bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of tuberculosis after kidney transplantation in a developing country
Authors: Meinerz G. , da Silva C.K. , Goldani J.C. , Garcia V.D. , Keitel E.
Published: January 2016

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is a great challenge in kidney transplantation, and is often associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and impact of TB in kidney transplant (KT) recipients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of a cohort of adult KT recipients from 2000 to 2012, with follow‐up until July 2014.

Results

Among the 1737 KT recipients evaluated, 60 developed TB: a 5% cumulative incidence, and an incidence rate of 589.4 cases/100,000 patient‐years. Median time to diagnosis was 13.4 months, with 40% of the cases occurring in the first year. New‐onset diabetes was significantly associated with post‐transplant TB (P = 0.018). Pulmonary TB represented 78% of the cases, including disseminated disease. Two patients received latent TB treatment and developed active infection. TB was associated with a significant reduction in patient and graft survival (74% vs. 90.2% in 5 years for patient survival, P = 0.001; and 58.6% vs. 80.2% in 5 years for graft survival, P < 0.001). Death and graft loss occurred in the first 6 months after diagnosis in one‐third of the patients, 38.8% of them with disseminated disease. Disseminated disease was significantly associated with mortality compared to local disease (41.8% vs. 9.7%, P = 0.035).

Conclusion

TB continues to be a great challenge in KT, especially in developing countries, with significant impact on patient and graft survival.
Management of uterine prolapse: is hysterectomy necessary?
Authors: Jefferis Helen , Jackson Simon Robert , Price Natalia
Published: January 2016

Key content

Management of uterine prolapse is currently heavily influenced by patient and surgeon preferences.

The traditional approach to uterine prolapse is vaginal hysterectomy. However, this does not address the underlying deficiency in connective tissue pelvic floor support, and prolapse recurrence is common.

Uterine preservation surgery is increasing in popularity, both with surgeons and patients; there is currently little evidence to show superior outcome to hysterectomy.

Fertility preservation remains the one absolute indication for hysteropexy. Other potential advantages include stronger apical support and reduced vaginal surgery.

Colpocleisis remains a valid option for a small cohort of patients.

Learning objectives

Options for the management of uterine prolapse.

How to help patients decide on a management plan.
A review of evidence‐based management of uterine fibroids
Authors: Younas Kinza , Hadoura Essam , Majoko Franz , Bunkheila Adnan
Published: January 2016

Key content

Fibroids are the most common uterine growth and there is an increasing range of options for their management.

Management options are affected by the woman's symptoms, age, desire to conceive and local resources.

Pharmacological agents are effective in alleviating symptoms and may improve women’s quality of life.

Interventional radiology procedures may prevent the need for hysterectomy.

Conventional surgical procedures and minimal access surgery are important in management of fibroids.

Learning objectives

To understand the options available for the management of uterine fibroids.

To create awareness of radiological techniques, such as uterine artery embolisation and magnetic resonance imaging‐guided focused ultrasonography, that preserve the uterus.

To understand the use of pharmacological agents in the reduction of menstrual blood loss and fibroid size.

Ethical issues

Is it ethical to offer new minimally invasive treatment options for fibroids to older women who wish to retain potential fertility?
Diagnosis and management of liver masses in pregnancy
Authors: Milburn James , Black Mairead , Ahmed Irfan , McLeman Lindsay , Straiton Jack , Danielian Peter
Published: January 2016

Key content

Liver masses are increasingly detected in pregnancy because of the widespread use of abdominal ultrasonography.

Most lesions are benign and can be treated conservatively, although rarely these can lead to clinical symptoms and the potential for significant haemorrhage.

Diagnosis of liver masses is made primarily through radiological assessment with blood tests and rarely by direct liver biopsy.

Collaboration between the obstetric department and specialist liver multidisciplinary team is essential to ensure optimal management.

Learning objectives

Review of liver masses in pregnancy.

Overview of issues relevant in the prepregnancy and postpartum periods.

Interventional management strategies for liver lesions.

Ethical issues

Should the diagnosis of a liver mass lead to termination of pregnancy?

When should ionising radiation be used to aid diagnosis of liver masses?

Are doctors aware of the risk of bleeding from a benign liver mass?
Sorting Nexin 11 Regulates Lysosomal Degradation of Plasma Membrane TRPV3
Authors: Li Caiyue , Ma Wenbo , Yin Shikui , Liang Xin , Shu Xiaodong , Pei Duanqing , Egan Terrance M. , Huang Jufang , Pan Aihua , Li Zhiyuan
Published: January 2016

The trafficking of ion channels to/from the plasma membrane is essential for the functionality of cells. We report the novel finding that the vesicular trafficking protein SNX11 promotes the trafficking of exogenous TRPV3 ion channel from the plasma membrane to lysosome for degradation via protein–protein interactions in HEK293T cells, and it also decreases the level of endogenous TRPV3 protein in human skin keratinocytes HaCaT cells, which leads to a change in the density of TRPV3 channels on the cell surface.
Experimental and Numerical Testing of Gas Pipeline Subjected to Excavator Elements Interference
Authors: Adrian Neacsa , Alin Dinita , Baranowski Pawel , Sybilski Kamil , Naim Ramadan Ibrahim , Malachowski Jerzy , Blyukher Boris
Published: January 2016

