bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemokine (CC motif) ligand 18 upregulates Slug expression to promote stem‐cell like features by activating the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Hongfei , Liang Xueyi , Li Mianxiang , Tao Xiaoan , Tai Shanshan , Fan Zhaona , Wang Zhi , Cheng Bin , Xia Juan
Published: June 2017

Chemokine (CC motif) ligand 18 (CCL18) is involved in remodeling of the tumor microenvironment and plays critical roles in oncogenesis, invasiveness, and metastasis. We previously investigated the overexpression of CCL18 in primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues and its association with advanced clinical stage in OSCC patients. However, the underlying mechanisms of this CCL18‐derived activity remains unidentified. This study showed exogenous CCL18 increased cell migration and invasion and induced cell epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and that E‐cadherin, an epithelial marker, decreased and N‐cadherin, a mesenchymal marker, increased, compared to negative control in OSCC cells. Furthermore, we detected that CCL18 induced the acquisition of cancer stem(‐like) cell characteristics in oral cancer cells, but also found a significantly positive correlation between the expression of CCL18 and Bmi‐1 (P < 0.001) in OSCC surgical specimens by immunohistochemistry analysis. The expression of octamer‐binding transcription factor 4 and Bmi‐1 were significantly upregulated, and proportions of aldehyde dehydrogenasehigh+ cells and CD133+ cells were markedly increased in CCL18‐treated cells compared to untreated cells. Sphere formation ability was observably enhanced when cells were continually exposed to high levels of CCL18. Moreover, CCL18 upregulated Slug expression by stimulating the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in OSCC cell lines. Inhibition of the mTOR pathway by INK128, or Slug knockdown by RNA interference, reversed CCL18‐induced EMT and the stemness response at both molecular and functional levels. In conclusion, our data suggested that CCL18 upregulated Slug expression to promote EMT and stem cell‐like features by activating the mTOR pathway in oral cancer. These findings provide new potential targets for the early diagnosis and treatment of OSCC.
Physical properties of the chromosomes and implications for development
Authors: Sugawara Takeshi , Kimura Akatsuki
Published: June 2017

Remarkable progress has been made in understanding chromosome structures inside the cell nucleus. Recent advances in Hi‐C technologies enable the detection of genome‐wide chromatin interactions, providing insight into three‐dimensional (3D) genome organization. Advancements in the spatial and temporal resolutions of imaging as well as in molecular biological techniques allow the tracking of specific chromosomal loci, improving our understanding of chromosome movements. From these data, we are beginning to understand how the intra‐nuclear locations of chromatin loci and the 3D genome structure change during development and differentiation. This emerging field of genome structure and dynamics research requires an interdisciplinary approach including efficient collaborations between experimental biologists and physicists, informaticians, or engineers. Quantitative and mathematical analyses based on polymer physics are becoming increasingly important for processing and interpreting experimental data on 3D chromosome structures and dynamics. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of recent research on the physical aspects of chromosome structure and dynamics oriented for biologists. These studies have mainly focused on chromosomes at the cellular level, using unicellular organisms and cultured cells. However, physical parameters that change during development, such as nuclear size, may impact genome structure and dynamics. Here, we discuss how chromatin dynamics and genome structures in early embryos change during development, which we expect will be a hot topic in the field of chromatin dynamics in the near future. We hope this review helps developmental biologists to quantitatively investigate the physical natures of chromosomes in developmental biology research.
Optimizing the combination insulin bolus split for a high‐fat, high‐protein meal in children and adolescents using insulin pump therapy
Authors: Lopez P. E. , Smart C. E. , McElduff P. , Foskett D. C. , Price D. A. , Paterson M. A. , King B. R.
Published: June 2017

Aims

To determine the optimum combination bolus split to maintain postprandial glycaemia with a high‐fat and high‐protein meal in young people with Type 1 diabetes.

Methods

A total of 19 young people (mean age 12.9 ± 6.7 years) participated in a randomized, repeated‐measures trial comparing postprandial glycaemic control across six study conditions after a high‐fat and high‐protein meal. A standard bolus and five different combination boluses were delivered over 2 h in the following splits: 70/30 = 70% standard /30% extended bolus; 60/40=60% standard/40% extended bolus; 50/50=50% standard/50% extended bolus; 40/60=40% standard/60% extended bolus; and 30/70=30% standard/70% extended bolus. Insulin dose was determined using the participant's optimized insulin:carbohydrate ratio. Continuous glucose monitoring was used to assess glucose excursions for 6 h after the test meal.

Results

Standard bolus and combination boluses 70/30 and 60/40 controlled the glucose excursion up to 120 min. From 240 to 300 min after the meal, the glucose area under the curve was significantly lower for combination bolus 30/70 compared with standard bolus (P=0.004).

