bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tradable credit scheme for rush hour travel choice with heterogeneous commuters
Authors: Xiao Ling-Ling , Huang Hai-Jun , Liu Ronghui
Published: October 2015

This article proposes a tradable credit scheme for managing commuters’ travel choices. The scheme considers bottleneck congestion and modal split in a competitive highway–transit network with heterogeneous commuters who are distinguished by their valuation of travel time. The scheme charges all auto travelers who pass the bottleneck during a peak-time window in the form of mobility credits. Those who avoid the peak-time window, by either traveling outside the peak-time window or switching to the transit mode, may be rewarded credits. An artificial market is created so that the travelers may trade these credits with each other. We formulate the credit price and the rewarded and charged credits under tradable credit scheme. Our analyses indicate that the optimal tradable credit scheme can achieve nearly 40% efficiency gains depending on the level of commuters’ heterogeneity. In addition, this scheme distributes the benefits among all the commuters directly through the credit trading. Our results suggest that in assessing the efficiency of tradable credit scheme, it is important to take into account the commuters’ heterogeneity. Numerical experiments are conducted to examine the sensitivity of tradable credit scheme designs to various system parameters.
Control strategy of a novel energy recovery system for parallel hybrid hydraulic excavator
Authors: Li Wei , Wu Bo , Cao Baoyu
Published: October 2015

With the high fuel prices, the demands for energy saving and green emission of engineering machinery have been increased rapidly. Due to the complex working condition and frequent load changing, the efficiency of the hydraulic excavator is low. The aim of this article is to propose a control strategy for energy recovery system of hydraulic excavator driven by the parallel hybrid system. The mathematical models of the main components and the simulation models of the proposed system and a conventional energy recovery system are built. Then, according to the load characteristic, a control strategy based on the working condition and state of charge of the battery is given. The co-simulation for the hybrid hydraulic excavator system is established. The results show that the proposed energy recovery system and control strategy can not only improve the energy recovery efficiency but also reduce fuel consumption and emission of the power system.
Durability of aneurysm treatments in patients with active Behcet’s disease
Authors: Elsharawy Mohamed A , Elsaid Aymen , Al-Dhafery Bander , Alghnimi Ibrahim , Almabyouq Fatimah
Published: October 2015

Objective

Aneurysms in Behcet’s disease are rare, serious, and recurrent. To achieve durable treatment, patients should receive immunosuppressive therapy before intervention to induce remission. We present early and long-term results of emergency cases of active Behcet’s disease, which did not permit waiting for suppressive treatment.

Patients and methods

The study was undertaken on all cases admitted to the vascular unit, King Fahd Hospital of University for aneurysm treatment in patients with active Behcet’s disease over about 10 years. All patients had exclusion of the aneurysm either by open surgery or endovascular intervention. Morbidities and mortality were recorded within the hospital admission and on the follow-up.

Results

During the study period, three cases were included. All interventions were successful and lifesaving. However, two cases, treated with surgical interposition grafts, were blocked in the intermediate term follow-up (2–12 months) and one case, treated with endovascular treatment, complicated with pseudoaneurysm at femoral puncture site after six months.

Conclusion

Although early results were good, intermediate ones were not satisfactory because of progressive graft thrombosis and formation of new aneurysms. Awareness of these rare cases help for early identification and proper immunosuppressive before emergency vascular intervention is warranted.
Role of dexmedetomidine in IL-4 and IFN-γ expression in rats with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome induced by postpartum bleeding
Authors: Zhang Chunfang , Liu Xianbao , Zhan Hong , Chen Dunjin
Published: October 2015

Bleeding-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is one of the major causes of death in pregnant women. MODS is thought to result from an inappropriate generalized host inflammatory response to a variety of acute insults. In this study we established a MODS model in postpartum rats, in which MODS was induced by the combination of induced hypotension for 60 min and clamping of the superior mesenteric artery for a period of 40 min. We sacrificed all the rats 24 h after dexmedetomidine (DEX) treatment. Thymus, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node tissue were collected to detect interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) protein expression; lung and intestine tissue were collected to measure IFN-γ and IL-4 gene expression. In the present study, IFN-γ and IL-4 mRNA were increased in the lungs and intestines of the MODS rats. DEX administration decreased IFN-γ and IL-4 mRNA expression. IFN-γ and IL-4 expression for the thymus, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes were higher in the MODS postpartum rats relative to control rats, and these expression levels decreased upon DEX administration, But there were no significant differences between DEX doses. In conclusion DEX administration appeared to reduce IFN-γ and IL-4 protein expression in thymus, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node tissue and reduce IFN-γ and IL-4 gene expression in the lungs and intestines in the MODS postpartum rats but was not dose-dependent.
Māori leaders’ well-being: A self-determination perspective
Authors: Ann Roche Maree , Haar Jarrod M. , Brougham David
Published: October 2015

