bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observations of Seasonal Upwelling and Downwelling in the Beaufort Sea Mediated by Sea Ice
Authors: Meneghello Gianluca , Marshall John , Timmermans Mary-Louise , Scott Jeffery
Published: February 2018

We present observational estimates of Ekman pumping in the Beaufort Gyre region. Averaged over the Canada Basin, the results show a 2003–14 average of 2.3 m yr−1 downward with strong seasonal and interannual variability superimposed: monthly and yearly means range from 30 m yr−1 downward to 10 m yr−1 upward. A clear, seasonal cycle is evident with intense downwelling in autumn and upwelling during the winter months, despite the wind forcing being downwelling favorable year-round. Wintertime upwelling is associated with friction between the large-scale Beaufort Gyre ocean circulation and the surface ice pack and contrasts with previous estimates of yearlong downwelling; as a consequence, the yearly cumulative Ekman pumping over the gyre is significantly reduced. The spatial distribution of Ekman pumping is also modified, with the Beaufort Gyre region showing alternating, moderate upwelling and downwelling, while a more intense, yearlong downwelling averaging 18 m yr−1 is identified in the northern Chukchi Sea region. Implications of the results for understanding Arctic Ocean dynamics and change are discussed.
Dopo il Boom. Romanzi napoletani negli anni Settanta
Authors: Cannavacciuolo di Laura
Published: February 2018

Il saggio propone una investigazione degli sviluppi del romanzo d’area napoletana tra la fine degli anni Sessanta e i primi anni Settanta del ’900. Si definiscono i temi dominanti dei principali romanzi pubblicati in questa stagione— Amore e Psiche, Tanto la rivoluzione non scoppierà, Dentro la Stella, Malacqua—, i modelli di riferimento, il contributo degli scrittori rispetto al dibattito teorico nazionale e internazionale.

Infine, si analizza il rapporto degli scrittori in oggetto con le forme del Nuovo Romanzo e il filone del cosiddetto romanzo “apocalittico”.
The effect of simultaneous fiber surface treatment and matrix modification on mechanical properties of unidirectional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber/epoxy/nanoclay nanocomposites
Authors: Mohammadalipour Mohammad , Masoomi Mahmood , Ahmadi Mojtaba , Kazemi Zahra
Published: February 2018

Nonpolar structure of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber leads to a weak interfacial adhesion in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber reinforced epoxy composite. Herein, synchronized fiber and matrix modifications were utilized so as to improve the interfacial adhesion, resulting in promoting mechanical properties of these composites. For this purpose, the surface of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber was chemically treated with glycidyl methacrylate and the epoxy resin was modified through incorporation of different contents of nanoclay. The mechanical properties results showed that individual modification, either fiber or matrix, can just lead to improvements around 36.74% and 10.54% in tensile strength as well as 14.28% and 4.27% in tensile modulus, respectively. However, the ultimate outcome of the study revealed that much higher improvement can be achieved in synergistic attitude. The highest enhancement around 48.31% and 26.76% in tensile strength and modulus were seen for the sample containing glycidyl methacrylate-treated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers as reinforcement and nano epoxy modified with 1 wt.% of nanoclay. Such observation could be attributed to the mechanical interlocking and chemical reaction which were arising from incorporation of nanoclay in matrix and chemical treatment of fiber surface, correspondingly. In this regard, fiber roughness and chemical bonds formed between treated fiber and modified matrix play a key role in improving interfacial adhesion. Moreover, the fractured surface of such composites studied by scanning electron microscope confirmed the mechanical results and showed that much more matrix was adhered to the fiber surface after treatment, indicating cohesive failure.
Strongly Participatory Science and Knowledge Justice in an Environmentally Contested Region
Authors: Allen Barbara L.
Published: February 2018

This article draws insights from a case study examining unanswered health questions of residents in two polluted towns in an industrial region in southern France. A participatory health study, as conducted by the author, is presented as a way to address undone science by providing the residents with relevant data supporting their illness claims. Local residents were included in the health survey process, from the formulation of the questions to the final data analysis. Through this strongly participatory science (SPS) process, the townspeople offered many creative ideas in the final report for how the data could be used to assist in improving their health and environment and policy work is already in evidence, resulting from the study. Drawing from the literature on participatory science and expertise as well as from the initial outcomes of the local health study, I propose that SPS produces a form of knowledge justice. Understanding knowledge and its making as part of a social justice agenda aligns well with environmental justice frames. Through SPS, local residents have a hermeneutical resource to make sense of their embodied lives and augment their claims with strong data supporting actions for improving their health and environment.
Pathophysiology of drug induced weight and metabolic effects: findings from an RCT in healthy volunteers treated with olanzapine, iloperidone, or placebo
Authors: Ballon Jacob S , Pajvani Utpal B , Mayer Laurel ES , Freyberg Zachary , Freyberg Robin , Contreras Ignacio , Rosenbaum Michael , Leibel Rudolph L , Lieberman Jeffrey A
Published: February 2018

