bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coexistence of Cognitive Small Cell and WiFi System: A Traffic Balancing Dual‐Access Resource Allocation Scheme
Authors: Huang Xiaoge , Li Yangyang , Tang She , Chen Qianbin
Published: January 2018

We consider a holistic approach for dual‐access cognitive small cell (DACS) networks, which uses the LTE air interface in both licensed and unlicensed bands. In the licensed band, we consider a sensing‐based power allocation scheme to maximize the sum data rate of DACSs by jointly optimizing the cell selection, the sensing operation, and the power allocation under the interference constraint to macrocell users. Due to intercell interference and the integer nature of the cell selection, the resulting optimization problems lead to a nonconvex integer programming. We reformulate the problem to a nonconvex power allocation game and find the relaxed equilibria, quasi‐Nash equilibrium. Furthermore, in order to guarantee the fairness of the whole system, we propose a dynamic satisfaction‐based dual‐band traffic balancing (SDTB) algorithm over licensed and unlicensed bands for DACSs which aims at maximizing the overall satisfaction of the system. We obtain the optimal transmission time in the unlicensed band to ensure the proportional fair coexistence with WiFi while guaranteeing the traffic balancing of DACSs. Simulation results demonstrate that the SDTB algorithm could achieve a considerable performance improvement relative to the schemes in literature, while providing a tradeoff between maximizing the total data rate and achieving better fairness among networks.
The Split Feasibility Problem and Its Solution Algorithm
Authors: Qu Biao , Liu Binghua
Published: January 2018

The split feasibility problem arises in many fields in the real world, such as signal processing, image reconstruction, and medical care. In this paper, we present a solution algorithm called memory gradient projection method for solving the split feasibility problem, which employs a parameter and two previous iterations to get the next iteration, and its step size can be calculated directly. It not only improves the flexibility of the algorithm, but also avoids computing the largest eigenvalue of the related matrix or estimating the Lipschitz constant in each iteration. Theoretical convergence results are established under some suitable conditions.
Pre- and Postoperative Body Composition and Metabolic Characteristics in Patients with Acromegaly: A Prospective Study
Authors: Guo Xiaopeng , Gao Lu , Shi Xiaodong , Li Hailong , Wang Qiang , Wang Zihao , Chen Wei , Xing Bing
Published: January 2018

Objective. To investigate the preoperative body composition, metabolic characteristics, and postoperative changes in patients with active acromegaly and analyze the effects of gender and age. Methods. We included 36 patients with untreated acromegaly and 37 patients with nonfunctional pituitary adenomas. Adipose tissue (AT), the visceral fat index (VFI), sclerotin, protein, skeletal muscle, total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), and extracellular water (ECW) were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Total energy expenditure (TEE) and basal metabolism (BM) were measured with a cardiopulmonary and metabolic analyzer (CMA). Tricep skinfold thickness (TST), bicep circumference, waistline, hipline, and calf circumference were measured with a skinfold caliper and tape. These indices were measured before surgery and 3 months and 1 year after surgery. Results. Overall, AT, VFI, and TST were lower, whereas sclerotin, protein, skeletal muscle, TBW, ICW, ECW, TEE, and BM were higher in acromegaly patients. Postoperatively, TST rose initially and then decreased, the waistline increased, and sclerotin, skeletal muscle, TEE, and BM decreased. Changes in these indices differed with gender and age in unique patterns. Conclusions. Body composition and metabolism in acromegaly patients changed after surgery, and gender and age influenced these changes.
Noncaloric Sweeteners in Children: A Controversial Theme
Authors: Durán Agüero Samuel , Angarita Dávila Lissé , Escobar Contreras Ma. Cristina , Rojas Gómez Diana , de Assis Costa Jorge
Published: January 2018

Noncaloric sweeteners (NCS) are food additives used to provide sweetness without adding calories. Their consumption has become more widespread around the world in all age groups, including children. The aim of this study is to show the state of the art about the intake of noncaloric sweeteners in children, as well as their benefits and consumption risk. Scientific searchers were used (PUBMED, Scopus, and Scielo) to analyze articles that included keywords (noncaloric sweeteners/saccharin/cyclamate/acesulfame potassium/aspartame/sucralose/stevia/children) in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Authors conclude that it is imperative that health professionals judiciously and individually evaluate the overall benefits and risks of NCS use in consumers before recommending their use. Different subgroups of the population incorporate products containing NCS in their diet with different objectives, which should be considered when recommending a diet plan for the consumer. In childhood, in earlier age groups, this type of additives should be used as a dietary alternative when other forms of prevention in obesity are not sufficient.
Finite Element Analysis and Lightweight Optimization Design on Main Frame Structure of Large Electrostatic Precipitator
Authors: Wang Xuewen , Li Bo , Yang Zhaojian
Published: January 2018

