bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The correlation of serum asymmetric dimethylarginine and anti‐Müllerian hormone in primary dysmenorrhea
Authors: Akdemir Nermin , Cinemre Fatma Behice , Bostancı Mehmet Sühha , Cinemre Hakan , Ünal Orhan , Ozden Selçuk , Cevrioglu Arif Serhan , Kacal Zubeyde , Akdemir Ramazan
Published: July 2016

In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in primary dysmenorrhea patients. The study employed a cross‐sectional design. Eighty‐nine female university students with primary dysmenorrhea were included in the study. All patients underwent complete clinical and laboratory investigations, including serum ADMA, AMH levels, pelvic ultrasonography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. Pearson correlation and linear regression analysis were used to evaluate associations between continuous data. Categorical associations were evaluated using χ2 test. Correlation analysis between serum ADMA and AMH levels in the study group showed a highly significant positive relationship (Pearson correlation = 0.978, p = 0.01). Our study has shown a significant positive correlation between serum ADMA and AMH levels in primary dysmenorrhea. Serum ADMA levels may have the potential to demonstrate ovarian reserve.
The Influence of Corticosteroids on Diagnostic Accuracy of Biopsy for Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Authors: Binnahil Mashary , Au Karolyn , Lu Jian-Qiang , Wheatley Blaise Matthew , Sankar Tejas
Published: July 2016

Classical neurosurgical teaching suggests that corticosteroid administration reduces the diagnostic yield of stereotactic brain biopsy for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). In a single-center series spanning 6 years, we reviewed 155 consecutive biopsy patients, 135 treated with prebiopsy corticosteroids. PCNSL was correctly diagnosed on initial biopsy in 15 of 16 steroid-treated patients; in the single nondiagnostic specimen, polymerase chain reaction reanalysis by an outside institution showed evidence of lymphoproliferative disease consistent with PCNSL. Our data challenge the notion that it is necessary to withhold corticosteroid therapy for cerebral edema in patients awaiting stereotactic biopsy for suspected PCNSL.
Extensive amenability and an application to interval exchanges
Authors: JUSCHENKO KATE , MATTE BON NICOLÁS , MONOD NICOLAS , DE LA SALLE MIKAEL
Published: July 2016

Extensive amenability is a property of group actions which has recently been used as a tool to prove amenability of groups. We study this property and prove that it is preserved under a very general construction of semidirect products. As an application, we establish the amenability of all subgroups of the group$\text{IET}$of interval exchange transformations that have angular components of rational rank less than or equal to two. In addition, we obtain a reformulation of extensive amenability in terms of inverted orbits and use it to present a purely probabilistic proof that recurrent actions are extensively amenable. Finally, we study the triviality of the Poisson boundary for random walks on$\text{IET}$and show that there are subgroups$G<\text{IET}$admitting no finitely supported measure with trivial boundary.
SOME MANUSCRIPT NOTES BY F. JACOBS ON THE TEXT OF MENANDER RHETOR
Authors: Hernández Muñoz Felipe G.
Published: July 2016

In 2007 I published the first part of some manuscript notes on the text of Menander Rhetor, which I attributed to F. Jacobs (1764–1847). I now present the second part of these notes, alongside a global assessment of all the coniectanea and corrections by F. Jacobs on the text of this rhetor.
TYRTAEUS IN VIRGIL'S FIRST ECLOGUE
Authors: Kayachev Boris
Published: July 2016

The first eclogue opens with an exposition, put in the mouth of Meliboeus (1.1–5):
Tityre, tu patulae recubans sub tegmine fagisiluestrem tenui Musam meditaris auena;nos patriae finis et dulcia linquimus arua.nos patriam fugimus; tu, Tityre, lentus in umbraformosam resonare doces Amaryllida siluas.
These five lines receive two and a half pages in Coleman's commentary, five in Clausen's, six in the recent commentary by Cucchiarelli, and eighteen in Paraskeviotis's unpublished thesis on the Eclogues’ sources. Yet on the central line and a half (3–4a), in which Meliboeus speaks about himself rather than Tityrus, only Cucchiarelli spends more (but only slightly more) than half a page. For lines 1–2 and 4b–5, focussed on Tityrus, numerous intertexts have been suggested: Theocritus 1.1–3 and 7.88–9, Lucretius 4.589 and 5.1398, Meleager, AP 7.196.2, Callimachus, Aetia fr. 73 Pfeiffer, to list the most important ones. No allusion seems to have been detected in 3–4a.
A MILD REMEDY FOR A MILD DISEASE: THE TEXT OF REPUBLIC 459B
Authors: Brennan Tad
Published: July 2016

Here's a fine argument for you!

1)

Anyone who plans to prescribe medicines will need to be a skilled doctor;

2)

These people plan to prescribe medicines;

3)

Therefore, these people will need to be skilled rulers.

