bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between levels of pentraxin 3 and incidence of chronic kidney disease in the elderly
Authors: Sjöberg B. , Qureshi A. R. , Heimbürger O. , Stenvinkel P. , Lind L. , Larsson A. , Bárány P. , Ärnlöv J.
Published: September 2015

Objective

Higher levels of the novel inflammatory marker pentraxin 3 (PTX3) predict cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Yet, whether PTX3 predicts worsening of kidney function has been less well studied. We therefore investigated the associations between PTX3 levels, kidney disease measures and CKD incidence.

Methods

Cross‐sectional associations between serum PTX3 levels, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and cystatin C‐estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were assessed in two independent community‐based cohorts of elderly subjects: the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS, n = 768, 51% women, mean age 75 years) and the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM, n = 651, mean age 77 years). The longitudinal association between PTX3 level at baseline and incident CKD (GFR <60 mL min−1 1.73 m−²) was also analysed (number of events/number at risk: PIVUS 229/746, ULSAM 206/315).

Results

PTX3 levels were inversely associated with GFR [PIVUS: B‐coefficient per 1 SD increase −0.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.23 to −0.10, P < 0.001; ULSAM: B‐coefficient per 1 SD increase −0.09, 95% CI −0.16 to −0.01, P < 0.05], but not ACR, after adjusting for age, gender, C‐reactive protein and prevalent cardiovascular disease in cross‐sectional analyses. In longitudinal analyses, PTX3 levels predicted incident CKD after 5 years in both cohorts [PIVUS: multivariable odds ratio (OR) 1.21, 95% CI 1.01–1.45, P < 0.05; ULSAM: multivariable OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.07–1.77, P < 0.05].

Conclusions

Higher PTX3 levels are associated with lower GFR and independently predict incident CKD in elderly men and women. Our data confirm and extend previous evidence suggesting that inflammatory processes are activated in the early stages of CKD and drive impairment of kidney function. Circulating PTX3 appears to be a promising biomarker of kidney disease.
The emerging global epidemic of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease – causes and consequences
Authors: Malmborg P. , Hildebrand H.
Published: September 2015

Two decades ago, paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) drew only modest interest from the international paediatric community. Since then, dramatically globally increasing incidence rates have made childhood‐onset IBD a priority for most paediatric gastroenterologists. The emerging pandemia of paediatric IBD has fuelled a quest to identify the recent changes in early life exposures that could explain the increasing risk for IBD amongst today's children. Treatment of children with IBD should aim for symptom control but should also target restoration of growth and prevention of pubertal delay. The paediatric IBD phenotype seems to be characterized by more extensive disease location, and some comparative studies have suggested that childhood‐onset IBD also represents a more severe phenotype than the adult‐onset IBD form.

In this review, we analyse recent global incidence trends of paediatric IBD. We present an update on the known and suggested risk factors that could explain the emerging global epidemia of paediatric IBD. We also draw attention to differences in treatment between children and adults with IBD. Finally, we highlight latest follow‐up studies that question the proposed dynamic and aggressive nature of childhood‐onset IBD.
The Development of Psychological Capacity for Action: The Empowering Effect of a Microfinance Programme on Women in Sri Lanka
Authors: Hansen Nina
Published: September 2015

This work examines the effect of a microfinance intervention on psychological empowerment among women in the North of Sri Lanka. Psychological empowerment is defined as personal (personal control beliefs) and social (social networks) capacity for action. The intervention included relevant skills training, saving acti‐vities, and micro loans to eligible clients. In total, 88 women who had participated in the program for 12–18 months were randomly selected and compared with a matched control group (n = 84). As expected, women in the intervention group showed higher levels of personal control beliefs and reported a larger social network (indicators for personal and social capacity for action, respectively), compared to the control group. Importantly, women who received training showed stronger effects than women who did not, illustrating the importance of training to capacitate women. Implications for theory and practice of microfinance interventions designed to foster societal change toward gender equality are discussed.
Generalized Resampling Scheme With Application to Spectral Density Matrix in Almost Periodically Correlated Class of Time Series
Authors: Lenart Łukasz
Published: September 2015

The aim of this article is to introduce new resampling scheme for nonstationary time series, called generalized resampling scheme (GRS). The proposed procedure is a generalization of well known in the literature subsampling procedure and is simply related to existing block bootstrap techniques. To document the usefulness of GRS, we consider the example of model with almost periodic phenomena in mean and variance function, where the consistency of the proposed procedure was examined. Finally, we prove the consistency of GRS for the spectral density matrix for nonstationary, multivariate almost periodically correlated time series. We consider both zero mean and non‐zero mean case. The consistency holds under general assumptions concerning moment and α‐mixing conditions for multivariate almost periodically correlated time series. Proving the consistency in this case poses a difficulty since the estimator of the spectral density matrix can be interpreted as a sum of random matrixes whose dependence grow with the sample size.
Inept or Badly Matched? — Effects of Educational Mismatch in the Labor Market
Authors: Kleibrink Jan
Published: September 2015

