bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of Aptima and Cobas HPV testing platforms in detecting high‐grade cervical dysplasia and cancer
Authors: Ge Yimin , Christensen Paul , Luna Eric , Armylagos Donna , Schwartz Mary R. , Mody Dina R.
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) tests and genotyping have been used in clinical risk assessment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the performance of 2 common HPV testing platforms in detecting high‐grade cervical lesions (high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [HSIL] or worse [≥HSIL]).

METHODS

Between January 1 and December 31, 2015, 2041 Papanicolaou (Pap) tests with biopsy confirmation were analyzed along with HPV tests performed on Cobas or Aptima platforms. A biopsy diagnosis of grade 2 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was confirmed with p16/Ki‐67 immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

In total, 1866 and 175 Pap cases were tested on Cobas and Aptima platforms, respectively. Both platforms were highly sensitive (97% for both) for biopsy‐confirmed ≥HSIL. Cobas HPV testing had higher positive rates for the diagnosis of benign lesions (84% vs 51%) and low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (89% vs 63%) on biopsy compared with Aptima. Aptima testing had significantly higher specificity for ≥HSIL than Cobas (41% vs 13%; P < .0001). Overall, performance of the Aptima platform was superior to that of the Cobas platform in detecting biopsy‐confirmed ≥HSIL, resulting from its significantly higher positive predictive value (25% vs 16%; P < .03) and overall accuracy (50% vs 26%; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although both the Cobas and Aptima platforms offer highly sensitive tests for high‐grade cervical lesions, Aptima HPV testing demonstrated significantly higher specificity and positive predictive value than Cobas testing for biopsy‐confirmed ≥HSIL. The considerable difference may be related to the significant increase in E6/E7 expression after HPV DNA integration. The significantly higher specificity and overall accuracy of Aptima testing for ≥HSIL, resulting in the identification of high‐risk populations that require immediate treatment and close follow‐up, may prove useful in clinical risk stratification. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:652‐7. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Temperature anisotropy relaxation of the one‐component plasma
Authors: Baalrud Scott D. , Daligault Jérôme
Published: June 2017

The relaxation rate of a Maxwellian velocity distribution function that has an initially anisotropic temperature (T‖≠T⊥) is an important physical process in space and laboratory plasmas. It is also a canonical example of an energy transport process that can be used to test theory. Here, this rate is evaluated using molecular dynamics simulations of the one‐component plasma. Results are compared with the predictions of four kinetic theories; two treating the weakly coupled regime, namely (a) the Landau equation, and (b) the Lenard–Balescu equation, and two that attempt to extend the theory into the strongly coupled regime, namely (c) the effective potential theory and (d) the generalized Lenard–Balescu theory. The role of dynamic screening is studied, and is found to have a negligible influence on this transport rate. Oscillations and a delayed relaxation onset in the temperature profiles are observed at strong coupling, which are not described by the kinetic theories.
Sex‐biased dispersal and spatial heterogeneity affect landscape resistance to gene flow in fisher
Authors: Tucker Jody M. , Allendorf Fred W. , Truex Richard L. , Schwartz Michael K.
Published: June 2017

Genetic connectivity results from the dispersal and reproduction of individuals across landscapes. Mammalian populations frequently exhibit sex‐biased dispersal, but this factor has rarely been addressed in individual‐based landscape genetics research. In this study, we evaluate the effects of sex‐biased dispersal and landscape heterogeneity on genetic connectivity in a small and isolated population of fisher (Pekania pennanti). We genotyped 247 fisher samples collected across the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. We tested for genetic evidence of sex‐biased dispersal using sex‐specific population structure and spatial autocorrelation analyses, and sex‐biased dispersal tests of the assignment index,FST, andFIS. We developed resistance surfaces for eight landscape features hypothesized to affect gene flow and optimized each resistance surface independently by sex. Using multiple regression of distance matrices and an information‐theoretic model selection approach, we fit models of genetic distance to landscape resistance distance separately by sex and geographic region. We found genetic evidence of sex‐biased dispersal with significant differences inFST,FIS, and spatial autocorrelation between sexes. Optimal resistance values differed by sex, and model variables, fit, and parameter estimates varied substantially both between sexes and between geographic regions. We found a stronger relationship between landscape features and genetic distance for females, the philopatric sex, than the more widely dispersing males. Our results show that landscape features influencing gene flow differed by both sex and regional heterogeneity. Conducting analyses by sex and by region allowed for the identification of landscape genetics relationships not discernible when analyzed together. Our results show that failing to account for these factors can confound results and obscure relationships between landscape features and gene flow.
Conditioned pain modulation dampens the thermal grill illusion
Authors: Harper D.E. , Hollins M.
Published: June 2017

Background

The thermal grill illusion (TGI) refers to the perception of burning heat and often pain that arises from simultaneous cutaneous application of innocuous warm and cool stimuli. This study utilized conditioned pain modulation (CPM) to help elucidate the TGI's underlying neural mechanisms, including the debated role of ascending nociceptive signals in generating the illusion.

Methods

To trigger CPM, subjects placed the left hand in noxious cold (6 °C) water before placing the right volar forearm onto a thermal grill. Lower pain and unpleasantness ratings of the grill in this CPM run compared to those in a control run (i.e. 33 °C water) were taken as evidence of CPM. To determine whether CPM reduces noxious heat pain and illusory heat pain equally, an experimental group of subjects rated pain and unpleasantness of a grill consisting of innocuous alternating warm (42 °C) and cool (18 °C) bars, while a control group rated a grill with all bars controlled to a noxious temperature (45 °C).

