bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upregulation of miR‐146a‐5p is associated with increased proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells in aortic dissection
Authors: Xue Ling , Luo Songyuan , Ding Huanyu , Liu Yuan , Huang Wenhui , Fan Xiaoping , Wu Min , Jian Xuhua , Huang Cheng , Luo Jianfang , Fan Ruixin
Published: February 2019

Background

This study aimed to investigate whether miR‐146a‐5p was involved in the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic dissection (AD) via regulating the biological function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Methods

Circulating miR‐146a‐5p level was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in AD patients and healthy controls. Human dissected aortic samples were obtained from patients with thoracic AD Stanford type A undergoing surgical repair, and normal control samples were from organ donors who died from nonvascular diseases. The expression level of miR‐146a‐5p was detected using qPCR in each sample. The expression of SMAD4, which is involved in the TGF‐β pathway and indicated as the target gene of miR‐146a‐5p, was measured by qPCR and Western blot analysis at the mRNA level and protein level, respectively. Subsequently, VSMCs were transfected with miR‐146a‐5p mimics or inhibitors in vitro. VSMC proliferation and migration were detected using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide and Transwell assay, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to identify apoptosis. The expression of SMAD4 in VSMCs was determined using qPCR and Western blot analysis.

Results

Plasma level of miR‐146a‐5p is significantly higher in the AD group as compared with the control group. The expression of miR‐146a‐5p was significantly upregulated in dissected aorta compared with controls (P < 0.05). The overexpression of miR‐146a‐5p significantly induced VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro.

Conclusions

The expression of SMAD4 was modulated by miR‐146a‐5p. miR‐146a‐5p induced VSMC proliferation and migration through targeting SMAD4 and hence might be potentially involved in the development of AD.
Increased serum adiponectin predicts improved coronary flow and clinical outcomes in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Liang Siwen , Li Hongwei , Shen Xuhua , Liu Ruifeng
Published: February 2019

Background

Previous studies suggested that adiponectin (APN) could ameliorate ischemia/reperfusion injury and endothelial dysfunction in patients with acute myocardial infarction. However, the relationship between serum APN level and coronary flow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unclear.

Methods

A total of 144 patients with STEMI treated by PPCI were enrolled and divided into two groups based on the mean serum APN level on admission. The data on coronary angiograms and laboratory examinations were collected and compared between groups. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was evaluated in all enrolled patients.

Results

The prevalence of Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade <3 after PPCI and corrected TIMI frame count were lower in the high‐APN group (P = 0.032 and P = 0.029, respectively). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that APN was an independent negative predictor of poor coronary flow after PPCI (odds ratio = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.56‐0.93, P = 0.011). Kaplan‐Meier curves showed that a higher APN level correlated with a better MACE‐free survival rate, and multivariate Cox hazard regression analysis indicated that high APN was a significant negative predictor of MACE (hazard ratio = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29‐1.00, P = 0.048).

Conclusion

Elevated serum levels of APN on admission are associated with improved myocardial blood flow and clinical outcomes in STEMI patients treated with PPCI.
Treating comorbid depression and avoidant personality disorder: The case of Andy
Authors: Maillard Pauline , Pellaton Julie , Kramer Ueli
Published: February 2019

Major depressive disorder is among the most frequently diagnosed mental disorders and is often accompanied by other disorders such as anxiety or substance abuse. As a result of a complicated tangle of comorbidities, psychotherapy in such cases can become quite demanding. The present case study presents and discusses the challenges represented by a complex case of psychotherapy, focusing on ongoing modifications of the clinical hypotheses and therapeutic approach. This process is illustrated through the case of Andy, a 44‐year‐old man suffering from depressive disorder, social phobia, substance dependency, and an avoidant personality disorder. This case draws attention to the quality of the relationship and the flexibility and adaptation required from the therapist while depicting an integrative way of working therapeutically with complex cases.
Vascular tissue engineering: Fabrication and characterization of acetylsalicylic acid‐loaded electrospun scaffolds coated with amniotic membrane lysate
Authors: Aslani Saba , Kabiri Mahboubeh , Kehtari Mousa , Hanaee‐Ahvaz Hana
Published: February 2019

As the incidence of small‐diameter vascular graft (SDVG) occlusion is considerably high, a great amount of research is focused on constructing a more biocompatible graft. The absence of a biocompatible surface in the lumen of the engineered grafts that can support confluent lining with endothelial cells (ECs) can cause thrombosis and graft failure. Blood clot formation is mainly because of the lack of an integrated endothelium. The most effective approach to combat this problem would be using natural extracellular matrix constituents as a mimic of endothelial basement membrane along with applying anticoagulant agents to provide local antithrombotic effects. In this study, we fabricated aligned and random electrospun poly‐L‐lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds containing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as the anticoagulation agent and surface coated them with amniotic membrane (AM) lysate. Vascular scaffolds were structurally and mechanically characterized and assessed for cyto‐ and hemocompatibility and their ability to support endothelial differentiation was examined. All the scaffolds showed appropriate tensile strength as expected for vascular grafts. Lack of cytotoxicity, cellular attachment, growth, and infiltration were proved using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and scanning electron microscopy. The blood compatibilities of different scaffolds examined by in vitro hemolysis and blood coagulation assays elucidated the excellent hemocompatibility of our novel AM‐coated ASA‐loaded nanofibers. Drug‐loaded scaffolds showed a sustained release profile of ASA in 7 days. AM‐coated electrospun PLLA fibers showed enhanced cytocompatibility for human umbilical vein ECs, making a confluent endothelial‐like lining. In addition, AM lysate‐coated ASA‐PLLA‐aligned scaffold proved to support endothelial differentiation of Wharton's jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells. Our results together indicated that AM lysate‐coated ASA releasing scaffolds have promising potentials for development of a biocompatible SDVG.
Positional ischaemia of transplant kidney: A rare cause of early graft dysfunction
Authors: Li John Wing , Wong Germaine , Li Jennifer , Gruenewald Simon , Chapman Jeremy Robert
Published: February 2019

