bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical differentiation of eosinophilic esophageal myositis from eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Sato Hiroki , Nakajima Nao , Hasegawa Go , Kawata Yuzo , Sato Yuichi , Suzuki Kenji , Honma Terasu , Terai Shuji
Published: June 2016

Background and Aim

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a Th2‐mediated allergic disease of the esophageal epithelium, associated with antigen. We previously reported a case series for eosinophilic esophageal myositis (EoEM)—a novel eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder defined as eosinophilic infiltration localized in the esophageal muscle layer—and diagnosed it by peroral endoscopic muscle biopsy. Here, we investigated the immunopathology of EoEM to differentiate it from EoE.

Methods

Histological analysis was performed for three cases of EoEM and EoE, respectively. The results were compared with those of two control samples (non‐eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder full‐layer esophagus). Using immunofluorescence, we analyzed the expression of the chemokine receptor CCR3 and its ligands eotaxin‐1 and eotaxin‐3 to investigate the eosinophilic reaction. Additionally, we determined the expression patterns of desmoglein‐1 in the esophageal epithelium, which shows dysregulated expression in EoE.

Results

Eosinophil infiltration was observed in the muscle layer (maximum number, 30, 36, 73/high‐power field) and the epithelium (50, 44, 40/high‐power field) for EoEM and EoE, respectively. In EoE esophageal epithelium, the number of eotaxin‐3‐positive epithelial cells was significantly increased together with CCR3‐positive infiltrating cells. However, in EoEM, a number of eotaxin‐1‐positive and eotaxin‐3‐positive myocytes and vascular endothelial cells were increased in the esophageal muscle layer. A significant loss of desmoglein‐1 expression was only observed in EoE, not in EoEM.

Conclusions

Eotaxin‐1 and eotaxin‐3 expression on the smooth muscle and vessels plays a role in the pathogenesis of EoEM, while EoE shows an epithelial eotaxin‐3‐dominant immunoreaction. Thus, the EoEM immunological pattern displays clear differences from that of EoE.
Host‐Parasite Relationships in Root‐Knot Disease Caused by Meloidogyne inornata in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Authors: Dadazio Tais Santo , da Silva Santino Aleandro , Dorigo Orazilia França , Wilcken Silvia Renata Siciliano , Machado Andressa Cristina Zamboni
Published: June 2016

Bean crops have their productivity limited by biotic factors, as the phytonematodes. Several species have been reported causing damage to the crop, especially those from the Meloidogyne genus. Recently, a new species was reported parasitizing bean plants in Paraná State, Brazil, Meloidogyne inornata. The present work was aimed in order to study the pathosystem bean and M. inornata, through the evaluation of host reaction of 32 bean cultivars to the nematode, the potential damage of this pathogen to the crop, and the biology and parasitism of M. inornata on bean, under different temperatures, comparing with M. incognita. The host reaction was accessed under greenhouse conditions, with an initial population density of 2000 eggs of each nematode species per plant. Fifty days after inoculation, it was found that all tested cultivars were susceptible to M. inornata, however with varying extent. Pathogenicity of M. inornata on bean cv. Tuiuiú was also evaluated under greenhouse conditions, with the following initial population densities: 0 (check); 0.0625; 0.125; 0.25; 0.5; 1; 2; 4; 16; 32; and 64 eggs per cm3 of soil. Tolerance limit obtained to this cultivar was 9.9 nematodes per cm3. In relation to the comparative biology between M. inornata and M. incognita, under growth chamber and three different temperatures, 18, 25 and 32°C, results showed that under 18°C, both species have their life cycles retarded, while under 32°C, the cycle is accelerated.
Genetic variability, local selection and demographic history: genomic evidence of evolving towards allopatric speciation in Asian seabass
Authors: Wang Le , Wan Zi Yi , Lim Huan Sein , Yue Gen Hua
Published: June 2016

Genomewide analysis of genetic divergence is critically important in understanding the genetic processes of allopatric speciation. We sequenced RAD tags of 131 Asian seabass individuals of six populations from South‐East Asia and Australia/Papua New Guinea. Using 32 433 SNPs, we examined the genetic diversity and patterns of population differentiation across all the populations. We found significant evidence of genetic heterogeneity between South‐East Asian and Australian/Papua New Guinean populations. The Australian/Papua New Guinean populations showed a rather lower level of genetic diversity. FST and principal components analysis revealed striking divergence between South‐East Asian and Australian/Papua New Guinean populations. Interestingly, no evidence of contemporary gene flow was observed. The demographic history was further tested based on the folded joint site frequency spectrum. The scenario of ancient migration with historical population size changes was suggested to be the best fit model to explain the genetic divergence of Asian seabass between South‐East Asia and Australia/Papua New Guinea. This scenario also revealed that Australian/Papua New Guinean populations were founded by ancestors from South‐East Asia during mid‐Pleistocene and were completely isolated from the ancestral population after the last glacial retreat. We also detected footprints of local selection, which might be related to differential ecological adaptation. The ancient gene flow was examined and deemed likely insufficient to counteract the genetic differentiation caused by genetic drift. The observed genomic pattern of divergence conflicted with the ‘genomic islands’ scenario. Altogether, Asian seabass have likely been evolving towards allopatric speciation since the split from the ancestral population during mid‐Pleistocene.
Reduction of epithelial secretion in male rat distal colonic mucosa by bile acid receptor TGR5 agonist, INT‐777: role of submucosal neurons
Authors: Duboc H. , Tolstanova G. , Yuan P.‐Q. , Wu V. S. , Kaji I. , Biraud M. , Akiba Y. , Kaunitz J. D. , Million M. , Tache Y. , Larauche M.
Published: June 2016

Background

Recent evidence from rat neuron‐free mucosa study suggests that the membrane bile acid receptor TGR5 decreases colonic secretion under basal and stimulated conditions. As submucosal neurons are key players in secretory processes and highly express TGR5, we investigated their role in TGR5 agonist‐induced inhibition of secretion and the pathways recruited.