Results

CPM produced significant and comparable reductions in pain, unpleasantness and perceived heat of both noxious heat and the TGI.

Conclusions

This result suggests that the TGI results from signals in nociceptive dorsal horn convergent neurons, since CPM involves descending inhibition with high selectivity for this neuronal population. More broadly, CPM's ability to produce a shift in perceived thermal sensation of both noxious heat and the TGI from ‘hot’ to ‘warm’ implies that nociceptive signals generated by a cutaneous stimulus can contribute to its perceived thermal intensity.

Significance

Conditioned pain modulation reduces the perceived painfulness, unpleasantness and heat of the thermal grill illusion and noxious heat similarly. The results have important theoretical implications for both types of pain.
aPKC‐ι/P‐Sp1/Snail signaling induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition and immunosuppression in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Qian Yawei , Yao Wei , Yang Tao , Yang Yan , Liu Yan , Shen Qi , Zhang Jian , Qi Weipeng , Wang Jianming
Published: June 2017

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly malignant bile duct cancer that tends to invade and metastasize early. The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in cancer cell invasion and metastasis, as well as in cancer cell evasion of host immunity. In this study, we investigated the interaction between atypical protein kinase C‐iota (aPKC‐ι) and Snail in the regulation of EMT and its relationship to CCA immunosuppression. Our results demonstrated that aPKC‐ι, Snail, and infiltrated immunosuppressive cells were significantly up‐regulated in CCA tumor tissues and linked to poor prognosis. aPKC‐ι induced EMT and immunosuppression by regulating Snail in vitro and in vivo, although aPKC‐ι did not directly interact with Snail in coimmunoprecipitation experiments. To further clarify the molecular interaction between aPKC‐ι and Snail in relation to EMT, quantitative iTRAQ‐based phosphoproteomic analysis and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry were conducted to identify the substrates of aPKC‐ι‐dependent phosphorylation. Combined with coimmunoprecipitation, we showed that specificity protein 1 (Sp1) was directly phosphorylated by aPKC‐ι on Ser59 (P‐Sp1). Both Sp1 and P‐Sp1 were up‐regulated in CCA tumor tissues and associated with clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in CCA patients. Moreover, using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we found that P‐Sp1 regulated Snail expression by increasing Sp1 binding to the Snail promoter. P‐Sp1 also regulated aPKC‐ι/Snail‐induced EMT‐like changes and immunosuppression in CCA cells. Our findings further indicated that CCA cells with EMT‐like features appear to generate immunosuppressive natural T regulatory–like cluster of differentiation 4–positive (CD4+)CD25– cells rather than to increase CD4+CD25+ natural T regulatory cells, in part by mediating T regulatory–inducible cytokines such as transforming growth factor β1 and interleukin 2. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that aPKC‐ι promotes EMT and induces immunosuppression through the aPKC‐ι/P‐Sp1/Snail signaling pathway and may be a potential therapeutic target for CCA. (Hepatology 2017;66:1165‐1182).
Influences of forest on MODIS snow cover mapping and snow variations in the Amur River basin in Northeast Asia during 2000–2014
Authors: Wang Xianwei , Zhu Yuan , Chen Yaning , Zheng Hailing , Liu Henan , Huang Huabing , Liu Kai , Liu Lin
Published: June 2017

The study applies the improved cloud‐free moderate resolution imaging spectral radiometer daily snow cover product (MODMYD_MC) to investigate the snow cover variations from snow hydrologic year (HY) HY2000 to HY2013 in the Amur River basin (ARB), Northeast Asia. The fractions of forest cover were 38%, 63%, and 47% in 2009 in China (the southern ARB), Russia (the northern ARB), and ARB, respectively. Validation results show that MODMYD_MC has a snow agreement of 88% against in situ snow depth (SD) observations (SD ≥ 4 cm). The agreement is about 10% lower at the forested stations than at the nonforested stations. Snow cover durations (SCDs) from MODMYD_MC are 20 days shorter than ground observations (SD ≥ 1 cm) at the forested stations, whereas they are just 8 days shorter than ground observations (SD ≥ 1 cm) at the nonforested stations. Annual mean SCDs from MODMYD_MC in the forested areas are 21 days shorter than those in the nearby farmland in the Sanjiang Plain. This indicates forest has a complex influence on the snow accumulation and melting processes and even on optical satellite snow cover mapping. Meanwhile, SCD and mean snow cover are negatively correlated with air temperature in ARB, especially in the snow melting season, when mean air temperature in March and April can explain 86% and 74% of the mean snow cover variations in China ARB and Russia ARB, respectively. From 1961 to 2015, the annual mean air temperature presented an increased trend by 0.33 °C/decade in both China ARB and Russia ARB, whereas it had a decrease trend from HY2000 to HY2013. The decrease of air temperature led to an increase of snow cover, which is different from the global decrease trend of snow cover variations. SCD and snow cover had larger increase rates in China ARB than in Russia ARB, and they were larger in the forested areas than in the nearby farmland in the Sanjiang Plain.
Integrin-Linked Kinase Regulates Bone Formation by Controlling Cytoskeletal Organization and Modulating BMP and Wnt Signaling in Osteoprogenitors
Authors: Dejaeger Marian , Böhm Anna-Marei , Dirckx Naomi , Devriese Joke , Nefyodova Elena , Cardoen Ruben , St-Arnaud René , Tournoy Jos , Luyten Frank P , Maes Christa
Published: June 2017

