bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repression of Human Papillomavirus Oncogene Expression under Hypoxia Is Mediated by PI3K/mTORC2/AKT Signaling
Authors: Bossler Felicitas , Kuhn Bianca J. , Günther Thomas , Kraemer Stephen J. , Khalkar Prajakta , Adrian Svenja , Lohrey Claudia , Holzer Angela , Shimobayashi Mitsugu , Dürst Matthias , Mayer Arnulf , Rösl Frank , Grundhoff Adam , Krijgsveld Jeroen , Hoppe-Seyler Karin , Hoppe-Seyler Felix
Published: February 2019

Oncogenic HPV types are major human carcinogens. Under hypoxia, HPV-positive cancer cells can repress the viral E6/E7 oncogenes and induce a reversible growth arrest. This response could contribute to therapy resistance, immune evasion, and tumor recurrence upon reoxygenation. Here, we uncover evidence that HPV oncogene repression is mediated by hypoxia-induced activation of canonical PI3K/mTORC2/AKT signaling. AKT-dependent downregulation of E6/E7 is only observed under hypoxia and occurs, at least in part, at the transcriptional level. Quantitative proteome analyses identify additional factors as candidates to be involved in AKT-dependent E6/E7 repression and/or hypoxic PI3K/mTORC2/AKT activation. These results connect PI3K/mTORC2/AKT signaling with HPV oncogene regulation, providing new mechanistic insights into the cross talk between oncogenic HPVs and their host cells.
Cryptococcus deuterogattii
VGIIa Infection Associated with Travel to the Pacific Northwest Outbreak Region in an Anti-Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Autoantibody-Positive Patient in the United States
Authors: Applen Clancey Shelly , Ciccone Emily J. , Coelho Marco A. , Davis Joie , Ding Li , Betancourt Renee , Glaubiger Samuel , Lee Yueh , Holland Steven M. , Gilligan Peter , Sung Julia , Heitman Joseph
Published: February 2019

Mortality rates associated with
C. gattii
infections are estimated to be between 13% and 33%, depending on an individual’s predisposition, and
C. gattii
has caused at least 39 deaths in the PNW region. There have been four other international travel cases reported in patients from Europe and Asia with travel history to the PNW, but this report describes the first North American traveler who acquired
C. deuterogattii
infection presenting within the United States and the first case of a
C. deuterogattii
outbreak infection associated with anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies. Early and accurate diagnoses are important for disease prevention and treatment and for control of infectious diseases. Continual reporting of
C. deuterogattii
infections is necessary to raise awareness of the ongoing outbreak in the PNW and to alert travelers and physicians to the areas of endemicity with potential risks.
HIV-1 Is a Poor Inducer of Innate Immune Responses
Authors: Cingöz Oya , Goff Stephen P.
Published: February 2019

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) continues to be a major burden to human health worldwide. How infected cells recognize and respond to HIV-1 infection is important in order to better understand the biology of the virus and the cellular pathways activated upon infection and to identify potential targets that interfere with viral replication. In this study, we investigated innate immune responses of different cell types following infection with single-cycle (replication-defective) HIV-1 reporter virus. We report that infection with a commonly used HIV-1 strain (lacking the
env
,
nef
, and
vpr
genes) does not measurably activate cellular defense mechanisms and that the virus is able to avoid recognition by cellular sensors.
The Adenoids but Not the Palatine Tonsils Serve as a Reservoir for Bacteria Associated with Secretory Otitis Media in Small Children
Authors: Fagö-Olsen Helena , Dines Laura Marie , Sørensen Christian Hjort , Jensen Anders
Published: February 2019

Our findings that the microbiome differs between crypts of the adenoids and crypts of the palatine tonsils, including the relative abundances of potential pathogens such as
Haemophilus influenzae
,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, and
Moraxella catarrhalis
, may be the stepping stone for further investigation of individual microbiomes in a longitudinal design that includes recording of the fluctuating health status of the child. Such studies may have the potential to lead to new preventive measurements such as implantation of protective nonpathogens at the nasopharynx as an alternative to adenoidectomy.
Systems-Level Analysis of Oxygen Exposure in
Zymomonas mobilis
: Implications for Isoprenoid Production
Authors: Martien Julia I. , Hebert Alexander S. , Stevenson David M. , Regner Matthew R. , Khana Daven B. , Coon Joshua J. , Amador-Noguez Daniel
Published: February 2019

Microbially generated biofuels and bioproducts have the potential to provide a more environmentally sustainable alternative to fossil-fuel-derived products. In particular, isoprenoids, a diverse class of natural products, are chemically suitable for use as high-grade transport fuels and other commodity molecules. However, metabolic engineering for increased production of isoprenoids and other bioproducts is limited by an incomplete understanding of factors that control flux through biosynthetic pathways. Here, we examined the native regulation of the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway in the biofuel producer
Zymomonas mobilis
. We leveraged oxygen exposure as a means to perturb carbon flux, allowing us to observe the formation and resolution of a metabolic bottleneck in the pathway. Our multi-omics analysis of this perturbation enabled us to identify key auxiliary enzymes whose expression correlates with increased production of isoprenoid precursors, which we propose as potential targets for future metabolic engineering.
Orphan Genes Shared by Pathogenic Genomes Are More Associated with Bacterial Pathogenicity
Authors: Entwistle Sarah , Li Xueqiong , Yin Yanbin
Published: February 2019

