bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heritability of resting heart rate and association with mortality in middle-aged and elderly twins
Authors: Jensen Magnus T , Wod Mette , Galatius Søren , Hjelmborg Jacob B , Jensen Gorm B , Christensen Kaare
Published: June 2017

Objective

Resting heart rate (RHR) possibly has a hereditary component and is associated with longevity. We used the classical biometric twin study design to investigate the heritability of RHR in a population of middle-aged and elderly twins and, furthermore, studied the association between RHR and mortality.

Methods

In total, 4282 twins without cardiovascular disease were included from the Danish Twin Registry, hereof 1233 twin pairs and 1816 ‘single twins’ (twins with a non-participating co-twin); mean age 61.7 (SD 11.1) years; 1334 (31.2%) twins died during median 16.3 (IQR 13.8–16.5) years of follow-up assessed through Danish national registers. RHR was assessed by palpating radial pulse.

Results

Within pair correlations for RHR adjusted for sex and age were 0.23 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.32) and 0.10 (0.03 to 0.17) for RHR in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs, respectively. Overall, heritability estimates were 0.23 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.30); 0.27 (0.15 to 0.38) for males and 0.17 (0.06 to 0.28) for females. In multivariable models adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, pulmonary function, smoking, physical activity and zygosity, RHR was significantly associated with mortality (eg, RHR >90 vs 61–70 beats per min: all-cause HR 1.56 (95% CI 1.21 to 2.03); cardiovascular 2.19 (1.30 to 3.67). Intrapair twin comparison revealed that the twin with the higher RHR was significantly more likely to die first and the probability increased with increase in intrapair difference in RHR.

Conclusions

RHR is a trait with a genetic influence in middle-aged and elderly twins free of cardiovascular disease. RHR is independently associated with longevity even when familial factors are controlled for in a twin design.
Clinicopathological significance of Necl-4 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kawanishi Aya , Hirabayashi Kenichi , Yamada Misuzu , Takanashi Yumi , Hadano Atsuko , Kawaguchi Yoshiaki , Nakagohri Toshio , Nakamura Naoya , Mine Tetsuya
Published: June 2017

Aims

The loss, or decreased expression, of nectin-like molecule 4 (Necl-4; an immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule) is reported to be associated with the development and progression of certain types of cancer. We investigated the clinicopathological significance of Necl-4 expression in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods

Immunohistochemical analyses of Necl-4 (n=258) and E-cadherin (n=256) expression were performed using tissue microarray blocks of PDAC samples. Necl-4 expression of 38 pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions included in tissue microarray cores was also evaluated. Necl-4 and E-cadherin expression was considered positive if >30% of cells were stained, and negative if ≤30% of cells were stained.

Results

Necl-4 expression was positive in 45.7% (n=118) and negative in 54.3% (n=140) of PDAC cases. Necl-4 staining was positive in 96.7% (n=29) and negative in 3.3% (n=1) of low-grade PanIN cases, and positive in 62.5% (n=5) and negative in 37.5% (n=3) of high-grade PanIN cases. The number of cases with positive Necl-4 expression decreased in the order low-grade PanIN>high-grade PanIN>PDAC (p<0.001). Negative Necl-4 expression was significantly associated with a larger tumour size of >30 mm, perineural invasion, lymphatic involvement, lymph node metastasis (pN1), an advanced TNM (tumour, node, metastases) stage (stage IIB–IV), an advanced histological grade (G2/3), and shorter overall survival. E-cadherin staining was positive in 46.1% (n=118) and negative in 53.9% (n=138) of PDAC cases. Necl-4 expression correlated positively with E-cadherin expression (r=0.405, p<0.001).

Conclusions

The results suggest that Necl-4 is associated with carcinogenesis and aggressiveness of PDAC.
Measuring the distribution of adolescent births among 15–19-year-olds in Chile: an ecological study
Authors: Velarde Marissa , Zegers-Hochschild Fernando
Published: June 2017

Background

Although within Latin America Chile has one of the lowest birth rates among adolescents, it has a high rate in comparison to other developed nations.

Aim

To explore trends in birth rates among adolescents by selected demographics in Chile.

Methods

The national trend in birth rates was examined for women aged 15–19 years between 1992 and 2012. The birth rates for regions and communes were calculated using birth and census data and were analysed to determine its relationship to the regional or communal poverty rate, which were obtained from the Casen Survey. Differences in educational attainment were explored among adolescents with first-order and second-order or higher births using the Chi-square test.

Results

The birth rate among adolescents has experienced a 25% decline in the past 20 years. Cross-regional variance in birth rates could not be explained by poverty rates. Within the Metropolitan Region, there is a positive correlation between poverty and adolescent birth rates. Among adolescents giving birth, 67% had completed 10–12 years of school at birth, but there is a significant difference in educational attainment between girls with a first-order and those with a higher-order birth.

