bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sterilizing Effect of Ertapenem-Clavulanate in a Hollow-Fiber Model of Tuberculosis and Implications on Clinical Dosing
Authors: van Rijn Sander P. , Srivastava Shashikant , Wessels Mireille A. , van Soolingen Dick , Alffenaar Jan-Willem C. , Gumbo Tawanda
Published: July 2017

Carbapenems are now being explored for treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), especially in conjunction with clavulanate. Clinical use is constrained by the need for multiple parenteral doses per day and the lack of knowledge of the optimal dose for sterilizing effect. Our objective was to identify the ertapenem exposure associated with optimal sterilizing effect and then design a once-a-day dose for clinical use. We utilized the hollow-fiber system model of tuberculosis in a 28-day exposure-response study of 8 different ertapenem doses in combination with clavulanate. The systems were sampled at predetermined time points to verify the concentration-time profile and identify the total bacterial burden. Inhibitory sigmoid maximum-effect (
E
max
) modeling was used to identify the relationship between total bacterial burden and the drug exposure and to identify optimal exposures. Contrary to the literature, ertapenem-clavulanate combination demonstrated good microbial kill and sterilizing effect. In a dose fractionation hollow-fiber study, efficacy was linked to percentage of the 24-h dosing interval of ertapenem concentration persisting above MIC (%
T
MIC
). We performed 10,000 MDR-TB patient computer-aided clinical trial simulations, based on Monte Carlo methods, to identify the doses and schedule that would achieve or exceed a %
T
MIC
of ≥40%. We identified an intravenous dosage of 2 g once per day as achieving the target in 96% of patients. An ertapenem susceptibility breakpoint MIC of 2 mg/liter was identified for that dose. An ertapenem dosage of 2 g once daily is the most suitable to be tested in a phase II study of sterilizing effect in MDR-TB patients.
In Vivo
Analysis of the Viable Microbiota and Helicobacter pylori Transcriptome in Gastric Infection and Early Stages of Carcinogenesis
Authors: Thorell Kaisa , Bengtsson-Palme Johan , Liu Oscar Hsin-Fu , Palacios Gonzales Reyna Victoria , Nookaew Intawat , Rabeneck Linda , Paszat Lawrence , Graham David Y. , Nielsen Jens , Lundin Samuel B. , Sjöling Åsa
Published: July 2017

Emerging evidence shows that the human microbiota plays a larger role in disease progression and health than previously anticipated.
Helicobacter pylori
, the causative agent of gastric cancer and duodenal and gastric ulcers, was early associated with gastric disease, but it has also been proposed that the accompanying microbiota in
Helicobacter pylori
-infected individuals might affect disease progression and gastric cancer development. In this study, the composition of the transcriptionally active microbial community and
H. pylori
gene expression were determined using metatranscriptomic RNA sequencing of stomach biopsy specimens from individuals with different
H. pylori
infection statuses and premalignant tissue changes. The results show that
H. pylori
completely dominates the microbiota not only in infected individuals but also in most individuals classified as
H. pylori
uninfected using conventional methods. Furthermore,
H. pylori
abundance is positively correlated with the presence of
Campylobacter
,
Deinococcus
, and
Sulfurospirillum
. Finally, we quantified the expression of a large number of
Helicobacter pylori
genes and found high expression of genes involved in pH regulation and nickel transport. Our study is the first to dissect the viable microbiota of the human stomach by metatranscriptomic analysis, and it shows that metatranscriptomic analysis of the gastric microbiota is feasible and can provide new insights into how bacteria respond
in vivo
to variations in the stomach microenvironment and at different stages of disease progression.
Learning from Adversity?
Authors: Bourret Robert B.
Published: July 2017

Many two-component regulatory systems, including
Escherichia coli
PhoRB, are positively autoregulated, so stimuli result in an increase in the concentration of signaling proteins. When the quantity of signaling proteins depends on exposure history, how do past conditions affect future responses to stimuli? Hoffer et al. (J. Bacteriol. 183:4914–4917, 2001,
https://doi.org/doi:10.1128/JB.183.16.4914-4917.2001
) previously reported that
E. coli
bacteria “learn” from phosphate starvation and respond more rapidly to subsequent episodes of starvation. Gao et al. (J. Bacteriol. 199:e00390-17, 2017,
https://doi.org/doi:10.1128/JB.00390-17
) describe another aspect of hysteresis in the PhoRB regulon. Phosphate starvation also leads to a global decline in transcription, counteracting the effects of positive autoregulation and resulting in a similar net
pho
response (homeostasis), regardless of exposure history.
Electron Bernstein waves in a collisionless magnetoplasma with Cairns distribution function
Authors: Malik M. Usman , Masood W. , Rehman Aman-ur , Mirza Arshad M. , Qamar Anisa
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we have investigated the electrostatic electron Bernstein waves in a collisionless magnetized plasma using the Cairns distribution function. In this regard, we have derived a generalized dielectric constant for the Bernstein waves and derived the modified dispersion relation in the presence of Cairns distribution function. We have found that the dispersion curves for the electron Bernstein waves using the Cairns distribution function show a very significant deviation from the Maxwellian results. It has been found that the behavior of the Bernstein waves across the entire band between the adjacent harmonics shows a departure from the Maxwellian result for the different values of the non-thermality parameter for the Cairns distribution function.
Input Demand Under Joint Energy and Output Prices Uncertainties
Authors: Alghalith Moawia , Guo Xu , Niu Cuizhen , Wong Wing-Keung
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we analyze the impacts of joint energy and output prices uncertainties on the input demands in a mean–variance framework. We find that an increase in expected output price will surely cause the risk-averse firm to increase the input demand, while an increase in expected energy price will surely cause the risk-averse firm to decrease the demand for energy, but increase the demand for the non-risky inputs. Furthermore, we investigate the two cases with only uncertain energy price and only uncertain output price. In the case with only uncertain energy price, we find that the uncertain energy price has no impact on the demands for the non-risky inputs. We also show that the concepts of elasticity and decreasing absolute risk aversion (DARA) play an important role in the comparative statics analysis.
INTERMITTENT BEHAVIOR INDUCED BY ASYNCHRONOUS INTERACTIONS IN A CONTINUOUS DOUBLE AUCTION MODEL
Authors: SASAI KAZUTO , GUNJI YUKIO-PEGIO , KINOSHITA TETSUO
Published: July 2017