Methods

TGR5 expression and localization were assessed in rat proximal (pC) and distal (dC) colon by qPCR and immunohistochemistry with double labeling for cholinergic neurons in whole‐mount preparations. The influence of a selective (INT‐777) or weak (ursodeoxycholic acid, UDCA) TGR5 agonist on colonic secretion was assessed in Ussing chambers, in dC preparation removing seromuscular ± submucosal tissues, in the presence of different inhibitors of secretion pathways.

Key Results

TGR5 mRNA is expressed in full thickness dC and pC and immunoreactivity is located in colonocytes and pChAT‐positive neurons. Addition of INT‐777, and less potently UDCA, decreased colonic secretion in seromuscular stripped dC by −58.17± 2.6%. INT‐777 effect on basal secretion was reduced in neuron‐free and TTX‐treated mucosal‐submucosal preparations. Atropine, hexamethonium, indomethacin, and L‐NAME all reduced significantly INT‐777's inhibitory effect while the 5‐HT4 antagonist, RS‐39604, and lidocaine abolished it. INT‐777 inhibited stimulated colonic secretion induced by nicotine, but not cisapride, carbachol or PGE2.

Conclusions & Inferences

TGR5 activation inhibits basal and stimulated distal colonic secretion in rats by acting directly on epithelial cells and also inhibiting submucosal neurons. This could represent a counter‐regulatory mechanism, at the submucosal level, of the known prosecretory effect of bile acids in the colon.
Unresolved questions regarding human hereditary deafness
Authors: Rehman AU , Friedman TB , Griffith AJ
Published: June 2016

Human hearing loss is a common neurosensory disorder about which many basic research and clinically relevant questions are unresolved. This review on hereditary deafness focuses on three examples considered at first glance to be uncomplicated, however, upon inspection, are enigmatic and ripe for future research efforts. The three examples of clinical and genetic complexities are drawn from studies of (i) Pendred syndrome/DFNB4 (PDS, OMIM 274600), (ii) Perrault syndrome (deafness and infertility) due to mutations of CLPP (PRTLS3, OMIM 614129), and (iii) the unexplained extensive clinical variability associated with TBC1D24 mutations. At present, it is unknown how different mutations of TBC1D24 cause non‐syndromic deafness (DFNB86, OMIM 614617), epilepsy (OMIM 605021), epilepsy with deafness, or DOORS syndrome (OMIM 220500) that is characterized by deafness, onychodystrophy (alteration of toenail or fingernail morphology), osteodystrophy (defective development of bone), mental retardation, and seizures. A comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted roles of each gene associated with human deafness is expected to provide future opportunities for restoration as well as preservation of normal hearing.
A method for in situ monitoring of the isotope composition of tree xylem water using laser spectroscopy
Authors: Volkmann Till H. M. , Kühnhammer Kathrin , Herbstritt Barbara , Gessler Arthur , Weiler Markus
Published: June 2016

Field studies analyzing the stable isotope composition of xylem water are providing important information on ecosystem water relations. However, the capacity of stable isotopes to characterize the functioning of plants in their environment has not been fully explored because of methodological constraints on the extent and resolution at which samples could be collected and analysed. Here, we introduce an in situ method offering the potential to continuously monitor the stable isotope composition of tree xylem water via its vapour phase using a commercial laser‐based isotope analyser and compact microporous probes installed into the xylem. Our technique enables efficient high‐frequency measurement with intervals of only a few minutes per sample while eliminating the need for costly and cumbersome destructive collection of plant material and laboratory‐based processing. We present field observations of xylem water hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions obtained over several days including a labelled irrigation event and compare them against results from concurrent destructive sampling with cryogenic distillation and mass spectrometric analysis. The data demonstrate that temporal changes as well as spatial patterns of integration in xylem water isotope composition can be resolved through direct measurement. The new technique can therefore present a valuable tool to study the hydraulic architecture and water utilization of trees.
Reflectance confocal microscopy in the diagnosis of vesicobullous disorders: case series with pathologic and cytologic correlation and literature review
Authors: Lacarrubba F. , Verzì A. E. , Pippione M. , Micali G.
Published: June 2016

Background

Vesicobullous disorders are characterized by intraepidermal or subepidermal blistering resulting from different pathogenetic mechanisms. The diagnosis is generally based on clinical examination and semi‐invasive/invasive procedures such as cytology and histopathology. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non‐invasive technique for real‐time, en face imaging of the epidermis and upper dermis with high resolution close to conventional histopathology.