The main aim of the paper is to investigate and validate the behavior of a pipeline in the conditions of excavator elements external interference. A number of experimental tests were conducted. Four different cases were taken into account: two geometries of indenter with and without internal pressure. Discrete model of a tested pipe was developed and validated with the actual one. Simulations were performed using ls-dyna implicit code. The results obtained from the analyses were compared with the experimental tests and showed good accuracy in terms of force characteristics obtained in all simulated cases. Moreover, stress distribution in every case was also compared and discussed.
Six-Dimensional Compliance Analysis and Validation of Orthoplanar Springs
Authors: Qiu Chen , Qi Peng , Liu Hongbin , Althoefer Kaspar , Dai Jian S.
Published: January 2016

This paper for the first time investigates the six-dimensional compliance characteristics of orthoplanar springs using a compliance-matrix based approach, and validates them with both finite element (FEM) simulation and experiments. The compliance matrix is developed by treating an orthoplanar spring as a parallel mechanism and is revealed to be diagonal. As a consequence, corresponding diagonal compliance elements are evaluated and analyzed in forms of their ratios, revealing that an orthoplanar spring not only has a large linear out-of-plane compliance but also has a large rotational bending compliance. Both FEM simulation and experiments were then conducted to validate the developed compliance matrix. In the FEM simulation, a total number of 30 types of planar-spring models were examined, followed by experiments that examined the typical side-type and radial-type planar springs, presenting a good agreement between the experiment results and analytical models. Further a planar-spring based continuum manipulator was developed to demonstrate the large-bending capability of its planar-spring modules.
Structural Compliance Analysis and Internal Motion Properties of Proteins From a Robot Kinematics Perspective: Formulation of Basic Equations
Authors: Arikawa Keisuke
Published: January 2016

From a perspective of robot kinematics, we develop a method for predicting internal motion properties and understanding the functions of proteins from their three-dimensional (3D) structural data (protein data bank (PDB) data). The key ideas are based on the structural compliance analysis of proteins. In this paper, we mainly discuss the basic equations for the analysis. First, a kinematic model of a protein is introduced. Proteins are simply modeled as serial manipulators constrained by linear springs, where the dihedral angles on the main chains correspond to the joint angles of manipulators. Then, the kinematic equations of the protein model are derived. In particular, the forced response or the deformation caused by the forces in static equilibrium forms the basis for the structural compliance analysis. In the formulations, the protein models are regarded as manipulators that control the positions in the model or the distances between them, by the dihedral angles on the main chains. Next, the structural compliance of the protein model is defined, and a method for extracting the information about the internal motion properties from the structural compliance is shown. In general, the structural compliance refers to the relationship between the applied forces and the deformation of the parts surrounded by the application points. We define it in a more general form by separating the parts whose deformations are evaluated from those where forces are applied. When decomposing motion according to the magnitude of the structural compliance, we can infer that the lower compliance motion will easily occur. Finally, we show two application examples using PDB data of lactoferrin and hemoglobin. Despite using an approximate protein model, the predicted internal motion properties agree with the measured ones.
On the Solution Set for Positive Wire Tension With Uncertainty in Wire-Actuated Parallel Manipulators
Authors: Notash Leila
Published: January 2016

The solution for positive wire tension vector in the presence of uncertainties in design parameters and error in data is investigated for parallel manipulators. The minimum 2-norm non-negative solution and enclosures for the vector of wire tensions are formulated utilizing the perturbed and the interval forms of Jacobian matrix and platform wrench. Methodologies for calculating the minimum 2-norm non-negative solution set of wire tension vector, for interval Jacobian matrix and interval external wrench, are presented. Example parallel manipulators are simulated to investigate the implementation and effectiveness of these methodologies while relating their results.
A fish back from the dead
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: January 2016

Understanding how killifish survive months without oxygen could help stroke victims.
Ancient Babylonians took first steps to calculus
Authors: Cowen Ron
Published: January 2016

Math whizzes left precocious geometric calculations on clay tablets by 50 B.C.E.
A cancer legacy
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: January 2016

Once viewed as tragic anomalies, many childhood cancers may have their roots in inherited mutations.
U.S. and Cuban researchers begin neuroscience collaborations
Authors: Ham Becky
Published: January 2016

The projects reflect a decades-long commitment by AAAS to foster partnerships with Cuban scientists
Tracking the origins of tumorigenesis
Authors: Boumahdi Soufiane , Blanpain Cédric
Published: January 2016

A zebrafish model allows visualization of embryonic reprogramming during melanoma initiation

[Also see Research Article by

Kaufman
et al.

