bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The HAT TRICK programme for improving physical activity, healthy eating and connectedness among overweight, inactive men: study protocol of a pragmatic feasibility trial
Authors: Caperchione Cristina M , Bottorff Joan L , Oliffe John L , Johnson Steven T , Hunt Kate , Sharp Paul , Fitzpatrick Kayla M , Price Ryley , Goldenberg S Larry
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Physical activity, healthy eating and maintaining a healthy weight are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer and with improved mental health. Despite these benefits, many men do not meet recommended physical activity guidelines and have poor eating behaviours. Many health promotion programmes hold little appeal to men and consequently fail to influence men’s health practices. HAT TRICK was designed as a 12-week face-to-face, gender-sensitised intervention for overweight and inactive men focusing on physical activity, healthy eating and social connectedness and was delivered in collaboration with a major junior Canadian ice hockey team (age range 16–20 years). The programme was implemented and evaluated to assess its feasibility. This article describes the intervention design and study protocol of HAT TRICK.

Methods and analysis

HAT TRICK participants (n=60) were men age 35 years, residing in the Okanagan Region of British Columbia, who accumulate 150 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week, with a body mass index of >25 kg/m2and a pant waist size of >38’. Each 90 min weekly session included targeted health education and theory-guided behavioural change techniques, as well as a progressive (ie, an increase in duration and intensity) group physical activity component. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, 12 weeks and 9 months and included the following: objectively measured anthropometrics, blood pressure, heart rate, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, as well as self-reported physical activity, sedentary behaviour, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, sleep habits, risk of depression, health-related quality of life and social connectedness. Programme feasibility data (eg, recruitment, satisfaction, adherence, content delivery) were assessed at 12 weeks via interviews and self-report.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the University of British Columbia Okanagan Behavioural Research Ethics Board (reference no H1600736). Study findings will be disseminated through academic meetings, peer-reviewed publication, web-based podcasts, social media, plain language summaries and co-delivered community presentations.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN43361357,Pre results
Factors associated with mortality due to neonatal pneumonia in India: a protocol for systematic review and planned meta-analysis
Authors: Nair N Sreekumaran , Lewis Leslie Edward , Lakiang Theophilus , Godinho Myron , Murthy Shruti , Venkatesh Bhumika T
Published: September 2017

Introduction

India contributes to the highest number of neonatal deaths globally. It also has the greatest number of pneumonia-related neonatal deaths in the developing world. We aim to systematically review the evidence for the factors associated with mortality due to neonatal pneumonia in the Indian context, to address the lack of consolidated evidence on this important issue.

Methods and analysis

This protocol is part of a series of three reviews on neonatal pneumonia in India. Observational studies reporting on outcome of neonatal pneumonia in the Indian context, and published in English in peer-reviewed and indexed journals will be eligible for inclusion. Outcomes of this review will be the factors determining mortality due to neonatal pneumonia. A total of nine databases will be searched. Electronic and hand searching of published and grey literature will be performed. Selection of studies will be done in title, abstract and full text screening stages. Risk of bias, independently assessed by two authors, will be evaluated. Meta-analysis will be performed and heterogeneity assessed. Pooled effect estimates will be stated with 95% confidence intervals. Narrative synthesis will be done where meta-analysis cannot be performed. Publication bias will be evaluated and sensitivity analysis performed according to study quality. Quality of this review will be evaluated using AMSTAR (Assessing the Methodological quality of Systematic Reviews) and GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development & Evaluation). A summary of findings table will be reported using GRADEPro.

Ethics and dissemination

Since this is a review involving analysis of secondary data which is available in the public domain, and does not involve human participants, ethical approval was not required. The findings of the study will be shared with all stakeholders of this research. Knowledge dissemination workshops will be conducted with relevant stakeholders to transfer the evidence, tailored to the stakeholder (eg, policy briefs, publications, information booklets, etc).
Digital technology to facilitate Proactive Assessment of Obesity Risk during Infancy (ProAsk): a feasibility study
Authors: Redsell Sarah A , Rose Jennie , Weng Stephen , Ablewhite Joanne , Swift Judy Anne , Siriwardena Aloysius Niroshan , Nathan Dilip , Wharrad Heather J , Atkinson Pippa , Watson Vicki , McMaster Fiona , Lakshman Rajalakshmi , Glazebrook Cris
Published: September 2017

Objective

To assess the feasibility and acceptability of using digital technology for Proactive Assessment of Obesity Risk during Infancy (ProAsk) with the UK health visitors (HVs) and parents.

Design

Multicentre, pre- and post-intervention feasibility study with process evaluation.

Setting

Rural and urban deprived settings, UK community care.

Participants

66 parents of infants and 22 HVs.

Intervention

ProAsk was delivered on a tablet device. It comprises a validated risk prediction tool to quantify overweight risk status and a therapeutic wheel detailing motivational strategies for preventive parental behaviour. Parents were encouraged to agree goals for behaviour change with HVs who received motivational interviewing training.