Purpose

To evaluate RCM features of different vesicobullous diseases and correlate with cytologic and histopathologic examination.

Methods

Ten patients (6M/4F, age range: 9–81 years) affected by blistering diseases, such as herpes simplex, herpes zoster, Kaposi's varicelliform eruption, pemphigus vulgaris, Hailey–Hailey disease, bullous pemphigoid, and porphyria cutanea tarda were evaluated using a handheld RCM device.

Results

In our study, a clear correlation between RCM and Tzanck's test and/or histopathology was observed. RCM allowed in all cases an easy identification of the blister spaces and of the split levels, and in some cases specific features were detected, such as giant keratinocytes in herpes infections and acantholytic cells in pemphigus vulgaris and Hailey–Hailey disease.

Conclusion

Reflectance confocal microscopy may support the clinical diagnosis of vesicobullous disorders and indicate to the physician the appropriate patient management and/or the need for further investigation.
Dopamine D
1
signaling organizes network dynamics underlying working memory
Authors: Roffman Joshua L. , Tanner Alexandra S. , Eryilmaz Hamdi , Rodriguez-Thompson Anais , Silverstein Noah J. , Ho New Fei , Nitenson Adam Z. , Chonde Daniel B. , Greve Douglas N. , Abi-Dargham Anissa , Buckner Randy L. , Manoach Dara S. , Rosen Bruce R. , Hooker Jacob M. , Catana Ciprian
Published: June 2016

Dopamine orchestrates changes in cortical network synchrony that underlie working memory, as revealed with simultaneous PET-MRI.
Off-axis magmatism along a subaerial back-arc rift: Observations from the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand
Authors: Hamling Ian J. , Hreinsdóttir Sigrun , Bannister Stephen , Palmer Neville
Published: June 2016

A study of the growth of a large off-axis magma body along the Taupo Volcanic Zone.
Novel Feruloyl Esterase from Lactobacillus fermentum NRRL B-1932 and Analysis of the Recombinant Enzyme Produced in Escherichia coli
Authors: Liu Siqing , Bischoff Kenneth M. , Anderson Amber M. , Rich Joseph O.
Published: June 2016

A total of 33Lactobacillusstrains were screened for feruloyl esterase (FE) activity using agar plates containing ethyl ferulate as the sole carbon source, andLactobacillus fermentumNRRL B-1932 demonstrated the strongest FE activity among a dozen species showing a clearing zone on the opaque plate containing ethyl ferulate. FE activities were monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography with an acetonitrile-trifluoroacetic acid gradient. To produce sufficient purified FE fromL. fermentumstrain NRRL B-1932 (LfFE), the cDNA encoding LfFE (Lffae) was amplified and cloned by using available closely related genome sequences and overexpressed inEscherichia coli. A 29.6-kDa LfFE protein was detected from the protein extract ofE. coliBL21(pLysS) carrying pET28bLffaeupon IPTG (isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside) induction. The recombinant LfFE containing a polyhistidine tag was purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity resin. The purified LfFE showed strong activities against several artificial substrates, includingp-nitrophenyl acetate and 4-methylumbelliferylp-trimethylammoniocinnamate chloride. The optimum pH and temperature of the recombinant LfFE were around 6.5 and 37°C, respectively, as determined using either crude or purified recombinant LfFE. This study will be essential for the production of the LfFE inE. colion a larger scale that could not be readily achieved byL. fermentumfermentation.

IMPORTANCEThe production of feruloyl esterase (FE) fromLactobacillus fermentumNRRL B-1932 reported in this study will have immense potential commercial applications not only in biofuel production but also in pharmaceutical, polymer, oleo chemical, cosmetic additive, and detergent industries, as well as human health-related applications, including food flavoring, functional foods, probiotic agents, preventive medicine, and animal feed. Given the essential role FE plays in the production of hydroxycinnamic acids and ferulic acid, plus the generally regarded as safe status of lactobacilli, which therefore have less regulatory concerns, LfFE from the probioticL. fermentumreported in this work can be directly used for increased production of high-value hydroxycinnamates and ferulic acid from natural or synthetic carbon sources.
Ammonia as an
In Situ
Sanitizer: Influence of Virus Genome Type on Inactivation
Authors: Decrey Loïc , Kazama Shinobu , Kohn Tamar
Published: June 2016

Treatment of human excreta and animal manure (HEAM) is key in controlling the spread of persistent enteric pathogens, such as viruses. The extent of virus inactivation during HEAM storage and treatment appears to vary with virus genome type, although the reasons for this variability are not clear. Here, we investigated the inactivation of viruses of different genome types under conditions representative of HEAM storage or mesophilic digestion. The goals were to characterize the influence of HEAM solution conditions on inactivation and to determine the potential mechanisms involved. Specifically, eight viruses representing the four viral genome types (single-stranded RNA [ssRNA], double-stranded RNA [dsRNA], single-stranded DNA [ssDNA], and double-stranded DNA [dsDNA]) were exposed to synthetic solutions with well-controlled temperature (20 to 35°C), pH (8 to 9), and ammonia (NH
3
) concentrations (0 to 40 mmol liter
−1
). DNA and dsRNA viruses were considerably more resistant than ssRNA viruses, resulting in up to 1,000-fold-longer treatment times to reach a 4-log inactivation. The apparently slower inactivation of DNA viruses was rationalized by the higher stability of DNA than that of ssRNA in HEAM. Pushing the system toward harsher pH (>9) and temperature (>35°C) conditions, such as those encountered in thermophilic digestion and alkaline treatments, led to more consistent inactivation kinetics among ssRNA and other viruses. This suggests that the dependence of inactivation on genome type disappeared in favor of protein-mediated inactivation mechanisms common to all viruses. Finally, we recommend the use of MS2 as a conservative indicator to assess the inactivation of ssRNA viruses and the stable ΦX174 or dsDNA phages as indicators for persistent viruses.