Cell-matrix interactions constitute a fundamental aspect of skeletal cell biology and play essential roles in bone homeostasis. These interactions are primarily mediated by transmembrane integrin receptors, which mediate cell adhesion and transduce signals from the extracellular matrix to intracellular responses via various downstream effectors, including integrin-linked kinase (ILK). ILK functions as adaptor protein at focal adhesion sites, linking integrins to the actin cytoskeleton, and has been reported to act as a kinase phosphorylating signaling molecules such as GSK-3β and Akt. Thereby, ILK plays important roles in cellular attachment, motility, proliferation and survival. To assess the in vivo role of ILK signaling in osteoprogenitors and the osteoblast lineage cells descending thereof, we generated conditional knockout mice using the Osx-Cre:GFP driver strain. Mice lacking functional ILK in osterix-expressing cells and their derivatives showed no apparent developmental or growth phenotype, but by 5 weeks of age they displayed a significantly reduced trabecular bone mass, which persisted into adulthood in male mice. Histomorphometry and serum analysis indicated no alterations in osteoclast formation and activity, but provided evidence that osteoblast function was impaired, resulting in reduced bone mineralization and increased accumulation of unmineralized osteoid. In vitro analyses further substantiated that absence of ILK in osteogenic cells was associated with compromised collagen matrix production and mineralization. Mechanistically, we found evidence for both impaired cytoskeletal functioning and reduced signal transduction in osteoblasts lacking ILK. Indeed, loss of ILK in primary osteogenic cells impaired F-actin organization, cellular adhesion, spreading, and migration, indicative of defective coupling of cell-matrix interactions to the cytoskeleton. In addition, BMP/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin signaling was reduced in the absence of ILK. Taken together, these data demonstrate the importance of integrin-mediated cell-matrix interactions and ILK signaling in osteoprogenitors in the control of osteoblast functioning during juvenile bone mass acquisition and adult bone remodeling and homeostasis. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Stress‐responsive microRNAs are involved in re‐programming of metabolic functions in hibernators
Authors: Arfat Yasir , Chang Hui , Gao Yunfang
Published: June 2017

Mammalian hibernation includes re‐programing of metabolic capacities, partially, encouraged by microRNAs (miRNAs). Albeit much is known about the functions of miRNAs, we need learning on low temperature miRNAs target determination. As hibernators can withstand low body temperatures (TB) for a long time without anguish tissue damage, understanding the means and mechanisms that empower them to do as such are of restorative intrigue. Nonetheless, these mechanisms by which miRNAs and the hibernators react to stressful conditions are not much clear. It is evident from recent data that the gene expression and the translation of mRNA to protein are controlled by miRNAs. The miRNAs also influence regulation of major cellular processes. As the significance of miRNAs in stress conditions adaptation are getting clearer, this audit article abridges the key alterations in miRNA expression and the mechanism that facilitates stress survival.
PCSK9 and infection: A potentially useful or dangerous association?
Authors: Khademi Farzad , Momtazi‐borojeni Amir Abbas , Reiner Željko , Banach Maciej , Al‐Rasadi Khalid Al , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: June 2017

Elevated plasma low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) concentration is the most important risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a ubiquitously expressed serine proteinase which plays a key role in cholesterol metabolism, but has been found to be implicated in some other lipid‐independent physiological processes. In this review, the role of PCSK9 was evaluated not only concerning lipid metabolism but also hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, bacterial infections/sepsis, and septic shock. Collected data from clinical trials revealed that treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors has beneficial effects in lowering LDL‐C via inhibition of LDL‐receptors (LDL‐R), an antiviral effect on HCV infection via down‐regulating the surface expression of LDL‐R and CD81 on hepatic cells, and a positive association with increased inflammatory responses, as well as with septic shock by down‐regulation of hepatocyte LDL‐R. On the other hand, PCSK9 inhibition by therapeutic fully humanized antibodies has positive effects in reducing elevated LDL‐C. However, their safety and tolerability is an important issue which has to be taken into consideration.
Efficacy and safety of gadobutrol‐enhanced MRA of the renal arteries: Results from GRAMS (Gadobutrol‐enhanced renal artery MRA study), a prospective, intraindividual multicenter phase 3 blinded study
Authors: Fabrega‐Foster Kelly E. , Agarwal Sheela , Rastegar Neda , Haverstock Daniel , Agris Jacob M. , Kamel Ihab R.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To compare the performance of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with 1M gadobutrol, a high relaxivity macrocyclic contrast agent, to 2D time‐of‐flight MRA (ToF‐MRA) using computed tomographic angiography (CTA) as the standard of reference. Primary objectives were evaluation for superiority of structural delineation and noninferiority for detection and exclusion of clinically significant disease.

Materials and Methods

In all, 315 subjects underwent unenhanced and contrast‐enhanced MRA with 1M gadobutrol (CE‐MRA) and were scanned with 1.5T MRI equipped with an at least 6‐element body coil. Evaluations were based on both centralized blinded read (BR) performed by six readers as well as investigator site interpretations for the 292 subjects who completed the study. Quantitative evaluations including percent stenosis and normal vessel measurements were also performed. Secondary endpoints included identification of accessory renal arteries, diagnosis of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), diagnostic confidence, and need for additional imaging.

