bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Artificial Neural Network Models in Segmentation and Classification of Nodules in Breast Ultrasound Digital Images
Authors: Marcomini Karem D. , Carneiro Antonio A. O. , Schiabel Homero
Published: June 2016

This research presents a methodology for the automatic detection and characterization of breast sonographic findings. We performed the tests in ultrasound images obtained from breast phantoms made of tissue mimicking material. When the results were considerable, we applied the same techniques to clinical examinations. The process was started employing preprocessing (Wiener filter, equalization, and median filter) to minimize noise. Then, five segmentation techniques were investigated to determine the most concise representation of the lesion contour, enabling us to consider the neural network SOM as the most relevant. After the delimitation of the object, the most expressive features were defined to the morphological description of the finding, generating the input data to the neural Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) classifier. The accuracy achieved during training with simulated images was 94.2%, producing an AUC of 0.92. To evaluating the data generalization, the classification was performed with a group of unknown images to the system, both to simulators and to clinical trials, resulting in an accuracy of 90% and 81%, respectively. The proposed classifier proved to be an important tool for the diagnosis in breast ultrasound.
Mollicutes/HIV Coinfection and the Development of AIDS: Still Far from a Definitive Response
Authors: de Cordova Caio Mauricio Mendes , Galgowski Caroline , Lange Leonardo
Published: June 2016

Background. Mycoplasmas are known to cause various infections in humans, mainly in the respiratory and urogenital tracts. The different species are usually host-specific and cause diseases in well-defined sites. New species have been isolated, including those from HIV-infected persons.Summary. Itsin vitroproperties, combined with clinical findings, have led to the hypothesis that these microorganisms may act as cofactors of HIV in AIDS development. Even today this point of view is quite polemic among infectious disease specialists and many aspects remain to be clarified, in contrast to what happens, for instance, with HIV/Mycobacterium tuberculosiscoinfection. Dozens of papers have been published covering aspects of Mollicutes/HIV coinfection, but they add little to no information about the putative contribution of Mollicutes to the evolution of AIDS. Very few researchers have devoted their efforts to trying to answer this question, which remains open. In this review, we discuss the evidences that may support this statement in the light of current knowledge in the field of mycoplasmology.
Study of the Dynamic Characteristics of Ball Screw with a Load Disturbance
Authors: Du Zhe , Zhang Xiao-Lan , Tao Tao
Published: June 2016

The dynamic character of ball screw is the key factor that influences the machining accuracy of numerical control (NC) machine tool. To improve the dynamic characteristics of the NC machine tool, it is necessary to study the dynamic characteristics of a ball screw. In this paper, the kinematics of a ball screw mechanism (BSM) are studied to expound the dynamic process of the drive, and the load disturbance is considered to analyze the contact deformation based on the Hertzian contact theory. The velocity relationships among the ball, screw, and nut are analyzed, and the influence of the contact deformation on the dynamic characteristics is simulated and investigated experimentally. The results show that the relationships between the contact deformation, which is affected by the material characteristics, the contact angle, and the load of nut are nonlinear. The contact deformation is a factor that cannot be ignored when considering the dynamic machining error of high-speed and high-precision machine tools.
Infusion ofHibiscus sabdariffa L.Modulates Oxidative Stress in Patients with Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Soto María Elena , Zuñiga-Muñoz Alejandra , Guarner Lans Verónica , Duran-Hernández Erendira Janet , Pérez-Torres Israel
Published: June 2016

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is associated with progressive aortic dilatation, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress that contribute to the early acute dissection of the vessel and can end up in rupture of the aorta and sudden death. Many studies have described that the organic acids fromHibiscus sabdariffaLinne (HSL) calyces increase cellular antioxidant capacity and decrease oxidative stress. Here we evaluate if the antioxidant properties of HSL infusion improve oxidative stress in MFS patients. Activities of extra cellular super oxide dismutase (ECSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) index, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and ascorbic acid were determined in plasma from MFS patients. Values before and after 3 months of the treatment with 2% HSL infusion were compared in control and MFS subjects. After treatment, there was a significant decrease in ECSOD (p=0.03), EGPx (p=0.04), GST (p=0.03), GSH (p=0.01), and TAC and ascorbic acid (p=0.02) but GSSG-R activity (p=0.04) and LPO (p=0.02) were increased in MFS patients in comparison to patients receiving the HSL treatment and C subjects. Therefore, the infusion of HSL calyces has antioxidant properties that allow an increase in antioxidant capacity of both the enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems, in the plasma of the MSF patients.
Immune Profiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: PD-L2 Expression and Associations with Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes
Authors: Sridharan Vishwajith , Gjini Evisa , Liao Xiaoyun , Chau Nicole G. , Haddad Robert I. , Severgnini Mariano , Hammerman Peter , El-Naggar Adel , Freeman Gordon J. , Hodi F. Stephen , Rodig Scott J. , Dranoff Glenn , Schoenfeld Jonathan D.
Published: June 2016

