bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single‐staged implant placement using bone ring technique with and without membrane placement: An experimental study in the Beagle dog
Authors: Haga‐Tsujimura Maiko , Nakahara Ken , Kobayashi Eizaburo , Igarashi Kensuke , Schaller Benoit , Saulacic Nikola
Published: December 2017

Aim

To evaluate the impact of a collagen membrane on bone remodeling and osseointegration of implants placed simultaneously with a bone ring technique.

Material and Methods

Standardized, vertical alveolar bone defects in the mandibles of six dogs were created. Tapered dental implants designed for two‐stage subcrestal placement were inserted simultaneously with a bone ring technique. On one side of the mandible, the augmented sites were covered with a collagenous membrane. Implants with (M Group) and without membranes (NM Group) were left for an osseointegration period of 3 and 6 months, respectively. Block biopsies of the implants with surrounding bone were harvested and analyzed histologically.

Results

Implant exposure was a common finding (2/3) concomitantly with loss of healing caps. It appeared to be related to advanced bone loss around the implants. Exposure of implants was more frequent in M Group, however, without significant differences when compared to NM Group. The total bone area within the region of the bone ring was greater in the NM Group compared to the M Group. Moreover, in the region of the pristine bone of the M Group, the total bone was greater than at the corresponding NM Group sites at both observation periods. A nonparametric analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant effects of membrane placement or healing period on the total area of the bone. The total bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) for the two groups was similar at each observation time point. However, BIC increased significantly at 6‐month compared with 3‐month observation period (p = .0088) in both groups.

Conclusions

In vertical bone augmentation applying the bone ring technique, the disruption of soft tissue was a frequent complication. Membrane placement yielded no significant advantage on the osseointegration (BIC) of implants or bone characteristics.
Combined Erlotinib and PF‐03084014 treatment contributes to synthetic lethality in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Yang , Wang Zhao , Ding Xu , Dong Yibo , Zhang Wei , Zhang Wei , Zhong Yi , Gu Wenyi , Wu Yunong , Song Xiaomeng
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is characterized by high mortality and low survival rates. As an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, Erlotinib has been approved for treatment of various tumours. PF‐03084014 is a selective inhibitor of Notch1 signalling. This study aimed to explore new approaches for simultaneously targeting EGFR and Notch1 signalling to attenuate tumour growth and improve survival.

Materials and methods

Cell proliferation was determined by CCK‐8 assay and Flow cytometry. Cell invasive ability was determined by Transwell assay. Western blot was used to test the expression of Notch1 and EGFR pathway. Cleaved Caspase‐3 staining and TUNEL assay were used to verify the apoptosis through combined treatment.

Results

We first confirmed proliferative inhibition and cell death in HNSCC with combined Erlotinib and PF‐03084014 treatment. Moreover, we found PF‐03084014 reversed the increased invasion induced by Erlotinib. In a preclinical therapeutic drug trial in vivo, combined treatment effectively abrogated tumour growth. Most importantly, one mechanism was found that PF‐03084014 alone could activate the PI3K/AKT signalling, the downstream of EGFR signalling, and Erlotinib alone could activate the intracellular domain of Notch1 (NICD), while combined treatment of PF‐03084014 and Erlotinib suppressed the HNSCC growth.

Conclusions

These results suggested that concomitant inhibition of the Notch1 and EGFR pathways represented a rational strategy for promoting apoptosis in HNSCC and overcoming treatment resistance.
Hepcidin and DNA promoter methylation in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Udali Silvia , Castagna Annalisa , Corbella Michela , Ruzzenente Andrea , Moruzzi Sara , Mazzi Filippo , Campagnaro Tommaso , De Santis Domenica , Franceschi Antonia , Pattini Patrizia , Gottardo Rossella , Olivieri Oliviero , Perbellini Luigi , Guglielmi Alfredo , Choi Sang‐Woon , Girelli Domenico , Friso Simonetta
Published: December 2017

Background

The liver hormone hepcidin regulates iron homoeostasis that is often altered in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Epigenetic phenomena control gene expression through a dynamic fashion; therefore, considering the plasticity of both iron homoeostasis and epigenetic mechanisms and their role in liver carcinogenesis, we investigated whether hepcidin gene (HAMP) expression is modulated by DNA methylation, thus affecting iron status in human HCC.

Materials and methods

Thirty‐two patients affected by nonviral HCC were enrolled, and their main clinical and biochemical characteristics were obtained. Neoplastic and homologous non‐neoplastic liver tissues were analysed for HAMP promoter DNA methylation, for HAMP gene expression and for iron content. An in vitro demethylation assay with a human hepatocarcinoma cell line was performed to evaluate the role of DNA methylation on HAMP transcriptional repression.

Results

Gene expression and DNA methylation analyses on tissues showed that HAMP was transcriptionally repressed in HCC tissues consensually with a promoter hypermethylation. Furthermore, patients with HCC had low serum hepcidin concentrations, and HCC tissues had relative iron depletion as compared to non‐neoplastic liver tissues. The cell culture model showed the functional role of DNA hypermethylation by downregulating HAMP gene expression. Through a quantitative methylation analysis on HCC tissues, we then proved that methylation at definite CpG sites within consensus sequences for specific transcription factors is possibly the mechanism underlying HAMP repression.

