bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crime in Urban Areas:
Authors: Zhao Xiangyu , Tang Jiliang
Published: May 2018

Urban safety and security play a crucial role in improving life quality of citizen and the sustainable development of urban. Traditional urban crime research focused on leveraging demographic data, which is insufficient to capture the complexity and dynamics of urban crimes. In the era of big data, we have witnessed advanced ways to collect and integrate fine-grained urban, mobile, and public service data that contains various crime-related sources as well as rich environmental and social information. The availability of big urban data provides unprecedented opportunities, which enable us to conduct advanced urban crime research. Meanwhile, environmental and social crime theories from criminology provide better understandings about the behaviors of offenders and complex patterns of crime in urban. They can not only help bridge the gap from what we have (big urban data) to what we want to understand about urban crime (urban crime analysis); but also guide us to build computational models for crime. In this article, we give an overview to key theories from criminology, summarize crime analysis on urban data, review state-of-the-art algorithms for various types of computational crime tasks and discuss some appealing research directions that can bring the urban crime research into a new frontier.
Broad Learning:
Authors: Zhang Jiawei , Yu Philip S.
Published: May 2018

Looking from a global perspective, the landscape of online social networks is highly fragmented. A large number of online social networks have appeared, which can provide users with various types of services. Generally, information available in these online social networks is of diverse categories, which can be represented as heterogeneous social networks (HSNs) formally. Meanwhile, in such an age of online social media, users usually participate in multiple online social networks simultaneously, who can act as the anchors aligning different social networks together. So multiple HSNs not only represent information in each social network, but also fuse information from multiple networks.

Formally, the online social networks sharing common users are named as the aligned social networks, and these shared users are called the anchor users. The heterogeneous information generated by users' social activities in the multiple aligned social networks provides social network practitioners and researchers with the opportunities to study individual user's social behaviors across multiple social platforms simultaneously. This paper presents a comprehensive survey about the latest research works on multiple aligned HSNs studies based on the broad learning setting, which covers 5 major research tasks, including network alignment, link prediction, community detection, information diffusion and network embedding respectively.
Endogenous and Exogenous Opioids in Pain
Authors: Corder Gregory , Castro Daniel C. , Bruchas Michael R. , Scherrer Grégory
Published: May 2018

Opioids are the most commonly used and effective analgesic treatments for severe pain, but they have recently come under scrutiny owing to epidemic levels of abuse and overdose. These compounds act on the endogenous opioid system, which comprises four G protein–coupled receptors (mu, delta, kappa, and nociceptin) and four major peptide families (β-endorphin, enkephalins, dynorphins, and nociceptin/orphanin FQ). In this review, we first describe the functional organization and pharmacology of the endogenous opioid system. We then summarize current knowledge on the signaling mechanisms by which opioids regulate neuronal function and neurotransmission. Finally, we discuss the loci of opioid analgesic action along peripheral and central pain pathways, emphasizing the pain-relieving properties of opioids against the affective dimension of the pain experience.
Nutrition and Inflammation: Are Centenarians Similar to Individuals on Calorie-Restricted Diets?
Authors: Franceschi Claudio , Ostan Rita , Santoro Aurelia
Published: May 2018

Individuals capable of reaching the extreme limit of human life such as centenarians are characterized by an exceptionally healthy phenotype—that is, a low number of diseases, low blood pressure, optimal metabolic and endocrine parameters, and increased diversity in the gut microbiota—and they are epigenetically younger than their chronological age. We present data suggesting that such a remarkable phenotype is largely similar to that found in adults following a calorie-restricted diet. Interviews with centenarians and historical data on the nutritional and lifestyle habits of Italians during the twentieth century suggest that as children and into adulthood, centenarians lived in an environment that was nonobesogenic, but at the same time the environment did not produce malnutrition. Centenarians appear to be creatures of habit, and we argue that their habit of eating meals at the same time each day favored the maintenance of circadian rhythms, including their sleep cycle. Finally, we argue that centenarians’ chronic inflammatory status, which we dubbed inflammaging, is peculiar, likely adaptive, and less detrimental than in younger people.
Binding of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 to β2-integrin regulates distinct cell adhesion processes on hepatic and cerebral endothelium
Authors: Tong Chun-Fang , Zhang Yan , Lü Shou-Qin , Li Ning , Gong Yi-Xin , Yang Hao , Feng Shi-Liang , Du Yu , Huang Dan-Dan , Long Mian
Published: May 2018

