bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of virus eradication in patients with compensated hepatitis C virus‐related cirrhosis: competing risks and multistate model
Authors: Petta Salvatore , Di Marco Vito , Bruno Savino , Enea Marco , Calvaruso Vincenza , Boccaccio Vincenzo , Rossi Sonia , Craxì Antonio , Cammà Calogero
Published: May 2016

Background & Aims

No published study to date has provided a careful analysis of the effects of a sustained viral response (SVR) on the outcomes of patients with compensated hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related cirrhosis in relation to the degree of portal hypertension. Therefore, we estimated the impact of achieving SVR on disease progression, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and mortality in a large cohort of HCV patients with cirrhosis with or without oesophageal varices (OVs) at the start of antiviral therapy.

Methods

A total of 535 Caucasian patients were prospectively recruited to this study. All patients had a clinical or histological diagnosis of compensated HCV‐related cirrhosis and underwent interferon‐based therapy. Competing risks and a multistate model were analysed according to the presence or absence of OVs at baseline.

Results

Compared to patients without SVR, a greater proportion of patients who achieved SVR showed no liver disease progression after 10 years (36.3% vs. 61.3% of patients without baseline OVs; 29.6% vs. 64.3% of patients with baseline OVs). Achievement of SVR was significantly associated with reduced occurrence rates of de‐novo OVs, hepatic decompensation and HCC. Compared to patients without SVR, patients with SVR had lower likelihoods of liver‐related death at 10 years (20.6% vs. 10.3% of patients without baseline OVs; 50.5% vs. 21.8% of patients with baseline OVs).

Conclusions

In patients with compensated HCV‐related cirrhosis with or without OVs at baseline, SVR is associated with reduced disease progression and liver‐related mortality.
Transcriptome and proteome analyses and the role of atypical calpain protein and autophagy in the spliced leader silencing pathway in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Hope Ronen , Egarmina Katarina , Voloshin Konstantin , Waldman Ben‐Asher Hiba , Carmi Shai , Eliaz Dror , Drori Yaron , Michaeli Shulamit
Published: May 2016

Under persistent ER stress, Trypanosoma brucei parasites induce the spliced leader silencing (SLS) pathway. In SLS, transcription of the SL RNA gene, the SL donor to all mRNAs, is extinguished, arresting trans‐splicing and leading to programmed cell death (PCD). In this study, we investigated the transcriptome following silencing of SEC63, a factor essential for protein translocation across the ER membrane, and whose silencing induces SLS. The proteome of SEC63‐silenced cells was analyzed with an emphasis on SLS‐specific alterations in protein expression, and modifications that do not directly result from perturbations in trans‐splicing. One such protein identified is an atypical calpain SKCRP7.1/7.2. Co‐silencing of SKCRP7.1/7.2 and SEC63 eliminated SLS induction due its role in translocating the PK3 kinase. This kinase initiates SLS by migrating to the nucleus and phosphorylating TRF4 leading to shut‐off of SL RNA transcription. Thus, SKCRP7.1 is involved in SLS signaling and the accompanying PCD. The role of autophagy in SLS was also investigated; eliminating autophagy through VPS34 or ATG7 silencing demonstrated that autophagy is not essential for SLS induction, but is associated with PCD. Thus, this study identified factors that are used by the parasite to cope with ER stress and to induce SLS and PCD.
‘Scientific’ nationalism
Authors: Maly Ico
Published: May 2016

This paper investigates how the discursive battle for the Flemish nation is waged in the Flemish mass media by politicians of the Flemish nationalist party, the New Flemish Alliance (N‐VA). I focus on the ‘new nationalism’ that N‐VA politicians advocate as a means to ‘banalise’ a hot Flemish nationalism. I establish that N‐VA spokespeople and especially their chairman Bart De Wever invoke discursive alliances with established scholars such as Anderson, Hroch, Calhoun and Billig. On the one hand, these alliances are used to sell their nationalism as a non‐ideological or non‐discursive project. On the other hand, the analyses of these intellectuals are used as manuals to ‘banalise’ a hot nationalism. The concept of ‘scientific’ nationalism refers to the entextualisation of scientific discourses in order to legitimate and banalise the nationalist project of the party as ‘in line with science’.
RETRACTED: Role of mesenchymal stem cells versus angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in kidney repair
Authors: Ahmed Hanaa H , Toson Elshahat A , El‐mezayen Hatem A , Rashed Laila A , Elsherbiny Eslam S
Published: May 2016

Aim

The current study sought to clarify the role of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) and adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD‐MSCs) in repressing nephropathy in the experimental model. Moreover, the aim of this work was extended to compare between stem cells role and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in kidney repair.

Methods

Isolation and preparation of MSCs culture, flow cytometry using CD34, CD44 and CD105 cell surface markers, biochemical analyses for determination of serum creatinine, urea, transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β), cystatin C (CYS‐C) and urinary N‐Acetyl‐ß‐D–Glucosaminidase (UNAG), and histopathological investigation of kidney tissue sections were performed.

