. For example, while it is possible in principle to extend teleportation to multiple qubits, on a macroscopic level this is prohibitively complicated and highly susceptible to decoherence. For atomic ensemble CV based schemes, the teleported states are restricted to small displacements from the completely Sx-polarized state on the Bloch sphere.
Nkx2.2 is expressed in a subset of enteroendocrine cells with expanded lineage potential
Authors: Gross Stefanie , Balderes Dina , Liu Jing , Asfaha Samuel , Gu Guoqiang , Wang Timothy C. , Sussel Lori
Published: October 2015

There are two major stem cell populations in the intestinal crypt region that express either Bmi1 or Lgr5; however, it has been shown that other populations in the crypt can regain stemness. In this study, we demonstrate that the transcription factor NK2 homeobox 2 (Nkx2.2) is expressed in enteroendocrine cells located in the villus and crypt of the intestinal epithelium and is coexpressed with the stem cell markers Bmi1 and Lgr5 in a subset of crypt cells. To determine whether Nkx2.2-expressing enteroendocrine cells display cellular plasticity and stem cell potential, we performed genetic lineage tracing of the Nkx2.2-expressing population using Nkx2.2Cre/+; R26RTomato mice. These studies demonstrated that Nkx2.2+ cells are able to give rise to all intestinal epithelial cell types in basal conditions. The proliferative capacity of Nkx2.2-expressing cells was also demonstrated in vitro using crypt organoid cultures. Injuring the intestine with irradiation, systemic inflammation, and colitis did not enhance the lineage potential of Nkx2.2-expressing cells. These findings demonstrate that a rare mature enteroendocrine cell subpopulation that is demarcated by Nkx2.2 expression display stem cell properties during normal intestinal epithelial homeostasis, but is not easily activated upon injury.
EET-dependent potentiation of pulmonary arterial pressure: sex-different regulation of soluble epoxide hydrolase
Authors: Kandhi Sharath , Qin Jun , Froogh Ghezal , Jiang Houli , Luo Meng , Wolin Michael S. , Huang An , Sun Dong
Published: October 2015

We tested the hypothesis that suppression of epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) metabolism via genetic knockout of the gene for soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH-KO), or female-specific downregulation of sEH expression, plays a role in the potentiation of pulmonary hypertension. We used male (M) and female (F) wild-type (WT) and sEH-KO mice; the latter have high pulmonary EETs. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) in control and in response to in vivo administration of U46619 (thromboxane analog), 14,15-EET, and 14,15-EEZE [14,15-epoxyeicosa-5(z)-enoic acid; antagonist of EETs] were recorded. Basal RVSP was comparable among all groups of mice, whereas MABP was significantly lower in F-WT than M-WT mice and further reduced predominantly in F-KO compared with M-KO mice. U46619 dose dependently increased RVSP and MABP in all groups of mice. The increase in RVSP was significantly greater and coincided with smaller increases in MABP in M-KO and F-WT mice compared with M-WT mice. In F-KO mice, the elevation of RVSP by U46619 was even higher than in M-KO and F-WT mice, associated with the least increase in MABP. 14,15-EEZE prevented the augmentation of U46619-induced elevation of RVSP in sEH-KO mice, whereas 14,15-EET-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction was comparable in all groups of mice. sEH expression in the lungs was reduced, paralleled with higher levels of EETs in F-WT compared with M-WT mice. In summary, EETs initiate pulmonary vasoconstriction but act as vasodilators systemically. High pulmonary EETs, as a function of downregulation or deletion of sEH, potentiate U46619-induced increases in RVSP in a female-susceptible manner.
Cerebral spinal fluid dynamics: effect of hypoxia and implications for high-altitude illness
Authors: Lawley Justin S. , Levine Benjamin D. , Williams Michael A. , Malm Jon , Eklund Anders , Polaner David M. , Subudhi Andrew W. , Hackett Peter H. , Roach Robert C.
Published: October 2015

The pathophysiology of acute mountain sickness and high-altitude cerebral edema, the cerebral forms of high-altitude illness, remain uncertain and controversial. Persistently elevated or pathological fluctuations in intracranial pressure are thought to cause symptoms similar to those reported by individuals suffering cerebral forms of high-altitude illness. This review first focuses on the basic physiology of the craniospinal system, including a detailed discussion of the long-term and dynamic regulation of intracranial pressure. Thereafter, we critically examine the available literature, based primarily on invasive pressure monitoring, that suggests intracranial pressure is acutely elevated at altitude due to brain swelling and/or elevated sagittal sinus pressure, but normalizes over time. We hypothesize that fluctuations in intracranial pressure occur around a slightly elevated or normal mean intracranial pressure, in conjunction with oscillations in arterial Po2 and arterial blood pressure. Then these modest fluctuations in intracranial pressure, in concert with direct vascular stretch due to dilatation and/or increased blood pressure transmission, activate the trigeminal vascular system and cause symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Elevated brain water (vasogenic edema) may be due to breakdown of the blood-brain barrier. However, new information suggests cerebral spinal fluid flux into the brain may be an important factor. Regardless of the source (or mechanisms responsible) for the excess brain water, brain swelling occurs, and a “tight fit” brain would be a major risk factor to produce symptoms; activities that produce large changes in brain volume and cause fluctuations in blood pressure are likely contributing factors.
Is the metabolic cost of walking higher in people with diabetes?
Authors: Petrovic M. , Deschamps K. , Verschueren S. M. , Bowling F. L. , Maganaris C. N. , Boulton A. J. M. , Reeves N. D.
Published: October 2015

