bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNA Sequencing Analysis Reveals Interactions between Breast Cancer or Melanoma Cells and the Tissue Microenvironment during Brain Metastasis
Authors: Sato Ryo , Nakano Teppei , Hosonaga Mari , Sampetrean Oltea , Harigai Ritsuko , Sasaki Takashi , Koya Ikuko , Okano Hideyuki , Kudoh Jun , Saya Hideyuki , Arima Yoshimi
Published: January 2017

Metastasis is the main cause of treatment failure and death in cancer patients. Metastasis of tumor cells to the brain occurs frequently in individuals with breast cancer, non–small cell lung cancer, or melanoma. Despite recent advances in our understanding of the causes and in the treatment of primary tumors, the biological and molecular mechanisms underlying the metastasis of cancer cells to the brain have remained unclear. Metastasizing cancer cells interact with their microenvironment in the brain to establish metastases. We have now developed mouse models of brain metastasis based on intracardiac injection of human breast cancer or melanoma cell lines, and we have performed RNA sequencing analysis to identify genes in mouse brain tissue and the human cancer cells whose expression is associated specifically with metastasis. We found that the expressions of the mouse genesTph2,Sspo,Ptprq, andPoleas well as those of the human genesCXCR4,PLLP,TNFSF4,VCAM1,SLC8A2, andSLC7A11were upregulated in brain tissue harboring metastases. Further characterization of such genes that contribute to the establishment of brain metastases may provide a basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies and consequent improvement in the prognosis of cancer patients.
Idiopathic Renal Infarction Mimicking Appendicitis
Authors: Di Serafino Marco , Severino Rosa , Gullotto Chiara , Lisanti Francesco , Scarano Enrico
Published: January 2017

Renal infarction is a rare cause of referral to the emergency department, with very low estimated incidence (0.004%–0.007%). Usually, it manifests in patients aged 60–70 with risk factors for thromboembolism, mostly related to heart disease, atrial fibrillation in particular. We report a case of idiopathic segmental renal infarction in a 38-year-old patient, presenting with acute abdominal pain with no previous known history or risk factors for thromboembolic diseases. Because of its aspecific clinical presentation, this condition can mimic more frequent pathologies including pyelonephritis, nephrolithiasis, or as in our case appendicitis. Here we highlight the extremely ambiguous presentation of renal infarct and the importance for clinicians to be aware of this condition, particularly in patients without clear risk factors, as it usually has a good prognosis after appropriate anticoagulant therapy.
Synthesis and Characterization of La-Doped Luminescent Multilayer Films
Authors: Wang Tianlei , Liu Meitang , Ma Hongwen , Cao Defu
Published: January 2017

In this work, we have successfully designed ordered luminescent multilayer films based on La-doped nonmagnetic or magnetic inorganic nanostructure with electronic microenvironment (EM). The inorganic nanosheets with opposite charge can assemble EM between the interlayers. At the same time, their elements on nanosheets of layer double hydroxides (LDHs) are facile to be replaced so that we can introduce transition metal or lanthanide elements. Besides, ferromagnetic effect (FE) can be formed in this microenvironment due to introducing transition metal on LDHs nanosheets. As a result, we confirm that EM, FE, and doping La element in the LDHs can affect the vibration of backbone of chromophores and then prolong the luminescent lifetime, which suggests a new pathway for developing the novel light-emitting thin films.
Bionic Design of Wind Turbine Blade Based on Long-Eared Owl’s Airfoil
Authors: Tian Weijun , Yang Zhen , Zhang Qi , Wang Jiyue , Li Ming , Ma Yi , Cong Qian
Published: January 2017

The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a bionic design for the airfoil of wind turbines inspired by the morphology of Long-eared Owl’s wings. Glauert Model was adopted to design the standard blade and the bionic blade, respectively. Numerical analysis method was utilized to study the aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoils as well as the blades. Results show that the bionic airfoil inspired by the airfoil at the 50% aspect ratio of the Long-eared Owl’s wing gives rise to a superior lift coefficient and stalling performance and thus can be beneficial to improving the performance of the wind turbine blade. Also, the efficiency of the bionic blade in wind turbine blades tests increases by 12% or above (up to 44%) compared to that of the standard blade. The reason lies in the bigger pressure difference between the upper and lower surface which can provide stronger lift.
Fuzzy Modeling for Uncertainty Nonlinear Systems with Fuzzy Equations
Authors: Jafari Raheleh , Yu Wen
Published: January 2017

The uncertain nonlinear systems can be modeled with fuzzy equations by incorporating the fuzzy set theory. In this paper, the fuzzy equations are applied as the models for the uncertain nonlinear systems. The nonlinear modeling process is to find the coefficients of the fuzzy equations. We use the neural networks to approximate the coefficients of the fuzzy equations. The approximation theory for crisp models is extended into the fuzzy equation model. The upper bounds of the modeling errors are estimated. Numerical experiments along with comparisons demonstrate the excellent behavior of the proposed method.
Osteogenic Differentiation Capacity of In Vitro Cultured Human Skeletal Muscle for Expedited Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Miao Chunlei , Zhou Lulu , Tian Lufeng , Zhang Yingjie , Zhang Wei , Yang Fanghong , Liu Tianyi , Tang Shengjian , Liu Fangjun
Published: January 2017