Results

The results of the present study revealed that single intravenous infusion of MSCs either derived from bone marrow or adipose tissue was able to enhance renal reparative processes through significantly decreased serum creatinine, urea, TGF‐β and CYS‐C levels as well as UNAG level and significantly increase glomerular filtration rate. Additionally, the histopathological investigations of kidney tissues showed that MSCs have significant regenerative effects as evidenced by the decrease in focal inflammatory cells infiltration, focal interstitial nephritis and congested glomeruli as well as degenerated tubules.

Conclusion

The current data provided distinct evidence about the favourable impact of AD‐MSCs and BM‐MSCs in attenuation of cyclosporine‐induced nephropathy in rats through their ability to promote functional and structural kidney repair via transdifferentiation.
The Effect of Oil Prices on Field Production: Evidence from the Norwegian Continental Shelf
Authors: Mauritzen Johannes
Published: May 2016

I use detailed field‐level data on Norwegian offshore oil production and a semi‐parametric additive model to control for the production profile of fields to estimate the effect of oil prices on production. I find no significant evidence of a concurrent reaction of field production to oil prices, though a modest lagged effect is found of the magnitude of approximately 2% to 7% for a $10 per barrel increase in the real price of oil.
Narrowing down the single homoeologous FaPFRU locus controlling flowering in cultivated octoploid strawberry using a selective mapping strategy
Authors: Perrotte Justine , Gaston Amèlia , Potier Aline , Petit Aurélie , Rothan Christophe , Denoyes Béatrice
Published: May 2016

Extending the period of fruit production is a way to substantially increase crop yield in many fruit or ornamental species. In the cultivated octoploid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa), the most consumed small fruit worldwide, fruit production season can be extended by selecting the perpetual flowering (PF) cultivars. This trait is of considerable interest to growers and to the food industry. Four homoeologous loci controlling a single trait can be expected in such a complex octoploid species. However, we recently showed that the PF trait is under the control of the single dominant FaPFRU locus (J. Exp. Bot., 2013, 64, 1837), making it potentially amenable to marker‐assisted selection (MAS). Here, we report the successful use of a strategy, based on a selective mapping using a reduced sample of individuals, to identify nine markers in close linkage to the FaPFRU allelic variant. Thus, this strategy can be used to fine map the target homoeologous loci in other complex polyploid crop species. Recombinant analysis further enabled us to reduce the locus to a region flanked by two markers, Bx083_206 and Bx215_131, corresponding to a 1.1 Mb region in the diploid F. vesca reference genome. This region comprises 234 genes, including 15 flowering associated genes. Among these, the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) is known to be a key activator of flowering. The close association between the PF trait and the FaPFRU flanking markers was validated using an additional segregating population and genetic resources. This study lays the foundation for effective and rapid breeding of PF strawberry cultivars by MAS.
Remitted epilepsy with dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor involving the thalamus
Authors: Nishikura Noriko , Takano Tomoyuki , Ryujin Fukiko , Yoshioka Seiichiro , Maruo Yoshihiro , Takeuchi Yoshihiro , Tamura Kentaro , Sakakibara Takafumi , Ito Masayuki
Published: May 2016

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNT) are benign hamartomatous tumors characterized by intractable epilepsy and common localization in the supratentorial cortex, but thalamic involvement in DNT is extremely rare. A 2‐year 4‐month‐old boy presented with intractable epilepsy due to a tumorous lesion in the frontal lobe expanding to the thalamus. Under chronic intracranial electrocorticography guidance, partial lesionectomy with adjacent cortical resection was performed, and the lesion was pathologically diagnosed as DNT, complex form. Subsequently, the seizures completely disappeared without any neurological deficits despite the presence of full residual thalamic lesions. The epileptogenicity of DNT is closely associated with various clinicopathological factors, and the thalamic contribution to the seizure activity remains unclear. Due to the essential epileptogenic characteristics of DNT, the residual thalamic lesions and associated clinical features should be strictly observed in the future in the present case.
Infection strategy of Ramularia collo‐cygni and development of ramularia leaf spot on barley and alternative graminaceous hosts
Authors: Kaczmarek M. , Piotrowska M. J. , Fountaine J. M. , Gorniak K. , McGrann G. R. D. , Armstrong A. , Wright K. M. , Newton A. C. , Havis N. D.
Published: May 2016

Ramularia leaf spot (RLS) is a newly important disease of barley across temperate regions worldwide. Despite this recent change in importance, the infection biology of the causal agent Ramularia collo‐cygni (Rcc) remains poorly understood. Confocal microscopy of the infection process of two transgenic Rcc isolates, expressing either GFP or DsRed reporter markers, was combined with light microscopy during field infection to track the progression of Rcc in planta. Infection of stomata, including the development of a previously unreported stomatopodium structure, results in symptomless development and intercellular colonization of the mesophyll tissue. Transition to necrotrophy is associated with breakdown of host chloroplasts and the formation of aggregates of conidiophores. In addition to barley, Rcc forms a compatible interaction with winter wheat and a number of perennial grass species. An incompatible reaction was observed with two dicotyledonous species. These results provide further insights into the host interactions of this fungus and suggest that RLS could be a potential threat to other agriculturally important crops.
Psychometric properties of startle and corrugator response in NPU, affective picture viewing, and resting state tasks
Authors: Kaye Jesse T. , Bradford Daniel E. , Curtin John J.
Published: May 2016