Conclusions

In Chile, the adolescent birth rate varies greatly among regions and communes. This study found that urban and wealthy areas had lower birth rates than poor and rural ones, and that girls with a first-order birth had completed more years of school than girls with higher-order births.
Clopidogrel loading dose versus maintenance dose to treat patients with acute ischaemic stroke in China (CLASS-China): results from a prospective double-blind randomised clinical trial
Authors: Zhao Ying , Yang Wanyong , Tan Zefeng , Wang Wenmin , Xiao Weimin , Zeng Jinsheng , Xu Anding
Published: June 2017

Aim

The role of clopidogrel in treating patients with acute ischaemic stroke is unclear. We have conducted the clinical trial in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel with a loading dose in treating patients with non-cardiogenic acute ischaemic stroke.

Method

Clopidogrel loading dose versus maintenance dose to treat patients with acute ischaemic stroke in China (CLASS-China) was a prospective, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial in China. Patients with acute ischaemic stroke of non-cardiogenic origin within 48 hours of onset were enrolled and those received thrombolysis were excluded. Enrolled patients were divided into two treatment groups: loading dose and routine dose. The primary outcome was the incidence of stroke recurrence or progression within 7 days. Primary safety outcome was measured by life-threatening haemorrhage. An intent-to-treat analysis was used for the statistical analysis.

Results

From March 2008 to March 2010, a total of 303 patients from 16 centres were recruited into this study; six were excluded because of lack of basic information. Since the enrolment was slow and the study drug expired in March 2010, this clinical trial was stopped earlier than planned. No significant baseline and demographic differences were seen between the two groups. There was no difference in primary outcome between the loading dosage group 16.1% (24/149) and control group 14.9% (22/148), respectively (p=0.782). The mortality and disability rate within 90 days in loading dose group (19.6%) was slightly lower than that in controlled group (23.4%), p=0.444. Loading dose group had two (1.3%) cases of fatal haemorrhage and control group had four (2.7%) within 90 days, p=0.674. No significant difference was detected in other adverse events between the groups.

Conclusion

In our study stopped early due to slow enrolment, loading dose of clopidogrel does not reduce the risk of recurrent stroke. Future trials with sufficient number of patients enrolled are needed to re-examine this hypothesis.
Comments on “Casimir effect in the Kerr spacetime with quintessence”
Authors: Toshmatov Bobir , Stuchlík Zdeněk , Ahmedov Bobomurat
Published: June 2017

This comment is devoted to the recalculation of the Casimir energy of a massless scalar field in the Kerr black hole surrounded by quintessence derived in [B. Toshmatov, Z. Stuchlík and B. Ahmedov, Eur. Phys. J. Plus 132, 98 (2017)] and its comparison with the results recently obtained in [V. B. Bezerra, M. S. Cunha, L. F. F. Freitas and C. R. Muniz, Mod. Phys. Lett. A 32, 1750005 (2017)] in the spacetime [S. G. Ghosh, Eur. Phys. J. C 76, 222 (2016)]. We have shown that in the more realistic spacetime which does not have the failures illustrated here, the Casimir energy is significantly bigger than that derived in [V. B. Bezerra, M. S. Cunha, L. F. F. Freitas and C. R. Muniz, Mod. Phys. Lett. A 32, 1750005 (2017)], and the difference becomes crucial especially in the regions of near horizons of the spacetime.
Analysis of Performance Indicators for Optimization of Noninteger-Order Controllers
Authors: Zagorowska Marta
Published: June 2017

Tuning noninteger-order controllers using parametric optimization remains a subject of ongoing research. One of the areas of focus concerns analysis of performance indicators ensuring desired behavior. In this paper we analyze linear, quadratic and quartic performance indicators as tools for finding parameters of PD[Formula: see text] and PI[Formula: see text] controllers in [Formula: see text] ladder system of fourth order. Proposed optimization method uses the Laguerre Impulse Response Approximation (LIRA) method and ensures the stability of noninteger closed-loop system. The results were compared with classic PID controllers.
Representing Time and Space for the Semantic Web
Authors: Batsakis Sotiris , Tachmazidis Ilias , Antoniou Grigoris
Published: June 2017

Representation of temporal and spatial information for the Semantic Web often involves qualitative defined information (i.e., information described using natural language terms such as “before” or “overlaps”) since precise dates or coordinates are not always available. This work proposes several temporal representations for time points and intervals and spatial topological representations in ontologies by means of OWL properties and reasoning rules in SWRL. All representations are fully compliant with existing Semantic Web standards and W3C recommendations. Although qualitative representations for temporal interval and point relations and spatial topological relations exist, this is the first work proposing representations combining qualitative and quantitative information for the Semantic Web. In addition to this, several existing and proposed approaches are compared using different reasoners and experimental results are presented in detail. The proposed approach is applied to topological relations (RCC5 and RCC8) supporting both qualitative and quantitative (i.e., using coordinates) spatial relations. Experimental results illustrate that reasoning performance differs greatly between different representations and reasoners. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such experimental evaluation of both qualitative and quantitative Semantic Web temporal and spatial representations. In addition to the above, querying performance using SPARQL is evaluated. Evaluation results demonstrate that extracting qualitative relations from quantitative representations using reasoning rules and querying qualitative relations instead of directly querying quantitative representations increases performance at query time.
ULTRA-FAST PRICING BARRIER OPTIONS AND CDSs
Authors: LEVENDORSKIĬ SERGEI
Published: June 2017

