bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Subacromial Injections of Hyaluronan on Different Grades of Rotator Cuff Lesion: A Prospective Study
Authors: Gigante A. , Cecconi S. , Enea D. , Cesari E. , Valeri G. , Busilacchi A.
Published: January 2017

Rotator cuff lesions are quite common and in some cases Hyaluronic Acid (HA) can play a role in pain relief and in restoring functions. The aim of the study was to point out the correct indications for HA injection therapy through a prospective study: firstly defining the safety and efficacy of HA in the different grades of cuff tears, then evaluating the maintenance at 90 days, as secondary endpoint. A prospective, open-label uncontrolled study was developed. One hundred patients diagnosed with different rotator cuff lesions were divided into 4 grade-related groups based on a modified Neer's classification. A cycle of 3 US-guided injections of medium-low weight HA was performed through the anterolateral way, one every two weeks. Follow-up was at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 90 days. VAS, Oxford-Shoulder-Score (OSS) and Constant-Murley were used for evaluations. In grade I and II, at day 45, a significant reduction of VAS and increase of Constant-Murley and OSS resulted. In grade IV VAS slowly decreased in the first 45 days, while OSS and Constant did not improve significantly. In grade III patients had no benefit from a clinical and subjective point of view. At ninety days the beneficial effect was still maintained in grades I, II and IV. Overall, the treatment showed a high tolerability profile. In conclusion, patients affected by bursitis or partial cuff tears benefit from HA, while in cuff arthropathy HA might only delay surgery or represent a palliative. In complete tears HA was not effective in pain relief or functional recovery.
Dental Implant Sites in Healthy versus Diabetic Subjects: A Two-Year Clinical and Bacteriological Assessment
Authors: Bignozzi I. , Ciobanu G. , Quaranta A. , Pompa G.
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to analyze by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) possible differences in periimplant microbiota of patients without significant systemic diseases versus patients affected by non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), both treated with dental implants with the same implant-abutment system. Patients suffering from NIDDM, and those with no history of major systemic diseases, treated with dental implants at the Prosthodontics Operative Unit of “Sapienza” University of Rome in the period February 2009 - March 2010 were considered. Clinical parameters as well as microbiological profile were evaluated for each implant site at 3, 6,12, and 24 month follow-up. Crevicular fluid was collected for microbial sampling and analyzed by Real-Time PCR in order to identify the possible presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia. Eight patients suffering from NIDDM and 22 with no history of major systemic diseases were included in the present investigation, each having received one to three dental implants. All the implants had been loaded 3 months after surgery, and the average follow-up after implant placement was 26.37±3.86. Clinical parameters showed no noticeable difference between the two groups, except for the Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) that showed significantly lower values in NIDDM patients. A slightly higher amount of the considered pathogenic bacteria were retrieved in samples collected from patients with NIDDM (7.38×105) in comparison with those of healthy subjects (6.78×105), though the differences were below statistical significance. Within the limitations of the present study, a slight correlation was empirically detected between gene expression profiles of microbial populations and history of NIDDM, which however remained below the statistical significance. Further well-designed clinical studies may be useful to conclusively clarify the impact of subgingival microflora on the increased susceptibility of diabetic patients to periimplantitis.
Enhanced Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Nanoencapsulated Diclofenac
Authors: Goh J.Z. , Tang S.N. , Zuraini A. , Zakaria Z.A. , Kadir A.A. , Chiong H.S. , Fauzee M.S.O. , Hakim M.N.
Published: January 2017

This study was conducted to compare the anti-inflammatory efficacy of nanoencapsulated and free-form diclofenac in rat. Diclofenac-loaded liposomes were prepared using the proliposome method. The anti-inflammatory effects of nanoencapsulated and free diclofenac were evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw edema, formalin-induced paw licking and cotton-pellet-induced granuloma tests in vivo. For carrageenan-induced paw edema, 2 and 20 mg/kg liposome-encapsulated diclofenac showed significant paw volume reduction compared to free form diclofenac of equivalent dosage groups. In the formalin test, significant reduction in paw-licking time was observed in late phase for both liposome-encapsulated and free-form diclofenac (2 and 20 mg/kg) with the percentage of inhibition of 28.62, 60.17% for free-form diclofenac and 31.45, 78.84% for liposome-encapsulated diclofenac, respectively. In cotton-pellet-induced granuloma test 20 mg/kg free-form diclofenac showed significant reduction in the size of granuloma in both transudative and granuloma weight with percentage of inhibition of 42.93 and 49.26%, respectively, when compared to controls. Interestingly, 20 mg/kg nanoencapsulated diclofenac showed a larger reduction of the parameter with percentage of inhibition of 48.43 and 63.55%, respectively. Collectively, these results indicated that nanoencapsulated diclofenac exhibited statistically higher efficacy than free-form diclofenac when orally administered. Hence, clinical dosage may be reduced thereby reducing the drug's adverse effects.
Neurocutaneous Melanosis in a Woman with Multiple Brain Melanocytomas, Cutaneous Melanocytosis and Oral Involvement
Authors: Donato G. , Nicoletti G. , Gabriele A. , Conforti F. , Zuccalà V. , Amorosi A. , Tamburi F. , Nisticò S. , Bottoni U.
Published: January 2017