Continuous asynchronous trading activity is a key to understanding real-world market behavior. However, it is not easy to implement an agent-based computational market model because of the ambiguity between time and space. In this study, we use a model of asynchrony in a continuous double auction market in the form of noise and order restrictions to link inside- and outside- uncertainties in the economic system. Our model shows intermittent behavior with a small parameter value, which leads to the misapplication of the price-update rule, and consequently drives burst behavior. The statistical property of time development shows a similar tendency to that in previous empirical studies. Thus, it demonstrates the relationship between the asynchronous property and the complexity of economic systems.
Effects of nanobubble collapse on cell membrane integrity
Authors: Becton Matthew , Averett Rodney , Wang Xianqiao
Published: July 2017

Recent studies have shown that ultrasound is used to open drug-carrying liposomes to release their payloads; however, a shockwave energetic enough to rupture lipid membranes can cause collateral damage to surrounding cells. Similarly, a destructive shockwave, which may be used to rupture a cell membrane in order to lyse the cell (e.g., as in cancer treatments) may also impair or destroy nearby healthy tissue. To address this problem, we use dissipative particle dynamic (DPD) simulation to investigate the addition of a cavitation bubble between the shockwave and the model cell membrane to alter the shockwave front, allowing low-velocity shockwaves to specifically damage an intended target. We focus specifically on a spherical lipid bilayer model, and note the effect of shockwave velocity, bubble size, and orientation on the damage to the model cell. We show that a cavitation bubble greatly decreases the necessary shockwave velocity required to damage the lipid bilayer and rupture the model cell. The cavitation bubble focuses the kinetic energy of the shockwave front into a smaller area, inducing penetration at the edge of the model cell. With this work, we provide a comprehensive approach to the intricacies of model cell destruction via shockwave impact, and hope to offer a guideline for initiating targeted cellular destruction using induced cavitation bubbles and low-velocity shockwaves.
Understanding the trigger for the LUSI mud volcano eruption from ground deformation signatures
Authors: Andreas Heri , Abidin Hasanuddin Z. , Sidiq Teguh P. , Gumilar Irwan , Aoki Yosuke , Hakim Agus L. , Sumintadiredja Prihadi
Published: July 2017

The LUSI mud volcano in the sub-district of Porong, Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia started to erupt on 29 May 2006. An almost continuous eruption of a mixture of mud, water and gas has occurred around this area since this date. The eruption triggered vertical and horizontal ground deformation. From June 2006 to December 2010, 14 global positioning system campaigns were conducted to observe the ground deformation using
c.
50 stations sparsely located up to 10 km from the eruption centre. Field observations of cracks, terrestrial laser scanning and geo-electrical measurements have also been used to infer the ground deformation signature around the LUSI mud volcano. More than 150 pairs of interferograms generated from 66 ALOS PALSAR images from June 2006 to December 2009 have also been used to study the ground deformation caused by the LUSI mud volcano. The LUSI mud eruption began only 200 m from where the Lapindo Inc. oil company was drilling for oil and gas. The drilling may have pierced a deeper high-pressure zone, causing an underground blow-out of the drillhole into a hydrofracture. Alternatively, the magnitude 6.3 Yogyakarta earthquake, which was located
c.
275 km from the eruption site and occurred two days before the LUSI eruption, may have shaken the area sufficiently to cause the eruption by reactivating a fault in the region and liquefying the mud. These two hypotheses for triggering the mud volcano have been argued vehemently and still remain controversial. The ground deformation signatures provide important clues to understanding the trigger for the eruption and to solve this controversy. Co-seismic fault reactivation has its own typical ground deformation signature. This study used global positioning system and InSAR techniques, as well as field observations of cracks, terrestrial laser scanning and geo-electrical measurements, to determine the signature of ground deformation around the LUSI mud volcano and to explain the triggering mechanism.
User Modeling on Demographic Attributes in Big Mobile Social Networks
Authors: Dong Yuxiao , Chawla Nitesh V. , Tang Jie , Yang Yang , Yang Yang
Published: July 2017

