bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of interface misfit strain on the movement and tilt angles of the domain wall in ferroelectric thin films
Authors: Guo Lili , Jiang Limei , Zhou Yichun
Published: September 2016

The effect of interface misfit strain on the movement and tilt angles of the domain wall in ferroelectric thin film is investigated with a multicoupling finite element model. Since this theoretical model is developed based on the phase field method and is solved using the finite element method, it can effectively predict the electromechanical coupling behavior of materials that have complicated boundary conditions. The simulated results demonstrate that the position, tilt angles, strain gradient and energy density of the domain wall can be modulated by misfit compressive strain at the interface of ferroelectric nanostructures. A larger interface misfit compressive strain will lead to the movement of domain wall towards the direction which allows the [Formula: see text] domain to possess a larger volume. The difference of the tilt angles of domain walls on both sides of the [Formula: see text] domain becomes larger as the interface misfit strain increases, implying a transition of the shape of the [Formula: see text] domain from parallelogram to wedge.
New method to forecast the optimum lateral size for mesa structure in superconductors
Authors: Çataltepe Özden Aslan
Published: September 2016

As is known, cuprate superconductors, which have intrinsic Josephson junctions, are used as terahertz sources. In this context, a great number of studies on the intensification of the plasma frequency in terahertz region are devoted to the fabrication of mesa structures in superconductors. It has been previously investigated by some researchers that the resonant state of cuprate superconductors enhances the power of the plasma frequency in terahertz range. As is known, the mercury-based superconductors exhibit three-dimensional Bose–Einstein condensations; hence the resonant state occurs in the sample. From this point of view, mesa structures, which are intrinsically formed in mercury cuprates, have been investigated to enhance the plasma frequency in this work. Also, I have found a physical relation between the lateral size and the Josephson penetration depth of the superconducting sample. Moreover, it has been found that at upper and the lateral size values with microdimension, the superconductors investigated behaves as a bulk in the context of the critical parameters. Furthermore, the method recommended in this study would make crucial contributions to technological applications on mesa structures in order to determine the convenient mesa size that prevents vesting time and energy for the fabrication.
Coupled Tsunami Simulations Based on a 2D Shallow-Water Equation-Based Finite Difference Method and 3D Incompressible Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics
Authors: Asai Mitsuteru , Miyagawa Yoshiya , Idris Nur’ain , Muhari Abdul , Imamura Fumihiko
Published: September 2016

In 2011, the tsunami generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake devastated infrastructure along the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan. In particular, the collapse of bridges resulted in much disruption to traffic, which led to delays in recovery after the disaster. We are developing a multi-scale and multi-physics tsunami disaster simulation tool to evaluate the safety and damage of infrastructure from huge tsunami. Multistage zooming tsunami analysis is one of the possible methods for implementing a high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) tsunami inundation simulation for a city. In this research, a virtual wave source that includes transition layers is proposed for a coupled simulation based on 3D particle simulation. The zooming analysis has been undertaken using the same particle method and a two-dimensional (2D) finite difference simulation. The 3D particle coupled simulation has been examined and validated.
Vagal stimulation targets select populations of intrinsic cardiac neurons to control neurally induced atrial fibrillation
Authors: Salavatian Siamak , Beaumont Eric , Longpré Jean-Philippe , Armour J. Andrew , Vinet Alain , Jacquemet Vincent , Shivkumar Kalyanam , Ardell Jeffrey L.
Published: September 2016

Mediastinal nerve stimulation (MNS) reproducibly evokes atrial fibrillation (AF) by excessive and heterogeneous activation of intrinsic cardiac (IC) neurons. This study evaluated whether preemptive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) impacts MNS-induced evoked changes in IC neural network activity to thereby alter susceptibility to AF. IC neuronal activity in the right atrial ganglionated plexus was directly recorded in anesthetized canines ( n = 8) using a linear microelectrode array concomitant with right atrial electrical activity in response to: 1) epicardial touch or great vessel occlusion vs. 2) stellate or vagal stimulation. From these stressors, post hoc analysis (based on the Skellam distribution) defined IC neurons so recorded as afferent, efferent, or convergent (afferent and efferent inputs) local circuit neurons (LCN). The capacity of right-sided MNS to modify IC activity in the induction of AF was determined before and after preemptive right (RCV)- vs. left (LCV)-sided VNS (15 Hz, 500 μs; 1.2× bradycardia threshold). Neuronal ( n = 89) activity at baseline (0.11 ± 0.29 Hz) increased during MNS-induced AF (0.51 ± 1.30 Hz; P < 0.001). Convergent LCNs were preferentially activated by MNS. Preemptive RCV reduced MNS-induced changes in LCN activity (by 70%) while mitigating MNS-induced AF (by 75%). Preemptive LCV reduced LCN activity by 60% while mitigating AF potential by 40%. IC neuronal synchrony increased during neurally induced AF, a local neural network response mitigated by preemptive VNS. These antiarrhythmic effects persisted post-VNS for, on average, 26 min. In conclusion, VNS preferentially targets convergent LCNs and their interactive coherence to mitigate the potential for neurally induced AF. The antiarrhythmic properties imposed by VNS exhibit memory.
TNF receptor signaling inhibits cardiomyogenic differentiation of cardiac stem cells and promotes a neuroadrenergic-like fate
Authors: Hamid Tariq , Xu Yuanyuan , Ismahil Mohamed Ameen , Li Qianhong , Jones Steven P. , Bhatnagar Aruni , Bolli Roberto , Prabhu Sumanth D.
Published: September 2016