Conclusions

This study highlights a novel role for HAMP downregulation through DNA promoter hypermethylation and emphasises the significance of epigenetics in the regulation of iron metabolism in HCC.
Models meet data: Challenges and opportunities in implementing land management in Earth system models
Authors: Pongratz Julia , Dolman Han , Don Axel , Erb Karl‐Heinz , Fuchs Richard , Herold Martin , Jones Chris , Kuemmerle Tobias , Luyssaert Sebastiaan , Meyfroidt Patrick , Naudts Kim
Published: December 2017

As the applications of Earth system models (ESMs) move from general climate projections toward questions of mitigation and adaptation, the inclusion of land management practices in these models becomes crucial. We carried out a survey among modeling groups to show an evolution from models able only to deal with land‐cover change to more sophisticated approaches that allow also for the partial integration of land management changes. For the longer term a comprehensive land management representation can be anticipated for all major models. To guide the prioritization of implementation, we evaluate ten land management practices—forestry harvest, tree species selection, grazing and mowing harvest, crop harvest, crop species selection, irrigation, wetland drainage, fertilization, tillage, and fire—for (1) their importance on the Earth system, (2) the possibility of implementing them in state‐of‐the‐art ESMs, and (3) availability of required input data. Matching these criteria, we identify “low‐hanging fruits” for the inclusion in ESMs, such as basic implementations of crop and forestry harvest and fertilization. We also identify research requirements for specific communities to address the remaining land management practices. Data availability severely hampers modeling the most extensive land management practice, grazing and mowing harvest, and is a limiting factor for a comprehensive implementation of most other practices. Inadequate process understanding hampers even a basic assessment of crop species selection and tillage effects. The need for multiple advanced model structures will be the challenge for a comprehensive implementation of most practices but considerable synergy can be gained using the same structures for different practices. A continuous and closer collaboration of the modeling, Earth observation, and land system science communities is thus required to achieve the inclusion of land management in ESMs.
Multidimensional factors associated with the loss of independence: A population‐based longitudinal study
Authors: Kabayama Mai , Mikami Hiroshi , Kamide Kei
Published: December 2017

Aim

To clarify the factors associated with loss of independence multidimensionally over a 3‐year period among community‐dwelling older adults.

Methods

The survey was exclusively carried out by the local government for people aged >65 years who were independent at baseline living in H‐City, a mid‐sized urban city in Japan. The participants completed a self‐administered postal questionnaire, and we obtained data regarding their loss of independence from administrative records 3 years later.

Results

A total of 22 328 participants completed the follow up (baseline mean age 71.6 years). At follow up, 998 (4.3%) participants were categorized as dependent, with 606 requiring partial support in toileting, bathing and so on (mild loss of independence), and 392 requiring complete support (severe loss). Factors independently associated with mild loss of independence after 3 years for both men and women were advanced age, low physical function, low nutritional status, low cognitive function and high depression risk. In contrast, factors independently associated with severe loss of independence were advanced age, low physical function and high depression risk in men, and advanced age, and low physical and cognitive function in women.

Conclusions

We clarified the variety of factors associated with loss of independence according to its severity, and the strength of those independent associations was different in the whole city longitudinal study. The present study's findings have important clinical implications for the development of better preventive medicine to establish a society of healthy longevity. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 448–455.
Histological assessment of the liver explant in transplanted hepatitis C virus patients achieving sustained virological response with direct‐acting antiviral agents
Authors: Putra Juan , Schiano Thomas D , Fiel M Isabel
Published: December 2017

Aims

The use of direct‐acting anti‐viral agents (DAAs) has resulted in extremely high sustained virological response (SVR) rates in patients being treated while on liver transplantation (LT) waiting lists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological findings of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients who achieved SVR after receiving DAA treatment [SVR(+)] prior to LT, and compare them with HCV patients who had not achieved SVR [SVR(−)].

Methods and results

Fifty‐eight adult HCV patients who underwent LT at our institution from 2014 to 2016 were included in the study. Two pathologists, blinded to SVR status, simultaneously evaluated the histological sections. Assessment included the Histology Activity Index (HAI/modified Knodell score), fibrosis stage (Ishak score), and Laennec cirrhosis stage. The study group comprised 25 SVR(+) patients (56% male; mean age, 63.8 years), and the control group comprised 33 SVR(−) patients (69% male; mean age, 61.7 years). There was no significant difference in HAI between the groups (P = 0.414). Patients who achieved SVR also did not show less portal inflammation (P = 0.787), interface hepatitis (P = 0.999), confluent necrosis (P = 0.627) or spotty necrosis (P = 0.093) than the control group. There was a trend towards a higher degree of inflammation in patients who achieved SVR in <24 weeks (P = 0.07). The degree of focal lytic necrosis/apoptosis and portal inflammation was more prominent in SVR(+) patients with shorter SVR–LT intervals.