The current study provides a comprehensive evaluation of critical psychometric properties of commonly used psychophysiology laboratory tasks/measures within the NIMH RDoC. Participants (N = 128) completed the no‐shock, predictable shock, unpredictable shock (NPU) task, affective picture viewing task, and resting state task at two study visits separated by 1 week. We examined potentiation/modulation scores in NPU (predictable or unpredictable shock vs. no‐shock) and affective picture viewing tasks (pleasant or unpleasant vs. neutral pictures) for startle and corrugator responses with two commonly used quantification methods. We quantified startle potentiation/modulation scores with raw and standardized responses. We quantified corrugator potentiation/modulation in the time and frequency domains. We quantified general startle reactivity in the resting state task as the mean raw startle response during the task. For these three tasks, two measures, and two quantification methods, we evaluated effect size robustness and stability, internal consistency (i.e., split‐half reliability), and 1‐week temporal stability. The psychometric properties of startle potentiation in the NPU task were good, but concerns were noted for corrugator potentiation in this task. Some concerns also were noted for the psychometric properties of both startle and corrugator modulation in the affective picture viewing task, in particular, for pleasant picture modulation. Psychometric properties of general startle reactivity in the resting state task were good. Some salient differences in the psychometric properties of the NPU and affective picture viewing tasks were observed within and across quantification methods.
Double dissociation of configural and featural face processing on P1 and P2 components as a function of spatial attention
Authors: Wang Hailing , Guo Shichun , Fu Shimin
Published: May 2016

Face recognition relies on both configural and featural processing. Previous research has shown that P1 is sensitive to configural face processing, but it is unclear whether any component is sensitive to featural face processing; moreover, if there is such a component, its temporal sequence relative to P1 is unknown. Thus, to avoid confounding physical stimuli differences between configural and featural face processing on ERP components, a spatial attention paradigm was employed by instructing participants to attend an image stream (faces and houses) or an alphanumeric character stream. The interaction between attention and face processing type on P1 and P2 components indicates different mechanisms of configural and featural face processing as a function of spatial attention. The steady‐state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) results clearly demonstrated that participants could selectively attend to different streams of information. Importantly, configural face processing elicited a larger posterior P1 (approximately 128 ms) than featural face processing, whereas P2 (approximately 248 ms) was greater for featural than for configural face processing under attended condition. The interaction between attention and face processing type (configural vs. featural) on P1 and P2 components indicates that there are different mechanisms of configural and featural face processing operating as functions of spatial attention. While the P1 result confirms previous findings separating configural and featural face processing, the newly observed P2 finding in the present study extends this separation to a double dissociation. Therefore, configural and featural face processing are modulated differently by spatial attention, and configural face processing precedes featural face processing.
Empowerment in critical care – a concept analysis
Authors: Wåhlin Ingrid
Published: May 2016

Objective

The purpose of this paper was to analyse how the concept of empowerment is defined in the scientific literature in relation to critical care. As empowerment is a mutual process affecting all individuals involved, the perspectives of not only patients and next of kin but also staff were sought.

Method

A literature review and a concept analysis based on Walker and Avant's analysis procedure were used to identify the basic elements of empowerment in critical care. Twenty‐two articles with a focus on critical care were discovered and included in the investigation.

Findings

A mutual and supportive relationship, knowledge, skills, power within oneself and self‐determination were found to be the common attributes of empowerment in critical care. The results could be adapted and used for all parties involved in critical care – whether patients, next of kin or staff – as these defining attributes are assumed to be universal to all three groups, even if the more specific content of each attribute varies between groups and individuals.

Conclusion

Even if empowerment is only sparsely used in relation to critical care, it appears to be a very useful concept in this context. The benefits of improving empowerment are extensive: decreased levels of distress and strain, increased sense of coherence and control over situation, and personal and/or professional development and growth, together with increased comfort and inner satisfaction.
It is not just a Minor Thing – A Phenomenological‐Hermeneutic Study of Patients’ Experiences when afflicted by a Minor Heart Attack and Participating in Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Simonÿ Charlotte P. , Dreyer Pia , Pedersen Birthe D. , Birkelund Regner
Published: May 2016

Background

To improve cardiac care, especially cardiac rehabilitation, patients’ perspectives should be better addressed. In Denmark, patients afflicted by a minor heart attack in terms of unstable angina pectoris or non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction are treated in fast‐track programmes with subacute treatment in hospital, early discharge and follow‐up specialised outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Knowledge of these patients’ experiences of their life situation is essential to develop sufficient care protocols.

