bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some gradient estimates and Harnack inequalities for nonlinear parabolic equations on Riemannian manifolds
Authors: Wang Wen , Zhang Pan
Published: December 2016

In this paper, by the method of J. F. Li and X. J. Xu (Differential Harnack inequalities on Riemannian manifolds I: Linear heat equation, Adv. in Math., 226 (2011), 4456–4491), we shall consider the nonlinear parabolic equation
urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201500287:mana201500287-math-0001on Riemannian manifolds with , . First of all, we shall derive the corresponding Li–Xu type gradient estimates of the positive solutions for . As applications, we deduce Liouville type theorem and Harnack inequality for some special cases. Besides, when , our results are different from Li and Yau's results. We also extend the results of J. F. Li and X. J. Xu, and the results of Y. Yang.
The Euler–Bernoulli beam equation with boundary dissipation of fractional derivative type
Authors: Achouri Zineb , Amroun Nour Eddine , Benaissa Abbes
Published: December 2016

We consider a Euler–Bernoulli beam equation with a boundary control condition of fractional derivative type. We study stability of the system using the semigroup theory of linear operators and a result obtained by Borichev and Tomilov. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of [14C]sesamin in rats
Authors: Tomimori Namino , Rogi Tomohiro , Shibata Hiroshi
Published: December 2016

Scope

Sesamin is a major lignan in sesame seeds and has various physiological effects. Although metabolism of sesamin by cytochrome P450 or intestinal microflora has been reported, little is known concerning the mass balance, pharmacokinetics, and tissue distribution of sesamin.

Methods and results

Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of [14C]sesamin were investigated after a single oral dose of 5 mg/kg in rats. Sesamin was absorbed with peak plasma radioactivity at 1.0 h and declined with a terminal half‐life 4.7 h. The cumulative excretion of radioactivity was 37.5 ± 3.1% in urine and 58.7 ± 4.8% in feces. In bile duct‐cannulated rats, the cumulative excretion of radioactivity was 66.3 ± 8.4% in bile and 27.8 ± 10.2% in urine. Tissue distribution was investigated using quantitative whole‐body autoradiography. Radioactivity was widely distributed over the whole body and was highly detected in the liver and kidney. The metabolites profile was examined using radiochromatography. Sesamin was mainly distributed in the form of conjugate metabolites.

Conclusions

Sesamin was absorbed efficiently and distributed over the whole body. In particular, sesamin was highly distributed in the form of the metabolites in the liver and kidney. The results of this study are useful in elucidating the action mechanism of sesamin.
A longitudinal four‐dimensional computed tomography and cone beam computed tomography dataset for image‐guided radiation therapy research in lung cancer
Authors: Hugo Geoffrey D. , Weiss Elisabeth , Sleeman William C. , Balik Salim , Keall Paul J. , Lu Jun , Williamson Jeffrey F.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

To describe in detail a dataset consisting of serial four‐dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) and 4D cone beam CT (4DCBCT) images acquired during chemoradiotherapy of 20 locally advanced, nonsmall cell lung cancer patients we have collected at our institution and shared publicly with the research community.

Acquisition and validation methods

As part of an NCI‐sponsored research study 82 4DCT and 507 4DCBCT images were acquired in a population of 20 locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. All subjects underwent concurrent radiochemotherapy to a total dose of 59.4–70.2 Gy using daily 1.8 or 2 Gy fractions. Audio‐visual biofeedback was used to minimize breathing irregularity during all fractions, including acquisition of all 4DCT and 4DCBCT acquisitions in all subjects. Target, organs at risk, and implanted fiducial markers were delineated by a physician in the 4DCT images. Image coordinate system origins between 4DCT and 4DCBCT were manipulated in such a way that the images can be used to simulate initial patient setup in the treatment position. 4DCT images were acquired on a 16‐slice helical CT simulator with 10 breathing phases and 3 mm slice thickness during simulation. In 13 of the 20 subjects, 4DCTs were also acquired on the same scanner weekly during therapy. Every day, 4DCBCT images were acquired on a commercial onboard CBCT scanner. An optically tracked external surrogate was synchronized with CBCT acquisition so that each CBCT projection was time stamped with the surrogate respiratory signal through in‐house software and hardware tools. Approximately 2500 projections were acquired over a period of 8–10 minutes in half‐fan mode with the half bow‐tie filter. Using the external surrogate, the CBCT projections were sorted into 10 breathing phases and reconstructed with an in‐house FDK reconstruction algorithm. Errors in respiration sorting, reconstruction, and acquisition were carefully identified and corrected.

Data format and usage notes

4DCT and 4DCBCT images are available in DICOM format and structures through DICOM‐RT RTSTRUCT format. All data are stored in the Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA, http://www.cancerimagingarchive.net/) as collection 4D‐Lung and are publicly available.

