bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of stakeholders in Nigeria’s tobacco control journey after the FCTC: lessons for tobacco control advocacy in low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Egbe Catherine O , Bialous Stella A , Glantz Stanton
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Nigeria ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005. Tobacco control advocates in Nigeria achieved some success in countering tobacco industry interference to implement the FCTC.

Methods

We triangulated interviews with key informants from local and international organisations who worked in Nigeria with documentation of the legislative process and Nigerian newspaper articles. Data were analysed and interpreted using the Policy Dystopia Model and WHO categories of tobacco industry interference that had been developed mostly based on experience in high-income countries.

Results

As in high-income countries, the tobacco industry continued to oppose tobacco control policies after Nigeria ratified the FCTC, including weakening Nigeria’s 2015 National Tobacco Control Act. Both tobacco control advocates and industry used discursive (argument-based) and instrumental (activity-based) strategies. The industry argued self-regulation and the economic importance of tobacco. They exploited legislative procedures, used front groups and third parties to push for pro-industry changes. Advocates, with help from international organisations, mobilised prominent Nigerians and the public. Advocates pre-empted and countered the industry through traditional and social media, monitoring and exposing tobacco industry activities, and by actively engaging lawmakers and citizens during the legislative process.

Conclusion

The Policy Dystopia Model and WHO categories of industry interference provide a helpful framework for understanding tobacco control debates in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) as in high-income countries. One difference in LMIC is the important role of international tobacco control advocates in supporting national tobacco control advocates. This partnership is important in pushing for FCTC-compliant legislation and countering industry activities in LMIC.
Biosecurity and management practices in different dog breeding systems have considerable margin for improvements
Authors: Dendoncker Pierre‐Alexandre , Moons Christel , Sarrazin Steven , Diederich Claire , Thiry Etienne , de Keuster Tiny , Dewulf Jeroen
Published: July 2018

To investigate the current management and biosecurity practices and identify possible differences between different types of breeders, a cross‐sectional study was carried out in 102 Belgian dog breeding facilities ranging from small (less than 10 dams on site) to large‐scale (more than 50 dams on site or at least 500 puppies sold yearly) breeders. Veterinary prophylactic protocols (ie, vaccination, endoparasite control, ectoparasitic treatments) were highly implemented (91.5 per cent, 92.6 per cent, 42.7 per cent, respectively) across all breeder categories. 13.8 per cent of all visited breeders reported to administer antimicrobials to each female post partum and 10.3 per cent reported to treat all puppies, or at least of one breed, systematically with antimicrobials. Large‐scale breeders reported to employ staff more frequently (p<0.01), and appeared to be more familiar with the principles of biosecurity. They reported to apply disinfection (p<0.01) and hygienic measures (p=0.03) across all parts of the facility, and to quarantine newly acquired dogs (p<0.01) more often compared with small‐scale breeders. Nonetheless, a moderate knowledge of and use of disinfection was recorded, as was the presence of pet dogs, breaking the compartmentalisation. Results of this study indicate that there is substantial room for improvement in hygiene and disease management across all categories of breeders. The characterisation of different types of dog breeders with respect to biosecurity and management practices is a first step towards improvement of dog husbandry and biosecurity measures. Tailored guidelines should permit breeders to further improve the health of breeding animals and puppies while reducing the risk of infectious disease outbreaks and associated expenses.
Yolk-shell Si/SiOx@Void@C composites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Lu Yue , Chang Peng , Wang Libin , Nzabahimana Joseph , Hu Xianluo
Published: July 2018

Silicon (Si) has been considered as one of the most promising anode materials in lithium-ion battery. However, practical applications of Si are hindered by undesirable cycling stability resulting from poor electrical conductivity and huge volumetric change during cycling process. Here, we prepared a yolk-shell silicon/carbon composite by etching carbon-coated heat-treated silicon monoxide (SiO) precursor. The as-prepared Si/SiOx@Void@C composite of inner silicon/silicon oxides and outer carbon shell with voids between them (Si/SiOx@Void@C), shows impressive cycling stability (1020[Formula: see text]mAh[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] at 1[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] over 200 cycles) and excellent rate performance (775[Formula: see text]mAh[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] at 6[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text]). The remarkable electrochemical performance is due to the enhanced electrical conductivity originated from the carbon shell and the volume buffer effect of the yolk-shell structure. A combination of the yolk-shell structure with Si/C composites is believed to be a promising way to improve the performance of Si-based materials in lithium-ion batteries.
Intercellular Spread of Protein Aggregates in Neurodegenerative Disease
Authors: Davis Albert A. , Leyns Cheryl E.G. , Holtzman David M.
Published: July 2018

Most neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the accumulation of protein aggregates, some of which are toxic to cells. Mounting evidence demonstrates that in several diseases, protein aggregates can pass from neuron to neuron along connected networks, although the role of this spreading phenomenon in disease pathogenesis is not completely understood. Here we briefly review the molecular and histopathological features of protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disease, we summarize the evidence for release of proteins from donor cells into the extracellular space, and we highlight some other mechanisms by which protein aggregates might be transmitted to recipient cells. We also discuss the evidence that supports a role for spreading of protein aggregates in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis and some limitations of this model. Finally, we consider potential therapeutic strategies to target spreading of protein aggregates in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Critiques of Human Rights
Authors: Langford Malcolm
Published: July 2018