Despite expansion of resident cardiac stem cells (CSCs; c-kit+Lin−) after myocardial infarction, endogenous repair processes are insufficient to prevent adverse cardiac remodeling and heart failure (HF). This suggests that the microenvironment in post-ischemic and failing hearts compromises CSC regenerative potential. Inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), are increased after infarction and in HF; whether they modulate CSC function is unknown. As the effects of TNF are specific to its two receptors (TNFRs), we tested the hypothesis that TNF differentially modulates CSC function in a TNFR-specific manner. CSCs were isolated from wild-type (WT), TNFR1−/−, and TNFR2−/− adult mouse hearts, expanded and evaluated for cell competence and differentiation in vitro in the absence and presence of TNF. Our results indicate that TNF signaling in murine CSCs is constitutively related primarily to TNFR1, with TNFR2 inducible after stress. TNFR1 signaling modestly diminished CSC proliferation, but, along with TNFR2, augmented CSC resistance to oxidant stress. Deficiency of either TNFR1 or TNFR2 did not impact CSC telomerase activity. Importantly, TNF, primarily via TNFR1, inhibited cardiomyogenic commitment during CSC differentiation, and instead promoted smooth muscle and endothelial fates. Moreover, TNF, via both TNFR1 and TNFR2, channeled an alternate CSC neuroadrenergic-like fate (capable of catecholamine synthesis) during differentiation. Our results suggest that elevated TNF in the heart restrains cardiomyocyte differentiation of resident CSCs and may enhance adrenergic activation, both effects that would reduce the effectiveness of endogenous cardiac repair and the response to exogenous stem cell therapy, while promoting adverse cardiac remodeling.

Listen to this article's corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/tnf-and-cardiac-stem-cell-differentiation/ .
Charged Particles Multiplicity and Scaling Violation of Fragmentation Functions in Electron-Positron Annihilation
Authors: Ghaffary Tooraj
Published: September 2016

By the use of data from the annihilation process of electron-positron in AMY detector at 60 GeV center of mass energy, charged particles multiplicity distribution is obtained and fitted with the KNO scaling. Then, momentum spectra of charged particles and momentum distribution with respect to the jet axis are obtained, and the results are compared to the different models of QCD; also, the distribution of fragmentation functions and scaling violations are studied. It is being expected that the scaling violations of the fragmentation functions of gluon jets are stronger than the quark ones. One of the reasons for such case is that splitting function of quarks is larger than splitting function of gluon.
Prospective Clinical Trial for Septic Arthritis: Cartilage Degradation and Inflammation Are Associated with Upregulation of Cartilage Metabolites
Authors: Schmal Hagen , Bernstein Anke , Feucht Matthias J. , Erdle Benjamin , Pestka Jan M. , Pham That Minh , Kubosch Eva Johanna
Published: September 2016

Background. Intra-articular infections can rapidly lead to osteoarthritic degradation. The aim of this clinical biomarker analysis was to investigate the influence of inflammation on cartilage destruction and metabolism.Methods. Patients with acute joint infections were enrolled in a prospective clinical trial and the cytokine composition of effusions (n=76) was analyzed. Characteristics of epidemiology and disease severity were correlated with levels of cytokines with known roles in cartilage turnover and degradation.Results. Higher synovial IL-1βconcentrations were associated with clinical parameters indicating a higher disease severity (p<0.03) excluding the incidence of sepsis. Additionally, intra-articular IL-1βlevels correlated with inflammatory serum parameters as leucocyte counts (LC) and C-reactive protein concentrations (p<0.05) but not with age or comorbidity. Both higher LC and synovial IL-1βlevels were associated with increased intra-articular collagen type II cleavage products (C2C) indicating cartilage degradation. Joints with preinfectious lesions had higher C2C levels. Intra-articular inflammation led to increased concentrations of typical cartilage metabolites as bFGF, BMP-2, and BMP-7. Infections withStaphylococcusspecies induced higher IL-1βexpression but less cartilage destruction than other bacteria.Conclusion. Articular infections have bacteria-specific implications on cartilage metabolism. Collagen type II cleavage products reliably mark destruction, which is associated with upregulation of typical cartilage turnover cytokines. This trial is registered withDRKS00003536, MISSinG.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Selected Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein Concentrations during an Ultramarathon Sled Dog Race
Authors: Brunke Matthew W. , Frye Christopher W. , Levine Corri B. , Hansen Cristina , Wakshlag Joseph J.
Published: September 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of running a 1000-mile (1600 km) endurance sled dog race on serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins 1 and 3 (IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3). Serum was examined from 12 sled dogs prior to the race, at midrace (approximately 690 km), and again at the finish. IGF-1, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-3 were assessed using radioimmunoassay or enzyme linked immune-absorbance assays. Mean prerace concentrations were significantly higher than midrace and end-race concentrations at 215.93 ± 80.51 ng/mL, 54.29 ± 25.45 ng/mL, and 55.53 ± 28.25 ng/mL, respectively (P<0.001). Mean IGFBP-1 concentrations were not different across these time periods at 24.1 ± 15.8 ng/mL, 25.7 ± 14.0 ng/mL, and 26.6 ± 17.6 ng/mL, respectively. IGFBP-3 concentrations showed a modest significant decrease across time periods at 3,067 ± 2,792 ng/mL, 2,626 ± 2,310 ng/mL, and 2,331 ± 2,301 ng/mL, respectively (P<0.01). Endurance sled dogs show a precipitous drop in serum IGF-1 concentrations. These differences may be related to fuel utilization and excessive negative energy balance associated with the loss of body condition during racing. The relative stability of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 suggests that IGF-1 anabolic signaling is diminished during ultramarathon racing. Further studies comparing the influence of time and duration of exercise versus negative energy balance on serum IGF-1 status are warranted to better understand exercise versus negative energy balance differences.
Using Commercial Enzymes to Produce Cellulose Nanofibers from Soybean Straw
Authors: Martelli-Tosi Milena , Torricillas Marcela da Silva , Martins Maria Alice , Assis Odílio Benedito Garrido de , Tapia-Blácido Delia Rita
Published: September 2016