Conclusions

High‐fat and high‐protein meals require a ≥60% insulin:carbohydrate ratio as a standard bolus to control the initial postprandial rise. Additional insulin at an insulin:carbohydrate ratio of up to 70% is needed in the extended bolus for a high fat and protein meal to prevent delayed hyperglycaemia.
Once‐weekly administration of a long‐acting fibroblast growth factor 21 analogue modulates lipids, bone turnover markers, blood pressure and body weight differently in obese people with hypertriglyceridaemia and in non‐human primates
Authors: Kim Albert M. , Somayaji Veena R. , Dong Jennifer Q. , Rolph Timothy P. , Weng Yan , Chabot Jeffrey R. , Gropp Kathryn E. , Talukdar Saswata , Calle Roberto A.
Published: June 2017

Aims

To assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of PF‐05231023, a long‐acting fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analogue, in obese people with hypertriglyceridaemia on atorvastatin, with or without type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Participants received PF‐05231023 or placebo intravenously once weekly for 4 weeks. Safety (12‐lead ECGs, vital signs, adverse events [AEs], laboratory tests) and longitudinal weight assessments were performed. Blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses. Cardiovascular safety studies were also conducted in telemetered rats and monkeys. Blood pressure (BP; mean, systolic and diastolic) and ECGs were monitored.

Results

A total of 107 people were randomized. PF‐05231023 significantly decreased mean placebo‐adjusted fasting triglycerides (day 25, 33%‐43%) and increased HDL cholesterol (day 25, 15.7%‐28.6%) and adiponectin (day 25, 1574 to 3272 ng/mL) across all doses, without significant changes in body weight (day 25, −0.45% to −1.21%). Modest decreases from baseline were observed for N‐terminal propeptides of type 1 collagen (P1NP) on day 25, although C‐telopeptide cross‐linking of type 1 collagen (CTX‐1) increased minimally. Systolic, diastolic BP, and pulse rate increased in a dose‐ and time‐related manner. There were 5 serious AEs (one treatment‐related) and no deaths. Three participants discontinued because of AEs. The majority of AEs were gastrointestinal. PF‐05231023 increased BP and heart rate in rats, but not in monkeys.

Conclusions

Once‐weekly PF‐05231023 lowered triglycerides markedly in the absence of weight loss, with modest changes in markers of bone homeostasis. This is the first report showing increases in BP and pulse rate in humans and rats after pharmacological administration of a long‐acting FGF21 molecule.
Bone cement cardiac and pulmonary embolism
Authors: Cianciulli Tomás F. , Mc Loughlin Diego E. , Morita Luis A. , Saccheri María C. , Lax Jorge A.
Published: June 2017

This case describes a complication of bone cement use. A 65‐year‐old male patient with back spine trauma caused by a fall, underwent a percutaneous vertebroplasty. Five years later, he consulted for palpitations, and the electrocardiogram showed supraventricular arrhythmia. A transthoracic two‐dimensional echocardiography showed a hyperechogenic linear structure of 7 cm length, running from the lateral wall of the right ventricle to the right atrium through the tricuspid valve. This foreign body, which was suspicious for bone cement embolism, appeared rigid and was attached at the lateral wall of the right ventricle, with its proximal end free in the right atrium. The tip of the cement embolus was inside the myocardium of the lateral wall of the right ventricle, with risk of cardiac perforation. A fluoroscopy was performed, which confirmed the presence of cement within the right heart, with great mobility in each cardiac cycle. Chest computed tomography (CT) and multidetector CT three‐dimensional reconstruction confirmed the presence of cement within the right heart. Chest CT showed two pulmonary embolisms, one in the right upper lobe and one in the left lower pulmonary lobe. This case emphasizes the risk of late clinical manifestations of cardiac and pulmonary embolism of methylmethacrylate after percutaneous vertebroplasty, suggesting that the risk of such embolism might be underestimated. We propose routine chest radiography, two‐dimensional echocardiography, and chest CT after every percutaneous vertebroplasty, to detect asymptomatic cardiac and pulmonary embolism and thereby prevent serious delayed cardiopulmonary failures.
The Examination of Psychological Factors and Social Norms Affecting Body Satisfaction and Self‐Esteem for College Students
Authors: Chang Hyo Jung (Julie) , Suttikun Chompoonut
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise self‐efficacy, weight concerns, self‐fulfillment, and social norms on college students’ body satisfaction and self‐esteem. Also, the study examined the relationship between body satisfaction and self‐esteem. An online survey was used, and 187 college students participated in the study. The findings revealed that exercise self‐efficacy positively influenced college students’ body satisfaction, while weight concerns negatively influenced college students’ body satisfaction. Exercise self‐efficacy and self‐fulfillment positively influenced self‐esteem while social norms negatively influenced self‐esteem. Exercise self‐efficacy had the most significant positive effect on body satisfaction while social norms had the most significant negative effect on self‐esteem. The results could help exercise facilities learn what to include in their programs to increase college students’ psychological well‐being, including body satisfaction and self‐esteem.
Contextualizing Attitudes Toward Pronunciation: Foreign Language Learners in the United States
Authors: Huensch Amanda , Thompson Amy S.
Published: June 2017