The geometric modeling and finite element modeling of the whole structure of an electrostatic precipitator and its main components consisting of top beam, column, bottom beam, and bracket were finished. The strength calculation was completed. As a result, the design of the whole structure of the electrostatic precipitator and the main components were reasonable, the structure was in a balance state, its working condition was safe and reliable, its stress variation was even, and the stress distribution was regular. The maximum von Mises stress of the whole structure is 20.14 MPa. The safety factor was large, resulting in a waste of material. An optimization mathematical model is established. Using the ANSYS first‐order method, the dimension parameters of the main frame structure of the electrostatic precipitator were optimized. After optimization, more reasonable structural design parameters were obtained. The model weight is 72,344.11 kg, the optimal weight is 49,239.35 kg, and the revised weight is 53,645.68 kg. Compared with the model weight, the optimal weight decreased by 23,104.76 kg and the objective function decreased by 31.94%, while the revised weight decreased by 18,698.43 kg and the objective function decreased by 25.84%.
Dynamics and Patterns of a Diffusive Prey-Predator System with a Group Defense for Prey
Authors: Zhu Honglan , Zhang Xuebing
Published: January 2018

We study a diffusive prey-predator system with a group defense for prey. Under Neumann boundary condition, we analyze local and stability of nonnegative constant steady states and the existence and nonexistence of nonconstant steady states. These results also exhibit the critical role of the system parameters leading to the formation of spatiotemporal patterns.
Partial Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training in Spinocerebellar Ataxia
Authors: Oliveira Laura Alice Santos de , Martins Camilla Polonini , Horsczaruk Carlos Henrique Ramos , Silva Débora Cristina Lima da , Vasconcellos Luiz Felipe , Lopes Agnaldo José , Meira Mainenti Míriam Raquel , Rodrigues Erika de Carvalho
Published: January 2018

Background and Purpose. The motor impairments related to gait and balance have a huge impact on the life of individuals with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). Here, the aim was to assess the possibility of retraining gait, improving cardiopulmonary capacity, and challenging balance during gait in SCA using a partial body weight support (BWS) and a treadmill. Also, the effects of this training over functionality and quality of life were investigated. Methods. Eight SCA patients were engaged in the first stage of the study that focused on gait training and cardiovascular conditioning. From those, five took part in a second stage of the study centered on dynamic balance training during gait. The first and second stages lasted 8 and 10 weeks, respectively, both comprising sessions of 50 min (2 times per week). Results. The results showed that gait training using partial BWS significantly increased gait performance, treadmill inclination, duration of exercise, and cardiopulmonary capacity in individuals with SCA. After the second stage, balance improvements were also found. Conclusion. Combining gait training and challenging tasks to the postural control system in SCA individuals is viable, well tolerated by patients with SCA, and resulted in changes in capacity for walking and balance.
Condition Monitoring of Sensors in a NPP Using Optimized PCA
Authors: Li Wei , Peng Minjun , Liu Yongkuo , Cheng Shouyu , Jiang Nan , Wang Hang
Published: January 2018

An optimized principal component analysis (PCA) framework is proposed to implement condition monitoring for sensors in a nuclear power plant (NPP) in this paper. Compared with the common PCA method in previous research, the PCA method in this paper is optimized at different modeling procedures, including data preprocessing stage, modeling parameter selection stage, and fault detection and isolation stage. Then, the model’s performance is greatly improved through these optimizations. Finally, sensor measurements from a real NPP are used to train the optimized PCA model in order to guarantee the credibility and reliability of the simulation results. Meanwhile, artificial faults are sequentially imposed to sensor measurements to estimate the fault detection and isolation ability of the proposed PCA model. Simulation results show that the optimized PCA model is capable of detecting and isolating the sensors regardless of whether they exhibit major or small failures. Meanwhile, the quantitative evaluation results also indicate that better performance can be obtained in the optimized PCA method compared with the common PCA method.
The Development of a Dual-Radar System with Automatic Hypopnea Threshold Optimization for Contact-Free Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome Screening
Authors: Gotoh Shinji , Matsui Takemi , Naka Yoshikazu , Kurita Osamu
Published: January 2018

Full-night polysomnography (PSG) examination is regarded as the gold standard for the diagnosis of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). However, PSG requires the placement of multiple sensors on the head, face, and chest, which can impose a heavy strain on patients. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to develop a contact-free, stand-alone SAHS screening system that eliminates body movement artifacts based on automatic optimization of the hypopnea threshold. Doppler radar sensors were placed beneath a mattress. In order to achieve high sensitivity and specificity, the hypopnea was based on the average amplitude of respiration during the full sleep period. The threshold was determined via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis using PSG as a reference. We conducted full-night clinical tests of the proposed system in 27 patients with suspected SAHS (49 ± 12 years) at Tomei Atsugi Hospital. When predicting the severity of SAHS with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of >30/h using PSG as a reference, the proposed system achieved a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%. These results represent a drastic improvement over those of our previous study (sensitivity: 90%; specificity: 79%).
Systematic Analysis of RNA Regulatory Network in Rat Brain after Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Liu Juan , Zhang Kun-shan , Hu Bin , Li Si-guang , Li Qing , Luo Yu-ping , Wang Yang , Deng Zhi-Feng
Published: January 2018

