bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The novel synthetic microneurotrophin BNN27 protects mature oligodendrocytes against cuprizone‐induced death, through the NGF receptor TrkA
Authors: Bonetto Giulia , Charalampopoulos Ioannis , Gravanis Achille , Karagogeos Domna
Published: June 2017

BNN27, a member of a chemical library of C17‐spiroepoxy derivatives of the neurosteroid DHEA, has been shown to regulate neuronal survival through its selective interaction with NGF receptors (TrkA and p75NTR), but its role on glial populations has not been studied. Here, we present evidence that BNN27 provides trophic action (rescue from apoptosis), in a TrkA‐dependent manner, to mature oligodendrocytes when they are challenged with the cuprizone toxin in culture. BNN27 treatment also increases oligodendrocyte maturation and diminishes microglia activation in vitro. The effect of BNN27 in the cuprizone mouse model of demyelination in vivo has also been investigated. In this model, that does not directly involve the adaptive immune system, BNN27 can protect from demyelination without affecting the remyelinating process. BNN27 preserves mature oligodendrocyte during demyelination, while reducing microgliosis and astrogliosis. Our findings suggest that BNN27 may serve as a lead molecule to develop neurotrophin‐like blood–brain barrier (BBB)‐permeable protective agents of oligodendrocyte populations and myelin, with potential applications in the treatment of demyelinating disorders.
Time–space fractional governing equations of one‐dimensional unsteady open channel flow process: Numerical solution and exploration
Authors: Ercan Ali , Kavvas M. Levent
Published: June 2017

Although fractional integration and differentiation have found many applications in various fields of science, such as physics, finance, bioengineering, continuum mechanics, and hydrology, their engineering applications, especially in the field of fluid flow processes, are rather limited. In this study, a finite difference numerical approach is proposed to solve the time–space fractional governing equations of 1‐dimensional unsteady/non‐uniform open channel flow process. By numerical simulations, results of the proposed fractional governing equations of the open channel flow process were compared with those of the standard Saint‐Venant equations. Numerical simulations showed that flow discharge and water depth can exhibit heavier tails in downstream locations as space and time fractional derivative powers decrease from 1. The fractional governing equations under consideration are generalizations of the well‐known Saint‐Venant equations, which are written in the integer differentiation framework. The new governing equations in the fractional‐order differentiation framework have the capability of modelling nonlocal flow processes both in time and in space by taking the global correlations into consideration. Furthermore, the generalized flow process may possibly shed light on understanding the theory of the anomalous transport processes and observed heavy‐tailed distributions of particle displacements in transport processes.
LncRNA‐TP53TG1 Participated in the Stress Response Under Glucose Deprivation in Glioma
Authors: Chen Xin , Gao Yang , Li Deheng , Cao Yiqun , Hao Bin
Published: June 2017

Gliomas are the most common brain tumors of the center nervous system. And long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non‐protein coding transcripts, which have been considered as one type of gene expression regulator for cancer development. In this study, we investigated the role of lncRNA‐TP53TG1 in response to glucose deprivation in human gliomas. The expression levels of TP53TG1 in glioma tissues and cells were analyzed by qRT‐PCR. In addition, the influence of TP53TG1 on glucose metabolism related genes at the mRNA level during both high and low glucose treatment was detected by qRT‐PCR. MTT, clonogenicity assays, and flow cytometry were performed to detect the cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the migration of glioma cells was examined by Transwell assays. The expression of TP53TG1 was significantly higher in human glioma tissues or cell lines compared with normal brain tissue or NHA. Moreover, TP53TG1 and some tumor glucose metabolism related genes, such as GRP78, LDHA, and IDH1 were up‐regulated significantly in U87 and LN18 cells under glucose deprivation. In addition, knockdown of TP53TG1 decreased cell proliferation and migration and down‐regulated GRP78 and IDH1 expression levels and up‐regulated PKM2 levels in U87 cells under glucose deprivation. However, over‐expression of TP53TG1 showed the opposite tendency. Moreover, the effects of TP53TG1 were more remarkable in low glucose than that in high glucose. Our data showed that TP53TG1 under glucose deprivation may promote cell proliferation and migration by influencing the expression of glucose metabolism related genes in glioma. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4897–4904, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MiR‐377 Regulates Inflammation and Angiogenesis in Rats After Cerebral Ischemic Injury
Authors: Fan Yiling , Ding Shenghao , Sun Yameng , Zhao Bing , Pan Yaohua , Wan Jieqing
Published: June 2017

Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of disabilities worldwide. MicroRNA‐377 (miR‐377) plays important roles in ischemic injury. The present study focused on the mechanisms of miR‐377 in protecting ischemic brain injury in rats. Cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. Primary rat microglial cells and brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) were exposed to oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD). The concentrations of cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IFN‐γ, TGF‐β, MMP2, COX2, and iNOS) in the culture medium were measured by specific ELISA. Tube formation assay was for the in vitro study of angiogenesis. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm whether VEGF and EGR2 were direct targets of miR‐377. The MCAO rats were intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of miR‐377 inhibitor to assess its protective effects in vivo. MiR‐377 levels were decreased in the rat brain tissues at 1, 3, and 7 d after MCAO. Both microglia cells and BMECs under OGD showed markedly lower expression levels of miR‐377 while higher expression levels of EGR2 and VEGF compared to those under normoxia conditions. Knockdown of miR‐377 inhibited microglial activation and the release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines after OGD. Suppression of miR‐377 promoted the capillary‐like tube formation and cell proliferation and migration of BMECs. The anti‐inflammation effect of EGR2 and the angiogenesis effect of VEGF were regulated by miR‐377 after OGD. Inhibition of miR‐377 decreased cerebral infarct volume and suppressed cerebral inflammation but promoted angiogenesis in MCAO rats. Knockdown of miR‐377 lessened the ischemic brain injury through promoting angiogenesis and suppressing cerebral inflammation. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 327–337, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MiR‐133a‐3p Inhibits Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) Proliferation and Invasion by Suppressing COL1A1
Authors: He Baoxia , Lin Xiaozhen , Tian Fengqi , Yu Weijiang , Qiao Bin
Published: June 2017

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of miR‐133a‐3p on human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells by regulating gene COL1A1. OSCC tissues, adjacent tongue epithelial tissues, the immortalized oral epithelial cell line HIOEC, and OSCC cell lines (CAL‐27, TCA‐8113, SCC‐4, SCC‐9, and SCC‐15) were used in this research. Quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR) was employed to determine the expression of miR‐133a‐3p and COL1A1. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blot were applied to verify the binding relationship between miR‐133a‐3p and COL1A1. Functional assays were also conducted in this study, including CCK‐8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry analysis as well as Transwell assay. MiR‐133a‐3p was found low‐expressed both in OSCC tissues and cells lines compared with normal tissues and cell line, respectively, whereas COL1A1 was just the opposite. The over‐expression of miR‐133a‐3p or the down‐regulation of COL1A1 suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and mitosis of OSCC cells, whereas simultaneous down‐regulation of miR‐133a‐3p and up‐regulation of COL1A1 led to no significant alteration of cell activities. MiR‐133a‐3p could inhibit the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells through directly targeting COL1A1 and reducing its expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 338–346, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of El Niño/La Niña on tropical easterly jet stream during Asian summer monsoon season
Authors: Nithya K. , Manoj M. G. , Mohankumar K.
Published: June 2017

The influence of El Niño/La Niña on the upper‐tropospheric circulation pattern, especially on tropical easterly jet stream (TEJ) over the Asian summer monsoon region, has been studied using ECMWF Reanalysis (ERA) Interim Data for a period of 34 years (1980–2013). The TEJ shows distinctive features during El Niño and La Niña events. The intensity of the TEJ increases and it spreads horizontally and vertically during La Niña years, whereas it weakens and shrinks spatially in El Niño years. Walker circulation over the summer monsoon region shows strong easterlies in La Niña events accompanied with vertically enhanced zonal flow. Lower level (∼850 hPa) convergence as well as upper level (∼150 hPa) divergence is strong in La Niña events and a westward shift of divergence centre is also observed in these years. A strong (weak) anticyclonic flow at upper levels at about 150 hPa is prominent during La Niña (El Niño) years over the Tibetan region causing significant inter‐annual variability of the TEJ.
Sensitivity and specificity of indocyanine green near‐infrared fluorescence imaging in detection of metastatic lymph nodes in colorectal cancer: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Emile Sameh H. , Elfeki Hossam , Shalaby Mostafa , Sakr Ahmad , Sileri Pierpaolo , Laurberg Søren , Wexner Steven D.
Published: June 2017

This review aimed to determine the overall sensitivity and specificity of indocyanine green (ICG) near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescence in sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in Colorectal cancer (CRC). A systematic search in electronic databases was conducted. Twelve studies including 248 patients were reviewed. The median sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates were 73.7, 100, and 75.7. The pooled sensitivity and specificity rates were 71% and 84.6%. In conclusion, ICG‐NIR fluorescence is a promising technique for detecting SLNs in CRC.
Use and Education of Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound in Pediatric Emergency Medicine in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alzayedi Abdullah Saad , Azizalrahman Amani A. , AlMadi Hamad A. , Althekair Ahmed M. , Blaivas Michael , Karakitsos Dimitrios
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Point‐of‐care ultrasound (US) is an emerging tool used by pediatric emergency physicians in the last decade. Currently in the Middle East, point‐of‐care US use and education are at an early stage, with no designed curriculum or guidelines for its implementation in pediatric emergency medicine (EM). The objective of this article is to describe the clinical and educational uses of point‐of‐care US among certified pediatric EM physicians.

Methods

A 19‐question survey was sent to all certified pediatric emergency physicians and fellows in pediatric emergency fellowships in Saudi Arabia in February 2016. Reminders were sent weekly for 4 weeks.

Results

The response rate was 84 of 88 (95%). Fifty‐one of 84 (61%) reported using point‐of‐care US. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma was the most frequent use of point‐of‐care US (37%), followed by procedures (19%). The most common barrier for not using point‐of‐care US was limited training (86%). The most preferred tool for point‐of‐care US teaching was courses by EM physicians. Currently, there is no specific curriculum designed for pediatric EM in the Middle East.

