bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface strengthening of injection molded parts by applying a thermal insulation film
Authors: Oh Hwa Jin , Song Young Seok
Published: March 2017

The main objective of this study is to strengthen the surface of injection molded parts by building up the compressive residual stress at the surface of the product.
Facile transformation of low cost melamine–oxalic acid into porous graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets with high visible-light photocatalytic performance
Authors: Han Xiaopeng , Tian Li , Jiang Hongjin , Kong Lingru , Lv Jianan , Shan Jing , Wang Jiwei , Fan Xiaoxing
Published: March 2017

The high visible-light photocatalytic performance of porous g-C3N4nanosheets were prepared by using a long strip-like structure of melamine–oxalic acid (MO) as a precursor.
In situ X-ray absorption fine structure study on the polymerization of isoprene assisted by Nd-based ternary catalysts
Authors: Guo H. L. , Bi J. F. , Wu Q. Y. , Wang J. Y. , Shi W. Q. , Zhang X. Q. , Jiang S. C. , Wu Z. H.
Published: March 2017

Polymerization processes of isoprene catalyzed by four catalysts with different alkylaluminums were detected by in situ XAFS technique. The catalytic mechanism of the neodymium-based ternary catalyst was discussed based on the structure information.
Solvothermal synthesis of LiFe1/3Mn1/3Co1/3PO4 solid solution as lithium storage cathode materials
Authors: Wang Yanming , Wang Yajing , Liu Xiaoyu , Zhu Bo , Wang Fei
Published: March 2017

Monodisperse LiMn1/3Fe1/3Co1/3PO4 nanoparticles are synthesized by a solvothermal method, exhibiting outstanding rate capability and cycling stability.
Surface characteristics influencing bacterial adhesion to polymeric substrates
Authors: Yuan Yue , Hays Michael P. , Hardwidge Philip R. , Kim Jooyoun
Published: March 2017

Effective surface area on rough substrates for bacterial adhesion is examined by analyzing the solid area fraction of surfaces, where the bacterial medium is in contact with the solid surface.
Correction: Characterization of an exopolysaccharide from probiont Enterobacter faecalis MSI12 and its effect on the disruption of Candida albicans biofilm
Authors: Kiran G. Seghal , Priyadharshini S. , Anitha K. , Gnanamani Elumalai , Selvin Joseph
Published: March 2017

Correction for ‘Characterization of an exopolysaccharide from probiont Enterobacter faecalis MSI12 and its effect on the disruption of Candida albicans biofilm’ by G. Seghal Kiran et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 71573–71585.
A bottom up approach towards artificial oxygenases by combining iron coordination complexes and peptides
Authors: Cussó Olaf , Giuliano Michael W. , Ribas Xavi , Miller Scott J. , Costas Miquel
Published: March 2017

The combination of peptides and a chiral iron coordination complex catalyzes high yield highly asymmetric epoxidation with aqueous hydrogen peroxide.
High-performing and thermally stable energetic 3,7-diamino-7H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4]triazole derivatives
Authors: Tang Yongxing , He Chunlin , Imler Gregory H. , Parrish Damon A. , Shreeve Jean'ne M.
Published: March 2017

A family of 3,7-diamino-7H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4]triazole derivatives is reported and some show promising detonation properties.
Nickel oxide nanoparticles for efficient hole transport in p-i-n and n-i-p perovskite solar cells
Authors: Liu Zonghao , Zhu Aili , Cai Fensha , Tao LeiMing , Zhou Yinhua , Zhao Zhixin , Chen Qi , Cheng Yi-Bing , Zhou Huanping
Published: March 2017

Here, a low-temperature solution-processed nickel oxide (NiOx) thin film was first employed as a hole transport layer in both inverted (p-i-n) planar and regular (n-i-p) mesoscopic organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PVSCs).
Comparing the Effects of Speech-Generating Device Display Organization on Symbol Comprehension and Use by Three Children With Developmental Delays
Authors: Barton-Hulsey Andrea , Wegner Jane , Brady Nancy C. , Bunce Betty H. , Sevcik Rose A.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Three children ages 3;6 to 5;3 with developmental and language delays were provided experience with a traditional grid-based display and a contextually organized visual scene display on a speech-generating device to illustrate considerations for practice and future research in augmentative and alternative communication assessment and intervention.

Method

Twelve symbols were taught in a grid display and visual scene display using aided input during dramatic play routines. Teaching sessions were 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Symbol comprehension and use was assessed pre and post 3 weeks of experience.

Results

Comprehension of symbol vocabulary on both displays increased after 3 weeks of experience. Participants 1 and 2 used both displays largely for initiation. Participant 3 had limited expressive use of either display.

Conclusions

The methods used in this study demonstrate one way to inform individual differences in learning and preference for speech-generating device displays when making clinical decisions regarding augmentative and alternative communication supports for a child and their family. Future research should systematically examine the role of extant comprehension, symbol experience, functional communication needs, and the role of vocabulary type in the learning and use of grid displays versus visual scene displays.
Increased Response to Altered Auditory Feedback in Dyslexia: A Weaker Sensorimotor Magnet Implied in the Phonological Deficit
Authors: van den Bunt Mark R. , Groen Margriet A. , Ito Takayuki , Francisco Ana A. , Gracco Vincent L. , Pugh Ken R. , Verhoeven Ludo
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine whether developmental dyslexia (DD) is characterized by deficiencies in speech sensory and motor feedforward and feedback mechanisms, which are involved in the modulation of phonological representations.