Aim

To gain in‐depth understanding of how patients afflicted by a minor heart attack experience their life situation when following cardiac rehabilitation.

Methods

Focus group interviews and individual interviews were conducted with 11 patients enrolled in the cardiac rehabilitation programme. Data consisted of text in the form of transcribed interviews. A three‐phased interpretation inspired by Paul Ricoeur's theory of interpretation was applied.

Findings

As an overall concept, the patients experienced being forced into a demanding life shaking journey. Three themes emerged: Difficulty accepting the disease: facing the disease is a difficult challenge for the patients, leading to vulnerability and helplessness; Understanding that life has become frail: patients feel shaken as they realise that the disease is chronic and life‐threatening; and An altered life: patients must adjust to new limitations in their everyday lives.

Conclusions

Patients experience an overall demanding transition when they are afflicted by a minor heat attack, whereby their lives are sweepingly changed. Supporting patients’ integrity, which becomes vulnerable during the various stages of transitions, is essential to ensure a healthy outcome. Being together with fellow patients during cardiac rehabilitation is a facilitating factor in the course of transition.
A ‘European Migrant Crisis’? Some Thoughts on Mediterranean Borders
Authors: Lendaro Annalisa
Published: May 2016

This paper addresses the ongoing ‘European Migrant Crisis’ by, first, discussing the return of internal borders within the European Union as zones for controlling and sorting migrants, and then both internal and external borders as areas in which policing and national policy choices deeply challenge international law, which was designed to protect all human beings regardless of their country of departure. The primary argument developed here is that some EU countries neglect to abide by the European and international regulations on migration, asylum seekers, and human rights, with unprecedented consequences. Border policies are presented here as paradoxical governmental tools, which are not applied equally and uniformly. The main consequence is the growing gap between rights guaranteed under the law and their selective application within a border management where the state of exception is increasingly visible.
Development of Organic Agriculture in Bulgaria (1990–2012): Actors, Relations, and Networks
Authors: Slavova Petya , Moschitz Heidrun , Georgieva Zdravka
Published: May 2016

This article analyses the development of organic agriculture (OA) in Bulgaria. It especially examines the actors, relations, and structures that shape organic sector policies. The Bulgarian case shows that sectorial agricultural policies can originate without the direct representation of farmers. Due to the dominance of consultancy NGOs and academic institutions in the policy network, OA first appeared as a political rather than as an economic or social and agricultural topic. However, this specificity contributed to the weak development of the organic sector in the country. Ultimately, farmers became engaged in the policy network for the benefit of the sector when the EU implemented organic subsidies. The article is based on both qualitative and quantitative data and applies the policy network approach as the analytical framework. Our analysis contributes to enriching this approach by exploring the role of the state in terms of both political willingness and administrative capacity and shows that in a post‐socialist context, the policy outcome also depends on the synchronisation of these two roles of the state.
HLA‐B*46:40:02, a novel HLA‐B*46 allele identified in a Chinese individual by sequence‐based typing
Authors: Wang J. , Ji X. , Ou G. J. , Su P. C. , Liu Z.
Published: May 2016

HLA‐B*46:40:02 has one synonymous nucleotide change from HLA‐B*46:40:01 in codon 23, exon 2 (ATT>ATC).
The combined use of surgical debulking and diode laser photocoagulation for limbal melanoma treatment: a retrospective study of 21 dogs
Authors: Andreani Valentina , Guandalini Adolfo , D'Anna Nunzio , Giudice Chiara , Corvi Roberta , Di Girolamo Nicola , Sapienza John S.
Published: May 2016

Objective

To evaluate effectiveness and safety of debulking and diode laser photocoagulation (DPC) for the treatment of limbal melanoma (LM).

Procedure

Retrospective multi‐institutional case series. Medical records of animals diagnosed with LM at the Centro Veterinario Specialistico (CVS) and at the Long Island Veterinary Specialists from 1994 to 2014 were retrieved. Signalment, location, extent of tumors, recurrence rate, and early and late complications were reported. Patient follow‐up information was obtained from veterinary ophthalmologists, primary care veterinarians, and where appropriate, owners.

Results

Twenty‐one eyes of 21 dogs (13 females and 8 males) were included in this study. The dogs' average age was 6 years (range: 7 months–11 years). The follow‐up period ranged from 1–108 months (median 48 months) after the last DPC procedure. Long‐term follow‐up was obtained by telephone interviews in 6 of 20 cases and by clinical re‐evaluations in 14 of 20 cases. The most common early complications were a moderate anterior uveitis and peripheral corneal edema (21/21 eyes). Late complications included corneal fibrosis and/or pigmentation (20/21). In one case, a severe bullous keratopathy associated with extensive corneal fibrosis was observed (1/21). One case was blind due to concurrent Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration (SARD). However, after surgery 2 of 20 eyes lost vision and one of these was enucleated.