Second generation antipsychotics are prescribed for an increasing number of psychiatric conditions, despite variable associations with weight gain, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose tolerance. The mechanism(s) of the apparent causal relationships between these medications and metabolic effects have been inadequately defined and are potentially confounded by genetic risk of mental illness, attendant lifestyle, and concomitant medications. Therefore, we conducted a study in which 24 healthy volunteers were randomized to olanzapine (highly weight-gain liability), iloperidone (less weight-gain liability), or placebo treatment for 28 days under double-blind conditions. We hypothesized that antipsychotics induce weight gain primarily through increased caloric intake, which causes secondary dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. Subjects were phenotyped pre- and post-treatment for body weight, adiposity by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry, food intake, oral glucose tolerance, plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, and other hormones. We found significantly increased food intake and body weight but no change in energy expenditure in olanzapine-treated subjects, with associated trends towards lipid abnormalities and insulin resistance the extent of which were presumably limited by the duration of treatment. Iloperidone treatment led to modest non-significant and placebo no weightgain, lipid increases and alterations in insulin metabolism. We conclude that second generation antipsychotic drugs, as represented by olanzapine, produce their weight and metabolic effects, predominantly, by increasing food intake which leads to weight gain that in turn induces metabolic consequences, but also through other direct effects on lipid and glucose metabolism independant of food intake and weight gain.
Immunohistochemical Labeling of Multiple Myeloma Oncogene 1/Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 (MUM1/IRF-4) in Canine Cutaneous Histiocytoma
Authors: Stilwell Justin M. , Rissi Daniel R.
Published: February 2018

Multiple myeloma oncogene 1/interferon regulatory factor 4 (MUM1/IRF-4) immunohistochemistry (IHC) is mainly used for diagnostic confirmation of plasma cell tumors (PCTs) in dogs and cats. This article describes MUM1/IRF-4 IHC expression in 20 cases of canine cutaneous histiocytoma (CH) and compares it with 10 cutaneous or mucocutaneous PCTs and 5 cutaneous histiocytic sarcomas (HSs) submitted to the same IHC protocol. All histiocytomas had strong nuclear and variable cytoplasmic immunolabeling for MUM1/IRF-4, whereas all PCTs had strong nuclear and moderate cytoplasmic immunolabeling for MUM1/IRF-4. No MUM1/IRF-4 immunolabeling was detected in the HSs. Although not typically a diagnostic challenge, MUM1/IRF-4 expression may have to be used with caution or in conjunction with additional immunomarkers to differentiate among poorly differentiated round cell tumors, especially when a histiocytic or plasma cell origin is suspected.
Canine Clitoral Carcinoma: A Clinical, Cytologic, Histopathologic, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study
Authors: Verin Ranieri , Cian Francesco , Stewart Jennifer , Binanti Diana , MacNeill Amy L. , Piviani Martina , Monti Paola , Baroni Gianna , Le Calvez Sophie , Scase Timothy J. , Finotello Riccardo
Published: February 2018

Vaginal and vulvar tumors are uncommon in dogs. Knowledge of canine primary clitoral neoplasia is restricted to a few case reports, and only carcinomas have been reported. Cytologic and histologic features reported in the literature seem to overlap with those of canine apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASA). Clinical features also recall those of canine AGASA, such as locoregional metastases and hypercalcemia of malignancy (HM). In this study, 6 cases of primary canine clitoral carcinomas (CCCs), with and without HM, were investigated by means of cytology, histopathology, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry for neuroendocrine markers including chromogranin A (CGA), synaptophysin (SYN), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and S-100. In all 6 tumors, cytologic findings were consistent with malignant epithelial neoplasia of apocrine gland origin. The tumors examined were classified into 3 different histological patterns representing different degrees of differentiation: tubular, solid, and rosette type. Both CGA and SYN were mildly expressed in 2 of 6 tumors, while NSE was consistently expressed in all 6 cases. None of the tumors were S-100 positive. Transmission electron microscopy revealed electron-dense cytoplasmic granules compatible with neuroendocrine granules in all 6 cases. CCCs presented clinicopathologic features resembling AGASAs with neuroendocrine characteristics, and 2 of 6 neoplasms were considered as carcinomas with neuroendocrine differentiation and were positive for 3 neuroendocrine markers. CCCs can often present with HM, and long-term outcome is likely poor. Our study concludes that CCC seems to be a rare tumor, but it might be underestimated because of the overlapping features with AGASA. Further studies should aim to define the true incidence of this disease.
Indiscriminate Responding Can Increase Effect Sizes for Clinical Phenomena in Nonclinical Populations: A Cautionary Note
Authors: Holden Ronald R. , Marjanovic Zdravko , Troister Talia
Published: February 2018