Conclusions

Despite the multiple applications of point‐of‐care US in pediatric EM, its use is still limited. Formal point‐of‐care US training with bedside sessions and courses was the mort preferred method of education. A designed curriculum needs to be implemented in pediatric emergency fellowships in Saudi Arabia.
Polymeric Tubular Aromatic Amide Helices
Authors: Zhang Dan‐Wei , Wang Hui , Li Zhan‐Ting
Published: June 2017

Conjugated polymers may be induced by intra‐ and/or intermolecular non‐covalent forces to fold into helical conformations. Helices formed by aromatic amide, hydrazide, and urea polymers possess a well‐organized cavity and depth, which is defined by their degree of polymerization. Driving forces may be intramolecular hydrogen bonding and/or solvophobicity, or guest induction. The resulting long helices represent a new class of unimacromolecular dynamic tubular architectures that exhibit unique properties or functions in, for example, molecular recognition, chirality transfer, and ion transporting. The recent advances are highlighted here.

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Technical Note: Validation of two methods to determine contact area between breast and compression paddle in mammography
Authors: Branderhorst Woutjan , de Groot Jerry E. , van Lier Monique G.J.T.B. , Highnam Ralph P. , den Heeten Gerard J. , Grimbergen Cornelis A.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To assess the accuracy of two methods of determining the contact area between the compression paddle and the breast in mammography. An accurate method to determine the contact area is essential to accurately calculate the average compression pressure applied by the paddle.

Methods

For a set of 300 breast compressions, we measured the contact areas between breast and paddle, both capacitively using a transparent foil with indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO) coating attached to the paddle, and retrospectively from the obtained mammograms using image processing software (Volpara Enterprise, algorithm version 1.5.2). A gold standard was obtained from video images of the compressed breast. During each compression, the breast was illuminated from the sides in order to create a dark shadow on the video image where the breast was in contact with the compression paddle. We manually segmented the shadows captured at the time of x‐ray exposure and measured their areas.

Results

We found a strong correlation between the manual segmentations and the capacitive measurements [r = 0.989, 95% CI (0.987, 0.992)] and between the manual segmentations and the image processing software [r = 0.978, 95% CI (0.972, 0.982)]. Bland–Altman analysis showed a bias of −0.0038 dm2 for the capacitive measurement (SD 0.0658, 95% limits of agreement [−0.1329, 0.1252]) and −0.0035 dm2 for the image processing software [SD 0.0962, 95% limits of agreement (−0.1921, 0.1850)].

Conclusions

The size of the contact area between the paddle and the breast can be determined accurately and precisely, both in real‐time using the capacitive method, and retrospectively using image processing software. This result is beneficial for scientific research, data analysis and quality control systems that depend on one of these two methods for determining the average pressure on the breast during mammographic compression.
Metronomic treatment in immunocompetent preclinical GL261 glioblastoma: effects of cyclophosphamide and temozolomide
Authors: Ferrer‐Font Laura , Arias‐Ramos Nuria , Lope‐Piedrafita Silvia , Julià‐Sapé Margarida , Pumarola Martí , Arús Carles , Candiota Ana Paula
Published: June 2017

Glioblastoma (GBM) causes poor survival in patients even when applying aggressive treatment. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard chemotherapeutic choice for GBM treatment, but resistance always ensues. In previous years, efforts have focused on new therapeutic regimens with conventional drugs to activate immune responses that may enhance tumor regression and prevent regrowth, for example the “metronomic” approaches. In metronomic scheduling studies, cyclophosphamide (CPA) in GL261 GBM growing subcutaneously in C57BL/6 mice was shown not only to activate antitumor CD8+ T‐cell response, but also to induce long‐term specific T‐cell tumor memory.

Accordingly, we have evaluated whether metronomic CPA or TMZ administration could increase survival in orthotopic GL261 in C57BL/6 mice, an immunocompetent model. Longitudinal in vivo studies with CPA (140 mg/kg) or TMZ (range 140–240 mg/kg) metronomic administration (every 6 days) were performed in tumor‐bearing mice. Tumor evolution was monitored at 7 T with MRI (T2‐weighted, diffusion‐weighted imaging) and MRSI‐based nosological images of response to therapy. Obtained results demonstrated that both treatments resulted in increased survival (38.6 ± 21.0 days, n = 30) compared with control (19.4 ± 2.4 days, n = 18). Best results were obtained with 140 mg/kg TMZ (treated, 44.9 ± 29.0 days, n = 12, versus control, 19.3 ± 2.3 days, n = 12), achieving a longer survival rate than previous group work using three cycles of TMZ therapy at 60 mg/kg (33.9 ± 11.7 days, n = 38). Additional interesting findings were, first, clear edema appearance during chemotherapeutic treatment, second, the ability to apply the semi‐supervised source analysis previously developed in our group for non‐invasive TMZ therapy response monitoring to detect CPA‐induced response, and third, the necropsy findings in mice cured from GBM after high TMZ cumulative dosage (980–1400 mg/kg), which demonstrated lymphoma incidence. In summary, every 6 day administration schedule of TMZ or CPA improves survival in orthotopic GL261 GBM with respect to controls or non‐metronomic therapy, in partial agreement with previous work on subcutaneous GL261.
Application traffic classification using payload size sequence signature
Authors: Shim Kyu‐Seok , Ham Jae‐Hyun , Sija Baraka D. , Kim Myung‐Sup
Published: June 2017

