bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tratamiento quirúrgico de los síndromes dolorosos regionales complejos tipo II y utilidad de la monitorización neurofisiológica intraoperatoria
Authors: Rosales R.S. , Méndez-Hernández L. , Cuadros M. , Gil-Santos L. , Dorta-Fernández A.
Published: October 2015

El propósito de esta revisión era presentar las bases bilógicas y fisiopatológicas de la formación de neuromas como causa de los síndromes dolorosos regional (SDRC) tipo II y el uso de la monitorización neurofisiológica intraoperatoria en el tratamiento de los SDRC tipo II secundarios a neuromas en continuidad y en nervios adheridos en cicatrices tras cirugías previas.
Anatomía aplicada a la cirugía de los tendones flexores
Authors: Martí M.R. , Pérez M. , Burgaya A. , Calvet P. , Gondolbeu A.
Published: October 2015

El conocimiento de la anatomía de los tendones flexores es importante para el tratamiento de las lesiones de estas estructuras y su pronóstico. Es imprescindible tener un buen fundamento de las estructuras de los tendones y su relación con la patogénesis de las lesiones y su reparación. El aporte vascular es un punto crítico en la reparación de los tendones flexores. Los tendones flexores extrínsecos se mantienen aplicados sobre el esqueleto de los dedos por un sistema de poleas osteofibrosas que dirigen los tendones en el sistema poliarticular sobre el que actúan. Además, están rodeados de unas vainas sinoviales que permiten su deslizamiento y los nutren, junto con los mesotendones y vínculas.
Análisis artroscópico de las lesiones asociadas a las fracturas de escafoides carpiano
Authors: Baixauli V. , García F. , Alepuz E. , Ferrandiz R.
Published: October 2015

Objetivo: La artroscopia de muñeca ha permitido el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de las fracturas a nivel de la muñeca, así como de las lesiones asociadas a estas.

Existen lesiones asociadas a las fracturas de escafoides que pueden condicionar el éxito del tratamiento y llevarnos a resultados poco satisfactorios y a un retraso en la recuperación funcional.

Material y método: Se estudiaron y cuantificaron las lesiones asociadas encontradas en 17 casos con fractura aguda de cintura de escafoides que fueron tratadas mediante reducción y colocación artroscópica de un tornillo canulado de escafoides. Se analizaron los resultados del tratamiento con la escala de muñeca de la Clínica Mayo (Mayo Wrist Score) y la consolidación con radiografías simples.

Resultados: Se diagnosticaron lesiones asociadas de tejidos blandos y/o condrales/osteocondrales en 14 casos, lo que supone un 82% de los casos. Las lesiones más frecuentemente encontradas fueron las lesiones del ligamento escafolunar (53%) en diferentes grados, las lesiones del fibrocartílago triangular (35,3%) y las lesiones osteocondrales (35,3%). Los resultados funcionales (Mayo Wrist Score) fueron excelentes o buenos en 13 de los pacientes (76,5%), en 3 casos (17,5%) los resultados fueron regulares y solo un caso (5,9%) tuvo un pobre resultado.

Conclusiones: La artroscopia ofrece una valoración completa de la muñneca y consigue diagnosticar lesiones asociadas a las fracturas de cuello de escafoides que pueden condicionar el resultado final del tratamiento.
Técnica de sutura tendinosa «un paso, 4-hilos Kessler-Tsuge»
Authors: Corella F. , Renner C. , del Cerro M. , Ocampos M.
Published: October 2015

A pesar de haber numerosas técnicas de sutura tendinosa y de no existir un acuerdo general sobre cuál es la mejor, sí hay acuerdo en las características generales que debe tener una buena sutura. Debe ser sencilla su realización, tener nudos bloqueados, conseguir una aposición sin tensión y perfecta de los extremos tendinosos con un mínimo o ningún «gap» en el sitio de la reparación sin producir una lesión de la vascularización del tendón y con una fuerza y resistencia suficientes para permitir una movilización precoz.

En este trabajo presentamos una nueva técnica quirúrgica cuyo diseño sigue 5 principios: (1) cruzar la zona de reparación solo 2 veces para hacer más sencilla la técnica y la aposición perfecta de los cabos tendinosos; (2) conseguir una sutura de 4 hilos de un material resistente; (3) evitar nudos abultados en el sitio de reparación, para facilitar la reparación con el menor material interpuesto; (4) evitar nudos abultados sobre la superficie del tendón, de tal forma que la sutura deslice mejor bajo las poleas; y (5) con una resistencia y fuerza superiores a las admitidas como óptimas.
Lipoma arborescente, tumor poco frecuente como causa de sinovitis extensora de la mano
Authors: Oviedo E.M. , Roca P. , Compaña F.J. , Bueno J.A.
Published: October 2015

