bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic cellular effects including mitochondrial destabilization, autophagy and apoptosis following low-level exposure to a mixture of lipophilic persistent organic pollutants
Authors: Rainey Nathan E. , Saric Ana , Leberre Alexandre , Dewailly Etienne , Slomianny Christian , Vial Guillaume , Zeliger Harold I. , Petit Patrice X.
Published: June 2017

Humans are exposed to multiple exogenous environmental pollutants. Many of these compounds are parts of mixtures that can exacerbate harmful effects of the individual mixture components. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), is primarily produced via industrial processes including incineration and the manufacture of herbicides. Both endosulfan and TCDD are persistent organic pollutants which elicit cytotoxic effects by inducing reactive oxygen species generation. Sublethal concentrations of mixtures of TCDD and endosulfan increase oxidative stress, as well as mitochondrial homeostasis disruption, which is preceded by a calcium rise and, in fine, induce cell death. TCDD+Endosulfan elicit a complex signaling sequence involving reticulum endoplasmic destalilization which leads to Ca2+ rise, superoxide anion production, ATP drop and late NADP(H) depletion associated with a mitochondrial induced apoptosis concomitant early autophagic processes. The ROS scavenger, N-acetyl-cysteine, blocks both the mixture-induced autophagy and death. Calcium chelators act similarly and mitochondrially targeted anti-oxidants also abrogate these effects. Inhibition of the autophagic fluxes with 3-methyladenine, increases mixture-induced cell death. These findings show that subchronic doses of pollutants may act synergistically. They also reveal that the onset of autophagy might serve as a protective mechanism against ROS-triggered cytotoxic effects of a cocktail of pollutants in Caco-2 cells and increase their tumorigenicity.
Screening Specific Biomarkers of Herbs Using a Metabolomics Approach: A Case Study of Panax ginseng
Authors: Wang Hong-ping , Liu Yan , Chen Chang , Xiao Hong-bin
Published: June 2017

Medicinal herbs belonging to the same genus are always easily confused due to their extremely similar morphology and metabolites. Previously, to differentiate them, inherently specific biomarkers were screened out via intuitive comparison of their metabolite profiles. Unfortunately, the selected biomarkers have worked only partially. Most significant specific biomarkers have been neglected. Herein, a novel method for screening specific biomarkers of medicinal herbs using a metabolomics technique was developed. Firstly, the profiles of a group of easily confused herbs belonging to the same genus were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry to detect all components, including low-response metabolites. Then, all components were compared between the different samples, and specific biomarkers were extracted by the metabolomics techniques of alignment, normalization, defining the sample sets, filtering by frequency and Venn diagram analysis with Mass Profiler Professional (MPP) software. Thirdly, the correlations of these biomarkers were investigated via partial correlational analysis to obtain the most representative specific biomarkers. As an example, selection of specific biomarkers for ginseng (Panax ginseng) was performed, and three specific biomarkers including chikusetsusaponin IVa, ginsenoside Rf and ginsenoside Rc were finally selected and verified as the most representative specific biomarkers of Panax ginseng.
The discovery of novel heat-stable keratinases from Meiothermus taiwanensis WR-220 and other extremophiles
Authors: Wu Wan-Ling , Chen Mei-Yi , Tu I-Fan , Lin Yu-Ching , EswarKumar Nadendla , Chen Ming-Yi , Ho Meng-Chiao , Wu Shih-Hsiung
Published: June 2017

Billions of tons of keratin bio-wastes are generated by poultry industry annually but discarded that result in serious environmental pollution. Keratinase is a broad spectrum protease with the unique ability to degrade keratin, providing an eco-friendly way to convert keratin wastes to valuable amino acids. In this report, a feather-degrading thermophilic bacterium,Meiothermus taiwanensisWR-220, was investigated due to its ability to apparently complete feather decay at 65 °C in two days. By genomics, proteomics, and biochemical approaches, the extracellular heat-stable keratinase (MtaKer) fromM. taiwanensisWR-220 was identified. The recombinant MtaKer (rMtaKer) possesses keratinolytic activities at temperatures ranging from 25 to 75 °C and pH from 4 to 11, with a maximum keratinolytic activity at 65 °C and pH 10. The phylogenetic and structural analysis revealed that MtaKer shares low sequence identity but high structural similarity with known keratinases. Accordingly, our findings have enabled the discovery of more keratinases from other extremophiles,ThermusandDeinococcus. Proteins encoded in the extremophiles shall be evolved to be functional in the extreme conditions. Hence, our study expands the current boundary of hunting keratinases that can tolerate extreme conditions for keratin wastes biorecycle and other industrial applications.
Challenging the Wigglesworthia, Sodalis, Wolbachia symbiosis dogma in tsetse flies: Spiroplasma is present in both laboratory and natural populations
Authors: Doudoumis V. , Blow F. , Saridaki A. , Augustinos A. , Dyer N. A. , Goodhead I. , Solano P. , Rayaisse J.-B. , Takac P. , Mekonnen S. , Parker A. G. , Abd-Alla A. M. M. , Darby A. , Bourtzis K. , Tsiamis G.
Published: June 2017