Flowing polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are forced to recruit toward inflamed tissue and adhere to vascular endothelial cells, which is primarily mediated by the binding of β2-integrins to ICAM-1. This process is distinct among different organs such as liver and brain; however, the underlying kinetic and mechanical mechanisms regulating tissue-specific recruitment of PMNs remain unclear. Here, binding kinetics measurement showed that ICAM-1 on murine hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) bound to lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) with higher on- and off-rates but lower effective affinity compared with macrophage-1 antigen (Mac-1), whereas ICAM-1 on cerebral endothelial cells (BMECs or bEnd.3 cells) bound to LFA-1 with higher on-rates, similar off-rates, and higher effective affinity compared with Mac-1. Physiologically, free crawling tests of PMN onto LSEC, BMEC, or bEnd.3 monolayers were consistent with those kinetics differences between two β2-integrins interacting with hepatic sinusoid or cerebral endothelium. Numerical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations validated tissue-specific contributions of β2-integrin-ICAM-1 kinetics to PMN crawling on hepatic sinusoid or cerebral endothelium. Thus, this work first quantified the biophysical regulation of PMN adhesion in hepatic sinusoids compared with cerebral endothelium.
RNA sequencing identified specific circulating miRNA biomarkers for early detection of diabetes retinopathy
Authors: Liang Zhen , Gao Kai P. , Wang Yi X. , Liu Zi C. , Tian Li , Yang Xin Z. , Ding Jing Y. , Wu Wei T. , Yang Wen H. , Li Yi L. , Zhang Ze B. , Zhai Ri H.
Published: May 2018

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in patients with diabetes. However, biomarkers for early detection of DR are still lacking. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate multiple biological functions and are often deregulated in DR. We aimed to investigate whether circulating miRNAs can be used as biomarkers of early-stage DR. We used RNA-seq and qRT-PCR to identify differential serum miRNAs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with DR (T2DM-DR), T2DM without DR (T2DM-no-DR), and healthy controls. We validated differential circulating miRNAs in two phases using qRT-PCR assays. RNA-seq analysis identified 7 differential circulating miRNAs between T2DM-DR and T2DM-no-DR and 47 differential miRNAs between T2DM-DR and healthy subjects. Two-stage analysis verified that a profile of five serum miRNAs (hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-miR-novel-chr5_15976, hsa-miR-28-3p, has-miR-151a-5p, has-miR-148a-3p) was significantly associated with T2DM-DR. Receiver-operator-characteristic analyses showed that a panel of three miRNAs (hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-miR-novel-chr5_15976, and hsa-miR-28-3p) presented 0.92 sensitivity and 0.94 specificity for distinguishing T2DM-DR from T2DM-no-DR, and 0.93 sensitivity and 0.86 specificity for differentiating early-stage T2DM-DR (NPDR) from late-stage DR (PDR). Lentivirus-mediated overexpression of hsa-let-7a-5p in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) significantly promoted proliferation rates of HRMECs. In conclusion, the three-miRNA signature from serum may serve as a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker for DR. Furthermore, we showed that DR-associated miRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of DR, at least in part, through modifying proliferation of HRMECs.
Remodeling of skeletal muscle mitochondrial proteome with high-fat diet involves greater changes to β-oxidation than electron transfer proteins in mice
Authors: Dasari Surendra , Newsom Sean A. , Ehrlicher Sarah E. , Stierwalt Harrison D. , Robinson Matthew M.
Published: May 2018