This research draws on interviews with 18 Māori leaders from various leadership positions within business, community, political and marae organisations, to garner an understanding of how their leadership roles interact with their own well-being. Analysis of interviews revealed that cross-cultural developments in self-determination theory could be gained by incorporating Māori tikanga and values into a model of well-being for Māori leaders. Largely, the principles of tino rangatiratanga (autonomy and self-determination), mana (respect and influence), whānau (extended family), whakapapa (shared history) and whanaungatanga (kin relations, consultation and engagement), were united into a model of leader well-being. This ensured that mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) informed our model of Māori leader well-being, while also drawing on the burgeoning Western research in the area of well-being, specifically self-determination theory. Overall, we find that similarities exist with self-determination theory and Māori tikanga and values. However, in contrast to self-determination theory, autonomy and competence are developed within relationships, which means that ‘others’ underpin Māori leaders’ well-being. From this perspective, we present a view of the psychological and well-being resources that Māori leaders draw on to guide them through complex times.
Research priorities by professional background – A detailed analysis of the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership
Authors: Arulkumaran Nishkantha , Reay Hannah , Brett Stephen J ,   on behalf of the JLA Intensive Care Research Priority Setting Partnership
Published: October 2015

The Intensive Care Foundation, in partnership with the James Lind Alliance, has supported a national project to identify and prioritise unanswered questions about adult intensive care that are important to people who have been critically ill, their families, and the health professionals who care for them. We conducted a secondary analysis to explore differences in priorities determined by different respondent groups in order to identify different groups’ perceptions of gaps in knowledge. There were two surveys conducted as part of the original project. Survey 1 comprised a single open question to identify important research topics; survey 2 aimed to prioritise these topics using a 10-point Likert scale. In survey 1, despite clear differences in suggestions amongst the respondent groups, themes of comfort/communication and post-ICU rehabilitation were the within the top 2 suggestions across all groups. Patients and relatives suggested research topics to which they could easily relate, whereas there was a greater breadth of suggestions from clinicians. In survey 2, the number of research priorities that received a mode score of 10 varied from 1 to 36. Patients scored 36 out of the 37 topics with a mode score of 10. All other groups scored topics with more discrimination, with the number of topics with a mode score of 10 ranging from 1 to 20. Differences in the proportions of the representative groups are therefore unlikely to have translated to an impartial conclusion. Clinicians, patients, and family members have jointly identified the research priorities for UK ICM practice.
Abrasion testing on synthetic turf: A modified device
Authors: Lenehan Kurt A , Twomey Dara M
Published: October 2015

Despite the improved quality of synthetic turf surfaces, players are still expressing their discontent with the perceived greater risk of sustaining abrasion injuries on them relative to natural turf. The validity of the current device, the Securisport®, used to measure the abrasiveness of synthetic turf playing surfaces has been challenged based on its unrealistic interaction with the surface throughout testing. It rotates on the surface at a speed of 40 ± 1 r/min. The aim of this study was to compare the abrasion measurements from the current Securisport device with those from a modified device. The modified device moved across the surface in a linear direction at a speed of 5 m/s, replicating a soccer slide tackle. Data were captured for three trials for each device on three different surfaces: sand-only infill, low-rubber infill and high-rubber infill. Overall, it was found that there was a significant mean abrasion difference of 51.7% between the two devices (p = 0.02) and also significant differences resided between the two devices at specific infill levels. The results of this study found that the specific modifications to the current Securisport device, substantially changed abrasion measurements on synthetic turf, therefore illustrating the need for further work to improve the validity of the Securisport.
Key experiences of community engagement and social mobilization in the Ebola response
Authors: Laverack Glenn , Manoncourt Erma
Published: October 2015

The ongoing outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa is the largest on record; it has undermined already fragile healthcare systems and presented new challenges to contain the spread of the disease. Based on our observations in the field and insights from referenced sources, we aimed to identify key experiences of community engagement and social mobilization efforts in the current Ebola response. We concluded that there is no excuse not to actively involve local people and that the United Nations (UN) agencies and other partners did learn from their earlier mistakes to make a genuine attempt to better engage with communities. However, bottom-up approaches have not been widely implemented during the response and the reasons for not doing so must be further assessed. Health promotion can make an important contribution, because it shows how to enable people to take more control over their lives and health. This commentary can provide a guide to agencies to understand an appropriate way forward when the next Ebola outbreak inevitably occurs.
Community matters – why outbreak responses need to integrate health promotion
Authors: Kickbusch Ilona , Reddy K. Srikanth
Published: October 2015

Communities are characterized by common interests, common ecology, and common social system or structure. These characteristics, qualities, and processes involved in the community affect both health behaviors and health outcomes during disease outbreaks. Hence, health promotion theorists and practitioners emphasize working ‘with’ rather than ‘on’ communities. They believe health promotion, with all its experiences in community mobilization, empowerment, and health literacy programs, should be part of disease prevention and control efforts from the very beginning. Health promotion knowledge needs to be fully integrated into infectious disease control, especially in the context of outbreaks.
Networks of Coproduction
Authors: Lück Julia , Wozniak Antal , Wessler Hartmut
Published: October 2015