Empirical critiques of human rights have reached a crescendo. Despite their centrality in late modernity, human rights face claims of irrelevance and predictions of demise. These social science–inflected assessments follow a familiar repertoire of critique. Concerns surrounding sociological legitimacy, material effectiveness, and distributive equality are foregrounded and undergirded by a growing body of empirical evidence, especially in sociology, political science, and anthropology but also in economics and social psychology. However, the critique has also catalyzed a counter-critique. A contending body of evidence accompanied by mid-level theorizing suggests that the turn to human rights has been more successful than imagined. This paper argues that it is difficult to reach any definitive conclusion given the role of normative biases in the research and a failure to agree on common benchmarks for evaluation. Nonetheless, with an emerging postliberal order, and a deepened concern over respect for human rights in both democracies and autocracies, critiques and counter-critiques deserve consideration in ensuring that the political project of human rights is both effective and equitable.
Environmental Obesogens: Mechanisms and Controversies
Authors: Heindel Jerrold J. , Blumberg Bruce
Published: July 2018

Obesity is a worldwide pandemic in adults as well as children and adds greatly to health care costs through its association with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and cancers. The prevailing medical view of obesity is that it results from a simple imbalance between caloric intake and energy expenditure. However, numerous other factors are important in the etiology of obesity. The obesogen hypothesis proposes that environmental chemicals termed obesogens promote obesity by acting to increase adipocyte commitment, differentiation, and size by altering metabolic set points or altering the hormonal regulation of appetite and satiety. Many obesogens are endocrine disrupting chemicals that interfere with normal endocrine regulation. Endocrine disrupting obesogens are abundant in our environment, used in everyday products from food packaging to fungicides. In this review, we explore the evidence supporting the obesogen hypothesis, as well as the gaps in our knowledge that are currently preventing a complete understanding of the extent to which obesogens contribute to the obesity pandemic.
The Good, the Bad, and the Shocking: The Multiple Roles of Dengue Virus Nonstructural Protein 1 in Protection and Pathogenesis
Authors: Glasner Dustin R. , Puerta-Guardo Henry , Beatty P. Robert , Harris Eva
Published: July 2018

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent medically important mosquito-borne virus in the world. Upon DENV infection of a host cell, DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) can be found intracellularly as a monomer, associated with the cell surface as a dimer, and secreted as a hexamer into the bloodstream. NS1 plays a variety of roles in the viral life cycle, particularly in RNA replication and immune evasion of the complement pathway. Over the past several years, key roles for NS1 in the pathogenesis of severe dengue disease have emerged, including direct action of the protein on the vascular endothelium and triggering release of vasoactive cytokines from immune cells, both of which result in endothelial hyperpermeability and vascular leak. Importantly, the adaptive immune response generates a robust response against NS1, and its potential contribution to dengue vaccines is also discussed.
A novel human cell culture model to study visceral smooth muscle phenotypic modulation in health and disease
Authors: Vaes Rianne D. W. , van den Berk Linda , Boonen Bas , van Dijk David P. J. , Olde Damink Steven W. M. , Rensen Sander S.
Published: July 2018

Adaptation of the smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype is essential for homeostasis and is often involved in pathologies of visceral organs (e.g., uterus, bladder, gastrointestinal tract). In vitro studies of the behavior of visceral SMCs under (patho)-physiological conditions are hampered by a spontaneous, uncontrolled phenotypic modulation of visceral SMCs under regular tissue culture conditions. We aimed to develop a new visceral SMC culture model that allows controlled phenotypic modulation. Human uterine SMCs [ULTR and telomerase-immortalized human myometrial cells (hTERT-HM)] were grown to confluency and kept for up to 6 days on regular tissue culture surfaces or basement membrane (BM) matrix-coated surfaces in the presence of 0–10% serum. mRNA and protein expression and localization of SMC-specific phenotype markers and their transcriptional regulators were investigated by quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Maintaining visceral SMCs confluent for 6 days increased α-smooth muscle actin (1.9-fold) and smooth muscle protein 22-α (3.1-fold), whereas smooth muscle myosin heavy chain was only slightly upregulated (1.3-fold). Culturing on a BM matrix-coated surface further increased these proteins and also markedly promoted mRNA expression of γ-smooth muscle actin (15.0-fold), smoothelin (3.5-fold), h-caldesmon (5.2-fold), serum response factor (7.6-fold), and myocardin (8.1-fold). Whereas additional serum deprivation only minimally affected contractile markers, platelet-derived growth factor-BB and transforming growth factor β1 consistently reduced versus increased their expression. In conclusion, we present a simple and reproducible visceral SMC culture system that allows controlled phenotypic modulation toward both the synthetic and the contractile phenotype. This may greatly facilitate the identification of factors that drive visceral SMC phenotypic changes in health and disease.
Motoneuron output regulated by ionic channels: a modeling study of motoneuron frequency-current relationships during fictive locomotion
Authors: Dai Yue , Cheng Yi , Fedirchuk Brent , Jordan Larry M. , Chu Junhao
Published: July 2018