If you expected the last word of the conclusion to be ‘doctors’ instead of ‘rulers’, then you will find the rest of this note plain sailing.
SCENES FROM AN ILL-SPENT YOUTH (ARISTOPHANES, KNIGHTS 411–12)
Authors: Olson S. Douglas
Published: July 2016

ἔγωγε νὴ τοὺς κονδύλους, οὓς πολλὰ δὴ ᾽πὶ πολλοῖςἠνεσχόμην ἐκ παιδίου, μαχαιρίδων τε πληγάς
Moralizing Postcolonial Consumer Society: Fair Trade in the Netherlands, 1964–1997
Authors: van Dam Peter
Published: July 2016

Decolonization challenged people across the globe to define their place in a new postcolonial order. This challenge was felt in international political and economic affairs, but it also affected daily lives across the globe. The history of fair trade activism as seen from the Netherlands highlights how citizens in the North grappled to position themselves in a postcolonial consumer society. Interventions by fair trade activists connected debates about the morals of their society to the consequences of decolonization. They reacted to the imbalances of the global market in the wake of decolonization, joining critics from the South in demanding more equitable global relations. It was around this issue of “fair trade” that a transnational coalition of moderate and more radical activists emerged after the 1960s. This coalition held widely dissimilar views regarding the politics of the left and the use of consumer activism. The analysis of their interventions demonstrates that during the postwar era attempts at transforming the global market were inextricably interwoven with visions of a postcolonial order.
On the Style-Based Feedback Trading of Mutual Fund Managers
Authors: Frijns Bart , Gilbert Aaron , Zwinkels Remco C. J.
Published: July 2016

This paper examines the style-based feedback trading behavior of U.S. mutual fund managers. We provide an empirical version of Barberis and Shleifer’s style-switching model. We find style-based feedback trading for 77% of the funds, half of which is positive (negative) feedback trading. There is evidence for “twin style” switching, where capital is channeled between value and growth, and between large- and small-cap. Growth (value) funds apply more positive (negative) feedback trading. Funds that switch more aggressively are younger and have higher expense ratios. Finally, we find that positive (negative) feedback trading yields positive (negative) alpha.
Participation, process and policy: the informational value of politicised judicial review
Authors: Gailmard Sean , Patty John W.
Published: July 2016

We develop a model of “notice and comment” rulemaking, focussing on strategic issues facing agencies and interest groups in light of judicial review in this process. Specifically, we analyse the incentives for agencies and groups to produce and reveal information during rulemaking. We show that judicial review can produce informed policymaking, but that participatory rulemaking can bias agency policymaking in favour of groups with access to the rule-making process. In addition, the model allows an analysis of doctrines of judicial review of agency policymaking. The model reveals that “politicised” judicial review can be beneficial because of its effects on agency incentives for information acquisition in policymaking. Accordingly, socially optimal judicial review may be “legally irrational” and, contrary to standard doctrines of judicial review in the United States, judicial deference to rules with thin records can be optimal.
CHALLENGES IN CONTEMPORARY HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT: A VIEW FROM THE OUTSIDE—ERRATUM
Authors: Oortwijn Wija , van der Wilt Gert Jan
Published: July 2016

Owing to a copyediting error, Marjukka Mäkelä was incorrectly listed as an author in the editorial by Oortwijn & van der Wilt (1) in February/April 2016 issue of International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care. The publisher apologizes to the author and readers for this error. The original article has been corrected online to rectify this error.
Estimating true incidence of O157 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coliillness in Germany based on notification data of haemolytic uraemic syndrome
Authors: KUEHNE A. , BOUWKNEGT M. , HAVELAAR A. , GILSDORF A. , HOYER P. , STARK K. , WERBER D. ,   and the HUS active surveillance network Germany
Published: July 2016

Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) is an important cause of gastroenteritis (GE) and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Incidence of STEC illness is largely underestimated in notification data, particularly of serogroups other than O157 (‘non-O157’). Using HUS national notification data (2008–2012, excluding 2011), we modelled true annual incidence of STEC illness in Germany separately for O157 and non-O157 STEC, taking into account the groups’ different probabilities of causing bloody diarrhoea and HUS, and the resulting difference in their under-ascertainment. Uncertainty of input parameters was evaluated by stochastic Monte Carlo simulations. Median annual incidence (per 100 000 population) of STEC-associated HUS and STEC-GE was estimated at 0·11 [95% credible interval (CrI) 0·08-0·20], and 35 (95% CrI 12-145), respectively. German notification data underestimated STEC-associated HUS and STEC-GE incidences by factors of 1·8 and 32·3, respectively. Non-O157 STEC accounted for 81% of all STEC-GE, 51% of all bloody STEC-GE and 32% of all STEC-associated HUS cases. Non-O157 serogroups dominate incidence of STEC-GE and contribute significantly to STEC-associated HUS in Germany. This might apply to many other countries considering European surveillance data on HUS. Non-O157 STEC should be considered in parallel with STEC O157 when searching aetiology in patients with GE or HUS, and accounted for in modern surveillance systems.
A Good Death
Authors: DORSEY DALE
Published: July 2016

Largely in response to Epicurus’ famous challenge, philosophers have been quite imaginative in coming up with ways in which death is bad. Most often, death is described as an instrumental bad. Given that I would have obtained additional welfare benefits had I not died when I did, my death causes me to miss out on intrinsic goods I might otherwise have obtained. In this article, however, I argue that the standard account (and its corollaries) misses an important feature of the dis/value of death. I argue that some deaths can be good – intrinsically good – for the person who dies.
Meaning-making in online language learner interactions via desktop videoconferencing
Authors: Satar H. Müge
Published: July 2016