Although extensive studies have identified large number of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in ischemic stroke, the RNA regulation network response to focal ischemia remains poorly understood. In this study, we simultaneously interrogate the expression profiles of lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs changes during focal ischemia induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. A set of 1924 novel lncRNAs were identified and may involve brain injury and DNA repair as revealed by coexpression network analysis. Furthermore, many short interspersed elements (SINE) mediated lncRNA:mRNA duplexes were identified, implying that lncRNAs mediate Staufen1-mediated mRNA decay (SMD) which may play a role during focal ischemia. Moreover, based on the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis, a stroke regulatory ceRNA network which reveals functional lncRNA:miRNA:mRNA interactions was revealed in ischemic stroke. In brief, this work reports a large number of novel lncRNAs responding to focal ischemia and constructs a systematic RNA regulation network which highlighted the role of ncRNAs in ischemic stroke.
Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Baicalin from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi
Authors: Wang Hui , Ma Xiaodi , Cheng Qibin , Xi Xiaoli , Zhang Liwei
Published: January 2018

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have attracted significant attention as green media for the extraction and separation of natural compounds from Chinese medicine. In this study, a hydrophobic DESs-based microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was successfully used to efficiently extract baicalin from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Firstly, DecA: N4444-Cl (DES-1 , molar ratio 1 : 2) was screened and selected as the most appropriate DES by comparing the extraction yield in different hydrophobic DESs. Based on the extraction yield of baicalin, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to model and optimize the parameters (extraction temperature, liquid-solid ratio, and extraction time). Furthermore, the maximum yield of 106.96 mg·g−1 was achieved under optimum conditions in DES-containing aqueous solutions (33 vol% water content), which reached a similar level that was conducted using the pharmacopoeia procedure (104.94 mg·g−1). These results indicated that the proposed method is an excellent alternative for the extraction of baicalin.
Prevalence and Related Factors for Myopia in School-Aged Children in Qingdao
Authors: Sun Jin Tao , An Meng , Yan Xiao Bo , Li Guo Hua , Wang Da Bo
Published: January 2018

Purpose. To investigate the prevalence and related factors for myopia in school-aged children in the Economic and Technological Development Zone of Qingdao, Eastern China. Methods. A total of 4890 (aged 10 to 15 years) students were initially enrolled in this study. 3753 (76.75%) students with completed refractive error and questionnaire data were analyzed. The children underwent a comprehensive eye examination. Multiple logistic regression models were applied to assess possible factors associated with myopia. Results. The prevalence of myopia increased as the children’s grade increased (χ2=560.584, P<0.001). Low myopia was the main form of myopia in adolescent students (30.22%). With the growth of age, students spent significantly more time on near work (P=0.03) and less time on outdoor activity (P<0.001). In multivariate models, only the following variables were significantly associated with myopia: age, two myopic parents, outdoor activity time, and continuous near work without 5 min rest. Conclusions. The prevalence of myopia increased as the grade increased. Age, two myopic parents, and continuous near work time without 5 min rest were risk factors for myopia. Outdoor activities had protective effect for myopia.
Innovative Design and Performance Evaluation of Bionic Imprinting Toothed Wheel
Authors: Zhang Zhihong , Wang Xiaoyang , Tong Jin , Stephen Carr
Published: January 2018

A highly efficient soil-burrowing dung beetle possesses an intricate outer contour curve on its foreleg end-tooth. This study was carried out based on evidence that this special outer contour curve has the potential of reducing soil penetration resistance and could enhance soil-burrowing efficiency. A toothed wheel is a typical agricultural implement for soil imprinting, to increase its working efficiency; the approach of the bionic geometrical structure was utilized to optimize the innovative shape of imprinting toothed wheel. Characteristics in the dung beetle’s foreleg end-tooth were extracted and studied by the edge detection technique. Then, this special outer contour curve was modeled by a nine-order polynomial function and used for the innovative design of imprinting the tooth’s cutting edge. Both the conventional and bionic teeth were manufactured, and traction tests in a soil bin were conducted. Taking required draft force and volume of imprinted microbasin as the evaluating indexes, operating efficiency and quality of different toothed wheels were compared and investigated. Results indicate that compared with the conventional toothed wheel, a bionic toothed wheel possesses a better forward resistance reduction property against soil and, meanwhile, can enhance the quality of soil imprinting by increasing the volume of the created micro-basin.
Magnitude of Anemia in Geriatric Population Visiting Outpatient Department at the University of Gondar Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: Implication for Community-Based Screening
Authors: Melku Mulugeta , Asefa Wondimu , Mohamednur Ahmed , Getachew Tesfahun , Bazezew Bayechish , Workineh Meseret , Enawgaw Bamlaku , Biadgo Belete , Getaneh Zegeye , Damtie Debasu , Terefe Betelihem
Published: January 2018

Objective. This study is aimed at assessing the magnitude and its associated factors of anemia in geriatric population visiting outpatient department at the University of Gondar referral hospital, northwest Ethiopia.Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted among elder patients in Gondar town, North Gondar District, in May 2013. A total of 200 randomly selected geriatric population participated in the study. Summary statistics were computed and presented in tables and figure. Both bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression were fitted to identify associated factors. APvalue < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Result. The median age of the study participants was 65 years (Interquartile range (IQR): 8 years). The prevalence of anemia in the geriatric patients was 54.5% (n=109), of which 61.5% (n=67) were males. Mild type anemia was predominant, 55.96% (n=61). Geriatric patients with an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (AOR = 9.04, 95% CI: 4.2–19.7) and who are vegetarians (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.03–4.71) were at high risk of developing anemia.Conclusion. The magnitude of anemia was high in geriatrics. Mild anemia was the predominant type. Vegetarians and geriatrics with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate were more likely to develop anemia. Hence, early diagnosis and management of anemia have paramount importance to prevent adverse outcomes in geriatrics.
Nkx2.8 Inhibits Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma via Transcriptional Repression of Twist1
Authors: Yu Chunping , Liu Zhuowei , Chen Qiuhong , Li Yonghong , Jiang Lijuan , Zhang Zhiling , Zhou Fangjian
Published: January 2018