Cat lumbar motoneurons display changes in membrane properties during fictive locomotion. These changes include reduction of input resistance and afterhyperpolarization, hyperpolarization of voltage threshold, and voltage-dependent excitation of the motoneurons. The state-dependent alteration of membrane properties leads to dramatic changes in frequency-current (F-I) relationship. The mechanism underlying these changes remains unknown. Using a motoneuron model combined with electrophysiological data, we investigated the channel mechanisms underlying the regulation of motoneuronal excitability and motor output. Simulation results showed that upregulation of transient sodium, persistent sodium, or Cav1.3 calcium conductances or downregulation of calcium-activated potassium or KCNQ/Kv7 potassium conductances could increase motoneuronal excitability and motor output through hyperpolarizing (left shifting) the F-I relationships or increasing the F-I slopes, whereas downregulation of input resistance or upregulation of potassium-mediated leak conductance produced the opposite effects. The excitatory phase of locomotor drive potentials (LDPs) also substantially hyperpolarized the F-I relationships and increased the F-I slopes, whereas the inhibitory phase of the LDPs had opposite effects to a similar extent. The simulation results also showed that none of the individual channel modulations could produce all the changes in the F-I relationships. The effects of modulation of Cav1.3 and KCNQ/Kv7 on F-I relationships were supported by slice experiments with the Cav1.3 agonist Bay K8644 and the KCNQ/Kv7 antagonist XE-991. The conclusion is that the varying changes in F-I relationships during fictive locomotion could be regulated by multichannel modulations. This study provides insight into the ionic basis for control of motor output in walking.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Mammalian spinal motoneurons have their excitability adapted to facilitate recruitment and firing during locomotion. Cat lumbar motoneurons display dramatic changes in membrane properties during fictive locomotion. These changes lead to a varying alteration of frequency-current relationship. The mechanisms underlying the changes remain unknown. In particular, little is known about the ionic basis for regulation of motoneuronal excitability and thus control of the motor output for walking by the spinal motor system.
M current regulates firing mode and spike reliability in a collision-detecting neuron
Authors: Dewell Richard B. , Gabbiani Fabrizio
Published: July 2018

All animals must detect impending collisions to escape and reliably discriminate them from nonthreatening stimuli, thus preventing false alarms. Therefore, it is no surprise that animals have evolved highly selective and sensitive neurons dedicated to such tasks. We examined a well-studied collision-detection neuron in the grasshopper ( Schistocerca americana) using in vivo electrophysiology, pharmacology, and computational modeling. This lobula giant movement detector (LGMD) neuron is excitable by inputs originating from each ommatidia of the compound eye. It possesses many intrinsic properties that increase its selectivity to objects approaching on a collision course, including switching between burst and nonburst firing. In this study, we demonstrate that the LGMD neuron exhibits a large M current, generated by noninactivating K+channels, that shortens the temporal window of dendritic integration, regulates a firing mode switch between burst and isolated spiking, increases the precision of spike timing, and increases the reliability of spike propagation to downstream motor centers. By revealing how the M current increases the LGMD’s ability to detect impending collisions, our results suggest that similar channels may play an analogous role in other collision detection circuits.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The ability to reliably detect impending collisions is a critical survival skill. The nervous systems of many animals have developed dedicated neurons for accomplishing this task. We used a mix of in vivo electrophysiology and computational modeling to investigate the role of M potassium channels within one such collision-detecting neuron and show that through regulation of burst firing and enhancement of spiking reliability, the M current increases the ability to detect impending collisions.
Contrast gain control in mouse auditory cortex
Authors: Cooke James E. , King Andrew J. , Willmore Ben D. B. , Schnupp Jan W. H.
Published: July 2018

The neocortex is thought to employ a number of canonical computations, but little is known about whether these computations rely on shared mechanisms across different neural populations. In recent years, the mouse has emerged as a powerful model organism for the dissection of the circuits and mechanisms underlying various aspects of neural processing and therefore provides an important avenue for research into putative canonical computations. One such computation is contrast gain control, the systematic adjustment of neural gain in accordance with the contrast of sensory input, which helps to construct neural representations that are robust to the presence of background stimuli. Here, we characterized contrast gain control in the mouse auditory cortex. We performed laminar extracellular recordings in the auditory cortex of the anesthetized mouse while varying the contrast of the sensory input. We observed that an increase in stimulus contrast resulted in a compensatory reduction in the gain of neural responses, leading to representations in the mouse auditory cortex that are largely contrast invariant. Contrast gain control was present in all cortical layers but was found to be strongest in deep layers, indicating that intracortical mechanisms may contribute to these gain changes. These results lay a foundation for investigations into the mechanisms underlying contrast adaptation in the mouse auditory cortex.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We investigated whether contrast gain control, the systematic reduction in neural gain in response to an increase in sensory contrast, exists in the mouse auditory cortex. We performed extracellular recordings in the mouse auditory cortex while presenting sensory stimuli with varying contrasts and found this form of processing was widespread. This finding provides evidence that contrast gain control may represent a canonical cortical computation and lays a foundation for investigations into the underlying mechanisms.
H2O2 Signaling‐Triggered PI3K Mediates Mitochondrial Protection to Participate in Early Cardioprotection by Exercise Preconditioning
Authors: Yuan Yang , Pan Shan-Shan , Wan Dong-Feng , Lu Jiao , Huang Yue
Published: July 2018