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is among the most lethal salivary gland tumors, with no treatments for metastatic disease that prolong survival. We examined tissue from 28 primary and metastatic ACC deposits obtained from 21 patients for infiltrating immune cells and PD-L1/PD-L2 expression and determined mRNA profiles of over 1,400 oncogenic and immune-related genes. We also assessed the effect of chemoradiation on immune mediators in a patient who had serial biopsies available. Most tumors expressed PD-L2 but had few infiltrating immune cells. Lack of immune-cell infiltrate was associated with expression of genes in the β-catenin/Wnt and PI3K pathways. Additionally, certain transcripts linked to growth and invasion were differentially expressed among primary and metastatic deposits. Chemoradiation appeared to increase CD8+ effector T cells, decrease regulatory T cells, and promote a systemic humoral response. These data suggest a potential role for PD-L2 inhibition and immune modulation as treatment for patients with ACC. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(8); 679–87. ©2016 AACR.
The Role of Probiotics in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Autophagy in Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Han Chaoqun , Ding Zhen , Shi Huiying , Qian Wei , Hou Xiaohua , Lin Rong
Published: June 2016

Background/Aims: Dysfunction of autophagy has been associated with loss of intestinal homeostasis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria is known to be a major initiator of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) autophagy. Although probiotics have been recognized to be involved in many therapeutic properties and participate in host defense responses, the molecular mechanisms by which probiotics exert these positive effects remain unknown. This study assessed the effect of probiotics on LPS-induced physical barrier dysfunction and the underlying mechanism of probiotic action in IECs with a focus on autophagy. Methods: A LPS-induced autophagic model was established in rat IEC18 cells wherein cells were treated with culture medium supernatants of Bifidobacteria following LPS intervention at indicated times. Autophagosomes in IEC18 cells were visualized by confocal microscopy after transfection with a tandem GFP-mCherry-LC3 construct and also by transmission electron microscopy. Autophagy-associated protein levels were analyzed by western blot and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was measured using an epithelial voltohmmeter. Results: Probiotic treatment could effectively inhibit LPS-induced autophagy, as evidenced by the decreased ratio of microtubule-associated light chain 3 (LC3)-II/LC3-I, fewer autophagic vacuoles, and reduced punctate distribution of GFP-mCherry-LC3. In addition, probiotics prevented chloroquine (CQ) inhibition of autophagic flux and autophagolysosomal fusion as indicated by a failure to recruit LAMP1 and cathepsin D to lysosomes. Interestingly, ATG16L1 knockdown did not inhibit the effect of probiotics on LPS-induced autophagy. Furthermore, the diminished barrier function could be prevented by probiotics. Conclusions: We provide evidence that autophagy mediation by probiotics may be involved in enteroprotection against LPS-induced intestinal epithelial toxicity, and could serve as a novel mechanism through which probiotics promote and maintain gut homeostasis.
KIM-1 Mediates High Glucose-Induced Autophagy and Apoptosis in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells
Authors: Gou Rong , Chen Juntong , Sheng Shifeng , Wang Ruiqiang , Fang Yudong , Yang Zijun , Wang Liuwei , Tang Lin
Published: June 2016

Background/Aim: To investigate the role of kidney injury molecular 1 (KIM-1) in high glucose-induced autophagy and apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods: Human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK2) were treated with normal glucose (NG, D -glucose 5.6 mmol/L), high glucose (HG, 30 mmol/L), high osmotic (HO, D-glucose 5.6 mmol/L + D-mannitol 24.4 mmol/L), HG + KIM-1 siRNA, HG + siRNA control. The expressions of KIM-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3II (LC3II) were measured by western blot as well as real time PCR; the number of autophagosome was detected by electron microscopy; and the level of apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: In the HG group, the expressions of KIM-1 and LC3II were increased markedly, which was accompanied by more autophagosome and higher level of apoptosis compared with NG group. Silencing of KIM-1 by siRNA inhibited the increases in the levels of LC3II, autophagosome and apoptosis. Conclusion: KIM-1 may mediate high glucose-induced autophagy and apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells.
Mitochondrial ROS Release and Subsequent Akt Activation Potentially Mediated the Anti-Apoptotic Effect of a 50-Hz Magnetic Field on FL Cells
Authors: Feng Baihuan , Ye Chunmei , Qiu Liping , Chen Liangjing , Fu Yiti , Sun Wenjun
Published: June 2016

Background/Aims: Our previous study showed that exposure to a 50-Hz magnetic field (MF) could induce transient mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in cells. In the present study, the aim was to explore the possible biological implications of MF-induced transient MPT. Materials and Methods: Human amniotic (FL) cells were exposed to MF for different durations or intensities followed by incubation with staurosporine for 4 h. After MF exposure, cell early apoptosis, cell viability mitochondrial ROS and the level of phosphorylated Akt were assessed. After MF exposure followed by incubation with staurosporine, cell early apoptosis was assessed. Results: MF exposure had a protective effect against early apoptosis induced by staurosporine, which could be abolished by MPT inhibitors, although MF exposure alone had no significant effect on early apoptosis or viability of cells. In addition, exposing cells to MF increased the level of mitochondrial ROS which were released into cytoplasm through mitochondrial permeability transition pores (mPTP), and induced ROS-dependent phosphorylation of Akt. Furthermore, the anti-apoptotic effect of MF exposure was completely eliminated when Akt was inhibited. Conclusions: The present study indicated a possibility that mitochondrial ROS release through mPTP and subsequent Akt activation were necessary for the anti-apoptotic effect of MF.
Use of the Body Composition Monitor for Fluid Status Measurements in Subjects with High Body Mass Index
Authors: Keane David , Chamney Paul , Heinke Stefanie , Lindley Elizabeth
Published: June 2016