This study examines the interrelations between journalists and communication practitioners from environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Taking the annual United Nations climate change conferences as a case in point, we show that the exceptional circumstances of these events foster a temporary blurring of the professional boundaries between both actor groups that partly results in a joint production of interpretations. Based on seventy-eight semi-standardized interviews with journalists and NGO representatives, we identify four distinct coproduction networks that pair particular types of journalists and NGO communicators. Our analysis shows that (1) the journalistic beat, (2) the type of media journalists work for, (3) journalists’ and NGOs’ perceived target audiences, and also (4) the NGOs’ strategic orientation toward either lobbying or popular mobilization are decisive for the formation of these networks. Our study helps to systematically explain message production in a transnational context and provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between journalism and public relations.
Sports Specialization, Part II
Authors: Myer Gregory D. , Jayanthi Neeru , DiFiori John P. , Faigenbaum Avery D. , Kiefer Adam W. , Logerstedt David , Micheli Lyle J.
Published: October 2015

Context:

Many coaches, parents, and children believe that the best way to develop elite athletes is for them to participate in only 1 sport from an early age and to play it year-round. However, emerging evidence to the contrary indicates that efforts to specialize in 1 sport may reduce opportunities for all children to participate in a diverse year-round sports season and can lead to lost development of lifetime sports skills. Early sports specialization may also reduce motor skill development and ongoing participation in games and sports as a lifestyle choice. The purpose of this review is to employ the current literature to provide evidence-based alternative strategies that may help to optimize opportunities for all aspiring young athletes to maximize their health, fitness, and sports performance.

Evidence Acquisition:

Nonsystematic review with critical appraisal of existing literature.

Study Design:

Clinical review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Conclusion:

Based on the current evidence, parents and educators should help provide opportunities for free unstructured play to improve motor skill development and youth should be encouraged to participate in a variety of sports during their growing years to influence the development of diverse motor skills. For those children who do choose to specialize in a single sport, periods of intense training and specialized sport activities should be closely monitored for indicators of burnout, overuse injury, or potential decrements in performance due to overtraining. Last, the evidence indicates that all youth should be involved in periodized strength and conditioning (eg, integrative neuromuscular training) to help them prepare for the demands of competitive sport participation, and youth who specialize in a single sport should plan periods of isolated and focused integrative neuromuscular training to enhance diverse motor skill development and reduce injury risk factors.

Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT):

B.
Magnesium for Treatment of Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome
Authors: Mijalski Christina , Dakay Katarina , Miller-Patterson Cameron , Saad Ali , Silver Brian , Khan Muhib
Published: October 2015

We describe 2 cases of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) with refractory headache aborted by intravenous magnesium. Case 1 is a 53-year-old woman with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to RCVS presented with refractory headache and persistent vasospasm, despite aggressive treatment with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and systemic corticosteroids. Subsequently, she experienced dramatic relief of symptoms with intravenous magnesium therapy. She continued oral maintenance therapy and remained symptom free. Case 2 is a 71-year-old female with bilateral temporo-occipital infarcts due to RCVS, presented with refractory headache and persistent vasospasm on transcranial Doppler (TCD), despite aggressive treatment with CCBs. She experienced dramatic relief of symptoms with intravenous magnesium and resolution of vasospasm on TCD. Magnesium may be beneficial for the treatment of refractory headaches in patients with RCVS. Future studies are needed to determine whether it should be considered as a first-line agent.
A Scoping Review of Accountability in Social Entrepreneurship
Authors: Burga Ruben , Rezania Davar
Published: October 2015

The aim of this article is to do a scoping review of accountability in the context of social entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurship is becoming an important business model, while the concept of accountability is prevalent in today’s environment. The scoping review is a type of literature search with certain important distinctions from a literature review. Systematically, the scoping review explores the literature from a relevance viewpoint rather than by evaluating the quality of the research. Then the data are mapped or charted to identify key themes and gaps in the literature. We observe that accountability in social entrepreneurship is viewed and studied in three different ways: as a relationship between parties, as an outcome, or as a predictor variable. We also observe that most of the research is done in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Finally we observe that research methodologies utilized are primarily based around qualitative methods or conceptual descriptions.
Stressful Life Events Moderate the Relationship Between Genes and Biased Attention to Emotional Faces in Youth
Authors: Jenness Jessica L. , Hankin Benjamin L. , Young Jami F. , Smolen Andrew
Published: October 2015

Attention bias to emotion may be an intermediate trait for stress-reactive psychopathology associated with biologically plausible candidate genes, yet the precise direction of effects within the youth literature remains unclear. The present study investigated whether stressful life events (SLEs) moderate the link between genetic risk (5-HTTLPR and COMT) and attention bias to emotion among youth ( N = 467). Analyses revealed a differential effect of gene. Among youth who had experienced more recent SLEs, those homozygous for the low expressing allele of 5-HTTLPR (S/S) demonstrated preferential attention toward negative emotional expressions, whereas youth homozygous for the high expressing COMT genotype (Val/Val) showed attentional avoidance of positive facial expressions. No interaction between 5-HTTLPR and COMT was found. These findings highlight the importance of investigating stress as a moderator within the intermediate trait literature and suggest that biologically plausible candidate genes may have a differential effect in the pathway to psychological disorders.
Revisiting Depression Contagion as a Mediator of the Relation Between Depression and Rejection
Authors: Pe Madeline L. , Gotlib Ian H. , Van Den Noortgate Wim , Kuppens Peter
Published: October 2015