Recently, network traffic has become more complex and diverse because of the emergence of new applications and services. Therefore, the importance of application‐level traffic classification is increasing rapidly, and it has become a very popular research area. Although a lot of methods for traffic classification have been introduced in literature, they have some limitations to achieve an acceptable level of performance in real‐time application‐level traffic classification. In this paper, we propose a novel application‐level traffic classification method using payload size sequence signature. The proposed method generates unique payload size sequence signatures for each application using packet order, direction, and payload size of the first N packets in a flow and uses them to identify application traffic. The evaluation shows that this method can classify application traffic easily and quickly with high accuracy and completeness rates, over 99.93% and 93.45%, respectively. Furthermore, the method can classify each application traffic into its respective individual application. The evaluation shows that the method can classify all applications traffic, known and unknown (new) applications into their respective applications, and it can classify applications traffic that use the same application protocol or are encrypted into each other.
Phase I monitoring with nonparametric mixed‐effect models
Authors: Rajabi Marjan , Faridrohani Mohammad Reza , Chenouri Shojaeddin
Published: June 2017

In many real‐life applications, the quality of products from a process is monitored by a functional relationship between a response variable and one or more explanatory variables. In these applications, methodologies of profile monitoring are used to check the stability of this relationship over time. In phase I of profile monitoring, historical data points that can be represented by curves (or profiles) are collected. In this article, 2 procedures are proposed for detecting outlying profiles in phase I data, by incorporating the local linear kernel smoothing within the framework of nonparametric mixed‐effect models. We introduce a stepwise algorithm on the basis of the multiple testing viewpoint. Our simulation results for various linear and nonlinear profiles display the superior efficiency of our proposed monitoring procedures over some existing techniques in the literature. To illustrate the implementation of the proposed methods in phase I profile monitoring, we apply the methods on a vertical density profile dataset.
Stability analysis and stabilization of Markovian jump systems with time‐varying delay and uncertain transition information
Authors: Li Zhicheng , Xu Yinliang , Fei Zhongyang , Huang Hong , Misra Satyajayant
Published: June 2017

The paper investigates the problems of stability and stabilization of Markovian jump systems with time‐varying delays and uncertain transition rates matrix. First, the stochastic scaled small‐gain theorem is introduced to analyze the stability of the Markovian jump system. Then, a new stability criterion is proposed by using a new Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional combined with Wirtinger‐based integral inequality. The proposed stability condition is demonstrated to be less conservative than other existing results. The merit of the proposed approach lies in its reduced conservatism, which is made possible by a new precise triangle inequality and a new Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional. Moreover, a controller design criterion is presented according to the stability criterion. Furthermore, the transition rate matrix is treated as partially known and with uncertainty, and the relevant stability and stabilization criteria are proposed. Finally, 3 numerical examples are provided to illustrate the superior result of the stability criteria and the effectiveness of the proposed controller design method.
Starch‐g‐poly(phenyl acrylate) copolymers—synthesis, characterization, and physicochemical properties
Authors: Worzakowska Marta
Published: June 2017

Synthesis, characterization, and physicochemical properties of some novel starch‐g‐poly(phenyl acrylate) copolymers are presented. The chemical modification of gelatinized potato starch by grafting with phenyl acrylate using K2S2O8 as a radical initiator and employing different reaction conditions was studied in detail. Depending on the reaction conditions, the grafting parameters were changed, achieving their maximum values (grafting percent G: 41.8%, grafting efficiency GE: 82.3%) at 80°C under a reaction time of 150 min and starch to monomer ratio of 1:2. Spectroscopic methods (FTIR and 13C CP/MAS NMR) confirmed the successful formation of copolymers under the radical reaction of primary and secondary OH groups of starch and carbon–carbon double bonds of phenyl acrylate monomer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated a non‐porous, rough, and heterogeneous structure of the copolymers. The blocking of some hydroxyl groups of starch by phenyl acrylate chains allowed more moisture resistant and more acid resistant copolymers to be compared, as compared to unmodified starch. Moreover, the copolymers were insoluble in polar and non‐polar solvents; however, they were able to undergo swelling. The range of swelling was dependent on the grafting parameters as well as the polarity of the solvents. According to DSC analysis, the copolymers exhibited a glass transition temperature of ca. 63–65°C and decomposed under two steps, which were directly connected with the degradation of starch and phenyl acrylate chains.
The modified indeterminate couple stress model: Why Yang et al.'s arguments motivating a symmetric couple stress tensor contain a gap and why the couple stress tensor may be chosen symmetric nevertheless
Authors: Münch Ingo , Neff Patrizio , Madeo Angela , Ghiba Ionel‐Dumitrel
Published: June 2017