Profiling of wild and laboratory tsetse populations using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing allowed us to examine whether the “Wigglesworthia-Sodalis-Wolbachia dogma” operates across species and populations. The most abundant taxa, in wild and laboratory populations, were Wigglesworthia (the primary endosymbiont), Sodalis and Wolbachia as previously characterized. The species richness of the microbiota was greater in wild than laboratory populations. Spiroplasma was identified as a new symbiont exclusively in Glossina fuscipes fuscipes and G. tachinoides, members of the palpalis sub-group, and the infection prevalence in several laboratory and natural populations was surveyed. Multi locus sequencing typing (MLST) analysis identified two strains of tsetse-associated Spiroplasma, present in G. f. fuscipes and G. tachinoides. Spiroplasma density in G. f. fuscipes larva guts was significantly higher than in guts from teneral and 15-day old male and female adults. In gonads of teneral and 15-day old insects, Spiroplasma density was higher in testes than ovaries, and was significantly higher density in live versus prematurely deceased females indicating a potentially mutualistic association. Higher Spiroplasma density in testes than in ovaries was also detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization in G. f. fuscipes.
BsmR degrades c-di-GMP to modulate biofilm formation of nosocomial pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Authors: Liu Wei , Tian Xiu-Qi , Wei Jin-Wei , Ding Li-Li , Qian Wei , Liu Zhong , Wang Fang-Fang
Published: June 2017

c-di-GMP is a cellular second messenger that regulates diverse bacterial processes, including swimming, biofilm formation and virulence. However, in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a nosocomial pathogen that frequently infects immunodeficient or immunoincompetent patients, the regulatory function of c-di-GMP remains unclear. Here we show that BsmR is a negative regulator of biofilm development that degrades c-di-GMP through its EAL domain. Increasing BsmR expression resulted in significant increase in bacterial swimming and decrease in cell aggregation. BsmR regulates the expression of at least 349 genes. Among them, 34 involved in flagellar assembly and a flagellar-assembly-related transcription factor (fsnR) are positively regulated. Although BsmR is a response regulator of the two-component signaling system, its role in biofilm formation depends on the expression level of its respective gene (bsmR), not on the protein’s phosphorylation level. A transcription factor, BsmT, whose coding gene is located in the same tetra-cistronic operon as bsmR, was shown to directly bind to the promoter region of the operon and, through a positive regulatory loop, modulate bsmR transcription. Thus, our results revealed that the c-di-GMP signaling pathway controls biofilm formation and swimming in S. maltophilia, suggesting c-di-GMP signaling as a target in the development of novel antibacterial agents to resist this pathogen.
Seasonal and daily protandry in a cyprinid fish
Authors: Šmejkal Marek , Ricard Daniel , Vejřík Lukáš , Mrkvička Tomáš , Vebrová Lucie , Baran Roman , Blabolil Petr , Sajdlová Zuzana , Vejříková Ivana , Prchalová Marie , Kubečka Jan
Published: June 2017

In polygynandrous mating systems, in which females limit reproductive success, males can increase their success by investing in courtship. Earlier arrival at the spawning ground compared to when females arrive may increase their opportunities in competitive mating systems. In this study, we used passive telemetry to test whether a male minnow known as the asp, Leuciscus aspius, times its arrival at spawning grounds relative to the arrival of females. Males arrived in a model stream approximately five days earlier than females on average and left four to five days later than females over two years. Both sexes performed a daily migration between a staging ground (standing water, low energy costs) and the fluvial spawning ground (high energy costs). Fish abundance peaked twice a day, with a major peak at sunset and a minor peak at sunrise and with the evening peak abundance for males occurring 1 hour 40 minutes earlier than that of females. The number of females on the spawning ground never exceeded the number of males. While the degree of protandry is hypothesized to be influenced by the operational sex ratio (ranging from 0.5 to 1 in our study), our data did not support this theory.
Peptides derived from the knuckle epitope of BMP-9 induce the cholinergic differentiation and inactivate GSk3beta in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Lauzon Marc-Antoine , Drevelle Olivier , Faucheux Nathalie
Published: June 2017

The incidence of brain degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease (AD) will increase as the world population ages. While there is presently no known cure for AD and current treatments having only a transient effect, an increasing number of publications indicate that growth factors (GF) may be used to treat AD. GFs like the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), especially BMP-9, affect many aspects of AD. However, BMP-9 is a big protein that cannot readily cross the blood-brain barrier. We have therefore studied the effects of two small peptides derived from BMP-9 (pBMP-9 and SpBMP-9). We investigated their capacity to differentiate SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells into neurons with or without retinoic acid (RA). Both peptides induced Smad 1/5 phosphorylation and their nuclear translocation. They increased the number and length of neurites and the expression of neuronal markers MAP-2, NeuN and NSE better than did BMP-9. They also promoted differentiation to the cholinergic phenotype more actively than BMP-9, SpBMP-9 being the most effective as shown by increases in intracellular acetylcholine, ChAT and VAchT. Finally, both peptides activated the PI3K/Akt pathway and inhibited GSK3beta, a current AD therapeutic target. BMP-9-derived peptides, especially SpBMP-9, with or without RA, are promising molecules that warrant further investigation.
Surface chemistry for cytosolic gene delivery and photothermal transgene expression by gold nanorods
Authors: Nakatsuji Hirotaka , Kawabata Galbraith Kelly , Kurisu Junko , Imahori Hiroshi , Murakami Tatsuya , Kengaku Mineko
Published: June 2017