Outcome measures

We assessed recruitment, response and attrition rates. Demographic details were collected, and overweight risk status. The proposed primary outcome measure was weight-for-age z-score. The proposed secondary outcomes were parenting self-efficacy, maternal feeding style, infant diet and exposure to physical activity/sedentary behaviour. Qualitative interviews ascertained the acceptability of study processes and intervention fidelity.

Results

HVs screened 324/589 infants for inclusion in the study and 66/226 (29%) eligible infants were recruited. Assessment of overweight risk was completed on 53 infants and 40% of these were identified as above population risk. Weight-for-age z-score (SD) between the infants at population risk and those above population risk differed significantly at baseline (−0.67 SD vs 0.32 SD). HVs were able to collect data and calculate overweight risk for the infants. Protocol adherence and intervention fidelity was a challenge. HVs and parents found the information provided in the therapeutic wheel appropriate and acceptable.

Conclusion

Study recruitment and protocol adherence were problematic. ProAsk was acceptable to most parents and HVs, but intervention fidelity was low. There was limited evidence to support the feasibility of implementing ProAsk without significant additional resources. A future study could evaluate ProAsk as a HV-supported, parent-led intervention.

Trial registration number

NCT02314494 (Feasibility Study Results)
Sharp instrument injuries among hospital healthcare workers in mainland China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Huang Sheng-Li , Lu Qun , Fan Shan-Hong , Zong Zhi-Yong , Hou Tie-Ying , Chen Bai-Yi , Qin Jin-Ai , Suo Yao , Gao Xiao-Dong , Wang Ning-Ning
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of sharp instrument injuries in hospital-based healthcare workers (HCWs) in mainland China and the contributing factors.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

The data were derived from public hospitals.

Participants

A total of 360 hospitals were recruited in the study, including 289 general hospitals and 71 specialised hospitals. Among them, 194 are tertiary-level hospitals and 166 are secondary level. The study population finally consisted of 223 149 hospital HCWs.

Primary outcome measures

A questionnaire was designed based on the aim of the study. Profession of HCWs, workplace, circumstance and medical apparatus and instrument were covered in the survey. HCWs completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding details of sharp instrument injuries within the previous month. Prevalence estimates for the injuries were calculated for the overall HCWs and for subgroups according to profession, workplace, circumstance or instrument.

Results

Within the included HCWs, the prevalence of sharp instrument injuries was 0.08 per person-month. Only 4.6% of the HCWs reported to their hospitals after injury. The highest number of injuries occurred in nursing staff (10.3%). Injuries took place most frequently on general wards (44.5%). The circumstances that involved most frequent injuries include surgical needle insertion, removing an arteriovenous needle from a patient and recapping the needle. Single-use syringe caused more injuries incidents than other instruments.

Conclusions

These results indicate that sharp instrument injuries have become a major occupational problem of HCWs in mainland China. Attentions need to be paid to the issue and strategies for preventing such injuries are needed.
Better patient safety: implementing exploration and exploitation learning in daily medical practice
Authors: Kobo Greenhut Ayala , Magnezi Racheli , Ben Shlomo Izhar
Published: September 2017

Background

Current medical daily practice relies on guidelines, protocols and procedures (GPPs), which require exploitation. However, diagnosis, treatment, risk management and process improvements require exploration. Physician are often unable to switch between exploitation and exploration. This study tested a new approach to facilitate switching that included (1) a new ‘thinking protocol’ that encouraged leaping from exploitation to exploration and (2) a GPP that encouraged leaping from exploration to exploitation.

Method

Two hundred students were divided into four groups. The groups received a set of tasks that required switching between exploitation and exploration. Three groups received the thinking protocol, the GPP, or both, and the fourth group served as control.

Results

With each additional task, all groups increased exploitative tendency(p<0.0001). The two groups with the thinking protocol leaped from exploitation to exploration (p<0.0001); the other two groups remained in exploitation (p=0.1173, p=0.0758). For the groups that employed exploration learning, the group that received the GPP switched back to exploitation (p<0.0001), but the other group remained in exploration (p=0.2363).

Conclusion

Despite the importance of timely leaping between exploration and exploitation, in some events, medical teams fail to make the appropriate leap. We suggest to use our novel approach and to encourage the leaping between exploration and exploitation in daily medical practice, to enable the prevention of medical errors and to enhance the effectiveness of risk managements and process improvements.
Ischaemic heart disease in the former Soviet Union 1990–2015 according to the Global Burden of Disease 2015 Study
Authors: Murphy Adrianna , Johnson Catherine O , Roth Gregory A , Forouzanfar Mohammad H , Naghavi Mohsen , Ng Marie , Pogosova Nana , Vos Theo , Murray Christopher J L , Moran Andrew E
Published: September 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality and risk factor burden across former Soviet Union (fSU) and satellite countries and regions in 1990 and 2015.

Methods

The fSU and satellite countries were grouped into Central Asian, Central European and Eastern European regions. IHD mortality data for men and women of any age were gathered from national vital registration, and age, sex, country, year-specific IHD mortality rates were estimated in an ensemble model. IHD morbidity and mortality burden attributable to risk factors was estimated by comparative risk assessment using population attributable fractions.

