bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bicycling and Gender: Targeting Guides to Women
Authors: Riggs William , Rugh Megyn , Chung Kelly , Schwartz Jana
Published: December 2016

As the usage of bicycles increases, cities are transforming their planning processes to incorporate this sustainable mode of transportation. In spite of bicycling’s importance to communities, there is a gender gap. Data indicates that only a small number of cyclists are women. This paper addresses that gender gap with an eye toward the marketing strategy known as transportation demand management (TDM). TDM provides lessons for communities looking to encourage greater levels of bicycle riding. To do this we review the literature on best practices in marketing to women, and evaluate different bicycle marketing guides. We find, after an analysis to pinpoint best practices, that only 15% of the marketing guides are targeted to women. The lessons learned from our study provide information for the design of future bicycle guides that will appeal to women consumers.
Comment on “A small-molecule antivirulence agent for treating
Clostridium difficile
infection”
Authors: Beilhartz Greg L. , Tam John , Zhang Zhifen , Melnyk Roman A.
Published: December 2016

New insights into the mechanism of action of ebselen, a small-molecule antivirulence agent that reduces disease pathology in a mouse model of
Clostridium difficile
infection, suggest a different molecular target may be responsible for its efficacy.
Adenylyl cyclase activating polypeptide reduces phosphorylation and toxicity of the polyglutamine-expanded androgen receptor in spinobulbar muscular atrophy
Authors: Polanco Maria Josè , Parodi Sara , Piol Diana , Stack Conor , Chivet Mathilde , Contestabile Andrea , Miranda Helen C. , Lievens Patricia M.-J. , Espinoza Stefano , Jochum Tobias , Rocchi Anna , Grunseich Christopher , Gainetdinov Raul R. , Cato Andrew C. B. , Lieberman Andrew P. , La Spada Albert R. , Sambataro Fabio , Fischbeck Kenneth H. , Gozes Illana , Pennuto Maria
Published: December 2016

Adenylyl cyclase activating polypeptide modifies androgen receptor phosphorylation and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy pathogenesis.
Intravital Imaging of Myeloid Cells: Inflammatory Migration and Resident Patrolling
Authors: Deniset Justin F. , Kubes Paul
Published: December 2016

Myeloid cell recruitment to sites of infection and injury started out as a simple model that has been referred to as the universal concept of leukocyte recruitment. However, as we gain more insight into the different mechanisms, it is becoming clear that each organ and perhaps even each cell has its own unique mechanism of recruitment. Moreover, as the ability to visualize specific cell types in specific organs becomes more accessible, it is also becoming clear that there are resident populations of leukocytes, some within the tissues and others attached to the vasculature of tissues, the latter poised to affect the local environment. In this review, we will first highlight the imaging approaches that have allowed us to gain spectacular insight into locale and function of specific cell types, and then we will discuss what we have learned from this approach as far as myeloid cells are concerned. We will also highlight some of the gaps in our knowledge, which exist almost certainly because of the challenges of being able to visualize certain compartments of the body.
The Immune Interaction between HIV-1 Infection andMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Du Bruyn Elsa , Wilkinson Robert John
Published: December 2016

The modulation of tuberculosis (TB)-induced immunopathology caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 coinfection remains incompletely understood but underlies the change seen in the natural history, presentation, and prognosis of TB in such patients. The deleterious combination of these two pathogens has been dubbed a “deadly syndemic,” with each favoring the replication of the other and thereby contributing to accelerated disease morbidity and mortality. HIV-1 is the best-recognized risk factor for the development of active TB and accounts for 13% of cases globally. The advent of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has considerably mitigated this risk. Rapid roll-out of ART globally and the recent recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) to initiate ART for everyone living with HIV at any CD4 cell count should lead to further reductions in HIV-1-associated TB incidence because susceptibility to TB is inversely proportional to CD4 count. However, it is important to note that even after successful ART, patients with HIV-1 are still at increased risk for TB. Indeed, in settings of high TB incidence, the occurrence of TB often remains the first presentation of, and thereby the entry into, HIV care. As advantageous as ART-induced immune recovery is, it may also give rise to immunopathology, especially in the lower-CD4-count strata in the form of the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. TB-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome will continue to impact the HIV-TB syndemic.
Spatial Molecular Architecture of the Microbial Community of a
Peltigera
Lichen
Authors: Garg Neha , Zeng Yi , Edlund Anna , Melnik Alexey V. , Sanchez Laura M. , Mohimani Hosein , Gurevich Alexey , Miao Vivian , Schiffler Stefan , Lim Yan Wei , Luzzatto-Knaan Tal , Cai Shengxin , Rohwer Forest , Pevzner Pavel A. , Cichewicz Robert H. , Alexandrov Theodore , Dorrestein Pieter C.
Published: December 2016