People with diabetes walk slower and display biomechanical gait alterations compared with controls, but it remains unknown whether the metabolic cost of walking (CoW) is elevated. The aim of this study was to investigate the CoW and the lower limb concentric joint work as a major determinant of the CoW, in patients with diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Thirty-one nondiabetic controls (Ctrl), 22 diabetic patients without peripheral neuropathy (DM), and 14 patients with moderate/severe DPN underwent gait analysis using a motion analysis system and force plates and treadmill walking using a gas analyzer to measure oxygen uptake. The CoW was significantly higher particularly in the DPN group compared with controls and also in the DM group (at selected speeds only) compared with controls, across a range of matched walking speeds. Despite the higher CoW in patients with diabetes, concentric lower limb joint work was significantly lower in DM and DPN groups compared with controls. The higher CoW is likely due to energetic inefficiencies associated with diabetes and DPN reflecting physiological and biomechanical characteristics. The lower concentric joint work in patients with diabetes might be a consequence of kinematic gait alterations and may represent a natural strategy aimed at minimizing the CoW.
Eccentric contraction-induced myofiber growth in tumor-bearing mice
Authors: Hardee Justin P. , Mangum Joshua E. , Gao Song , Sato Shuichi , Hetzler Kimbell L. , Puppa Melissa J. , Fix Dennis K. , Carson James A.
Published: October 2015

Cancer cachexia is characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass. While mouse skeletal muscle's response to an acute bout of stimulated low-frequency concentric muscle contractions is disrupted by cachexia, gaps remain in our understanding of cachexia's effects on eccentric contraction-induced muscle growth. The purpose of this study was to determine whether repeated bouts of stimulated high-frequency eccentric muscle contractions [high-frequency electrical muscle stimulation (HFES)] could stimulate myofiber growth during cancer cachexia progression, and whether this training disrupted muscle signaling associated with wasting. Male Apc Min/+ mice initiating cachexia ( N = 9) performed seven bouts of HFES-induced eccentric contractions of the left tibialis anterior muscle over 2 wk. The right tibialis anterior served as the control, and mice were killed 48 h after the last stimulation. Age-matched C57BL/6 mice ( N = 9) served as wild-type controls. Apc Min/+ mice lost body weight, muscle mass, and type IIA, IIX, and IIB myofiber cross-sectional area. HFES increased myofiber cross-sectional area of all fiber types, regardless of cachexia. Cachexia increased muscle noncontractile tissue, which was attenuated by HFES. Cachexia decreased the percentage of high succinate dehydrogenase activity myofibers, which was increased by HFES, regardless of cachexia. While cachexia activated AMP kinase, STAT3, and ERK1/2 signaling, HFES decreased AMP kinase phosphorylation, independent of the suppression of STAT3. These results demonstrate that cachectic skeletal muscle can initiate a growth response to repeated eccentric muscle contractions, despite the presence of a systemic cachectic environment.
Triceps surae muscle-tendon properties in older endurance- and sprint-trained athletes
Authors: Stenroth Lauri , Cronin Neil J. , Peltonen Jussi , Korhonen Marko T. , Sipilä Sarianna , Finni Taija
Published: October 2015

Previous studies have shown that aging is associated with alterations in muscle architecture and tendon properties (Morse CI, Thom JM, Birch KM, Narici MV. Acta Physiol Scand 183: 291–298, 2005; Narici MV, Maganaris CN, Reeves ND, Capodaglio P. J Appl Physiol 95: 2229–2234, 2003; Stenroth L, Peltonen J, Cronin NJ, Sipila S, Finni T. J Appl Physiol 113: 1537–1544, 2012). However, the possible influence of different types of regular exercise loading on muscle architecture and tendon properties in older adults is poorly understood. To address this, triceps surae muscle-tendon properties were examined in older male endurance (OE, n = 10, age = 74.0 ± 2.8 yr) and sprint runners (OS, n = 10, age = 74.4 ± 2.8 yr), with an average of 42 yr of regular training experience, and compared with age-matched [older control (OC), n = 33, age = 74.8 ± 3.6 yr] and young untrained controls (YC, n = 18, age = 23.7 ± 2.0 yr). Compared with YC, Achilles tendon cross-sectional area (CSA) was 22% ( P = 0.022), 45% ( P = 0.001), and 71% ( P < 0.001) larger in OC, OE, and OS, respectively. Among older groups, OS had significantly larger tendon CSA compared with OC ( P = 0.033). No significant between-group differences were observed in Achilles tendon stiffness. In older groups, Young's modulus was 31-44%, and maximal tendon stress 44–55% lower, than in YC ( P ≤ 0.001). OE showed shorter soleus fascicle length than both OC ( P < 0.05) and YC ( P < 0.05). These data suggest that long-term running does not counteract the previously reported age-related increase in tendon CSA, but, instead, may have an additive effect. The greatest Achilles tendon CSA was observed in OS followed by OE and OC, suggesting that adaptation to running exercise is loading intensity dependent. Achilles tendon stiffness was maintained in older groups, even though all older groups displayed larger tendon CSA and lower tendon Young's modulus. Shorter soleus muscle fascicles in OE runners may be an adaptation to life-long endurance running.
The role of morphology in mathematical models of placental gas exchange
Authors: Serov A. S. , Salafia C. , Grebenkov D. S. , Filoche M.
Published: October 2015