Discussion

Due to high temporal frequency sampling, redundant (4DCT and 4DCBCT) data at similar timepoints, oversampled 4DCBCT, and fiducial markers, this dataset can support studies in image‐guided and image‐guided adaptive radiotherapy, assessment of 4D voxel trajectory variability, and development and validation of new tools for image registration and motion management.
An MRI‐compatible patient rotation system — design, construction, and first organ deformation results
Authors: Whelan Brendan , Liney Gary P. , Dowling Jason A. , Rai Robba , Holloway Lois , McGarvie Leigh , Feain Ilana , Barton Michael , Berry Megan , Wilkins Rob , Keall Paul
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Conventionally in radiotherapy, a very heavy beam forming apparatus (gantry) is rotated around a patient. From a mechanical perspective, a more elegant approach is to rotate the patient within a stationary beam. Key obstacles to this approach are patient tolerance and anatomical deformation. Very little information on either aspect is available in the literature. The purpose of this work was therefore to design and test an MRI‐compatible patient rotation system such that the feasibility of a patient rotation workflow could be tested.

Methods

A patient rotation system (PRS) was designed to fit inside the bore of a 3T MRI scanner (Skyra, Siemens) such that 3D images could be acquired at different rotation angles. Once constructed, a pelvic imaging study was carried out on a healthy volunteer. T2‐weighted MRI images were taken every 45° between 0° and 360°, (with 0° equivalent to supine). The prostate, bladder, and rectum were segmented using atlas‐based auto contouring. The images from each angle were registered back to the 0° image in three steps: (a) Rigid registration was based on MRI visible markers on the couch. (b) Rigid registration based on the prostate contour (equivalent to a rigid shift to the prostate). (c) Nonrigid registration. The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and mean average surface distance (MASD) were calculated for each organ at each step.

Results

The PRS met all design constraints and was successfully integrated with the MRI scanner. Phantom images showed minimal difference in signal or noise with or without the PRS in the MRI scanner. For the MRI images, the DSC (mean ± standard deviation) over all angles in the prostate, rectum, and bladder was 0.60 ± 0.11, 0.56 ± 0.15, and 0.76 ± 0.06 after rigid couch registration, 0.88 ± 0.03, 0.81 ± 0.08, and 0.86 ± 0.03 after rigid prostate guided registration, and 0.85 ± 0.03, 0.88 ± 0.02, 0.87 ± 0.02 after nonrigid registration.

Conclusions

An MRI‐compatible patient rotation system has been designed, constructed, and tested. A pelvic study was carried out on a healthy volunteer. Rigid registration based on the prostate contour yielded DSC overlap statistics in the prostate superior to interobserver contouring variability reported in the literature.
A novel functional variant in Wilms’ Tumor 1 (WT1) is associated with idiopathic non‐obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Xu Jin , Jiang Lile , Yu Wenzhu , Guo Haibin , Zhang Helong , Wei Duo , Liang Lingling , Feng Ke , Song Xiaobing , Liu Qi , Song Bingbing , Hao Haoying , Zhang Ying , Zhang Cuilian
Published: December 2016

Idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia (INOA) is one of the most severe forms of male infertility, yet its pathophysiology remains unclear. WT1 (Wilms’ tumor 1) regulates the polarity of Sertoli cells, thereby playing a critical, indirect role in spermatogenesis. Here, we evaluated WT1 gene variation associates with INOA by assessing its promoter and coding regions in 200 patients diagnosed with INOA and 200 proven‐fertile men. Three novel variants in the WT1 coding region were detected only in INOA patients, including two synonymous variants and one missense variant, p.Phe435Leu (p.F435L), which was predicted to be deleterious to protein function. The results of dual luciferase reporter showed that the WT1 p.F435L variant decreases transcription of COL4A1 and WNT4 promoters through a dominant‐negative effect. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that COL4A1 and WNT4 promoter is directly bound by wild‐type WT1 protein, but not the p.F435L WT1 variant. Thus, we identified a novel functional variant of WT1 functionally associated with INOA. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 84: 222–228, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A residual based sparse approximate inverse preconditioning procedure for large sparse linear systems
Authors: Jia Zhongxiao , Kang Wenjie
Published: December 2016

We propose a residual based sparse approximate inverse (RSAI) preconditioning procedure, for the large sparse linear system Ax=b. Different from the SParse Approximate Inverse (SPAI) algorithm proposed by Grote and Huckle (SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, 18 (1997), pp. 838–853.), RSAI uses only the dominant other than all the information on the current residual and augments sparsity patterns adaptively during loops. In order to control the sparsity of M, we develop two practical algorithms RSAI(fix) and RSAI(tol). RSAI(fix) retains the prescribed number of large nonzero entries and adjusts their positions in each column of M among all available ones, in which the number of large entries is increased by a fixed number at each loop. In contrast, the existing indices of M by SPAI are untouched in subsequent loops and a few most profitable indices are added to each column of M from the new candidates in the next loop. RSAI(tol) is a tolerance based dropping algorithm and retains all large entries by dynamically dropping small ones below some tolerances, and it better suits for the problem where the numbers of large entries in the columns of A−1 differ greatly. When the two preconditioners M have almost the same or comparable numbers of nonzero entries, the numerical experiments on real‐world problems demonstrate that RSAI(fix) is highly competitive with SPAI and can outperform the latter for some problems. We also make comparisons of RSAI(fix), RSAI(tol), and power sparse approximate inverse(tol) proposed Jia and Zhu (Numerical Linear Algebra with Applications, 16 (2009), pp.259–299.) and incomplete LU factorization type methods and draw some general conclusions.
Evaluation of a web‐based weight loss intervention in overweight cancer survivors aged 50 years and younger
Authors: Lynch S. M. , Stricker C. T. , Brown J. C. , Berardi J. M. , Vaughn D. , Domchek S. , Filseth S. , Branas A. , Weiss‐Trainor E. , Schmitz K. H. , Sarwer D. B.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Half of adult cancer survivors under age 50 years are obese. Excess body weight is associated with cancer recurrence, and effective weight loss interventions for younger cancer survivors are needed. Commercially available, online weight loss programmes are readily accessible, but few have been studied in this population. This study employed a single‐arm, pre‐post intervention (baseline‐6 month/baseline‐12 month comparisons) to preliminarily explore feasibility, efficacy and safety of an online, commercially available weight loss programme in breast (n = 30) and testicular (n = 16) cancer survivors under age 50 years.