Users with demographic profiles in social networks offer the potential to understand the social principles that underpin our highly connected world, from individuals, to groups, to societies. In this article, we harness the power of network and data sciences to model the interplay between user demographics and social behavior and further study to what extent users’ demographic profiles can be inferred from their mobile communication patterns. By modeling over 7 million users and 1 billion mobile communication records, we find that during the active dating period (i.e., 18--35 years old), users are active in broadening social connections with males and females alike, while after reaching 35 years of age people tend to keep small, closed, and same-gender social circles. Further, we formalize the demographic prediction problem of inferring users’ gender and age simultaneously. We propose a factor graph-based
WhoAmI
method to address the problem by leveraging not only the correlations between network features and users’ gender/age, but also the interrelations between gender and age. In addition, we identify a new problem—coupled network demographic prediction across multiple mobile operators—and present a coupled variant of the
WhoAmI
method to address its unique challenges. Our extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness, scalability, and applicability of the
WhoAmI
methods. Finally, our study finds a greater than 80% potential predictability for inferring users’ gender from phone call behavior and 73% for users’ age from text messaging interactions.
The FLC Locus: A Platform for Discoveries in Epigenetics and Adaptation
Authors: Whittaker Charles , Dean Caroline
Published: July 2017

Our understanding of the detailed molecular mechanisms underpinning adaptation is still poor. One example for which mechanistic understanding of regulation has converged with studies of life history variation is Arabidopsis thaliana FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). FLC determines the need for plants to overwinter and their ability to respond to prolonged cold in a process termed vernalization. This review highlights how molecular analysis of vernalization pathways has revealed important insight into antisense-mediated chromatin silencing mechanisms that regulate FLC. In turn, such insight has enabled molecular dissection of the diversity in vernalization across natural populations of A. thaliana. Changes in both cotranscriptional regulation and epigenetic silencing of FLC are caused by noncoding polymorphisms at FLC. The FLC locus is therefore providing important concepts for how noncoding transcription and chromatin regulation influence gene expression and how these mechanisms can vary to underpin adaptation in natural populations.
Enkephalins: Endogenous Analgesics with an Emerging Role in Stress Resilience
Authors: Henry Mathilde S. , Gendron Louis , Tremblay Marie-Eve , Drolet Guy
Published: July 2017

Psychological stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension that results from adverse or demanding circumstances. Chronic stress is well known to induce anxiety disorders and major depression; it is also considered a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Stress resilience is a positive outcome that is associated with preserved cognition and healthy aging. Resilience presents psychological and biological characteristics intrinsic to an individual conferring protection against the development of psychopathologies in the face of adversity. How can we promote or improve resilience to chronic stress? Numerous studies have proposed mechanisms that could trigger this desirable process. The roles of enkephalin transmission in the control of pain, physiological functions, like respiration, and affective disorders have been studied for more than 30 years. However, their role in the resilience to chronic stress has received much less attention. This review presents the evidence for an emerging involvement of enkephalin signaling through its two associated opioid receptors, μ opioid peptide receptor and δ opioid peptide receptor, in the natural adaptation to stressful lifestyles.
Immunotherapeutic Strategies for Gastric Carcinoma: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Recent Development
Authors: Abozeid Mohamed , Rosato Antonio , Sommaggio Roberta
Published: July 2017

Gastric carcinoma (GC) is the 2nd most common cause of cancer-related death. Despite advances in conventional treatment and surgical interventions, a high percentage of GC patients still have poor survival. Recently, immunotherapy has become a promising approach to treat GC. Here, we present preclinical and clinical studies encouraging the use of vaccination, adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT), and immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) or cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). The ongoing immunotherapy clinical trials have shown promising results in safety and tolerability even in late-stage GC patients. Moreover, we highlight that the combination of ACT with chemotherapy could be the best choice to treat GC.
Structure-Activity Relationships ofN-Cinnamoyl and Hydroxycinnamoyl Amides onα-Glucosidase Inhibition
Authors: Chochkova Maya G. , Petrova Petranka P. , Stoykova Boyka M. , Ivanova Galya I. , Štícha Martin , Dibó Gábor , Milkova Tsenka S.
Published: July 2017

Currently, there is an increasing interest towardsα-glucosidase inhibition of various diseases including diabetes mellitus type 2, cancer, HIV, and B- and C-type viral hepatitis. Cinnamic acid derivatives have been shown to be potentially valuable as a new group ofα-glucosidase inhibitors. Therefore, herein, theα-glucosidase inhibitory activity oftrans-N-cinnamoyl and hydroxycinnamoyl amides was studied in vitro. Results revealed that the tested hydroxycinnamoyl amides (1–16) inhibiteda-glucosidase with IC50s ranging between 0.76 and 355.1 μg/ml. Compounds1,2,5,6,9,14, and15showed significant inhibition of yeastα-glucosidase, being even more potent ones than the used positive inhibitor acarbose (IC50=2.50±0.21 μg/ml).
A Survey of Recent Research on Optimization Models and Algorithms for Operations Management from the Process View
Authors: Fei Hongying , Li Qian , Sun Dan
Published: July 2017