The performance of the placenta as a gas exchanger has a direct impact on the future health of the newborn. To provide accurate estimates of respiratory gas exchange rates, placenta models need to account for both the physiology of exchange and the organ morphology. While the former has been extensively studied, accounting for the latter is still a challenge. The geometrical complexity of placental structure requires use of carefully crafted approximations. We present here the state of the art of respiratory gas exchange placenta modeling and demonstrate the influence of the morphology description on model predictions. Advantages and shortcomings of various classes of models are discussed, and experimental techniques that may be used for model validation are summarized. Several directions for future development are suggested.
Onset of alveolar recirculation in the developing lungs and its consequence on nanoparticle deposition in the pulmonary acinus
Authors: Henry Frank S. , Tsuda Akira
Published: October 2015

The structure of the gas exchange region of the human lung (the pulmonary acinus) undergoes profound change in the first few years of life. In this paper, we investigate numerically how the change in alveolar shape with time affects the rate of nanoparticle deposition deep in the lung during postnatal development. As human infant data is unavailable, we use a rat model of lung development. The process of postnatal lung development in the rat is remarkably similar to that of the human, and the structure of the rat acinus is indistinguishable from that of the human acinus. The current numerical predictions support our group's recent in vivo findings, which were also obtained by using growing rat lung models, that nanoparticle deposition in infants is strongly affected by the change in the structure of the pulmonary acinus. In humans, this major structural change occurs over the first 2 yr of life. Our current predictions would suggest that human infants at the age of ∼2 yr might be most at risk to the harmful effects of air pollution. Our results also suggest that dose estimates for inhalation therapies using nanoparticles, based on fully developed adult lungs with simple body weight scaling, are likely to overestimate deposition by up to 55% for newborns and underestimate deposition by up to 17% for 2-yr-old infants.
Strategies and Advancements in Harnessing the Immune System for Gastric Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Subhash Vinod Vijay , Yeo Mei Shi , Tan Woei Loon , Yong Wei Peng
Published: October 2015

In cancer biology, cells and molecules that form the fundamental components of the tumor microenvironment play a major role in tumor initiation, and progression as well as responses to therapy. Therapeutic approaches that would enable and harness the immune system to target tumor cells mark the future of anticancer therapy as it could induce an immunological memory specific to the tumor type and further enhance tumor regression and relapse-free survival in cancer patients. Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortalities that has a modest survival benefit from existing treatment options. The advent of immunotherapy presents us with new approaches in gastric cancer treatment where adaptive cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and antibody therapies have all been used with promising outcomes. In this paper, we review the current advances and prospects in the gastric cancer immunotherapy. Special focus is laid on new strategies and clinical trials that attempt to enhance the efficacy of various immunotherapeutic modalities in gastric cancer.
PET Imaging of Epigenetic Influences on Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Couto Paul J. , Millis Richard M.
Published: October 2015

The precise role of environment-gene interactions (epigenetics) in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is unclear. This review focuses on the premise that radiotracer-specific PET imaging allows clinicians to visualize epigenetically influenced events and that such imaging may provide new, valuable insights for preventing, diagnosing, and treating AD. Current understanding of the role of epigenetics in AD and the principles underlying the use of PET radiotracers forin vivodiagnosis are reviewed. The relative efficacies of various PET radiotracers for visualizing the epigenetic influences on AD and their use for diagnosis are discussed. For example, [18F]FAHA demonstrates sites of differential HDAC activity, [18F]FDG indirectly illuminates sites of neuronal hypomethylation, and the carbon-11 isotope-containing Pittsburgh compound B ([11C]PiB) images amyloid-beta plaque deposits. A definitive AD diagnosis is currently achievable only by postmortem histological observation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles. Therefore, reliablein vivoneuroimaging techniques could provide opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment of AD.
Serum Osteocalcin Is Associated with Inflammatory Factors in Metabolic Syndrome: A Population‐Based Study in Chinese Males
Authors: Liao Ming , Huang Lirong , Mao Yan , Jiang Yonghua , Yao Ziting , Lin Xinggu , Lu Zheng , Wu Chunlei , Qin Xue , Zhang Haiying , Mo Zengnan
Published: October 2015

Osteocalcin (OCN) was potentially associated with inflammatory factors, so we explored the metabolic role in this association in general population. Our findings suggest that OCN was positively associated with IgG while inversely associated with C3, both of which were probably mediated by obesity. Moreover, serum OCN was inversely associated with hsCRP in men with impaired fasting glucose, hyperglycemia, or metabolic syndrome, while its association with IgE was significantly observed in men with a normal metabolic profile.
Quality of Physician Communication about Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: Findings from a National Survey
Authors: Gilkey Melissa B. , Malo Teri L. , Shah Parth D. , Hall Megan E. , Brewer Noel T.
Published: October 2015

Background: Improving the quality of physicians' recommendations for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is critical to addressing low coverage. Thus, we sought to describe HPV vaccine communication practices among primary care physicians.