This study used commercial enzymes to isolate cellulose nanofibrils (CN) and produce sugars from chemically pretreated soybean straw (SS) (stem, leaves, and pods) by alkali (NaOH 5 or 17.5% v/v at 90°C for 1 h or at 30°C for 15 h) and bleaching (NaClO23.3% or H2O24%) pretreatments. Depending on the pretreatment applied to the soybean straw, the yield of CN varied from 6.3 to 7.5 g of CN/100 g of SS regardless of the concentration of the alkaline solution (5 or 17.5%). The CN had diameter of 15 nm, measured over 300 nm in length, and had high electrical stability (zeta potentials ranged from −20.8 to −24.5). Given the XRD patterns, the crystallinity index (CrI) of CN ranged from 45 to 68%, depending on the chemical pretreatment the starting material was submitted to. CN obtained from SS treated with NaOH 17.5% and H2O2(CrI = 45%) displayed better thermal stability probably because a lignin-cellulose complex emerged. The soluble fraction obtained in the first step of CN production contained a large amount of reducing sugars (11.2 to 30.4 g/100 g of SS). SS seems to be a new promising industrial source to produce CN via enzymatic-mechanical treatment, leading to large amounts of reducing sugars for use in bioenergy production.
A High-Throughput Size Exclusion Chromatography Method to Determine the Molecular Size Distribution of Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine
Authors: Khan Imran , Rahman K. M. Taufiqur , Siraj S. M. Saad Us , Karim Mahbubul , Muktadir Abdul , Maheshwari Arpan , Kabir Md Azizul , Nahar Zebun , Ahasan Mohammad Mainul
Published: September 2016

Molecular size distribution of meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine is a readily identifiable parameter that directly correlates with the immunogenicity. In this paper, we report a size exclusion chromatography method to determine the molecular size distribution and distribution coefficient value of meningococcal polysaccharide serogroups A, C, W, and Y in meningococcal polysaccharide (ACWY) vaccines. The analyses were performed on a XK16/70 column packed with sepharose CL-4B with six different batches of Ingovax® ACWY, a meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine produced by Incepta Vaccine Ltd., Bangladesh. A quantitative rocket immunoelectrophoresis assay was employed to determine the polysaccharide contents of each serogroup. The calculated distribution coefficient values of serogroups A, C, W, and Y were found to be0.26±0.16,0.21±0.11,0.21±0.11, and0.14±0.12, respectively, and met the requirements of British Pharmacopeia. The method was proved to be robust for determining the distribution coefficient values which is an obligatory requirement for vaccine lot release.
Fuzzy Logic Based Control for Autonomous Mobile Robot Navigation
Authors: Omrane Hajer , Masmoudi Mohamed Slim , Masmoudi Mohamed
Published: September 2016

This paper describes the design and the implementation of a trajectory tracking controller using fuzzy logic for mobile robot to navigate in indoor environments. Most of the previous works used two independent controllers for navigation and avoiding obstacles. The main contribution of the paper can be summarized in the fact that we use only one fuzzy controller for navigation and obstacle avoidance. The used mobile robot is equipped with DC motor, nine infrared range (IR) sensors to measure the distance to obstacles, and two optical encoders to provide the actual position and speeds. To evaluate the performances of the intelligent navigation algorithms, different trajectories are used and simulated using MATLAB software and SIMIAM navigation platform. Simulation results show the performances of the intelligent navigation algorithms in terms of simulation times and travelled path.
Ovarian Cancer Chemoresistance Relies on the Stem Cell Reprogramming Factor PBX1
Authors: Jung Jin-Gyoung , Shih Ie-Ming , Park Joon Tae , Gerry Emily , Kim Tae Hoen , Ayhan Ayse , Handschuh Karen , Davidson Ben , Fader Amanda N. , Selleri Licia , Wang Tian-Li
Published: September 2016

