bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vaccine-Derived Neutralizing Antibodies to the Human Cytomegalovirus gH/gL Pentamer Potently Block Primary Cytotrophoblast Infection
Authors: Chiuppesi Flavia , Wussow Felix , Johnson Erica , Bian Chao , Zhuo Meng , Rajakumar Augustine , Barry Peter A. , Britt William J. , Chakraborty Rana , Diamond Don J.
Published: September 2015

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) elicits neutralizing antibodies (NAb) of various potencies and cell type specificities to prevent HCMV entry into fibroblasts (FB) and epithelial/endothelial cells (EpC/EnC). NAb targeting the major essential envelope glycoprotein complexes gB and gH/gL inhibit both FB and EpC/EnC entry. In contrast to FB infection, HCMV entry into EpC/EnC is additionally blocked by extremely potent NAb to conformational epitopes of the gH/gL/UL128/130/131A pentamer complex (PC). We recently developed a vaccine concept based on coexpression of all five PC subunits by a single modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector, termed MVA-PC. Vaccination of mice and rhesus macaques with MVA-PC resulted in a high titer and sustained NAb that blocked EpC/EnC infection and lower-titer NAb that inhibited FB entry. However, antibody function responsible for the neutralizing activity induced by the MVA-PC vaccine is uncharacterized. Here, we demonstrate that MVA-PC elicits NAb with cell type-specific neutralization potency and antigen recognition pattern similar to human NAb targeting conformational and linear epitopes of the UL128/130/131A subunits or gH. In addition, we show that the vaccine-derived PC-specific NAb are significantly more potent than the anti-gH NAb to prevent HCMV spread in EpC and infection of human placental cytotrophoblasts, cell types thought to be of critical importance for HCMV transmission to the fetus. These findings further validate MVA-PC as a clinical vaccine candidate to elicit NAb that resembles those induced during HCMV infection and provide valuable insights into the potency of PC-specific NAb to interfere with HCMV cell-associated spread and infection of key placental cells.

IMPORTANCEAs a consequence of the leading role of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in causing permanent birth defects, developing a vaccine against HCMV has been assigned a major public health priority. We have recently introduced a vaccine strategy based on a widely used, safe, and well-characterized poxvirus vector platform to elicit potent and durable neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses targeting the HCMV envelope pentamer complex (PC), which has been suggested as a critical component for a vaccine to prevent congenital HCMV infection. With this work, we confirm that the NAb elicited by the vaccine vector have properties that are similar to those of human NAb isolated from individuals chronically infected with HCMV. In addition, we show that PC-specific NAb have potent ability to prevent infection of key placental cells that HCMV utilizes to cross the fetal-maternal interface, suggesting that NAb targeting the PC may be essential to prevent HCMV vertical transmission.
Mumps Virus Is Released from the Apical Surface of Polarized Epithelial Cells, and the Release Is Facilitated by a Rab11-Mediated Transport System
Authors: Katoh Hiroshi , Nakatsu Yuichiro , Kubota Toru , Sakata Masafumi , Takeda Makoto , Kidokoro Minoru
Published: September 2015

Mumps virus (MuV) is an airborne virus that causes a systemic infection in patients.
In vivo
, the epithelium is a major replication site of MuV, and thus, the mode of MuV infection of epithelial cells is a subject of interest. Our data in the present study showed that MuV entered polarized epithelial cells via both the apical and basolateral surfaces, while progeny viruses were predominantly released from the apical surface. In polarized cells, intracellular transport of viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes was dependent on Rab11-positive endosomes, and vRNP complexes were transported to the apical membrane. Expression of a dominant negative form of Rab11 (Rab11S25N) reduced the progeny virus release in polarized cells but not in nonpolarized cells. Although in this way these effects were correlated with cell polarity, Rab11S25N did not modulate the direction of virus release from the apical surface. Therefore, our data suggested that Rab11 is not a regulator of selective apical release of MuV, although it acts as an activator of virus release from polarized epithelial cells. In addition, our data and previous studies on Sendai virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and measles virus suggested that selective apical release from epithelial cells is used by many paramyxoviruses, even though they cause either a systemic infection or a local respiratory infection.

IMPORTANCE
Mumps virus (MuV) is the etiological agent of mumps and causes a systemic infection. However, the precise mechanism by which MuV breaks through the epithelial barriers and achieves a systemic infection remains unclear. In the present study, we show that the entry of MuV is bipolar, while the release is predominantly from the apical surface in polarized epithelial cells. In addition, the release of progeny virus was facilitated by a Rab11-positive recycling endosome and microtubule network. Our data provide important insights into the mechanism of transmission and pathogenesis of MuV.
Undiagnosed DiGeorge syndrome presenting in middle age with an aortic root aneurysm and chronic dissection
Authors: King Christopher
Published: September 2015