While previous work has shown a relationship between pronunciation attitudes and pronunciation performance, the connection between language learning motivation and pronunciation attitudes has been underexplored. This study investigated the relationship between 195 foreign language learners’ attitudes toward pronunciation, the foreign languages studied, extramural language activity, and motivation. With an online three‐part survey, information was collected about their language learning backgrounds; their ideal, ought‐to, and anti‐ought‐to selves (Dörnyei, 2009; Thompson & Vásquez, 2015); and their attitudes toward pronunciation (Elliott, 1995a). The results from an exploratory factor analysis on the pronunciation items indicated a three‐factor solution: lack of native speaker bias, importance of improving pronunciation, and importance of communication/skills other than pronunciation. There were significant group differences for class level and extramural language activity regarding learners’ perceived importance of improving pronunciation: Learners in upper‐level classes as well as learners who participated in extramural language activity placed a higher importance on improving pronunciation. The results also indicated positive relationships between positive attitudes toward pronunciation and the ideal self, and between the desire to improve pronunciation and the anti‐ought‐to self. The findings have implications for the selection of materials and instructional approaches.
Imaging of haemophilic arthropathy in growing joints: pitfalls in ultrasound and MRI
Authors: Soliman M. , Daruge P. , Dertkigil S. S. J. , De Avila Fernandes E. , Negrao J. R. , de Aguiar Vilela Mitraud S. , Sakuma E. T. I. , Fernandes A. R. C. , Zhang N. , Huo A. , Li Y.‐J. , Zhou F. , Rodrigues B. M. , Mohanta A. , Blanchette V. S. , Doria A. S.
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the utilization of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) for assessing arthropathy in children and adolescents with haemophilia and to recognize the limitations of each imaging modality and pitfalls in the diagnosis of soft tissue and osteochondral abnormalities. Awareness of MRI and US limitations and pitfalls in the assessment of joints in persons with haemophilia is essential for accurate diagnosis and optimal management of haemophilic arthropathy.
Wide local excision vs. Mohs Tübingen technique in the treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a two‐centre retrospective study and literature review
Authors: Veronese F. , Boggio P. , Tiberio R. , Gattoni M. , Fava P. , Caliendo V. , Colombo E. , Savoia P.
Published: June 2017

Background

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, low‐grade mesenchymal skin tumour, characterized by slow infiltrative growth and common local recurrence, with infrequent distant metastases.

Objective

The aim of this study is to better clarify clinicopathological characteristics of this tumour and to evaluate the cure rates of Mohs Tübingen technique (MTT) and wide local excision (WLE). Eventually, we perform a literature review to compare our experience with published data.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on 135 patients diagnosed, treated and followed up between 1997 and 2014 at two different institutions. Sixty‐two patients underwent to WLE and 73 to MTT. The primary end‐points were the following: percentage of recurrences, time to progression and recurrence annual risk rate. Then, the PubMed database was searched for DFSP case series treated with standard surgical resection (SSR), WLE, Mohs’ micrographic surgery (MMS) and MTT. The annual risk rate of recurrence calculated and reported for the four separate procedures was pooled to compare them.

Results

Five of the 62 patients with WLE (8.1%) experienced recurrences after a mean follow‐up of 4.7 years; the percentage of recurred patients 9 years after MTT was 5.5%, and the annual recurrence risk rate of 0.6%. Pooling these data with those from literature, the recurrence rate varies from 26% to 60% for SSR, from 0% and 41% for WLE, from 0% and 8.3% for MMS and from 0% to 5.5% for MTT. The lowest annual recurrence risk rate was found for MTT.

Conclusion

Significantly lower recurrence rates were recorded in patients treated with classic or Tübingen Mohs’ technique. To the best of our knowledge, our case series is the widest treated with MTT ever described in the literature; these data may be useful to guide clinicians in the choice of the gold standard treatment for Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
Determination of Mars crater geometric data: Insights from high‐resolution digital elevation models
Authors: Mouginis‐Mark Peter J. , Boyce Joseph , Sharpton Virgil L. , Garbeil Harold
Published: June 2017

We review the methods and data sets used to determine morphometric parameters related to the depth (e.g., rim height and cavity depth) and diameter of Martian craters over the past ~45 yr, and discuss the limitations of shadow length measurements, photoclinometry, Earth‐based radar, and laser altimetry. We demonstrate that substantial errors are introduced into crater depth and diameter measurements that are inherent in the use of 128th‐degree gridded Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) topography. We also show that even the use of the raw MOLA Precision Engineering Data Record (PEDR) data can introduce errors in the measurement of craters a few kilometers in diameter. These errors are related to the longitudinal spacing of the MOLA profiles, the along‐track spacing of the individual laser shots, and the MOLA spot size. Stereophotogrammetry provides an intrinsically more accurate method for measuring depth and diameter of craters on Mars when applied to high‐resolution image pairs. Here, we use 20 stereo Context Camera (CTX) image pairs to create digital elevation models (DEMs) for 25 craters in the diameter range 1.5–25.6 km and cover the latitude range of 25° S to 42° N. These DEMs have a spatial scale of ~24 m per pixel. Six additional craters, 1.5–3.1 km in diameter, were studied using publically available DEMs produced from High‐Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) image pairs. Depth/diameter and rim height were determined for each crater, as well as the azimuthal variation of crater rim height in 1‐degree increments. These data indicate that morphologically fresh Martian craters at these diameters are significantly deeper for a given size than previously reported using Viking and MOLA data, most likely due to the improvement in spatial resolution provided by the CTX and HiRISE data.
Aromatherapy massage versus reflexology on female elderly with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Bahrami Tahereh , Rejeh Nahid , Heravi‐Karimooi Majideh , Vaismoradi Mojtaba , Tadrisi Seyed Davood , Sieloff Christina L
Published: June 2017

Background

Fatigue and abnormalities in cardiovascular parameters are recognized as major problems for patients with acute coronary syndrome. Non‐pharmacological nursing interventions are useful for controlling this fatigue and reducing patients' suffering during hospitalization.