Methods: Pediatricians and family physicians (n = 776) completed our national online survey in 2014. We assessed the quality of their HPV vaccine recommendations on strength of endorsement (i.e., saying the vaccine is important), timeliness (recommending it by ages 11–12), consistency (recommending it routinely vs. using a risk-based approach), and urgency (recommending same-day vaccination).

Results: A sizeable minority of physicians reported that they do not strongly endorse HPV vaccine (27%) or deliver timely recommendations for girls (26%) or boys (39%). Many physicians (59%) used a risk-based approach to recommending HPV vaccine, and only half (51%) usually recommended same-day vaccination. Overall recommendation quality was lower among physicians who were uncomfortable talking about HPV vaccine or who believed parents did not value it. Quality was higher among physicians who began discussions by saying the child was due for HPV vaccine versus giving information or eliciting questions.

Conclusion: Many physicians in our national sample reported recommending HPV vaccine inconsistently, behind schedule, or without urgency. These practices likely contribute to under-immunization among adolescents, and may convey ambivalence to parents.

Impact: As one of the first studies to assess multiple aspects of recommendation quality, these findings can inform the many state and national initiatives that aim to improve communication about HPV vaccine so as to address the persistent underuse of a powerful tool for cancer prevention. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(11); 1673–9. ©2015 AACR.

See related commentary by Zimet, p. 1643.
Potentiation of Carboplatin-Mediated DNA Damage by the Mdm2 Modulator Nutlin-3a in a Humanized Orthotopic Breast-to-Lung Metastatic Model
Authors: Tonsing-Carter Eva , Bailey Barbara J. , Saadatzadeh M. Reza , Ding Jixin , Wang Haiyan , Sinn Anthony L. , Peterman Kacie M. , Spragins Tiaishia K. , Silver Jayne M. , Sprouse Alyssa A. , Georgiadis Taxiarchis M. , Gunter T. Zachary , Long Eric C. , Minto Robert E. , Marchal Christophe C. , Batuello Christopher N. , Safa Ahmad R. , Hanenberg Helmut , Territo Paul R. , Sandusky George E. , Mayo Lindsey D. , Eischen Christine M. , Shannon Harlan E. , Pollok Karen E.
Published: October 2015

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are typically resistant to treatment, and strategies that build upon frontline therapy are needed. Targeting the murine double minute 2 (Mdm2) protein is an attractive approach, as Mdm2 levels are elevated in many therapy-refractive breast cancers. The Mdm2 protein–protein interaction inhibitor Nutlin-3a blocks the binding of Mdm2 to key signaling molecules such as p53 and p73α and can result in activation of cell death signaling pathways. In the present study, the therapeutic potential of carboplatin and Nutlin-3a to treat TNBC was investigated, as carboplatin is under evaluation in clinical trials for TNBC. In mutant p53 TMD231 TNBC cells, carboplatin and Nutlin-3a led to increased Mdm2 and was strongly synergistic in promoting cell death in vitro. Furthermore, sensitivity of TNBC cells to combination treatment was dependent on p73α. Following combination treatment, γH2AX increased and Mdm2 localized to a larger degree to chromatin compared with single-agent treatment, consistent with previous observations that Mdm2 binds to the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 complex associated with DNA and inhibits the DNA damage response. In vivo efficacy studies were conducted in the TMD231 orthotopic mammary fat pad model in NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) mice. Using an intermittent dosing schedule of combined carboplatin and Nutlin-3a, there was a significant reduction in primary tumor growth and lung metastases compared with vehicle and single-agent treatments. In addition, there was minimal toxicity to the bone marrow and normal tissues. These studies demonstrate that Mdm2 holds promise as a therapeutic target in combination with conventional therapy and may lead to new clinical therapies for TNBC. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(12); 2850–63. ©2015 AACR.
Is Nebivolol Really Effective in Preventing Contrast Induced Nephropathy?
Authors: Altunoren Orcun , Balli Mehmet , Eren Necmi , Tasolar Hakan , Arpaci Abdullah , Caglayan Caglar Emre , Yavuz Yasemin Coskun , Gungor Ozkan
Published: October 2015