A 34-year-old female was referred to us for a consultation of her dermatological lesions (pigmented lesions present in her oral cavity and on her right shoulder) in May 2007. These lesions had been present since childhood. Recently, the patient had developed seizures and a headache. An MRI of the brain showed the presence of two intracranial masses. The intracranial tumours were surgically removed whereas skin and mucosal lesions were biopsied. Histological findings of brain tumours were consistent with a diagnosis of “melanocytoma” while cutaneous lesions presented “benign dermal melanocytic infiltrations”. Whole brain irradiation was performed. After 3 months a new melanocytic skin lesion appeared on the scalp with histological picture similar to the other cutaneous ones. At the 5-year follow-up examination no recurrence of intracranial tumour or other skin or mucosal lesions were registered. According to the clinical and histological findings, we classify our case as a form of neurocutaneous melanosis in a young adult patient and we present it for the rarity of this syndrome, for the difficulty of the diagnosis, for the potential aggressive behaviour of intracranial lesions that necessitates a constant attentive follow-up and for the unusual feature of new developing skin lesion during the course of the disease.
Abnormal F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake of the Lung in Immunocompromised Lymphoma Patients in Complete Remission: Report of Two Cases and Revision of Literature
Authors: Conticello C. , Vetro C. , Romano A. , Amato G. , Schinocca L. , Cosentino S. , Ippolito M. , Giustolisi R. , Di Raimondo F.
Published: January 2017

Limited data suggest that F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) may have a role in diagnosing infection. Here we present two cases of lymphoma patients in complete response (CR) who presented during follow-up dry cough and fever. Physical examination and serum evaluations were negative for lymphoma while whole body FDG-PET showed lung uptake which posed a differential diagnosis between relapse of lymphoma and an atypical pneumonia due to persistent lymphopenia. In both cases, cytology examination of sputum suggested Pneumocystis Jiroveci pneumonia (PJP). After appropriate antibiotic treatment, the follow-up examination showed complete resolution of the lung changes revealed by FDG-PET. False-positive results on FDG-PET were supposed to be due to the high uptake of FDG in non-neoplastic inflammatory cellular elements such as macrophages and lymphocytes. Our findings suggest that in cases of FDG-PET positive images in immunocompromised patients with previous hematologic disease, caution must be used, and differential diagnosis might include infections such as PJP in addition to relapse of disease.
Oral Lichenoid Lesions Related to Drugs: Review of Clinicopathological Features and Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Bariş E. , Sengüven B. , Tüzüner T. , Gültekin S.E.
Published: January 2017

Lichenoid drug reaction is termed as a condition of the oral cavity having an identifiable etiology, which is clinically and histologically similar to oral lichen planus. A number of drugs have been described as a causative factor of those reactive lesions. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review on the role of causative drugs in oral lichenoid lesions (OLLD) and the clinicopathological features of this entity which still has uncertainty in diagnosis. Bibliographic searches were carried out to identify articles published in English on PubMed® Online electronic databases from 1993 to 2013. Available clinical, histological and treatment methods were recorded. A total of 25 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria with 37 patients. OLLD were detected frequently in patients with a history of zidovudine and imatinib mesylate medication. OLLD occurred significantly in subjects over the age of 30 (p<0.01), mostly on buccal mucosa (42.37%). The most preferable treatment is withdrawal of the drugs and administering a topical steroid regimen. Thirty OLLD cases were confirmed by biopsies which were characterized by diffuse inflammatory infiltrate through the deep side of the lamina propria. Medical history and histological features are the two basic criteria for the differential diagnosis of OLLD.
Procalcitonin as a Biomarker of the Early Stage of Bacterial Infections in HIV/AIDS Patients
Authors: Mikuła T. , Suchacz M. , Stańczak W. , Kozłowska J. , Wiercińska-Drapało A.
Published: January 2017

We observed that low concentrations of procalcitonin (PCT) in the early stages of bacterial infection among HIV/AIDS patients are not always associated with a good prognosis. Many of our patients developed sepsis despite a PCT level of <0.5 ng/ml on the first days of infection. The aim of our study was to assess whether laboratory standards for PCT in patients with HIV/AIDS correlate with their clinical condition. We analyzed the concentration of PCT and other inflammatory markers in the early stages of bacterial infection among 40 HIV-infected patients and 52 AIDS patients enrolled for the study. The control group consisted of 37 healthy individuals. In comparison with PCT and WBC, PCT proved to be the most reliable in the early stages of bacterial infection. To conclude, we suggest new PCT cut-off ranges for HIV/AIDS patients with bacterial infection.
Dietary practices of children and adolescents with Down syndrome
Authors: Magenis Marina Lummertz , Machado Alessandra Gonçalves , Bongiolo Angela Martinha , Silva Marco Antonio da , Castro Kamila , Perry Ingrid Dalira Schweigert
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to assess dietary intake, breastfeeding history, weight at birth and current weight in children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Therefore, a cross-sectional, controlled study with 19 DS participants and 19 controls without DS matched by gender and age was performed. Except for vitamin D, a lower or the same frequency of insufficient intake in other micronutrients was noted in participants compared with controls. The DS group had a reduced exclusive breastfeeding duration and increased carbohydrate and caloric intake. The consumption of micronutrients in both groups reinforced the current trend of excessive sodium consumption and insufficient intake of calcium, some B complex vitamins and water by children and adolescents.
Perception of Perspective Angles
Authors: Erkelens Casper J.
Published: January 2017