Microbial communities have evolved over centuries to live symbiotically. The direct visualization of such communities at the chemical and functional level presents a challenge. Overcoming this challenge may allow one to visualize the spatial distributions of specific molecules involved in symbiosis and to define their functional roles in shaping the community structure. In this study, we examined the diversity of microbial genes and taxa and the presence of biosynthetic gene clusters by metagenomic sequencing and the compartmentalization of organic chemical components within a lichen using mass spectrometry. This approach allowed the identification of chemically distinct sections within this composite organism. Using our multipronged approach, various fungal natural products, not previously reported from lichens, were identified and two different fungal layers were visualized at the chemical level.
Association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone with the metabolic syndrome in black South African women
Authors: Sotunde Olusola Funmilayo , Kruger Herculina Salome , Wright Hattie H. , Havemann-Nel Lize , Mels Carina M.C. , Ravyse Chrisna , Pieters Marlien
Published: December 2016

The relationship between 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and metabolic traits appear to differ among ethnicities and may be influenced by obesity. The aim of the study was to examine the association of serum 25(OH)D or PTH with metabolic syndrome (MetS) while controlling for adiposity in black women. Using a cross-sectional study design, 209 urban black women aged ≥ 43 years from the North West Province, South Africa, were included. Multiple regression models were used to explore the relationship between 25(OH)D or PTH and body composition. To explore the association between 25(OH)D or PTH and MetS, a separate variable was created including at least 3 of the MetS criteria, but excluding elevated waist circumference as a diagnostic criterion in a logistic regression model. The majority of the women (69.9%) were overweight or obese and 65.5% of the women had excessive adiposity using the age-specific cut-off points for body fat percentage. All body composition variables were positively associated with PTH, whereas body mass index and waist circumference, but not body fat percentage, had negative associations with 25(OH)D also after adjusting for confounders. Before and after adjusting for age, body fat, habitual physical activity, tobacco use, season of data collection, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, neither 25(OH)D nor PTH showed significant associations with MetS. Although PTH was positively associated and 25(OH)D was negatively associated with adiposity in black women, there was no association between either 25(OH)D or PTH and MetS in this study population, nor did adiposity influence these relationships.
Impaired mitochondria and intracellular calcium transients in the salivary glands of obese rats
Authors: Ittichaicharoen Jitjiroj , Apaijai Nattayaporn , Tanajak Pongpan , Sa-nguanmoo Piangkwan , Chattipakorn Nipon , Chattipakorn Siriporn C.
Published: December 2016

Long-term consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) causes not only obese-insulin resistance, but is also associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in several organs. However, the effect of obese-insulin resistance on salivary glands has not been investigated. We hypothesized that obese-insulin resistance induced by HFD impaired salivary gland function by reducing salivation, increasing inflammation, and fibrosis, as well as impairing mitochondrial function and calcium transient signaling. Male Wistar rats (200–220 g) were fed either a ND or an HFD (n = 8/group) for 16 weeks. At the end of week 16, salivary flow rates, metabolic parameters, and plasma oxidative stress were determined. Rats were then sacrificed and submandibular glands were removed to determine inflammation, fibrosis, apoptosis, mitochondrial function and dynamics, and intracellular calcium transient signaling. Long-term consumption of an HFD caused obese-insulin resistance and increased oxidative stress, fibrosis, inflammation, and apoptosis in the salivary glands. In addition, impaired mitochondrial function, as indicated by increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and mitochondrial swelling in salivary glands and impaired intracellular calcium regulation, as indicated by a reduced intracellular calcium transient rising rate, decay rates, and amplitude of salivary acinar cells, were observed in HFD-fed rats. However, salivary flow rate and level of aquaporin 5 protein were not different between both groups. Although HFD consumption did not affect salivation, it caused obese-insulin resistance, leading to pathophysiological alteration of salivary glands, including impaired intracellular calcium transients, increased oxidative stress and inflammation, and salivary mitochondrial dysfunction.
Nest-site preference and reproductive performance of Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) in historically extant and colonist shrub species
Authors: Crombie M.D. , Germain R.R. , Arcese P.
Published: December 2016

Many studies report mixed results on the influence of invasive plants on native animals, partly due to uncertainties about habitat preference and reproductive performance in native animals before and after plant invasion. We used vegetation surveys 20 years apart and 18 years of breeding data from Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia (A. Wilson, 1810)) to compare nest-site preference and reproductive performance during the colonization of Mandarte Island, British Columbia, by one shrub species native to the region but historically absent from the island (red elderberry, Sambucus racemosa L.) and another species that is exotic to North America (Himalayan blackberry, Rubus armeniacus Focke = Rubus bifrons Vest). Nest-site preference declined where red elderberry increased but was unrelated to change in the cover of Himalayan blackberry. Song Sparrows nested in trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus Cham. and Schltdl.) and its exotic congener Himalayan blackberry in preference to two common shrubs native to Mandarte Island (Nootka rose, Rosa nutkana C. Presl; snowberry, Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake) and built just 1 of 1051 nests in red elderberry. In contrast, reproductive performance was similar in all shrub species used regularly as nest substrates. Our results show that Song Sparrow nest-site preference and reproductive performance were independent of plant species origin.
Solitons for a forced generalized variable-coefficient Korteweg–de Vries equation for the atmospheric blocking phenomenon
Authors: Chai Jun , Tian Bo , Xie Xi-Yang , Chai Han-Peng
Published: December 2016