]
Avian supergenes
Authors: Taylor Scott , Campagna Leonardo
Published: January 2016

Genetic data reveal how two complex bird mating systems evolved
Global science engagement
Authors: Richmond Geraldine
Published: January 2016

In rural Laos, more than 50% of newborns will be stunted by age 2 due to chronic malnourishment. Worldwide, 161 million children under the age of 5, many of them in Africa and Asia, suffered irreversible stunting as of 2013. The developed world is not immune. As recently as 2010, stunting affected 8 to 9% of babies enrolled in U.S. federal food-subsidy programs. Next week in Washington, DC, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS is the publisher of
Science
) will convene its annual meeting (11 to 15 February), where world leaders will discuss food security and other major challenges that lie ahead in both the science and international policy arenas.
Propionibacterium acnes: Disease-Causing Agent or Common Contaminant? Detection in Diverse Patient Samples by Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Mollerup Sarah , Friis-Nielsen Jens , Vinner Lasse , Hansen Thomas Arn , Richter Stine Raith , Fridholm Helena , Herrera Jose Alejandro Romero , Lund Ole , Brunak Søren , Izarzugaza Jose M. G. , Mourier Tobias , Nielsen Lars Peter , Hansen Anders Johannes
Published: January 2016

Propionibacterium acnes
is the most abundant bacterium on human skin, particularly in sebaceous areas.
P. acnes
is suggested to be an opportunistic pathogen involved in the development of diverse medical conditions but is also a proven contaminant of human clinical samples and surgical wounds. Its significance as a pathogen is consequently a matter of debate. In the present study, we investigated the presence of
P. acnes
DNA in 250 next-generation sequencing data sets generated from 180 samples of 20 different sample types, mostly of cancerous origin. The samples were subjected to either microbial enrichment, involving nuclease treatment to reduce the amount of host nucleic acids, or shotgun sequencing. We detected high proportions of
P. acnes
DNA in enriched samples, particularly skin tissue-derived and other tissue samples, with the levels being higher in enriched samples than in shotgun-sequenced samples.
P. acnes
reads were detected in most samples analyzed, though the proportions in most shotgun-sequenced samples were low. Our results show that
P. acnes
can be detected in practically all sample types when molecular methods, such as next-generation sequencing, are employed. The possibility of contamination from the patient or other sources, including laboratory reagents or environment, should therefore always be considered carefully when
P. acnes
is detected in clinical samples. We advocate that detection of
P. acnes
always be accompanied by experiments validating the association between this bacterium and any clinical condition.
Diagnosis of Bloodstream Infections in Children
Authors: Dien Bard Jennifer , McElvania TeKippe Erin
Published: January 2016

Identification of bloodstream infections is among the most critical tasks performed by the clinical microbiology laboratory. While the criteria for achieving an adequate blood culture specimen in adults have been well described, there is much more ambiguity in pediatric populations. This minireview focuses on the available pediatric literature pertaining to the collection of an optimal blood culture specimen, including timing, volume, and bottle selection, as well as rapid diagnostic approaches and their role in the management of pediatric bloodstream infections.
MicroRNA-33a-5p Modulates Japanese Encephalitis Virus Replication by Targeting Eukaryotic Translation Elongation Factor 1A1
Authors: Chen Zheng , Ye Jing , Ashraf Usama , Li Yunchuan , Wei Siqi , Wan Shengfeng , Zohaib Ali , Song Yunfeng , Chen Huanchun , Cao Shengbo
Published: January 2016

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a typical mosquito-borne flavivirus responsible for acute encephalitis and meningitis in humans. However, the molecular mechanism for JEV pathogenesis is still unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that act as gene regulators. They are directly or indirectly involved in many cellular functions owing to their ability to target mRNAs for degradation or translational repression. However, how cellular miRNAs are regulated and their functions during JEV infection are largely unknown. In the present study, we found that JEV infection downregulated the expression of endogenous cellular miR-33a-5p. Notably, artificially transfecting with miR-33a-5p mimics led to a significant decrease in viral replication, suggesting that miR-33a-5p acts as a negative regulator of JEV replication. A dual-luciferase reporter assay identified eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A1 (
EEF1A1
) as one of the miR-33a-5p target genes. Our study further demonstrated that
EEF1A1
can interact with the JEV proteins NS3 and NS5 in replicase complex. Through this interaction,
EEF1A1
can stabilize the components of viral replicase complex and thus facilitates viral replication during JEV infection. Taken together, these results suggest that miR-33a-5p is downregulated during JEV infection, which contributes to viral replication by increasing the intracellular level of
EEF1A1
, an interaction partner of JEV NS3 and NS5. This study provides a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of JEV pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE
MiRNAs are critical regulators of gene expression that utilize sequence complementarity to bind to and modulate the stability or translation efficiency of target mRNAs. Accumulating data suggest that miRNAs regulate a wide variety of molecular mechanisms in the host cells during viral infections. JEV, a neurotropic flavivirus, is one of the major causes of acute encephalitis in humans worldwide. The roles of cellular miRNAs during JEV infections are widely unexplored. The present study explores a novel role of miR-33a-5p as a negative regulator of JEV replication. We found
EEF1A1
as a direct target of miR-33a-5p. We also demonstrated that
EEF1A1
interacts with and stabilize the components of JEV replicase complex, which positively regulates JEV replication. These findings suggest a new insight into the molecular mechanism of JEV pathogenesis and provide a possible therapeutic entry point for viral encephalitis.
Architectural adaptations of muscle to training and injury: a narrative review outlining the contributions by fascicle length, pennation angle and muscle thickness
Authors: Timmins Ryan G , Shield Anthony J , Williams Morgan D , Lorenzen Christian , Opar David A
Published: January 2016

Background

The architectural characteristics of muscle (fascicle length, pennation angle muscle thickness) respond to varying forms of stimuli (eg, training, immobilisation and injury). Architectural changes following injury are thought to occur in response to the restricted range of motion experienced during rehabilitation and the associated neuromuscular inhibition. However, it is unknown if these differences exist prior to injury, and had a role in injury occuring (prospectively), or if they occur in response to the incident itself (retrospectively). Considering that the structure of a muscle will influence how it functions, it is of interest to understand how these architectural variations may alter how a muscle acts with reference to the force-length and force-velocity relationships.