Previous studies have shown that early exercise preconditioning (EEP) imparts a protective effect on acute cardiovascular stress. However, how mitophagy participates in exercise preconditioning‐ (EP‐) induced cardioprotection remains unclear. EEP may involve mitochondrial protection, which presumably crosstalks with predominant H2O2 oxidative stress. Our EEP protocol involves four periods of 10 min running with 10 min recovery intervals. We added a period of exhaustive running and a pretreatment using phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/autophagy inhibitor wortmannin to test this protective effect. By using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), laser scanning confocal microscopy, and other molecular biotechnology methods, we detected related markers and specifically analyzed the relationship between mitophagic proteins and mitochondrial translocation. We determined that exhaustive exercise associated with various elevated injuries targeted the myocardium, oxidative stress, hypoxia‐ischemia, and mitochondrial ultrastructure. However, exhaustion induced limited mitochondrial protection through a H2O2‐independent manner to inhibit voltage‐dependent anion channel isoform 1 (VDAC1) instead of mitophagy. EEP was apparently safe to the heart. In EEP‐induced cardioprotection, EEP provided suppression to exhaustive exercise (EE) injuries by translocating Bnip3 to the mitochondria by recruiting the autophagosome protein LC3 to induce mitophagy, which is potentially triggered by H2O2 and influenced by Beclin1‐dependent autophagy. Pretreatment with the wortmannin further attenuated these effects induced by EEP and resulted in the expression of proapoptotic phenotypes such as oxidative injury, elevated Beclin1/Bcl‐2 ratio, cytochrome c leakage, mitochondrial dynamin‐1‐like protein (Drp‐1) expression, and VDAC1 dephosphorylation. These observations suggest that H2O2 generation regulates mitochondrial protection in EEP‐induced cardioprotection.
Investigation of Energy Mechanism and Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Mudstone with Different Moisture Contents
Authors: Jiang Jingdong , Xu Jie
Published: July 2018

Characteristics of energy accumulation, evolution, and dissipation in conventional triaxial compression of mudstones with different moisture contents were explored. Stress‐strain relations and acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of the deformation and failure of rock specimens were analyzed. The densities and rates of stored energy, elastic energy, and dissipated energy under different confining pressures were confirmed. The results demonstrated that the growth rate of absorbed total energy decreases with the increase of moisture content, indicating that the higher the moisture content is, the less the total energy mudstone samples absorb. The dissipated energy of the soaking sample, by contrast, has the first increase speed, and natural sample comes second at the beginning. When entering the crack stable development stage, the dry sample has the fastest growing rate of dissipated energy, meaning that dissipated energy used for crack propagation gradually decreases with the increase of moisture content. The AE signals significantly enhance at the initial compression stage and plastic deformation stage with the moisture content decreasing. The AE location events at the failure moment decrease as the moisture content increasing. The time that the maximum AE even rate appears is slightly lagged behind the macroscopic failure time, and the AE even rates increase with the decrease of confining pressure. The above results indicate that the water erosion process on rock reduces the cohesive energy and cohesive force, destroys the micromechanical structure, and minimizes the energy states of rock.
Foxc2 and BMP2 Induce Osteogenic/Odontogenic Differentiation and Mineralization of Human Stem Cells from Apical Papilla
Authors: Zhang Wen , Zhang Xiaolei , Li Junyuan , Zheng Jianmao , Hu Xiaoli , Xu Meng , Mao Xueli , Ling Junqi
Published: July 2018

As a transcription factor regulated by bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), Forkhead c2 (Foxc2) plays a pivot role in osteogenesis/odontogenesis. However, the role of Foxc2 and BMP2 in regulating osteo-/odontogenic differentiation and mineralization of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) is still uncertain. In this research, overexpression of Foxc2 gene significantly improved the proliferation of SCAP four days and eight days after transfection, but overexpression of both Foxc2 and BMP2 genes significantly inhibited the proliferation of SCAP eight days after transfection. RT-qPCR and western blot results indicated that SCAP-Foxc2-BMP2 significantly upregulated osteo-/odontogenic genes and proteins at most of the time points in SCAP after transfection. Moreover, SCAP-Foxc2-BMP2 formed notably more alkaline phosphatase-positive and alizarin red-positive mineralized nodules than other three group cells sixteen days after transfection. In conclusion, our findings revealed that Foxc2 and BMP2 synergistically promoted osteo-/odontogenic differentiation and mineralization of SCAP in vitro.
Neural Networks Applied to the Wave-Induced Fatigue Analysis of Steel Risers
Authors: Cortina João P. R. , de Sousa Fernando J. M. , Sagrilo Luis V. S.
Published: July 2018