Aim

The present study compared the effects of aromatherapy massage and reflexology on fatigue and cardiovascular parameters in older female patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Design

This study was a randomized clinical trial.

Methods

The study was conducted with 135 older female patients with acute coronary syndrome who were hospitalized in a cardiac care unit in 2014. They were invited to participate in the study and then were randomly divided into three groups: ‘aromatherapy massage’, ‘reflexology’ and ‘control’. The fatigue severity and cardiovascular parameters were assessed using the Rhoten fatigue scale and a checklist. Measurements in the groups were performed before and immediately after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistics via theSPSSsoftware.

Results

Aromatherapy massage significantly decreased fatigue, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure andO2saturation more than the reflexology intervention. However, reflexology reduced patients' heart rates more than an aromatherapy massage (P < 0·05). Moreover, no significant changes were observed in patients' diastolic blood pressures when compared to the control group (P = 0·37).

Conclusions

Implementation of both aromatherapy massage and reflexology has positive effects on the fatigue and cardiovascular parameters of patients with acute coronary syndrome. However, aromatherapy massage can be more beneficial to use as a supportive approach in coronary diseases.

Relevance to clinical practice

The need for reducing fatigue in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients in a cardiac care unit is evident. The implementation of aromatherapy massage and reflexology had positive effects on patients' fatigue as related to both physical and mental health.
Actions of quercetin, a flavonoid, on ion transporters: its physiological roles
Authors: Marunaka Yoshinori
Published: June 2017

Flavonoids keep us healthy by controlling various body and cellular functions. It is well known that cations, such as Na+, K+, and Ca2+, play important roles in the regulation of body and cellular functions, including generation of action potentials and the resting membrane potential of neural and muscle cells and signal transduction as intracellular second messengers. However, we have little information on the physiological roles of anions, particularly Cl–, in body and cellular functions. Quercetin, a flavonoid, stimulates Na+–K+–2Cl– cotransporter 1 (NKCC1), which is one of the most important ion transporters regulating the cytosolic Cl– concentration ([Cl–]c). Here, we introduce the molecular mechanism by which flavonoids, specifically quercetin, act through elevation of [Cl–]c via activation of NKCC1 on important factors controlling various body and cellular functions, such as (1) antihypertensive actions controlling blood volume dependent on the amounts of renal Na+ reabsorption via expression of the epithelial Na+ channel, (2) neurite‐elongating actions via polymerization of tubulin by inhibiting GTPase activity, and (3) antibacterial and antiviral infective actions through stimulation of epithelial Cl– secretion by increasing the driving force for epithelial Cl– secretion.
The big and intricate dreams of little organelles: Embracing complexity in the study of membrane traffic
Authors: Liu Allen P. , Botelho Roberto J. , Antonescu Costin N.
Published: June 2017

Compartmentalization of eukaryotic cells into dynamic organelles that exchange material through regulated membrane traffic governs virtually every aspect of cellular physiology including signal transduction, metabolism and transcription. Much has been revealed about the molecular mechanisms that control organelle dynamics and membrane traffic and how these processes are regulated by metabolic, physical and chemical cues. From this emerges the understanding of the integration of specific organellar phenomena within complex, multiscale and nonlinear regulatory networks. In this review, we discuss systematic approaches that revealed remarkable insight into the complexity of these phenomena, including the use of proximity‐based proteomics, high‐throughput imaging, transcriptomics and computational modeling. We discuss how these methods offer insights to further understand molecular versatility and organelle heterogeneity, phenomena that allow a single organelle population to serve a range of physiological functions. We also detail on how transcriptional circuits drive organelle adaptation, such that organelles may shift their function to better serve distinct differentiation and stress conditions. Thus, organelle dynamics and membrane traffic are functionally heterogeneous and adaptable processes that coordinate with higher‐order system behavior to optimize cell function under a range of contexts. Obtaining a comprehensive understanding of organellar phenomena will increasingly require combined use of reductionist and system‐based approaches.
Compare the Values of Blood Lactate and Heart Rate of Kickboxers during Kickboxing Matches
Authors: Karadağ Mustafa
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to compare the values of heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (BL) of kickboxers during kickboxing match.This study was conducted with the participation of 18 male and 16 female sportsman in Turkish Kickboxing championship, an organization of Turkish Kickboxing Federation. After the participant athletes read and signed informed voluntary consent form (BGOF) prepared for them, the measurements were collected.While no significant difference was found between ages, pre-match HR, post-match HR, pre and post-match BL of male and female Kickboxers, a significant difference was statistically found between the height (P˂0.05) and body weights (P˂0.01) of athletes. Age distribution of athletes was determined as 14-23 and mean age distribution was determined as 17.03±2.41. HR pressures of athletes differs according to pre-match and post-match periods (P˂0.001). As HR frequencies increase by 29.4% according to pre-match HR regardless of the gender, this increase was determined as 31.4% for male athletes and 27.2% for female athletes. While post-match BLs of athletes increase by 4.02 times compared to pre-match regardless of the gender, this increase was determined as 4.20 for male athletes and 3.82 for female athletes.Kickboxing is a combat sport which has high intensity of anaerobic physical fitness. Matches and rounds for HR and BL concentrations show the importance of the aerobic metabolism in kickboxing. However, the significant rise of HR and BL during simulated match indicates that the anaerobic metabolism is also important in kickboxing.
Relative contributions of formants to the intelligibility of sine-wave sentences in Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Han Yiyuan , Chen Fei
Published: June 2017

