bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Equine meniscal degeneration is associated with medial femorotibial osteoarthritis
Authors: Dubuc J. , Girard C. , Richard H. , De Lasalle J. , Laverty S.
Published: July 2017

Background

There is limited information available concerning normal equine meniscal morphology, its degeneration and role in osteoarthritis (OA).

Objectives

To characterise normal equine meniscal morphology and lesions and to explore the relationship between equine meniscal degeneration and femorotibial OA.

Study design

Ex vivo cadaveric study.

Methods

Menisci were harvested from 7 normal joints (n = 14 menisci) and 15 joints with OA (n = 30 menisci). A macroscopic femorotibial OA score (cartilage degeneration and osteophytosis) was employed to measure disease severity in each compartment. The femoral and tibial meniscal surfaces were scored for macroscopic fibrillation and tears (1–4). Histological sections (regions: cranial and caudal horn; body) were also scored for microscopic fibrillation and tears (0–3) and inner border degeneration (0–3).

Results

Partial meniscal tears were present on both femoral and tibial surfaces in all 3 regions and most frequently identified on the femoral surface of the cranial horn of the medial meniscus and body of the lateral meniscus. There was a significantly positive correlation between the global medial meniscal macroscopic scores and osteophyte (r = 0.7, P = 0.002) or cartilage degeneration (r = 0.5, P = 0.03) scores within the medial femorotibial joint. The global medial meniscal macroscopic score was greater (P = 0.004) in the advanced OA joints compared with control joints.

Main limitations

The menisci were principally from abattoir specimens without a known clinical history because of the challenge in obtaining a large number of specimens with a clinical diagnosis of femorotibial OA.

Conclusions

This study is the first to describe normal equine meniscal morphology and lesions. Meniscal lesions were identified in all segments and on both articular surfaces. Meniscal degeneration significantly correlated with OA severity in the equine medial femorotibial joint. The relationship between OA and meniscal pathology remains to be elucidated.
Déterminants de l'accès à l'emploi et du salaire à la première embauche chez les diplômés du supérieur en Chine
Authors: KONG Jun
Published: June 2017

L'auteur cherche à déterminer si le prestige de l'établissement de formation, le domaine d'études et le sexe influent sur l'accès à l'emploi et sur le salaire initial au moyen d'un modèle paramétrique de survie, associé à une procédure de Heckman, qui sont appliqués sur un échantillon de jeunes diplômés de Beijing. Il montre que le prestige de l'institution accélère l'insertion professionnelle (par un effet de signal), de měme que les études d'ingénieur ou de commerce, et qu'il élève le salaire, tout comme les formations en lettres et sciences humaines ou sociales. En outre, le sexe féminin accélère l'insertion mais diminue le salaire à l'embauche.
Phylogenetic convergence and multiple shell shape optima for gliding scallops (Bivalvia: Pectinidae)
Authors: Serb J. M. , Sherratt E. , Alejandrino A. , Adams D. C.
Published: July 2017

An important question in evolutionary biology is how often, and to what extent, do similar ecologies elicit distantly related taxa to evolve towards the same phenotype? In some scenarios, the repeated evolution of particular phenotypes may be expected, for instance when species are exposed to common selective forces that result from strong functional demands. In bivalved scallops (Pectinidae), some species exhibit a distinct swimming behaviour (gliding), which requires specific biomechanical attributes to generate lift and reduce drag during locomotive events. Further, a phylogenetic analysis revealed that gliding behaviour has independently evolved at least four times, which raises the question as to whether these independent lineages have also converged on a similar phenotype. Here, we test the hypothesis that gliding scallops display shell shape convergence using a combination of geometric morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods that evaluate patterns of multivariate trait evolution. Our findings reveal that the gliding species display less morphological disparity and significant evolutionary convergence in morphospace, relative to expectations under a neutral model of Brownian motion for evolutionary phenotypic change. Intriguingly, the phylomorphospace patterns indicate that gliding lineages follow similar evolutionary trajectories to not one, but two regions of morphological space, and subsequent analyses identified significant differences in their biomechanical parameters, suggesting that these two groups of scallops accomplish gliding in different ways. Thus, whereas there is a clear gliding morphotype that has evolved convergently across the phylogeny, functionally distinct morphological subforms are apparent, suggesting that there may be two optima for the gliding phenotype in the Pectinidae.
Three new species of Curimatopsis (Characiformes: Curimatidae) from the Amazon basin
Authors: Melo B. F. , Oliveira C.
Published: June 2017

Three new species of Curimatopsis are described from major tributaries of the Amazon basin. Curimatopsis guaporensis n. sp., from the Rio Madeira, belongs to the Curimatopsis evelynae clade and can be distinguished by the distinctive shape of the dark blotch on the caudal peduncle and by the position and shape of the nostrils. Curimatopsis pallida n. sp., from the Rio Negro, also related to C. evelynae, is distinguished from all congeners by the complete absence of pigmentation on the lateral surface of the caudal peduncle. Curimatopsis jaci n. sp., apparently endemic to the upper Rio Tapajós, belongs to the Curimatopsis macrolepis clade and differs from all congeners in details of body pigmentation. Meristic and morphometric features supplement diagnoses for the three new species. These species are hypothesized to belong to the two main clades of Curimatopsis on the basis of previous studies of osteology and external morphology and supplement a recent genetic study that revealed several cryptic and yet undescribed species within the genus. An updated identification key to the species of Curimatopsis is also provided.
Comparison of two species‐specific oscillometric blood pressure monitors with direct blood pressure measurement in anesthetized cats
Authors: Cerejo Sofia A. , Teixeira‐Neto Francisco J. , Garofalo Natache A. , Rodrigues Jéssica C. , Celeita‐Rodríguez Nathalia , Lagos‐Carvajal Angie P.
Published: June 2017

Objective

To compare the performance of 2 species‐specific oscillometric blood pressure (OBP) monitors (petMAPclassic and petMAPgraphic) with direct blood pressure measurement in anesthetized cats.