Expedited bone tissue engineering employs the biological stimuli to harness the intrinsic regenerative potential of skeletal muscle to trigger the reparative process in situ to improve or replace biological functions. When genetically modified with adenovirus mediated BMP2 gene transfer, muscle biopsies from animals have demonstrated success in regenerating bone within rat bony defects. However, it is uncertain whether the human adult skeletal muscle displays an osteogenic potential in vitro when a suitable biological trigger is applied. In present study, human skeletal muscle cultured in a standard osteogenic medium supplemented with dexamethasone demonstrated significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity approximately 24-fold over control at 2-week time point. More interestingly, measurement of mRNA levels revealed the dramatic results for osteoblast transcripts of alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoproteins, transcription factor CBFA1, collagen type I, and osteocalcin. Calcified mineral deposits were demonstrated on superficial layers of muscle discs after an extended 8-week osteogenic induction. Taken together, these are the first data supporting human skeletal muscle tissue as a promising potential target for expedited bone regeneration, which of the technologies is a valuable method for tissue repair, being not only effective but also inexpensive and clinically expeditious.
Effects of Die-Attach Quality on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of High-Power Light-Emitting Diodes Packaging
Authors: He Piaopiao , Zhang Jinlong , Zhang Jianhua , Yin Luqiao
Published: January 2017

The reliability of high-power light-emitting-diode (LED) devices strongly depends on the die-attach quality because voids may increase junction temperature and total thermal resistance of LED devices. Die-attach material has a key role in the thermal management of high-power LED package by providing low-contact thermal resistance. Thermal and mechanical analyses were carried out by experiments and thermal simulation. The quantitative analysis results show that thermal resistance of die-attach layer (thermal resistance caused by die-attach material and voids in die-attach layer) plays an important role in total thermal resistance of high-power LED packaging according to the differential structure function of thermal transient characteristics. The increase of void fraction in die-attach layer causes the increases of thermal resistance of die-attach layer; the thermal resistance increased by 1.95 K/W when the void fraction increased to 62.45%. The voids also make an obvious influence on thermal stress and thermal strain of chip; the biggest thermal stress of chip was as high as 847.1 MPa compared to the 565.2 MPa when the void fraction increases from being void-free to 30% in the die-attach layer.
Association ofPTPN22Haplotypes (−1123G>C/+1858C>T) with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Western Mexican Population
Authors: Ruiz-Noa Yeniley , Padilla-Gutiérrez Jorge Ramón , Hernández-Bello Jorge , Palafox-Sánchez Claudia Azucena , Valle Yeminia , Oregón-Romero Edith , Pereira-Suárez Ana Laura , Bernard-Medina Ana Guilaisne , Muñoz-Valle José Francisco
Published: January 2017

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), a consequence of the breakdown of immune tolerance. The lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase (Lyp) protein has significant effects on maintenance of peripheral immune tolerance. Two polymorphic variants (−1123G>C and +1858C>T) atPTPN22gene that encodes this protein have been associated with autoimmune disorders and found in strong linkage disequilibrium in Caucasian population. We evaluated whetherPTPN22haplotypes (−1123G>C/+1858C>T) are associated with anti-CCP antibodies, as well as susceptibility to RA in a Western Mexican population. A total of 315 RA patients and 315 control subjects (CS) were included. The polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP and the anti-CCP antibodies were determined by ELISA. ThePTPN22polymorphisms were in strong linkage disequilibrium (D′ = 1.00 in CS). The susceptibility haplotype CT was significantly more frequent in RA patients than in CS (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.15–4.16,p=0.01). No association between haplotypes and anti-CCP antibodies levels was observed. In conclusion, this study confirmed that −1123G>C and +1858C>TPTPN22polymorphisms are in strong linkage disequilibrium and the CT haplotype is a susceptibility marker to RA in Western Mexico. However, thePTPN22haplotypes are not associated with anti-CCP antibodies.
Scoping Review on Maternal Health among Immigrant and Refugee Women in Canada: Prenatal, Intrapartum, and Postnatal Care
Authors: Khanlou N. , Haque N. , Skinner A. , Mantini A. , Kurtz Landy C.
Published: January 2017

The last fifteen years have seen a dramatic increase in both the childbearing age and diversity of women migrating to Canada. The resulting health impact underscores the need to explore access to health services and the related maternal health outcome. This article reports on the results of a scoping review focused on migrant maternal health within the context of accessible and effective health services during pregnancy and following delivery. One hundred and twenty-six articles published between 2000 and 2016 that met our inclusion criteria and related to this group of migrant women, with pregnancy/motherhood status, who were living in Canada, were identified. This review points at complex health outcomes among immigrant and refugee women that occur within the compelling gaps in our knowledge of maternal health during all phases of maternity. Throughout the prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods of maternity, barriers to accessing healthcare services were found to disadvantage immigrant and refugee women putting them at risk for challenging maternal health outcomes. Interactions between the uptake of health information and factors related to the process of immigrant settlement were identified as major barriers. Availability of appropriate services in a country that provides universal healthcare is discussed.
Cellular Mechanisms of Liver Regeneration and Cell-Based Therapies of Liver Diseases
Authors: Kholodenko Irina V. , Yarygin Konstantin N.
Published: January 2017

