bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recreational concentrations of alcohol enhance synaptic inhibition of cerebellar unipolar brush cells via pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms
Authors: Richardson Ben D. , Rossi David J.
Published: April 2017

Variation in cerebellar sensitivity to alcohol/ethanol (EtOH) is a heritable trait associated with alcohol use disorder in humans and high EtOH consumption in rodents, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. A recently identified cellular substrate of cerebellar sensitivity to EtOH, the GABAergic system of cerebellar granule cells (GCs), shows divergent responses to EtOH paralleling EtOH consumption and motor impairment phenotype. Although GCs are the dominant afferent integrator in the cerebellum, such integration is shared by unipolar brush cells (UBCs) in vestibulocerebellar lobes. UBCs receive both GABAergic and glycinergic inhibition, both of which may mediate diverse neurological effects of EtOH. Therefore, the impact of recreational concentrations of EtOH (~10–50 mM) on GABAAreceptor (GABAAR)- and glycine receptor (GlyR)-mediated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) of UBCs in cerebellar slices was characterized. Sprague-Dawley rat (SDR) UBCs exhibited sIPSCs mediated by GABAARs, GlyRs, or both, and EtOH dose-dependently (10, 26, 52 mM) increased their frequency and amplitude. EtOH increased the frequency of glycinergic and GABAergic sIPSCs and selectively enhanced the amplitude of glycinergic sIPSCs. This GlyR-specific enhancement of sIPSC amplitude resulted from EtOH actions at presynaptic Golgi cells and via protein kinase C-dependent direct actions on postsynaptic GlyRs. The magnitude of EtOH-induced increases in UBC sIPSC activity varied across SDRs and two lines of mice, in parallel with their respective alcohol consumption/motor impairment phenotypes. These data indicate that Golgi cell-to-UBC inhibitory synapses are targets of EtOH, which acts at pre- and postsynaptic sites, via Golgi cell excitation and direct GlyR enhancement.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Genetic variability in cerebellar alcohol/ethanol sensitivity (ethanol-induced ataxia) predicts ethanol consumption phenotype in rodents and humans, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying genetic differences are largely unknown. Here it is demonstrated that recreational concentrations of alcohol (10–30 mM) enhance glycinergic and GABAergic inhibition of unipolar brush cells through increases in glycine/GABA release and postsynaptic enhancement of glycine receptor-mediated responses. Ethanol effects varied across rodent genotypes parallel to ethanol consumption and motor sensitivity phenotype.
Surgical Repair of Subacute Right Ventricular Perforation after Pacemaker Implantation
Authors: Oda Takeshi , Kono Takanori , Akaiwa Keiichi , Takahara Yasushi , Yasuoka Chie , Nakamura Katsuhiko
Published: April 2017

We report an 84-year-old woman who presented with right ventricular perforation 4 days after pacemaker implantation for syncope due to sick sinus syndrome. Median sternotomy revealed no pericardial effusion, but the pacing lead had penetrated the right ventricle and pericardium. When the pleura was opened, the tip of the lead was seen in the visceral pleura. The lead was cut in the pericardial cavity and extracted from the left subclavian wound together with the generator. The right ventricular perforation was sutured and a temporary pacing lead was placed on the right ventricular wall intraoperatively. Ten days after the surgery, a new pacemaker lead was placed in the ventricular septum via the right axillary vein. Right ventricular perforation is a rare complication after pacemaker implantation. Typically, it occurs at the time of implantation or within 24 hours after implantation. In the present case, the perforation of the right ventricle which needed urgent surgery occurred 4 days after implanting the pacing lead at the right ventricular apex. Great care should have been taken not to overlook this life-threatening complication even more than 24 hours after pacemaker implantation.
Efficacy of Keyhole Approach to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome under Ambulatory Strategy
Authors: Ramos-Zúñiga Rodrigo , García-Mercado César J. , Segura-Durán Iván , Zepeda-Gutiérrez Luis A.
Published: April 2017

The carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common entrapment neuropathies found in humans. Currently, the gold standard is surgical treatment using different modalities. The minimally invasive strategy with high resolution capacity and less morbidity is still a challenge. Methods. Prospective nonrandomised clinical trial in which a minimally invasive microsurgical approach was used following the keyhole principle in 55 consecutive patients and 65 hands under local anesthesia and ambulatory strategy. They were evaluated with stringent inclusion criteria with the Levine severity and functional status scale and with a 2-year follow-up. Results. 90% showed immediate improvement dropping to grades 1-2 in all items of the scale referring to pain and numbness. 97% reported improvement, as of the first month, and 3% reported persistence of symptoms, although at a lesser degree and with no functional limitation. No incidents were identified during the procedure and 98% of patients were discharged within an hour after the surgical procedure. Conclusions. The microsurgical approach described following the keyhole principle is a treatment option that, under local anesthesia and ambulatory management, may represent an alternative strategy of an effective treatment reducing the morbidity. This trial is registered with Clinical Trials Protocol Identifier NCT03062722.
Energy Efficient Partial Permutation Encryption on Network Coded MANETs
Authors: Khan Ali , Sun Qifu Tyler , Mahmood Zahid , Ghafoor Ata Ullah
Published: April 2017

Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) are composed of a large number of devices that act as dynamic nodes with limited processing capabilities that can share data among each other. Energy efficient security is the major issue in MANETs where data encryption and decryption operations should be optimized to consume less energy. In this regard, we have focused on network coding which is a lightweight mechanism that can also be used for data confidentiality. In this paper, we have further reduced the cost of network coding mechanism by reducing the size of data used for permutation. The basic idea is that source permutes only global encoding vectors (GEVs) without permuting the whole message symbols which significantly reduces the complexity and transmission cost over the network. We have also proposed an algorithm for key generation and random permutation confusion key calculation. The proposed scheme achieves better performance in throughput, encryption time, and energy consumption as compared to previous schemes.
Antimicrobial Resistance ofSalmonella entericaSerovars Typhi and Paratyphi Isolates from a General Hospital in Karawaci, Tangerang, Indonesia: A Five-Year Review
Authors: Hardjo Lugito Nata Pratama , Cucunawangsih
Published: April 2017

Typhoid and paratyphoid fever known as enteric fever pose important global public health problem, with 21.6 million cases and approximately 250,000 deaths annually. It is a prevalent disease in Indonesia, but data on the antimicrobial resistance pattern is limited. This study aim was to provide data on the antimicrobial resistance pattern ofS.Typhi andS.Paratyphi bloodstream isolates in a general hospital in Karawaci, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, during the period of January 2011 to December 2015. Susceptibility against antimicrobials was detected according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Out of a total of 168 isolates 55.4% wereS.Typhi and 44.6%S.Paratyphi A. Most of the isolates, 92.9%, were from children aged 6–18 years and adult population. There was low resistance ofS.Typhi against ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin, similar to previous studies in Indonesia. In the 2011–2015 period, resistance rates against most antimicrobials and MDR rate ofS.Typhi andS.Paratyphi were low, emphasizing that there is a distinct epidemiological dynamic of the enteric fever in Indonesia.
Damage Detection in Railway Truss Bridges Employing Data Sensitivity under Bayesian Framework: A Numerical Investigation
Authors: Prajapat Kanta , Ray-Chaudhuri Samit
Published: April 2017

In general, for a structure it is quite difficult to get information about all of its modes through its dynamic response under ambient or external excitation. Therefore, it is vital to exhaustively use the available information in the acquired modal data to detect any damage in the structures. Further, in a Bayesian algorithm, it can be quite beneficial if a damage localization algorithm is first used to localize damage in the structure. In this way, the number of unknown parameters in the Bayesian algorithm can be reduced significantly and thus, the efficiency of Bayesian algorithm can be enhanced. This study exploits a mode shape and its derivative based approach to localize damage in truss type structures. For damage quantification purpose, a parameter sensitivity based prediction error variance approach in Bayesian model updating is employed, which allows extracting maximum information available in the modal data. This work employs the sensitivity based Bayesian algorithm to determine the posterior confidence in truss type railway bridges. Results of the study show that the proposed approach can efficiently detect and quantify damage in railway truss bridges.
A Robust FLOM Based Spectrum Sensing Scheme under Middleton Class A Noise in IoT
Authors: Xu Enwei , Shi Shuo , Li Dezhi , Gu Xuemai , Labeau Fabrice
Published: April 2017

Accessibility to remote users in dynamic environment, high spectrum utilization, and no spectrum purchase make Cognitive Radio (CR) a feasible solution of wireless communications in the Internet of Things (IoT). Reliable spectrum sensing becomes the prerequisite for the establishment of communication between IoT-capable objects. Considering the application environment, spectrum sensing not only has to cope with man-made impulsive noises but also needs to overcome noise fluctuations. In this paper, we study the Fractional Lower Order Moments (FLOM) based spectrum sensing method under Middleton Class A noise and incorporate a Noise Power Estimation (NPE) module into the sensing system to deal with the issue of noise uncertainty. Moreover, the NPE process does not need noise-only samples. The analytical expressions of the probabilities of detection and the probability of false alarm are derived. The impact on sensing performance of the parameters of the NPE module is also analyzed. The theoretical analysis and simulation results show that our proposed sensing method achieves a satisfactory performance at low SNR.
Mechanism of plasmin generation by S100A10
Authors: Miller Victoria A. , Madureira Patricia A. , Kamaludin Ain Adilliah , Komar Jeffrey , Sharma Vandna , Sahni Girish , Thelwell Craig , Longstaff Colin , Waisman David M.
Published: April 2017