Kinking of the kidney transplant vessels late after the operation is a rare complication that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We present a case of positional ischemia of the renal allograft resulting from dynamic and positional kinking of the graft vasculature, which was diagnosed by ultrasonography with the patient standing. The graft was repositioned into the sub‐rectus pocket and the ischaemic injury resolved.
An overview of Bayesian reasoning in the analysis of delay‐discounting data
Authors: Franck Christopher T. , Koffarnus Mikhail N. , McKerchar Todd L. , Bickel Warren K.
Published: February 2019

Statistical inference (including interval estimation and model selection) is increasingly used in the analysis of behavioral data. As with many other fields, statistical approaches for these analyses traditionally use classical (i.e., frequentist) methods. Interpreting classical intervals and p‐values correctly can be burdensome and counterintuitive. By contrast, Bayesian methods treat data, parameters, and hypotheses as random quantities and use rules of conditional probability to produce direct probabilistic statements about models and parameters given observed study data. In this work, we reanalyze two data sets using Bayesian procedures. We precede the analyses with an overview of the Bayesian paradigm. The first study reanalyzes data from a recent study of controls, heavy smokers, and individuals with alcohol and/or cocaine substance use disorder, and focuses on Bayesian hypothesis testing for covariates and interval estimation for discounting rates among various substance use disorder profiles. The second example analyzes hypothetical environmental delay‐discounting data. This example focuses on using historical data to establish prior distributions for parameters while allowing subjective expert opinion to govern the prior distribution on model preference. We review the subjective nature of specifying Bayesian prior distributions but also review established methods to standardize the generation of priors and remove subjective influence while still taking advantage of the interpretive advantages of Bayesian analyses. We present the Bayesian approach as an alternative paradigm for statistical inference and discuss its strengths and weaknesses.
Human liver-derived CXCR6+ NK cells are predominantly educated through NKG2A and show reduced cytokine production
Authors: Lunemann Sebastian , Langeneckert Annika E , Martrus Gloria , Hess Leonard U , Salzberger Wilhelm , Ziegler Annerose E , Löbl Sebastian M , Poch Tobias , Ravichandran Gevitha , Sauter Jürgen , Schmidt Alexander H , Schramm Christoph , Oldhafer Karl J , Altfeld Marcus , Körner Christian
Published: February 2019

NK cells have been implicated to affect the outcome of numerous liver diseases. In particular, members of the killer-cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) family, predominantly expressed by NK cells, have been associated with the outcome of hepatitis C virus infection and clearance of hepatocellular carcinoma. Inhibitory KIRs tune NK cell function through interaction with HLA class I, a process termed education. Nevertheless, the impact of the hepatic environment on NK cell education is incompletely understood. Therefore, we investigated the composition and function of hepatic KIR-expressing NK cells. Matched PBMC and hepatic lymphocytes were isolated from 20 individuals undergoing liver surgery and subsequently phenotypically analyzed for expression of KIRs and markers for tissue residency using flow cytometry. NK cell function was determined by co-culturing NK cells with the target cell line 721.221 and subsequent assessment of CD107a, IFN-γ, and TNF-α expression. Liver-resident CXCR6+/CD56Bright NK cells lacked KIRs and were predominantly educated through NKG2A, while CXCR6−/CD16+ NK cells expressed KIRs and resembled peripheral blood NK cells. Hepatic NK cells showed lower response rates compared to peripheral blood NK cells; in particular, CXCR6+ NK cells were hyporesponsive to stimulation with target cells. The high proportion of educated NK cells in both subsets indicates the importance of self-inhibitory receptors for the balance between maintenance of self-tolerance and functional readiness. However, the reduced functionality of hepatic NK cells may reflect the impact of the tolerogenic hepatic environment on NK cells irrespective of NK cell education.
Structure and function of skin in the pelagic sea snake, Hydrophis platurus
Authors: Lillywhite Harvey B. , Menon Gopinathan K.
Published: February 2019