The emerging field of regenerative medicine offers innovative methods of cell therapy and tissue/organ engineering as a novel approach to liver disease treatment. The ultimate scientific foundation of both cell therapy of liver diseases and liver tissue and organ engineering is delivered by the in-depth studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of liver regeneration. The cellular mechanisms of the homeostatic and injury-induced liver regeneration are unique. Restoration of the mass of liver parenchyma is achieved by compensatory hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the differentiated parenchymal cells, hepatocytes, while expansion and differentiation of the resident stem/progenitor cells play a minor or negligible role. Participation of blood-borne cells of the bone marrow origin in liver parenchyma regeneration has been proven but does not exceed 1-2% of newly formed hepatocytes. Liver regeneration is activated spontaneously after injury and can be further stimulated by cell therapy with hepatocytes, hematopoietic stem cells, or mesenchymal stem cells. Further studies aimed at improving the outcomes of cell therapy of liver diseases are underway. In case of liver failure, transplantation of engineered liver can become the best option in the foreseeable future. Engineering of a transplantable liver or its major part is an enormous challenge, but rapid progress in induced pluripotency, tissue engineering, and bioprinting research shows that it may be doable.
Face-to-Face Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Effects on Gastrointestinal and Psychiatric Symptoms
Authors: Edebol-Carlman Hanna , Ljótsson Brjánn , Linton Steven J. , Boersma Katja , Schrooten Martien , Repsilber Dirk , Brummer Robert J.
Published: January 2017

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder linked to disturbances in the gut-brain axis. Visceral hypersensitivity and pain are hallmarks of IBS and linked to the physiological and psychological burden and to the nonadaptive coping with stress. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for IBS has proven effective in reducing gastrointestinal and psychiatric symptoms in IBS by means of coping with stress. The present pilot study evaluated for the first time whether CBT for IBS affected visceral sensitivity and pain. Individual CBT was performed for 12 weeks in 18 subjects with IBS and evaluated in terms of visceral sensitivity and pain during rectal distensions using the barostat method and self-rated visceral sensitivity and gastrointestinal and psychiatric symptoms. Visceral discomfort, urge, and pain induced by the barostat were not affected by CBT but were stable across the study. However, the level of self-rated visceral sensitivity and gastrointestinal and psychiatric symptoms decreased after the intervention. Central working mechanisms and increased ability to cope with IBS-symptoms are suggested to play a key role in the alleviation of IBS symptoms produced by CBT.
Principles, Applications, and Challenges of Synchronization in Nature for Future Mobile Communication Systems
Authors: Choi Hyun-Ho , Lee Jung-Ryun
Published: January 2017

In dynamic and complex natural environments, a number of individuals such as fireflies, flocks of birds, schools of fish, and pacemaker cells show various synchronization phenomena, with the purpose of achieving their certain goals in an efficient and distributed manner. So far, there has been considerable research attention on the working principles behind synchronization phenomena in nature and, as a result, various models and theoretical investigation have been developed to apply synchronization principles to various mobile communication systems. In this article, we present an exploration of synchronization phenomena in nature. Some representative models on synchronization are investigated and its working principles are analyzed. In addition, we survey some key applications inspired by synchronization principles for the future mobile communication systems. The characteristics and limitations of the applications inspired by synchronization in nature are evaluated in the context of the use of nature-inspired technologies. Finally, we provide the discussion of further research challenges for developing the advanced application of natural synchronization phenomena in the future mobile communication systems.
Scientific Evidence of Rice By-Products for Cancer Prevention: Chemopreventive Properties of Waste Products from Rice Milling on CarcinogenesisIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Tan Bee Ling , Norhaizan Mohd Esa
Published: January 2017

Cancer is a significant global health concern affecting men and women worldwide. Although current chemopreventive drugs could inhibit the growth of cancer cells, they exert many adverse side effects. Dietary factor plays a crucial role in the management of cancers and has drawn the attention of researchers to be used as an option to combat this disease. Bothin vitroandin vivostudies showed that rice and its by-products display encouraging results in the prevention of this disease. The mechanism of anticancer effect is suggested partly through potentiation of bioactive compounds like vitamin E, phytic acid,γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA),γ-oryzanol, and phenolics. Nevertheless, the bioactivity of rice and its by-products is still incompletely understood. In this review, we present the findings from a preclinical study both inin vitroand in animal experiments on the promising role of rice by-products with focus on cancer prevention.
Immunogenicity and Cross Protection in Mice Afforded by Pandemic H1N1 Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine Containing Wild-Type Nucleoprotein
Authors: Rekstin Andrey , Isakova-Sivak Irina , Petukhova Galina , Korenkov Daniil , Losev Igor , Smolonogina Tatiana , Tretiak Tatiana , Donina Svetlana , Shcherbik Svetlana , Bousse Tatiana , Rudenko Larisa
Published: January 2017