Investigation is given to a forced generalized variable-coefficient Korteweg–de Vries equation for the atmospheric blocking phenomenon. Applying the double-logarithmic and rational transformations, respectively, under certain variable-coefficient constraints, we get two different types of bilinear forms: (a) Based on the first type, the bilinear Bäcklund transformation (BT) is derived, the [Formula: see text]-soliton solutions in the Wronskian form are constructed, and the [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-soliton solutions are proved to satisfy the bilinear BT; (b) Based on the second type, via the Hirota method, the one- and two-soliton solutions are obtained. Those two types of solutions are different. Graphic analysis on the two types shows that the soliton velocity depends on [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the soliton amplitude is merely related to [Formula: see text], and the background depends on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are the dissipative, dispersive, nonuniform and line-damping coefficients, respectively, and [Formula: see text] is the external-force term. We present some types of interactions between the two solitons, including the head-on and overtaking interactions, interactions between the velocity- and amplitude-unvarying two solitons, between the velocity-varying while amplitude-unvarying two solitons and between the velocity- and amplitude-varying two solitons, as well as the interactions occurring on the constant and varying backgrounds.
Effect of polarization Coulomb field scattering on low temperature electron mobility in strained AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors
Authors: Liu Yan , Lin Zhao-Jun , Yang Ming , Luan Chong-Biao , Wang Yu-Tang , Lv Yuan-Jie , Feng Zhi-Hong
Published: December 2016

The electron mobility of the AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors (HFETs) with the ratio of the gate length to the drain-to-source distance being less than 1/2 has been studied in the temperature range 100 [Formula: see text] 300 K. The measured electron mobility at each testing temperature is obtained by using the capacitance–voltage (C–V) and current–voltage (I–V) characteristics measured at the corresponding temperature, and the theoretically calculated temperature-dependent electron mobility is determined by Matthiessen’s law, which includes five kinds of important scattering mechanisms. For the prepared sample, the measured electron mobility with respect to the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) density was observed to increase to a peak point first and then decrease at each testing temperature. By comparing the measured electron mobility with the theoretically calculated value, the changing trend of the electron mobility at each testing temperature was found to be mainly determined by polarization Coulomb field (PCF) scattering. Particularly at lower temperature, PCF scattering plays a more significant role in the changing trend of the electron mobility.
China’s Overrated Military Capabilities and Its Image Manipulation: A Japanese Perspective on the State of the South China Sea
Authors: MATSUMURA MASAHIRO
Published: December 2016

China’s massive arms buildups have exerted overpowering psychological effects over Southeast Asian countries. Yet, the world suffers the dearth of objective assessment of China’s warfighting capabilities, and is only ill-informed with partial impressionistic evaluation thereof that is based on the quantity of major platforms and weapons. In fact, China itself appears to have emphasized its military power in that manner, greatly having influenced the world perception on regional military balance of power in favor of China. Here, a Japanese perspective is of growing importance particularly because Japan in tandem with the U.S. has begun playing a larger military role of checking China in the South China Sea. This paper is an attempt to appraise the capabilities based on Japanese-language open source analyses of Japanese non-governmental experts and distill the Japanese strategic thinking in contrast to the Chinese counterpart. It is hoped that this work will enable further in-depth discussion that is underpinned on a cultural-philosophic understanding.
Hybrid Hierarchical Clustering — Piecewise Aggregate Approximation, with Applications
Authors: Zhang Yu , Gallimore Michael , Bingham Chris , Chen Jun , Xu Yong
Published: December 2016

Piecewise Aggregate Approximation (PAA) provides a powerful yet computationally efficient tool for dimensionality reduction and Feature Extraction (FE) on large datasets compared to previously reported and well-used FE techniques, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Nevertheless, performance can degrade as a result of either regional information insufficiency or over-segmentation, and because of this, additional relatively complex modifications have subsequently been reported, for instance, Adaptive Piecewise Constant Approximation (APCA). To recover some of the simplicity of the original PAA, whilst addressing the known problems, a distance-based Hierarchical Clustering (HC) technique is now proposed to adjust PAA segment frame sizes to focus segment density on information rich data regions. The efficacy of the resulting hybrid HC-PAA methodology is demonstrated using two application case studies viz. fault detection on industrial gas turbines and ultrasonic biometric face identification. Pattern recognition results show that the extracted features from the hybrid HC-PAA provide additional benefits with regard to both cluster separation and classification performance, compared to traditional PAA and APCA alternatives. The method is therefore demonstrated to provide a robust and readily implemented algorithm for rapid FE and identification for datasets.
A MULTISCALE STOCHASTIC CONDITIONAL DURATION MODEL
Authors: MEN ZHONGXIAN , WIRJANTO TONY S. , KOLKIEWICZ ADAM W.
Published: December 2016