We describe and interpret the functional morphology of skin of the Yellow‐bellied sea snake, Hydrophis platurus. This is the only pelagic sea snake, and its integument differs from what is known for other species of snakes. In gross appearance, the scales of H. platurus consist of non‐overlapping, polygonal knobs with flattened outer surfaces bearing presumptive filamentous sensillae. The deep recesses between scales (‘hinge’) entrap and wick water over the body surface, with mean retention of 5.1 g/cm of skin surface, similar to that determined previously for the roughened, spiny skin of marine file snakes, Acrochordus granulatus. This feature possibly serves to maintain the skin wet when the dorsal body protrudes above water while floating on calm oceanic slicks where they forage. In contrast with other snakes, including three species of amphibious, semi‐marine sea kraits (Laticauda spp.), the outer corneous β‐protein layer consists of a syncytium that is thinner than seen in most other species. The subjacent α‐layer is also thin, and lipid droplets and lamellar bodies are seen among the immature, cornifying α‐cells. A characteristic mesos layer, comprising the water permeability barrier, is either absent or very thin. These features are possibly related to (1) permeability requirements for cutaneous gas exchange, (2) reduced gradient for water efflux compared with terrestrial environments, (3) less need for physical protection in water compared with terrestrial ground environments, and (4) increased frequency of ecdysis thought to be an anti‐fouling mechanism. The lipogenic features of the α‐layer possibly compensate for the reduced or absent mesos layer, or produce layers of cells that comprise what functionally might be termed a mesos layer, but where the organization of barrier lipids nonetheless appears less robust than what is characteristically seen in squamates.
Patterns of fluctuating asymmetry in the limbs of anurans
Authors: Didde Ryan D. , Rivera Gabriel
Published: February 2019

It has been hypothesized that fluctuating asymmetry (FA) may provide an indication of the functional importance of structures within an organism, with structures that more strongly impact fitness being more symmetric. Based on this idea, we predicted that for tetrapods in which the forelimbs and hindlimbs play an unequal role in locomotion, the less functionally important limb set should display higher levels of FA. We conducted a multispecies test of this hypothesis in anurans (frogs and toads), whose saltatory locomotor mode is powered by the hindlimbs. We also tested whether FA in the forelimbs, which play a more important role during landing, differed between families that differ in the degree of forelimb use in locomotion (Bufonidae vs. Ranidae). We calculated FA from the lengths of humeri and femora measured from disarticulated skeletal specimens of four anuran taxa (Bufonidae: Anaxyrus americanus, Rhinella marina; Ranidae: Lithobates catesbeianus, Lithobates clamitans). Our findings were consistent with the hypothesis that natural selection for increased locomotor performance may influence patterns of FA seen in vertebrate limbs, with all species displaying lower mean FA in the hindlimbs. More subtle functional roles between the forelimbs of bufonids and ranids, however, did not elicit different levels of FA.
Pseudomonas putidaΔ9‐fatty acid desaturase: Gene cloning, expression, and function in the cationic surfactants stress
Authors: Heredia Romina M. , Lucchesi Gloria I.
Published: February 2019

Pseudomonas putidacounteract the fluidizing effect of cationic surfactants decreasing the content of membrane unsaturated fatty acid (UFA). A Δ9‐fatty acid desaturase gene (desA)fromP. putidawas isolated, cloned, and successfully expressed inEscherichia coli, a Δ9 desaturase deficient organism.desAconsists of 1185 bp and codes for 394 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence reveals three histidine clusters and a hydropathy profile, typical of membrane‐bound desaturases. ValidatingdesAexpression inE. colicells, the amount of palmitoleic acid increased from 2.05 to 7.36%, with the concomitant increase in membrane fluidity (fluorescence polarization value decrease from 0.13 ± 0.03 to 0.09 ± 0.02). Also, when DesA activity was assayedin vivo, the percentage of UFA obtained from exogenous palmitic acid [1‐14C] increased 10‐fold. In contrast, when cells expressingdesAwere exposed 15 min at sublethal concentration of cationic surfactants, the amount of UFA was 82% lower than that detected in cells non‐exposed. Thus, the decrease in UFA content to counteract the fluidizing effect of cationic surfactants can be correlated with reduction of DesA activity.
Three‐color coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering with optical nonresonant background removal
Authors: Littleton Brad , Shah Priyank , Kavanagh Thomas , Richards David
Published: February 2019

Broadband coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (B‐CARS), excited through intrapulse three‐color processes in which both the pump and Stokes photons are derived from a broadband beam, enable diffraction‐limited hyperspectral Raman imaging over the entire fingerprint spectral region with a speed and sensitivity far superior to that possible with conventional spontaneous Raman confocal microspectroscopy. We extend the theory of spectral interferometric polarization coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (SIP‐CARS) to include three‐color excitation processes. This allows for the B‐CARS measurement of polarized Raman‐equivalent spectra free of the nonresonant background, without the requirement for post‐acquisition computational processing. We demonstrate the simultaneous measurement of both three‐color and two‐color SIP‐CARS, at low and high Raman shifts, respectively, in good agreement with theory. These proof of concept results pave the way for photon‐efficient SIP‐CARS signal generation with ultrafast lasers, for all‐optical, fast, quantitative Raman hyperspectral imaging.
Colloidal Characteristics, Drug Encapsulation, and Oil‐in‐Water Emulsion of Dodecenyl‐Modified Alginate
Authors: Zhao Cong , Miao Junkui , Sui Meiyu , Liu Xisheng , Yu Yueqin
Published: February 2019