Since conserved viral proteins of influenza virus, such as nucleoprotein (NP) and matrix 1 protein, are the main targets for virus-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs), we hypothesized that introduction of the NP gene of wild-type virus into the genome of vaccine reassortants could lead to better immunogenicity and afford better protection. This paper describes in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies of two new reassortants of pandemic H1N1 live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) candidates. One had the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes from A/South Africa/3626/2013 H1N1 wild-type virus on the A/Leningrad/134/17/57 master donor virus backbone (6 : 2 formulation) while the second had the HA, NA, and NP genes of the wild-type virus on the same backbone (5 : 3 formulation). Although both LAIVs induced similar antibody immune responses, the 5 : 3 LAIV provoked greater production of virus-specific CTLs than the 6 : 2 variant. Furthermore, the 5 : 3 LAIV-induced CTLs had higher in vivo cytotoxic activity, compared to 6 : 2 LAIV. Finally, the 5 : 3 LAIV candidate afforded greater protection against infection and severe illness than the 6 : 2 LAIV. Inclusion in LAIV of the NP gene from wild-type influenza virus is a new approach to inducing cross-reactive cell-mediated immune responses and cross protection against pandemic influenza.
Multiscreening LC-MS/MS Designed for Ten Pesticide and Six Antimicrobial Residues in Eggs
Authors: Galvão Julia Arantes , Yamatogi Ricardo Seiti , Biondo Alexander Welker , Pinto José Paes de Almeida Nogueira , Silva José Roberto Marques , Carbonari Caio Antonio , Velini Edivaldo Domingues
Published: January 2017

A multiscreening method was experimentally validated for pesticide and antimicrobial residues in spiked eggs at levels of 5, 50, and 500 μg L−1. The residue extraction was performed with acetonitrile and 1% formic acid. The extracted material was stored at −70°C until detection and quantitation within 24-hour period by LC-MS/MS. Pesticide and antimicrobial residue recovery performed adequate standard deviation and the results were from 94.10% (ampa) to 9.20% (carbaryl) for pesticides and from 95.70% (enrofloxacin) to 46.20% (sulfathiazole) for antimicrobial. The method was highly accurate, considering the linearity for all pesticide and antimicrobial residues (r2>0.99), with quantitation limits ranging from 0.78 to 6.25 μg L−1 for pesticides and 0.78 to 3.13 μg L−1 for antibiotics. A highly correlation coefficient (r>0.99) was found, except for carbaryl. Although time extraction and carbaryl recovery remain to be improved, the method has shown a rapid pesticide and antimicrobial residue detection.
EZH2 or HDAC1 Inhibition Reverses Multiple Myeloma–Induced Epigenetic Suppression of Osteoblast Differentiation
Authors: Adamik Juraj , Jin Shunqian , Sun Quanhong , Zhang Peng , Weiss Kurt R. , Anderson Judith L. , Silbermann Rebecca , Roodman G. David , Galson Deborah L.
Published: January 2017

In multiple myeloma, osteolytic lesions rarely heal because of persistent suppressed osteoblast differentiation resulting in a high fracture risk. Herein, chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses reveal that multiple myeloma cells induce repressive epigenetic histone changes at the Runx2 locus that prevent osteoblast differentiation. The most pronounced multiple myeloma–induced changes were at the Runx2-P1 promoter, converting it from a poised bivalent state to a repressed state. Previously, it was observed that multiple myeloma induces the transcription repressor GFI1 in osteoblast precursors, which correlates with decreased Runx2 expression, thus prompting detailed characterization of the multiple myeloma and TNFα-dependent GFI1 response element within the Runx2-P1 promoter. Further analyses reveal that multiple myeloma–induced GFI1 binding to Runx2 in osteoblast precursors and recruitment of the histone modifiers HDAC1, LSD1, and EZH2 is required to establish and maintain Runx2 repression in osteogenic conditions. These GFI1-mediated repressive chromatin changes persist even after removal of multiple myeloma. Ectopic GFI1 is sufficient to bind to Runx2, recruit HDAC1 and EZH2, increase H3K27me3 on the gene, and prevent osteogenic induction of endogenous Runx2 expression. Gfi1 knockdown in MC4 cells blocked multiple myeloma–induced recruitment of HDAC1 and EZH2 to Runx2, acquisition of repressive chromatin architecture, and suppression of osteoblast differentiation. Importantly, inhibition of EZH2 or HDAC1 activity in pre-osteoblasts after multiple myeloma exposure in vitro or in osteoblast precursors from patients with multiple myeloma reversed the repressive chromatin architecture at Runx2 and rescued osteoblast differentiation.

Implications: This study suggests that therapeutically targeting EZH2 or HDAC1 activity may reverse the profound multiple myeloma–induced osteoblast suppression and allow repair of the lytic lesions. Mol Cancer Res; 15(4); 405–17. ©2017 AACR.
Novel Assay to Detect RNA Polymerase I Activity In Vivo
Authors: Guner Gunes , Sirajuddin Paul , Zheng Qizhi , Bai Baoyan , Brodie Alexandra , Liu Hester , af Hällström Taija , Kulac Ibrahim , Laiho Marikki , De Marzo Angelo M.
Published: January 2017