Objectives

Our narrative review provides an overview of muscle architectural adaptations to training and injury. Specifically, we (1) describe the methods used to measure muscle architecture; (2) detail the impact that architectural alterations following training interventions, immobilisation and injury have on force production and (3) present a hypothesis on how neuromuscular inhibition could cause maladaptations to muscle architecture following injury.
Unwanted detachment of the Solitaire device during mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Castaño C , Dorado L , Remollo S , García-Bermejo P , Gomis M , Pérez de la Ossa N , Millán M , García-Sort M R , Hidalgo C , López-Cancio E , Cubells C , Dávalos A
Published: January 2016

Background

The use of retrievable stents for endovascular clot retrieval has dramatically improved successful revascularization and clinical outcome in selected patients with acute stroke.

Objective

To describe the rate and clinical consequences of unwanted spontaneous detachment of these devices during mechanical thrombectomy.

Methods

We studied 262 consecutive patients treated with the retrievable stent, Solitaire, for acute ischemic stroke between November 2008 and April 2015. Clinical, procedural, and outcome variables were compared between patients with and without unexpected detachment of this device. Detachment was classified as proximal to the stent proximal marker (type A) or distal to the marker (type B). Poor functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale score >2 at 90 days.

Results

Unwanted detachment occurred in 6/262 (2.3%) cases, four of type A and two of type B. Stent recovery was possible in three patients, all of ‘type A’, but in none of ‘type B’. The number of prior passes was higher in patients with undesired detachment (3 (2–5) vs 2 (1–3), p=0.007). Detachment was associated with higher rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) (33.3% vs 4.3%, p=0.001), poorer outcome (100% vs 54.8%, p=0.028), and higher mortality rate at 90 days (50% vs 17%, p=0.038).

Conclusions

Unwanted detachment of a Solitaire is an uncommon complication during mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke and is associated with the clot retrieval attempts, SICH, poor outcome, and higher mortality.
Collecting the evidence for EBVM: who pays?
Authors: Lanyon L.
Published: January 2016

Lance Lanyon

believes that a change of mindset is needed if veterinary medicine is really to become evidence‐based
An expert generalist
Authors: Hargreaves Robin
Published: January 2016

Although he has never actively pursued any special interest within veterinary practice, Robin Hargreaves explains why he believes ‘expert generalists’ are essential to the animals that are at the heart of the communities they serve
An immunoassay for urinary extracellular vesicles
Authors: Salih Mahdi , Fenton Robert A. , Knipscheer Jeroen , Janssen Joost W. , Vredenbregt-van den Berg Mirella S. , Jenster Guido , Zietse Robert , Hoorn Ewout J.
Published: January 2016

Although nanosized urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) are increasingly used for biomarker discovery, their isolation currently relies on time-consuming techniques hindering high-throughput application. To navigate this problem, we designed an immunoassay to isolate, quantify, and normalize uEV proteins. The uEV immunoassay consists of a biotinylated CD9 antibody to isolate uEVs, an antibody against the protein of interest, and two conjugated antibodies to quantify the protein of interest and CD9. As a proof of principle, the immunoassay was developed to analyze the water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP2) and the sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC). CD9 was used as a capture antibody because immunoprecipitation showed that anti-CD9 antibody, but not anti-CD63 antibody, isolated AQP2 and NCC. CD9 correlated strongly with urine creatinine, allowing CD9 to be used for normalization of spot urines. The uEV immunoassay detected AQP2 and NCC with high sensitivity, low coefficients of variance, and stability in dilution series. After water loading in healthy subjects, the uEV immunoassay detected decreases in AQP2 and NCC equally well as the traditional method using ultracentrifugation and immunoblot. The uEV immunoassay also reliably detected lower and higher AQP2 or NCC levels in uEVs from patients with pathological water or salt reabsorption, respectively. In summary, we report a novel approach to analyze uEVs that circumvents existing isolation and normalization issues, requires small volumes of urine, and detects anticipated changes in physiological responses and clinical disorders.
Effect of exercise training and myocardial infarction on force development and contractile kinetics in isolated canine myocardium
Authors: Canan Benjamin D. , Haizlip Kaylan M. , Xu Ying , Monasky Michelle M. , Hiranandani Nitisha , Milani-Nejad Nima , Varian Kenneth D. , Slabaugh Jessica L. , Schultz Eric J. , Fedorov Vadim V. , Billman George E. , Janssen Paul M. L.
Published: January 2016