Method

A total of 42 adult native speakers of Dutch (22 adults with DD; 20 participants who were typically reading controls) were asked to produce /bep/ while the first formant (F1) of the /e/ was not altered (baseline), increased (ramp), held at maximal perturbation (hold), and not altered again (after-effect). The F1 of the produced utterance was measured for each trial and used for statistical analyses. The measured F1s produced during each phase were entered in a linear mixed-effects model.

Results

Participants with DD adapted more strongly during the ramp phase and returned to baseline to a lesser extent when feedback was back to normal (after-effect phase) when compared with the typically reading group. In this study, a faster deviation from baseline during the ramp phase, a stronger adaptation response during the hold phase, and a slower return to baseline during the after-effect phase were associated with poorer reading and phonological abilities.

Conclusion

The data of the current study are consistent with the notion that the phonological deficit in DD is associated with a weaker sensorimotor magnet for phonological representations.
Analysis and control of improved power quality single‐phase split voltage cascaded converter feeding three‐phase OEIM drive
Authors: Kumar Amritesh , Verma Vishal
Published: March 2017

The use of single phase induction motor (IM) in fuel dispensing units despite its poor efficiency and torque oscillations causing erroneous dispensing etc. is overdue for replacement with 3 phase IM, drives based on single phase AC‐DC‐AC conversion. But conventional 3 phase IM drive requires high Voltage DC tank capacitor requiring regular replacement due to short life cycle and failure on account of high induced voltage during sudden supply or loads disconnection. This paper presents a new cascaded converter active rectifier (CCAR) unit for splitting single phase to 3 phase to cater variable speed constant v/f controlled open end winding induction motor (OEIM) fuel pump drive. The proposed configuration has an advantage in terms of reduced voltage stress across each split capacitor, reduced leakage current, and distributed voltage stress during sudden supply or load disconnection. A detailed stability analysis is presented in the d‐q frame for the control design to access the feasibility of drive operation. The embedded control forces balanced drive operation amidst uneven losses across the H‐bridges and /or unbalanced motor loading effect during transients or intermittent operation. The effectiveness of proposed control algorithm is validated both by simulation and experimentation on the developed same scale hardware prototype.
Bellman equation and viscosity solutions for mean-field stochastic control problem
Authors: Pham Huyên , Wei Xiaoli
Published: March 2017

We consider the stochastic optimal control problem of McKean−Vlasov stochastic differential equation where the coefficients may depend upon the joint law of the state and control. By using feedback controls, we reformulate the problem into a deterministic control problem with only the marginal distribution of the process as controlled state variable, and prove that dynamic programming principle holds in its general form. Then, by relying on the notion of differentiability with respect to probability measures recently introduced by [P.L. Lions, Cours au Collège de France: Théorie des jeux à champ moyens, audio conference 2006−2012], and a special Itô formula for flows of probability measures, we derive the (dynamic programming) Bellman equation for mean-field stochastic control problem, and prove a verification theorem in our McKean−Vlasov framework. We give explicit solutions to the Bellman equation for the linear quadratic mean-field control problem, with applications to the mean-variance portfolio selection and a systemic risk model. We also consider a notion of lifted viscosity solutions for the Bellman equation, and show the viscosity property and uniqueness of the value function to the McKean−Vlasov control problem. Finally, we consider the case of McKean−Vlasov control problem with open-loop controls and discuss the associated dynamic programming equation that we compare with the case of closed-loop controls.
A forward-backward dynamical approach to the minimization of the sum of a nonsmooth convex with a smooth nonconvex function
Authors: Ioan Boţ Radu , Robert Csetnek Ernö
Published: March 2017

We address the minimization of the sum of a proper, convex and lower semicontinuous function with a (possibly nonconvex) smooth function from the perspective of an implicit dynamical system of forward-backward type. The latter is formulated by means of the gradient of the smooth function and of the proximal point operator of the nonsmooth one. The trajectory generated by the dynamical system is proved to asymptotically converge to a critical point of the objective, provided a regularization of the latter satisfies the Kurdyka−Łojasiewicz property. Convergence rates for the trajectory in terms of the Łojasiewicz exponent of the regularized objective function are also provided.
Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Pyrroles via a One-Pot Three-Component Reaction
Authors: Darehkordi Ali , Rahmani Fariba
Published: March 2017

A novel synthesis of trifluoromethylated pyrroles is described from a one-pot, three-component reaction between N-aryl-2,2,2-trifluoroacetimidoyl chlorides, dimethyl or diethyl acetylene dicarboxylate, and isocyanides in dry dichloromethane without catalyst in good yields.
Synthesis and Properties of 2-Oxa-6-azaspiro[3.3]heptane Sulfonate Salts
Authors: van der Haas Richard , Dekker Jeroen , Hassfeld Jorma , Hager Anastasia , Fey Peter , Rubenbauer Philipp , Damen Eric
Published: March 2017