This report develops an analytically validated chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) assay using branched DNA signal amplification (RNAscope) for detecting the expression of the 5′ external transcribed spacer (ETS) of the 45S ribosomal (r) RNA precursor in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human tissues. 5′ETS/45S CISH was performed on standard clinical specimens and tissue microarrays (TMA) from untreated prostate carcinomas, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), and matched benign prostatic tissues. Signals were quantified using image analysis software. The 5′ETS rRNA signal was restricted to the nucleolus. The signal was markedly attenuated in cell lines and in prostate tissue slices after pharmacologic inhibition of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) using BMH-21 or actinomycin D, and by RNAi depletion of Pol I, demonstrating validity as a measure of Pol I activity. Clinical human prostate FFPE tissue sections and TMAs showed a marked increase in the signal in the presumptive precursor lesion (high-grade PIN) and invasive adenocarcinoma lesions (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0001, respectively) compared with non-neoplastic luminal epithelium. The increase in 5′ETS rRNA signal was present throughout all Gleason scores and pathologic stages at radical prostatectomy, with no marked difference among these. This precursor rRNA assay has potential utility for detection of increased rRNA production in various tumor types and as a novel companion diagnostic for clinical trials involving Pol I inhibition.

Implications: Increased rRNA production, a possible therapeutic target for multiple cancers, can be detected with a new, validated assay that also serves as a pharmacodynamic marker for Pol I inhibitors. Mol Cancer Res; 15(5); 577–84. ©2017 AACR.
A Transcriptional Program for Detecting TGFβ-Induced EMT in Cancer
Authors: Foroutan Momeneh , Cursons Joseph , Hediyeh-Zadeh Soroor , Thompson Erik W. , Davis Melissa J.
Published: January 2017

Most cancer deaths are due to metastasis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a central role in driving cancer cell metastasis. EMT is induced by different stimuli, leading to different signaling patterns and therapeutic responses. TGFβ is one of the best-studied drivers of EMT, and many drugs are available to target this signaling pathway. A comprehensive bioinformatics approach was employed to derive a signature for TGFβ-induced EMT which can be used to score TGFβ-driven EMT in cells and clinical specimens. Considering this signature in pan-cancer cell and tumor datasets, a number of cell lines (including basal B breast cancer and cancers of the central nervous system) show evidence for TGFβ-driven EMT and carry a low mutational burden across the TGFβ signaling pathway. Furthermore, significant variation is observed in the response of high scoring cell lines to some common cancer drugs. Finally, this signature was applied to pan-cancer data from The Cancer Genome Atlas to identify tumor types with evidence of TGFβ-induced EMT. Tumor types with high scores showed significantly lower survival rates than those with low scores and also carry a lower mutational burden in the TGFβ pathway. The current transcriptomic signature demonstrates reproducible results across independent cell line and cancer datasets and identifies samples with strong mesenchymal phenotypes likely to be driven by TGFβ.

Implications: The TGFβ-induced EMT signature may be useful to identify patients with mesenchymal-like tumors who could benefit from targeted therapeutics to inhibit promesenchymal TGFβ signaling and disrupt the metastatic cascade. Mol Cancer Res; 15(5); 619–31. ©2017 AACR.
Satellite DNA Sequences in Canidae and Their Chromosome Distribution in Dog and Red Fox
Authors: Vozdova Miluse , Kubickova Svatava , Cernohorska Halina , Fröhlich Jan , Rubes Jiri
Published: January 2017

Satellite DNA is a characteristic component of mammalian centromeric heterochromatin, and a comparative analysis of its evolutionary dynamics can be used for phylogenetic studies. We analysed satellite and satellite-like DNA sequences available in NCBI for 4 species of the family Canidae (red fox, Vulpes vulpes, VVU; domestic dog, Canis familiaris, CFA; arctic fox, Vulpes lagopus, VLA; raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides procyonoides, NPR) by comparative sequence analysis, which revealed 86-90% intraspecies and 76-79% interspecies similarity. Comparative fluorescence in situ hybridisation in the red fox and dog showed signals of the red fox satellite probe in canine and vulpine autosomal centromeres, on VVUY, B chromosomes, and in the distal parts of VVU9q and VVU10p which were shown to contain nucleolus organiser regions. The CFA satellite probe stained autosomal centromeres only in the dog. The CFA satellite-like DNA did not show any significant sequence similarity with the satellite DNA of any species analysed and was localised to the centromeres of 9 canine chromosome pairs. No significant heterochromatin block was detected on the B chromosomes of the red fox. Our results show extensive heterogeneity of satellite sequences among Canidae and prove close evolutionary relationships between the red and arctic fox.
Peptidomic Analysis of Cultured Cardiomyocytes Exposed to Acute Ischemic-Hypoxia
Authors: Wu Lijie , Li Hua , Li Xing , Chen Yumei , Zhang Qijun , Cheng Zijie , Fan Yi , Qian Lingmei , Song Guixian
Published: January 2017