Results

In 2015, age-standardised IHD death rates in Eastern European and Central Asian fSU countries were almost two times that of satellite states of Central Europe. Between 1990 and 2015, rates decreased substantially in Central Europe (men −43.5% (95% uncertainty interval −45.0%, −42.0%); women −42.9% (−44.0%, −41.0%)) but less in Eastern Europe (men −5.6% (−9.0, –3.0); women −12.2% (−15.5%, −9.0%)). Age-standardised IHD death rates also varied within regions: within Eastern Europe, rates decreased −51.7% in Estonian men (−54.0, −47.0) but increased +19.4% in Belarusian men (+12.0, +27.0). High blood pressure and cholesterol were leading risk factors for IHD burden, with smoking, body mass index, dietary factors and ambient air pollution also ranking high.

Conclusions

Some fSU countries continue to experience a high IHD burden, while others have achieved remarkable reductions in IHD mortality. Control of blood pressure, cholesterol and smoking are IHD prevention priorities.
Neuropathic pain treatment and research: experiences from the United Kingdom mission to Afghanistan and future prospects
Authors: Wood Paul , Small C , Lewis S , Mahoney P
Published: September 2017

The Defence Medical Services (DMS) of the United Kingdom (UK) assumed command of the Role 3 Medical Treatment Facility field hospital during Operation HERRICK in Afghanistan from April 2006 until the final drawdown in November 2014. The signature injury sustained by coalition personnel during this period was traumatic amputation from improvised explosive devices. Many patients who had suffered extensive tissue damage experienced both nociceptive and neuropathic pain (NeuP). This presented as a heterogeneous collection of symptoms that are resistant to treatment. This paper discusses the relationship of NeuP in the context of ballistic injury, drawing in particular on clinical experience from the UK mission to Afghanistan, Operation HERRICK. The role of this paper is to describe the difficulties of assessment, treatment and research of NeuP and make recommendations for future progress within the DMS.
Relationships between ultrasound enthesitis, disease activity and axial radiographic structural changes in patients with early spondyloarthritis: data from DESIR cohort
Authors: Ruyssen-Witrand Adeline , Jamard Bénédicte , Cantagrel Alain , Nigon Delphine , Loeuille Damien , Degboe Yannick , Constantin Arnaud
Published: September 2017

Background

To search for association between ultrasound (US) enthesis abnormalities and disease activity, spine and sacro-iliac joints (SIJ) MRI inflammatory lesions and spine structural changes in a cohort of patients suspected for axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods

Patients:Of 708 patients included in the DESIR(Devenir des Spondyloarthrites Indifférenciées Récentes) cohort, 402 had an US enthesis assessment and were selected for this study.Imaging:Achilles, lateral epicondyles, superior patellar ligament, inferior patellar ligament entheses were systematically US scanned and abnormalities were summed in US structural and power Doppler (PDUS) scores. Spine radiographs, SIJ and spine MRI scans were centrally scored modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS), presence of MRI sacro-iliitis, Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada and Berlin scores.Analysis:The associations between the US structural/PDUS scores and disease activity, C reactive protein (CRP), MRI SIJ and spine inflammatory lesions and mSASSS were tested by Spearman's correlation tests.

Results

Among the 402 patients included (median age: 33.5 years, males: 48.5%), 55% had US enthesis structural abnormalities while 14% had PDUS abnormalities. There was no association between US scores and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, CRP or inflammatory lesions on SIJ and spine MRI. There was a correlation between US structural and PDUS scores and the mSASSS (respectively, r=0.151, p=0.005; r=0.143, p=0.007). The proportion of patients with syndesmophytes was higher in the case of US enthesophytes (26% of syndesmophytes vs 6% in the absence of US enthesophytes, p<0.0001).

Conclusion

While the US abnormalities do not seem to be a helpful tool for monitoring disease activity in axial SpA, US enthesophytes, strongly associated with axial syndesmophytes, might be a marker of interest for disease severity.

Trial registration number

NCT01648907, date of registration : 20 July 2012.
Validity, responsiveness and minimum clinically important difference of the incremental shuttle walk in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a prospective study
Authors: Nolan Claire M , Delogu Veronica , Maddocks Matthew , Patel Suhani , Barker Ruth E , Jones Sarah E , Kon Samantha S C , Maher Toby M , Cullinan Paul , Man William D-C
Published: September 2017

The incremental shuttle walk (ISW) is well validated in COPD but limited psychometric data restrict its use in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Study 1: 50 patients performed the ISW and 6 min walk test (6MWT). Study 2: 72 patients completed the ISW before and after pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). The ISW correlated strongly with 6MWT distance (r=0.81,p<0.0001). Mean (95% confidence interval) improvement in ISW with PR was 54 (38 to 70) m with an effect size of 0.29. Distribution-based and anchor-based minimum clinically important difference (MCID) estimates ranged from 31 to 46 m. The ISW is valid and responsive in IPF, with an anchor-based MCID estimate similar to that observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Trial registration number

Pre-results; NCT02530736, NCT02436278.
Update in sepsis guidelines: what is really new?
Authors: Plevin Rebecca , Callcut Rachael
Published: September 2017