Interpersonal theories of depression postulate that depressed individuals’ experience of social isolation is attributable, in part, to their tendency to behave in ways that elicit rejection from others. Depression contagion has been implicated as a factor that may account for the rejection of depressed individuals. In the current study, we revisit this hypothesis by using a controlled, but realistically motivated, setting: speed dating. Approximately 2 weeks before the speed-dating event, participants’ depression levels were assessed. During the event, participants had 4-min “dates” with opposite-sex partners. After each date, they responded to items that measured their affect and romantic attraction. At the end of the evening, participants indicated which partners they wanted to see again. Our results did not support depression contagion: After 4 min of interaction with partners with high levels of depressive symptoms, participants did not experience increased negative affect; instead, they experienced reduced positive affect, which led to the rejection of these partners.
Does a Video Improve Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and HIV Testing among a Global Internet Audience?
Authors: Shao Winnie , Guan Wentao , Clark Melissa A. , Liu Tao , Santelices Claudia , Cortes Dharma E. , Merchant Roland C.
Published: October 2015

The objectives of this study were to determine if a video improved HIV/AIDS and HIV testing knowledge among a global sample of Internet users, to discern if this improvement was the same for English and Spanish speakers, and to ascertain if the video was efficacious for those with lower health literacy. A worldwide sample of English- or Spanish-speaking Internet users was solicited. Participants completed a 25-item questionnaire to assess their HIV/AIDS and HIV testing knowledge before and after watching the video. Mean scores on the questionnaire improved after watching the video for both English speakers (after: 19.6 versus before: 16.4; Δ = 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8-3.5) and Spanish speakers (20.7 versus 17.3; Δ = 3.4; 95% CI: 3.0-3.8). There was no difference in improvement of scores between English and Spanish speakers (Δ = −0.24; 95% CI: −0.79 to 0.31), and this video was equally efficacious for those with lower and higher health literacy skills.
Implementation of a Peer HIV Community Support Worker Program in Rural Ethiopia to Promote Retention in Care
Authors: Lifson Alan R. , Workneh Sale , Hailemichael Abera , Demisse Workneh , Slater Lucy , Shenie Tibebe
Published: October 2015

Retention in care is a major challenge for HIV treatment programs, including in rural and in resource-limited settings. To help reduce loss to follow-up (LTFU) for HIV-infected patients new to care in rural Ethiopia, 142 patients were assigned 1 of 13 trained community health support workers (CHSWs) who were HIV positive and from the same neighborhood/village. The CHSWs provided HIV and health education, counseling/social support, and facilitated communication with the HIV clinics. With 7 deaths and 3 transfers, the 12-month retention rate was 94% (95% CI = 89%-97%), and no client was LTFU in the project. Between enrollment and 12 months, clients had significant ( P ≤ .001) improvements in HIV knowledge (17% increase), physical and mental quality of life (81% and 21% increase), internalized stigma (97% decrease), and perceived social support (24% increase). In rural and resource-limited settings, community-based CHSW programs can complement facility-based care in reducing LTFU and improving positive outcomes for HIV-infected people who enter care.
Cholesterol Levels in HIV- and/or HCV-Infected Drug Users Living in Argentina
Authors: Kohli Rakhi , Winston Diana , Sheehan Heidi , Muzzio Estela , Benetucci Jorge , Weissenbacher Mercedes , Wanke Christine , Knox Tamsin , Tang Alice
Published: October 2015

Improved understanding of cholesterol levels in HIV- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected persons in Argentina will guide optimal antiretroviral therapy. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in Argentina to describe associations between HIV, HCV, and cholesterol. Of the 202 participants, 21 were HIV infected, 15 were HCV infected, 46 were HIV/HCV coinfected, and 120 were HIV/HCV uninfected. HIV/HCV-uninfected participants had the highest total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Multivariate modeling revealed that HIV/HCV-coinfected patients had the lowest TC levels (−28.7 mg/dL, P < .001) compared to the HIV/HCV-uninfected reference group. Hepatitis C virus and HIV/HCV coinfection were associated with lower LDL levels (−21.4 mg/dL, P = .001 and −20.3 mg/dL, P < .0001, respectively). HIV and HIV/HCV coinfection, but not HCV alone, were associated with lower high-density lipoprotein levels (−9.1 mg/dL, P = .0008 and −6.8 mg/dL, P = .0006, respectively). Further study is needed to examine whether the more favorable lipid profile observed in HIV/HCV-coinfected persons is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk.
Platelet transactivation by monocytes promotes thrombosis in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Authors: Tutwiler Valerie , Madeeva Daria , Ahn Hyun Sook , Andrianova Izabella , Hayes Vincent , Zheng X. Long , Cines Douglas B. , McKenzie Steven E. , Poncz Mortimer , Rauova Lubica
Published: October 2015