Light-inducible gene regulation has great potential for remote and noninvasive control of the fate and function of target cells. One method to achieve such control is delivery of heat shock protein (HSP) promoter-driven protein expression vectors and photothermal heaters into the cells, followed by activation by illumination. In this study, we show that gold nanorods (AuNRs) functionalized with two conventional lipids, oleate and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP), are capable of efficient transfection and quick photoactivation of the HSP promoter. Use of our AuNRs (DOTAP-AuNRs) was comparable to Lipofectamine 2000 in terms of transfection efficiency, while lower in cytotoxicity. Subsequent near-infrared laser (NIR) illumination of the cells transfected by DOTAP-AuNRs for 10 s induced time- and site-specific transgene expression without significant phototoxicity, to a degree similar to that of heating the entire culture dish for 30 min. Our mechanistic studies suggest that efficient transfection and quick photoactivation of the HSP promoter (HSP70b’) are due to the promoted endosomal escape of DOTAP-AuNRs. We propose a novel protocol for NIR-inducible, site-directed gene expression using an unprecedented complex of the three conventional components capable of both transfection and photothermal heating.
Identification of HCV Resistant Variants against Direct Acting Antivirals in Plasma and Liver of Treatment Naïve Patients
Authors: Raj V. Stalin , Hundie Gadissa Bedada , Schürch Anita C. , Smits Saskia L. , Pas Suzan D. , Le Pogam Sophie , Janssen Harry L. A. , de Knegt Rob J. , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Najera Isabel , Boucher Charles A. , Haagmans Bart L.
Published: June 2017

Current standard-of-care treatment of chronically infected hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients involves direct-acting antivirals (DAA). However, concerns exist regarding the emergence of drug -resistant variants and subsequent treatment failure. In this study, we investigate potential natural drug-resistance mutations in the NS5B gene of HCV genotype 1b from treatment-naïve patients. Population-based sequencing and 454 deep sequencing of NS5B gene were performed on plasma and liver samples obtained from 18 treatment- naïve patients. The quasispecies distribution in plasma and liver samples showed a remarkable overlap in each patient. Although unique sequences in plasma or liver were observed, in the majority of cases the most dominant sequences were shown to be identical in both compartments. Neither in plasma nor in the liver codon changes were detected at position 282 that cause resistance to nucleos(t)ide analogues. However, in 10 patients the V321I change conferring resistance to nucleos(t)ide NS5B polymerase inhibitors and in 16 patients the C316N/Y/H non-nucleoside inhibitors were found mainly in liver samples. In conclusion, 454-deep sequencing of liver and plasma compartments in treatment naïve patients provides insight into viral quasispecies and the pre-existence of some drug-resistant variants in the liver, which are not necessarily present in plasma.
Altered interhemispheric functional connectivity in remitted bipolar disorder: A Resting State fMRI Study
Authors: Zhao Lianping , Wang Ying , Jia Yanbin , Zhong Shuming , Sun Yao , Qi Zhangzhang , Zhang Zhongping , Huang Li
Published: June 2017

Abnormalities in structural and functional brain connectivity have been increasingly reported in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). However, alterations of remitted BD (RBD) in functional connectivity between the cerebral hemispheres are still not well understood. This study was designed to analyze the pattern of the interhemispheric functional connectivity of the whole brain in patients with remitted BD during resting state. Twenty patients with RBD and 38 healthy controls (HC) underwent the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The functional connectivity between any pair of symmetrical interhemispheric voxels (i.e., functional homotopy) was measured by voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC). The patients with RBD showed lower VMHC than HC in the middle frontal gyrus and precentral gyrus. No regions of increased VMHC were detected in the RBD patients. There were no significant correlations between the VMHC values in these regions and the clinical variables. These findings suggest substantial impairment of interhemispheric coordination in RBD and they may represent trait, rather than state, neurobiological feature of brain function in BD.
The Adverse Effects of Auditory Stress on Mouse Uterus Receptivity and Behaviour
Authors: Jafari Zahra , Faraji Jamshid , Mirza Agha Behroo , Metz Gerlinde A. S. , Kolb Bryan E. , Mohajerani Majid H.
Published: June 2017