Background: Fluid management is a central aspect of haemodialysis (HD). Body composition monitor (BCM)-measured overhydration (OH) can improve fluid management strategies, but there remains uncertainty about its use in subjects with high body mass index (BMI). This study explored whether the observed tendency for HD patients with high BMI to complete dialysis fluid depleted according to BCM is associated with an artefact in the BCM models, or with systematic differences in the prescription and delivery of treatment. Methods: To isolate the effect of BMI from effects relating to treatment, BCM measurements were made on 20 healthy subjects with high BMI. Mean OH was compared with a previously reported cohort of healthy subjects with normal BMI. To further explore BCM-measured OH in HD patients, measurements were made pre- and post-dialysis on 10 patients with high BMI alongside relative blood volume monitoring. Body shape was classified to assess associations between shape and OH. Results: The mean OH for healthy subjects with high BMI was -0.1 litres, which was not different from that of healthy subjects with normal BMI. Median BCM-measured OH for HD patients was 1.8 and -1.8 litres pre- and post-dialysis respectively, while blood volume and blood pressure were maintained. Body shape correlated with OH in control subjects but not HD patients. Conclusions: We found no evidence of systematic bias in BCM-measured OH with high BMI in healthy subjects. BCM-measured post-dialysis fluid depletion in asymptomatic patients with high BMI appears to result from greater tolerance of ultrafiltration and ability to maintain blood volume.
DCP-LA Exerts an Antiaging Action on the Skin
Authors: Nishizaki Tomoyuki
Published: June 2016

The present study assessed the possibility for the linoleic acid derivative 8-[2-(2-pentyl-cyclopropylmethyl)-cyclopropyl]-octanoic acid (DCP-LA) as an antiaging compound for the skin by assaying senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal), a biomarker of senescence and cell viability. The nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) increased in SA-β-Gal-positive cells in cultured human fibroblasts and mouse keratinocytes, and DCP-LA significantly inhibited the effect of SNP. Moreover, SNP induced cell death in cultured mouse keratinocytes, and DCP-LA significantly prevented NO stress-induced death of keratinocytes. Taken together, these results indicate that DCP-LA exerts an antiaging action on the skin.
Complications and Short-Term Explantation Rate Following Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implantation: Results from a Large Middle European Multi-Institutional Case Series
Authors: Kretschmer Alexander , Hüsch Tanja , Thomsen Frauke , Kronlachner Dominik , Obaje Alice , Anding Ralf , Pottek Tobias , Rose Achim , Olianas Roberto , Friedl Alexander , Hübner Wilhelm , Homberg Roland , Pfitzenmaier Jesco , Grein Ulrich , Queissert Fabian , Naumann Carsten Maik , Schweiger Josef , Wotzka Carola , Nyarangi-Dix Joanne N. , Hofmann Torben , Seiler Roland , Haferkamp Axel , Bauer Ricarda M. ,   Debates On Male Incontinence (DOMINO)-Project
Published: June 2016

Background/Aims/Objectives: To analyze perioperative complication and short-term explantation rates after perineal or penoscrotal single-cuff and double-cuff artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation in a large middle European multi-institutional patient cohort. Methods: 467 male patients with stress urinary incontinence underwent implantation of a perineal single-cuff (n = 152), penoscrotal single-cuff (n = 99), or perineal double-cuff (n = 216) AUS between 2010 and 2012. Postoperative complications and 6-month explantation rates were assessed. For statistical analysis, Fisher's exact test and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, and a multiple logistic regression model were used (p < 0.05). Results: Compared to perineal single-cuff AUS, penoscrotal single-cuff implantation led to significantly increased short-term explantation rates (8.6% (perineal) vs. 19.2% (penoscrotal), p = 0.019). The postoperative infection rate was significantly higher after double-cuff compared to single-cuff implantation (6.0% (single-cuff) vs. 13.9% (double-cuff), p = 0.019). The short-term explantation rate after primary double-cuff placement was 6.5% (p = 0.543 vs. perineal single-cuff). In multivariate analysis, the penoscrotal approach (p = 0.004), intraoperative complications (p = 0.005), postoperative bleeding (p = 0.011), and perioperative infection (p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for short-term explantation. Conclusions: Providing data from a large contemporary multi-institutional patient cohort from high-volume and low-volume institutions, our results reflect the current standard of care in middle Europe. We indicate that the penoscrotal approach is an independent risk factor for increased short-term explantation rates.
Radiotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: Current Standards and Future Perspectives
Authors: Häfner Matthias F. , Debus Jürgen
Published: June 2016