Recent pangenome analyses of numerous bacterial species have suggested that each genome of a single species may have a significant fraction of its gene content unique or shared by a very few genomes (i.e., ORFans). We selected nine bacterial genera, each containing at least five pathogenic and five nonpathogenic genomes, to compare their ORFans in relation to pathogenicity-related genes. Pathogens in these genera are known to cause a number of common and devastating human diseases such as pneumonia, diphtheria, melioidosis, and tuberculosis. Thus, they are worthy of in-depth systems microbiology investigations, including the comparative study of ORFans between pathogens and nonpathogens. We provide direct evidence to suggest that ORFans shared by more pathogens are more associated with pathogenicity-related genes and thus are more important targets for development of new diagnostic markers or therapeutic drugs for bacterial infectious diseases.
Impacts of past and future coastal changes on the Yukon coast — threats for cultural sites, infrastructure, and travel routes
Authors: Irrgang Anna M. , Lantuit Hugues , Gordon Richard R. , Piskor Ashley , Manson Gavin K.
Published: February 2019

Yukon’s Beaufort coast, Canada, is a highly dynamic landscape. Cultural sites, infrastructure, and travel routes used by the local population are particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion. To assess threats to these phenomena, rates of shoreline change for a 210 km length of the coast were analyzed and combined with socioeconomic and cultural information. Rates of shoreline change were derived from aerial and satellite imagery from the 1950s, 1970s, 1990s, and 2011. Using these data, conservative (S1) and dynamic (S2) shoreline projections were constructed to predict shoreline positions for the year 2100. The locations of cultural features in the archives of a Parks Canada database, the Yukon Archaeological Program, and as reported in other literature were combined with projected shoreline position changes. Between 2011 and 2100, approximately 850 ha (S1) and 2660 ha (S2) may erode, resulting in a loss of 45% (S1) to 61% (S2) of all cultural features by 2100. The last large, actively used camp area and two nearshore landing strips will likely be threatened by future coastal processes. Future coastal erosion and sedimentation processes are expected to increasingly threaten cultural sites and influence travelling and living along the Yukon coast.
Cellular roles of the human Obg-like ATPase 1 (hOLA1) and its YchF homologs
Authors: Balasingam Nirujah , Brandon Harland E. , Ross Joseph A. , Wieden Hans-Joachim , Thakor Nehal
Published: February 2019

P-loop NTPases comprise one of the major superfamilies of nucleotide binding proteins, which mediate a variety of cellular processes, such as mRNA translation, signal transduction, cell motility, and growth regulation. In this review, we discuss the structure and function of two members of the ancient Obg-related family of P-loop GTPases: human Obg-like ATPase 1 (hOLA1), and its bacterial/plant homolog, YchF. After a brief discussion of nucleotide binding proteins in general and the classification of the Obg-related family in particular, we discuss the sequence and structural features of YchF and hOLA1. We then explore the various functional roles of hOLA1 in mammalian cells during stress response and cancer progression, and of YchF in bacterial cells. Finally, we directly compare and contrast the structure and function of hOLA1 with YchF before summarizing the future perspectives of hOLA1 research. This review is timely, given the variety of recent studies aimed at understanding the roles of hOLA1 and YchF in such critical processes as cellular-stress response, oncogenesis, and protein synthesis.
Controlling parameters of a mono-well high-temperature aquifer thermal energy storage in porous media, northern Oman
Authors: Wenzlaff Christian , Winterleitner Gerd , Schütz Felina
Published: February 2019

Aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) as a complement to fluctuating renewable energy systems is a reliable technology to guarantee continuous energy supply for heating and air conditioning. We investigated a high-temperature (HT) mono-well system (
c
. 100°C), where the well screens are separated vertically within the aquifer, as an alternative to conventional doublet ATES systems for an underground storage in northern Oman. We analysed the impact of thermal inference between injection and extraction well screens on the heat recovery factor (HRF) in order to define the optimal screen-to-screen distance for best possible systems efficiency. Two controlling interference parameters were considered: the vertical screen-to-screen distance and aquifer heterogeneities. The sensitivity study shows that with decreasing screen-to-screen distances, thermal interference increases storage performance. A turning point is reached if the screen distance is too close, causing either water breakthrough or negative thermal interference between the screens. Our simulations show that a combined heat plume with spherical geometry results in the highest heat recovery factors due to the lowest surface area to volume ratios. Thick aquifers for mono-well HT-ATES are thus not mandatory. Our study shows that a HT-ATES mono-well system is a feasible storage design with high heat recovery factors for continuous cooling or heating purposes.
LaPS
Authors: Demetri Silvia , Picco Gian Pietro , Bruzzone Lorenzo
Published: February 2019

The deployment of a wireless sensor network (WSN) is crucial to its reliability and performance. Yet, node placement is typically determined in-field via effort-demanding trial-and-error procedures, because existing approaches over-simplify the radio environment; this especially holds for forests, the focus of this article, where trees greatly affect communication.