Background/Aims: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) has multifactorial etiopatogenesis including oxidative stress and vasoconstriction. Nebivolol is an antioxidant and has vasodilatatory effect via NO release and may prevent CIN development. We have noticed that a few number of studies that have evaluated the effectiveness of nebivolol for the prevention of CIN used serum creatinine (sCr) levels for CIN detection. However, sCr is an insensitive marker for renal damage. Therefore in this study we used serum neutrophil-gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL), a more sensitive marker of renal damage, to evaluate preventive role of nebivolol in CIN. Methods: 159 patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) who had at least one risk factor for CIN were divided into nebivolol (+) and (-) groups. CIN was defined as a rise in sCr of 0.5mg/dl or a 25% increase from the baseline value. Serum Cr, glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and NGAL levels were assessed before and 48 h after CAG. Mehran risk scores were calculated for both groups. Results: Both groups were similar in terms of baseline characteristics, Mehran risk scores, and current medications. Clinically, CIN developed at similar rates in both groups. Serum Cr, eGFR and NGAL values were similar in both groups before and after CAG. Serum Cr and NGAL levels increased and eGFR decreased significantly compared to the levels before CAG. Patients who developed CIN were significantly older (p=0.003), and were more likely to have DM (p=0.012), a higher mean contrast agent volume (p<0.001), and a higher Mehran score (p <0.001). We did not observe any favorable effect of Nebivolol in the prevention of CIN in patients undergoing CAG. Conclusion: According to the results of our study Nebivolol does not seem to prevent CIN in patients undergoing CAG. However, further randomised controlled trials with more sensitive renal damage markers are obviously needed to understand the actual effect of nebivolol on CIN especially through oxidative pathways and in high risk patients.
Common Genotypes of Long QT Syndrome in China and the Role of ECG Prediction
Authors: Gao Yuanfeng , Liu Wenling , Li Cuilan , Qiu Xiaoliang , Qin Xuguang , Guo Baojing , Liu Xueqin , Li Jianfeng , Yuan Yue , Li Xiaomei , Liang Lu , Li Lei , Hong Kui , Pu Jielin , Liu Jinqiu , Wang Qing , Zhang Li , Hu Da-yi
Published: October 2015

Objectives: Genetic testing, a gold standard for long QT syndrome (LQTS) diagnosis, is time-consuming and costly when all the 15 candidate genes are screened. Since genotype-specific ECG patterns are present in most LQT1-3 mutation carriers, we tested the utility of ECG-guided genotyping in a large cohort of Chinese LQTS patients. Methods and Results: We enrolled 230 patients (26 ± 17 years, 66% female) with a clinical diagnosis of LQTS. Genotypes were predicted as LQT1-3 based on the presence of ECG patterns typical for each genotype in 200 patients (85 LQT1, 110 LQT2 and 5 LQT3). Family-based genotype prediction was also conducted if gene-specific ECG patterns were found in other affected family members. Mutational screening identified 104 mutations (44% novel), i.e. 46 KCNQ1, 54 KCNH2 and 4 SCN5A mutations. The overall predictive accuracy of ECG-guided genotyping was 79% (157/200) and 79% (67/85), 78% (86/110) and 80% (4/5) for LQT1, LQT2 and LQT3, respectively. The predictive accuracy was 98% (42/43) when family-based ECG assessment was performed. Conclusions: From this large-scale genotyping study, we found that LQT2 is the most common genotype among the Chinese. Family-based ECG-guided genotyping is highly accurate. ECG-guided genotyping is time- and cost-effective. We therefore recommend it as an optimal approach for the genetic diagnosis of LQTS.
Dengue Virus Serotype-2 Interferes with the Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps
Authors: Moreno-Altamirano Maria Maximina B. , Rodríguez-Espinosa Oscar , Rojas-Espinosa Oscar , Pliego-Rivero Bernardo , Sánchez-García Francisco J.
Published: October 2015

Objectives: Neutrophils play an important role in the control of pathogens through several mechanisms, including phagocytosis and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The latter consists of DNA as a backbone with embedded antimicrobial peptides, histones, and proteases, providing a matrix to entrap and in some cases to kill microbes. Some metabolic requirements for NET formation have recently been described. The virus-induced formation of NETs and the role of these traps in viral infections remain scarcely reported. Here, we analyzed whether dengue virus serotype-2 (DENV-2) induces NET formation and the DENV-2 effect on phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced NETs. Methods: Peripheral blood-derived neutrophils were exposed in vitro to DENV-2 or exposed to DENV-2 and then stimulated with PMA. NET formation was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Cell membrane Glut-1, glucose uptake, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were assessed. Results: DENV-2 does not induce the formation of NETs. Moreover, DENV-2 inhibits PMA-induced formation of NETs by about 80%. This effect is not related to the production of ROS. The mechanism seemingly accountable for this inhibitory effect is the DENV-2-mediated inhibition of PMA-induced glucose uptake by neutrophils. Conclusion: Our results suggest that DENV-2 inhibits glucose uptake as a metabolism-based way to avoid the formation of NETs.
Cytological Diagnostic Approach in 3 Cases of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Presenting Primarily as a Thyroid Mass
Authors: Oza Nikita , Sanghvi Kintan , Menon Santosh , Pant Vinita , Patil Meenal , Kane Shubhada
Published: October 2015