Background: Multimodal treatment approaches are indispensable for patients with advanced-stage colorectal cancer. Radiotherapy has been established as essential part of perioperative concepts and was introduced as an option to face challenges such as local relapse or oligometastases. Methods: A literature review was performed to summarize evidence and current standards of radiotherapeutic concepts in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Results: For stage II/III rectal cancer, neoadjuvant radiotherapy is superior to adjuvant treatment. Two preoperative regimens have been established and are commonly used with different objectives: short-course radiotherapy (SC-RT) and long-course chemoradiotherapy (LC-CRT). Both reduce the risk of local relapse. Additionally, LC-CRT aims at downsizing the tumor to potentially reduce radicalness of surgery. There is increasing evidence that not all stage II/III rectal cancer patients need neoadjuvant irradiation but also that in some cases surgery might be omitted. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) of the liver shows high rates of local control in oligometastatic patients. Intraoperative and particle radiotherapy extend the spectrum of treatment options for locally recurrent patients. Conclusion: Radiotherapeutic concepts are crucial for the primary management of locally advanced colorectal cancer and can essentially contribute to treatment approaches in locally recurrent, oligometastatic or palliative patients.
Serum Pentraxin 3 Fragment as a Noninvasive Marker of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Hamza Rasha Tarif , Elfaramawy Amel A. , Mahmoud Nermine H.
Published: June 2016

Background/Aims: It was suggested that serum pentraxin 3 (PTX3) levels could differentiate obese children with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from those with simple steatosis. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of serum PTX3 fragment levels in the diagnosis of NASH and the assessment of its severity in obese children with suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Fifty obese children were compared to 25 matched controls. All were subjected to history taking, anthropometric measurements, and abdominal ultrasonography, as well as laboratory assessments of liver functions, fasting lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, fasting glucose/insulin ratio, and serum PTX3. Results: PTX3 was higher in obese cases than controls (p = 0.0001). Eighty percent of the cases had NAFLD with progressive increases in PTX3 levels as the severity of fatty liver increased (p = 0.0001). Moreover, PTX3 was higher in cases with elevated liver enzymes (3.205 ± 0.77 U/l) than those with normal liver enzymes (2.77 + 0.69 U/l, p < 0.0001). A cutoff value of 3.03 U/l differentiated fatty liver from NASH with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 86%. Conclusion: Noninvasive monitoring of serum PTX3 fragment levels in obese patients with suspected NAFLD may be used as a reliable tool for differentiating NASH from simple fatty liver.
Statin Use and Its Association with Essential Tremor and Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Shalaby Sherif Y. , Louis Elan D.
Published: June 2016

Background: Statins have potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects, and may have neuroprotective properties in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). There are no studies about the use of statins in the related tremor disorder, essential tremor (ET). We determined whether statin use differed in ET cases vs. controls and PD cases vs. controls. Methods: One hundred and thirty nine ET cases, 108 PD cases, and 124 controls participated in a research study of the epidemiology of movement disorders. They were frequency matched based on age and gender. Statin use was assessed by self-report. Results: In adjusted logistic regression analyses, statin use (current or ever) was inversely associated with PD (ORs 0.56-0.63), with marginal values (p values = 0.07-0.187). In similar adjusted models, ET was not associated with statin use (p values = 0.45-0.50). However, ET was inversely associated with longer-term statin use (adjusted OR 0.27, p values = 0.04-0.048). Conclusions: We observed a marginally significant inverse association between PD and statin use. Although in primary analyses we found no evidence that statin use was protective in ET, there was an inverse association in analyses that assessed longer term use of statins. Further observational studies are warranted.
First Automated Stroke Imaging Evaluation via Electronic Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score in a Mobile Stroke Unit
Authors: Grunwald Iris Quasar , Ragoschke-Schumm Andreas , Kettner Michael , Schwindling Lenka , Roumia Safwan , Helwig Stefan , Manitz Matthias , Walter Silke , Yilmaz Umut , Greveson Eric , Lesmeister Martin , Reith Wolfgang , Fassbender Klaus
Published: June 2016

Background: Recently, a mobile stroke unit (MSU) was shown to facilitate acute stroke treatment directly at the emergency site. The neuroradiological expertise of the MSU is improved by its ability to detect early ischemic damage via automatic electronic (e) evaluation of CT scans using a novel software program that calculates the electronic Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (e-ASPECTS). Methods: The feasibility of integrating e-ASPECTS into an ambulance was examined, and the clinical integration and utility of the software in 15 consecutive cases evaluated. Results: Implementation of e-ASPECTS onto the MSU and into the prehospital stroke management was feasible. The values of e-ASPECTS matched with the results of conventional neuroradiologic analysis by the MSU team. The potential benefits of e-ASPECTS were illustrated by three cases. In case 1, excluding early infarct signs supported the decision to directly perform prehospital thrombolysis. In case 2, in which stroke was caused by large-vessel occlusion, the high e-ASPECTS value supported the decision to initiate intra-arterial treatment and triage the patient to a comprehensive stroke center. In case 3, the e-ASPECTS value was 10, indicating the absence of early infarct signs despite pre-existing cerebral microangiopathy and macroangiopathy, a finding indicating the program's robustness against artefacts. Conclusions: This study on the integration of e-ASPECTS into the prehospital stroke management via a MSU showed for the first time that such integration is feasible, and aids both decision regarding the treatment option and the triage regarding the most appropriate target hospital.
A Prospective Study of the Use of Fetal Intelligent Navigation Echocardiography (FINE) to Obtain Standard Fetal Echocardiography Views
Authors: Veronese Paola , Bogana Gianna , Cerutti Alessia , Yeo Lami , Romero Roberto , Gervasi Maria Teresa
Published: June 2016