We perceive perspective angles, that is, angles that have an orientation in depth, differently from what they are in physical space. Extreme examples are angles between rails of a railway line or between lane dividers of a long and straight road. In this study, subjects judged perspective angles between bars lying on the floor of the laboratory. Perspective angles were also estimated from pictures taken from the same point of view. Converging and diverging angles were judged to test three models of visual space. Four subjects evaluated the perspective angles by matching them to nonperspective angles, that is, angles between the legs of a compass oriented in the frontal plane. All subjects judged both converging and diverging angles larger than the physical angle and smaller than the angles in the proximal stimuli. A model of shallow visual space describes the results. According to the model, lines parallel to visual lines, vanishing at infinity in physical space, converge to visual lines in visual space. The perceived shape of perspective angles is incompatible with the perceived length and width of the bars. The results have significance for models of visual perception and practical implications for driving and flying in poor visibility conditions.
Assessing the Effect of Musical Congruency on Wine Tasting in a Live Performance Setting
Authors: Wang Qian (Janice) , Spence Charles
Published: January 2017

At a wine tasting event with live classical music, we assessed whether participants would agree that certain wine and music pairings were congruent. We also assessed the effect of musical congruency on the wine tasting experience. The participants were given two wines to taste and two pieces of music—one chosen to match each wine—were performed live. Half of the participants tasted the wines while listening to the putatively more congruent music, the rest tasted the wines while listening to the putatively less congruent music. The participants rated the wine–music match and assessed the fruitiness, acidity, tannins, richness, complexity, length, and pleasantness of the wines. The results revealed that the music chosen to be congruent with each wine was indeed rated as a better match than the other piece of music. Furthermore, the music playing in the background also had a significant effect on the perceived acidity and fruitiness of the wines. These findings therefore provide further support for the view that music can modify the wine drinking experience. However, the present results leave open the question of whether the crossmodal congruency between music and wine itself has any overarching influence on the wine drinking experience.
Proposal for a New Press Readership Measurement Method
Authors: Étienne Jean-François
Published: January 2017

Following the audiometric revolution, only the press and poster advertising have remained outside the reach of automated audience measurement tools. In view of such methodological conservatism, the aim of this paper is to design a new method for measuring press readership and go beyond the limits of Recent Reading, the standard readership measurement method for this type of medium. With this objective, we began by developing a conceptual framework for measuring press readers-per-copy, focused on consumer behavior. We then devised a new research tool that can automatically collect data on press readership behavior via cell phones. To complete our methodological approach, we selected a sample group as a means of observational research and drew up an appropriate questionnaire for measuring the editorial and advertising preferences of press readers.
The Impact of Informational Stimuli from a New Drinck Product on Consumers' Affective and Cognitive Reactions
Authors: Pantin-Sohier Gaëlle , Miltgen Caroline Lancelot
Published: January 2017

The aim of this paper is to show the simultaneous influence of product innovation (complementarity of flavor) and packaging innovation (product design through the prototypicality of the container and the amount of information on the label) with the launch of a new flavored alcoholic drink. These features are tested experimentally by inviting 383 people to evaluate the relevance of the proposed blend, the perceived novelty of the drink, and their conclusions about the taste (sweetness — sucré and doux — and intensity). We also examine the mediating role of these variables on approval, and of approval on the intention to try the new product. The results confirm that the complementarity of taste positively influences the perceived relevance of the blend and its negatively influences its perceived novelty. The analysis also reveals a linear relationship between perceived relevance and approval, whereas the relationship between perceived novelty and approval follows a quadratic trend (U-curve).
What is Interpersonal Communication Worth? Interpersonal Calibration of Knowledge and Selection of Recommendation Sources
Authors: Bertrandias Laurent , Vernette Éric
Published: January 2017

To choose a product, consumers often ask the advice of people around them, i.e., friends, opinion leaders, expert consumers or of individuals combining these characteristics. Our results show that the advice of friends and opinion leaders is most sought after and that their knowledge, moreover, is overestimated. Experts are called upon less, and their knowledge is underestimated. These errors of interpersonal judgment decrease if the source correctly assesses his own knowledge and they increase in the opposite case.
Hair transplantation in burn scar alopecia
Authors: Farjo Bessam , Farjo Nilofer , Williams Greg
Published: January 2017

[Formula: see text]