Sodium alginate was hydrophobically modified with dodecenyl succinic anhydride in a neutral aqueous solution (pH = 6.8) at room temperature, forming an environmentally friendly amphiphile dodecenyl‐modified alginate (DMA). Surface activity of DMA was assessed using surface tension and zeta‐potential measurements. Hydrophobic compound‐loading capacity as well as oil‐in‐water emulsion stability of DMA solutions were investigated to study the potential applications of DMA. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of DMA aqueous solution was found to be 0.70 mg mL−1 with the surface tension being around 33.0 mN m−1. DMA solutions were able to solubilize hydrophobic compounds like Sudan IV and Clofazimine in aqueous medium. 10% peanut oil‐in‐water emulsions stabilized by 10 mg mL−1 DMA presented good stability during 7 days of storage and the interfacial tension between water and oil was lowered from 23.0 to 9.0 mN m−1. Results showed that DMA was an efficient surfactant and could work as a drug‐delivery vehicle or a natural food emulsion stabilizer in the future.
Ultrasound Evaluation of the Protector Role of the Pronator Quadratus Suture in Volar Plating
Authors: Walch Arnaud , Erhard Lionel , Vogels Jerome , Pozzetto Marc , Gibert Nicolas , Locquet Vincent
Published: February 2019

The main complication of volar locking plates for distal radius fractures is flexor tendon rupture. The flexor pollicis longus (FPL) is the most commonly ruptured. Repair of the pronator quadratus (PQ) is one of the ways to prevent tendon rupture. The main purpose of this series was to evaluate the role of PQ repair after volar plating to prevent flexor tendon rupture using ultrasound (US). This work was a mono‐operator prospective series of 20 consecutive patients with volar locking plates for distal radius fracture between September 2014 and May 2015. The PQ was repaired in all patients. A clinical, ultrasound, and perioperative evaluation of the flexor tendon was performed by this same surgeon. There was no flexor tendon rupture or tenosynovitis. There were no type A cases, which are characterized by contact between the plate and the FPL, and mostly type C cases, which are characterized by no contact between the plate and the FPL on US imaging. The suture of the PQ was sustainable over time when we removed the plate. Pronator quadratus repair is one of the ways to prevent flexor tendon rupture after volar plating. The outward‐running suture is an effective technique for repairing the PQ. Ultrasound may be helpful during follow‐up to detect asymptomatic flexor tendon irritation.
Association Between the Elasticity of Hip Muscles and the Hip Migration Index in Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Doruk Analan Pinar , Aslan Hulya
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Cerebral palsy (CP) increases the risk of hip displacement during childhood. Abnormal hip muscle forces have been proposed as the predisposing factors. In CP, the amount of hip displacement is commonly evaluated by the Reimers hip migration index (MI) on an anteroposterior pelvic radiograph. To the best of our knowledge, the association between the elasticity of hip muscles measured by shear wave elastography and the MI has not been studied yet. Herein, we aimed to analyze the correlation between the elasticity of hip muscles and the MI.

Methods

Bilateral hips of 25 children with spastic CP were included prospectively in this study. Anteroposterior pelvic radiographs were used to measure the MI. Shear wave elastography was performed to evaluate the elasticity of muscles. The correlation between the MI and the elasticity of hip flexor and adductor muscle groups was assessed. Also, the association between the elasticity of agonist/antagonist muscles was analyzed.

Results

The MI showed fair to good correlations with hip flexors and adductors for both readers (0.71 ≥ r ≥ 0.52). The mean MIs of the patients ± SDs were 22.64% ± 7.79% for reader 1 and 21.55% ± 8.83% for reader 2. The elasticity of agonist/antagonist muscle groups showed little/no to a weak correlation for both readers (0.32 ≥ r ≥ –0.07).

Conclusions

Although, hip flexor and adductor muscle elasticity showed a correlation with MI, it seems very hard to say that increased elasticity of hip flexor and adductor muscles causes hip dislocation.
Temporal and spatial succession and dynamics of soil fungal communities in restored grassland on the Loess Plateau in China
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Xiaotian , Liu Jiaxi , Liu Tingting , Cheng Jimin , Wei Gehong , Lin Yanbing
Published: February 2019

Natural secondary succession of degraded soil has improved the ecological environment of the Loess Plateau, profoundly influencing the succession and dynamics of soil fungal communities restored grasslands in particular. This chronosequence and the varied topography of the Loess Plateau thus provide a unique opportunity to synchronously investigate the variation of soil quality and fungal communities as they develop over time and space. Here, we used high‐throughput sequencing of the ITS rRNA gene region to analyze the fungal community at a local scale. Edaphic variables and fungal community characteristics were compared among three restoration durations (5, 20, and 30 years), two soil layers (topsoil and subsoil), and different topographic factors (slope positions and aspects). Edaphic variables displayed varying patterns with significant differences among restoration durations and soil layers, but no such topographic patterns were found. As succession proceeded, alpha and beta diversities of fungal communities changed as space changed; whereas, over time, the discrepancy in community composition between the two soil layers declined. Constructed co‐occurrence networks of edaphic variables combined with fungal community composition and distribution patterns based on indicator and keystone species also varied among three durations. Fungal trophic guilds showed a contrasting distribution between the two soil layers, but they closely followed the soil nutrient conditions and metabolic characteristics of keystone species. Our results demonstrated that predictable spatial variation occurs in soil fungal communities in tandem with temporal succession and dynamics of indicator and keystone species in restored grassland on the Loess Plateau.
Efficacy of fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in Latin‐American Population: First Peruvian experience
Authors: Tovar‐Huamani Juan , Mercado‐Olivares Felipe , Grandez‐Urbina Jose Antonio , Pichardo‐Rodriguez Rafael , Tovar‐Huamani Marco , García‐Perdomo Herney
Published: February 2019