Design

Prospective, experimental study.

Setting

Veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

Eight adult cats (3.2–5.5 kg).

Interventions

During isoflurane anesthesia, OBP cuffs were placed on the thoracic limb and on the base of the tail while invasive blood pressure (IBP) was recorded from a dorsal pedal artery. End‐tidal isoflurane concentrations, with or without intravenous dopamine (n = 8), norepinephrine (n = 1), or phenylephrine (n = 1) were adjusted to change invasive mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 40 to 100 mm Hg. Data were analyzed by the Bland‐Altman method and 4‐quadrant plots.

Measurements and Main Results

Mean biases and limits of agreement (LOA: ± 1.96 SD) (mm Hg) recorded between the petMAPclassic (thoracic limb) and IBP for systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), and MAP were 4.2 ± 28.5, −6.1 ± 13.2, and −1.9 ± 14.6, respectively; mean biases and LOA (mm Hg) recorded with the tail cuff were 7.2 ± 31.3 (SAP), −6.1 ± 11.6 (DAP), and −1.1 ± 11.7 (MAP). Mean biases and LOA (mm Hg) between petMAPgraphic (thoracic limb) and IBP were 7.7 ± 27.0 (SAP), −4.3 ± 11.5 (DAP), 0.2 ± 13.0 (MAP); values recorded with the tail cuff were 10.9 ± 29.6 (SAP), −4.4 ± 11.7 (DAP), and −0.1 ± 12.1 (MAP). Concordance rates after excluding arterial pressure changes ≤ 5 mm Hg was ≥ 93% for both devices.

Conclusions

Although both OBP monitors provide unacceptable SAP estimations, MAP values derived from both monitors and DAP measured by the petMAPgraphic result in acceptable agreement with the reference method according to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (mean bias ≤ 5 mm Hg with LOA ≤ ± 16 mm Hg). Both monitors provide acceptable trending ability for SAP, DAP, and MAP.
Entropy for Strongly Coupled Oscillators
Authors: Tufano Dante A. , Sotoudeh Zahra
Published: June 2017

This paper examines an approach for determining the entropy of coupled oscillators that does not rely on the assumption of weak coupling. The results of this approach are compared to the results for a weakly coupled system. It is shown that the results from each methodology agree in the case of weak coupling, and that a correction term is required for moderate to strong coupling. The correction term is shown to be related to the mixed energy term from the coupling spring as well as the geometry and stiffness of the system. Numerical simulations are performed for a symmetric system of identical coupled oscillators and an asymmetric system of nonidentical oscillators to demonstrate these findings.
Observer-Based Optimal Position Control for Electrohydraulic Steer-by-Wire System Using Gray-Box System Identified Model
Authors: Aly Mohamed , Roman Magdy , Rabie Mohamed , Shaaban Sayed
Published: July 2017

Steer-by-wire (SBW) systems in a passenger car can improve vehicle steering capability and design flexibility by replacing the mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and front wheels by a control circuit. The steering controller, however, should provide good performance in response to driver's input signal. This includes fast response, absence of overshoot or oscillatory behavior, and good accuracy with minimal steady-state error. In this paper, an optimal control strategy based on observed system states is proposed and implemented on an electrohydraulic SBW system of a passenger car. First, a linear mathematical model is developed using gray-box system identification techniques. A standard input signal, pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS), is designed to stimulate the system in the concerned bandwidth. Then, a linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) together with a full-state system observer is designed. Based on simulation, the LQR parameters and the observer poles are chosen to satisfy the aforementioned performance criteria for good steering. Finally, the control strategy is applied in a real-time environment to test the tracking capability, where the system is given high-rate reference signals (relative to the human rate of steering). The results show that the steering system tracks the reference signal with high accuracy even in the existence of high external force disturbances.
Computationally Efficient Down-Hole Drilling System Dynamics Modeling Integrating Finite Element and Transfer Matrix
Authors: Ke Chong , Song Xingyong
Published: July 2017

This paper proposes a novel computationally efficient dynamics modeling approach for down-hole well drilling system. The existing drilling modeling methods are either computationally intensive such as those using finite element method (FEM) or weak in fidelity for complex geometry such as those using transfer matrix method (TMM). To take advantage of the benefits of FEM and TMM and avoid their drawbacks, this paper presents a new hybrid method integrating both of the aforementioned modeling approaches, enabled by the unique structural geometry of the drilling system. The new method is then applied to the down-hole well drilling system modeling, incorporating the dynamics of top drive, drill-string, bottom-hole-assembly (BHA), and bit–rock interaction. The hybrid integration approaches for both the axial and torsional dimensions are explicitly derived, and we also give directions on how to resolve those for flexural dimension. To this end, numerical simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid modeling approach.
Steady-State Heat-Flow Coupling Field of a High-Power Magnetorheological Fluid Clutch Utilizing Liquid Cooling
Authors: Wang Daoming , Zi Bin , Qian Sen , Qian Jun
Published: July 2017