Key Points

The procoagulant nature of HIT can be simulated in a microfluidic model using human blood and its components. PF4/glycosaminoglycans/immunoglobulin G complexes activate monocytes through FcγRIIA to generate TF and thrombin, leading to coated platelets in HIT.
ST2 contributes to T-cell hyperactivation and fatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in mice
Authors: Rood Julia E. , Rao Sheila , Paessler Michele , Kreiger Portia A. , Chu Niansheng , Stelekati Erietta , Wherry E. John , Behrens Edward M.
Published: October 2015

Key Points

Blockade of ST2 improves morbidity and mortality in murine FHL. Danger signals such as IL-33 may be required to amplify antigen-specific immune responses above the threshold for FHL disease in mice.
Diagnostic value of immunoassays for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nagler Michael , Bachmann Lucas M. , ten Cate Hugo , ten Cate-Hoek Arina
Published: October 2015

Key Points

Immunoassays used to diagnose heparin-induced thrombocytopenia vary substantially with regard to the specific test characteristics. High sensitivity (>95%) in combination with high specificity (>90%) was found in only 5 tests.
Bird naming systems by Akan people in Ghana follow scientific nomenclature with potentials for conservation monitoring
Authors: Deikumah Justus P. , Konadu Vida Asieduwaa , Kwafo Richard
Published: October 2015

Background

Studies on indigenous knowledge of fauna particular birds and its potential use in biodiversity conservation and management are rare globally. Characteristics used in creating indigenous bird names in many Ghanaian languages are undocumented. The main aim of this study is to answer the question “whether indigenous bird naming systems by the Akan tribes in Ghana follow scientific nomenclature and whether indigenous Akan bird knowledge can potentially help improve bird conservation efforts in Ghana.

Methods

Purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting 10 respondents from 25 communities in the five administrative districts in the Central Region. The study was conducted between November 2014 and March 2015. A mixed method approach was adopted in the data collection including key person interviews, focus group discussion, and structured interview supported by a participatory field observation.

Results

Indigenous people in the study area have reported 143 species of birds belonging to 44 families representing 57 % of total number of species with known local names in Ghana. The study revealed that just as Latin and common English naming systems, indigenous Akan bird names originated from features of the bird, including plumage, vocalizations or behavioural characteristics and belief systems of the indigenous people. The study also discovered that indigenous people in the study area have distinct names for different species within a particular family for most of the birds they could identify. However, they occasionally assign a single general name for either the entire family or all species therein.

Conclusions

The study found evidence to support the prediction that indigenous bird naming systems in the Akan language follow scientific nomenclature. Indigenous knowledge and understanding of birds in the study area can be tapped and used in conservation planning and monitoring of birds. This research thus provides sufficient evidence to prove that indigenous knowledge by the Akan tribes in the study area can be useful in bird conservation and monitoring programs in Ghana. Further research in other Ghanaian languages is recommended.
Pax6 is required intrinsically by thalamic progenitors for the normal molecular patterning of thalamic neurons but not the growth and guidance of their axons
Authors: Clegg James M. , Li Ziwen , Molinek Michael , Caballero Isabel Martín , Manuel Martine N. , Price David J.
Published: October 2015

Background

In mouse embryos, the Pax6 transcription factor is expressed in the progenitors of thalamic neurons but not in thalamic neurons themselves. Its null-mutation causes early mis-patterning of thalamic progenitors. It is known that thalamic neurons generated by Pax6

−/−
progenitors do not develop their normal connections with the cortex, but it is not clear why. We investigated the extent to which defects intrinsic to the thalamus are responsible.

Results

We first confirmed that, in constitutive Pax6

−/−
mutants, the axons of thalamic neurons fail to enter the telencephalon and, instead, many of them take an abnormal path to the hypothalamus, whose expression of Slits would normally repel them. We found that thalamic neurons show reduced expression of the Slit receptor Robo2 in Pax6

−/−
mutants, which might enhance the ability of their axons to enter the hypothalamus. Remarkably, however, in chimeras comprising a mixture of Pax6

−/−
and Pax6

+/+
cells, Pax6

−/−
thalamic neurons are able to generate axons that exit the diencephalon, take normal trajectories through the telencephalon and avoid the hypothalamus. This occurs despite abnormalities in their molecular patterning (they express Nkx2.2, unlike normal thalamic neurons) and their reduced expression of Robo2. In conditional mutants, acute deletion of Pax6 from the forebrain at the time when thalamic axons are starting to grow does not prevent the development of the thalamocortical tract, suggesting that earlier extra-thalamic patterning and /or morphological defects are the main cause of thalamocortical tract failure in Pax6

−/−
constitutive mutants.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that Pax6 is required by thalamic progenitors for the normal molecular patterning of the thalamic neurons that they generate but thalamic neurons do not need normal Pax6-dependent patterning to become competent to grow axons that can be guided appropriately.
Aspirin promotes bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-based calvarial bone regeneration in mini swine
Authors: Cao Yu , Xiong Jimin , Mei Shenghui , Wang Fu , Zhao Zhigang , Wang Songlin , Liu Yi
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Stem cells have great therapeutic potential due to their capacity for self-renewal and their potential for differentiating into multiple cell lineages. It has been recently shown that the host immune system has fundamental effects on the fate of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells during bone repair, where the topical administration of aspirin is capable of improving calvarial bone repair in rodents by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production. This study investigates whether aspirin is capable of accelerating the regenerative potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) in a mini swine calvarial bone defect model.

