bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Retrograde Peri-Implantitis Using an Air-Abrasive Device, Er,Cr:YSGG Laser, and Guided Bone Regeneration
Authors: Soldatos Nikolaos , Romanos Georgios E. , Michaiel Michelle , Sajadi Ali , Angelov Nikola , Weltman Robin
Published: April 2018

Background. The placement of an implant in a previously infected site is an important etiologic factor contributing to implant failure. The aim of this case report is to present the management of retrograde peri-implantitis (RPI) in a first maxillary molar site, 2 years after the implant placement. The RPI was treated using an air-abrasive device, Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and guided bone regeneration (GBR). Case Description. A 65-year-old Caucasian male presented with a draining fistula associated with an implant at tooth #3. Tooth #3 revealed periapical radiolucency two years before the implant placement. Tooth #3 was extracted, and a ridge preservation procedure was performed followed by implant rehabilitation. A periapical radiograph (PA) showed lack of bone density around the implant apex. The site was decontaminated with an air-abrasive device and Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and GBR was performed. The patient was seen every two weeks until suture removal, followed by monthly visits for 12 months. The periapical X-rays, from 6 to 13 months postoperatively, showed increased bone density around the implant apex, with no signs of residual clinical or radiographic pathology and probing depths ≤4 mm. Conclusions. The etiology of RPI in this case was the placement of an implant in a previously infected site. The use of an air-abrasive device, Er,Cr:YSGG, and GBR was utilized to treat this case of RPI. The site was monitored for 13 months, and increased radiographic bone density was noted.
The Caribbean Community Clinical Oncology Workforce: Analyzing Where We Are Today and Projecting for Tomorrow
Authors: Alleyne-Mike Kellie
Published: April 2018

Purpose. To analyze the current physician clinical oncological workforce within the CARICOM full member states with an aim to make recommendations for building capacity. Methods. A questionnaire was prepared and emailed to professionals working in oncology in 14 CARICOM full member countries. It was designed to identify the number of specialists providing hematology, medical oncology, and radiotherapy services. Results. Ten countries (71.4%) supplied information. Oncology services were insufficient in the majority of countries. Hematology proved to be the most adequately staffed with six countries (60%) having the recommended number of specialists. Medical oncology services were deficient in five countries (50%). Radiation oncology services were the most limited with nine countries (90%) unable to provide the required quota of specialists. The majority of the workforce consisted of nonnationals (55%). The remaining practitioners were nationals, and of these 50% were regionally trained. Oncological care was primarily offered within the public sector. Conclusion. Oncological staffing within the CARICOM full member states is insufficient to meet the demands of the current population. Encouraging training through locoregional or international programs is key to obtaining the numbers required. Cancer registries will help provide data to influence public policy and improve the oncological healthcare system.
No Additive Effects of Polyphenol Supplementation and Exercise Training on White Adiposity Determinants of High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Obese Insulin‐Resistant Rats
Authors: Lambert Karen , Hokayem Marie , Thomas Claire , Fabre Odile , Cassan Cécile , Bourret Annick , Bernex Florence , Lees Jessica , Demion Marie , Seyer Pascal , Hugon Gérald , Mercier Jacques , Avignon Antoine , Bisbal Catherine
Published: April 2018

One of the major insulin resistance instigators is excessive adiposity and visceral fat depots. Individually, exercise training and polyphenol intake are known to exert health benefits as improving insulin sensitivity. However, their combined curative effects on established obesity and insulin resistance need further investigation particularly on white adipose tissue alterations. Therefore, we compared the effects on different white adipose tissue depot alterations of a combination of exercise and grape polyphenol supplementation in obese insulin‐resistant rats fed a high‐fat diet to the effects of a high‐fat diet alone or a nutritional supplementation of grape polyphenols (50 mg/kg/day) or exercise training (1 hr/day to 5 days/wk consisting of treadmill running at 32 m/min for a 10% slope), for a total duration of 8 weeks. Separately, polyphenol supplementation and exercise decreased the quantity of all adipose tissue depots and mesenteric inflammation. Exercise reduced adipocytes’ size in all fat stores. Interestingly, combining exercise to polyphenol intake presents no more cumulative benefit on adipose tissue alterations than exercise alone. Insulin sensitivity was improved at systemic, epididymal, and inguinal adipose tissues levels in trained rats thus indicating that despite their effects on adipocyte morphological/metabolic changes, polyphenols at nutritional doses remain less effective than exercise in fighting insulin resistance.
Bilateral Maxillary Dentigerous Cysts in a Nonsyndromic Child: A Rare Presentation and Review of the Literature
Authors: Khandeparker Rakshit Vijay , Khandeparker Purva Vijay , Virginkar Anirudha , Savant Kiran
Published: April 2018

Dentigerous cysts represent the second most common odontogenic cysts of the jaws after radicular cysts and are usually associated with the crowns of unerupted permanent teeth and rarely deciduous teeth. They are usually solitary in their presentation. Multiple and bilateral dentigerous cysts are an extremely rare presentation in the absence of developmental syndromes or systemic diseases or the use of prescribed certain medications. We hereby present a case of a bilateral dentigerous cyst of the maxilla in a 10-year-old child involving the crowns of unerupted permanent second premolar on the right side and the unerupted permanent canine on the left side. An effort has also been made to review the existing literature on this entity and to stress the importance of radiographic and histopathological examinations in diagnosing such an entity.
An Electrically Actuated Liquid-Metal Gain-Reconfigurable Antenna
Authors: Zhang George B. , Gough Ryan C. , Moorefield Matthew R. , Elassy Kareem S. , Ohta Aaron T. , Shiroma Wayne A.
Published: April 2018