We construct a new approximate method for pricing barrier options and CDSs. In many cases, prices of barrier options and CDS of maturities [Formula: see text] years, at the log-distance 0.1 from the barrier and farther, for eight spots, can be calculated adding up 4–16 fairly simple terms, with relative errors of order [Formula: see text] and smaller, in 4–12[Formula: see text]msc.
Regularity of powers of edge ideals of product of graphs
Authors: Selvaraja S.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we study the Castelnuovo–Mumford regularity of powers of edge ideals of product of graphs. We find new upper bounds for [Formula: see text] for various classes of graphs [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] denotes the product of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] denote the corresponding edge ideal. Using this result, we explicitly compute [Formula: see text] for several classes of graphs [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In particular, we also explicitly compute the regularity of powers of wheel graphs.
Derivations in differentially prime rings
Authors: Al Khalaf Ahmad , Artemovych Orest D. , Taha Iman
Published: June 2017

Earlier properties of Lie rings [Formula: see text] of derivations in commutative differentially prime rings [Formula: see text] was investigated by many authors. We study Lie rings [Formula: see text] in the non-commutative case and shown that if [Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text]-prime ring of characteristic [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is a prime Lie ring or [Formula: see text] is a commutative ring.
MOLECULAR SCREENING OF FOUR CANINE HEREDITARY DISEASES IN TAIWAN
Authors: Kuo Ruei-Jia , Liu Chen-Hsuan , Hsieh Chin-Fong , Jiang Jia-Wei , Liao Albert Taiching
Published: June 2017

Animals that have inherited a mutant gene from their parents (father and/or mother) may acquire hereditary diseases. Most mutations are autosomal recessive. Usually, hereditary diseases go unnoticed until symptoms arise. The objective of this study is to screen four canine hereditary diseases in Taiwan. The diseases include persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS) and myotonia congenita (MC) in Miniature Schnauzers, Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) in Golden Retrievers and glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD Ia) in Maltese. We collected 98 samples from Miniature Schnauzers, 57 samples from Golden Retrievers and 54 samples from Maltese. All molecular tests are based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), which consists of a genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) plus specific restriction enzyme digestion. Results showed that the 98 samples, which were collected from Miniature Schnauzers, were all MC wild type (WT), with 78 being PMDS WT and 20 (20%) being PMDS heterozygous type. None of the samples were MC mutant type (MT) or PMDS MT; on the other hand, no GRMD mutant gene or GSD Ia mutant gene was found in Golden Retrievers and Maltese samples.
Controlled Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Using a Novel Natural Rosin-Based Surfactant
Authors: Zhan Shu-Hui , Jiang Xue-He , Li Juan , Meng Zhi , Chen Lin-Lin , Han Chun-Rui
Published: June 2017

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) with multiform morphologies, such as hollow dandelion-like bundles and nanoparticles with a diameter of 50[Formula: see text]nm, was prepared using natural rosin-based surfactant dehydroabietyl phosphate diester (DDPD) as phosphorus source, crystal growth control agent, and template simultaneously by a facile hydrothermal method. Samples were obtained and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that DDPD and pH value of solution were the key factors for the morphology of HAP. Hollow dandelion-like bundles HAP, containing the Ca-monodehydroabietyl phosphate (PM-Ca) organic metal compounds, were formed at pH[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]3 without acid-base regulation, and nanoparticles were obtained at pH[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]12. SEM exhibited that the hollow dandelion-like bundles HAP are of 10[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m (outer) and 1[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m (inner) diameter, respectively. Cell viabilities are above 95% when the cells are co-cultured with all HAP samples at concentrations in the range of 250–1000[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/ml. It indicated that the prepared HAP with PM-Ca has a good cytocompatibility without apparent toxicity. Finally, the possible formation mechanism of the HAP microstructures was discussed in detail.
CH3NH3I post-treatment improves the performance of perovskite solar cells via eliminating the impure phases
Authors: Liang Jingjing , Liang Chunjun , Zhang Huimin , Sun Mengjie , Liu Hong , Ji Chao , Zhang Xuewen , Li Dan , He Zhiqun
Published: June 2017

Organic–inorganic halide perovskites are currently generating extensive interest for applications in solar cells. The perovskite morphology and composition have significant roles in solar cells. Impure phases, which will influence the performance of solar cells, are inevitably present in the film of perovskite. We found that another MAI deposition on the previous perovskite could ameliorate the film. The post-deposited MAI participates in the reconstruction of the perovskite, leading to reduced amount of impure phase, increased grain size, increased absorption and significantly improved power conversion efficiency. The results demonstrate a treatment approach to fabricate efficient planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells.
The Future of World Order: Building a Community of Common Destiny
Authors: Yakunin Vladimir
Published: June 2017