Plasminogen (Pg) is cleaved to form plasmin by the action of specific plasminogen activators such as the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Although the interaction of tPA and Pg with the surface of the fibrin clot has been well characterised, their interaction with cell surface Pg receptors is poorly understood. S100A10 is a cell surface Pg receptor that plays a key role in cellular plasmin generation. In the present report, we have utilised domain-switched/deleted variants of tPA, truncated plasminogen variants and S100A10 site-directed mutant proteins to define the regions responsible for S100A10-dependent plasmin generation. In contrast to the established role of the finger domain of tPA in fibrin-stimulated plasmin generation, we show that the kringle-2 domain of tPA plays a key role in S100A10-dependent plasmin generation. The kringle-1 domain of plasminogen, indispensable for fibrin-binding, is also critical for S100A10-dependent plasmin generation. S100A10 retains activity after substitution or deletion of the carboxyl-terminal lysine suggesting that internal lysine residues contribute to its plasmin generating activity. These studies define a new paradigm for plasminogen activation by the plasminogen receptor, S100A10.
Determinants of Acute and Late Pulmonary Vein Reconnection in Contact Force–Guided Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: El Haddad Milad , Taghji Philippe , Phlips Thomas , Wolf Michael , Demolder Anthony , Choudhury Rajin , Knecht Sébastien , Vandekerckhove Yves , Tavernier Rene , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Duytschaever Mattias
Published: April 2017

Background—

Pulmonary vein reconnection (PVR) still determines recurrences of atrial fibrillation after contact force (CF)–guided pulmonary vein isolation. We studied whether acute PVR (adenosine and waiting time) and late PVR (at repeat) are explained by incomplete transmurality and contiguity within the deployed radiofrequency circle.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed 42 CF-guided ipsilateral pulmonary vein isolation procedures. For each radiofrequency tag within the circle, we collected data reflecting lesion depth (time of application, power, impedance drop [Δ-Imp], CF, force–time integral [FTI], and ablation index [AI]) and contiguity (automated interlesion distance [ILD]). Ablation line contiguity index (ALCI) was developed as a novel automated algorithm combining depth and contiguity into one single criterion. Each circle was subdivided into 10 segments. For each segment, we determined its weakest link by annotating time
min
, power
min
, Δ-Imp
min
, CF
min
, FTI
min
, AI
min
, ILD
max
, and ALCI
min
. Compared with segments without PVR (n=758), PVR segments (n=44) were characterized by lower Δ-Imp
min
(4.8 versus 7.4 Ω), CF
min
(8.5 versus 11.8 g), FTI
min
(351 versus 473 gs), AI
min
(367 versus 408 arbitrary unit [au]), and higher ILD
max
(6.8 versus 5.5 mm). ALCI
min
was significantly lower in segments with PVR (74% versus 104%;
P
<0.001) and was associated with the highest accuracy to predict durable segments (area under the curve=0.73).

Conclusions—

In CF-guided pulmonary vein isolation, PVR is explained by lack of both lesion depth and contiguity within the deployed radiofrequency circle. ALCI, a novel measure combining contiguity and depth, is the most accurate predictor for durable segments. By avoiding weak links in the ablation chain, ALCI-guided ablation is expected to improve success rate of point-by-point radiofrequency ablation.
Alternative Sites of Accountability for Torture: The Publication of War on Terror Books as ‘Memory-Justice’
Authors: Banham Cynthia
Published: April 2017

This article examines alternative sites of accountability for torture carried out in the war on terror, where the Obama Administration refused to engage in official accountability. It is concerned with a less examined feature of civil society’s efforts at seeking accountability: the publication of key documents from the war on terror as books. I focus on two, one based on a congressional report on torture and the other on the diary of a current Guantánamo Bay detainee. I argue that through publishing these already existing texts as books, civil society actors helped amplify, circulate, and make more permanent evidence of post-9.11 torture. In doing so they contributed to the creation of a ‘counterpublic’, reforming what is publicly thinkable about the torture policies of the Bush Administration, and achieved a form of ‘memory-justice’, morally grounding past crimes in the present and taking responsibility as a political community for righting past wrongs.
Enemy of Mankind or Just No Powerful Friends Left? Insights from International Relations about the Efficacy of the icc
Authors: McManus Peerce
Published: April 2017

Applying both constructivism and the English school of international relations, the icc is shown to be founded upon, and simultaneously constitutive of, a vision of universally shared humanity. However, the icc performs this role of norm-entrepreneurship within a structure premised upon Westphalian notions of sovereignty that are not conducive to this vision. This tension is embedded within the Rome Statute due to compromises struck in its drafting between those actors who envisioned a solidarist ‘world community’, and those attached to the status quo of an ‘international society’. These compromises have given rise to power relations that undermine the vision of ending impunity for international crimes. Consequently, it is not simply by one’s conduct that they come before the Court as a hostis humani generis, but rather because they have no powerful friends left. The efficacy of the icc is contingent on this transition between two competing conceptions of international society.
Toward a Dialogic Hermeneutics
Authors: Gatti Nicoletta
Published: April 2017

Since the rise of African Biblical Hermeneutics, several different approaches have been developed in order to contextualize the Word within the African continent. However, excessive emphasis on context and culture runs the risk of generating a pseudo-biblical theology, not concretely founded on the Scriptures. Using Gen 4:1-16 as a study case, the article explores a dialogic approach to interpretation, respectful of both the biblical text and the receiving culture. Text and culture are placed “face to face” so that from their dialogue a call to action may arise addressed to the community of believers living in Ghana. After proposing an exegetical analysis of the text, the call to action in the text is brought into dialogue with a specific culture of Ghana (the Akan). With the help of traditional proverbs, the article analyses the assumptions with which the Akan culture encounters the text and the challenges that the text poses to the culture.
The Enduring Necessity of Periclean Politics
Authors: Dobski Bernard J.
Published: April 2017