An improved synthesis of the bicyclic spiro compound 2-oxa-6-azaspiro[3.3]heptane is presented. While this compound is often isolated as an oxalate salt, its isolation as a sulfonic acid salt yields a more stable and more soluble product. With these improved properties access to a wider range of reaction conditions with the spirobicyclic 2-oxa-6-azaspiro[3.3]heptane has been enabled.
Lactation Induction in a Commissioned Mother by Surrogacy: Effects on Prolactin Levels, Milk Secretion and Mother Satisfaction
Authors: Amato Angélica Amorim , Zanatta Alysson , Vogt Maria de Fátima Brito , Wanderley Miriam da Silva , Mariani Neto Coríntio , Zaconeta Alberto Moreno , Zingler Emilie
Published: March 2017

Case report of a 39-year-old intended mother of a surrogate pregnancy who underwent induction of lactation by sequential exposure to galactagogue drugs (metoclopramide and domperidone), nipple mechanical stimulation with an electric pump, and suction by the newborn. The study aimed to analyze the effect of each step of the protocol on serum prolactin levels, milk secretion and mother satisfaction, in the set of surrogacy. Serum prolactin levels and milk production had no significant changes. Nevertheless, the mother was able to breastfeed for four weeks, and expressed great satisfaction with the experience. As a conclusion, within the context of a surrogate pregnancy, breastfeeding seems to bring emotional benefits not necessarily related to an increase in milk production.
Mechanism of single- and double-sided inhibition of dual topology fluoride channels by synthetic monobodies
Authors: Turman Daniel L. , Stockbridge Randy B.
Published: March 2017

The Fluc family of proteins comprises small, electrodiffusive fluoride channels, which prevent accumulation of toxic F− ions in microorganisms. Recent crystal structures have confirmed their unusual architecture, in which a pair of antiparallel subunits convenes to form a dimer with a twofold symmetry axis parallel to the plane of the membrane. These structures have also revealed the interactions between Fluc channels and several different fibronectin domain monobodies that inhibit Fluc-mediated F− currents; in all structures, each channel binds to two monobodies symmetrically, one on either side of the membrane. However, these structures do not reveal the mechanism of monobody inhibition. Moreover, the results appear to diverge from a recent electrophysiological study indicating that monobody binding is negatively cooperative; that is, a bound monobody on one side of a Fluc channel decreases the affinity of an oppositely bound monobody by ∼10-fold. In this study, we reconcile these observations by probing the mechanism of monobody binding and its negative cooperativity using electrophysiological experiments in planar lipid bilayers. Our results indicate that monobody inhibition occurs via a pore-blocking mechanism and that negative cooperativity arises from electrostatic repulsion between the oppositely bound monobodies. A single glutamate residue, on a loop of the monobody that extends into the channel interior, is responsible for negatively cooperative binding. This glutamate side chain also confers voltage dependence and sensitivity to the concentration of trans-F− ion to monobody binding. Neutralization by mutation to glutamine abolishes these electrostatic effects. Monobodies that are amenable to cocrystallization with Fluc channels lack an analogous negatively charged side chain and bind independently to opposite sides of the channel. Thus, this work reveals the source of voltage dependence and negative cooperativity of monobody binding to Fluc channels along with the pore-blocking mechanism.
Stepwise inference of likely dynamic flux distributions from metabolic time series data
Authors: Faraji Mojdeh , Voit Eberhard O
Published: March 2017

Motivation

Most metabolic pathways contain more reactions than metabolites and therefore have a wide stoichiometric matrix that corresponds to infinitely many possible flux distributions that are perfectly compatible with the dynamics of the metabolites in a given dataset. This under-determinedness poses a challenge for the quantitative characterization of flux distributions from time series data and thus for the design of adequate, predictive models. Here we propose a method that reduces the degrees of freedom in a stepwise manner and leads to a dynamic flux distribution that is, in a statistical sense, likely to be close to the true distribution.

Results

We applied the proposed method to the lignin biosynthesis pathway in switchgrass. The system consists of 16 metabolites and 23 enzymatic reactions. It has seven degrees of freedom and therefore admits a large space of dynamic flux distributions that all fit a set of metabolic time series data equally well. The proposed method reduces this space in a systematic and biologically reasonable manner and converges to a likely dynamic flux distribution in just a few iterations. The estimated solution and the true flux distribution, which is known in this case, show excellent agreement and thereby lend support to the method.

Availability and Implementation

The computational model was implemented in MATLAB (version R2014a, The MathWorks, Natick, MA). The source code is available at https://github.gatech.edu/VoitLab/Stepwise-Inference-of-Likely-Dynamic-Flux-Distributions and www.bst.bme.gatech.edu/research.php.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Current Practice Trends for Use of Early Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Cherian Laurel J , Smith Eric E , Schwamm Lee H , Fonarow Gregg C , Schulte Phillip J , Xian Ying , Wu Jingjing , Prabhakaran Shyam K
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Guidelines recommend early VTE prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine characteristics associated with early chemoprophylaxis (CP) after ICH in the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke registry.