A tunable liquid-metal antenna demonstrating gain reconfigurability is presented. This antenna uses a reconfigurable stub made with the liquid metal Galinstan. Using continuous electrowetting, a 60 Hz signal with an amplitude of 1 Vpp and 75% duty cycle can actuate the Galinstan continuously along a channel, tuning the stub length and antenna gain. Zero external power is required to maintain the position of the slug. The 5 GHz antenna offers more than 10 dB of analog gain tuning, from −5.90 to 4.43 dB.
Functional Assessment of Intermediate Vascular Disease
Authors: Yaneva-Sirakova Teodora , Serbezova Ivanichka , Vassilev Dobrin
Published: April 2018

Interventional treatment in various vascular beds has advanced tremendously. However, there are several problems to be considered. We searched the literature and tried to analyze major parts of it. One is safety and applicability of coronary proven methods in other vascular beds. An unresolved problem is the functional assessment of intermediate lesions, as far as various target organs have quite different circulation from the coronary one and the functional tests should be modified in order to be applicable and meaningful. In the majority of the acute vascular syndromes, the culprit lesion is of intermediate size on visual assessment. On the other hand, a procedurally successfully managed high-degree stenosis is not always followed by clinical and prognostic benefit. In vascular beds, where collateral network naturally exists, the readings from the functional assessment are complicated and thus the decision for interventional treatment is even more difficult. Here come into help the functional assessment and imaging with IVUS, OCT, high-resolution MRI, and contrast enhanced CT or SPECT. The focus of the current review is on the functional assessment of intermediate stenosis in other vascular beds, unlike the coronary arteries.
Nonoperative Management May Be a Viable Approach to Plexiform Neurofibroma of the Porta Hepatis in Patients with Neurofibromatosis-1
Authors: Yepuri Natesh , Naous Rana , Richards Camille , Kittur Dilip , Jain Ajay , Dhir Mashaal
Published: April 2018

Background. Plexiform neurofibroma (PNF) in the porta hepatis (PH) is an unusual manifestation of neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1). Resection is often recommended given the risk of malignant transformation. We encountered a challenging case in clinical practice which prompted us to report our findings and perform a systematic review on the management of these tumors. Methods. We reported the case of a 31-year-old woman with NF-1 and PNF of the PH. PRISMA 2009 guidelines were followed for systematic review. Results. Our patient was found to have unresectable disease at exploration. After >5 years of follow-up, she continued to have stable disease on imaging. We identified 12 studies/case reports including 10 adult and 6 pediatric patients with PNF of PH. None of the 7 adult patients with NF-1 and PNF of PH underwent a successful tumor resection. All pediatric patients were managed with surveillance alone. All but one pediatric patient had NF-1. None of the reported cases of PNF of PH had malignant transformation. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that PNFs of PH in the setting of NF-1 are often unresectable and may have an indolent course. Surveillance alone may be a reasonable option in some patients; however, further studies are needed.
Olfactory Reference Syndrome with Suicidal Attempt Treated with Pimozide and Fluvoxamine
Authors: Jegede Oluwole , Virk Inderpreet , Cherukupally Karthik , Germain Wil , Fouron Patricia , Olupona Tolu , Jolayemi Ayodeji
Published: April 2018

The core symptomatology of the Olfactory Reference Syndrome (ORS) is characterized by a preoccupation with the belief that one emits an offensive odor, albeit not perceived by others. The present case is that of a 75-year-old African American woman, with an unclear past psychiatric history, who was brought into our Emergency Room after a suicide attempt. The patient reported a three-year history of a “rotten” smell from her vagina. She adamantly believes that she smells despite being told otherwise by people. The patient reported a trial of several feminine products to get rid of this smell and multiple visits to specialists but her symptoms persisted. Her symptoms involved a significant depressed mood and deterioration in her social functioning, interpersonal relationships, and self-care. She was constantly in the shower and had stopped leaving her apartment due to worries that people might smell her vagina. The culmination of her distress was the suicidal attempt, for which she was brought to the hospital. She was admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit and started on Pimozide and Fluvoxamine. The patient made remarkable progress within a few days on admission and in the course of her hospitalization. Follow-up in our outpatient clinic shows that the patient remains completely asymptomatic with significant progress in her social functioning.
A High-Precision Single Shooting Method for Solving Hypersensitive Optimal Control Problems
Authors: Pan Binfeng , Wang Yang , Tian Shaohua
Published: April 2018