Results

A total of 292 patients suspected of renal artery disease completed the study. CE‐MRA demonstrated statistically significant improvement in assessability of vascular segments compared to ToF: 95.9% vs. 77.6% (P < 0.0001). In the BR, the sensitivity and specificity of CE‐MRA were noninferior to ToF‐MRA (53.4% vs. 46.6% and 95.1% vs. 85.7%, respectively). There was less error in the CE‐MRA stenosis measurements (0.15 mm gadobutrol vs. 0.41 mm ToF, P < 0.05). FMD was correctly diagnosed more frequently, 10% more accessory renal arteries were identified (P < 0.01), diagnostic confidence increased (P < 0.01), and fewer additional imaging studies were recommended (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Gadobutrol‐enhanced MRA of the renal arteries has superior visualization, more accurate vessel measurements, and may serve as a CTA alternative without any ionizing radiation.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:572–581.
Education Level, Occupational Classification, and Perceptions of Differences for Blacks in the United States
Authors: Burns Stephanie T. , Garcia Gayle
Published: June 2017

A random sample of 1,276 U.S. adults were surveyed about their perceptions of differences for Blacks in the United States based on discrimination, ability to learn, opportunities for education, and willpower. Those with little education and extensive education were more aware of discrimination for Blacks. Higher levels of education as well as professional and managerial work increased awareness that Blacks have the same ability to learn as Whites and that Blacks lack equitable opportunities for an education. Those with less education and those employed in technical and manual labor were the most likely to say Blacks lacked willpower.
Traceability of Opuntia ficus‐indica L. Miller by ICP‐MS multi‐element profile and chemometric approach
Authors: Mottese Antonio Francesco , Naccari Clara , Vadalà Rossella , Bua Giuseppe Daniel , Bartolomeo Giovanni , Rando Rossana , Cicero Nicola , Dugo Giacomo
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Opuntia ficus‐indica L. Miller fruits, particularly ‘Ficodindia dell'Etna’ of Biancavilla (POD), ‘Fico d'india tradizionale di Roccapalumba’ with protected brand and samples from an experimental field in Pezzolo (Sicily) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in order to determine the multi‐element profile. A multivariate chemometric approach, specifically principal component analysis (PCA), was applied to individuate how mineral elements may represent a marker of geographic origin, which would be useful for traceability.

RESULTS

PCA has allowed us to verify that the geographical origin of prickly pear fruits is significantly influenced by trace element content, and the results found in Biancavilla PDO samples were linked to the geological composition of this volcanic areas. It was observed that two principal components accounted for 72.03% of the total variance in the data and, in more detail, PC1 explains 45.51% and PC2 26.52%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that PCA is an integrated tool for the traceability of food products and, at the same time, a useful method of authentication of typical local fruits such as prickly pear. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Metabolomic analyses to evaluate the effect of drought stress on selected African Eggplant accessions
Authors: Mibei Elias K , Owino Willis O , Ambuko Jane , Giovannoni James J , Onyango Arnold N
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Drought stress is one of the main abiotic stresses that affect crops. It leads to biochemical changes that can have adverse effects on plant growth, development and productivity. African eggplants are important vegetable and fruit crops reported to adapt and thrive well under drought stress. The diversified metabolites arising due to stress have not been well defined. A gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric metabolomic approach was applied to characterize the effect of drought stress on metabolites at different stages of growth. Nineteen accessions were selected for analysis and drought was imposed by withholding water until soil moisture reached 60% field capacity. Fresh leaf tissues were sampled before stress, 2 and 4 weeks after stress and metabolite profiling done.

RESULTS

Significant changes in metabolite content were observed, and potentially important metabolites with respect to stress responses were characterized. Proline, glutamate, sucrose, fructose and tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites were shown to be positively correlated with stress. Principal component analysis showed a clear discrimination between the different accessions, growth stages and stress/control conditions.

CONCLUSION

The results illustrate that drought stress has a significant impact on the concentrations of some metabolites, such as amino acids, sugars and organic acids, which may contribute to drought stress effects and tolerance. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Outpatient thyroidectomy is safe in the elderly and super‐elderly
Authors: Grubey Jamie Segel , Raji Yazdan , Duke William S. , Terris David J.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

1) Determine the safety of outpatient thyroidectomy in the geriatric patient population. 2) Analyze the risk of postoperative complications from thyroid surgery in patients aged over 65 years (elderly) and aged over 80 years (super‐elderly) undergoing ambulatory thyroidectomy compared to patients aged 21 through 40 years.

Study Design

A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing thyroidectomy between January 2008 and July 2015 at a tertiary academic institution.

Method

Patients were stratified by age, and three subsets within this population were considered and analyzed further: youthful/control (aged 21–40 years), elderly (aged 65–79 years), and super‐elderly (≥ 80 years). Patient demographics, surgical and pathological data, admission status, complication, and readmission rates were recorded.

Results

A total of 1,429 thyroidectomies were accomplished; of these, 1,207 (84.5%) were outpatient operations. Among the outpatients, 85.2% were female, 14.1% were male, and the mean age was 50.3 ± 15.2 years. The control (youthful) group was comprised of 328 patients with a mean age of 33.3 years; the elderly group of 201 patients had a mean age of 70.3 years; and 16 patients in the super‐elderly group had a mean age 82.7 years. The complication rates (5.2%, 5.0%, and 6.3%, respectively; P = 0.98) and re‐admission rates (1.5%, 1.5%, and 0.0%, respectively; P = 0.89) were not different among these groups.