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a monoclonal disease of specialised histiocytes characterised by the proliferation of neoplastic Langerhans cells (LCs) with a varying admixture of mature lymphocytes, eosinophils and plasma cells. LCH commonly occurs in the paediatric population and young adults with the involvement of bone, skin and lymph nodes. LCH has a protracted clinical course with an overall mortality rate of 3%. Primary involvement of the thyroid gland in LCH at presentation is a rare phenomenon that can result in misdiagnosis with consequent mismanagement. Case: Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the thyroid was performed in 3 cases at a tertiary cancer centre, including 2 referral cases where the patient presented with the only symptom of progressive thyroid enlargement. These cases were reported initially or on review and the results were correlated with histology/ancillary techniques. A cytological diagnosis of suspicion for LCH was offered in 2 cases at our centre and 1 case was referred to our centre with a diagnosis of suspected papillary thyroid carcinoma. On review of outside smears at our centre, the diagnosis was changed to suspected LCH. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunopositivity for CD68, CD1a and S100 in 1 case and Tru-cut biopsy followed by immunohistochemistry for CD1a, S100, TTF-1 and LCA in the other 2 cases. Conclusion: FNAC was helpful in accurately diagnosing LCH even though the presentation was unusual. Thus, unnecessary surgery was obviated.
Metformin-Derived Growth Inhibition in Renal Cell Carcinoma Depends on miR-21-Mediated PTEN Expression
Authors: Kalogirou Charis , Schäfer Daniel , Krebs Markus , Kurz Florian , Schneider Andreas , Riedmiller Hubertus , Kneitz Burkhard , Vergho Daniel
Published: October 2015

Purpose: Metformin (MF) acts as a tumour-suppressor in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by inhibiting the AKT/mTOR pathway via AMPK activation. Here, we explore the influence of miR-21 and its target gene PTEN on MF effects in CAKI-1 and CAKI-2 cells. Methods: Proliferation assays (MTS) and qRT-PCR after transient transfection with pre- and anti-miR-21 and MF treatment were conducted. AMPK-dependency was assessed via transfection of siAMPK. The expression of PTEN, AKT and miR-21 after transient pre-miR-21 transfection and MF treatment was analysed. Results: We demonstrate that CAKI-1 cells, which were found to be less sensitive towards MF, showed a significant higher miR-21 and lower PTEN expression than CAKI-2. This was confirmed in a primary RCC collective (n = 28): miR-21 and PTEN expression correlated negatively. MF treatment lowered miR-21 AMPK-dependently and increased PTEN expression in the cell lines. Ectopic miR-21 regulation modulated MF sensitivity. Western blot analysis showed that pre-miR-21 transfection and MF treatment regulated PTEN expression with impact on pAKT levels in the cells. Conclusions: We show that differing MF sensitivity in RCC cells is associated with and mediated through the regulation of miR-21/PTEN expression with an impact on subsequent AKT signalling. This provides imaginable clinical implications regarding MF therapy of RCC patients for the future.
ОНТОЛОГІЧНА МОДЕЛЬ ПРОЦЕСІВ ПРОГРАМОВАНОЇ КЛІТИННОЇ ЗАГИБЕЛІ
Authors: Mintser O. P. , Vatlitsov D. V.
Published: October 2015

The structural unit of the life on earth is a cell. An important aspect of the existence of cells, as a unit of life, is its capacity for elimination of non-viable or defective units from the system without damage of other units. Studies have revealed growth of the number of papers devoted to systematic research of the programmed cell death (PCD). Based on the results of the analysis of literary sources, the scheme of the levels of «events» which initiates a cascade of the PCD was formalized also the levels were described. The main directions of research was revealed, the overwhelming number of which include the investigations in which were developed the levels higher than level of molecular interaction, according to our proposed ontological model of programmed cell death. We had found the bifurcational nature of the signal chain of PCD and had investigated the role of components that had been assigned by us to levels lower than the level of molecular interaction. Based on these data, we proposed the concentration of ions promoters and inhibitors of PCD as a marker of development and control of programmed cells' death processes. The results of this research are the basis for the systematic study of ways to the origin, development and management of the active cascade of programmed cell death.
UML-МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ СИСТЕМИ ПРИЙНЯТТЯ РІШЕНЬ В МЕДИЧНИХ НАУКОВИХ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯХ
Authors: Martsenyuk V. P. , Andrushchak I. Ye. , Kuchvara О. M.
Published: October 2015

There was fulfilled systems analysis of decision making process for systemic medical research. The structure of the system was analysed. There were executed project research with help of UML-tools, allowing to fulfill project and software implementation of decision support system.
МЕТОДИЧНИЙ ПІДХІД ЩОДО ВИБОРУ МЕТОДУ СТАТИСТИЧНОЇ ОБРОБКИ ДАНИХ ДЛЯ МЕДИКО-СОЦІОЛОГІЧНИХ ДОСЛІДЖЕНЬ
Authors: Hoyko О. V.
Published: October 2015