Conclusions

Debulking, in addition to diode laser photocoagulation, was technically straightforward to perform, minimally invasive, well tolerated, and highly successful in this case series.
Computational Study of Three-Dimensional Stagnation Point Nanofluid Bioconvection Flow on a Moving Surface With Anisotropic Slip and Thermal Jump Effect
Authors: Uddin M. J. , Khan W. A. , Ismail A. I. Md. , Anwar Bég O.
Published: May 2016

The effects of anisotropic slip and thermal jump on the three-dimensional stagnation point flow of nanofluid containing microorganisms from a moving surface have been investigated numerically. Anisotropic slip takes place on geometrically striated surfaces and superhydrophobic strips. Zero mass flux of nanoparticles at the surface is applied to achieve practically applicable results. Using appropriate similarity transformations, the transport equations are reduced to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations with coupled boundary conditions. Numerical solutions are reported by means of very efficient numerical method provided by the symbolic code Maple. The influences of the emerging parameters on the dimensionless velocity, temperature, nanoparticle volumetric fraction, density of motile microorganism profiles, as well as the local skin friction coefficient, the local Nusselt number, and the local density of the motile microorganisms are displayed graphically and illustrated in detail. The computations demonstrate that the skin friction along the x-axis is enhanced with the velocity slip parameter along the y-axis. The converse response is observed for the dimensionless skin friction along the y-axis. The heat transfer rate is increased with greater velocity slip effects but depressed with the thermal slip parameter. The local Nusselt number is increased with Prandtl number and decreased with the thermophoresis parameter. The local density for motile microorganisms is enhanced with velocity slip parameters and depressed with the bioconvection Lewis number, thermophoresis, and Péclet number. Numerical results are validated where possible with published results and excellent correlation is achieved.
Dynamic Model of a Vortex-Induced Energy Converter
Authors: Manfrida Giampaolo , Rinchi Mirko , Soldi Guido
Published: May 2016

Vortex-induced energy converters (VIECs) are attracting the attention of researchers looking for energy-harvesting systems in the marine environment. These energy converters, while probably less efficient than many other specialized devices, have very few moving parts and are particularly suitable for operation in harsh environments, such as those encountered in the ocean and in offshore platforms. The principle of operation of VIECs is tapping the transverse vibration of a blunt slender body immersed in a stream, induced by unsteady flow separation (Von Karman vortex street). The simplest device is an array of cylinders: under specific conditions and with careful design, it is possible to work close to resonance and thereby to obtain large amplitudes of oscillation, which are converted into electricity by suitable devices (linear electrical generators or piezoelectric cells). The system was developed experimentally at University of Michigan, with several patents pending and scientific material published on preliminary tests. Numerical simulations of system dynamics allow to simulate more realistic operating conditions and to perform the mechanical optimization of the system in relation to a specific sea location. A model of the system was thus developed, resulting in a nonlinear dynamic mathematical formulation; this last is solved in the time domain using matlab/simulink programming. The sensitivity of the efficiency to the main design variables is investigated. The results demonstrate that the efficiency and power density are not attractive for the typical Mediterranean Sea conditions; however, as energy can be harvested over large surfaces, the system appears to deserve attention.
Technical Note: Validation and implementation of a wireless transponder tracking system for gated stereotactic ablative radiotherapy of the liver
Authors: James Joshua , Cetnar Ashley , Dunlap Neal E. , Huffaker Corinna , Nguyen Vi Nhan , Potts Melissa , Wang Brian
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

Tracking soft‐tissue targets has recently been cleared as a new application of Calypso, an electromagnetic wireless transponder tracking system, allowing for gated treatment of the liver based on the motion of the target volume itself. The purpose of this study is to describe the details of validating the Calypso system for wireless transponder tracking of the liver and to present the clinical workflow for using it to deliver gated stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR).

Methods:

A commercial 3D diode array motion system was used to evaluate the dynamic tracking accuracy of Calypso when tracking continuous large amplitude motion. It was then used to perform end‐to‐end tests to evaluate the dosimetric accuracy of gated beam delivery for liver SABR. In addition, gating limits were investigated to determine how large the gating window can be while still maintaining dosimetric accuracy. The gating latency of the Calypso system was also measured using a customized motion phantom.

Results:

The average absolute difference between the measured and expected positional offset was 0.3 mm. The 2%/2 mm gamma pass rates for the gated treatment delivery were greater than 97%. When increasing the gating limits beyond the known extent of planned motion, the gamma pass rates decreased as expected. The 2%/2 mm gamma pass rate for a 1, 2, and 3 mm increase in gating limits was measured to be 97.8%, 82.9%, and 61.4%, respectively. The average gating latency was measured to be 63.8 ms for beam‐hold and 195.8 ms for beam‐on. Four liver patients with 17 total fractions have been successfully treated at our institution.