Conclusions

Our study is the first to report persistent inflammation in HCV patients who received DAAs prior to LT. This supports the notion that inflammation is immunologically driven and that inflammation persists despite the absence of virus.
RNA interference‐mediated functional characterization of aquaporin genes in Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Yao X.‐X. , Meng Q.‐W. , Li G.‐Q.
Published: December 2017

An obvious challenge faced by most terrestrial insects is maintaining water homeostasis in an arid environment. Current research suggests aquaporins may be evolved to meet the challenge. However, up to now, this suggestion has not been verified in any insect that feeds upon solid food with mandibulate mouthparts. In the present paper, nine putative aquaporin genes [Tribolium castaneum big brain, T. castaneum Drosophila integral protein (TcDrip), T. castaneum Pyrocoelia rufa integral protein (TcPrip), T. castaneum aquaporin 12‐like, T. castaneum entomoglyceroporin 1 (TcEglp1), TcEglp2, TcEglp3, TcEglp4 and TcEglp5] were identified in T. castaneum. The transcripts of the nine genes were easily detectable in the foregut, midgut, hindgut–Malpighian tubule complex, fat body and carcass (except gut and fat body). Amongst them TcDrip, TcPrip, TcEglp1, TcEglp3 and TcEglp5 were highly transcribed in the hindgut–Malpighian tubule complex; TcEglp4 was abundantly expressed in both the fat body and hindgut–Malpighian tubule complex. RNA interference (RNAi)‐mediated knockdown of TcEglp3 caused a grey larval cuticle, in contrast to a smooth and bright cuticle in control larvae. Approximately 40% of the TcEglp3 RNAi larvae had their hindguts protruding from the anus; their fresh wet faeces were attached to the hindgut. Another 20% of these treated larvae did not defaecate normally; wet brown faeces were adhered to the anal area. As a result, the larval growth was inhibited and about 60% larval lethality occurred. Silencing of TcEglp4 or TcDrip exhibited similar but weaker defective phenotypes as those of the TcEglp3‐silenced larvae. Therefore, Eglp3, Eglp4 and Drip may contribute to the conductance of water in the alimentary canal and Malpighian tubules in T. castaneum.
Understanding Membership in a World of Global Migration: (How) Does Citizenship Matter?
Authors: Bloemraad Irene , Sheares Alicia
Published: December 2017

This article synthesizes the literature on citizenship and immigration to evaluate the heft of citizenship and theorize why it matters. We examine why citizenship laws vary cross-nationally and why some immigrants acquire citizenship while others do not. We consider how citizenship influences rights, identities, and participation and the mechanisms by which citizenship could influence lives. We consider frameworks, such as cultural and performative citizenship, that de-center legal status and the nation-state. Ultimately, we argue for a claims-making approach to citizenship, one that is a relational process of recognition, includes actors outside the individual/state dyad, and focuses on claims to legitimate membership.
Serum androgens and prostate‐specific antigen levels in androgenetic alopecia: is there a difference between frontal and vertex baldness?
Authors: Lis‐Święty A. , Arasiewicz H. , Ranosz‐Janicka I. , Brzezińska‐Wcisło L.
Published: December 2017

Background

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) seems to be a marker of increased risk of prostate cancer (PCa).

Objective

We sought to investigate potential pathophysiological differences between frontal and vertex balding that might have the impact on the incidence of PCa.

Methods

Serum concentrations of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) were measured in 88 subjects with AGA.

Results

We have examined sixty patients with frontal baldness and 28 patients with vertex baldness. The subgroups did not differ significantly in age, BMI and as regards age of AGA onset, duration of AGA and comorbidities. The mean value of DHT in serum of the men with vertex baldness was higher than those in the men with frontal baldness with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The groups did not show significant differences in mean value of serum T and PSA levels, and DHT/T ratio. No correlation was found between the serum PSA level and serum androgen levels as well as DHT/T ratio.

Conclusions

Vertex baldness may signal higher exposures to circulating DHT. Serum PSA level cannot serve as surrogate diagnostic marker of increased androgenic activity in men with AGA.
Acetate provokes mitochondrial stress and cell death in Ustilago maydis
Authors: Kretschmer Matthias , Lambie Scott , Croll Daniel , Kronstad James W.
Published: December 2017

The fungal pathogen Ustilago maydis causes disease on maize by mating to establish an infectious filamentous cell type that invades the host and induces tumours. We previously found that β‐oxidation mutants were defective in virulence and did not grow on acetate. Here, we demonstrate that acetate inhibits filamentation during mating and in response to oleic acid. We therefore examined the influence of different carbon sources by comparing the transcriptomes of cells grown on acetate, oleic acid or glucose, with expression changes for the fungus during tumour formation in planta. Guided by the transcriptional profiling, we found that acetate negatively influenced resistance to stress, promoted the formation of reactive oxygen species, triggered cell death in stationary phase and impaired virulence on maize. We also found that acetate induced mitochondrial stress by interfering with mitochondrial functions. Notably, the disruption of oxygen perception or inhibition of the electron transport chain also influenced filamentation and mating. Finally, we made use of the connections between acetate and β‐oxidation to test metabolic inhibitors for an influence on growth and virulence. These experiments identified diclofenac as a potential inhibitor of virulence. Overall, these findings support the possibility of targeting mitochondrial metabolic functions to control fungal pathogens.
Liver transplant for metastatic pancreatoblastoma: 7‐year event‐free survival after chemotherapy, pancreatectomy, complete hepatectomy, and liver transplant
Authors: Ghaffarian A. A. , Book L. , Meyers R. L.
Published: December 2017