This article briefly examines the political and ideological aspects of Western countries’ post-Cold War approach to the world order. The Western triumph in the Cold War is generally attributed to reasons that are largely erroneous. The ongoing crises in international relations reveal structural inconsistencies, which have been present in the United States’ foreign strategy since the collapse of the Soviet Union and have contributed to the subsequent erosion of the global order. The article analyzes the new trends of globalization resulting from the unexpected victory of Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. It concludes that Russia and China have now largely recognized Washington’s failure to establish a unipolar world system and to legitimize it through various political and media mechanisms and techniques. It suggests that it is only through the solidary development that both China and Russia are currently championing with their recent grand integration initiatives that a more successful and sustainable multipolar world benefiting every nation on the planet can be built and maintained.
Debating Unconventional Energy: Social, Political, and Economic Implications
Authors: Neville Kate J. , Baka Jennifer , Gamper-Rabindran Shanti , Bakker Karen , Andreasson Stefan , Vengosh Avner , Lin Alvin , Singh Jewellord Nem , Weinthal Erika
Published: June 2017

The extraction of unconventional oil and gas—from shale rocks, tight sand, and coalbed formations—is shifting the geographies of fossil fuel production, with complex consequences. Following Jackson et al.’s ( 1 ) natural science survey of the environmental consequences of hydraulic fracturing, this review examines social science literature on unconventional energy. After an overview of the rise of unconventional energy, the review examines energy economics and geopolitics, community mobilization, and state and private regulatory responses. Unconventional energy requires different frames of analysis than conventional energy because of three characteristics: increased drilling density, low-carbon and “clean” energy narratives of natural gas, and distinct ownership and royalty structures. This review points to the need for an interdisciplinary approach to analyzing the resulting dynamic, multilevel web of relationships that implicates land, water, food, and climate. Furthermore, the review highlights how scholarship on unconventional energy informs the broader energy landscape and contested energy futures.
Long-Term Effects of High-Protein Diets on Renal Function
Authors: Kamper Anne-Lise , Strandgaard Svend
Published: June 2017

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a prevalence of approximately 13% and is most frequently caused by diabetes and hypertension. In population studies, CKD etiology is often uncertain. Some experimental and observational human studies have suggested that high-protein intake may increase CKD progression and even cause CKD in healthy people. The protein source may be important. Daily red meat consumption over years may increase CKD risk, whereas white meat and dairy proteins appear to have no such effect, and fruit and vegetable proteins may be renal protective. Few randomized trials exist with an observation time greater than 6 months, and most of these were conducted in patients with preexisting diseases that dispose to CKD. Results conflict and do not allow any conclusion about kidney-damaging effects of long-term, high-protein intake. Until additional data become available, present knowledge seems to substantiate a concern. Screening for CKD should be considered before and during long-term, high-protein intake.
Green Innovation and Market Power
Authors: Lambertini Luca
Published: June 2017

This review summarizes the extant debate on the interplay between oligopolistic behavior and policy stimuli in determining firms’ green R&D efforts. It encompasses models based on the representative consumer and discrete choice approaches, under both Cournot and Bertrand competition. It also draws on the growing literature on environmental quality, green consumerism's ability to act as a net substitute for environmental policy and the Porter hypothesis. The review discusses empirical evidence on the main results of theoretical models. Several plausible directions for future research are also proposed.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy: Endemic Viruses and Lethal Brain Disease
Authors: Haley Sheila A. , Atwood Walter J.
Published: June 2017

In 1971, the first human polyomavirus was isolated from the brain of a patient who died from a rapidly progressing demyelinating disease known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The virus was named JC virus after the initials of the patient. In that same year a second human polyomavirus was discovered in the urine of a kidney transplant patient and named BK virus. In the intervening years it became clear that both viruses were widespread in the human population but only rarely caused disease. The past decade has witnessed the discovery of eleven new human polyomaviruses, two of which cause unusual and rare cancers. We present an overview of the history of these viruses and the evolution of JC polyomavirus–induced progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy over three different epochs. We review what is currently known about JC polyomavirus, what is suspected, and what remains to be done to understand the biology of how this mostly harmless endemic virus gives rise to lethal disease.
Structure/functional aspects of the human riboflavin transporter-3 (SLC52A3): role of the predicted glycosylation and substrate-interacting sites
Authors: Subramanian Veedamali S. , Sabui Subrata , Teafatiller Trevor , Bohl Jennifer A. , Said Hamid M.
Published: June 2017

The human riboflavin (RF) transporter-3 (hRFVT-3; product of the SLC52A3 gene) plays an essential role in the intestinal RF absorption process and is expressed exclusively at the apical membrane domain of polarized enterocytes. Previous studies have characterized different physiological/biological aspects of this transporter, but nothing is known about the glycosylation status of the hRFVT-3 protein and role of this modification in its physiology/biology. Additionally, little is known about the residues in the hRFVT-3 protein that interact with the ligand, RF. We addressed these issues using appropriate biochemical/molecular approaches, a protein-docking model, and established intestinal/renal epithelial cells. Our results showed that the hRFVT-3 protein is glycosylated and that glycosylation is important for its function. Mutating the predicted N-glycosylation sites at Asn94 and Asn168 led to a significant decrease in RF uptake; it also led to a marked intracellular (in the endoplasmic reticulum, ER) retention of the mutated proteins as shown by live-cell confocal imaging studies. The protein-docking model used in this study has identified a number of putative substrate-interacting sites: Ser16, Ile20, Trp24, Phe142, Thr314, and Asn315. Mutating these potential interacting sites was indeed found to lead to a significant inhibition in RF uptake and to intracellular (ER) retention of the mutated proteins (except for the Phe142 mutant). These results demonstrate that the hRFVT-3 protein is glycosylated and this glycosylation is important for its function and cell surface expression. This study also identified a number of residues in the hRFVT-3 polypeptide that are important for its function/cell surface expression.
Cigarette smoke disrupts monolayer integrity by altering epithelial cell-cell adhesion and cortical tension
Authors: Nishida Kristine , Brune Kieran A. , Putcha Nirupama , Mandke Pooja , O’Neal Wanda K. , Shade Danny , Srivastava Vasudha , Wang Menghan , Lam Hong , An Steven S. , Drummond M. Bradley , Hansel Nadia N. , Robinson Douglas N. , Sidhaye Venkataramana K.
Published: June 2017