Sepsis remains a highly lethal entity resulting in more than 200 000 deaths in the USA each year. The in-hospital mortality approaches 30% despite advances in critical care during the last several decades. The direct health care costs in the USA exceed $24 billion dollars annually and continue to escalate each year especially as the population ages. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign published their initial clinical practice guidelines for the management of severe sepsis and septic shock in 2004. Updated versions were published in 2008, 2012 and most recently in 2016 following the convening of the Third International Consensus Definitions Task Force. This task force was convened by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine to address prior criticisms of the multiple definitions used clinically for sepsis-related illnesses. In the 2016 guidelines, sepsis is redefined by the taskforce as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. In addition to using the Sequential [Sepsis-related] Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score to more rapidly identify patients with sepsis, the task force also proposed a novel scoring system to rapidly screen for patients outside the ICU who are at risk of developing sepsis: the ‘quickSOFA’ (qSOFA) score. To date, the largest reductions in mortality have been associated with early identification of sepsis, initiation of a 3-hour care bundle and rapid administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The lack of progress in mortality reduction in sepsis treatment despite extraordinary investment of research resources underscores the variability in patients with sepsis. No single solution is likely to be universally beneficial, and sepsis continues to be an entity that should receive high priority for the development of precision health approaches for treatment.
Seasonal Variation of Trauma in Western Massachusetts: Fact or Folklore?
Authors: Nahmias Jeffry , Poola Shiva , Doben Andrew , Garb Jane , Gross Ronald I
Published: September 2017

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated a significant relationship between weather or seasons and total trauma admissions. We hypothesized that specific mechanisms such as penetrating trauma, motor vehicle crashes, and motorcycle crashes (MCCs) occur more commonly during the summer, while more falls and suicide attempts during winter.

Methods

A retrospective review of trauma admissions to a single Level I trauma center in Springfield, Massachusetts from 01/2010 through 12/2015 was performed. Basic demographics including age, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and length of stay were collected. Linear regression analysis was used to test the association between monthly admission rates and season, year, injury class, and mechanism of injury, and whether seasonal variation trends were different according to injury class or mechanism.

Results

A total of 8886 admissions had a mean age of 44.6 and mean ISS of 11.9. Regression analysis showed significant seasonal variation in blunt compared with penetrating trauma (p<0.001), MCC (p<0.001), and falls (p=0.002). In addition, seasonal variation differed according to injury class or mechanism. There were significantly lower rates of MCCs in winter compared with all other seasons and conversely higher rates of total falls in winter compared with other seasons.

Discussion

A significant seasonal variation in blunt trauma, MCC, and falls was observed. This has potential ramifications for resource allocation, including trauma prevention programs geared toward mechanisms of injury with significant seasonal variation.

Level of evidence

Retrospective Review, Level IV.
Habitat use and small-scale residence patterns of sympatric sunfish species in a large temperate river
Authors: Klinard Natalie V. , Fisk Aaron T. , Kessel Steven T. , Halfyard Edmund A. , Colborne Scott F.
Published: September 2017

Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) sunfish function as a trophic link between invertebrates and piscivores in temperate freshwater food webs, but little is known about their movement in large-scale riverine ecosystems. To address this, pumpkinseed and bluegill were implanted with acoustic transmitters and monitored for 5 months (June to November 2015) within a 0.39 km2 acoustic array in the Detroit River. Residence index analysis revealed site fidelity of sunfish to the side of the river they were tagged and a lack of movement across a shipping channel. Bluegill were more active at night and pumpkinseed more active during daylight hours, possibly partitioning resources on a temporal basis, unlike in smaller lakes where the species partition the littoral and pelagic habitats. Pumpkinseed presence was positively correlated with water temperature and level, whereas bluegill presence was not related to any environmental parameters examined. This study demonstrates that anthropogenic alterations (e.g., channelization) influence the movement and distribution of fishes and that fish behaviour in a large river ecosystem can differ from smaller temperate lakes.
Population and individual identification of Chinook salmon in British Columbia through parentage-based tagging and genetic stock identification with single nucleotide polymorphisms
Authors: Beacham Terry D. , Wallace Colin , MacConnachie Cathy , Jonsen Kim , McIntosh Brenda , Candy John R. , Withler Ruth E.
Published: September 2017

A study was undertaken to evaluate whether a parentage-based tagging (PBT) and genetic stock identification (GSI) program has the potential to emulate the results from an existing coded-wire tag (CWT) assessment program in British Columbia. A PBT–GSI approach was used to identify Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to specific populations and brood years where 36 241 individuals from 45 populations were genotyped at 321 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Known-origin and known-age age 1 juveniles from seven test populations were assigned via PBT (two parental genotypes required, 538 of 656 juveniles assigned; one parental genotype required, 636 of 656 juveniles assigned) with a minimum accuracy of 99.9%. Assignment accuracy via PBT of 1026 ages 1, 2, or 3 Chinook salmon returning to nine populations in 2015 or 2016 (two parental genotypes required, 556 of 1026 individuals assigned; one parental genotype required, 898 of 1026 individuals assigned) was a minimum of 99.8%. A PBT–GSI or PBT system of identification may provide an alternate cost-effective method of identification in the assessment and conservation of Canadian-origin Chinook salmon relative to the existing CWT program, thereby providing very high resolution of mixed-stock fishery samples containing both hatchery-origin (adipose fin clipped) and wild-origin (unclipped) populations.
Long Synfire Chains Emerge by Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity Modulated by Population Activity
Authors: Weissenberger Felix , Meier Florian , Lengler Johannes , Einarsson Hafsteinn , Steger Angelika
Published: September 2017