The evolution of chemoresistance is a fundamental characteristic of cancer that ultimately hampers its clinical management. However, it may be possible to improve patient outcomes significantly by a better understanding of resistance mechanisms, which cancers rely upon during the evolution to an untreatable state. Here we report an essential role of the stem cell reprogramming factor, PBX1, in mediating chemoresistance in ovarian carcinomas. In the clinical setting, high levels of PBX1 expression correlated with shorter survival in post-chemotherapy ovarian cancer patients. In tumor cells with low endogenous levels of PBX1, its enforced expression promoted cancer stem cell-like phenotypes, including most notably an increase in resistance to platinum-based therapy used most commonly for treating this disease. Conversely, silencing PBX1 in platinum-resistant cells that overexpressed PBX1 sensitized them to platinum treatment and reduced their stem-like properties. An analysis of published genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation data indicated that PBX1 binds directly to promoters of genes involved in stem cell maintenance and the response to tissue injury. We confirmed direct regulation of one of these genes, STAT3, demonstrating that the PBX1 binding motif at its promoter acted to positively regulate STAT3 transcription. We further demonstrated that a STAT3/JAK2 inhibitor could potently sensitize platinum-resistant cells to carboplatin and suppress their growth in vivo. Our findings offer a mechanistic rationale to target the PBX1/STAT3 axis to antagonize a key mechanism of chemoresistance in ovarian cancers and possibly other human cancers. Cancer Res; 76(21); 6351–61. ©2016 AACR.
Neddylation E2 UBE2F Promotes the Survival of Lung Cancer Cells by Activating CRL5 to Degrade NOXA via the K11 Linkage
Authors: Zhou Weihua , Xu Jie , Li Haomin , Xu Ming , Chen Zhijian J. , Wei Wenyi , Pan Zhenqiang , Sun Yi
Published: September 2016

Purpose: Recent studies have shown that the process of protein neddylation was abnormally activated in several human cancers. However, it is unknown whether and how UBE2F, a less characterized neddylation E2, regulates lung cancer cell survival, and whether and how NOXA, a proapoptotic protein, is ubiquitylated and degraded by which E3 and via which ubiquitin linkage.

Experimental Design: Methods of immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were utilized to examine UBE2F protein expression. The biological functions of UBE2F were evaluated by in vitro cell culture and in vivo xenograft models. The in vivo complex formation among UBE2F-SAG-CUL5-NOXA was measured by a pulldown assay. Polyubiquitylation of NOXA was evaluated by in vivo and in vitro ubiquitylation assays.

Results: UBE2F is overexpressed in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and predicts poor patient survival. While UBE2F overexpression promotes lung cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo, UBE2F knockdown selectively inhibits tumor growth. By promoting CUL5 neddylation, UBE2F/SAG/CUL5 tri-complex activates CRL5 (Cullin-RING-ligase-5) to ubiquitylate NOXA via a novel K11, but not K48, linkage for targeted proteasomal degradation. CRL5 inactivation or forced expression of K11R ubiquitin mutant caused NOXA accumulation to induce apoptosis, which is rescued by NOXA knockdown. Notably, NOXA knockdown rescues the UBE2F silencing effect, indicating a causal role of NOXA in this process. In lung cancer tissues, high levels of UBE2F and CUL5 correlate with a low level of NOXA and poor patient survival.

Conclusions: By ubiquitylating and degrading NOXA through activating CRL5, UBE2F selectively promotes lung cancer cell survival and could, therefore, serve as a novel cancer target. Clin Cancer Res; 23(4); 1104–16. ©2016 AACR.
Expression of JAK3 Sensitive Na+ Coupled Glucose Carrier SGLT1 in Activated Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
Authors: Bhavsar Shefalee K. , Singh Yogesh , Sharma Piyush , Khairnar Vishal , Hosseinzadeh Zohreh , Zhang Shaqiu , Palmada Monica , Sabolic Ivan , Koepsell Hermann , Lang Karl S. , Lang Philipp A. , Lang Florian
Published: September 2016