Indiscriminate (i.e., carless, random, insufficient effort) responses, commonly believed to weaken effect sizes and produce Type II errors, can inflate effect sizes and potentially produce Type I errors where a supposedly significant result is actually artifactual. We demonstrate how indiscriminate responses can produce spuriously high correlations in depression and hopelessness data in a nonclinical population (i.e., undergraduates), how this inflation occurs, where this misrepresentation is likely to happen, and how to guard against it. Although previous researchers have succeeded in showing this effect with samples of entirely simulated data, this study is the first to our knowledge to show that indiscriminate responding causes Type I errors in observed data.
Teacher Characteristics and Student Learning in Mathematics: A Comprehensive Assessment
Authors: Hill Heather C. , Charalambous Charalambos Y. , Chin Mark J.
Published: February 2018

Diverse stakeholders have an interest in understanding how teacher characteristics—their preparation and experience, knowledge, and mind-sets and habits—relate to students’ outcomes in mathematics. Past research has extensively explored this issue but often examined each characteristic in isolation. Drawing on data from roughly 300 fourth- and fifth-grade teachers, we attend to multiple teacher characteristics and find that experience, knowledge, effort invested in noninstructional activities, and participation in mathematics content/methods courses predict student outcomes. We also find imbalances in key teacher characteristics across student populations. We discuss the implications of these findings for hiring and training mathematics teachers.
A numerical and experimental approach to the design and failure analysis of a pinion shaft for wheel loaders
Authors: Croccolo Dario , De Agostinis Massimiliano , Fini Stefano , Olmi Giorgio
Published: February 2018

The present paper deals with the failure analysis and consequent design tips regarding a pinion shaft belonging to a differential gear for offroad machinery applications, namely wheel loaders. The motivations of the study arise from some in-field failures, which resulted in the fracture of the pinion shaft, originated at an external groove located at the end of its threaded portion. The issue has been tackled by means of analytical, numerical and experimental tools. The observed failures have been demonstrated to be due to the in-service loosening of a ring nut, whose function is to preload the tapered rolling bearings, which support the shaft. The weak points of the shaft design are highlighted and possible approaches to overcome the observed occurrence are presented at the end of the study.
Robust genetically optimized skew laminates
Authors: Kalita Kanak , Dey Partha , Haldar Salil
Published: February 2018

The present research work explores genetically optimized skew laminates, whose stacking sequence has been varied to maximize their fundamental frequencies with the help of an efficient optimization algorithm. Genetic algorithm, rather than being applied blindly with empirical parameters, is tuned with respect to the problem at hand. Following an extensive study, genetic algorithm parameters are selected carefully so as to ensure a robust optimized stacking sequence. The sensitivity of ply angles is also investigated so as to warrant against marginal manufacturing perturbations. The safe limit for variation of ply angles without much hampering the frequency is also recommended. Validation with existing solutions illustrates the efficiency of the procedure. A wide range of results with rectangular/ skew plates of different layers having symmetric/ antisymmetric ply-orientations, subject to different boundary conditions are solved, which demonstrate the efficacy of the approach.
Dynamic analysis of the rope-sheave system of polar crane for nuclear power plant
Authors: Zhaohui Qi , Huitao Song , Jing Wang
Published: February 2018

A systematic method for analyzing the dynamic of the rope-sheave system of polar crane for nuclear power plant is proposed taking physical structure of the system into account based on the virtual power principle in this paper. The dynamical equations of the spatial ropes are established by spline interpolation based on the spatial description parameters, which could be applied to the rope with variable length. For sheaves of different types, the corresponding essential parameters and the virtual power equations are given. Properties and formulations of the variables involved in these equations are studied in detail. In order to improve the solving efficiency, the high-frequency items are filtered out by replacing the instant strain by time- average strain in integral and the degree of freedoms (DOFs) of the spatial ropes are condensed to the boundary nodes of the ropes. Hence, the total virtual power equation in terms of the sheaves’ parameters is obtained. Two numerical examples, including lowering the load and hoisting the load for different types of rope-sheave systems, are given to verify the rationality and feasibility of the method.
Dynamic analysis of open-loop mechanisms with multiple spatial revolute clearance joints
Authors: Yang Lixin , Zhang Xianmin , Huang Yanjiang
Published: February 2018

Dynamic model of a typical open-loop mechanism with multiple spatial revolute clearance joints were established based on the Newton–Euler equations and the Hertzian contact deformation theory. An augmented constraint violation correction method was presented to solve the nonlinear dynamic equations of motion, which improved the global convergence and stability effectively. The nonlinear dynamic behaviors of a serial robot manipulator with two spatial revolute clearance joints were studied to demonstrate the effects of the location and coupling relationship of the clearance joints. Numerical results show that the influence of spatial revolute clearance joint on the dynamic behaviors of the open-loop mechanism is relatively stronger than that of the planar ones. The location of the spatial revolute clearance joints is an important factor to dynamic behavior of the system. The closer the spatial revolute clearance joint is to the end-effector, the stronger influence it has on the system. The spatial revolute clearance joints interact significantly with each another, which exhibits vigorous vibration with a higher frequency, larger amplitude, and deeper penetration. This work provides new insights into investigating the nonlinear dynamic behaviors of the systems with spatial revolute clearance joints.
Issues in validation of pre-sliding friction models for ultra-high precision positioning
Authors: Kamenar Ervin , Zelenika Saša
Published: February 2018