Methods

The intervention included three daily components: exercise, nutritional/behavioural modification strategies and health lessons. Intention‐to‐treat and completers analyses were conducted. Feasibility was measured by participation (number of participants enrolled/number screened), retention (number of participants attending 6/12 month study visit/number of enrolled) and self‐reported adherence rates (average of mean percent adherence to each of the three intervention components). Efficacy was assessed by changes in initial weight (percent weight loss). Safety was assessed by adverse events.

Results

The mean participation rate was 42%. The retention rate was 59% at 6 and 49% at 12 months. The adherence rate for all participants (completers/dropouts/lost‐to‐follow‐up) was 50.1% at 6 and 44% at 12 months. Completers reported adherence rates of 68% at 12 months. Study participants lost 5.3% body weight at 12 months; completers lost 9%. Only three unexpected adverse events (unrelated to the intervention) were reported.

Conclusion

Clinically significant weight loss was observed, although retention rates were low. Findings generally support preliminary feasibility, efficacy and safety of this online weight loss programme, and future randomized control trials should be explored.
Role of fetal MRI in the evaluation of isolated and non‐isolated corpus callosum dysgenesis: results of a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Manganaro Lucia , Bernardo Silvia , De Vito Corrado , Antonelli Amanda , Marchionni Enrica , Vinci Valeria , Saldari Matteo , Di Meglio Letizia , Giancotti Antonella , Silvestri Evelina , Catalano Carlo , Pizzuti Antonio
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The aims of this study were to characterize isolated and non‐isolated forms of corpus callosum dysgenesis (CCD) at fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to identify early predictors of associated anomalies.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 104 fetuses with CCD undergoing MRI between 2006 and 2016. Corpus callosum, cavum septi pellucidi, biometry, presence of ventriculomegaly, gyration anomalies, cranio‐encephalic abnormalities and body malformations were evaluated. Results of genetic tests were also recorded.

Results

At MRI, isolated CCD was 26.9%, the rest being associated to other abnormalities. In the isolated group, median gestational age at MRI was lower in complete agenesis than in hypoplasia (22 vs 28 weeks). In the group with additional findings, cortical dysplasia was the most frequently associated feature (P = 0.008), with a more frequent occurrence in complete agenesis (70%) versus other forms; mesial frontal lobes were more often involved than other cortical regions (P = 0.006), with polymicrogyria as the most frequent cortical malformation (40%). Multivariate analysis confirmed the association between complete agenesis and cortical dysplasia (odds ratio = 7.29, 95% confidence interval 1.51–35.21).

Conclusions

CCD is often complicated by other intra‐cranial and extra‐cranial findings (cortical dysplasias as the most prevalent) that significantly affect the postnatal prognosis. The present study showed CCD with associated anomalies as more frequent than isolated (73.1%). In isolated forms, severe ventriculomegaly was a reliable herald of future appearance of associated features. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring characteristics, predictors, and consequences of fear of cancer recurrence among Asian‐American breast cancer survivors
Authors: Ashing Kimlin Tam , Cho Dalnim , Lai Lily , Yeung Sophia , Young Lucy , Yeon Christina , Fong Yuman
Published: December 2016

Background

To address the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) research gap, we used prospective data to explore FCR predictors and FCR associations with health‐related quality of life among Asian‐American breast cancer survivors (BCS).

Methods

A total of 208 diverse Asian‐American BCS completed T1 survey, and 137 completed T2 survey after 1 year.

Results

Fear of cancer recurrence scores (range = 0‐4) were 2.01 at T1 and 1.99 at T2 reflecting low‐to‐moderate FCR. Scores of FCR were stable over the 1‐year period (t(126) = .144, P = .886). Multiple regression analyses showed that Chinese women reported lower FCR both at T1 (t(193) = −2.92, P = .004) and T2 (t(128) = −2.56, P = .012) compared to other Asian women. Also, more positive health care experience at T1 predicted lower FCR at T2 (β = −.18, P = .041). Controlling for other covariates, greater FCR at T1 predicted poorer outcomes 1 year later including lower physical (β = −.31, P < .001), emotional (β = −.37, P < .001) and functional (β = −.16, P = .044) well‐being and health‐related quality of life specific to breast cancer at T2 (β = −.31, P < .001).