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes metastasis, which is the main cause of bladder urothelial carcinoma–related death. Loss of the candidate tumor-suppressor gene Nkx2.8 has been associated with urothelial carcinoma lymph node metastasis. Here, we show that enforced expression of Nkx2.8 is sufficient to inhibit EMT, reduce motility, and blunt invasiveness of urothelial carcinoma cells. Mechanistic investigations showed that Nkx2.8 negatively regulated expression of the EMT inducer Twist1 in urothelial carcinoma cells, at both the level of mRNA and protein accumulation. Nkx2.8 bound directly to the promoter region of this gene and transcriptionally repressed its expression. Twist1 upregulation reversed EMT inhibition by Nkx2.8, restoring the invasive phenotype of urothelial carcinoma cells. In clinical urothelial carcinoma specimens, expression of Nkx2.8 inversely correlated with Twist1 expression, and urothelial carcinoma patients with Nkx2.8 positivity and low Twist1 expression displayed the best prognosis. Our findings highlight the Nkx2.8–Twist1 axis as candidate target for therapeutic intervention in advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Significance: These findings highlight a novel EMT signaling axis as a candidate target for therapeutic intervention in advanced urothelial carcinomas. Cancer Res; 78(5); 1241–52. ©2018 AACR.
Development of Chemotherapy with Cell-Cycle Inhibitors for Adult and Pediatric Cancer Therapy
Authors: Mills Christopher C. , Kolb EA. , Sampson Valerie B.
Published: January 2018

Preclinical and clinical development of agents that inhibit cell-cycle progression have brought an understanding of the feasibility of targeting various cell-cycle regulators in patients with cancer. Small molecule inhibitors targeting key proteins that participate in cell-cycle progression including the cyclin-dependent kinases and checkpoint kinases induce cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in neoplastic cells. Early phase I studies demonstrate targeted inhibitors can be administered safely in adult and pediatric cancer patients, but these agents generally show limited clinical benefits as single agents. In this review, we discuss biological mechanisms that support dual combination strategies of cell-cycle inhibition with chemotherapeutic agents that are anticipated to achieve rationally targeted therapies for cancer patients. The rationale for evaluating these combination strategies is that DNA damage renders tumors highly responsive to irreversible cell-cycle arrest therapy. This approach is predicted to generate less intensive therapies and to maximize the efficacy of individual agents against solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Cancer Res; 78(2); 320–5. ©2018 AACR.
Pioglitazone Alleviates Cardiac Fibrosis and Inhibits Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition Induced by Pressure Overload
Authors: Wei Wen-Ying , Zhang Ning , Li Ling-Li , Ma Zhen-Guo , Xu Man , Yuan Yu-Pei , Deng Wei , Tang Qi-Zhu
Published: January 2018

Background/Aims: Cardiac fibrosis, characterized by an unbalanced production and degradation of extracellular matrix components, is a common pathophysiology of multiple cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies suggested that endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) could be a source of activated fibroblasts and contribute to cardiac fibrosis. Here, the role of pioglitazone (PIO) in cardiac fibrosis and EndMT was elaborated. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to aortic banding (AB), which was used to construct a model of pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. PIO and GW9662 was given for 4 weeks to detect the effects of PIO on EndMT. Results: Our results showed PIO treatment attenuated cardiac hypertrophy, dysfunction and fibrosis response to pressure overload. Mechanistically, PIO suppressed the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway activated by 4-week AB surgery. Moreover, PIO dramatically inhibited EndMT in vivo and in vitro stimulated by pressure overload or TGF-β. A selective antagonist of PPAR-γ, GW9662, neutralized the anti-fibrotic effect and abolished the inhibitory effect of EndMT during the treatment of PIO. Conclusion: Our data implied that PIO exerts an alleviative effect on cardiac fibrosis via inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and EndMT by activating PPAR-γ.
A Promising Therapeutic Target for Metabolic Diseases: Neuropeptide Y Receptors in Humans
Authors: Yi Min , Li Hekai , Wu Zhiye , Yan Jianyun , Liu Qicai , Ou Caiwen , Chen Minsheng
Published: January 2018