Time domain stochastic wave dynamic analyses of offshore structures are computationally expensive. Considering the wave-induced fatigue assessment for such structures, the combination of many environmental loading cases and the need of long time-series responses make the computational cost even more critical. In order to reduce the computational burden related to the wave-induced fatigue analysis of Steel Catenary Risers (SCRs), this work presents the application of a recently developed hybrid methodology that combines dynamic Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). The methodology is named hybrid once it requires short time series of structure responses (obtained by FEA) and imposed motions (evaluated analytically) to train an ANN. Subsequently, the ANN is employed to predict the remaining response time series using the prescribed motions imposed at the top of the structure by the floater unit. In this particular work, the methodology is applied aiming to predict the tension and bending moments’ time series at structural elements located at the top region and at the touchdown zone (TDZ) of a metallic riser. With the predicted responses (tensions and moments), the stress time series are determined for eight points along the pipe cross sections, and stress cycles are identified using a Rainflow algorithm. Fatigue damage is then evaluated using SN curves and the Miner-Palmgren damage accumulation rule. The methodology is applied to a SCR connected to a semisubmersible platform in a water depth of 910 m. The obtained results are compared to those from a full FEA in order to evaluate the accuracy and computer efficiency of the hybrid methodology.
Exosomes in the Oncobiology, Diagnosis, and Therapy of Hepatic Carcinoma: A New Player of an Old Game
Authors: Sun Fang , Wang Jin-Zhi , Luo Ji-Jun , Wang Yu-Qin , Pan Qin
Published: July 2018

Exosomes are emerging as essential vehicles mediated cross-talk between different types of cells in tumor microenvironment. The extensive exploration of exosomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) enhances our comprehension of cancer biology referring to tumor growth, metastasis, immune evasion, and chemoresistance. Besides, the versatile roles of exosomes provide reasonable explanations for the propensity for liver metastasis of gastric cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. The selective-enriched components, especially some specific proteins and noncoding RNAs in exosomes, have great potential as noninvasive biomarkers of HCC with high sensitivity and specificity. The characteristics of exosomes further inspire frontier research to interrupt intercellular malignant signals by controlling the biogenesis, release, or contents of exosomes.
A Triangle Algorithm of Padé-Type Approximant for Two-Dimensional Fredholm Integral Equations of the Second Kind
Authors: Sun Meilan , Gu Chuanqing
Published: July 2018

The function-valued Padé-type approximation (2DFPTA) is used to solve two-dimensional Fredholm integral equation of the second kind. In order to compute 2DFPTA, a triangle recursive algorithm based on Sylvester identity is proposed. The advantage of this algorithm is that, in the process of calculating 2DFPTA to avoid the calculation of the determinant, it can start from the initial value, from low to high order, and gradually proceeds. Compared with the original two methods, the numerical examples show that the algorithm is effective.
A Research on Fatigue Damage Constitutive Equation of Asphalt Mixture
Authors: Sun Yazhen , Fang Chenze , Fan Dong , Wang Jinchang , Yuan Xuezhong
Published: July 2018

The laboratory investigations of fatigue damage constitutive equation of asphalt mixture were carried out by three-point bending fatigue tests. The three-point bending fatigue tests were performed at three levels of stress-strength ratio (SSR), temperature, and loading rate. The coupled multifactor (stress-strength ratio, temperature, and loading rate) fatigue life equation was established, which can well predict the fatigue life of the asphalt mixture. Both a damage model and a damage evolution equation have been established based on the E-N curve, which indicate that fatigue damage evolution is nonlinear and consists of three stages. The sensitivity analysis of damage model parameters indicates that each parameter has different effects on the three stages of damage evolution. Based on the researches above, the fatigue damage constitutive equations were finally built based on the σ-ε curves, which consist of two parts: the damage accumulation stage and the fatigue failure stage. The elasticity-power hardening model was used to describe the constitutive relation of damage accumulation stage. The elasticity-power hardening model and the Sidoroff damage model were used to describe the constitutive relation of damage failure stage. The constitutive equations can well characterize the fatigue damage performance of the asphalt mixtures under cyclic loading.
Prevalence of Pruritus in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: Brief Report of a Multicenter, Multinational Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Samotij Dominik , Szczęch Justyna , Kushner Carolyn J. , Mowla Mohammad Rafiqul , Dańczak-Pazdrowska Aleksandra , Antiga Emiliano , Chasset François , Furukawa Fukumi , Hasegawa Minoru , Hashizume Hideo , Islam Aminul , Ikeda Takaharu , Lesiak Aleksandra , Polańska Adriana , Misery Laurent , Szepietowski Jacek C. , Tsuruta Daisuke , Adamski Zygmunt , Werth Victoria P. , Reich Adam
Published: July 2018

