bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glistenings, anterior/posterior capsular opacification and incidence of Nd:YAGlaser treatments with two aspheric hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses – a long‐term intra‐individual study
Authors: Johansson Björn
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To compare two hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) regarding long‐term anterior/posterior capsular opacification (ACO/PCO) development and need for neodymium:Yttrium‐Aluminum‐Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser treatment due to visually disturbingPCO, and to study development of glistenings in theIOLmaterials.

Methods

In a prospective, randomized, intra‐individual, comparative trial, 50 cataract patients received either an AcrySofIQ®SN60WF(Alcon, Fort Worth, TX, USA) or a Tecnis®ZCB00 (Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA, USA)IOLin the first operated eye, and the second eye received theIOLtype not implanted in the first eye. Anterior/posterior capsular opacification (ACO/PCO) and fibrosis were monitored with slit‐lamp photography and semi‐automated digital analysis 2 and 3 years postoperatively. Glistenings were semi‐quantitatively assessed in slit‐lamp photographs. Nd:YAGlaser treatment for visually disturbingPCOwas monitored.

Results

Visual outcomes were similar for the twoIOLs. Anterior capsular fibrosis and/or opacification developed more often inSN60WFeyes. MeanPCOarea percentage was larger inZCB00 eyes 3 years after surgery, but severity score did not differ with statistical significance between the twoIOLs. SixZCB00 eyes and 2SN60WFeyes underwent Nd:YAGlaser treatment during a mean of 4 years 8 months after surgery. This difference was not statistically significant. A high amount of glistenings developed in mostSN60WF IOLs, while only fewZCB00IOLs displayed a low degree of glistenings.

Conclusion

Visual outcomes,PCOdevelopment over time and need for Nd:YAGlaser treatment were similar for the twoIOLs. Anterior capsule fibrosis/contraction and glistenings were more pronounced with theSN60WF IOL.
Osmodehydration assisted by ohmic heating/pulse vacuum in apples (cv. Fuji): retention of polyphenols during refrigerated storage
Authors: Moreno Jorge , Zúñiga Pamela , Dorvil Franck , Petzold Guillermo , Mella Karla , Bugueño Graciela
Published: March 2017

Apples are a widely consumed fruit and have a high polyphenol content. The aim of this study was to analyse the combined effects of osmotic dehydration (OD) and ohmic heating (OH) with a pulsed vacuum (PV) on polyphenol retention during the stored refrigeration of apple cubes. Treatments were performed using a 65°Brix sucrose solution at 30, 40 or 50 °C for 120 min, and then, samples were stored for 28 days at 5 °C. OH provides an electric field of 13 V cm−1, and a pulsed vacuum was applied for 5 min at the beginning of the process. The results indicated that a lower temperature process (30–40 °C) resulted in the retention of more polyphenol compounds after treatment than a higher temperature process (50 °C). Nevertheless, during refrigerated storage, we observed that 50 °C preserved these compounds better due to polyphenol oxidase inactivation. PVOD/OH treatment at 50 °C was determined to be the best retention of polyphenols from the fresh apple for dehydrating apples.
Effect of pulse flours on the physiochemical characteristics and sensory acceptance of baked crackers
Authors: Millar Kim Adrienne , Barry‐Ryan Catherine , Burke Róisín , Hussey Karen , McCarthy Sinéad , Gallagher Eimear
Published: March 2017

Pulse flours offer nutritional alternatives to wheat flour in the production of baked snacks due to their high protein and fibre levels and low glycaemic index. In this study, broad‐bean (Vicia faba), yellow‐pea and green‐pea (Pisum sativum) flours were each blended with wheat flour at 40% in the formulation of chemically leavened crackers. The effects of flour type and baking time on the physiochemical properties, sensory acceptability, nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of the crackers were observed in comparison with 100% wheat crackers. Broad‐bean crackers had the highest protein content and antioxidant activity (13 g per 100 g DM and 38.8 mgAAE per 100 g DM, respectively). Yellow‐pea crackers had the highest fibre content (12 g per 100 g DM). Physical dimensions and colour attributes were significantly affected by pulse‐flour substitution. Yellow‐pea and broad‐bean crackers were significantly preferred by consumers compared to the control, demonstrating the potential application of these flours to improve the eating quality and nutritional profile of crackers.
Improving the quality of meat‐free sausages using κ‐carrageenan, konjac mannan and xanthan gum
Authors: Majzoobi Mahsa , Talebanfar Samaneh , Eskandari Mohammad Hadi , Farahnaky Asgar
Published: March 2017

High consumption of processed red meat can cause health issues. Therefore, production of high‐quality meat‐free food alternatives is necessary. The main objective of this study was to use hydrocolloids including κ‐carrageenan, konjac mannan and xanthan gum at 0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5% w/w to improve the quality of meat‐free sausages formulated by soy protein isolated, texturised soy protein, corn starch, vegetable oil and spices. With the addition of the tested hydrocolloids, the lightness of the sausages improved. κ‐Carrageenan and konjac mannan significantly improved the water‐holding capacity and texture and reduced the cooking loss of the samples, while xanthan gum showed no considerable effect on these parameters. Konjac mannan and κ‐carrageenan (up to 0.6%) improved the general acceptability of the sausages, while inclusion of xanthan gum made no significant difference. Unlike xanthan gum, κ‐carrageenan followed by konjac mannan was highly successful in improving the overall quality of meat‐free sausages.
Glazing herring (Clupea harengus) fillets with herring muscle press juice: effect on lipid oxidation development during frozen storage
Authors: Cavonius Lillie R. , Undeland Ingrid
Published: March 2017

