bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective Activation of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor II Induces Antiinflammatory Responses and Alleviates Experimental Arthritis
Authors: Fischer Roman , Proske Marcel , Duffey Maëlle , Stangl Hubert , Martinez George F. , Peters Nathalie , Kraske Alexandra , Straub Rainer H. , Bethea John R. , Kontermann Roland E. , Pfizenmaier Klaus
Published: January 2018

Objective

Treg cells modulate immune responses and can suppress the development of autoimmune diseases. Tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNFRII) has been recognized as a key receptor on these cells that facilitates expansion and stabilization of CD4+ Treg cells. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic activity of a novel TNFRII agonist in experimental arthritis as well as the role of different Treg cell subsets.

Methods

A novel mouse TNFRII–selective fusion protein (EHD2‐sc‐mTNFR2) was generated by genetic engineering. Mouse T cells were incubated together with interleukin‐2 and/or EHD2‐sc‐mTNFR2, and the effects on Treg cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Mice with collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) were treated with EHD2‐sc‐mTNFR2 or saline, and the therapeutic effects were monitored and characterized.

Results

Selective activation of TNFRII was found to expand both CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells. Moreover, TNFRII activation elevated the number of CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25+ Treg cells and increased the number of FoxP3‐expressing cells in CD8+, but not CD4+, Treg cells, indicating different mechanisms of TNFRII‐induced expansion of diverse T cell subsets with suppressive activity. In the CIA model, we demonstrated that administration of the TNFRII agonist EHD2‐sc‐mTNFR2 led to the expansion of both CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells in vivo and induced antiinflammatory responses that alleviated arthritis.

Conclusion

Our findings support the use of TNFRII‐selective therapeutics as an effective approach to the treatment of arthritic disease and possibly other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Features, Treatment, and Outcomes of Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Childhood‐Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Borgia R. Ezequiel , Gerstein Maya , Levy Deborah M. , Silverman Earl D. , Hiraki Linda T.
Published: January 2018

Objective

To describe the features and treatment of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in a single‐center cohort of patients with childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to compare childhood‐onset SLE manifestations and outcomes between those with and those without MAS.

Methods

We included all patients with childhood‐onset SLE followed up at The Hospital for Sick Children from 2002 to 2012, and identified those also diagnosed as having MAS. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of MAS and SLE, medication use, hospital and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions, as well as damage indices and mortality data were extracted from the Lupus database. Student's t‐tests and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. We calculated incidence rate ratios of hospital and PICU admissions comparing patients with and those without MAS, using Poisson models. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was used to examine the time to disease damage accrual.

Results

Of the 403 patients with childhood‐onset SLE, 38 (9%) had MAS. The majority (68%) had concomitant MAS and SLE diagnoses. Fever was the most common MAS clinical feature. The frequency of renal and central nervous system disease, hospital admissions, the average daily dose of steroids, and time to disease damage were similar between those with and those without MAS. We observed a higher mortality rate among those with MAS (5%) than those without MAS (0.2%) (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

MAS was most likely to develop concomitantly with childhood‐onset SLE diagnosis. The majority of the MAS patients were successfully treated with corticosteroids with no MAS relapses. Although the numbers were small, there was a higher risk of death associated with MAS compared to SLE without MAS.
Embryology of the craniocervical junction and posterior cranial fossa, part II: Embryogenesis of the hindbrain
Authors: Shoja Mohammadali M. , Ramdhan Rebecca , Jensen Chad J. , Chern Joshua J. , Oakes W. Jerry , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: January 2018

Although pathology of the hindbrain and its derivatives can have life altering effects on a patient, a comprehensive review on its embryology is difficult to find in the peer‐reviewed medical literature. Therefore, this review article, using standard search engines, seemed timely. The embryology of the hindbrain is complex and relies on a unique timing of various neurovascular and bony elements. Derailment of these developmental processes can lead to a wide range of malformations such as the Chiari malformations. Therefore, a good working knowledge of this embryology as outlined in this review of the hindbrain is important for those treating patients with involvement of this region of the central nervous system. Clin. Anat. 31:488–500, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Embryology of the craniocervical junction and posterior cranial fossa, part I: Development of the upper vertebrae and skull
Authors: Shoja Mohammadali M. , Ramdhan Rebecca , Jensen Chad J. , Chern Joshua J. , Oakes W. Jerry , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: January 2018

Although the embryology of the posterior cranial fossa can have life altering effects on a patient, a comprehensive review on this topic is difficult to find in the peer‐reviewed medical literature. Therefore, this review article, using standard search engines, seemed timely. The embryology of the posterior cranial fossa is complex and relies on a unique timing of various neurovascular and bony elements. Derailment of these developmental processes can lead to a wide range of malformations such as the Chiari malformations. Therefore, a good working knowledge of this embryology as outlined in this review of its bony architecture is important for those treating patients with involvement of this region of the cranium. Clin. Anat. 31:466–487, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Hybrid Rod‐Like Hollow CoWO4/Co1−xS for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Ge Jinhua , Wu Jihuai , Dong Jia , Jia Jinbiao , Ye Beirong , Jiang Si , Zeng Jijia , Bao Quanlin
Published: January 2018