Online language learning and teaching in multimodal contexts has been identified as one of the key research areas in computer-aided learning (CALL) (Lamy, 2013; White, 2014).1This paper aims to explore meaning-making in online language learner interactions via desktop videoconferencing (DVC) and in doing so illustrate multimodal transcription and analysis as well as the application of theoretical frameworks from other fields. Recordings of learner DVC interactions and interviews are qualitatively analysed within a case study methodology. The analysis focuses on how semiotic resources available in DVC are used for meaning-making, drawing on semiotics, interactional sociolinguistics, nonverbal communication, multimodal interaction analysis and conversation analysis. The findings demonstrate the use of contextualization cues, five codes of the body, paralinguistic elements for emotional expression, gestures and overlapping speech in meaning-making. The paper concludes with recommendations for teachers and researchers using and investigating language learning and teaching in multimodal contexts.
Recurrent languaging activities in World of Warcraft: Skilled linguistic action meets the Common European Framework of Reference
Authors: Newgarden Kristi , Zheng Dongping
Published: July 2016

In this study of affordances for second language (L2) learning in World of Warcraft (WoW) group play, we compared three gameplay episodes spanning a semester-long course. Applying multimodal analysis framed by ecological, dialogical and distributed (EDD) views (Zheng and Newgarden, forthcoming), we explored four English as a second language learners’ verbalizations and avatar actions. Players learned to take skilled linguistic action as they coordinated recurrent WoW gameplay activities (questing, planning next moves, traveling, learning a skill, etc.). Frequent activities matched Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) speaking proficiency descriptors, used widely in L2 teaching and learning (L2TL), providing evidence that players engaged in the types of communicative activities interaction-oriented classroom approaches develop. However, in the WoW context, interactions were not planned, but emerged as players dynamically directed the course of play. Furthermore, modalities of avatar-embodiment and conversing over Skype allowed players to flexibly integrate language and actions to co-act toward game goals, discuss non-game topics during play, or demonstrate comprehension with avatar actions alone, an affordance for less verbal players. This research builds on previous work (Zheng, Newgarden & Young, 2012) relating WoW’s multiplayer activities and L2 learners’ skilled linguistic actions. We refer to Chemero’s (2009) model of the animal-environment system to explain how L2 learners develop abilities to take skilled linguistic action by acting on affordances in WoW. The EDD framework presented may enable other researchers to account for more of the complexities involved in L2 learning in multimodal, multiplayer virtual environments.
How Irrigation in Asia Affects Rainfall in Africa
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: July 2016

Up to 40% of the total rainfall in arid parts of East Africa may be caused by water vapor from farming practices in South Asia.
Clinical and radiographical evaluation of propolis and thymus vulgaris extracts compared with formocresol pulpotomy in human primary molars
Authors: Alolofi Hesham , El-Sayed Manal , Taha Sherine
Published: July 2016

Objectives/aims:

This study aimed to examine the success of vital pulpotomy using natural extracts on primary teeth.

Materials and methods:

The study was carried out on 60 primary molars in 20 children indicated for pulpotomy. Primary molars were treated with formocresol (20 teeth), propolis ethanolic extract (20 teeth) or thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract (20 teeth). Treated teeth were clinically and radiographically evaluated after 1, 6 and 12 months.

Results:

The clinical success of formocresol and propolis groups was 88.2%, whereas the thymus group showed 94.4% with no statistical significance difference. The radiographical success for formocresol and propolis was 73.3%, and thymus was 88.2% without any statistical significance difference detected.

Conclusion:

Promising clinical and radiographical success rates of propolis and thymus vulgaris obtained when compared with formocresol.
Synthetic biology and microbioreactor platforms for programmable production of biologics at the point-of-care
Authors: Perez-Pinera Pablo , Han Ningren , Cleto Sara , Cao Jicong , Purcell Oliver , Shah Kartik A. , Lee Kevin , Ram Rajeev , Lu Timothy K.
Published: July 2016

Current biopharmaceutical manufacturing systems are not compatible with portable or distributed production of biologics, as they typically require the development of single biologic-producing cell lines followed by their cultivation at very large scales. Therefore, it remains challenging to treat patients in short time frames, especially in remote locations with limited infrastructure. To overcome these barriers, we developed a platform using genetically engineered Pichia pastoris strains designed to secrete multiple proteins on programmable cues in an integrated, benchtop, millilitre-scale microfluidic device. We use this platform for rapid and switchable production of two biologics from a single yeast strain as specified by the operator. Our results demonstrate selectable and near-single-dose production of these biologics in <24 h with limited infrastructure requirements. We envision that combining this system with analytical, purification and polishing technologies could lead to a small-scale, portable and fully integrated personal biomanufacturing platform that could advance disease treatment at point-of-care.
Spin slush in an extended spin ice model
Authors: Rau Jeffrey G. , Gingras Michel J. P.
Published: July 2016

We present a new classical spin liquid on the pyrochlore lattice by extending spin ice with further neighbour interactions. We find that this disorder-free spin model exhibits a form of dynamical heterogeneity with extremely slow relaxation for some spins, while others fluctuate quickly down to zero temperature. We thus call this state spin slush, in analogy to the heterogeneous mixture of solid and liquid water. This behaviour is driven by the structure of the ground-state manifold which extends the celebrated two-in/two-out ice states to include branching structures built from three-in/one-out, three-out/one-in and all-in/all-out tetrahedra defects. Distinctive liquid-like patterns in the magnetic correlations serve as a signature of this intermediate range order. Possible applications to materials as well the effects of quantum tunnelling are discussed.
Fault-tolerant error correction with the gauge color code
Authors: Brown Benjamin J. , Nickerson Naomi H. , Browne Dan E.
Published: July 2016