METHODS

In this observational cohort study, we identified patients with ICH between January 1, 2009 and September 30, 2013, who (1) were non-ambulatory and/or not comfort care measures by hospital day 2; (2) were not transferred to another acute care facility; and (3) had known VTE prophylaxis status at end of hospital day 2. Categories for VTE prophylaxis were as follows: (1) mechanical non-CP or (2) CP with or without mechanical prophylaxis. Early prophylaxis was defined as occurring by hospital day 2. Using multivariable logistic regression, we assessed patient, hospital, and geographic factors independently associated with early CP use.

RESULTS

Among 74 283 patients with ICH from 1358 hospitals, 5929 (7.9%) received early CP, 66 444 (89.4%) received early mechanical/non-CP, and 1910 (2.6%) had no prophylaxis, mechanical or CP, within the first 2 days. There was no increase in early CP use over the study period; 60% of hospitals provided early CP to <9% of patients. In multivariable analysis, female sex, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, coronary, carotid, and peripheral artery disease, prior ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, hospital size >500 beds, and geographic region were independently associated with early vs no early CP use.

CONCLUSION

Nationwide, the large majority of ICH patients receive early mechanical VTE prophylaxis only, without CP. Patient comorbidities and hospital characteristics such as geographic location are determinants of higher use of early CP.
Differential Requirement of the Ribosomal Protein S6 and Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinase for Plant-Virus Accumulation and Interaction of S6 Kinase with Potyviral VPg
Authors: Rajamäki Minna-Liisa , Xi Dehui , Sikorskaite-Gudziuniene Sidona , Valkonen Jari P. T. , Whitham Steven A.
Published: March 2017

Ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) is an indispensable plant protein regulated, in part, by ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) which, in turn, is a key regulator of plant responses to stresses and developmental cues. Increased expression of RPS6 was detected in Nicotiana benthamiana during infection by diverse plant viruses. Silencing of the RPS6 and S6K genes in N. benthamiana affected accumulation of Cucumber mosaic virus, Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), and Potato virus A (PVA) in contrast to Turnip crinkle virus and Tobacco mosaic virus. In addition, the viral genome-linked protein (VPg) of TuMV and PVA interacted with S6K in plant cells, as detected by bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay. The VPg–S6K interaction was detected in cytoplasm, nucleus, and nucleolus, whereas the green fluorescent protein-tagged S6K alone showed cytoplasmic localization only. These results demonstrate that the requirement for RPS6 and S6K differs for diverse plant viruses with different translation initiation strategies and suggest that potyviral VPg–S6K interaction may affect S6K functions in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
Demystifying Nursing Theory
Authors: Schaffer Marjorie A. , Sandau Kristin , Missal Bernita
Published: March 2017

How does nursing theory apply to nursing practice? Nursing theory can explain the why and how of nursing practice, guide nursing interventions, and provide a framework for measuring outcomes. This article briefly explains nursing theory, provides examples for applying theory to nursing practice, and proposes questions for examining the consistency of nursing theories with Christian perspectives. A helpful table illustrating grand, middle-range, and situation-specific theories and their application to nursing practice and research, along with references, is provided online as supplemental digital content. Three caring theories are analyzed from biblical beliefs.
Phase II Study of Adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Using Docetaxel/Cisplatin/5-Fluorouracil Before and After Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy With Concurrent Docetaxel in Patients With Completely (R0) Resected Gastric Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Yong , Zhao Guoqi , Xu Yi , Zhang Tiening , Chen Zhixiao , Yan Ge , Tu Wenzhi , Hu Ye , Chen Ying , He Xia , Li Xiaodong , Chen Hui , Yao Shengyu , Hu Zhekai , Chen Xuming , Chen Tingfeng
Published: March 2017

Objectives:

The Intergroup 0116 study has demonstrated a significant survival benefit for completely resected (R0) gastric cancer patients treated with a fluorouracil/leucovorin chemoradiotherapy regimen. However, this regimen is also toxic and less effective in terms of distant disease control. Therefore, a more efficacious and safer regimen is urgently needed.

Methods:

Patients with R0 resected gastric carcinoma received up to two 21-day cycles of postoperative adjuvant preradiation and postradiation DCF chemotherapy (docetaxel 37.5 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, cisplatin 25 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3, and a continuous infusion of fluorouracil 750 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5), respectively. Chemoradiotherapy between preradiation and postradiation chemotherapy was initiated on day 43 and consisted of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (45 Gy) plus concurrent docetaxel 20 mg/m2 weekly for 5 weeks.

Results:

A total of 55 patients were evaluated and 76% (42) of patients completed the prescribed therapy. With a median follow-up of 61 months, the 3- and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 67% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54%-80%) and 59% (95% CI, 46%-72%), respectively; and the 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 72% (95% CI, 60%-84%) and 61% (95% CI, 48%-74%), respectively. The most common grade 3 or greater toxicity, during the chemotherapy phase, was neutropenia (24%). Common grade 3/4 toxicities during concurrent chemoradiotherapy were nausea (32%), vomiting (26%), fatigue (15%), and anorexia (19%).