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Cigarette smoke (CS) drives disease development and progression. The epithelial barrier is damaged by CS with increased monolayer permeability. However, the molecular changes that cause this barrier disruption and the interaction between adhesion proteins and the cytoskeleton are not well defined. We hypothesized that CS alters monolayer integrity by increasing cell contractility and decreasing cell adhesion in epithelia. Normal human airway epithelial cells and primary COPD epithelial cells were exposed to air or CS, and changes measured in protein levels. We measured the cortical tension of individual cells and the stiffness of cells in a monolayer. We confirmed that the changes in acute and subacute in vitro smoke exposure reflect protein changes seen in cell monolayers and tissue sections from COPD patients. Epithelial cells exposed to repetitive CS and those derived from COPD patients have increased monolayer permeability. E-cadherin and β-catenin were reduced in smoke exposed cells as well as in lung tissue sections from patients with COPD. Moreover, repetitive CS caused increased tension in individual cells and cells in a monolayer, which corresponded with increased polymerized actin without changes in myosin IIA and IIB total abundance. Repetitive CS exposure impacts the adhesive intercellular junctions and the tension of epithelial cells by increased actin polymer levels, to further destabilize cell adhesion. Similar changes are seen in epithelial cells from COPD patients indicating that these findings likely contribute to COPD pathology.
Arterial stiffness induces remodeling phenotypes in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells via YAP/TAZ-mediated repression of cyclooxygenase-2
Authors: Dieffenbach Paul B. , Haeger Christina Mallarino , Coronata Anna Maria F. , Choi Kyoung Moo , Varelas Xaralabos , Tschumperlin Daniel J. , Fredenburgh Laura E.
Published: June 2017

Pulmonary arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for mortality in pulmonary hypertension (PH) and plays a critical role in PH pathophysiology. Our laboratory has recently demonstrated arterial stiffening early in experimental PH, along with evidence for a mechanobiological feedback loop by which arterial stiffening promotes further cellular remodeling behaviors (Liu F, Haeger CM, Dieffenbach PB, Sicard D, Chrobak I, Coronata AM, Suárez Velandia MM, Vitali S, Colas RA, Norris PC, Marinković A, Liu X, Ma J, Rose CD, Lee SJ, Comhair SA, Erzurum SC, McDonald JD, Serhan CN, Walsh SR, Tschumperlin DJ, Fredenburgh LE. JCI Insight 1: e86987, 2016). Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin signaling have been implicated in stiffness-mediated regulation, with prostaglandin activity inversely correlated to matrix stiffness and remodeling behaviors in vitro, as well as to disease progression in rodent PH models. The mechanism by which mechanical signaling translates to reduced COX-2 activity in pulmonary vascular cells is unknown. The present work investigated the transcriptional regulators Yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 (WWTR1, a.k.a., TAZ), which are known drivers of downstream mechanical signaling, in mediating stiffness-induced changes in COX-2 and prostaglandin activity in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). We found that YAP/TAZ activity is increased in PAH PASMCs and experimental PH and is necessary for the development of stiffness-dependent remodeling phenotypes. Knockdown of YAP and TAZ markedly induces COX-2 expression and downstream prostaglandin production by approximately threefold, whereas overexpression of YAP or TAZ reduces COX-2 expression and prostaglandin production to near undetectable levels. Together, our findings demonstrate a stiffness-dependent YAP/TAZ-mediated positive feedback loop that drives remodeling phenotypes in PASMCs via reduced COX-2 and prostaglandin activity. The ability to interrupt this critical mechanobiological feedback loop and enhance local prostaglandin activity via manipulation of YAP/TAZ signaling presents a highly attractive novel strategy for the treatment of PH.
Decreased myoblast differentiation in chronic binge alcohol-administered simian immunodeficiency virus-infected male macaques: role of decreased miR-206
Authors: Simon L. , Ford S. M. , Song K. , Berner P. , Vande Stouwe C. , Nelson S. , Bagby G. J. , Molina P. E.
Published: June 2017