Pancreatoblastoma is a rare malignant tumor in children. Surgical resection of the tumor is necessary for cure; however, due to its aggressive nature, it is often unresectable at presentation due to tumor size, local invasion, and/or metastasis. Because it is a rare tumor, there is currently no standard treatment regimen. We report a case of a 4‐year‐old boy who presented with metastatic pancreatoblastoma with multiple large metastases involving all four sectors of the liver. We began treatment with chemotherapy (cisplatin, 5FU, vincristine, and doxorubicin), which significantly reduced the tumor burden in both the pancreas and liver. We then performed a staged subtotal pancreatectomy, complete hepatectomy, and living donor left lateral segment liver transplant. This was followed by postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Our patient is alive and healthy and has now been tumor‐free for 7 years with no tumor relapse.
Ultraviolet B eye irradiation aggravates atopic dermatitis via adrenocorticotropic hormone and NLRP3 inflammasome in NC/Nga mice
Authors: Hiramoto Keiichi , Yamate Yurika , Yokoyama Satoshi
Published: December 2017

Background

Ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation has been shown to improve atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the relationship between UVB eye irradiation and AD is not known. This issue was addressed using a mouse model of AD.

Methods

The eyes of NC/Nga mice were irradiated with UVB at a dose of 1.0 kJ/m2 using a 20SE sunlamp for the duration of the experimental period.

Results

AD symptoms deteriorated upon UVB eye irradiation. The levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the plasma and nucleotide‐binding domain and leucine‐rich‐containing family, pyrin domain‐containing (NLRP)3 and neutrophil markers in the skin were increased in UVB‐irradiated mice. Treatment with inhibitors of ACTH, caspase‐1, interleukin‐18, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) partly reversed the effects of irradiation, with the greatest improvement observed upon ACTH inhibition. The NLRP3 inflammasome was implicated in the effects of UVB irradiation.

Conclusions

UVB eye irradiation causes AD symptom deterioration, which is likely mediated by ACTH and the activity of the inflammasome.
TADEA‐PCR is a highly efficient method of amplifying unknown flanking fragments of T‐DNA transformants
Authors: Yang Yun , Cao Yuan , Xu Hua‐Quan , Gao Long , Guo Xue , Liu Xue‐Qiong , Zhang Li , Zhang Xue‐Xin , Wang Dan‐Yang
Published: December 2017

Forward genetic analysis, widely used to find new gene functions, benefits from the availability of mutants. At present, based on Agrobacterium‐mediated plant transformation technology, many transfer (T)‐DNA transformants have been created. However, cloning their T‐DNA insertion sites, which enables identification of the mutated genes, is still challenging. In this study, we improved adapter ligation‐mediated polymerase chain reaction (A‐PCR), which mainly utilizes the Thermal Asymmetric interlaced reaction and Degenerate sequence‐recognizing restriction Endonucleases (TADE). Using the new method TADE‐mediated A‐PCR (TADEA‐PCR), we successfully cloned 22 of all the 24 junction sites in 10 Arabidopsis thaliana L. transformants that contained 12 T‐DNA insertions in total, giving a success rate of 91.7%. In most cases, the two junction sites resulting from a single T‐DNA insertion were simultaneously cloned. In addition, TADEA‐PCR was able to clone more than two junction sites present in one transformant containing several T‐DNA insertions. Overall, TADEA‐PCR is a powerful technique for cloning T‐DNA insertion sites.
Parental communication about emotional contexts: Differences across discrete categories of emotion
Authors: Knothe Jennifer M. , Walle Eric A.
Published: December 2017

Parent socialization of emotion is critical for children's emotional development. One mechanism through which parents socialize emotional understanding is in their conversations about emotions with their children. Previous research has investigated parent–child discourse about emotions differing by positive and negative valence. This study examined how parents communicated about and differentially emphasized elements of discrete emotion contexts (anger, sadness, disgust, fear, joy). Caregivers described images of emotional contexts to their 18‐month‐old or 24‐month‐old infant. Findings indicated that parents talked more about sadness images than joy images. Furthermore, parents mentioned the emoter more in anger and sadness contexts and talked about the referent more in disgust, fear, and joy contexts. Parents also posed more questions to female than male infants, particularly when discussing anger, sadness, and disgust images. No age differences were observed for any measure. These findings provide new insight into how parents talk about and highlight aspects of discrete emotional contexts.
Plant behaviour under combined stress: tomato responses to combined salinity and pathogen stress
Authors: Bai Yuling , Kissoudis Christos , Yan Zhe , Visser Richard G.F. , van der Linden Gerard
Published: December 2017