Friction is one of the main disturbances in nanometric positioning. Recently, it was shown that ultra-high precision positioning typically happens in the pre-sliding motion regime where friction is characterized by an elasto-plastic nonlinear hysteretic behavior with a marked stochastic variability. With the aim of providing the tools for the development of robust control typologies for ultra-high precision mechatronics devices, different pre-sliding friction models are thus considered in this work. The most relevant ones are hence experimentally validated, as well as compared in terms of the complexity of identifying their characteristic parameters and of simulating the factual dynamic response. It is hence shown that the generalized Maxwell-slip model can account for all the important pre-sliding frictional effects in nanometric positioning applications. A thorough sensitivity analysis of the parameters of the generalized Maxwell-slip model model is therefore performed allowing to establish that three Maxwell-slip blocks are the minimum needed to approximate the behavior of the real precision positioning systems, six blocks allow representing excellently the real behavior, while the slower dynamics, which induces a difficult real-time implementation, with a very limited gain in terms of model accuracy, does not justify the usage of a larger number of elements.
Childhood Origins of Young Adult Environmental Behavior
Authors: Evans Gary W. , Otto Siegmar , Kaiser Florian G.
Published: February 2018

Prospective, longitudinal analyses revealed that over a 12-year period from ages 6 to 18, individuals who grew up with mothers with more proenvironmental attitudes engaged in more proenvironmental behavior as young adults. A similar marginal association was uncovered between mothers’ proenvironmental behaviors and the proenvironmental behavior of their young adult offspring. Maternal educational attainment, but not political ideology, was also associated with more proenvironmental behavior as children matured. Moreover, childhood time spent outdoors was positively associated with increased environmentally responsible behavior in young adulthood. Interestingly, one’s own childhood proenvironmental behavior and attitude, at least as assessed at age 6, bear little on one’s eventual proenvironmental behavior as a young adult. Finally, among this set of childhood factors, maternal education and childhood time spent outdoors were independent predictors of positive changes in environmental behavior from early childhood to young adulthood.
Real-time accurate pedestrian tracking using extended finite impulse response filter bank for tightly coupling recent inertial navigation system and ultra-wideband measurements
Authors: Xu Yuan , Karimi Hamid Reza , Li Yueyang , Zhou Fengyu , Bu Lili
Published: February 2018

To satisfy the increasing demands of the accuracy for the human localization, in this work, we propose a pedestrian tracking method by tightly coupling recent inertial navigation system–based and ultra-wideband–based measurements. In this mode, the difference between the distances derived from the inertial navigation system–based and ultra-wideband–based system is used as the observation of the data fusion filter. Moreover, in order to improve the performance of the extended finite impulse response filter, which depends on the averaging horizon ([Formula: see text]) when the error state vector ([Formula: see text]) is determined due to the model, the extended finite impulse response filter bank is employed to be the fusion center for pedestrian tracking, which used the Mahalanobis distance to find the optimal [Formula: see text] at each time index [Formula: see text]. Test experiments illustrate that the extended finite impulse response filter bank–based tightly coupled inertial navigation system/ultra-wideband–integrated method is able to achieve real-time estimation, and its accuracy is similar to the extended finite impulse response with the ideal [Formula: see text] which is calculated off-line.
The mysterious polyamines, the enigmatic Barr body, and lupus: comment on the article by Kim et al.
Authors: Brooks W
Published: February 2018

“Polyamine patterns in plasma of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and fever” by Kim et al. provides insight into possible involvement of polyamines in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The authors report decreases in N1-acetylspermidine, spermidine, spermine, and N1-acetylcadaverine and increased cadaverine in SLE. Polyamine involvement in many cellular processes and their unique characteristics (high charge, length, flexibility, and ubiquity) give polyamines importance in health and disease. In this editorial, I describe a scenario, the “X chromosome-nucleolus nexus” hypothesis, in which polyamines could initially rise because of cellular stress. This rise in polyamines increases nucleolar size and activity. Polyamines are critical in the nucleolar assembly of ribonucleoprotein complexes, such as ribosomes. However, the expanding nucleolus could disrupt a neighboring inactive X chromosome (Barr body). This disruption opens additional polyamine genes that alter polyamine levels and types through wasteful synthesis and recycling of polyamines. This could include a decrease in the key polyamines spermidine and spermine, which are critical to nucleolar functioning. And this can decrease S-adenosylmethionine needed for cellular methylation leading to hypomethylation seen in SLE. As a result, the nucleolus can no longer respond properly to future stresses. With altered polyamine levels and types in the nucleolus, many RNA transcripts, proteins, and ribonucleoprotein complexes assembled in the nucleolus may be trapped in autoantigenic conformations. Many of the major autoantigens in SLE are, at least transiently, components of the nucleolus. Therefore, the observations of decreased polyamines reported by Kim et al. could be important in the formation of autoantigens.
Optimization of resources by drug management: A multicentred web-administered study on the use of ipilimumab in Italy
Authors: Damuzzo V , Russi A , Chiumente M , Masini C , Rebesco B , Gregis F , Nozza S , Pigozzo J , Chiarion-Sileni V , Palozzo AC
Published: February 2018

Objective

In a scenario of new expensive cancer therapies entering the market, strategies of optimisation and cost containment are crucial in oncology care. Better management of drug waste and centralization of drug preparation can be effective strategies to achieve these goals. The aim of this work is to describe the economic management of a high cost anticancer drug (ipilimumab) in some Italian reference centres.