DiGeorge syndrome is the second commonest cause of congenital heart disease after trisomy 21. This case illustrates an undiagnosed case of DiGeorge syndrome for a patient who had a ventricular septal defect repair in childhood. He survived well into his adult years, and was only diagnosed post mortem after an unsuccessful repair of an aortic root aneurysm. The case serves as an example supporting genetic screening of children with congenital heart disease, and lifelong cardiology follow-up for patients with a confirmed genotype.
Adrenal incidentaloma caused by extramedullary haematopoiesis: conservative management is optimal
Authors: Sekar Suganya , Burad Deepak , Abraham Aby , Paul Mazhuvanchary Jacob
Published: September 2015

We present a thalassaemic patient with extramedullary haematopoiesis in the adrenal gland, which is one of the rare sites of involvement. A 29-year-old man presented with a history of anaemia since childhood which required blood transfusion recently. On examination, he had pallor, icterus and splenomegaly with no other palpable abdominal mass. He was diagnosed to have β-thalassaemia. Ultrasonography of the abdomen showed an incidental right adrenal mass with splenomegaly; CT revealed a large right adrenal mass with heterogeneous density. Adrenal adenoma, carcinoma and extramedullary haematopoiesis were considered in the differential diagnosis. After excluding a functioning tumour, the diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound-guided biopsy. Since the patient was asymptomatic, the adrenal lesion was managed conservatively.
Evaluating the effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20HE) on mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in the skeletal muscle and liver of rats
Authors: Anthony Tracy G. , Mirek Emily T. , Bargoud Albert Raouf , Phillipson-Weiner Lindsey , DeOliveira Christopher M. , Wetstein Berish , Graf Brittany L. , Kuhn Peter E. , Raskin Ilya
Published: September 2015

Phytoecdysteroids such as 20-hydroxyecdysone (20HE) are nutritional supplements marketed as enhancers of lean body mass. In this study the impact of 20HE ingestion on protein kinase B/Akt-mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling in the skeletal muscle and liver of male rats was found to be limited. Bioavailability of 20HE, whether consumed alone or with leucine, also remained low at all doses ingested. Additional work is necessary to clarify 20HE mechanism of action in vivo.
Analysis of frost heave mechanisms in a high-speed railway embankment
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Sheng Daichao , Zhao Guotang , Niu Fujun , He Zuoyue
Published: September 2015

The Harbin–Dalian high-speed railway in northeastern China has a significant portion of track foundation built on seasonally frozen ground. Wide-spread frost heave was observed during the first winter of its operation and the heave occurred mainly in coarse fills that were considered not susceptible to frost heave. This paper first presents the field data of frost heave and frost depth observed along the railway. It then analyses alternative mechanisms that have been considered to have caused the observed frost heave. The three most likely mechanisms are poor quality control of fine content in the coarse fill, the top-down water supply mechanism, and the bottom-up water supply mechanism. The likelihoods of these mechanisms are analysed against observed field data, using a one-dimensional frost heave model. The results indicate that the most likely explanation for the unexpected frost heave is a combined action of different mechanisms.
Interannual and long-term changes in the trophic state of a multibasin lake: effects of morphology, climate, winter aeration, and beaver activity
Authors: Robertson Dale M. , Rose William J. , Reneau Paul C.
Published: September 2015

Little St. Germain Lake (LSG), a relatively pristine multibasin lake in Wisconsin, USA, was examined to determine how morphologic (internal), climatic (external), anthropogenic (winter aeration), and natural (beaver activity) factors affect the trophic state (phosphorus, P; chlorophyll, CHL; and Secchi depth, SD) of each of its basins. Basins intercepting the main flow and external P sources had highest P and CHL and shallowest SD. Internal loading in shallow, polymictic basins caused P and CHL to increase and SD to decrease as summer progressed. Winter aeration used to eliminate winterkill increased summer internal P loading and decreased water quality, while reductions in upstream beaver impoundments had little effect on water quality. Variations in air temperature and precipitation affected each basin differently. Warmer air temperatures increased productivity throughout the lake and decreased clarity in less eutrophic basins. Increased precipitation increased P in the basins intercepting the main flow but had little effect on the isolated deep West Bay. These relations are used to project effects of future climatic changes on LSG and other temperate lakes.
Structure and electronic properties of the doubly charged diatomic dications BeX2+ (X = Na, K)
Authors: Ghanmi Chedli , Farjallah Mohamed , Berriche Hamid , Al-Sehemi Abdullah G.
Published: September 2015

The structural and electronic properties of the doubly charged diatomic dications BeX2+ (X = Na, K) have been systematically investigated. The ab initio calculations method is based on the use of non-empirical pseudopotentials for the Be2+, Na+, and K+ cores, Gaussian basis sets, and parameterized l-dependent polarization potentials. The potential energy curves and their spectroscopic properties for the low-lying electronic states of 2Σ+, 2Π, and 2Δ symmetries have been determined for the species BeNa2+ and BeK2+ for the first time. Results show, for each diatomic dication, that the ground and the first excited electronic states are repulsive. For both systems, for which no experimental and theoretical data are available, we discuss our results by comparing their potential energies with similar systems. Numerous avoided crossings between electronic states of 2Σ+ and 2Π symmetries have been localized and analyzed. Their existence is related to the interaction between the electronic states and to the charge transfer process between the two ionic structures Be(2+)X and Be(+)X(+). Furthermore, the transition dipole functions from the ground state to the 2-102Σ+ and between neighbor electronic states of 2Σ+ symmetry, revealed many abrupt changes, which are localized at particular distances corresponding to the positions of the avoided crossings.
SmBa2Cu3O7−δ superconducting layer prepared on NiO buffer layer through fluorine-free chemical method
Authors: Zhang Hong , Zhao Yong , Zhang Yong , Pan Min , Lei Ming
Published: September 2015