Negative wage effects of educational mismatch have become a stylized fact. Whether these are explained by differences in unobserved productivity or poor matching is still to be answered conclusively. In an empirical analysis based on data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel and the International Adult Literacy Survey, a broad econometric strategy is applied to solve the problem of unobserved heterogeneity and reveal the mechanism underlying wage differences between matched and mismatched workers. Results show that wage differentials can be explained by a poor matching in the labor market, rejecting the hypothesis that mismatched workers compensate for unobserved productivity differences.
Quantification and variability in colonic volume with a novel magnetic resonance imaging method
Authors: Nilsson M. , Sandberg T. H. , Poulsen J. L. , Gram M. , Frøkjær J. B. , Østergaard L. R. , Krogh K. , Brock C. , Drewes A. M.
Published: September 2015

Background

Segmental distribution of colorectal volume is relevant in a number of diseases, but clinical and experimental use demands robust reliability and validity. Using a novel semi‐automatic magnetic resonance imaging‐based technique, the aims of this study were to describe: (i) inter‐individual and intra‐individual variability of segmental colorectal volumes between two observations in healthy subjects and (ii) the change in segmental colorectal volume distribution before and after defecation.

Methods

The inter‐individual and intra‐individual variability of four colorectal volumes (cecum/ascending colon, transverse, descending, and rectosigmoid colon) between two observations (separated by 52 ± 10) days was assessed in 25 healthy males and the effect of defecation on segmental colorectal volumes was studied in another seven healthy males.

Key Results

No significant differences between the two observations were detected for any segments (All p > 0.05). Inter‐individual variability varied across segments from low correlation in cecum/ascending colon (intra‐class correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.44) to moderate correlation in the descending colon (ICC = 0.61) and high correlation in the transverse (ICC = 0.78), rectosigmoid (ICC = 0.82), and total volume (ICC = 0.85). Overall intra‐individual variability was low (coefficient of variance = 9%). After defecation the volume of the rectosigmoid decreased by 44% (p = 0.003). The change in rectosigmoid volume was associated with the true fecal volume (p = 0.02).

Conclusions & Inferences

Imaging of segmental colorectal volume, morphology, and fecal accumulation is advantageous to conventional methods in its low variability, high spatial resolution, and its absence of contrast‐enhancing agents and irradiation. Hence, the method is suitable for future clinical and interventional studies and for characterization of defecation physiology.
A systematic literature review of nutrition interventions in vending machines that encourage consumers to make healthier choices
Authors: Grech A. , Allman‐Farinelli M.
Published: September 2015

Internationally, vending machines are scrutinized for selling energy‐dense nutrient‐poor foods and beverages, and the contribution to overconsumption and subsequent risk of obesity. The aim of this review is to determine the efficacy of nutrition interventions in vending machine in eliciting behaviour change to improve diet quality or weight status of consumers. Electronic databases Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL, Science Direct and PubMed were searched from inception. Inclusion criteria: (i) populations that have access to vending machines; (ii) nutrition interventions; (iii) measured outcomes of behaviour change (e.g. sales data, dietary intake or weight change); and (iv) experimental trials where controls were not exposed to the intervention. Risk of bias was assessed independently by two researchers, and higher quality research formed the basis of this qualitative review. Twelve articles from 136 searched were included for synthesis. Intervention settings included schools, universities and workplaces. Reducing price or increasing the availability increased sales of healthier choices. The results of point‐of‐purchase nutrition information interventions were heterogeneous and when measured changes to purchases were small. This review offers evidence that pricing and availability strategies are effective at improving the nutritional quality foods and beverages purchased from vending machines. Evidence on how these interventions alter consumer's overall diet or body mass index is needed.
Spheres of influence: Porphyromonas gingivalis outer membrane vesicles
Authors: Gui M.J. , Dashper S.G. , Slakeski N. , Chen Y.‐Y. , Reynolds E.C.
Published: September 2015

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are asymmetrical single bilayer membranous nanostructures produced by Gram‐negative bacteria important for bacterial interaction with the environment. Porphyromonas gingivalis, a keystone pathogen associated with chronic periodontitis, produces OMVs that act as a virulence factor secretion system contributing to its pathogenicity. Despite their biological importance, the mechanisms of OMV biogenesis have not been fully elucidated. The ~14 times more curvature of the OMV membrane than cell outer membrane (OM) indicates that OMV biogenesis requires energy expenditure for significant curvature of the OMV membrane. In P. gingivalis, we propose that this may be achieved by upregulating the production of certain inner or outer leaflet lipids, which causes localized outward curvature of the OM. This results in selection of anionic lipopolysaccharide (A‐LPS) and associated C‐terminal domain (CTD) ‐family proteins on the outer surface due to their ability to accommodate the curvature. Deacylation of A‐LPS may further enable increased curvature leading to OMV formation. Porphyromonas gingivalis OMVs that are selectively enriched in CTD‐family proteins, largely the gingipains, can support bacterial coaggregation, promote biofilm development and act as an intercessor for the transport of non‐motile bacteria by motile bacteria. The P. gingivalis OMVs are also believed to contribute to host interaction and colonization, evasion of immune defense mechanisms, and destruction of periodontal tissues. They may be crucial for both micro‐ and macronutrient capture, especially heme and probably other assimilable compounds for its own benefit and that of the wider biofilm community.
Pre‐operative investigations in patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial procedures
Authors: Henry Alastair , Dewi Ffion , Atan Rizal , Patel Natasha , Bhatia Satyajeet
Published: September 2015

Aim

We designed and implemented an audit to investigate compliance with the guideline Preoperative Tests published by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Methods

Results from the first audit cycle confirmed overall compliance with the guideline in 70.6% of cases and that 27.8% of investigations were performed unnecessarily. Results were presented locally and we conducted two educational sessions for junior doctors regarding the use of the guideline.