Methods

This was an observational, multicentred study in which economical and clinical data of 21 cancer centres (418 patients) were collected during the enrollment period from February 2013 to August 2014. The follow-up period ended in July 2015.

Results

Participants purchased 10.7% more vials of ipilimumab than necessary for compounding. The results were variable among centres, and only five centres had a deviation lower than 5% between the drug purchased and the drug prescribed. Hospitals applying the drug day reached a statistically significant residual of drug effectively used compared to the amount prescribed (P = 0.018). Consequently, the price for treating a model patient was significantly lower in those hospitals (median spare of 7456 euro per patient).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the careful management of drug waste and the application of drug-day, through a proper selection of vial and the ability to use the leftover drug, can generate economic savings. However, tailoring the drug stock to clinical need is still an open issue which deserves further analysis.
Effect of surface texturing on the dynamic characteristics of hydrodynamic journal bearing comprising concepts of green tribology
Authors: Matele Shivank , Pandey KN
Published: February 2018

Surface texturing has emerged as a viable option for enhancing the surface properties. The present study analyzes the effect of full and partial micro-textured surface, at different locations and different kinds of dimple geometries, on the dynamic characteristics of hydrodynamic journal bearings and made a comparative study with the non-textured bearings. Three different kinds of dimple geometries, namely, circular texture, square texture, and densely distributed square texture have been adopted for study. The important dynamic characteristics of bearings were evaluated and stability charts were plotted. Location of the texture was found as an important parameter for improved dynamic characteristics though the extent of improvement depends largely on the geometry of texture. The partial textured bearing with proper geometry and location was found to be more stable. Stability margin of such bearings was more in comparison to the plain journal bearings and the relative improvement was found to be the maximum for circular texture and minimum for square texture. The study also shows the potential of surface texturing to make contribution in the accomplishment of the objectives of green tribology.
Powerful substances in tiny amounts
Authors: Johnstad Petter Grahl
Published: February 2018

Aims:

This article presents a qualitative interview study of people who microdose with psychedelic drugs, which means that the user takes about one tenth of an ordinary recreational dose.

Design:

Respondents ( n = 21) were recruited at several Internet fora for individual interviews via private messaging. Every participant was male, and the median respondent was in his 30s with a stable job and relationship and extensive entheogen experience.

Results:

Respondents tended to experiment with microdosing in phases, reporting mostly positive consequences from this form of drug use. Reported effects included improved mood, cognition, and creativity, which often served to counteract symptoms especially from conditions of anxiety and depression. There were also reports of various challenges with psychedelic microdosing, and some did not find the practice worth continuing.

Conclusion:

The study obtained evidence of a group of users taking small doses of psychedelics not for the purpose of intoxication but to enhance everyday functioning. While the study’s findings are not generalisable, they may inform subsequent investigations with research questions and hypotheses.
Clinical Value of Long Noncoding RNA HOTAIR as a Novel Biomarker in Digestive Cancers: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yun , Zhou Yu , Xu Tian , Tian Wei , Yang Chong , Wang Xiaoxiao , Zhong Shan , Ran Qin , Yang Hongji , Zhu Shikai
Published: February 2018

HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA has been reported to serve as an important prognostic biomarker in several types of cancers. However, the clinical value of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA in digestive cancers remains unclear. Therefore, we tried to investigate the clinical role of expression of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA as a prognostic indicator in digestive cancers by a meta-analysis. Literature collection was performed by searching the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases (up to October 7, 2017). A quantitative meta-analysis was conducted to assess the eligible articles on the prognostic value of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA in digestive cancers. The pooled hazard ratios or odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to evaluate the association between expression of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA and clinical outcomes. A total of 1844 patients from 22 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results found a significant association between expression of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA and poor overall survival in digestive cancers (pooled hazard ratio = 2.19, 95% confidence interval, 1.86-2.57, P < .001). Furthermore, subgroup analysis showed that tumor type, region, Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and sample size did not alter the predictive value of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA as an independent factor for patients’ survival. In addition, we also revealed that the clinicopathological characteristics such as differentiation, lymph node metastasis, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, and distant metastasis were positively related to expression of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA digestive cancers. In conclusion, our results suggested high expression of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA was correlated with poor clinical outcomes and may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for patients with digestive cancers.
An experimental model for hypertensive crises emergencies: Long-term high-fat diet followed by acute vasoconstriction stress on spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Liu Hong , Su Wei-Wei , Long Chao-Feng , Zhang Wei-Jian , Li Pei-Bo , Wu Zhong , Liao Yin-Yin , Zeng Xuan , Chen Tao-Bin , Zheng Yu-Ying , Yan Zeng-Hao , Bi Cong , Yao Hong-Liang
Published: February 2018