Skeletal muscle stem cells play a critical role in regeneration of myofibers. We previously demonstrated that chronic binge alcohol (CBA) markedly attenuates myoblast differentiation potential and myogenic gene expression. Muscle-specific microRNAs (miRs) are implicated in regulation of myogenic genes. The aim of this study was to determine whether myoblasts isolated from asymptomatic CBA-administered simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaques treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) showed similar impairments and, if so, to elucidate potential underlying mechanisms. Myoblasts were isolated from muscle at 11 mo after SIV infection from CBA/SIV macaques and from time-matched sucrose (SUC)-treated SIV-infected (SUC/SIV) animals and age-matched controls. Myoblast differentiation and myogenic gene expression were significantly decreased in myoblasts from SUC/SIV and CBA/SIV animals compared with controls. SIV and CBA decreased muscle-specific miR-206 in plasma and muscle and SIV decreased miR-206 expression in myoblasts, with no statistically significant changes in other muscle-specific miRs. These findings were associated with a significant increase in histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) and decrease in myogenic enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) expression in CBA/SIV muscle. Transfection with miR-206 inhibitor decreased myotube differentiation, increased expression of HDAC4, and decreased MEF2C, suggesting a critical role of miR-206 in myogenesis. Moreover, HDAC4 was confirmed to be a direct miR-206 target. These results support a mechanistic role for decreased miR-206 in suppression of myoblast differentiation resulting from chronic alcohol and SIV infection. The parallel changes in skeletal muscle and circulating levels of miR-206 warrant studies to establish the possible use of plasma miR-206 as an indicator of impaired muscle function.
Enduring effects of perinatal nicotine exposure on murine sleep in adulthood
Authors: Borniger Jeremy C. , Don Reuben F. , Zhang Ning , Boyd R. Thomas , Nelson Randy J.
Published: June 2017

The long-term consequences of early life nicotine exposure are poorly defined. Approximately 8–10% of women report smoking during pregnancy, and this may promote aberrant development in the offspring. To this end, we investigated potential enduring effects of perinatal nicotine exposure on murine sleep and affective behaviors in adulthood (~13–15 wk of age) in C57Bl6j mice. Mothers received a water bottle containing 200 µg/ml nicotine bitartrate dihydrate in 2% wt/vol saccharin or pH-matched 2% saccharin with 0.2% (vol/vol) tartaric acid throughout pregnancy and before weaning. Upon reaching adulthood, offspring were tested in the open field and elevated plus maze, as well as the forced swim and sucrose anhedonia tests. Nicotine-exposed male (but not female) mice had reduced mobility in the open field, but no differences were observed in anxiety-like or depressive-like responses. Upon observing this male-specific phenotype, we further assessed sleep-wake states via wireless EEG/EMG telemetry. Following baseline recording, we assessed whether mice exposed to nicotine altered their homeostatic response to 5 h of total sleep deprivation and whether nicotine influenced responses to a powerful somnogen [i.e., lipopolysaccharides (LPS)]. Males exposed to perinatal nicotine decreased the percent time spent awake and increased time in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, without changes to REM sleep. Nicotine-exposed males also displayed exaggerated responses (increased time asleep and NREM spectral power) to sleep deprivation. Nicotine-exposed animals additionally had blunted EEG slow-wave responses to LPS administration. Together, our data suggest that perinatal nicotine exposure has long-lasting effects on normal sleep and homeostatic sleep processes into adulthood.
Intracranial Hematoma Detection by Near Infrared Spectroscopy in a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service: Practical Experience
Authors: Schober Patrick , Bossers Sebastiaan M. , Schwarte Lothar A.
Published: June 2017

In (helicopter) emergency medical services, (H)EMS, the prehospital detection of intracranial hematomas should improve patient care and the triage to specialized neurosurgical hospitals. Recently, noninvasive detection of intracranial hematomas became possible by applying transcranial near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Herein, second-generation devices are currently available, for example, the Infrascanner 2000 (Infrascan), that appear suited also for prehospital (H)EMS applications. Since (H)EMS operations are time-critical, we studied the Infrascanner 2000 as a “first-time-right” monitor in healthy volunteers (n=17, hospital employees, no neurologic history). Further, we studied the implementation of the Infrascanner 2000 in a European HEMS organization (Lifeliner 1, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). The principal results of our study were as follows: The screening for intracranial hematomas in healthy volunteers with first-time-right intention resulted in a marked rate of virtual hematomas (false positive results, i.e., 12/17), rendering more time consuming repeat measurements advisable. The results of the implementation of the Infrascanner in HEMS suggest that NIRS-based intracranial hematoma detection is feasible in the HEMS setting. However, some drawbacks exist and their possible solutions are discussed. Future studies will have to demonstrate how NIRS-based intracranial hematoma detection will improve prehospital decision making in (H)EMS and ultimately patient outcome.
Theta Function Solutions of the 3 + 1‐Dimensional Jimbo‐Miwa Equation
Authors: Su Ting , Dai Hui-Hui
Published: June 2017

The 3 + 1‐dimensional Jimbo‐Miwa equation can be written into a Hirota bilinear form by the dependent variable transformation. We give its one‐periodic wave solution and two‐periodic wave solution by utilizing multidimensional elliptic Θ‐function. With the help of the solution curves, the asymptotic properties of the periodic waves are analyzed in detail.
Anasarca, Fever, Thrombocytopenia, Organomegaly, and Multiorgan Failure in a 24-Year-Old Pregnant Woman
Authors: Morel Guillaume , Mootien Joy , Guiot Philippe , Kuteifan Khaldoun
Published: June 2017