Results

Compliance with the guideline increased by 25.6% (from 70.6% to 91.1% P < 0.001) between the cycles, and the proportion of unnecessary investigations reduced by 71.1% (from 27.8% to 8.25% P < 0.01). These results were statistically significant. Education regarding use of the guideline has the potential to safely reduce the number of inappropriate pre‐operative tests performed on patients.

Conclusion

Utilisation of the guideline Preoperative Tests can result in reduced patient inconvenience and discomfort, while also improving staff efficiency and reducing cost.
Consensus Communication on Early Peanut Introduction and Prevention of Peanut Allergy in High‐Risk Infants
Authors: Fleischer David M. , Sicherer Scott , Greenhawt Matthew , Campbell Dianne , Chan Edmond , Muraro Antonella , Halken Susanne , Katz Yitzhak , Ebisawa Motohiro , Eichenfield Lawrence , Sampson Hugh , Lack Gideon , Du Toit George , Roberts Graham , Bahnson Henry , Feeney Mary , Hourihane Jonathan , Spergel Jonathan , Young Michael , As'aad Amal , Allen Katrina , Prescott Susan , Kapur Sandeep , Saito Hirohisa , Agache Ioana , Akdis Cezmi A. , Arshad Hasan , Beyer Kirsten , Dubois Anthony , Eigenmann Philippe , Fernandez‐Rivas Monserrat , Grimshaw Kate , Hoffman‐Sommergruber Karin , Host Arne , Lau Susanne , O'Mahony Liam , Mills Clare , Papadopoulos Nikolaus , Venter Carina , Agmon‐Levin Nancy , Kessel Aaron , Antaya Richard , Drolet Beth , Rosenwasser Lanny
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this brief communication is to highlight emerging evidence regarding potential benefits of supporting early rather than delayed peanut introduction during the period of complementary food introduction in infants. This document should be considered as interim guidance based on consensus among the following organizations: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Israel Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Japanese Society for Allergology, Society for Pediatric Dermatology, and World Allergy Organization. More formal guidelines regarding early‐life, complementary feeding practices and the risk of allergy development will follow in the next year from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases—sponsored Working Group and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Leishmania mexicana amastigotes inhibit p38 and JNK and activate PI3K/AKT: role in the inhibition of apoptosis of dendritic cells
Authors: Vázquez‐López R. , Argueta‐Donohué J. , Wilkins‐Rodríguez A. , Escalona‐Montaño A. , Aguirre‐García M. , Gutiérrez‐Kobeh L.
Published: September 2015

Leishmania mexicana is the causal agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Mexico. Dendritic cells (DC) are one of the host cells of Leishmania parasites. Intracellular microorganisms inhibit host cell apoptosis as a strategy to ensure their survival in infected cells. We have previously shown that Leishmania mexicana promastigotes and amastigotes inhibit camptothecin‐induced apoptosis of monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (moDC), but the mechanisms underlying the inhibition of apoptosis of DC by Leishmania have not been established. MAP kinases and PI3K participate in the process of apoptosis and are modulated by different species of Leishmania. As shown in this study, the infection of moDC with L. mexicana amastigotes diminished significantly the phosphorylation of the MAP kinases p38 and JNK. The inhibition of both kinases diminished significantly DNA fragmentation in moDC stimulated with camptothecin. On the other hand, L. mexicana amastigotes were able to activate the anti‐apoptotic pathways PI3K and AKT. Our results indicate that L. mexicana amastigotes have the capacity to diminish MAP kinases activation and activate PI3K and AKT, which is probably one of the strategies employed by L. mexicana amastigotes to inhibit apoptosis in the infected moDC.
Noradrenergic and cholinergic modulation of late ERP responses to deviant stimuli
Authors: Brown Stephen B. R. E. , van der Wee Nic J. A. , van Noorden Martijn S. , Giltay Erik J. , Nieuwenhuis Sander
Published: September 2015