In this study, fish muscle press juice, PJ, was evaluated as an antioxidative liquid for glazing of fish fillets prior to frozen storage. PJ has in previous studies efficiently protected fish mince lipids against haemoglobin‐mediated oxidation. Frozen herring fillet were glazed with water, PJ or 50 mm phosphate buffer of the same pH as herring PJ (6.5). Over 52 weeks, peroxide value (PV), TBA‐reactive substances (TBARS), rancid odour and colour were monitored. From 26 to 52 weeks, water‐glazed fillets were significantly (P < 0.05) more oxidised compared to fillets glazed with PJ or buffer, most clearly shown by PV and TBARS data. The protective effects of both PJ and buffer compared to water could indicate a role, for example, of the physiological ionic strength. The finding that PV became elevated in PJ which was frozen stored alone in a thin layer indicates that PJ stripped from, for example, trace lipids and haemoglobin would provide better protection.
Comparison of direct electrocaloric characterization methods exemplified by 0.92 Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3‐0.08 PbTiO3 multilayer ceramics
Authors: Molin Christian , Peräntie Jani , Le Goupil Florian , Weyland Florian , Sanlialp Mehmet , Stingelin Natalie , Novak Nikola , Lupascu Doru C. , Gebhardt Sylvia
Published: March 2017

Electrocaloric device structures have been developed as multilayer ceramics (MLCs) based on fundamental research carried out on PMN‐8PT bulk ceramics. Two different MLC structures were prepared with nine layers each and layer thicknesses of 86 μm and 39 μm. The influence of the device design on its properties has been characterized by microstructural, dielectric, ferroelectric, and direct electrocaloric measurement. For direct characterization two different methods, ie temperature reading (thermistor and thermocouple) and heat flow measurement (differential scanning calorimetry), were used. A comparison of results revealed a highly satisfactory agreement between the different methods. This study confirms that MLCs are promising candidates for implementation into energy‐efficient electrocaloric cooling systems providing large refrigerant volume and high electrocaloric effect. Due to their micron‐sized active layers, they allow for the application of high electric fields under low operation voltages. We measured a maximum electrocaloric temperature change of ΔT=2.67 K under application/withdrawal of an electric field of ΔE=16 kV mm−1, which corresponds to operation voltages below 1.5 kV.
The effect of board of directors on R&D intensity: board tenure and multiple directorships
Authors: Bravo Francisco , Reguera‐Alvarado Nuria
Published: March 2017

Taking a combination between agency theory and resource dependence theory, we point out that directors' capital may have an effect on R&D strategies. A sample of both high‐tech and low‐tech industries for the period 2007–2011 is used. The results indicate that, regardless of the type of industry and the specific expertise on R&D intensive companies, board members with multiple directorships influence R&D corporate strategies. The resources acquired by directors through their experience and connections positively influence R&D intensity, but only if directors can carry out their monitoring activity adequately. This evidence implies a step forward in the understanding of the role of board of directors in corporate strategy, thus having significant implications for academics, companies and regulators, which are both theoretical and practical.
Qualitative Study of Cumulative Corrosion Damage of Information Technology Equipment in a Data Center Utilizing Air-Side Economizer Operating in Recommended and Expanded ASHRAE Envelope
Authors: Shah Jimil M. , Awe Oluwaseun , Gebrehiwot Betsegaw , Agonafer Dereje , Singh Prabjit , Kannan Naveen , Kaler Mike
Published: March 2017

Deployment of airside economizers (ASEs) in data centers is rapidly gaining acceptance to reduce cost of cooling energy by reducing hours of operation of computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units. Airside economization has associated risk of introducing gaseous and particulate contamination into data centers, thus degrading the reliability of information technology (IT) equipment. The challenge is to determine reliability degradation of IT equipment if operated in environmental conditions outside American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommended envelope with contamination severity levels higher than G1. This paper is a first attempt at addressing this challenge by studying the cumulative corrosion damage to IT equipment operated in an experimental modular data center (MDC) located in an industrial area with measured level of air contaminants in ISA severity level G2. This study serves several purposes including: correlating IT equipment reliability to levels of airborne corrosive contaminants and studying degree of reliability degradation when IT equipment is operated outside ASHRAE recommended envelope at a location with high levels of contaminants. Reliability degradation of servers exposed to outside air via an airside economizer was determined qualitatively by examining corrosion of components in these servers and comparing the results to corrosion of components in other similar servers that were stored in a space where airside economization was not used. In the 4 years of the modular data center's servers' operation, none of the servers failed. This observation highlights an opportunity to significantly save data center cooling energy by allowing IT equipment to operate outside the currently recommended and allowable ASHRAE envelopes and outside the ISA severity level G1.
Controlled growth and form of precipitating microsculptures
Authors: Kaplan C. Nadir , Noorduin Wim L. , Li Ling , Sadza Roel , Folkertsma Laura , Aizenberg Joanna , Mahadevan L.
Published: March 2017