This paper studies a stochastic conditional duration model running on multiple time scales with the aim of better capturing the dynamics of a duration process of financial transaction data. New Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms are developed for the model under three distributional assumptions about the innovation of the measurement equation for a two-component model. Simulation results suggest that the proposed model and MCMC method improve in-sample fits and duration forecasts. Most importantly applications to FIAT and IBM duration datasets indicate the existence of at least two factors (or components) governing the dynamics of the financial duration process.
Bottom-up enterprise information systems
Authors: Chua Cecil Eng Huang , Storey Veda C.
Published: December 2016

Central IT needs to guide functional areas and departments toward effective operational and procurement practices.
A New Approach to Online Scheduling
Authors: Lübbecke Elisabeth , Maurer Olaf , Megow Nicole , Wiese Andreas
Published: December 2016

We propose a new approach to competitive analysis in online scheduling by introducing the novel concept of competitive-ratio approximation schemes. Such a scheme algorithmically constructs an online algorithm with a competitive ratio arbitrarily close to the best possible competitive ratio for
any
online algorithm. We study the problem of scheduling jobs online to minimize the weighted sum of completion times on parallel, related, and unrelated machines, and we derive both deterministic and randomized algorithms that are almost best possible among all online algorithms of the respective settings. We also generalize our techniques to arbitrary monomial cost functions and apply them to the makespan objective. Our method relies on an abstract characterization of online algorithms combined with various simplifications and transformations. We also contribute algorithmic means to compute the actual value of the best possible competitive ratio up to an arbitrary accuracy. This strongly contrasts with nearly all previous manually obtained competitiveness results, and, most importantly, it reduces the search for the optimal competitive ratio to a question that a computer can answer. We believe that our concept can also be applied to many other problems and yields a new perspective on online algorithms in general.
Pure randomness extracted from two poor sources
Authors: Monroe Don
Published: December 2016

Developments from several disparate areas of computer science provide "a huge jump, both technically and also quantitatively."
Colossal genius
Authors: Haigh Thomas
Published: December 2016

Reflections on pioneering code-breaking efforts.
Are You Load Balancing Wrong?
Authors: Limoncelli Thomas A.
Published: December 2016

A reader contacted me recently to ask if it is better to use a load balancer to add capacity or to make a service more resilient to failure. The answer is: both are appropriate uses of a load balancer. The problem, however, is that most people who use load balancers are doing it wrong.
Subfornical organ neurons integrate cardiovascular and metabolic signals
Authors: Cancelliere Nicole M. , Ferguson Alastair V.
Published: December 2016

The subfornical organ (SFO) is a critical circumventricular organ involved in the control of cardiovascular and metabolic homeostasis. Despite the plethora of circulating signals continuously sensed by the SFO, studies investigating how these signals are integrated are lacking. In this study, we use patch-clamp techniques to investigate how the traditionally classified “cardiovascular” hormone ANG II, “metabolic” hormone CCK and “metabolic” signal glucose interact and are integrated in the SFO. Sequential bath application of CCK (10 nM) and ANG (10 nM) onto dissociated SFO neurons revealed that 63% of responsive SFO neurons depolarized to both CCK and ANG; 25% depolarized to ANG only; and 12% hyperpolarized to CCK only. We next investigated the effects of glucose by incubating and recording neurons in either hypoglycemic, normoglycemic, or hyperglycemic conditions and comparing the proportions of responses to ANG ( n = 55) or CCK ( n = 83) application in each condition. A hyperglycemic environment was associated with a larger proportion of depolarizing responses to ANG ( χ2, P < 0.05), and a smaller proportion of depolarizing responses along with a larger proportion of hyperpolarizing responses to CCK ( χ2, P < 0.01). Our data demonstrate that SFO neurons excited by CCK are also excited by ANG and that glucose environment affects the responsiveness of neurons to both of these hormones, highlighting the ability of SFO neurons to integrate multiple metabolic and cardiovascular signals. These findings have important implications for this structure’s role in the control of various autonomic functions during hyperglycemia.
Impact of the Implementation of New WHO Diagnostic Criteria for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Prevalence and Perinatal Outcomes: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Erjavec Katja , Poljičanin Tamara , Matijević Ratko
Published: December 2016

Objectives. To determine the impact of the implementation of new WHO diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on prevalence, predictors, and perinatal outcomes in Croatian population.Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed using data from medical birth certificates collected in 2010 and 2014. Data collected include age, height, and weight before and at the end of pregnancy, while perinatal outcome was assessed by onset of labor, mode of delivery, and Apgar score.Results. A total of 81.748 deliveries and 83.198 newborns were analysed. Prevalence of GDM increased from 2.2% in 2010 to 4.7% in 2014. GDM was a significant predictor of low Apgar score (OR 1.656), labor induction (OR 2.068), and caesarean section (OR 1.567) in 2010, while in 2014 GD was predictive for labor induction (OR 1.715) and caesarean section (OR 1.458) only. Age was predictive for labor induction only in 2014 and for caesarean section in both years, while BMI before pregnancy was predictive for all observed perinatal outcomes in both years.Conclusions. Despite implementation of new guidelines, GDM remains burdened with increased risk of labor induction and caesarean section, but no longer with low Apgar score, while BMI remains an important predictor for all three perinatal outcomes.
Immunomodulatory Efficacy of Standardized Annona muricata (Graviola) Leaf Extract via Activation of Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Pathways in RAW 264.7 Macrophages
Authors: Kim Goon-Tae , Tran Nguyen Khoi Song , Choi Eun-Hye , Song Yoo-Jeong , Song Jae-Hwi , Shim Soon-Mi , Park Tae-Sik
Published: December 2016