Compared with traditional speed regulation (SR) approaches like variable frequency and hydraulic coupling, magnetorheological clutch (MRC) provides a more superior solution for high-efficiency energy saving SR. However, recent developments have demonstrated that severe heating is an outstanding challenge for MRC, especially in high-power applications. Among commonly used cooling methods, liquid cooling offers a viable alternative for the problem. Aiming at pre-evaluating the cooling efficiency of a liquid-cooled MRC in high-power situations, this study introduces a heat-flow coupling simulation method. In this paper, theoretical basis for the simulation is presented first, which is followed by an illustration of the heat-flow coupling simulation. This paper details the simulation model establishment, finite element meshing (FEM), boundary conditions, and simulation parameters. After the simulations, the results concerning the steady flow field of the internal coolant, along with the steady-state temperature fields of MRC, magnetorheological (MR) fluids and the coolant are presented and discussed. Finally, several heating tests of an MRC prototype under various operation conditions are performed and the results verify the correctness and rationality of the simulation.
A New Global Spatial Discretization Method for Calculating Dynamic Responses of Two-Dimensional Continuous Systems With Application to a Rectangular Kirchhoff Plate
Authors: Wu K. , Zhu W. D.
Published: July 2017

A new global spatial discretization method (NGSDM) is developed to accurately calculate natural frequencies and dynamic responses of two-dimensional (2D) continuous systems such as membranes and Kirchhoff plates. The transverse displacement of a 2D continuous system is separated into a 2D internal term and a 2D boundary-induced term; the latter is interpolated from one-dimensional (1D) boundary functions that are further divided into 1D internal terms and 1D boundary-induced terms. The 2D and 1D internal terms are chosen to satisfy prescribed boundary conditions, and the 2D and 1D boundary-induced terms use additional degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) at boundaries to ensure satisfaction of all the boundary conditions. A general formulation of the method that can achieve uniform convergence is established for a 2D continuous system with an arbitrary domain shape and arbitrary boundary conditions, and it is elaborated in detail for a general rectangular Kirchhoff plate. An example of a rectangular Kirchhoff plate that has three simply supported boundaries and one free boundary with an attached Euler–Bernoulli beam is investigated using the developed method and results are compared with those from other global and local spatial discretization methods. Advantages of the new method over local spatial discretization methods are much fewer DOFs and much less computational effort, and those over the assumed modes method (AMM) are better numerical property, a faster calculation speed, and much higher accuracy in calculation of bending moments and transverse shearing forces that are related to high-order spatial derivatives of the displacement of the plate with an edge beam.
Dynamical Models of the Camber and the Lateral Position in Flat Rolling
Authors: Steinboeck Andreas , Ettl Andreas , Kugi Andreas
Published: July 2017

In flat rolling, the lateral position of the product in the rolling mill and the camber (curvature of the product centerline seen in top view) are key process variables. We explore how their evolution can be analytically modeled based on nonlinear geometric relations, material derivatives, balance equations, constitutive equations for the material flow in the roll gap, and a change of coordinates to obtain a time-free formulation. Based on example problems, we verify the developed novel model and further illustrate the mechanisms behind it. Finally, a literature review on models in this field reveals that there is not yet a consensus on the correct analytical model of the evolution of the camber in flat rolling. The literature review shows that most published models are special cases of the model developed in this paper.
Distribution, Community Composition, and Potential Metabolic Activity of Bacterioplankton in an Urbanized Mediterranean Sea Coastal Zone
Authors: Richa Kumari , Balestra Cecilia , Piredda Roberta , Benes Vladimir , Borra Marco , Passarelli Augusto , Margiotta Francesca , Saggiomo Maria , Biffali Elio , Sanges Remo , Scanlan David J. , Casotti Raffaella
Published: July 2017

Bacterioplankton are fundamental components of marine ecosystems and influence the entire biosphere by contributing to the global biogeochemical cycles of key elements. Yet, there is a significant gap in knowledge about their diversity and specific activities, as well as environmental factors that shape their community composition and function. Here, the distribution and diversity of surface bacterioplankton along the coastline of the Gulf of Naples (GON; Italy) were investigated using flow cytometry coupled with high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Heterotrophic bacteria numerically dominated the bacterioplankton and comprised mainlyAlphaproteobacteria,Gammaproteobacteria, andBacteroidetes. Distinct communities occupied river-influenced, coastal, and offshore sites, as indicated by Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, distance metric (UniFrac), linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe), and multivariate analyses. The heterogeneity in diversity and community composition was mainly due to salinity and changes in environmental conditions across sites, as defined by nutrient and chlorophyllaconcentrations. Bacterioplankton communities were composed of a few dominant taxa and a large proportion (92%) of rare taxa (here defined as operational taxonomic units [OTUs] accounting for <0.1% of the total sequence abundance), the majority of which were unique to each site. The relationship between 16S rRNA and the 16S rRNA gene, i.e., between potential metabolic activity and abundance, was positive for the whole community. However, analysis of individual OTUs revealed high rRNA-to-rRNA gene ratios for most (71.6% ± 16.7%) of the rare taxa, suggesting that these low-abundance organisms were potentially active and hence might be playing an important role in ecosystem diversity and functioning in the GON.