A geometrical theory explains the three-dimensional growth and complex form of carbonate-silica precipitates.
Comment on “Outburst flood at 1920 BCE supports historicity of China’s Great Flood and the Xia dynasty”
Authors: Wu Wenxiang , Dai Junhu , Zhou Yang , Ge Quansheng
Published: March 2017

Wu
et al
. (Reports, 5 August 2016, p. 579) reported geological and archaeological evidence about an earthquake-induced landslide dam outburst flood around 1920 BCE and claimed a support to the historicity of China’s legendary Great Flood and Xia dynasty. We argue that the physical evidence is unreliable and their arguments are unconvincing.
How Cyanobacteria went green
Authors: Blankenship Robert E.
Published: March 2017

The discovery of a sister group to Cyanobacteria helps to elucidate how oxygen-generating photosynthesis evolved.
Bacterial and Fungal Endophthalmitis
Authors: Durand Marlene L.
Published: March 2017

Endophthalmitis is a severe eye infection that may result in permanent loss of useful vision in the affected eye. Most cases are exogenous and occur as a complication of cataract surgery, an intravitreal injection, or penetrating ocular trauma. Endogenous endophthalmitis results from hematogenous seeding of the eye by bacteria or fungi, but bacteremia or fungemia may be transient and patients may present without symptoms of systemic infection. Nearly all endophthalmitis patients present with decreased vision, and some also have eye pain. Eye examination usually reveals a hypopyon and intraocular inflammation. Diagnosis is clinical, supported by cultures of the vitreous and/or aqueous or by blood cultures in some endogenous cases. Molecular diagnostic techniques have been used in research laboratories for pathogen identification in endophthalmitis and offer the possibility of rapid diagnosis, including in culture-negative cases. Intravitreal injection of antibiotics is the most important component of treatment; some cases also benefit from surgical debridement of the vitreous by a vitrectomy. The visual outcome depends partly on the pathogen: coagulase-negative staphylococcal endophthalmitis has a better prognosis than does streptococcal endophthalmitis, for example. Endophthalmitis is a medical emergency, and prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for saving vision.
Prospective Evaluation of Light Scatter Technology Paired with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization
–
Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Montgomery Sandra , Roman Kiana , Ngyuen Lan , Cardenas Ana Maria , Knox James , Tomaras Andrew P. , Graf Erin H.
Published: March 2017

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common reasons for health care visits. Diagnosis and optimal treatment often require a urine culture, which takes an average of 1.5 to 2 days from urine collection to results, delaying optimal therapy. Faster, but accurate, alternatives are needed. Light scatter technology has been proposed for several years as a rapid screening tool, whereby negative specimens are excluded from culture. A commercially available light scatter device, BacterioScan 216Dx (BacterioScan, Inc.), has recently been advertised for this application. Paired use of mass spectrometry (MS) for bacterial identification and automated-system-based susceptibility testing straight from the light scatter suspension might provide dramatic improvement in times to a result. The present study prospectively evaluated the BacterioScan device, with culture as the reference standard. Positive light scatter specimens were used for downstream rapid matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) MS organism identification and automated-system-based antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Prospective evaluation of 439 urine samples showed a sensitivity of 96.5%, a specificity of 71.4%, and positive and negative predictive values of 45.1% and 98.8%, respectively. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the suspension after density-based selection yielded a sensitivity of 72.1% and a specificity of 96.9%. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the samples identified by MALDI-TOF MS produced an overall categorical agreement of 99.2%. Given the high sensitivity and negative predictive value of results obtained, BacterioScan 216Dx is a reasonable approach for urine screening and might produce negative results in as few as 3 h, with no downstream workup. Paired rapid identification and susceptibility testing might be useful when MALDI-TOF MS results in an organism identification, and it might decrease the time to a result by more than 24 h.
pH Optimum of Hemagglutinin-Mediated Membrane Fusion Determines Sensitivity of Influenza A Viruses to the Interferon-Induced Antiviral State and IFITMs
Authors: Gerlach Thomas , Hensen Luca , Matrosovich Tatyana , Bergmann Janina , Winkler Michael , Peteranderl Christin , Klenk Hans-Dieter , Weber Friedemann , Herold Susanne , Pöhlmann Stefan , Matrosovich Mikhail
Published: March 2017