A rod‐like hollow cobalt tungstate/non‐stoichiometric cobalt sulfide (CoWO4/Co1−xS) hybrid is successfully grown in situ on nickel foam through a simple two‐step hydrothermal process. Owing to the unique hollow structure, the as‐synthesized CoWO4/Co1−xS hybrid electrode possesses a large surface area and delivers a high specific capacitance of 1894.5 F ⋅ g−1 at a current density of 1 A ⋅ g−1. By using the CoWO4/Co1−xS hybrid electrode as the anode and an activated carbon (AC) electrode as the cathode, an asymmetric supercapacitor of CoWO4/Co1−xS//AC exhibits a high capacitance of 103.1 F ⋅ g−1 and high specific capacitance retention of 87.27 % after 5000 cycles. Furthermore, the asymmetric supercapacitor demonstrates a maximum power density of 4000 W ⋅ kg−1 at an energy density of 22.5 Wh ⋅ kg−1. The superior performance of the device can be ascribed to distinctive structure and positive synergistic effects in the hybrid. The facile preparation process and excellent performance presented here indicate the CoWO4/Co1−xS hybrid to be a promising candidate electrode material for supercapacitor applications.
Remote C−H Activation of Various N‐Heterocycles Using a Single Template
Authors: Yang Guoqiang , Zhu Dajian , Wang Peng , Tang Ri‐Yuan , Yu Jin‐Quan
Published: January 2018

A single and simple ortho‐sulfonyl benzonitrile template was developed to achieve remote C−H olefination of six different classes of N‐heterocycles. We demonstrate that, by varying precatalysts and conditions, the same template can be applied to the remote C−H activation of six structurally distinct heterocyclic scaffolds, and the site‐selectivity can be predicted based on distance and geometry. Furthermore, this new development shows that template‐directed remote C−H activation is possible through macrocyclopalladation processes with smaller ring sizes.
Comparison of Flow Cytometric Methods for the Enumeration of Residual Leucocytes in Leucoreduced Blood Products: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Zeng Yang , Dabay Michelle , George Virginia , Seetharaman Shalini , de Arruda Indig Monika , Graminske Sharon , Kimpel Nicole , Schmidt Anna , Boerner Amanda , Paradiso Sarai , Delman Tatyana , Li Yunyao , Litvak Viktoriya , Oreizy Farzad , Chen Angela , Saleminik Maryam , Mosqueda Fred , Lin Anna , Judge Kevin
Published: January 2018

The BD FACSVia™ System features novel designs in hardware, software, and instrument QC. We compared the performance of the BD FACSVia System using the BD Leucocount™ kit with the BD FACSCalibur™ flow cytometer. Leucoreduced platelet (PLT, n = 252) and red blood cell (RBC, n = 278) specimens were enrolled at four sites. Each specimen was stained in four tubes using the BD Leucocount kit reagents and acquired on the two systems. BD Leucocount Control cells (high and low) were used to evaluate the inter‐site reproducibility on the BD FACSVia System at three sites over 20 days. Deming regression and Bland–Altman analysis were performed to determine the WBC absolute counts on the BD FACSVia System vs. the BD FACSCalibur system. Assay accuracy for the range of 0–350 WBCs/µl was adequate. For samples with <25 WBCs/µl, the bias with 95% limits of agreement was 0.136 (–1.897 to 2.169) WBC/µl for PLTs (n = 184) and 0.170 (–2.025 to 2.365) WBC/µl for RBCs (n = 193). For inter‐site reproducibility, the CV% was 6.46% (upper 95% CI 7.16%) for the PLT high control and 9.49% (10.52%) for the PLT low control. The CV% was 7.51% (8.32%) for the RBC high control and 10.76% (11.92%) for the RBC low control. The BD FACSVia System reported equivalent results of WBC absolute counts for leucoreduced PLT and RBC samples compared to the BD FACSCalibur system. The inter‐laboratory reproducibility of the BD FACSVia System met study specifications. © 2018 The Authors. Cytometry Part A Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of ISAC.
Joint service function chain deploying and path selection for bandwidth saving and VNF reuse
Authors: Li Dan , Lan Julong , Wang Peng
Published: January 2018

Service function chain (SFC) is managed as a set of chained virtual network functions (VNFs) in a particular order. The efficiency of a network closely depends on how these VNFs are deployed in the network. In this paper, we study the joint problem of service function chain deploying and path selection for bandwidth saving and VNF reuse. We first describes the problem as a multiobjective and multirestriction problem, and then a heuristic service function chain deployment algorithm based on longest function assignment sequence is proposed. Via simulations, we show that our design can reduce the number of deployed VNFs and link bandwidth requirement jointly and serve more requests than other algorithms.
Maternal care affects chicks’ development differently according to sex in quail
Authors: Aigueperse Nadège , Pittet Florent , Nicolle Céline , Houdelier Cécilia , Lumineau Sophie
Published: January 2018