Pruritus is an important symptom frequently accompanying various inflammatory skin conditions. Some recent data have indicated that it may also be associated with autoimmune connective tissue diseases, including systemic sclerosis and dermatomyositis; however, studies on the prevalence and clinical characteristics of pruritus in CLE are limited. We have performed a multinational, prospective, cross-sectional study in order to assess the prevalence and intensity of pruritus in adult patients suffering from various subtypes of CLE. After developing a questionnaire assessing various aspects of pruritus, we have surveyed 567 patients with cutaneous involvement during the course of LE regarding the presence and intensity of pruritus. Pruritus was present in 425 of all patients (75.0%) and was most frequently reported by subjects with acute CLE (82.1%), followed by chronic CLE (78.8%), subacute CLE (65.9%), and intermittent CLE (55.6%) (p<0.001). Based on the Numerical Rating Scale, the severity of itch was mild, moderate, and severe in 264 (62.1%), 98 (23.1%), and 63 (14.8%) patients, respectively. The highest mean pruritus intensity was reported by subjects with hypertrophic LE (5.1±3.0 points) followed by generalized discoid LE (3.6±3.0 points), subacute CLE (3.0±3.0 points), chilblain LE (3.0±1.0 points), localized discoid LE (2.6±2.0 points), intermittent CLE (2.6±3.0 points), acute CLE (2.5±1.2 points), and lupus erythematosus profundus (1.9±2.7 points). In conclusion, pruritus is a frequent phenomenon in CLE; however, in most patients it is of mild severity. Further studies are needed to better characterize its clinical characteristics and influence on patients’ well-being.
Performance and Power Consumption Analysis of IEEE802.11ah for Smart Grid
Authors: Zheng Zhe , Cui Wenpeng , Qiao Lei , Guo Jinghong
Published: July 2018

IEEE802.11ah is a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) designed for the application of Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine to Machine (M2M), mainly used in sensor network, smart metering, car network, health care, and other emerging fields. IEEE802.11ah inherits the IEEE802.11n∖ac technology. At present, smart grid has completed the installation of optical fiber communication as its backbone network; WLAN can be used to build new wireless sensor network for smart grid by improving the transmission distance, speed, and power efficiency. The critical features of 802.11ah make it a powerful candidate for WLAN in smart grid, such as intelligent substation sensor network and automatic metering system (AMS). This paper simulates the new added highly robust 1MHz bandwidth and Modulation Coding Scheme (MCS) 10 in the 802.11ah physical layer and analyzes the coverage range and energy‐saving performance of 802.11ah based on the simulation results. The analysis shows that the 802.11ah at 1 MHZ MCS 10 mode can obtain 2.5‐3 dB gain. Combined with advantages of Sub‐1GHz working frequency, 802.11ah could enlarge the coverage range by five times, compared to 2.4 GHz Wi‐Fi. On the other side, 802.11ah module used in the smart grid can greatly reduce power consumption, especially in the AMS with a 1.1 kW.H power savings per year. 802.11ah not only provides the flexibility and low cost features of wireless communication, but also brings coverage and energy‐saving performance improvements, which leads to good economic benefit.
Downregulation of CYP2A6 and CYP2C8 in Tumor Tissues Is Linked to Worse Overall Survival and Recurrence-Free Survival from Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ren Xiaojing , Ji Yuanyuan , Jiang Xuhua , Qi Xun
Published: July 2018

Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the links between CYP450 family genes in tumor tissues and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) outcomes.Methods. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases GSE14520 and GSE36376 were used to identify differential expressed CYP450 genes between tumor and nontumor tissues and related to HCC clinicopathological features and survivals.Results. Seven CYP450 genes including CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2E1, CYP3A4, and CYP4A11 were downregulated in tumor tissues, which were validated in both GSE14520 and GSE36376. HCC patients with CYP2A6 and CYP2C8 low levels in tumor tissues suffered from poorer overall survival (OS) compared to those with high CYP2A6 and CYP2C8 in GSE14520 profile (log ranksP= 0.01 andP= 0.006, respectively). In addition, HCC patients with lower CYP2A6 and CYP2C8 in tumors had worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) than those with higher CYP2A6 and CYP2C8 (log ranksP= 0.02 andP= 0.012, respectively). In GSE36376 validation dataset, HCC patients with lower CYP2A6 and CYP2C8 had worse OS and RFS than those with higher CYP2A6 and CYP2C8 (allP< 0.05), in line with results in GSE14520 dataset. Additionally, lower CYP2A6 and CYP2C8 are associated with advanced clinicopathological features including tumor staging, vascular invasion, intrahepatic metastasis, and high alpha fetoprotein (allP< 0.05).Conclusion. Downregulation of CYP2A6 and CYP2C8 in tumor tissues links to poorer OS and RFS in HCC patients.
Vector Analysis of the Effects of FS-LASIK and Toric ICL for Moderate to High Astigmatism Correction
Authors: Chen Kaijian , Hu Zongli , Zhou Jihan , Yu Ting , Xu Jie , Bai Ji , Ye Jian
Published: July 2018