Conclusions

We found substantial consistencies and some divergences between our findings with Asian‐American BCS and the existing literature. This prospective investigation reveals new information suggesting that Asian‐American subgroup variation exists and health care system factors may influence FCR. Thus, FCR studies should consider Asian subgroupings, cultural aspects, ie, level of acculturation and health care system factors including provider‐patient communication and treatment setting. Future research may benefit from contextualizing FCR within a broader distress framework to advance the science and practice of patient‐centered and whole‐person care.
Highly Acid‐Resistant, Magnetically Steerable Acoustic Micromotors Prepared by Coating Gold Microrods with Fe3O4 Nanoparticles via pH Adjustment
Authors: Li Zeheng , Bai Lanjun , Zhou Chao , Yan Xiaohui , Mair Lamar , Zhang Anning , Zhang Li , Wang Wei
Published: December 2016

There is mounting interest in designing magnetically steerable nano‐ and micromotors for next generation medical nanorobotics, which requires biocompatibility for each individual component. Although various magnetic materials (e.g., Ni, Co, and Fe3O4) have been incorporated into micromotors, their acid resistance remains largely unexplored. In this article, a simple one‐step method to prepare magnetic microrods via electrostatic attraction between paramagnetic magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) and gold microrods at appropriate pH values is reported. The as‐prepared Fe3O4‐coated micromotors can be powered by MHz ultrasound and easily steered by external magnetic fields, and perform well in harsh working conditions such as high acidity, high viscosity, and high ionic strength. In particular, extended exposure to solution of pH as low as 0.9 has a minimal effect on the speed, steerability, or cargo‐transporting capability of micromotors coated with Fe3O4 NPs, in stark contrast with those containing Ni segments. Considering the many challenges of biomedical applications, acid‐resistant, magnetically steerable Fe3O4‐coated micromotors powered by MHz ultrasound can be a promising prototype for the future development of medical nano‐ and microrobotics.
In–situ Characterization and Cure Kinetics in NEPE Propellant/ HTPB Liner Interface by Microscopic FT‐IR
Authors: Gui Dayong , Zong Yangyang , Ding Sheng , Li Cuihua , Zhang Qianling , Wang Mingliang , Liu Jianhong , Chi Xuhui , Ma Xingang , Pang Aimin
Published: December 2016

The content distribution of chemical groups and the kinetics of curing process in the micro‐region interfaces of nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE) based propellant/hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) based liner were studied by in‐situ diffuse reflection FT‐IR spectroscopy. During the curing process, the content of –NCO groups showed little increase in the liner region toward the interface. It rises quickly through the interface layer and is then stable in the region of the propellant layer, while the content of –NH groups gradually increases from liner to propellant. In the micro‐region between liner and propellant, the –C=O decreases rapidly through interface and then has a slight increase in the propellant region. Migration of nitrate esters appears at the interface of the NEPE propellant/liner at early period of curing, and –O–NO2 decreases from propellant to liner in the bonding interface micro‐region. A study of curing kinetics indicates that the second‐order reaction model can describe the curing reaction in the bonding interface at the early stage of curing process. The order of apparent curing reaction rate constant (k) of liner (L point), intermediate point (I point) and propellant (P point) in the interface micron‐region is kL > kI > kP at the same curing temperature. The apparent reaction activation energy (Ea) at L, I, and P points are 39.96, 81.49, and 62.51 kJ mol–1, respectively, based on the Arrhenius equation.
Impact of glyphosate‐resistant sugar beet
Authors: Morishita Don W
Published: December 2016

Glyphosate‐resistant (GR) sugar beet became commercially available to US sugar beet growers in 2008 and was rapidly adopted. Prior to the availability of GR sugar beet, growers would commonly make 3–5 herbicide applications. This often resulted in some crop injury, but was accepted to reduce the impact of weeds. In addition, non‐GR sugar beet was cultivated 1–3 times and often followed by hand weeding. The introduction of GR sugar beet drastically reduced the complexity of weed management. Concerns about GR weeds in the United States also apply to sugar beet growers. Changes in weed management strategies will be required to keep this technology. Sugar beet is arguably one of the most suitable crops for GR technology because: (1) none of the herbicides registered for use in this crop was very effective without risking crop injury; (2) sugar beet cannot be grown in the same field year after year owing to disease concerns and thus requires a 3–4 year rotation; (3) pollen‐mediated gene flow is negligible from the sugar beet crop because it is a biennial and harvested before it flowers; (4) the processing of harvested roots to extract the sucrose rapidly degrades the DNA in the extracted raw juice and subsequent refining so that no DNA is present in the finished sugar; (5) studies have shown that processed GR beet sugar is identical to non‐GR beet sugar, as well as cane sugar. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Peptide hydrogel in vitro non‐inflammatory potential
Authors: Markey A. , Workman V. L. , Bruce I. A. , Woolford T. J. , Derby B. , Miller A. F. , Cartmell S. H. , Saiani A.
Published: December 2016

Peptide‐based hydrogels have attracted significant interest in recent years as these soft, highly hydrated materials can be engineered to mimic the cell niche with significant potential applications in the biomedical field. Their potential use in vivo in particular is dependent on their biocompatibility, including their potential to cause an inflammatory response. In this work, we investigated in vitro the inflammatory potential of a β‐sheet forming peptide (FEFEFKFK; F: phenylalanine, E: glutamic acid; K: lysine) hydrogel by encapsulating murine monocytes within it (3D culture) and using the production of cytokines, IL‐β, IL‐6 and TNFα, as markers of inflammatory response. No statistically significant release of cytokines in our test sample (media + gel + cells) was observed after 48 or 72 h of culture showing that our hydrogels do not incite a pro‐inflammatory response in vitro. These results show the potential biocompatibility of these hydrogels and therefore their potential for in vivo use. The work also highlighted the difference in monocyte behaviour, proliferation and morphology changes when cultured in 2D vs. 3D. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Peptide Science published by European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
One‐Pot Synthesis of [111]‐/{010} Facets Coexisting Anatase Nanocrystals with Enhanced Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell Performance
Authors: Du Yi‐en , Bai Yang , Liu Yufang , Guo Yanqing , Cai Xuemei , Feng Qi
Published: December 2016