It is well known that moderate exercise training elicits a small increase in ventricular mass (i.e., a physiological hypertrophy) that has many beneficial effects on overall cardiac health. It is also well known that, when a myocardial infarction damages part of the heart, the remaining myocardium remodels to compensate for the loss of viable functioning myocardium. The effects of exercise training, myocardial infarction (MI), and their interaction on the contractile performance of the myocardium itself remain largely to be determined. The present study investigated the contractile properties and kinetics of right ventricular myocardium isolated from sedentary and exercise trained (10-12 wk progressively increasing treadmill running, begun 4 wk after MI induction) dogs with and without a left ventricular myocardial infarction. Exercise training increased force development, whereas MI decreased force development that was not improved by exercise training. Contractile kinetics were significantly slower in the trained dogs, whereas this impact of training was less or no longer present after MI. Length-dependent activation, both evaluated on contractile force and kinetics, was similar in all four groups. The control exercise-trained group exhibited a more positive force-frequency relationship compared with the sedentary control group while both sedentary and trained post-MI dogs had a more negative relationship. Last, the impact of the β-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol resulted in a similar increase in force and acceleration of contractile kinetics in all groups. Thus, exercise training increased developed force but slowed contractile kinetics in control (noninfarcted animals), actions that were attenuated or completely absent in post-MI dogs.
Biological Evaluation ofPupalia lappaceafor Antidiabetic, Antiadipogenic, and Hypolipidemic Activity BothIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Kumar Vivek , Jain Parag , Rathore Kalpana , Ahmed Zabeer
Published: January 2016

Objective. The present study assesses the effect ofPupalia lappacea(L.) Juss. (Amaranthaceae) (PL) leaves ethanolic extract on adipocytes, blood glucose level, and lipid level in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.Materials and Methods. Male Albino rats were rendered diabetic by a single moderately sized dose of STZ (45 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) at once before starting the treatment. Animals were divided into five groups: normoglycemic control, diabetic control, reference group (glibenclamide, 5.0 mg/kg), AS001 (250 mg/kg extract), and AS002 (500 mg/kg extract) each containing six animals forin vivostudy. Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity of extract were determined byin vivomethod on STZ induced diabetic rats. Antiadipogenic activity was determined byin vitromethod on 3T3-L1 cell line in comparison to simvastatin as reference drug.Result. The extract showed significant fall in fasting serum glucose (FSG), that is, 234.68 and 211.61 mg/dL, in STZ induced diabetic animals for dose groups AS001 and AS002, respectively. ThePLextract also exhibited noteworthy antiadipogenic activity on 3T3-L1 cell line. The value of inhibitory concentration (IC50) ofPLextract to reduce adipocyte cells was found to be 662.14 μg/mL.Conclusion. ThePLextract exhibited significant antiadipogenic, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic activities.
Determination of Partition Coefficients of Selected Model Migrants between Polyethylene and Polypropylene and Nanocomposite Polypropylene
Authors: Otero-Pazos Pablo , Pereira de Abreu David A. , Sendon Raquel , Rodriguez Bernaldo de Quiros Ana , Angulo Inmaculada , Cruz Jose M. , Paseiro-Losada Perfecto
Published: January 2016

Studies on nanoparticles have focused the attention of the researchers because they can produce nanocomposites that exhibit unexpected hybrid properties. Polymeric materials are commonly used in food packaging, but from the standpoint of food safety, one of the main concerns on the use of these materials is the potential migration of low molecular substances from the packaging into the food. The key parameters of this phenomenon are the diffusion and partition coefficients. Studies on migration from food packaging with nanomaterials are very scarce. This study is focused on the determination of partition coefficients of different model migrants between the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) and between LDPE and nanocomposite polypropylene (naPP). The results show that the incorporation of nanoparticles in polypropylene increases the mass transport of model migrants from LDPE to naPP. This quantity of migrants absorbed into PP and naPP depends partially on the nature of the polymer and slightly on the chemical features of the migrant. Relation (RPP/naPP) between partition coefficientKLDPE/PPand partition coefficientKLDPE/naPPat 60°C and 80°C shows that only BHT at 60°C has aRPP/naPPless than 1. On the other hand, bisphenol A has the highestRPP/naPPwith approximately 50 times more.
A Posterior TAP Block Provides More Effective Analgesia Than a Lateral TAP Block in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Yoshiyama Sakatoshi , Ueshima Hironobu , Sakai Ryomi , Otake Hiroshi
Published: January 2016

Background. There are a few papers that compared the lateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with the posterior TAP block. Our study aimed to compare retrospectively the quality of analgesia after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery using the lateral TAP block with general anesthesia versus the posterior TAP block with general anesthesia.Method. Sixty-seven adult female patients were included in this retrospective study. Of these patients, thirty-four patients received the lateral TAP block with general anesthesia (lat. TAP group), and the rest of thirty-three patients received the posterior TAP block with general anesthesia (pos. TAP group). Pain scores both at rest and at movement and the use of additional analgesic drugs were recorded in the postoperative care unit within twenty-four hours after the operation. Postoperative complications were noted.Results. Patients who received pos. TAP reported lower visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores in all points, within twenty-four hours after the operation, than patients who received lat. TAP. Moreover, with the use of additional analgesic drugs, the incidence of nausea and vomiting during the first twenty-four hours after surgery was lower in the pos. TAP group than in the lat. TAP group.Conclusion. The posterior TAP block provided more effective analgesia than the lateral TAP block in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.
Ocular Surface Disorders in a Group of Egyptian Children with End Stage Renal Failure on Dialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Anbar Mohamed , Ahmed Ahmed R. H. , El-Mazary Abdel-Azeem M. , Mahmoud Ramadan A.
Published: January 2016