Researchers have proposed several hypotheses about the neuromodulator systems involved in generating P3 components of the ERP. To test some of these hypotheses, we conducted a randomized placebo‐controlled crossover study in which we investigated how the late positive ERP response to deviant stimuli is modulated by (a) clonidine, an α2 agonist that attenuates baseline noradrenergic activity; and (b) scopolamine, a muscarinic antagonist of acetylcholine receptors. We collected EEG data from 18 healthy volunteers during the performance of an auditory oddball task with several active and passive task conditions. We then used temporospatial principal component analysis (PCA) to decompose the ERP waveforms. The PCA revealed two distinct late positive ERP components: the classic parietal P300 and the frontal novelty P3. Statistical analysis of the temporospatial factor scores indicated that in most conditions the amplitude of the classic P300 was increased by clonidine and scopolamine. In contrast, the amplitude of the novelty P3 was decreased by both drugs. The similar pattern of results for clonidine and scopolamine probably reflects the strong interactions between the noradrenergic and cholinergic systems. The results, in combination with previous pharmacological studies, suggest a critical role for both neuromodulator systems in the generation of the P300 and the novelty P3.
National identification and attitudes towards Russian immigrants in Finland: Investigating the role of perceived threats and gains
Authors: Brylka Asteria , Mähönen Tuuli Anna , Jasinskaja‐Lahti Inga
Published: September 2015

In this cross‐sectional study, we examined the relationship between national identification of majority Finns (nation‐wide probability sample, N = 335) and their attitudes towards Russian immigrants living in Finland. As previous research indicates both possibilities, we tested whether this relationship was moderated or mediated by threats and gains perceived to result from immigration. The results supported the mediation hypothesis; those individuals who identified stronger with their national ingroup perceived more threats than gains related to increased immigration and these perceptions, in turn, were associated with more negative attitudes towards immigrants. The role of realistic as opposed to symbolic threats and gains was particularly pronounced. The implications of the results are discussed in terms of their theoretical relevance and practical means to improve intergroup relations, with a particular focus on the relations between Finns and Russian immigrants in Finland.
Revisiting the Discrete Element Method for Predictions of Flows Over Rough Surfaces
Authors: Aupoix B.
Published: September 2015

The discrete element method allows predicting the flow over rough surfaces in a way consistent with the physics, contrary to the classical equivalent sand grain approach, and without requiring the meshing of all the surface details. Up to now, its use was restricted to boundary layer solvers. This paper is an updated version of the work presented by the author 20 years ago (Aupoix, B., 1994, “Modelling of Boundary Layers Over Rough Surfaces,” Advances in Turbulence V: Proceedings of the Fifth European Turbulence Conference, R. Benzi, ed., Kluwer, Siena, Italy, pp. 16–20): the double-averaging technique, which is now a standard approach in porous media, was proposed to derive the flow equations without boundary layer assumptions. This allows extending the use of the discrete element method to Reynolds–Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solvers. Differences with the standard discrete element method, i.e., different location of the blockage coefficients as well as terms omitted in the standard approach, mainly dispersive stresses and modifications of the turbulence model, are evidenced. The modeling of the different terms brought by the double-averaging procedure is discussed, in light of the knowledge gained both in the discrete element method and in the modeling of flows in porous media, pointing out some differences between the two situations. “High-resolution” RANS simulations are recommended to further improve the modeling.
Three-dimensional X-ray microcomputed tomography of carbonates and biofilm on operated cathode in single chamber microbial fuel cell
Authors: Santini Maurizio , Guilizzoni Manfredo , Lorenzi Massimo , Atanassov Plamen , Marsili Enrico , Fest-Santini Stephanie , Cristiani Pierangela , Santoro Carlo
Published: September 2015

Power output limitation is one of the main concerns that need to be addressed for full-scale applications of the microbial fuel cell technology. Fouling and biofilm growth on the cathode of single chamber microbial fuel cells (SCMFC) affects their performance in long-term operation with wastewater. In this study, the authors report the power output and cathode polarization curves of a membraneless SCMFC, fed with raw primary wastewater and sodium acetate for over 6 months. At the end of the experiment, the whole cathode surface is analyzed through X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT), scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to characterize the fouling layer and the biofilm. EDX shows the distribution of Ca, Na, K, P, S, and other elements on the two faces of the cathode. Na-carbonates and Ca-carbonates are predominant on the air (outer) side and the water (inner) side, respectively. The three-dimensional reconstruction by X-ray microCT shows biofilm spots unevenly distributed above the Ca-carbonate layer on the inner (water) side of the cathode. These results indicate that carbonates layer, rather than biofilm, might lower the oxygen reduction reaction rate at the cathode during long-term SCMFC operation.
Measurement with microscopic MRI and simulation of flow in different aneurysm models
Authors: Edelhoff Daniel , Walczak Lars , Frank Frauke , Heil Marvin , Schmitz Inge , Weichert Frank , Suter Dieter
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

The impact and the development of aneurysms depend to a significant degree on the exchange of liquid between the regular vessel and the pathological extension. A better understanding of this process will lead to improved prediction capabilities. The aim of the current study was to investigate fluid‐exchange in aneurysm models of different complexities by combining microscopic magnetic resonance measurements with numerical simulations. In order to evaluate the accuracy and applicability of these methods, the fluid‐exchange process between the unaltered vessel lumen and the aneurysm phantoms was analyzed quantitatively using high spatial resolution.