With energy shortage becoming increasingly severe, the application of high-temperature superconducting material is a considerable prospects, where economic, efficient and energy-saving preparation technology becoming the key factors for the large-scale applications of [Formula: see text] (REBCO) superconducting coated conductors. Currently, non-vacuum chemical solution deposition technique is an important way to reduce the cost of preparation of coated conductors. However, a randomly oriented NiO growth is an important problem for the non-vacuum chemical preparation of superconducting coated conductor. A simple and valid method is to prepare textured NiO film on the bare nickel (Ni) tape. In this paper, NiO films with [Formula: see text]-axis texture were prepared in air and in argon respectively by the surface oxidation epitaxial method. We obtained the smooth and densification NiO films. The layer of [Formula: see text] was fabricated on the NiO film via a fluorine-free chemistry method. The purpose of this paper is to provide a potential value of non-vacuum chemical solution deposition technique for preparation of REBCO superconducting coated conductors.
2D quasi-planar or 3D structures? A comparison between CrBn(n = 2 − 10) wheel-like clusters and their corresponding 3D pyramidal clusters, and their hydrogen storage capability
Authors: Yildirim E. K.
Published: September 2015

In this study, we investigated stable structures for a transition metal atom–boron (CrB) wheel-like clusters and compared them with their corresponding 3D counterparts by means of density functional theory (DFT). In addition, hydrogen storage capability of the wheel-like system was investigated. All simulations were performed at the B3LYP/TZVP level of theory. We set out a complete route to the formation of CrB wheel-like clusters. Our results showed that, some of the clusters, investigated in this work (CrBn; n = 4, 6, 7, 8), either prefer to be in a 3D geometry rather than 2D quasi-planar or planar geometry. However, hydrogen doping has an interesting effect on both 2D quasi-planar and 3D geometries of this system. Simply it transforms the 3D structure, first, into a 2D quasi-planar, then a planar geometry. Furthermore, our results show that H–cluster interaction is too high for reversible hydrogen storage for these clusters.
Nonlinear localized eigenmodes for a Bose–Einstein condensate in a double-well potential
Authors: Xie Qiongtao , Liu Xiaoliang , Rong Shiguang
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we investigate the nonlinear localized eigenmodes for a Bose–Einstein condensate in a double-well potential. For a specific choice of the potential parameters, certain exact analytical solutions for nonlinear localized eigenmodes are presented. By applying the linear stability analysis, the stability regions of these exact nonlinear localized eigenmodes are obtained numerically. It is shown that under certain conditions, the unstable nonlinear localized modes display the breathing behavior characterized by repeated appearance of symmetric and asymmetric distributions in the two potentials. This breathing behavior is shown to arise from the symmetry breaking for these nonlinear localized eigenmodes.
Twin Bounded Support Tensor Machine for Classification
Authors: Shi Haifa , Zhao Xinbin , Zhen Ling , Jing Ling
Published: September 2015

The traditional vector-based classifiers, such as support vector machine (SVM) and twin support vector machine (TSVM), cannot handle tensor data directly and may not utilize the data informations effectively. In this paper, we propose a novel classifier based on tensor data, called twin bounded support tensor machine (TBSTM) which is an extension of twin bounded support vector machine (TBSVM). Similar to TBSVM, TBSTM gets two hyperplanes and obtains the solution by solving two quadratic programming problems (QPPs). The computational complexity of each QPPs is smaller than that of support tensor machine (STM). TBSTM not only retains the advantage of TBSVM, but also has its unique superior characteristics: (1) it makes full use of the structure information of data; (2) it has acceptable or better classification accuracy compared to STM, TBSVM and SVM; (3) the computational cost is basically less than STM; (4) it can deal with large data that TBSVM is not easy to achieve, especially for small-sample-size (S3) problems; (5) it adopts alternating successive over relaxation iteration (ASOR) method to solve optimization problems which accelerates the pace of training. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority by the experiments based on vector and tensor data.
About the kinetic description of fractional diffusion equations modeling chemotaxis
Authors: Bellouquid Abdel , Nieto Juanjo , Urrutia Luis
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we are interested in the microscopic description of fractional diffusion chemotactic models. We will use the kinetic framework of collisional equations having a heavy-tailed distribution as equilibrium state and take an adequate hydrodynamic scaling to deduce the fractional Keller–Segel system for the cell dynamics. In addition, we use this frame to deduce some models for chemotaxis with fractional diffusion including biological effects and non-standard drift terms.
3D Dynamic Analysis of the Wrist
Authors: Sandow Michael J.
Published: September 2015

With advances in imaging and computing technology the greater capacity to diagnose, plan and deliver care to patients with hand and wrist disorder is being realised. Work in our laboratory, has been able to identify certain specific rules that control wrist motion, and is a step on the pathway to creating a unified theory of carpal mechanics which will incorporate a kinetic biomechanical model. This will allow more precise anatomically based as well as quantitative diagnoses, but also an ability to test a proposed intervention in a “what if” scenario.
Audit of Clinical and Functional Outcomes of Arthroscopic Resection of Wrist Ganglions
Authors: Chung Sze-Ryn , Tay Shian Chao
Published: September 2015

Background: The purpose of this study is to audit the clinical and functional outcomes of arthroscopic ganglionectomy (AG) in our centre.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all 29 patients who underwent AG from 2007 to 2012 with a mean clinic and telephone follow-up duration of 6 months and 32 months respectively.