IMPORTANCEThe study of bacterioplankton in coastal zones is of critical importance, considering that these areas are highly productive and anthropogenically impacted. Their richness and evenness, as well as their potential activity, are very important to assess ecosystem health and functioning. Here, we investigated bacterial distribution, community composition, and potential metabolic activity in the GON, which is an ideal test site due to its heterogeneous environment characterized by a complex hydrodynamics and terrestrial inputs of varied quantities and quality. Our study demonstrates that bacterioplankton communities in this region are highly diverse and strongly regulated by a combination of different environmental factors leading to their heterogeneous distribution, with the rare taxa contributing to a major proportion of diversity and shifts in community composition and potentially holding a key role in ecosystem functioning.
Discovery of Lysine Hydroxylases in the Clavaminic Acid Synthase-Like Superfamily for Efficient Hydroxylysine Bioproduction
Authors: Hara Ryotaro , Yamagata Kai , Miyake Ryoma , Kawabata Hiroshi , Uehara Hisatoshi , Kino Kuniki
Published: July 2017

Hydroxylation via C—H bond activation in the absence of any harmful oxidizing reagents is technically difficult in modern chemistry. In this work, we attempted to generate pharmaceutically important hydroxylysine from readily available
l
-lysine with
l
-lysine hydroxylases from diverse microorganisms. Clavaminic acid synthase-like superfamily gene mining and phylogenetic analysis led to the discovery of six biocatalysts, namely two
l
-lysine 3
S
-hydroxylases and four
l
-lysine 4
R
-hydroxylases, the latter of which partially matched known hydroxylases. Subsequent characterization of these hydroxylases revealed their capacity for regio- and stereoselective hydroxylation into either C-3 or C-4 positions of
l
-lysine, yielding (2
S
,3
S
)-3-hydroxylysine and (2
S
,4
R
)-4-hydroxylysine, respectively. To determine if these factors had industrial application, we performed a preparative production of both hydroxylysines under optimized conditions. For this, recombinant
l
-lysine hydroxylase-expressing
Escherichia coli
cells were used as a biocatalyst for
l
-lysine bioconversion. In batch-scale reactions, 531 mM (86.1 g/liter) (2
S
,3
S
)-3-hydroxylysine was produced from 600 mM
l
-lysine with an 89% molar conversion after a 52-h reaction, and 265 mM (43.0 g/liter) (2
S
,4
R
)-4-hydroxylysine was produced from 300 mM
l
-lysine with a molar conversion of 88% after 24 h. This report demonstrates the highly efficient production of hydroxylysines using lysine hydroxylases, which may contribute to future industrial bioprocess technologies.

IMPORTANCE
The present study identified six
l
-lysine hydroxylases belonging to the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily, although some of them overlapped with known hydroxylases. While the substrate specificity of
l
-lysine hydroxylases was relatively narrow, we found that (2
S
,3
S
)-3-hydroxylysine was hydroxylated by 4
R
-hydroxylase and (2
S
,5
R
)-5-hydroxylysine was hydroxylated by both 3
S
- and 4
R
-hydroxylases. Moreover, the
l
-arginine hydroxylase VioC also hydroxylated
l
-lysine, albeit to a lesser extent. Further, we also demonstrated the bioconversion of
l
-lysine into (2
S
,3
S
)-3-hydroxylysine and (2
S
,4
R
)-4-hydroxylysine on a gram scale under optimized conditions. These findings provide new insights into biocatalytic
l
-lysine hydroxylation and thus have a great potential for use in manufacturing bioprocesses.
Response of Microbial Community Function to Fluctuating Geochemical Conditions within a Legacy Radioactive Waste Trench Environment
Authors: Vázquez-Campos Xabier , Kinsela Andrew S. , Bligh Mark W. , Harrison Jennifer J. , Payne Timothy E. , Waite T. David
Published: July 2017

During the 1960s, small quantities of radioactive materials were codisposed with chemical waste at the Little Forest Legacy Site (Sydney, Australia) in 3-meter-deep, unlined trenches. Chemical and microbial analyses, including functional and taxonomic information derived from shotgun metagenomics, were collected across a 6-week period immediately after a prolonged rainfall event to assess the impact of changing water levels upon the microbial ecology and contaminant mobility. Collectively, results demonstrated that oxygen-laden rainwater rapidly altered the redox balance in the trench water, strongly impacting microbial functioning as well as the radiochemistry. Two contaminants of concern, plutonium and americium, were shown to transition from solid-iron-associated species immediately after the initial rainwater pulse to progressively more soluble moieties as reducing conditions were enhanced. Functional metagenomics revealed the potentially important role that the taxonomically diverse microbial community played in this transition. In particular, aerobes dominated in the first day, followed by an increase of facultative anaerobes/denitrifiers at day 4. Toward the mid-end of the sampling period, the functional and taxonomic profiles depicted an anaerobic community distinguished by a higher representation of dissimilatory sulfate reduction and methanogenesis pathways. Our results have important implications to similar near-surface environmental systems in which redox cycling occurs.

IMPORTANCEThe role of chemical and microbiological factors in mediating the biogeochemistry of groundwaters from trenches used to dispose of radioactive materials during the 1960s is examined in this study. Specifically, chemical and microbial analyses, including functional and taxonomic information derived from shotgun metagenomics, were collected across a 6-week period immediately after a prolonged rainfall event to assess how changing water levels influence microbial ecology and contaminant mobility. Results demonstrate that oxygen-laden rainwater rapidly altered the redox balance in the trench water, strongly impacting microbial functioning as well as the radiochemistry. Two contaminants of concern, plutonium and americium, were shown to transition from solid-iron-associated species immediately after the initial rainwater pulse to progressively more soluble moieties as reducing conditions were enhanced. Functional metagenomics revealed the important role that the taxonomically diverse microbial community played in this transition. Our results have important implications to similar near-surface environmental systems in which redox cycling occurs.
Association of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T with mortality and cardiovascular events in a community-based prospective study in Beijing
Authors: Xiao Wenkai , Cao Ruihua , Liu Yuan , Wang Fan , Bai Yongyi , Wu Hongmei , Ye Ping
Published: June 2017

Objective

The prognostic value of cardiac troponins in apparently healthy populations is not well established. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic properties of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) for long-term adverse outcomes.

Setting

A community-dwelling prospective survey of residents from two communities in Beijing.

Participants

From September 2007 to January 2009, 1680 participants were initially enrolled. Of these, 1499 (870 females, mean age: 61.4 years) participants completed the survey and were followed up for a median of 4.8 years (IQR: 4.5–5.2).

Outcome measures

The primary outcome was the occurrence of all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events.

Results

Overall, 820 individuals (54.7%) had detectable hs-cTnT levels. During the follow-up, 52 participants (3.5%) died, 154 (10.3%) had major cardiovascular events and 99 (6.6%) experienced new-onset coronary events. Compared with those with undetectable hs-cTnT levels, participants with hs-cTnT levels in the highest category (≥14 ng/L) had a significantly increased risk for all-cause mortality (adjusted HR (aHR): 2.07, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.01), major cardiovascular events (aHR: 3.27, 95% CI 1.88 to 5.70) and coronary events (aHR: 4.50, 95% CI 2.26 to 9.02) in covariate-adjusted analyses. No differences in stroke incidence were found (aHR: 1.27, 95% CI 0.69 to 2.62). Also, significant associations were presented when hs-cTnT levels were modelled as a continuous variable and when analysing changes in hs-cTnT levels over time with adverse outcomes. The addition of troponin T levels to clinical variables led to significant increases in risk prediction with a marked improvement in the C-statistics (p=0.003 or lower).

Conclusions

In this cohort of individuals from a community-based population, cTnT levels measured with a highly sensitive assay were associated with increases in the subsequent risk for all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events. These results might support screening for at-risk individuals.
Development of tools to facilitate palliative and supportive care referral for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Sharp Charles , Lamb Heather , Jordan Nikki , Edwards Adrienne , Gunary Rachel , Meek Patricia , Millar Ann B , Kendall Clare , Adamali Huzaifa
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Palliative care is underused in non-malignant respiratory diseases, including interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). We investigated current practices around palliative and supportive care and explored the impact of a supportive care decision aid tool.

Methods

This was a single centre study in a UK ILD centre. Retrospective analysis of hospice referrals and patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) under the Bristol ILD (BILD) service were used to identify unmet palliative and supportive care needs. Using quality improvement methodology, we explored the impact of a supportive care decision aid on clinician behaviours for patients with ILD.

Results

108 patients with ILD were referred for hospice care between 2010 and 2015, representing 0.15% of all referrals, compared with a population prevalence of IPF of 0.9%. The median interval between referral and death was 124 days.

Records were reviewed for 64 deceased and 89 living patients with IPF seen on July–December 2014. The decision aid was prospectively assessed with 73 patients. The deceased patients had greater markers of severity. There were no other differences between the groups.

After introduction, the decision aid tool was completed for 49.3% of patients and resulted in significant increases in documented discussion of referral to palliative care (11.2%vs53.6%, p<0.01) and end-of-life discussions (15.7%vs91.8%, p<0.01). Tool completion led to an increase in referral for palliative care (2.7%vs16.7%, p<0.01).

Conclusion

Palliative care services are underused in ILD and a supportive care decision aid can prompt consideration of palliative and supportive care needs.
A comparative study of different imaging modalities for successful percutaneous left atrial appendage closure
Authors: Chow Danny HF , Bieliauskas Gintautas , Sawaya Fadi J , Millan-Iturbe Oscar , Kofoed Klaus F , Søndergaard Lars , Backer Ole De
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Accurate sizing of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is essential when performing percutaneous LAA closure. This study aimed to compare different LAA imaging modalities and sizing methods in order to obtain successful LAA closure.

Background

Percutaneous LAA closure is an increasingly used treatment strategy to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. LAA sizing has typically been done by 2D-transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Methods

Patients who had a preprocedural TEE and preprocedural and postprocedural multislice CT (MSCT) were identified. Preprocedural measurements of LAA ostia and landing zones by 2D-TEE, MSCT and angiography were collected and analysed for those patients with successful LAA closure - i.e. with no contrast leakage at 3-month follow-up MSCT.

Results

The study population (n=67) had a mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3.0 and HAS-BLED score of 2.7. Fifty-eight patients (87%) were identified to have successful LAA closure. Based on MSCT, 48 LAA sizings (83%) resulted in a correct LAA closure device size selection, whereas with 2D-TEE sizing, only 33 measurements (57%) would have resulted in a correct device size selection (p<0.01). Using adapted Bland-Altman method, MSCT-based perimeter-derived mean diameter was shown to be the best parameter to guide LAA device size selection for â€˜closed-endâ€™ devices (Amulet, WatchmanFLX), whereas the maximal diameter was the best parameter for the â€˜open-endâ€™ Watchman device.

Conclusions

Preprocedural MSCT-based LAA closure device size selection proves to be a more accurate method than conventional 2D-TEE-based sizing. Depending on the LAA closure device design, perimeter-derived mean diameter or maximal diameter could be the better sizing method.
Association between the autophagy-related geneULK1and ankylosing spondylitis susceptibility in the Chinese Han population: a case–control study
Authors: Zhang Xu , Han Renfang , Wang Mengmeng , Li Xiaona , Yang Xiao , Xia Qing , Liu Rui , Yuan Yaping , Hu Xingxing , Chen Mengya , Jiang Guangming , Ma Yubo , Yang Jiajia , Xu Shengqian , Xu Jianhua , Shuai Zongwen , Pan Faming
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease (CD) often coexist in the same patient and these diseases have remarkably strong overlaps in genetic association. The association between Unc51like kinase 1 (ULK1) gene polymorphisms and CD has been reported, and the aim of the current study was to investigate whether ULK1 polymorphisms are also associated with susceptibility to AS in the Chinese Han population.

Methods

Five tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ULK1 gene (rs9652059, rs11616018, rs12303764, rs4964879 and rs7300908) were genotyped by the improved multiplex ligase detection reaction method in a cohort of patients with AS (n=649) and controls (n=628). Various genetic models were performed and haplotypes were constructed after linkage disequilibrium analysis.

Results

A statistically significant difference was found in the dominant model of the rs9652059 polymorphism (OR (95% CI) = 0.796 (0.638 to 0.994), χ2 = 4.064, p= 0.044). Haplotypes were conducted between rs9652059 and rs11616018, rs11616018 and rs4964879, rs9652059 and rs4964879 based on D’ ≥0.9 and r2 ≥ 0.6. Ht5 (rs9652059C-rs4964879G) haplotype was associated with AS (OR (95% CI) = 0.834 (0.706 to 0.985), χ2=4.555, p= 0.0328) and other two haplotypes were marginally correlated with AS (ht2 (rs9652059C-rs11616018T): OR (95% CI) = 0.846 (0.717 to 1.000), χ2= 3.864, p= 0.0493); ht3 (rs9652059T-rs11616018T): OR (95% CI) = 1.440 (0.999 to 2.076), χ2 = 3.849, p = 0.0498).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that rs9652059 variation (C→T) could increase AS susceptibility and haplotypes of rs9652059C-rs4964879G, rs9652059C-rs11616018T and rs9652059T-rs11616018T may be associatd with AS.
MRI and clinical resolution of a suspected intracranial toxoplasma granuloma with medical treatment in a domestic short hair cat
Authors: Crawford Abbe Harper , Drees Randi , Beltran Elsa
Published: July 2017

A two‐year‐old cat was presented with a left paradoxical vestibular syndrome. MRI of the brain revealed an extra‐axial homogenously contrast enhancing mass in the region of the left caudal cerebellar peduncle. Toxoplasma serology was consistent with active infection and the lesion was suspected to be a toxoplasma granuloma. Following eight weeks of tapering oral prednisolone and 11 weeks of oral clindamycin treatment, repeat MRI revealed resolution of the lesion. Eighteen months after initial diagnosis, the cat remained neurologically normal. Differential diagnoses for a solitary, extra‐axial, contrast enhancing mass lesion in the feline brain should include toxoplasma granuloma, which can undergo MRI and clinical resolution with medical treatment.
Super Edge-Connectivity of Strong Product Graphs
Authors: WANG ZHAO , MAO YAPING , YE CHENGFU , ZHAO HAIXING
Published: June 2017

The super edge-connectivity [Formula: see text] of a connected graph G is the minimum cardinality of an edge-cut F in G such that every component of G − F contains at least two vertices. Denote by [Formula: see text] the strong product of graphs G and H. For two graphs G and H, Yang proved that [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we give another proof of this result. In particular, we determine [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] denotes the minimum edge-degree of a graph G.
LBP-like feature based on Gabor wavelets for face recognition
Authors: Li Wen-Juan , Wang Jun , Huang Zheng-Hai , Zhang Ting , Du Daniel K.
Published: June 2017

The robust feature extraction method for face representation is an important issue in face recognition. In this paper, we extract a new kind of feature through applying the idea of local binary pattern (LBP) into the resulted sub-images of Gabor transform. The new feature, i.e. Gabor-LBP-Like (GLLBP), together with its extension methods (1) overcome the drawback of losing information after Gabor transform’s down-sampling; (2) are insensitive to noise, compared with the LBP feature extracted from the original face image; and (3) are robust to image variation, especially occlusion and illumination changes when compared with other existing features combined LBP and Gabor transform. To validate the effectiveness of these features, we do experiments on the ORL, FERET, Georgia Tech and LFW facial databases. The numerical results show that GLLBP and its extensions are miraculous features for face recognition.
Biochemistry of Catabolic Reductive Dehalogenation
Authors: Fincker Maeva , Spormann Alfred M.
Published: June 2017

A wide range of phylogenetically diverse microorganisms couple the reductive dehalogenation of organohalides to energy conservation. Key enzymes of such anaerobic catabolic pathways are corrinoid and Fe–S cluster–containing, membrane-associated reductive dehalogenases. These enzymes catalyze the reductive elimination of a halide and constitute the terminal reductases of a short electron transfer chain. Enzymatic and physiological studies revealed the existence of quinone-dependent and quinone-independent reductive dehalogenases that are distinguishable at the amino acid sequence level, implying different modes of energy conservation in the respective microorganisms. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about catabolic reductive dehalogenases and the electron transfer chain they are part of. We review reaction mechanisms and the role of the corrinoid and Fe–S cluster cofactors and discuss physiological implications.
Folic acid ingestion improves skeletal muscle blood flow during graded handgrip and plantar flexion exercise in aged humans
Authors: Romero Steven A. , Gagnon Daniel , Adams Amy N. , Moralez Gilbert , Kouda Ken , Jaffery Manall F. , Cramer Matthew N. , Crandall Craig G.
Published: July 2017

Skeletal muscle blood flow is attenuated in aged humans performing dynamic exercise, which is due, in part, to impaired local vasodilatory mechanisms. Recent evidence suggests that folic acid improves cutaneous vasodilation during localized and whole body heating through nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms. However, it is unclear whether folic acid improves vasodilation in other vascular beds during conditions of increased metabolism (i.e., exercise). The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that folic acid ingestion improves skeletal muscle blood flow in aged adults performing graded handgrip and plantar flexion exercise via increased vascular conductance. Nine healthy, aged adults (two men and seven women; age: 68 ± 5 yr) performed graded handgrip and plantar flexion exercise before (control), 2 h after (acute, 5 mg), and after 6 wk (chronic, 5 mg/day) folic acid ingestion. Forearm (brachial artery) and leg (superficial femoral artery) blood velocity and diameter were measured via Duplex ultrasonography and used to calculate blood flow. Acute and chronic folic acid ingestion increased serum folate (both P < 0.05 vs. control). During handgrip exercise, acute and chronic folic acid ingestion increased forearm blood flow (both conditions P < 0.05 vs. control) and vascular conductance (both P < 0.05 vs. control). During plantar flexion exercise, acute and chronic folic acid ingestion increased leg blood flow (both P < 0.05 vs. control), but only acute folic acid ingestion increased vascular conductance ( P < 0.05 vs. control). Taken together, folic acid ingestion increases blood flow to active skeletal muscle primarily via improved local vasodilation in aged adults.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our findings demonstrate that folic acid ingestion improves blood flow via enhanced vascular conductance in the exercising skeletal muscle of aged humans. These findings provide evidence for the therapeutic use of folic acid to improve skeletal muscle blood flow, and perhaps exercise and functional capacity, in human primary aging.

Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/folic-acid-and-exercise-hyperemia-in-aging/ .
Radical Surgery of Only the Anterior Elements of the Spine at the Posterior Element Fusion Level due to Metastatic Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Tsuchiya Ryuto , Fujimoto Kazuki , Inage Kazuhide , Orita Sumihisa , Shiga Yasuhiro , Kamoda Hiroto , Yamauchi Kazuyo , Suzuki Miyako , Sato Jun , Abe Koki , Kanamoto Hirohito , Inoue Masahiro , Kinoshita Hideyuki , Norimoto Masaki , Umimura Tomotaka , Koda Masao , Furuya Takeo , Nakamura Junichi , Takahashi Kazuhisa , Ohtori Seiji
Published: June 2017

Spinal metastasis of differentiated thyroid cancer can have a favorable prognosis if radical surgery is performed. We encountered a case of spinal metastasis involving three anterior vertebral bodies at the posterior element fusion level and successfully achieved adequate stability by radical surgery involving only the anterior elements. A 67-year-old woman who had numbness and muscle weakness in the lower limbs caused by metastatic spinal tumor at the posterior element fusion level of L1–L3 vertebrae was treated with radical surgery of only the anterior element to gain stability. Similar situations may occur in cases involving other malignant tumor metastases or spinal primary tumors. If such a case occurs, this method could be useful in preventing metastasis to the posterior element.
Identification of Interacting Stromal Axes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Saleh Sadiq M.I. , Bertos Nicholas , Gruosso Tina , Gigoux Mathieu , Souleimanova Margarita , Zhao Hong , Omeroglu Atilla , Hallett Michael T. , Park Morag
Published: June 2017

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a molecularly heterogeneous cancer that is difficult to treat. Despite the role it may play in tumor progression and response to therapy, microenvironmental (stromal) heterogeneity in TNBC has not been well characterized. To address this challenge, we investigated the transcriptome of tumor-associated stroma isolated from TNBC (n = 57). We identified four stromal axes enriched for T cells (T), B cells (B), epithelial markers (E), or desmoplasia (D). Our analysis method (STROMA4) assigns a score along each stromal axis for each patient and then combined the axis scores to subtype patients. Analysis of these subtypes revealed that prognostic capacity of the B, T, and E scores was governed by the D score. When compared with a previously published TNBC subtyping scheme, the STROMA4 method better captured tumor heterogeneity and predicted patient benefit from therapy with increased sensitivity. This approach produces a simple ontology that captures TNBC heterogeneity and informs how tumor-associated properties interact to affect prognosis. Cancer Res; 77(17); 4673–83. ©2017 AACR.
AXL-Driven EMT State as a Targetable Conduit in Cancer
Authors: Antony Jane , Huang Ruby Yun-Ju
Published: July 2017