There is proposed a methodical approach, which is based on an algorithm that indicates the sequence of actions that must be performed by a researcher for processing and analysis ofthe results of scientific research.
АНАЛІЗ РЕЗУЛЬТАТІВ ОБСТЕЖЕННЯ ПАЦІЄНТІВ З ГІПЕРТЕНЗІЄЮ НА ОСНОВІ КОРЕЛЯЦІЙНИХ ПОКАЗНИКІВ ТА ІНДУКУВАННЯ ДЕРЕВА РІШЕНЬ З МЕТОЮ ОПТИМІЗАЦІЇ ПРОГНОЗУВАННЯ ПЕРЕБІГУ ЗАХВОРЮВАННЯ НА ПЕРВИННОМУ РІВНІ
Authors: Selskyy P. R.
Published: October 2015

The paper suggests an optimization method for the developing disease prognosis at the primary health care level. The hemodynamic indices in primary and re-examination as token inclusion to vulnerable groups of health deterioration and developing the progression in patients with hypertension have been investigated. Approach is based on calculation of correlation coefficients and decision tree.
ІНФОРМАЦІЙНА ТЕХНОЛОГІЯ ОЦІНКИ СТАНУ СЕРЦЕВО-СУДИННОЇ СИСТЕМИ З ВИКОРИСТАННЯМ МЕТОДІВ МОРФОЛОГІЧНОГО АНАЛІЗУ ОСЦИЛОГРАМИ
Authors: Vakulenko D. V. , Vakulenko L. O. , Kozak D. V.
Published: October 2015

Information technology of morphological analysis of waveforms: rhythm, frequency, shape, oscillation amplitude, the duration of their phases, and the presence, size, localization of the dicrotic notch and additional waves in the descending part of oscillations, their dynamics in the process of increasing the compression enable us to estimate not only the level of blood pressure but the state of the peripheral vessels, the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system and the mechanisms of its adaptation to receptacles compression arm cuff.
ЕНЕРГЕТИЧНА КОНЦЕПЦІЯ ЖИВОГО. НОВИЙ ПІДХІД У БОРОТЬБІ З РАКОМ
Authors: Shchukin V. S.
Published: October 2015

New approach to the problem of struggle with malignant tumors based on the suggested by the authors energetic concept of living matter considering a human organism as an open non-self-organizing biological system that is the part of organism of a higher level of organization - Biosphere, and that is under full control of geophysical factors - first of all electromagnetic field of the Earth and composition of atmospheric air is set forth. The mentioned factors fatefully determine length of life - specific and individual - of any living organism, including human being. On the basis of the set forth approach a new means of prevention and removal from the human organism of malignant tumors was suggested.
Postnatal Deletion of the Type II Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor in Smooth Muscle Cells Causes Severe Aortopathy in Mice
Authors: Hu Jie Hong , Wei Hao , Jaffe Mia , Airhart Nathan , Du Liang , Angelov Stoyan N. , Yan James , Allen Julie K. , Kang Inkyung , Wight Thomas N. , Fox Kate , Smith Alexandra , Enstrom Rachel , Dichek David A.
Published: October 2015

Objective—

Prenatal deletion of the type II transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor (TBRII) prevents normal vascular morphogenesis and smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation, causing embryonic death. The role of TBRII in adult SMC is less well studied. Clarification of this role has important clinical implications because TBRII deletion should ablate TGF-β signaling, and blockade of TGF-β signaling is envisioned as a treatment for human aortopathies. We hypothesized that postnatal loss of SMC TBRII would cause aortopathy.

Approach and Results—

We generated mice with either of 2 tamoxifen-inducible SMC-specific Cre (SMC-
Cre
ER
T2
) alleles and homozygous floxed
Tgfbr2
alleles. Mice were injected with tamoxifen, and their aortas examined 4 and 14 weeks later. Both SMC-
Cre
ER
T2
alleles efficiently and specifically rearranged a floxed reporter gene and efficiently rearranged a floxed
Tgfbr2
allele, resulting in loss of aortic medial TBRII protein. Loss of SMC TBRII caused severe aortopathy, including hemorrhage, ulceration, dissection, dilation, accumulation of macrophage markers, elastolysis, abnormal proteoglycan accumulation, and aberrant SMC gene expression. All areas of the aorta were affected, with the most severe pathology in the ascending aorta. Cre-mediated loss of SMC TBRII in vitro ablated both canonical and noncanonical TGF-β signaling and reproduced some of the gene expression abnormalities detected in vivo.

Conclusions—

SMC TBRII plays a critical role in maintaining postnatal aortic homeostasis. Loss of SMC TBRII disrupts TGF-β signaling, acutely alters SMC gene expression, and rapidly results in severe and durable aortopathy. These results suggest that pharmacological blockade of TGF-β signaling in humans could cause aortic disease rather than prevent it.
Time From Symptoms to Carotid Endarterectomy or Stenting and Perioperative Risk
Authors: Meschia James F. , Hopkins L. Nelson , Altafullah Irfan , Wechsler Lawrence R. , Stotts Grant , Gonzales Nicole R. , Voeks Jenifer H. , Howard George , Brott Thomas G.
Published: October 2015

Background and Purpose—

Prior meta-analysis showed that carotid endarterectomy benefits decline with increasing surgical delay following symptoms. For symptomatic patients in the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy Versus Stenting Trial (CREST), we assessed if differences in time between symptoms and carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting are associated with differences in risk of periprocedural stroke or death.