Maternal behavior is known to influence the behavioral development of young. Recently, it was demonstrated that maternal behavior also differed according to sex of chicks and brood sex composition. So, here, we explored if these factors influenced behavioral development of quail chicks when they were brooded, and what characteristics of chicks and foster females could best explain this development. We studied three sets of chick pairs brooded by foster females: unisex male, unisex female, and mixed broods. We found that both emotivity profile and sociality depended on the sex: females were more reactive and less social than males. Females’ emotivity profile was correlated with brood composition and foster female activity during maternal care. In males, only sociality was correlated with foster females’ scores of aggressive rejection. Our results evidence that male and female chicks respond differentially to maternal behavior. This is discussed in terms of ecological and physiological constraints on development according to sex.
A Collaborative Learning Automata Team Model for Modeling Multi‐Agent Systems
Authors: WANG CEN , KOAKUTSU SEIICHI , OKAMOTO TAKASHI , QIAN FEI
Published: January 2018

The learning automaton (LA) team model has been proposed as one method for modeling multi‐agent systems. It is modeled as a noncooperative game of learning automata. In this model, each LA operates independently from each other, and there exists a Nash equilibrium, that is, the existence of an optimal mixed strategy in the mixed strategy space of the game has been proven. However, for modeling multi‐agent systems more generally, the information exchange among agents and the acquisition of cooperative behaviors such as the formation of autonomous community are required. In this paper, in order to complement the LA team model, we propose a new LA team model with some fully or partially collaborative learning behaviors. In this new model, each automaton performs reinforcement learning process in order to identify random environments exchanging information with its adjacent automata. Several computer simulations indicate the availability of the proposed model.
Review about the Development of the Differential Expression QCM System
Authors: SHINOBU WAKAKO , KUKITA HIROYUKI , WAKAMATSU SHUNICHI
Published: January 2018

Utilization of biosensors has acquired importance in the field of biomedicine, food safety, and environmental monitoring. This has led to the invention of precise analytical tools using biological sensing element as biosensor. This review provides an overview of different types of biosensors being used QCM method from electrochemical for various biomedical with future outlook of biosensor technology.
Multilayer Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 Thin Films for Ultrasonic Transducer
Authors: NAKAMOTO SHOMA , SANO RYO , KANDA KENSUKE , FUJITA TAKAYUKI , MAENAKA KAZUSUKE
Published: January 2018

In this study, we have fabricated membranes which are composed of two‐ and four‐layer Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 thin films with internal electrodes by using sputtering depositions. Electrical and driving characteristics as ultrasonic transducers of these membranes are evaluated. By increasing number of layers, the static displacement is reduced. However, for the multilayered membrane, the dynamic displacement became large because of the large mechanical Q factor in resonant vibration. The emitted sound pressure level and characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer are estimated.
MALAT1: A regulator of inflammatory cytokines in diabetic complications
Authors: Gordon Andrew Devon , Biswas Saumik , Feng Biao , Chakrabarti Subrata
Published: January 2018

Objectives and Design

In this study, we examined the role of MALAT1, a highly conserved nuclear long non‐coding RNA molecule, in chronic diabetic complications affecting the heart and kidneys using both in vitro and in vivo models: human endothelial cell culture and a Malat1 knockout mice model.

Results

Findings from our in vitro experiments demonstrated that MALAT1 was predominantly localized to nuclear speckles in endothelial cells and MALAT1 expression was significantly increased following incubation with high glucose in association with increased expression of inflammatory cytokines. As for our in vivo experiments, we used Malat1 knockout mice and wild‐type controls with or without streptozotocin‐induced diabetes over 2 months of follow‐up, where all of our diabetic animals showed hyperglycaemia and polyuria. Examination of cardiac and renal tissues demonstrated altered MALAT1 RNA expression in wild‐type diabetic animals. Such changes were associated with augmented production of downstream inflammatory molecules at the mRNA and protein levels. Diabetes‐induced elevations of inflammatory markers were significantly decreased in Malat1 knockout diabetic animals. In addition to transcript and protein analyses, we examined functional changes in the heart and kidneys. Organ functions were affected in the wild‐type diabetic mice but were rescued in Malat1 knockout mice.

Conclusions

Taken together, findings from this study will provide direct evidence and insight into the importance of MALAT1 in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetic complications involving the heart and kidneys.
Single‐dose intravenous iron in Southeast Asian heart failure patients: A pilot randomized placebo‐controlled study (PRACTICE‐ASIA‐HF)
Authors: Yeo Tee Joo , Yeo Poh Shuan Daniel , Hadi Farid Abdul , Cushway Timothy , Lee Kim Yee , Yin Fang Fang , Ching Anne , Li Ruili , Loh Seet Yoong , Lim Shir Lynn , Wong Raymond Ching‐Chiew , Tai Bee Choo , Richards Arthur Mark , Lam Carolyn S.P.
Published: January 2018

Aims

Iron deficiency is highly prevalent in Southeast Asians with heart failure (HF) and associated with worse outcomes. This trial aimed to assess the effect of intravenous iron in Southeast Asians hospitalized with decompensated HF.