Sequences of precisely timed neuronal activity are observed in many brain areas in various species. Synfire chains are a well-established model that can explain such sequences. However, it is unknown under which conditions synfire chains can develop in initially unstructured networks by self-organization. This work shows that with spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP), modulated by global population activity, long synfire chains emerge in sparse random networks. The learning rule fosters neurons to participate multiple times in the chain or in multiple chains. Such reuse of neurons has been experimentally observed and is necessary for high capacity. Sparse networks prevent the chains from being short and cyclic and show that the formation of specific synapses is not essential for chain formation. Analysis of the learning rule in a simple network of binary threshold neurons reveals the asymptotically optimal length of the emerging chains. The theoretical results generalize to simulated networks of conductance-based leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neurons. As an application of the emerged chain, we propose a one-shot memory for sequences of precisely timed neuronal activity.
EEG Classification with a Sequential Decision-Making Method in Motor Imagery BCI
Authors: Liu Rong , Wang Yongxuan , Newman Geoffrey I. , Thakor Nitish V. , Ying Sarah
Published: September 2017

To develop subject-specific classifier to recognize mental states fast and reliably is an important issue in brain–computer interfaces (BCI), particularly in practical real-time applications such as wheelchair or neuroprosthetic control. In this paper, a sequential decision-making strategy is explored in conjunction with an optimal wavelet analysis for EEG classification. The subject-specific wavelet parameters based on a grid-search method were first developed to determine evidence accumulative curve for the sequential classifier. Then we proposed a new method to set the two constrained thresholds in the sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) based on the cumulative curve and a desired expected stopping time. As a result, it balanced the decision time of each class, and we term it balanced threshold SPRT (BTSPRT). The properties of the method were illustrated on 14 subjects’ recordings from offline and online tests. Results showed the average maximum accuracy of the proposed method to be 83.4% and the average decision time of 2.77[Formula: see text]s, when compared with 79.2% accuracy and a decision time of 3.01[Formula: see text]s for the sequential Bayesian (SB) method. The BTSPRT method not only improves the classification accuracy and decision speed comparing with the other nonsequential or SB methods, but also provides an explicit relationship between stopping time, thresholds and error, which is important for balancing the speed-accuracy tradeoff. These results suggest that BTSPRT would be useful in explicitly adjusting the tradeoff between rapid decision-making and error-free device control.
Millimeter-Wave Radar and Machine Vision-Based Lane Recognition
Authors: Li Wei , Guan Yue , Chen Liguo , Sun Lining
Published: September 2017

Camera can sensor the environment on the lane by extracting the lane lines, but such detection is limited to a short distance with effect of illumination and other factors; radar can detect objects a long distance away but cannot detect the lane conditions. This paper combined machine vision with millimeter-wave radar and extracted the nearby distinct lane line through images; at the same time, the radar obtained the motion trajectory information of distant vehicles, then the least-square method was used to make curve fitting on those motion trajectory information in order to reconstruct the lane line information. Finally, in the stage of fusing two segments of lane lines, the goodness of fit was applied to complete the matching of corresponding lane lines. While, for areas between two segments of lane lines that neither camera or radar can detect, we established a lane model, utilized probabilistic neural network to select the corresponding lane model for matching, and then used approximate mathematics expression according to the selected lane model, thus obtaining the final front road information of current vehicle.
Electrodeposited Co–Zn on Ni foam as efficient catalysts for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of sodium borohydride
Authors: Wei Lei , Ma Maixia , Lu Yanhong , Zhang Suling , Gao Jing , Dong Xiaolong
Published: September 2017

For hydrogen generation based on the sodium borohydride hydrolysis, the development and application of efficient catalysts are of key importance. In this work, Co and Co–Zn catalysts were prepared on Ni foam by electrodeposition process. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed for materials characterization, and catalyst performance was measured by typical water-displacement method. Experimental results indicate that the doping of zinc affects the morphology and microstructure of catalyst and promotes the effective catalytic area, leading to higher hydrogen generation rate (HGR) by comparing with Co/Ni. Furthermore, HGR can be further improved by treating the Co–Zn/Ni with NaOH solution because the partial dissolving of zinc results in the increase of cobalt active sites. Using a 10[Formula: see text]wt.% NaBH4 and 5[Formula: see text]wt.% NaOH solution, the HGR was as high as 455[Formula: see text]mL min[Formula: see text] g[Formula: see text] at 25[Formula: see text]C, and the apparent activation energy was measured to be 50.2[Formula: see text]kJ mol[Formula: see text]. Cyclic performance of the NaOH-treated Co–Zn/Ni was investigated as well.
Distributed Computing Column 67
Authors: Welch Jennifer L.
Published: September 2017