Purpose. To investigate tear function, ocular manifestations, and squamous metaplasia of the conjunctival epithelium (SMCE) in children with end stage renal failure (ESRF) on dialysis.Methods. Thirty children with ESRF and 20 age and sex matched controls during the period from January 2014 to May 2015 underwent full ophthalmologic examination and the tear function was investigated by the Schirmer and tear film break-up time (TBUT) tests. SMCE was evaluated by impression cytology and immunocytochemistry. The correlations of tear function status with ESRF-related clinical and biochemical variables were measured statistically.Results. Dry eye symptoms were detected in 26% of children with ESRF, compared with none of the controls (P=0.05) and SMCE was almost absent. Values of the Schirmer and TBUT tests were significantly lower in children with ESRF for right eye (t=24.63,P=0.01, andt=11.9,P=0.002, resp.) and left eye (t=24.7,P=0.02, andt=11.4,P=0.0004, resp.). TBUT and the Schirmer test values were correlated inversely with the duration of ESRF (R=-0.45,P=0.01, andR=-0.46,P=0.01, resp.) and with the duration of dialysis (R=-0.39,P=0.03, andR=-0.45,P=0.01, resp.). None of the following parameters was associated with distorted tear function including serum creatinine, electrolytes, parathyroid hormone, total protein, albumin, CBC parameters, and systolic or diastolic blood pressure.Conclusion. The basal tear secretion and tear film stability were lower while the dry eye symptoms such as itching and redness were more common among children with ESRF. The duration of ESRF and dialysis duration seem to be related to the disturbances in tear secretion and tear film stability. However, SMCE is very rare.
Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Bone Formation and Lipid Metabolism of Glucocorticoid‐Induced Osteoporosis Rats through Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway
Authors: Jiang Yuan , Gou Hui , Wang Sanrong , Zhu Jiang , Tian Si , Yu Lehua
Published: January 2016

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) has been suggested as a promising method alternative to drug‐based therapies for treating osteoporosis (OP), but the role of PEMF in GIOP animal models still remains unknown. This study was performed to investigate the effect of PEMF on bone formation and lipid metabolism and further explored the several important components and targets of canonical Wnt signaling pathway in GIOP rats. After 12 weeks of intervention, bone mineral density (BMD) level of the whole body increased significantly, serum lipid levels decreased significantly, and trabeculae were thicker in GIOP rats of PEMF group. PEMF stimulation upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of Wnt10b, LRP5, β‐catenin, OPG, and Runx2 and downregulated Axin2, PPAR‐γ, C/EBPα, FABP4, and Dkk‐1. The results of this study suggested that PEMF stimulation can prevent bone loss and improve lipid metabolism disorders in GIOP rats. Canonical Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in bone formation and lipid metabolism during PEMF stimulation.
Some New Records and Status of Genus Steccherinum (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in India
Authors: Sanyal Sanjeev Kumar , Devi Ritu , Dhingra Gurpaul Singh
Published: January 2016

Information on ten species of genus Steccherinum in India is provided. Of these nine are based on the collections made from state of Uttarakhand during 2010–2012, whereas S. laeticolor has been described by earlier workers but could not be collected during the present study. S. albofibrillosum, S. bourdotii, S. ciliolatum, S. cremeoalbum, S. oreophilum, S. robustius, and S. subcrinale are new records for the state of Uttarakhand and described in detail; however for S. fimbriatum, S. laeticolor, and S. ochraceum annotated notes have been given. S. albofibrillosum, S. bourdotii, S. cremeoalbum, S. oreophilum, and S. robustius are being reported for the first time from India.
Is There a Relationship between the Stratum Corneum Thickness and That of the Viable Parts of Tumour Cells in Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Authors: Foss Olav A. , Mjønes Patricia , Fismen Silje , Christensen Eidi
Published: January 2016

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is an invasive epithelial skin tumour. The thickness of the outermost epidermal layer of the skin, the stratum corneum (SC), influences drug uptake and penetration into tumour and may thereby affect the response of BCC to topical treatment. The aim was to investigate a possible relationship between the thickness of the SC and that of the viable part of BCC. Histopathological evaluations of the corresponding SC and viable tumour thickness measurements of individual BCCs of different subtypes were explored. A total of 53 BCCs from 46 patients were studied. The median tumour thickness was 1.7 mm (0.8–3.0 mm), with a significant difference between subtypes (p<0.001). The SC had a median thickness of 0.3 mm (0.2–0.4 mm), with no difference between tumour subtypes (p=0.415). Additionally, no significant association between the thickness of the SC and that of the viable part of the tumour was demonstrated (p=0.381). In conclusion our results indicate that SC thickness is relatively constant in BCC.
Mechanical and Histological Effects of Resorbable Blasting Media Surface Treatment on the Initial Stability of Orthodontic Mini-Implants
Authors: Gansukh Odontuya , Jeong Jong-Wha , Kim Jong-Wan , Lee Jong-Ho , Kim Tae-Woo
Published: January 2016