Background: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease involving disruption of blood flow to the heart, consequent tissue damage, and sometimes death. Peptidomics, an emerging branch of proteomics, has attracted wide attention. Methods: A comparative peptidomic profiling was used to explore changes induced by acute ischemic-hypoxia in primary cultured neonatal rat myocardial cells. Analysis of six-plex tandem mass tag (TMT) labelled peptides was performed using nanoflow liquid chromatography coupled online with an LTQ-Orbitrap Velos mass spectrometer. Results: A total of 220 differentially expressed peptides originating from 119 proteins were identified, of which 37 were upregulated and 183 were downregulated in cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia/ischemia conditions. Many of the identified peptides were derived from functional domains of proteins closely associated with cardiomyocyte structure or AMI. Conclusion: Numerous peptides may be involved in process of AMI. These results pave the way for future functional studies of the identified peptides.
The Effects of Total Harmonics Distortion for Power Factor Correction at Non-Linear Load
Authors: Rani R. A. , Saat Shakir , Yusop Yusmarnita , Husin Huzaimah , Abdul Rahman F. K. , Isa A. A.
Published: January 2017

This paper presents the effect of total harmonic distortion (THD) in power factor correction (PFC) at non-linear load. This study focuses on the relationship between THD and PFC. This is beacuse,the power factor affects THD. This occurs in power system as we have variety of loads, i. e linear load or non-linear load. The variety of loads will influence the sinusoidal waveform, which comes out from harmonic distortion. Thus, based on this study, we can compare the effective method in improving the power factor as it will not disturb the performance of THD. The focus of study is on the single phase load, where the voltage restriction is 240 V.  The analysis will  only focus on the consumer, which depends on the variety of non-linear load. Besides, the parameters for analysis are based on the percentage of THD and the value of power factor. The instrument for measuring the parameter is based on power factor correction device or technique. On the other hand, the method that was used for this study is based on simulation which incorporated the Multisim software. At the end of ths study, we can choose the most effective method that can be used to improve the power factor correction without disturbing the THD.
Estimation of Excitation Capacitance Requirement of an Isolated Multi-phase Induction Generator for Power Generation
Authors: Mohanty Alok Kumar , Yadav K B
Published: January 2017

Self Excited induction generators are used in remote places for electrical power generation from both conventional as well as non-conventional sources. An Induction generator can operate as a capacitor excited machine provided the machine is driven beyond synchronous speed and a suitable capacitor is connected across its terminals. In this paper a technique has been proposed to estimate the values of excitation capacitances to maintain desired terminal voltages in a multi-phase induction generator. A mathematical model using nodal admittance technique of a six-phase induction generator has been analyzed. Genetic algorithm technique is applied here to obtain the unknown parameters and the capacitance requirements to obtain desired terminal voltages under various operating conditions.
Predictive Control for Reduced Structure Multilevel Converters: Experimenting on a Seven Level Packed U-Cell
Authors: Nazemi Adel , Salari Omid , Tavakoli Bina Mohammad , Kazemi Masoud , Eskandari Bahman
Published: January 2017

Recently, a branch of multilevel converters is emerged, in which their ‘reduced structure’ topologies use lower number of devices compared to the available topologies. To get a cost efficient converter, lower number of components as well as high quality waveforms, multilevel converters with a ‘reduced structure’ (MCRS) are suitable for high/medium power systems. Also, utilizing the fast microprocessors available today, applications of predictive control in power converters are of very powerful and attractive alternatives to classical controllers. This paper proposes a finite control set model-based predictive control (FCS-MPC) for load current regulation and capacitor voltage balancing for a typical MCRS. A case study considered, three-phase seven level packed U-cell (PUC), which is among reduced structure multilevel converters. A discrete model of the system is derived, and a predictive model-based control is developed according to this model in order to predict the future behavior of the system for all possible switching states; then, the switching state that optimized the cost function is selected. The feasibility of the proposed FCS-MPC strategy for a seven level PUC is evaluated based on simulations with MATLAB/ SIMULINK. Moreover, experimental validation of the proposed control system on a 5 kVA PUC is examined through DSP implementation.
Analysis and Implementation of a High Boost Ratio DC-DC Converter for Minimizing Commutation Torque Ripple in Brushless DC Motor
Authors: Raja M. Senthil , Geethalakshmi B.
Published: January 2017

Brushless dc motor still suffers from commutation torque ripple, which primarily depends on transient line current in the commutation interval. In order to control the incoming and outgoing phase currents to change at the same rate during commutation, this paper presents a novel high boost ratio DC-DC circuit topology in the front end of the inverter. With a suitable closed loop control scheme, the proposed high boost ratio DC-DC converter is operated with two different duty ratios one during commutation period and the other during non commutation period. The cause of commutation ripple is analyzed, and the way to adjust the duty ratio for obtaining the desired dc link voltage is introduced in detail. Finally, simulation and experimental results show that, compared with the existing dc–dc converter topologies, the proposed method can obtain the desired voltage much faster and minimize commutation torque ripple more efficiently
Killing Me Unsoftly
Authors: Lyle Alicia N. , Raaz Uwe
Published: January 2017

The aorta is a blood vessel that provides a low-resistance path for blood flow directed from the heart to peripheral organs and tissues. However, the aorta has another central hemodynamic function, whereby the elastic nature of the aortic wall provides a significant biomechanical buffering capacity complementing the pulsatile cardiac blood flow, and this is often referred to as Windkessel function. Stiffening of the arterial wall leads to fundamental alterations in central hemodynamics, with widespread detrimental implications for organ function. In this Recent Highlights article, we describe recent contributions in
ATVB
that have highlighted the novel mechanisms and consequences of arterial stiffness and the clinical conditions in which arterial stiffness occurs, with a focus on advancements in the field.
Impact of an Expanded Hospital Recognition Program for Stroke Quality of Care
Authors: Heidenreich Paul A. , Zhao Xin , Hernandez Adrian F. , Schwamm Lee H. , Smith Eric , Reeves Mat , Peterson Eric D. , Fonarow Gregg C.
Published: January 2017

Background

In 2009, the Get With The Guidelines‐Stroke (
GWTG
‐Stroke) program offered additional recognition if hospitals performed well on certain stroke quality measures. We sought to determine whether quality of care for all hospitals participating in
GWTG
‐Stroke improved with this expanded recognition program.