Objective

This PUBA study aimed to assess the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

Methods

GSM symptoms were assessed before, 1 month after the first session and 1 month after the third session of laser (3 sessions with a 30 days interval between them) in 60 women (median, interquartile range: 55, 49–69). Subjective (visual analog scale) and objective (Vaginal Health Index, VHIS; Vaginal Maturity Index/Frost Index; Spanish Overactive Bladder Questionnaire‐Short Form, USMEX Spanish OAB‐qSF and Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI) measures were used during the study period to assess CO2 fractionated laser treatment outcomes compared to baseline.

Results

Fractional CO2 laser treatment was effective to improve GSM symptoms (vaginal dryness, vaginal itching, vaginal burning, dyspaurenia, dysuria, urinary urgency; P < 0.001) after three sessions, as well as VHIS (median, interquartile range: 13, 10–15 at baseline vs. 21, 20–23 at the fourth month follow up; P < 0.001), Frost Index (median, interquartile range: 28, 24–31 at baseline vs. 8, 6–10 at the fourth month follow up; P < 0.001), USMEX (median, interquartile range: 56, 46–68 at baseline vs 14, 13–16 at the fourth month follow up: P < 0,001) and FSFI (median, interquartile range: 5, 2–14 at baseline vs 30, 28–32).

Conclusions

In this sample, the data suggests that fractionated CO2 laser is an effective alternative for GSM treatment with positive outcomes that persists over time. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:509–515, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First Clinicogenetic Description of Parkinson's Disease Related to GBA Mutation S107L
Authors: Hertz Ellen , Thörnqvist Måns , Holmberg Björn , Machaczka Maciej , Sidransky Ellen , Svenningsson Per
Published: February 2019

Background

Mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA) are a common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Mutations in the N‐terminus part of GBA are less commonly found in association with PD than those in the C‐terminus. Phenotypic characterization of GBA‐related PD has been challenging, in part attributed to differential impact of distinct GBA mutations.

Aim

To provide a phenotypic description of two patients with PD heterozygous for the GBA mutation S107L. The S107L mutation is located in the catalytic domain of glucocerebrosidase and has not previously been reported in patients with PD.

Methods

Motor and nonmotor symptoms (NMS) of PD were evaluated using established rating scales and questionnaires. The genotype was determined by Sanger sequencing.

Results

Two half‐brothers, both heterozygous carriers of S107L, exhibited an early PD onset with several NMS.

Conclusions

In these patients, heterozygosity for S107L was associated with an early onset of PD with NMS.
Effect of the thymine‐DNA glycosylase rs4135050 variant on Saudi smoker population
Authors: Almutairi Mikhlid , Mohammad Alhadeq Abdullah , Almeer Rafa , Almutairi Mohammed , Alzahrani Mohammed , Semlali Abdelhabib
Published: February 2019

Background

Thymine‐DNA glycosylase (TDG) is an essential DNA‐repair enzyme which works in both epigenetic regulation and genome maintenance. It is also responsible for efficient correction of multiple endogenous DNA lesions which occur commonly in mammalian genomes. Research of genetic variants such as SNPs, resulting in disease, is predicted to yield clinical advancements through the identification of sensitive genetic markers and the development of disease prevention and therapy. To that end, the main objective of the present study is to identify the possible interactions between cigarette smoking and the rs4135050 variant of the TDG gene, situated in the intron position, among Saudi individuals.

Methods

TDG rs4135050 (A/T) was investigated by genotyping 239, and 235 blood specimens were obtained from nonsmokers and smokers of cigarette respectively.

Results

T allele frequency was found which showed a significant protective effect on Saudi male smokers (OR = 0.64, p = 0.0187) compared to nonsmoking subjects, but not in female smokers. Furthermore, smokers aged less than 29 years, the AT and AT+TT genotypes decreased more than four times the risk of initiation of smoking related‐diseases compare to the ancestral AA homozygous genotype. Paradoxically, the AT (OR = 3.88, p = 0.0169) and AT+TT (OR = 2.86, p = 0.0420) genotypes were present at a higher frequency in smoking patients aged more than 29 years as compared to nonsmokers at the same ages.