Excess fat intake can increase lipid oxidation and expression of mitochondrial proteins, indicating remodeling of the mitochondrial proteome. Yet intermediates of lipid oxidation also accumulate, indicating a relative insufficiency to completely oxidize lipids. We investigated remodeling of the mitochondrial proteome to determine mechanisms of changes in lipid oxidation following high-fat feeding. C57BL/6J mice consumed a high-fat diet (HFD, 60% fat from lard) or a low-fat diet (LFD, 10% fat) for 12 wk. Mice were fasted for 4 h and then anesthetized by pentobarbital sodium overdose for tissue collection. A mitochondrial-enriched fraction was prepared from gastrocnemius muscles and underwent proteomic analysis by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Mitochondrial respiratory efficiency was measured as the ratio of ATP production to O2 consumption. Intramuscular acylcarnitines were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 658 mitochondrial proteins were identified: 40 had higher abundance and 14 had lower abundance in mice consuming the HFD than in mice consuming the LFD. Individual proteins that changed with the HFD were primarily related to β-oxidation; there were fewer changes to the electron transfer system. Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that the HFD increased pathways of lipid metabolism and β-oxidation. Intramuscular concentrations of select acylcarnitines (C18:0) were greater in the HFD mice and reflected dietary lipid composition. Mitochondrial respiratory ATP production-to-O2 consumption ratio for lipids was not different between LFD and HFD mice. After the 60% fat diet, remodeling of the mitochondrial proteome revealed upregulation of proteins regulating lipid oxidation that was not evident for all mitochondrial pathways. The accumulation of lipid metabolites with obesity may occur without intrinsic dysfunction to mitochondrial lipid oxidation.
Inhalation of electronic cigarette aerosol induces reflex bronchoconstriction by activation of vagal bronchopulmonary C-fibers
Authors: Khosravi M. , Lin R. L. , Lee L.-Y.
Published: May 2018

The electronic cigarette (e-cig) has been suggested as a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes. However, the health effects of e-cigs on the airways have not been fully investigated. Nicotine, the primary chemical constituent of the e-cig aerosol, has been shown to stimulate vagal bronchopulmonary C-fiber sensory nerves, which upon activation can elicit vigorous pulmonary defense reflexes, including airway constriction. In this study, we investigated the bronchomotor response to e-cig inhalation challenge in anesthetized guinea pigs and the mechanisms involved in regulating these responses. Our results showed that delivery of a single puff of e-cig aerosol into the lung triggered immediately a transient bronchoconstriction that sustained for >2 min. The increase in airway resistance was almost completely abolished by a pretreatment with either intravenous injection of atropine or inhalation of aerosolized lidocaine, suggesting that the bronchoconstriction was elicited by cholinergic reflex mechanism and stimulation of airway sensory nerves was probably involved. Indeed, electrophysiological recording further confirmed that inhalation of e-cig aerosol exerted a pronounced stimulatory effect on vagal bronchopulmonary C-fibers. These effects on airway resistance and bronchopulmonary C-fiber activity were absent when the e-cig aerosol containing zero nicotine was inhaled, indicating a critical role of nicotine. Furthermore, a pretreatment with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists by inhalation completely prevented the airway constriction evoked by e-cig aerosol inhalation. In conclusion, inhalation of a single puff of e-cig aerosol caused a transient bronchoconstriction that was mediated through cholinergic reflex and triggered by a stimulatory effect of nicotine on vagal bronchopulmonary C-fiber afferents.
Pulmonary endothelial permeability and tissue fluid balance depend on the viscosity of the perfusion solution
Authors: Rowan Simon C. , Rochfort Keith D. , Piouceau Lucie , Cummins Philip M. , O’Rourke Malachy , McLoughlin Paul
Published: May 2018