A facile one‐pot hydrothermal synthesis cuboid/rhombic coexisting anatase nanocrystals with a large percentage of [111]‐/{010} facets were reported through using tetratitanate nanoribbons as a precursor. The nanostructures and the formation reaction mechanism of the obtained anatase TiO2 nanocrystals from the layered tetratitanate nanoribbons were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The transformation from the layered phase into the anatase TiO2 may experience two types of reaction during the hydrothermal reaction, including the in situ topotactic dehydration reaction and the dissolution‐deposition reaction. And the adsorption behavior of N719 Dye on TiO2 surface was studied. Furthermore, the dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance of the synthesized [111]‐/{010}‐faceted anatase nanocrystals was also characterized, which showed a superior photovoltaic performance, compared to the commercial P25 TiO2 nanocrystals.
Management of symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi: Minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy versus flexible ureterorenoscopy
Authors: Ding Xiang , Xu Song‐Tao , Huang Yu‐Hua , Wei Xue‐Dong , Zhang Jiang‐Lei , Wang Liang‐Liang , Pu Jin‐Xian , Hou Jian‐Quan , Yan Chun‐Yin , Cui Feng‐Mei
Published: December 2016

Objective

To retrospectively evaluate appropriate treatment for patients with symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi, by comparing the therapeutic outcomes for those undergoing minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) and flexible ureterorenoscopy (F‐URS).

Methods

From March 2009 to May 2014, 36 consecutive patients with caliceal diverticular calculi were divided into 2 groups: 21 patients underwent MPCNL, and 15 were treated by F‐URS. All procedures were performed by one surgical group, which ensured relatively constant parameters. Patient characteristics, operative time, hospital stay after surgery, stone‐free rate, symptomatic improvement rate, complications, diverticular obliteration, and stone composition were analyzed retrospectively in the 2 groups.

Results

Patient preoperative variables were comparable between the two groups, with no significant difference (P > 0.05). Mean operative time was 136.9 ± 22.8 min in the MPCNL group and 117.3 ± 24.3 min in the F‐URS group (P = 0.019). Hospital stay was significantly longer in the MPCNL group than in the F‐URS group (9.4 ± 3.1 vs. 6.9 ± 2.1 days, P = 0.010). The stone‐free rates after MPCNL and F‐URS were 90.5% (19/21) and 60.0% (9/15), respectively (P = 0.046). Additionally, 71.4% (15/21) of patients in the MPCNL group and 46.7% (7/15) of patients in the F‐URS group had symptomatic improvement at the 6‐month follow‐up (P = 0.175); the rates of complications in the 2 groups were 19.0% (4/21) and 13.3% (2/15), respectively (P = 0.650). Complete diverticular obliteration was achieved in 16 (76.2%) cases in the MPCNL group and 5 (33.3%) cases in the F‐URS group (P = 0.017). The distributions of calcium oxalate and hydroxyapatite in the stones were 66.7% (14/21) and 33.3% (7/21), respectively, in the MPCNL group; however, the distributions in the F‐URS group were 46.7% (7/15) and 53.3% (8/15), respectively (P = 0.310).

Conclusion

MPCNL is an effective method for the treatment of caliceal diverticular calculi. However, F‐URS is an alternative technique in selected patients with a patent infundibulum, despite lower stone‐free rates than with MPCNL. Fulguration of the diverticular lining with a high‐power holmium laser and permitting the cavity to collapse are useful to increase the chance of diverticular obliteration.
A role for Sel-Plex™, a source of organic selenium in selenised yeast cell wall protein, as a factor that influences meat stability
Authors: Edens F. W. , Sefton A. E.
Published: December 2016

Selenium is an important mineral required in the antioxidant system in animals, which is involved with oxidative stability in tissues, particularly membranes, and is involved in various aspects of meat quality and stability on the shelf, due to its protective properties on lipids, preventing rancidity. Se can be supplied in an inorganic or chemically organic form, and it is well known that the latter has beneficial properties and improved functionality in physiological systems compared to the former. Research has shown that organic Se is associated with increased tenderness and the prevention of certain problems in pale exudative meat, discolouration and off-flavours and odours in meat, although this depends on other components of the antioxidant system, such as vitamin E, being present as well. The change in prominence of glutathione peroxidase forms in their interaction with vitamin E in cell membranes is also noted. The following review (the third in a series) details the research that has been conducted into the role of Se in meat stability and related factors, with specific focus on organic forms of Se, namely the commercial product Sel-Plex™(Alltech Inc, Nicholasville, KY, USA), which is derived from yeast and in which selenium replaces sulphur in methionine forming selenomethionine in yeast protein.
The Cart and the Horse Redux: The Timing of Border Settlement and Joint Democracy
Authors: Owsiak Andrew P. , Vasquez John A.
Published: December 2016