The replication and pathogenicity of influenza A viruses (IAVs) critically depend on their ability to tolerate the antiviral interferon (IFN) response. To determine a potential role for the IAV hemagglutinin (HA) in viral sensitivity to IFN, we studied the restriction of IAV infection in IFN-β-treated human epithelial cells by using 2:6 recombinant IAVs that shared six gene segments of A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 virus (PR8) and contained HAs and neuraminidases of representative avian, human, and zoonotic H5N1 and H7N9 viruses. In A549 and Calu-3 cells, viruses displaying a higher pH optimum of HA-mediated membrane fusion, H5N1-PR8 and H7N9-PR8, were less sensitive to the IFN-induced antiviral state than their counterparts with HAs from duck and human viruses, which fused at a lower pH. The association between a high pH optimum of fusion and reduced IFN sensitivity was confirmed by using HA point mutants of A/Hong Kong/1/1968-PR8 that differed solely by their fusion properties. Furthermore, similar effects of the viral fusion pH on IFN sensitivity were observed in experiments with (i) primary human type II alveolar epithelial cells and differentiated cultures of human airway epithelial cells, (ii) nonrecombinant zoonotic and pandemic IAVs, and (iii) preparations of IFN-α and IFN-λ1. A higher pH of membrane fusion and reduced sensitivity to IFN correlated with lower restriction of the viruses in MDCK cells stably expressing the IFN-inducible transmembrane proteins IFITM2 and IFITM3, which are known to inhibit viral fusion. Our results reveal that the pH optimum of HA-driven membrane fusion of IAVs is a determinant of their sensitivity to IFN and IFITM proteins.

IMPORTANCE
The IFN system constitutes an important innate defense against viral infection. Substantial information is available on how IAVs avoid detection by sensors of the IFN system and disable IFN signaling pathways. Much less is known about the ability of IAVs to tolerate the antiviral activity of IFN-induced cellular proteins. The IFN-induced proteins of the IFITM family block IAV entry into target cells and can restrict viral spread and pathogenicity. Here we show for the first time that the sensitivity of IAVs to the IFN-induced antiviral state and IFITM2 and IFITM3 proteins depends on the pH value at which the viral HA undergoes a conformational transition and mediates membrane fusion. Our data imply that the high pH optimum of membrane fusion typical of zoonotic IAVs of gallinaceous poultry, such as H5N1 and H7N9, may contribute to their enhanced virulence in humans.
Chimeric Hemagglutinin Constructs Induce Broad Protection against Influenza B Virus Challenge in the Mouse Model
Authors: Ermler Megan E. , Kirkpatrick Ericka , Sun Weina , Hai Rong , Amanat Fatima , Chromikova Veronika , Palese Peter , Krammer Florian
Published: March 2017

Seasonal influenza virus epidemics represent a significant public health burden. Approximately 25% of all influenza virus infections are caused by type B viruses, and these infections can be severe, especially in children. Current influenza virus vaccines are an effective prophylaxis against infection but are impacted by rapid antigenic drift, which can lead to mismatches between vaccine strains and circulating strains. Here, we describe a broadly protective vaccine candidate based on chimeric hemagglutinins, consisting of globular head domains from exotic influenza A viruses and stalk domains from influenza B viruses. Sequential vaccination with these constructs in mice leads to the induction of broadly reactive antibodies that bind to the conserved stalk domain of influenza B virus hemagglutinin. Vaccinated mice are protected from lethal challenge with diverse influenza B viruses. Results from serum transfer experiments and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays indicate that this protection is antibody mediated and based on Fc effector functions. The present data suggest that chimeric hemagglutinin-based vaccination is a viable strategy to broadly protect against influenza B virus infection.

IMPORTANCE
While current influenza virus vaccines are effective, they are affected by mismatches between vaccine strains and circulating strains. Furthermore, the antiviral drug oseltamivir is less effective for treating influenza B virus infections than for treating influenza A virus infections. A vaccine that induces broad and long-lasting protection against influenza B viruses is therefore urgently needed.
FRACTIONAL CALCULUS OF COALESCENCE HIDDEN-VARIABLE FRACTAL INTERPOLATION FUNCTIONS
Authors: PRASAD SRIJANANI ANURAG
Published: March 2017

Riemann–Liouville fractional calculus of Coalescence Hidden-variable Fractal Interpolation Function (CHFIF) is studied in this paper. It is shown in this paper that fractional integral of order [Formula: see text] of a CHFIF defined on any interval [Formula: see text] is also a CHFIF albeit passing through different interpolation points. Further, conditions for fractional derivative of order [Formula: see text] of a CHFIF is derived in this paper. It is shown that under these conditions on free parameters, fractional derivative of order [Formula: see text] of a CHFIF defined on any interval [Formula: see text] is also a CHFIF.
Measuring the Unmeasurable: Comparative Assessment of Urban Vulnerability for Coastal Megacities — New York, London, Tokyo, Kolkata and Lagos
Authors: Welle Torsten , Birkmann Joern
Published: March 2017

The following paper presents an approach to measure the vulnerability of urban megacities with a comparative approach across cities in the Global North and South. The assessment of city vulnerability is key in order to inform risk management and adaptation strategies that are needed to build resilience against extreme events, natural hazards or consequences of climate change. While the New Urban Agenda (UN Habitat 2016) underscores the necessity for inclusive, sustainable and resilient urban development, the findings of the vulnerability assessment in the five selected coastal megacities that were part of the TRUC project — Kolkata, Lagos, London, New York and Tokyo — show that next to resource deficiencies and poverty, issues of governance also need to be addressed if we really aim to increase the coping capacities of urban population to deal with extreme events and natural hazards. While this is a major challenge for the selected coastal megacities in the Global South, the analysis reveals that in terms of adaptive capacities also, megacities in the Global North, such as New York and London, face major challenges and rank nearly on a similar level as Kolkata. Even though such assessments provide only a first overview, it is evident that effective risk management approaches and positive transformative change that can include long-term as well as immediate risk management concerns will not only require improvements at the local level but also significant changes in sub-national and national context conditions. This is particularly true in terms of fighting corruption and increasing the reliability and trustworthiness of local and national institutions and their regulations.
The Biology and Underlying Mechanisms of Cross-Presentation of Exogenous Antigens on MHC-I Molecules
Authors: Cruz Freidrich M. , Colbert Jeff D. , Merino Elena , Kriegsman Barry A. , Rock Kenneth L.
Published: March 2017