IMPORTANCE
Viruses are among the most environmentally persistent pathogens. They can be present in high concentrations in human excreta and animal manure (HEAM). Therefore, appropriate treatment of HEAM is important prior to its reuse or discharge into the environment. Here, we investigated the factors that determine the persistence of viruses in HEAM, and we determined the main mechanisms that lead to their inactivation. Unlike other organisms, viruses can have four different genome types (double- or single-stranded RNA or DNA), and the viruses studied herein represent all four types. Genome type appeared to be the major determinant for persistence. Single-stranded RNA viruses are the most labile, because this genome type is susceptible to degradation in HEAM. In contrast, the other genome types are more stable; therefore, inactivation is slower and mainly driven by the degradation of viral proteins. Overall, this study allows us to better understand the behavior of viruses in HEAM.
Retrospective cross-sectional review of survival rates in critically ill children admitted to a combined paediatric/neonatal intensive care unit in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2013–2015
Authors: Ballot Daynia E , Davies Victor A , Cooper Peter A , Chirwa Tobias , Argent Andrew , Mer Mervyn
Published: June 2016

Objective

Report on survival to discharge of children in a combined paediatric/neonatal intensive care unit (PNICU).

Design and setting

Retrospective cross-sectional record review.

Participants

All children (medical and surgical patients) admitted to PNICU between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2015.

Outcome measures

Primary outcome—survival to discharge. Secondary outcomes—disease profiles and predictors of mortality in different age categories.

Results

There were 1454 admissions, 182 missing records, leaving 1272 admissions for review. Overall mortality rate was 25.7% (327/1272). Mortality rate was 41.4% (121/292) (95% CI 35.8% to 47.1%) for very low birthweight (VLBW) babies, 26.6% (120/451) (95% CI 22.5% to 30.5%) for bigger babies and 16.2% (86/529) (95% CI 13.1% to 19.3%) for paediatric patients. Risk factors for a reduced chance of survival to discharge in paediatric patients included postcardiac arrest (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.49), inotropic support (OR 0.085, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.17), hypernatraemia (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.6), bacterial sepsis (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.65) and lower respiratory tract infection (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.97). Major birth defects (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.74), persistent pulmonary hypertension of the new born (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.91), metabolic acidosis (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.74), inotropic support (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.45) and congenital heart defects (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.62) predicted decreased survival in bigger babies. Birth weight (OR 0.997, 95% CI 0.995 to 0.999), birth outside the hospital (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.84), HIV exposure (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.99), resuscitation at birth (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.94), metabolic acidosis (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.60) and necrotising enterocolitis (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.46) predicted poor survival in VLBW babies.

Conclusions

Ongoing mortality review is essential to improve provision of paediatric critical care.
Reporting of planned statistical methods in published surgical randomised trial protocols: a protocol for a methodological systematic review
Authors: Madden Kim , Arseneau Erika , Evaniew Nathan , Smith Christopher S , Thabane Lehana
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Poor reporting can lead to inadequate presentation of data, confusion regarding research methodology used, selective reporting of results, and other misinformation regarding health research. One of the most recent attempts to improve quality of reporting comes from the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) Group, which makes recommendations for the reporting of protocols. In this report, we present a protocol for a systematic review of published surgical randomised controlled trial (RCT) protocols, with the purpose of assessing the reporting quality and completeness of the statistical aspects.

Methods

We will include all published protocols of randomised trials that investigate surgical interventions. We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for relevant studies. Author pairs will independently review all titles, abstracts, and full texts identified by the literature search, and extract data using a structured data extraction form. We will extract the following: year of publication, country, sample size, description of study population, description of intervention and control, primary outcome, important methodological qualities, and quality of reporting of planned statistical methods based on the SPIRIT guidelines.

Ethics and dissemination

The results of this review will demonstrate the quality of statistical reporting of published surgical RCT protocols. This knowledge will inform recommendations to surgeons, researchers, journal editors and peer reviewers, and other knowledge users that focus on common deficiencies in reporting and how to rectify them. Ethics approval for this study is not required. We will disseminate the results of this review in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, and at a doctoral independent study of oral defence.
Intraoperative spinal digital subtraction angiography: indications, technique, safety, and clinical impact
Authors: Orru’ Emanuele , Sorte Danielle E , Gregg Lydia , Wolinsky Jean-Paul , Jallo George I , Bydon Ali , Tamargo Rafael J , Gailloud Philippe
Published: June 2016

Background

Cerebral intraoperative DSA (IODSA) is a well-described, routinely performed procedure that allows the effectiveness of cerebrovascular interventions to be evaluated in the operating room. Spinal IODSA, on the other hand, is infrequently obtained and has received less attention.