Methods

Calvarial bone defects (3 cm × 1.8 cm oval defect) in mini swine were treated with BMSC pretreated with 75 μg/ml aspirin for 24 h seeded onto hydroxyaptite/tricalcium phosphatel (HA/TCP), or with BMSC with HA/TCP, or with HA/TCP only, or remained untreated. Animals were scanned with micro-computed tomography (microCT) at 2 days and 6 months postsurgery and were sacrificed at 6 months postsurgery with decalcified tissues being processed for histomorphometric examination. The cytokine levels, including TNF-α and IFN-γ, were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Aspirin at 75 μg/ml promoted the osteogenesis of BMSC in vitro and in vivo, shown by Alizarin Red staining and new bone volume in the nude mice transplantation model (p < 0.01), respectively. Defects treated with aspirin-BMSC showed significantly greater new bone fill compared with other three groups at 6 months postsurgery (p < 0.01). Aspirin-BMSC treatment has significantly decreased the concentration of TNF-α and IFN-γ (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The present study shows that BMSC pretreated with aspirin have a greater capacity to repair calvarial bone defects in a mini swine model. The results suggest that the administration of aspirin is capable of improving BMSC-mediated calvarial bone regeneration in a big animal model.
Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells improve glucose homeostasis in high-fat diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Cao Mingjun , Pan Qingjie , Dong Huansheng , Yuan Xinxu , Li Yang , Sun Zhen , Dong Xiao , Wang Hongjun
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Effective therapies for obesity and diabetes are still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a single intravenous infusion of syngeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) can reduce obesity, lower insulin resistance, and improve glucose homeostasis in a high-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) mouse model.

Methods

Seven-week-old C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet for 20 weeks to generate the DIO mouse model. Mice were given a single intravenous infusion of ex vivo expanded syngeneic ASCs at 2 × 106 cells per mouse. DIO or CHOW mice injected with saline were used as controls. Body weights, blood glucose levels, glucose, and insulin tolerance test results were obtained before and 2 and 6 weeks after cell infusion. Triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and insulin levels in serum were measured. Expressions of genes related to insulin resistance, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and insulin receptor (InsR), and inflammation (IL-6,F4/80, and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2, or NOD2), were measured in livers at mRNA level by real-time-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Beta-cell mass in pancrheases from CHOW, DIO, and DIO + ASC mice was quantified. GFP+ ASCs were injected, and the presence of GFP+ cells in livers and pancreases was determined.

Results

DIO mice that had received ASCs showed reduced body weights, reduced blood glucose levels, and increased glucose tolerance. ASC treatment was found to reduce TG levels and increase serum HDL levels. In livers, less fat cell deposition was observed, as were increased expression of InsR and PPARγ and reduction in expressions of IL-6 and F4/80. Treated mice showed well-preserved pancreatic β-cell mass with reduced expression of F4/80 and TNF-α compared with DIO controls. GFP+ cells were found in liver and pancreas tissues at 1 and 2 weeks after cell injection.

Conclusions

ASC therapy is effective in lowering blood glucose levels and increasing glucose tolerance in DIO mice. The protective effects of ASCs arise at least in part from suppression of inflammation in the liver. In addition, ASCs are associated with better-preserved pancreatic β-cell mass.
Cellular magnetic resonance imaging contrast generated by the ferritin heavy chain genetic reporter under the control of a Tet-On switch
Authors: He Xiaoya , Cai Jinhua , Liu Bo , Zhong Yi , Qin Yong
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Despite the strong appeal of ferritin as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reporter for stem cell research, no attempts have been made to apply this genetic imaging reporter in stem cells in an inducible manner, which is important for minimizing the potential risk related to the constitutive expression of an imaging reporter. The aim of the present study was to develop an inducible genetic MRI reporter system that enables the production of intracellular MRI contrast as needed.

Methods

Ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) was genetically modified by adding a Tet-On switch. A C3H10T1/2 cell line carrying Tet-FTH1 (C3H10T1/2-FTH1) was established via lentiviral transduction. The dose- and time-dependent expression of FTH1 in C3H10T1/2 cells was assessed by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The induced “ON” and non-induced “OFF” expressions of FTH1 were detected using a 3.0 T MRI scanner. Iron accumulation in cells was analyzed by Prussian blue staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results

The expression of FTH1 was both dose- and time-dependently induced, and FTH1 expression peaked in response to induction with doxycycline (Dox) at 0.2 μg/ml for 72 h. The induced expression of FTH1 resulted in a significant increase in the transverse relaxation rate of C3H10T1/2-FTH1 cells following iron supplementation. Prussian blue staining and TEM revealed extensive iron accumulation in C3H10T1/2–FTH1 cells in the presence of Dox.