We show that the reasoning in favor of a symmetric couple stress tensor in Yang et al.'s introduction of the modified couple stress theory contains a gap, but we present a reasonable physical hypothesis, implying that the couple stress tensor is traceless and may be symmetric anyway. To this aim, the origin of couple stress is discussed on the basis of certain properties of the total stress itself. In contrast to classical continuum mechanics, the balance of linear momentum and the balance of angular momentum are formulated at an infinitesimal cube considering the total stress as linear and quadratic approximation of a spatial Taylor series expansion.
Familial liability to psychosis is a risk factor for multimorbidity in people with psychotic disorders and their unaffected siblings
Authors: Islam M.A. , Khan M.F.H. , Quee P.J. , Snieder H. , van den Heuvel E.R. , Bruggeman R. , Alizadeh B.Z. ,   GROUP Investigators, van Beveren N.J. , Cahn W. , de Haan L. , Delespaul P. , Meijer C.J. , Myin-Germeys I. , Kahn R.S. , Schirmbeck F. , Simons C.J.P. , van Haren N.E. , van Os J. , van Winkel R.
Published: June 2017

Background:

Multimorbidity may impose an overwhelming burden on patients with psychosis and is affected by gender and age. Our aim is to study the independent role of familial liability to psychosis as a risk factor for multimorbidity.

Methods:

We performed the study within the framework of the Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis (GROUP) project. Overall, we compared 1024 psychotic patients, 994 unaffected siblings and 566 controls on the prevalence of 125 lifetime diseases, and 19 self-reported somatic complaints. Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more complaints/diseases in the same individual. Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) were used to investigate the effects of gender, age (adolescent, young, older) and familial liability (patients, siblings, controls) and their interactions on multimorbidity.

Results:

Familial liability had a significant effect on multimorbidity of either complaints or diseases. Patients had a higher prevalence of multimorbidity of complaints compared to siblings (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.79–2.69, P < 0.001) and to controls (3.05, 2.35–3.96, P < 0.001). In physical health multimorbidity, patients (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.05–1.75, P = 0.018), but not siblings, had significantly higher prevalence than controls. Similar finding were observed for multimorbidity of lifetime diseases, including psychiatric diseases. Significant results were observed for complaints and disease multimorbidity across gender and age groups.

Conclusion:

Multimorbidity is a common burden, significantly more prevalent in patients and their unaffected siblings. Familial liability to psychosis showed an independent effect on multimorbidity; gender and age are also important factors determining multimorbidity.
The effect of cranioplasty in cognitive and functional improvement: Experience of post traumatic brain injury inpatient rehabilitation
Authors: Su Jyong‐Huei , Wu Yu‐Hsin , Guo Nai‐Wen , Huang Ching‐Fen , Li Cyuan‐Fong , Chen Chia‐Hsin , Huang Mao‐Hsiung
Published: June 2017

To investigate the effect of cranioplasty on rehabilitation of post‐traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, 37 patients with TBI were arranged by retrospectively assessment study. Those TBI patients receiving in‐hospital rehabilitation in the Department of Rehabilitation in a medical center of South Taiwan from 2010 to 2015 were assigned into two groups: A and B. All patients entered the multidisciplinary holistic in‐patient rehabilitation training for about 1 month. Patients in Group A received decompressive craniectomy (DC), patients in Group B received DC and cranioplasty. All assessments were arranged right on admission and before discharge. The functional activity evaluation included muscle power and Barthel index (BI), and cognitive function evaluation, including the Rancho Los Amigo Scale, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Community Mental State Examination (CMSE), and the Luria‐Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery‐Screening Test Short Form (LNNBS). The results showed that there were synergetic effects of cranioplasty on post‐TBI patients with rehabilitation training, especially in the BI score, and cognitive improvement in CMSE and LNNBS.
Systems Analysis of complex glaciological processes and application to calving of Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica
Authors: Chester M. L. , Kulessa B. , Luckman A. J. , Bassis J. N. , Kuipers Munneke P.
Published: June 2017

Calving is a complex process subject to several cooperating atmospheric, oceanographic and glaciological forcings that vary in space and time, and whose relative effects are challenging to separate. Statistical ‘Systems Analysis’ is commonly used in engineering and economics to extricate complex ‘force–response’ relationships. Here we apply Systems Analysis to the Amery rift system, East Antarctica. We develop a scalable ‘System Model’ driven by a coarsely-sampled dataset characteristic of glaciological observations in remote locations, and validate it using rift lengths observed in 2000–06 and 2012. In this initial demonstration, we forecast a detachment date of ~2019 ± 5 years for the large tabular iceberg colloquially known as the ‘Loose Tooth’, for which relative humidity surprisingly emerges as the best statistical predictor. RACMO2 climate modelling reveals that relative humidity correlates best with surface albedo and snowmelt, both of which are intimately linked to firn compaction and ice shelf temperature and flow. We postulate that relative humidity can therefore serve as a proxy for internal stress, a known key control of ‘Loose Tooth’ calving. Although no physical causality is implied in Systems Analysis, postulates such as this can aid in setting priorities in studies of complex glaciological processes.
The IFAO Radiocarbon Laboratory: A Status Report
Authors: Quiles Anita , Sabri Kamal Nagui , Abd’el Fatah Mostafa , Mounir Nadine
Published: June 2017

The Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale (IFAO) in Cairo is one of the major French research centers abroad. It is placed under the aegis of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and manages an archaeometry department that features laboratories for three units of research: conservation, material studies, and radiocarbon (14C). The 14C laboratory was founded in 2006 to offer the possibility of 14C dating in Egypt. It is totally devoted to archaeological issues, uses the conventional liquid scintillation counting (LSC) method, and is equipped with two benzene synthesis lines. This paper reports on the performances and quality-control procedures of the IFAO 14C laboratory, both from the perspective of the chemical syntheses and from the radiometric measurements (background dispersion, standards, intercomparison programs). It shows how this lab occupies a privileged position to develop interdisciplinary studies of Egyptian chronology and to offer high-standard competencies to the IFAO scientific research programs. Finally, it raises the question of the future perspectives of the laboratory.
FROM MOTIVES THROUGH DESIRES TO INTENTIONS: INVESTIGATING THE REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES OF CHILDLESS MEN AND WOMEN IN POLAND
Authors: Mynarska Monika , Rytel Jolanta
Published: June 2017

This study examined the potential of the theoretical model proposed by Warren Miller (the Traits/Motives–Desires–Intentions–Behaviour or TDIB model) for investigating the involuntary–voluntary childlessness continuum. The first three stages of the theoretical motivational sequence (motives to desires to intentions) were examined using a purposive sample of 314 childless Polish men and women aged 30–39 (at the time of data collection in September 2013). In Poland, this is the age range when the final decision for or against parenthood is taken. To model the motivational sequence, the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique was applied. The results confirmed the hypothesized relations between the constructs for childless individuals in the analysed age group. Their childbearing desires were found to be good predictors of reproductive intentions, while negative and positive childbearing motives (independently) underpinned their desires. Moreover, positive motives appeared to have a stronger effect on desires than negative ones. The study also documented the psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the Childbearing Questionnaire, which was originally developed by Miller to measure childbearing motives. The advantages of using this tool for investigating the involuntary–voluntary childlessness continuum are discussed. Overall, the study validated the theoretical model as well as the adaptation of the Childbearing Questionnaire in the new research context: in the new cultural setting and for examining reproductive choices of a specific subpopulation. Directions for future research that could build on the TDIB model and allow for a deeper understanding of permanent childlessness are outlined.
Capacity building for conservation: problems and potential solutions for sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: O'Connell M. J. , Nasirwa O. , Carter M. , Farmer K. H. , Appleton M. , Arinaitwe J. , Bhanderi P. , Chimwaza G. , Copsey J. , Dodoo J. , Duthie A. , Gachanja M. , Hunter N. , Karanja B. , Komu H. M. , Kosgei V. , Kuria A. , Magero C. , Manten M. , Mugo P. , Müller E. , Mulonga J. , Niskanen L. , Nzilani J. , Otieno M. , Owen N. , Owuor J. , Paterson S. , Regnaut S. , Rono R. , Ruhiu J. , Theuri Njoka J. , Waruingi L. , Waswala Olewe B. , Wilson E.
Published: June 2017

To achieve their conservation goals individuals, communities and organizations need to acquire a diversity of skills, knowledge and information (i.e. capacity). Despite current efforts to build and maintain appropriate levels of conservation capacity, it has been recognized that there will need to be a significant scaling-up of these activities in sub-Saharan Africa. This is because of the rapid increase in the number and extent of environmental problems in the region. We present a range of socio-economic contexts relevant to four key areas of African conservation capacity building: protected area management, community engagement, effective leadership, and professional e-learning. Under these core themes, 39 specific recommendations are presented. These were derived from multi-stakeholder workshop discussions at an international conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2015. At the meeting 185 delegates (practitioners, scientists, community groups and government agencies) represented 105 organizations from 24 African nations and eight non-African nations. The 39 recommendations constituted six broad types of suggested action: (1) the development of new methods, (2) the provision of capacity building resources (e.g. information or data), (3) the communication of ideas or examples of successful initiatives, (4) the implementation of new research or gap analyses, (5) the establishment of new structures within and between organizations, and (6) the development of new partnerships. A number of cross-cutting issues also emerged from the discussions: the need for a greater sense of urgency in developing capacity building activities; the need to develop novel capacity building methodologies; and the need to move away from one-size-fits-all approaches.
Health-related outcomes of new grocery store interventions: a systematic review
Authors: Abeykoon AM Hasanthi , Engler-Stringer Rachel , Muhajarine Nazeem
Published: June 2017

Objective

To assess the evidence of the impact of new food store (supermarket/grocery store) interventions on selected health-related outcomes.

Design

A systematic review following the Effective Public Health Practice Project guidelines. All quantitative studies were assessed for their methodological quality. Results were synthesized narratively.

Setting

Eight electronic databases – MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest Public Health, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library – were searched to identify relevant records.

Subjects

Peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles on new grocery store/supermarket interventions with adult study populations, published in the English language after 1995.

Results

Eleven records representing seven new grocery store interventions were identified. Six were assessed having ‘weak’ methodological quality, one as ‘moderate’ and two as ‘strong’. All studies reported fruit and vegetable consumption but results were not consistent, some studies reporting significantly more and others no increase in consumption. BMI and self-rated health did not show significant improvements. Perceptions of food access, neighbourhood satisfaction and psychological health showed significant improvements.