Over the past decades, optimization in operations management has grown ever more popular not only in the academic literature but also in practice. However, the problems have varied a lot, and few literature reviews have provided an overview of the models and algorithms that are applied to the optimization in operations management. In this paper, we first classify crucial optimization areas of operations management from the process point of view and then analyze the current status and trends of the studies in those areas. The purpose of this study is to give an overview of optimization modelling and resolution approaches, which are applied to operations management.
Cystatin-C as a Marker for Renal Impairment in Preeclampsia
Authors: Niraula Apeksha , Lamsal Madhab , Baral Nirmal , Majhi Shankar , Khan Seraj Ahmed , Basnet Pritha , Dahal Kashyap
Published: July 2017

Preeclampsia is a devastating pregnancy-associated disorder characterized by the onset of hypertension, proteinuria, and edema with limited plausible pathophysiology known. Cystatin-C, a novel marker for the detection of renal impairment, is increased in preeclampsia at an early stage. This study was aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of Cystatin-C as an early marker of renal function in preeclampsia comparing it to the traditional renal markers. A hospital based comparative cross-sectional study was performed on 104 women (52 diagnosed cases of preeclampsia and 52 healthy pregnant women). Concentrations of Cystatin-C, creatinine, urea, and uric acid were measured in both the study groups. Mean serum Cystatin-C and uric acid levels were elevated in preeclampsia cases compared to controls (1.15 ± 0.37 versus 0.55 ± 0.12; 5.40 ± 1.44 versus 3.97 ± 0.68, resp.). ROC curve depicted that Cystatin-C had the highest diagnostic efficiency (sensitivity, 88.24%; specificity, 98.04%) compared to creatinine and uric acid. Serum Cystatin-C consequently seemed to closely reflect the renal functional changes, which are believed to lead to increased blood pressure levels and urinary excretion of albumin and may thus function as a marker for the stage of the transition between normal adaptive renal changes at term and preeclampsia.
Resveratrol Attenuates Microglial Activation via SIRT1‐SOCS1 Pathway
Authors: Zhang Shuping , Gao Lu , Liu Xiuying , Lu Tao , Xie Chuangbo , Jia Ji
Published: July 2017

Microglial activation is involved in a variety of neurological disorders, and overactivated microglial cells can secrete large amount of proinflammatory factors and induce neuron death. Therefore, reducing microglial activation is believed to be useful in treating the disorders. In this study, we used 10 ng/ml lipopolysaccharide plus 10 U/ml interferon γ (LPS/IFNγ) to induce N9 microglial activation and explored resveratrol‐ (RSV‐) induced effects on microglial activation and the underlying mechanism. We found that LPS/IFNγ exposure for 24 h increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) p65 subunit expressions in the cells and enhanced tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and interleukin 1β (IL‐1β) releases from the cells. RSV of 25 μM reduced the iNOS and NF‐κB p65 subunit expressions and the proinflammatory factors’ releases; the knockdown of silent information regulator factor 2‐related enzyme 1 (SIRT1) or suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) by using the small interfering RNA, however, significantly abolished the RSV‐induced effects on iNOS and NF‐κB p65 subunit expressions and the proinflammatory factors’ releases. These findings showed that microglial SIRT1‐SOCS1 pathway may mediate the RSV‐induced inhibition of microglial activation in the LPS/IFNγ‐treated N9 microglia.
LIBS Analysis of Geomaterials: Comparative Study of Basalt Plasma Induced by TEA CO2 and Nd:YAG Laser in Air at Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Savovic Jelena , Momcilovic Milos , Zivkovic Sanja , Stancalie Andrei , Trtica Milan , Kuzmanovic Miroslav
Published: July 2017

We present a study of the plasma generated by transversely excited atmospheric (TEA) CO2 laser irradiation of a basalt sample. The plasma was induced in air at atmospheric pressure. The same sample was also analyzed using a commercial LIBS system based on Nd:YAG laser and time-gated detection. The main plasma parameters, temperature, and electron number density were determined and analytical capabilities of the two systems compared. Despite differences in laser wavelength, pulse duration, applied fluence, and signal detection scheme, the two systems are comparable in terms of element detectability and limits of detection. In both cases, all elements usually present in geological samples were identified. The estimated limits of detection for most elements were below 100 ppm, while for Cu, Cr, and Sr they were around or below 10 ppm. The obtained results led to the conclusion that simple, cost-effective TEA CO2 LIBS system can find applications for geological explorations.
Incidence and Causes for Early Ticagrelor Discontinuation: A “Real-World” Dutch Registry Experience
Authors: Bergmeijer Thomas O. , Janssen Paul W.A. , van Oevelen Mathijs , van Rooijen Dymphie , Godschalk Thea C. , Kelder Johannes C. , Deneer Vera H.M. , Serebruany Victor L. , ten Berg Jurriën M.
Published: July 2017

Objectives: The PLATO trial revealed superiority of ticagrelor over clopidogrel for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. However, adverse events such as bleeding, dyspnea, and bradycardia were frequently reported, potentially leading to excess early ticagrelor discontinuation (ETD), later confirmed in the PEGASUS trial. We here evaluated the incidence and causes for ETD in a real-world patient cohort in a high-volume nonacademic percutaneous coronary intervention center in the Netherlands. Methods: In a retrospective single-center registry, all patients discharged from the hospital with a new ticagrelor prescription were screened for ETD. Follow-up data were obtained using the hospital electronic patient file records and confirmed by telephone contact with the patient and/or general practitioner, if necessary, to complement the data. Results: Ticagrelor was prescribed in 354 patients between December 2011 and December 2012. The follow-up data were available in 301 patients with a mean follow-up duration of 330 days. ETD or switching to another antiplatelet agent occurred in 73 patients (24.3%), mostly due to dyspnea (11.6%), bleeding (3.7%), or planned major surgery (2.7%). Conclusions: Almost one quarter of ticagrelor patients were discontinued prematurely or switched to another antiplatelet agent within 1 year, mostly due to dyspnea or bleeding.
The Effectiveness of Trastuzumab Combined with Sequential Chemotherapy for Metastatic Gastric Carcinoma with Overexpression of HER2
Authors: Saavedra Santa Gadea Omar , Valdivia García Francisco José
Published: July 2017