Results: A total of 29 patients (17 women and 12 men) with a mean age of 38 years underwent AG. 15 patients (52%) had associated pain with the lump, 24 out of 29 patients (83%) had preoperative ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. All patients had preoperative wrist radiographs that showed no chronic carpal instability and bony pathology. 26 out of 29 patients (90%) had dorsal wrist ganglions and 3 patients (10%) had volar wrist ganglions. 15 out of 24 ganglions (62.5%) were multiloculated. Mean ganglion size clinically and through wrist ultrasound was 2.5 cm and 1.8 cm respectively. During arthroscopy, ganglion stalk was identified in 14 patients (48%). Average operating time was 69.5 minutes. Intraoperatively, 24 out of 29 patients (83%) had wrist synovitis and 26 patients (90%) had associated carpal ligament laxity. 97% of cases were successfully resected arthroscopically. Recurrence rate was 10% (3 cases). There was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative range of motion of wrists - the mean wrist flexion ranged from 63 to 59 degrees pre and postoperatively, and the mean wrist extension ranged from 66 to 64 degrees pre and postoperatively. Overall grip strength improved from 27 kg to 32 kg ([Formula: see text]), and there was also a significant improvement in pain scores pre and post-operatively from visual analogue scale (VAS) score of 0.8 to 0.3 ([Formula: see text]). No major intra or post-operative complications occurred. All patients were satisfied in terms of cosmesis.

Conclusions: AG is a safe and reliable alternative to open resection of wrist ganglions. In addition, it can be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for other wrist conditions.
Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Augmentation of Rabbit Flexor Tendon Healing
Authors: He Min , Gan Aaron Wei Tat , Lim Aymeric Yu Tang , Goh James Cho Hong , Hui James Hoi Po , Chong Alphonsus Khin Sze
Published: September 2015

Background: This study investigated the effect of mesenchymal stem cell implantation on flexor tendon healing using a rabbit model of flexor tendon repair. Specifically, we compared the difference between autologous and allogeneic stem cells. The influence of cell number on the outcome of flexor tendon healing was also investigated.

Methods: Repaired tendons on the rear paws of rabbits were randomly assigned into four groups: control group, 1 million autologous cells, 1 million allogeneic cells, and 4 million allogeneic cells. Rabbits were sacrificed at 3 or 8 weeks after surgery.

Results: Implantation of 4 million stem cells resulted in a significant increase in range of motion compared with control group at three weeks after surgery. The positive staining of collagen I in healing tendons was enhanced in stem cell treated groups three weeks after surgery. However, stem cells did not improve biomechanical properties of flexor tendons.

Conclusions: High dose stem cells attenuated adhesions in the early time point following flexor tendon repair. Further work is needed determine the value of stem cell therapy in flexor tendon healing in humans.
Supination and Pronation Strength Deficits Persist at 2-4 Years after Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: Ploegmakers Joris , The Bertram , Wang Allan , Brutty Mike , Ackland Tim
Published: September 2015

Forearm rotation is a key function in the upper extremity. Following distal radius fracture, residual disability may occur in tasks requiring forearm rotation. The objectives of this study are to define pronation and supination strength profiles tested through the range of forearm rotation in normal individuals, and to evaluate the rotational strength profiles and rotational strength deficits across the testing range in a cohort of patients treated for distal radius fracture associated with an ulnar styloid base fracture. In a normative cohort of 29 subjects the supination strength profile showed an increasing linear relationship from supination to pronation. Twelve subjects were evaluated 2-4 years after anatomical open reduction and volar plate fixation of a distal radius fracture. The injured wrist was consistently weaker (corrected for hand dominance) in both supination and pronation strength in all testing positions, with the greatest loss in 60 degrees supination. Mean supination strength loss across all testing positions was significantly correlated with worse PRWE scores, highlighting the importance of supination in wrist function.
Primary Index Finger Pollicization for Thumb Reconstruction Following Soft Tissue Sarcoma Excision
Authors: Reddy Velagala Satyanarayana , Sierakowski Adam , Periasamy Madhu , Sabapathy Shanmuganathan Raja
Published: September 2015