Conclusion

Depending on the gender and age of patients, TDG rs4135050 may provide a novel biomarker for the early diagnosis and prevention of several diseases caused by cigarette smoking.
Conditional random fields for phase‐based lung feature tracking with ultra‐low‐dose x‐rays
Authors: Jerg Katharina I. , Lyatskaya Yulia , Stratemeier Johanna , Hesser Jürgen W. , Aschenbrenner Katharina P.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

During radiation therapy, a continuous internal tumor monitoring without additional imaging dose is desirable. In this study, a sequential feature‐based position estimation with ultra‐low‐dose (ULD) kV x rays using linear‐chain conditional random fields (CRFs) is performed.

Methods

Four‐dimensional computed tomography (4D‐CTs) of eight patients serve as a‐priori information from which ULD projections are simulated using a Monte Carlo method. CRFs are trained with Local Energy‐based Shape Histogram features extracted from the ULD images to estimate one out of ten breathing phases from the 4D‐CT associated with the tumor position.

Results

Compared to a mean accuracy for ±1 breathing phase of 0.867 using a support vector machine (SVM), a mean accuracy of 0.958 results for the CRF with ten incident photons per pixel. This corresponds to a position estimation with a discretization error of 2.4–5.3 mm assuming a linear displacement relation between the breathing phases and a systematic error of 2.0–4.4 mm due to motion underestimation of the 4D‐CT.

Conclusions

The tumor position estimation is comparable to state‐of‐the‐art methods despite its low imaging dose. Training CRFs further allows a prediction of the following phase and offers a precise post‐treatment evaluation tool when decoding the full image sequence.
Improvement of in vitro and early in utero porcine clone development after somatic donor cells are cultured under hypoxia
Authors: Mordhorst Bethany R. , Benne Joshua A. , Cecil Raissa F. , Whitworth Kristin M. , Samuel Melissa S. , Spate Lee D. , Murphy Clifton N. , Wells Kevin D. , Green Jonathan A. , Prather Randall S.
Published: February 2019

Genetically engineered pigs serve as excellent biomedical and agricultural models. To date, the most reliable way to generate genetically engineered pigs is via somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), however, the efficiency of cloning in pigs is low (1–3%). Somatic cells such as fibroblasts frequently used in nuclear transfer utilize the tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation for efficient energy production. The metabolism of somatic cells contrasts with cells within the early embryo, which predominately use glycolysis. We hypothesized that fibroblast cells could become blastomere‐like if mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was inhibited by hypoxia and that this would result in improved in vitro embryonic development after SCNT. In a previous study, we demonstrated that fibroblasts cultured under hypoxic conditions had changes in gene expression consistent with increased glycolytic/gluconeogenic metabolism. The goal of this pilot study was to determine if subsequent in vitro embryo development is impacted by cloning porcine embryonic fibroblasts cultured in hypoxia. Here we demonstrate that in vitro measures such as early cleavage, blastocyst development, and blastocyst cell number are improved (4.4%, 5.5%, and 17.6 cells, respectively) when donor cells are cultured in hypoxia before nuclear transfer. Survival probability was increased in clones from hypoxic cultured donors compared to controls (8.5 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2). These results suggest that the clones from donor cells cultured in hypoxia are more developmentally competent and this may be due to improved nuclear reprogramming during somatic cell nuclear transfer.
Urethral regions with differential tissular composition may underlie urinary continence and voiding function in female rats
Authors: Mirto‐Aguilar Nancy , Palacios José L. , Munoz Alvaro , Juárez Margarita , Cruz Yolanda
Published: February 2019

Aims

To analyze, in female rats, the anatomical and histological features of the urethra and its relationship with the vagina and clitoris, and its innervation.

Methods

Seventeen adult female Wistar rats were used. Gross anatomy and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) histochemistry were performed to describe the urethral features, adjacent structures, and innervation. The histomorphometric characteristics of the urethra were determined in transversal, longitudinal, or coronal sections stained with Masson's Trichrome.

Results

The female rat urethra is not a homogeneous tubular organ. The pre‐pelvic and pelvic regions are firmly attached to the vagina with belt‐like striated fibers forming a urethra‐vaginal complex. The bulbar regions have curved segments and a narrow lumen. The clitoral region is characterized by a urethra‐clitoral complex surrounded by a vascular plexus. The lumen area and thickness of the urethral layers significantly varied between regions (P < 0.05). Innervation of the urethra arrives from the major pelvic ganglion, the dorsal nerve of the clitoris (DNC), and the motor branch of the sacral plexus (MBSP).

Conclusions

Differential tissular composition of the urethra may underlie urinary continence and voiding dysfunction through different physiological mechanisms. The urethra‐vagina complex seems to be the main site controlling urinary continence through active muscular mechanisms, while the bulbar urethra provides passive mechanisms and the urethra‐clitoris complex seems to be crucial for distal urethral closure by means of a periurethral vascular network.
Comparison in the efficacy of fesoterodine or mirabegron add‐on therapy to silodosin for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia complicated by overactive bladder: A randomized, prospective trial using urodynamic studies
Authors: Matsukawa Yoshihisa , Takai Shun , Majima Tsuyoshi , Funahashi Yasuhito , Sassa Naoto , Kato Masashi , Yamamoto Tokunori , Gotoh Momokazu
Published: February 2019

Aims

To compare the efficacy of fesoterodine or mirabegron add‐on therapy for persistent overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms despite silodosin monotherapy in men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia, in both subjective and objective aspects.