Objective

To discuss the indications, technique, safety, and clinical impact of spinal IODSA.

Materials and methods

Twenty-three patients underwent 45 thoracic and/or lumbar spinal IODSA between 2005 and 2016, either immediately before surgery for lesion localization or after the intervention to evaluate its effectiveness. Indications included 21 vascular malformations and 2 diaphragmatic crus compression syndromes. A long femoral arterial sheath with its hub positioned on the lateral surface of the thigh was used to allow catheter manipulations in the prone position.

Results

All targeted intersegmental arteries (ISAs) were successfully catheterized. The course of surgery was changed in 6 instances (26.1%). In 4 cases of epidural or perimedullary arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs), a residual lesion required additional intervention. In one case of epidural AVF, initial IODSA revealed spontaneous resolution of the lesion, preventing unnecessary surgery. Finally, angiography performed in a case of diaphragmatic crus syndrome showed thrombosis of the ISA and non-visualization of the artery of Adamkiewicz. Recanalization was obtained by IA thrombolysis, with excellent clinical outcome. No intraprocedural or postprocedural complication was noted.

Conclusions

Spinal IODSA is a safe technique that offers an immediate assessment of the effectiveness of a spinovascular surgical procedure, notably epidural and perimedullary AVFs. Spinal IODSA was technically successful in all cases, influencing the surgical strategy in 6 of 23 patients, including one patient who benefited from intraoperative endovascular therapy.
Is there a role for the use of aviation assessment instruments in surgical training preparation? A feasibility study
Authors: Stolk-Vos Aline C , Heres Marion H , Kesteloo Jasper , Verburg Dick , Hiddema Frans , Lie Desiree A , de Korne Dirk F
Published: June 2016

Background

Selection for surgical residency programmes could potentially be improved through pretraining preparation, after assessment of surgical candidates’ sensorimotor skills and personality traits. Existing aviation pilot selection instruments are available to test sensorimotor skills and personality traits. This study examined selected instruments to assess medical trainees’ sensorimotor skills and personality traits.

Methods

Aviation’s validated computer-based Computerized Pilot Aptitude and Screening System (COMPASS) and Checklist Professional Profile (CPP) were applied to 166 final year medical students during a surgical clerkship between 2013 and 2015.

Results

All trainees completed COMPASS and CPP within the prescribed 2 hours. Compared with an age-matched and gender-matched cohort of 165 pilot candidates, medical trainees scored significantly higher on eye-hand coordination (p<0.001), need for variation (p<0.001), empathy (p=0.006), helpfulness (p<0.001) and autonomy (p<0.001). Pilot candidates scored higher on eye-hand-foot coordination (p<0.001), spatial orientation (p<0.001), persuasiveness (p<0.001), stress tolerance (p<0.001), dominance (p<0.001), ambition (p<0.001) and resilience (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Final year medical trainees from one medical school were able to complete aviation’s sensorimotor skills and personality traits selection instruments within the set time frame. They scored differently from aviation trainees on selected skills and personality traits. The applicability and utility of aviation instruments to presurgical training preparation remains to be tested.
Interpretation of soil property profile from limited measurement data: a compressive sampling perspective
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhao Tengyuan
Published: June 2016

Variation of soil properties with depth, i.e., the soil property profile, is a key input in geotechnical design and analysis, and it is determined during geotechnical site characterization. Determination of such a soil property profile requires extensive measurement data points from site characterization. However, the number of measurement data points from geotechnical site characterization is usually sparse and limited. As such, determining the soil property profile from a limited number of measurement points remains a challenge to geotechnical engineers. In engineering practice, the soil property profile is frequently determined with the assistance of engineering experience and judgment or statistical methods when only limited measurement data are available. Because both methods inevitably involve either subjectivity or assumptions that might contradict reality, the derived profile might not reflect the real variation of soil properties with depth. This paper aims to address this problem and develop an objective and rational approach to interpret the soil property profile from limited measurement data. The proposed approach is based on a novel sampling theory, called compressive sampling (or compressive sensing, CS), in mathematics and signal processing. Using compressive sampling, a high-resolution signal (e.g., a soil property profile in this study) can be reconstructed from a limited number of measurement data points. The reconstructed soil property profile is nearly continuous and has a resolution as high as cone penetration test (CPT) data. As it contains a large number of data points, conventional statistical methods can be applied easily. In this paper, the proposed approach is illustrated and validated using a set of real CPT data (i.e., tip resistance, qc). The results show that the proposed approach reasonably reconstructs the complete qcprofiles from a limited number of qcdata points.
Accommodation succession (δ
A
/δ
S
) sequence stratigraphy: observational method, utility and insights into sequence boundary formation
Authors: Neal Jack E. , Abreu Vitor , Bohacs Kevin M. , Feldman Howard R. , Pederson Keriann H.
Published: June 2016

The future of sequence stratigraphy depends on stratigraphers making observations with a common method so that physical frameworks can be clearly separated from interpretations of driving mechanisms. Depositional sequence boundary selection is a well-known controversy that could be resolved with objective recognition criteria. Accommodation succession sequence stratigraphy refines traditional methods, using sedimentary facies, facies associations, vertical stacking, stratal geometries and stratal terminations as the objective record of competing rates of accommodation change and sediment fill through time. Observations are placed in context of lateral (transgression and regression) and vertical (aggradation and degradation) movement of shoreline through time, across multiple timescales in hierarchal stacks. The repeating motif consists of a subaerial unconformity and its correlative subaqueous surface overlain in coastal settings by a basinward shift in coastal onlap and strata with progradational to aggradation stacking, then retrogradation and aggradation–progradation–degradation stacking. These stacking patterns are bounded by key surfaces, recognized by stratal terminations and characteristic vertical successions of facies. This pattern is independent of time duration or position on a sea-level curve, but incorporates data resolution, regional extent and hierarchal stacking. Examples from multiple datasets show the utility and objectivity of the method and provide insights into sequence boundary formation.
Acetylation and succinylation contribute to maturational alterations in energy metabolism in the newborn heart
Authors: Fukushima Arata , Alrob Osama Abo , Zhang Liyan , Wagg Cory S. , Altamimi Tariq , Rawat Sonia , Rebeyka Ivan M. , Kantor Paul F. , Lopaschuk Gary D.
Published: June 2016

Dramatic maturational changes in cardiac energy metabolism occur in the newborn period, with a shift from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation. Acetylation and succinylation of lysyl residues are novel posttranslational modifications involved in the control of cardiac energy metabolism. We investigated the impact of changes in protein acetylation/succinylation on the maturational changes in energy metabolism of 1-, 7-, and 21-day-old rabbit hearts. Cardiac fatty acid β-oxidation rates increased in 21-day vs. 1- and 7-day-old hearts, whereas glycolysis and glucose oxidation rates decreased in 21-day-old hearts. The fatty acid oxidation enzymes, long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCAD) and β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (β-HAD), were hyperacetylated with maturation, positively correlated with their activities and fatty acid β-oxidation rates. This alteration was associated with increased expression of the mitochondrial acetyltransferase, general control of amino acid synthesis 5 like 1 (GCN5L1), since silencing GCN5L1 mRNA in H9c2 cells significantly reduced acetylation and activity of LCAD and β-HAD. An increase in mitochondrial ATP production rates with maturation was associated with the decreased acetylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α, a transcriptional regulator for mitochondrial biogenesis. In addition, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, hexokinase, and phosphoglycerate mutase expression declined postbirth, whereas acetylation of these glycolytic enzymes increased. Phosphorylation rather than acetylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) increased in 21-day-old hearts, accounting for the low glucose oxidation postbirth. A maturational increase was also observed in succinylation of PDH and LCAD. Collectively, our data are the first suggesting that acetylation and succinylation of the key metabolic enzymes in newborn hearts play a crucial role in cardiac energy metabolism with maturation.

Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/acetylation-control-of-energy-metabolism-in-newborn-hearts/ .
Personalized medicine in cystic fibrosis: genistein supplementation as a treatment option for patients with a rare S1045Y-CFTR mutation
Authors: Arora Kavisha , Yarlagadda Sunitha , Zhang Weiqiang , Moon ChangSuk , Bouquet Erin , Srinivasan Saumini , Li Chunying , Stokes Dennis C. , Naren Anjaparavanda P.
Published: June 2016

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-shortening disease caused by the mutations that generate nonfunctional CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. A rare serine-to-tyrosine (S1045Y) CFTR mutation was earlier reported to result in CF-associated fatality. We identified an African-American patient with the S1045Y mutation in CFTR, as well as a stop-codon mutation, who has a mild CF phenotype. The underlying mechanism of CF caused by S1045Y-CFTR has not been elucidated. In this study, we determined that S1045Y-CFTR exhibits twofold attenuated function compared with wild-type (WT)-CFTR. We report that serine-to-tyrosine mutation leads to increased tyrosine phosphorylation of S1045Y-CFTR, followed by recruitment and binding of E3-ubiquitin ligase c-cbl, resulting in enhanced ubiquitination and passage of S1045Y-CFTR in the endosome/lysosome degradative compartments. We demonstrate that inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation partially rescues S1045Y-CFTR surface expression and function. Based on our findings, it could be suggested that consuming genistein (a tyrosine phosphorylation inhibitor) would likely ameliorate CF symptoms in individuals with S1045Y-CFTR, providing a unique personalized therapy for this rare CF mutation.
BigLoc: A Two-Stage Positioning Method for Large Indoor Space
Authors: Zheng Zengwei , Chen Yuanyi , Chen Sinong , Sun Lin , Chen Dan
Published: June 2016

With the rapid development of WLAN infrastructure, fingerprint-based positioning using signal strength has become a promising localization solution in indoor space. Commonly fingerprint-based positioning methods face two challenges in large indoor space, one is floor recognition in large building with multifloor, and the other is signal strength variance due to heterogeneous devices and environmental factors. In this paper, we propose a novel two-stage positioning approach to address these challenges of fingerprint-based positioning methods in large indoor space. Firstly, we design a floor-level recognition feature based on WiFi access points and the RSS values to recognize floor. For solving the signal strength variance problem, we propose a new metric to capture the similarity of location fingerprints probability distribution using KL Divergence. To demonstrate the utility of our approach, we have performed comprehensive experiments in a large indoor building.
Accidental Entrapment of Electrical Mapping Catheter by Chiari’s Network in Right Atrium during Catheter Ablation Procedure
Authors: Sakamoto Atsushi , Urushida Tsuyoshi , Sakakibara Tomoaki , Sano Makoto , Suwa Kenichiro , Saitoh Takeji , Saotome Masao , Katoh Hideki , Satoh Hiroshi , Hayashi Hideharu
Published: June 2016

A 78-year-old male was admitted to our hospital due to frequent palpitation. His electrocardiogram (ECG) presented regular narrow QRS tachycardia with 170 bpm, and catheter ablation was planned. During electroanatomical mapping of the right atrium (RA) with a multiloop mapping catheter, the catheter head was entrapped nearby the ostium of inferior vena cava. Rotation and traction of the catheter failed to detach the catheter head from the RA wall. Exfoliation of connective tissue twined around catheter tip by forceps, which were designed for endomyocardial biopsy, succeeded to retract and remove the catheter. Postprocedural echocardiography and pathologic examination proved the existence of Chiari’s network. The handling of complex catheters in the RA has a potential risk of entrapment with Chiari’s network.
Effect of Multimodal Pore Channels on Cargo Release from Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Jadhav Sushilkumar A. , Brunella Valentina , Berlier Gloria , Ugazio Elena , Scalarone Dominique
Published: June 2016

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with multimodal pore channels were fully characterized by TEM, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and DLS analyses. MSNs with average diameter of 200 nm with dual pore channel zones with pore diameters of 1.3–2.6 and 4 nm were tested for their use in drug delivery application. Important role of the multimodal pore systems present on MSNs on the quantitative release of model drug ibuprofen was investigated. The results obtained revealed that the release profile for ibuprofen clearly shows distinct zones which can be attributed to the respective porous channel zones present on the particles. The fluctuations in the concentration of ibuprofen during the prolonged release from MSNs were caused by the multimodal pore channel systems.
Random Parameter Negative Binomial Model of Signalized Intersections
Authors: Park Minho , Lee Dongmin , Jeon Jinwoo
Published: June 2016

Factors affecting accident frequencies at 72 signalized intersections in the Gyeonggi-Do (province) over a four-year period (2007~2010) were explored using the random parameters negative binomial model. The empirical results from the comparison with fixed parameters binomial model show that the random parameters model outperforms its fixed parameters counterpart and provides a fuller understanding of the factors which determine accident frequencies at signalized intersections. In addition, elasticity and marginal effect were estimated to gain more insight into the effects of one-percent and one-unit changes in the dependent variable from changes in the independent variables.
Neural Net Gains Estimation Based on an Equivalent Model
Authors: Aguilar Cruz Karen Alicia , Medel Juárez José de Jesús , Fernández Muñoz José Luis , Esmeralda Vigueras Velázquez Midory
Published: June 2016

A model of an Equivalent Artificial Neural Net (EANN) describes the gains set, viewed as parameters in a layer, and this consideration is a reproducible process, applicable to a neuron in a neural net (NN). The EANN helps to estimate the NN gains or parameters, so we propose two methods to determine them. The first considers a fuzzy inference combined with the traditional Kalman filter, obtaining the equivalent model and estimating in a fuzzy sense the gains matrixAand the proper gainKinto the traditional filter identification. The second develops a direct estimation in state space, describing an EANN using the expected value and the recursive description of the gains estimation. Finally, a comparison of both descriptions is performed; highlighting the analytical method describes the neural net coefficients in a direct form, whereas the other technique requires selecting into the Knowledge Base (KB) the factors based on the functional error and the reference signal built with the past information of the system.
Influence of Phases Content on Pt/TiO2, Pd/TiO2Catalysts for Degradation of 4-Chlorophenol at Room Temperature
Authors: García-Zaleta D. S. , Torres-Huerta A. M. , Domínguez-Crespo M. A. , García-Murillo A. , Silva-Rodrigo R. , González R. López
Published: June 2016

Different Pt/TiO2and Pd/TiO2catalysts were prepared by sol-gel method. The influence of different amounts of noble metals (1–5 mol-%) present on the microstructure as well as the photocatalytic property under 4-chlorophenol degradation was evaluated. The anatase phase was favored at low Pt content; however, the apparition of new phases after 3 mol-% (PtO) suggests a saturation lattice considering our solubility limit at 1 mol-%. Similar trend was observed when Pd was added to the TiO2lattice. The as-prepared catalysts were deeply characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) with the Rietveld Method, Raman spectroscopy, high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) adsorption analysis, and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Unit-cell parameter of TiO2phases varied from 30 to 93 vol-% depending on the amount of Pt or Pd added to the composite. HRTEM and HRSEM identified the phases in the catalysts and confirmed the nanometric size and morphology of the catalysts. An improvement in removal efficiency of 4-chlorophenol was obtained in all the specimens compared with the commercial Degussa P25, which can be explained in terms of phase composition and modification of the band gap.
Joint Inventory, Pricing, and Advertising Decisions with Surplus and Stockout Loss Aversions
Authors: Cao Bing-Bing , Fan Zhi-Ping , Li Hongyan , You Tian-Hui
Published: June 2016