Stress during gestation has harmful effects on pregnancy outcome and can lead to spontaneous abortion. Few studies, however, have addressed the impact of gestational stress, particularly auditory stress, on behavioural performance and pregnancy outcome in mice. This study aimed to examine the effect of two types of gestational stress on uterus receptivity and behavioural performance. Pregnant C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to either auditory or physical stress conditions or a control condition from gestational days 12–16. The auditory stress regimen used loud 3000 Hz tone, while the physical stressor consisted of restraint and exposure to an elevated platform. Three behavioural tests were performed in the dams after weaning. Uterine receptivity was investigated by counting the number of sites of implantation and fetal resorption. Also, the offspring survival rates during the early postnatal period were calculated. Auditory stress caused an increase in anxiety-like behaviour, reduced time spent exploring new object/environment, and reduced balance when compared to the physical stress and control groups. Auditory stress also caused higher rates of resorbed embryos and reduction of litter size. Our results suggest that the adverse effect of noise stress is stronger than physical stress for both uterus receptivity and behavioural performance of the dams.
Temporal variation in associations between temperature and years of life lost in a southern China city with typical subtropical climate
Authors: Li Guoxing , Huang Jing , Xu Guozhang , Pan Xiaochuan , Qian Xujun , Xu Jiaying , Zhao Yan , Zhang Tao , Liu Qichen , Guo Xinbiao , He Tianfeng
Published: June 2017

Though some studies have explored the association between temperature and years of life lost (YLL), limited evidence is available regarding the effect of temporal variation on the temperature-YLL relationship, especially in developing countries. We explored temporal variation in the associations between temperature and YLL before and after 2013 heat waves (period I: Jan 2008 to Sep 2013, period II: Oct 2013 to Dec 2015) in Ningbo, a southern China city with typical subtropical climate. The heat associations showed an increasing trend. The number of YLL due to heat-related respiratory mortality was significantly higher in period II (46.03, 95% CI: 11.97, 80.08) than in period I (7.21, 95% CI: −10.04, 24.46) among married individuals. In contrast, the cold associations presented an attenuating trend, and the number of YLL due to non-accidental mortality was significantly lower in period II (262.32, 95% CI: −304.18, 828.83) than in period I (916.78, 95% CI: 596.05, 1237.51). These results indicate more effort still needed to be made to reduce heat-related YLL even after periods of extreme heat. Furthermore, using YLL provided complementary information for identifying vulnerable subgroups, which has important implications for the planning of public health interventions.
RNA editing of the AMD1 gene is important for ascus maturation and ascospore discharge in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Cao Shulin , He Yi , Hao Chaofeng , Xu Yan , Zhang Hongchang , Wang Chenfang , Liu Huiquan , Xu Jin-Rong
Published: June 2017

Ascospores are the primary inoculum in the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum that was recently shown to have sexual stage-specific A-to-I RNA editing. One of the genes with premature-stop-codons requiring A-to-I editing to encode full-length functional proteins is AMD1 that encodes a protein with a major facilitator superfamily (MFS) domain. Here, we characterized the functions of AMD1 and its UAG to UGG editing event. The amd1 deletion mutant was normal in growth and conidiation but defective in ascospore discharge due to the premature breakdown of its ascus wall in older perithecia, which is consistent with the specific expression of AMD1 at later stages of sexual development. Expression of the wild-type or edited allele of AMD1 but not un-editable allele rescued the defects of amd1 in ascospore discharge. Furthermore, Amd1-GFP localized to the ascus membrane and Amd1 orthologs are only present in ascocarp-forming fungi that physically discharge ascospores. Interestingly, deletion of AMD1 results in the up-regulation of a number of genes related to transporter activity and membrane functions. Overall, these results indicated that Amd1 may play a critical role in maintaining ascus wall integrity during ascus maturation, and A-to-I editing of its transcripts is important for ascospore discharge in F. graminearum.
Chemogenetic silencing of GABAergic dorsal horn interneurons induces morphine-resistant spontaneous nocifensive behaviours
Authors: Koga Keisuke , Kanehisa Kensho , Kohro Yuta , Shiratori-Hayashi Miho , Tozaki-Saitoh Hidetoshi , Inoue Kazuhide , Furue Hidemasa , Tsuda Makoto
Published: June 2017

Inhibitory interneurons in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) are crucial for processing somatosensory information originating in the periphery. However, the effects of the acute and selective inactivation of GABAergic SDH interneurons on pain processing are not fully understood. In this study, we used designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) technology and vesicular GABA transporter-Cre (Vgat-Cre) mice to selectively express a modified human muscarinic Gi protein-coupled receptor (hM4Di) in Vgat-Cre+ GABAergic SDH interneurons in the fourth lumbar segment. We found that clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) treatment rapidly hyperpolarized these neurons and induced spontaneous nocifensive behaviours in these mice. In Vgat-Creneg lamina II neurons, CNO produced facilitation of A fibre-mediated polysynaptic excitatory responses, an effect that required N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation. The CNO-induced nocifensive behaviours were also reduced by NMDA receptor antagonism. Moreover, these nocifensive behaviours were suppressed by pregabalin but resistant to morphine. Our findings indicate that Vgat-Cre+ SDH interneurons play an important role in morphine-resistant nocifensive behaviours and suggest that this approach may provide a useful model for understanding the mechanisms of opioid-resistant pain signalling and for developing novel analgesics.
Visualizing Temperature Mediated Activation of Gelsolin and Its Deactivation By Pip2: A Saxs Based Study
Authors: Badmalia Maulik D. , Singh Shikha , Garg Renu , Ashish
Published: June 2017