Conclusion

Outpatient thyroid surgery is as safe in appropriately selected elderly and super‐elderly patients as it is in a control group of youthful patients. Therefore, age should not be a contraindication to conducting thyroidectomy on an ambulatory basis.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:290–294, 2018
Imaging of labyrinthine fistula after repair with bone pate
Authors: Vrabec Jeffrey T.
Published: June 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

To demonstrate imaging of labyrinthine fistula due to cholesteatoma and illustrate outcome following repair with bone pate.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

Patients with labyrinthine fistula due to cholesteatoma were identified, and pre‐ and postoperative imaging was assessed. Method of repair was recorded. The fistula site was examined for patency and bone density after repair.

Results

Twenty‐nine fistulae were seen in a cohort of 375 cholesteatoma cases (8%). Preoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging for fistula detection showed sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 90%. The lateral semicircular canal was the most common site of dehiscence occurring in all cases. Facial nerve dehiscence is observed in 91% of fistula cases and stapes erosion in 69%. Severe hearing loss was present preoperatively in four (14%) cases. Bone pate was used to repair the fistula with CT‐documented restoration of the otic capsule in 11/13 cases with postoperative imaging. When bone pate was not used, the otic capsule defect persisted.

Conclusions

Spontaneous repair of the otic capsule following treatment of cholesteatoma is expected to be an uncommon occurrence. Repair of the fistula with bone can result in long‐lasting restoration of the otic capsule.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:1643–1648, 2018
In vivo measurement of vocal fold surface resistance
Authors: Mizuta Masanobu , Kurita Takashi , Dillon Neal P. , Kimball Emily E. , Garrett C. Gaelyn , Sivasankar M. Preeti , Webster Robert J. , Rousseau Bernard
Published: June 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

A custom‐designed probe was developed to measure vocal fold surface resistance in vivo. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate proof of concept of using vocal fold surface resistance as a proxy of functional tissue integrity after acute phonotrauma using an animal model.

Study Design

Prospective animal study.

Methods

New Zealand White breeder rabbits received 120 minutes of airflow without vocal fold approximation (control) or 120 minutes of raised intensity phonation (experimental). The probe was inserted via laryngoscope and placed on the left vocal fold under endoscopic visualization. Vocal fold surface resistance of the middle one‐third of the vocal fold was measured after 0 (baseline), 60, and 120 minutes of phonation. After the phonation procedure, the larynx was harvested and prepared for transmission electron microscopy.

Results

In the control group, vocal fold surface resistance values remained stable across time points. In the experimental group, surface resistance (X% ± Y% relative to baseline) was significantly decreased after 120 minutes of raised intensity phonation. This was associated with structural changes using transmission electron microscopy, which revealed damage to the vocal fold epithelium after phonotrauma, including disruption of the epithelium and basement membrane, dilated paracellular spaces, and alterations to epithelial microprojections. In contrast, control vocal fold specimens showed well‐preserved stratified squamous epithelia.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate the feasibility of measuring vocal fold surface resistance in vivo as a means of evaluating functional vocal fold epithelial barrier integrity. Device prototypes are in development for additional testing, validation, and for clinical applications in laryngology.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 127:E364–E370, 2017
SENP2 suppresses epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of bladder cancer cells through deSUMOylation of TGF‐βRI
Authors: Tan Mingyue , Zhang Dingguo , Zhang Encheng , Xu Dongliang , Liu Zhihong , Qiu Jianxin , Fan Yu , Shen Bing
Published: June 2017

SUMO‐specific protease 2 (SENP2) is a deSUMOylation protease that plays an important role in the regulation of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signaling. Aberrant TGF‐β signaling is common in human cancers and contributes to tumor metastasis by inducing an epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). In previous studies, we demonstrated that SENP2 suppresses bladder cancer cell migration and invasion. However, little is known about whether SENP2 inhibits EMT by regulating TGF‐β signaling in bladder cancer progression. Here, we investigated the role of SENP2 in regulating TGF‐β signaling and bladder cancer metastasis in vitro and in vivo. We found that SENP2 is frequently downregulated in bladder cancer, especially in metastatic bladder cancer. SENP2 downregulation is associated with more aggressive phenotypes and poor patient outcomes. SENP2 knockdown results in a decrease of E‐cadherin and an increase of N‐cadherin and fibronectin at both transcript and protein levels, indicating that SENP2 negatively regulates EMT. On the contrary, SENP2 overexpression suppresses TGF‐β signaling and TGF‐β‐induced EMT. We further demonstrated that SENP2 regulates TGF‐β signaling partly through deSUMOylation of TGFβ receptor I (TGF‐βRI). Functionally, SENP2 suppresses bladder cancer cell invasion in vitro and tumor metastasis in vivo, acts as a tumor suppressor gene in bladder cancer. Our results establish a function of SENP2 in metastatic progression and suggest its candidacy as a new prognostic biomarker and target for clinical management of bladder cancer.
Simultaneous spin‐echo and gradient‐echo BOLD measurements by dynamic MRS
Authors: Cao Peng , Hyder Fahmeed , Zhou Iris Y. , Zhang Jevin W. , Xie Victor B. , Tsang Adrian , Wu Ed X.
Published: June 2017