The newsvendor models considering decision-makers’ behavioral factors remain a fruitful research area in operation management field in past decade. In this paper, we further extend the current literatures to look into joint inventory, pricing, and advertising decisions considering loss aversion effects under the newsvendor setting. The purpose is to explore how the loss aversions affect the optimal policy of order quantity, price, and advertising effort level. We present an integrated utility model to measure both economic payoff and loss aversion utility of the newsvendor, where surplus loss aversion and stockout loss aversion are first separately defined and quantified. Then, we analyze the optimal solution conditions of the integrated model under exogenous and endogenous price cases, respectively. Under exogenous price case, we find that the uniquely optimal policy exists and is presented in the closed form. Under endogenous price case, the optimal policy is determined under mild conditions; we also provide the solutions when order quantity factor or advertising effort level is fixed in this case. In addition, the sensitivity analysis shows that the loss aversions affect the optimal decisions of order quantity, price, and advertising effort level in a systematic way.
Intracavitary Irradiation as a Safe Alternative for Cystic Craniopharyngiomas: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Enriquez-Marulanda Alejandro , Sierra-Ruiz Melibea , Pabón Luz Maritza , Lobato-Polo Javier
Published: June 2016

Craniopharyngioma treatment remains a challenge for clinicians and patients. There are many treatment alternatives; however one of them (intracavitary irradiation) seeks to control this type of benign brain tumor using minimally invasive techniques, with the specific aim of avoiding causing significant damage to important structures surrounding the sellar/suprasellar region. We present the case of a 3-year-old patient with a predominantly cystic craniopharyngioma who underwent intracavitary irradiation by stereotactic placement. Using this approach, the patient showed a successful response with remission of headaches and hydrocephalus. A reduction in the size of the cyst was achieved, without deterioration of visual fields, with no hormonal supplementation being needed, and with no evidence of focal neurological signs.
Osteosarcoma: Cells‐of‐Origin, Cancer Stem Cells, and Targeted Therapies
Authors: Abarrategi Ander , Tornin Juan , Martinez-Cruzado Lucia , Hamilton Ashley , Martinez-Campos Enrique , Rodrigo Juan P. , González M. Victoria , Baldini Nicola , Garcia-Castro Javier , Rodriguez Rene
Published: June 2016

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of primary solid tumor that develops in bone. Although standard chemotherapy has significantly improved long‐term survival over the past few decades, the outcome for those patients with metastatic or recurrent OS remains dismally poor and, therefore, novel agents and treatment regimens are urgently required. A hypothesis to explain the resistance of OS to chemotherapy is the existence of drug resistant CSCs with progenitor properties that are responsible of tumor relapses and metastasis. These subpopulations of CSCs commonly emerge during tumor evolution from the cell‐of‐origin, which are the normal cells that acquire the first cancer‐promoting mutations to initiate tumor formation. In OS, several cell types along the osteogenic lineage have been proposed as cell‐of‐origin. Both the cell‐of‐origin and their derived CSC subpopulations are highly influenced by environmental and epigenetic factors and, therefore, targeting the OS‐CSC environment and niche is the rationale for many recently postulated therapies. Likewise, some strategies for targeting CSC‐associated signaling pathways have already been tested in both preclinical and clinical settings. This review recapitulates current OS cell‐of‐origin models, the properties of the OS‐CSC and its niche, and potential new therapies able to target OS‐CSCs.
Canadian M.D.-Ph.D. Programs Produce Impactful Physician-Scientists: The McGill Experience
Authors: Zhou Tianwei E. , Savage Paul A. , Eisenberg Mark J.
Published: June 2016

On June 18, 2015, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announced that it would terminate funding to M.D.-Ph.D. programs due to budget constraints, against the recommendations from two advisory panels. CIHR’s M.D.-Ph.D. program grants, which amounted to an annual average of $1.8 million in the form of 14 six-year studentships, represent only 0.15% of CIHR’s $1.2 billion operating budget. As over half of M.D.-Ph.D. trainees are dependent on these studentships, this poses a threat to physician-scientist training in Canada. In response to the current volatile funding climate, we surveyed McGill University’s M.D.-Ph.D. program alumni to assess its success in producing physician-scientists. In this program, 60.0% of graduates who have completed training have become physician-scientists, the majority being retained in Canada. These individuals have attained positions with sufficiently protected time for research and had grant success and significant publications for early- to mid-career investigators. This suggests that the current M.D.-Ph.D. system is an effective way of producing competent physician-scientists. As physician-scientists have remarkably contributed to Canadian healthcare innovation despite making up a fraction of physicians and researchers, vulnerability in the M.D.-Ph.D. pipeline would invariably affect the health of Canadians.
BFree Finite Element Approach for Saturated Porous Media: Consolidation
Authors: Stickle M. M. , Yague A. , Pastor M.
Published: June 2016

TheBfree finite element approach is applied to the governing equations describing the consolidation process in saturated poroelastic medium with intrinsically incompressible solid and fluid phases. Under this approach, where Voigt notation is avoided, the finite element equilibrium equations and the linearization of the coupled governing equations are fully derived using tensor algebra. In order to assess theBfree approach for the consolidation equations, direct comparison with analytical solution of the response of a homogeneous and isotropic water-saturated poroelastic finite column under harmonic load is presented. The results illustrate the capability of this finite element approach of reproducing accurately the response of quasistatic phenomena in a saturated porous medium.