Conclusions:

Wireless transponder tracking was validated as a dosimetrically accurate way to provide gated SABR of the liver. The dynamic tracking accuracy of the Calypso system met manufacturer's specification, even for continuous large amplitude motion that can be encountered when tracking liver tumors close to the diaphragm. The measured beam‐hold gating latency was appropriate for targets that will traverse the gating limit each respiratory cycle causing the beam to be interrupted constantly throughout treatment delivery.
Large-scale training to increase speech intelligibility for hearing-impaired listeners in novel noises
Authors: Chen Jitong , Wang Yuxuan , Yoho Sarah E. , Wang DeLiang , Healy Eric W.
Published: May 2016

Supervised speech segregation has been recently shown to improve human speech intelligibility in noise, when trained and tested on similar noises. However, a major challenge involves the ability to generalize to entirely novel noises. Such generalization would enable hearing aid and cochlear implant users to improve speech intelligibility in unknown noisy environments. This challenge is addressed in the current study through large-scale training. Specifically, a deep neural network (DNN) was trained on 10 000 noises to estimate the ideal ratio mask, and then employed to separate sentences from completely new noises (cafeteria and babble) at several signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Although the DNN was trained at the fixed SNR of − 2 dB, testing using hearing-impaired listeners demonstrated that speech intelligibility increased substantially following speech segregation using the novel noises and unmatched SNR conditions of 0 dB and 5 dB. Sentence intelligibility benefit was also observed for normal-hearing listeners in most noisy conditions. The results indicate that DNN-based supervised speech segregation with large-scale training is a very promising approach for generalization to new acoustic environments.
Yielding in a strongly aggregated colloidal gel. Part II: Theory
Authors: Roy Saikat , Tirumkudulu Mahesh S.
Published: May 2016

We derive a constitutive relation to describe the deformation of a two-dimensional strongly aggregated colloidal system by incorporating the interparticle colloidal forces and contact dynamics. The theory accounts for the plastic events that occur in the form of rolling/sliding during the deformation along with elastic deformation. The theory predicts a yield stress that is a function of volume fraction of the colloidal packing, the coordination number, the interparticle potential, coefficient of friction, and the normal and the tangential stiffness coefficients. The predicted yield strain was independent of the particle volume fraction although the compressive yield stress exhibited a power-law relation with the volume fraction. The power-law exponent, however, was lower than that obtained from simulations reported in a paper by Roy and Tirumkudulu [“Yielding in a strongly aggregated colloidal gel. Part I: 2D simulations,” J. Rheol. 60(4), 559–574 (2016)]. The cause for the discrepancy was identified to be the nonaffine deformation of the network. To account for such effects, a constitutive relation based on a simple fractal model was developed that predicts yield stress profile close to those obtained from simulations.
Associations Between Objectively Assessed Components of Physical Activity and Health-Related Fitness in 10- to 14-Year-Old Children
Authors: De Baere Stijn , Philippaerts Renaat , De Martelaer Kristine , Lefevre Johan
Published: May 2016

Background:

Our aim was to investigate the association between different components of physical activity (PA) and health-related fitness in 10-to 14-year-old children.

Methods:

241 children were recruited from 15 primary and 15 secondary schools. PA was assessed using the SenseWear Mini and an electronic diary. Health-related fitness was assessed using Eurofit and translated into indicators of body fatness, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness. Associations between PA intensity and physical fitness components were determined using multiple linear regression models adjusted for possible confounders and the contribution of PA domains per intensity categories was calculated.

Results:

Associations between PA intensities and body fatness were low to moderate (|β| = 0.09 to 0.44), explaining up to 6% of the variance in boys and 17% in girls. For cardiorespiratory fitness, associations were higher (|β| = 0.17 to 0.56), with PA explaining up to 6% of the variance in boys and 31% in girls. Low-tomoderate associations (|β| = 0.06 to 0.43) were found for muscular fitness, with PA explaining up to 7% in boys and 13% in girls. Stronger associations were found for sedentary and light activities.

Conclusions:

Low-to-moderate associations between PA and fitness components were observed, with higher associations in girls. Sedentary and light intensity activity showed the strongest link with body fatness, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness.
Physical Activity With Alanine Aminotransferase and Gamma-Glutamyltransferase: Implications of Liver Pathology on the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mortality
Authors: Loprinzi Paul D.
Published: May 2016

Objective:

Examine the association between objectively-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and engagement in self-reported muscle strengthening activities (MSA) with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and in turn, how each of these parameters associate with of all-cause mortality.

Methods:

Data from the 2003–2006 NHANES were employed, with follow-up through December 31, 2011 (N = 5030; 20+ yrs). Physical activity was assessed via accelerometry; MSA was assessed via survey; and ALT and GGT were assessed via a blood sample. Linear regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used.

Results:

MVPA (βadjusted = 0.15; 95% CI: –0.45 to 0.76; P = .60) was not associated with ALT, but MSA was (β adjusted = –0.31; 95% CI: –0.56 to –0.05; P = .02). With regard to GGT, MSA was not significant (β adjusted = –0.12; 95% CI: –0.71 to 0.47; P = .67), nor was MVPA (β adjusted = –1.10; 95% CI: –2.20 to 0.06; P = .06). Higher ALT levels were associated with increased allcause mortality risk (HRadjusted = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.06; P < .001).