Dentro de los tumores benignos, los lipomas son muy frecuentes. Un subtipo denominado lipoma arborescente, dependiente del tejido sinovial e infiltrado por tejido adiposo, es bastante infrecuente. Se han descrito casos de lipomas arborescentes en diferentes localizaciones corporales, siendo la rodilla la localización más habitual. Cuando se localiza en la muñeca suele ser dependiente del tejido sinovial articulary no de los tendones. Presentamos el caso de 2 pacientes con un lipoma arborescente dependiente de la sinovial de los tendones extensores de la muñeca. Ante la presencia de una tumoración blanda de localización articular, es importante realizar una adecuada evaluación clínica del paciente, así como las pruebas complementarias que sean necesarias para guiar de una forma acertada el tratamiento. Se debe tener en cuenta el lipoma arborescente como diagnóstico diferencial de las tumoraciones blandas localizadas en las superficies articulares.
Displasia epifisaria hemimélica en falange proximal del tercer dedo de la mano
Authors: de Alcázar L.C. , Escobar M.Á. , Calvo M.Á.
Published: October 2015

Presentamos un caso de enfermedad de Trevor localizada en la falange proximal del tercer dedo de una niña de 11 años. La paciente consultó por limitación de la movilidad metacarpofalángica.
Teachers’ Attitudes to Including Indigenous Knowledges in the Australian Science Curriculum
Authors: Baynes Renee
Published: October 2015

With the introduction of the Australian National Curriculum containing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures Cross-Curriculum Priority (CCP) and Intercultural Understanding General Capability, there has been a renewed push to embed Indigenous content into secondary school subjects. This paper considers the attitudes and beliefs of a group of secondary school science teachers to the current imperative to include Indigenous knowledges and perspectives in classroom practice. Through a Participatory Action Research (PAR) cycle, teachers contextualised and conceptualised the CCP in terms of social justice, pedagogy, and student engagement. The PAR process allowed them to develop a personal and intellectual engagement prior to attempting to teach Indigenous knowledges in their classrooms. Teacher attitudes and beliefs are identified in terms of their vision of a science education inclusive of Indigenous content, their hopes for the inclusions and the impediments they perceive to implementation in classroom practice. Allowing teachers the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue resulted in the articulation of a path forward for their teaching practice that aligned with their political and social justice concerns.
The potential distribution ofBactrocera dorsalis: considering phenology and irrigation patterns
Authors: De Villiers M. , Hattingh V. , Kriticos D.J. , Brunel S. , Vayssières J.-F. , Sinzogan A. , Billah M.K. , Mohamed S.A. , Mwatawala M. , Abdelgader H. , Salah F.E.E. , De Meyer M.
Published: October 2015

A species in theBactrocera dorsalis(Hendel) complex was detected in Kenya during 2003 and classified asBactrocera invadensDrew, Tsuruta & White. Having spread rapidly throughout Africa, it threatens agriculture due to crop damage and loss of market access. In a recent revision of theB. dorsaliscomplex,B. invadenswas incorporated into the speciesB. dorsalis. The potential distribution ofB. dorsalishas been previously modelled. However, previous models were based on presence data and did not incorporate information on the seasonal phenology ofB. dorsalis, nor on the possible influence that irrigation may have on its distribution. Methyl eugenol-baited traps were used to collectB. dorsalisin Africa. Seasonal phenology data, measured as fly abundance throughout the year, was related to each location's climate to infer climatic growth response parameters. These functions were used along with African distribution records and development studies to fit the niche model forB. dorsalis, using independent global distribution records outside Africa for model validation. Areas at greatest risk of invasion byB. dorsalisare South and Central America, Mexico, southernmost USA, parts of the Mediterranean coast, parts of Southern and Eastern Australia and New Zealand's North Island. Under irrigation, most of Africa and Australia appear climatically suitable.
Migration, Ethnicity, and Divisions of Labour in the Zonguldak Coalfield, Turkey
Authors: Kahveci Erol
Published: October 2015

This article examines labour relations and labour conditions in the Zonguldak coalfield on the Black Sea coast in Turkey. From 1867, peasants from surrounding villages were obliged to work in the mines on a rotational basis. Peasants continued to work part-time in the mines after the end of this forced-labour regime in 1921, and after its reintroduction between 1940 and 1947. The article explores the significance of the recruitment of local villagers for the division of labour in the mines. Underground work was performed by low-skilled rotational peasant-miners, while migrants became skilled, full-time surface workers. Different ethnic origins added to the division of labour between these two groups. Attention is then turned to trade unionism in Zonguldak. The miners’ trade union was controlled by permanent workers, mostly migrants of Laz origin, to the detriment of underground peasant-workers. Ethnographic fieldwork reveals that these divisions have persisted over many years.
Salvage
Authors: WILLIAMS EVAN CALDER
Published: October 2015

This essay develops a history of salvage both as particular activity and as concept, arguing that it has quietly become one of the fundamental structures of thought that shape how we envision future possibility. However, the contemporary sense of the word, which designates the recuperation or search for value in what has already been destroyed, is a recent one and represents a significant transformation from the notion of salvage in early modern European maritime and insurance law. In that earlier iteration, salvage denoted payment received for helping to avert a disaster, such as keeping the ship and its goods from sinking in the first place. Passing through the dislocation of this concept into private salvage firms, firefighting companies, military usage, avant-garde art, and onto the human body itself in the guise of “personal risk,” the essay argues that the twentieth century becomes indelibly marked by a sense of the disaster that has already occurred. The second half of the essay passes into speculative culture, including fiction, video games, and film, to suggest that the most critical approaches to salvage have often come under the sign of science fiction but that the last decade in particular has shown how recent quotidian patterns of gentrification and defused antagonism have articulated stranger shifts in the figure of salvage than any speculative imaginary can currently manage.
Biological aspects of silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis in the eastern Arabian Sea
Authors: Varghese Sijo P. , Gulati D.K. , Unnikrishnan N. , Ayoob A.E.
Published: October 2015