This study aimed to dissociate the intravascular and extravascular contributions to spin‐echo (SE) and gradient‐echo (GE) blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) signals at 7 T, using dynamic diffusion‐weighted MRS. We simultaneously acquired SE and GE data using a point‐resolved spectroscopy sequence with diffusion weightings of 0, 600, and 1200 s/mm2. The BOLD signals were quantified by fitting the free induction decays starting from the SE center to a mono‐exponential decay function. Without diffusion weighting, BOLD signals measured with SE and GE increased by 1.6 ± 0.5% (TESE = 40 ms) and 5.2 ± 1.4% (nominal TEGE = 40 ms) during stimulation, respectively. With diffusion weighting, the BOLD increase during stimulation measured with SE decreased from 1.6 ± 0.5% to 1.3 ± 0.4% (P < 0.001), whereas that measured by GE was unaffected (P > 0.05); the post‐stimulation undershoots in the BOLD signal time courses were largely preserved in both SE and GE measurements. These results demonstrated the feasiblity of simultaneous SE and GE measurements of BOLD signals with and without interleaved diffusion weighting. The results also indicated a predominant extravascular contribution to the BOLD signal time courses, including post‐stimulation undershoots in both SE and GE measurements at 7 T.
Effect of substrate on the risk of being washed away by floods for the Groundhoppers Tetrix subulata and Tetrix tenuicornis (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae)
Authors: Musiolek D. , Kočárek P.
Published: June 2017

Inundation zones of rivers are risky environments for terrestrial animals because of the regular or irregular occurrence of floods. Although animals in these zones have evolved several strategies to survive floods, behavioural anti‐flooding strategies have seldom been studied but could play an important role in their life history strategies. We previously reported that the groundhopper Tetrix tenuicornis moves to dense vegetation in response to low atmospheric pressure (which may signal rain and flooding) but prefers mossy microhabitats and bare ground under high atmospheric pressure. In the current study, we found that the ability of the semi‐aquatic groundhoppers T. tenuicornis and Tetrix subulata to withstand direct water flow was greater in patches of dense vegetation than in patches of moss or on bare ground. Even a relatively low water velocity led to water transport (presumably passive) of both species, perhaps because they lack arolia or other adhesive devices on their tarsi. This morphological limitation precludes vertical migration on vegetation, which is a common anti‐flooding strategy in insects. Our results suggest that, by moving to dense vegetation in response to drops in atmospheric pressure, groundhoppers may reduce their risk of being washed away by floods.
3‐2: Invited Paper: Color on Demand – Color‐Tunable OLEDs for Lighting and Displays
Authors: Fröbel Markus , Schwab Tobias , Kliem Mona , Lenk Simone , Leo Karl , Reineke Sebastian , Gather Malte C.
Published: June 2017

A device concept for highly efficient OLEDs is introduced that
allows to tune the emission color of the device over a broad
range of the CIE color gamut. The approach exploits the
different polarities of the positive and negative half‐cycles of an
alternating current driving signal to independently address two
vertically stacked emission units with complementary color.
Ultrathin metal electrodes fabricated by a wetting layer
approach are used to achieve good electrical contact to each
stack with minimal impact on optical performance.
5‐1: Invited Paper: Booming Flexible Applications Enabled by AMOLED Technologies
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsin , Lee Meng-Ting , Huang Annie T.
Published: June 2017

The flexible AMOLED technology allows us to create new
applications because of its unique bendable and foldable
properties. With the concept of placing the most fragile layers
closed to the neutral plane of the devices, we are able to increase
the reliability of flexible displays. Various applications will be
introduced including a smart watch with fully circular design, a
bendable display with novel interactive interface and a 7.8″
foldable display for phone‐tablet 2‐in‐1 application.
8‐3: Invited Paper: Light Steering Projection Systems and Attributes for HDR Displays
Authors: Damberg Gerwin , Boitard Ronan , Ballestad Anders , Heidrich Wolfgang
Published: June 2017

New light steering projectors in cinema form images by moving
light away from dark regions into bright areas of an image. In
these systems, the peak luminance of small features can far
exceed full screen white luminance. In traditional projectors
where light is filtered or blocked in order to give shades of gray
(or colors), the peak luminance is fixed. The luminance of
chromatic features benefit in the same way as white features, and
chromatic image details can be reproduced at high brightness
leading to a much wider overall color gamut coverage than
previously possible. Projectors of this capability are desired by the
creative community to aid in and enhance storytelling.
Furthermore, reduced light source power requirements of light
steering projectors provide additional economic and
environmental benefits. While the dependency of peak luminance
level on (bright) image feature size is new in the digital cinema
space, display technologies with identical characteristics such as
OLED, LED LCD and Plasma TVs are well established in the
home. Similarly, direct view LED walls are popular in events,
advertising and architectural markets. To enable consistent color
reproduction across devices in today’s content production
pipelines, models that describe modern projectors and display
attributes need to evolve together with HDR standards and
available metadata. This paper is a first step towards rethinking
legacy display descriptors such as contrast, peak luminance and
color primaries in light of new display technology. We first
summarize recent progress in the field of light steering projectors
in cinema and then, based on new projector and existing display
characteristics propose the inclusion of two simple display
attributes: Maximum Average Luminance and Peak (Color)
Primary Luminance. We show that the proposed attributes allow
a better prediction of content reproducibility on HDR displays. To
validate this assertion, we test professional content on a
commercial HDR television system and show that the proposed
attributes better predict if a pixel value lies inside the capabilities
of a display or not.
25‐5: Distinguished Student Paper: Fully‐Integrated Active Matrix Programmable UV and Blue Micro‐LED Display System‐on‐Panel (SoP)
Authors: Zhang Ke , Peng Deng , Lau Kei May , Liu Zhaojun
Published: June 2017