Conclusion:

Physical activity is favorably associated with markers of hepatic inflammation, and higher levels of markers of hepatic inflammation are associated with increased mortality risk. These findings suggest that physical activity may help protect against premature mortality through its influence on liver pathology.
Sensory Impairment, Functional Balance and Physical Activity With All-Cause Mortality
Authors: Loprinzi Paul D. , Crush Elizabeth
Published: May 2016

Objective:

No study has comprehensively examined the independent and combined effects of sensory impairment, physical activity and balance on mortality risk, which was this study’s purpose.

Methods:

Data from the population-based 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used, with follow-up through 2011. Physical activity was assessed via accelerometry. Balance was assessed via the Romberg test. Peripheral neuropathy was assessed objectively using a standard monofilament. Visual impairment was objectively assessed using an autorefractor. Hearing impairment was assessed via self-report. A 5-level index variable (higher score is worse) was calculated based on the participant’s degree of sensory impairment, dysfunctional balance and physical inactivity.

Results:

Among the 1658 participants (age 40–85 yrs), 228 died during the median follow-up period of 92 months. Hearing (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.18; P = .40), vision (HR = 1.17; P = .58) and peripheral neuropathy (HR = 1.06; P = .71) were not independently associated with all-cause mortality, but physical activity (HR = 0.97; P = .01) and functional balance (HR = 0.59; P = .03) were. Compared with those with an index score of 0, the HR (95% CI) for those with an index score of 1 to 3, respectively, were 1.20 (0.46–3.13), 2.63 (1.08–6.40) and 2.88 (1.36–6.06).

Conclusions:

Physical activity and functional balance are independent contributors to survival.
Gain-of-function mutations in protein kinase Cα (PKCα) may promote synaptic defects in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Alfonso Stephanie I. , Callender Julia A. , Hooli Basavaraj , Antal Corina E. , Mullin Kristina , Sherman Mathew A. , Lesné Sylvain E. , Leitges Michael , Newton Alexandra C. , Tanzi Rudolph E. , Malinow Roberto
Published: May 2016

PKCα variants in some patients with Alzheimer’s disease may mediate the pathological effects of amyloid-β.
Study of Two Separate Types of Macrolide-Resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae Outbreaks
Authors: Wang Yingshuo , Ye Qian , Yang Dehua , Ni Zhimin , Chen Zhimin
Published: May 2016

To study the complete natural process of a
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
outbreak in a semiclosed room such as a primary school room, we investigated two separate
M. pneumoniae
outbreaks involving 81 students in total in two primary schools in Hangzhou, China.
M. pneumoniae
isolates from pharyngeal swabs were detected by fluorescence quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and culture. The class in school M had 39 students, with 12 (30.8%) with positive
M. pneumoniae
detection results. The class from school J had 42 students, with 13 (31.0%) positive. The strains from two classes were confirmed to represent two clones (3/4/5/7/2 and 5/4/5/7/2) and to be macrolide resistant (A2063G) according to P1 and multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) genotyping, determination of MIC of antibiotics, and sequencing. Students with
M. pneumoniae
isolates detected were divided into three groups: those carrying the isolates, those with upper respiratory tract infection (URI), and those with pneumonia. Longitudinal sampling performed using pharyngeal swabs showed that the persistence of
M. pneumoniae
was longest in the group of students with pneumonia.
M. pneumoniae
causes pneumonia outbreaks in schools, and the incidence of pneumonia has a higher rate than that of URI. The persistence of
M. pneumoniae
, with a median duration of 79.50 days in the group of students with pneumonia, differs from that of the infection state.
Efavirenz and Metabolites in Cerebrospinal Fluid: Relationship with
CYP2B6
c.516G→T Genotype and Perturbed Blood-Brain Barrier Due to Tuberculous Meningitis
Authors: Nightingale Sam , Chau Tran Thi Hong , Fisher Martin , Nelson Mark , Winston Alan , Else Laura , Carr Daniel F. , Taylor Steven , Ustianowski Andrew , Back David , Pirmohamed Munir , Solomon Tom , Farrar Jeremy , Törok M. Estée , Khoo Saye
Published: May 2016