Human neuropeptide Y (hNPY) is one of the most widely expressed neurotransmitters in the human central and peripheral nervous systems. It consists of 36 highly conserved amino acid residues, and was first isolated from the porcine hypothalamus in 1982. While it is the most recently discovered member of the pancreatic polypeptide family (which includes neuropeptide Y, gut-derived hormone peptide YY, and pancreatic polypeptide), NPY is the most abundant peptide found in the mammalian brain. In order to exert particular functions, NPY needs to bind to the NPY receptor to activate specific signaling pathways. NPY receptors belong to the class A or rhodopsin-like G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family and signal via cell-surface receptors. By binding to GPCRs, NPY plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including cortical excitability, stress response, food intake, circadian rhythms, and cardiovascular function. Abnormal regulation of NPY is involved in the development of a wide range of diseases, including obesity, hypertension, atherosclerosis, epilepsy, metabolic disorders, and many cancers. Thus far, five receptors have been cloned from mammals (Y1, Y2, Y4, Y5, and y6), but only four of these (hY1, hY2, hY4, and hY5) are functional in humans. In this review, we summarize the structural characteristics of human NPY receptors and their role in metabolic diseases.
Reversing the Cardiac Effects of Sedentary Aging in Middle Age—A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Howden Erin J. , Sarma Satyam , Lawley Justin S. , Opondo Mildred , Cornwell William , Stoller Douglas , Urey Marcus A. , Adams-Huet Beverley , Levine Benjamin D.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Poor fitness in middle age is a risk factor for heart failure, particularly heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction. The development of heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction is likely mediated through increased left ventricular (LV) stiffness, a consequence of sedentary aging. In a prospective, parallel group, randomized controlled trial, we examined the effect of 2 years of supervised high-intensity exercise training on LV stiffness.

Methods:

Sixty-one (48% male) healthy, sedentary, middle-aged participants (53±5 years) were randomly assigned to either 2 years of exercise training (n=34) or attention control (control; n=27). Right heart catheterization and 3-dimensional echocardiography were performed with preload manipulations to define LV end-diastolic pressure-volume relationships and Frank-Starling curves. LV stiffness was calculated by curve fit of the diastolic pressure-volume curve. Maximal oxygen uptake (Vo
2
max) was measured to quantify changes in fitness.

Results:

Fifty-three participants completed the study. Adherence to prescribed exercise sessions was 88±11%. Vo
2
max increased by 18% (exercise training: pre 29.0±4.8 to post 34.4±6.4; control: pre 29.5±5.3 to post 28.7±5.4, group×time
P
<0.001) and LV stiffness was reduced (right/downward shift in the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationships; preexercise training stiffness constant 0.072±0.037 to postexercise training 0.051±0.0268,
P
=0.0018), whereas there was no change in controls (group×time
P
<0.001; pre stiffness constant 0.0635±0.026 to post 0.062±0.031,
P
=0.83). Exercise increased LV end-diastolic volume (group×time
P
<0.001), whereas pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was unchanged, providing greater stroke volume for any given filling pressure (loading×group×time
P
=0.007).

Conclusions:

In previously sedentary healthy middle-aged adults, 2 years of exercise training improved maximal oxygen uptake and decreased cardiac stiffness. Regular exercise training may provide protection against the future risk of heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction by preventing the increase in cardiac stiffness attributable to sedentary aging.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02039154.
Pazopanib-Induced Hypertension in Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma Is Associated With Low Urine Excretion of NO Metabolites
Authors: Tinning Anne Robdrup , Bengtsen Camilla , Jensen Niels Viggo , Bastholt Lars , Jensen Boye Lagerbon , Madsen Kirsten
Published: January 2018

Drugs targeting VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) are often associated with rapid development of hypertension by a yet not fully understood mechanism. VEGF is expressed in renal epithelial cells and stimulates NO production. In the renal medulla, inhibition of NO formation by local L-NAME or by impaired endothelin-1 leads to hypertension. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that VEGF receptor inhibitor treatment leads to hypertension through decreased renal medullary formation of NO and endothelin-1. With a single-center prospective observational design, patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (n=27) treated with the receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor pazopanib were included in the study. Home blood pressure was measured, and plasma and urine samples were collected at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. After 4 weeks, systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased, whereas heart rate decreased significantly; urine protein/creatinine ratio increased significantly, whereas estimated glomerular filtration rate was unchanged. Urine nitrite/nitrate (NOx) and cGMP/creatinine ratios decreased significantly, whereas urine endothelin-1/creatinine ratio and FE
Na+
were unchanged. In plasma, NOx, cGMP, and brain natriuretic peptide decreased significantly, whereas endothelin-1 was significantly elevated. Blood leukocyte count decreased significantly with unchanged CRP (C-reactive protein). In summary, pazopanib treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma is associated with hypertension, proteinuria, myelosuppression, and decreased urine and plasma NO metabolites. Results are compatible with a significant role of reduced renal medullary NO bioavailability in VEGF inhibitor–induced hypertension.
Real‐Time Analysis of the Heart Rate Variability During Incremental Exercise for the Detection of the Ventilatory Threshold
Authors: Shiraishi Yasuyuki , Katsumata Yoshinori , Sadahiro Taketaro , Azuma Koichiro , Akita Keitaro , Isobe Sarasa , Yashima Fumiaki , Miyamoto Kazutaka , Nishiyama Takahiko , Tamura Yuichi , Kimura Takehiro , Nishiyama Nobuhiro , Aizawa Yoshiyasu , Fukuda Keiichi , Takatsuki Seiji
Published: January 2018

Background

It has never been possible to immediately evaluate heart rate variability (
HRV
) during exercise. We aimed to visualize the real‐time changes in the power spectrum of
HRV
during exercise and to investigate its relationship to the ventilatory threshold (
VT
).