Metastatic gastric carcinoma is a mortal disease with a median survival of barely 10 months. An approximate 20% of the cases overexpress HER2, and among them, the combination of chemotherapy with trastuzumab is actually the first-line palliative treatment. However, after progression, sequential strategies of chemotherapy while maintaining trastuzumab have been barely researched. We report the case of a patient with a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in the gastroesophageal junction with overexpression of HER2, in stage IV, treated with sequential chemotherapy and trastuzumab, who survived more than 5 years during the metastatic phase maintaining a good quality of life.
Successful Yttrium-90 Microsphere Radioembolization for Hepatic Metastases of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Bunck Alexander C. , Pinto dos Santos Daniel , Chang De-Hua , Reiser Marcel , Pfister David , Bunck Anne , Drzezga Alexander , Maintz David , Schmidt Matthias
Published: July 2017

Prostate cancer is the most common solid tumor malignancy worldwide with an estimated 180,000 new cases of prostate cancer and 26,000 deaths in the USA in 2016. Although significant advances in the treatment of prostate cancer have recently been made, the treatment of metastatic disease remains a challenge. With visceral metastases marking more advanced tumor stages, liver involvement is associated with the worst prognosis. So far, no locoregional treatment regimens for the management of liver metastases of prostatic cancer exist. Herein, we report for the first time a successful treatment of hepatic metastases of prostatic cancer using radioembolization with selective intra-arterial administration of Yttrium-90 resin microspheres.
Trichoscopic Features of Linear Morphea on the Scalp
Authors: Saceda-Corralo David , Tosti Antonella
Published: July 2017

Linear scleroderma en coup de sabre (LSCS) is the most common form of morphea on the scalp and its trichoscopic features have not been described yet. We report 2 adult women with LSCS with distinct dermoscopic findings. They both had an atrophic well-defined linear patch of alopecia on the frontotemporal scalp. Dermoscopy showed loss of follicular openings on a whitish skin surface; scattered black dots, broken hairs, and pili torti; and short thick linear and branching tortuous vessels on the periphery of the lesion. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of LSCS in the 2 cases. This description of dermoscopic features in LSCS on the scalp may help in the early diagnosis of the disease.
Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Laser versus Cold Knife Urethrotomy in the Management of Patients with Urethral Strictures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Torres Castellanos Lynda , Moreno Bencardino María Camila , Bravo-Balado Alejandra , García Mayorga Carlos Andrés , Vargas Manrique Isis , Fernández Nicolás
Published: July 2017

Introduction: Urethral strictures generate great morbidity. Two procedures have been described for their management - laser and cold knife techniques - which are still widely used. We aim to assess the safety and efficacy of laser versus cold knife urethrotomy. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic search of the literature using MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS and Cochrane databases and gray literature. Primary outcomes were urethral stricture recurrence, time-to-recurrence and complication rate. Secondary outcomes were quality of life and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax). Data analysis was obtained using Review Manager 5.2. Results: Out of 137 publications, 4 articles were included in the meta-analysis. At 3 months, the recurrence rate was similar in both groups (0.55, 95% CI 0.18-1.66), but at 6 and 12 months, it was significantly lower in the laser urethrotomy group (0.39, 95% CI 0.19-0.81 and 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.75). The analysis of Qmax at 6 months post-intervention suggested a greater improvement in the laser urethrotomy group. A qualitative analysis showed that complications in both procedures were minor and infrequent. Conclusions: Laser urethrotomy has a lower recurrence rate at 6 and 12 months compared to cold knife urethrotomy. Complications in both procedures are minor and infrequent. Results should be interpreted cautiously, since they were evaluated only for a short term.
Cx43- and Smad-Mediated TGF-β/ BMP Signaling Pathway Promotes Cartilage Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation
Authors: Zhang Ya-Dong  , Zhao Shi-Chang , Zhu Zhong-Sheng , Wang Yi-Fei , Liu Jian-Xiang , Zhang Zhi-Cai , Xue Feng
Published: July 2017

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Cx43- and Smad-mediated TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into cartilage and inhibition of ossification. Methods: BMSCs of Wistar rats were cultured and assigned into 5 groups for transfection with adenoviruses. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were employed to detect mRNA and protein expressions of target genes. The condition of cartilage and ossification were measured by a series of staining methods. Subcutaneous injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into nude rats was performed. Results: After transfection, compared to the AdGFP group, the corresponding target mRNAs were overexpressed in the AdBMP2, AdSmad1, AdCx43 + AdSmad1 and AdCx43 + AdSmad1 + AdBMP2 groups, and overexpression of BMP2 at the mRNA and protein expression was observed in the AdSmad1 and AdCx43 + AdSmad1 groups. The mRNA expressions of aggrecan (ACAN) and collagen type II alpha 1 (Col2a1), the glycosaminoglycan content of the extracellular matrix and the expression of type II collagen, Col2a1, osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OC) were higher in the AdBMP2, AdSmad1, AdCx43 + AdSmad1 and AdCx43 + AdSmad1 + AdBMP2 groups than in the AdGFP group; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mRNA and protein expressions of Runx2 were also higher in these groups than in the AdGFP group. Heterotopic osteogenesis tests demonstrated evident cartilage differentiation ability in the AdCx43 + AdSmad1 + AdBMP2 groups. In comparison, the AdCx43 + AdSmad1 and AdSmad1 groups exhibited weaker cartilage differentiation abilities. Conclusion: Cx43 and Smad1 promote BMP-induced cartilage differentiation of BMSCs and inhibit osteoblast differentiation, which provide a new strategy for cartilage tissue engineering using exogenous Cx43 and Smad1.
Endothelin-1 Stimulates Vasoconstriction Through Rab11A Serine 177 Phosphorylation
Authors: Zhai Xue , Leo M. Dennis , Jaggar Jonathan H.
Published: July 2017

Rationale:

Large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BK) are composed of pore-forming BKα and auxiliary β1 subunits in arterial smooth muscle cells (myocytes). Vasoconstrictors, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), inhibit myocyte BK channels, leading to contraction, but mechanisms involved are unclear. Recent evidence indicates that BKα is primarily plasma membrane localized, whereas the cellular location of β1 can be rapidly altered by Rab11A-positive recycling endosomes. Whether vasoconstrictors regulate the multisubunit composition of surface BK channels to stimulate contraction is unclear.

Objective:

Test the hypothesis that ET-1 inhibits BK channels by altering BKα and β1 surface trafficking in myocytes, identify mechanisms involved, and determine functional significance in myocytes of small cerebral arteries.

Methods and Results:

ET-1, through activation of PKC (protein kinase C), reduced surface β1 abundance and the proximity of β1 to surface BKα in myocytes. In contrast, ET-1 did not alter surface BKα, total β1, or total BKα proteins. ET-1 stimulated Rab11A phosphorylation, which reduced Rab11A activity. Rab11A serine 177 was identified as a high-probability PKC phosphorylation site. Expression of a phosphorylation-incapable Rab11A construct (Rab11A S177A) blocked the ET-1–induced Rab11A phosphorylation, reduction in Rab11A activity, and decrease in surface β1 protein. ET-1 inhibited single BK channels and transient BK currents in myocytes and stimulated vasoconstriction via a PKC-dependent mechanism that required Rab11A S177. In contrast, NO-induced Rab11A activation, surface trafficking of β1 subunits, BK channel and transient BK current activation, and vasodilation did not involve Rab11A S177.

Conclusions:

ET-1 stimulates PKC-mediated phosphorylation of Rab11A at serine 177, which inhibits Rab11A and Rab11A-dependent surface trafficking of β1 subunits. The decrease in surface β1 subunits leads to a reduction in BK channel calcium-sensitivity, inhibition of transient BK currents, and vasoconstriction. We describe a unique mechanism by which a vasoconstrictor inhibits BK channels and identify Rab11A serine 177 as a modulator of arterial contractility.
Thermoneutrality but Not UCP1 Deficiency Suppresses Monocyte Mobilization Into Blood
Authors: Williams Jesse W. , Elvington Andrew , Ivanov Stoyan , Kessler Skyler , Luehmann Hannah , Baba Osamu , Saunders Brian T. , Kim Ki-Wook , Johnson Michael W. , Craft Clarissa S. , Choi Jae-Hoon , Sorci-Thomas Mary G. , Zinselmeyer Bernd H. , Brestoff Jonathan R. , Liu Yongjian , Randolph Gwendalyn J.
Published: July 2017

Rationale:

Ambient temperature is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Cold weather increases cardiovascular events, but paradoxically, cold exposure is metabolically protective because of UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1)-dependent thermogenesis.

Objective:

We sought to determine the differential effects of ambient environmental temperature challenge and UCP1 activation in relation to cardiovascular disease progression.

Methods and Results:

Using mouse models of atherosclerosis housed at 3 different ambient temperatures, we observed that cold temperature enhanced, whereas thermoneutral housing temperature inhibited atherosclerotic plaque growth, as did deficiency in UCP1. However, whereas UCP1 deficiency promoted poor glucose tolerance, thermoneutral housing enhanced glucose tolerance, and this effect held even in the context of UCP1 deficiency. In conditions of thermoneutrality, but not UCP1 deficiency, circulating monocyte counts were reduced, likely accounting for fewer monocytes entering plaques. Reductions in circulating blood monocytes were also found in a large human cohort in correlation with environmental temperature. By contrast, reduced plaque growth in mice lacking UCP1 was linked to lower cholesterol. Through application of a positron emission tomographic tracer to track CCR2
+
cell localization and intravital 2-photon imaging of bone marrow, we associated thermoneutrality with an increased monocyte retention in bone marrow. Pharmacological activation of β3-adrenergic receptors applied to mice housed at thermoneutrality induced UCP1 in beige fat pads but failed to promote monocyte egress from the marrow.

Conclusions:

Warm ambient temperature is, like UCP1 deficiency, atheroprotective, but the mechanisms of action differ. Thermoneutrality associates with reduced monocyte egress from the bone marrow in a UCP1-dependent manner in mice and likewise may also suppress blood monocyte counts in man.
First record of two species of hermit crabs (Decapoda, Paguridae) from South Korea, with remarks on the associated hydrozoan, Hydrissa sodalis
Authors: Jung J. , Kim W.
Published: July 2017

Two pagurid species, Pagurus quinquelineatus Komai, 2003 and Pagurus rectidactylus Komai, Saito & Myorin, 2015, are reported from South Korea. Pagurus nigrivittatus is most similar to these two species among the congeneric species known from South Korea. The additional morphological differences between P. quinquelineatus and P. rectidactylus are provided briefly. The most distinct feature of the South Korean P. rectidactylus compared to the original description is that an associated hydrozoan, Hydrissa sodalis (Stimpson, 1858) instead of Bouillonactinia misakiensis (Iwasa, 1934) is responsible for the carcinoecia. The association of H. sodalis with other hermit crabs in South Korea was investigated.
Wood anatomy and conductivity in lianas, shrubs and trees of Bignoniaceae
Authors: Gerolamo Caian Souza , Angyalossy Veronica
Published: July 2017

This work compares potential xylem hydraulic efficiency among Bignoniaceae lianas, shrubs and trees. Five species from each growth habit were analysed to determine variance among habits based on quantitative and qualitative wood anatomical features. Potential hydraulic conductivity was calculated for each species in order to compare efficiency of water transport. Cambial variants are present in the Bignonieae tribe, as phloem wedges in lianas and phloem arcs in shrubs. Lianas present vessel dimorphism, quantitatively evidenced by the ratio of maximum by minimum vessel diameter of about 20, higher percentage of vessel area and lower percentage of fibres compared with the self-supporting species studied here. Potential hydraulic conductivity is higher in lianas due to the presence of wider vessels and it is hypothesised that the narrow vessels can function as back-up for water conduction when wider vessels are cavitated.
An annotated catalogue of the Iranian Microtypinae and Rogadinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: BEYARSLAN AHMET , GADALLAH NEVEEN S. , GHAHARI HASSAN
Published: July 2017

The Iranian species diversity of the braconid subfamilies Microtypinae (four species from one genus, Microtypus Ratzeburg), and Rogadinae (33 species from four genera, Aleiodes Wesmael, Heterogamus Wesmael, Clinocentrus Haliday and Yelicones Cameron) is summarized. A faunistic list is given comprising both local and global distribution of each species as well as host records. In the present study Microtypus trigonus (Nees, 1843) (Microtypinae), Aleiodes albitibia (Herrisch-Schaeffer, 1838) and Aleiodes coxalis (Spinola, 1808) (Rogadinae) are new records for the fauna of Iran.
Reconstruction of Thermodynamic Cycles in a High-Resolution Simulation of a Hurricane
Authors: Pauluis Olivier M. , Zhang Fuqing
Published: July 2017

The relationship between energy transport and kinetic energy generation in a hurricane is analyzed. The hydrological cycle has a negative impact on the generation of kinetic energy. First, in a precipitating atmosphere, mechanical work must also be expended in order to lift water. Second, the injection of water vapor at low relative humidity and its removal through condensation and precipitation reduces the ability of a thermodynamic cycle to generate work. This reduction can be directly quantified in terms of the change in the Gibbs free energy between the water added and removed.

A newly developed approach—namely, the mean airflow as Lagrangian dynamics approximation— is used to extract thermodynamic cycles from the standard output of a numerical simulation of a hurricane. While convection in the outer rainbands is inefficient at producing kinetic energy, the deepest overturning circulation associated with the rising air within the eyewall is an efficient heat engine that produces about 70% as much kinetic energy as a comparable Carnot cycle. This confirms that thermodynamic processes play a central role in hurricane formation and intensification and that the thermodynamic cycles in a hurricane are characterized by high generation of kinetic energy that differ significantly from those found in atmospheric convection.
Modeling Water Vapor and Clouds as Passive Tracers in an Idealized GCM
Authors: Ming Yi , Held Isaac M.
Published: July 2017

This paper introduces an idealized general circulation model (GCM) in which water vapor and clouds are tracked as tracers, but are not allowed to affect circulation through either latent heat release or cloud radiative effects. The cloud scheme includes an explicit treatment of cloud microphysics and diagnoses cloud fraction from a prescribed subgrid distribution of total water. The model is capable of qualitatively capturing many large-scale features of water vapor and cloud distributions outside of the boundary layer and deep tropics. The subtropical dry zones, midlatitude storm tracks, and upper-tropospheric cirrus are simulated reasonably well. The inclusion of cloud microphysics (namely rain re-evaporation) has a modest but significant effect of moistening the lower troposphere in this model. When being subjected to a uniform fractional increase of saturated water vapor pressure, the model produces little change in cloud fraction. A more realistic perturbation, which considers the nonlinearity of the Clausius–Clapeyron relation and spatial structure of CO2-induced warming, results in a substantial reduction in the free-tropospheric cloud fraction. This is reconciled with an increase of relative humidity by analyzing the probability distributions of both quantities, and may help explain partly similar decreases in cloud fraction in full GCMs. The model provides a means to isolate individual processes or model components for studying their influences on cloud simulation in the extratropical free troposphere.
Interannual Variation of the Summer Rainfall Center in the South China Sea
Authors: Chen Tsing-Chang , Tsay Jenq-Dar , Matsumoto Jun
Published: July 2017

A northwest–southeast-oriented summer monsoon trough exists between northern Indochina and northwestern Borneo. Ahead of this the South China Sea (SCS) trough is located at a convergent center west of the Philippines, which provides an environment favorable for rain-producing synoptic systems to produce rainfall over this center and form the SCS summer rainfall center. Revealed from the x–t diagram for rainfall, this rainfall center is developed by multiple-scale processes involved with the SCS trough (TR), tropical depression (TY), interaction of the SCS trough with the easterly wave/tropical depression (EI), and easterly wave (EW). It is found that 56% of this rainfall center is produced by the SCS trough, while 41% is generated by the other three synoptic systems combined. Apparently, the formation of the SCS summer monsoon rainfall center is contributed to by these four rain-producing synoptic systems from the SCS and the Philippines Sea. The Southeast Asian summer monsoon undergoes an interannual variation and exhibits an east–west-oriented cyclonic (anticyclonic) anomalous circulation centered at the western tropical Pacific east of the Luzon Strait. This circulation change is reflected by the deepening (filling) of the SCS summer monsoon trough, when the monsoon westerlies south of 15°N intensify (weaken). This interannual variation of the monsoon westerlies leads to the interannual variation of the SCS summer monsoon rainfall center to follow the Pacific–Japan oscillation of rainfall. The rainfall amount produced over this rainfall center during the weak monsoon season is about two-thirds of that produced during the strong monsoon season. The rain-production ratio between TR and TY + EI + EW is 60:38 during the strong monsoon season and 47:49 during the weak monsoon season.
Application of Surface Spline Interpolation in Inversion of Bottom Friction Coefficients
Authors: Guo Zheng , Pan Haidong , Fan Wei , Lv Xianqing
Published: July 2017

A new method for the inversion of bottom friction coefficients (BFCs) in a two-dimensional tidal model is proposed in this study. In this method, the field of BFCs is constructed by interpolating values at independent points using a surface spline. The surface spline interpolation has an advantage: that the constructed surface is smoother than the surface constructed by the traditionally used linear interpolation, which has unrealistic extrema. The method is validated in twin experiments where the prescribed nonlinear distribution of BFCs are better inverted with the surface spline interpolation. In practical experiments, the BFCs are inverted and the M2 tide in the Bohai Sea is simulated by assimilating the TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) data. The small errors between the simulation results and the observations, as well as the accurate cotidal charts, demonstrate the feasibility of the new method in practical application.
The Effects of Attribution Style and Stakeholder Role on Blame for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Authors: Kessler Stacey R. , Mahoney Kevin T. , Randolph-Seng Brandon , Martinko Mark J. , Spector Paul E.
Published: July 2017

We extend attribution and stakeholder theory in the context of crisis reputation management by examining differences in stakeholder perceptions in the form of organization-related blame. We presented eight stakeholder groups with factual information surrounding the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and asked them to indicate the extent to which they blamed the leaders and organizations associated with the event. Stakeholders also completed a survey assessing their attribution styles. Results indicated that perceptions of blame were affected by the interaction of stakeholder role (i.e., active vs. passive) with attribution style (i.e., optimistic vs. pessimistic). Our results suggest that organizational leaders’ understanding of their stakeholders may be an important aspect in managing stakeholders’ sensemaking during crises.
Data Capitalism: Redefining the Logics of Surveillance and Privacy
Authors: West Sarah Myers
Published: July 2017

This article provides a history of private sector tracking technologies, examining how the advent of commercial surveillance centered around a logic of data capitalism. Data capitalism is a system in which the commoditization of our data enables an asymmetric redistribution of power that is weighted toward the actors who have access and the capability to make sense of information. It is enacted through capitalism and justified by the association of networked technologies with the political and social benefits of online community, drawing upon narratives that foreground the social and political benefits of networked technologies. I examine its origins in the wake of the dotcom bubble, when technology makers sought to develop a new business model to support online commerce. By leveraging user data for advertising purposes, they contributed to an information environment in which every action leaves behind traces collected by companies for commercial purposes. Through analysis of primary source materials produced by technology makers, journalists, and business analysts, I examine the emergence of data capitalism between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s and its central role in the contemporary information economy.
Diverse interests facilitate conflict mediation in international crises
Authors: De Maio Jennifer , Favretto Katja
Published: July 2017

We investigate the effect of ethnic pluralism on mediation in interstate and internationalized civil crises from 1945 to 2010. We find that mediation succeeds when two conditions are met. First, success is more likely when there are fewer disenfranchised ethnic groups in the disputant population, because these groups are usually excluded from peace talks and often use violence to challenge peace. Second, mediators are more likely to succeed when politically included disputants, usually present at peace talks, comprise various different ethnic groups. Because such groups, numerous as they are, pull and tug for dominance at peace negotiations, they are unable to form decisive coalitions. As a result, third parties have a chance to serve in a more authoritative role and influence a settlement.