TAFRO syndrome is a distinct idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease characterized by the association of thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis, and organomegaly. We report the first case occurring in a Caucasian pregnant woman. At 34 weeks of gestation, our patient presented with all clinical and biological symptoms compatible with a TAFRO syndrome. Tough quick cesarean section was performed as symptoms got worse with onset of multiorgan failure requiring mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory distress, continuous renal replacement, and vasopressors. Nine days after ICU admission, steroid boluses were started and allowed spectacular clinical and biological improvement. As systemic inflammatory manifestations are important, TAFRO syndrome can be mistaken with severe autoimmune diseases, systemic infections, hematological malignancies, or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
Competitive Interaction Model for Online Social Networks’ Users’ Data Forwarding at a Subnet
Authors: Koura Yaya H. , Zhang Yaming , Liu Hai’ou
Published: June 2017

Social Networks Ecosystem is evolving faster and Social Networks users’ intensive activities are affecting significantly the network traffic. Generated data from different sending and receiving hosts have to be handled by network active nodes and links. In this paper, we propose to study the interaction between two types of network active hosts by using a Lotka‐Volterra competitive system that considers the subnet limiting supply. We applied our proposed model to two kinds of Online Social Networks’ (OSNs’) users characterized by the intensity of their activities from the generated data perspective. We assumed and proved that the impact of competition is flexible and subject to forwarding protocol and subnet allocated resources. By taking the competition case in the analysis of the differential equations, we show that when competition exists, one stable equilibrium point can be found if certain conditions are respected. Numerical results confirm our theoretical analysis and show that instead of treating equally at the subnet level all data from active hosts, adopting a routing protocol that takes into account the nature of data and the forwarding time is necessary for improving the overall performance of the network.
Semantically Secure Symmetric Encryption with Error Correction for Distributed Storage
Authors: Partala Juha
Published: June 2017

A distributed storage system (DSS) is a fundamental building block in many distributed applications. It applies linear network coding to achieve an optimal tradeoff between storage and repair bandwidth when node failures occur. Additively homomorphic encryption is compatible with linear network coding. The homomorphic property ensures that a linear combination of ciphertext messages decrypts to the same linear combination of the corresponding plaintext messages. In this paper, we construct a linearly homomorphic symmetric encryption scheme that is designed for a DSS. Our proposal provides simultaneous encryption and error correction by applying linear error correcting codes. We show its IND-CPA security for a limited number of messages based on binary Goppa codes and the following assumption: when dividing a scrambled generator matrix G^ into two parts G1^ and G2^, it is infeasible to distinguish G2^ from random and to find a statistical connection between G1^ and G2^. Our infeasibility assumptions are closely related to those underlying the McEliece public key cryptosystem but are considerably weaker. We believe that the proposed problem has independent cryptographic interest.
An Integrated Field and Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Method for the Estimation of Pigments Content of Stipa Purpurea in Shenzha, Tibet
Authors: Kong Bo , He Bing , Yu Huan , Liu Yu
Published: June 2017

Stipa purpurea is the representative type of alpine grassland in Tibet and the surviving and development material for herdsmen. This paper takes Shenzha County as the research area. Based on the analysis of typical hyperspectral variables sensitive to chlorophyll content of Stipa purpurea, 10 spectral variables with significant correlation with chlorophyll were extracted. The estimation model of chlorophyll was established. The photosynthetic pigment contents in the Shenzha area were calculated by using HJ‐1A remote sensing images. The results show that (1) there are significant correlations between chlorophyll content and spectral variables; in particular, the coefficient of Chlb in Stipa purpurea with RVI is the largest (0.728); (2) 10 variables are correlated with chlorophyll, and the order of correlation is Chlb > Chla > Chls; (3) for the estimation of Chla, the EVI is the best variable. RVI, NDVI, and VI2 are suitable for Chlb; RVI and NDVI are also suitable for the estimation of Chls; (4) the mean estimated content of Chla in Stipa bungeana is about 4.88 times that of Chlb, while Cars is slightly more than Chlb; (5) the distribution of Chla is opposite to Chlb and Chls content in water area.
Shaking Table Test of a RC Frame with EPSC Latticed Concrete Infill Wall
Authors: Tang Baizan , Li Xiaojun , Chen Su , Xiong Lihong
Published: June 2017

The expansive polystyrene granule cement (EPSC) latticed concrete wall is a new type of energy-saving wall material with load-bearing, insulation, fireproof, and environmental protection characteristics. A series of shaking table tests were performed to investigate the seismic behavior of a full-scale reinforced concrete (RC) frame with EPSC latticed concrete infill wall, and data obtained from the shaking table test were analyzed. The experimental results indicate that the designed RC frame with EPSC latticed concrete infill wall has satisfactory seismic performance subjected to earthquakes, and the seismic responses of the model structure are more sensitive to input motions with more high frequency components and long duration. The EPSC latticed concrete infill wall provided high lateral stiffness so that the walls can be equivalent to a RC shear wall. The horizontal and vertical rebar, arranged in the concrete lattice beam and column, could effectively restrain the latticed concrete infill wall and RC frame. To achieve a more comprehensive evaluation on the performance of the RC frame with latticed concrete infill walls, further research on its seismic responses is expected by comparing with conventional infill walls and nonlinear analytical method.
Collaborative QoS Prediction for Mobile Service with Data Filtering and SlopeOne Model
Authors: Yin Yuyu , Xu Wenting , Xu Yueshen , Li He , Yu Lifeng
Published: June 2017