High pixel per inch (PPI) and high resolution micro‐LED (μLED) displays are attracting more and more attentions. The increasing pixel number requires a large amount of bonding pads and brings huge difficulties to micro‐LED system design and lowers power efficiency as well. It is urgent to integrate row and column driving circuits onto the micro‐LED panel. Here we report a fully integrated active matrix programmable micro‐LED system on panel (SoP) with ultraviolent (UV) and blue emission wavelengths. The micro‐LED SoP has a resolution of 60x60 and pixel pitch of 70μm. The micro‐LED SoP was achieved by integrating micro‐LED arrays with silicon‐based PMOS driving panel using fine‐toned flip‐chip bonding technology. With fully integrated scan and data circuits, the number of bonding pads was greatly reduced from 136 to 28 and large amount of metal interconnection lines were saved. The micro‐LED SoP panel was mounted on a periphery driving board and representative characters were displayed successfully.
26‐4: Invited Paper: Automotive HMI: Present Uses and Future Needs
Authors: Barat David , Fromion Alexandre , Féron Stephane , Guen Laurent Le , Lainé Vincent
Published: June 2017

Nowadays, Human‐Machine Interfaces (HMI) are used everywhere and according to the forecasts, automotive HMI market will reach several billions by 2022. In automotive industry, HMI are more and more present with, for example, displays with new properties (curved, flexible, contact‐less, transparent...) or immersive systems (Head‐Up Display and augmented reality systems). Our challenge is to propose best‐in‐class user‐experience, up‐to‐date and affordable HMI systems to pave the way of attractive and autonomous vehicles. The aim of this talk is to give an overview of this field in automotive. After a brief introduction on automotive’s challenges for next decade and automotive’ qualification constraints, present uses and futures needs for Human Machine Interface systems from displays to Head‐Up Display and Augmented Reality including controls with and without contact will be exposed.
23‐3: A Histogram based Method for Dynamic Range Expansion
Authors: Han Yan , Michelini Pablo Navarrete , Hanwen Liu , Duan Ran
Published: June 2017

A method for Dynamic Range expansion is presented with its
FPGA solution. This can help us converting a Low Dynamic
Range image to a High Dynamic Range one. So that we can use
more available brightness levels of display panel and see unseen
details of images.
18‐1: Invited Paper: Ultra‐High‐Brightness 2K x 2K Full‐Color OLED Microdisplay Using Direct Patterning of OLED Emitters
Authors: Ghosh Amalkumar , Donoghue Evan P. , Khayrullin Ilyas , Ali Tariq , Wacyk lhor , Tice Kerry , Vazan Fridrich , Prache Olivier , Wang Qi , Sziklas Laurie , Fellowes David , Draper Russell
Published: June 2017

The performance details of a full‐color 2K x 2K resolution
OLED microdisplay with a brightness of 5,000 cd/m2will be
presented. The microdisplay was built on a CMOS‐based silicon
backplane using direct patterning of the primary‐color OLED
emitters. Additionally, the color gamut of the microdisplays were
increased to meet sRGB requirements. Such microdisplays will
be ideally suited for wearable VR (virtual reality) and AR
(augmented reality) applications.
18‐4: Invited Paper: Digital Modulation on Micro Display and Spatial Light Modulator
Authors: Wang Chen , Hsu Ron
Published: June 2017

A digital modulation is the use of pulse width modulation on
liquid crystal to create gray scale and phase level. The operation
in time domain has greater RMS voltage accuracy for finer gray
scale and high pulse frequency by Terminated Write Pointer let
liquid crystal behaves more smoothly.
19‐4: Invited Paper: Emissive Displays with Transfer‐Printed Microscale Inorganic LEDs
Authors: Meitl Matthew A. , Radauscher Erich , Rotzoll Robert , Raymond Brook , Bonafede Salvatore , Gomez David , Moore Tanya , Prevatte Carl , Fecioru AIM , Trindade Antonio J. , Bower Christopher A.
Published: June 2017

Major advances in flat panel displays can come from the pixel‐level
integration of high performance microscale components
fabricated on semiconductor wafers and transferred by
advanced assembly methods onto large‐area substrates.
Displays that use direct light emission from tiny inorganic light
emitting diodes (µILEDs) have the potential to be very bright
and power efficient. Transfer‐printing with elastomer stamps is
a candidate assembly technology for making µILED displays,
serving as the metaphorical bridge between the LED wafer and
the display panel. This paper presents simple demonstrations of
displays made from red, green, and blue µILEDs fabricated on
gallium arsenide, silicon, and sapphire wafers, transferred to
glass and plastic display substrates by transfer‐printing. The
demonstrator displays exhibit interesting characteristics,
including transparency, flexibility, repair‐ability, wide color
gamut, and pulse‐width modulated active matrix driving
schemes facilitated by transfer‐printed micro‐scale driver
circuits.
57‐2: Invited Paper: Latest Development of High‐performance OLED Material Suitable for Printing
Authors: Yamada Takeshi , Akino Nobuhiko , Tsubata Yoshiaki , Fukushima Daisuke , Amamiya Satoshi , Sekihachi Jun-ichi
Published: June 2017

We will present the latest status of high performance OLED material development based on our conjugated polymer technology. The material is very suitable for printing OLED panel fabrication. We also show the comparison of the performance between ink‐jet (IJ) and spin devices, and its theoretical fundamentals to obtain high performance in IJ printing.
63‐1: A Stack of Bendable Touch Sensor with Silver Nanowire for Flexible AMOLED Display Panel
Authors: Liu Zhen , Mao Xue , Wang Ming-HSI , Gu Xin , Shi Shi-ming , Zhou Wei-Feng , Kao Shan-chen , Yuan Guang-cai , Wang Da-wei
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we present a thinner stack of bendable touch sensor with silver nanowires for flexible AMOLED display panel. A 4.35‐inch bendable touch sensor of mutual capacitive type is fabricated directly on circle polarizer with film‐film structure, employing silver nanowire transparent conductive sensor electrodes named TCTF (transparent conductive transfer film). This stack of touch sensor demonstrates normal touch function after 105 circles dynamic folding test with 3mm bending radius.
73‐3: A 3‐msec Response‐Time Full‐Phase‐Modulation 1080p LCoS‐SLM for Dynamic 3D Holographic Displays
Authors: Yang Jhou-Pu , Philip Chen Huang-Ming
Published: June 2017

The 3 ms response time of 1080p LCoS panel filled with new NCTU‐PCM‐2‐01 nematic LC was assembled and evaluated in this study. The cell gap uniformity error is below 1.0 %. The response time is 5 times, at least, faster than current commercial full phase modulation LCoS panels. Non‐desired LC deformation phenomenon was suppressed in the reported panel. The reconstructed 3D holographic images of the triangular pyramid with different rotational angles were prepared and demonstrated.
81‐2: Visual Quality of Global Dimming Backlight with High Contrast Liquid Crystal Panel for High Dynamic Range Displays
Authors: Hoffman David M. , Choi Mina , Xiong Wei
Published: June 2017

Using an RGB OLED display to emulate LC display systems, we compared the video quality of global dimming 4000:1 contrast with local dimming 1000:1 contrast displays. The 4000:1 contrast system with global dimming was equal or more preferred to the 1000:1 system in 90% of the clips tested.
P‐24: A Novel Method to Improve the LTPS Devices on Flexible Substrate by Off‐state Bias Stress
Authors: Hsu Ting-Yu , Li Hung-Wei , Huang Ya-Qin , Chen Chia-Kai , Tsai Chih-Hung , Lu Hsueh-Hsing , Lin Yu-Hsin
Published: June 2017

This paper reports the effect of off‐state stress on the LTPS TFTs on plastic substrates. In this study, by giving LTPS devices off‐state bias stress one millisecond, it could get an excellent off‐state current from 50 pA to 2pA when device operate at VGS=+7V, VDS=‐5.1V. This could be attributed to electron trapping occur in gate insulator could reduce off‐state electric field near to drain region.
P‐70: Single Array Nozzle Source Method for Homogeneous Mixed Organic Thin Film and Low Mask Shadow in 6GH AMOLED Mass Production
Authors: Kim Sungmoon , Chi Daejun , Seo Hyun , Jung Eunsang , Na Younghyuck , Lee Jungkyu , Kwak Mingeun , Jo Sunggen
Published: June 2017

We have developed Single Array Nozzle source (SAN source) organic thin film deposition method for 6G half size AMOLED mass production. The special feature of SAN source set is all of nozzles are arranged in one single line even if when we make 3 material mixed thin film. And the distance within each edge nozzle of SAN source is shorter than substrate size. We expect than SAN source set can improve homogeneity of mixed thin film and resolution of AMOLED pixel.
P‐100: Approach on Two‐Step 3D Warping with Background Filling for Multi‐View Autostereoscopic Display
Authors: Xiao Fei , Xiong Zhao-Long , Deng Huan , Xing Yan , Wang Qiong-Hua
Published: June 2017

We propose an approach on two‐step 3D warping with background filling for the multi‐view autostereoscopic display. The method can obtain high quality virtual view images, and the multi‐view autostereoscopic image is synthesized by using reference images and virtual view images. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the method for the autostereoscopic display.
Composite marginal quantile regression analysis for longitudinal adolescent body mass index data
Authors: Yang Chi‐Chuan , Chen Yi‐Hau , Chang Hsing‐Yi
Published: June 2017

Childhood and adolescenthood overweight or obesity, which may be quantified through the body mass index (BMI), is strongly associated with adult obesity and other health problems. Motivated by the child and adolescent behaviors in long‐term evolution (CABLE) study, we are interested in individual, family, and school factors associated with marginal quantiles of longitudinal adolescent BMI values. We propose a new method for composite marginal quantile regression analysis for longitudinal outcome data, which performs marginal quantile regressions at multiple quantile levels simultaneously. The proposed method extends the quantile regression coefficient modeling method introduced by Frumento and Bottai (Biometrics 2016; 72:74–84) to longitudinal data accounting suitably for the correlation structure in longitudinal observations. A goodness‐of‐fit test for the proposed modeling is also developed. Simulation results show that the proposed method can be much more efficient than the analysis without taking correlation into account and the analysis performing separate quantile regressions at different quantile levels. The application to the longitudinal adolescent BMI data from the CABLE study demonstrates the practical utility of our proposal. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.