Thucydides’ interest in Pericles best comes to sight when we examine Pericles’ first speech in context. Situated at the end of Book i of the History, that speech concludes a set-piece that begins with the Corinthians’ final speech and whose bridge is the ‘digression’ on Cylon, Pausanias and Themistocles. Read as part of this narrative structure, Pericles’ speech represents the successful conclusion of a debate over political rule broadly understood. For Thucydides, that success consists in the ability of Pericles’ rhetoric to invite his audience to reflect on the ends of political life, a rhetoric that Thucydides promises to represent in his historiography.
‘Not Slavery, but Salvation’
Authors: Trott Adriel M.
Published: April 2017

This paper argues that Aristotle challenges the view of Athenian democrats that all rule is master rule – the imposition of the will of the powerful on the powerless – by arguing that the politeuma, or government, should be identical with the politeia, understood both as the constitution and the collectivity of citizens. I examine Aristotle’s analysis and response to democrats’ skepticism of the law that the constitution embodies. Aristotle argues that democrats think law limits license even when the source of law is the people themselves. The view of citizens as the source of law coupled with the view of the law as a commitment to collective determinations regarding the end makes law salvation rather than slavery.
The riddle of Lyriothemis bivittata (Rambur, 1842): Lyriothemis kameliyae spec. nov. (Odonata: Libellulidae)
Authors: KOMPIER TOM
Published: April 2017

Lyriothemis kameliyae spec. nov. from northern Vietnam is described and illustrated for both sexes, and descriptions are given of male and female specimens of L. bivittata collected in Vietnam. A comparison of their distinguishing characteristics is provided, and differences from similar L. tricolor are discussed. Earlier descriptions and some records of L. bivittata are evaluated. Evidently these contain at least some L. kameliyae specimens, and therefore historic records of L. bivittata require evaluation. The ranges of the two species overlap considerably. Some information is provided on the biology of L. kameliyae.
Confused identity: Pseudoeudesis brasiliensis Franz transferred to Heteroscydmus Franz, and Pseudoeudesis castrii Franz placed in Anthicimimus Franz (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ
Published: April 2017

Based on examination of the type specimens, the Brazilian Pseudoeudesis brasiliensis and Chilean Ps. castrii are removed from Scydmaenini and transferred to genera of Glandulariini: Heteroscydmus and Anthicimimus, respectively. Lectotypes for both species are designated. Heteroscydmus brasiliensis comb. n. and Anthicimimus castrii comb. n. are redescribed. Minor differences in morphological structures between the newly transferred species and previously known Heteroscydmus and Anthicimimus are discussed and regarded as representing character variability within genera. All non-Palaearctic species previously placed in Pseudoeudesis (and in Scydmaenini) are now placed in four genera of Glandulariini (Afroeudesis, Oreoeudesis, Heteroscydmus and Anthicimimus), and it can be concluded that Pseudoeudesis is restricted to the Mediterranean basin and does not occur in the Southern Hemisphere.
Evolution of Winter Temperature in Toronto, Ontario, Canada: A Case Study of Winters 2013/14 and 2014/15
Authors: Anderson Conor I. , Gough William A.
Published: April 2017

Globally, 2014 and 2015 were the two warmest years on record. At odds with these global records, eastern Canada experienced pronounced annual cold anomalies in both 2014 and 2015, especially during the 2013/14 and 2014/15 winters. This study sought to contextualize these cold winters within a larger climate context in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto winter temperatures (maximum Tmax, minimum Tmin, and mean Tmean) for the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons were ranked among all winters for three periods: 1840/41–2015 (175 winters), 1955/56–2015 (60 winters), and 1985/86–2015 (30 winters), and the average warming trend for each temperature metric during these three periods was analyzed using the Mann–Kendall test and Thiel–Sen slope estimation. The winters of 2013/14 and 2014/15 were the 34th and 36th coldest winters in Toronto since record-keeping began in 1840; however these events are much rarer, relatively, over shorter periods of history. Overall, Toronto winter temperatures have warmed considerably since winter 1840/41. The Mann–Kendall analysis showed statistically significant monotonic trends in winter Tmax, Tmin, and Tmean over the last 175 and 60 years. These trends notwithstanding, there has been no clear signal in Toronto winter temperature since 1985/86. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the diurnal temperature range in that period, indicating an expansion of winter extremes. It is proposed that the possible saturation of urban heat island–related warming in Toronto may partially explain this increase in variation. Also, anomalies in the position of the polar jet stream over Toronto during these cold events are identified. No direct influence of major teleconnections on Toronto winter temperature is found.
SynthETC: A Statistical Model for Severe Winter Storm Hazard on Eastern North America
Authors: Hall Timothy , Booth James F.
Published: April 2017