The mobile service is a widely used carrier for mobile applications. With the increase of the number of mobile services, for service recommendation and selection, the nonfunctional properties (also known as quality of service, QoS) become increasingly important. However, in many cases, the number of mobile services invoked by a user is quite limited, which leads to the large number of missing QoS values. In recent years, many prediction algorithms, such as algorithms extended from collaborative filtering (CF), are proposed to predict QoS values. However, the ideas of most existing algorithms are borrowed from the recommender system community, not specific for mobile service. In this paper, we first propose a data filtering-extended SlopeOne model (filtering-based CF), which is based on the characteristics of a mobile service and considers the relation with location. Also, using the data filtering technique in FB-CF and matrix factorization (MF), this paper proposes another model FB-MF (filtering-based MF). We also build an ensemble model, which combines the prediction results of FB-CF model and FB-MF model. We conduct sufficient experiments, and the experimental results demonstrate that our models outperform all compared methods and achieve good results in high data sparsity scenario.
p120-Catenin Downregulation and PIK3CA Mutations Cooperate to Induce Invasion through MMP1 in HNSCC
Authors: Kidacki Michal , Lehman Heather L. , Green Michelle V. , Warrick Joshua I. , Stairs Douglas B.
Published: June 2017

Despite recent improvements in treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), half of all patients with a regional or advanced disease will die within 5 years from diagnosis. Therefore, identification of mechanisms driving the aggressive behavior of HNSCC is of utmost importance. Because p120-catenin (CTNND1/P120CTN) downregulation and PIK3CA mutations are commonly found in HNSCC, the objective of this study was to identify their impact on fundamental processes of metastasis, specifically, migration and invasion. Furthermore, this study aimed to identify the key effector proteins regulated by P120CTN downregulation and PIK3CA mutations. Studies using oral keratinocytes demonstrated that P120CTN downregulation and PIK3CA mutations increased migration and invasion. In addition, P120CTN downregulation and PIK3CA mutations resulted in elevated matrix metallopeptidase 1 (MMP1) levels. Inhibition of MMP1 resulted in decreased invasion, suggesting that MMP1 plays a critical role in HNSCC invasion. Moreover, analysis of HNSCC patient specimens from The Cancer Genome Atlas confirmed these findings. Tumors with low P120CTN and PI3K pathway mutations have higher levels of MMP1 compared to tumors with high P120CTN and no PI3K pathway mutations. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that P120CTN downregulation and PIK3CA mutations promote MMP1-driven invasion, providing a potential novel target for limiting metastasis in HNSCC.

Implications: Because of its role in invasion, MMP1 represents a novel, potential target for limiting metastasis in a subset of HNSCCs with P120CTN downregulation and PIK3CA mutations. Mol Cancer Res; 15(10); 1398–409. ©2017 AACR.
Generation of a DNA-Launched Reporter Replicon Based on Dengue Virus Type 2 as a Multipurpose Platform
Authors: Usme-Ciro Jose A. , Lopera Jaime A. , Alvarez Diego A. , Enjuanes Luis , Almazán Fernando
Published: June 2017

Dengue viruses (DENV) have become the most important arthropod-borne viruses, causing dengue and severe dengue fever in at least 50-100 million cases each year, mainly in tropical and subtropical countries. During recent years, important advances in the molecular biology concerning the life cycle of these viruses have allowed the manipulation and generation of recombinant viruses and replicons with multiple applications, mainly in viral biology and the screening of antiviral compounds. In the present study, we describe the construction of an enhanced green fluorescent protein-bearing DENV replicon under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter. Following a rational in silico design and cloning by standard molecular biology techniques, a reporter DENV-2 replicon and a replication-deficient mutant were constructed, and characterized by confocal microscopy and real-time RT-PCR. The results showed successful transcription, translation, and autonomous viral RNA replication of the DENV replicon from its DNA clone. This novel DENV replicon will allow the study of viral replication and testing of antiviral candidates without the need for in vitro transcription.
Clinical Benefit from Trametinib in a Patient with Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma with a GNAS R201H Mutation
Authors: Ang Celina , Stollman Aryeh , Zhu Hongfa , Sarpel Umut , Scarborough Bethann , Sahni Gagan , Millis Sherri Z.
Published: June 2017

We report the case of a patient with appendiceal adenocarcinoma with mucinous peritoneal carcinomatosis who was treated with trametinib upon identification of a GNAS R201H mutation by comprehensive genomic profiling. The molecular pathology of appendiceal neoplasms is reviewed, and the mechanistic basis underlying the clinical benefit as well as the subsequent course on trametinib that were observed in this patient are discussed.