Solving hypersensitive optimal control problems is a long-standing challenge for decades in optimization engineering, mainly due to the possible nonexistence of the optimal solution to meet the required error tolerance under double-precision arithmetic and the hypersensitivity of the optimal solution with respect to the initial conditions. In this paper, a new high-precision single shooting method is presented to address the above two difficulties. Multiple-precision arithmetic and Taylor series method are introduced to provide the accurate optimal solution with arbitrary higher significant digits and arbitrary higher integral accuracy, respectively. Besides, a new modified bidirectional single shooting method is developed, which fully utilizes the three-segment structure of the hypersensitive optimal control problems and provides appropriate initial guess that is close to the optimal solutions. Numerical demonstrations in a typical hypersensitive optimal control problem are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of this new method, which indicates that the accurate optimal solution of this challenging problem can be easily solved by this simple single shooting method within several iterations.
Broadband Degenerate Femtosecond OPO around 2060 nm
Authors: Tian Wenlong , Meng Xianghao , Zhang Ninghua , Zhu Jiangfeng , Wang Zhaohua , Wei Zhiyi
Published: April 2018

We demonstrate a broadband degenerate femtosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) around 2060 nm. Synchronically pumped by a commercially available 75.6 MHz Yb:KGW femtosecond laser, it is able to generate self-phase-locked 2 μm pulses with 82 mW output power and 3 dB bandwidth of 105 nm. The degenerate operation is naturally stable in free-running condition, with only 0.8% rms fluctuation in 3.5 hours. We also obtain broadband spectrum extending from 1600 nm to 2500 nm with the 3 dB bandwidth of 452 nm by increasing the intracavity power density.
A Novel RET D898Y Germline Mutation in a Patient with Pheochromocytoma
Authors: Yi Jin Wook , Kang Hye In , Kim Su-jin , Seong Chan Yong , Chai Young Jun , Choi June Young , Seong Moon-Woo , Lee Kyu Eun , Park Sung Sup
Published: April 2018

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are tumors of neuroectoderm origin. Up to 40% of patients with these tumors have germline mutations in known susceptibility genes. We report a novel RET germline mutation (exon 15; c.2692G>T (D898Y)) in a pheochromocytoma patient, as well as in her two asymptomatic sons and older sister. A 49-year-old female came to our clinic presenting with a right adrenal gland mass detected during a healthcare examination. Her mother and two sisters had previously undergone thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinomas. The levels of vanillylmandelic acid and other catecholamines were elevated in 24-hour urine, and an imaging study revealed a right adrenal mass. She underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy and the final pathologic diagnosis was pheochromocytoma. Mutation screening detected a RET p.D898Y mutation, both in the patient and in the patient’s two sons and older sister. This is the first description of a RET D898Y mutation in a pheochromocytoma patient and her family. The mutation should be categorized as a variant of unknown significance because no RET gene related disorders were detected in this family. Long term follow-up will be required to determine the clinical significance of the RET D898Y mutation.
BRAF Inhibitors for BRAF V600E Mutant Colorectal Cancers: Literature Survey and Case Report
Authors: Peker Yasar Subutay , Can Mehmet Fatih , Ozerhan Ismail Hakki , Yagci Gokhan , Zeybek Nazif , Kavakli Kutan , Gurkok Sedat , Gozubuyuk Alper , Genc Onur , Erdem Gokhan , Ozet Ahmet , Gerek Mustafa , Peker Yusuf
Published: April 2018

The main method of fighting against colon cancer is targeted treatment. BRAF inhibitors, which are accepted as standard treatment for V600E mutant malign melanomas, are the newest approach for targeted treatment of V600E mutant colorectal cancers. In this case report, we share our experience about the use of BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib on a V600E mutant metastatic right colon adenocarcinoma patient. A 59-year-old male with only lung multiple metastatic V600E mutant right colon cancer presented to our clinic. The patient was evaluated and FOLFOX + bevacizumab treatment was initiated, which was then continued with vemurafenib. A remarkable response was achieved with vemurafenib treatment in which the drug resistance occurred approximately in the sixth month. Even though the patient benefited majorly from vemurafenib, he died on the 20th month of the diagnosis. The expected overall survival for metastatic V600E mutant colon adenocarcinoma patients is 4.7 months. BRAF inhibitors provide new treatment alternatives for V600E mutant colorectal cancers, with prolonged overall survival. BRAF inhibitors in combination with MEK inhibitors are reported as feasible treatment to overcome BRAF inhibitor drug resistance on which phase studies are still in progress. To conclude, BRAF inhibitors alone or in combination with other drugs provide a chance for curing BRAF V600E mutant colorectal cancer patients.
Injection Laryngoplasty Using Autologous Fat Enriched with Adipose-Derived Regenerative Stem Cells: A Safe Therapeutic Option for the Functional Reconstruction of the Glottal Gap after Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis
Authors: Lasso José M. , Poletti Daniel , Scola Batolomé , Gómez-Vilda Pedro , García-Martín Ana I. , Fernández-Santos María Eugenia
Published: April 2018