The authors develop, evaluate, and apply SynthETC, a statistical–stochastic model of winter extratropical cyclones (ETCs) over eastern North America. SynthETC simulates the life cycle of ETCs from formation to termination, and it can be used to estimate the probability of extreme ETC events beyond the historical record. Two modes of climate variability are used as independent covariates: El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Niño-3.4 index and the monthly North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). SynthETC is used to estimate the annual occurrence rate over sites in eastern North America of intense ETC passage in different ENSO and NAO states. Positive NAO is associated with increased rates over the North Atlantic, while negative NAO is associated with decreased rates over the North Atlantic and increased rates over northern Quebec. Positive ENSO is associated with decreased rates over the North Atlantic, Ontario, and the Canadian maritime, while negative ENSO is associated with increased rates over those regions, as well as the Great Lakes region.
The Sensitivity of Orographic Precipitation to Flow Direction: An Idealized Modeling Approach
Authors: Picard Lee , Mass Clifford
Published: April 2017

A major question regarding orographic precipitation is its sensitivity to flow direction, with some research suggesting substantial sensitivity. To examine this issue, this paper describes a full physics model with realistic three-dimensional terrain that is forced by a single input sounding. This system is used to investigate the sensitivity of orographic precipitation to wind direction over the Pacific Northwest for conditions approximating an atmospheric river. The model results show considerable modulation of regional precipitation as flow direction changes, with results for four Washington State river drainages agreeing well with previous observational studies. It is shown that precipitation amounts over such drainages can vary substantially with very small changes in the direction of the incoming flow. To explore the origin of directional sensitivity of precipitation over the Olympic Mountains of western Washington State, additional experiments were carried out using modified terrain fields with smoothed or idealized Olympic Mountains, or with nearby orography removed. These simulations suggest that the sensitivity of Olympic Mountain precipitation to wind direction is more strongly modulated by the presence of surrounding orography than by the specific geometry of the Olympic Mountains.
Existential Anxiety, Personality Type, and Therapy Preference in Young Adults
Authors: Shumaker David , Killian Kathleen , Cole Courtney , Hruby Adela , Grimm Julia
Published: April 2017

The current study examines the relationship between existential anxiety (EA), personality traits, and therapy preference in a sample of young adults. EA is thought to be universal human experience, yet no published research has been conducted on whether certain personality traits predict higher levels of EA. Males and females ( N = 69) aged 18 to 25 years completed several self-report measures, including a measure of EA, five-factor personality traits, and therapy preference (insight- vs. action-oriented). Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the relationship among the constructs of interest. Results indicate a significant positive correlation between Neuroticism as measured by the NEO-Five Factor Inventory and EA. The Neuroticism N4 Self-Consciousness subscale showed the strongest association with EA. There was no relationship between therapy preference and EA. The results suggest that individuals with personality types characterized by elevated levels of shyness, guilt, and inferiority may be more likely to experience elevated EA. Experiencing higher levels of EA does not seem to affect therapy preference. These findings have important implications for clinicians treating young adults who present with internalizing symptoms.
Retrospective and futuristic idealization: Defining German coloniality after the loss of empire
Authors: Krobb Florian
Published: April 2017

The article discusses two very different examples of German post-imperial writing as manifestations of a colonialist imaginary that was both retrospective / nostalgic and futuristic / aspirational. They serve to illustrate how colonialist discourse after 1918 shaped attitudes towards colonial space in ways that survived the next historical caesura, that of 1945. Some of the animal stories from former German East Africa assembled in Rudolf Sendke’s book of reminiscences (1925) enact an idealized benevolent and respectful, yet determined and capable role of Germans in unruly and dangerous colonial space, while Adolf Kaempffer, 15 years later, devises a vision of the perfect National Socialist society based on social engineering and racial segregation to be created in an imaginary regained German South-West Africa.
Use of FDG PET/CT in identification of bone marrow involvement in diffuse large B cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma: comparison with iliac crest bone marrow biopsy
Authors: Teagle Alexandra R , Barton Hannah , Charles-Edwards Elizabeth , Dizdarevic Sabina , Chevassut Timothy
Published: April 2017

Background

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) accounts for around 4% of new cancer cases annually. Bone marrow involvement is important for staging and management. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) is used increasingly to identify this, in addition to bone marrow biopsy (BMB), which is seen as “gold” reference standard.

Purpose

To compare determination of bone marrow involvement by FDG PET/CT against BMB in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL).

Material and Methods

This was a retrospective study of patients with histologically confirmed NHL at a single UK cancer center undergoing pre-treatment FDG PET/CT and BMB between June 2010 and February 2013. Information was collected from patient notes, cancer registry, histological and imaging reports. Diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET/CT was determined, compared to BMB as the reference standard.