Currently, the prevention and treatment of hypertensive crises especially when it occurs with serious adverse outcomes have led to worldwide controversy. Despite of clinical possibilities of multiple agents, clinical failures still occur frequently. Therefore, early evaluations and observations of different therapies on appropriate animals should be emphasized. In the present study, an animal model for hypertensive crises emergencies was firstly established and experimentally testified. Five-month-male spontaneously hypertensive rat was consecutively fed with 60%-Kcal fat diet for four, six, and eight weeks with body weight and blood pressure monitored every two weeks, and then followed by an acute vasoconstriction stress of 5-min ice-bath treatment in the 4-h time interval of two adrenaline injections (0.8 mg/kg). Forty-four biochemical parameters were detected, covering hepatic and renal function, blood glucose and lipid levels, myocardial enzymes and energy metabolisms, blood coagulative and anti-coagulative system, oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory cytokine, blood viscosity, and RAAS system. Six tissues including heart, brain, liver, kidney, coronary arteries, and mesenteries were removed for pathological observations with hematoxylin–eosin staining. As a result, multi-organ dysfunctions in the heart, brain, liver, kidney, vascular endothelium, and blood system were testified in the modeling rats at weeks 6 and 8. In conclusion, severe consequences of this animal model were highly similar to those in hypertensive crises emergencies, which could be further utilized in the early intervention of hypertensive crises emergencies including the possible risk factors control and efficient therapies assessment.

Impact statement

In the late 90s, numerous reports predicted that 1–2% of hypertensive individuals would undergo hypertensive crises (HPC) and figures reached as high as 7% when no antihypertensive therapies were administrated. Currently, clinical failures appear frequently due to the improper or excessive medication regimen instead of the illness itself. Therefore, early evaluations and observations of HPC on appropriate animal models ahead of patients should be discussed and emphasized more widely. In the present study, an appropriate animal model for HPC emergencies was firstly established, in which the consequences of long-term high-fat diet feeding followed by an acute vasoconstriction stress on the spontaneously hypertensive rats were experimentally testified. The proposed model would have a wide application prospects in early intervention of HPC emergencies including the controls of possible risk factors and assessments of efficient therapies.
A Silent Morning: The Songbird Trade in Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Rentschlar Katherine A. , Miller Adam E. , Lauck Katherine S. , Rodiansyah Muhammad , Bobby  , Muflihati  , Kartikawati
Published: February 2018

The wild bird trade is a major driver of species loss in Indonesia. However, studies of the Indonesian bird trade have focused on the island of Java, providing little information on the bird trade in other regions, such as Kalimantan. We conducted the first-ever market surveys in rural West Kalimantan from July 2015 to August 2016 and in the capital city of each of the five provinces of Kalimantan from August 2016 to February 2017. At each market, we recorded the number of individuals of each species, the price per individual for each species, and the source of each individual. In addition, we asked 32 bird traders and owners from Kalimantan to fill out a questionnaire addressing their perceptions of changes in price and availability of commercial species over time. Across our survey, we located 201 shops and 25,298 individuals for sale from 153 identified species. We conclude that our market surveys document only part of the trade and affirm that the bird trade is of considerable size in Kalimantan. We recommend that conservationists focus on conserving Kalimantan’s remaining forest and reducing demand through education and behavior change programs. We echo the calls of other conservationists for Indonesia to update the Conservation Act (No. 5) of 1990 to include current species of concern and for law enforcement efforts to stop both local trade and cross-island trade between Kalimantan and Java. Our study underlines the threat to the persistence of many Indonesian avian species.
Central Tendon Injuries of Hamstring Muscles: Case Series of Operative Treatment
Authors: Lempainen Lasse , Kosola Jussi , Pruna Ricard , Puigdellivol Jordi , Sarimo Janne , Niemi Pekka , Orava Sakari
Published: February 2018

Background:

As compared with injuries involving muscle only, those involving the central hamstring tendon have a worse prognosis. Limited information is available regarding the surgical treatment of central tendon injuries of the hamstrings.

Purpose:

To describe the operative treatment and outcomes of central tendon injuries of the hamstrings among athletes.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Eight athletes (6 top level, 2 recreational) with central hamstring tendon injuries underwent magnetic resonance imaging and surgical treatment. The indication for surgery was recurrent (n = 6) or acute (n = 2) central hamstring tendon injury. All patients followed the same postoperative rehabilitation protocol, and return to play was monitored.