Methods:

Magnetic resonance flow imaging was used to visualize fluid‐exchange in two different models produced with a 3D printer. One model of an aneurysm was based on histological findings. The flow distribution in the different models was measured on a microscopic scale using time of flight magnetic resonance imaging. The whole experiment was simulated using fast graphics processing unit‐based numerical simulations. The obtained simulation results were compared qualitatively and quantitatively with the magnetic resonance imaging measurements, taking into account flow and spin–lattice relaxation.

Results:

The results of both presented methods compared well for the used aneurysm models and the chosen flow distributions. The results from the fluid‐exchange analysis showed comparable characteristics concerning measurement and simulation. Similar symmetry behavior was observed. Based on these results, the amount of fluid‐exchange was calculated. Depending on the geometry of the models, 7% to 45% of the liquid was exchanged per second.

Conclusions:

The result of the numerical simulations coincides well with the experimentally determined velocity field. The rate of fluid‐exchange between vessel and aneurysm was well‐predicted. Hence, the results obtained by simulation could be validated by the experiment. The observed deviations can be caused by the noise in the measurement and by the limited resolution of the simulation. The resulting differences are small enough to allow reliable predictions of the flow distribution in vessels with stents and for pulsed blood flow.
Theoretical detection threshold of the proton‐acoustic range verification technique
Authors: Ahmad Moiz , Xiang Liangzhong , Yousefi Siavash , Xing Lei
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

Range verification in proton therapy using the proton‐acoustic signal induced in the Bragg peak was investigated for typical clinical scenarios. The signal generation and detection processes were simulated in order to determine the signal‐to‐noise limits.

Methods:

An analytical model was used to calculate the dose distribution and local pressure rise (per proton) for beams of different energy (100 and 160 MeV) and spot widths (1, 5, and 10 mm) in a water phantom. In this method, the acoustic waves propagating from the Bragg peak were generated by the general 3D pressure wave equation implemented using a finite element method. Various beam pulse widths (0.1–10 μs) were simulated by convolving the acoustic waves with Gaussian kernels. A realistic PZT ultrasound transducer (5 cm diameter) was simulated with a Butterworth bandpass filter with consideration of random noise based on a model of thermal noise in the transducer. The signal‐to‐noise ratio on a per‐proton basis was calculated, determining the minimum number of protons required to generate a detectable pulse. The maximum spatial resolution of the proton‐acoustic imaging modality was also estimated from the signal spectrum.

Results:

The calculated noise in the transducer was 12–28 mPa, depending on the transducer central frequency (70–380 kHz). The minimum number of protons detectable by the technique was on the order of 3–30 × 106 per pulse, with 30–800 mGy dose per pulse at the Bragg peak. Wider pulses produced signal with lower acoustic frequencies, with 10 μs pulses producing signals with frequency less than 100 kHz.

Conclusions:

The proton‐acoustic process was simulated using a realistic model and the minimal detection limit was established for proton‐acoustic range validation. These limits correspond to a best case scenario with a single large detector with no losses and detector thermal noise as the sensitivity limiting factor. Our study indicated practical proton‐acoustic range verification may be feasible with approximately 5 × 106 protons/pulse and beam current.
Temporal effects in priming of masked and degraded speech
Authors: Freyman Richard L. , Morse-Fortier Charlotte , Griffin Amanda M.
Published: September 2015

When listeners know the content of the message they are about to hear, the clarity of distorted or partially masked speech increases dramatically. The current experiments investigated this priming phenomenon quantitatively using a same-different task where a typed caption and auditory message either matched exactly or differed by one key word. Four conditions were tested with groups of normal-hearing listeners: (a) natural speech presented in two-talker babble in a non-spatial configuration, (b) same as (a) but with the masker time reversed, (c) same as (a) but with target-masker spatial separation, and (d) vocoded sentences presented in speech-spectrum noise. The primary manipulation was the timing of the caption relative to the auditory message, which varied in 20 steps with a resolution of 200 ms. Across all four conditions, optimal performance was achieved when the initiation of the text preceded the acoustic speech signal by at least 400 ms, driven mostly by a low number of “different” responses to Same stimuli. Performance was slightly poorer with simultaneous delivery and much poorer when the auditory signal preceded the caption. Because priming may be used to facilitate perceptual learning, identifying optimal temporal conditions for priming could help determine the best conditions for auditory training.
Estimating nonnegative matrix model activations with deep neural networks to increase perceptual speech quality
Authors: Williamson Donald S. , Wang Yuxuan , Wang DeLiang
Published: September 2015

As a means of speech separation, time-frequency masking applies a gain function to the time-frequency representation of noisy speech. On the other hand, nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) addresses separation by linearly combining basis vectors from speech and noise models to approximate noisy speech. This paper presents an approach for improving the perceptual quality of speech separated from background noise at low signal-to-noise ratios. An ideal ratio mask is estimated, which separates speech from noise with reasonable sound quality. A deep neural network then approximates clean speech by estimating activation weights from the ratio-masked speech, where the weights linearly combine elements from a NMF speech model. Systematic comparisons using objective metrics, including the perceptual evaluation of speech quality, show that the proposed algorithm achieves higher speech quality than related masking and NMF methods. In addition, a listening test was performed and its results show that the output of the proposed algorithm is preferred over the comparison systems in terms of speech quality.
Rehabilitation After Hamstring-Strain Injury Emphasizing Eccentric Strengthening at Long Muscle Lengths: Results of Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Tyler Timothy F. , Schmitt Brandon M. , Nicholas Stephen J. , McHugh Malachy P.
Published: September 2015

Context:

Hamstring-strain injuries have a high recurrence rate.