Background. Paralysis of one vocal fold leads to glottal gap and vocal fold insufficiency that has significant impact upon a patient’s quality of life. Fillers have been tested to perform intracordal injections, but they do not provide perdurable results. Early data suggest that enriching fat grafts with adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) promote angiogenesis and modulate the immune response, improving graft survival. The aim of this study is to propose ADRC-enriched adipose tissue grafts as effective filler for the paralyzed vocal fold to use it for functional reconstruction of the glottal gap. Method. This is the first phase I-IIA clinical trial (phase I/IIA clinical trial, unicentric, randomized, controlled, and two parallel groups), to evaluate the safety of a new therapy with ADRC-enriched fat grafting (ADRC: group I) for laryngoplasty after unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Control group patients received centrifuged autologous fat (CAF: group II) grafts. Overall mean age is 52.49 ± 16.60 years. Group I (ADRC): 7 patients (3 males and 4 females), 52.28 ± 20.95 year. Group II (CAF): 7 patients (3 males and 4 females), 52.71 ± 12.59 year. Results. VHI-10 test showed that preoperative mean score was 24.21 ± 8.28. Postoperative mean score was 6.71 ± 6.75. Preoperative result in group I was 21.14 ± 3.58 and postoperative result was 3.14 ± 3.53. Preoperative result for group II was 27.29 ± 10.66. Postoperative score in group II was 10.29 ± 7.52. Wilcoxon and the Student t-tests showed that the patient’s self-perception of posttreatment improvement is larger when ADRCs are used. Comparing pre- and posttreatment voice quality analysis, group I showed a p=0.053. Group II showed a p=0.007. There would be no significant differentiation between pre- and posttreatment results. This is true for group II and limited for group I. Conclusions. This prospective trial demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the treatment of glottal gap defects utilizing ADRC-enriched fat grafts. This trial is registered with
NCT02904824.
Dental Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells and Their Exosomes
Authors: Stanko Peter , Altanerova Ursula , Jakubechova Jana , Repiska Vanda , Altaner Cestmir
Published: April 2018

Stem cells derived from human dental pulp tissue (DP-MSC) differ from the other mesenchymal stem cells prepared from bone marrow or adipose tissue due to their embryonic origin from the neural crest and are of special interest because of their neurotropic character. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of DP-MSCs is realized through paracrine action of extracellularly released components, for which exosomes play an important role. In this review, we intend to explore the properties of these cells with an emphasis on exosomes. The therapeutic applicability of these cells and exosomes in dental practice, neurodegenerative diseases, and many other difficultly treatable diseases, like myocardial infarction, focal cerebral ischemia, acute lung or brain injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute inflammation, and several others is concisely covered. The use of cellular exosomes as an important diagnostic marker and indicator of targeted cancer therapies is also discussed, while the importance of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth as a source of evolutionally young cells for future regenerative therapies is stressed. We conclude that exosomes derived from these cells are potent therapeutic tools for regenerative medicine in the near future as clinical administration of DP-MSC-conditioned medium and/or exosomes is safer and more practical than stem cells.
A Secure and Anonymous Two-Factor Authentication Protocol in Multiserver Environment
Authors: Wang Chenyu , Xu Guoai , Li Wenting
Published: April 2018

With the great development of network technology, the multiserver system gets widely used in providing various of services. And the two-factor authentication protocols in multiserver system attract more and more attention. Recently, there are two new schemes for multiserver environment which claimed to be secure against the known attacks. However, after a scrutinization of these two schemes, we found that (1) their description of the adversary’s abilities is inaccurate; (2) their schemes suffer from many attacks. Thus, firstly, we corrected their description on the adversary capacities to introduce a widely accepted adversary model and then summarized fourteen security requirements of multiserver based on the works of pioneer contributors. Secondly, we revealed that one of the two schemes fails to preserve forward secrecy and user anonymity and cannot resist stolen-verifier attack and off-line dictionary attack and so forth and also demonstrated that another scheme fails to preserve forward secrecy and user anonymity and is not secure to insider attack and off-line dictionary attack, and so forth. Finally, we designed an enhanced scheme to overcome these identified weaknesses, proved its security via BAN logic and heuristic analysis, and then compared it with other relevant schemes. The comparison results showed the superiority of our scheme.
Statistical Order Convergence and Statistically Relatively Uniform Convergence in Riesz Spaces
Authors: Xue Xuemei , Tao Jian
Published: April 2018

A new concept of statistically e-uniform Cauchy sequences is introduced to study statistical order convergence, statistically relatively uniform convergence, and norm statistical convergence in Riesz spaces. We prove that, for statistically e-uniform Cauchy sequences, these three kinds of convergence for sequences coincide. Moreover, we show that the statistical order convergence and the statistically relatively uniform convergence need not be equivalent. Finally, we prove that, for monotone sequences in Banach lattices, the norm statistical convergence coincides with the weak statistical convergence.
Partial Inhibition of HO‐1 Attenuates HMP‐Induced Hepatic Regeneration against Liver Injury in Rats
Authors: He Ning , Jia Jun-Jun , Xie Hai-Yang , Li Jian-Hui , He Yong , Yin Sheng-Yong , Liang Ruo-peng , Jiang Li , Liu Jing-feng , Xu Kang-di , Zhang Zhi-hao , Zhou Lin , Zheng Shu-Sen
Published: April 2018