Early sine-wave speech (SWS) studies showed that the first three formants contain sufficient intelligibility information. The present work assessed the relative perceptual contributions of the first three formants. Mandarin sentences were edited to generate two SWS conditions: removal of one of the first three formant trajectories, and preservation of only one formant trajectory. In addition, SWS synthesis was implemented in the absence of sine-wave amplitude modulation. The results consistently showed that the trajectory of the second formant contributed the most to intelligibility, and the effect of amplitude modulation was smaller than that of the formant number.
Draft Genome Sequences of Listeria monocytogenes, Isolated from Fresh Leaf Vegetables in Owerri City, Nigeria
Authors: Nwaiwu Ogueri , Moura Alexandra , Thouvenot Pierre , Rees Catherine , Leclercq Alexandre , Lecuit Marc
Published: June 2017

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of three
Listeria monocytogenes
isolates from fresh leaves collected in Nigeria, belonging to sequence types ST5 and ST155 (sublineages SL5 and SL155, respectively).
First Insights into the Genome of the Cr(VI)-Reducing Bacterium Clostridium chromiireducens DSM 23318
Authors: Poehlein Anja , Höche Nils , Mehr Alexander , Daniel Rolf
Published: June 2017

Clostridium chromiireducens
is an obligate, anaerobic, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, and spore-forming bacterium that is able to reduce Cr(VI). The draft genome consists of one chromosome (5,448 Mb) and contains 4,773 predicted protein-encoding genes.
Complete Genome Assembly of Pantoea stewartii subsp.
stewartii
DC283, a Corn Pathogen
Authors: Duong Duy An , Stevens Ann M. , Jensen Roderick V.
Published: June 2017

The phytopathogen
Pantoea stewartii
subsp.
stewartii
DC283 causes Stewart’s wilt disease in corn after transmission from the corn flea beetle insect vector. Here, we report that the complete annotated genome of
P. stewartii
DC283 has been fully assembled into one circular chromosome, 10 circular plasmids, and one linear phage.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Clover (Trifolium repens L.) Root Endophyte
Paraburkholderia
sp. Strain A27
Authors: Laugraud Aurelie , Young Sandra , Gerard Emily , O’Callaghan Maureen , Wakelin Steven
Published: June 2017

Paraburkholderia
sp. strain A27, isolated from the root material of white clover, has plant growth-promoting activity on a range of agriculturally important plants. The draft genome of this bacterium is 7,393,089 bp and harbors a range of genes putatively involved in host colonization.
Unveiling Unexpected Immune Activities Induced by Your Pneumococcal Vaccine
Authors: Hurwitz Julia L. , Tuomanen Elaine
Published: June 2017

In modern-day vaccine design, a good pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine is measured by its ability to induce opsonic antibodies. These antibodies label bacteria for phagocytosis by neutrophils and thereby overcome the capsule’s barrier function. Doyle and Pirofski have raised a serious challenge to the current paradigm by describing anti-capsular antibodies that are highly protective but nonopsonic [C.R. Doyle and L. Pirofski, mBio 7(1):e02260-15, 2016, doi:10.1128/mBio.02260-15]. In fact, some functions are not related to neutrophils or phagocytosis at all. An increased awareness of these activities is critical not only for accurate comparisons of vaccine candidates but also for improvements in vaccination outcomes in settings of neutropenia. When vaccine developers select a single gatekeeper assay (e.g., an opsonophagocytic assay for bacteria or a neutralization assay for viruses), promising vaccine candidates may be missed. Doyle and Pirofski stress that multiple functions, not just one, should be investigated to enhance discovery of antibody mechanisms and to best assess vaccine-induced correlates of immune protection.
Nano-QSAR models for predicting cytotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) toE. coli
Authors: Zhou Zhengwei , Tang Xinwen , Dai Wen , Shi Jingjie , Chen Haiqun
Published: June 2017

Nanotechnology has been applied to many aspects of human life. Meanwhile, concerns regarding the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials to the environment have also been growing. Herein, an economic and convenient approach based on quantitative structure–activity relationship for nanomaterials (nano-QSAR) was proposed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) to E. coli. Six molecular descriptors of 17 MONPs were selected and calculated using Gaussian98 software and DFT-B3LYP method on the LANL2DZ basis set. Two multivariable models, linear and nonlinear, were built based on the calculated molecular descriptors using multiple linear regression (MLR) and support vector machine (SVM) methods, respectively. Results demonstrated that both models presented high reliability, good predictive performance, and fine generalization ability, with all R2values greater than 0.84. It was also revealed that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and molar heat capacity (Cp) were the two key descriptors influencing the cytotoxicity of MONPs.
Ricci curvature in Kähler geometry
Authors: Sun Song
Published: June 2017