Annona muricata, commonly known as Graviola, has been utilized as a traditional medicine to treat various human diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the immune‐enhancing activity of Graviola leaf extracts in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Active ingredients in Graviola leaf extracts (GE) were identified as kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside and quercetin‐3‐O‐rutinoside by LC‐MS/MS. When treated with steam or 50% ethanol GE, cell morphology was altered due to initiation of cell differentiation. While the cell viability was not altered by the steam GE, it was reduced by the ethanol GE. Both steam and ethanol GE induced the transcriptional expression of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1β, but only the steam extract upregulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In consistence with mRNA expression, the production of TNF‐α and nitrite was elevated by both steam and ethanol extracts of Graviola leaves. This is mainly due to activation of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways. These results suggest that Graviola leaves enhance immunity by activation of the MAP kinase pathways. These bioactive properties of Graviola indicate its potential as a health‐promoting ingredient to boost the immune system.
Heralding Extramedullary Blast Crisis: Horner’s Syndrome with Brachial Plexopathy in a Patient with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Authors: Jacob Sajish , Patil Sadanand I.
Published: December 2016

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) blast crisis is an ominous clinical event that is challenging to treat. This can develop at extramedullary sites rarely and is defined as the infiltration of blasts outside the bone marrow irrespective of proliferation of blasts within the bone marrow. We aim to report an unusual clinical presentation characterized by Horner’s syndrome, ipsilateral arm weakness, and cervical lymphadenopathy as the first signs of extramedullary blast crisis in a CML patient. To the best of our knowledge, the extramedullary locations involving the brachial plexus along with cervicothoracic paraspinal chloroma have not been previously reported in the literature.
A New No-Equilibrium Chaotic System and Its Topological Horseshoe Chaos
Authors: Wang Chunmei , Hu Chunhua , Han Jingwei , Cang Shijian
Published: December 2016

A new no-equilibrium chaotic system is reported in this paper. Numerical simulation techniques, including phase portraits and Lyapunov exponents, are used to investigate its basic dynamical behavior. To confirm the chaotic behavior of this system, the existence of topological horseshoe is proven via the Poincaré map and topological horseshoe theory.
Quantitative Analysis in Combination with Fingerprint Technology and Chemometric Analysis Applied for Evaluating Six Species of Wild Paris Using UHPLC-UV-MS
Authors: Yang Yuangui , Zhang Ji , Jin Hang , Zhang Jinyu , Wang Yuanzhong
Published: December 2016

A fast method was developed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) for simultaneous determination of polyphyllin I and polyphyllin II. Chemometric analyses including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) based on UHPLC chromatography were used to evaluate 38 batches from six species of Paris. Variable importance of projection was applied to select important peaks. Meanwhile, similarity analysis of UHPLC fingerprint was used to evaluate the sample of Paris polyphylla yunnanensis (PPY) and P. axialis (PA). The results indicated that the total content of saponins in PPY and PA collected from Baoshan City of Yunnan Province above 8.07 mg/g was stronger than that from other areas of the rest of species. PLS-DA showed better performance than PCA with regard to classifying the samples. Retention time during 20–27 minutes of UHPLC was screened as significant peak for distinguishing Paris of different species and original geography. All of PPY and PA with similarity value were more than 0.80. It indicated that quantitative analysis combined with chemometric and similarity analyses could evaluate the different species of Paris effectively and comprehensively.
Establishment of a Novel Simplified Surgical Model of Acute Liver Failure in the Cynomolgus Monkey
Authors: Cai Lei , Weng Jun , Feng Lei , He Guolin , Qin Jiasheng , Zhang Zhi , Li Yang , Peng Qing , Jiang Zesheng , Pan Mingxin , Gao Yi
Published: December 2016

Models using large animals that are suitable for studying artificial liver support system (ALSS) are urgently needed. Presently available acute liver failure (ALF) models mainly involve pigs or dogs. Establishment of current surgical ALF models (hepatectomy/devascularization) requires either very good surgical skills or multistep processes—even multiple stages of surgery. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a simplified surgical method. Here we report a novel simplified surgical ALF model using cynomolgus monkeys. Six monkeys underwent portal-right renal venous shunt combined with common bile duct ligation and transection (PRRS + CBDLT). Postoperatively, the monkeys had progressively increased listlessness, loss of appetite, and obvious jaundice. Blood biochemistry levels (Amm, ALT, AST, TBiL, DBiL, ALP, LDH, CK, and Cr) and prothrombin time (PT) were significantly increased (all P<0.01) and albumin (ALB) was markedly reduced (P<0.01) compared with baseline values. Histological examination of liver specimens on postoperative day 10 revealed cholestasis and inflammation. PRRS + CBDLT produced ALF that closely correlated with clinical situations. Compared with other surgical or drug ALF models, ours was simplified and animals were hemodynamically stable. This model could provide a good platform for further research on ALSS, especially regarding their detoxification functions.
Synchronized Progression of Prestin Expression and Auditory Brainstem Response during Postnatal Development in Rats
Authors: Hang Jianfeng , Pan Wenlu , Chang Aoshuang , Li Shun , Li Cuixian , Fu Mingyu , Tang Jie
Published: December 2016