Methods—

We analyzed the 1180 symptomatic patients in CREST who received their assigned procedure and had clearly defined timing of symptoms. Patients were classified into 3 groups based on time from symptoms to procedure: <15, 15 to 60, and >60 days.

Results—

For carotid endarterectomy, risk of periprocedural stroke or death was not significantly different for the 2 later time periods relative to the earliest time period (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.22–2.49 for 15–60 days and hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.25–3.33 for >60 days;
P
=0.89). For carotid artery stenting, risk of periprocedural stroke or death was also not significantly different for later time periods relative to the earliest time period (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.53–2.40 for 15–60 days and hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.48–2.75 for >60 days;
P
=0.93).

Conclusions—

Time from symptoms to carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting did not alter periprocedural safety, supporting early revascularization regardless of modality.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00004732.
The Slaughterhouse, Social Disorganization, and Violent Crime in Rural Communities
Authors: Jacques Jessica Racine
Published: October 2015

Scholars in nonhuman animal studies and criminology have argued that more attention should be paid to the violence sanctioned by society, that of animal slaughter for industrial food production. Slaughterhouses and the communities surrounding these facilities present ideal sites for investigating how the violence of nonhuman animal slaughter work impacts individuals and society. The main research questions addressed in this study were whether the presence of a slaughterhouse in a rural community had an effect on violent crime arrest rates and what impact these facilities have on social disorganization in the community. Previous research on slaughterhouse communities has established a correlation between slaughterhouse employment and violent crime. This research examined the relationship between the presence of a slaughterhouse in the community and violent crime rates. Findings indicated that the location of a slaughterhouse in a county was associated with increases in the total arrest rate, arrests for rape, and arrests for offenses against the family in comparison to counties without a slaughterhouse, pointing to a relationship between the violence of killing nonhuman animals and violence towards humans.
Your Dog is Your Teacher: Contemporary Dog Training Beyond Radical Behaviorism
Authors: Pręgowski Michał Piotr
Published: October 2015

Contemporary dog training and the ongoing changes within this field, particularly ones related to perceptions of dogs and their roles, are interesting topics for academic inquiry. Present practices generally rely upon either the pack-and-dominance concept—leading to top-down, discipline-heavy treatment—or behaviorism and operant conditioning, where great emphasis is placed on positive reinforcement. The “positive” approach underlies state-of-the-art training programs of the second decade of the 21st century. Authors of such programs go beyond the limitations of behaviorism, embracing up-to-date information about the emotional and cognitive abilities of dogs—something that trainers strongly attached to behaviorism are prone to overlook. Such a new approach to dog training does not oppose critical anthropomorphism, and it challenges prior understanding of the dog-human relationship. The relationship in question ceases to be unilateral and becomes a bond of mutual benefit, where a force-free, reward-based method of training is in unison with advertising the self-development potential for humans.
Effects of juvenile fish predation (Cyprinus carpio L.) on the composition and diversity of free-living freshwater nematode assemblages
Authors: Weber Sebastian , Traunspurger Walter
Published: October 2015

Free-living nematodes are well recognised as an abundant and ubiquitous component of meiobenthic communities, where they serve as a link between microbial production and higher trophic levels. However, the effect of fish predation on nematode assemblages is almost unknown. In this study, the predation effects of the benthivorous juvenile carp (Cyprinus carpio) on nematode abundance, biomass, diversity and species composition in the littoral zone of a natural freshwater pond were examined over 310 days using field enclosures and exclosures. Fish predation altered the abundance and biomass of nematodes, and especially of the dominant speciesTobrilus gracilis,Eumonhystera filiformisandMonhystera paludicola/stagnalis. Species richness and species composition, but not the diversity and feeding type of nematode assemblages, were affected by fish predation. Our study provides insights into the food-web ecology of lakes and the first evidence of freshwater fish predation effects on nematode assemblages in a natural habitat.
Between Fitna and the Idyll
Authors: Górak-Sosnowska Katarzyna
Published: October 2015

The article aims to explore and analyze online activity of Polish female converts to Islam, especially, on forums. Since the number of Muslims in Poland is marginal, Internet forums provide the converts with a sense of a virtual Polishummaas well as information about Islam. At the same time, most of these forums are closed or hidden from the outside world and often only accessible through a network of contacts from the real world. In other words, forum members know each other in person. That is why ideological divisions (mostly between Salafīs and more liberal Muslimas) are visible also in the virtual world. This makes many converts unambiguous when it comes to their sense of belonging to the virtualumma: on one side, the virtualummais their link to other Muslims but, on the other side, they feel misunderstood or even excluded due to the ideological differences within it.