The constituent parts of a quantum computer are inherently vulnerable to errors. To this end, we have developed quantum error-correcting codes to protect quantum information from noise. However, discovering codes that are capable of a universal set of computational operations with the minimal cost in quantum resources remains an important and ongoing challenge. One proposal of significant recent interest is the gauge color code. Notably, this code may offer a reduced resource cost over other well-studied fault-tolerant architectures by using a new method, known as gauge fixing, for performing the non-Clifford operations that are essential for universal quantum computation. Here we examine the gauge color code when it is subject to noise. Specifically, we make use of single-shot error correction to develop a simple decoding algorithm for the gauge color code, and we numerically analyse its performance. Remarkably, we find threshold error rates comparable to those of other leading proposals. Our results thus provide the first steps of a comparative study between the gauge color code and other promising computational architectures.
Toll-like receptor 2 activation depends on lipopeptide shedding by bacterial surfactants
Authors: Hanzelmann Dennis , Joo Hwang-Soo , Franz-Wachtel Mirita , Hertlein Tobias , Stevanovic Stefan , Macek Boris , Wolz Christiane , Götz Friedrich , Otto Michael , Kretschmer Dorothee , Peschel Andreas
Published: July 2016

Sepsis caused by Gram-positive bacterial pathogens is a major fatal disease but its molecular basis remains elusive. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) has been implicated in the orchestration of inflammation and sepsis but its role appears to vary for different pathogen species and clones. Accordingly, Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates differ substantially in their capacity to activate TLR2. Here we show that strong TLR2 stimulation depends on high-level production of phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) peptides in response to the global virulence activator Agr. PSMs are required for mobilizing lipoproteins, the TLR2 agonists, from the staphylococcal cytoplasmic membrane. Notably, the course of sepsis caused by PSM-deficient S. aureus is similar in wild-type and TLR2-deficient mice, but TLR2 is required for protection of mice against PSM-producing S. aureus. Thus, a crucial role of TLR2 depends on agonist release by bacterial surfactants. Modulation of this process may lead to new therapeutic strategies against Gram-positive infections.
Vortex knots in tangled quantum eigenfunctions
Authors: Taylor Alexander J. , Dennis Mark R.
Published: July 2016

Tangles of string typically become knotted, from macroscopic twine down to long-chain macromolecules such as DNA. Here, we demonstrate that knotting also occurs in quantum wavefunctions, where the tangled filaments are vortices (nodal lines/phase singularities). The probability that a vortex loop is knotted is found to increase with its length, and a wide gamut of knots from standard tabulations occur. The results follow from computer simulations of random superpositions of degenerate eigenstates of three simple quantum systems: a cube with periodic boundaries, the isotropic three-dimensional harmonic oscillator and the 3-sphere. In the latter two cases, vortex knots occur frequently, even in random eigenfunctions at relatively low energy, and are constrained by the spatial symmetries of the modes. The results suggest that knotted vortex structures are generic in complex three-dimensional wave systems, establishing a topological commonality between wave chaos, polymers and turbulent Bose–Einstein condensates.
Revisiting sulfur H-bonds in proteins: The example of peroxiredoxin AhpE
Authors: van Bergen Laura A. H. , Alonso Mercedes , Palló Anna , Nilsson Lennart , De Proft Frank , Messens Joris
Published: July 2016

In many established methods, identification of hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) is primarily based on pairwise comparison of distances between atoms. These methods often give rise to systematic errors when sulfur is involved. A more accurate method is the non-covalent interaction index, which determines the strength of the H-bonds based on the associated electron density and its gradient. We applied the NCI index on the active site of a single-cysteine peroxiredoxin. We found a different sulfur hydrogen-bonding network to that typically found by established methods and we propose a more accurate equation for determining sulfur H-bonds based on geometrical criteria. This new algorithm will be implemented in the next release of the widely-used CHARMM program (version 41b) and will be particularly useful for analyzing water molecule-mediated H-bonds involving different atom types. Furthermore, based on the identification of the weakest sulfur-water H-bond, the location of hydrogen peroxide for the nucleophilic attack by the cysteine sulfur can be predicted. In general, current methods to determine H-bonds will need to be reevaluated, thereby leading to better understanding of the catalytic mechanisms in which sulfur chemistry is involved.
Effects of neuregulin-1 administration on neurogenesis in the adult mouse hippocampus and characterization of immature neurons along the septotemporal axis
Authors: Mahar Ian , MacIsaac Angus , Kim John Junghan , Qiang Calvin , Davoli Maria Antonietta , Turecki Gustavo , Mechawar Naguib
Published: July 2016