To monitor the health of cells, the immune system tasks antigen-presenting cells with gathering antigens from other cells and bringing them to CD8 T cells in the form of peptides bound to MHC-I molecules. Most cells would be unable to perform this function because they use their MHC-I molecules to exclusively present peptides derived from the cell's own proteins. However, the immune system evolved mechanisms for dendritic cells and some other phagocytes to sample and present antigens from the extracellular milieu on MHC-I through a process called cross-presentation. How this important task is accomplished, its role in health and disease, and its potential for exploitation are the subject of this review.
Ulk1-mediated autophagy plays an essential role in mitochondrial remodeling and functional regeneration of skeletal muscle
Authors: Call Jarrod A. , Wilson Rebecca J. , Laker Rhianna C. , Zhang Mei , Kundu Mondira , Yan Zhen
Published: March 2017

Autophagy is a conserved cellular process for degrading aggregate proteins and dysfunctional organelle. It is still debatable if autophagy and mitophagy (a specific process of autophagy of mitochondria) play important roles in myogenic differentiation and functional regeneration of skeletal muscle. We tested the hypothesis that autophagy is critical for functional regeneration of skeletal muscle. We first observed time-dependent increases (3- to 6-fold) of autophagy-related proteins (Atgs), including Ulk1, Beclin1, and LC3, along with reduced p62 expression during C2C12 differentiation, suggesting increased autophagy capacity and flux during myogenic differentiation. We then used cardiotoxin (Ctx) or ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) to induce muscle injury and regeneration and observed increases in Atgs between days 2 and 7 in adult skeletal muscle followed by increased autophagy flux after day 7. Since Ulk1 has been shown to be essential for mitophagy, we asked if Ulk1 is critical for functional regeneration in skeletal muscle. We subjected skeletal muscle-specific Ulk1 knockout mice (MKO) to Ctx or I/R. MKO mice had significantly impaired recovery of muscle strength and mitochondrial protein content post-Ctx or I/R. Imaging analysis showed that MKO mice have significantly attenuated recovery of mitochondrial network at 7 and 14 days post-Ctx. These findings suggest that increased autophagy protein and flux occur during muscle regeneration and Ulk1-mediated mitophagy is critical for recovery for the mitochondrial network and hence functional regeneration.
Intermediate filament proteins of digestive organs: physiology and pathophysiology
Authors: Omary M. Bishr
Published: March 2017

Intermediate filament proteins (IFs), such as cytoplasmic keratins in epithelial cells and vimentin in mesenchymal cells and the nuclear lamins, make up one of the three major cytoskeletal protein families. Whether in digestive organs or other tissues, IFs share several unique features including stress-inducible overexpression, abundance, cell-selective and differentiation state expression, and association with >80 human diseases when mutated. Whereas most IF mutations cause disease, mutations in simple epithelial keratins 8, 18, or 19 or in lamin A/C predispose to liver disease with or without other tissue manifestations. Keratins serve major functions including protection from apoptosis, providing cellular and subcellular mechanical integrity, protein targeting to subcellular compartments, and scaffolding and regulation of cell-signaling processes. Keratins are essential for Mallory-Denk body aggregate formation that occurs in association with several liver diseases, whereas an alternate type of keratin and lamin aggregation occurs upon liver involvement in porphyria. IF-associated diseases have no known directed therapy, but high-throughput drug screening to identify potential therapies is an appealing ongoing approach. Despite the extensive current knowledge base, much remains to be discovered regarding IF physiology and pathophysiology in digestive and nondigestive organs.
Focal adhesion kinase signaling determines the fate of lung epithelial cells in response to TGF-β
Authors: Ding Qiang , Subramanian Indhu , Luckhardt Tracy R. , Che Pulin , Waghray Meghna , Zhao Xue-Ke , Bone Nathaniel , Kurundkar Ashish R. , Hecker Louise , Hu Meng , Zhou Yong , Horowitz Jeffrey C. , Vittal Ragini , Thannickal Victor J.
Published: March 2017

Alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) injury and apoptosis are prominent pathological features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). There is evidence of AEC plasticity in lung injury repair response and in IPF. In this report, we explore the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling in determining the fate of lung epithelial cells in response to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Rat type II alveolar epithelial cells (RLE-6TN) were treated with or without TGF-β1, and the expressions of mesenchymal markers, phenotype, and function were analyzed. Pharmacological protein kinase inhibitors were utilized to screen for SMAD-dependent and -independent pathways. SMAD and FAK signaling was analyzed using siRNA knockdown, inhibitors, and expression of a mutant construct of FAK. Apoptosis was measured using cleaved caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. TGF-β1 induced the acquisition of mesenchymal markers, including α-smooth muscle actin, in RLE-6TN cells and enhanced the contraction of three-dimensional collagen gels. This phenotypical transition or plasticity, epithelial-myofibroblast plasticity (EMP), is dependent on SMAD3 and FAK signaling. FAK activation was found to be dependent on ALK5/SMAD3 signaling. We observed that TGF-β1 induces both EMP and apoptosis in the same cell culture system but not in the same cell. While blockade of SMAD signaling inhibited EMP, it had a minimal effect on apoptosis; in contrast, inhibition of FAK signaling markedly shifted to an apoptotic fate. The data support that FAK activation determines whether AECs undergo EMP vs. apoptosis in response to TGF-β1 stimulation. TGF-β1-induced EMP is FAK- dependent, whereas TGF-β1-induced apoptosis is favored when FAK signaling is inhibited.
The effects of electronic cigarette aerosol exposure on inflammation and lung function in mice
Authors: Larcombe Alexander N. , Janka Maxine A. , Mullins Benjamin J. , Berry Luke J. , Bredin Arne , Franklin Peter J.
Published: March 2017

Electronic cigarette usage is increasing worldwide, yet there is a paucity of information on the respiratory health effects of electronic cigarette aerosol exposure. This study aimed to assess whether exposure to electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) aerosol would alter lung function and pulmonary inflammation in mice and to compare the severity of any alterations with mice exposed to mainstream tobacco smoke. Female BALB/c mice were exposed for 8 wk to tobacco smoke, medical air (control), or one of four different types of e-cigarette aerosol. E-cigarette aerosols varied depending on nicotine content (0 or 12 mg/ml) and the main excipient (propylene glycol or glycerin). Twenty-four hours after the final exposure, we measured pulmonary inflammation, lung volume, lung mechanics, and responsiveness to methacholine. Mice exposed to tobacco cigarette smoke had increased pulmonary inflammation and responsiveness to methacholine compared with air controls. Mice exposed to e-cigarette aerosol did not have increased inflammation but did display decrements in parenchymal lung function at both functional residual capacity and high transrespiratory pressures. Mice exposed to glycerin-based e-cigarette aerosols were also hyperresponsive to methacholine regardless of the presence or absence of nicotine. This study shows, for the first time, that exposure to e-cigarette aerosol during adolescence and early adulthood is not harmless to the lungs and can result in significant impairments in lung function.
Directional preference of airway smooth muscle mass increase in human asthmatic airways
Authors: Ijpma Gijs , Panariti Alice , Lauzon Anne-Marie , Martin James G.
Published: March 2017

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) orientation and morphology determine the ability of the muscle to constrict the airway. In asthma, ASM mass is increased, but it is unknown whether ASM orientation and morphology are altered as well or whether the remodeling at the source of the mass increase is ongoing. We dissected human airway trees from asthmatic and control lungs. Stained, intact airway sections were imaged in axial projection to show ASM bundle orientation, whereas cross-sectional histological slides were used to assess ASM area, bundle thickness, and ASM bundle-to-basement membrane distance. We also used these slides to assess cell size, proliferation, and apoptosis. We showed that ASM mass increase in cartilaginous airways is primarily the result of an increase of ASM bundle thickness (as measured radially in an airway cross section) and coincides with an increased distance of the ASM bundles to the airway perimeter. ASM orientation was unchanged in all airways. Apoptosis markers and cell size did not show differences between asthmatics and controls. Our findings show that ASM mass increase likely contributes to the airway-constricting capacity of the muscle. Both the increased bundle thickness and increased thickness of the airway wall inwards of the ASM bundles could further enhance this capacity. Turnover of ASM appears to be the same in airways and biopsies, but the lack of correlation between different markers of proliferation casts doubt on the specificity of markers generally used to assess proliferation.
Saving the sweetness: renal glucose handling in health and disease
Authors: Shepard Blythe D. , Pluznick Jennifer L.
Published: March 2017

Glucose homeostasis is highly controlled, and the function of the kidney plays an integral role in this process. The exquisite control of blood glucose relies, in part, on renal glucose filtration, renal glucose reabsorption, and renal gluconeogenesis. Particularly critical to maintaining glucose homeostasis is the renal reabsorption of glucose; with ~162 g of glucose filtered by the kidney per day, it is imperative that the kidney have the ability to efficiently reabsorb nearly 100% of this glucose back in the bloodstream. In this review, we focus on this central process, highlighting the renal transporters and regulators involved in both the physiology and pathophysiology of glucose reabsorption.
Exosome production and its regulation of EGFR during wound healing in renal tubular cells
Authors: Zhou Xiangjun , Zhang Wei , Yao Qisheng , Zhang Hao , Dong Guie , Zhang Ming , Liu Yutao , Chen Jian-Kang , Dong Zheng
Published: March 2017