Objective: To evaluate the performance of Fetal Intelligent Navigation Echocardiography (FINE) applied to spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) volume datasets of the normal fetal heart in generating standard fetal echocardiography views. Methods: In this prospective cohort study of patients with normal fetal hearts (19-30 gestational weeks), one or more STIC volume datasets were obtained of the apical four-chamber view. Each STIC volume successfully obtained was evaluated by STICLoop™ to determine its appropriateness before applying the FINE method. Visualization rates for standard fetal echocardiography views using diagnostic planes and/or Virtual Intelligent Sonographer Assistance (VIS-Assistance®) were calculated. Results: One or more STIC volumes (total n = 463) were obtained from 246 patients. A single STIC volume per patient was analyzed using the FINE method. In normal cases, FINE was able to generate nine fetal echocardiography views using: (1) diagnostic planes in 76-100% of the cases, (2) VIS-Assistance® in 96-100% of the cases, and (3) a combination of diagnostic planes and/or VIS-Assistance® in 96-100% of the cases. Conclusion: FINE applied to STIC volumes can successfully generate nine standard fetal echocardiography views in 96-100% of cases in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. This suggests that the technology can be used as a method of screening for congenital heart disease.
Comparative study between propofol and propofol-ketamine for induction of anesthesia in dogs
Authors: Cima Daniela Santilli , Sato Keiji , Torrecilla Jacqueline Silva , Iwata Vinicius Toshio , Futema Fábio
Published: June 2016

Os procedimentos anestésicos em animais são amplamente utilizados em hospitais para cirurgias de rotina. Para a indução anestésica em cães o propofol tem se mostrado o fármaco de escolha. O objetivo deste estudo foi a avaliação da indução anestésica com propofol ou propofol-cetamina. Vinte cães foram divididos de forma aleatória nos grupos com tratamento e controle. Em todos os pacientes administrou-se acepromazina (0,05 mg kg-1) e fentanil (5 µg kg-1) como medicação pré-anestésica por via intramuscular (IM). Nos cães do grupo de tratamento foi administrado cetamina (1 mg kg-1), enquanto que os cães do grupo controle receberam solução salina a 0,9%, pela via intravenosa (IV). A indução da anestesia foi realizada com propofol IV a uma taxa de 1 mL minuto-1. Os padrões cardiopulmonares foram avaliados antes da aplicação da medicação pré-anestésica, 15 minutos após a mesma e após a indução da anestesia. Além disso, avaliou-se o escore de intubação traqueal, a presença de efeitos adversos e a dose de propofol necessária para a indução da anestesia. De forma significativa, o grupo controle apresentou mais efeitos adversos e alterações nos padrões cardiopulmonares quando comparado com o grupo de tratamento. Houve uma redução clinicamente importante da dose de propofol necessária para a indução de anestesia quando associado à cetamina. A associação de cetamina ao propofol para indução de anestesia em cães saudáveis foi capaz de reduzir a dose do anestésico geral necessária para intubação traqueal. Além disso, houve uma redução na ocorrência de efeitos adversos e depressão cardiopulmonar, o que permitiu um procedimento mais seguro para os pacientes.
Residential Proximity to Major Roads, Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter, and Coronary Artery Calcium
Authors: Dorans Kirsten S. , Wilker Elissa H. , Li Wenyuan , Rice Mary B. , Ljungman Petter L. , Schwartz Joel , Coull Brent A. , Kloog Itai , Koutrakis Petros , D’Agostino Ralph B. , Massaro Joseph M. , Hoffmann Udo , O’Donnell Christopher J. , Mittleman Murray A.
Published: June 2016

Objective—

Long-term exposure to traffic and particulate matter air pollution is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, potentially via atherosclerosis promotion. Prior research on associations of traffic and particulate matter with coronary artery calcium Agatston score (CAC), an atherosclerosis correlate, has yielded inconsistent findings. Given this background, we assessed whether residential proximity to major roadway or fine particulate matter were associated with CAC in a Northeastern US study.

Approach and Results—

We measured CAC ≤2 times from 2002 to 2005 and 2008 to 2011 among Framingham Offspring or Third-Generation Cohort participants. We assessed associations of residential distance to major roadway and residential fine particulate matter (2003 average; spatiotemporal model) with detectable CAC, using generalized estimating equation regression. We used linear mixed effects models to assess associations with log
e
(CAC). We also assessed associations with CAC progression. Models were adjusted for demographic variables, socioeconomic position markers, and time. Among 3399 participants, 51% had CAC measured twice. CAC was detectable in 47% of observations. At first scan, mean age was 52.2 years (standard deviation 11.7); 51% male. There were no consistent associations with detectable CAC, continuous CAC, or CAC progression. We observed heterogeneous associations of distance to major roadway with odds of detectable CAC by hypertensive status; interpretation of these findings is questionable.