Background: Similar to tumor cells, activated T-lymphocytes generate ATP mainly by glycolytic degradation of glucose. Lymphocyte glucose uptake involves non-concentrative glucose carriers of the GLUT family. In contrast to GLUT isoforms, Na+-coupled glucose-carrier SGLT1 accumulates glucose against glucose gradients and is effective at low extracellular glucose concentrations. The present study explored expression and regulation of SGLT1 in activated murine splenic cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) and human Jurkat T cells. Methods: FACS analysis, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, chemiluminescence and Western blotting were employed to estimate SGLT1 expression, function and regulation in lymphocytes, as well as dual electrode voltage clamp in SGLT1 ± JAK3 expressing Xenopus oocytes to quantify the effect of janus kinase3 (JAK3) on SGLT1 function. Results: SGLT1 is expressed in murine CTLs and also in human Jurkat T cells. 2-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino)-2-deoxyglucose uptake was significantly decreased by SGLT1-blocker phloridzin (0.2 mM) and by pharmacological inhibition of JAK3 with WHI-P131 (156 µM), WHI-P154 (11.2 µM) and JAK3 inhibitor VI (0.5 µM). Electrogenic glucose transport (Iglucose) in Xenopus oocytes expressing human SGLT1 was increased by additional expression of human wild type JAK3, active A568VJAK3 but not inactive K851AJAK3. Coexpression of JAK3 enhanced the maximal transport rate without significantly modifying affinity of the carrier. Iglucose in SGLT1+JAK3 expressing oocytes was significantly decreased by WHI-P154 (11.2 µM). JAK3 increased the SGLT1 protein abundance in the cell membrane. Inhibition of carrier insertion by brefeldin A (5 µM) in SGLT1+JAK3 expressing oocytes resulted in a decline of Iglucose, which was similar in presence and absence of JAK3. Conclusions: SGLT1 is expressed in murine cytotoxic T cells and human Jurkat T cells and significantly contributes to glucose uptake in those cells post activation. JAK3 up-regulates SGLT1 activity by increasing the carrier protein abundance in the cell membrane, an effect enforcing cellular glucose uptake into activated lymphocytes and thus contributing to the immune response.
Sedation for Bronchoscopy and Complications in Obese Patients
Authors: Khan Irtaza , Chatterjee Arjun B. , Bellinger Christina R. , Haponik Edward
Published: September 2016

Background: Bronchoscopy is a safe and minimally invasive diagnostic tool, but no studies have reported prospectively on sedation and outcomes in patients with objectively defined obesity. Objectives: The purpose of the study is to determine if obese patients require more sedation or had more procedural complications during bronchoscopy under moderate sedation than non-obese patients. Methods: We evaluated complications and sedation requirements in non-obese versus obese patients, defined by multiple criteria including body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, abdominal height, and Mallampati scores. Results: Data were collected prospectively in 258 patients undergoing bronchoscopy under moderate sedation. By varying criteria, there were the following proportions of obese patients: 30% by BMI >30, 39% by neck circumference >40 cm, and 35% by abdominal height >22 cm in males and >20 cm in females. Sedative and analgesic dosing was not clinically significantly higher in obese patients than in non-obese patients. There was no difference in complications or procedural success based on obesity criteria. Hemoglobin oxygen desaturations occurred more often during bronchoscopy in patients with increasing Mallampati scores (p = 0.04), but this had no effect on bronchoscopy time or successful completion of the procedure. A subset of patients with previous polysomnogram-proven obstructive sleep apnea were more likely to have earlier termination of their procedure (15.8%) than patients with no diagnosed sleep apnea (2.3%; p = 0.002). Conclusion: In this prospective assessment of patients with obesity, we found neither clinically significant differences in sedation needs nor increases in complications in obese versus non-obese patients using a variety of indices of obesity.
Ethnic Disparities in Dental Caries among Six-Year-Old Children in the Netherlands
Authors: van der Tas Justin T. , Kragt Lea , Veerkamp Jaap J.S. , Jaddoe Vincent W.V. , Moll Henriette A. , Ongkosuwito Edwin M. , Elfrink Marlies E.C. , Wolvius Eppo B.
Published: September 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in caries prevalence of children from ethnic minority groups compared to native Dutch children and the influence of socio-economic status (SES) and parent-reported oral health behaviour on this association. The study had a cross-sectional design, embedded in a population-based prospective multi-ethnic cohort study. 4,306 children with information on caries experience, belonging to 7 different ethnic groups, participated in this study. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index was assessed at the age of 6 and categorized in two ways for analysis: children without caries (dmft = 0) versus any caries experience (dmft >0) and children without caries (dmft = 0) versus children with mild caries (dmft = 1-3) or severe caries (dmft >3). Compared to native Dutch children, children with a Surinamese-Hindustani, Surinamese-Creole, Turkish, Moroccan, and Cape Verdean background had significantly higher odds for dental caries. Especially the Surinamese-Hindustani, Turkish, and Moroccan group had significantly higher odds for severe dental caries. Household income and educational level of the mother explained up to 43% of the association between ethnicity and dental caries, whereas parent-reported oral health behaviour did not mediate the association. Alarming disparities in caries prevalence between different ethnic (minority) groups exist, which cannot be fully explained by social inequalities. Public health strategies can apply this new knowledge and specifically focus on the reduction of ethnic disparities in oral health. More research is needed to explain the high caries prevalence among different ethnic minority groups.
Increased CD69 Expression on Peripheral Eosinophils from Patients with Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome
Authors: Wada Taizo , Matsuda Yusuke , Toma Tomoko , Koizumi Eiko , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Yachie Akihiro
Published: September 2016