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate that this adjuvant regimen is active with an acceptable toxicity profile. A randomized phase 3 trial comparing the Intergroup 0116 chemoradiotherapy regimen with this regimen is underway.
The Role of Radiotherapy in Early-stage Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Waldeyer Ring
Authors: Lee Shing Fung , Ng Ting Ying , Wong Frank Chi Sing , Tung Stewart Yuk
Published: March 2017

Objectives:

The role of radiotherapy (RT) in improving survival of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the Waldeyer ring (WR) remains controversial. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the role of RT in the treatment of DLBCL of the WR as well as the effects of associated covariates.

Materials and Methods:

Patients (n=35) with stage I to II DLBCL of the WR who underwent treatment at our center between 1994 and 2010 were retrospectively investigated. All patients had histologic diagnosis and staging workup completed. Overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed. Variables with a P-value of <0.1 were subjected to multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analyses.

Results:

The median OS was 8.1 years. The 5-year OS, DFS, and EFS rates were 59.4%, 53.8%, and 70.7%, respectively; the corresponding 10-year rates were 34.9%, 29.5%, and 51.0%, respectively. The 5-year OS rate was significantly higher in the RT group than in the non-RT group (65.4% vs. 36.4%, respectively; P=0.008). On multivariate analysis, RT was associated with improved OS (hazard ratio=0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.50; P=0.002) and EFS (hazard ratio=0.29; 95% CI, 0.095-0.86; P=0.026). An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status >1 and age above 60 years were also found to negatively influence OS and EFS.

Conclusions:

RT was associated with improved OS and EFS in stage I to II DLBCL of the WR. Future prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.
The Role of Definitive Radiotherapy in Craniopharyngioma
Authors: Zhang Chi , Verma Vivek , Lyden Elizabeth R. , Horowitz David P. , Zacharia Brad E. , Lin Chi , Connolly Eileen P.
Published: March 2017

Objective:

Assess patterns of care in the management of craniopharyngioma, especially with respect to the use of radiation therapy (RT) alone (which has been understudied to date) as compared with gross total resection (GTR) and subtotal resection (STR) with adjuvant RT.

Materials and Methods:

The epidemiology, treatment modalities, and outcomes of patients with craniopharyngioma were studied using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2012. Survival was compared between treatment groups using Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests.

Results:

In total, 1218 patients with craniopharyngioma were identified, with equal distribution across sex. There were bimodal incidence peaks, one 20 years old or below, and the other between 40 and 65 years. The majority of pediatric tumors with known histology were adamantinomatous type, which did not influence outcomes when adjusting for age (P=0.392). Overall survival/cause-specific death for patients that underwent RT, STR+RT, and GTR were not statistically different (P>0.05). There was improved survival between several modalities: RT only versus STR only (P=0.024), RT only versus observation (P=0.006), STR+RT versus observation (P=0.046), and GTR versus observation (P=0.046). Patients above 65 years old were more likely to undergo observation (P=0.002), with highest proportions of surgery (54%)/RT (21%) in the pediatric population. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that though age was associated with overall survival (P<0.001), treatment modality (RT/GTR/STR+RT) was not (P=0.119).

Conclusions:

Although management of craniopharyngioma remains somewhat controversial, there were no observed differences in outcomes between definitive RT, GTR, and STR+RT. Although these data are hypothesis-generating, additional data are needed to validate these findings.
Neuroprotective effects of pretreatment with minocycline on memory impairment following cerebral ischemia in rats
Authors: Naderi Yazdan , Sabetkasaei Masoumeh , Parvardeh Siavash , Moini Zanjani Taraneh
Published: March 2017

Cerebral ischemia leads to memory impairment that is associated with loss of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress may be implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion damage. Minocycline has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of minocycline in rats subjected to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Thirty male rats were divided into three groups: control, sham, and minocycline-pretreated group. Minocycline (40 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally immediately before surgery, and then ischemia was induced by occlusion of common carotid arteries for 20 min. Seven days after reperfusion, the Morris water-maze task was used to evaluate memory. Nissl staining was also performed to analyze pyramidal cell damage. We measured the contents of malondialdehyde and proinflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus by the thiobarbituric acid method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Microglial activation was also investigated by Iba1 immunostaining. The results showed that pretreatment with minocycline prevented memory impairment induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Minocycline pretreatment also significantly attenuated ischemia-induced pyramidal cell death and microglial activation in the CA1 region and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde and proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α) in the hippocampus of ischemic rats. Minocycline showed neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia-induced memory deficit probably through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.
Conjunctival Tattoo With Inadvertent Globe Penetration and Associated Complications
Authors: Cruz Natasha Ferreira Santos da , Santos Kátia Santana , Farah Michelle de Lima , Felberg Sergio
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To report a case of conjunctival tattooing for cosmetic purposes with inadvertent globe penetration resulting in severe inflammation, capsular lens opacity, and secondary glaucoma.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A 25-year-old woman experienced severe ocular pain and decreased vision in the left eye after conjunctival tattooing for cosmetic purposes on the previous day. Slit-lamp examination revealed black deposits over the conjunctiva, corneal endothelium, anterior chamber angle, iris, and anterior capsular lens due to the tattooing pigment. In addition, severe anterior uveitis triggered by the pigments and, later, secondary glaucoma were diagnosed. The patient underwent clinical and surgical treatments to control ocular inflammation and intraocular pressure. Three months after the injury, the patient was still under follow-up treatment in an effort to control the complications of the eyeball tattooing.