Prestin is the motor protein expressed in the cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) of mammalian inner ear. The electromotility of OHCs driven by prestin is responsible for the cochlear amplification which is required for normal hearing in adult animals. Postnatal expression of prestin and activity of OHCs may contribute to the maturation of hearing in rodents. However, the temporal and spatial expression of prestin in cochlea during the development is not well characterized. In the present study, we examined the expression and function of prestin from the OHCs in apical, middle, and basal turns of the cochleae of postnatal rats. Prestin first appeared at postnatal day 6 (P6) for basal turn, P7 in middle turn, and P9 for apical turn of cochlea. The expression level increased progressively over the next few days and by P14 reached the mature level for all three segments. By comparison with the time course of the development of auditory brainstem response for different frequencies, our data reveal that prestin expression synchronized with the hearing development. The present study suggests that the onset time of hearing may require the expression of prestin and is determined by the mature function of OHCs.
Significance of “Not Detected but Amplified” Results by Real-Time PCR Method for HPV DNA Detection
Authors: Kim Taek Soo , Lim Mi Suk , Hong Yun Ji , Hwang Sang Mee , Park Kyoung Un , Song Junghan , Kim Eui-Chong
Published: December 2016

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is an important etiologic factor in cervical carcinogenesis. Various HPV DNA detection methods have been evaluated for clinicopathological level. For the specimens with normal cytological finding, discrepancies among the detection methods were frequently found and adequate interpretation can be difficult. 6,322 clinical specimens were submitted and evaluated for real-time PCR and Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2). 573 positive or “Not Detected but Amplified” (NDBA) specimens by real-time PCR were additionally tested using genetic analyzer. For the reliability of real-time PCR, 325 retests were performed. Optimal cut-off cycle threshold (CT) value was evaluated also. 78.7% of submitted specimens showed normal or nonspecific cytological finding. The distributions of HPV types by real-time PCR were not different between positive and NDBA cases. For positive cases by fragment analysis, concordance rates with real-time PCR and HC2 were 94.2% and 84.2%. In NDBA cases, fragment analysis and real-time PCR showed identical results in 77.0% and HC2 revealed 27.6% of concordance with fragment analysis. Optimal cut-off CT value was different for HPV types. NDBA results in real-time PCR should be regarded as equivocal, not negative. The adjustment of cut-off CT value for HPV types will be helpful for the appropriate result interpretation.
Pulmonary Function and Arterial Stiffness in Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Li Li , Hu Bangchuan , Gong Shijin , Yu Yihua , Dai Haiwen , Yan Jing
Published: December 2016

Arterial stiffness contributes to heart failure and is decreased by angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). This cross-sectional study aimed to assess associations of lung function and ARB with arterial stiffness in patients with chronic heart failure. 354 outpatients (168 males; 186 females; 68.2 ± 7.2 years old) with chronic heart failure were evaluated. Lung function parameters, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and FEV1to FVC ratio (FEV1/FVC), were assessed. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was used to estimate arterial stiffness. Unadjusted correlation analyses revealed a positive association of CAVI with ARB but not ACEI, and a negative correlation with FEV1(r=-0.2987,p<0.0001). Multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that ARB and FEV1 (p<0.0001) were independent predicting factors for CAVI. These findings suggest that reduced pulmonary function is associated with increased CAVI. Pulmonary function protection could be used to improve the prognosis in heart failure, but additional studies are necessary.
Optimal Control Model of Tumor Treatment with Oncolytic Virus and MEK Inhibitor
Authors: Su Yongmei , Jia Chen , Chen Ying
Published: December 2016

Tumors are a serious threat to human health. The oncolytic virus is a kind of tumor killer virus which can infect and lyse cancer cells and spread through the tumor, while leaving normal cells largely unharmed. Mathematical models can help us to understand the tumor-virus dynamics and find better treatment strategies. This paper gives a new mathematical model of tumor therapy with oncolytic virus and MEK inhibitor. Stable analysis was given. Because mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) can not only lead to greater oncolytic virus infection into cancer cells, but also limit the replication of the virus, in order to provide the best dosage of MEK inhibitors and balance the positive and negative effect of the inhibitors, we put forward an optimal control problem of the inhibitor. The optimal strategies are given by theory and simulation.
Function, Role, and Clinical Application of MicroRNAs in Vascular Aging
Authors: Lin Xiao , Zhan Jun-Kun , Wang Yan-Jiao , Tan Pan , Chen Yi-Yin , Deng Hui-Qian , Liu You-Shuo
Published: December 2016