Methods and results

Fifty patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HF, regardless of ejection fraction, with iron deficiency (defined as serum ferritin <300 ng/mL if transferrin saturation is <20%) were randomized to receive either one dose of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) 1000 mg or placebo (0.9% saline) following HF stabilization and before discharge in two Singapore tertiary centres. The primary endpoint was difference in 6‐min walk test (6MWT) distance over 12 weeks, while secondary endpoints were quality of life assessed using validated Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Improvement in 6MWT distance at Week 12 was observed in both FCM and placebo groups (from 252 ± 123 to 334 ± 128 m and from 243 ± 67 to 301 ± 83 m, respectively). Unadjusted analysis showed 6MWT distance for FCM exceeded that for placebo, but adjustment for baseline covariates and time attenuated this effect {adjusted mean difference between groups: 0.88 m [95% confidence interval (CI) −30.2 to 32.0, P = 0.956]}. KCCQ overall summary and VAS were similar in both groups [adjusted mean difference: KCCQ −1.48 (95% CI −8.27 to 5.31, P = 0.670) and VAS 0.26 (95% CI −0.33 to 0.86, P = 0.386)]. FCM was well tolerated with no serious treatment‐related adverse events.

Conclusions

Intravenous FCM administered pre‐discharge in Southeast Asians hospitalized with decompensated HF is clinically feasible. Changes in 6MWT distance should be measured beyond Week 12 to account for background therapy effects.
Separation/Concentration‐signal‐amplification in‐One Method Based on Electrochemical Conversion of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Biosensing
Authors: Cao Lulu , Zhang Qi , Dai Huang , Fu Yingchun , Li Yanbin
Published: January 2018

We propose a separation/concentration‐signal‐amplification in‐one method based on electrochemical conversion (ECC) of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to develop a facile and sensitive electrochemical biosensor for chloramphenicol (CAP) detection. Briefly, aptamer‐modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs‐Apt) was designed to capture CAP in sample, then the MNPs‐Apt composite was conjugated to Au electrode through the DNA hybridization between the unoccupied aptamer and a strand of complementary DNA. The ECC method was applied to transfer MNPs labels to electrochemically active Prussian blue (PB). The anodic and cathodic currents of PB were taken for signal readout. Comparing with conventional methods that require electrochemically active labels and related sophisticated labelling procedures, this method explored and integrated the magnetic and electrochemical properties of MNPs into one system, in turn realized magnetic capturing of CAP and signal generation without any additional conventional labels. Taking advantages of the high abundance of iron content in MNPs and the refreshing effect deriving from ECC process, the method significantly promoted the signal amplification. Therefore, the proposed biosensors exhibited linear detection range from 1 to 1000 ng mL−1 and a limit of detection down to 1 ng mL−1, which was better than or comparable with those of most analogues, as well as satisfactory specificity, storage stability and feasibility for real samples. The developed method may lead to new concept for rapid and facile biosensing in food safety, clinic diagnose/therapy and environmental monitoring fields.
Acute decompensation boosts hepatic collagen type III deposition and deteriorates experimental and human cirrhosis
Authors: Praktiknjo Michael , Lehmann Jennifer , Nielsen Mette J. , Schierwagen Robert , Uschner Frank E. , Meyer Carsten , Thomas Daniel , Strassburg Christian P. , Bendtsen Flemming , Møller Søren , Krag Aleksander , Karsdal Morten A. , Leeming Diana J. , Trebicka Jonel
Published: January 2018

Patients with end‐stage liver disease develop acute decompensation (AD) episodes, which become more frequent and might develop into acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, it remains unknown how AD induces acceleration of liver disease. We hypothesized that remodeling of collagen type III plays a role in the acceleration of liver cirrhosis after AD and analyzed its formation (Pro‐C3) and degradation (matrix metalloproteinase‐degraded type III collagen [C3M]) markers in animal models and human disease. Bile duct ligation induced different stages of liver fibrosis in rats. Fibrosis development (hydroxyprolin content, sirius red staining, α‐smooth muscle actin immunohistochemistry, messenger RNA of profibrotic cytokines), necroinflammation (aminotransferases levels), fibrolysis (matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression and activity, C1M, C4M), and Pro‐C3 and C3M were analyzed 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks after bile duct ligation (n = 5 each group). In 110 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis who underwent a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure for AD, clinical and laboratory parameters as well as Pro‐C3 and C3M were measured in blood samples from portal and hepatic veins and were collected just before the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement and 1‐3 weeks later. Animal studies showed increased markers of collagen type III deposition with fibrosis, necroinflammation, and decompensation of liver cirrhosis, defined as ascites development. Higher Pro‐C3 levels were associated with injury, disease severity scores (Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease, Child‐Pugh, chronic liver failure‐C AD), ACLF development, and mortality. C3M decreased with AD and the chronic liver failure‐C AD score. Collagen type III deposition ratio increased with the risk of ACLF development and mortality. Conclusion: We show for the first time that AD boosts collagen type III deposition in experimental and human cirrhosis, possibly contributing to the worsened outcome in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. (Hepatology Communications 2018;2:211–222)
Back Cover: In‐vitro analysis of early calcification in aortic valvular interstitial cells using Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) (J. Biophotonics 1/2018)
Authors: Davari Seyyed Ali , Masjedi Shirin , Ferdous Zannatul , Mukherjee Dibyendu
Published: January 2018