Reproduction, diet and growth of silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis in the eastern Arabian Sea are described based on 473 specimens collected from the gillnet-cum-longline landings at the Cochin fisheries harbour during 2012–2014. The reproductive biology of 215 males and 258 females was examined while 113 stomachs were sampled to study the diet. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated using length-based models were asymptotic length (L∞) = 309.80 cm, growth coefficient (K) = 0.10 year−1 and age at zero length (t0) = −2.398 year. The sex ratio was significantly skewed to females. Seasonality in reproduction was not evident and in males, sexual maturity was attained at 201–223 cm total length (LT) with the size at maturity (LT50) occurring at 217.0 cm, whereas in females sexual maturity was attained at 224–231 cm LT and LT50 occurs at 226.5 cm. In total 114 embryos, in the length range of 12.2–65.1 cm were recovered from 15 pregnant females. Numbers of embryos in females were in the range of 3–13, averaging 7.6. Silky sharks of the eastern Arabian Sea feed primarily on swimming crab Charybdis smithii, with juveniles feeding principally on swimming crabs, while adults feed on actively swimming prey like squids and teleost fishes. This preliminary information on the reproduction, diet and growth should be useful to identify management strategies for silky sharks in the eastern Arabian Sea.
The stigma of claiming benefits: a quantitative study
Authors: BAUMBERG BEN
Published: October 2015

Stigma has long been viewed by some as essential to discourage excessive claims, yet seen by others as a cause of non-take-up by people in need and as a form of symbolic violence. More recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in the links between shame and poverty (including the role of benefits), and particular concerns about media/political rhetoric in the UK. Yet while our knowledge of benefits stigma has been enhanced by theoretical/qualitative contributions, few quantitative studies examine its extent or patterning. This paper therefore reports the results of a 2012 nationally-representative survey in the UK. It finds sub-types of stigma are reported by 10–19 per cent for each benefit, but 34 per cent report either personal stigma (their own view) or stigmatisation (perceived stigma by others) for at least one benefit, and over one-quarter say a stigma-related reason would make them less likely to claim. One-third of claimants themselves report some degree of stigma around their claim. Against the predictions of ‘dependency culture’ claims, however, respondents in high-claim areas were more likely to stigmatise benefits, both before and after accounting for other factors. The paper concludes by considering lessons for future benefits stigma studies, and policy options to reduce benefits stigma.
Terahertz radiation by self-focused amplitude-modulated Gaussian laser beam in magnetized ripple density plasma
Authors: Singh Ram Kishor , Sharma R. P.
Published: October 2015

This paper presents a theoretical model for efficient terahertz (THz) radiation by self-focused amplitude-modulated laser beam in preformed ripple density plasma. The density of plasma is modified due to ponderomotive nonlinearity which arises because of the nonuniform spatial profile of the laser beam in magnetized plasma and leads to the self-focusing of the laser beam. The rate of self-focusing depends on the intensity of the amplitude-modulated beam as well as on the externally applied magnetic field strength. The electron also experiences time-dependent ponderomotive force by the laser beam at modulated frequency. A nonlinear current at THz frequency arises on account of the coupling between the ripple density plasma and nonlinear oscillatory velocity of the electrons. The yield of the generated THz radiation enhances with enhancement in self-focusing of the laser beam and applied magnetic field.
Gradient estimates for semilinear elliptic systems and other related results
Authors: Smyrnelis Panayotis
Published: October 2015

A periodic connection is constructed for a double well potential defined in the plane. This solution violates Modica's estimate as well as the corresponding Liouville theorem for general phase transition potentials. Gradient estimates are also established for several kinds of elliptic systems. They allow us to prove the Liouville theorem in some particular cases. Finally, we give an alternative form of the stress–energy tensor for solutions defined in planar domains. As an application, we deduce a (strong) monotonicity formula.
War Wounded and Victims of Traffic Accidents in a Surgical Hospital in Africa: An Observation on Injuries
Authors: Schneider Martin
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Weapon injuries in armed conflict are likely to receive medical attention. Other types of injuries, like traffic accidents, continue to occur during armed conflict.

Problem

Injuries caused by weapons and by traffic accidents require treatment, but reports and figures to help in prioritizing care are scarce.

Methods

In a prospective observational study, all emergency patients admitted to the surgical ward in a public hospital of the Central African Republic were evaluated for the cause of their main injury. The proportion of patients injured by weapons and by traffic accidents was analyzed with respect to the level of violence.

Results

Seventy-eight patients were included in this study. Weapon injuries accounted for 50 (64%) admissions and traffic accidents for 28 (36%). These proportions varied significantly according to the weekly level of violence (χ2=46.8; P<.001).

Conclusion

People injured in traffic accidents are an important, but overlooked, drain on surgical resources in low-income countries with armed conflict. Their proportion in relation to weapon wounded fluctuates with the level of violence. Humanitarian medical organizations might prepare themselves not only for weapon injuries, but also for wounds caused by traffic accidents.