Methods

A total of 120 patients with persistent OAB symptoms despite silodosin monotherapy were randomized to receive add‐on therapy with fesoterodine (4 mg/day) or mirabegron (50 mg/day) for 12 weeks. At week 12, changes from baseline in patients’ subjective symptoms and voiding/storage functions, as assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), OAB symptom score (OABSS), and urodynamic studies, were compared between the groups.

Results

The final analysis included 50 and 52 patients in the fesoterodine and mirabegron groups, respectively. Although the IPSS and OABSS significantly improved in both groups, the fesoterodine (vs mirabegron) group showed significantly greater improvements in the OABSS‐total (−2.8 vs −1.5, P = 0.004), IPSS‐QOL (−1.5 vs −1.1, P = 0.04), and OABSS‐urgency score (−1.5 vs −0.9, P = 0.008) at 12 weeks. Regarding storage functions, although both groups showed significant improvements, the fesoterodine group demonstrated greater improvements in the detrusor overactivity alleviation rate (52.6% vs 28.9%, P = 0.03). Voiding functions did not deteriorate in either group at 12 weeks; no significant inter‐group differences were observed. Post‐void residual urine significantly increased by 16 mL only in the fesoterodine group.

Conclusion

Add‐on therapy of fesoterodine to silodosin was more effective than adding mirabegron to silodosin for improving OAB symptoms and storage functions, without deteriorating voiding symptoms or functions.
Deep mining port scans from darknet
Authors: Lagraa Sofiane , Chen Yutian , François Jérôme
Published: February 2019

TCP/UDP port scanning or sweeping is one of the most common technique used by attackers to discover accessible and potentially vulnerable hosts and applications. Although extracting and distinguishing different port scanning strategies is a challenging task, the identification of dependencies among probed ports is primordial for profiling attacker behaviors, with a final goal of better mitigating them. In this paper, we propose an approach that allows to track port scanning behavior patterns among multiple probed ports and identify intrinsic properties of observed group of ports. Our method is fully automated based on graph modeling and data mining techniques, including text mining.

It provides to security analysts and operators relevant information about services that are jointly targeted by attackers. This is helpful to assess the strategy of the attacker by understanding the types of applications or environment he or she targets. We applied our method to data collected through a large Internet telescope (or darknet).
Corporate social responsibility commitment of small‐to‐medium enterprises and organizational competitive differentiation: Stakeholder pressure, market orientation, and socioeconomic context effects
Authors: Raza Jamshed , Liu Yuxin , Usman Muhammad
Published: February 2019

This paper aims to examine the role of stakeholder pressure and market orientation in explaining the corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments and the organizational competitive differentiation of small and medium enterprises. The socioeconomic context, that is, favorable versus unfavorable, was used as a moderator in above links. The results verify the strong influence of stakeholder's pressure on CSR commitments and the influence of stakeholder pressure and market orientation on organizational competitive differentiation. The socioeconomic context confirms to have a significant moderating role in the hypothesized links. In a favorable context, stakeholder pressure turns out to be relevant in explaining CSR commitments and the organizational competitive differentiation, and CSR commitments itself also have a significantly positive effect on organizational competitive differentiation. In an unfavorable context, market orientation provides a significantly positive support to CSR commitments and organizational competitive differentiation.
Impact of “U.S. Veterans' Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014” on employee morale and work behavior: Does “creating an at‐will workplace” lead to better outcomes?
Authors: Hur Hyunkang
Published: February 2019

This study estimates the impact of job security rule changes on federal civilian employees' work attitudes and behavior (i.e., job satisfaction and turnover intention) by looking at recent U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)'s Veterans' Access, Choice and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 2014. The data for the analysis are derived from the 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015 U.S. Federal Employee Viewpoint Surveys. A difference‐in‐differences quasiexperimental methodology was used to examine the effect of a job security rule change on VA employee job satisfaction and turnover intention. This study's results indicate that the overall effect of the introduction of a new job security rule at VA is a decrease of approximately 7 percentage points in employee job satisfaction and 8 percentage points in employee turnover intention, which are a substantial effect. This study contributes to both the theoretical and the empirical understanding of at‐will employment systems and public employee work morale and attitudes.
Investigation on red brick dust filled epoxy composites using ant lion optimization approach
Authors: Pati Pravat Ranjan , Satpathy Mantra Prasad
Published: February 2019

This article reports on the characterization and erosion wear performance of a new class of epoxy composites filled with micro‐sized red brick dust (RBD) particles. Although a number of ways for its utilization have been suggested in the past, its potential as a filler material in polymeric matrices has not yet been explored so far. In this work, composites with different RBD content are prepared by simple hand layup technique. The composites are characterized in regard to their density, porosity, micro‐hardness, and strength properties. Solid particle erosion trials are conducted following a well‐planned experimental schedule based on Taguchi design‐of‐experiments. The morphology of composite surfaces is then examined by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, a novel nature‐inspired ant lion optimizer (ALO) algorithm is proposed in this work to achieve minimum erosion wear rate. This algorithm mimics the behavior of antlions in nature. It provides a very competitive result over other evolutionary algorithms due to its characteristics like improved exploration, avoidance of local optima, quick convergence and less number of tuning parameters. The wear rate value obtained by ALO exhibit the lowest one as compared to the traditional Taguchi result. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3877–3885, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
A novel similarity search approach for high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting of medicinal plants
Authors: Ebrahimi‐Najafabadi Heshmatollah , Kazemeini Seyed Sina , Pasdaran Ardalan , Hamedi Azadeh
Published: February 2019

Introduction

In addition to the development of analytical equipment, another movement has also appeared in the field of computer assisted techniques for metabolite assessment. Although, some studies can be found in the literature there is still not available reliable and user‐friendly software which is coupled with a simple chromatography method for developing a database to identify medicinal plants.