Methods and Results

We examined hospital‐level performance on 6 quality of care (process) measures and 1 defect‐free composite quality measure for stroke following expansion of the existing performance measure recognition program. Compliance with all measures improved following launch of the expanded program, and this rate increased significantly for all 9 measures. When evaluated as the relative rate of increase in use over time, process improvement slowed significantly (
P
<0.05) following launch of the program for 2 measures, and accelerated significantly for 1 measure. However, when evaluated as a gap in care, the decrease in the quality gap was greater following launch of the program for 5 of 6 (83%) measures. There was no evidence that other processes of stroke care suffered as the result of the increase in measures and expanded recognition program.

Conclusions

While care for stroke continues to improve in this country, expanded hospital process performance recognition had mixed results in accelerating this improvement. However, the quality gap continues to shrink among those participating in provider performance programs.
Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness Score, Positive Coronary Artery Calcium Score, and Incident Coronary Heart Disease: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Polak Joseph F. , Szklo Moyses , O'Leary Daniel H.
Published: January 2017

Background

Common carotid artery and internal carotid artery intima‐media thicknesses (
IMT
) are associated with coronary heart disease (
CHD
) and increase with age. Using age, sex, and race/ethnicity
IMT
percentiles may improve
CHD
prediction when added to Framingham risk factors and coronary artery calcium score. We study these possibilities in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a multi‐ethnic cohort of whites, Chinese, blacks, and Hispanics.

Methods and Results

IMT
data were acquired in the age range 45 to 84 years. Common carotid artery and internal carotid artery
IMT
, sex, and race/ethnic specific normative values were calculated for each
MESA
participant and combined as an
IMT
score. Multivariable Cox‐proportional hazards models and logistic regression models were generated with
CHD
as outcome adding the
IMT
score to (1) a base model with Framingham risk factors, sex, race/ethnicity and (2) the base model with coronary artery calcium added. Harrell's C‐statistics and area under the curve were estimated. Median follow‐up was 10.2 years (interquartile range: 9.7, 10.7 years) with 429 first‐time
CHD
events. Mean age was 62.1 years and 52.6% of participants were women.
IMT
score increased the base area under the curve from 0.7210 to 0.7396 (
P
=0.0008) and with positive coronary artery calcium score added to the model, from 0.7627 to 0.7714 (
P
=0.02).

Conclusions

A carotid
IMT
score based on normative data incrementally adds to Framingham risk factors and a positive calcium score in predicting first‐time
CHD
in an ethnically diverse cohort.
The Star of David and the Stars Outside: The Poetics and Semiotics of Jewish Folklore and of Zionism
Authors: Hasan-Rokem Galit
Published: January 2017

“The Star of David and the Stars Outside: The Poetics and Semiotics of Jewish Folklore and of Zionism” written in memory of Dov Noy by his disciple and successor, proposes the perspectives of folklore studies and semiotics as the basis for a critical reading of Gershom Scholem’s essay “Magen David”. The author of the present article reviews the various subsequent versions of Scholem’s essay that was first published in 1947 in Hebrew in an annual literary supplement of the daily Haaretz. The essay stated Scholem’s harsh criticism against the adoption of the Star of David as a Jewish national symbol by Zionist cultural and political institutions. Earlier scholarship has shown how “Magen David” digressed from the usual topics at the focus of Scholem’s magisterial oeuvre, especially the texts of Jewish mysticism interpreted in the light of the phenomenology of religion and historical philology. The present author suggests that the methodological tools that Scholem had honed for reading historical texts on mysticism may not have the same pertinence for analyzing the historical evolvement and transformations of a symbol like the Star of David that has often appeared in contexts of everyday life, magic customs and visual culture. Scholem’s strong rejection of the holistic picture of Jewish folk religion including mystical, magical and poetic expressions, isolating mysticism from all these as a separate, philosophical discourse and phenomenon, did not enable him to see the strong identification of Jews who practiced those more concrete forms of Jewish life sometimes using the symbol of Magen David. Scholem’s choice to publish this essay in Hebrew and in a literary organ, is here interpreted as his attempt to take part in the shaping of Zionist poetical discourse. The relevance of the symbol that he chose for participating in the poetics of the era is demonstrated by an analysis of the focus on stars in the poetry of two dominant poets of Hebrew Zionist culture who were both active in the years before and after the publication of Scholem’s “Magen David” essay, Natan Alterman and Haim Gouri.
A review of the genus Pareuchiloglanis (Sisoridae) from the Lancangjiang (upper Mekong River) with descriptions of two new species from Yunnan, China
Authors: LI XU , ZHOU WEI , THOMSON ALFRED W. , ZHANG QING , YANG YING
Published: January 2017