These are the notes for lectures given at the Sanya winter school in complex analysis and geometry in January 2016. In Sec. 1, we review the meaning of Ricci curvature of Kähler metrics and introduce the problem of finding Kähler–Einstein metrics. In Sec. 2, we describe the formal picture that leads to the notion of K-stability of Fano manifolds, which is an algebro-geometric criterion for the existence of a Kähler–Einstein metric, by the recent result of Chen–Donaldson–Sun. In Sec. 3, we discuss algebraic structure on Gromov–Hausdorff limits, which is a key ingredient in the proof of the Kähler–Einstein result. In Sec. 4, we give a brief survey of the more recent work on tangent cones of singular Kähler–Einstein metrics arising from Gromov–Hausdorff limits, and the connections with algebraic geometry.
A Novel Faulty Phase Identification Algorithm and Fast DQ Transform Technique for Voltage Sag Detection
Authors: Rashmi S. , Shankaraiah
Published: June 2017

The disturbances created in AC transmission line power flow due to various faults and unavoidable natural circumstances have to be monitored carefully for uninterrupted power supply to the consumer and to avoid unacceptable situations. Voltage sag is one such unwanted disturbance occurring in the power system due to varying causes like lightning, loose connections, accidental short circuits, tree branches touching the line, birds hitting the line, etc., owing to non-recoverable damage to sensitive equipment in industries which also leads to financial losses. This paper proposes a new technique using DQ transform and integrator for fast voltage sag detection which is possible within [Formula: see text]th of a cycle and a new algorithm to identify the faulty phase. The authors are able to detect the voltage sag within the lowest time of 0.3[Formula: see text]ms for single-phase fault and 0.2[Formula: see text]ms for two-phase and three-phase faults. The simulation results for various types of power system faults with different point-on-waveform (POW) are presented using MATLAB/Simulink tool.
EXACT TRAVELING-WAVE SOLUTION FOR LOCAL FRACTIONAL BOUSSINESQ EQUATION IN FRACTAL DOMAIN
Authors: YANG XIAO-JUN , MACHADO J. A. TENREIRO , BALEANU DUMITRU
Published: June 2017

The new Boussinesq-type model in a fractal domain is derived based on the formulation of the local fractional derivative. The novel traveling wave transform of the non-differentiable type is adopted to convert the local fractional Boussinesq equation into a nonlinear local fractional ODE. The exact traveling wave solution is also obtained with aid of the non-differentiable graph. The proposed method, involving the fractal special functions, is efficient for finding the exact solutions of the nonlinear PDEs in fractal domains.
SYNTHESIS OF CUPROUS OXIDE THIN FILMS BY RF-MAGNETRON SPUTTERING
Authors: LI WENHAO
Published: June 2017

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) thin films were produced from metallic Cu targets on [Formula: see text]-Al2O3 (000[Formula: see text]) substrate by radio frequency magnetron sputtering technology. Three batches of samples were deposited under various sputtering parameters by modulating substrate temperature, gas flow and sputtering power, respectively. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Through the experiment, the influences of the sputtering conditions were systematically investigated. It could be inferred that the crystallization extent and the crystal orientation in Cu2O thin films mainly depend on the temperature exchange, which contribute to the variation of the film morphology. Moreover, the gas flow has an effect on the valence of the copper ion in the film and the sputtering power mainly affects the growth rate of the films. This research promotes a more specific scheme to deposit proper Cu2O thin films with proper morphology and useful properties.
THE STUDY OF HIGH DIELECTRIC CONSTANT MECHANISM OF La-DOPED Ba0.67Sr0.33TiO3 CERAMICS
Authors: XU JING , HE BO , LIU HAN XING
Published: June 2017

It is a common and effective method to enhance the dielectric properties of BST ceramics by adding rare-earth elements. In this paper, it is important to analyze the cause of the high dielectric constant behavior of La-doped BST ceramics. The results show that proper rare earth La dopant ([Formula: see text]) may greatly increase the dielectric constant of BST ceramics, and also improve the temperature stability, evidently. According to the current–voltage ([Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]) characteristics, the proper La-doped BST ceramics may reach the better semiconductivity, with the decrease and increase in La doping, the ceramics are insulators. By using the Schottky barrier model and electric microstructure model to find the surface or grain boundary potential barrier height, the width of the depletion layer and grain size do play an important role in impacting the dielectric constant.
Cylindrical Shells with Tunable Postbuckling Features Through Non-Uniform Patterned Thickening Patches
Authors: Hu Nan , Burgueño Rigoberto
Published: June 2017