Kidney repair following injury involves the reconstitution of a structurally and functionally intact tubular epithelium. Growth factors and their receptors, such as EGFR, are important in the repair of renal tubules. Exosomes are cell-produced small (~100 nm in diameter) vesicles that contain and transfer proteins, lipids, RNAs, and DNAs between cells. In this study, we examined the relationship between exosome production and EGFR activation and the potential role of exosome in wound healing. EGFR activation occurred shortly after scratch wounding in renal tubular cells. Wound repair after scratching was significantly promoted by EGF and suppressed by EGFR inhibitor gefitinib. Interestingly, scratch wounding induced a significant increase of exosome production. The exosome production was decreased by EGF and increased by gefitinib, suggesting a suppressive role of EGFR signaling in exosome production. Conversely, inhibition of exosome release by GW4869 and manumycin A markedly increased EGFR activation and promoted wound healing. Moreover, exosomes derived from scratch-wounding cells could inhibit wound healing. Collectively, the results indicate that wound healing in renal tubular cells is associated with EGFR activation and exosome production. Although EGFR activation promotes wound healing, released exosomes may antagonize EGFR activation and wound healing.
An Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm Using Eagle Strategy for Power Loss Minimization
Authors: Yapıcı Hamza , Çetinkaya Nurettin
Published: March 2017

The power loss in electrical power systems is an important issue. Many techniques are used to reduce active power losses in a power system where the controlling of reactive power is one of the methods for decreasing the losses in any power system. In this paper, an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm using eagle strategy (ESPSO) is proposed for solving reactive power optimization problem to minimize the power losses. All simulations and numerical analysis have been performed on IEEE 30‐bus power system, IEEE 118‐bus power system, and a real power distribution subsystem. Moreover, the proposed method is tested on some benchmark functions. Results obtained in this study are compared with commonly used algorithms: particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, genetic algorithm (GA), artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm, firefly algorithm (FA), differential evolution (DE), and hybrid genetic algorithm with particle swarm optimization (hGAPSO). Results obtained in all simulations and analysis show that the proposed method is superior and more effective compared to the other methods.
Study on Mechanism Experiments and Evaluation Methods for Water Eutrophication
Authors: Yu Jiabin , Wang Zhaoyang , Wang Xiaoyi , Xu Jiping , Jia Jie
Published: March 2017

The process of water eutrophication involves the interaction of external factors, nutrients, microorganisms, and other factors. It is complex and has not yet been effectively studied. To examine the formation process of water eutrophication, a set of orthogonal experiments with three factors and four levels is designed to analyze the key factors. At the same time, with the help of a large amount of monitoring data, the principal component analysis method is used to extract the main components of water eutrophication and determine the effective evaluation indicators of eutrophication. Finally, the Bayesian theory of uncertainty is applied to the evaluation of the eutrophication process to evaluate the sample data. The simulation results demonstrate the validity of the research method.
Borderline Clear Cell Adenofibroma of the Ovary
Authors: Kleebkaow Pilaiwan , Aue-aungkul Apiwat , Temtanakitpaisan Amornrat , Kietpeerakool Chumnan
Published: March 2017

Borderline clear cell tumors are extremely rare, and few cases have been reported in the literature. Herein, we present a case of borderline clear cell adenofibroma of the ovary in a 58-year-old woman who presented with a pelvic mass and constipation. Physical examination revealed a 10 cm solid midline pelvic mass. Computed tomography showed an 8 cm heterogeneous enhancing mass attached to the left posterolateral wall of the uterus. The patient’s serum CA 125 levels were slightly elevated (80.9 U/ml). The patient was given a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingooophorectomy. On gross examination, it was found that the left ovarian tumor was an 8.0 × 7.5 × 8.0 cm solid multilobulated mass containing tiny cysts. Histologically, the tumor was composed of small glands in dense fibrous and myxoid stroma. The glands were lined with cuboidal cells with clear cytoplasm and mild to moderate nuclear atypia. No stromal invasion was observed. The pathological diagnosis was borderline clear cell adenofibroma of the left ovary. There was no reoccurrence 36 months post operation.
Impact of the Breakdown Behavior on Chinese Traditional Stewed Pork with Brown Sauce: Physical Properties Using Microstructural Analysis
Authors: Liu Dengyong , Deng Yajun , Gong Ana , Han Yaohui , Wang Hui-Min David
Published: March 2017

The potential physics differences of Chinese traditional stewed pork during mastication were investigated. Ten subjects chewed and expectorated the fat and lean layers of stewed pork with brown sauce at different stages of mastication. The produced boluses were analyzed for their physical properties. The results suggested the subjects’ saliva secretion and moisture content of the boluses during mastication increased significantly depending on subjects and food types studied (P<0.05) and led to increase of bolus apparent particle size because of saliva uptake. Bolus first peak force tended to decrease significantly, whereas bolus flowability increased significantly during mastication (P<0.05). Further, microstructure of boluses revealed series processing was conducted by comminution, aggregation, hydration, and dilution. The boluses ready-to-swallow possessed a higher flowability and a homogenetic matrix. Therefore, the changes in physics and microstructure of bolus contributed to dynamic texture perception of traditional Chinese stewed pork with brown sauce.
Anticonvulsant and Neuroprotective Activities of Phragmanthera austroarabica Extract in Pentylenetetrazole‐Kindled Mice
Authors: Aldawsari Hibah M. , Eid Basma G. , Neamatallah Thikrayat , Zaitone Sawsan A. , Badr Jihan M.
Published: March 2017

Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective activity of Phragmanthera austroarabica extract were tested in pentylenetetrazole‐kindled mice. All the chemical constituents of the plant extract were identified. Additionally, the extract was standardized and proved to contain total phenolic contents equal to 379.92 ± 1.32 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry plant extract. Induction of kindling was achieved by repeated intraperitoneal administration of pentylenetetrazole (35 mg/kg) twice weekly. Male albino mice were given P. austroarabica extract (200, 400, or 800 mg/kg). The two higher doses (400 or 800 mg/kg) of the extract significantly caused notable reduction in seizure activity and hippocampal malondialdehyde level compared to pentylenetetrazole control group. The highest dose enhanced cortical GSH level and showed intact DNA in the laddering assay. Upon studying the neuroprotective effect, mice treated with the higher dose of the extract demonstrated an improvement in the percent of surviving neurons in the cortex and hippocampus. We concluded that P. austroarabica extract ameliorated seizure activity and protected cortical and hippocampal neurons against pentylenetetrazole‐induced kindling in mice.
Modeling of Size Effects in Bending of Perforated Cosserat Plates
Authors: Kvasov Roman , Steinberg Lev
Published: March 2017

This paper presents the numerical study of Cosserat elastic plate deformation based on the parametric theory of Cosserat plates, recently developed by the authors. The numerical results are obtained using the Finite Element Method used to solve the parametric system of 9 kinematic equations. We discuss the existence and uniqueness of the weak solution and the convergence of the proposed FEM. The Finite Element analysis of clamped Cosserat plates of different shapes under different loads is provided. We present the numerical validation of the proposed FEM by estimating the order of convergence, when comparing the main kinematic variables with an analytical solution. We also consider the numerical analysis of plates with circular holes. We show that the stress concentration factor around the hole is less than the classical value, and smaller holes exhibit less stress concentration as would be expected on the basis of the classical elasticity.
Technical Feasibility of Acoustic Coordinated Reset Therapy for Tinnitus Delivered via Hearing Aids: A Case Study
Authors: Hauptmann Christian , Williams Mark , Vinciati Federica , Haller Markus
Published: March 2017

Primary tinnitus has a severe negative influence on the quality of life of a substantial portion of the general population. When acoustic coordinated reset (CR) neuromodulation stimuli are delivered for several hours per day over several weeks a clinically significant symptom reduction in patients with primary tonal tinnitus has been reported by several clinical sites. Here, we reported the first case where CR neuromodulation was delivered through a hearing aid. A 52-year-old man with chronic primary tonal tinnitus was previously considered untreatable with sound therapy. He initially received the classic CR treatment protocol with signals delivered with the separate proprietary device with his hearing aids removed during treatment. He was subsequently treated with the therapy being deployed through a set of contemporary hearing aids. After 5 months of classic CR treatment with the separate custom device, the THI and VASL/Ascores worsened by 57% and 13%/14%, respectively. Using the hearing aid without CR treatment for 5 months no change in tinnitus symptoms was observed. However, after three months of CR treatment delivered through the hearing aids, the THI and VASL/Ascores were reduced by 70% and 32%/32%, respectively.
Neutron Flux Monitoring Based on Blind Source Separation Algorithms in Moroccan TRIGA MARK II Reactor
Authors: Arahmane Hanane , Hamzaoui El-Mehdi , El Moursli Rajaa Cherkaoui
Published: March 2017

We present an overview of fission chamber’s functioning modes, theoretical aspects of the nonnegative matrix factorization methods, and the opportunities that offer neutron data processing in order to achieve neutron flux monitoring tasks. Indeed, it is a part of research project that aimed at applying Blind Source Separation methods for in-core and ex-core neutron flux monitoring while analyzing the outputs of fission chamber. The latter could be used as a key issue for control, fuel management, safety concerns, and material irradiation experiments. The Blind Source Separation methods had been used in many scientific fields such as biomedical engineering and telecommunications. Recently, they were used for gamma spectrometry data processing. The originality of this research work is to apply these powerful methods to process the fission chamber output signals. We illustrated the effectiveness of this tool using simulated fission chamber signals.
Tongue Images Classification Based on Constrained High Dispersal Network
Authors: Meng Dan , Cao Guitao , Duan Ye , Zhu Minghua , Tu Liping , Xu Dong , Xu Jiatuo
Published: March 2017

Computer aided tongue diagnosis has a great potential to play important roles in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the majority of the existing tongue image analyses and classification methods are based on the low‐level features, which may not provide a holistic view of the tongue. Inspired by deep convolutional neural network (CNN), we propose a novel feature extraction framework called constrained high dispersal neural networks (CHDNet) to extract unbiased features and reduce human labor for tongue diagnosis in TCM. Previous CNN models have mostly focused on learning convolutional filters and adapting weights between them, but these models have two major issues: redundancy and insufficient capability in handling unbalanced sample distribution. We introduce high dispersal and local response normalization operation to address the issue of redundancy. We also add multiscale feature analysis to avoid the problem of sensitivity to deformation. Our proposed CHDNet learns high‐level features and provides more classification information during training time, which may result in higher accuracy when predicting testing samples. We tested the proposed method on a set of 267 gastritis patients and a control group of 48 healthy volunteers. Test results show that CHDNet is a promising method in tongue image classification for the TCM study.