Crop plants are subjected to a variety of stresses during their lifecycle, including abiotic stress factors such as salinity and biotic stress factors such as pathogens. Plants have developed a multitude of defense and adaptation responses to these stress factors. In the field, different stress factors mostly occur concurrently resulting in a new state of stress, the combined stress. There is evidence that plant resistance to pathogens can be attenuated or enhanced by abiotic stress factors. With stress tolerance research being mostly focused on plant responses to individual stresses, the understanding of a plant's ability to adapt to combined stresses is limited. In the last few years, we studied powdery mildew resistance under salt stress conditions in the model crop plant tomato with the aim to understand the requirements to achieve plant resilience to a wider array of combined abiotic and biotic stress combinations. We uncovered specific responses of tomato plants to combined salinity‐pathogen stress, which varied with salinity intensity and plant resistance genes. Moreover, hormones, with their complex regulation and cross‐talk, were shown to play a key role in the adaptation of tomato plants to the combined stress. In this review, we attempt to understand the complexity of plant responses to abiotic and biotic stress combinations, with a focus on tomato responses (genetic control and cross‐talk of signaling pathways) to combined salinity and pathogen stresses. Further, we provide recommendations on how to design novel strategies for breeding crops with a sustained performance under diverse environmental conditions.
A Benchmark Study of Modeling Lamb Wave Scattering by a Through Hole Using a Time-Domain Spectral Element Method
Authors: Liu Menglong , Schmicker David , Su Zhongqing , Cui Fangsen
Published: December 2017

Ultrasonic guided waves (GWs) are being extensively investigated and applied to nondestructive evaluation and structural health monitoring. Guided waves are, under most circumstances, excited in a frequency range up to several hundred kilohertz or megahertz for detecting defect/damage effectively. In this regard, numerical simulation using finite element analysis (FEA) offers a powerful tool to study the interaction between wave and defect/damage. Nevertheless, the simulation, based on linear/quadratic interpolation, may be inaccurate to depict the complex wave mode shape. Moreover, the mass lumping technique used in FEA for diagonalizing mass matrix in the explicit time integration may also undermine the calculation accuracy. In recognition of this, a time domain spectral element method (SEM)—a high-order FEA with Gauss–Lobatto–Legendre (GLL) node distribution and Lobatto quadrature algorithm—is studied to accurately model wave propagation. To start with, a simplified two-dimensional (2D) plane strain model of Lamb wave propagation is developed using SEM. The group velocity of the fundamental antisymmetric mode (A0) is extracted as indicator of accuracy, where SEM exhibits a trend of quick convergence rate and high calculation accuracy (0.03% error). A benchmark study of calculation accuracy and efficiency using SEM is accomplished. To further extend SEM-based simulation to interpret wave propagation in structures of complex geometry, a three-dimensional (3D) SEM model with arbitrary in-plane geometry is developed. Three-dimensional numerical simulation is conducted in which the scattering of A0 mode by a through hole is interrogated, showing a good match with experimental and analytical results.
Feasibility Study of Longitudinal–Torsional-Coupled Rotary Ultrasonic Machining of Brittle Material
Authors: Wang Jianjian , Zhang Jianfu , Feng Pingfa , Guo Ping , Zhang Qiaoli
Published: December 2017

In order to further improve the processing performance of rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM), a novel longitudinal–torsional-coupled (LTC) vibration was applied to the RUM. An experimental study on quartz glass was performed to access the feasibility of the LTC-RUM of a brittle material. The LTC-RUM was executed through the addition of helical flutes on the tool of conventional longitudinal RUM (Con-RUM). The experimental results demonstrated that the LTC-RUM could reduce the cutting force by 55% and the edge chipping size at the hole exit by 45% on an average, compared to the Con-RUM. Moreover, the LTC-RUM could also improve the quality of the hole wall through the reduction of surface roughness, in particular, when the spindle speed was relatively low. The mechanism of superior processing performance of LTC-RUM involved the corresponding specific moving trajectory of diamond abrasives, along with higher lengths of lateral cracks produced during the abrasives indentation on the workpiece material. The higher edge chipping size at the hole entrance of LTC-RUM indicated a higher length of lateral cracks in LTC-RUM, due to the increase in the maximum cutting speed. Furthermore, the effect of spindle speed on the cutting force and surface roughness variations verified the important role of the moving trajectory of the diamond abrasive in the superior processing performance mechanism of LTC-RUM.
Pathogen Identification by Multiplex LightMix Real-Time PCR Assay in Patients with Meningitis and Culture-Negative Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens
Authors: Wagner Karoline , Springer Burkard , Pires Valeria P. , Keller Peter M.
Published: December 2017

Acute bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency, and delays in initiating effective antimicrobial therapy result in increased morbidity and mortality. Culture-based methods, thus far considered the “gold standard” for identifying bacterial microorganisms, require 24 to 48 h to provide a diagnosis. In addition, antimicrobial therapy is often started prior to clinical sample collection, thereby decreasing the probability of confirming the bacterial pathogen by culture-based methods. To enable a fast and accurate detection of the most important bacterial pathogens causing meningitis, namely,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
,
Haemophilus influenzae
,
Neisseria meningitidis
,
Streptococcus agalactiae
, and
Listeria monocytogenes
, we evaluated a commercially available multiplex LightMix real-time PCR (RT-PCR) in 220 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. The majority of CSF samples were collected by lumbar puncture, but we also included some CSF samples from patients with symptoms of meningitis from the neurology department that were recovered from shunts. CSF samples were analyzed by multiplex RT-PCR enabling a first diagnosis within a few hours after sample arrival at our institute. In contrast, bacterial identification took between 24 and 48 h by culture. Overall, a high agreement of bacterial identification between culture and multiplex RT-PCR was observed (99%). Moreover, multiplex RT-PCR enabled the detection of pathogens,
S. pneumoniae
(
n
= 2),
S. agalactiae
(
n
= 1), and
N. meningitidis
(
n
= 1), in four culture-negative samples. As a complement to classical bacteriological CSF culture, the LightMix RT-PCR assay proved to be valuable by improving the rapidity and accuracy of the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.
The Human Gut Microbial Metabolome Modulates Fungal Growth via the TOR Signaling Pathway
Authors: García Carlos , Tebbji Faiza , Daigneault Michelle , Liu Ning-Ning , Köhler Julia R. , Allen-Vercoe Emma , Sellam Adnane
Published: December 2017