Objectives

Developing a novel similarity search approach for high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting.

Methods

Combined HPTLC with image analysis approach was used for similarity assessment of 70 standard medicinal plants. Ethyl acetate–ethyl methyl ketone–formic acid 98%–water (50:30:10:10) were chosen among different examined mobile phases. Liebermann–Burchard and anisaldehyde reagents were chosen for HPTLC derivatisation for visualisation. Image analysis based on Cannys’ method was used to determine the spot size of each HPTLC image. A similarity search algorithm based on colour (RGB, HSV and Lab) information alone or together with retardation factor (Rf) and spot size information calculated with the software was built to assess the fingerprinting of medicinal plants.

Results

The software was capable of calculating spots size and Rf values. It authenticated unknown samples based on comparing images information, spots size and/or Rf in the built database. Similarity values were 75–96% for the selected plants chromatograms with those of the same plant in the database. It presents better results than principal components analysis (PCA), classification and regression trees (CART) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA).

Conclusion

The procedure paves the way for constructing a database of HPTLC images of medicinal plants.
Atlantoaxial Instability Resulting in Intractable Nausea in a Person with C5 Complete Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report
Authors: Sinclair Katie , Emerson Jane A. , Tanaka Tomoko
Published: February 2019

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) have altered neurophysiology and present with symptoms that must be interpreted in the context of their specific neurologic injury. This is a case of a 16‐year‐old female adolescent with C5 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A SCI who presented with intractable nausea. Multiple etiologies for her nausea, including medication effect, metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders, autonomic dysreflexia, and mood disorder, were systematically ruled out. Due to the persistence of the patient's symptoms and suboptimal progression in her rehabilitation, a central nervous system etiology was investigated. Ultimately, atlantoaxial instability with odontoid compression on the medulla was identified and her refractory nausea resolved following an occiput to C2 fusion. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of atlantoaxial instability causing intractable nausea due to brain stem compression in a patient with SCI.

Level of Evidence: V
A Thermal Study of a Simple Al−CuO Pyrotechnic Crackle Composition
Authors: Harrison Richard
Published: February 2019

The reaction temperature in ignited samples of a novel, chemically simple pyrotechnic crackle composition was monitored at 1 ms intervals by means of a small embedded thermocouple. Analysis of the results reveals that an exothermic reaction is detectable at temperatures as low as 500 K. The reaction is found to progress in at least three – and probably four – steps that correlate well with similar findings from the study of nanocomposites of the same composition. The first two steps are shown to be associated with the crackle's delay phase. The transition to the explosive phase is shown to occur at a temperature significantly above the melting point of aluminum, being triggered at or beyond the temperature of operation of the third reaction step. The results provide a behavioral baseline for the future study of more complex crackle compositions.
Synthesis, Powder X‐Ray Diffraction, and Ab Initio Study of TlInSe2: Analysis of Its Thermoelectric Properties
Authors: Chumakov Yurii M. , Mintaş Mehmet Fatih , Amiraslanov Imameddin R. , Volz Sebastian , Mammadov Samir N. , Mamedov Nazim T. , Mammadov Tofig G. , Ishikawa Masato , Wakita Kazuki , Seyidov MirHasan Yu.
Published: February 2019

In this paper, the authors report first‐principles calculations of the Seebeck coefficient in TlInSe2. Experimental measurements demonstrate that TlInSe2 is characterized by giant values of the Seebeck coefficient at the temperature region of 320–430 K. To get insight on significant enhancement of Seebeck coefficient under temperature changing the density functional theory (DFT) and the Boltzmann transport equation are applied to calculate the semiclassical transport coefficients for TlInSe2 and its constructed models. The molecular dynamic simulations of 2 × 2 × 2 and 1 × 1 × 8 superlattices of TlInSe2, the TlInSe2_118a, TlInSe2_118b, TlInSe2_222a, TlInSe2_222b structures are performed to study their behavior in both “bulk” and “chain – like” modes. It is found that the distortions of InSe4 tetrahedra and displacements of Tl atom lead to formation of Tl–Se covalent bonds. The “bulk” TlInSe2_222b compound possesses the maximum value of Seebeck coefficient and (ZT)max in comparison with another studied compounds. The hybridization of Se and Tl orbitals near the top of valence band and hybridization of the Se, Tl, and In orbitals in conduction band may lead to increasing of Seebeck coefficient in TlInSe2 at 425 K.