We found better liver graft regeneration with hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) compared with static cold storage (SCS) for the first time in our pilot study, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Upregulated heme oxygenase‐ (HO‐) 1 expression has been reported to play a pivotal role in promoting hepatocyte proliferation. Here, we evaluated the novel role of HO‐1 in liver graft protection by HMP. Rats with a heterozygous knockout of HO‐1 (HO‐1+/−) were generated and subjected to 3 h of SCS or HMP pre‐half‐size liver transplantation (HSLT) in vivo or 6 h of SCS or HMP in vitro; control rats were subjected to the same conditions (HO‐1+/+). We found that HSLT induced significant elevation of the HO‐1 protein level in the regenerated liver and that HO‐1 haplodeficiency resulted in decreased proliferation post‐HSLT. Compared with SCS, HMP induced significant elevation of the HO‐1 protein level along with better liver recovery, both of which were reduced by HO‐1 haplodeficiency. HO‐1 haplodeficiency‐induced decreased proliferation was responsible for the attenuated regenerative ability of HMP. Mechanistically, HO‐1 haploinsufficiency resulted in suppression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/Akt activity. Our results suggest that inhibition of HO‐1 mitigates HMP‐induced liver recovery effects related to proliferation, in part, by downregulating the HGF‐Akt axis.
Effects of Alkaline‐Reduced Drinking Water on Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea: A Randomized Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Shin Dong Woo , Yoon Hyuk , Kim Hyun Soo , Choi Yoon Jin , Shin Cheol Min , Park Young Soo , Kim Nayoung , Lee Dong Ho
Published: April 2018

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the ingestion of alkaline‐reduced water (ARW) is helpful in improving the symptoms of diarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods. Twenty‐seven patients (male, 25.9%; mean, 41.7 years old) with diarrhea‐predominant IBS were randomly allocated to two groups. For eight weeks, the ARW group (n = 13) ingested at least 2 liters/day of ARW, while the control group (n = 14) ingested placebo water. IBS symptom scores (quality‐of‐life, abdominal pain/discomfort), stool form, and frequency were assessed before and after treatment via questionnaires. Results. Eight patients (61.5%) in the ARW group and six patients (42.9%) in the control group indicated that their symptoms had improved in more than four out of the eight weeks of treatment (p = 0.449). The IBS quality‐of‐life score significantly improved from 57.2 to 30.8 in the ARW group; this improvement was significantly greater than the slight improvement from 48.7 to 42.2 observed in the control group (p = 0.029). The abdominal pain score improved from 1.8 to 0.9 in the ARW group and from 1.8 to 1.1 in the control group, with no significant group difference (p = 0.232). Conclusions. Drinking ARW for eight weeks improves the quality of life in patients with diarrhea‐predominant IBS.
A Novel Haptic Interactive Approach to Simulation of Surgery Cutting Based on Mesh and Meshless Models
Authors: Cheng Qiangqiang , Liu Peter X. , Lai Pinhua , Xu Shaoping , Zou Yanni
Published: April 2018

In the present work, the majority of implemented virtual surgery simulation systems have been based on either a mesh or meshless strategy with regard to soft tissue modelling. To take full advantage of the mesh and meshless models, a novel coupled soft tissue cutting model is proposed. Specifically, the reconstructed virtual soft tissue consists of two essential components. One is associated with surface mesh that is convenient for surface rendering and the other with internal meshless point elements that is used to calculate the force feedback during cutting. To combine two components in a seamless way, virtual points are introduced. During the simulation of cutting, the Bezier curve is used to characterize smooth and vivid incision on the surface mesh. At the same time, the deformation of internal soft tissue caused by cutting operation can be treated as displacements of the internal point elements. Furthermore, we discussed and proved the stability and convergence of the proposed approach theoretically. The real biomechanical tests verified the validity of the introduced model. And the simulation experiments show that the proposed approach offers high computational efficiency and good visual effect, enabling cutting of soft tissue with high stability.
Optimization of Controlled Water and Nitrogen Fertigation on Greenhouse Culture ofCapsicum annuum
Authors: Xiang Youzhen , Zou Haiyang , Zhang Fucang , Wu You , Yan Shicheng , Zhang Xinyan , Tian Jianke , Qiang Shengcai , Wang Haidong , Zhou Hanmi
Published: April 2018

This study investigated the effects of different combinations of irrigation and nitrogen levels on the growth of greenhouse sweet peppers, assessing yield, quality, water use efficiency (WUE), and partial factor productivity from applied N (PFPN). By using controlled drip irrigation, the optimal conditions for efficient, large-scale, high-yield, and high quality production of sweet peppers in Northwest China were determined. Using the local conventional irrigation and nitrogen regime as a control (105% ET0, N: 300 kg·hm−2), three alternative irrigation levels were also tested, at 90%, 75%, and 60% ET0. These were combined with nitrogen levels at 100%, as the control, and 75%, 50%, and 25%, resulting in 16 combination treatments. The results show that different supplies of water and nitrogen nutrition had a significant impact on the growth, yield, WUE, PFPN, and quality of fruit. The treatments of W0.90N0.75, W0.90N0.50, W0.75N0.75, and W0.75N0.50can better maintain the “source-sink” relationship of peppers. They increased the economic yield, WUE, and PFPN. A principal component analysis was performed to evaluate indicators of fruit quality, revealing that the treatment of W0.75N0.50resulted in the best fruit quality. For greenhouse sweet peppers produced in Northwest China, the combination of W0.90N0.75resulted in the highest economic yield of 34.85 kg·hm−2. The combination of W0.75N0.75had the highest WUE of 16.50 kg·m−3. The W0.75N0.50combination treatment had the highest fruit quality score. For sustainable ecological development and in view of limited water resources in the area, we recommend the W0.75N0.50combination treatment, since it could obtain the optimal fruit quality, while its economic yield and WUE were 9% and 4% less than the maximum, respectively. This study provides a theoretical basis for the optimal management of water and nitrogen during production of greenhouse sweet peppers in Northwest China.
Probiotic Mixture Protects Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Altering Tight Junction Protein Expressions and Increasing Tregs
Authors: Zhang Yingdi , Zhao Xiaojing , Zhu Yunjuan , Ma Jingjing , Ma Haiqin , Zhang Hongjie
Published: April 2018