Do democratic dyads handle their disputes more peacefully than non-democratic dyads, or have they cleared the most contentious issues (that is, unsettled borders) off their foreign policy agenda before becoming democratic? This study compares the conflicting answers of the democratic peace and the territorial peace and examines the empirical record to see which is more accurate. It finds that almost all contiguous dyads settle their borders before they become joint democracies. Furthermore, the majority of non-contiguous dyad members also settle their borders with all neighboring states before their non-contiguous dyad becomes jointly democratic. Such findings are consistent with the theoretical expectations of the territorial peace, rather than the democratic peace. They also weaken a core argument of the democratic peace, for this analysis finds that one reason democratic dyads may handle their disputes more peacefully than non-democratic dyads is not because of their institutions or norms, but rather because they have dispensed with the disputes most likely to involve the use of military force prior to becoming democratic.
Cervicofacial emphysema following Harmonic scalpel tonsillectomy: case report and comprehensive review of the literature
Authors: Crosbie R A , Kunanandam T
Published: December 2016

Background:

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide. There are a handful of common complications, with bleeding being the most feared; however, rarer complications can present to a wide range of medical professionals.

Methods:

A 12-year-old girl presented with cervicofacial emphysema following tonsillectomy. This paper discusses the case and the management adopted, and presents the findings of a comprehensive literature review.

Results:

The patient made a full recovery, and was discharged after 3 days following conservative management with intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics and supplemental low-flow oxygen.

Conclusion:

This paper presents the first reported case of cervicofacial emphysema following Harmonic scalpel tonsillectomy. Although this is an exceptionally rare complication, it is potentially serious and warrants further description to improve awareness.
Particle-in-cell simulations of the relaxation of electron beams in inhomogeneous solar wind plasmas
Authors: Thurgood Jonathan O. , Tsiklauri David
Published: December 2016

Previous theoretical considerations of electron beam relaxation in inhomogeneous plasmas have indicated that the effects of the irregular solar wind may account for the poor agreement of homogeneous modelling with the observations. Quasi-linear theory and Hamiltonian models based on Zakharov’s equations have indicated that when the level of density fluctuations is above a given threshold, density irregularities act to de-resonate the beam–plasma interaction, restricting Langmuir wave growth on the expense of beam energy. This work presents the first fully kinetic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of beam relaxation under the influence of density irregularities. We aim to independently determine the influence of background inhomogeneity on the beam–plasma system, and to test theoretical predictions and alternative models using a fully kinetic treatment. We carry out one-dimensional (1-D) PIC simulations of a bump-on-tail unstable electron beam in the presence of increasing levels of background inhomogeneity using the fully electromagnetic, relativistic EPOCH PIC code. We find that in the case of homogeneous background plasma density, Langmuir wave packets are generated at the resonant condition and then quasi-linear relaxation leads to a dynamic increase of wavenumbers generated. No electron acceleration is seen – unlike in the inhomogeneous experiments, all of which produce high-energy electrons. For the inhomogeneous experiments we also observe the generation of backwards-propagating Langmuir waves, which is shown directly to be due to the refraction of the packets off the density gradients. In the case of higher-amplitude density fluctuations, similar features to the weaker cases are found, but also packets can also deviate from the expected dispersion curve in $(k,\unicode[STIX]{x1D714})$-space due to nonlinearity. Our fully kinetic PIC simulations broadly confirm the findings of quasi-linear theory and the Hamiltonian model based on Zakharov’s equations. Strong density fluctuations modify properties of excited Langmuir waves altering their dispersion properties.
SIX NEW SPECIES OF TETRAPTERYS (MALPIGHIACEAE)
Authors: Anderson C.
Published: December 2016

Six new species of the Neotropical genus Tetrapterys (Malpighiaceae) are described and illustrated: T. amazonica C.E.Anderson (Brazil, Colombia and Peru), T. andersonii C.E.Anderson (Mexico), T. callejasii W.R.Anderson (Colombia), T. molinae W.R.Anderson (Honduras), T. rzedowskii W.R.Anderson (Mexico) and T. steyermarkii W.R.Anderson (Colombia and Venezuela). All have 4(–6)-flowered umbels as the ultimate inflorescence units, glabrous yellow petals, and samaras with a small dorsal wing in addition to the four large lateral wings.
How does relationship-based governance accommodate new entrants? Evidence from the cycle-rickshaw rental market
Authors: JAIN TARUN , SOOD ASHIMA
Published: December 2016

Relationship-based contract enforcement is commonly thought to limit market expansion. In contrast, this paper illustrates how relationship-based contract governance accommodates new entrants into market exchange using a case study of the cycle-rickshaw rental market in a city in central India. Migrants face a higher penalty for default that introduces a gap between the ex ante risk for out-of-network agents and the ex post risk. As a result, cycle-rickshaw owners are more likely to rent to migrants and migrants are more likely to participate in rental contracts. With primary data on multidimensional measures of migrant status, we confirm that migrant status is a significant predictor of rental contract participation, even controlling for other variables that moderate the rickshaw driver's ability to own a cycle-rickshaw. Our findings thus introduce a new perspective into current understandings of relationship-based contract governance.
Chlamydial protease‐like activity factor mediated protection against C. trachomatis in guinea pigs
Authors: Wali Shradha , Gupta Rishein , Yu Jieh‐Juen , Lanka Gopala Krishna Koundinya , Chambers James P , Guentzel M Neal , Zhong Guangming , Murthy Ashlesh K , Arulanandam Bernard P
Published: December 2016