Conclusions

Cellular MRI contrast can be produced as needed via the expression of FTH1 under the control of a Tet-On switch. This finding could lay the groundwork for the use of FTH1 to track stem cells in vivo in an inducible manner.
Viscosity approximation method for generalized asymptotically quasi-nonexpansive mappings in a convex metric space
Authors: Khan Abdul Rahim , Yasmin Nusrat , Fukhar-ud-din Hafiz , Shukri Sami Atif
Published: October 2015

A general viscosity iterative method for a finite family of generalized asymptotically quasi-nonexpansive mappings in a convex metric space is introduced. Special cases of the new iterative method are the viscosity iterative method of Chang et al. (Appl. Math. Comput. 212:51-59, 2009), an analogue of the viscosity iterative method of Fukhar-ud-din et al. (J. Nonlinear Convex Anal. 16:47-58, 2015) and an extension of the multistep iterative method of Yildirim and Özdemir (Arab. J. Sci. Eng. 36:393-403, 2011). Our results generalize and extend the corresponding known results in uniformly convex Banach spaces and $\operatorname{CAT}(0)$
CAT
(
0
)
spaces simultaneously.
3-phase dual-energy CT scan as a feasible salvage imaging modality for the identification of non-localizing parathyroid adenomas: A prospective study
Authors: Roskies Michael , Liu Xiaoyang , Hier Michael P. , Payne Richard J. , Mlynarek Alex , Forest Veronique , Levental Mark , Forghani Reza
Published: October 2015

Objectives

Accurate pre-operative imaging of parathyroid adenomas (PAs) is essential for successful minimally invasive surgery; however, rates of non-localizing PAs can be as high as 18 %. Multiphasic dual-energy CT (DECT) has the potential to increase accuracy of PA detection by enabling creation of paired material maps and spectral tissue characterization. This study prospectively evaluated the utility of 3-phase DECT for PA identification in patients with failed localizatio n via standard imaging.

Methods

Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and non-localizing PAs underwent a 3 phase post-contrast DECT scan acquired at 25, 55, and 85 s. The scans were prospectively evaluated by two head and neck radiologists. Pre-operative localization was compared to intraoperative localization and final histopathology. A post-hoc DECT spectral density characterization was performed on pathologically-proven PAs.

Results

Out of 29 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and non-localized PAs, DECT identified candidates in 26. Of the 23 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy, DECT provided precise anatomic localization in 20 patients (PPV = 87.0 %), one with multi-gland disease. The virtual unenhanced images were not found to be useful for diagnosis but successful diagnosis was made without an unenhanced phase regardless. Spectral analysis demonstrated a distinct spectral Hounsfield attenuation curve for PAs compared to lymph nodes on arterial phase images.

Conclusion

3-phase DECT without an unenhanced phase is a feasible salvage imaging modality for previously non-localizing parathyroid adenomas. Optimal interpretation is achieved based on a combination of perfusion characteristics and other morphologic features. Advanced spectral DECT analysis has the potential for further increasing accuracy of PA identification in the future.
Changes of lung tumour volume on CT - prediction of the reliability of assessments
Authors: Beaumont Hubert , Souchet Simon , Labatte Jean Marc , Iannessi Antoine , Tolcher Anthony William
Published: October 2015

Background

For oncological evaluations, quantitative radiology gives clinicians significant insight into patients’ response to therapy. In regard to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST), the classification of disease evolution partly consists in applying thresholds to the measurement of the relative change of tumour. In the case of tumour volumetry, response thresholds have not yet been established. This study proposes and validates a model for calculating thresholds for the detection of minimal tumour change when using the volume of pulmonary lesions on CT as imaging biomarker.

Methods

Our work is based on the reliability analysis of tumour volume measurements documented by the Quantitative Imaging Biomarker Alliance. Statistics of measurements were entered into a multi-parametric mathematical model of the relative changes derived from the Geary-Hinkley transformation. The consistency of the model was tested by comparing modelled thresholds against Monte Carlo simulations of tumour volume measurements with additive random error. The model has been validated by repeating measurements on real patient follow ups.