Candida albicans
is a natural component of the human microbiota but also an opportunistic pathogen that causes life-threatening infections. The human gastrointestinal tract is the main reservoir of
C. albicans
, from where systemic infections originate as a consequence of the disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Recent studies provided convincing evidence that overgrowth of
C. albicans
and other related species in the gut is predominantly associated with chronic intestinal inflammatory bowel diseases. Here, we showed, for the first time, the antagonistic interkingdom interactions between
C. albicans
and common intestinal commensal bacteria. From a therapeutic perspective, administering a defined bacterial community, such as the one described here with anti-
Candida
activity, could provide potential therapeutic protection against gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases.
HSimulator: Hybrid Stochastic/Deterministic Simulation of Biochemical Reaction Networks
Authors: Marchetti Luca , Lombardo Rosario , Priami Corrado
Published: December 2017

HSimulator is a multithread simulator for mass-action biochemical reaction systems placed in a well-mixed environment. HSimulator provides optimized implementation of a set of widespread state-of-the-art stochastic, deterministic, and hybrid simulation strategies including the first publicly available implementation of the Hybrid Rejection-based Stochastic Simulation Algorithm (HRSSA). HRSSA, the fastest hybrid algorithm to date, allows for an efficient simulation of the models while ensuring the exact simulation of a subset of the reaction network modeling slow reactions. Benchmarks show that HSimulator is often considerably faster than the other considered simulators. The software, running on Java v6.0 or higher, offers a simulation GUI for modeling and visually exploring biological processes and a Javadoc-documented Java library to support the development of custom applications. HSimulator is released under the COSBI Shared Source license agreement (COSBI-SSLA).
Design of Robust Supertwisting Algorithm Based Second-Order Sliding Mode Controller for Nonlinear Systems with Both Matched and Unmatched Uncertainty
Authors: Jouini Marwa , Dhahri Slim , Sellami Anis
Published: December 2017

This paper proposes a robust supertwisting algorithm (STA) design for nonlinear systems where both matched and unmatched uncertainties are considered. The main contributions reside primarily to conceive a novel structure of STA, in order to ensure the desired performance of the uncertain nonlinear system. The modified algorithm is formed of double closed-loop feedback, in which two linear terms are added to the classical STA. In addition, an integral sliding mode switching surface is proposed to construct the attractiveness and reachability of sliding mode. Sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the exact differentiation stability in finite time based on Lyapunov function theory. Finally, a comparative study for a variable-length pendulum system illustrates the robustness and the effectiveness of the proposed approach compared to other STA schemes.
The Role of Lower Airway Dysbiosis in Asthma: Dysbiosis and Asthma
Authors: Lu Junying , Xiong Lingxin , Zhang Xiaohao , Liu Zhongmin , Wang Shiji , Zhang Chao , Zheng Jingtong , Wang Guoqiang , Zheng Ruipeng , Simpson Jodie L. , Wang Fang
Published: December 2017

With the development of culture-independent techniques, numerous studies have demonstrated that the lower airway is not sterile in health and harbors diverse microbial communities. Furthermore, new evidence suggests that there is a distinct lower airway microbiome in those with chronic respiratory disease. To understand the role of lower airway dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of asthma, in this article, we review the published reports about the lung microbiome of healthy controls, provide an outlook on the contribution of lower airway dysbiosis to asthma, especially steroid-resistant asthma, and discuss the potential therapies targeted for lower airway dysbiosis.
About a Class of Positive Hybrid Dynamic Linear Systems and an Associate Extended Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov Lemma
Authors: De la Sen M.
Published: December 2017

This paper formulates an “ad hoc” robust version under parametrical disturbances of the discrete version of the Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov Lemma for a class of positive hybrid dynamic linear systems which consist of a continuous-time system coupled with a discrete-time or a digital one. An extended discrete system, whose state vector contains both the digital one and the discretization of the continuous-time one at sampling instants, is a key analysis element in the formulation. The hyperstability and asymptotic hyperstability properties of the studied class of positive hybrid systems under feedback from any member of a nonlinear (and, eventually, time-varying) class of controllers, which satisfies a Popov’s-type inequality, are also investigated as linked to the positive realness of the associated transfer matrices.
Avanços teóricos e metodológicos na Leitura da América Latina: contribuições de José de Souza Martins
Authors: Suzuki Júlio César
Published: December 2017