Conclusions—

Our findings add to prior work and support evidence against strong associations of traffic or fine particulate matter with the presence, extent, or progression of CAC in a region with relatively low levels of and little variation in fine particulate matter.
Cadherin-11 Overexpression Induces Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Calcification in Mature Aortic Valves
Authors: Sung Derek C. , Bowen Caitlin J. , Vaidya Kiran A. , Zhou Jingjing , Chapurin Nikita , Recknagel Andrew , Zhou Bin , Chen Jonathan , Kotlikoff Michael , Butcher Jonathan T.
Published: June 2016

Objective—

Calcific aortic valve (AoV) disease is a significant clinical problem for which the regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. Enhanced cell–cell adhesion is a common mechanism of cellular aggregation, but its role in calcific lesion formation is not known. Cadherin-11 (Cad-11) has been associated with lesion formation in vitro, but its function during adult valve homeostasis and pathogenesis is not known. This study aims to elucidate the specific functions of Cad-11 and its downstream targets, RhoA and Sox9, in extracellular matrix remodeling and AoV calcification.

Approach and Results—

We conditionally overexpressed Cad-11 in murine heart valves using a novel double-transgenic
Nfatc1

Cre

;R26-Cad11

TglTg

mouse model. These mice developed hemodynamically significant aortic stenosis with prominent calcific lesions in the AoV leaflets. Cad-11 overexpression upregulated downstream targets, RhoA and Sox9, in the valve interstitial cells, causing calcification and extensive pathogenic extracellular matrix remodeling. AoV interstitial cells overexpressing Cad-11 in an osteogenic environment in vitro rapidly form calcific nodules analogous to in vivo lesions. Molecular analyses revealed upregulation of osteoblastic and myofibroblastic markers. Treatment with a Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor attenuated nodule formation, further supporting that Cad-11–driven calcification acts through the small GTPase RhoA/Rho-associated protein kinase signaling pathway.

Conclusions—

This study identifies one of the underlying molecular mechanisms of heart valve calcification and demonstrates that overexpression of Cad-11 upregulates RhoA and Sox9 to induce calcification and extracellular matrix remodeling in adult AoV pathogenesis. The findings provide a potential molecular target for clinical treatment.
Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Versus Surgical Valve Replacement in Patients at High Risk for Surgery
Authors: Little Stephen H. , Oh Jae K. , Gillam Linda , Sengupta Partho P. , Orsinelli David A. , Cavalcante João L. , Chang James D. , Adams David H. , Zorn George L. , Pollak Amy W. , Abdelmoneim Sahar S. , Reardon Michael J. , Qiao Hongyan , Popma Jeffrey J.
Published: June 2016

Background—

The CoreValve US High-Risk Clinical Study compared clinical outcomes and serial echocardiographic findings in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a self-expanding bioprosthesis or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Methods and Results—

Eligible patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to TAVR with a self-expanding bioprosthesis or SAVR (N=747). Echocardiograms were obtained at baseline, discharge, 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year after the procedure and were analyzed at a central core laboratory. Compared with SAVR patients (N=357), TAVR patients (N=390) had a lower mean aortic valve gradient, larger valve area, and less patient–prosthesis mismatch (all
P
<0.001), but more paravalvular regurgitation at discharge, which decreased at 1 year. SAVR patients experienced significant right ventricular systolic dysfunction at discharge and 1 month with normal right ventricular function at 1 year. One-year all-cause mortality was 14.2% for TAVR and 19.1% for SAVR patients. Preimplantation aortic regurgitation ≥mild was associated with reduced mortality hazard for both the TAVR (hazard ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.27–0.85;
P
=0.01) and the SAVR groups (hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.32–0.87;
P
=0.01). Aortic regurgitation ≥mild after TAVR was associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.95, 95% confidence interval 1.08–3.53;
P
=0.03).

Conclusions—

In patients with severe aortic stenosis at increased surgical risk, TAVR was associated with better systolic valve performance, similar left ventricular remodeling, more paravalvular regurgitation, and less right ventricular systolic dysfunction compared with SAVR. Despite an overall mortality reduction for the TAVR group, ≥mild aortic valve regurgitation after TAVR was associated with an increased mortality hazard.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01240902.
Systematic Evaluation of the Cellular Innate Immune Response During the Process of Human Atherosclerosis
Authors: van Dijk Rogier A. , Rijs Kevin , Wezel Anouk , Hamming Jaap F. , Kolodgie Frank D. , Virmani Renu , Schaapherder Alexander F. , Lindeman Jan H. N.
Published: June 2016

Background

The concept of innate immunity is well recognized within the spectrum of atherosclerosis, which is primarily dictated by macrophages. Although current insights to this process are largely based on murine models, there are fundamental differences in the atherosclerotic microenvironment and associated inflammatory response relative to humans. In this light, we characterized the cellular aspects of innate immune response in normal, nonprogressive, and progressive human atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods and Results