Results

For unchanged tumour volume, relying on a normal distribution of error, the agreement between model and simulations featured a type I error of 5.25 %. Thus, we established that a threshold of 35 % of volume reduction corresponds to a partial response (PR) and a 55 % volume increase corresponds to progressive disease (PD). Changes between −35 and +55 % are categorized as stable disease (SD). Tested on real clinical data, 97.1 % [95.7; 98.0] of assessments fall into the range of variability predicted by our model of confidence interval.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that the Geary Hinkley model, using published statistics, is appropriate to predict response thresholds for the volume of pulmonary lesions on CT.
The effect of operational innovation and QM practices on organizational performance in the healthcare sector
Authors: Lee DonHee
Published: October 2015

This study examines the effects of operational innovation and quality management (QM) practices on organizational performance in healthcare organizations. More specifically, this study explores relationships of operational innovation and QM practices on organizational performance. The proposed research model was tested using structural equation modeling through a set of hypotheses, based on the data collected from 239 hospitals each with more than 100 beds. The results indicated positive effects of operational innovation on QM practices which eventually had a positive impact on organizational performance. The study also found positive relationships between process improvement and the medical IT system and QM practices. In addition, the results showed positive effects of quality improvement and safety practices on organizational performance.
Novel localization of formin mDia2: importin β-mediated delivery to and retention at the cytoplasmic side of the nuclear envelope
Authors: Shao Xiaowei , Kawauchi Keiko , Shivashankar G. V. , Bershadsky Alexander D.
Published: October 2015

The formin family proteins are important regulators of actin polymerization that are involved in many cellular processes. However, little is known about their specific cellular localizations. Here, we show that Diaphanous-related formin-3 (mDia2) localizes to the cytoplasmic side of the nuclear envelope. This localization of mDia2 to the nuclear rim required the presence of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence at the mDia2 N-terminal. Consistent with this result, super-resolution images demonstrated that at the nuclear rim, mDia2 co-localized with the nuclear pore complexes and a nuclear transport receptor, importin β. Furthermore, an interaction between mDia2 and importin β was detected by immunoprecipitation, and silencing of importin β was shown to attenuate accumulation of mDia2 to the nuclear rim. We have shown previously that Ca2+ entry leads to the assembly of perinuclear actin rim in an inverted formin 2 (INF2) dependent manner. mDia2, however, was not involved in this process since abolishing its localization at the nuclear rim by silencing of importin β had no effect on actin assembly at the nuclear rim triggered by Ca2+ stimulation.
Mindbomb 2 is dispensable for embryonic development and Notch signalling in zebrafish
Authors: Mikami Shohei , Nakaura Mizuki , Kawahara Atsuo , Mizoguchi Takamasa , Itoh Motoyuki
Published: October 2015

The Mindbomb E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (Mib) family of proteins, Mib1 and Mib2, are RING finger ubiquitin ligases that share specific substrates. Mib1 is known to play essential roles in Notch signalling by ubiquitinating Notch ligands in vivo. Conversely, the functions of Mib2 in vivo are not fully understood, although Mib2 ubiquitinates multiple substrates, including Notch ligands, in vitro. To determine the Notch-dependent and Notch-independent functions of Mib2 in vivo, we generated mutant alleles of zebrafish mib2 using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). We found that mib2 homozygous mutants were viable and fertile. Notch-mediated functions, such as early neurogenesis, somitogenesis, and pigment cell development, were not affected in mib2 mutant embryos. The lack of Notch-deficient phenotypes in mib2 mutants was not due to compensation by a mib2 maternal gene product because mib2 maternal-zygotic mutants also did not exhibit a distinct phenotype. We also showed that Mib2 does not redundantly act with Mib1 because the genetic ablation of mib2 neither enhanced mibtfi91-null phenotypes nor did it alleviate antimorphic mibta52b phenotypes. Furthermore, the postulated Notch-independent roles of Mib2 in maintaining muscular integrity and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity were not evident: mib2 mutants did not show phenotypes different from that of the control embryos. These observations suggest that Mib2 is dispensable for embryonic development and does not have redundant functions with Mib1 in Notch signalling at least during early development stages in zebrafish.
Plectin reinforces vascular integrity by mediating vimentin-actin network crosstalk
Authors: Osmanagic-Myers Selma , Rus Stefanie , Wolfram Michael , Brunner Daniela , Goldmann Wolfgang H. , Bonakdar Navid , Fischer Irmgard , Reipert Siegfried , Zuzuarregui Aurora , Walko Gernot , Wiche Gerhard
Published: October 2015

Mutations in the cytoskeletal linker protein plectin result in multisystemic diseases affecting skin and muscle with indications of additional vascular system involvement. To study the mechanisms underlying vascular disorders, we established plectin-deficient endothelial cell and mouse models. We show that apart from perturbing the vimentin cytoskeleton of endothelial cells, plectin deficiency leads to severe distortions of adherens junctions (AJs) as well as tight junctions, accompanied by an upregulation of actin stress fibres and increased cellular contractility. Plectin-deficient endothelial cell layers were leakier and showed reduced mechanical resilience in fluid-shear stress and mechanical stretch experiments. We imply that distorted AJs and upregulated actin stress fibres in plectin-deficient cells are rooted in perturbations of the vimentin cytoskeleton as similar phenotypes could be mimicked in wild-type cells by disruption of vimentin filaments. In vivo studies in endothelium-restricted conditional plectin knockout mice revealed significant distortions of AJs in stress prone aortic arch regions and increased pulmonary vascular leakage. Our study opens a new perspective on cytoskeleton-controlled vascular permeability, where a plectin-organized vimentin scaffold keeps actomyosin contractility “in-check” and maintains AJ homeostasis.