Results:

Magnetic resonance imaging found a central tendon injury in all 3 hamstring muscles (long head of the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus) with disrupted tendon ends. In acute and recurrent central tendon injuries, full return to play was achieved at 2.5 to 4 months. There were no adverse events during follow-up.

Conclusion:

Central tendon injuries of the hamstrings can be successfully repaired surgically after acute and recurrent ruptures.
Analysis of airway pathology in COPD using a combination of computed tomography, micro-computed tomography and histology
Authors: Tanabe Naoya , Vasilescu Dragoş M. , Kirby Miranda , Coxson Harvey O. , Verleden Stijn E. , Vanaudenaerde Bart M. , Kinose Daisuke , Nakano Yasutaka , Paré Peter D. , Hogg James C.
Published: February 2018

The small conducting airways are the major site of obstruction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study examined small airway pathology using a novel combination of multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT), micro-computed tomography (microCT) and histology.

Airway branches visible on specimen MDCT were counted and the dimensions of the third- to fifth-generation airways were computed, while the terminal bronchioles (designated TB), preterminal bronchioles (TB-1) and pre-preterminal bronchioles (TB-2) were examined with microCT and histology in eight explanted lungs with end-stage COPD and seven unused donor lungs that served as controls.

On MDCT, COPD lungs showed a decrease in the number of 2–2.5 mm diameter airways and the lumen area of fifth-generation airways, while on microCT there was a reduction in the number of terminal bronchioles as well as a decrease in the luminal areas, wall volumes and alveolar attachments to the walls of TB, TB-1 and TB-2 bronchioles. The combination of microCT and histology showed increased B-cell infiltration into the walls of TB-1 and TB-2 bronchioles, and this change was correlated with a reduced number of alveolar attachments in COPD.

Small airways disease extends from 2 mm diameter airways to the terminal bronchioles in COPD. Destruction of alveolar attachments may be driven by a B-cell-mediated immune response in the preterminal bronchioles.
Low uptake of palliative care for COPD patients within primary care in the UK
Authors: Bloom Chloe I. , Slaich Bhavan , Morales Daniel R. , Smeeth Liam , Stone Patrick , Quint Jennifer K.
Published: February 2018

Mortality and symptom burden from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are similar but there is thought to be an inequality in palliative care support (PCS) between diseases. This nationally representative study assessed PCS for COPD patients within primary care in the UK.

This was a cohort study using electronic healthcare records (2004–2015). Factors associated with receiving PCS were assessed using logistic regression for the whole cohort and deceased patients.

There were 92 365 eligible COPD patients, of which 26 135 died. Only 7.8% of the whole cohort and 21.4% of deceased patients received PCS. Lung cancer had a strong association with PCS compared with other patient characteristics, including Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage and Medical Research Council Dyspnoea score (whole cohort, lung cancer: OR 14.1, 95% CI 13.1–15; deceased patients, lung cancer: OR 6.5, 95% CI 6–7). Only 16.7% of deceased COPD patients without lung cancer received PCS compared with 56.5% of deceased patients with lung cancer. In patients that received PCS, lung cancer co-diagnosis significantly increased the chances of receiving PCS before the last month of life (1–6versus≤1 month pre-death: risk ratio 1.4, 95% CI 1.3–1.7).

Provision of PCS for COPD patients in the UK is inadequate. Lung cancer, not COPD, was the dominant driver for COPD patients to receive PCS.
Tracheal replacement
Authors: Etienne Harry , Fabre Dominique , Gomez Caro Abel , Kolb Frederic , Mussot Sacha , Mercier Olaf , Mitilian Delphine , Stephan Francois , Fadel Elie , Dartevelle Philippe
Published: February 2018

Tracheal reconstruction is one of the greatest challenges in thoracic surgery when direct end-to-end anastomosis is impossible or after this procedure has failed. The main indications for tracheal reconstruction include malignant tumours (squamous cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma), tracheoesophageal fistula, trauma, unsuccessful surgical results for benign diseases and congenital stenosis. Tracheal substitutes can be classified into five types: 1) synthetic prosthesis; 2) allografts; 3) tracheal transplantation; 4) tissue engineering; and 5) autologous tissue composite. The ideal tracheal substitute is still unclear, but some techniques have shown promising clinical results. This article reviews the advantages and limitations of each technique used over the past few decades in clinical practice. The main limitation seems to be the capacity for tracheal tissue regeneration. The physiopathology behind this has yet to be fully understood. Research on stem cells sparked much interest and was thought to be a revolutionary technique; however, the poor long-term results of this approach highlight that there is a long way to go in this research field. Currently, an autologous tissue composite, with or without a tracheal allograft, is the only long-term working solution for every aetiology, despite its technical complexity and setbacks.
Chitinase-3-like 1 is a biomarker of acute kidney injury and mortality in paediatric severe malaria
Authors: Conroy Andrea L. , Hawkes Michael T. , Elphinstone Robyn , Opoka Robert O. , Namasopo Sophie , Miller Christopher , John Chandy C. , Kain Kevin C.
Published: February 2018

Background

Chitinase-3-like 1 (CHI3L1) is a glycoprotein elevated in paediatric severe malaria, and an emerging urinary biomarker of acute kidney injury (AKI). Based on the hypothesis that elevated CHI3L1 levels in malaria are associated with disease severity, the relationship between plasma CHI3L1 levels, AKI and mortality was investigated in Ugandan children enrolled in a clinical trial evaluating inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) as an adjunctive therapy for severe malaria.