The research reported herein follows the increased interest in buckling-induced functionality for novel materials and devices with a focus on cylindrical shells as a suitable structural prototype. The paper proposes the concept of using patterned thickening patches on the surface of cylindrical shells to modify and control their elastic postbuckling response. Cylindrical shells with non-uniform thickness distributions (NTD) were fabricated through 3D printing to understand rules for pattern designs and then tested under loading-unloading cycles. Strategic thickening patches act as governing imperfections that modify the response type, the number, the location and the sequence of the localized buckling events. The use of patterned thickening patches and their layout provides diverse design opportunities for a desired elastic postbuckling response and can be potentially used in design materials and structures with switchable functionalities.
KEEPING ALIVE INTER-ORGANISATIONAL INNOVATION THROUGH IDENTITY WORK AND PLAY
Authors: WEBB JANE
Published: June 2017

This paper discusses how people draw on the strategic interests and motivations of their home organisations in negotiating the activities inter-organisational collaboration for innovation will include. Through presenting ethnographic snapshots of a case involving fifteen partner organisations, the paper explores how members of a coordinating group make sense of the possibilities and constraints for joint work. As they discuss new activities, they engage in identity work and identity play, simultaneously identifying with their home organisations and the meta-organisation. This finding challenges previous research assuming the importance of a coherent and stable collective identity for collaborative work. Instead the author suggests that innovation practitioners leave space for multiple objectives to emerge over time within joint activities in order to keep alive inter-organisational innovation. The author calls for more research into how the interplay of organisational identities enables and constrains the practices of organising for inter-organisational innovation.
Low-Temperature Synthesis of Near-Monodisperse Globular MoS2 Nanoparticles with Sulphur Powders
Authors: Wang Hui , Li Xuequan , Yan Kai , Liu Guicheng , Song Weixing , Shen Ting , Zou Dechun
Published: June 2017

Nanoparticles (NPs) with high uniformity have been extensively investigated for their excellent chemical stability. Near-monodisperse globular MoS2 NPs were prepared with sulphur powders (SPs) as a sulphur source by a one-pot polyol-mediated process without surfactants, transfer agents and toxic agents at 170–190[Formula: see text]C. The as-processed SPs greatly affected the formation of the MoS2 NPs after low-activity sulphur (S8)n was reassembled from common SPs (S[Formula: see text]. The average size of MoS2 NPs can be reduced remarkably from 100–200[Formula: see text]nm to 50[Formula: see text]nm by introducing low amounts of MnCl2. A preliminary four-step growth mechanism based on the aggregation-coalescence model was also proposed. This green and simple method may be an alternative to the common hot-injection and heating-up methods for the preparation of monodisperse NPs, particularly transition metal dichalogenides.
Anisotropy Induced Switching Field Distribution in High-Density Patterned Media
Authors: Talapatra A. , Mohanty J.
Published: June 2017

We present here micromagnetic study of variation of switching field distribution (SFD) in a high-density patterned media as a function of magnetic anisotropy of the system. We consider the manifold effect of magnetic anisotropy in terms of its magnitude, tilt in anisotropy axis and random arrangements of magnetic islands with random anisotropy values. Our calculation shows that reduction in anisotropy causes linear decrease in coercivity because the anisotropy energy tries to align the spins along a preferred crystallographic direction. Tilt in anisotropy axis results in decrease in squareness of the hysteresis loop and hence facilitates switching. Finally, the experimental challenges like lithographic distribution of magnetic islands, their orientation, creation of defects, etc. demanded the distribution of anisotropy to be random along with random repetitions. We have explained that the range of anisotropy values and the number of bits with different anisotropy play a key role over SFD, whereas the position of the bits and their repetitions do not show a considerable contribution.
The Best of Times
Authors: Dwyer Johanna T.
Published: June 2017

I came of age as a nutrition scientist during the best of times—years that spanned a rapidly changing world of food and nutrition science, politics, and policy that greatly broadened the specialty and its influence on public affairs. I followed the conventional route in academe, working my way up the academic ladder in Boston from a base first in a school of public health and later in a teaching hospital and medical school, interspersed with stints in Washington, DC. Thus I tell a tale of two cities. Those were the best of times because nutrition science and policy converged and led to important policies and programs that shaped the field for the next 50 years.
Oatmeal particle size alters glycemic index but not as a function of gastric emptying rate
Authors: Mackie Alan R. , Bajka Balazs H. , Rigby Neil M. , Wilde Peter J. , Alves-Pereira Fatima , Mosleth Ellen F. , Rieder Anne , Kirkhus Bente , Salt Louise J.
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which oat particle size in a porridge could alter glucose absorption, gastric emptying, gastrointestinal hormone response, and subjective feelings of appetite and satiety. Porridge was prepared from either oat flakes or oat flour with the same protein, fat, carbohydrate, and mass. These were fed to eight volunteers on separate days in a crossover study, and subjective appetite ratings, gastric contents, and plasma glucose, insulin, and gastrointestinal hormones were determined over a period of 3 h. The flake porridge gave a lower glucose response than the flour porridge, and there were apparent differences in gastric emptying in both the early and late postprandial phases. The appetite ratings showed similar differences between early- and late-phase behavior. The structure of the oat flakes remained sufficiently intact to delay their gastric emptying, leading to a lower glycemic response, even though initial gastric emptying rates were similar for the flake and flour porridge. This highlights the need to take food structure into account when considering relatively simple physiological measures and offering nutritional guidance.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The impact of food structure on glycemic response even in simple foods such as porridge is dependent on both timing of gastric emptying and the composition of what is emptied as well as duodenal starch digestion. Thus structure should be accounted for when considering relatively simple physiological measures and offering nutritional guidance.
Spinal cord stimulation reduces ventricular arrhythmias during acute ischemia by attenuation of regional myocardial excitability
Authors: Howard-Quijano Kimberly , Takamiya Tatsuo , Dale Erica A. , Kipke Jasmine , Kubo Yukiko , Grogan Tristan , Afyouni Andyshea , Shivkumar Kalyanam , Mahajan Aman
Published: June 2017