Vascular aging, a specific type of organic aging, is related to age-dependent changes in the vasculature, including atherosclerotic plaques, arterial stiffness, fibrosis, and increased intimal thickening. Vascular aging could influence the threshold, process, and severity of various cardiovascular diseases, thus making it one of the most important risk factors in the high mortality of cardiovascular diseases. As endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the main cell biological basis of these pathology changes of the vasculature, the structure and function of ECs and VSMCs play a key role in vascular aging. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs, have been shown to regulate the expression of multiple messenger RNAs (mRNAs) posttranscriptionally, contributing to many crucial aspects of cell biology. Recently, miRNAs with functions associated with aging or aging-related diseases have been studied. In this review, we will summarize the reported role of miRNAs in the process of vascular aging with special emphasis on EC and VSMC functions. In addition, the potential application of miRNAs to clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases will also be discussed.
Power Allocation Scheme for Femto-to-Macro Downlink Interference Reduction for Smart Devices in Ambient Intelligence
Authors: Su Xin , Liang Chengchao , Choi Dongmin , Choi Chang
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we present an analysis on the characteristics of cross-tier interference in regard to femtocells deployed in LTE cellular networks. We also present a cross-tier SLNR-based water filling (CSWF) power allocation algorithm for the reduction of interference from femtocell to macrocell for smart devices used in ambient intelligence. The results of this study show that CSWF significantly improves the macro UE performance around a femtocell access point (AP) from the SINR and throughput perspective. The CSWF algorithm also provides a relative gain on the throughput of femtocell UEs compared to frequency partitioning. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm has a low complexity and is implemented on the femto-AP side only, therefore not affecting the macro system.
Nitric Oxide: Exploring the Contextual Link with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Asiimwe Nicholas , Yeo Seung Geun , Kim Min-Sik , Jung Junyang , Jeong Na Young
Published: December 2016

Neuronal inflammation is a systematically organized physiological step often triggered to counteract an invading pathogen or to rid the body of damaged and/or dead cellular debris. At the crux of this inflammatory response is the deployment of nonneuronal cells: microglia, astrocytes, and blood‐derived macrophages. Glial cells secrete a host of bioactive molecules, which include proinflammatory factors and nitric oxide (NO). From immunomodulation to neuromodulation, NO is a renowned modulator of vast physiological systems. It essentially mediates these physiological effects by interacting with cyclic GMP (cGMP) leading to the regulation of intracellular calcium ions. NO regulates the release of proinflammatory molecules, interacts with ROS leading to the formation of reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and targets vital organelles such as mitochondria, ultimately causing cellular death, a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. AD is an enervating neurodegenerative disorder with an obscure etiology. Because of accumulating experimental data continually highlighting the role of NO in neuroinflammation and AD progression, we explore the most recent data to highlight in detail newly investigated molecular mechanisms in which NO becomes relevant in neuronal inflammation and oxidative stress‐associated neurodegeneration in the CNS as well as lay down up‐to‐date knowledge regarding therapeutic approaches targeting NO.
Fault Tolerant Operation of ISOP Multicell Dc-Dc Converter Using Active Gate Controlled SiC Protection Switch
Authors: Hayashi Yusuke , Matsugaki Yoshikatsu , Ninomiya Tamotsu
Published: December 2016

An active gate controlled semiconductor protection switch using SiC-MOSFET is proposed to achieve the fault tolerant operation of ISOP (Input Series and Output Parallel) connected multicell dc-dc converter. The SiC-MOSFET with high temperature capability simplifies the configuration of the protection circuit, and its on-resistance control by the active gate controller realizes the smooth protection without the voltage and the current surges. The first laboratory prototype of the protection switch is fabricated by using a SiC-MOSFET with a high frequency buck chopper for the active gate controller. The effectiveness of the proposed protection switch is verified, taking the impact of the volume reduction into account.
Navigating Uncertainty: Health Professionals’ Knowledge, Skill, and Confidence in Assessing and Managing Pain in Children with Profound Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Carter Bernie , Simons Joan , Bray Lucy , Arnott Janine
Published: December 2016

There is limited evidence to underpin the assessment and management of pain in children with profound cognitive impairment and these children are vulnerable to poor pain assessment and management. Health professionals working with children with profound cognitive impairment from a single paediatric tertiary referral centre in England were interviewed to explore how they develop and acquire knowledge and skills to assess and manage pain in children with cognitive impairment. The interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis. Nineteen health professionals representing different professional groups and different levels of experience participated in the study. A metatheme “navigating uncertainty; deficits in knowledge and skills” and two core themes “framing as different and teasing things out” and “the settling and unsettling presence of parents” were identified. Uncertainty about aspects of assessing and managing the pain of children with cognitive impairment tended to erode professional confidence and many discussed deficits in their skill and knowledge set. Uncertainty was managed through engaging with other health professionals and the child’s parents. Most health professionals stated they would welcome more education and training although many felt that this input should be clinical and not classroom oriented.
Aspirin Use and Reduced Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Risch Harvey A. , Lu Lingeng , Streicher Samantha A. , Wang Jing , Zhang Wei , Ni Quanxing , Kidd Mark S. , Yu Herbert , Gao Yu-Tang
Published: December 2016

Background: Few options besides the avoidance of smoking and obesity are available to prevent pancreatic cancer. The association between aspirin use and risk of pancreatic cancer has been inconsistent across studies.