José de Souza Martins é um dos mais relevantes intelectuais brasileiros que se propuseram a constituir um pensamento novo para compreender a relação entre o atraso e a modernidade que, imbricados, marcam a sociedade brasileira. Sua contribuição, no entanto, vai para muito além do território brasileiro. Assim, pretendemos discutir os aportes teóricos e metodológicos na leitura da sociedade brasileira, em José de Souza Martins, relevantes, inclusive, para a compreensão da realidade latino-americana. Com base, então, em sua biografia e obra, relacionamos preocupações que aparecem em sua construção como intelectual das ciências sociais, bem como autores e categorias que fazem parte de suas argumentações, o que lhe garante originalidade e atualidade, no bojo de um pensamento em constante reformulação e aprimoramento.
Inferring Circulation and Lateral Eddy Fluxes in the Arctic Ocean’s Deep Canada Basin Using an Inverse Method
Authors: Dosser Hayley V. , Timmermans Mary-Louise
Published: December 2017

The deep waters in the Canada Basin display a complex temperature and salinity structure, the evolution of which is poorly understood. The fundamental physical processes driving changes in these deep water masses are investigated using an inverse method based on tracer conservation combined with empirical orthogonal function analysis of repeat hydrographic measurements between 2003 and 2015. Changes in tracer fields in the deep Canada Basin are found to be dominated by along-isopycnal diffusion of water properties from the margins into the central basin, with advection by the large-scale Beaufort Gyre circulation as well as localized, vertical mixing playing important secondary roles. In the Barents Sea branch of the Atlantic Water layer, centered around 1200-m depth, diffusion is shown to be nearly twice as important as advection to lateral transport. Along-isopycnal diffusivity is estimated to be ~300–600 m2 s−1. Large-scale circulation patterns and lateral advective velocities associated with the anticyclonic Beaufort Gyre are inferred, with an average speed of 0.6 cm s−1. Below about 1500 m, along-isopycnal diffusivity is estimated to be ~200–400 m2 s−1.
State Funding for Human Rights Activism: Channeling Protest?
Authors: Clément Dominique
Published: December 2017

Channeling theory posits that external funding for social movements, rather than coopting activism, channels activism into more structured and less militants forms. Studies on channeling, however, focus on private funding. The following article examines whether public funding has a comparable effect on social movements. Using the human rights movement in Canada as a case study, it examines several issues relating to channeling: why funders support activism; funding as social control or altruism; how funding is related to consolidating movement gains; and the impact of funding on mobilization, activism, and internal movement dynamics. To address these questions, this article draws on an innovative new data set that includes lists of grants extracted from more than 30 years of government budgets in Canada. It also draws on several years of archival research on a network of 19 organizations in every region of Canada, as well as interviews with former members of these organizations. In addition to demonstrating that public funding has a comparable channeling effect as private funding, this article provides the first comprehensive survey of the extent of state funding for the human rights movement in Canada.
Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: “Connecting the Dots” in Epidemiology and Pathophysiology
Authors: Kouvas Nikos , Tsioufis Costas , Vogiatzakis Nikolaos , Sanidas Elias , Konstantinidis Dimitrios , Kintis Konstantinos , Dimitriadis Kyriakos , Kakosaiou Zoi , Tsioufis Panagiotis , Kouremeti Mairi , Katsiki Niki , Tousoulis Dimitrios
Published: December 2017

There is robust evidence from epidemiological and clinical studies showing that elevated heart rate (HR) constitutes a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with hypertension, underlining the significance of HR measurement in them. Autonomous nervous system dysfunction and atherosclerosis are important features in the pathogenesis of the untoward events. However, the relationship between HR and blood pressure (BP) is complex and differs depending on the type of BP measurement which is considered. This differentiation implicates complex physiological mechanisms and is of clinical importance regarding the divergent effect of the different types of antihypertensive agents on these parameters. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence on the relationship between HR and BP based on epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies.
Using Trial Vocal Fold Injection to Select Vocal Fold Scar Patients Who May Benefit From More Durable Augmentation
Authors: Carroll Thomas L. , Dezube Aaron , Bauman Laura A. , Mallur Pavan S.
Published: December 2017

Objectives:

Clinical indications for vocal fold injection augmentation (VFI) are expanding. Prior studies demonstrate the benefit of trial VFI for select causes of glottic insufficiency. No studies have examined trial VFI for glottic insufficiency resulting from true vocal fold (TVF) scar.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent trial VFI for a dominant pathology of TVF scar causing dysphonia. Patients who subsequently underwent durable augmentation were identified. The primary study outcome was the difference in Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) score from pretrial VFI to post-durable augmentation.

Results:

Twenty-eight patients underwent trial VFI for TVF scar, 22 of whom reported a positive response. Fifteen of 22 subjects who underwent durable augmentation had viable data for analysis. Mean VHI-10 improved from 26.9 to 18.6 ( P < .05), for a delta VHI-10 of 8.3, or 30.9% improvement. Twelve of the 15 (80%) showed a clinically significant improvement (delta VHI-10 >5).

Conclusions:

A trial VFI is a potentially useful, low-risk procedure that appears to help the patient and clinician identify when global augmentation might improve the voice when vocal fold scar is present. Patients who reported successful trial VFI often demonstrated significant improvement in their VHI-10 after subsequent durable augmentation.
Do Start-ups Pay Less?
Authors: Burton M. Diane , Dahl Michael S. , Sorenson Olav
Published: December 2017

The authors analyze Danish registry data from 1991 to 2006 to determine how firm age and firm size influence wages. Unadjusted statistics suggest that smaller firms paid less than larger firms paid, and that firm age had little or no bearing on wages. After adjusting for differences in the characteristics of employees hired by these firms, however, they observe both firm age and firm size effects. Larger firms paid more than did smaller firms for observationally equivalent individuals but, contrary to conventional wisdom, younger firms paid more than older firms. The size effect, however, dominates the age effect. Thus, although the typical start-up—being both young and small—paid less than a more established employer, the largest start-ups paid a wage premium.
Effect of multiwalled carbon nanotube alignment on the tensile fatigue behavior of nanocomposites
Authors: Jangam Sasidhar , Raja S , Reddy K Hemachandra
Published: December 2017

The one-dimensional structure of carbon nanotubes makes them highly anisotropic, making them to possess unusual mechanical properties, and hence employed as promising nanofiller for the composite structures. However, various carbon nanotube properties are not completely utilized when they are used as reinforcement in composites due to inadequate and immature processing techniques. In the present work, an attempt has been made to utilize the strong anisotropic nature of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for improving the fatigue life of nanocomposites only by considering a very low weight percentage (<0.5 wt%). The anisotropy of MWCNTs was imparted into the nanocomposites by aligning them in the epoxy matrix with DC electric field during composite curing. Nanocomposites were made for three MWCNT loadings (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 wt%). The tensile fatigue behavior was investigated under stress control by applying cyclic sinusoidal load with the frequency range of 1–3 Hz and stress ratio, R = 0.1. The specimens were tested for the fatigue load until the failure or 1E+05 cycles. The fractured surfaces were examined through scanning electron microscope to analyze the fatigue fracture behavior. A small weight percentage of MWCNT loading (0.2 wt%) into the polymer composite has enhanced on an average 13% to 15% fatigue life, which is encouraging to develop the low cost, improved fatigue life composite structures. Also, the energy dissipation mechanism in MWCNT dispersed nanocomposites has shown a reduced crack propagation rate.
Adverse Effects of Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment among Preschool Children
Authors: Duangthip D. , Fung M.H.T. , Wong M.C.M. , Chu C.H. , Lo E.C.M.
Published: December 2017

This randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the adverse effects and parental satisfaction following the different regimes of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) treatment among preschool children. A total of 888 preschool children who had active dentin caries received different SDF application regimes: group 1, 12% SDF applied annually; group 2, 12% SDF applied semiannually; group 3, 38% SDF applied annually; and group 4, 38% SDF applied semiannually. Information on adverse effects—including tooth or gum pain, gum swelling, gum bleaching, and systemic toxicity—was collected through a parent-reported questionnaire within 1 wk after every SDF or placebo application. Information of parental satisfaction on children’s dental appearance was collected at baseline and 30-mo examination. At the 30 mo, 799 children (90%) remained in the study. No acute systemic illness or major adverse effect was reported. No differences of all minor adverse effects among the 4 groups were found ( P > 0.05). Overall, prevalence of tooth and gum pain as perceived by patients and reported by parents was 6.6%, while gum swelling and gum bleaching were 2.8% and 4.7%, respectively. Blackening of carious lesions was common among all groups, with 36.7%, 49.5%, 65.6% and 76.3% in groups 1 to 4, respectively (χ2 test, P < 0.001). The proportion of parents who were satisfied with their children’s dental appearance in groups 1 to 4 was as follows: 67.6%, 61.5%, 70.8%, and 62.3%, respectively (χ2 test, P > 0.05). Based on parental reporting, SDF does not cause acute systemic illness. Tooth or gum pain, gum swelling, and gum bleaching were uncommon and not significantly different among the study groups. Parental satisfaction with children’s dental appearance was similar among all groups. The use of SDF following the study protocol for caries arrest is safe for preschool children. Collecting information on parental satisfaction and adverse effects is beneficial for dental professionals when deciding to adopt SDF treatment for preschool children (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02385474).
‘More vital to our future than we realize?’ Learning from Netting’s thesis on smallholder farming, 25 years on
Authors: Whitfield Stephen
Published: December 2017

Twenty-five years on from Netting’s paradigm challenging thesis about the dynamic efficiencies of household organization and the sophisticated nature of smallholder farming systems, the work continues to have relevance to contemporary debates about the future of smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This review is organized around four contemporary challenges for smallholder agriculture in SSA: (i) market centralization, liberalization and falling commodity prices; (ii) shifting agricultural research agendas and innovation funding; (iii) environmental degradation and climate change; and (iv) population pressures, large land acquisition and limited land availability. In each case, an argument inferred from Netting’s thesis is presented alongside recent evidence, predominantly from research in SSA that supports and challenges it. Based on the lessons of Netting, in this contemporary context, it is argued that smallholder systems continue to have value and relevance and that rather than implementing protectionist strategies based on generic assumptions about smallholder vulnerability, that effort should be made to learn from the diversity of smallholder systems, knowledges and experiences of adapting to change.