Objective:

To determine if a protocol emphasizing eccentric strength training with the hamstrings in a lengthened position resulted in a low recurrence rate.

Design:

Longitudinal cohort study.

Setting:

Sports-medicine physical therapy clinic.

Participants:

Fifty athletes with hamstring-strain injury (age 36 ± 16 y; 30 men, 20 women; 3 G1, 43 G2, 4 G3; 25 recurrent injuries) followed a 3-phase rehabilitation protocol emphasizing eccentric strengthening with the hamstrings in a lengthened position.

Main Outcome Measures:

Injury recurrence; isometric hamstring strength at 80°, 60°, 40°, and 20° knee flexion in sitting with the thigh flexed to 40° above the horizontal and the seat back at 90° to the horizontal (strength tested before return to sport).

Results:

Four of the 50 athletes sustained reinjuries between 3 and 12 mo after return to sport (8% recurrence rate). The other 42 athletes had not sustained a reinjury at an average of 24 ± 12 mo after return to sport. Eight noncompliant athletes did not complete the rehabilitation and returned to sport before initiating eccentric strengthening in the lengthened state. All 4 reinjuries occurred in these noncompliant athletes. At time of return to sport, compliant athletes had full restoration of strength while noncompliant athletes had significant hamstring weakness, which was progressively worse at longer muscle lengths (compliance × side × angle P = .006; involved vs noninvolved at 20°, compliant 7% stronger, noncompliant 43% weaker).

Conclusion:

Compliance with rehabilitation emphasizing eccentric strengthening with the hamstrings in a lengthened position resulted in no reinjuries.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Pertussis
Authors: van der Zee Anneke , Schellekens Joop F. P. , Mooi Frits R.
Published: September 2015

The introduction of vaccination in the 1950s significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality of pertussis. However, since the 1990s, a resurgence of pertussis has been observed in vaccinated populations, and a number of causes have been proposed for this phenomenon, including improved diagnostics, increased awareness, waning immunity, and pathogen adaptation. The resurgence of pertussis highlights the importance of standardized, sensitive, and specific laboratory diagnoses, the lack of which is responsible for the large differences in pertussis notifications between countries. Accurate laboratory diagnosis is also important for distinguishing between the several etiologic agents of pertussis-like diseases, which involve both viruses and bacteria. If pertussis is diagnosed in a timely manner, antibiotic treatment of the patient can mitigate the symptoms and prevent transmission. During an outbreak, timely diagnosis of pertussis allows prophylactic treatment of infants too young to be (fully) vaccinated, for whom pertussis is a severe, sometimes fatal disease. Finally, reliable diagnosis of pertussis is required to reveal trends in the (age-specific) disease incidence, which may point to changes in vaccine efficacy, waning immunity, and the emergence of vaccine-adapted strains. Here we review current approaches to the diagnosis of pertussis and discuss their limitations and strengths. In particular, we emphasize that the optimal diagnostic procedure depends on the stage of the disease, the age of the patient, and the vaccination status of the patient.
Visceral Leishmaniasis in China: an Endemic Disease under Control
Authors: Lun Zhao-Rong , Wu Ming-Shui , Chen Yun-Fu , Wang Jun-Yun , Zhou Xiao-Nong , Liao Li-Fu , Chen Jian-Ping , Chow Larry M. C. , Chang Kwang Poo
Published: September 2015

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by
Leishmania
spp. is an important vector-borne and largely zoonotic disease. In China, three epidemiological types of VL have been described: anthroponotic VL (AVL), mountain-type zoonotic VL (MT-ZVL), and desert-type ZVL (DT-ZVL). These are transmitted by four different sand fly species:
Phlebotomus chinensis
,
P. longiductus
,
P. wui
, and
P. alexandri.
In 1951, a detailed survey of VL showed that it was rampant in the vast rural areas west, northwest, and north of the Yangtze River. Control programs were designed and implemented stringently by the government at all administrative levels, resulting in elimination of the disease from most areas of endemicity, except the western and northwestern regions. The control programs consisted of (i) diagnosis and chemotherapy of patients, (ii) identification, isolation, and disposal of infected dogs, and (iii) residual insecticide indoor spraying for vector control. The success of the control programs is attributable to massive and effective mobilization of the general public and health workers to the cause. Nationally, the annual incidence is now very low, i.e., only 0.03/100,000 according to the available 2011 official record. The overwhelming majority of cases are reported from sites of endemicity in the western and northwestern regions. Here, we describe in some depth and breadth the current status of epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the disease, with particular reference to the control programs. Pertinent information has been assembled from scattered literature of the past decades in different languages that are not readily accessible to the scientific community. The information provided constitutes an integral part of our knowledge on leishmaniasis in the global context and will be of special value to those interested in control programs.
Nonredundant Roles of Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-22 in Murine Host Defense against Cutaneous and Hematogenous Infection Due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Chan Liana C. , Chaili Siyang , Filler Scott G. , Barr Kevin , Wang Huiyuan , Kupferwasser Deborah , Edwards John E. , Xiong Yan Q. , Ibrahim Ashraf S. , Miller Lloyd S. , Schmidt Clint S. , Hennessey John P. , Yeaman Michael R.
Published: September 2015