A systematic analysis of innate immune response was performed on 110 well‐characterized human perirenal aortic plaques with immunostaining for specific macrophage subtypes (M1 and M2 lineage) and their activation markers, neopterin and human leukocyte antigen–antigen D related (
HLA
‐
DR),
together with dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (
NK
) cells, mast cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils. Normal aortae were devoid of low‐density lipoprotein, macrophages, DCs,
NK
cells, mast cells, eosinophils, and neutrophils. Early, atherosclerotic lesions exhibited heterogeneous populations of (
CD
68
+
) macrophages, whereby 25% were double positive “M1” (
CD
68
+
/ inducible nitric oxide synthase [
iNOS
]
+
/
CD
163
−
), 13% “M2” double positive (
CD
68
+
/
iNOS
−
/
CD
163
+
), and 17% triple positive for (M1)
iNOS
(M2)/
CD
163 and
CD
68, with the remaining (≈40%) only stained for
CD
68. Progressive fibroatheromatous lesions, including vulnerable plaques, showed increasing numbers of
NK
cells and fascin‐positive cells mainly localized to the media and adventitia whereas the M1/M2 ratio and level of macrophage activation (
HLA
‐
DR
and neopterin) remained unchanged. On the contrary, stabilized (fibrotic) plaques showed a marked reduction in macrophages and cell activation with a concomitant decrease in
NK
cells, DCs, and neutrophils.

Conclusions

Macrophage “M1” and “M2” subsets, together with fascin‐positive DCs, are strongly associated with progressive and vulnerable atherosclerotic disease of human aorta. The observations here support a more complex theory of macrophage heterogeneity than the existing paradigm predicated on murine data and further indicate the involvement of (poorly defined) macrophage subtypes or greater dynamic range of macrophage plasticity than previously considered.
Transition-Based Parsing for Deep Dependency Structures
Authors: Zhang Xun , Du Yantao , Sun Weiwei , Wan Xiaojun
Published: June 2016

Derivations under different grammar formalisms allow extraction of various dependency structures. Particularly, bilexical deep dependency structures beyond surface tree representation can be derived from linguistic analysis grounded by CCG, LFG, and HPSG. Traditionally, these dependency structures are obtained as a by-product of grammar-guided parsers. In this article, we study the alternative data-driven, transition-based approach, which has achieved great success for tree parsing, to build general dependency graphs. We integrate existing tree parsing techniques and present two new transition systems that can generate arbitrary directed graphs in an incremental manner. Statistical parsers that are competitive in both accuracy and efficiency can be built upon these transition systems. Furthermore, the heterogeneous design of transition systems yields diversity of the corresponding parsing models and thus greatly benefits parser ensemble. Concerning the disambiguation problem, we introduce two new techniques, namely, transition combination and tree approximation, to improve parsing quality. Transition combination makes every action performed by a parser significantly change configurations. Therefore, more distinct features can be extracted for statistical disambiguation. With the same goal of extracting informative features, tree approximation induces tree backbones from dependency graphs and re-uses tree parsing techniques to produce tree-related features. We conduct experiments on CCG-grounded functor–argument analysis, LFG-grounded grammatical relation analysis, and HPSG-grounded semantic dependency analysis for English and Chinese. Experiments demonstrate that data-driven models with appropriate transition systems can produce high-quality deep dependency analysis, comparable to more complex grammar-driven models. Experiments also indicate the effectiveness of the heterogeneous design of transition systems for parser ensemble, transition combination, as well as tree approximation for statistical disambiguation.
Towards Accurate and Efficient Chinese Part-of-Speech Tagging
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Wan Xiaojun
Published: June 2016

From the perspective of structural linguistics, we explore paradigmatic and syntagmatic lexical relations for Chinese POS tagging, an important and challenging task for Chinese language processing. Paradigmatic lexical relations are explicitly captured by word clustering on large-scale unlabeled data and are used to design new features to enhance a discriminative tagger. Syntagmatic lexical relations are implicitly captured by syntactic parsing in the constituency formalism, and are utilized via system combination. Experiments on the Penn Chinese Treebank demonstrate the importance of both paradigmatic and syntagmatic relations. Our linguistically motivated, hybrid approaches yield a relative error reduction of 18% in total over state-of-the-art baselines. Despite the effectiveness to boost accuracy, computationally expensive parsers make hybrid systems inappropriate for many realistic NLP applications. In this article, we are also concerned with improving tagging efficiency at test time. In particular, we explore unlabeled data to transfer the predictive power of hybrid models to simple sequence models. Specifically, hybrid systems are utilized to create large-scale pseudo training data for cheap models. Experimental results illustrate that the re-compiled models not only achieve high accuracy with respect to per token classification, but also serve as a front-end to a parser well.
Expressive Power of Abstract Meaning Representations
Authors: Bos Johan
Published: June 2016

The syntax of abstract meaning representations (AMRs) can be defined recursively, and a systematic translation to first-order logic (FOL) can be specified, including a proper treatment of negation. AMRs without recurrent variables are in the decidable two-variable fragment of FOL. The current definition of AMRs has limited expressive power for universal quantification (up to one universal quantifier per sentence). A simple extension of the AMR syntax and translation to FOL provides the means to represent projection and scope phenomena.
Computational Sociolinguistics: A Survey
Authors: Nguyen Dong , Doğruöz A. Seza , Rosé Carolyn P. , de Jong Franciska
Published: June 2016