Introduction. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of resorbable blasting media (RBM) treatment on early stability of orthodontic mini-implants by mechanical, histomorphometric, and histological analyses.Methods. Ninety-six (64 for mechanical study and 32 for histological study and histomorphometric analysis) titanium orthodontic mini-implants (OMIs) with machined (machined group) or RBM-treated (CaP) surface (RBM group) were implanted in the tibiae of 24 rabbits. Maximum initial torque (MIT) was measured during insertion, and maximum removal torque (MRT) and removal angular momentum (RAM) were measured at 2 and 4 weeks after implantation. Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone area (BA) were analyzed at 4 weeks after implantation.Results. RBM group exhibited significantly lower MIT and significantly higher MRT and RAM at 2 weeks than machined group. No significant difference in MRT, RAM, and BIC between the two groups was noted at 4 weeks, although BA was significantly higher in RBM group than in machined group. RBM group showed little bone resorption, whereas machined group showed new bone formation after bone resorption.Conclusions. RBM surface treatment can provide early stability of OMIs around 2 weeks after insertion, whereas stability of machined surface OMIs may decrease in early stages because of bone resorption, although it can subsequently recover by new bone apposition.
Lack of Proinflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-6 or Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-1 Results in a Failure of the Innate Immune Response after Bacterial Meningitis
Authors: Albrecht Lea-Jessica , Tauber Simone C. , Merres Julika , Kress Eugenia , Stope Matthias B. , Jansen Sandra , Pufe Thomas , Brandenburg Lars-Ove
Published: January 2016

The most frequent pathogen that causes bacterial meningitis is the Gram-positive bacteriumStreptococcus pneumoniae. By entering the brain, host cells will be activated and proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) are released. The goal of the current study was to examine the interaction between IL-6 and TNFR1 as receptor for TNF-αand the innate immune response in vivo in a model ofStreptococcus pneumoniae-induced meningitis. For the experiments IL-6−/−, TNFR1−/−, and TNFR1-IL-6−/−KO mice were used. Our results revealed higher mortality rates and bacterial burden after infection in TNFR1−/−, IL-6−/−, and TNFR1-IL-6−/−mice and a decreased immune response including lower neutrophil infiltration in the meninges of TNFR1−/−and TNFR1-IL-6−/−mice in contrast to IL-6−/−and wild type mice. Furthermore, the increased mortality of TNFR1−/−and TNFR1-IL-6−/−mice correlated with decreased glial cell activation compared to IL-6−/−or wild type mice after pneumococcal meningitis. Altogether, the results show the importance of TNFR1 and IL-6 in the regulation of the innate immune response. The lack of TNFR1 and IL-6 results in higher mortality by weakened immune defence, whereas the lack of TNFR1 results in more severe impairment of the innate immune response than the lack of IL-6 alone.
Anticardiac Antibodies in Patients with Chronic Pericardial Effusion
Authors: Karatolios Konstantinos , Pankuweit Sabine , Richter Anette , Ruppert Volker , Maisch Bernhard
Published: January 2016

Objectives. Chronic pericardial effusion may be challenging in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Specific laboratory parameters predicting the frequency and severity of recurrences after initial drainage of pericardial effusion are lacking.Materials and Methods. Pericardial fluid (PF) and serum (SE) samples from 30 patients with chronic pericardial effusion (PE) who underwent pericardiocentesis and pericardioscopically guided pericardial biopsy were compared with SE and PF samples from 26 control patients. The levels of antimyolemmal (AMLA) and antifibrillary antibodies (AFA) in PE and SE from patients with pericardial effusion as well as PF and SE from controls were determined and compared.Results. AMLAs and AFAs in PF and SE were significantly higher in patients with chronic pericardial effusion than in the control group (AMLAs:p= 0,01 for PF andp= 0,004 for serum; AFAs:p< 0,001 for PF andp= 0,003 for serum). Patients with recurrence of PE within 3 months after pericardiocentesis had significantly higher levels of AMLAs in SE (p= 0,029) than patients without recurrence of PE.Conclusions. The identification of elevated anticardiac antibodies in PE and SE indicates increased immunological reactivity in chronic pericardial effusion. High titer serum levels of AMLAs also correlate with recurrence of pericardial effusion.
A Review on Platensimycin: A Selective FabF Inhibitor
Authors: Das Manik , Sakha Ghosh Partha , Manna Kuntal
Published: January 2016

Emerging resistance to existing antibiotics is an inevitable matter of concern in the treatment of bacterial infection. Naturally occurring unique class of natural antibiotic, platensimycin, a secondary metabolite from Streptomyces platensis, is an excellent breakthrough in recent antibiotic research with unique structural pattern and significant antibacterial activity. β-Ketoacyl-(acyl-carrier-protein (ACP)) synthase (FabF) whose Gram-positive bacteria need to biosynthesize cell membranes is the target of inhibition of platensimycin. So, isolation, retrosynthetic analysis, synthesis of platensimycin, and analogues of platensimycin synthesized till today are the objectives of this review which may be helpful to further investigate and to reveal untouched area on this molecule and to obtain a potential antibacterial lead with enhanced significant antibacterial activity.
NDUFA4L2 Fine-tunes Oxidative Stress in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lai Robin Kit-Ho , Xu Iris Ming-Jing , Chiu David Kung-Chun , Tse Aki Pui-Wah , Wei Larry Lai , Law Cheuk-Ting , Lee Derek , Wong Chun-Ming , Wong Maria Pik , Ng Irene Oi-Lin , Wong Carmen Chak-Lui
Published: January 2016

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lacks effective curative therapy. Hypoxia is commonly found in HCC. Hypoxia elicits a series of protumorigenic responses through hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF1). Better understanding of the metabolic adaptations of HCC cells during hypoxia is essential to the design of new therapeutic regimen.