Results

Twenty-four patients with DLBCL and 12 with FL were included. Five DLBCL patients had bone marrow involvement on PET/CT; all were confirmed on BMB. Three FL patients had marrow involvement on PET/CT but not on BMB; one FL patient had positive BMB but negative PET/CT. Using BMB as the reference standard, the sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET/CT for detecting bone marrow involvement in DLBCL were 100% and 100%, respectively, and in FL were 0% and 72.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

FDG PET/CT is accurate for detection of bone marrow involvement in newly diagnosed DLBCL, but not FL. In DLBCL, positive FDG PET/CT may negate the need for routine BMB, although BMB in addition or combination may be appropriate if this would influence management or prognosis.
The Evolution of Food Deserts in a Small Midwestern City: The Case of Ypsilanti, Michigan: 1970 to 2010
Authors: Semple Hugh , Giguere Andrew
Published: April 2017

This study examines long-term geographic and demographic changes in food deserts in Ypsilanti, a small city of approximately 19,500 people located in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Because of the small size of Ypsilanti, it is sometimes difficult to imagine that food deserts can emerge in such urban settings and persist for decades. We argue that the persistence and geographic spread over time of food deserts in Ypsilanti are related to suburbanization, the decline of a once thriving auto-manufacturing sector, and changes in the structure of grocery retailing.
Suppressing Unwanted Memories Reduces Their Unintended Influences
Authors: Hu Xiaoqing , Bergström Zara M. , Gagnepain Pierre , Anderson Michael C.
Published: April 2017

The ability to control unwanted memories is critical for maintaining cognitive function and mental health. Prior research has shown that suppressing the retrieval of unwanted memories impairs their retention, as measured using intentional (direct) memory tests. Here, we review emerging evidence revealing that retrieval suppression can also reduce the unintended influence of suppressed traces. In particular, retrieval suppression (a) gradually diminishes the tendency for memories to intrude into awareness and (b) reduces memories’ unintended expressions on indirect memory tests. We present a neural account in which, during suppression, retrieval cues elicit hippocampally triggered neocortical activity that briefly reinstates features of the original event, which, in turn, are suppressed by targeted neocortical and hippocampal inhibition. This reactivation-dependent reinstatement principle could provide a broad mechanism by which suppressing retrieval of intrusive memories limits their indirect influences.
Missing in (Collective) Action
Authors: Jost John T. , Becker Julia , Osborne Danny , Badaan Vivienne
Published: April 2017

Social-psychological models of collective action emphasize three antecedents of protest: (a) anger at perceived injustice, (b) social identification, and (c) beliefs about group efficacy. These models are extremely useful but have rarely incorporated ideological factors—despite the fact that protests occur in societal contexts in which some people are motivated to defend and bolster the status quo whereas others are motivated to challenge and oppose it. We adopt a system-justification perspective to specify when individuals and groups will—and will not—experience moral outrage and whether such outrage will be directed at defenders versus critics of the status quo. We describe evidence that epistemic, existential, and relational needs for certainty, security, and affiliation undermine support for system-challenging protests by increasing system-defensive motivation. We also discuss system-based emotions and backlash against protestors and propose an integrated model of collective action that paves the way for more comprehensive research on the psychological antecedents of social change.
Overexpression of CPEB4 in glioma indicates a poor prognosis by promoting cell migration and invasion
Authors: Zhijun Liu , Dapeng Wu , Hong Jing , Guicong Wang , Bingjian Yuan , Honglin Liu
Published: April 2017

Glioma is an aggressive malignancy with limited effective treatment and poor prognosis. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 is a regulator of gene transcription and has been reported to be associated with biological malignancy in cancers. However, the mechanisms that cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 contributes to tumor migration and invasion remain unknown. Here, cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry, and the results were compared with clinicopathological parameters, including survival. Using glioma cell lines (SKMG-4 and T98G), we measured cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 messenger RNA and protein expression and studied the effects of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 expression on cell migration and invasion. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 expression was significantly higher in tumor tissues than that in normal brain tissues. Clinicopathological analysis showed that cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 expression was significantly correlated with advanced World Health Organization grade ( p < 0.001) and lower Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score ( p = 0.001). Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 positive as opposed to the cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 negative patients had lower overall survival ( p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis suggested that cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 expression might be an independent prognostic indicator (hazard ratio = 2.091, 95% confidence interval: 1.093–3.999, p = 0.026) for glioma patients. Moreover, upregulated cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 expression could promote T98G cell migration and invasion, and downregulated cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 expression could inhibit SKMG-4 cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, downregulated cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 could reduce the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9. In conclusion, our studies indicated that positive cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 expression predicted a worse prognosis in glioma patients, and cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 could represent a useful biomarker or therapeutic target for glioma.
Characterization of exosomal RNAs derived from human gastric cancer cells by deep sequencing
Authors: Ren Jia , Zhou Quan , Li Hao , Li Jianfang , Pang Li , Su Liping , Gu Qinlong , Zhu Zhenggang , Liu Bingya
Published: April 2017