We have comprehensively demonstrated using the mouse model that intranasal immunization with recombinant chlamydial protease‐like activity factor (rCPAF) leads to a significant reduction in bacterial burden, genital tract pathology and preserves fertility following intravaginal genital chlamydial challenge. In the present report, we evaluated the protective efficacy of rCPAF immunization in guinea pigs, a second animal model for genital chlamydial infection. Using a vaccination strategy similar to the mouse model, we intranasally immunized female guinea pigs with rCPAF plus CpG deoxynucleotides (CpG; as an adjuvant), and challenged intravaginally with C. trachomatis serovar D (CT‐D). Immunization with rCPAF/CpG significantly reduced vaginal CT‐D shedding and induced resolution of infection by day 24, compared with day 33 in CpG alone treated and challenged animals. Immunization induced robust anti‐rCPAF serum IgG 2 weeks following the last immunization, and was sustained at a high‐level 4 weeks post challenge. Upregulation of antigen‐specific IFN‐γ gene expression was observed in rCPAF/CpG‐vaccinated splenocytes. Importantly, a significant reduction in inflammation in the genital tissue in rCPAF/CpG‐immunized guinea pigs compared with CpG‐immunized animals was observed. Taken together, this study provides evidence of the protective efficacy of rCPAF as a vaccine candidate in a second animal model of genital chlamydial infection.
Two pathways regulate cortical granule translocation to prevent polyspermy in mouse oocytes
Authors: Cheeseman Liam P. , Boulanger Jérôme , Bond Lisa M. , Schuh Melina
Published: December 2016

An egg must be fertilized by a single sperm only. To prevent polyspermy, the zona pellucida, a structure that surrounds mammalian eggs, becomes impermeable upon fertilization, preventing the entry of further sperm. The structural changes in the zona upon fertilization are driven by the exocytosis of cortical granules. These translocate from the oocyte’s centre to the plasma membrane during meiosis. However, very little is known about the mechanism of cortical granule translocation. Here we investigate cortical granule transport and dynamics in live mammalian oocytes by using Rab27a as a marker. We show that two separate mechanisms drive their transport: myosin Va-dependent movement along actin filaments, and an unexpected vesicle hitchhiking mechanism by which cortical granules bind to Rab11a vesicles powered by myosin Vb. Inhibiting cortical granule translocation severely impaired the block to sperm entry, suggesting that translocation defects could contribute to miscarriages that are caused by polyspermy.
The origin of ultrahigh piezoelectricity in relaxor-ferroelectric solid solution crystals
Authors: Li Fei , Zhang Shujun , Yang Tiannan , Xu Zhuo , Zhang Nan , Liu Gang , Wang Jianjun , Wang Jianli , Cheng Zhenxiang , Ye Zuo-Guang , Luo Jun , Shrout Thomas R. , Chen Long-Qing
Published: December 2016

The discovery of ultrahigh piezoelectricity in relaxor-ferroelectric solid solution single crystals is a breakthrough in ferroelectric materials. A key signature of relaxor-ferroelectric solid solutions is the existence of polar nanoregions, a nanoscale inhomogeneity, that coexist with normal ferroelectric domains. Despite two decades of extensive studies, the contribution of polar nanoregions to the underlying piezoelectric properties of relaxor ferroelectrics has yet to be established. Here we quantitatively characterize the contribution of polar nanoregions to the dielectric/piezoelectric responses of relaxor-ferroelectric crystals using a combination of cryogenic experiments and phase-field simulations. The contribution of polar nanoregions to the room-temperature dielectric and piezoelectric properties is in the range of 50–80%. A mesoscale mechanism is proposed to reveal the origin of the high piezoelectricity in relaxor ferroelectrics, where the polar nanoregions aligned in a ferroelectric matrix can facilitate polarization rotation. This mechanism emphasizes the critical role of local structure on the macroscopic properties of ferroelectric materials.
A bromodomain–DNA interaction facilitates acetylation-dependent bivalent nucleosome recognition by the BET protein BRDT
Authors: Miller Thomas C. R. , Simon Bernd , Rybin Vladimir , Grötsch Helga , Curtet Sandrine , Khochbin Saadi , Carlomagno Teresa , Müller Christoph W.
Published: December 2016

Bromodomains are critical components of many chromatin modifying/remodelling proteins and are emerging therapeutic targets, yet how they interact with nucleosomes, rather than acetylated peptides, remains unclear. Using BRDT as a model, we characterized how the BET family of bromodomains interacts with site-specifically acetylated nucleosomes. Here we report that BRDT interacts with nucleosomes through its first (BD1), but not second (BD2) bromodomain, and that acetylated histone recognition by BD1 is complemented by a bromodomain–DNA interaction. Simultaneous DNA and histone recognition enhances BRDT’s nucleosome binding affinity and specificity, and its ability to localize to acetylated chromatin in cells. Conservation of DNA binding in bromodomains of BRD2, BRD3 and BRD4, indicates that bivalent nucleosome recognition is a key feature of these bromodomains and possibly others. Our results elucidate the molecular mechanism of BRDT association with nucleosomes and identify structural features of the BET bromodomains that may be targeted for therapeutic inhibition.
Tremor activity inhibited by well-drained conditions above a megathrust
Authors: Nakajima Junichi , Hasegawa Akira
Published: December 2016