Myocardial ischemia creates autonomic nervous system imbalance and can trigger cardiac arrhythmias. We hypothesized that neuromodulation by spinal cord stimulation (SCS) will attenuate local cardiac sympathoexcitation from ischemia-induced increases in afferent signaling, reduce ventricular arrhythmias, and improve myocardial function during acute ischemia. Yorkshire pigs ( n = 20) were randomized to SCS (50 Hz at 200-μs duration, current 90% motor threshold) or sham operation (sham) for 30 min before ischemia. A four-pole SCS lead was placed percutaneously in the epidural space (T1–T4), and a 56-electrode mesh was placed over the heart for high-resolution electrophysiological recordings, including activation recovery intervals (ARIs), activation time, repolarization time, and dispersion of repolarization. Electrophysiological and hemodynamic measures were recorded at baseline, after SCS/sham, during acute ischemia (300-s coronary artery ligation), and throughout reperfusion. SCS 1) reduced sympathoexcitation-induced ARI and repolarization time shortening in the ischemic myocardium; 2) attenuated increases in the dispersion of repolarization; 3) reduced ventricular tachyarrythmias [nonsustained ventricular tachycardias: 24 events (3 sham animals) vs. 1 event (1 SCS animal), P < 0.001]; and 4) improved myocardial function (dP/d t from baseline to ischemia: 1,814 ± 213 to 1,596 ± 282 mmHg/s in sham vs. 1,422 ± 299 to 1,380 ± 299 mmHg/s in SCS, P < 0.01). There was no change in ventricular electrophysiology during baseline conditions without myocardial stress or in the nonischemic myocardium. In conclusion, in a porcine model of acute ventricular ischemia, SCS reduced regional myocardial sympathoexcitation, decreased ventricular arrhythmias, and improved myocardial function. SCS decreased sympathetic nerve activation locally in the ischemic myocardium with no effect observed in the normal myocardium, thus providing mechanistic insights into the antiarrhythmic and myocardial protective effects of SCS.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY In a porcine model of ventricular ischemia, spinal cord stimulation decreased sympathetic nerve activation regionally in ischemic myocardium with no effect on normal myocardium, demonstrating that the antiarrhythmic effects of spinal cord stimulation are likely due to attenuation of local sympathoexcitation in the ischemic myocardium and not changes in global myocardial electrophysiology.
Novel role of NPY in neuroimmune interaction and lung growth after intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Thangaratnarajah Chansutha , Dinger Katharina , Vohlen Christina , Klaudt Christian , Nawabi Jawed , Lopez Garcia Eva , Kwapiszewska Grazyna , Dobner Julia , Nüsken Kai D. , van Koningsbruggen-Rietschel Silke , von Hörsten Stephan , Dötsch Jörg , Alejandre Alcázar Miguel A.
Published: June 2017

Individuals with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are at risk for chronic lung disease. Using a rat model, we showed in our previous studies that altered lung structure is related to IL-6/STAT3 signaling. As neuropeptide Y (NPY), a coneurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system, regulates proliferation and immune response, we hypothesized that dysregulated NPY after IUGR is linked to IL-6, impaired myofibroblast function, and alveolar growth. IUGR was induced in rats by isocaloric low-protein diet; lungs were analyzed on embryonic day (E) 21, postnatal day (P) 3, P12, and P23. Finally, primary neonatal lung myofibroblasts (pnF) and murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) were used to assess proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and IL-6 expression. At E21, NPY and IL-6 expression was decreased, and AKT/PKC and STAT3/AMPKα signaling was reduced. Early reduction of NPY/IL-6 was associated with increased chord length in lungs after IUGR at P3, indicating reduced alveolar formation. At P23, however, IUGR rats exhibited a catch-up of body weight and alveolar growth coupled with more proliferating myofibroblasts. These structural findings after IUGR were linked to activated NPY/PKC, IL-6/AMPKα signaling. Complementary, IUGR-pnF showed increased survival, impaired migration, and reduced IL-6 compared with control-pnF (Co-pnF). In contrast, NPY induced proliferation, migration, and increased IL-6 synthesis in fibroblasts. Additionally, NPY−/− mice showed reduced IL-6 signaling and less proliferation of lung fibroblasts. Our study presents a novel role of NPY during alveolarization: NPY regulates 1) IL-6 and lung STAT3/AMPKα signaling, and 2) proliferation and migration of myofibroblasts. These new insights in pulmonary neuroimmune interaction offer potential strategies to enable lung growth.