The BIRS-CMO workshop on Complexity and Analysis of Distributed Algorithms ran from November 27 to December 2, 2016, and was organized by Hagit Attiya, Sergio Rajsbaum, and Philipp Woelfel. The objective of the workshop was to bring together researchers to exchange ideas on how to advance the design and analysis of algorithms for problems in distributed systems. Topics covered included theory of shared memory algorithms, networks and message-passing systems, applications of combinatorics and topology to concurrency. The attendees were a mix of theoreticians and systems researchers.
Childhood tolerance of severe influenza: a mortality analysis in mice
Authors: Suber Freeman , Kobzik Lester
Published: September 2017

During the 1918 influenza pandemic, children experienced substantially lower mortality than adults, a striking but unexplained finding. Whether this was due to enhanced resistance (reduced virus load) or better tolerance (reduced impact of infection) has not been defined. We found that prepubertal mice infected with H1N1 influenza virus also showed greater survival than infected pubertal mice, despite similar virus loads. Transcriptome profiling of infected lungs identified estrogen as a regulator of susceptibility in both sexes and also linked better survival to late expression of IL-1β. Blocking puberty with gonadectomy or a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist improved survival. Estrogen or testosterone (which can be converted to estrogen) restored susceptibility of gonadectomized pubertal mice to influenza mortality, but dihydrotestosterone (which cannot be converted to estrogen) did not. Estrogen receptor blockade with fulvestrant in both male and female pubertal mice resulted in improved survival, even when given 3 days after infection. Moreover, late, but not early, IL-1β neutralization after infection was also protective. These findings indicate that pubertal increases in estrogen in both sexes are associated with increased mortality during influenza. This helps explain the reduced mortality of children seen with influenza in 1918 and might also be relevant to childhood tolerance to many other infectious diseases.
Beneficial effects of exercise training in heart failure are lost in male diabetic rats
Authors: Boudia Dalila , Domergue Valérie , Mateo Philippe , Fazal Loubina , Prud’homme Mathilde , Prigent Héloïse , Delcayre Claude , Cohen-Solal Alain , Garnier Anne , Ventura-Clapier Renée , Samuel Jane-Lise
Published: September 2017

Exercise training has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects in patients with heart failure (HF) or diabetes. However, it is unknown whether diabetic patients with HF will benefit from exercise training. Male Wistar rats were fed either a standard (Sham, n = 53) or high-fat, high-sucrose diet ( n = 66) for 6 mo. After 2 mo of diet, the rats were already diabetic. Rats were then randomly subjected to either myocardial infarction by coronary artery ligation (MI) or sham operation. Two months later, heart failure was documented by echocardiography and animals were randomly subjected to exercise training with treadmill for an additional 8 wk or remained sedentary. At the end, rats were euthanized and tissues were assayed by RT-PCR, immunoblotting, spectrophotometry, and immunohistology. MI induced a similar decrease in ejection fraction in diabetic and lean animals but a higher premature mortality in the diabetic group. Exercise for 8 wk resulted in a higher working power developed by MI animals with diabetes and improved glycaemia but not ejection fraction or pathological phenotype. In contrast, exercise improved the ejection fraction and increased adaptive hypertrophy after MI in the lean group. Trained diabetic rats with MI were nevertheless able to develop cardiomyocyte hypertrophy but without angiogenic responses. Exercise improved stress markers and cardiac energy metabolism in lean but not diabetic-MI rats. Hence, following HF, the benefits of exercise training on cardiac function are blunted in diabetic animals. In conclusion, exercise training only improved the myocardial profile of infarcted lean rats fed the standard diet.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Exercise training is beneficial in patients with heart failure (HF) or diabetes. However, less is known of the possible benefit of exercise training for HF patients with diabetes. Using a rat model where both diabetes and MI had been induced, we showed that 2 mo after MI, 8 wk of exercise training failed to improve cardiac function and metabolism in diabetic animals in contrast to lean animals.
Genetic mechanisms of human hypertension and their implications for blood pressure physiology
Authors: Seidel Eric , Scholl Ute I.
Published: September 2017

Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure, constitutes a major public health burden that affects more than 1 billion people worldwide and contributes to ~9 million deaths annually. Hereditary factors are thought to contribute to up to 50% of interindividual blood pressure variability. Blood pressure in the general population approximately shows a normal distribution and is thought to be a polygenic trait. In rare cases, early-onset hypertension or hypotension are inherited as Mendelian traits. The identification of the underlying Mendelian genes and variants has contributed to our understanding of the physiology of blood pressure regulation, emphasizing renal salt handling and the renin angiotensin aldosterone system as players in the determination of blood pressure. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed more than 100 variants that are associated with blood pressure, typically with small effect sizes, which cumulatively explain ~3.5% of blood pressure trait variability. Several GWAS associations point to a role of the vasculature in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Despite these advances, the majority of the genetic contributors to blood pressure regulation are currently unknown; whether large-scale exome or genome sequencing studies will unravel these factors remains to be determined.
miR-193b–Regulated Signaling Networks Serve as Tumor Suppressors in Liposarcoma and Promote Adipogenesis in Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
Authors: Mazzu Ying Z. , Hu Yulan , Soni Rajesh K. , Mojica Kelly M. , Qin Li-Xuan , Agius Phaedra , Waxman Zachary M. , Mihailovic Aleksandra , Socci Nicholas D. , Hendrickson Ronald C. , Tuschl Thomas , Singer Samuel
Published: September 2017