We present LaPS (LiDAR-assisted Placement for wireless Sensor networks), an approach exploiting remote sensing to identify the best node placement
automatically
and
prior to deployment
. Airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data acquired for the target forest are automatically processed to estimate its properties (e.g., tree position and diameter) that, once incorporated into a specialized path loss model, enable per-link estimates of the radio signal attenuation induced by trees. Finally, a genetic algorithm explores placement options by evolving toward a (sub-)optimal solution while satisfying the user’s spatial and network requirements, whose formulation is very flexible and broadly applicable.

Our experiments, focused on a real forest, confirm that LaPS yields topologies of significantly higher quality w.r.t. approaches using a regular placement or a standard path loss model. Further, the ability to quickly explore the impact that changes in user requirements have on topology is invaluable to improve the operation of WSNs and reduce the effort of their in-field deployment.
Effects of Aging on Small Target Selection with Touch Input
Authors: Sultana Afroza , Moffatt Karyn
Published: February 2019

Age-related declines in physical and cognitive function can result in target selection difficulties that hinder device operation. Previous studies have detailed the different types of target selection errors encountered, as well as how they vary with age and with input device for mouse and pen interaction. We extend this work to describe the types of age-related selection errors encountered with small touchscreen devices. Consistent with prior results, we found that older adults had longer target selection times, generated higher error rates, and encountered a broader range of selection difficulties (e.g., miss errors and slip errors) relative to a younger comparison group. However, in contrast to the patterns previously found with pen interaction, we found that miss error (i.e., both landing and lifting outside the target bounds) was a more common source of errors for older adults than slip error (i.e., landing on the target but slipping outside the target bounds before lifting). Moreover, aging influenced both miss and slip errors in our study of touch interaction, whereas for pen interaction, age has been found to influence only slip errors. These differences highlight the need to consider pen and touch interaction separately despite both being forms of direct input. Based on our findings, we discuss possible approaches for improving the accessibility of touch interaction for older adults.
Characterization and Lower Bounds for Branching Program Size using Projective Dimension
Authors: Dinesh Krishnamoorthy , Koroth Sajin , Sarma Jayalal
Published: February 2019

We study projective dimension, a graph parameter, denoted by pd(
G
) for a bipartite graph
G
, introduced by Pudlák and Rödl (1992). For a Boolean function
f
(on
n
bits), Pudlák and Rödl associated a bipartite graph

G
f

and showed that size of the optimal branching program computing
f
, denoted by bpsize(
f
), is at least pd(

G
f

) (also denoted by pd(
f
)). Hence, proving lower bounds for pd(
f
) implies lower bounds for bpsize(
f
). Despite several attempts (Pudlák and Rödl (1992), Rónyai et al. (2000)), proving super-linear lower bounds for projective dimension of explicit families of graphs has remained elusive.

We observe that there exist a Boolean function
f
for which the gap between the pd(
f
) and bpsize(
f
)) is 2

Ω(
n
)

. Motivated by the argument in Pudlák and Rödl (1992), we define two variants of projective dimension:
projective dimension with intersection dimension 1
, denoted by upd(
f
), and
bitwise decomposable projective dimension
, denoted by bitpdim(
f
). We show the following results:

(a) We observe that there exist a Boolean function
f
for which the gap between upd(
f
) and bpsize(
f
) is 2

Ω(
n
)

. In contrast, we also show that the bitwise decomposable projective dimension characterizes size of the branching program up to a polynomial factor. That is, there exists a constant
c
> 0 and for any function
f
,

bitpdim(
f
)/6 ≤ bpsize(
f
) ≤ (bitpdim(
f
))

c

.

(b) We introduce a new candidate family of functions
f
for showing super-polynomial lower bounds for bitpdim(
f
). As our main result, for this family of functions, we demonstrate gaps between pd(
f
) and the above two new measures for
f
:

pd(
f
) =
O
(√
n
)   upd(
f
) = Ω (
n
)   bitpdim(
f
) = Ω (
n
1.5
/ log
n
).

We adapt Nechiporuk’s techniques for our linear algebraic setting to prove the best-known bpsize lower bounds for bitpdim. Motivated by this linear algebraic setting of our main result, we derive exponential lower bounds for two restricted variants of pd(
f
) and upd(
f
) by observing that they are exactly equal to well-studied graph parameters—bipartite clique cover number and bipartite partition number, respectively.
Generating Kidney from Stem Cells
Authors: Little Melissa H. , Hale Lorna J. , Howden Sara E. , Kumar Santhosh V.
Published: February 2019

Human kidney tissue can now be generated via the directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. This advance is anticipated to facilitate the modeling of human kidney diseases, provide platforms for nephrotoxicity screening, enable cellular therapy, and potentially generate tissue for renal replacement. All such applications will rely upon the accuracy and reliability of the model and the capacity for stem cell–derived kidney tissue to recapitulate both normal and diseased states. In this review, we discuss the models available, how well they recapitulate the human kidney, and how far we are from application of these cells for use in cellular therapies.
Plasticity of the Maternal Vasculature During Pregnancy
Authors: Osol George , Ko Nga Ling , Mandalà Maurizio
Published: February 2019