Tremor occurs on megathrusts under conditions of near-lithostatic pore-fluid pressures and extremely weakened shear strengths. Although metamorphic reactions in the slab liberate large amounts of fluids, the mechanism for enhancing pore-fluid pressures along the megathrust to near-lithostatic values remains poorly understood. Here we show anti-correlation between low-frequency earthquake (LFE) activity and properties that are markers of the degree of metamorphism above the megathrust, whereby LFEs occur beneath the unmetamorphosed overlying plate but are rare or limited below portions that are metamorphosed. The extent of metamorphism in the overlying plate is likely controlled by along-strike contrasts in permeability. Undrained conditions are required for pore-fluid pressures to be enhanced to near-lithostatic values and for shear strength to reduce sufficiently for LFE generation, whereas well-drained conditions reduce pore-fluid pressures at the megathrust and LFEs no longer occur at the somewhat strengthened megathrust. Our observations suggest that undrained conditions are a key factor for the genesis of LFEs.
Linking genomic reorganization to tumor initiation via the giant cell cycle
Authors: Niu N , Zhang J , Zhang N , Mercado-Uribe I , Tao F , Han Z , Pathak S , Multani A S , Kuang J , Yao J , Bast R C , Sood A K , Hung M-C , Liu J
Published: December 2016

To investigate the mechanisms underlying our recent paradoxical finding that mitotically incapacitated and genomically unstable polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) are capable of tumor initiation, we labeled ovarian cancer cells with α-tubulin fused to green fluorescent protein, histone-2B fused to red fluorescent protein and FUCCI (fluorescent ubiquitination cell cycle indicator), and tracked the spatial and time-dependent change in spindle and chromosomal dynamics of PGCCs using live-cell fluorescence time-lapse recording. We found that single-dose (500 nm) treatment with paclitaxel paradoxically initiated endoreplication to form PGCCs after massive cell death. The resulting PGCCs continued self-renewal via endoreplication and further divided by nuclear budding or fragmentation; the small daughter nuclei then acquired cytoplasm, split off from the giant mother cells and acquired competency in mitosis. FUCCI showed that PGCCs divided via truncated endoreplication cell cycle (endocycle or endomitosis). Confocal microscopy showed that PGCCs had pronounced nuclear fragmentation and lacked expression of key mitotic proteins. PGCC-derived daughter cells were capable of long-term proliferation and acquired numerous new genome/chromosome alterations demonstrated by spectral karyotyping. These data prompt us to conceptualize a giant cell cycle composed of four distinct but overlapping phases, initiation, self-renewal, termination and stability. The giant cell cycle may represent a fundamental cellular mechanism to initiate genomic reorganization to generate new tumor-initiating cells in response to chemotherapy-induced stress and contributes to disease relapse.
KLF4 functions as an activator of the androgen receptor through reciprocal feedback
Authors: Siu M-K , Suau F , Chen W-Y , Tsai Y-C , Tsai H-Y , Yeh H-L , Liu Y-N
Published: December 2016

In prostate cancer, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) depletion occurs frequently, suggesting a role as suppressor tumor. KLF4 is a transcription factor associated with androgen receptor (AR) expression; however, its cellular functions and signaling regulation mechanism remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that activated AR binds to the KLF4 promoter and enhances KLF4 expression, which reciprocally targets the AR promoter, thus sustaining KLF4 activity. Ectopic KLF4 expression in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells induced AR expression and decreased cell proliferation, invasion and bone metastasis. We previously showed that increased microRNA (miR)-1 expression is associated with reduced bone metastasis of prostate cancer cells. Here we observed that KLF4 targets the primary miR-1-2 stem-loop promoter and stimulates miR-1 expression. In clinical prostate cancer specimens, KLF4 levels were positively correlated with miR-1 and AR levels. These data suggest that the loss of KLF4 expression is one mechanistic link between aggressive prostate cancer progression and low canonical AR output through miR-1 inactivation.
Near-field surface plasmons on quasicrystal metasurfaces
Authors: Yang Quanlong , Zhang Xueqian , Li Shaoxian , Xu Quan , Singh Ranjan , Liu Yongmin , Li Yanfeng , Kruk Sergey S. , Gu Jianqiang , Han Jiaguang , Zhang Weili
Published: December 2016

Excitation and manipulation of surface plasmons (SPs) are essential in developing cutting-edge plasmonic devices for medical diagnostics, biochemical spectroscopy and communications. The most common approach involves designing an array of periodic slits or grating apertures that enables coupling of the incident light to the SP modes. In recent years, plasmonic resonances, including extraordinary optical transmission through periodic arrays, quasicrystals and random aperture arrays, have been investigated in the free space. However, most of the studies have been limited to the far field detection of the transmission resonance. Here, we perform near-field measurements of the SPs on quasicrystal metasurfaces. We discover that the reciprocal vector determines the propagation modes of the SPs in the quasicrystal lattice which can be well explained by the quasi-momentum conservation rule. Our findings demonstrate vast potential in developing plasmonic metasurfaces with unique device functionalities that are controlled by the propagation modes of the SPs in quasicrystals.