Well-differentiated and dedifferentiated liposarcomas (WDLS/DDLS) account for approximately 13% of all soft tissue sarcoma in adults and cause substantial morbidity or mortality in the majority of patients. In this study, we evaluated the functions of miRNA (miR-193b) in liposarcoma in vitro and in vivo. Deep RNA sequencing on 93 WDLS, 145 DDLS, and 12 normal fat samples demonstrated that miR-193b was significantly underexpressed in DDLS compared with normal fat. Reintroduction of miR-193b induced apoptosis in liposarcoma cells and promoted adipogenesis in human adipose-derived stem cells (ASC). Integrative transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of miR-193b–target networks identified novel direct targets, including CRK-like proto-oncogene (CRKL) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). miR-193b was found to regulate FAK–SRC–CRKL signaling through CRKL and FAK. miR-193b also stimulated reactive oxygen species signaling by targeting the antioxidant methionine sulfoxide reductase A to modulate liposarcoma cell survival and ASC differentiation state. Expression of miR-193b in liposarcoma cells was downregulated by promoter methylation, resulting at least in part from increased expression of the DNA methyltransferase DNMT1 in WDLS/DDLS. In vivo, miR-193b mimetics and FAK inhibitor (PF-562271) each inhibited liposarcoma xenograft growth. In summary, miR-193b not only functions as a tumor suppressor in liposarcoma but also promotes adipogenesis in ASC. Furthermore, this study reveals key tyrosine kinase and DNA methylation pathways in liposarcoma, some with immediate implications for therapeutic exploration. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5728–40. ©2017 AACR.
CD155T/TIGIT Signaling Regulates CD8+ T-cell Metabolism and Promotes Tumor Progression in Human Gastric Cancer
Authors: He Weiling , Zhang Hui , Han Fei , Chen Xinlin , Lin Run , Wang Wei , Qiu Haibo , Zhuang Zhenhong , Liao Qi , Zhang Weijing , Cai Qinbo , Cui Yongmei , Jiang Wenting , Wang Han , Ke Zunfu
Published: September 2017

The T-cell surface molecule TIGIT is an immune checkpoint molecule that inhibits T-cell responses, but its roles in cancer are little understood. In this study, we evaluated the role TIGIT checkpoint plays in the development and progression of gastric cancer. We show that the percentage of CD8 T cells that are TIGIT+ was increased in gastric cancer patients compared with healthy individuals. These cells showed functional exhaustion with impaired activation, proliferation, cytokine production, and metabolism, all of which were rescued by glucose. In addition, gastric cancer tissue and cell lines expressed CD155, which bound TIGIT receptors and inactivated CD8 T cells. In a T cell–gastric cancer cell coculture system, gastric cancer cells deprived CD8 T cells of glucose and impaired CD8 T-cell effector functions; these effects were neutralized by the additional glucose or by TIGIT blockade. In gastric cancer tumor cells, CD155 silencing increased T-cell metabolism and IFNγ production, whereas CD155 overexpression inhibited T-cell metabolism and IFNγ production; this inhibition was neutralized by TIGIT blockade. Targeting CD155/TIGIT enhanced CD8 T-cell reaction and improved survival in tumor-bearing mice. Combined targeting of TIGIT and PD-1 further enhanced CD8 T-cell activation and improved survival in tumor-bearing mice. Our results suggest that gastric cancer cells inhibit CD8 T-cell metabolism through CD155/TIGIT signaling, which inhibits CD8 T-cell effector functions, resulting in hyporesponsive antitumor immunity. These findings support the candidacy of CD155/TIGIT as a potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer. Cancer Res; 77(22); 6375–88. ©2017 AACR.
KDM4 Inhibition Targets Breast Cancer Stem–like Cells
Authors: Metzger Eric , Stepputtis Stella S. , Strietz Juliane , Preca Bogdan-Tiberius , Urban Sylvia , Willmann Dominica , Allen Anita , Zenk Fides , Iovino Nicola , Bronsert Peter , Proske Amelie , Follo Marie , Boerries Melanie , Stickeler Elmar , Xu Jiangchun , Wallace Michael B. , Stafford Jeffrey A. , Kanouni Toufike , Maurer Jochen , Schüle Roland
Published: September 2017