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is associated with learning and affective behavioural regulation. Its diverse functionality is segregated along the septotemporal axis from the dorsal to ventral hippocampus. However, features distinguishing immature neurons in these regions have yet to be characterized. Additionally, although we have shown that administration of the neurotrophic factor neuregulin-1 (NRG1) selectively increases proliferation and overall neurogenesis in the mouse ventral dentate gyrus (DG), likely through ErbB3, NRG1’s effects on intermediate neurogenic stages in immature neurons are unknown. We examined whether NRG1 administration increases DG ErbB3 phosphorylation. We labeled adultborn cells using BrdU, then administered NRG1 to examinein vivoneurogenic effects on immature neurons with respect to cell survival, morphology and synaptogenesis. We also characterized features of immature neurons along the septotemporal axis. We found that neurogenic effects of NRG1 are temporally and subregionally specific to proliferation in the ventral DG. Particular morphological features differentiate immature neurons in the dorsal and ventral DG and cytogenesis differed between these regions. Finally, we identified synaptic heterogeneity surrounding the granule cell layer. These results indicate neurogenic involvement of NRG1-induced antidepressant-like behaviour is particularly associated with increased ventral DG cell proliferation and identify novel distinctions between dorsal and ventral hippocampal neurogenic development.
Insights into the abundance and diversity of abyssal megafauna in a polymetallic-nodule region in the eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone
Authors: Amon Diva J. , Ziegler Amanda F. , Dahlgren Thomas G. , Glover Adrian G. , Goineau Aurélie , Gooday Andrew J. , Wiklund Helena , Smith Craig R.
Published: July 2016

There is growing interest in mining polymetallic nodules in the abyssal Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific. Nonetheless, benthic communities in this region remain poorly known. The ABYSSLINE Project is conducting benthic biological baseline surveys for the UK Seabed Resources Ltd. exploration contract area (UK-1) in the CCZ. Using a Remotely Operated Vehicle, we surveyed megafauna at four sites within a 900 km2 stratum in the UK-1 contract area, and at a site ~250 km east of the UK-1 area, allowing us to make the first estimates of abundance and diversity. We distinguished 170 morphotypes within the UK-1 contract area but species-richness estimators suggest this could be as high as 229. Megafaunal abundance averaged 1.48 ind. m−2. Seven of 12 collected metazoan species were new to science, and four belonged to new genera. Approximately half of the morphotypes occurred only on polymetallic nodules. There were weak, but statistically significant, positive correlations between megafaunal and nodule abundance. Eastern-CCZ megafaunal diversity is high relative to two abyssal datasets from other regions, however comparisons with CCZ and DISCOL datasets are problematic given the lack of standardised methods and taxonomy. We postulate that CCZ megafaunal diversity is driven in part by habitat heterogeneity.
Genetic variants associated with gestational diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis and subgroup analysis
Authors: Wu Ling , Cui Long , Tam Wing Hung , Ma Ronald C. W. , Wang Chi Chiu
Published: July 2016

Previous studies have demonstrated that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) share common genetic polymorphisms. We conducted meta-analysis and subgroup analysis of all available variants and determined the effects of confounding and experimental components on the genetic association of GDM. Any case-controlled or cohort studies with genotype distribution compared GDM cases with controls were included. In total, 28 articles including 8,204 cases and 15,221 controls for 6 polymorphisms were studied. rs10830963(MTNR1B), rs7903146(TCF7L2), and rs1801278(IRS1) were significantly associated with the increased GDM risk. The association of rs4402960(IGF2BP2) and rs1800629(TNF-α) was significant only when the studies with control allele frequency deviation and publication bias were excluded. Further subgroup analysis showed the risk alleles of rs7903146(TCF7L2) and rs1801282(PPARG) were significantly associated with the GDM risk only in Asian, but not in Caucasian population. The OGTT test using 100 g, but not 75 g; and genotype detection by other assays, but not Taqman method, were also significantly associated with increased GDM risk in rs1801278(IRS1) and rs7903146(TCF7L2). Overall GDM was associated with rs10830963(MTNR1B), rs7903146(TCF7L2), and rs1801278(IRS1), but only rs7903146(TCF7L2) and rs1801282(PPARG) were significant in Asian populations. While rs1801278(IRS1) and rs7903146(TCF7L2) were significantly affected by OGTT protocol and genotyping methods.
Mitofusin 2 regulates the oocytes development and quality by modulating meiosis and mitochondrial function
Authors: Liu Qun , Kang Lina , Wang Lingjuan , Zhang Ling , Xiang Wenpei
Published: July 2016

Mitofusin-2 (Mfn2), one of the mitochondrial dynamic proteins plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of mitochondrial morphology and function. However, it is unknown if Mfn2 influences the quality of oocytes in the process of development by modulating mitochondrial function in vitro. In this study, immature oocytes were transfected with Mfn2-siRNA for 16 h. We found that the expression level of the Mfn2 gene was significantly lower than those of the control group. The rates of maturation and fertility were also found to have declined. Moreover, mitochondrial structure and function, especially the morphogenesis of spindles, were observed as abnormal during meiosis. Thus, the above findings indicate that down-regulation of Mfn2 may have an impact on the maturation and fertilization of immature oocytes in vitro by modulating meiosis and mitochondrial function.
Expression of the inhibitory Ly49E receptor is not critically involved in the immune response against cutaneous, pulmonary or liver tumours
Authors: Filtjens Jessica , Keirsse Jiri , Van Ammel Els , Taveirne Sylvie , Van Acker Aline , Kerre Tessa , Taghon Tom , Vandekerckhove Bart , Plum Jean , Van Ginderachter Jo A. , Leclercq Georges
Published: July 2016