Methods and Results

Thirty healthy subjects (29.1±5.7 years of age) and 35 consecutive patients (59.0±13.2 years of age) with myocardial infarctions underwent cardiopulmonary exercise tests with an
RAMP
protocol ergometer. The
HRV
was continuously assessed with power spectral analyses using the maximum entropy method and projected on a screen without delay. During exercise, a significant decrease in the high frequency (
HF
) was followed by a drastic shift in the power spectrum of the
HRV
with a periodic augmentation in the low frequency/
HF
(L/H) and steady low
HF
. When the
HRV
threshold (
HRVT
) was defined as conversion from a predominant high frequency (
HF
) to a predominant low frequency/
HF
(L/H), the
VO
2
at the
HRVT
(
HRVT
‐
VO
2
) was substantially correlated with the
VO
2
at the lactate threshold and
VT
) in the healthy subjects (
r
=0.853 and 0.921, respectively). The mean difference between each threshold (0.65 mL/kg per minute for lactate threshold and
HRVT
, 0.53 mL/kg per minute for
VT
and
HRVT
) was nonsignificant (
P
>0.05). Furthermore, the
HRVT
‐
VO
2
was also correlated with the
VT
‐
VO
2
in these myocardial infarction patients (
r
=0.867), and the mean difference was −0.72 mL/kg per minute and was nonsignificant (
P
>0.05).

Conclusions

A
HRV
analysis with our method enabled real‐time visualization of the changes in the power spectrum during exercise. This can provide additional information for detecting the
VT
.
Burden of Dilated Perivascular Spaces, an Emerging Marker of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease, Is Highly Heritable
Authors: Duperron Marie-Gabrielle , Tzourio Christophe , Sargurupremraj Muralidharan , Mazoyer Bernard , Soumaré Aïcha , Schilling Sabrina , Amouyel Philippe , Chauhan Ganesh , Zhu Yi-Cheng , Debette Stéphanie
Published: January 2018

Background and Purpose—

The genetic contribution to dilated perivascular space (dPVS) burden—an emerging MRI marker of cerebral small vessel disease—is unknown. We measured the heritability of dPVS burden and its shared heritability with other MRI markers of cerebral small vessel disease.

Methods—

The study sample comprised 1597 participants from the population-based Three City (3C) Dijon Study, with brain MRI and genome-wide genotyping (mean age, 72.8±4.1 years; 61% women). dPVS burden and lacunar brain infarcts were rated on a semiquantitative scale, whereas an automated algorithm generated white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV). We estimated dPVS burden heritability and shared heritability with WMHV and lacunar brain infarcts using the genome-wide complex trait analysis tool, on unrelated participants, adjusting for age, sex, intracranial volume, and principal components of population stratification.

Results—

dPVS burden was significantly correlated with WMHV and lacunar brain infarcts, the strongest correlation being found between WMHV and dPVS in basal ganglia. Heritability estimates were h
2
=0.59±0.24 (
P
=0.007) for dPVS burden, h
2
=0.54±0.24 (
P
=0.010) for WMHV, and h
2
=0.48±0.81 (
P
=0.278) for lacunar brain infarcts. We found a nonsignificant trend toward shared heritability between dPVS and WMHV (r
g
=0.41±0.28;
P
=0.096), which seemed driven by dPVS in basal ganglia (r
g
=0.72±0.61;
P
=0.126) and not dPVS in white matter (r
g
=−0.10±0.36;
P
=0.393). A genetic risk score for WMHV based on published loci was associated with increased dPVS burden in basal ganglia (
P
=0.031).

Conclusions—

We provide evidence for important genetic contribution to dPVS burden in older community-dwelling people, some of which may be shared with WMHV. Differential heritability patterns for dPVS in white matter and basal ganglia suggest at least partly distinct underlying biological processes.
The Comparative Politics of Climate Change Mitigation Measures: Who Promotes Carbon Sinks and Why?
Authors: Røttereng Jo-Kristian S.
Published: January 2018

This article presents an analysis of twenty-six industrialized countries’ support for the carbon-sequestration-based mitigation measures carbon capture and storage (CCS) and reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) during the 2007–2014 period. The article explores whether these proposed solutions to climate change share characteristics that make them feasible for reasons that can be observed in cross-national patterns. Insights from political economy, public policy, and international relations form a “triply engaged” theoretical framework. Relationships are tested using bivariate statistics and multivariate regressions. The analysis reveals that the same states show stronger support for both CCS and REDD+, and mostly for the same reasons. Proponents of such measures are generally petroleum-producing, large, and affluent, and they do not take on more ambitious mitigation targets. This article is the first to suggest that the widely different carbon-sink-based mitigation measures CCS and REDD+ may share similar political functions in similar political contexts.
Norms, Incentives, or Deadlines? Explaining Norway’s Noncompliance with the Gothenburg Protocol
Authors: Tveit Andreas Kokkvoll
Published: January 2018

Norway, previously an international frontrunner concerning reductions of transboundary air pollution, fell far short of its 2010 target for nitrogen oxides (NO x) under the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol. In this article I show that leading international compliance theories cannot explain much of this noncompliance. While little evidence supports the management school’s explanations, Norwegian policies are also inconsistent with the enforcement school. Albeit too late to meet the deadline, Norway imposed a NO x tax in 2007. Moreover, the resulting emissions reductions were deeper than in a business-as-usual scenario, despite no international enforcement. That the NO x tax was imposed only after an environmentalist party gained considerable influence over NO x policies in 2005 supports an office-incumbent hypothesis. However, as emissions also declined significantly in many other European countries after 2005, the explanation is likely structural. One possibility is the deadline-pressure hypothesis: As the deadline approached, decision-makers across Northern and Western Europe considered emissions reductions to be more urgent than before.
The Necessity of the Hippocampus for Statistical Learning
Authors: Covington Natalie V. , Brown-Schmidt Sarah , Duff Melissa C.
Published: January 2018

Converging evidence points to a role for the hippocampus in statistical learning, but open questions about its necessity remain. Evidence for necessity comes from Schapiro and colleagues who report that a single patient with damage to hippocampus and broader medial temporal lobe cortex was unable to discriminate new from old sequences in several statistical learning tasks. The aim of the current study was to replicate these methods in a larger group of patients who have either damage localized to hippocampus or broader medial temporal lobe damage, to ascertain the necessity of the hippocampus in statistical learning. Patients with hippocampal damage consistently showed less learning overall compared with healthy comparison participants, consistent with an emerging consensus for hippocampal contributions to statistical learning. Interestingly, lesion size did not reliably predict performance. However, patients with hippocampal damage were not uniformly at chance and demonstrated above-chance performance in some task variants. These results suggest that hippocampus is necessary for statistical learning levels achieved by most healthy comparison participants but significant hippocampal pathology alone does not abolish such learning.
Evidence for a Functional Hierarchy of Association Networks
Authors: Choi Eun Young , Drayna Garrett K. , Badre David
Published: January 2018

Patient lesion and neuroimaging studies have identified a rostral-to-caudal functional gradient in the lateral frontal cortex (LFC) corresponding to higher-order (complex or abstract) to lower-order (simple or concrete) cognitive control. At the same time, monkey anatomical and human functional connectivity studies show that frontal regions are reciprocally connected with parietal and temporal regions, forming parallel and distributed association networks. Here, we investigated the link between the functional gradient of LFC regions observed during control tasks and the parallel, distributed organization of association networks. Whole-brain fMRI task activity corresponding to four orders of hierarchical control [Badre, D., & D'Esposito, M. Functional magnetic resonance imaging evidence for a hierarchical organization of the prefrontal cortex. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 19, 2082–2099, 2007] was compared with a resting-state functional connectivity MRI estimate of cortical networks [Yeo, B. T., Krienen, F. M., Sepulcre, J., Sabuncu, M. R., Lashkari, D., Hollinshead, M., et al. The organization of the human cerebral cortex estimated by intrinsic functional connectivity. Journal of Neurophysiology, 106, 1125–1165, 2011]. Critically, at each order of control, activity in the LFC and parietal cortex overlapped onto a common association network that differed between orders. These results are consistent with a functional organization based on separable association networks that are recruited during hierarchical control. Furthermore, corticostriatal functional connectivity MRI showed that, consistent with their participation in functional networks, rostral-to-caudal LFC and caudal-to-rostral parietal regions had similar, order-specific corticostriatal connectivity that agreed with a striatal gating model of hierarchical rule use. Our results indicate that hierarchical cognitive control is subserved by parallel and distributed association networks, together forming multiple localized functional gradients in different parts of association cortex. As such, association networks, while connectionally organized in parallel, may be functionally organized in a hierarchy via dynamic interaction with the striatum.
Neural Correlates of Enhanced Visual Attentional Control in Action Video Game Players: An Event-Related Potential Study
Authors: Föcker Julia , Mortazavi Matin , Khoe Wayne , Hillyard Steven A. , Bavelier Daphne
Published: January 2018

Action video game players (AVGPs) outperform non–action video game players (NAVGPs) on a range of perceptual and attentional tasks. Although several studies have reported neuroplastic changes within the frontoparietal networks of attention in AVGPs, little is known about possible changes in attentional modulation in low-level visual areas. To assess the contribution of these different levels of neural processing to the perceptual and attentional enhancements noted in AVGPs, visual event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 14 AVGPs and 14 NAVGPs during a target discrimination task that required participants to attend to rapid sequences of Gabor patches under either focused or divided attention conditions. AVGPs responded faster to target Gabors in the focused attention condition compared with the NAVGPs. Correspondingly, ERPs to standard Gabors revealed a more pronounced negativity in the time range of the parietally generated anterior N1 component in AVGPs compared with NAVGPs during focused attention. In addition, the P2 component of the visual ERP was more pronounced in AVGPs than in NAVGPs over the hemisphere contralateral to the stimulus position in response to standard Gabors. Contrary to predictions, however, attention-modulated occipital components generated in the low-level extrastriate visual pathways, including the P1 and posterior N1, showed no significant group differences. Thus, the main neural signature of enhanced perceptual and attentional control functions in AVGPs appears linked to an attention-dependent parietal process, indexed by the anterior N1 component, and possibly to more efficient higher-order perceptual processing, indexed by the P2 component.
Dissociating Landmark Stability from Orienting Value Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Auger Stephen D. , Maguire Eleanor A.
Published: January 2018

Retrosplenial cortex (RSC) plays a role in using environmental landmarks to help orientate oneself in space. It has also been consistently implicated in processing landmarks that remain fixed in a permanent location. However, it is not clear whether the RSC represents the permanent landmarks themselves or instead the orienting relevance of these landmarks. In previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, these features have been conflated—stable landmarks were always useful for orienting. Here, we dissociated these two key landmark attributes to investigate which one best reflects the function of the RSC. Before scanning, participants learned the features of novel landmarks about which they had no prior knowledge. During fMRI scanning, we found that the RSC was more engaged when people viewed permanent compared with transient landmarks and was not responsive to the orienting relevance of landmarks. Activity in RSC was also related to the amount of landmark permanence information a person had acquired and, as knowledge increased, the more the RSC drove responses in the anterior thalamus while viewing permanent landmarks. In contrast, the angular gyrus and the hippocampus were engaged by the orienting relevance of landmarks, but not their permanence, with the hippocampus also sensitive to the distance between relevant landmarks and target locations. We conclude that the coding of permanent landmarks in RSC may drive processing in regions like anterior thalamus, with possible implications for the efficacy of functions such as navigation.
Why People Are Always Thinking about Themselves: Medial Prefrontal Cortex Activity during Rest Primes Self-referential Processing
Authors: Meyer Meghan L. , Lieberman Matthew D.
Published: January 2018

Humans have a tendency to think about themselves. What generates this self-focus? One clue may come from the observation that the same part of the brain that supports self-reflection—the medial pFC (MPFC/Brodmann's area 10 [BA 10])—also spontaneously engages by default whenever the brain is free from external demands to attention. Here, we test the possibility that the default tendency to engage MPFC/BA 10 primes self-referential thinking. Participants underwent fMRI while alternating between brief periods of rest and experimental tasks in which they thought about their own traits, another person's traits, or another location's traits. Greater default engagement in MPFC/BA 10 during momentary breaks preferentially facilitated task performance on subsequent self-reflection trials on a moment-to-moment basis. These results suggest that reflexively engaging MPFC/BA 10 by default may nudge self-referential thinking, perhaps explaining why humans think about themselves so readily.
A new moss salamander, genus Nototriton (Caudata: Plethodontidae), from the Cordillera de Talamanca, in the Costa Rica-Panama border region
Authors: ARIAS ERICK , KUBICKI BRIAN
Published: January 2018

A new salamander belonging to the genus Nototriton, subgenus Nototriton, is described from the Caribbean slopes of the southeastern Cordillera de Talamanca in Costa Rica, within Parque Internacional La Amistad, at an elevation ca. 1500 m a.s.l. This new taxon is distinguished from its congeners by its morphological characteristics and by its differentiation in DNA sequences of the 16S rRNA, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), and cytochrome b mitochondrial genes. This new species represents the southernmost extension known for the genus Nototriton.
Redefinition of the genus Luciaphorus Mahunka, 1981 (Acari: Pygmephoridae) with redescription of L. perniciosus Rack, 1983 and L. auriculariae Gao, Zou and Jiang, 1990
Authors: KHAUSTOV ALEXANDER A. , SHENTU HSUAN , HO CHYI-CHEN
Published: January 2018

The genus Luciaphorus Mahunka, 1981 (Acari: Pygmephoridae) is redefined. Two species, Luciaphorus auriculariae Gao, Zou and Jiang, 1990 and L. perniciosus Rack, 1983 are redescribed based on materials collected on cultivated cloud-ear fungus, Auricularia polytricha, in Taiwan. The taxonomic position of the genus Luciaphorus is discussed. A key to Luciaphorus species is provided.
First two species of Austroleptis Hardy (Diptera: Brachycera: Austroleptidae) from Brazil
Authors: FACHIN DIEGO AGUILAR , SANTOS CHARLES MORPHY D. , AMORIM DALTON DE SOUZA
Published: January 2018

Two new species of the genus Austroleptis Hardy, so far known only from Australia and Chile, are described from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest—A. longirostris nov. sp. and A. papaveroi nov. sp. The species share clear apomorphic features of the genus, as the subdivision of female tergite 8. Both new species share a distinctive wing pattern, and a flagellomere 1 that is as wide as the more distal flagellomeres, features that clearly differentiate them from the Chilean and Australian species. It is likely that the Brazilian species compose a small clade apart from the Chilean species of the genus. A. longirostris nov. sp. has a particular long proboscis, even for the standards of non-tabanid tabanomorphs, while A. papaveroi nov. sp. has a stump on M3. The scutum coloration also helps to discriminate between both species. This is an additional example of a group in southern Brazil with southern temperate connections, i.e., involving southern Chile and Argentina and either Australia, New Zealand or both. Additional records and illustrations of Austroleptis atriceps Malloch and           A. penai Nagatomi & Nagatomi from Chile are provided.