Conclusions:

An unusual case of conjunctival tattooing resulted in severe inflammation, capsular lens opacity, and secondary glaucoma. Because of the increasing popularity of eyeball tattooing, coupled with the procedure being performed by untrained professionals, potentially severe complications of this procedure may become more common.
Enhanced Transitions of Care: Centralizing Discharge Phone Calls Improves Ability to Reach Patients and Reduces Hospital Readmissions
Authors: Schuller Kristin A. , Kash Bita A. , Gamm Larry D.
Published: March 2017

Background:

The discharge phone call (DPC) is an important initiative aimed at improving transitions of care and reducing readmissions. It is of added importance as financial penalties will be imposed on hospitals with “excessive” Medicare readmissions. This study examines the impact of DPCs on percentages of patients reached through the DPCs and hospital readmission rates based on the centralized or noncentralized mode of DPCs.

Methods:

The health system centralized the Studer Group Discharge Phone Call program into one central call center with the goals of reaching more discharged patients and to ultimately reduce hospital readmissions. The study analyzed hospital visits from 74,754 patient admissions that could result in an unplanned hospital readmission. Hospital discharge data were analyzed from August 2010 to January 2014. Primary outcomes included DPCs reaching discharged patients and effects on hospital readmission rates as a result of centralizing the DPC program.

Results:

Centralized DPCs are significantly associated with increases in the percentage of patients reached by the DPC, which in turn reduces readmissions rates. Patients not reached were 1.32 times more likely to be readmitted than patients reached by centralized DPCs.

Conclusions:

Centralizing the DPC program within a call center helps reach more patients and reduce readmission rates further compared with noncentralized DPCs.
Predictors and Spatial Variation of Radon Testing in Illinois, 2005-2012
Authors: Zahnd Whitney E. , Mueller-Luckey Georgia S. , Ratnapradipa Kendra , Smith Tracey
Published: March 2017

Context:

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, but exposure can be reduced through testing one's home and mitigating if levels are high.

Objective:

To determine what factors predict radon testing and to identify, through spatial analysis, areas in Illinois with lower or higher than expected testing rates.

Design, Setting, Participants, and Main Outcomes:

An ecological study design was used to evaluate data on radon tests performed in Illinois by a licensed professional or a home radon test kit analyzed by a state-approved laboratory between 2005 and 2012. Zip code–level rates of testing per 1000 occupied residences were calculated for all testing methods combined and for licensed professional testing and home kit testing separately. The following zip code–level factors associated with radon testing were considered: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) radon zones (ie, categorization of areas by predicted radon risk), socioeconomic characteristics, homeowner occupancy, and rurality. Univariate and multivariable incidence rate ratios were calculated to examine what factors were associated with each testing type. Hotspot analysis was performed to identify zip codes with lower than expected and higher than expected testing rates (ie, “coldspots” and “hotspots,” respectively).

Results:

Radon testing rates varied across EPA zone, socioeconomic characteristics, and level of rurality. In multivariable analysis, EPA zone, education, and median household income positively predicted all testing types combined. Median home value was associated with licensed testing, whereas rurality was negatively associated with licensed testing. Owner occupancy positively predicted home kit testing. Between 19.6% and 31.1% of zip codes were coldspots for radon testing rates, dependent upon testing type. Coldspots of all testing method rates were concentrated in the southern part of the state.

Conclusion:

Public health professionals can benefit from understanding what area-level factors predict radon testing and what geographic areas may under-utilize testing. Such information can aid the development of geographically targeted, cost-effective interventions that increase radon testing and subsequently reduce lung cancer risk.
Financial and Legal Characteristics of Cross-Jurisdictional Shared Service Agreements Between Local Public Health Agencies
Authors: Watts Theresa , Zahner Susan , Mrochek Tracy
Published: March 2017

Background:

Cross-jurisdictional sharing is a resource management strategy increasingly being used by local health departments to provide essential and mandated public health services. Cross-jurisdictional shared service agreements (CJSSAs) are the legal documents that govern cross-jurisdictional sharing arrangements. Information on the financial and legal characteristics of CJSSAs is limited.

Objective:

This study described the financial and legal elements of a set of formal, written CJSSAs in one state to offer guidance to practitioners on how to structure the financial and legal elements in CJSSAs.

Design:

CJSSAs, which included a written statement about the financial commitment governed by the agreement (n = 63), were analyzed. Data collection occurred through 2 structured data extraction tools and structured telephone interviews conducted with local and tribal health department directors. Descriptive statistics of all variables and a single predictor linear regression were performed.

Results:

The higher population partner to the CJSSA more often provided the public health service and received payment (n = 41; 65%). Financial statements were found to vary by CJSSA characteristic. CJSSAs were more likely to be legally complete when a legal counsel was involved in creating them (odds ratio = 2.74; 95% confidence interval, 2.19-3.29; P ≤ .001). Yet, only 2 (3%) of the CJSSAs described all the legal elements and were considered legally complete.