Bifico is a probiotic mixture containing Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Enterococcus. Studies support that Bifico has a protective effect in experimental colitis (IL-10-deficient and TNBS) models and in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the mechanism underlying the protective effects of this mixture of probiotic bacteria remains incompletely clear. Here, we investigated the effect of Bifico on intestinal inflammation. In an in vivo experiment, dextran sulfate sodium was used to induce colitis. Bifico treatment significantly attenuated the severity of colitis in this model. Bifico increased the expression of tight junction proteins (TJs). In addition, Bifico increased the number of Tregs, but reduced the number of total CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood. Furthermore, the expression of colonic CD4 protein was decreased while the level of forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) was upregulated. These results suggested that Bifico exerts beneficial effects on experimental colitis by increasing the expressions of TJs, upregulating the number of Tregs, and reducing the total CD4+ T cell number in both colon and peripheral blood. The intestinal damage in the pretreated + treated-Bifico-colitis group was more severe than that in only the pretreated-Bifico-colitis group. This suggested that Bifico might aggravate intestinal damage when the mucosal barrier is impaired.
Establishing a Surgical Procedure for Rhesus Epiretinal Scaffold Implantation with HiPSC-Derived Retinal Progenitors
Authors: Luo Ziming , Li Kang , Li Kaijing , Xian Bikun , Liu Ying , Yang Sijing , Xu Chaochao , Fan Zhigang , Lu Shoutao , Zhang Haijun , Ge Jian
Published: April 2018

Background. To develop an effective surgical procedure for cellular scaffold epiretinal implantation in rhesus, facilitating subsequent epiretinal stem cell transplantation. Methods. Retinal progenitors were seeded onto a poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) scaffold. First, the cellular scaffolds were delivered by 18G catheter or retinal forceps into rabbit epiretinal space (n=50). Then, the cell survival rate was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Second, three methods of scaffold fixation, including adhesion after gas-liquid exchange (n=1), tamponade by hydrogel (n=1), and fixation by retinal tacks (n=4), were performed in rhesus monkeys. After one month, fundus photography and SD-OCT were performed to assess the outcomes, and histological examination was performed to evaluate proliferation. Results. The cell survival rate was significantly higher in the catheter group. Follow-up examination showed that retinal tack fixation was the only method to maintain the scaffolds attached to host retina for at least 3 weeks, which is the minimal time required for cell integration. Histological staining demonstrated slight glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) accumulation in the retinal tack insertion area. Conclusions. The established surgical procedure offers a new insight into research of epiretinal cell replacement therapy in rhesus eyes. The successful delivery and long-term fixation provide a prerequisite for cell migration and integration.
Correlation between Therapeutic Efficacy of CD34+ Cell Treatment and Directed In Vivo Angiogenesis in Patients with End-Stage Diffuse Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Huang Tien-Hung , Sun Cheuk-Kwan , Chen Yi-Ling , Sung Pei-Hsun , Chu Chi-Hsiang , Lee Mel S. , Lin Yuan-Ping , Yip Hon-Kan , Lee Fan-Yen
Published: April 2018

Background. This study was aimed at testing the association between the therapeutic efficacy of CD34+ cell treatment in patients with end-stage diffuse coronary artery disease as reflected in angiographic grading and results of directed in vivo angiogenesis assay (DIVAA) on their isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cell- (PBMC-) derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Methods. Angiographic grades (0: <5%; 1: 5–35%; 2: 35–75%; 3: >75%) which presented the improvement of vessel density pre- and post-CD34+ treatment were given to 30 patients with end-stage diffuse coronary artery disease having received CD34+ cell treatment. The patients were categorized into low-score group (angiographic grade 0 or 1, n=12) and high-score group (angiographic grade 2 or 3, n=18). The percentages of circulating EPCs with KDR+/CD34+/CD45−, CD133+/CD34+/CD45−, and CD34+ were determined in each patient using flow cytometry. PBMC-derived EPCs from all patients were subjected to DIVAA through a 14-day implantation in nude mice. The DIVAA ratio (i.e., mean fluorescent units in angioreactors with EPCs/mean fluorescent units in angioreactors without EPCs) was obtained for each animal with implanted EPCs from each patient. Results and Conclusions. The number of EPCs showed no significant difference among the two groups. The DIVAA ratio in the high-score group was significantly higher than that in the low-score group (p=0.0178). Logistic regression revealed a significant association between the DIVAA ratio and angiographic grading (OR 3.12, 95% CI: 1.14–8.55, p=0.027). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.8519 (p=0.0013). We proposed that DIVAA may be a reliable tool for assessing coronary vascularization after CD34+ cell treatment.
Preparation and Characterization of Nanoporous Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogel Beads
Authors: Akalin Gulen Oytun , Pulat Mehlika
Published: April 2018