Staphylococcus aureus
is the leading cause of skin and skin structure infections (SSSI) in humans. Moreover, the high frequency of recurring SSSI due to
S. aureus
, particularly methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) strains, suggests that infection induces suboptimal anamnestic defenses. The present study addresses the hypothesis that interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-22 play distinct roles in immunity to cutaneous and invasive MRSA infection in a mouse model of SSSI. Mice were treated with specific neutralizing antibodies against IL-17A and/or IL-22 and infected with MRSA, after which the severity of infection and host immune response were determined. Neutralization of either IL-17A or IL-22 reduced T cell and neutrophil infiltration and host defense peptide elaboration in lesions. These events corresponded with increased abscess severity, MRSA viability, and CFU density in skin. Interestingly, combined inhibition of IL-17A and IL-22 did not worsen abscesses but did increase gamma interferon (IFN-γ) expression at these sites. The inhibition of IL-22 led to a reduction in IL-17A expression, but not vice versa. These results suggest that the expression of IL-17A is at least partially dependent on IL-22 in this model. Inhibition of IL-17A but not IL-22 led to hematogenous dissemination to kidneys, which correlated with decreased T cell infiltration in renal tissue. Collectively, these findings indicate that IL-17A and IL-22 have complementary but nonredundant roles in host defense against cutaneous versus hematogenous infection. These insights may support targeted immune enhancement or other novel approaches to address the challenge of MRSA infection.
Y-Box Binding Protein 1 Stabilizes Hepatitis C Virus NS5A via Phosphorylation-Mediated Interaction with NS5A To Regulate Viral Propagation
Authors: Wang Wei-Ting , Tsai Tsung-Yuan , Chao Chi-Hong , Lai Bo-Ying , Wu Lee Yan-Hwa
Published: September 2015

Replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is dependent on virus-encoded proteins and numerous cellular factors. DDX3 is a well-known host cofactor of HCV replication. In this study, we investigated the role of a DDX3-interacting protein, Y-box binding protein 1 (YB-1), in the HCV life cycle. Both YB-1 and DDX3 interacted with the viral nonstructural protein NS5A. During HCV infection, YB-1 partially colocalized with NS5A and the HCV replication intermediate double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in HCV-infected Huh-7.5.1 cells. Despite sharing the same interacting partners, YB-1 participated in HCV RNA replication but was dispensable in steady-state HCV RNA replication, different from the action of DDX3. Moreover, knockdown of YB-1 in HCV-infected cells prevented infectious virus production and reduced the ratio of hyperphosphorylated (p58) to hypophosphorylated (p56) forms of NS5A, whereas DDX3 silencing did not affect the ratio of the p58 and p56 phosphoforms of NS5A. Interestingly, silencing of YB-1 severely reduced NS5A protein stability in NS5A-ectopically expressing, replicon-containing, and HCV-infected cells. Furthermore, mutations of serine 102 of YB-1 affected both YB-1–NS5A interaction and NS5A-stabilizing activity of YB-1, indicating that this Akt phosphorylation site of YB-1 plays an important role in stabilizing NS5A. Collectively, our results support a model in which the event of YB-1 phosphorylation-mediated interaction with NS5A results in stabilizing NS5A to sustain HCV RNA replication and infectious HCV production. Overall, our study may reveal a new aspect for the development of novel anti-HCV drugs.

IMPORTANCE
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection induces liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The viral nonstructural protein NS5A co-opting various cellular signaling pathways and cofactors to support viral genome replication and virion assembly is a new strategy for anti-HCV drug development. NS5A phosphorylation is believed to modulate switches between different stages of the HCV life cycle. In this study, we identified the cellular protein YB-1 as a novel NS5A-interacting protein. YB-1 is a multifunctional protein participating in oncogenesis and is an oncomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We found that YB-1 protects NS5A from degradation and likely regulates NS5A phosphorylation through its phosphorylation-dependent interaction with NS5A, which might be controlled by HCV-induced signaling pathways. Our observations suggest a model in which HCV modulates NS5A level and the ratio of the p58 and p56 phosphoforms for efficient viral propagation via regulation of cellular signaling inducing YB-1 phosphorylation. Our finding may provide new aspects for developing novel anti-HCV drugs.
Promotion of Cancer Stem-Like Cell Properties in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Hepatocytes
Authors: Kwon Young-Chan , Bose Sandip K. , Steele Robert , Meyer Keith , Di Bisceglie Adrian M. , Ray Ratna B. , Ray Ranjit
Published: September 2015