Purpose. To estimate the treatment effectiveness of femtosecond-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and Toric implantable collamer lens (Toric ICL) for moderate and high astigmatism via vector analysis.Materials and Methods. The study involved 44 eyes from 44 patients who had a preoperative refractive cylinder ≥1.0 diopters (D) and underwent bilateral FS-LASIK or Toric ICL surgery. The examinations included corrected distance visual acuity measurement and subjective refraction before and 3 months after surgery. The astigmatic changes were estimated using vector analysis.Results. No statistically significant differences were found in cylindrical refraction and percentage of spherical equivalent within 0 D, ±0.50 D, ±1.00 D, and ±1.50 D between the FS-LASIK and Toric ICL groups at 3 months after surgery. The parameters of the vector analysis included intended refractive correction, surgically induced refractive correction, error vector, correction ratio, error ratio, error of magnitude, and error of angle, with no significant differences between the groups. However, error ratio the of the off-axis correction in the FS-LASIK and Toric ICL groups was 4.11 ± 3.02 and 8.11 ± 3.82, respectively, and the difference was significant (t = −2.46,p=0.02).Conclusion. Both FS-LASIK and Toric ICL were effective for correcting moderate and high astigmatism, although Toric ICL might produce a larger error of angle than FS-LASIK when an off-axis correction occurs.
The Free Radical Diseases of Prematurity: From Cellular Mechanisms to Bedside
Authors: Perrone Serafina , Santacroce Antonino , Longini Mariangela , Proietti Fabrizio , Bazzini Francesco , Buonocore Giuseppe
Published: July 2018

During the perinatal period, free radicals (FRs) are involved in several physiological roles such as the cellular responses to noxia, the defense against infectious agents, the regulation of cellular signaling function, and the induction of a mitogenic response. However, the overproduction of FRs and the insufficiency of an antioxidant mechanism result in oxidative stress (OS) which represents a deleterious process and an important mediator of damage to the placenta and the developing fetus. After birth, OS can be magnified by other predisposing conditions such as hypoxia, hyperoxia, ischemia, hypoxia ischemia‐reperfusion, inflammation, and high levels of nonprotein‐bound iron. Newborns are particularly susceptible to OS and oxidative damage due to the increased generation of FRs and the lack of adequate antioxidant protection. This impairment of the oxidative balance has been thought to be the common factor of the so‐called “free radical related diseases of prematurity,” including retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, kidney damage, and oxidative hemolysis. In this review, we provide an update focused on the factors influencing these diseases refining the knowledge about the role of OS in their pathogenesis and the current evidences of such relationship. Mechanisms governing FR formation and subsequent OS may represent targets for counteracting tissue damage.
Therapeutic Dilemma of Natural Watchman: Congenital Absence of the Left Atrial Appendage
Authors: Nandar Phoo Pwint , Kichloo Asim , Aung Thein Tun , Kravitz Kevin D.
Published: July 2018

Congenital absence of the left atrial appendage is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly which is usually an incidental finding. We present a rare case of congenital absence of the left atrial appendage in a 77-year-old female patient with atrial fibrillation, and we will discuss the role of anticoagulation in the patient with congenital absence of the left atrial appendage based on the scientific data and theoretic background.
Dynamic Indentation Characteristics for Various Spacings and Indentation Depths: A Study Based on Laboratory and Numerical Tests
Authors: Liu Jie , Wan Wen , Chen Yu , Wang Jun
Published: July 2018

Laboratory and numerical study tests were conducted to investigate the dynamic indentation characteristics for various spacings and indentation depths. First, laboratory tests indicate that the increase in the indentation depth first resulted in enlarged groove volumes, caused by fiercer rock breakages between indentations for a fixed spacing; then, the groove volume slightly increased for further increase in indentation depth, whereas the increase in spacing restrained rock breakages and resulted in shrunken grooves. In addition, the numerical study agreed well with laboratory tests that small chips formed at the shallow part of the rock specimen at the early indentation stage, and then, larger chips formed by the crack propagation at deeper parts of the rock specimens when the indentation depth increased. With further increase in indentation depth, crushed powders instead of chips formed. Moreover, the numerical analysis indicates that crack propagation usually leads to the decrease of the indentation force and the dissipation of the stress concentrations at crack tips, whereas the cessation of crack propagation frequently resulted in the increase of the indentation force and the stress concentrations at crack tip with the increase in indentation depth.
Further Results on Diagonally Invariant Exponential Stability of Switching Linear Systems
Authors: Matcovschi Mihaela-Hanako , Pastravanu Octavian
Published: July 2018

The concept of diagonally invariant exponential stability (DIES) was originally introduced for single-model linear systems and subsequently expanded in the study of linear systems with interval-type uncertainties and linear systems with arbitrary switching. The results presented in this article refer to new approaches to DIES characterization for arbitrary switching systems, which exploit mathematical tools completely different from earlier work. The previous papers are based on the properties of matrix norms and measures applied to the constituent matrices defining the switching system, while the present paper uses the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the column and row representatives built for a set of matrices derived from the constituent matrices of the switching system. The applicability of previous and new results, respectively, is illustrated by case studies (in both continuous- and discrete-time) that lead to relevant comparisons between the two classes of analysis methods.
Tumor Mutation Burden and Efficacy of EGFR-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Patients with EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancers
Authors: Offin Michael , Rizvi Hira , Tenet Megan , Ni Andy , Sanchez-Vega Francisco , Li Bob T. , Drilon Alexander , Kris Mark G. , Rudin Charles M. , Schultz Nikolaus , Arcila Maria E. , Ladanyi Marc , Riely Gregory J. , Yu Helena , Hellmann Matthew D.
Published: July 2018

Purpose:

Tumor mutation burden (TMB) is a biomarker of response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). The impact of TMB on outcomes with targeted therapies has not been explored.