This is the first report describing temperature based initiation of gelsolin’s F-actin depolymerization activity, even in absence of free Ca2+ or low pH. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and circular dichroism (CD) studies revealed that temperature in the range of 30–40 °C is capable of opening the G1 domain alone, as remaining domains are held together by the Ca2+-sensitive C-tail latch without any loss in the secondary structural content. Full opening of all domains of tail-less gelsolin, and retention of closed shape for G2–G6 gelsolin merely by heating, further substantiated our findings. The Ca2+/pH independent activity of gelsolin near physiological temperature brought out a query: whether gelsolin is always active, and if not, what might deactivate it? Earlier, PIP2 has been reported to render gelsolin inactive with no structural insight. Reduction in shape parameters and modeling revealed that PIP2 reverses the temperature induced extension of g1-g2 linker leading to a compact shape seen for Ca2+-free gelsolin. Similar results for partially activated gelsolin (by low pH or Ca2+ ions below 0.1 μM) imply that inside cells, depolymerization, capping, and nucleation of F-actin by gelsolin is regulated by the culmination of local Ca2+ ion concentration, pH, temperature and PIP2 levels.
Radiation-induced synthesis of nanoscale Co- and Ni-based electro-catalysts on carbon for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Soroka Inna L. , Tarakina Nadezda V. , Hermansson Anton , Bigum Lukas , Widerberg Rickard , Andersson Mikael S. , Mathieu Roland , Paulraj Alagar R. , Kiros Yohannes
Published: June 2017

A facile synthesis of 3d-metal based electro-catalysts directly incorporated into a carbon support was carried out by γ-radiation.
Pyrite form of group-14 element pernitrides synthesized at high pressure and high temperature
Authors: Niwa K. , Ogasawara H. , Hasegawa M.
Published: June 2017

The incompressible pyrite form of group 14 elemental pernitrides synthesized at high pressures and high temperatures.
Sesamin prevents apoptosis and inflammation after experimental myocardial infarction by JNK and NF-κB pathways
Authors: Fan Di , Yang Zheng , Yuan Yuan , Wu Qing-Qing , Xu Man , Jin Ya-Ge , Tang Qi-Zhu
Published: June 2017

Myocardial infarction is a devastating event, especially when reperfusion is not performed.
Synthesis of Pb(ii)-imprinted poly(methacrylic acid) polymeric particles loaded with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) for micro-solid phase preconcentration of Pb2+ on-line coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry
Authors: Basaglia Andréia M. , Corazza Marcela Z. , Segatelli Mariana G. , Tarley César R. T.
Published: June 2017

A new ion-selective imprinted polymer based on poly(methacrylic acid) loaded with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) (IIP/PAN) has been synthesized, characterized and evaluated for the preconcentration of Pb2+ with on-line determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.
First synthesis of rugosaflavonoid and its derivatives and their activity against breast cancer
Authors: Puranik Ninad V. , Srivastava Pratibha
Published: June 2017

Ligand interaction of 6f with 1M17.
Simple silver nanowire patterning using a DUV lamp direct write with sol–gel IZO capping
Authors: Liu Hung-Chuan , Zan Hsiao-Wen , Soppera Olivier , Zhang Yi , Yang Bo-Ru
Published: June 2017

We develop a method to pattern silver nanowire (AgNW) electrode by using DUV lamp to directly write on indium–zinc-oxide capped AgNW. The patterned electrodes keep good conducting property on flexible polyimide substrate after 1000-times bending.
Visible ns‐pulse laser oscillation in Pr‐doped double‐clad structured waterproof fluoride glass fibre with SESAM
Authors: Kajikawa Shota , Yoshida Minoru , Motokoshi Shinji , Ishii Osamu , Yamazaki Masaaki , Fujimoto Yasushi
Published: June 2017

A visible Q‐switched pulse train at 639 nm was successfully generated in a Pr‐doped double‐clad structured waterproof fluoride glass fibre with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror. The slope efficiency was calculated as 36.3%. The pulse duration and the radio frequency were measured as 270 ns and 107 kHz at 596 mW of absorbed power, respectively. The pulse energy and the pulse peak power were calculated as 1.32 μJ and 4.87 W, respectively.
Normative Values of Y Balance Test and Isometric Muscle Strength among Saudi School Children
Authors: Alhusaini Adel , Alnahdi Ali , Melam Ganeswararao , Aldali Ali , Al-Mutairi Mohammed , Alenzi Abdulaziz
Published: June 2017

Background To establish children-specific reference values for the Y-balance test (YBT) and Isometric muscle strength in school children of Saudi Arabia and to elucidate the relationship between YBT performance and lower limb muscle strength.

Materials & Methods Healthy School children (51 males) aged 12–15 years volunteered to participate in this study. Participants completed the YBT and maximal isometric muscle strength testing for knee extensors and flexors in a single testing session. Descriptive statistics were used to compute the YBT and muscle strength reference values. Paired t-tests were used to examine interlimb differences. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to quantify the linear relationships between YBT distances and lower limb strength.

Results Tabulated children-specific reference values were presented for the right, left, dominant and non-dominant limbs. Participants exhibited longer distance in the posteromedial direction standing on the right (p=0.04), stronger knee extensors (p=0.03) on the dominant side and stronger knee flexors in the right side (p=0.01) and in the dominant side (p=0.01). Knee flexors muscle strength was positively related to the reach distances of the YBT in both the right and the left lower extremity (P<0.05).

Conclusion The current study provided the reference value for the YBT and muscle strength for the knee extensors and flexors in male children in Saudi Arabia. The interlimb difference in YBT performance was noted in only the posteromedial direction and the dominant side had stronger knee flexors and extensors. Muscle strength of the knee flexors was positively related to the reach distance in the YBT.
Initial Treatment of Patients with Primary Breast Cancer: Evidence, Controversies, Consensus
Authors: Untch Michael , Huober Jens , Jackisch Christian , Schneeweiss Andreas , Brucker Sara , Dall Peter , Denkert Carsten , Fasching Peter , Fehm Tanja , Gerber Bernd , Janni Wolfgang , Kühn Thorsten , Lüftner Diana , Möbus Volker , Müller Volkmar , Rody Achim , Sinn Peter , Thill Marc , Thomssen Christoph , Harbeck Nadia , Liedtke Cornelia
Published: June 2017

The St. Gallen International Consensus Conference on the treatment of patients with primary breast cancer has been held regularly (every second year in the last six years) for more than 30 years. This year, the findings of the International St. Gallen Consensus Panel and their implications for clinical practice were again discussed by a German working group of leading breast cancer specialists. Five of the breast cancer specialists from Germany were also members of this yearʼs St. Gallen panel. A comparison between the St. Gallen recommendations and the annually updated treatment guidelines of the Gynecologic Oncology Group (AGO 2017) and the S3-guideline agreed upon in 2017 is useful. The recommendations of the St. Gallen panel represent an international cross-section of opinions of experts from different countries and different disciplines, while the S3-guideline and AGO guidelines are evidence-based. The motto of this yearʼs 15th St. Gallen Conference was “Escalating and De-Escalating”. The rationale behind this concept was to promote more individualized treatment and thereby reduce overtreatment as well as undertreatment.
Dissipative elastic metamaterial with a low-frequency passband
Authors: Liu Yongquan , Yi Jianlin , Li Zheng , Su Xianyue , Li Wenlong , Negahban Mehrdad
Published: June 2017

We design and experimentally demonstrate a dissipative elastic metamaterial structure that functions as a bandpass filter with a low-frequency passband. The mechanism of dissipation in this structure is well described by a mass-spring-damper model that reveals that the imaginary part of the wavenumber is non-zero, even in the passband of dissipative metamaterials. This indicates that transmittance in this range can be low. A prototype for this viscoelastic metamaterial model is fabricated by 3D printing techniques using soft and hard acrylics as constituent materials. The transmittance of the printed metamaterial is measured and shows good agreement with theoretical predictions, demonstrating its potential in the design of compact waveguides, filters and other advanced devices for controlling mechanical waves.
The invisible harm: land clearing is an issue of animal welfare
Authors: Finn Hugh C. , Stephens Nahiid S.
Published: June 2017

Land clearing is a significant environmental issue in Australia and an area of active legislative reform. Despite evidence of the harm that land clearing causes to individual animals, such harm is either ignored or considered only indirectly in environmental decision-making. We argue that the harm that land clearing causes to animals ought to be identified and evaluated in decision-making relating to land clearing and consider the following three propositions in support: (1) land clearing causes deaths that are physically painful and psychologically distressing because of their traumatic and debilitating nature; (2) land clearing causes physical injuries, other pathological conditions, pain and psychological distress over a prolonged period as animals attempt to survive in the cleared environment or in the environments they are displaced to; and (3) on the basis of current clearing rates, more than 50million mammals, birds and reptiles are likely to be killed annually because of land clearing in Queensland and New South Wales. The scientific consensus about the harm caused by land clearing means that decisions to allow land clearing are decisions to allow most of the animals present to be killed and, as such, frameworks for decision-making ought to include proper evaluation of the harm to be imposed.
Fansubbing in China
Authors: Wang Dingkun , Zhang Xiaochun
Published: June 2017

This paper seeks to explore the socio-political tensions between freedom and constraints in the Chinese fansubbing networks. It approaches the development of fansubbing in China as a process of technology democratisation with the potential to liberate ordinary citizens from authoritarian and commercial imperatives, enabling them to contest official state domination. The paper draws on the strategies adopted by fansubbing groups to organise their working practices and interactive social activities with a view to engaging target audiences. Both facets complement each other and bring to the fore the ‘gamified’ system of fansubbing networks. Gamification enables ordinary citizens to translate, distribute and consume foreign audiovisual products in a strategic move that pits collective activism against government dominance.
Observational evidence for constant gas accretion rate since z = 5
Authors: Spring Eleanor F. , Michałowski Michał J.
Published: June 2017

Star formation rate density (SFRD) has not been constant throughout the history of the Universe. The rate at which stars form greatly affects the evolution of the Universe, but the factors which drive SFRD evolution remain uncertain. There must be sufficient amount of gas to fuel the star formation, either as a reservoir within a galaxy, or as inflow from the intergalactic medium (IGM). This work explores how the gas accretion rate on to galaxies over time has affected star formation rate. We propose a novel method of measuring cosmic gas accretion rate. This involves comparing the comoving densities of available H i and H2 gas and the densities of existing stars at different redshifts. We constrained gas accretion until z = 5, and we found that the gas accretion rate density (GARD) is relatively constant in the range from z = 5 to z = 0. This constancy in the GARD is not reflected by the SFRD, which declines significantly between z = 1.0 and z = 0. This work suggests that the decline is not due to a reduction in GARD.
Immediate Versus Delayed Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation for Acute Motor Deficits
Authors: Petr Ondra , Glodny Bernhard , Brawanski Konstantin , Kerschbaumer Johannes , Freyschlag Christian , Pinggera Daniel , Rehwald Rafael , Hartmann Sebastian , Ortler Martin , Thomé Claudius
Published: June 2017

Study Design.

A retrospective cohort study.

Objective.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of time to surgery in patients with motor deficits (MDs) on their functional outcome. The current single-center study presents results of emergency surgery for LDH in a group of patients with acute paresis in a “real-world” setting.

Summary of Background Data.

MDs are a frequent symptom of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Although surgery within 48 hours has been recommended for cauda-equina syndrome, the best timing of surgery for acute MDs continues to be debated. The effect of early surgery has been proposed but remains to be unproven.

Methods.

A total of 330 patients with acute paresis caused by LDH acutely referred to our department and surgically treated using microsurgical discectomy from January 2013 to December 2015 were included. Based on the duration of MD and surgical timing, all patients were classified into two categories: Group I included all patients with paresis <48 hours and Group II included all patients with paresis >48 hours. Patient demographics, LDH/clinical/treatment characteristics, and outcomes were collected prospectively.

Severity of paresis [Medical Research Council (MRC) Grade 0–4], surgery-related complications, functional recovery of motor/sensory deficits, sciatica, retreatment/recurrence rates, and overall neurological outcome were analyzed.

Results.

Group I showed significantly faster recovery of moderate/severe paresis (MRC 0–3) at discharge, and 6-weeks/3-months follow up (P ≤ 0.001), whereas there were no significant differences in recovery for mild paresis (MRC 4). Sensory deficits also recovered substantially faster in Group I at 6-weeks (P = 0.003) and 3-months follow up (P = 0.045). Body mass index, preoperative MRC-grade, and duration of MDs were identified as significant predictors for recovery of paresis at all follow ups with substantial impact on patient reported outcomes including sciatica and/or dermatomal sensory deficits.

Conclusion.

Given the superior rates of neurological recovery of acute moderate/severe MDs, immediate surgery should be the primary option. However, a prospective randomized clinical trial is needed to confirm the superiority of emergency surgery.

Level of Evidence: 3
Interventions to increase uptake of faecal tests for colorectal cancer screening: a systematic review
Authors: Rat Cédric , Latour Chloé , Rousseau Rosalie , Gaultier Aurélie , Pogu Corinne , Edwards Adrian , Nguyen Jean-Michel
Published: June 2017

International guidelines promote screening by faecal tests in asymptomatic individuals at average risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), but uptake does not reach recommended levels in most countries. The aim of this study was to synthetize evidence on (a) interventions aiming to increase uptake of faecal tests for CRC screening, in asymptomatic individuals at average risk of CRC, (b) interventions that targeted general practitioner (GP) involvement and (c) interventions that targeted nonresponders or disadvantaged groups. A systematic review of randomized-controlled trials, searching PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library database, based on the Cochrane’s Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 guidelines was performed. The risk of bias of included trials was assessed. From 24 included RCTs, the following interventions increase uptake of faecal tests: advance notification letter (OR 1.20–1.51), postal mailing (OR 1.31–7.70), telephone contacts with an advisor (OR 1.36–7.72). Three interventions showed positive effects of GP involvement such as a GP-signed invitation letter [odds ratio (OR)=1.26], GP communication training (OR=1.22) or mailing reminders to GPs (OR=14.8). Inconclusive results were found for studies comparing different types of faecal tests and those testing the effectiveness of providing various types of written information. Advance notification letters, postal mailing of the faecal tests, written reminders and telephone contacts with an advisor increase patient uptake of faecal tests. There was only limited evidence on the effect of GP involvement on screening test uptake and a lack of studies focusing on nonresponders or disadvantaged groups.
Effect of Visual Art School–Based Stroke Intervention for Middle School Students
Authors: Johnson Ashleigh B. , Montgomery Chelsea M. , Dillard Wesley A. , Morrill Kenneth , Hoesli Coral , Gillette Wesley M. , Johnson Brandon K. , Nathaniel Thomas I.
Published: June 2017

Background: Community stroke awareness initiatives have traditionally been used to expand knowledge of stroke signs and risk factors to high-risk adult populations. Here, we use a novel unfettered, visual art–based approach for an elementary school initiative to raise stroke awareness. Methods: Seventh graders in a middle school art class received stroke awareness training during the course of the 2015 to 2016 school year through their teacher in the visual arts class. In turn, they used this training to develop their own artistic interpretations of key stroke awareness concepts via project-based learning and then present their projects to raise awareness about stroke. We evaluated our predata and postdata to determine whether the visual art school–based stroke intervention was effective in both educating students about stroke and enabling them to effectively disseminate this information to parents and other adults in their community. Results: The pretest evaluation indicates a fair or good knowledge about stroke, and no student indicated an “outstanding” or “excellent” knowledge. The posttest evaluation indicated a higher degree of stroke awareness because students were rated as having an “outstanding,” “excellent,” or “very good” performance especially in the ability to translate knowledge of stroke awareness lessons learned in their art class into a well-articulated stroke-related project and presentation. Pearson χ2 test reveals significant difference (P < .001) between the pretest and posttest evaluations. Conclusions: Our results indicate that our school-based stroke intervention was effective in both educating students about stroke and enabling them to effectively disseminate this information to parents and other adults in their community. The use of a visual art teacher to lead the educational component in the intervention indicates that expertise in neurology or stroke is not necessary to facilitate understanding of stroke and highlights the importance of creativeness in stroke education for children.
Late-Term Gestation Is Associated With Improved Survival in Neonates With Congenital Heart Disease Following Postoperative Extracorporeal Life Support*
Authors: McKenzie Jane M. , Scodellaro Thomas , d’Udekem Yves , Chiletti Roberto , Butt Warwick , Namachivayam Siva P.
Published: June 2017

Objective:

Several population-based studies have shown that gestational age 39–40 weeks at birth is associated with superior outcomes in various pediatric settings. A high proportion of births for neonates with congenital heart disease occur before 39 weeks. We aimed to assess the influence of late-term gestation (39–40 wk) on survival in neonates requiring extracorporeal life support following surgery for congenital heart disease.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

Patients:

Neonates requiring extracorporeal life support after cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease.

Measurements and Main Results:

From 2005 to 2014, 110 neonates (10.5% of neonates undergoing cardiac surgery) required extracorporeal life support after cardiac surgery. Indications were failure to separate from cardiopulmonary bypass in 40 (36%), extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 48 (44%), progressive low cardiac output in 15 (14%), and other reasons in seven (6%). Extracorporeal life support duration was 94 hours (interquartile range, 53–135), and 54 (49%) underwent single ventricle repair. Gestation at birth (n [%]) was as follows: less than 37 weeks, 19 (17%); 37–38 weeks, 38 (35%); 39–40 weeks, 50 (45%); 41 weeks or more, 3 (3%). By multivariable analysis (controlling for age, era of extracorporeal life support 2005–2009 vs 2010–2014, single ventricle status and acute renal failure), gestational age of 39–40 weeks was associated with the lowest odds for intensive care mortality: using less than 37 weeks as referent, the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for 37–38 weeks was 0.41 (0.12–1.33); for 39–40 weeks, 0.27 (0.08–0.84); and for 41 weeks or more, 1.06 (0.07–14.7). Similar association was also seen in a subcohort of study neonates (n = 66) who were commenced on extracorporeal life support after admission to intensive care: using less than 37 weeks as referent, the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for 37–38 weeks was 0.52 (0.10–2.80) and for 39–40 weeks, 0.15 (0.03–0.81).

Conclusions:

In this cohort of neonates requiring extracorporeal life support following cardiac surgery, 39–40 weeks of gestation at birth is associated with the best survival. The additional maturity gained by reaching a gestation of at least 39 weeks is likely to confer a survival advantage in this high-risk cohort.
Tumor-to-Nipple Distance as a Predictor of Nipple Involvement: Expanding the Inclusion Criteria for Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
Authors: Dent Briar L. , Miller Jake A. , Eden Daniel J. , Swistel Alexander , Talmor Mia
Published: June 2017

Background:

A tumor-to-nipple distance of greater than 2 cm has traditionally been considered a criterion for nipple-sparing mastectomy. This study evaluates whether magnetic resonance imaging and sonographic measurements of tumor-to-nipple distance accurately reflect the risk of nipple involvement by disease.

Methods:

All nipple-sparing mastectomy cases with implant-based reconstruction performed by the senior author between July 2006 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Therapeutic cases with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging or sonography were included.

Results:

One hundred ninety-five cases were included. Preoperative imaging consisted of sonography (n = 169), magnetic resonance imaging (n = 152), or both (n = 126). With sonography, nipple involvement did not differ between nipple-sparing mastectomy candidates and noncandidates using a tumor-to-nipple distance cutoff of 2 cm (10.7 percent versus 10.6 percent; p = 0.988) or 1 cm (9.3 percent versus 15.0 percent; p = 0.307). With magnetic resonance imaging, nipple involvement did not differ between candidates and noncandidates using a cutoff of 2 cm (11.6 percent versus 12.5 percent; p = 0.881) or 1 cm (11.4 percent versus 13.8 percent; p = 0.718). When sonography and magnetic resonance imaging findings were both available and concordant, nipple involvement still did not differ between candidates and noncandidates using a cutoff of 2 cm (8.8 percent versus 11.8 percent; p = 0.711) or 1 cm (7.6 percent versus 14.3 percent; p = 0.535).

Conclusion:

A tumor-to-nipple distance as small as 1 cm, as measured by sonography or magnetic resonance imaging, should not be considered a contraindication to nipple-sparing mastectomy.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, II.