Background: Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is an uncommon, non-IgE-mediated food allergy. We recently described a significant increase in fecal eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) after ingestion of the causative food. However, little is known about the activation status of circulating eosinophils in patients with an acute FPIES reaction. Methods: Surface CD69 expression was assessed by flow cytometry on peripheral eosinophils from 5 patients with FPIES before and after ingestion of the causative food. Fecal EDN was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: No eosinophil activation was observed before ingestion; however, a significant increase in CD69 expression on eosinophils after an acute FIPES reaction was demonstrated in all of the patients. There was no significant change in absolute eosinophil counts in the peripheral blood. The levels of fecal EDN increased on the day after ingestion of the causative food in all patients. Conclusion: These results suggest that circulating eosinophils as well as eosinophils in the intestinal mucosal tissue are activated in acute FPIES reactions and might be associated with systemic immune events in FPIES.
The Influence of Growth Hormone Treatment on Glucose Homeostasis in GrowthHormone-Deficient Children: A Six-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Baronio Federico , Mazzanti Laura , Girtler Ylenia , Tamburrino Federica , Fazzi Anisia , Lupi Fiorenzo , Longhi Silvia , Radetti Giorgio
Published: September 2016

Background: Growth hormone (GH) influences glucose homeostasis by negatively affecting insulin sensitivity, leading to a compensatory increase in insulin secretion. It has recently been reported, in animals and humans, that GH might also stimulate insulin secretion by directly affecting the growth and function of pancreatic β-cells. The aim of this work was to longitudinally study the insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S), insulin secretion [insulinogenic index (IGI)] and capacity of β-cells to adapt to changes in insulin sensitivity [oral disposition index (ODI)] in GH-deficient (GHD) children under GH treatment. Methods: We studied 99 GHD (62 male, 37 female; age 8.9 ± 3.5 years) children for a median period of 6 years (range 1.5-16.2). Every year, our patients underwent an oral glucose tolerance test, which was used to calculate the HOMA-S, IGI and ODI. Results: Although HOMA-S remained unchanged, an increase in IGI and ODI was observed, becoming significant after 6 years of treatment (1.25 ± 1.28 vs. 2.35 ± 2.38, p < 0.05 and 0.57 ± 0.68 vs. 1.50 ± 1.92, p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Our results suggest a positive influence of GH treatment on the β-cell secretory capacity in children with GH deficiency.
Personalized Medicine for Chronic Respiratory Infectious Diseases: Tuberculosis, Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Diseases, and Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Salzer Helmut J.F. , Wassilew Nasstasja , Köhler Niklas , Olaru Ioana D. , Günther Gunar , Herzmann Christian , Kalsdorf Barbara , Sanchez-Carballo Patricia , Terhalle Elena , Rolling Thierry , Lange Christoph , Heyckendorf Jan
Published: September 2016

Chronic respiratory infectious diseases are causing high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Tuberculosis, a major cause of chronic pulmonary infection, is currently responsible for approximately 1.5 million deaths per year. Although important advances in the fight against tuberculosis have been made, the progress towards eradication of this disease is being challenged by the dramatic increase in multidrug-resistant bacilli. Nontuberculous mycobacteria causing pulmonary disease and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis are emerging infectious diseases. In contrast to other infectious diseases, chronic respiratory infections share the trait of having highly variable treatment outcomes despite longstanding antimicrobial therapy. Recent scientific progress indicates that medicine is presently at a transition stage from programmatic to personalized management. We explain current state-of-the-art management concepts of chronic pulmonary infectious diseases as well as the underlying methods for therapeutic decisions and their implications for personalized medicine. Furthermore, we describe promising biomarkers and techniques with the potential to serve future individual treatment concepts in this field of difficult-to-treat patients. These include candidate markers to improve individual risk assessment for disease development, the design of tailor-made drug therapy regimens, and individualized biomarker-guided therapy duration to achieve relapse-free cure. In addition, the use of therapeutic drug monitoring to reach optimal drug dosing with the smallest rate of adverse events as well as candidate agents for future host-directed therapies are described. Taken together, personalized medicine will provide opportunities to substantially improve the management and treatment outcome of difficult-to-treat patients with chronic respiratory infections.
Novel Technique for Contained Power Morcellation through Umbilicus with Insufflated Bag
Authors: Leal Maria A. , Piñera Antonio , De Santiago Javier , Zapardiel Ignacio
Published: September 2016

In April 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration published a safety communication warning of the risk of an unsuspected uterine sarcoma being morcellated during a laparoscopic procedure and therefore advising against the use of power morcellation. These statements have encouraged the scientific community to look for new techniques that allows performing this procedure in a safer way, decreasing the risk of malignant dissemination thorough the abdominal cavity. We describe a new technique for power morcellation using a plastic bag through umbilicus using a latex glove and skin retractor as a single port device. This new procedure was performed in 4 women diagnosed with myomatous uterus. Median age was 40.5 years. No intraoperative complications, conversion to laparotomy or bag rupture occurred. Median surgical time was 195 min and median morcellation time was 48 min. Median in-hospital stay was 4.5 days. This new technique could be an acceptable and feasible alternative for specimen delivery during laparoscopic hysterectomy and myomectomy. However, it is still necessary to increase the number of procedures to assess its safety in case of uterine sarcoma. The video and supplemental contents demonstrate the safety and feasibility of the technique.
Bronchiectasis due to an Ectopic Right Pulmonary Artery and Compression of the Superior Vena Cava between an Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Enlarged Right Pulmonary Artery
Authors: Ogul Hayri , Kantarci Mecit
Published: September 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to report multidetector computed tomography (CT) imaging findings relating to segmental pulmonary arterial ectasia (PAE), which is a very rare vascular condition. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 70-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath and increased production of purulent sputum. Chest CT angiography revealed bronchiectasis secondary to compression of the anterior segment bronchus of the right upper lobe because of a segmental PAE. She also had compression of the superior vena cava between an ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm and an ectopic enlarged right pulmonary artery. Conventional right upper lobectomy and angioplasty were planned, but the patient refused surgical therapy. Conclusion: This report shows the importance of CT angiography in a case that involved an unusual coincidence of segmental PAE and ascending aortic aneurysm.
Natural variation in brain gene expression profiles of aggressive and nonaggressive individual sticklebacks
Authors: Bell Alison M. , Bukhari Syed Abbas , Sanogo Yibayiri Osee
Published: September 2016