Natural killer (NK) lymphocytes are part of the innate immune system and are important in immune protection against tumourigenesis. NK cells display a broad repertoire of activating and inhibitory cell surface receptors that regulate NK cell activity. The Ly49 family of NK receptors is composed of several members that recognize major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) or MHC-I-related molecules. Ly49E is a unique inhibitory member, being triggered by the non-MHC-I-related protein urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in contrast to the known MHC-I-triggering of the other inhibitory Ly49 receptors. Ly49E also has an uncommon expression pattern on NK cells, including high expression on liver DX5− NK cells. Furthermore, Ly49E is the only Ly49 member expressed by epidermal γδ T cells. As γδ T cells and/or NK cells have been shown to be involved in the regulation of cutaneous, pulmonary and liver malignancies and as uPA is involved in tumourigenesis, we investigated the role of the inhibitory Ly49E receptor in the anti-tumour immune response. We demonstrate that, although Ly49E is highly expressed on epidermal γδ T cells and liver NK cells, this receptor does not play a major role in the control of skin tumour formation or in lung and liver tumour development.
Intake of Phthalate-tainted Foods and Serum Thyroid Hormones in Taiwanese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Tsai Hui-Ju , Wu Chia-Fang , Tsai Yi-Chun , Huang Po-Chin , Chen Mei-Lien , Wang Shu-Li , Chen Bai-Hsiun , Chen Chu-Chih , Wu Wen-Chiu , Hsu Pi-Shan , Hsiung Chao A. , Wu Ming-Tsang
Published: July 2016

On April-May, 2011, phthalates, mainly Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), were deliberately added to a variety of foodstuff as a substitute emulsifier in Taiwan. This study investigated the relationship between DEHP-tainted foodstuffs exposure and thyroid function in possibly affected children and adolescents. Two hundred fifty participants <18 years possibly exposed to DEHP were enrolled in this study between August 2012 and January 2013. Questionnaires were used to collect details on their past exposure to DEHP-tainted food items. Blood and urine samples were collected for biochemical workups to measure current exposure derived from three urinary DEHP metabolites using a creatinine excretion-based model. More than half of 250 participants were estimated to be exposed to DEHP-tainted foods found to exceed the recommend tolerable daily intake of DEHP established by the European Food Safety Authority (<50 μg/kg/day). The median daily DEHP intake (DDI) among those 250 participants was 46.52 μg/kg/day after multiple imputation. This value was ~10-fold higher than the current median DEHP intake (4.46 μg/kg/day, n = 240). Neither past nor current DEHP exposure intensity was significantly associated with serum thyroid profiles. Future studies may want to follow the long-term health effects of this food scandal in affected children and adolescents.
Realistic Silver Optical Constants for Plasmonics
Authors: Jiang Yajie , Pillai Supriya , Green Martin A.
Published: July 2016

Silver remains the preferred conductor for optical and near-infrared plasmonics. Many high-profile studies focus exclusively on performance simulation in such applications. Almost invariably, these use silver optical data either from Palik’s 1985 handbook or, more frequently, an earlier Johnson and Christy (J&C) tabulation. These data are inconsistent, making it difficult to ascertain the reliability of the simulations. The inconsistency stems from challenges in measuring representative properties of pristine silver, due to tarnishing on air exposure. We demonstrate techniques, including use of silicon-nitride membranes, to access the full capabilities of multiple-angle, spectrometric-ellipsometry to generate an improved data set, representative of overlayer-protected, freshly-deposited silver films on silicon-nitride and glass.
Computational discovery of Epstein-Barr virus targeted human genes and signalling pathways
Authors: Mei Suyu , Zhang Kun
Published: July 2016

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) plays important roles in the origin and the progression of human carcinomas, e.g. diffuse large B cell tumors, T cell lymphomas, etc. Discovering EBV targeted human genes and signaling pathways is vital to understand EBV tumorigenesis. In this study we propose a noise-tolerant homolog knowledge transfer method to reconstruct functional protein-protein interactions (PPI) networks between Epstein-Barr virus and Homo sapiens. The training set is augmented via homolog instances and the homolog noise is counteracted by support vector machine (SVM). Additionally we propose two methods to define subcellular co-localization (i.e. stringent and relaxed), based on which to further derive physical PPI networks. Computational results show that the proposed method achieves sound performance of cross validation and independent test. In the space of 648,672 EBV-human protein pairs, we obtain 51,485 functional interactions (7.94%), 869 stringent physical PPIs and 46,050 relaxed physical PPIs. Fifty-eight evidences are found from the latest database and recent literature to validate the model. This study reveals that Epstein-Barr virus interferes with normal human cell life, such as cholesterol homeostasis, blood coagulation, EGFR binding, p53 binding, Notch signaling, Hedgehog signaling, etc. The proteome-wide predictions are provided in the supplementary file for further biomedical research.
Low-Energy Amorphization of Ti1Sb2Te5 Phase Change Alloy Induced by TiTe2 Nano-Lamellae
Authors: Ding Keyuan , Rao Feng , Lv Shilong , Cheng Yan , Wu Liangcai , Song Zhitang
Published: July 2016