Language is a social phenomenon and variation is inherent to its social nature. Recently, there has been a surge of interest within the computational linguistics (CL) community in the social dimension of language. In this article we present a survey of the emerging field of “computational sociolinguistics” that reflects this increased interest. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of CL research on sociolinguistic themes, featuring topics such as the relation between language and social identity, language use in social interaction, and multilingual communication. Moreover, we demonstrate the potential for synergy between the research communities involved, by showing how the large-scale data-driven methods that are widely used in CL can complement existing sociolinguistic studies, and how sociolinguistics can inform and challenge the methods and assumptions used in CL studies. We hope to convey the possible benefits of a closer collaboration between the two communities and conclude with a discussion of open challenges.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over the Parietal Cortex Improves Approximate Numerical Averaging
Authors: Brezis Noam , Bronfman Zohar Z. , Jacoby Noa , Lavidor Michal , Usher Marius
Published: June 2016

The parietal cortex has been implicated in a variety of numerosity and numerical cognition tasks and was proposed to encompass dedicated neural populations that are tuned for analogue magnitudes as well as for symbolic numerals. Nonetheless, it remains unknown whether the parietal cortex plays a role in approximate numerical averaging (rapid, yet coarse computation of numbers' mean)—a process that is fundamental to preference formation and decision-making. To causally investigate the role of the parietal cortex in numerical averaging, we have conducted a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) study, in which participants were presented with rapid sequences of numbers and asked to convey their intuitive estimation of each sequence's average. During the task, the participants underwent anodal (excitatory) tDCS (or sham), applied either on a parietal or a frontal region. We found that, although participants exhibit above-chance accuracy in estimating the average of numerical sequences, they did so with higher precision under parietal stimulation. In a second experiment, we have replicated this finding and confirmed that the effect is number-specific rather than domain-general or attentional. We present a neurocomputational model postulating population-coding underlying rapid numerical averaging to account for our findings. According to this model, stimulation of the parietal cortex elevates neural activity in number-tuned dedicated detectors, leading to increase in the system's signal-to-noise level and thus resulting in more precise estimations.
Rapid Parallel Attentional Selection Can Be Controlled by Shape and Alphanumerical Category
Authors: Jenkins Michael , Grubert Anna , Eimer Martin
Published: June 2016

Previous research has shown that when two color-defined target objects appear in rapid succession at different locations, attention is deployed independently and in parallel to both targets. This study investigated whether this rapid simultaneous attentional target selection mechanism can also be employed in tasks where targets are defined by a different visual feature (shape) or when alphanumerical category is the target selection attribute. Two displays that both contained a target and a nontarget object on opposite sides were presented successively, and the SOA between the two displays was 100, 50, 20, or 10 msec in different blocks. N2pc components were recorded to both targets as a temporal marker of their attentional selection. When observers searched for shape-defined targets (Experiment 1), N2pc components to the two targets were equal in size and overlapped in time when the SOA between the two displays was short, reflecting two parallel shape-guided target selection processes with their own independent time course. Essentially the same temporal pattern of N2pc components was observed when alphanumerical category was the target-defining attribute (Experiment 2), demonstrating that the rapid parallel attentional selection of multiple target objects is not restricted to situations where the deployment of attention can be guided by elementary visual features but that these processes can even be employed in category-based attentional selection tasks. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the cognitive and neural basis of top–down attentional control.
Neural and Behavioral Evidence for Infants' Sensitivity to the Trustworthiness of Faces
Authors: Jessen Sarah , Grossmann Tobias
Published: June 2016

Face evaluation is a key aspect of face processing in humans, serving important functions in regulating social interactions. Adults and preschool children readily evaluate faces with respect to a person's trustworthiness and dominance. However, it is unclear whether face evaluation is mainly a product of extensive learning or a foundational building block of face perception already during infancy. We examined infants' sensitivity to facial signs of trustworthiness (Experiment 1) and dominance (Experiment 2) by measuring ERPs and looking behavior in response to faces that varied with respect to the two facial attributes. Results revealed that 7-month-old infants are sensitive to facial signs of trustworthiness but not dominance. This sensitivity was reflected in infants' behavioral preference and in the modulation of brain responses previously linked to emotion detection from faces. These findings provide first evidence that processing faces with respect to trustworthiness has its origins in infancy and shed light on the behavioral and neural correlates of this early emerging sensitivity.
Business and Human Rights in Viet Nam
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thanh Hai
Published: June 2016

This article explores how business activities have impacted on human rights in the energy industry by looking at the implications of the involuntary resettlements in hydro power dam projects in the affected communities in Viet Nam. It argues that despite the government’s consideration of hydropower as a main avenue to meet the need for energy demands with huge potential benefit for the national economy, the development of hydroelectric projects in Viet Nam has had certain human rights concerns. The risk for human rights violation may occur at any stage before, during and after the implementing of dam development projects. However, the most affected group is the displaced people as the result of the involuntary resettlement process. While the government has issued some policies, strategies and programmes to affected communities, these responses, however, were insufficient to adress concerns and lacked a human rights based approach. This article finds that the people and community being displaced due to the construction of the dam have been facing a number of human rights concerns, including the violation of particular rights such as the right to livelihood/food security, right to land, and the right to culture.