Conclusion:

Clearly identifying and including necessary fiscal and legal elements when creating and managing CJSSAs may strengthen agreements and reduce local health department legal and fiscal vulnerabilities. Local health department capacity for planning, coordination, budgeting, management, and evaluation is essential when creating CJSSA. Careful consideration of cost-sharing and consulting with legal counsel could strengthen the CJSSA.
Measuring the Cost and Value of Quality Improvement Initiatives for Local Health Departments
Authors: Chen Li-Wu , Wilson Fernando A. , Gregg Abbey , Gupta Niodita , Bekmuratova Sarbinaz , Palm David
Published: March 2017

Objective:

To demonstrate an approach to measuring the cost and value of quality improvement (QI) implementation in local health departments (LHDs).

Design:

We conducted cost estimation for 4 LHD QI projects and return-on-investment (ROI) analysis for 2 selected LHD QI projects.

Setting and Participants:

Four Nebraska LHDs varying in rurality and jurisdiction size.

Main outcome measures:

Total costs, unit costs, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, and ROI.

Results:

The 4 QI projects vary significantly in their cost estimates. Estimated ROI ratios for 2 QI projects predicted significant savings in health care utilization for respective program participants. A QI project focused on improving breastfeeding rates in WIC (women, infants, and children) clients had a predicted ROI ratio of 3230% and a QI project for improving participation in a Chronic Disease Self-Management Program would need only 34 new participants to have a positive ROI.

Conclusions:

We demonstrated how data can be collected and analyzed for cost estimation and ROI analysis to quantify the economic value of QI for LHDs. Our ROI analysis shows that QI initiatives have great potential to enhance the value of LHDs' public health services. A better understanding of the costs and value of QI will enable LHDs to appropriately allocate and utilize their limited resources for suitable QI initiatives.
First-in-Human Ultrasound Molecular Imaging With a VEGFR2-Specific Ultrasound Molecular Contrast Agent (BR55) in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Smeenge Martijn , Tranquart François , Mannaerts Christophe K. , de Reijke Theo M. , van de Vijver Marc J. , Laguna M. Pilar , Pochon Sibylle , de la Rosette Jean J.M.C.H. , Wijkstra Hessel
Published: March 2017

Objective

BR55, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)–specific ultrasound molecular contrast agent (MCA), has shown promising results in multiple preclinical models regarding cancer imaging. In this first-in-human, phase 0, exploratory study, we investigated the feasibility and safety of the MCA for the detection of prostate cancer (PCa) in men using clinical standard technology.

Materials and Methods

Imaging with the MCA was performed in 24 patients with biopsy-proven PCa scheduled for radical prostatectomy using a clinical ultrasound scanner at low acoustic power. Safety monitoring was done by physical examination, blood pressure and heart rate measurements, electrocardiogram, and blood sampling. As first-in-human study, MCA dosing and imaging protocol were necessarily fine-tuned along the enrollment to improve visualization. Imaging data were correlated with radical prostatectomy histopathology to analyze the detection rate of ultrasound molecular imaging with the MCA.

Results

Imaging with MCA doses of 0.03 and 0.05 mL/kg was adequate to obtain contrast enhancement images up to 30 minutes after administration. No serious adverse events or clinically meaningful changes in safety monitoring data were identified during or after administration. BR55 dosing and imaging were fine-tuned in the first 12 patients leading to 12 subsequent patients with an improved MCA dosing and imaging protocol. Twenty-three patients underwent radical prostatectomy. A total of 52 lesions were determined to be malignant by histopathology with 26 (50%) of them seen during BR55 imaging. In the 11 patients that were scanned with the improved protocol and underwent radical prostatectomy, a total of 28 malignant lesions were determined: 19 (68%) were seen during BR55 ultrasound molecular imaging, whereas 9 (32%) were not identified.

Conclusions

Ultrasound molecular imaging with BR55 is feasible with clinical standard technology and demonstrated a good safety profile. Detectable levels of the MCA can be reached in patients with PCa opening the way for further clinical trials.
Heterogeneous chromatin mobility derived from chromatin states is a determinant of genome organisation inS. cerevisiae
Authors: Sewitz Sven A. , Fahmi Zahra , Aljebali Latifa , Bancroft Jeremy , Brustolini Otávio J. B. , Saad Hicham , Goiffon Isabelle , Várnai Csilla , Wingett Steven , Wong Hua , Javierre Biola-Maria , Schoenfelder Stefan , Andrews Simon R. , Oliver Stephen G. , Fraser Peter , Bystricky Kerstin , Lipkow Karen
Published: March 2017

Spatial organisation of the genome is essential for regulating gene activity, yet the mechanisms that shape this three-dimensional organisation in eukaryotes are far from understood. Here, we combine bioinformatic determination of chromatin states during normal growth and heat shock, and computational polymer modelling of genome structure, with quantitative microscopy and Hi-C to demonstrate that differential mobility of yeast chromosome segments leads to spatial self-organisation of the genome. We observe that more than forty percent of chromatin-associated proteins display a poised and heterogeneous distribution along the chromosome, creating a heteropolymer. This distribution changes upon heat shock in a concerted, state-specific manner. Simulating yeast chromosomes as heteropolymers, in which the mobility of each segment depends on its cumulative protein occupancy, results in functionally relevant structures, which match our experimental data. This thermodynamically driven self-organisation achieves spatial clustering of poised genes and mechanistically contributes to the directed relocalisation of active genes to the nuclear periphery upon heat shock.