Quantitative laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is successfully used for in‐vitro analysis of early stage calcification in aortic valvular interstitial cells (VICs). LIBS results indicate 5‐fold improvement in the detection limit of calcium deposition in VICs over cell histology techniques involving staining and colorimetric calcium assays. These results can establish LIBS at the forefront of early detection of calcification in VICs for pathological studies on Calcific Aortic Valve Disease (CAVD). Further details can be found in the article by Seyyed Ali Davari et al. (e201600288).

image
Thein vitrorelease of cytokines and growth factors from fibrin membranes produced through horizontal centrifugation
Authors: Lourenço Emanuelle Stellet , Mourão Carlos Fernando de Almeida Barros , Leite Paulo Emílio Corrêa , Granjeiro José Mauro , Calasans‐Maia Mônica Diuana , Alves Gutemberg Gomes
Published: January 2018

Platelet‐rich fibrin membranes are biomaterials widely used for therapeutic purposes, and canonically produced through the processing of peripheral blood with fixed‐angle rotor centrifuges. In this work, we evaluate thein vitrostability and release of cytokines and growth factors when these biomaterials are produced with a horizontal swing‐out clinical centrifuge. Membranes produced from the blood of 14 donors were morphologically evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy, and their stability was assessed by photographic recording after incubation in culture medium for up to 28 days. The release of 27 cytokines and growth factors was monitored for three weeks through a multiparametric immunoassay. The fibrin membranes presented complex three‐dimensional structure with a high density of nucleated cells. A large release of growth factors [platelet derived growth factor, fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor] was detected in the first 24 h, followed by time‐dependent decay, maintaining significant concentrations after three weeks. Both anti‐inflammatory and pro‐inflammatory cytokines presented different release peaks, maintaining high rates of elution for up to 21 days. Chemokines of relevance in tissue repair [RANTES, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)] were also produced in large quantities throughout the experimental period. The present results demonstrate that blood‐derived fibrin membranes with high structural stability and cell content can be generated by horizontal centrifugation, being able of a prolonged production/release of growth factors and pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1373–1380, 2018.
What Weekly Sparklines Could Add to Financial Statements
Authors: Tinkelman Daniel , Fan Xinling
Published: January 2018

“We demonstrate that adding graphs of weekly activity to traditional balance sheets and income and cash flow statements would provide significantly enhanced information regarding financial activity within the year to financial statement users.”
Defining and Quantifying the Pension Liabilities of Government Entities in the United States
Authors: Jeppson Nathan H. , Ruddy John A. , Salerno David F.
Published: January 2018

In today's low interest rate environment, accounting standards and investment return assumptions are crucial when determining the amount of defined benefit pension plan obligations. Examining public pension plan data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, we show a negative trend in pension plan liabilities of government entities in the U.S. Despite using aggressive return and discount rate assumptions, defined benefit pension plans of government entities in the U.S. currently have an estimated pension liability of over $1 trillion. When more realistic investment assumptions are utilized, the estimated defined benefit pension liability increases to over $5 trillion. Although over the past twenty years, while many for‐profit companies have eliminated defined benefit pension plans years to avoid the risk of underfunding, a high percentage of federal, state and local governments continue to offer defined benefit pensions plans to new and current employees. This has led to growing pension liabilities for government entities in the U.S. resulting in problematic financial positions, difficult decisions, and grim future outlooks.
Heat shock protein 70 modulates neural progenitor cells dynamics in human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells exposed to high glucose content
Authors: Salimi Leila , Rahbarghazi Reza , Jafarian Vahab , Biray Avci Çıgır , Goker Bagca Bakiye , Pinar Ozates Neslihan , Khaksar Majid , Nourazarian Alireza
Published: January 2018

In the current experiment, detrimental effects of high glucose condition were investigated on human neuroblastoma cells. Human neuroblastoma cell line SH‐SY5Y were exposed to 5, 40, and 70 mM glucose over a period of 72 h. Survival rate and the proliferation of cells were analyzed by MTT and BrdU incorporation assays. Apoptosis was studied by the assays of flow cytometry and PCR array. In order to investigate the trans‐differentiation capacity of the cell into mature neurons, we used immunofluorescence imaging to follow NeuN protein level. The transcription level of HSP70 was shown by real‐time PCR analysis. MMP‐2 and −9 activities were shown by gelatin Zymography. According to data from MTT and BrdU incorporation assay, 70 mM glucose reduced cell viability and proliferation rate as compared to control (5 mM glucose) and cells treated with 40 mM glucose (P < 0.05). Cell exposure to 70 mM glucose had potential to induced apoptosis after 72 h (P < 0.05). Our results also demonstrated the sensitivity of SH‐SY5Y cells to detrimental effects of high glucose condition during trans‐differentiation into mature neuron‐like cells. Real‐time PCR analysis confirmed the expression of HSP70 in cells under high content glucose levels, demonstrating the possible cell compensatory response to an insulting condition (pcontrol vs 70 mM group <0.05). Both MMP‐2 and ‐9 activities were reduced in cells being exposed to 70 mM glucose. High glucose condition could abrogate the dynamics of neural progenitor cells. The intracellular level of HSP70 was proportional to cell damage in high glucose condition.
A potential role of knockout serum replacement as a porcine follicular fluid substitute for in vitro maturation: Lipid metabolism approach
Authors: Jin Jun‐Xue , Lee Sanghoon , Setyawan Erif Maha Nugraha , Taweechaipaisankul Anukul , Kim Geon A. , Han Ho Jae , Ahn Curie , Lee Byeong Chun
Published: January 2018