A series of nanoporous sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) hydrogel beads were prepared using FeCl3 ionic crosslinker by changing polymer and crosslinker percentages (%). Characteristics of the hydrogels were investigated by gel content, swelling test, degradation test, Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (SEM/EDX), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Swelling experiments were studied by changing time, temperature, and pH. The swelling percentage (S%) regularly decreased with increasing the amounts of polymer and crosslinker, in contrast with gel content results. NaCMC hydrogels were found to be sensitive to pH variations. The degradation test showed that hydrogels had good stability and their degradation period varied from 30 to 36 days. According to SEM analysis, NaCMC hydrogels had mostly nanoporous structure. The average granule and pore sizes of the least swollen NaCMC-12 hydrogel were found to be 13.1±0.3 nm and 82.1±3.2 nm. The elemental compositions of hydrogels were determined with EDX. The minimum average surface roughness (Ra) and root mean square roughness (Rms) parameters were found to be 15.7±1.9 nm and 20.3±2.2 nm for NaCMC-12 hydrogels by AFM. Due to their good morphologies, stabilities, and swelling behaviors, NaCMC hydrogels can be suitable for biomaterial applications.
Tunnelling Mechanism in Noncommutative Space with Generalized Uncertainty Principle and Bohr-Like Black Hole
Authors: Haldar Sourav , Corda Christian , Chakraborty Subenoy
Published: April 2018

The paper deals with nonthermal radiation spectrum by tunnelling mechanism with correction due to the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) in the background of noncommutative geometry. Considering the reformulation of the tunnelling mechanism by Banerjee and Majhi, the Hawking radiation spectrum is evaluated through the density matrix for the outgoing modes. The GUP corrected effective temperature and the corresponding GUP corrected effective metric in noncommutative geometry are determined using Hawking’s periodicity arguments. Thus, we obtain further corrections to the nonstrictly thermal black hole (BH) radiation spectrum which give new final distributions. Then, we show that the GUP and the noncommutative geometry modify the Bohr-like BH recently discussed in a series of papers in the literature. In particular, we find the intriguing result that the famous law of Bekenstein on the area quantization is affected neither by noncommutative geometry nor by the GUP. This is a clear indication of the universality of Bekenstein’s result. In addition, we find that both the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy and the total BH entropy to third-order approximation are still functions of the BH quantum level.
A Robust Longitudinal Control Strategy of Platoons under Model Uncertainties and Time Delays
Authors: Chen Na , Wang Meng , Alkim Tom , van Arem Bart
Published: April 2018

Automated vehicles are designed to free drivers from driving tasks and are expected to improve traffic safety and efficiency when connected via vehicle-to-vehicle communication, that is, connected automated vehicles (CAVs). The time delays and model uncertainties in vehicle control systems pose challenges for automated driving in real world. Ignoring them may render the performance of cooperative driving systems unsatisfactory or even unstable. This paper aims to design a robust and flexible platooning control strategy for CAVs. A centralized control method is presented, where the leader of a CAV platoon collects information from followers, computes the desired accelerations of all controlled vehicles, and broadcasts the desired accelerations to followers. The robust platooning is formulated as a Min-Max Model Predictive Control (MM-MPC) problem, where optimal accelerations are generated to minimize the cost function under the worst case, where the worst case is taken over the possible models. The proposed method is flexible in such a way that it can be applied to both homogeneous platoon and heterogeneous platoon with mixed human-driven and automated controlled vehicles. A third-order linear vehicle model with fixed feedback delay and stochastic actuator lag is used to predict the platoon behavior. Actuator lag is assumed to vary randomly with unknown distributions but a known upper bound. The controller regulates platoon accelerations over a time horizon to minimize a cost function representing driving safety, efficiency, and ride comfort, subject to speed limits, plausible acceleration range, and minimal net spacing. The designed strategy is tested by simulating homogeneous and heterogeneous platoons in a number of typical and extreme scenarios to assess the system stability and performance. The test results demonstrate that the designed control strategy for CAV can ensure the robustness of stability and performance against model uncertainties and feedback delay and outperforms the deterministic MPC based platooning control.
Precision Targeted Therapy with BLU-667 for RET-Driven Cancers
Authors: Subbiah Vivek , Gainor Justin F. , Rahal Rami , Brubaker Jason D. , Kim Joseph L. , Maynard Michelle , Hu Wei , Cao Qiongfang , Sheets Michael P. , Wilson Douglas , Wilson Kevin J. , DiPietro Lucian , Fleming Paul , Palmer Michael , Hu Mimi I. , Wirth Lori , Brose Marcia S. , Ou Sai-Hong Ignatius , Taylor Matthew , Garralda Elena , Miller Stephen , Wolf Beni , Lengauer Christoph , Guzi Timothy , Evans Erica K.
Published: April 2018

The receptor tyrosine kinase rearranged during transfection (RET) is an oncogenic driver activated in multiple cancers, including non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), and papillary thyroid cancer. No approved therapies have been designed to target RET; treatment has been limited to multikinase inhibitors (MKI), which can have significant off-target toxicities and limited efficacy. BLU-667 is a highly potent and selective RET inhibitor designed to overcome these limitations. In vitro, BLU-667 demonstrated ≥10-fold increased potency over approved MKIs against oncogenic RET variants and resistance mutants. In vivo, BLU-667 potently inhibited growth of NSCLC and thyroid cancer xenografts driven by various RET mutations and fusions without inhibiting VEGFR2. In first-in-human testing, BLU-667 significantly inhibited RET signaling and induced durable clinical responses in patients with RET-altered NSCLC and MTC without notable off-target toxicity, providing clinical validation for selective RET targeting.