Treating patients with burn alopecia or hair loss can often be a challenge to both the surgeon and the patient. As with other reconstructive procedures that are required in the post-burn phase, this is usually a multiple stage process often requiring surgery over several years. This is because graft take is not as reliable as in healthy non-scarred skin and may need repeating to achieve adequate density. Also, different areas of hair loss may need to be addressed in separate procedures. There are several limiting factors that will determine whether or not a patient is a candidate for hair restoration which includes but is not limited to the amount of hair loss and the availability of suitable donor hair. Here we discuss how the current surgical technique of hair transplant surgery by follicular unit extraction (FUE) or strip follicular unit transplant (FUT) has become the treatment of choice for alopecic areas that require a more refined aesthetic result. Eyebrow, eyelash, beard and scalp hair loss can all have a negative impact on a burn survivor’s self-esteem and even if surgery is not a possibility, there are non-surgical options available for hair restoration and these are also discussed.
Organophosphate Exposure with Pseudocholinesterase Deficiency
Authors: Lurati Ann R.
Published: January 2017

A 36-year-old correctional officer was exposed to lice while at work and self-treated with chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate. The correctional officer applied chlorpyrifos to her entire body and did not wash it off for 8 to 12 hours. Eight hours after the initial application, the correctional officer developed abdominal cramps, diarrhea, sweating, excessive salivation, frequent urination, and increased bronchial secretions. After a phone consultation with the occupational health clinic, the correctional officer reported to the emergency department, was diagnosed with organophosphate toxicity, and was treated with atropine. Later testing revealed that the correctional officer had pseudocholinesterase deficiency.
Global Occupational Health and Safety Responsibilities of Occupational Health Nurses Based in the United States
Authors: Hong OiSaeng , Chin Dal Lae , Thomas Elizabeth Anne
Published: January 2017

The health and safety of workers is the primary concern of occupational health nurses. The purpose of this study was to identify the global occupational health and safety responsibilities of occupational health nurses based in the United States and factors contributing to these global responsibilities. A total of 2,123 American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. members completed a web-based survey and were included in the study. Approximately 12% ( n = 256) of the respondents worked globally. Occupational health nurses with three or four national certifications, OR (odds ratio) = 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.08, 3.98], more than 15 years of occupational health nursing experience, OR = 1.23, 95% CI [1.08, 1.39], and a doctoral degree, OR = 2.89, 95% CI [1.40, 5.99], were most likely to work globally. Advanced practice nurses, OR = 1.55, 95% CI [1.12, 2.15], occupational health nurses who worked for large employers, OR = 1.74, 95% CI [1.29, 2.33], and those who supervised other nurses, OR = 1.74, 95% CI [1.29, 2.34], were also more likely to work globally. In contrast, occupational health nurses who personally provided direct care to workers were less likely to work globally, OR = 0.60, 95% CI [0.44, 0.81]. The findings of this study provide direction for future education, practice, and research to increase global responsibilities among occupational health nurses in the United States.
Promoting Universal Vaccination among Workers
Authors: Rittle Chad
Published: January 2017

A discussion of vaccines often focuses on protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases. However, 10 vaccines are available for adults, and occupational health nurses should consider these vaccines when providing health care to adult workers. This article discusses the 10 adult vaccines, indications for using each vaccine, barriers preventing adults from being vaccinated and occupational health nurses from increasing vaccination rates, and strategies nurses can use to promote adult vaccination. Promoting universal vaccination among adults, especially employees, accomplishes two goals. First, universal vaccination promotes a healthy work force, enabling employees to report to work regularly and be more productive while working. Second, vaccinating adults protects the most vulnerable members of the community, young children, those with immunodeficiencies, and those who cannot be vaccinated, via herd immunity.
Hepatitis C Testing Guidelines—Accurately Identifying Current Infection
Authors: Chalupka Stephanie
Published: January 2017

Accurate testing to identify current infection assists clinicians in correctly identifying those infected with hepatitis C virus.
Diabetic Worker with History of Falls: A Case Study
Authors: Lurati Ann R.
Published: January 2017

A 58-year old male employee presented to the occupational health clinic for evaluation after experiencing several falls. He had been diagnosed as having type II diabetes 5 years earlier. The physical examination noted peripheral neuropathy. This article reviews the effects of diabetes on peripheral nerves and discusses interventions that the occupational health nurse may use to monitor workers with diabetes.
Disaster Readiness for Nurses in the Workplace
Authors: Lowe London Draper , Hummel Faye I.
Published: January 2017

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges citizens everywhere to prepare for any emergency that might occur in their areas. In conjunction with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the CDC has designed a four-step plan (“Ready America”) to assist all Americans in taking action. As the largest body of health care providers, nurses across the nation have the potential to contribute substantially to disaster readiness in the workplace and the community. This article reviews lessons learned from previous disasters and also presents an overview of ethical-legal considerations related to disaster nursing care. In addition, a preparation guide for nurses in the workplace and on the home front is presented. Disaster preparation resources are also provided.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
Authors: Phillips Jennan A.
Published: January 2017