This study reports five species of Pareuchiloglanis in the Lancangjiang drainage of China, including descriptions of two new species: P. abbreviatus sp. nov., P. gracilicaudata, P. kamengensis, P. myzostoma and P. prolixdorsalis sp. nov. The two new species are distinguished from P. feae, P. poilanei, P. sichuanensis and P. tianquanensis by a shorter adipose-fin base and the adipose-fin base being separated from the caudal fin, differ from P. sinensis, P. macrotrema, P. longicauda and P. rhabdurus by a more restricted gill opening (not reaching the base of the first pectoral-fin element ventrally), and differ from P. songmaensis by an anal-fin ray count of ii-3-4 (vs. ii-8). Pareuchiloglanis abbreviatus is distinguished from congeners by the tip of the dorsal fin reaching the origin of the adipose fin when depressed. Pareuchiloglanis prolixdorsalis is distinguished from P. gongshanensis, P. macropterus and P. kamengensis by lacking a sulcus between the lower lip and the base of the maxillary barbel, and differs from P. anteanalis by the shorter pectoral fin, the pectoral fin not reaching to the origin of pelvic fin. It differs from P. gracilicaudata, P. myzostoma, P. nebulifer and P. robusta by a caudal-fin ray count of 6+7 (vs. 7+8), and differs from P. abbreviatus by the tip of dorsal fin not reaching to the origin of the adipose fin when depressed (vs. reaching). It differs from P. songdaensis by the distance between the origin of the pelvic fin to the base of the anal fin being longer than that to the mouth (vs. equal).
Metaperipatus inae sp. nov. (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae) from Chile with a novel ovarian type and dermal insemination
Authors: MAYER GEORG
Published: January 2017

Metaperipatus inae sp. nov. (Onychophora: Peripatopsidae) from Chile is described and compared with the previously monotypic M. blainvillei by light, fluorescence, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The new species is distinguished from M. blainvillei by having (1) fixed number of legs in both sexes, (2) a characteristic color pattern of the integument, and (3) a larger body size. The structure of the ovaries in both species is different from that in other onychophorans. In contrast to other species of Peripatopsidae and South-East Asian Peripatidae, stalked oocytes are lacking. In addition, the absence of a germinal epithelium surrounding a central lumen contrasts with the organization of ovaries in the Neotropical Peripatidae. A distinct separation into a sterile and a fertile ovarian portion suggests that the novel type might be derived from an ovary with stalked oocytes characteristic of the Peripatopsidae and South-East Asian Peripatidae. The seminal receptacles in both members of Metaperipatus are small and either non-functional or short-term stores since they contained no sperm in the investigated females. The mode of sperm transfer is by dermal insemination, with spermatophores deposited on the female’s body. Based on these observations, the evolutionary development of the ovaries and reproductive strategies in Onychophora are discussed. In addition, an identification key of onychophorans from Chile is provided.
On the taxonomy of Apistobranchus species (Polychaeta: Apistobranchidae) from the Antarctic
Authors: PETTI MÔNICA A. VARELLA , NONATO EDMUNDO F. , BROMBERG SANDRA , GHELLER PAULA F. , PAIVA PAULO CESAR , CORBISIER THAÏS N.
Published: January 2017

The first report of Apistobranchus Levinsen, 1883 (Family Apistobranchidae) in Antarctica was presented by Hartman (1967). Two species were later described: Apistobranchus glacierae Hartman, 1978 and Apistobranchus gudrunae Hartmann- Schröder & Rosenfeldt, 1988, which differed from A. glacierae mainly by having compound setae. Subsequently, ecological studies in Antarctica have identified both of these species. On the status of Antarctic Apistobranchus, we concluded that there is up to now, only one valid species, A. glacierae. The character ‘compound-setae’ referred for A. gudrunae is in fact simple limbate ones eventually splintered as described for A. glacierae. Other characters, also previously considered as diagnostics for A. gudrunae, did not differ in both species as shown by the observation of several specimens of different sizes and type material of A. glacierae and A. gudrunae. All the reports on the densities of Antarctic apistobranchids, including ours, show that they have higher values in finer sediments of 20 and 40 m depth. The need of additional work, including the rearing of specimens in the laboratory and plankton analysis, is emphasized.
A new species and new synonym of subgenus Chlaeniellus Reitter, 1908 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) with re-establishment of Chlaenius (Chlaeniellus) rapyllii Morvan, 1975 as a valid species
Authors: AZADBAKHSH SAEED
Published: January 2017

A new species of the subgenus Chlaeniellus Reitter, 1908 (Coleoptera: Carabidae), namely Chlaenius (Chlaeniellus) kirschenhoferi sp. n., is described and illustrated from northeast Pakistan. Chlaenius (Chlaeniellus) rapyllii Morvan (1975), is confirmed as a valid species and it is proposed that Chlaenius (Lithochlaenius) asara Kirschenhofer, 2014 is a synonym of Chlaenius (Chlaeniellus) flavipes Menetries, 1832.