Significance: Patients with RET-driven cancers derive limited benefit from available MKIs. BLU-667 is a potent and selective RET inhibitor that induces tumor regression in cancer models with RET mutations and fusions. BLU-667 attenuated RET signaling and produced durable clinical responses in patients with RET-altered tumors, clinically validating selective RET targeting. Cancer Discov; 8(7); 836–49. ©2018 AACR.

See related commentary by Iams and Lovly, p. 797.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 781
After “the call”: a review of urban insect ecology trends from 2000–2017
Authors: BROWN BRIAN V.
Published: April 2018

A sample of the 100 most cited papers on urban insect ecology from 2000-2017 is reviewed. This period represents the time since a call for more research on urban arthropods was raised by McIntyre (2000). Only literature on urbanization and its effects on insects were examined. Most studies concentrated on habitat suitability, beetles, butterflies, and bees.
“Bee-Flower-People Relationships, Field Biologists, and Conservation in Northwest Urban Costa Rica and Beyond.”

Authors: FRANKIE G. W. , COVILLE R. E. , PAWELE J. C. , JADALLAH C. C. , VINSON S. B. , MARTINEZ L. E.S.
Published: April 2018

The forests of Costa Rica are rich in a wide variety of pollinator types and a very diverse flora that supports them.  Our research group from the University of California, Berkeley and Texas A & M University, College Station has been researching the ecology of one pollinator group, the bees, in the northwest Guanacaste dry forest region since 1969.  Much natural forest existed in this area when we first began the work.  But, many land use changes have occurred over the years to present day to the point that it is difficult to find tracts of undisturbed forest suitable for field research, especially those not affected by wildfires, which are now common.        Further, urban areas in the region continue to grow with increasing numbers of people populating the region.  In this paper we provide an overview of our past bee-flower work for a historical perspective, and then weave in people that have now become an obvious ecological component of current bee-flower relationships.  We also explore new questions that have become relevant through time, especially those related to researchers and potential conservation opportunities to share their stories with audiences that may extend their knowledge for practical use.  Finally, we propose that researchers plan to devote some of their precious time establishing relationships with people in conserving what is left of bee-flower relationships in urban environments in Guanacaste and beyond in the country.  Avenues for extending this knowledge are explored in this paper.
Urban Nature Gardens at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County attract “wildlife spectacle” of insect pollinators

Authors: HARTOP EMILY A. , LONG ELIZABETH , BORNSTEIN CAROL , GONZALEZ LISA , BROWN BRIAN V.
Published: April 2018

The newly-constructed Nature Gardens at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (California, USA) were purposefully built to attract wildlife. In this study we wanted to find out to what extent this manufactured environment is successful in attracting native insect fauna to the urban core of the city when compared to the surrounding neighborhoods or natural areas on the periphery of Los Angeles. To determine this, a one-year Malaise trap catch from the Nature Gardens was compared with samples from four neighboring sites within a five-kilometer radius, as well as a site adjacent to natural habitat located sixteen kilometers away. Our analysis focused on the diversity and abundance of three pollinator groups: bees, flower flies and butterflies contrasted with a single non-pollinator group: scuttle flies.        Our findings show that the Nature Gardens support greater abundance and diversity than any of the nearby sites or the natural site for all pollinator taxa examined. In contrast, the natural site supported much higher abundance and diversity of the non-pollinator scuttle flies when compared to the Nature Gardens. Calculated evenness of all taxa was lower in the Nature Gardens than at the natural site and Shannon Diversity indices were highest in the Nature Gardens for flower flies and butterflies, but lower in the Nature Gardens than at the natural site for bees and scuttle flies. These results indicate that biodiversity in an urban environment can be selectively manipulated through management of green spaces, but may not duplicate the communities found in natural spaces. Rather, targeted management (through plantings, ground cover and other substrates, watering, pest management techniques, etc.) can increase fauna predictively to create a “wildlife spectacle” of charismatic microfauna.
Provider Attitudes, Organizational Readiness for Change, and Uptake of Research Supported Treatment
Authors: Bornheimer Lindsay A. , Acri Mary , Parchment Tyrone , McKay Mary M.
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

As implementation and evaluation of research supported treatment (RST) expands across diverse mental health settings, it is essential to understand the facilitators and inhibitors of uptake. The current study examined the relationships between organizational readiness for change, attitudes toward RST, and use of RST among a sample primarily of social workers.

Methods:

Participants included 158 providers from public child mental health outpatient clinics in the New York metropolitan area. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Results:

Use of RST was greater among providers who were younger and had fewer years of professional experience. Both organizational need for change and climate directly and indirectly related to use of RST through attitudes toward RST (partial mediator).

Discussion:

The organizational context is an important factor that relates to attitudes toward and use of RST in practice. Future research is needed to continue examining factors of RST uptake and sustainability.