The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) AXL has been intrinsically linked to epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promoting cell survival, anoikis resistance, invasion, and metastasis in several cancers. AXL signaling has been shown to directly affect the mesenchymal state and confer it with aggressive phenotype and drug resistance. Recently, the EMT gradient has also been shown to rewire the kinase signaling nodes that facilitate AXL–RTK cross-talk, protracted signaling, converging on ERK, and PI3K axes. The molecular mechanisms underplaying the regulation between the kinome and EMT require further elucidation to define targetable conduits. Therapeutically, as AXL inhibition has shown EMT reversal and resensitization to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mitotic inhibitors, and platinum-based therapy, there is a need to stratify patients based on AXL dependence. This review elucidates the role of AXL in EMT-mediated oncogenesis and highlights the reciprocal control between AXL signaling and the EMT state. In addition, we review the potential in inhibiting AXL for the development of different therapeutic strategies and inhibitors. Cancer Res; 77(14); 3725–32. ©2017 AACR.
RNA Editing in Pathogenesis of Cancer
Authors: Baysal Bora E. , Sharma Shraddha , Hashemikhabir Seyedsasan , Janga Sarath Chandra
Published: July 2017

Several adenosine or cytidine deaminase enzymes deaminate transcript sequences in a cell type or environment-dependent manner by a programmed process called RNA editing. RNA editing enzymes catalyze A>I or C>U transcript alterations and have the potential to change protein coding sequences. In this brief review, we highlight some recent work that shows aberrant patterns of RNA editing in cancer. Transcriptome sequencing studies reveal increased or decreased global RNA editing levels depending on the tumor type. Altered RNA editing in cancer cells may provide a selective advantage for tumor growth and resistance to apoptosis. RNA editing may promote cancer by dynamically recoding oncogenic genes, regulating oncogenic gene expression by noncoding RNA and miRNA editing, or by transcriptome scale changes in RNA editing levels that may affect innate immune signaling. Although RNA editing markedly increases complexity of the cancer cell transcriptomes, cancer-specific recoding RNA editing events have yet to be discovered. Epitranscriptomic changes by RNA editing in cancer represent a novel mechanism contributing to sequence diversity independently of DNA mutations. Therefore, RNA editing studies should complement genome sequence data to understand the full impact of nucleic acid sequence alterations in cancer. Cancer Res; 77(14); 3733–9. ©2017 AACR.
Effect of Maternal Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy on Self-Reported Allergic Diseases in the First 3 Years of Life: Results from the GUSTO Study
Authors: Loo Evelyn Xiu Ling , Ong Lynn , Goh Anne , Chia Ai-Ru , Teoh Oon Hoe , Colega Marjorelee T. , Chan Yiong Huak , Saw Seang Mei , Kwek Kenneth , Gluckman Peter D. , Godfrey Keith M. , Van Bever Hugo , Lee Bee Wah , Chong Yap Seng , Chong Mary Foong-Fong , Shek Lynette Pei-chi
Published: June 2017

Background: Maternal diet during pregnancy has been suggested to be an important early-life exposure that influences immune tolerance and the development of allergic diseases in offspring. Methods: We examined the relationship between maternal dietary patterns assessed using 24-h recalls and food diaries at 26-28 weeks of pregnancy and the subsequent development of allergic outcomes in the offspring in the Growing Up in Singapore towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) birth cohort. Exploratory factor analysis was used to characterize maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy. During repeated visits in the first 36 months of life, questionnaires were administered to ascertain allergic symptoms, namely, eczema, rhinitis, and wheeze. At ages 18 and 36 months, we administered skin-prick testing to inhalant and food allergens. Results: Of the 3 maternal dietary patterns that emerged, the seafood and noodles pattern was associated with a reduced risk of developing allergen sensitization at both 18 months (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.7 [0.5-0.9]) and 36 months (0.7 [0.6-0.9]) after adjustment for a family history of allergy, and ethnicity, sex, and maternal education levels. No associations between the patterns vegetables, fruit, and white rice or pasta, cheese, and processed meat were observed with any of the allergic outcomes in the first 18 and 36 months of life. Conclusion: Maternal diet during pregnancy can influence the subsequent development of allergic outcomes in offspring.
Serum Human Beta-Defensin-2 Is a Possible Biomarker for Monitoring Response to JAK Inhibitor in Psoriasis Patients
Authors: Jin Tingting , Sun Ziwen , Chen Xixue , Wang Yun , Li Ruoyu , Ji Suzhen , Zhao Yi
Published: June 2017

Aims: To analyse the correlation between serum human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) levels and response to JAK inhibitor in psoriasis. Methods: We evaluated the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and serum hBD-2 levels of 18 psoriasis patients randomized to receive placebo or tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg b.i.d. at baseline, week 8, and week 16. Serum hBD-2 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The PASI achieved a dramatic reduction after tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg b.i.d. treatment for 16 weeks (p < 0.05). Serum hBD-2 levels significantly decreased in patients treated with tofacitinib 10 mg b.i.d. compared with baseline and the placebo-treated patients (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was found between hBD-2 levels and PASI (r = 0.52, p < 0.01). A serum hBD-2 level of 1,255.45 pg/mL was a cut-off between mild and moderate-to-severe psoriasis in ROC analysis. Conclusions: Serum hBD-2 level might be a possible biomarker for monitoring psoriasis treatment response and differentiating mild from moderate-to-severe psoriasis.