Methods

Plasma CHI3L1 levels were measured daily for 4 days in children admitted to hospital with severe malaria and at day 14 follow up. AKI was defined using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes consensus criteria. This is a secondary analysis of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of iNO versus placebo as an adjunctive therapy for severe malaria. Inclusion criteria were: age 1–10 years, and selected criteria for severe malaria. Exclusion criteria included suspected bacterial meningitis, known chronic illness including renal disease, haemoglobinopathy, or severe malnutrition. iNO was administered by non-rebreather mask for up to 72 h at 80 ppm.

Results

CHI3L1 was elevated in patients with AKI and remained higher over hospitalization (p < 0.0001). Admission CHI3L1 levels were elevated in children who died. By multivariable analysis logCHI3L1 levels were associated with increased risk of in-hospital death (relative risk, 95% CI 4.10, 1.32–12.75, p = 0.015) and all-cause 6 month mortality (3.21, 1.47–6.98, p = 0.003) following correction for iNO and AKI. Treatment with iNO was associated with delayed CHI3L1 recovery with a daily decline of 34% in the placebo group versus 29% in the iNO group (p = 0.012). CHI3L1 levels correlated with markers of inflammation (CRP, sTREM-1, CXCL10), endothelial activation (Ang-2, sICAM-1) and intravascular haemolysis (LDH, haem, haemopexin).

Conclusions

CHI3L1 is a novel biomarker of malaria-associated AKI and an independent risk factor for mortality that is associated with well-established pathways of severe malaria pathogenesis including inflammation, endothelial activation, and haemolysis.

Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01255215. Registered December 7th 2010
Glycans modify mesenchymal stem cell differentiation to impact on the function of resulting osteoblasts
Authors: Wilson Katherine M. , Jagger Alistair M. , Walker Matthew , Seinkmane Estere , Fox James M. , Kröger Roland , Genever Paul , Ungar Daniel
Published: February 2018

Glycans are inherently heterogeneous, yet glycosylation is essential in eukaryotes, and glycans show characteristic cell type-dependent distributions. By using an immortalized human mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) line model, we show that both N- and O-glycan processing in the Golgi functionally modulates early steps of osteogenic differentiation. We found that inhibiting O-glycan processing in the Golgi prior to the start of osteogenesis inhibited the mineralization capacity of the formed osteoblasts 3 weeks later. In contrast, inhibition of N-glycan processing in MSCs altered differentiation to enhance the mineralization capacity of the osteoblasts. The effect of N-glycans on MSC differentiation was mediated by the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway owing to reduced Akt phosphorylation. Interestingly, by inhibiting PI3K during the first 2 days of osteogenesis, we were able to phenocopy the effect of inhibiting N-glycan processing. Thus, glycan processing provides another layer of regulation that can modulate the functional outcome of differentiation. Glycan processing can thereby offer a novel set of targets for many therapeutically attractive processes.
Reverse genetics demonstrate the role of mucosal C-type lectins in food particle selection in the oyster Crassostrea virginica
Authors: Pales Espinosa Emmanuelle , Allam Bassem
Published: February 2018

Prey selection governs species interactions and regulates physiological energetics of individuals and populations. Suspension-feeding bivalves represent key species in coastal and estuarine systems for their ecological and economic value. These animals are able to sort and selectively ingest nutritious microalgae from dilute and composite mixtures of particulate matter. This aptitude was suggested to be mediated by interactions between carbohydrates associated with the surface of microalgae and C-type lectins present in mucus covering the feeding organs although a direct, unequivocal, role of lectins in food sorting in bivalves remains elusive. This study was designed to identify and characterize mucosal C-type lectins from oysters and manipulate the expression of these proteins in order to obtain decisive information regarding their involvement in food choice. Thus, 2 mucosal C-type lectins (CvML3912 and CvML3914) were identified based on transcriptomic and proteomic information. Transcripts of these lectins were detected in the feeding organs and their expression was upregulated following starvation. Recombinant lectin (rCvML3912) competitively inhibited the binding of commercial mannose/glucose-specific lectins to microalgae. Short DsiRNA targeting these two lectins were designed and used to evaluate the effect of gene silencing on food particle sorting. As a result, the abundance of the two cognate transcripts significantly decreased and food sorting ability was significantly reduced among silenced oysters as compared to control animals. Overall, these findings propose a novel concept establishing the role of carbohydrate-protein interactions to provide an efficient food particle sorting, and establish a new dimension for the role of evolutionarily-conserved mannose/glucose-binding proteins in the metazoan.