Soft tissue sarcomas in the thumb are rare, but often require amputation to ensure tumour clearance. This can severely impair the use of the entire upper limb and negatively impact quality of life. We describe a 63-year-old male patient with a large malignant fibrous histiocytoma affecting the base of his dominant right thumb. A wide resection of this tumour was performed, followed immediately by index finger pollicization and first web space reconstruction with a reverse pedicled posterior interosseous artery flap. The patient was able to continue using his right hand for functions of daily living and was free from local recurrence until he died from distant metastases 2 years later. Primary thumb reconstruction following amputation for sarcoma can allow a patient to retain useful hand function postoperatively. Provided that strict principles of tumour clearance are adhered to, this need not compromise local recurrence rates.
Fibro-Osseous Pseudotumour of the Digit: An Illustrative Case and Review of the Literature
Authors: Zhou Jieyun , McLean Catriona , Keating Cameron , Finkemeyer James , Morsi Adel
Published: September 2015

Fibro-osseous pseudotumour is a rare, benign ossifying tumour of soft tissue that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any tumour affecting the digits. Clinical diagnosis is difficult and fibro-osseous pseudotumour is often mistaken for malignancy, leading to inappropriate treatment. Knowledge of its clinical and histopathological features thus allows for appropriate primary treatment, sparing the patient from unnecessary radical surgery associated with presumed malignancy. We present the case of a 48 year-old male with fibro-osseous pseudotumour affecting the right ring finger, successfully treated with local excision. This is the second reported Australian case of fibro-osseous pseudotumour, and we present an extensive review of the literature relating to the diagnosis and management of this rare tumour.
Attrition Rupture of the Flexor Pollicis Longus Tendon after Arthrodesis of the Trapeziometacarpal Joint: A Case Report
Authors: Kanaya Kumiko , Kanaya Kohei , Iba Kousuke , Yamashita Toshihiko
Published: September 2015

We report a case of flexor pollicis longus tendon rupture after arthrodesis of the trapeziometacarpal joint with headless screws using the criss-cross technique. Although flexor pollicis longus tendon rupture is a conceivable complication after the trapeziometacarpal joint arthrodesis, very few cases have rarely been reported in the literature. We should remind that screws inserted into the trapezium could lead to a rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon.
A Rare Case of Reverse Oblique Ulnar Head and Neck Fracture
Authors: Tay Li June , Cottam Howard , Compson Jonathan
Published: September 2015

Isolated distal ulnar head and neck fractures are rare. Undisplaced fractures are normally treated non-operatively. We report a case of a reverse oblique ulnar head and neck fracture, which despite the initial undisplaced configuration, was unstable and displaced over the subsequent weeks. We believe that, though this particular fracture pattern could have been treated in a cast, it requires careful follow up, especially early on, or to undergo early internal fixation.
Sparse Markov chain-based semi-supervised multi-instance multi-label method for protein function prediction
Authors: Han Chao , Chen Jian , Wu Qingyao , Mu Shuai , Min Huaqing
Published: September 2015

Automated assignment of protein function has received considerable attention in recent years for genome-wide study. With the rapid accumulation of genome sequencing data produced by high-throughput experimental techniques, the process of manually predicting functional properties of proteins has become increasingly cumbersome. Such large genomics data sets can only be annotated computationally. However, automated assignment of functions to unknown protein is challenging due to its inherent difficulty and complexity. Previous studies have revealed that solving problems involving complicated objects with multiple semantic meanings using the multi-instance multi-label (MIML) framework is effective. For the protein function prediction problems, each protein object in nature may associate with distinct structural units (instances) and multiple functional properties (class labels) where each unit is described by an instance and each functional property is considered as a class label. Thus, it is convenient and natural to tackle the protein function prediction problem by using the MIML framework. In this paper, we propose a sparse Markov chain-based semi-supervised MIML method, called Sparse-Markov. A sparse transductive probability graph is constructed to encode the affinity information of the data based on ensemble of Hausdorff distance metrics. Our goal is to exploit the affinity between protein objects in the sparse transductive probability graph to seek a sparse steady state probability of the Markov chain model to do protein function prediction, such that two proteins are given similar functional labels if they are close to each other in terms of an ensemble Hausdorff distance in the graph. Experimental results on seven real-world organism data sets covering three biological domains show that our proposed Sparse-Markov method is able to achieve better performance than four state-of-the-art MIML learning algorithms.
A bijective proof of a theorem on 3-core partitions
Authors: Golze Hiram
Published: September 2015

We introduce the notion of [Formula: see text]-core words and establish a bijection between 3-core partitions and 3-core words. This bijection is used to provide a bijective proof of known identities.
Electrochemical characterization of nano V, Ti doped MnO2 in primary lithium manganese dioxide batteries with high rate
Authors: Sun Yang , Wang Shengping , Dai Yu , Lei Xinrong
Published: September 2015