Occupational and environmental health nurses must monitor credible sources for accurate information, provide timely education to workers, and ensure adequate workplace policies to protect their workforce against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Health Promotion Overview
Authors: Dombrowski Jill J. , Snelling Anastasia M. , Kalicki Michelle
Published: January 2017

Health promotion practice has evolved over the past four decades in response to the rising rates of chronic disease. The focus of health promotion is attaining wellness by managing modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, diet, or physical activity. Occupational health nurses are often asked to conduct worksite health promotion programs for individuals or groups, yet may be unfamiliar with evidence-based strategies. Occupational health nurses should lead interprofessional groups in designing and implementing worksite health promotion programs. This article introduces occupational health nurses to health promotion concepts and discusses evidence-based theories and planning models that can be easily introduced into practice.
Determinants of fatal bleeding during induction therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia in the ATRA era
Authors: Mantha Simon , Goldman Debra A. , Devlin Sean M. , Lee Ju-Whei , Zannino Diana , Collins Marnie , Douer Dan , Iland Harry J. , Litzow Mark R. , Stein Eytan M. , Appelbaum Frederick R. , Larson Richard A. , Stone Richard , Powell Bayard L. , Geyer Susan , Laumann Kristina , Rowe Jacob M. , Erba Harry , Coutre Steven , Othus Megan , Park Jae H. , Wiernik Peter H. , Tallman Martin S.
Published: January 2017

Key Points

High WBC is an independent predictor of early HD in APL.
What specific plant traits support ecosystem services such as pollination, bio-control and water quality protection in temperate climates? A systematic map protocol
Authors: Blowers Claire J. , Cunningham Heidi M. , Wilcox Andrew , Randall Nicola P.
Published: January 2017

Background

Agricultural intensification has increased diffuse source pollution within water catchments, reduced heterogeneity within the landscape and caused major declines in farmland wildlife, including birds, mammals, invertebrates and wildflowers. This increase in pollution and wildlife decline, has effected three vital ecosystem services, pollination, biological pest control and water quality protection. The morphological traits of plant species, such as floral display size and leaf area, provide support to these services and vegetative strips can be established with plants that have these desirable traits. Vegetative strips are widely used across Europe and integrated into government environmental schemes such as The Common Agricultural Policy and The Water Framework Directive. However, issues of land availability and food security require a sustainable intensification of current agricultural practices. One component of this process is to sow vegetative strips that are designed to support multiple ecosystem services. To do this, combinations of plant species that will support specific ecosystem services, have been designed. However, to enable a fully-informed design process, evidence must be collated on which specific plant traits provide the support to the target ecosystem services. We propose to systematically map all evidence on which specific plant traits provide support for three of the most vital ecosystem services, pollination, bio-control and water quality protection. Information from this map could inform future decisions on which plant species are suitable for inclusion within a multifunctional vegetative strip that aims to provide the target ecosystem services. The aim of this systematic map is to create a searchable database of studies that demonstrate evidence of plant traits and how they support the named ecosystem services.

Methods

Seven bibliographic databases, 25 organisational websites and 2 search engines, will be systematically searched with predefined and tested key search terms. All searches will be undertaken in English and only those undertaken in a temperate climate zone will be considered. Studies found will be screened at title, abstract and full text levels, recording the number of excluded articles. Following full text assessment, the meta-data of included studies will be incorporated into a systematic map database in Microsoft Access. A report will summarise the evidence, highlight any knowledge gaps, and provide recommendations for future research.
Real-time rendering of aerial perspective effect based on turbidity estimation
Authors: Morales Carlos , Oishi Takeshi , Ikeuchi Katsushi
Published: January 2017

In real outdoor scenes, objects distant from the observer suffer from a natural effect called aerial perspective that fades the colors of the objects and blends them to the environmental light color. The aerial perspective can be modeled using a physics-based approach; however, handling with the changing and unpredictable environmental illumination as well as the weather conditions of real scenes is challenging in terms of visual coherence and computational cost. In those cases, even state-of-the-art models fail to generate realistic synthesized aerial perspective effects. To overcome this limitation, we propose a real-time, turbidity-based, full-spectrum aerial perspective rendering approach. First, we estimate the atmospheric turbidity by matching luminance distributions of a captured sky image to sky models. The obtained turbidity is then employed for aerial perspective rendering using an improved scattering model. We performed a set of experiments to evaluate the scattering model and the aerial perspective model. We also provide a framework for real-time aerial perspective rendering. The results confirm that the proposed approach synthesizes realistic aerial perspective effects with low computational cost, outperforming state-of-the-art aerial perspective rendering methods for real scenes.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy reduces blood pressure and hypothalamic endoplasmic reticulum stress in mice
Authors: McGavigan Anne K. , Henseler Zachariah M. , Garibay Darline , Butler Scott D. , Jayasinghe Sisitha , Ley Ruth E. , Davisson Robin L. , Cummings Bethany P.
Published: January 2017

Bariatric surgery, such as vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), causes remarkable improvements in cardiometabolic health, including hypertension remission. However, the mechanisms responsible remain undefined and poorly studied. Therefore, we developed and validated the first murine model of VSG that recapitulates the blood pressure lowering effect of VSG using gold-standard radiotelemetry technology. We used this model to investigate several potential mechanisms, including body weight, brain endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling and brain inflammatory signaling, all critical contributors to obesity-associated hypertension pathogenesis. High fat diet-fed mice underwent sham or VSG surgery and radiotelemeter implantation. Sham mice were fed ad libitum (S-AL) or were food restricted to match their body weight to VSG-operated mice (S-WM) in order to determine the role of body weight in the effect of VSG to lower blood pressure. Blood pressure was measured in freely-moving unstressed mice by radiotelemetry. VSG decreased energy intake, body weight and fat mass. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was reduced in VSG compared with S-WM and S-AL. VSG-induced reductions in MAP were accompanied by a body weight-independent decrease in hypothalamic ER stress, hypothalamic inflammation and sympathetic tone. Gut microbial populations were assessed as a potential contributor, which revealed VSG-induced increases in the relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria and Enterococcus, and decreases in Adlercreutzia. These results suggest that VSG reduces blood pressure, in part, independently of body weight. VSG-induced reductions in blood pressure may be driven by a decrease in hypothalamic ER stress and inflammatory signaling and shifts in gut microbial populations.
Actin visualization at a glance
Authors: Melak Michael , Plessner Matthias , Grosse Robert
Published: January 2017

Actin functions in a multitude of cellular processes owing to its ability to polymerize into filaments, which can be further organized into higher-order structures by an array of actin-binding and regulatory proteins. Therefore, research on actin and actin-related functions relies on the visualization of actin structures without interfering with the cycles of actin polymerization and depolymerization that underlie cellular actin dynamics. In this Cell Science at a Glance and the accompanying poster, we briefly evaluate the different techniques and approaches currently applied to analyze and visualize cellular actin structures, including in the nuclear compartment. Referring to the gold standard F-actin marker phalloidin to stain actin in fixed samples and tissues, we highlight methods for visualization of actin in living cells, which mostly apply the principle of genetically fusing fluorescent proteins to different actin-binding domains, such as LifeAct, utrophin and F-tractin, as well as anti-actin-nanobody technology. In addition, the compound SiR-actin and the expression of GFP–actin are also applicable for various types of live-cell analyses. Overall, the visualization of actin within a physiological context requires a careful choice of method, as well as a tight control of the amount or the expression level of a given detection probe in order to minimize its influence on endogenous actin dynamics.
Suppression of intestinal tumorigenesis in Apc mutant mice upon Musashi-1 deletion
Authors: Wolfe Andy R. , Ernlund Amanda , McGuinness William , Lehmann Carl , Carl Kaitlyn , Balmaceda Nicole , Neufeld Kristi L.
Published: January 2017

Therapeutic strategies based on a specific oncogenic target are better justified when elimination of that particular oncogene reduces tumorigenesis in a model organism. One such oncogene, Musashi-1 (Msi-1), regulates translation of target mRNAs and is implicated in promoting tumorigenesis in the colon and other tissues. Msi-1 targets include the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc), a Wnt pathway antagonist lost in ∼80% of all colorectal cancers. Cell culture experiments have established that Msi-1 is a Wnt target, thus positioning Msi-1 and Apc as mutual antagonists in a mutually repressive feedback loop. Here, we report that intestines from mice lacking Msi-1 display aberrant Apc and Msi-1 mutually repressive feedback, reduced Wnt and Notch signaling, decreased proliferation, and changes in stem cell populations, features predicted to suppress tumorigenesis. Indeed, mice with germline Apc mutations (ApcMin) or with the Apc1322T truncation mutation have a dramatic reduction in intestinal polyp number when Msi-1 is deleted. Taken together, these results provide genetic evidence that Msi-1 contributes to intestinal tumorigenesis driven by Apc loss, and validate the pursuit of Msi-1 inhibitors as chemo-prevention agents to reduce tumor burden.
Temperature and photoperiod as environmental cues affect body mass and thermoregulation in Chinese bulbulsPycnonotus sinensis
Authors: Hu Shi-Nan , Zhu Ying-Yang , Lin Lin , Zheng Wei-Hong , Liu Jin-Song
Published: January 2017

Seasonal changes in temperature and photoperiod are important environmental cues used by small birds to adjust their body mass (Mb) and thermogenesis. However, the relative importance of these cues with respect to seasonal adjustments in Mb and thermogenesis are difficult to distinguish. In particular, the effects of temperature and photoperiod on energy metabolism and thermoregulation are not well known in many passerines. To address this problem, we measured the effects of temperature and photoperiod on Mb, energy intake, resting metabolic rate (RMR), organ mass and physiological and biochemical markers of metabolic activity, in the Chinese bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis). Groups of Chinese bulbuls were acclimated in a laboratory to the following conditions: (1) warm and long photoperiod (WL; 30°C, 16 light: 8 dark), (2) warm and short photoperiod (WS; 30°C, 8 light: 16 dark), (3) cold and long photoperiod (CL; 10°C, 16 light: 8 dark), and (4) cold and short photoperiod (CS; 10°C, 8 light: 16 dark), for 4 weeks. The results indicate that Chinese bulbuls exhibit adaptive physiological regulations when exposed to different temperatures and photoperiods. Mb, RMR, gross energy intake (GEI) and digestible energy intake (DEI) were higher in cold acclimated than in warm acclimated bulbuls, and in short photoperiod than in long photoperiod. The resultant flexibility in energy intake and RMR allows Chinese bulbuls exposed to different temperatures and photoperiods to adjust their energy balance and thermogenesis accordingly. Cold acclimated birds had heightened State-4 respiration and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in their liver and muscle tissue compared to warm acclimated birds. Changes in state-4 respiration and COX activity in liver and muscle are cellular mechanisms underlying adaptive thermogenesis in bulbuls. Temperature appears to be a primary cue for adjusting energy budget and thermogenic ability in Chinese bulbuls, photoperiod appears to intensify temperature induced changes in energy metabolism and thermoregulation.
A novel technique for the precise measurement of CO2 production rate in small aquatic organisms as validated on Aeshnid dragonfly nymphs
Authors: Harter Till S. , Brauner Colin J. , Matthews Philip G. D.
Published: January 2017

The present study describes and validates a novel yet simple system for simultaneous in vivo measurements of aquatic CO2 production (MCO2) and oxygen consumption (MO2) rates, thus allowing the calculation of respiratory exchange ratios (RER). Diffusion of CO2 from the aquatic phase into a gas phase, across a hollow fibre membrane, enabled aquatic MCO2 measurements with a high-precision infrared gas CO2 analyser. MO2 was measured with a PO2 optode using a stop-flow approach. Injections of known amounts of CO2 into the apparatus yielded accurate and highly reproducible measurements of CO2 content (R2=0.997, p<0.001). The viability of in vivo measurements was demonstrated on aquatic dragonfly nymphs (Aeshnidae; wet mass 2.17 mg - 1.46 g, n=15) and the apparatus produced precise MCO2 (R2=0.967, p<0.001) and MO2 (R2=0.957, p<0.001); average RER was 0.73±0.06. The described system is scalable, offering great potential for the study of a wide range of aquatic species, including fish.
Molecular signature of anastasis for reversal of apoptosis
Authors: Tang Ho Man , Talbot Jr C. Conover , Fung Ming Chiu , Tang Ho Lam
Published: January 2017

Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death that is essential for normal organismal development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms by eliminating unwanted, injured, or dangerous cells. This cell suicide process is generally assumed to be irreversible. However, accumulating studies suggest that dying cells can recover from the brink of cell death. We recently discovered an unexpected reversibility of the execution-stage of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, and proposed the term anastasis (Greek for “rising to life”) to describe this cell recovery phenomenon. Promoting anastasis could in principle preserve injured cells that are difficult to replace, such as cardiomyocytes and neurons. Conversely, arresting anastasis in dying cancer cells after cancer therapies could improve treatment efficacy. To develop new therapies that promote or inhibit anastasis, it is essential to identify the key regulators and mediators of anastasis – the therapeutic targets. Therefore, we performed time-course microarray analysis to explore the molecular mechanisms of anastasis during reversal of ethanol-induced apoptosis in mouse primary liver cells. We found striking changes in transcription of genes involved in multiple pathways, including early activation of pro-survival genes, cell cycle arrest, stress-inducible responses, and at delayed times, cell migration and angiogenesis. Here, we present the time-course whole-genome gene expression dataset revealing gene expression profiles during the reversal of apoptosis. This dataset provides important insights into the physiological, pathological, and therapeutic implications of anastasis.
A Machine Learning-Based Approximation of Strong Branching
Authors: Alvarez Alejandro Marcos , Louveaux Quentin , Wehenkel Louis
Published: January 2017

We present in this paper a new generic approach to variable branching in branch and bound for mixed-integer linear problems. Our approach consists in imitating the decisions taken by a good branching strategy, namely strong branching, with a fast approximation. This approximated function is created by a machine learning technique from a set of observed branching decisions taken by strong branching. The philosophy of the approach is similar to reliability branching. However, our approach can catch more complex aspects of observed previous branchings to take a branching decision. The experiments performed on randomly generated and MIPLIB problems show promising results.
Lorentz transformation from an elementary point of view
Authors: Jadczyk Arkadiusz , Szulga Jerzy
Published: January 2017

Elementary methods are used to examine some nontrivial mathematical issues underpinning the Lorentz transformation. Its eigen-system is characterized through the exponential of a $G$-skew symmetric matrix, underlining its unconnectedness at one of its extremes (the hyper-singular case). A different yet equivalent angle is presented through Pauli coding which reveals the connection between the hyper-singular case and the shear map.
Amostra de ciências em escolas de ensino fundamental: uma abordagem voltada para física moderna
Authors: Silva Heber Cruz , Ernesto Jaine Silva , Aringhieri Luiz Fernando , Rolemberg Silva Fábio Alessandro
Published: January 2017