Maternal cardiovascular changes during pregnancy include an expansion of plasma volume, increased cardiac output, decreased peripheral resistance, and increased uteroplacental blood flow. These adaptations facilitate the progressive increase in uteroplacental perfusion that is required for normal fetal growth and development, prevent the development of hypertension, and provide a reserve of blood in anticipation of the significant blood loss associated with parturition. Each woman's genotype and phenotype determine her ability to adapt in response to molecular signals that emanate from the fetoplacental unit. Here, we provide an overview of the major hemodynamic and cardiac changes and then consider regional changes in the splanchnic, renal, cerebral, and uterine circulations in terms of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell plasticity. Although consideration of gestational disease is beyond the scope of this review, aberrant signaling and/or maternal responsiveness contribute to the etiology of several common gestational diseases such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and gestational diabetes.
Normalizing Function of Tumor Vessels: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges
Authors: Martin John D. , Seano Giorgio , Jain Rakesh K.
Published: February 2019

Abnormal blood and lymphatic vessels create a hostile tumor microenvironment characterized by hypoxia, low pH, and elevated interstitial fluid pressure. These abnormalities fuel tumor progression, immunosuppression, and treatment resistance. In 2001, we proposed a novel hypothesis that the judicious use of antiangiogenesis agents—originally developed to starve tumors—could transiently normalize tumor vessels and improve the outcome of anticancer drugs administered during the window of normalization. In addition to providing preclinical and clinical evidence in support of this hypothesis, we also revealed the underlying molecular mechanisms. In parallel, we demonstrated that desmoplasia could also impair vascular function by compressing vessels, and that normalizing the extracellular matrix could improve vascular function and treatment outcome in both preclinical and clinical settings. Here, we summarize the progress made in understanding and applying the normalization concept to cancer and outline opportunities and challenges ahead to improve patient outcomes using various normalizing strategies.
Analysis of the Glycosylation Profile of Disease-Associated Water-Soluble Prion Protein Using Lectins
Authors: Abdel-Haq Hanin
Published: February 2019

The disease-associated water-soluble form of hamster prion protein (ws-PrPSc) has recently been found to be less stable than classicalPrPSc. Since the stability of PrP to degradation correlates with its glycosylation level, the aim of this study was to investigate whether there are differences between the glycosylation of ws-PrPScand classicalPrPScof hamster which might account for the ws-PrPScminor stability compared with that of the classicalPrPSc. Thus, ws-PrP and classical PrP were captured from noninfected or scrapie-infected hamster brain homogenate [high-speed supernatant (SHS) and high-speed pellet (PHS)] and blood plasma by anti-PrP antibodies (3F4 and 6H4) and subjected to screening for glycans by lectins under denaturing or nondenaturing procedures in a sandwich lectin-ELISA. Glycans have been found in minor quantities and differently exposed on ws-PrPScfromSHSand plasma compared with classicalPrPScfromPHS. These differences have been shown to be potentially responsible for the instability of ws-PrPSc. Treatment of infected blood with GdnHCl significantly (P<0.01) increased the detection of ws-PrPScin ELISA, reflecting an increase in its stability, and showed efficacy in removing high-abundance proteins in silver-stained gels. This increase in ws-PrPScstability is due to an interaction of GdnHCl not only with high-abundance proteins but also with the ws-PrPScglycosylation with particular regard to the mannose sugar. Analysis of lectins immunoreactivity toward total proteins from plasma collected before and at different time points after infection revealed that mannose might exert a stabilizing effect toward all of hamster blood glycoproteins, regardless of scrapie infection. Since low levels of ws-PrPSc/soluble-infectivity have been estimated both in blood and brain of hamster, this glycosylation-related instability may have negatively influenced the propensity of ws-PrPCto convert to ws-PrPScboth in blood and the brain. Therefore,PrPCglycosylation characteristics may provide a tool for the determination risk of prion transmissibility.
Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of Chicken under Different Management System in Mekelle Town, Tigray Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Berhe Mebrahtu , Mekibib Berhanu , Bsrat Abrha , Atsbaha Gebretsadik
Published: February 2019