The nano-sized [Formula: see text]-MnO2 precursor is synthesized using a room temperature, liquid-phase reaction route with the assistance of ultrasonic waves. The MnO2 precursor as an electrode material in lithium manganese dioxide primary batteries displays a low capacity of 140[Formula: see text]mAh[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] (45.5% for the theoretical capacity of MnO[Formula: see text] at 20[Formula: see text]mA[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text]. Therefore, the doped MnO2 with cationic V or/and Ti are prepared at high temperature. After the heat treatment, the [Formula: see text] phase precursor powder gradually converts into the [Formula: see text]-MnO2 and exhibits a higher specific surface area with a larger pore volume and pore size, providing significantly more electrochemically active sites for the redox reaction. The doped MnO2 matrix has advantage of the ideal lattice parameters and the higher conductivity, resulting in an enhancement of the Li[Formula: see text] diffusion kinetics in the tunnel structure. Especially for co-doped MnO2 with V and Ti, the modified material shows an outstanding electrochemical capacity of 190[Formula: see text]mAh[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] (61.7% for the theoretical capacity) at 20[Formula: see text]mA[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] and 169[Formula: see text]mAh[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] for a higher power output of 100[Formula: see text]mA[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text].
Dynamics of myosin replacement in skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Ojima Koichi , Ichimura Emi , Yasukawa Yuya , Wakamatsu Jun-ichi , Nishimura Takanori
Published: September 2015

Highly organized thick filaments in skeletal muscle cells are formed from ∼300 myosin molecules. Each thick-filament-associated myosin molecule is thought to be constantly exchanged. However, the mechanism of myosin replacement remains unclear, as does the source of myosin for substitution. Here, we investigated the dynamics of myosin exchange in the myofibrils of cultured myotubes by fluorescent recovery after photobleaching and found that myofibrillar myosin is actively replaced with an exchange half-life of ∼3 h. Myosin replacement was not disrupted by the absence of the microtubule system or by actomyosin interactions, suggesting that known cytoskeletal systems are dispensable for myosin substitution. Intriguingly, myosin replacement was independent of myosin binding protein C, which links myosin molecules together to form thick filaments. This implies that an individual myosin molecule rather than a thick filament functions as an exchange unit. Furthermore, the myosin substitution rate was decreased by the inhibition of protein synthesis, suggesting that newly synthesized myosin, as well as preexisting cytosolic myosin, contributes to myosin replacement in myofibrils. Notably, incorporation and release of myosin occurred simultaneously in myofibrils, but rapid myosin release from myofibrils was observed without protein synthesis. Collectively, our results indicate that myosin shuttles between myofibrils and the nonmyofibrillar cytosol to maintain a dynamic equilibrium in skeletal muscle cells.
Knockdown of Tmem234 in zebrafish results in proteinuria
Authors: Rodriguez Patricia Q. , Oddsson Asmundur , Ebarasi Lwaki , He Bing , Hultenby Kjell , Wernerson Annika , Betsholtz Christer , Tryggvason Karl , Patrakka Jaakko
Published: September 2015

Podocytes are highly specialized epithelial cells located at the outer aspects of the glomerular capillary tuft and critical components of the kidney filtration barrier. To maintain their unique features, podocytes express a number of proteins that are only sparsely found elsewhere in the body. In this study, we have identified four (Tmem234, Znf185, Lrrc49, and Slfn5) new highly podocyte-enriched proteins. The proteins are strongly expressed by podocytes, while other parts of the kidney show only weak or no expression. Tmem234, Slfn5, and Lrrc49 are located in foot processes, whereas Znf185 is found in both foot and major processes. Expressional studies in developing kidneys show that these proteins are first expressed at the capillary stage glomerulus, the same stage when the formation of major and foot processes begins. We identified zebrafish orthologs for Tmem234 and Znf185 genes and knocked down their expression using morpholino technology. Studies in zebrafish larvae indicate that Tmem234 is essential for the organization and functional integrity of the pronephric glomerulus filtration barrier, as inactivation of Tmem234 expression results in foot process effacement and proteinuria. In summary, we have identified four novel highly podocyte-enriched proteins and show that one of them, Tmem234, is essential for the normal filtration barrier in the zebrafish pronephric glomerulus. Identification of new molecular components of the kidney filtration barrier opens up possibilities to study their role in glomerulus biology and diseases.
Neuromuscular adjustments of gait associated with unstable conditions
Authors: Martino G. , Ivanenko Y. P. , d'Avella A. , Serrao M. , Ranavolo A. , Draicchio F. , Cappellini G. , Casali C. , Lacquaniti F.
Published: September 2015

A compact description of coordinated muscle activity is provided by the factorization of electromyographic (EMG) signals. With the use of this approach, it has consistently been shown that multimuscle activity during human locomotion can be accounted for by four to five modules, each one comprised of a basic pattern timed at a different phase of gait cycle and the weighting coefficients of synergistic muscle activations. These modules are flexible, in so far as the timing of patterns and the amplitude of weightings can change as a function of gait speed and mode. Here we consider the adjustments of the locomotor modules related to unstable walking conditions. We compared three different conditions, i.e., locomotion of healthy subjects on slippery ground (SL) and on narrow beam (NB) and of cerebellar ataxic (CA) patients on normal ground. Motor modules were computed from the EMG signals of 12 muscles of the right lower limb using non-negative matrix factorization. The unstable gait of SL, NB, and CA showed significant changes compared with controls in the stride length, stride width, range of angular motion, and trunk oscillations. In most subjects of all three unstable conditions, >70% of the overall variation of EMG waveforms was accounted for by four modules that were characterized by a widening of muscle activity patterns. This suggests that the nervous system adopts the strategy of prolonging the duration of basic muscle activity patterns to cope with unstable conditions resulting from either slippery ground, reduced support surface, or pathology.
Common drive to the upper airway muscle genioglossus during inspiratory loading
Authors: Woods Michael J. , Nicholas Christian L. , Semmler John G. , Chan Julia K. M. , Jordan Amy S. , Trinder John
Published: September 2015