De certa forma, o mundo imediato que cerca o aluno está repleto de objetos e fenômenos que constantemente desafiam a sua compreensão e despertam sua curiosidade. Este artigo relata a construção de uma proposta de se apresentar alguns conceitos de Física Moderna a turmas do último ano de Ensino Fundamental. Optou-se, em ter como base principal uma analise em cima dos PCN’s para inserção dos tópicos, em razão de que estes se constituem em uma referência para a transformação de objetivos, conteúdos e didática do ensino. Dando-se uma ênfase especial ao uso de experimentos simples e de baixo custo como recurso metodológico, visto que estes aproximam a vivência direta de alguns dos princípios subjacentes da Física Moderna à tecnologia atual, e proporcionam um caráter lúdico e dinâmico a apresentação. Logo, foi possível observar a percepção que os alunos tiveram em relacionar alguns dos conceitos apresentados com situações comuns do seu dia a dia, reconhecendo que a ciência esta aplicada de maneira efetiva em suas vidas.
Projeto de robô hidráulico para o ensino dos conceitos de hidrostática em aulas exploratória
Authors: De Souza Neyson Ferreira , Granhen Edney Ramos
Published: January 2017

Apresentamos o resultado do estudo exploratório sobre a construção de robô hidráulico afim de se promover uma aprendizagem significativa, sobre conceitos de hidrostática, ao alunos do primeiro ano do ensino médio. As atividades experimentais, sejam em laboratório ou em sala de aula, são ferramentas importantes que ajudam na compreensão dos fenômenos físicos. O projeto de construção de robô hidráulico foi aplicado em três turmas do primeiro ano do ensino médio no Centro de Ensino Luzia Aires Maranhão, na cidade de Carolina - Maranhão. A pesquisa foi realizada com 95 alunos em quatro etapas: na primeira, foi aplicado um questionário sobre conceitos de hidrostática com objetivo de avaliar os conhecimentos prévios dos alunos; na segunda foi ministrado o conteúdo, seguindo o seguinte planejamento; aula expositiva dialogada com aplicação de experimentos simples em sala de aula; na terceira a construção do robô hidráulico e para finalizar, na quarta etapa do trabalho revimos o questionário para se verificar o ganho na aprendizagem dos alunos. Com esse trabalho foi possível constatar que a atividade experimental em sala de aula é uma estratégia com grande potencial para desenvolver a aprendizagem significativa no ensino de Física contanto que seja feito um planejamento contemplando a participação dos discentes. Em nossa pesquisa utilizamos a teoria de aprendizagem significativa de David Ausubel.
O uso de simuladores via smartphone no ensino de física: O experimento de Oersted
Authors: Barbosa Cairo Dias , Gomes Luiz Moreira , Chagas Maria Liduina das , Ferreira Fernanda Carla Lima
Published: January 2017

Neste trabalho abordam-se aspectos teóricos de metodologias direcionadas para aplicação de simulações via smartphones voltadas para temas do Eletromagnetismo no Ensino Médio. Para atingir esse objetivo, são apresentadas propostas de como trabalhar através de smartphones o simulador “Oersted” desenvolvido pelo Sistema Brasileiro de Ensino S. A. (SBE) disponibilizado gratuitamente no Play Store.  Através do aplicativo é possível ao aluno interagir com a simulação de um dos experimentos mais importantes da Física, que promoveu a união entre a Eletricidade e o Magnetismo. Acredita-se que o uso de simulações através de smartphones no ensino, orientadas de forma pedagógica pode tornar estes aparelhos uma espécie de laboratório virtual portátil nas aulas de Física e ampliar as possibilidades de produzir ganhos na aprendizagem dos estudantes.
O uso de simuladores via smartphone no ensino de ciência como ferramenta pedagógica na abordagem de conteúdos contextualizados de física
Authors: Barbosa Cairo Dias , Soares Narciso Das Neves , Chagas Maria Liduina das , Ferreira Fernanda Carla Lima
Published: January 2017

Neste trabalho, discutiram-se metodologias voltadas para o uso de simuladores via smartphone no ensino de conceitos e fenômenos físicos estudados na disciplina de Ciências Naturais nas series finais do ensino fundamental, como exemplo, utilizamos temas de óptica. Muito professores enfrentam o problema do uso impróprio de celulares smartphones pelos alunos durante as aulas, pois os mesmos acabam sendo motivo de distração. Pensando nisso a proposta desse trabalho é expor exemplos de como utilizar esta tecnologia inovadora de forma pedagógica no ensino de Ciências através de simuladores interativos. Para isso foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica referente às teorias de aprendizagem e pesquisas voltadas para o uso destas tecnologias midiáticas no ensino. Objetivou-se assim, dar aos conteúdos de físicas abordados no ensino fundamental um caráter menos abstrato, assim como, proporcionar ao aluno um papel mais ativo e interativo no processo de ensino e aprendizagem.