Efavirenz (EFZ) has been associated with neuropsychiatric side effects. Recently, the 8-hydroxy-EFZ (8OH-EFZ) metabolite has been shown to be a potent neurotoxin
in vitro
, inducing neuronal damage at concentrations of 3.3 ng/ml. EFZ induced similar neuronal damage at concentrations of 31.6 ng/ml. We investigated the effect of genotype and blood-brain barrier integrity on EFZ metabolite concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We measured CSF drug concentrations in subjects from two separate study populations: 47 subjects with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) coinfection in Vietnam receiving 800 mg EFZ with standard antituberculous treatment and 25 subjects from the PARTITION study in the United Kingdom without central nervous system infection receiving 600 mg EFZ. EFZ and metabolite concentrations in CSF and plasma were measured and compared with estimates of effectiveness and neurotoxicity from available published
in vitro
and
in vivo
data. The effect of the
CYP2B6
c.516G→T genotype (GG genotype, fast EFV metabolizer status; GT genotype, intermediate EFV metabolizer status; TT genotype, slow EFV metabolizer status) was examined. The mean CSF concentrations of EFZ and 8OH-EFZ in the TBM group were 60.3 and 39.3 ng/ml, respectively, and those in the no-TBM group were 15.0 and 5.9 ng/ml, respectively. Plasma EFZ and 8OH-EFZ concentrations were similar between the two groups. CSF EFZ concentrations were above the
in vitro
toxic concentration in 76% of samples (GG genotype, 61%; GT genotype, 90%; TT genotype, 100%) in the TBM group and 13% of samples (GG genotype, 0%; GT genotype, 18%; TT genotype, 50%) in the no-TBM group. CSF 8OH-EFZ concentrations were above the
in vitro
toxic concentration in 98% of the TBM group and 87% of the no-TBM group; levels were independent of genotype but correlated with the CSF/plasma albumin ratio. Potentially neurotoxic concentrations of 8OH-EFZ are frequently observed in CSF independently of the
CYP2B6
genotype, particularly in those with impaired blood-brain barrier integrity.
Copresence of
tet
(K) and
tet
(M) in Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clonal Complex 398 Is Associated with Increased Fitness during Exposure to Sublethal Concentrations of Tetracycline
Authors: Larsen Jesper , Clasen Julie , Hansen Julie E. , Paulander Wilhelm , Petersen Andreas , Larsen Anders R. , Frees Dorte
Published: May 2016

The tetracycline resistance gene
tet
(K) was shown to be integrated within the predominant staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
) element of Danish livestock-associated methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
CC398 (LA-MRSA CC398). These LA-MRSA CC398 isolates already possessed
tet
(M), but the acquisition of
tet
(K) significantly improved their fitness at sublethal concentrations of tetracycline. Because
tet
(K) is genetically linked to SCC
mec
, the use of tetracycline in food animals may have contributed to the successful spread of LA-MRSA CC398.
Genetic Features of MCR-1-Producing Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates in South Africa
Authors: Poirel Laurent , Kieffer Nicolas , Brink Adrian , Coetze Jennifer , Jayol Aurélie , Nordmann Patrice
Published: May 2016

A series of colistin-resistant
Escherichia coli
clinical isolates was recovered from hospitalized and community patients in South Africa. Seven clonally unrelated isolates harbored the
mcr-1
gene located on different plasmid backbones. Two distinct plasmids were fully sequenced, and identical 2,600-bp-long DNA sequences defining a
mcr-1
cassette were identified. Promoter sequences responsible for the expression of
mcr-1
, deduced from the precise identification of the +1 transcription start site for
mcr-1
, were characterized.
Combination Chemotherapy with Suboptimal Doses of Benznidazole and Pentoxifylline Sustains Partial Reversion of Experimental Chagas' Heart Disease
Authors: Vilar-Pereira Glaucia , Resende Pereira Isabela , de Souza Ruivo Leonardo Alexandre , Cruz Moreira Otacilio , da Silva Andrea Alice , Britto Constança , Lannes-Vieira Joseli
Published: May 2016

Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) progresses with parasite persistence, fibrosis, and electrical alterations associated with an unbalanced immune response such as high plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and nitric oxide (NO). Presently, the available treatments only mitigate the symptoms of CCC. To improve CCC prognosis, we interfered with the parasite load and unbalanced immune response using the trypanocidal drug benznidazole (Bz) and the immunoregulator pentoxifylline (PTX). C57BL/6 mice chronically infected with the Colombian strain of
Trypanosoma cruzi
and with signs of CCC were treated for 30 days with a suboptimal dose of Bz (25 mg/kg of body weight), PTX (20 mg/kg), or their combination (Bz plus PTX) and analyzed for electrocardiographic, histopathological, and immunological changes. Bz (76%) and Bz-plus-PTX (79%) therapies decreased parasite loads. Although the three therapies reduced myocarditis and fibrosis and ameliorated electrical alterations, only Bz plus PTX restored normal heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) intervals. Bz-plus-PTX-treated mice presented complementary effects of Bz and PTX, which reduced TNF expression (37%) in heart tissue and restored normal TNF receptor 1 expression on CD8
+
T cells, respectively. Bz (85%) and PTX (70%) therapies reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS/NOS2) in heart tissue, but only Bz (58%) reduced NO levels in serum. These effects were more pronounced after Bz-plus-PTX therapy. Moreover, 30 to 50 days after treatment cessation, reductions of the prolonged QTc and QRS intervals were sustained in Bz-plus-PTX-treated mice. Our findings support the importance of interfering with the etiological agent and immunological abnormalities to improve CCC prognosis, opening an opportunity for a better quality of life for Chagas' disease (CD) patients.