Common drive is thought to constitute a central mechanism by which the efficiency of a motor neuron pool is increased. This study tested the hypothesis that common drive to the upper airway muscle genioglossus (GG) would increase with increased respiratory drive in response to an inspiratory load. Respiration, GG electromyographic (EMG) activity, single-motor unit activity, and coherence in the 0–5 Hz range between pairs of GG motor units were assessed for the 30 s before an inspiratory load, the first and second 30 s of the load, and the 30 s after the load. Twelve of twenty young, healthy male subjects provided usable data, yielding 77 pairs of motor units: 2 Inspiratory Phasic, 39 Inspiratory Tonic, 15 Expiratory Tonic, and 21 Tonic. Respiratory and GG inspiratory activity significantly increased during the loads and returned to preload levels during the postload periods (all showed significant quadratic functions over load trials, P < 0.05). As hypothesized, common drive increased during the load in inspiratory modulated motor units to a greater extent than in expiratory/tonic motor units (significant load × discharge pattern interaction, P < 0.05). Furthermore, this effect persisted during the postload period. In conclusion, common drive to inspiratory modulated motor units was elevated in response to increased respiratory drive. The postload elevation in common drive was suggestive of a poststimulus activation effect.
Some Epidemiological Aspects of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in a New Focus, Central Iran
Authors: Yaghoobi-Ershadi M. R. , Marvi-Moghadam N. , Jafari R. , Akhavan A. A. , Solimani H. , Zahrai-Ramazani A. R. , Arandian M. H. , Dehghan-Dehnavi A. R.
Published: September 2015

Following the epidemic of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Khatam County, Yazd Province, this study was carried out to determine vector, and animal reservoir host(s) and investigate the human infection during 2005-2006. Four rural districts where the disease had higher prevalence were selected. Sticky paper traps were used to collect sand flies during April to November, biweekly. Meanwhile rodents were captured using Sherman traps from August to November. Households and primary schools were visited and examined for human infection in February 2006. The parasite was detected by RAPD-PCR method. The rate of ulcers and scars among the inhabitants was 4.8% and 9.8%, respectively. Three rodent species were captured during the study:Meriones libycus, Rhombomys opimus, andTatera indica. Six sand fly species were also collected and identified; among themPhlebotomus papatasihad the highest frequency.Leishmania majorwas detected as the agent of the disease in the area. It was detected fromR. opimusand native people.
Centralized Fusion of Unscented Kalman Filter Based on Huber Robust Method for Nonlinear Moving Target Tracking
Authors: Huang Jue , Yan Bing , Hu Shouwei
Published: September 2015

We propose a robust method for tracking nonlinear target with the fusion unscented Kalman filter (FUKF). We noticed that when some outliers exist in the measurements of the sensors, they cannot track the target accurately by using the standard Kalman filters. The robust statistics theory is used in this paper to solve this problem. The measurement noise variance which is at the time of the outlier is restructured through minimizing the designed cost function. Then, the standard fusion unscented Kalman filter is used to track the target in order to avoid the bias brought by the linear approximation. Compared to the traditional tracking method and Huber robust method (HFUKF), this method has a more accurate performance and can track the target efficiently while the outliers exist. Last, simulation examples in three different conditions are given and the simulation results show the advantages of the proposed method over the fusion unscented Kalman filter (FUKF) and the Huber robust method (HFUKF).
Sources of Stress and Coping Strategies among Undergraduate Medical Students Enrolled in a Problem-Based Learning Curriculum
Authors: Bamuhair Samira S. , Al Farhan Ali I. , Althubaiti Alaa , Agha Sajida , Rahman Saeed ur , Ibrahim Nadia O.
Published: September 2015

Background. Medical education is rated as one of the most difficult trainings to endure. Throughout their undergraduate years, medical students face numerous stressors. Coping with these stressors requires access to a variety of resources, varying from personal strengths to social support. We aimed to explore the perceived stress, stressors, and coping strategies employed by medical students studying in a problem-based learning curriculum.Methodology. This is a cross-sectional study of randomly selected medical students that explored demographics, perceived stress scale, sources of stress, and coping strategies.Results. Of the 378 medical students that participated in the study, males were 59.3% and females 40.7%. Nearly 53% of the students often felt stressed, and a third felt that they could not cope with stress. Over 82% found studying stressful and 64.3% were not sleeping well. Half of the students reported low self-esteem. Perceived stress scores were statistically significantly high for specific stressors of studying in general, worrying about future, interpersonal conflict, and having low self-esteem. Coping strategies that were statistically significantly applied more often were blaming oneself and being self-critical, seeking advice and help from others, and finding comfort in religion. Female students were more stressed than males but they employ more coping strategies as well.Conclusions. Stress is very common among medical students. Most of the stressors are from coursework and interpersonal relationships. Low self-esteem coupled with self-blame and self-criticism is quite common.
A Comparison of Different Operating Systems for Femtosecond Lasers in Cataract Surgery
Authors: Wu B. M. , Williams G. P. , Tan A. , Mehta J. S.
Published: September 2015