Within many species, some individuals are consistently more aggressive than others. We examine whether there are differences in brain gene expression between aggressive versus nonaggressive behavioural types of individuals within a natural population of male three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus). We compared gene expression profiles of aggressive male sticklebacks to nonaggressive males in four regions of the brain (brainstem, cerebellum, diencephalon and telencephalon). Relatively few genes were differentially expressed between behavioural types in telencephalon, cerebellum and diencephalon, but hundreds of genes were differentially expressed in brainstem, a brain area involved in detecting threats. Six genes that were differentially expressed in response to a territorial intrusion in a previous study were also differentially expressed between behavioural types in this study, implying primarily non-shared but some shared molecular mechanisms. Our findings offer new insights into the molecular causes and correlates of behavioural plasticity and individual variation in behaviour.
HPI reactivity does not reflect changes in personality among trout introduced to bold or shy social groups
Authors: Thomson Jack S. , Watts Phillip C. , Pottinger Tom G. , Sneddon Lynne U.
Published: September 2016

Physiological stress responses often correlate with personalities (e.g., boldness). However, this relationship can become decoupled, although the mechanisms underlying changes in this relationship are poorly understood. Here we quantify (1) how an individual’s boldness (response to novel objects) in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss, changes in response to interactions with a population of either bold or shy conspecifics and we (2) measured associated post-stress cortisol levels. Initially-bold trout became shyer regardless of group composition, whereas shy trout remained shy demonstrating that bold individuals are more plastic. Stress-induced plasma cortisol reflected the original personality of fish but not the personality induced by the treatment, irrespective of population personality. Change in boldness of bold trout may indicate preference towards initially subordinate behaviour when joining a new population. However, here we provide further evidence that behavioural and physiological parameters of coping styles may become uncoupled whereby behavioural changes are not correlated with stress responsiveness.
Geography, Joint Choices, and the Reproduction of Gender Inequality
Authors: Sorenson Olav , Dahl Michael S.
Published: September 2016

We examine the extent to which the gender wage gap stems from dual-earner couples jointly choosing where to live. If couples locate in places better suited for the man’s employment than for the woman’s, the resulting mismatch of women to employers will depress women’s wages. Examining data from Denmark, our analyses indicate that (1) Danish couples choose locations with higher expected wages for the man than for the woman, (2) the better matching of men in couples to local employers could account for up to 36 percent of the gender wage gap, and (3) the greatest asymmetry in the apparent importance of the man’s versus the woman’s potential earnings occurred among couples with young children and where the male partner accounted for a larger share of household income before the potential move.
From “Different” to “Similar”
Authors: Schachter Ariela
Published: September 2016

Assimilation is theorized as a multi-stage process where the structural mobility of immigrants and their descendants ultimately leads to established and immigrant-origin populations developing a subjective sense of social similarity with one another, an outcome I term symbolic belonging. Yet existing work offers little systematic evidence as to whether and how immigrants’ gains—in terms of language ability, socioeconomic status, neighborhood integration, or intermarriage—cause changes in the perceptions of the native-born U.S. population. I use a nationally representative conjoint survey experiment to explore whether and how immigrants’ mobility gains shape native-born white citizens’ perceptions of symbolic belonging. I find that white natives are generally open to structural relationships with immigrant-origin individuals (e.g., friends and neighbors), with the exception of black immigrants and natives, and undocumented immigrants. Yet, white Americans simultaneously view all non-white people, regardless of legal status, as dissimilar and far from achieving symbolic belonging in U.S. society. The results offer optimism about the potential structural mobility of legal immigrants and their descendants, yet simultaneously suggest that explicitly racialized lines of division remain just below the surface.
Adolescents under Pressure
Authors: Mueller Anna S. , Abrutyn Seth
Published: September 2016

Despite the profound impact Durkheim’s Suicide has had on the social sciences, several enduring issues limit the utility of his insights. With this study, we offer a new Durkheimian framework for understanding suicide that addresses these problems. We seek to understand how high levels of integration and regulation may shape suicide in modern societies. We draw on an in-depth, qualitative case study ( N = 110) of a cohesive community with a serious adolescent suicide problem to demonstrate the utility of our approach. Our case study illustrates how the lives of adolescents in this highly integrated community are intensely regulated by the local culture, which emphasizes academic achievement. Additionally, the town’s cohesive social networks facilitate the spread of information, amplify the visibility of actions and attitudes, and increase the potential for swift sanctions. This combination of cultural and structural factors generates intense emotional reactions to the prospect of failure among adolescents and an unwillingness to seek psychological help for adolescents’ mental health problems among both parents and youth. Ultimately, this case illustrates (1) how high levels of integration and regulation within a social group can render individuals vulnerable to suicide and (2) how sociological research can provide meaningful and unique insights into suicide prevention.
Children’s after-school physical activity participation in Hong Kong: Does family socioeconomic status matter?
Authors: Cheung Peggy PY
Published: September 2016