Experimental Design:

We identified all patients with metastatic EGFR exon19del or L858R-mutant lung cancers treated with first/second-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with pretreatment next-generation sequencing data (MSK-IMPACT assay). The effect of TMB on time-to-treatment discontinuation (TTD) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses. EGFR wild-type lung adenocarcinoma samples were used for comparison.

Results:

Among 153 patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer, TMB was lower compared with EGFR wild-type (n = 1,849; median 3.77 vs. 6.12 mutations/Mb; P < 0.0001) with a broad range (0.82–17.9 mutations/Mb). Patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer whose tumors had TMB in the high tertile had shorter TTD (HR, 0.46; P = 0.0008) and OS (HR, 0.40; P = 0.006) compared with patients with low/intermediate TMB. Evaluating by median TMB, there was significantly shorter TTD and OS for patients with higher TMB (TTD, P = 0.006; OS, P = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, TTD and OS remained significantly longer in the low/intermediate tertile compared with high TMB (HR = 0.57, P = 0.01; HR = 0.50, P = 0.02, respectively). In paired pretreatment and postprogression samples, TMB was increased at resistance (median 3.42 vs. 6.56 mutations/Mb; P = 0.008).

Conclusions:

TMB is negatively associated with clinical outcomes in metastatic patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer treated with EGFR-TKI. This relationship contrasts with that seen in lung cancers treated with immunotherapy.

See related commentary by Cheng and Oxnard, p. 899
Selective and Context-Dependent Social and Behavioral Effects of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Weakly Electric Fish
Authors: Neeley Brandon , Overholt Tyler , Artz Emily , Kinsey Steven G. , Marsat Gary
Published: July 2018

Cannabinoid (CB) receptors are widespread in the nervous system and influence a variety of behaviors. Weakly electric fish have been a useful model system in the study of the neural basis of behavior, but we know nothing of the role played by the CB system. Here, we determine the overall behavioral effect of a nonselective CB receptor agonist, namely Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in the weakly electric fish Apte­ronotus leptorhynchus. Using various behavioral paradigms involving social stimuli, we show that THC decreases locomotor behavior, as in many species, and influences communication and social behavior. Across the different experiments, we found that the propensity to emit communication signals (chirps) and seek social interactions was affected in a context-dependent manner. We explicitly tested this hypothesis by comparing the behavioral effects of THC injection in fish placed in a novel versus a familiar social and physical environment. THC-injected fish were less likely to chirp than control fish in familiar situations but not in novel ones. The tendency to be in close proximity to other fish was affected only in novel environments, with control fish clustering more than THC-injected ones. By identifying behaviors affected by CB agonists, our study can guide further comparative and neurophysiological studies of the role of the CB system using a weakly electric fish as a model.
Renal Sympathetic Denervation in Patients with Resistant Hypertension: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Kario Kazuomi , Rumoroso Jose Ramon , Okawara Yukie , Pérez de Prado Armando , Garcia Fernandez Eulogio , Kagitani Hideaki , Goicolea Gómez Francisco Javier , Rodríguez Leor Oriol , Stankovic Goran
Published: July 2018

Background/Aims: We assessed the feasibility of renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) treatment in patients with resistant hypertension using the Iberis® RDN system. This study was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm feasibility registry. Methods: We collected data from patients who underwent RDN treatment using the Iberis system. From November 2014 to February 2016, 16 patients from 6 centers in Europe were enrolled in this registry. Results: Consistent reductions in the 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure were obtained. At any follow-up point, more than 70% of the patients were responders. The change in the 24-h SBP at 1 month was strongly correlated with that at 12 months. Conclusion: The Iberis system is safe and effective in patients for the treatment of resistant hypertension. Furthermore, our results suggest that we can estimate the effect of RDN in the long term at the 1-month follow-up point using the 24-h SBP.
A Case of Friction Alopecia in a Healthy 15-Year-Old Girl
Authors: Fowler Emilie , Tosti Antonella
Published: July 2018

Friction alopecia is a non-scarring alopecia that causes hair breakage and may cause trichorrhexis nodosa. We report a case of a 15-year-old girl with self-inflicting friction alopecia that demonstrated broken hairs and proximal trichorrhexis nodosa on dermoscopy. We review various causes of friction alopecia and clinical findings, as well as trichorrhexis nodosa.