Experimental Design: Expressions of genes involved in the electron transport chain (ETC) in HCC cell lines (20% and 1% O2) and human HCC samples were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing. Expression of NDUFA4L2, a less active subunit in complex I of the ETC, in 100 pairs of HCC and nontumorous liver tissues were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Student t test and Kaplan–Meier analyses were used for clinicopathologic correlation and survival studies. Orthotopic HCC implantation model was used to evaluate the efficiency of HIF inhibitor.

Results: NDUFA4L2 was drastically overexpressed in human HCC and induced by hypoxia. NDUFA4L2 overexpression was closely associated with tumor microsatellite formation, absence of tumor encapsulation, and poor overall survival in HCC patients. We confirmed that NDUFA4L2 was HIF1-regulated in HCC cells. Inactivation of HIF1/NDUFA4L2 increased mitochondrial activity and oxygen consumption, resulting in ROS accumulation and apoptosis. Knockdown of NDUFA4L2 markedly suppressed HCC growth and metastasis in vivo. HIF inhibitor, digoxin, significantly suppressed growth of tumors that expressed high level of NDUFA4L2.

Conclusions: Our study has provided the first clinical relevance of NDUFA4L2 in human cancer and suggested that HCC patients with NDUFA4L2 overexpression may be suitable candidates for HIF inhibitor treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 22(12); 3105–17. ©2016 AACR.
Prospective Evaluation of Cetuximab-Mediated Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Predicts Treatment Efficacy
Authors: Trotta Anna Maria , Ottaiano Alessandro , Romano Carmela , Nasti Guglielmo , Nappi Anna , De Divitiis Chiara , Napolitano Maria , Zanotta Serena , Casaretti Rossana , D'Alterio Crescenzo , Avallone Antonio , Califano Daniela , Iaffaioli Rosario Vincenzo , Scala Stefania
Published: January 2016

Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody to the EGFR that induces antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) through Fcγ receptors on immune cells. Although SNPs in genes encoding Fcγ receptors are functionally relevant to cetuximab-mediated ADCC in colorectal cancer, a direct correlation between in vitro ADCC and clinical response to cetuximab is not defined. We therefore enrolled 96 consecutive metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients at diagnosis in a study that assessed FcγR status and cetuximab-mediated ADCC. Patients carrying the FcγRIIa H alleles 131H/H and 131H/R had significantly higher ADCC compared with patients with the 131R/R alleles (P = 0.013). Patients carrying FcγRIIIa genotypes with the V alleles 158V/V and 158V/F displayed higher ADCC compared with patients carrying the 158F/F genotype (P = 0.001). Progression-free survival of patients with an FcγRIIIa 158V allele was significantly longer compared with patients carrying 158F/F (P = 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed for overall survival. Twenty-eight of 50 mCRC patients with wild-type KRAS received cetuximab. The average ADCC-mediated killing was 30% of assay targets for patients who experienced cetuximab complete or partial response, 21% in patients with stable disease and 9% in patients with progressive disease. To characterize basal natural killer (NK) activity, cytotoxicity was evaluated in 39 of 96 mCRC patients. Patients who responded to first-line treatment had higher NK-cell cytotoxicity. Thus, although limited to this cohort of patients, in vitro cetuximab-mediated ADCC correlated with FcγR polymorphisms and predicted cetuximab responsiveness. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(4); 366–74. ©2016 AACR.
TIPE2 Alleviates Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Through Regulating Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Li Feng , Zhu Xiaohua , Yang Yongsheng , Huang Lan , Xu Jinhua
Published: January 2016

Background/Aims: We have recently shown that macrophage polarization may alter the pathogenesis and severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, a practical approach to modulate macrophage polarization in vivo is so far not available. In the current study, we aimed to use tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced protein 8-like 2 (TIPE2) to regulate macrophage polarization in vitro and in vivo, and to study the effects on experimental SLE. Methods: We prepared adeno-associated virus carrying TIPE2 (AAV-TIPE2). We induced experimental SLE in mice with an activated lymphocyte-derived DNA (ALD-DNA) method. We examined the effects of TIPE2 overexpression on macrophage polarization in vitro, and in vivo in the SLE model. We also examined the effects of TIPE2 overexpression on the severity of SLE, by serum anti-dsDNA autoantibody, renal pathological changes, and urine protein levels. Results: ALD-DNA induced SLE-like features in mice, manifested by induction of serum anti-dsDNA autoantibody, renal pathological changes, and increases in urine protein levels. TIPE2 overexpression by AAV-TIPE2 induced macrophage polarization to a M2 phenotype, in vitro and in vivo in the SLE mouse model. TIPE2 overexpression significantly decreased SLE severity. Conclusion: TIPE2 alleviates experimental SLE through induction of macrophage polarization to a M2 phenotype, which may be used as a promising therapeutic strategy for treating SLE.