Objective:

This study aimed to examine the association between parental socioeconomic status (SES) and children’s physical activity (PA) behaviour during after-school hours.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

Participants included 663 schoolchildren (aged between 10 and 13 years) and their parents from nine primary schools in Hong Kong. Parental SES status and the after-school PA levels of children were assessed using self-administered questionnaires. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine the association between parents’ education and income level and the type of activities in which children participated during after-school hours.

Results:

Results indicated that children with mother in the higher education group engaged in fewer time blocks of sports-type activity (high = 0.72 time blocks; medium = 1.04 time blocks; low = 1.17 time blocks). Compared with their counterparts, children with mothers in the higher income group were more engaged in sedentary activity (high = 5.33 time blocks; medium = 5.02 time blocks; low = 4.73 time blocks) within the eight 30-minute time blocks during after-school hours.

Conclusion:

The study describes how parental SES influences children’s after-school PA participation and highlights the importance of including a family perspective when designing a PA promotion programme targeting after-school hours.
SMS for sexual health: A comparison of service types and recommendations for sexual health text message service providers
Authors: Willoughby Jessica Fitts , Muldrow Adrienne
Published: September 2016

Objectives:

Text message–based interventions may provide sexual health information to young people through a number of service types, from sending information on a regularly scheduled timeline, to providing an automated menu, to allowing young people to connect directly with health educators. While such service types exist, it is not clear which features young adults feel are most effective at allowing them to engage with sexual health information.

Design:

This study used a mixed-methods design (survey and focus groups) to assess perceptions of three types of sexual health text message services with young adults, a population particularly at risk of negative sexual health outcomes.

Setting:

College students from the US Pacific Northwest participated in the project.

Method:

Participants heard about three sexual health text message services, completed questionnaires and discussed each type. Focus groups were gender-separated.

Results:

Participants reported that services that allowed them to connect with a health educator would be highly useful, but automated services would be beneficial in bringing new topics to their attention. Participants perceived the purpose of the service types as different and felt each could be a useful resource, depending on the situation. Regardless of service type, participants wanted to personalise their experience. Participants wanted messages tailored to them and options to interact with the systems, from influencing topic selection to message timing.

Conclusion:

Each of the service types can be useful for young adults. Young adults perceive services that provide the opportunity to tailor information and interact with the system as beneficial.
The Automation-by-Expertise-by-Training Interaction
Authors: Strauch Barry
Published: September 2016

Objective:

I introduce the automation-by-expertise-by-training interaction in automated systems and discuss its influence on operator performance.

Background:

Transportation accidents that, across a 30-year interval demonstrated identical automation-related operator errors, suggest a need to reexamine traditional views of automation.

Method:

I review accident investigation reports, regulator studies, and literature on human computer interaction, expertise, and training and discuss how failing to attend to the interaction of automation, expertise level, and training has enabled operators to commit identical automation-related errors.

Results:

Automated systems continue to provide capabilities exceeding operators’ need for effective system operation and provide interfaces that can hinder, rather than enhance, operator automation-related situation awareness. Because of limitations in time and resources, training programs do not provide operators the expertise needed to effectively operate these automated systems, requiring them to obtain the expertise ad hoc during system operations. As a result, many do not acquire necessary automation-related system expertise.

Conclusion:

Integrating automation with expected operator expertise levels, and within training programs that provide operators the necessary automation expertise, can reduce opportunities for automation-related operator errors.

Application:

Research to address the automation-by-expertise-by-training interaction is needed. However, such research must meet challenges inherent to examining realistic sociotechnical system automation features with representative samples of operators, perhaps by using observational and ethnographic research. Research in this domain should improve the integration of design and training and, it is hoped, enhance operator performance.
Gender Diversity on U.S. Corporate Boards
Authors: Tinsley Catherine H. , Wade James B. , Main Brian G. M. , O’Reilly Charles A.
Published: September 2016

Despite rhetoric supporting the advancement of women on corporate boards, meager evidence supports significant progress over the past decade in the United States. The authors examine archival board data (for more than 3,000 U.S. publicly traded firms) from 2002 to 2011 and find that a female is most likely to be appointed to a corporate board when a woman has just exited the position. A similar propensity occurs to reappoint a male when a man leaves, although the effect is smaller than for women. The authors argue that this “gender-matching heuristic” can impede progress in attaining gender diversity, regardless of intention, because it emphasizes the replacement of existing women rather than changing board composition. The authors replicate this effect in follow-up laboratory studies and show that “what works” to increase the representation of women on boards, irrespective of gender matching, is to increase the number of women in the candidate pool.