The poultry industry is an infant but fast growing sector in Ethiopia. However, it is largely dependent on local chicken managed under backyard production system. The sector is facing different challenges, mainly emanated from prevalence of infectious diseases such as helminth parasite species. Hence, this study came up with an aim to determine the infection rate and identify helminth parasite species in chickens managed under different production systems, in Mekelle, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was employed, from November 2015 to March 2016. Postmortem (N=138) and fecal (N=410) samples of chicken were considered for necropsy and coproscopic examination to see both adult and eggs of helminth parasites, respectively. Similar gastrointestinal helminth parasites infection rate of chicken was obtained from both examination approaches (necropsy, 90.60%; and coproscopy, 90.97%). The study attested high prevalence (87.7%) of mixed infection with helminth parasites of chicken. Heterakis gallinarum (72.5%) and Ascaridia galli (68.8%) were found as the most dominant species (necropsy). During coproscopic examination cestode (89%) infections showed a relatively higher prevalence than nematodes (84.4%), although no difference was observed during that of necropsy examination results. Chickens of local breed from backyard production system had shown more likelihood of getting helminth infection when compared with their corresponding relatives (coproscopy). However, the variation was not statistically significant during that of necropsy finding. Therefore, the higher prevalence of parasitism and mixed infection observed in the study area would warrant for an urgent intervention with regular deworming scheme, and strict attention should be given towards hygienic measures and other health related management activities.
Cardiovascular Insufficiency, Abdominal Sepsis, and Patients’ Age Are Associated with Decreased Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) Activity in Critically Ill Patients with Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS)
Authors: Bednarz-Misa Iwona , Mierzchala-Pasierb Magdalena , Lesnik Patrycja , Placzkowska Sylwia , Kedzior Krzysztof , Gamian Andrzej , Krzystek-Korpacka Malgorzata
Published: February 2019

Oxidative stress and uncontrolled inflammation are hallmarks of sepsis, leading to organ failure and death. As demonstrated in animal studies, oxidative stress can be alleviated by antioxidant therapies. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a serum-based antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent, detoxifier, and quorum-sensing factor found to be a prognostic marker in sepsis. However, its associations with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), a complication of sepsis and the leading cause of death in the surgical intensive care units (ICU), as well as with specific organ dysfunction, infection site, and invading pathogen remain unknown. Therefore, we measured arylesterase activity of PON1 in 87 individuals (35 with MODS) and related it to the clinical type, organ failure, infection site, pathogens, and hematological and biochemical indices of inflammation at admission to ICU and during a five-day follow-up. Suitability of PON1 and its indices derived from a follow-up as biomarkers in MODS was evaluated as well. MODS was associated with decreased PON1, more so in patients with septic shock, displaying an excellent accuracy as a marker of MODS (91%) and a fair one as a marker in differentiating septic shock from severe sepsis (76%). Decreased admission PON1 accompanied cardiovascular insufficiency (CVI), and, as its marker, PON1 displayed a good accuracy (82%). It was also associated with the abdomen as a site of infection but not with an invading pathogen. In multivariate analysis, 50% of variability in PON1 activity in patients with MODS was explained by the patients’ age, CVI, and abdomen as a site of infection. Patients with septic shock, CVI, and abdominal MODS had distinctly different dynamics of PON1 during a follow-up. Mean PON1 activity during the follow-up reflected the associations observed for admission PON1 but was also significantly associated with metabolic dysfunction. Our results show PON1 potential as a biomarker in MODS, particularly as an indicator of CVI.
Long-Term Follow-Up after Conservative Surgical Treatment of Odontogenic Myxoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Sato Hitoshi , Kurihara Yuji , Shiogama Sunao , Saka Kotaro , Kurasawa Yuya , Itose Masakatsu , Yaso Atsutoshi , Shirota Tatsuo
Published: February 2019

Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is a relatively rare, benign odontogenic tumor with locally aggressive behavior, but it is a nonmetastasizing neoplasm of the jaw bones. Although radical resection with an appropriate surgical margin is recommended, emerging evidence has suggested that a more conservative approach will result in acceptable recurrence rates with less morbidity if careful long-term follow-up is provided. A 56-year-old Japanese man with odontogenic myxoma of the left mandible was conservatively treated by surgical enucleation and curettage because he desired functional and cosmetic preservation. During a follow-up period of 100 months, the patient has remained clinically and radiologically free of recurrence. As far as we can ascertain, 20 reports published after 1990 described 37 patients with mandibular OM that had been treated by conservative surgery. Tumors recurred during a mean follow-up of 49.2±42.8 months in 7 (18.9%) patients, and only one of five patients who were followed up for over 100 months developed recurrence. The rate of recurrence decreased from 24.0% to 8.3% when follow-up exceeded 60 months. Although enucleation and curettage have proven effective, the risk of recurrence remains considerable and long-term follow-up is indispensable. More evidence of long-term outcomes after conservative surgery for OM is needed.
Late Response of Antiretroviral Therapy in an HIV-1-Infected Patient due to Hepatitis B and C Coinfections: The First Case Report in Nepal
Authors: Khadka Sundar , Shrestha Rupendra , Pandit Sanjeet , Pandit Roshan , Bastola Anup
Published: February 2019