Increasing SET operation speed and reducing RESET operation energy have always been the innovation direction of phase change memory (PCM) technology. Here, we demonstrate that ∼87% and ∼42% reductions of RESET operation energy can be achieved on PCM cell based on stoichiometric Ti1Sb2Te5 alloy, compared with Ge2Sb2Te5 and non-stoichiometric Ti0.4Sb2Te3 based PCM cells at the same size, respectively. The Ti1Sb2Te5 based PCM cell also shows one order of magnitude faster SET operation speed compared to that of the Ge2Sb2Te5 based one. The enhancements may be caused by substantially increased concentration of TiTe2 nano-lamellae in crystalline Ti1Sb2Te5 phase. The highly electrical conduction and lowly thermal dissipation of the TiTe2 nano-lamellae play a major role in enhancing the thermal efficiency of the amorphization, prompting the low-energy RESET operation. Our work may inspire the interests to more thorough understanding and tailoring of the nature of the (TiTe2)n(Sb2Te3)m pseudobinary system which will be advantageous to realize high-speed and low-energy PCM applications.
Gap-plasmon based broadband absorbers for enhanced hot-electron and photocurrent generation
Authors: Lu Yuhua , Dong Wen , Chen Zhuo , Pors Anders , Wang Zhenlin , Bozhevolnyi Sergey I.
Published: July 2016

Plasmonic hot-electron generation has recently come into focus as a new scheme for solar energy conversion. So far, however, due to the relatively narrow bandwidth of the surface plasmon resonances and the insufficient resonant light absorption, most of plasmonic photocatalysts show narrow-band spectral responsivities and small solar energy conversion efficiencies. Here we experimentally demonstrate that a three-layered nanostructure, consisting of a monolayer gold-nanoparticles and a gold film separated by a TiO2 gap layer (Au-NPs/TiO2/Au-film), is capable of near-completely absorbing light within the whole visible region. We show that the Au-NPs/TiO2/Au-film device can take advantage of such strong and broadband light absorption to enhance the generation of hot electrons and thus the photocurrent under visible irradiation. As compared to conventional plasmonic photocatalysts such as Au-NPs/TiO2 nanostructures, a 5-fold-enhanced incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency is achieved within the entire wavelength range 450–850 nm in the Au-NPs/TiO2/Au-film device. Simulations show good agreements with the experimental results, demonstrating that only the plasmon-induced losses contribute to the enhanced photocurrent generation of the Au-NPs/TiO2/Au-film device.
Surface modification of hollow magnetic Fe3O4@NH2-MIL-101(Fe) derived from metal-organic frameworks for enhanced selective removal of phosphates from aqueous solution
Authors: Li Yan , Xie Qiying , Hu Qian , Li Chengping , Huang Zhangjie , Yang Xiangjun , Guo Hong
Published: July 2016

Hollow magnetic Fe3O4@NH2-MIL-101(Fe) derived from metal-organic frameworks are fabricated through a general facile strategy. The synthetic parameters are regulated to control the shape of the as-prepared samples. The concentration of phosphates decreased sharply from the initial 0.60 to 0.045 mg.L−1 with the exposure time in 50 minutes. The correlation between the most significant parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dose, pH, as well as adsorption capacities was optimized and the effects of these parameters on the removal efficiency of phosphates were investigated. Surface functionalization of magnetic hollow materials is a well-designed way to bridge the gap between high adsorption activity, excellent separation and recovery of phosphates from the water treatment system. Therefore, it exhibits a remarkable selective removal of phosphates from aqueous solution.
Discovering Pair-wise Synergies in Microarray Data
Authors: Chen Yuan , Cao Dan , Gao Jun , Yuan Zheming
Published: July 2016

Informative gene selection can have important implications for the improvement of cancer diagnosis and the identification of new drug targets. Individual-gene-ranking methods ignore interactions between genes. Furthermore, popular pair-wise gene evaluation methods, e.g. TSP and TSG, are helpless for discovering pair-wise interactions. Several efforts to discover pair-wise synergy have been made based on the information approach, such as EMBP and FeatKNN. However, the methods which are employed to estimate mutual information, e.g. binarization, histogram-based and KNN estimators, depend on known data or domain characteristics. Recently, Reshef et al. proposed a novel maximal information coefficient (MIC) measure to capture a wide range of associations between two variables that has the property of generality. An extension from MIC(X; Y) to MIC(X1; X2; Y) is therefore desired. We developed an approximation algorithm for estimating MIC(X1; X2; Y) where Y is a discrete variable. MIC(X1; X2; Y) is employed to detect pair-wise synergy in simulation and cancer microarray data. The results indicate that MIC(X1; X2; Y) also has the property of generality. It can discover synergic genes that are undetectable by reference feature selection methods such as MIC(X; Y) and TSG. Synergic genes can distinguish different phenotypes. Finally, the biological relevance of these synergic genes is validated with GO annotation and OUgene database.
Acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain: A meta-analysis and meta-regression of sham-controlled randomized clinical trials
Authors: Yuan Qi-ling , Wang Peng , Liu Liang , Sun Fu , Cai Yong-song , Wu Wen-tao , Ye Mao-lin , Ma Jiang-tao , Xu Bang-bang , Zhang Yin-gang
Published: July 2016

The aims of this systematic review were to study the analgesic effect of real acupuncture and to explore whether sham acupuncture (SA) type is related to the estimated effect of real acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain. Five databases were searched. The outcome was pain or disability immediately (≤1 week) following an intervention. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Meta-regression was used to explore possible sources of heterogeneity. Sixty-three studies (6382 individuals) were included. Eight condition types were included. The pooled effect size was moderate for pain relief (59 trials, 4980 individuals, SMD −0.61, 95% CI −0.76 to −0.47; P < 0.001) and large for disability improvement (31 trials, 4876 individuals, −0.77, −1.05 to −0.49; P < 0.001). In a univariate meta-regression model, sham needle location and/or depth could explain most or all heterogeneities for some conditions (e.g., shoulder pain, low back pain, osteoarthritis, myofascial pain and fibromyalgia); however, the interactions between subgroups via these covariates were not significant (P < 0.05). Our review provided low-quality evidence that real acupuncture has a moderate effect (approximate 12-point reduction on the 100-mm visual analogue scale) on musculoskeletal pain. SA type did not appear to be related to the estimated effect of real acupuncture.
Regulation of actin dynamics by WNT-5A: implications for human airway smooth muscle contraction
Authors: Koopmans Tim , Kumawat Kuldeep , Halayko Andrew J , Gosens Reinoud
Published: July 2016