The introduction of femtosecond lasers is potentially a major shift in the way we approach cataract surgery. The development of increasingly sophisticated intraocular lenses (IOLs), coupled with heightened patient expectation of high quality postsurgical visual outcomes, has generated the need for a more precise, highly reproducible and standardized method to carry out cataract operations. As femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) becomes more commonplace in surgical centers, further evaluation of the potential risks and benefits needs to be established, particularly in the medium/long term effects. Healthcare administrators will also have to weigh and balance out the financial costs of these lasers relative to the advantages they put forth. In this review, we provide an operational overview of three of five femtosecond laser platforms that are currently commercially available: the Catalys (USA), the Victus (USA), and the LDV Z8 (Switzerland).
Regulation of Expression of Oxacillin-Inducible Methionine Sulfoxide Reductases inStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Baum Kyle R. , Ahmad Zulfiqar , Singh Vineet K.
Published: September 2015

Cell wall-active antibiotics cause induction of a locus that leads to elevated synthesis of two methionine sulfoxide reductases (MsrA1 and MsrB) inStaphylococcus aureus. To understand the regulation of this locus, reporter strains were constructed by integrating a DNA fragment consisting of themsrA1/msrBpromoter in front of a promoterlesslacZgene in the chromosome of wild-type and MsrA1-, MsrB-, MsrA1/MsrB-, and SigB-deficient methicillin-sensitiveS. aureusstrain SH1000 and methicillin-resistantS. aureusstrain COL. These reporter strains were cultured in TSB and the cellular levels ofβ-galactosidase activity in these cultures were assayed during different growth phases.β-galactosidase activity assays demonstrated that the lack of MsrA1, MsrB, and SigB upregulated themsrA1/msrBpromoter inS. aureusstrain SH1000. InS. aureusstrain COL, the highest level ofβ-galactosidase activity was observed under the conditions when both MsrA1 and MsrB proteins were absent. The data suggest that themsrA1/msrBlocus, in part, is negatively regulated by MsrA1, MsrB, and SigB inS. aureus.
Study of the Etiological Causes of Toe Web Space Lesions in Cairo, Egypt
Authors: Hassab-El-Naby Hussein Mohamed , Mohamed Yasser Fathy , Abdo Hamed Mohamed , Kamel Mohamed Ismail , Hablas Wael Refaat , Mohamed Osama Khalil
Published: September 2015

Background. The etiology of foot intertrigo is varied. Several pathogens and skin conditions might play a role in toe web space lesions.Objective. To identify the possible etiological causes of toe web space lesions.Methods. 100 Egyptian patients were enrolled in this study (72 females and 28 males). Their ages ranged from 18 to 79 years. For every patient, detailed history taking, general and skin examinations, and investigations including Wood’s light examination, skin scraping for potassium hydroxide test, skin swabs for bacterial isolation, and skin biopsy all were done.Results. Among the 100 patients, positive Wood’s light fluorescence was observed in 24 and positive bacterial growth was observed in 85. With skin biopsy, 52 patients showed features characteristic for eczema, 25 showed features characteristic for fungus, 19 showed features characteristic for callosity, and 3 showed features characteristic for wart while in only 1 patient the features were characteristic for lichen planus.Conclusion. Toe web space lesions are caused by different etiological factors. The most common was interdigital eczema (52%) followed by fungal infection (25%). We suggest that patients who do not respond to antifungals should be reexamined for another primary or secondary dermatologic condition that may resemble interdigital fungal infection.
The Correlation Analysis between Corneal Biomechanical Properties and the Surgically Induced Corneal High-Order Aberrations after Small Incision Lenticule Extraction and Femtosecond Laser In Situ Keratomileusis
Authors: Wu Wenjing , Wang Yan
Published: September 2015

Background. To investigate the correlation between corneal biomechanics and the surgically induced corneal high-order aberrations (HOAs) after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK).Methods. A total of 150 right myopic eyes that underwent SMILE or FS-LASIK surgery were included in this retrospective study, 75 eyes in each group. The corneal hysteresis (CH) and the corneal resistance factor (CRF) with the corneal HOAs of the anterior, posterior, and total cornea were assessed preoperatively and three months postoperatively. Multivariate linear regression was applied to determine the correlations.Results. The preoperative CRF was significantly correlated with the induced 3rd–6th-order HOAs and spherical aberration of the anterior surface and the total cornea after SMILE and FS-LASIK surgeries (P<0.05), postoperatively. The CRF was significantly correlated with the induced vertical coma of the anterior and posterior surfaces and the total cornea after SMILE surgery (P<0.05). There was a significant correlation between the CRF and the induced posterior corneal horizontal coma after FS-LASIK surgery (P=0.013).Conclusions. The corneal biomechanics affect the surgically induced corneal HOAs after SMILE and FS-LASIK surgery, which may be meaningful for screening the patients preoperatively and optimizing the visual qualities postoperatively.