The use of supplements, such as porcine follicular fluid (pFF), fetal bovine serum and human serum albumin are widely used during in vitro maturation (IVM) in different species but these supplements contain undefined components that cause technical difficulties in standardization and influence the efficiency of IVM. Knockout serum replacement (KSR) is a synthetic protein source, without any undefined growth factors or differentiation‐promoting factors. Therefore, it is feasible to use KSR as a defined component for avoiding effects of unknown molecules in an IVM system. In this study, the rates of oocyte maturation and blastocyst formation after parthenogenetic activation (PA), somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) were significantly higher in the 5% KSR supplemented group than in the unsupplemented control group and more similar to those of the 10% pFF supplemented group. Moreover, the intensity of GDF9, BMP15, ROS, GSH, BODIPY‐LD, BODIPY‐FA, and BODIPY‐ATP staining showed similar values between 5% KSR and 10% pFF, which have significant difference with control group. Most of the gene expression related to lipid metabolism with both supplements exhibited similar patterns. In conclusion, 5% KSR upregulated lipid metabolism and thereby provides an essential energy source to sustain and improve oocyte quality and subsequent embryo development after PA, SCNT, and IVF. These indications support the idea that KSR used as a defined serum supplement for oocyte IVM might be universally used in other species.
Autocrine signals increase ovine mesenchymal stem cells migration through Aquaporin‐1 and CXCR4 overexpression
Authors: Pelagalli Alessandra , Nardelli Anna , Lucarelli Enrico , Zannetti Antonella , Brunetti Arturo
Published: January 2018

Sheep is a relevant large animal model that is frequently used to test innovative tissue engineering (TE) approaches especially for bone reconstruction. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used in TE applications because they represent key component of adult tissue repair. Importantly, MSCs from different species show similar characteristics, which facilitated their application in translational studies using animal models. Nowadays, many researches are focusing on the use of ovine mesenchymal stem cells (oMSCs) in orthopedic preclinical settings for regenerative medicine purposes. Therefore, there is a need to amplify our knowledge on the mechanisms underlying the behaviour of these cells. Recently, several studies have shown that MSC function is largely dependent on factors that MSCs release in the environment, as well as, in conditioned medium (CM). It has been demonstrated that MSCs through autocrine and paracrine signals are able to stimulate proliferation, migration, and differentiation of different type of cells including themselves. In this study, we investigated the effects of the CM produced by oMSCs on oMSCs themselves and we explored the signal pathways involved. We observed that CM caused an enhancement of oMSC migration. Furthermore, we found that CM increased levels of two membrane proteins involved in cell migration, Aquaporin 1 (AQP1), and C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), and activated Akt and Erk intracellular signal pathways. In conclusion, taken together our results suggest the high potential of autologous CM as a promising tool to modulate behaviour of MSCs thus improving their use in therapeutically approaches.
Making materials accessible to students in higher education institutes: Institutional obligations, methods of compliance, and recommendations for future action
Authors: Axelrod Jamie
Published: January 2018

Key points

Current publishing restrictions cause duplicated – and wasted – effort to delivery of accessible information to students.

Universities have a legal obligation to provide access, but this is not required from publishers.

Initiatives to support access are helpful, but do not completely resolve the accessibility problems.
Probing the microscopic environment of 23Na ions in brain tissue by MRI: On the accuracy of different sampling schemes for the determination of rapid, biexponential decay at low signal‐to‐noise ratio
Authors: Lommen Jonathan M. , Flassbeck Sebastian , Behl Nicolas G.R. , Niesporek Sebastian , Bachert Peter , Ladd Mark E. , Nagel Armin M.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

To investigate and to reduce influences on the determination of the short and long apparent transverse relaxation times (
,
) of 23Na in vivo with respect to signal sampling.

Methods

The accuracy of determination was analyzed in simulations for five different sampling schemes. The influence of noise in the parameter fit was investigated for three different models. A dedicated sampling scheme was developed for brain parenchyma by numerically optimizing the parameter estimation. This scheme was compared in vivo to linear sampling at 7T.

Results

For the considered sampling schemes,
/
exhibit an average bias of 3% / 4% with a variation of 25% / 15% based on simulations with previously published
values. The accuracy could be improved with the optimized sampling scheme by strongly averaging the earliest sample. A fitting model with constant noise floor can increase accuracy while additional fitting of a noise term is only beneficial in case of sampling until late echo time > 80 ms.
values in white matter were determined to be
 = 5.1 ± 0.8 / 4.2 ± 0.4 ms and
 = 35.7 ± 2.4 / 34.4 ± 1.5 ms using linear/optimized sampling.

Conclusion

Voxel‐wise determination of 23Na is feasible in vivo. However, sampling and fitting methods have to be chosen carefully to retrieve accurate results. Magn Reson Med 80:571–584, 2018. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
In vivo estimation of transverse relaxation time constant (T2) of 17 human brain metabolites at 3T
Authors: Wyss Patrik O. , Bianchini Claudio , Scheidegger Milan , Giapitzakis Ioannis A. , Hock Andreas , Fuchs Alexander , Henning Anke
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The transverse relaxation times T2 of 17 metabolites in vivo at 3T is reported and region specific differences are addressed.

Methods

An echo‐time series protocol was applied to one, two, or three volumes of interest with different fraction of white and gray matter including a total number of 106 healthy volunteers and acquiring a total number of 128 spectra. The data were fitted with the 2D fitting tool ProFit2, which included individual line shape modeling for all metabolites and allowed the T2 calculation of 28 moieties of 17 metabolites.

Results

The T2 of 10 metabolites and their moieties have been reported for the first time. Region specific T2 differences in white and gray matter enriched tissue occur in 16 of 17 metabolites examined including single resonance lines and coupled spin systems.

Conclusion

The relaxation time T2 is regions specific and has to be considered when applying tissue composition correction for internal water referencing. Magn Reson Med 80:452–461, 2018. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Self‐gated golden‐angle spiral 4D flow MRI
Authors: Bastkowski Rene , Weiss Kilian , Maintz David , Giese Daniel
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The acquisition of 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cardiovascular applications has recently made large progress toward clinical feasibility. The need for simultaneous compensation of cardiac and breathing motion still poses a challenge for widespread clinical use. Especially, breathing motion, addressed by gating approaches, can lead to unpredictable and long scan times. The current work proposes a time‐efficient self‐gated 4D flow sequence that exploits up to 100% of the acquired data and operates at a predictable scan time.

Methods

A self‐gated golden‐angle spiral 4D flow sequence was implemented and tested in 10 volunteers. Data were retrospectively binned into respiratory and cardiac states and reconstructed using a conjugate‐gradient sensitivity encoding reconstruction. Net flow curves, stroke volumes, and peak flow in the aorta were evaluated and compared to a conventional Cartesian 4D flow sequence. Additionally, flow quantities reconstructed from 50% to 100% of the self‐gated 4D flow data were compared.

Results

Self‐gating signals for respiratory and cardiac motion were extracted for all volunteers. Flow quantities were in agreement with the standard Cartesian scan. Mean differences in stroke volumes and peak flow of 7.6 ± 11.5 and 4.0 ± 79.9 mL/s were obtained, respectively. By retrospectively increasing breathing navigator efficiency while decreasing acquisition times (15:06–07:33 minutes), 50% of the acquired data were sufficient to measure stroke volumes with errors under 9.6 mL.

Conclusion

The feasibility to acquire respiratory and cardiac self‐gated 4D flow data at a predictable scan time was demonstrated. Magn Reson Med 80:904–913, 2018. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
A block GMRES method with deflated restarting for solving linear systems with multiple shifts and multiple right‐hand sides
Authors: Sun Dong‐Lin , Huang Ting‐Zhu , Jing Yan‐Fei , Carpentieri Bruno
Published: January 2018

The restarted block generalized minimum residual method (BGMRES) with deflated restarting (BGMRES‐DR) was proposed by Morgan to dump the negative effect of small eigenvalues from the convergence of the BGMRES method. More recently, Wu et al. introduced the shifted BGMRES method (BGMRES‐Sh) for solving the sequence of linear systems with multiple shifts and multiple right‐hand sides. In this paper, a new shifted block Krylov subspace algorithm that combines the characteristics of both the BGMRES‐DR and the BGMRES‐Sh methods is proposed. Moreover, our method is enhanced with a seed selection strategy to handle the case of almost linear dependence of the right‐hand sides. Numerical experiments illustrate the potential of the proposed method to solve efficiently the sequence of linear systems with multiple shifts and multiple right‐hand sides, with and without preconditioner, also against other state‐of‐the‐art solvers.
The rise of a novel classification system for endometrial carcinoma; integration of molecular subclasses
Authors: McAlpine Jessica , Leon‐Castillo Alicia , Bosse Tjalling
Published: January 2018

Endometrial cancer is a clinically heterogeneous disease and it is becoming increasingly clear that this heterogeneity may be a function of the diversity of the underlying molecular alterations. Recent large‐scale genomic studies have revealed that endometrial cancer can be divided into at least four distinct molecular subtypes, with well‐described underlying genomic aberrations. These subtypes can be reliably delineated and carry significant prognostic as well as predictive information; embracing and incorporating them into clinical practice is thus attractive. The road towards the integration of molecular features into current classification systems is not without obstacles. Collaborative studies engaging research teams from across the world are working to define pragmatic assays, improve risk stratification systems by combining molecular features and traditional clinicopathological parameters, and determine how molecular classification can be optimally utilized to direct patient care. Pathologists and clinicians caring for women with endometrial cancer need to engage with and understand the possibilities and limitations of this new approach, because integration of molecular classification of endometrial cancers is anticipated to become an essential part of gynaecological pathology practice. This review will describe the challenges in current systems of endometrial carcinoma classification, the evolution of new molecular technologies that define prognostically distinct molecular subtypes, and potential applications of molecular classification as a step towards precision medicine and refining care for individuals with the most common gynaecological cancer in the developed world. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Nuclear Twin Family Study of Self–Esteem
Authors: Bleidorn Wiebke , Hufer Anke , Kandler Christian , Hopwood Christopher J. , Riemann Rainer
Published: January 2018

Twin studies suggest that both genes and environments influence the emergence and development of individual differences in self–esteem. However, different lines of research have emphasized either the role of genes or of environmental influences in shaping self–esteem, and the pathways through which genes and environments exert their influence on self–esteem remain largely unclear. In this study, we used nationally representative data from over 2000 German twin families and a nuclear twin family design (NTFD) to further our understanding of the genetic and environmental influences on individual differences in self–esteem. Compared with classical twin designs, NTFDs allow for finer–grained descriptions of the genetic and environmental influences on phenotypic variation, produce less biased estimates of those effects, and provide more information about different environmental influences and gene–environment correlation that contribute to siblings’ similarity. Our NTFD results suggested that additive and non–additive genetic influences contributed to individual differences in self–esteem as well as environmental influences that are both shared and not shared by twins. The shared environmental component mostly reflected non–parental influences. These findings highlight the increased sensitivity afforded by NTFDs but also remaining limitations that need to be addressed by future behavioural genetic work on the sources of self–esteem. Copyright © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology
Removal of persistent organic pollutants from water using a newly developed atmospheric plasma reactor
Authors: Tampieri Francesco , Giardina Agata , Bosi Franco J. , Pavanello Alice , Marotta Ester , Zaniol Barbara , Neretti Gabriele , Paradisi Cristina
Published: January 2018

A new bench‐top reactor employing a streamer discharge in air was developed and tested for potential use in an advanced oxidation stage in water treatment processes. The complex heterogeneous system and the ensuing chemical processes were characterized using an integrated approach to map the morphology of the plasma/gas/liquid interface, identify the plasma short‐lived excited species, determine the oxidants in solution and monitor the organic pollutants degradation. Three model pollutants were used in these experiments, rhodamine B, phenol and metolachlor. The first two are common standards used to evaluate the performance of advanced oxidation processes. Metolachlor is a widely used herbicide listed among the most important recalcitrant emerging organic pollutants. Energy efficiency, kinetics and products of our tests show a good performance of the reactor. Specifically, mineralization appears feasible also in the case of metolachlor.
Termiticidal activity of chitosan against the subterranean termites Reticulitermes flavipes and Reticulitermes virginicus
Authors: Raji Olanrewaju , Tang Juliet D , Telmadarrehei Telmah , Jeremic Dragica
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Chitosan is a derivative form of chitin, which is the major component of exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi. The antimicrobial activity of chitosan against lepidopterans, aphids, fungi and bacteria has been extensively investigated, but only one report on the termiticidal effect of chitosan on termites has been published. In this study, we examined the termiticidal activity of chitosan by exposing single colonies of Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Reticulitermes virginicus Banks to wood treated with six different concentrations of chitosan solutions. Termite mortality and percent mass loss of wood samples after exposure to termites for 4 weeks were calculated.

RESULTS

High termite mortality (≥ 94%) occurred during exposure of R. flavipes termites to chitosan‐treated wood with ≥38 mg g‐1 treatment concentrations (≥ 2% chitosan), while <50% termite mortality was observed at lower treatment concentrations (11–15 mg g‐1; 0.5% and 1% chitosan). For R. virginicus, 100% mortality was observed at all levels of treatment concentrations. A decrease in the percent mass loss of the wood sample was apparent in samples treated with solutions with an increasing chitosan concentration, with a significant difference (P < 0.05) between lower and higher treatment concentrations. Treatment retention in wood samples upon leaching was also determined and showed retention levels of between 0 and 30 mg g‐1 chitosan retention.

CONCLUSION

This study investigated the exposure of subterranean termites to chitosan as a wood preservative. The results show that chitosan treatments at sufficiently high loadings could protect wood against termites, preferably under non‐leaching conditions. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Eosinophilia as a treatable trait in three patients with asthma and COPD
Authors: Ramsahai James Michael , Simpson Jodie , Wark Peter
Published: January 2018

The combination of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in an individual can present significant challenges to achieving satisfactory outcomes. More recently, the concepts of precision medicine and treatable traits have arisen as promising tools to improve care for this group. In this series, we present three cases of patients with features of both asthma and COPD in addition to peripheral blood eosinophilia. The novel implementation of personalized management of the individual based on this treatable trait (eosinophilia) resulted in significant benefits. These benefits included improvement in symptoms, lung function, and a marked decline in critical care admissions and exacerbation rates.