A defining feature of asthma is airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), which underlies the exaggerated bronchoconstriction response of asthmatics. The role of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) in AHR has garnered increasing interest over the years, but how asthmatic ASM differs from healthy ASM is still an active topic of debate. WNT-5A is increasingly expressed in asthmatic ASM and has been linked with Th2-high asthma. Due to its link with calcium and cytoskeletal remodelling, we propose that WNT-5A may modulate ASM contractility. We demonstrated that WNT-5A can increase maximum isometric tension in bovine tracheal smooth muscle strips. In addition, we show that WNT-5A is preferentially expressed in contractile human airway myocytes compared to proliferative cells, suggesting an active role in maintaining contractility. Furthermore, WNT-5A treatment drives actin polymerisation, but has no effect on intracellular calcium flux. Next, we demonstrated that WNT-5A directly regulates TGF-β1-induced expression of α-SMA via ROCK-mediated actin polymerization. These findings suggest that WNT-5A modulates fundamental mechanisms that affect ASM contraction and thus may be of relevance for AHR in asthma.
Cu isotopic signature in blood serum of liver transplant patients: a follow-up study
Authors: Lauwens Sara , Costas-Rodríguez Marta , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Vanhaecke Frank
Published: July 2016

End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is life-threatening and liver transplantation (LTx) is the definitive treatment with good outcomes. Given the essential role of hepatocytes in Cu homeostasis, the potential of the serum Cu isotopic composition for monitoring a patient’s condition post-LTx was evaluated. For this purpose, high-precision Cu isotopic analysis of blood serum of ESLD patients pre- and post-LTx was accomplished via multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). The Cu isotopic composition of the ESLD patients was fractionated in favour of the lighter isotope (by about −0.50‰). Post-LTx, a generalized normalization of the Cu isotopic composition was observed for the patients with normal liver function, while it remained light when this condition was not reached. A strong decrease in the δ65Cu value a longer term post-LTx seems to indicate the recurrence of liver failure or cancer. The observed trend in favour of the heavier Cu isotopic composition post-LTx seems to be related with the restored biosynthetic capacity of the liver, the restored hepatic metabolism and/or the restored biliary secretion pathways. Thus, Cu isotopic analysis could be a valuable tool for the follow-up of liver transplant patients and for establishing the potential recurrence of liver failure.
Fabrication and Manipulation of Ciliary Microrobots with Non-reciprocal Magnetic Actuation
Authors: Kim Sangwon , Lee Seungmin , Lee Jeonghun , Nelson Bradley J. , Zhang Li , Choi Hongsoo
Published: July 2016

Magnetically actuated ciliary microrobots were designed, fabricated and manipulated to mimic cilia-based microorganisms such as paramecia. Full three-dimensional (3D) microrobot structures were fabricated using 3D laser lithography to form a polymer base structure. A nickel/titanium bilayer was sputtered onto the cilia part of the microrobot to ensure magnetic actuation and biocompatibility. The microrobots were manipulated by an electromagnetic coil system, which generated a stepping magnetic field to actuate the cilia with non-reciprocal motion. The cilia beating motion produced a net propulsive force, resulting in movement of the microrobot. The magnetic forces on individual cilia were calculated with various input parameters including magnetic field strength, cilium length, applied field angle, actual cilium angle, etc. and the translational velocity was measured experimentally. The position and orientation of the ciliary microrobots were precisely controlled and targeted particle transportation was demonstrated experimentally.
Clinicopathological features and prognosis of omental gastrointestinal stromal tumor: evaluation of a pooled case series
Authors: Feng Fan , Tian Yangzi , Liu Zhen , Liu Shushang , Xu Guanghui , Guo Man , Lian Xiao , Fan Daiming , Zhang Hongwei
Published: July 2016

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of omental GISTs are limited due to the extremely rare incidence. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of omental GISTs. Omental GISTs cases were obtained from our center and from case reports and clinical studies extracted from MEDLINE. Clinicopathological features and survivals were analyzed. A total of 99 cases of omental GISTs were enrolled in the present study. Omental GISTs occurred predominantly in greater omentum (78/99, 78.8%). The majority of tumors exceeded 10 cm in diameter (67/98, 68.3%) and were high risk (88/96, 91.7%). Histological type was correlated with tumor location and mutational status. The five year DFS and DSS was 86.3% and 80.6%, respectively. Mitotic index was risk factor for prognosis of omental GISTs. Prognosis of omental GISTs was worse than that of gastric GISTs by Kaplan-Meier analysis. However, multivariate analysis showed that the prognosis was comparable between the two groups. The majority of omental GISTs were large and high risk. Mitotic index was risk factor for prognosis of omental GISTs. The prognosis was comparable between omental and gastric GISTs.