Conclusions

Improved food access through establishment of a full-service food retailer, by itself, does not show strong evidence towards enhancing health-related outcomes over short durations. Presently the field is developing and the complex linking pathways/mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. Further evidence, in the form of high-quality research in different communities with longer follow-up periods, is needed to inform policy decisions.
E2F1 induces TINCR transcriptional activity and accelerates gastric cancer progression via activation of TINCR/STAU1/CDKN2B signaling axis
Authors: Xu Tong-Peng , Wang Yan-Fen , Xiong Wei-Liang , Ma Pei , Wang Wen-Yu , Chen Wen-Ming , Huang Ming-De , Xia Rui , Wang Rong , Zhang Er-Bao , Liu Yan-Wen , De Wei , Shu Yong-Qian
Published: June 2017

Recent evidence indicates that E2F1 transcription factor have pivotal roles in the regulation of cellular processes, and is found to be dysregulated in a variety of cancers. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are also reported to exert important effect on tumorigenesis. E2F1 is aberrantly expressed in gastric cancer (GC), and biology functions of E2F1 in GC are controversial. The biological characteristics of E2F1 and correlation between E2F1 and lncRNAs in GC remain to be found. In this study, integrated analysis revealed that E2F1 expression was significantly increased in GC cases and its expression was positively correlated with the poor pathologic stage, large tumor size and poor prognosis. Forced E2F1 expression promotes proliferation, whereas loss of E2F1 function decreased cell proliferation by blocking of cell cycle in GC cells. Mechanistic analyses indicated that E2F1 accelerates GC growth partly through induces TINCR transcription. TINCR could bind to STAU1 (staufen1) protein, and influence CDKN2B mRNA stability and expression, thereby affecting the proliferation of GC cells. Together, our findings suggest that E2F1/TINCR/STAU1/CDKN2B signaling axis contributes to the oncogenic potential of GC and may constitute a potential therapeutic target in this disease.
Human cancer-associated fibroblasts enhance glutathione levels and antagonize drug-induced prostate cancer cell death
Authors: Cheteh Emarndeena H , Augsten Martin , Rundqvist Helene , Bianchi Julie , Sarne Victoria , Egevad Lars , Bykov Vladimir JN , Östman Arne , Wiman Klas G
Published: June 2017

Drug resistance is a major problem in cancer therapy. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that the tumor microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), can modulate drug sensitivity in tumor cells. We examined the effect of primary human CAFs on p53 induction and cell viability in prostate cancer cells on treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs. Co-culture with prostate CAFs or CAF-conditioned medium attenuated DNA damage and the p53 response to chemotherapeutic drugs and enhanced prostate cancer cell survival. CAF-conditioned medium inhibited the accumulation of doxorubicin, but not taxol, in prostate cancer cells in a manner that was associated with increased cancer cell glutathione levels. A low molecular weight fraction (<3 kDa) of CAF-conditioned medium had the same effect. CAF-conditioned medium also inhibited induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both doxorubicin- and taxol-treated cancer cells. Our findings suggest that CAFs can enhance drug resistance in cancer cells by inhibiting drug accumulation and counteracting drug-induced oxidative stress. This protective mechanism may represent a novel therapeutic target in cancer.
Cytoprotective effect of neuropeptides on cancer stem cells: vasoactive intestinal peptide-induced antiapoptotic signaling
Authors: Sastry Konduru S , Chouchane Aouatef Ismail , Wang Ena , Kulik George , Marincola Francesco M , Chouchane Lotfi
Published: June 2017

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are increasingly considered to be responsible for tumor initiation, metastasis and drug resistance. The drug resistance mechanisms activated in CSCs have not been thoroughly investigated. Although neuropeptides such as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) can promote tumor growth and activate antiapoptotic signaling in differentiated cancer cells, it is not known whether they can activate antiapoptotic mechanisms in CSCs. The objectives of this study are to unravel the cytoprotective effects of neuropeptides and identify antiapoptotic mechanisms activated by neuropeptides in response to anticancer drug treatment in CSCs. We enriched and purified CSCs (CD44+/high/CD24−/low or CD133+ population) from breast and prostate cancer cell lines, and demonstrated their stemness phenotype. Of the several neuropeptides tested, only VIP could protect CSCs from drug-induced apoptosis. A functional correlation was found between drug-induced apoptosis and dephosphorylation of proapoptotic Bcl2 family protein BAD. Similarly, VIP-induced cytoprotection correlated with BAD phosphorylation at Ser112 in CSCs. Using pharmacological inhibitors and dominant-negative proteins, we showed that VIP-induced cytoprotection and BAD phosphorylation are mediated via both Ras/MAPK and PKA pathways in CSCs of prostate cancer LNCaP and C4-2 cells, but only PKA signaling was involved in CSCs of DUVIPR (DU145 prostate cancer cells ectopically expressing VIP receptor) and breast cancer MCF7 cells. As each of these pathways partially control BAD phosphorylation at Ser112, both have to be inhibited to block the cytoprotective effects of VIP. Furthermore, VIP is unable to protect CSCs that express phosphorylation-deficient mutant-BAD, suggesting that BAD phosphorylation is essential. Thus, antiapoptotic signaling by VIP could be one of the drug resistance mechanisms by which CSCs escape from anticancer therapies. Our findings suggest the potential usefulness of VIP receptor inhibition to eliminate CSCs, and that targeting BAD might be an attractive strategy for development of novel therapeutics.
RGD-modified oncolytic adenovirus-harboring shPKM2 exhibits a potent cytotoxic effect in pancreatic cancer via autophagy inhibition and apoptosis promotion
Authors: Xu Yanni , Chu Liang , Yuan Sujing , Yang Yuanqin , Yang Yu , Xu Bin , Zhang Kangjian , Liu Xin-Yuan , Wang Ruwei , Fang Ling , Chen Zhinan , Liang Zongsuo
Published: June 2017