We have previously reported that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection of primary human hepatocytes (PHH) induces the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) state and extends hepatocyte life span (S. K. Bose, K. Meyer, A. M. Di Bisceglie, R. B. Ray, and R. Ray, J Virol 86:13621–13628, 2012,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.02016-12
). These hepatocytes displayed sphere formation on ultralow binding plates and survived for more than 12 weeks. The sphere-forming hepatocytes expressed a number of cancer stem-like cell (CSC) markers, including high levels of the stem cell factor receptor c-Kit. The c-Kit receptor is regarded as one of the CSC markers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Analysis of c-Kit mRNA displayed a significant increase in the liver biopsy specimens of chronically HCV-infected patients. We also found c-Kit is highly expressed in transformed human hepatocytes (THH) infected
in vitro
with cell culture-grown HCV genotype 2a. Further studies suggested that HCV core protein significantly upregulates c-Kit expression at the transcriptional level. HCV infection of THH led to a significant increase in the number of spheres displayed on ultralow binding plates and in enhanced EMT and CSC markers and tumor growth in immunodeficient mice. The use of imatinib or dasatinib as a c-Kit inhibitor reduced the level of sphere-forming cells in culture. The sphere-forming cells were sensitive to treatment with sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, that is used for HCC treatment. Further, stattic, an inhibitor of the Stat3 molecule, induced sphere-forming cell death. A combination of sorafenib and stattic had a significantly stronger effect, leading to cell death. These results suggested that HCV infection potentiates CSC generation, and selected drugs can be targeted to efficiently inhibit cell growth.

IMPORTANCE
HCV infection may develop into HCC as an end-stage liver disease. We focused on understanding the mechanism for the risk of HCC from chronic HCV infection and identified targets for treatment. HCV-infected primary and transformed human hepatocytes (PHH or THH) generated CSC. HCV-induced spheres were highly sensitive to cell death from sorafenib and stattic treatment. Thus, our study is highly significant for HCV-associated HCC, with the potential for developing a target-specific strategy for improved therapies.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Travel: From Boudoir to Bordello
Authors: Avery Ann K. , Zenilman Jonathan M.
Published: September 2015

Travel has historically been an important risk factor for acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Travel is often associated with a sense of adventure, periods of loneliness, and exploration away from one’s home environment—which often form a milieu in which sexual activity can occur with new partners. Survey data clearly demonstrate that out-of-country travel is associated with recruitment of new sex partners and increased STI risk. Pretravel counseling to prevent STI risk is variable, and there is little evidence that it modifies risk behavior. Some travel occurs specifically for sexual purposes, such as the sexual tourism junkets to Southeast Asian destinations which became popular during the 1980s or the more recent rise in the popularity of circuit parties for men who have sex with men. Some travel situations pose particularly high risks. For example, military deployments and assignments to work camps such as those for oil extraction occur in the context of large groups of individuals of reproductive age, often predominantly males, exposed to high levels of stress in unfamiliar environments. Additionally, over the past decade, the Internet has dramatically changed the ability to identify sexual partners while traveling.
Development and validation of risk prediction equations to estimate future risk of heart failure in patients with diabetes: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Hippisley-Cox Julia , Coupland Carol
Published: September 2015

Objective

To develop and externally validate risk prediction equations to estimate the 10-year risk of heart failure in patients with diabetes, aged 25–84 years.

Design

Cohort study using routinely collected data from general practices in England between 1998 and 2014 contributing to the QResearch and Clinical Research Practice Datalink (CPRD) databases.

Setting

We used 763 QResearch practices to develop the equations. We validated it in 254 different QResearch practices and 357 CPRD practices.

Participants

437 806 patients in the derivation cohort; 137 028 in the QResearch validation cohort, and 197 905 in the CPRD validation cohort.

Measurement

Incident diagnosis of heart failure recorded on the patients’ linked electronic General Practitioner (GP), mortality, or hospital record. Risk factors included age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, cholesterol/ high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), material deprivation, ethnicity, smoking, diabetes duration, type of diabetes, atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular disease, chronic renal disease, and family history of premature coronary heart disease.

Methods

We used Cox proportional hazards models to derive separate risk equations in men and women for evaluation at 10 years. Measures of calibration, discrimination, and sensitivity were determined in 2 external validation cohorts.

Results

We identified 25 480 cases of heart failure in the derivation cohort, 8189 in the QResearch validation cohort, and 11 311 in the CPRD cohort. The equations included: age, BMI, systolic blood pressure, cholesterol/HDL ratio, HbA1c, material deprivation, ethnicity, smoking, duration and type of diabetes, atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular disease, and chronic renal disease. The equations had good performance in CPRD for women (R2of 41.2%; D statistic 1.71; and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) statistic 0.78) and men (38.7%, 1.63; and 0.77 respectively).

Conclusions

We have developed and externally validated risk prediction equations to quantify absolute risk of heart failure in men and women with diabetes. These can be used to identify patients at high risk of heart failure for prevention or assessment of the disease.