SchneiderM. War wounded and victims of traffic accidents in a surgical hospital in Africa: an observation on injuries. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(6):618–620.
Collecting and registering sexual health information in the context of HIV risk in the electronic medical record of general practitioners: a qualitative exploration of the preference of general practitioners in urban communities in Flanders (Belgium)
Authors: Vos Jolien , Pype Peter , Deblonde Jessika , Van den Eynde Sandra , Aelbrecht Karolien , Deveugele Myriam , Avonts Dirk
Published: October 2015

Background and aim

Current health-care delivery requires increasingly proactive and inter-professional work. Therefore, collecting patient information and knowledge management is of paramount importance. General practitioners (GPs) are well placed to lead these evolving models of care delivery. However, it is unclear how they are handling these changes. To gain an insight into this matter, the HIV epidemic was chosen as a test case.

Methods

Data were collected and analysed from 13 semi-structured interviews with GPs, working in urban communities in Flanders.

Findings

GPs use various types of patient information to estimate patients’ risk of HIV. The way in which sexual health information is collected and registered, depends on the type of information under discussion.General patient informationandmedical history dataare often automatically collected and registered. Proactively collectingsexual health informationis uncommon. Moreover, the registration of the latter is not obvious, mostly owing to insufficient space in the electronic medical record (EMR).

Conclusions

GPs seem willing to systematically collect and registersexual health information, in particular about HIV-risk factors. They expressed a need for guidance together with practical adjustments of the EMR to adequately capture and share this information.
Do ‘institutional complementarities’ foster female labour force participation?
Authors: THÉVENON OLIVIER
Published: October 2015

We analyse how female labour force participation responds to policies supporting the work-life balance, and do so using country-level data for 18 OECD countries from 1980 to 2007. Included is an original analysis of ‘complementarities’ between different policy measures, as well as of potential variations in their influence across different family policy regimes. The results highlight that expanded childcare service coverage affects women's labour market participation, which is greater in countries where support for working mothers is higher overall. But the influence of each single policy measure varies across regimes. Interactions between policy measures and the context in which they are implemented are important factors to consider since they can, for instance, either foster the positive impact of one measure or lessen the adverse effect of another.
Water Resources Research at 50: Journal's Lasting Impact Expected to Grow
Authors: Strelich Lily
Published: October 2015

Editors discuss the importance, influence, and evolution of the American Geophysical Union's hydrological research journal, covering one of our planet's most complex and precious resources.
Quantifying the density and utilization of active sites in non-precious metal oxygen electroreduction catalysts
Authors: Sahraie Nastaran Ranjbar , Kramm Ulrike I. , Steinberg Julian , Zhang Yuanjian , Thomas Arne , Reier Tobias , Paraknowitsch Jens-Peter , Strasser Peter
Published: October 2015

Carbon materials doped with transition metal and nitrogen are highly active, non-precious metal catalysts for the electrochemical conversion of molecular oxygen in fuel cells, metal air batteries, and electrolytic processes. However, accurate measurement of their intrinsic turn-over frequency and active-site density based on metal centres in bulk and surface has remained difficult to date, which has hampered a more rational catalyst design. Here we report a successful quantification of bulk and surface-based active-site density and associated turn-over frequency values of mono- and bimetallic Fe/N-doped carbons using a combination of chemisorption, desorption and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy techniques. Our general approach yields an experimental descriptor for the intrinsic activity and the active-site utilization, aiding in the catalyst development process and enabling a previously unachieved level of understanding of reactivity trends owing to a deconvolution of site density and intrinsic activity.
Ultrahigh sensitivity and layer-dependent sensing performance of phosphorene-based gas sensors
Authors: Cui Shumao , Pu Haihui , Wells Spencer A. , Wen Zhenhai , Mao Shun , Chang Jingbo , Hersam Mark C. , Chen Junhong
Published: October 2015

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials have attracted significant attention for device applications because of their unique structures and outstanding properties. Here, a field-effect transistor (FET) sensor device is fabricated based on 2D phosphorene nanosheets (PNSs). The PNS sensor exhibits an ultrahigh sensitivity to NO2 in dry air and the sensitivity is dependent on its thickness. A maximum response is observed for 4.8-nm-thick PNS, with a sensitivity up to 190% at 20 parts per billion (p.p.b.) at room temperature. First-principles calculations combined with the statistical thermodynamics modelling predict that the adsorption density is ∼1015 cm−2 for the 4.8-nm-thick PNS when exposed to 20 p.p.b. NO2 at 300 K. Our sensitivity modelling further suggests that the dependence of sensitivity on the PNS thickness is dictated by the band gap for thinner sheets (<10 nm) and by the effective thickness on gas adsorption for thicker sheets (>10 nm).
Zeolite-like liquid crystals
Authors: Poppe Silvio , Lehmann Anne , Scholte Alexander , Prehm Marko , Zeng Xiangbing , Ungar Goran , Tschierske Carsten
Published: October 2015

Zeolites represent inorganic solid-state materials with porous structures of fascinating complexity. Recently, significant progress was made by reticular synthesis of related organic solid-state materials, such as metal-organic or covalent organic frameworks. Herein we go a step further and report the first example of a fluid honeycomb mimicking a zeolitic framework. In this unique self-assembled liquid crystalline structure, transverse-lying π-conjugated rod-like molecules form pentagonal channels, encircling larger octagonal channels, a structural motif also found in some zeolites. Additional bundles of coaxial molecules penetrate the centres of the larger channels, unreachable by chains attached to the honeycomb framework. This creates a unique fluid hybrid structure combining positive and negative anisotropies, providing the potential for tuning the directionality of anisotropic optical, electrical and magnetic properties. This work also demonstrates a new approach to complex soft-matter self-assembly, by using frustration between space filling and the entropic penalty of chain extension.
Mutations in TRAF3IP1/IFT54 reveal a new role for IFT proteins in microtubule stabilization
Authors: Bizet Albane A. , Becker-Heck Anita , Ryan Rebecca , Weber Kristina , Filhol Emilie , Krug Pauline , Halbritter Jan , Delous Marion , Lasbennes Marie-Christine , Linghu Bolan , Oakeley Edward J. , Zarhrate Mohammed , Nitschké Patrick , Garfa-Traore Meriem , Serluca Fabrizio , Yang Fan , Bouwmeester Tewis , Pinson Lucile , Cassuto Elisabeth , Dubot Philippe , Elshakhs Neveen A. Soliman , Sahel José A. , Salomon Rémi , Drummond Iain A. , Gubler Marie-Claire , Antignac Corinne , Chibout Salahdine , Szustakowski Joseph D. , Hildebrandt Friedhelm , Lorentzen Esben , Sailer Andreas W. , Benmerah Alexandre , Saint-Mezard Pierre , Saunier Sophie
Published: October 2015

Ciliopathies are a large group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders caused by defects in primary cilia. Here we identified mutations in TRAF3IP1 (TNF Receptor-Associated Factor Interacting Protein 1) in eight patients from five families with nephronophthisis (NPH) and retinal degeneration, two of the most common manifestations of ciliopathies. TRAF3IP1 encodes IFT54, a subunit of the IFT-B complex required for ciliogenesis. The identified mutations result in mild ciliary defects in patients but also reveal an unexpected role of IFT54 as a negative regulator of microtubule stability via MAP4 (microtubule-associated protein 4). Microtubule defects are associated with altered epithelialization/polarity in renal cells and with pronephric cysts and microphthalmia in zebrafish embryos. Our findings highlight the regulation of cytoplasmic microtubule dynamics as a role of the IFT54 protein beyond the cilium, contributing to the development of NPH-related ciliopathies.
Network reconstruction and validation of the Snf1/AMPK pathway in baker’s yeast based on a comprehensive literature review
Authors: Lubitz Timo , Welkenhuysen Niek , Shashkova Sviatlana , Bendrioua Loubna , Hohmann Stefan , Klipp Edda , Krantz Marcus
Published: October 2015

Background/Objectives:

The SNF1/AMPK protein kinase has a central role in energy homeostasis in eukaryotic cells. It is activated by energy depletion and stimulates processes leading to the production of ATP while it downregulates ATP-consuming processes. The yeast SNF1 complex is best known for its role in glucose derepression.

Methods:

We performed a network reconstruction of the Snf1 pathway based on a comprehensive literature review. The network was formalised in the rxncon language, and we used the rxncon toolbox for model validation and gap filling.

Results:

We present a machine-readable network definition that summarises the mechanistic knowledge of the Snf1 pathway. Furthermore, we used the known input/output relationships in the network to identify and fill gaps in the information transfer through the pathway, to produce a functional network model. Finally, we convert the functional network model into a rule-based model as a proof-of-principle.

Conclusions:

The workflow presented here enables large scale reconstruction, validation and gap filling of signal transduction networks. It is analogous to but distinct from that established for metabolic networks. We demonstrate the workflow capabilities, and the direct link between the reconstruction and dynamic modelling, with the Snf1 network. This network is a distillation of the knowledge from all previous publications on the Snf1/AMPK pathway. The network is a knowledge resource for modellers and experimentalists alike, and a template for similar efforts in higher eukaryotes. Finally, we envisage the workflow as an instrumental tool for reconstruction of large signalling networks across Eukaryota.
A monocyte/granulocyte to lymphocyte ratio predicts survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Dongsheng , Zhang Yaojun , Xu Li , Zhou Zhongguo , Huang Junting , Chen Minshan
Published: October 2015

Conflict that the derived neutrophil lymphocyte (dNLR) has prognostic value in patients with a variety of cancers exists. The aim of the present study was to devise a monocyte/granulocyte to lymphocyte ratio (M/GLR) which counts as (white cell count - lymphocyte count) to lymphocyte count and verify its prognostic value in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). 1061 HCC patients were retrieved and the associations between M/GLR/NLR/dNLR and clinicopathological variables and survivals (OS and RFS) were analyzed. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the discriminatory ability of M/GLR/NLR/dNLR. The median follow-up period was 947 days, the 1, 3, 5 year OS was 64%, 51% and 46% respectively and the median OS was 842 days. The cut-off values were determined by ROC as 2.8, 1.6 and 3.2 for NLR, dNLR, M/GLR respectively. Elevated M/GLR/NLR/dNLR was associated with poor prognosis (P = 0.001, P = 0.009 and P = 0.022 respectively). By time-dependent ROC, the AUC of M/GLR was higher than that of NLR or dNLR, either in whole group or in subgroups according to TNM stages or different treatments. We concluded that elevated M/GLR predicted poor prognosis for patients with HCC and the M/GLR can be used as an alternative to NLR and dNLR.
Correction: Corrigendum: An indica rice genotype showed a similar yield enhancement to that of hybrid rice under free air carbon dioxide enrichment
Authors: Zhu Chunwu , Xu Xi , Wang Dan , Zhu Jianguo , Liu Gang
Published: October 2015

Although the rice growth response to FACE (free-air CO2 enrichment) has been widely studied and is considered important within the scientific community, few studies have attempted to examine the effects of FACE on the yield of indica rice, which is typically the parent of indica hybrids in China. The effects of FACE on the yield, yield components, biomass, N uptake and leaf photosynthesis of Yangdao 6 Hao (an indica rice) in China were examined over 2 years. The grain yield increased over 30%, the panicle number increased 12.4% on average, and the spikelet number per panicle also showed an average increase of 8.2% at elevated CO2. FACE caused a significant enhancement in both the filled spikelet percentage (+5.9%) and the individual grain weight (+3.0%). Compared with three prior FACE studies on rice, a similar enhancement of yield in hybrid indica was shown under FACE, with much a higher value than for the japonica rice cultivar (approximately + 13%) because of indica’s stronger sink generation and N uptake capacity, which help coordinate the C/N balance to avoid photosynthetic acclimation. The high enhancement of the indica rice yield under FACE holds promise for improved cultivar selection for future food security.
Geometries for the coherent control of four-wave mixing in graphene multilayers
Authors: Rao Shraddha M. , Lyons Ashley , Roger Thomas , Clerici Matteo , Zheludev Nikolay I. , Faccio Daniele
Published: October 2015

Deeply sub-wavelength two-dimensional films may exhibit extraordinarily strong nonlinear effects. Here we show that 2D films exhibit the remarkable property of a phase-controllable nonlinearity, i.e., the amplitude of the nonlinear polarisation wave in the medium can be controlled via the pump beam phase and determines whether a probe beam will “feel” or not the nonlinearity. This is in stark contrast to bulk nonlinearities where propagation in the medium averages out any such phase dependence. We perform a series of experiments in multilayer graphene that highlight some of the consequences of the optical nonlinearity phase-dependence, such as the coherent control of nonlinearly diffracted beams, single-pump-beam induced phase-conjugation and the demonstration of a nonlinear mirror characterised by negative reflection. The observed phase sensitivity is not specific to graphene but rather is solely a result of the dimensionality and is therefore expected in all 2D materials.
Direct and high throughput (HT) interactions on the ribosomal surface by iRIA
Authors: Pesce Elisa , Minici Claudia , Baβler Jochen , Hurt Ed , Degano Massimo , Calamita Piera , Biffo Stefano
Published: October 2015

Ribosomes function as platforms for binding of other molecules, but technologies for studying this process are lacking. Therefore we developed iRIA (in vitro Ribosomes Interaction Assay). In approach I, Artemia salina ribosomes spotted on solid phase are used for binding picomoles of analytes; in approach II, cellular extracts allow the measurement of ribosome activity in different conditions. We apply the method to analyze several features of eIF6 binding to 60S subunits. By approach I, we show that the off-rate of eIF6 from preribosomes is slower than from mature ribosomes and that its binding to mature 60S occurs in the nM affinity range. By approach II we show that eIF6 binding sites on 60S are increased with mild eIF6 depletion and decreased in cells that are devoid of SBDS, a ribosomal factor necessary for 60S maturation and involved in Swachman Diamond syndrome. We show binding conditions to immobilized ribosomes adaptable to HT and quantify free ribosomes in cell extracts. In conclusion, we suggest that iRIA will greatly facilitate the study of interactions on the ribosomal surface.
Unconventional interplay between heterovalent dopant elements: Switch-and-modulator band-gap engineering in (Y, Co)-Codoped CeO2 nanocrystals
Authors: Wu T. S. , Li H. D. , Chen Y. W. , Chen S. F. , Su Y. S. , Chu C. H. , Pao C. W. , Lee J. F. , Lai C. H. , Jeng H. T. , Chang S. L. , Soo Y. L.
Published: October 2015

We report the experimental observation and theoretical explanation of an unconventional interplay between divalent Co and trivalent Y dopants, both of which incur oxygen vacancies in the CeO2 host that has predominantly tetravalent Ce cations. The Co dopant atoms were experimentally found to act as a switch that turns on the dormant effect of Y-modulated band-gap reduction. As revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations with structures verified by synchrotron-radiation x-ray measurements, a Co 3d band that hybridizes with Ce 4f band was lowered due to reduced O 2p repulsion arising from oxygen vacancies incurred by Y doping and therefore gave rise to the observed band-gap narrowing effect. Such switch-and-modulator scheme for band-gap engineering in nanocrystal materials can lead to important applications in environmental protection and solar energy harvesting technologies.
Epoxides Derived from Dietary Dihomo-Gamma-Linolenic Acid Induce Germ Cell Death in C. elegans
Authors: Deline Marshall , Keller Julia , Rothe Michael , Schunck Wolf-Hagen , Menzel Ralph , Watts Jennifer L.
Published: October 2015

Dietary fats are not created equally, slight differences in structure lead to crucial differences in function. Muticellular organisms use polyunsaturated fatty acid as substrates to produce potent signaling molecules crucial for many physiological processes, including reproduction. Here we explored the mechanism responsible for germ cell loss induced by dietary supplementation of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3n-6) in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. In this study we found that C. elegans CYP-33E2 activity produces a range of epoxy and hydroxy metabolites from dietary DGLA. Knockdown of cyp-33E2 suppressed the DGLA-induced sterility phenotype. Additionally, direct exposure of two specific DGLA-derived epoxy products, 8,9- and 14,15-epoxyeicosadienoic acids, produced germ cell abnormalities in the C. elegans gonad. We propose that sterility is mediated by the production of toxic DGLA-derived epoxides that trigger germ cell destruction. These studies are the first to establish a biological activity for a CYP-produced metabolite of DGLA.
Selection of suitable reference genes for normalization of quantitative RT-PCR in peripheral blood samples of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Authors: Chen I-Hua , Chou Lien-Siang , Chou Shih-Jen , Wang Jiann-Hsiung , Stott Jeffrey , Blanchard Myra , Jen I-Fan , Yang Wei-Cheng
Published: October 2015

Quantitative RT-PCR is often used as a research tool directed at gene transcription. Selection of optimal housekeeping genes (HKGs) as reference genes is critical to establishing sensitive and reproducible qRT-PCR-based assays. The current study was designed to identify the appropriate reference genes in blood leukocytes of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for gene transcription research. Seventy-five blood samples collected from 7 bottlenose dolphins were used to analyze 15 candidate HKGs (ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, HPRT1, LDHB, PGK1, RPL4, RPL8, RPL18, RPS9, RPS18, TFRC, YWHAZ, LDHA, SDHA). HKG stability in qRT-PCR was determined using geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and comparative delta Ct algorithms. Utilization of RefFinder, which combined all 4 algorithms, suggested that PGK1, HPRT1 and RPL4 were the most stable HKGs in bottlenose dolphin blood. Gene transcription perturbations in blood can serve as an indication of health status in cetaceans as it occurs prior to alterations in hematology and chemistry. This study identified HKGs that could be used in gene transcript studies, which may contribute to further mRNA relative quantification research in the peripheral blood leukocytes in captive cetaceans.
Herpes Simplex Virus type-1 infection induces synaptic dysfunction in cultured cortical neurons via GSK-3 activation and intraneuronal amyloid-β protein accumulation
Authors: Piacentini Roberto , Li Puma Domenica Donatella , Ripoli Cristian , Elena Marcocci Maria , De Chiara Giovanna , Garaci Enrico , Teresa Palamara Anna , Grassi Claudio
Published: October 2015

Increasing evidence suggests that recurrent Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection spreading to the CNS is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) but the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated yet. Here we demonstrate that in cultured mouse cortical neurons HSV-1 induced Ca2+-dependent activation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3. This event was critical for the HSV-1-dependent phosphorylation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) at Thr668 and the following intraneuronal accumulation of amyloid-β protein (Aβ). HSV-1-infected neurons also exhibited: i) significantly reduced expression of the presynaptic proteins synapsin-1 and synaptophysin; ii) depressed synaptic transmission. These effects depended on GSK-3 activation and intraneuronal accumulation of Aβ. In fact, either the selective GSK-3 inhibitor, SB216763, or a specific antibody recognizing Aβ (4G8) significantly counteracted the effects induced by HSV-1 at the synaptic level. Moreover, in neurons derived from APP KO mice and infected with HSV-1 Aβ accumulation was not found and synaptic protein expression was only slightly reduced when compared to wild-type infected neurons. These data further support our contention that HSV-1 infections spreading to the CNS may contribute to AD phenotype.
Disparate developmental patterns of immune responses to bacterial and viral infections in fish
Authors: Castro Rosario , Jouneau Luc , Tacchi Luca , Macqueen Daniel J. , Alzaid Abdullah , Secombes Christopher J. , Martin Samuel A. M. , Boudinot Pierre
Published: October 2015

During early stages of development vertebrates rely on an immature immune system to fight pathogens, but in non mammalian species few studies have taken an in-depth analysis of the transition from reliance on innate immune mechanisms to the appearance of adaptive immunity. Using rainbow trout as a model we characterized responses to two natural pathogens of this species, the Gram negative bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida and the virus VHSV, using microarray analysis at four early life history stages; eyed egg, post hatch, first feeding and three weeks post first feeding when adaptive immunity starts to be effective. All stages responded to both infections, but the complexity of the response increased with developmental stage. The response to virus showed a clear interferon response only from first feeding. In contrast, bacterial infection induced a marked response from early stages, with modulation of inflammatory, antimicrobial peptide and complement genes across all developmental stages. Whilst the viral and bacterial responses were distinct, there were modulated genes in common, mainly of general inflammatory molecules. This work provides a first platform to explore the development of fish immunity to infection and to compare the age-dependent changes (from embryo to adults) across vertebrates.
Identification of differentially expressed microRNAs between Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab-resistant and -susceptible strains of Ostrinia furnacalis
Authors: Xu Li-Na , Ling Ying-Hui , Wang Yue-Qin , Wang Zhen-Ying , Hu Ben-Jin , Zhou Zi-Yan , Hu Fei , He Kang-Lai
Published: October 2015

The Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), can develop strong resistance to Cry1Ab, the most widely commercialized Cry toxin for Bt maize worldwide. It is essential to understand the mechanism of resistance for management of this species, but information on the post-transcriptional regulation of Bt resistance in this target insect is limited. In the present study, RNA was extracted from the ACB in various larval stages (1–5 instar) from Cry1Ab-sensitive (ACB-BtS) and -resistant (ACB-AbR) strains, each of which included two biological replicates. Using Illumina sequencing, a total of 23,809,890 high-quality reads were collected from the four ACB libraries. The numbers of known microRNAs (miRNAs) were 302 and 395 for ACB-BtS and 268 and 287 for ACB-AbR. Using Mireap software, we identified 32 and 16 potential novel miRNAs for ACB-BtS and 18 and 22 for ACB-AbR. Among them, 21 known and 1 novel miRNAs had significantly different expression between ACB-BtS and ACB-AbR. Several miRNAs were observed to target potential Bt receptor genes, such as aminopeptidase N and cadherin-like protein. The glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor biosynthetic process and ABC transporters pathway were identified through Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analysis of target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs.
Implementation of Complete Boolean Logic Functions in Single Complementary Resistive Switch
Authors: Gao Shuang , Zeng Fei , Wang Minjuan , Wang Guangyue , Song Cheng , Pan Feng
Published: October 2015

The unique complementary switching behaviour of complementary resistive switches (CRSs) makes them very attractive for logic applications. The implementation of complete Boolean logic functions in a single CRS cell is certainly an extremely important step towards the commercialisation of related logic circuits, but it has not been accomplished to date. Here, we report two methods for the implementation of complete Boolean logic functions in a single CRS cell. The first method is based on the intrinsic switchable diode of a peculiar CRS cell that is composed of two anti-serial bipolar resistive switches with a rectifying high resistance state, while the second method is based directly on the complementary switching behaviour itself of any single CRS cell. The feasibilities of both methods have been theoretically predicted and then experimentally demonstrated on the basis of a Ta/Ta2O5/Pt/Ta2O5/Ta CRS cell. Therefore, these two methods—in particular the complementary switching behaviour itself-based method, which has natural immunity to the sneak-path issue of crossbar logic circuits—are believed to be capable of significantly advancing both our understanding and commercialization of related logic circuits. Moreover, peculiar CRS cells have been demonstrated to be feasible for tri-level storage, which can serve as an alternative method of realising ultra-high-density data storage.
An evidence-based knowledgebase of metastasis suppressors to identify key pathways relevant to cancer metastasis
Authors: Zhao Min , Li Zhe , Qu Hong
Published: October 2015

Metastasis suppressor genes (MS genes) are genes that play important roles in inhibiting the process of cancer metastasis without preventing growth of the primary tumor. Identification of these genes and understanding their functions are critical for investigation of cancer metastasis. Recent studies on cancer metastasis have identified many new susceptibility MS genes. However, the comprehensive illustration of diverse cellular processes regulated by metastasis suppressors during the metastasis cascade is lacking. Thus, the relationship between MS genes and cancer risk is still unclear. To unveil the cellular complexity of MS genes, we have constructed MSGene (http://MSGene.bioinfo-minzhao.org/), the first literature-based gene resource for exploring human MS genes. In total, we manually curated 194 experimentally verified MS genes and mapped to 1448 homologous genes from 17 model species. Follow-up functional analyses associated 194 human MS genes with epithelium/tissue morphogenesis and epithelia cell proliferation. In addition, pathway analysis highlights the prominent role of MS genes in activation of platelets and coagulation system in tumor metastatic cascade. Moreover, global mutation pattern of MS genes across multiple cancers may reveal common cancer metastasis mechanisms. All these results illustrate the importance of MSGene to our understanding on cell development and cancer metastasis.
A proteomic analysis of seeds from Bt-transgenic Brassica napus and hybrids with wild B. juncea
Authors: Liu Yongbo , Zhang Ying-Xue , Song Song-Quan , Li Junsheng , Neal Stewart C. , Wei Wei , Zhao Yujie , Wang Wei-Qing
Published: October 2015

Transgene insertions might have unintended side effects on the transgenic host, both crop and hybrids with wild relatives that harbor transgenes. We employed proteomic approaches to assess protein abundance changes in seeds from Bt-transgenic oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and its hybrids with wild mustard (B. juncea). A total of 24, 15 and 34 protein spots matching to 23, 13 and 31 unique genes were identified that changed at least 1.5 fold (p < 0.05, Student’s t-test) in abundance between transgenic (tBN) and non-transgenic (BN) oilseed rape, between hybrids of B. juncea (BJ) × tBN (BJtBN) and BJ × BN (BJBN) and between BJBN and BJ, respectively. Eight proteins had higher abundance in tBN than in BN. None of these proteins was toxic or nutritionally harmful to human health, which is not surprising since the seeds are not known to produce toxic proteins. Protein spots varying in abundance between BJtBN and BJBN seeds were the same or homologous to those in the respective parents. None of the differentially-accumulated proteins between BJtBN and BJBN were identical to those between tBN and BN. Results indicated that unintended effects resulted from transgene flow fell within the range of natural variability of hybridization and those found in the native host proteomes.