The M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) is a key driver of glycolysis in cancer cells and has critical ‘non-metabolic’ functions in some cancers; however, the role of PKM2 in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the role of PKM2 in pancreatic cancer progression and the potential of PKM2 as a therapeutic target. In this study, we observed that PKM2 is highly expressed in patients with pancreatic cancer and is correlated to survival. Elevated PKM2 expression promoted cell proliferation, migration and tumor formation. The inhibition of cell growth by silencing PKM2 is caused by impairment of the autophagy process. To test the potential effects of downregulating PKM2 as a clinical therapy, we constructed an RGD-modified oncolytic adenovirus containing shPKM2 (OAd.R.shPKM2) to knock down PKM2 in pancreatic cancer cells. Cells transduced with OAd.R.shPKM2 exhibited decreased cell viability, and, in a PANC-1 xenograft model, intratumoral injection of OAd.R.shPKM2 resulted in reduced tumor growth. Furthermore, OAd.R.shPKM2 induced apoptosis and impaired autophagy in PANC-1 cells. Our results suggested that targeting PKM2 with an oncolytic adenovirus produced a strong antitumor effect, and that this strategy could broaden the therapeutic options for treating pancreatic cancer.
Oocyte-specific deletion of furin leads to female infertility by causing early secondary follicle arrest in mice
Authors: Meng Tie-Gang , Hu Meng-Wen , Ma Xue-Shan , Huang Lin , Liang Qiu-Xia , Yuan Yue , Hou Yi , Wang Hongmei , Schatten Heide , Wang Zhen-Bo , Sun Qing-Yuan
Published: June 2017

The process of follicular development involves communications between oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells. FURIN is a member of the family of proprotein convertases that is involved in the activation of a large number of zymogens and proproteins by cleavage at its recognition motif. To investigate the functions of FURIN in female fertility, furinflox/flox (furfl/fl) mice were crossed with Zp3-Cre mice and Gdf9-Cre, respectively, to achieve oocyte-specific disruption of FURIN. Here we report for the first time that FURIN is dispensable for primordial follicle maintenance and activation but important for early secondary follicular development, as ablation of FURIN in oocytes caused failure of follicle development beyond the type 4 and/or 5a follicles in mutant mice, resulting in increased number of early secondary follicles and the severely decreased number of mature follicles, thus anovulation and infertility. We also found that the developmental arrest of early secondary follicles might be rooted in the loss of the mature form of ADAMTS1 (85-kDa prodomain truncated) and compromised proliferation of granulosa cells in mutant mice. Taken together, our data highlight the importance of FURIN in follicle development beyond the early secondary follicle stage and indicate that compromised FURIN function leads to follicular dysplasia and female infertility in mice.
Single-cell time-lapse imaging of intracellular O2 in response to metabolic inhibition and mitochondrial cytochrome-c release
Authors: Düssmann Heiko , Perez-Alvarez Sergio , Anilkumar Ujval , Papkovsky Dmitri B , Prehn Jochen HM
Published: June 2017

The detection of intracellular molecular oxygen (O2) levels is important for understanding cell physiology, cell death, and drug effects, and has recently been improved with the development of oxygen-sensitive probes that are compatible with live cell time-lapse microscopy. We here provide a protocol for the use of the nanoparticle probe MitoImage-MM2 to monitor intracellular oxygen levels by confocal microscopy under baseline conditions, in response to mitochondrial toxins, and following mitochondrial cytochrome-c release. We demonstrate that the MitoImage-MM2 probe, which embeds Pt(II)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6–pentafluorophenyl)-porphyrin as oxygen sensor and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) as an O2-independent component, enables quantitative, ratiometric time-lapse imaging of intracellular O2. Multiplexing with tetra-methyl-rhodamine-methyl ester in HeLa cervical cancer cells showed significant increases in intracellular O2 accompanied by strong mitochondrial depolarization when respiratory chain complexes III or IV were inhibited by Antimycin A or sodium azide, respectively, and when cells were maintained at ‘physiological’ tissue O2 levels (5% O2). Multiplexing also allowed us to monitor intracellular O2 during the apoptotic signaling process of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization in HeLa expressing cytochrome-c-eGFP, and demonstrated that mitochondria post cytochrome-c release are able to retain their capacity to respire at physiological O2 despite a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential.