bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytochrome P450/ABC transporter inhibition simultaneously enhances ivermectin pharmacokinetics in the mammal host and pharmacodynamics in Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Chaccour Carlos J. , Hammann Felix , Alustiza Marta , Castejon Sandra , Tarimo Brian B. , Abizanda Gloria , Irigoyen Barrio Ángel , Martí Soler Helena , Moncada Rafael , Bilbao José Ignacio , Aldaz Azucena , Maia Marta , Del Pozo José Luis
Published: August 2017

Mass administration of endectocides, drugs that kill blood-feeding arthropods, has been proposed as a complementary strategy to reduce malaria transmission. Ivermectin is one of the leading candidates given its excellent safety profile. Here we provide proof that the effect of ivermectin can be boosted at two different levels by drugs inhibiting the cytochrome or ABC transporter in the mammal host and the target mosquitoes. Using a mini-pig model, we show that drug-mediated cytochrome P450/ABC transporter inhibition results in a 3-fold increase in the time ivermectin remains above mosquito-killing concentrations. In contrast, P450/ABC transporter induction with rifampicin markedly impaired ivermectin absorption. The same ketoconazole-mediated cytochrome/ABC transporter inhibition also occurs outside the mammal host and enhances the mortality of Anopheles gambiae. This was proven by using the samples from the mini-pig experiments to conduct an ex-vivo synergistic bioassay by membrane-feeding Anopheles mosquitoes. Inhibiting the same cytochrome/xenobiotic pump complex in two different organisms to simultaneously boost the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic activity of a drug is a novel concept that could be applied to other systems. Although the lack of a dose-response effect in the synergistic bioassay warrants further exploration, our study may have broad implications for the control of parasitic and vector-borne diseases.
Platinum Nanoparticle-embedded Porous Diamond Spherical Particles as an Active and Stable Heterogeneous Catalyst
Authors: Kondo Takeshi , Morimura Takuji , Tsujimoto Tatsumi , Aikawa Tatsuo , Yuasa Makoto
Published: August 2017

Platinum nanoparticle-embedded porous diamond spherical particles (PtNP@PDSPs), as an active and stable catalyst, were fabricated by spray-drying of an aqueous slurry containing nanodiamond (ND) particles, platinum nanoparticles (PtNP), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to form ND/PtNP/PEG composite spherical particles, followed by removal of PEG and a short-time diamond growth on the surface. The average diameter of the PtNP@PDSPs can be controlled in the range of 1–5 μm according to the spray-drying conditions. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and average pore diameter of the PtNP@PDSPs were estimated to be ca. 170–300 m2 g−1 and ca. 4–13 nm, respectively. When ND with the size of 20–30 nm was used, the size of PtNP in the PtNP@PDSP was almost unchanged at 5–6 nm even after high temperature processes and reuse test for catalytic reaction, showing stable supporting. The catalytic activity of the PtNP@PDSPs for the dehydrogenation of cyclohexane was higher than that for a Pt/C catalyst, which is attributed to the stable PtNP support by the three-dimensional packing of ND and efficient mass transfer via the interconnected through-hole pores in the PDSPs.
RpoS-independent evolution reveals the importance of attenuated cAMP/CRP regulation in high hydrostatic pressure resistance acquisition in E. coli
Authors: Gayán Elisa , Cambré Alexander , Michiels Chris W. , Aertsen Abram
Published: August 2017

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing is an attractive non-thermal alternative to food pasteurization. Nevertheless, the large inter- and intra-species variations in HHP resistance among foodborne pathogens and the ease by which they can acquire extreme resistance are an issue of increasing concern. Since RpoS activity has been considered as a central determinant in the HHP resistance of E. coli and its pathovars, this study probed for the potential of an E. coli MG1655 ΔrpoS mutant to acquire HHP resistance by directed evolution. Despite the higher initial HHP sensitivity of the ΔrpoS mutant compared to the wild-type strain, evolved lineages of the former readily managed to restore or even succeed wild-type levels of resistance. A number of these ΔrpoS derivatives were affected in cAMP/CRP regulation, and this could be causally related to their HHP resistance. Subsequent inspection revealed that some of previously isolated HHP-resistant mutants derived from the wild-type strain also incurred a causal decrease in cAMP/CRP regulation. cAMP/CRP attenuated HHP-resistant mutants also exhibited higher resistance to fosfomycin, a preferred treatment for STEC infections. As such, this study reveals attenuation of cAMP/CRP regulation as a relevant and RpoS-independent evolutionary route towards HHP resistance in E. coli that coincides with fosfomycin resistance.
Cell damage produced by magnetic fluid hyperthermia on microglial BV2 cells
Authors: Calatayud M. Pilar , Soler Elisa , Torres Teobaldo E. , Campos-Gonzalez Enrique , Junquera Concepción , Ibarra M. Ricardo , Goya Gerardo F.
Published: August 2017

We present evidence on the effects of exogenous heating by water bath (WB) and magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) on a glial micro-tumor phantom. To this, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of 30–40 nm were designed to obtain particle sizes for maximum heating efficiency. The specific power absorption (SPA) values (f = 560 kHz, H = 23.9 kA/m) for as prepared colloids (533–605 W/g) dropped to 98–279 W/g in culture medium. The analysis of the intracellular MNPs distribution showed vesicle-trapped MNPs agglomerates spread along the cytoplasm, as well as large (~0.5–0.9 μm) clusters attached to the cell membrane. Immediately after WB and MHT (T = 46 °C for 30 min) the cell viability was ≈70% and, after 4.5 h, decreased to 20–25%, demonstrating that metabolic processes are involved in cell killing. The analysis of the cell structures after MHT revealed a significant damage of the cell membrane that is correlated to the location of MNPs clusters, while local cell damage were less noticeable after WB without MNPs. In spite of the similar thermal effects of WB and MHT on the cell viability, our results suggest that there is an additional mechanism of cell damage related to the presence of MNPs at the intracellular space.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes in tomato
Authors: Sharma Bhaskar , Bhatt Tarun Kumar
Published: August 2017

The ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation mechanism has gained the attention over the past decade. The E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes are the crucial part of ubiquitination mechanism and they are believed to hold imperative association for plant development. It accepts ubiquitin from the E1 enzyme and interacts with the E3 ligase to transfer ubiquitin or directly transfers ubiquitin to the substrate. The functional aspects of E2 ubiquitin enzymes in plant systems are unclear. Tomato is being used as a model plant and rarely explored to study E2 ubiquitin enzyme. We have utilized in-silico methods to analyze E2 enzymes in Solanum lycopersicum and 59 genes were identified with UBC family domains. The physio-chemical properties, chromosomal localization, structural organization, gene duplication, promoter analysis, gene ontology and conserved motifs were investigated along with phylogenetic analysis of tomato E2 genes exploring evolutionary relations. The gene expression analysis of RNA sequencing data revealed expression profile of tomato E2 genes in seedling, root, leaf, seed, fruit, and flower tissues. Our study aid in the understanding of distribution, expansion, evolutionary relation and probable participation in plant biological processes of tomato E2 enzymes that will facilitate strong base for future research on ubiquitin-mediated regulations in tomato and other plant systems.
YebC, a putative transcriptional factor involved in the regulation of the proteolytic system of Lactobacillus
Authors: Brown Lucía , Villegas Josefina M. , Elean Mariano , Fadda Silvina , Mozzi Fernanda , Saavedra Lucila , Hebert Elvira M.
Published: August 2017

The proteolytic system of Lactobacillus plays an essential role in bacterial growth, contributes to the flavor development of fermented products, and can release bioactive health-beneficial peptides during milk fermentation. In this work, a genomic analysis of all genes involved in the proteolytic system of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis CRL 581 was performed. Genes encoding the cell envelope-associated proteinase, two peptide transport systems, and sixteen peptidases were identified. The influence of the peptide supply on the transcription of 23 genes involved in the proteolytic system of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis was examined after cell growth in a chemically defined medium (CDM) and CDM supplemented with Casitone. prtL, oppA1, optS, optA genes as well as oppDFBC and optBCDF operons were the most highly expressed genes in CDM; their expression being repressed 6- to 115-fold by the addition of peptides. The transcriptional analysis was confirmed by proteomics; the up-regulation of the PrtL, PepG, OppD and OptF proteins in the absence of peptides was observed while the DNA-binding protein YebC was up-regulated by peptides. Binding of YebC to the promoter region of prtL, oppA1, and optS, demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, showed that YebC acts as a transcriptional repressor of key proteolytic genes.
Increasing spring temperatures favor oak seed production in temperate areas
Authors: Caignard Thomas , Kremer Antoine , Firmat Cyril , Nicolas Manuel , Venner Samuel , Delzon Sylvain
Published: August 2017

The changes in reproductive phenology (i.e. timing of flowering and fruiting) observed in recent decades demonstrate that tree reproduction has already been altered by climate change. However, understanding the impact of these changes in reproductive success and fitness remains a major challenge for ecologists. We describe here a previously unreported phenomenon: a significant increase in the reproductive effort (seed production) of temperate oaks with increasing spring temperature, observed over the last decade. In contrast, no relationship was found between seed production and precipitation. This sensitivity of seed production to temperature was confirmed by a “space-for-time” substitution based on elevation gradients. Our findings suggest that global warming may enhance oak reproductive effort in temperate ecosystems. Nevertheless, while fitness can be enhanced by higher levels of seed production, it also depends on the frequency and synchronization of mast seeding production, which may also be influenced by climate change.
Identification of boric acid as a novel chemoattractant and elucidation of its chemoreceptor in Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum Ps29
Authors: Hida Akiko , Oku Shota , Nakashimada Yutaka , Tajima Takahisa , Kato Junichi
Published: August 2017

Chemotaxis enables bacteria to move toward more favorable environmental conditions. We observed chemotaxis toward boric acid by Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum Ps29. At higher concentrations, the chemotactic response of R. pseudosolanacearum toward boric acid was comparable to or higher than that toward L-malate, indicating that boric acid is a strong attractant for R. pseudosolanacearum. Chemotaxis assays under different pH conditions suggested that R. pseudosolanacearum recognizes B(OH)3 (or B(OH3) + B(OH)4−) but not B(OH)4− alone. Our previous study revealed that R. pseudosolanacearum Ps29 harbors homologs of all 22R. pseudosolanacearum GMI1000 mcp genes. Screening of 22 mcp single-deletion mutants identified the RS_RS17100 homolog as the boric acid chemoreceptor, which was designated McpB. The McpB ligand-binding domain (LBD) was purified in order to characterize its binding to boric acid. Using isothermal titration calorimetry, we demonstrated that boric acid binds directly to the McpB LBD with a K
D
(dissociation constant) of 5.4 µM. Analytical ultracentrifugation studies revealed that the McpB LBD is present as a dimer that recognizes one boric acid molecule.
Exploring the Sorption Mechanism of Ni(II) on Illite: Batch Sorption, Modelling, EXAFS and Extraction Investigations
Authors: Zhao Xiaolan , Qiang Shirong , Wu Hanyu , Yang Yunbo , Shao Dadong , Fang Linchuan , Liang Jianjun , Li Ping , Fan Qiaohui
Published: August 2017

The sorption mechanism of nickel (Ni) at the illite/water interface was investigated using batch, sorption modelling, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and extraction approaches. The results showed that Ni(II) sorption on illite was strongly dependent on pH, contact time, temperature, and initial Ni(II) concentration. At a low initial Ni(II) concentration, the ion exchange species of ≡X2Ni° and the inner-sphere complexes including ≡SsONi+, ≡SwONi+ and ≡SwONiOH° species are observed on the sorption edges of Ni(II) on illite. As the initial Ni(II) concentration increased to 1.7 × 10−3 mol/L, precipitates including surface-induced precipitation of s-Ni(OH)2 and amorphous Ni(OH)2 became more significant, especially under neutral to alkaline conditions. EXAFS analysis confirmed that Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) can gradually form with an increase in the contact time. At pH 7.0, α-Ni(OH)2 was produced in the initial stage and then transformed to the more stable form of Ni-Al LDH with increasing contact time because of the increased Al3+ dissolution. With an increase in temperatures, α-Ni(OH)2 phase on illite transformed to Ni-Al LDH phase, indicating a lower thermodynamic stability compared to Ni-Al LDH phase. These results are important to understand the geochemical behaviors to effectively remediate soil contaminated with Ni(II).
Carbon nanotube/Co3O4 nanocomposites selectively coated by polyaniline for high performance air electrodes
Authors: Kim Jin Young , Park Yong Joon
Published: August 2017

We herein report the preparation of carbon nanotube (CNT)/Co3O4 nanocomposites selectively coated with polyaniline (PANI) via an electropolymerization method, for use as an effective electrode material for Li-air (Li-O2) batteries. The Co3O4 catalyst attached to the CNTs facilitated the dissociation of reaction products and reduced the overpotential of the cells. As the carbon surface activates the side reactions, the PANI coating on the carbon surface of the electrode suppressed the side reaction at the electrode/Li2O2 and electrode/electrolyte interfaces, thus enhancing the cycle performance of the electrode. In addition, the catalytic activity of Co3O4 on the CNT/Co3O4 nanocomposites remained unaffected, as the Co3O4 surface was not covered with a PANI layer due to the nature of the electropolymerization method. Overall, the synergic effect of the PANI layer and the Co3O4 catalyst leads to a superior cyclic performance and a low overpotential for the electrode based on selectively PANI-coated CNT/Co3O4 nanocomposites.
The possible molecular mechanisms of bisphenol A action on porcine early embryonic development
Authors: Guo Jing , Zhao Ming-Hui , Shin Kyung-Tae , Niu Ying-Jie , Ahn Yong-Dae , Kim Nam-Hyung , Cui Xiang-Shun
Published: August 2017

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental contaminant widely used in the plastic industry. BPA has been demonstrated to be an endocrine disruptor and has an adverse effect on the embryonic development of mammals. However, the mechanism of action of BPA is limited. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of BPA in porcine embryonic development. First, the parthenotes were treated with different concentrations of BPA. We found that blastocyst formation was impaired and the parthenotes were arrested at the 4-cell stage after treatment with 100 μm BPA. Second, ROS increased following the addition of BPA, which further caused mitochondrial damage, and cytochrome c was released from the mitochondria to induce apoptosis. The adaptive response was demonstrated through LC3 immunofluorescence staining and by assessing autophagy-related gene expression. In addition, BPA caused DNA damage through the p53-p21 signaling pathway. Thus, our results indicate that BPA displays an adverse effect on porcine early embryonic development through mitochondrial and DNA damage.
Seismic waveform tomography with shot-encoding using a restarted L-BFGS algorithm
Authors: Rao Ying , Wang Yanghua
Published: August 2017

In seismic waveform tomography, or full-waveform inversion (FWI), one effective strategy used to reduce the computational cost is shot-encoding, which encodes all shots randomly and sums them into one super shot to significantly reduce the number of wavefield simulations in the inversion. However, this process will induce instability in the iterative inversion regardless of whether it uses a robust limited-memory BFGS (L-BFGS) algorithm. The restarted L-BFGS algorithm proposed here is both stable and efficient. This breakthrough ensures, for the first time, the applicability of advanced FWI methods to three-dimensional seismic field data. In a standard L-BFGS algorithm, if the shot-encoding remains unchanged, it will generate a crosstalk effect between different shots. This crosstalk effect can only be suppressed by employing sufficient randomness in the shot-encoding. Therefore, the implementation of the L-BFGS algorithm is restarted at every segment. Each segment consists of a number of iterations; the first few iterations use an invariant encoding, while the remainder use random re-coding. This restarted L-BFGS algorithm balances the computational efficiency of shot-encoding, the convergence stability of the L-BFGS algorithm, and the inversion quality characteristic of random encoding in FWI.
Hypoxia triggers IFN-I production in muscle: Implications in dermatomyositis
Authors: De Luna Noemí , Suárez-Calvet Xavier , Lleixà Cinta , Diaz-Manera Jordi , Olivé Montse , Illa Isabel , Gallardo Eduard
Published: August 2017

Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory myopathy characterized by symmetrical proximal muscle weakness and skin changes. Muscle biopsy hallmarks include perifascicular atrophy, loss of intramuscular capillaries, perivascular and perimysial inflammation and the overexpression of IFN-inducible genes. Among them, the retinoic-acid inducible gene 1 (RIG-I) is specifically overexpressed in perifascicular areas of dermatomyositis muscle. The aim of this work was to study if RIG-I expression may be modulated by hypoxia using an in vitro approach. We identified putative hypoxia response elements (HRE) in RIG-I regulatory regions and luciferase assays confirmed that RIG-I is a new HIF-inducible gene. We observed an increase expression of RIG-I both by Real time PCR and Western blot in hypoxic conditions in human muscle cells. Cell transfection with a constitutive RIG-I expression vector increased levels of phospho-IRF-3, indicating that RIG-I promotes binding of transcription factors to the enhancer sequence of IFN. Moreover, release of IFN-β was observed in hypoxic conditions. Finally, HIF-1α overexpression was confirmed in the muscle biopsies and in some RIG-I positive perifascicular muscle fibres but not in controls. Our results indicate that hypoxia triggers the production of IFN-I in vitro, and may contribute to the pathogenesis of DM together with other inflammatory factors.
Impact of sex, fat distribution and initial body weight on oxytocin’s body weight regulation
Authors: Maejima Yuko , Aoyama Masato , Sakamoto Kazuho , Jojima Teruo , Aso Yoshimasa , Takasu Katsuya , Takenosihita Seiichi , Shimomura Kenju
Published: August 2017

Obesity is considered as a worldwide problem in both males and females. Although many studies have demonstrated the efficiency of oxytocin (Oxt) as an anti-obesity peptide, there is no comparative study of its effect in males and females. This study aims to determine factors (sex, initial body weight, and fat distribution) that may affect the ability of Oxt to regulate body weight (BW). With regard to sex, Oxt reduced BW similarly in males and females under both high fat diet (HFD) and standard chow-fed condition. The BW reduction induced by Oxt correlated with initial BW in male and female mice under HFD conditions. Oxt showed an equal efficacy in fat degradation in both the visceral and subcutaneous fat mass in both males and females fed with HFD. The effect of Oxt on BW reduction was attenuated in standard chow-fed male and female mice. Therefore, our results suggest that administration of Oxt is more effective in reducing BW in subjects with a high initial BW with increased fat accumulation. The present data contains important information for the possible clinical application of Oxt for the treatment of obesity.
Active prosthesis dependent functional cortical reorganization following stroke
Authors: Merkel Christian , Hausmann Janet , Hopf Jens-Max , Heinze Hans-Jochen , Buentjen Lars , Schoenfeld Mircea Ariel
Published: August 2017

The present study investigated the neural correlates associated with gait improvements triggered by an active prosthesis in patients with drop-foot following stroke during the chronic stage. Eleven patients took part in the study. MEG recordings in conjunction with somatosensory stimulation of the left and right hand as well as gait analyses were performed shortly before or after prosthesis implantation surgery and 3–4 months later. Plastic changes of the sensorimotor cortex of the ipsi- and contralesional hemisphere were revealed. Gait analysis indicated that all patients improved their gait with the active prosthesis. Patients with larger plastic changes within the lesioned hemisphere maintained their improved gait performance even when the prosthesis was turned off. Patients with larger contralesional changes also improved their gait with the active prosthesis. However, their gait measures decreased when the prosthesis was turned off. The current data provide the neural basis of gait improvement triggered by an active prosthesis and has important implications with respect to the choice of the type of active prosthesis (implantable vs removable) and to the selection procedure of the patients (length of testing period).
Resistance training regulates gene expression of molecules associated with intramyocellular lipids, glucose signaling and fiber size in old rats
Authors: Ribeiro Manoel Benício Teixeira , Guzzoni Vinicius , Hord Jeffrey M. , Lopes Giselle Nunes , Marqueti Rita de Cássia , de Andrade Rosângela Vieira , Selistre-de-Araujo Heloisa Sobreiro , Durigan João Luiz Q.
Published: August 2017

Sarcopenia is a complex multifactorial process, some of which involves fat infiltration. Intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) accumulation is postulated to play a role on sarcopenia during aging, which is believed to be due alterations in glucose homeostasis in the skeletal muscle. Sarcopenia, along with intramuscular lipids, is associated with physical inactivity. Resistance training (RT) has been indicated to minimize the age-induced muscle skeletal adaptations. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of RT on mRNA levels of regulatory components related to intramyocellular lipid, glucose metabolism and fiber size in soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of aged rats. Old male rats were submitted to RT (ladder climbing, progressive load, 3 times a week for 12 weeks). Age-induced accumulation of IMCL was attenuated by RT, which was linked to a PPARy-mediated mechanism, concomitant to enhanced regulatory components of glucose homeostasis (GLUT-4, G6PDH, Hk-2 and Gly-Syn-1). These responses were also linked to decreased catabolic (TNF-α, TWEAK/Fn14 axis; FOXO-1, Atrogin-1 and MuRF1; Myostatin) and increased anabolic intracellular pathways (IGF-1-mTOR-p70S6sk-1 axis; MyoD) in muscles of trained aged rats. Our results point out the importance of RT on modulation of gene expression of intracellular regulators related to age-induced morphological and metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle.
Long Term Glaucoma Drug Delivery Using a Topically Retained Gel/Microsphere Eye Drop
Authors: Fedorchak Morgan V. , Conner Ian P. , Schuman Joel S. , Cugini Anthony , Little Steven R.
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this study was to characterize and determine the efficacy of a long-term, non-invasive gel/microsphere (GMS) eye drop for glaucoma. This novel drug delivery system is comprised of a thermoresponsive hydrogel carrier and drug-loaded polymer microspheres. In vitro release of brimonidine from the GMS drops and gel properties were quantified. A single brimonidine-loaded GMS drop was administered to 5 normotensive rabbits and intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored for 28 days. Here we report that IOP reduction in rabbits receiving a single brimonidine GMS drop was comparable to that of rabbits receiving twice daily, standard brimonidine drops. GMS drops were retained in the inferior fornix in all animals for the length of the study. Our results suggest in vivo efficacy over 28 days from a single GMS drop and a potential decrease in systemic absorption, based on a lack of substantial IOP effects on the fellow untreated eye, compared to brimonidine twice-daily eye drops. To our knowledge, this represents the first long-term, drug-releasing depot that can be administered as a traditional eye drop.
Transcriptome of neonatal preBötzinger complex neurones in Dbx1 reporter mice
Authors: Hayes John A. , Kottick Andrew , Picardo Maria Cristina D. , Halleran Andrew D. , Smith Ronald D. , Smith Gregory D. , Saha Margaret S. , Del Negro Christopher A.
Published: August 2017

We sequenced the transcriptome of brainstem interneurons in the specialized respiratory rhythmogenic site dubbed preBötzinger Complex (preBötC) from newborn mice. To distinguish molecular characteristics of the core oscillator we compared preBötC neurons derived from Dbx1-expressing progenitors that are respiratory rhythmogenic to neighbouring non-Dbx1-derived neurons, which support other respiratory and non-respiratory functions. Results in three categories are particularly salient. First, Dbx1 preBötC neurons express κ-opioid receptors in addition to μ-opioid receptors that heretofore have been associated with opiate respiratory depression, which may have clinical applications. Second, Dbx1 preBötC neurons express the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor Hif1a at levels three-times higher than non-Dbx1 neurons, which links core rhythmogenic microcircuits to O2-related chemosensation for the first time. Third, we detected a suite of transcription factors including Hoxa4 whose expression pattern may define the rostral preBötC border, Pbx3 that may influence ipsilateral connectivity, and Pax8 that may pertain to a ventrally-derived subset of Dbx1 preBötC neurons. These data establish the transcriptomic signature of the core respiratory oscillator at a perinatal stage of development.
Correction: Transition from smectic nanofibers to smectic vesicles in the self-assemblies of PEG-b-liquid crystal polycarbonates
Authors: Zhou Lu , Zhang Dapeng , Hocine Sabrina , Pilone Alessia , Trépout Sylvain , Marco Sergio , Thomas Christophe M. , Guo Jia , Li Min-Hui
Published: August 2017

Correction for ‘Transition from smectic nanofibers to smectic vesicles in the self-assemblies of PEG-b-liquid crystal polycarbonates’ by Lu Zhou, et al., Polym. Chem., 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c7py01131h.
Rapid construction of 3D foam-like carbon nanoarchitectures via a simple photochemical strategy for capacitive deionization
Authors: Duan Haiyan , Yan Tingting , An Zhongxun , Zhang Jianping , Shi Liyi , Zhang Dengsong
Published: August 2017

3D foam-like carbon nanoarchitectures are originally and rapidly constructedviaa photochemical strategy and demonstrate excellent capacitive deionization performance.
Structural and ferroelectric properties of perovskite Pb(1−x)(K0.5Sm0.5)xTiO3 ceramics
Authors: Yadav Arun Kumar , Anita Anita , Kumar Sunil , Panchwanee Anjali , Reddy V. Raghavendra , Shirage Parasharam M. , Biring Sajal , Sen Somaditya
Published: August 2017

PbTiO3 has the highest tetragonal distortion (c/a ∼ 1.064) and highest spontaneous polarization among perovskite titanates.
Exponential stabilisation of impulsive switched linear systems via a periodic switching scheme
Authors: Ai Zidong , Peng Lianghong
Published: August 2017

In this study, the authors investigate the stabilisation issue for a class of multi‐module impulsive switched linear systems in terms of a periodic impulsive switching scheme. First, they establish a necessary and sufficient criteria on periodically exponentially (PE) stabilising the involved system. Then, they derive some effective asymptotic stabilisation and input‐to‐state stabilisation results using the method of construction. To improve the system performance, they solve an optimisation problem that determines the minimal period of stabilisable impulsive switching signals. Finally, a numerical example with two unstable subsystems is provided to illustrate the validity of the method.
Unbiased evaluation of keypoint detectors with respect to rotation invariance
Authors: Matusiak Karol , Skulimowski Piotr , Strumillo Pawel
Published: August 2017

The authors present the results of a comparative performance study of algorithms for detecting keypoints in digital images. The Harris, good features to track (GFTT), SIFT, SURF, FAST, ORB, BRISK, and the MSER keypoint detectors were tested using two types of images: POV‐Ray simulated images and photographs from the Caltech 256 image dataset. They tested the repeatability of detection of the image keypoints for the evaluated detectors for a series of images with one degree rotations from 0 to 180° (3982 images in total). In the evaluation scenario they adopted an original approach in which they did not hold back a single image to be the reference image. They conclude that the most computationally complex detector, i.e. the SIFT performs best under rotation transformation of images. However, the FAST and ORB detectors, while being less computationally demanding, perform almost equally well. Hence, they can be viable choices in image processing tasks for mobile applications.
Application of hybrid real‐time power system simulator for research and setting a momentary and sustained fast turbine valving control
Authors: Andreev Mikhail , Borovikov Yury , Gusev Alexander , Sulaymanov Almaz , Ruban Nikolay , Suvorov Alexey , Ufa Ruslan , Bemš Július , Králík Tomáš
Published: August 2017

The stability of electric power system (EPS) insures energy security of consumers. Therefore, saving the stability of EPS is the main task for professionals around the world. For its solution, a variety of activities is used. This publication deals with the description of the authors' experience for solving the task in the Tyumen power system. The hybrid real‐time power system simulator (HRTSim) developed in Tomsk Polytechnic University was used as a platform for research carrying out. The study presents the research result fragments of the momentary and sustained fast turbine valving control (FTVC) which is one of the most effective ways of an automatic emergency control of power units in the thermal power station. Using the simulator HRTSim, one of the greatest challenges of electric power industry in Russia has been solved, i.e. FTVC adequate setting of the power units in the thermal power station Surgut GRES‐2 in the Tyumen power system. An FTVC operation largely determines the reliability and stability of the EPS. Therefore, an incorrect setting may result in substantial disturbance or disruption of the stability that already occurred in the past. The adequacy of turbine and FTVC simulations is verified by comparing it with the real data.
Efficient sparse representation method for wideband DOA estimation using focusing operation
Authors: Zhao Yonghong , Zhang Linrang , Gu Yabin , Guo Yumei , Zhang Juan
Published: August 2017

The computational complexity of wideband sparse representation (SR) greatly restricts the application of SR‐based wideband direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimation in practical system. Here, an efficient method for wideband direction finding based on SR is proposed. This method combines the focusing operation with weighted subspace fitting (WSF) to not only decrease the computational complexity but also improve the performance of DOA estimation. Exploiting the result of the focusing operation, the covariance matrix at the focusing frequency can be obtained and used as the data for sparse recovery to get wideband DOA estimates. The WSF is employed to reduce the sensitivity to the noise and the regularisation parameter is given by the asymptotic distribution of the WSF cost function. Simulations are provided to show the efficiency and performance of the proposed method.
Clutter‐suppressing performance estimation methods of active sonar waveform based on reverberation statistical models in littoral environment
Authors: Zhang Chi , Ma Xiaochuan , Wu Yongqing , Jiang Li , Zhan Fei , Zhang Shuhao
Published: August 2017

Detecting low‐speed quiet targets such as divers and underwater‐unmanned‐vehicles in littoral environment by using active sonar is becoming increasingly attractive. When using a Doppler insensitive pulsed linearly frequency modulated signal, the high‐level clutters which might arise from underwater physical scatterers will lead to excessive false alarm rates and limit the detection performance. However, Doppler sensitive waveforms such as binary phase shift keying have the capability of filtering clutters and degrading false alarms. Thus, the question how to estimate the clutter‐suppressing performance of waveforms is essential for sonar system design. In this study, the clutter‐rejecting principle of waveform is theoretically introduced firstly. Then, based on the reverberation statistical features, this study proposes two methods, the Doppler‐statistic method and envelope‐statistic method, separately, to estimate and evaluate the clutter suppressing performance of waveforms. Finally, the methods are verified by lake experiments. It is proved that the first method has the capacity of calculating the confidence probability of suppressing clutters by a waveform, and through the second method, the clutter rejecting performance of waveforms can be evaluated and verified. The methods can be used for selecting and designing waveforms to reduce false alarms and improve detection performance.
Hyaluronic Acid Intra-Articular Injections in Patients Affected by Moderate to Severe Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Di Giacomo G. , de Gasperis N.
Published: August 2017

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection treatment with high molecular weight HA (Hyalubrix, 30 mg/2 mL, molecular weight > 1,500 kDa) in patients affected by moderate to severe glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods Seventy-eight patients, affected by shoulder OA grade II–IV were randomized in two groups. Patients included in case group were treated with three intra-articular injections of HA and a specific physiotherapy program, whereas patients included in the control group received the only physical therapy. The follow-up examination was 6 months for both groups. The evaluation of functional status of treated shoulder, range of motion, and pain was performed before treatment and at the final follow-up examination by means of the Constant score. The safety evaluation of the treatment was also performed recording any adverse events.

Results Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two groups in terms of pain reduction and improvement in the activities of daily living. In particular, case group subjects affected by grade III and IV OA had a significant improvement in the Constant score (18.2 ± 5.4 and 19.2 ± 5.9, respectively).

Conclusion This study showed that the combination of intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (Hyalubrix, 30 mg/2 mL) with physical therapy program was more effective in comparison with the only physical therapy in reducing pain in patients affected by glenohumeral OA.

Level of Evidence Level II, randomized controlled study.
Gehirnerschütterung im Sport
Authors: Feddermann-Demont Nina , Bizzini Mario , Junge Astrid
Published: August 2017

DIAGNOSTIK UND THERAPIE Gehirnerschütterungen im Sport sind in der letzten Zeit häufig in den Medien und Fachzeitschriften diskutiert
worden. In den USA haben die Schadenersatzklagen von ehemaligen American-Football-Spielern gegen die NFL und von ehemaligen
Eishockeyspielern gegen die NHL sowie der Kinofilm „Erschütternde Wahrheit“ (Originaltitel: „Concussion“) mit Will Smith in der Hauptrolle
Aufsehen erregt. In Deutschland führte die Gehirnerschütterung des Fußballnationalspielers Christoph Kramer während des Endspiels der
FIFA-Weltmeisterschaft 2014 zu Debatten über den Umgang mit Kopfverletzungen im Sport. Was bei einer Gehirnerschütterung beachtet werden
muss, warum eine sorgfältige Diagnostik wichtig ist und welche Therapien bei Gehirnerschütterung hilfreich sind, erklärt das Autorenteam vom
Swiss Concussion Center, Zürich.
Pathology and Pathogenesis of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Concepts and Controversies
Authors: Schumacher Adrian-Minh , Mahler Christoph , Kerschensteiner Martin
Published: August 2017

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that initially is often dominated by relapsing-remitting neurological symptoms. With increasing disease duration these relapses are more and more superimposed by a progressive disease process that leads to an irreversible accumulation of motor, sensory and cognitive deficits. This progressive phase of MS is still only incompletely understood and by and large refractory to therapy. Here we aim to use recent pathological and pathomechanistic insights to outline a unifying concept of progressive MS. Based on this view of the disease we examine current controversies surrounding progressive MS. We discuss whether neurodegenerative or inflammatory processes drive progression, question whether the classification of primary and secondary progressive MS is all that useful and deliberate, which therapeutic strategies are best suited to limit the insidious neurological decline of progressive MS patients.
Epidemiologie, Risikofaktoren und Risikostratifizierung venöser Thromboembolien (VTE) in Schwangerschaft und Wochenbett
Authors: Tsikouras Panagiotis , von Tempelhoff Georg-Friedrich , Rath Werner
Published: August 2017

Venöse Thromboembolien (VTE) gehören zu den häufigsten Ursachen direkter Müttersterbefälle in den Industrieländern. Ihre Inzidenz hat in den letzten 20 Jahren signifikant zugenommen. Das absolute Risiko für VTE liegt in der Schwangerschaft zwischen 0,6–2,2/1000 Geburten, im Vergleich zu Nichtschwangeren ist das tägliche Risiko für VTE in der Schwangerschaft um das 7- bis 10-fache höher und im Wochenbett um das 15- bis 35-fache. Die Inzidenz an Lungenembolien (LE) ist während der ersten 6 Wochen nach der Geburt um das 15-fache höher als in der Schwangerschaft und bleibt bis zu 12 Wochen postpartum noch signifikant erhöht. Die fallbezogene Sterblichkeit der LE liegt zwischen 2,2–6,6%.

Grundlage der medikamentösen VTE-Prophylaxe ist eine sorgfältige Erfassung individueller Risikofaktoren und eine adäquate Risikostratifizierung. Zu unterscheiden sind präexistente mütterliche von transienten Schwangerschafts-spezifischen Risikofaktoren. Das höchste Risiko für VTE weisen Frauen mit vorangegangener VTE oder mit angeborenen Hochrisiko-Thrombophilien oder mit Antiphospholipid-Syndrom auf. Weitere bedeutende Schwangerschafts-spezifische Risikofaktoren antenatal sind das schwere ovarielle Hyperstimulationssyndrom, die Hyperemesis, größere Operationen, schwere Komorbidität (z. B. systemischer Lupus erythematodes), Hospitalisierung bei Frauen mit einem Body-Maß-Index>25 kg/m2 und entzündliche Darmerkrankungen.

Herzerkrankungen, Totgeburt, systemische Infektionen, schwere postpartale Blutung in Kombination mit der Substitution von Erythrozytenkonzentraten/Gerinnungsfaktoren und/oder Operationen sowie die sekundäre Sectio sind die stärksten Risikofaktoren im Wochenbett.

Empfehlungen zu Risikostratifizierungen sind in aktuellen internationalen Leitlinien unterschiedlich. Nach der Leitlinie der Kanadischen Gesellschaft für Geburtshilfe und Gynäkologie 2014 (SOGC) wird eine medikamentöse VTE-Prophylaxe dann empfohlen, wenn das VTE-Risiko eines einzelnen oder mehrerer Risikofaktoren>1% beträgt. Die ACCP (American College of Chest Physicians)-Leitlinie 2012 bezieht sich ausschließlich auf eine Risiko-basierte VTE-Prophylaxe nach Sectio caesarea. Die jüngste RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists)-Leitlinie No. 37a 2015 empfiehlt die Risikostratifizierung für VTE auf der Grundlage eines speziellen „risk scoring“-Systems und gewichtet die individuellen Risikofaktoren zwischen einem Punkt (niedriges Risiko) bis maximal 4 Punkte (sehr hohes Risiko).

Jede geburtshilfliche Klinik sollte über eine Checkliste wichtiger Risikofaktoren und über einen auf aktuellen Leitlinien basierenden Handlungsplan zur medikamentösen Thrombose-Prophylaxe verfügen.
Phytotherapie – die trügerische Hoffnung der Patienten
Authors: Blaga Rolf
Published: August 2017

Seit fast 25 Jahren gibt es in Berlin eine Psoriasis-Selbsthilfegruppe. Auffällig ist, dass regelmäßig dann besonders viele Besucher kommen, wenn es um Alternativmedizin im weitesten Sinn geht. Zum Beispiel bei Themen wie Arzneipflanzen, Weihrauch, Heilerde oder Hausmittel, aber auch Miracle Mineral Supplement (MMS), Heilpilze oder Homöopathie.
Falxverkalkungen – häufiger als vermutet
Authors: Schedler Alexander , Porthun Jan
Published: August 2017

Falxverkalkungen und -verknöcherungen in der CT – Datenerhebung zur Häufigkeit, Größe und Position (Master of Science (MSc)-Thesis).

[Schedler, A., Wiener Schule für Osteopathie und Donau-Universität Krems, Vasoldsberg, November 2016]
On the kinematics-wave motion of living particles in suspension
Authors: Malvar S. , Gontijo R. G. , Carmo B. S. , Cunha F. R.
Published: August 2017

This work presents theoretical and experimental analyses on the kinematics-wave motion of suspended active particles in a biological fluid. The fluid is an active suspension of nematodes immersed in a gel-like biological structure, moving at a low Reynolds number. The nematode chosen for the study is Caenorhabditis elegans. Its motion is subjected to the time reversibility of creeping flows. We investigate how this worm reacts to this reversibility condition in order to break the flow symmetry and move in the surrounding fluid. We show that the relationship between the length of an individual nematode and the wavelength of its motion is linear and can be fitted by a theoretical prediction proposed in this work. We provide a deep discussion regarding the propulsion mechanics based on a scaling analysis that identifies three major forces acting on an individual nematode. These forces are a viscous force, a yield stress force due to gelification of agar molecules in the gel-like medium, and a bending force associated with the muscular tension imposed by the nematodes in the medium. By the scalings, we identify the most relevant physical parameters of the nematode's motion. In order to examine and quantify the motion, dynamical system tools such as FFT are used in the present analysis. The motion characterization is performed by examining (or studying) two different populations: (i) in the absence of food with starving nematodes and (ii) with well-fed nematodes. In addition, several kinematic quantities of the head, center of mass, and tail for a sample of nematodes are also investigated: their slip velocities, wavelengths, trajectories, frequency spectra, and mean curvatures. The main findings of this work are the confirmation of a linear relationship between the nematode's physical length and its motion wavelength, the identification of secondary movements in high frequencies that helps breaking the time-reversibility in which the worms are bonded, and the observation and interpretation of a systematic difference between the individual motion of well-fed and starving nematodes.
Testing species delimitation with larval morphology: scanning electron microscopy analysis of protonymphon larvae of two closely related sea spiders, Pallenopsis patagonica (Hoek) and Pallenopsis yepayekae Weis
Authors: Hübner Jeremy , Wagner Philipp , Lehmann Tobias , Melzer Roland R.
Published: August 2017

We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to establish species-specific sets of characters for protonymphon larvae of two representatives of the ‘patagonica’ species group of Pallenopsis, P. patagonica and P. yepayekae. The larvae of both species are ‘typical’ protonymphon larvae sensu Bain (2003). Despite the close relationship of the two species, we observed numerous features that allow for differential diagnosis, e.g. general habitus, the number, arrangement and branching type of setules, the armature of the movable and immovable chelifore fingers, and the shape of the dactylus and setules of appendages II and III. SEM is particularly suitable for visualising these features. Our results further support the idea that protonymphon larvae can be identified to species level when adequate imaging techniques are used, as is also the case for larvae of other arthropods. Moreover, the status of the two studied species of Pallenopsis is fully supported by protonymphon larval morphology.
Symplectic embedding problems, old and new
Authors: Schlenk Felix
Published: August 2017

We describe old and new motivations to study symplectic embedding problems, and we discuss a few of the many old and the many new results on symplectic embeddings.
Do Markets Correct for Smoothing in USDA Crop Production Forecasts? Evidence from Private Analysts and Futures Prices
Authors: Isengildina‐Massa Olga , Karali Berna , Irwin Scott H
Published: August 2017

This study evaluates whether smoothing (positive correlation in subsequent revisions) in USDA corn, soybean, and wheat production forecasts is likely to result in misallocation of economic resources. Smoothing, like any other type of forecast inefficiency, implies that some of the information in these forecasts is predictable. Based on the evidence of smoothing, we decomposed market surprise and forecast revision into predictable and unpredictable components. Our results show that futures markets tended to react only to the unpredictable component, therefore indicating that market participants were aware of smoothing and adjusted for it in forming their price expectations.
Addressing Physician Burnout—The Way Forward
Authors: Shanafelt Tait D. , Dyrbye Lotte N. , West Colin P.
Published: August 2017

(Abstracted from JAMA 2017;317(9):901–902)

A syndrome consisting of exhaustion and decreased productivity, physician burnout has been identified for decades but has increased in recent times with changes in the health care system in the United States. This phenomenon is strongly correlated with excessive workloads, overbearing restrictions due to external factors such as insurer requirements, and a spillover of clerical duties that take time away from seeing patients.
Response to targeted therapy in two patients with metastatic melanoma carrying rare BRAF exon 15 mutations: A598_T599insV and V600_K601delinsE
Authors: Rogiers Aljosja , Vander Borght Sara , Tuand Krizia , Wolter Pascal , Stas Marguerite , Boecxstaens Veerle , Garmyn Marjan , van den Oord Joost J. , Vandenberghe Peter , Bechter Oliver
Published: August 2017

Concurrent BRAF-MEK inhibition improves clinical outcomes in patients with advanced BRAF V600E/K-mutant melanoma. There is currently less evidence for the efficacy of this treatment in patients with rare BRAF non-V600E/K genotypes. We report on two patients with rare BRAF exon 15 mutations – BRAF A598_T599insV and V600_K601delinsE – obtaining clinical benefit and a radiological response to inhibitors directed against the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. This highlights the importance of using tests that detect both V600E/K and non-V600E/K BRAF mutations to keep open the possibility of treatment with targeted therapy in patients with uncommon, yet potentially actionable, BRAF exon 15 mutations.