Exosomes secreted from the cell to the extracellular environment play an important role in intercellular communication. Next-generation sequencing technology, which has achieved great development recently, allows us to detect more complete data and gain even deeper analyses of RNA transcriptomes. In our research, we extracted exosomes from different gastric cancer cell lines and immortalized normal gastric mucosal epithelial cell line and examined the amounts of exosomal proteins and RNAs. Our data showed that the secreted amount of cancer cell–derived exosomes, which contain proteins and RNAs, was much higher than that of normal cell–derived exosomes. Moreover, next-generation sequencing technology confirmed the presence of small non-coding RNAs in exosomes. Based on publicly available databases, we classified small non-coding RNAs. According to the microRNA profiles of exosomes, hsa-miR-21-5p and hsa-miR-30a-5p were two of the most abundant sequences among all libraries. The expression levels of the two microRNAs, miR-100 and miR-148a, in exosomes were validated through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction result, consistent with the trend of sequencing result, indicated a significant difference in exosomes between gastric cancer and gastric mucosal epithelial cell lines. We also predicted novel microRNA candidates but they need to be validated. This research provided an atlas of small non-coding RNA in exosomes and may make a little contribution to the understanding of exosomal RNA composition and finding parts of differential expression of RNAs in exosomes.
The effects and mechanisms of SLC34A2 on maintaining stem cell-like phenotypes in CD147+breast cancer stem cells
Authors: Lv Yonggang , Wang Ting , Fan Jing , Zhang Zhenzhen , Zhang Juliang , Xu Cheng , Li Yongping , Zhao Ge , He Chenyang , Meng Huimin , Yang Hua , Wang Zhen , Liu Jiayun , Chen Jianghao , Wang Ling
Published: April 2017

The cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis has gained significant recognition in describing tumorigenesis. Identification of the factors critical to development of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) may provide insight into the improvement of effective therapies against breast cancer. In this study, we aim to investigate the biological function of SLC34A2 in affecting the stem cell-like phenotypes in BCSCs and its underlying mechanisms. We demonstrated that CD147+cells from breast cancer tissue samples and cell lines possessed BCSC-like features, including the ability of self-renewal in vitro, differentiation, and tumorigenic potential in vivo. Flow cytometry analysis showed the presence of a variable fraction of CD147+cells in 9 of 10 tumor samples. Significantly, SLC34A2 expression in CD147+BCSCs was enhanced compared with that in differentiated adherent progeny of CD147+BCSCs and adherently cultured cell line cells. In breast cancer patient cohorts, SLC34A2 expression was found increased in 9 of 10 tumor samples. By using lentiviral-based approach, si-SLC34A2-transduced CD147+BCSCs showed decreased ability of sphere formation, cell viability in vitro, and tumorigenicity in vivo, which suggested the essential role of SLC34A2 in CD147+BCSCs. Furthermore, PI3K/AKT pathway and SOX2 were found necessary to maintain the stemness of CD147+BCSCs by using LY294002 or lentiviral-si-SOX2. Finally, we indicated that SLC34A2 could regulate SOX2 to maintain the stem cell–like features in CD147+BCSCs through PI3K/AKT pathway. Therefore, our report identifies a novel role of SLC34A2 in BCSCs’ state regulation and establishes a rationale for targeting the SLC34A2/PI3K/AKT/SOX2 signaling pathway for breast cancer therapy.
Expression of claudin 1, claudin 4, and claudin 7 in colorectal cancer and its relation with CLDN DNA methylation patterns
Authors: Hahn-Strömberg Victoria , Askari Shlear , Ahmad Abrar , Befekadu Rahel , Nilsson Torbjörn K
Published: April 2017

Altered claudin expression has been described in colon, prostatic, ovarian, and breast carcinoma. However, the role of epigenetic modifications in these genes and their role in colorectal cancer is unknown. We aimed our study to investigate whether claudin protein expression and methylation of CLDN can influence the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer. A total of 31 patients diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma was used in this study. Immunohistochemical staining was used to study protein expression in both tumor and the adjacent nonneoplastic mucosa of claudin 1, 4, and 7. To detect the DNA methylation pattern of CLDN1, 4, and 7, genomic DNA was extracted from both the tumor and the adjacent nonneoplastic mucosa. Methylation analysis was carried out using bisulfite pyrosequencing. Cell membrane staining intensity of all claudins was found significantly lower in colorectal cancer tissues when compared to paired normal mucosa (p ≤ 0.001). For claudin 4, the percentage of cells staining positively was also significantly reduced (p = 0.04). In normal mucosa, cytoplasm showed no staining for claudins in any patient, whereas in paired colorectal cancer tissues, significant cytoplasmic staining appeared both for claudin 1 (p = 0.04) and claudin 4 (p = 0.01). Tumor samples were significantly hypomethylated in CLDN1 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results show that CLDN1 is significantly hypomethylated in tumor samples and that the membrane staining intensity for claudin 1, 4, and 7 is significantly lower in colorectal cancer tissues than in adjacent nonneoplastic tissue. Colorectal cancer cells showed dystopic cytoplasmic location of claudins.
The histone demethylase lysine-specific demethylase-1–mediated epigenetic silence of KLF2 contributes to gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion
Authors: Fang Ruizhong , Xu Jian , Lin Hai , Xu Xiaoguang , Tian Feng
Published: April 2017

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies and leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. An increasing number of evidence has revealed that gastric tumorigenesis is a multistage pathological state, and epigenetic alterations are considered to play critical roles in the etiology of gastric cancer. Lysine-specific demethylase-1, a histone demethylase, has been linked to malignancy in several human cancers and considered to epigenetically regulate many tumor suppressor genes during tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, its role and underlying targets in gastric cancer are still unclear. In this study, we detected the lysine-specific demethylase-1 expression level in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines and investigated the function and mechanism of lysine-specific demethylase-1 in the gastric cancer. The in vitro analysis shows that knockdown of lysine-specific demethylase-1 significantly inhibits gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induces cell cycle G1 phase arrest and cell apoptosis. In vivo assays determine that lysine-specific demethylase-1 downregulation represses gastric cancer cell tumorigenesis. Mechanistic investigation reveals that tumor suppressor KLF2 is a key downstream target of lysine-specific demethylase-1 in gastric cancer. These findings indicate that lysine-specific demethylase-1 is an important oncogene in gastric cancer, and lysine-specific demethylase-1-mediated epigenetic repression of KLF2 plays a critical role in gastric cancer development and progression, which supports lysine-specific demethylase-1 as a potential therapeutic target in this disease.
Downregulation of microRNA-181d had suppressive effect on pancreatic cancer development through inverse regulation of KNAIN2
Authors: Zhang Guopeng , Liu Dongbo , Long Guoxian , Shi Lei , Qiu Hong , Hu Guangyuan , Hu Guoqing , Liu Shunfang
Published: April 2017

We explored the expression and function of miR-181d (microRNA-181d) in human pancreatic cancer. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to probe miR-181d expression in both pancreatic cancer cell lines and human pancreatic carcinoma. Pancreatic cancer cell lines, PANC-1 and AsPC-1 cells, were engineered to stably downregulate endogenous miR-181d through lentiviral transduction. The mechanistic effects of miR-181d downregulation on pancreatic cancer development were tested by proliferation, migration, fluorouracil chemosensitivity assays in vitro, and explant assay in vivo. Possible miR-181d downstream gene, NKAIN2 (Na+/K+ transporting ATPase interacting 2), was tested by dual-luciferase activity assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Functional involvement of NKAIN2 in miR-181d-regulated pancreatic cancer development was tested by small interfering RNA–mediated NKAIN2 knockdown in miR-181d-downregulated PANC-1 and AsPC-1 cells. MiR-181d was upregulated in both pancreatic cancer cell lines and human pancreatic carcinoma. Lentivirus-induced miR-181d downregulation decreased pancreatic cancer proliferation, migration, and fluorouracil resistance in vitro and inhibited the growth of cancer explant in vivo. NKAIN2 was directly targeted by miR-181d in pancreatic cancer. Small interfering RNA–mediated NKAIN2 knockdown reversed the inhibition of miR-181d downregulation on pancreatic cancer development. MiR-181d is aberrantly overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. Inhibiting miR-181d may suppress pancreatic cancer development, possibly through the inverse regulation on NKAIN2.
Evaluation of applicability of DNA microarray–based characterization of bovine Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli isolates using whole genome sequence analysis
Authors: Barth Stefanie A. , Menge Christian , Eichhorn Inga , Semmler Torsten , Pickard Derek , Geue Lutz
Published: April 2017

We assessed the ability of a commercial DNA microarray to characterize bovine Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates and evaluated the results using in silico hybridization of the microarray probes within whole genome sequencing scaffolds. From a total of 69,954 reactions (393 probes with 178 isolates), 68,706 (98.2%) gave identical results by DNA microarray and in silico probe hybridization. Results were more congruent when detecting the genoserotype (209 differing results from 19,758 in total; 1.1%) or antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRGs; 141 of 26,878; 0.5%) than when detecting virulence-associated genes (VAGs; 876 of 22,072; 4.0%). Owing to the limited coverage of O-antigens by the microarray, only 37.2% of the isolates could be genoserotyped. However, the microarray proved suitable to rapidly screen bovine STEC strains for the occurrence of high numbers of VAGs and AMRGs and is suitable for molecular surveillance workflows.
Atypical cytologic presentation of a histiocytic sarcoma in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog
Authors: Clarke Lorelei L. , Kelly Lisa S. , Garner Bridget , Brown Cathy A.
Published: April 2017

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog was presented because of a 10-d history of progressive vomiting, inappetence, and lethargy, with mild neurologic signs. Fine-needle aspirates of splenic nodules seen on ultrasound were suggestive of a carcinoma. On autopsy, a disseminated neoplasm was present in the lung, spleen, and adrenal glands. Additionally, there was a Chiari-like malformation of the skull with corresponding syringomyelia of the cranial spinal cord. Histologically, the neoplasm was comprised of a pleomorphic population of round cells with a high mitotic rate. Cells stained positive for vimentin and CD18 and negative for cytokeratin, chromogranin A, CD3, CD20, MHC II, and CD11d, and hence the tumor was diagnosed as a histiocytic sarcoma. The cytologic presentation in this case is uncommon for this type of tumor, as was the clinical presentation.