One Sentence Summary

Unequal protein occupancy and chromosome segment mobility drive 3D organisation of the genome.
A flexible ontology for inference of emergent whole cell function from relationships between subcellular processes
Authors: Hansen Jens , Meretzky David , Woldesenbet Simeneh , Stolovitzky Gustavo , Iyengar Ravi
Published: March 2017

Whole cell responses arise from coordinated interactions between diverse human gene products functioning within various pathways underlying sub-cellular processes (SCP). Lower level SCPs interact to form higher level SCPs, often in a context specific manner to give rise to whole cell function. We sought to determine if capturing such relationships enables us to describe the emergence of whole cell functions from interacting SCPs. We developed the “Molecular Biology of the Cell” ontology based on standard cell biology and biochemistry textbooks and review articles. Currently, our ontology contains 5,385 genes, 753 SCPs and 19,180 expertly curated gene-SCP associations. Our algorithm to populate the SCPs with genes enables extension of the ontology on demand and the adaption of the ontology to the continuously growing cell biological knowledge. Since whole cell responses most often arise from the coordinated activity of multiple SCPs, we developed a dynamic enrichment algorithm that flexibly predicts SCP-SCP relationships beyond the current taxonomy. This algorithm enables us to identify interactions between SCPs as a basis for higher order function in a context dependent manner, allowing us to provide a detailed description of how SCPs together can give rise to whole cell functions. We conclude that this ontology can, from omics data sets, enable the development of detailed multidimensional SCP networks for predictive modeling of emergent whole cell functions.
Extensive farming in Estonia started through a sex-biased migration from the Steppe
Authors: Saag Lehti , Varul Liivi , Scheib Christiana Lyn , Stenderup Jesper , Allentoft Morten E. , Saag Lauri , Pagani Luca , Reidla Maere , Tambets Kristiina , Metspalu Ene , Kriiska Aivar , Willerslev Eske , Kivisild Toomas , Metspalu Mait
Published: March 2017

Farming-based economies appear relatively late in Northeast Europe and the extent to which they involve genetic ancestry change is still poorly understood. Here we present the analyses of low coverage whole genome sequence data from five hunter-gatherers and five farmers of Estonia dated to 4,500 to 6,300 years before present. We find evidence of significant differences between the two groups in the composition of autosomal as well as mtDNA, X and Y chromosome ancestries. We find that Estonian hunter-gatherers of Comb Ceramic Culture are closest to Eastern hunter-gatherers. The Estonian first farmers of Corded Ware Culture show high similarity in their autosomes with Steppe Belt Late Neolithic/Bronze Age individuals, Caucasus hunter-gatherers and Iranian farmers while their X chromosomes are most closely related with the European Early Farmers of Anatolian descent. These findings suggest that the shift to intensive cultivation and animal husbandry in Estonia was triggered by the arrival of new people with predominantly Steppe ancestry, but whose ancestors had undergone sex-specific admixture with early farmers with Anatolian ancestry.
Zika viruses encode multiple upstream open reading frames in the 5′ viral region with a role in neurotropism
Authors: Lefèvre Charlotte , Cook Georgia M. , Dinan Adam M. , Torii Shiho , Stewart Hazel , Gibbons George , Nicholson Alex S. , Echavarría-Consuegra Liliana , Meredith Luke W. , Lulla Valeria , Kenyon Julia C. , Goodfellow Ian , Deane Janet E. , Graham Stephen C. , Lakatos Andras , Lambrechts Louis , Brierley Ian , Irigoyen Nerea
Published: March 2017

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus recently associated with congenital diseases and neurological complications. As for all flaviviruses, the ZIKV RNA genome is expected to encode a single polyprotein with all the enzymatic activities required for viral replication. Here, we report the discovery of multiple non-canonical open reading frames (ORFs) identified by ribosome profiling. In both mammalian and insect cells infected with Asian/American and African ZIKV strains, we observed translation of previously unrecognised upstream ORFs (uORFs) in the 5′ region. In the Asian/American ZIKV lineage, ribosomes translated uORF1 and uORF2 that initiated from non-AUG start codons, whereas in the African ZIKV lineage, these two uORFs were fused into a single uORF (African uORF). Using a reverse genetics system, we examined the impact on ZIKV fitness of the expression of single or dual uORFs by analysing a panel of mutant viruses. We found that expression of the African uORF, and more significantly, the Asian/American uORF1, modulated virus growth and tropism in human cortical neurons and 3D organoid tissue, indicating that these novel uORFs contribute to ZIKV neurotropism. Although ZIKV uORFs are expressed in mosquito cells, they did not have a detectable effect on transmission by the mosquito vectorin vivo. Our discovery of ZIKV uORFs sheds new light on ZIKV-induced neuropathogenesis and raises the question of their existence in other neurotropic flaviviruses.