Aim. Dual coinfection of HCV and HBV in HIV-1-infected population is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Also, they share routes of HIV transmission; however, it might be associated with an independent factor like injecting drug use for HCV and unsafe sex for HBV. This case report suggests that hepatitis virus coinfection may lead to late response of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-1 patients.Patients and Methods. A 49-year-old male patient visited for the routine follow-up investigation at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Teku, Nepal. He was an HIV-1-positive injecting drug user (IDU) co-infected with HCV and HBV. The patient was under ART as per the National HIV Testing and Treatment Guidelines 2017, Nepal. Further, serological and viral load testing was performed for confirmation and monitoring therapy, respectively.Results. It is the first report that highlights the dual coinfection of HCV and HBV in an HIV-1 patient from Nepal. The follow-up investigation shows improved response to ART with an increase in CD4+ cells. However, detectable viral loads indicated for a late response might be due to effects of coinfections or viral interactions.Conclusions. Dual coinfection is rare; however, it is more serious with poorly defined epidemiology and evolution in an HIV-1-infected population. Thus, universal screening of HBV or/and HCV coinfection in HIV-1-infected population requires immediate implementation for true prevalence, proper management, and early intervention.
“Encephalopathy Only Stroke Codes” (EoSC) Rarely Result in Stroke as Final Diagnosis
Authors: Chen Patrick M. , Meyer Dawn M. , Claycomb Robert , Agrawal Kunal , Meyer Brett C.
Published: February 2019

Stroke codes prompted by isolated encephalopathy often result in nonstroke final diagnoses but require intensive stroke center resources. We assessed the likelihood of “Encephalopathy only Stroke Codes (EoSC)” resulting in a true stroke (EoSC CVA+) final diagnosis. 3860 patients were analyzed in a prospective stroke code registry from 2004 to 2016. EoSC was defined using a standard and an exploratory definition. Definition 1 included EoSC patients as stroke codes where NIHSS was nonzero for LOC questions (questions la, 1b, and lc) but remainder of the NIHSS was zero. Definition 2 included the same definition but allowed symmetric pairings on motor questions (5a/5b, 6a/6b, or Question 4 scoring a 3). Groups were assessed for final diagnosis of stoke (EoSC CVA+) or not stroke (EoSC CVA-). EoSC accounted for 60/3860 (1.55%) of total stroke codes. EoSC CVA+ was found in 5/3860 (0.13%) of all stroke codes, 5/60 (8.33%) of EoSC stroke codes, and 5/1514 (0.33%) of all strokes. For Definition 2, EoSC accounted for 96/3860 (2.5%) of total stroke codes. EoSC CVA+ was found in 9/3860 (0.23%) of all stroke codes, 9/96 (9.38%) of EoSC stroke codes, and 9/1514 (0.59%) of all strokes. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, diabetes was the highest predictor of stroke (p=0.05). Encephalopathy only Stroke Codes only rarely result in cases with a true final diagnosis of stroke (EoSC CVA+), accounting for 0.1-0.2% of all stroke codes and 8-9% of EoSC stroke codes. This may have important significance for mobilization of limited acute stroke code resources in the future.
Influence of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells on the Burn Wound Healing Process
Authors: Franck Claudio Luciano , Senegaglia Alexandra Cristina , Leite Lidiane Maria Boldrini , de Moura Sérgio Adriane Bezerra , Francisco Nathália Forti , Ribas Filho Jurandir Marcondes
Published: February 2019

Burns are lesions in which the thermal energy of the causative agent transfers heat to the surface of the body, causing superficial or deep damage to the skin with protein denaturation in cells and biochemical maladjustments, which delay and disrupt the cicatricial process, increasing the chances of functional and aesthetic sequelae. This study evaluates the influence of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on burn healing in terms of the size of the cicatricial space and quantified measures of collagen deposition, inflammatory infiltrate, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels. Initially, intra-abdominal adipose tissue was resected from a single donor Wistar rat that was not part of any of the subsequent groups to obtain ADSCs by isolation and cell culture. Burns were made in the left lateral abdominal region of Wistar rats by contact with a square ceramic paper with a 484 mm2 area heated to 100°C for 30 seconds. Intradermal ADSC transplantation was performed in two stages. The first was on the same day of the burn, when 3.2×106 ADSCs were transplanted shortly after the burned region cooled, while the second stage occurred four days later with the same number of ADSCs. The progress was evaluated by immunohistochemical methods and H&E, Masson’s trichrome, Picrosirius red, and Lyve-1 immunofluorescence staining. Despite the quantitative similarity of blood vessels and the inflammatory infiltrate observed by H&E, there were statistically significant differences between the groups on the fourteenth day of evolution. The group that received ADSCs showed a reduction in the scar tissue area, increased collagen type III deposition, and a quantifiable reduction in lymphatic vessels, so we conclude that ADSCs influence the healing of total thickness burns in rats.
Preparation and Properties of Coal Ash Ceramic Membranes for Water and Heat Recovery from Flue Gas
Authors: Chen Haiping , Li Xiangsheng , Wei Jiadi , Feng Yijun , Gao Dan
Published: February 2019

In this paper, the manufacturing process of microceramic membrane is summarized. The main material of this membrane is fly ash which can reduce the sintering temperature and save the costs. The coal ash ceramic membrane (CACM) was characterized by XRD, SEM, and mercury intrusion method. The results show that the mullite phase formed by CACM at the sintering temperature of 1250°C has morphology and structural characteristics similar to the commercial microceramic membrane. The membrane surface is uniform and dense, without cracks; the pore diameter is 1–4 μm, and the porosity is 26.6%. Furthermore, the CACM and CMCM were compared at the aspects of water and heat recovery performance using flue gas. The experiment indicated that when the flue gas temperature was 50–85°C, the water recovery performance of these two kinds of membrane was similar. Also, the heat transfer capability of the coal ash ceramic membrane was close to that of the commercial microceramic membrane when the temperature range of flue gas was controlled between 50°C and 70°C. When the temperature of flue gas reaches 80°C, the heat transfer performance of the commercial ceramic membrane is better, and the difference of heat recovery between these two kinds of membranes is 19.3%. In general, the CACM and CMCM have similar mass transfer performance, and the heat transfer efficiency of CACM is lower than that of CMCM, but the costs of CACM is much lower than that of CMCM which has a good research prospect in the future.
High‐Order Total Bounded Variation Model and Its Fast Algorithm for Poissonian Image Restoration
Authors: Zhang Jun , Ma Mingxi , Wu Zhaoming , Deng Chengzhi
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a new model for image restoration under Poisson noise based on a high‐order total bounded variation is proposed. Existence and uniqueness of its solution are proved. To find the global optimal solution of our strongly convex model, a split Bregman algorithm is introduced. Furthermore, a rigorous convergence theory of the proposed algorithm is established. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method over the classic total bounded variation‐based model.
The Slashed‐Rayleigh Fading Channel Distribution
Authors: Gómez-Déniz E. , Gómez L. , Gómez H. W.
Published: February 2019

We propose an alternative distribution for modelling fading‐shadowing wireless channels. This distribution presents certain advantages over the Rayleigh‐lognormal distribution and the K distribution and has proved useful in the setting described. We obtain closed‐form expressions for the average channel capacity and for the average bit error rate of differential phase‐shift keying and of minimum shift keying when the new distribution is used. This distribution can be obtained exactly as the sum of mutual independent Gaussian stochastic processes, because it must represent the simulation of the fading channel; that is, it simulates the signal envelope. Finally, we describe practical applications of this distribution, comparing it with the Rayleigh‐lognormal and K distributions.
An LMI‐Based Simple Robust Control for Load Sway Rejection of Rotary Cranes with Double‐Pendulum Effect
Authors: Ouyang Huimin , Wang Jian , Zhang Guangming , Mei Lei , Deng Xin
Published: February 2019

In the double‐pendulum rotary crane case, the load sway properties become more complicated so that the difficulty of design and analysis of crane control system is increased. Moreover, the change of rope length not only affects the stability of the system, but also leads to the decline of control performance. In order to solve the foregoing problems, a simple model for controller design is obtained by linearizing and decoupling the complex nonlinear model of rotary crane. Then, a linear feedback controller which can furnish robust performance is presented. Finally, numerical simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed method by comparing with a traditional approach.
Active Warning System for Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Using Connected Vehicle Technologies
Authors: Wang Xu , Li Jiangchen , Zhang Can , Qiu Tony Z.
Published: February 2019

Highway-rail grade crossing (HRGC) collisions are a significant safety concern around the world. HRGC collisions have a high risk of injuries and fatalities. To mitigate that risk, safety countermeasures for both active and passive HRGCs have been implemented. Leveraging the latest developments in connected vehicle (CV) technologies, CV-based warning systems perform well in safety applications for roadway networks. However, few have been developed to focus on safety improvements specifically for HRGCs. To bridge this gap, this paper proposes a novel active warning system that was created with readily available CV technologies and devices. A crossing risk assessment model was developed and evaluated in simulation and field applications. The proposed model predicts the crossing risk probabilities in the near future. When road users are in great risk of a collision, the warning system sends out auditory and visual alerts and displays the estimated waiting time. The test results reveal that the proposed warning system is promising for field implementation to improve safety at grade crossings.
Efficiency of CAR-T Therapy for Treatment of Solid Tumor in Clinical Trials: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hou Bin , Tang Yao , Li Wenhan , Zeng Qingnuo , Chang Dongmin
Published: February 2019

Background. Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has achieved unprecedented success among hematologic tumors, but its role in treating solid tumors is still unclear. Methods. A comprehensive search of electronic databases up to June 1, 2018, was carried out by two independent reviewers. We included studies which focused on the association between CAR-T cell therapy and patient response rate and survival time in solid tumors. Results. 22 studies with 262 patients were included in our meta-analysis. The overall pooled response rate of CAR-T cell therapy was 9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4-16%). Subgroup analysis (analyses) demonstrated that CAR-T therapy could perform its best therapeutic effect on neuroblastoma, while barely works among gastrointestinal malignancies. Moreover, the treatment efficacy was not significantly impacted by different treatment strategies (lymphodepletion before T cell infusion, transfection method, cell culture duration, persistence of CAR-T cells, transfection efficacy, total cell dose, and administration of IL-2). Only T cell culture duration was associated with better clinical prognosis. Conclusions. Although CAR-T cell therapy did not have satisfactory responses in solid tumors, researchers were still holding an optimistic attitude towards its future efficacy with more modifications of its structure.
Constraint Embankment Construction to Prevent the Collapse of Underground Caves
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Chen Zhongda
Published: February 2019

Dozens of underground karst caves were found before constructing the Changli highway. The thickness‐to‐span ratio of nearly half of the caves is less than 0.05, and the greatest ratio is only 0.35, far less than the value demanded by local construction specifications (0.8). The caves located at K50 + 700 and K178 + 800 are by far the only two caves that have become unstable. Only one passive measure was taken when constructing the highway, i.e., building 0.5 m thick continuous reinforced concrete slabs above the embankment; this measure did not contribute to the improvement of the stability of the underground caves. Numerical solutions based on strength reduction and analytical solutions based on the beam hypothesis are used to assess the stability of underground caves. The capacity of an underground cave to bear embankment construction is observed to be proportional to the tensile strength of the rock mass and the square of the thickness‐to‐span ratio of the cave roof. The tensile strength of the rock mass is ψ times lower than that of the intact rock. The value of ψ is mainly determined by the geological strength index (GSI). To prevent instability of underground caves, the embankment height should be reasonably controlled. However, local construction specifications requiring that the thickness‐to‐span ratio of underground cave be greater than 0.8 are conservative.
An Automatic Extraction Method of Coach Operation Information from Historical Trajectory Data
Authors: Li Jun , Li Qingqi , Zhu Yan , Ma Yan , Xu Yubin , Xie Chao
Published: February 2019

Quality of travel service for road transport relies heavily on richness of transport operation data. Currently, most types of data including coach operation data are collected by manual investigation which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and this significantly hinders the realization of intelligent traffic information service. In view of the above problems, this paper is aimed at introducing a method of automatically extracting coach operation information using historical GPS trajectory data of massive coaches. The method first analyzes trajectory characteristics of coaches within stations and identifies the highly dense point clusters as coach stations using the DBSCAN clustering algorithm. Then the schedule information is obtained by conducting error adjustment on the actual arrival and departure time series of multiple shifts, and the name of coach station is queried from point of interest (POI) and geographical name database provided by online map. Finally, the regular driving route of coaches is extracted by an incremental trajectory merging method. The proposed method is applied in handling historical trajectory data in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in China, and experimental results show that the extraction accuracy is 84% and verify its effectiveness and feasibility. The proposed method makes use of data mining techniques to extract coach operation information from big trajectory data and saves a lot of labor work, time, and economic cost required by on-site investigation.
Iterative Variable Gene Discovery from Whole Genome Sequencing with a Bootstrapped Multiresolution Algorithm
Authors: Olivieri David N. , Gambón-Deza Francisco
Published: February 2019

In jawed vertebrates, variable (V) genes code for antigen-binding regions of B and T lymphocyte receptors, which generate a specific response to foreign pathogens. Obtaining the detailed repertoire of these genes across the jawed vertebrate kingdom would help to understand their evolution and function. However, annotations of V-genes are known for only a few model species since their extraction is not amenable to standard gene finding algorithms. Also, the more distant evolution of a taxon is from such model species, and there is less homology between their V-gene sequences. Here, we present an iterative supervised machine learning algorithm that begins by training a small set of known and verified V-gene sequences. The algorithm successively discovers homologous unaligned V-exons from a larger set of whole genome shotgun (WGS) datasets from many taxa. Upon each iteration, newly uncovered V-genes are added to the training set for the next predictions. This iterative learning/discovery process terminates when the number of new sequences discovered is negligible. This process is akin to “online” or reinforcement learning and is proven to be useful for discovering homologous V-genes from successively more distant taxa from the original set. Results are demonstrated for 14 primate WGS datasets and validated against Ensembl annotations. This algorithm is implemented in the Python programming language and is freely available at http://vgenerepertoire.org.
Flow Characteristics of a Rich-Quench-Lean Combustor-Combined Low-Emission and High-Temperature Rise Combustion
Authors: Li Jianzhong , Chen Jian , Yuan Li , Hu Ge , Feng Jianhan
Published: February 2019

To determine the flow field structure and flow characteristics of a rich-quench-lean (RQL) combustor-combined low-emission and high-temperature rise combustion, a two-dimensional PIV technology was used to evaluate the effect of aerodynamic and structural parameters on the flow field and flow characteristics of the combustor. The variation in the total pressure loss of the combustor has little effect on the flow field structure of the combustor. However, the variation in the parameters of primary holes significantly affects the structure of the central recirculation zone, the distribution of local recirculation zones in the rich-burn zone and quenching zone, and the average residence time in the quenching zone. On the plane that passes through the center of the primary hole, the variations in the array mode and diameter of primary holes would form entrainment vortexes with different characteristics, thus affecting the position and flow state of local recirculation in the rich-burn zone and the local structure of the central recirculation zone. As the rotational direction of local recirculation coincides with that of the main air flow in the primary zone, the local center recirculation is intensified. In contrast, it is weakened. As the primary holes are located at half height (H/2) of the combustor, the residence time of air flow at the quenching zone can be shortened by 65% through using the staggered structure of primary holes and increasing the momentum of the partial single-hole jet. The quick-mixing process in the quenching zone is not beneficial to increase the number of primary holes and decrease the momentum of the single-hole jet.