Methods: We performed a population-based study of 761 case and 794 control subjects frequency matched on sex and age during 2006 to 2011 in Shanghai, China. Participants were asked about episodes of regular use of aspirin, tablets per day or week, and ages that the use started and stopped. Data were analyzed by unconditional logistic regression, with adjustments for age, sex, education, body mass index, years of cigarette smoking, cigarettes smoked per day, Helicobacter pylori CagA seropositivity, ABO blood group, and history of diabetes mellitus. Meta-regression was carried out to summarize the literature.

Results: Ever-regular use of aspirin was associated with lowered risk of pancreatic cancer: OR = 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.40–0.73; P = 10−4.2. Risk decreased 8% per each cumulative year of use: ORtrend = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87–0.97; P = 0.0034. Across this and 18 published studies of this association, the OR for ever-regular use decreased with increasingly more recent mid-study year, for any aspirin type (Ptrend = 10−5.1), and for low-dose aspirin (Ptrend = 0.0014).

Conclusions: Regular use of aspirin thus appears to reduce risk of pancreatic cancer by almost half.

Impact: People who take aspirin for prevention of other diseases likely also reduce their risk of pancreatic cancer. Aside from benefits for both cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, long-term aspirin use entails some risks of bleeding complications, which necessitates risk–benefit analysis for individual decisions about use. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(1); 68–74. ©2016 AACR.
Unlocking Aspirin's Chemopreventive Activity: Role of Irreversibly Inhibiting Platelet Cyclooxygenase-1
Authors: Lichtenberger Lenard M. , Fang Dexing , Bick Roger J. , Poindexter Brian J. , Phan Tri , Bergeron Angela L. , Pradhan Subhashree , Dial Elizabeth J. , Vijayan K. Vinod
Published: December 2016

The mechanism by which aspirin consumption is linked to significant reductions in the incidence of multiple forms of cancer and metastatic spread to distant tissues, resulting in increased cancer patient survival is not well understood. In this study, using colon cancer as an example, we provide both in vitro (cell culture) and in vivo (chemically induced mouse model of colon cancer) evidence that this profound antineoplastic action may be associated with aspirin's ability to irreversibly inhibit COX-1–mediated platelet activation, thereby blocking platelet–cancer cell interactions, which promote cancer cell number and invasive potential. This process may be driven by platelet-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), as assessed using confocal microscopy, based upon changes in cell morphology, growth characteristics and fibronectin expression, and biochemical/molecular analysis by measuring changes in the expression of the EMT markers; vimentin, β-catenin, and SNAIL. We also provide evidence that a novel, gastrointestinal-safe phosphatidylcholine (PC)-associated aspirin, PL2200 Aspirin, possesses the same or more pronounced actions versus unmodified aspirin with regard to antiplatelet effects (in vitro: reducing platelet activation as determined by measuring the release of thromboxane and VEGF in culture medium; in vivo: inhibiting platelet number/activation and extravasation into tumor tissue) and chemoprevention (in vitro: inhibiting colonic cell growth and invasive activity; in vivo: inhibiting colonic dysplasia, inflammation, and tumor mass). These results suggest that aspirin's chemopreventive effects may be due, in part, to the drug blocking the proneoplastic action of platelets, and the potential use of Aspirin-PC/PL2200 as an effective and safer chemopreventive agent for colorectal cancer and possibly other cancers. Cancer Prev Res; 10(2); 142–52. ©2016 AACR.
Meta-Analysis for Penalized Regression Methods with Multi-Cohort Genome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: Lu Chen , O'Connor George T. , Dupuis Josée , Kolaczyk Eric D.
Published: December 2016

Objective: Penalized regression has been successfully applied in genome-wide association studies. While meta-analysis is often conducted to increase power and protect patients' confidentiality, methods for meta-analyzing results of penalized regression in multi-cohort setting are still under development. Methods: We propose to use a data-splitting method to obtain valid p values (or equivalently, coefficient estimates and standard errors) for meta-analysis across multiple cohorts. We examine two ways of splitting data in multi-cohort setting and propose three methods to conduct meta-analysis based on p values. We compare the three meta-analysis methods to mega-analysis, which consists of pooling individual level data. We also apply our proposed meta-analysis approaches to the Framingham Heart Study data, where we divide the original dataset into four parts to create a multi-cohort scenario. Results: The simulations suggest that splitting cohorts has better performance than splitting data within each cohort. The real data application also shows that this method provides results that are similar to the mega-analysis. Conclusion: After comparing the three methods that we proposed to conduct meta-analysis, we recommend splitting cohorts rather than datasets to obtain valid p values for meta-analysis of results from penalized regression in multi-cohort setting.