Traditional treatments for breast cancer fail to address therapy-resistant cancer stem–like cells that have been characterized by changes in epigenetic regulators such as the lysine demethylase KDM4. Here, we describe an orally available, selective and potent KDM4 inhibitor (QC6352) with unique preclinical characteristics. To assess the antitumor properties of QC6352, we established a method to isolate and propagate breast cancer stem–like cells (BCSC) from individual triple-negative tumors resected from patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Limiting-dilution orthotopic xenografts of these BCSCs regenerated original patient tumor histology and gene expression. QC6352 blocked BCSC proliferation, sphere formation, and xenograft tumor formation. QC6352 also abrogated expression of EGFR, which drives the growth of therapy-resistant triple-negative breast cancer cells. Our findings validate a unique BCSC culture system for drug screening and offer preclinical proof of concept for KDM4 inhibition as a new strategy to treat triple-negative breast cancer. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5900–12. ©2017 AACR.
Cicatricial Alopecia in Identical Twin Lumbee Native American Women
Authors: Strowd Lindsay C. , Subash Jacob , McGregor Sean , McMichael Amy
Published: September 2017

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) has become a well-known entity occurring mainly in African-American women, but is rarely encountered in other populations. This report describes a set of identical twin Lumbee Indian women, both developing cicatricial alopecia, with one sister diagnosed with CCCA overlap with lichen planopilaris and the other with CCCA. The Lumbee Tribe is a federally recognized group of Native Americans who reside in North Carolina. Lumbee Indians have shown an increased incidence of several metabolic and neurologic diseases but cicatricial alopecia has never been an identified associated disease of the Lumbee. Thus far, no published studies have shown cicatricial alopecia as occurring in identical twins or in Native Americans. This case report discusses the issues of haircare practices and genetics in contributing to cicatricial alopecia.
Galectin-9 Produced by Intestinal Epithelial Cells Enhances Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Activity in Dendritic Cells in a PI3K- and p38-Dependent Manner
Authors: de Kivit Sander , Kostadinova Atanaska I. , Kerperien JoAnn , Ayechu Muruzabal Veronica , Morgan Mary E. , Knippels Leon M.J. , Kraneveld Aletta D. , Garssen Johan , Willemsen Linette E.M.
Published: September 2017

Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) drive regulatory T cell (Treg) responses by promoting the differentiation of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-expressing CD103+ dendritic cells (DC). Apical stimulation of TLR9 by CpG DNA on IEC supports galectin-9 expression by IEC, which is promoted by short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (GF). While galectin-9 can induce the maturation of monocyte-derived DC (moDC), the contribution of galectin-9 on the induction of ALDH activity in DC is not known. To this end, DC were stimulated with galectin-9, and ALDH activity and the expression of CD103 were assessed. ALDH activity was increased by moDC exposed to galectin-9, while the expression of CD103 remained unaltered. Galectin-9 secreted by IEC apically exposed to CpG DNA and GF enhanced ALDH activity, but not CD103 expression by moDC, which was abrogated upon galectin-9 neutralization. Similar observations were found in murine GM-CSF-cultured bone marrow-derived DC (BMDC). Using Flt3L-cultured BMDC and ex vivo murine splenic DC, it was observed that galectin-9 only enhanced ALDH activity in the presence of GM-CSF in CD103- cells. The induction of ALDH activity in BMDC was dependent on p38 and PI3K signaling. These data indicate a novel role for galectin-9 in modulating innate immunity by inducing ALDH activity in DC.
Mechanical Activation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α Drives Endothelial Dysfunction at Atheroprone Sites
Authors: Feng Shuang , Bowden Neil , Fragiadaki Maria , Souilhol Celine , Hsiao Sarah , Mahmoud Marwa , Allen Scott , Pirri Daniela , Ayllon Blanca Tardajos , Akhtar Shamima , Thompson A.A. Roger , Jo Hanjoong , Weber Christian , Ridger Victoria , Schober Andreas , Evans Paul C.
Published: September 2017

Objective—

Atherosclerosis develops near branches and bends of arteries that are exposed to low shear stress (mechanical drag). These sites are characterized by excessive endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and inflammation that promote lesion initiation. The transcription factor HIF1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1α) is canonically activated by hypoxia and has a role in plaque neovascularization. We studied the influence of shear stress on HIF1α activation and the contribution of this noncanonical pathway to lesion initiation.

Approach and Results—

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and en face staining revealed that HIF1α was expressed preferentially at low shear stress regions of porcine and murine arteries. Low shear stress induced HIF1α in cultured EC in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. The mechanism involves the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB that induced HIF1α transcripts and induction of the deubiquitinating enzyme Cezanne that stabilized HIF1α protein. Gene silencing revealed that HIF1α enhanced proliferation and inflammatory activation in EC exposed to low shear stress via induction of glycolysis enzymes. We validated this observation by imposing low shear stress in murine carotid arteries (partial ligation) that upregulated the expression of HIF1α, glycolysis enzymes, and inflammatory genes and enhanced EC proliferation. EC-specific genetic deletion of HIF1α in hypercholesterolemic apolipoprotein E–defecient mice reduced inflammation and endothelial proliferation in partially ligated arteries, indicating that HIF1α drives inflammation and vascular dysfunction at low shear stress regions.

Conclusions—

Mechanical low shear stress activates HIF1α at atheroprone regions of arteries via nuclear factor-κB and Cezanne. HIF1α promotes atherosclerosis initiation at these sites by inducing excessive EC proliferation and inflammation via the induction of glycolysis enzymes.