Fluid filtration in the pulmonary microcirculation depends on the hydrostatic and oncotic pressure gradients across the endothelium and the selective permeability of the endothelial barrier. Maintaining normal fluid balance depends both on specific properties of the endothelium and of the perfusing blood. Although some of the essential properties of blood needed to prevent excessive fluid leak have been identified and characterized, our understanding of these remains incomplete. The role of perfusate viscosity in maintaining normal fluid exchange has not previously been examined. We prepared a high-viscosity perfusion solution (HVS) with a relative viscosity of 2.5, i.e., within the range displayed by blood flowing in vessels of different diameters in vivo (1.5–4.0). Perfusion of isolated murine lungs with HVS significantly reduced the rate of edema formation compared with perfusion with a standard solution (SS), which had a lower viscosity similar to plasma (relative viscosity 1.5). HVS did not alter capillary filtration pressure. Increased endothelial shear stress produced by increasing flow rates of SS, to mimic the increased shear stress produced by HVS, did not reduce edema formation. HVS significantly reduced extravasation of Evans blue-labeled albumin compared with SS, indicating that it attenuated endothelial leak. These findings demonstrate for the first time that the viscosity of the solution perfusing the pulmonary microcirculation is an important physiological property contributing to the maintenance of normal fluid exchange. This has significant implications for our understanding of fluid homeostasis in the healthy lung, edema formation in disease, and reconditioning of donor organs for transplantation.
Bilateral renal cryodenervation decreases arterial pressure and improves insulin sensitivity in fructose-fed Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors: Soncrant Tyler , Komnenov Dragana , Beierwaltes William H. , Chen Haiping , Wu Min , Rossi Noreen F.
Published: May 2018

Consumption of food high in fructose is prevalent in modern diets. One week of moderately high fructose intake combined with high salt diet has been shown to increase blood pressure and failed to suppress plasma renin activity (PRA). We tested the hypothesis that the hypertension and high PRA are consequences of elevated renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). In protocol 1, we assessed RSNA by telemetry in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats given 20% fructose or 20% glucose in drinking water on a 0.4% NaCl diet (NS) for 1 wk and then transitioned to a 4% NaCl diet (HS). After an additional week, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and RSNA increased significantly in fructose-fed but not glucose-fed HS rats. In protocol 2, fructose (Fruc)- or glucose (Glu)-fed rats on NS or HS diet for 3 wk underwent sham denervation (shamDNX) or bilateral renal denervation using cryoablation (cryoDNX). MAP was higher in Fruc-HS rats compared with Glu-NS, Glu-HS, or Fruc-NS rats and decreased after cryoDNX ( P < 0.01). MAP did not change in Fruc-HS shamDNX rats. Renal norepinephrine content decreased by 85% in cryoDNX ( P < 0.01 vs. shamDNX). PRA significantly decreased after cryoDNX in both Fruc-NS and Fruc-HS rats. Nonfasting blood glucose levels were similar among the four groups. Glucose-to-insulin ratio significantly increased in Fruc-HS cryoDNX rats, consistent with greater insulin sensitivity. Taken together, these studies show that renal sympathoexcitation is, at least in part, responsible for salt-dependent increases in MAP, increased PRA, and decreased insulin sensitivity in rats fed a moderately high fructose diet for as little as 3 wk.
Role of adenosine signaling in coordinating cardiomyocyte function and coronary vascular growth in chronic fetal anemia
Authors: Davis Lowell , Musso James , Soman Divya , Louey Samantha , Nelson Jonathan W. , Jonker Sonnet S.
Published: May 2018

Fetal anemia causes rapid and profound changes in cardiac structure and function, stimulating proliferation of the cardiac myocytes, expansion of the coronary vascular tree, and impairing early contraction and relaxation. Although hypoxia-inducible factor-1α is sure to play a role, adenosine, a metabolic byproduct that increases coronary flow and growth, is implicated as a major stimulus for these adaptations. We hypothesized that genes involved in myocardial adenosine signaling would be upregulated in chronically anemic fetuses and that calcium-handling genes would be downregulated. After sterile surgical instrumentation under anesthesia, gestationally timed fetal sheep were made anemic by isovolumetric hemorrhage for 1 wk (16% vs. 35% hematocrit). At 87% of gestation, necropsy was performed to collect heart tissue for PCR and immunohistochemical analysis. Anemia increased mRNA expression levels of adenosine receptors ADORA 1, ADORA2A, and ADORA2B in the left and right ventricles (adenosine receptor ADORA3 was unchanged). In both ventricles, anemia also increased expression of ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1 and ecto-5′-nucleotidase. The genes for both equilibrative nucleoside transporters 1 and 2 were expressed more abundantly in the anemic right ventricle but were not different in the left ventricle. Neither adenosine deaminase nor adenosine kinase cardiac levels were significantly changed by chronic fetal anemia. Chronic fetal anemia did not significantly change cardiac mRNA expression levels of the voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel, ryanodine receptor 1, sodium-calcium exchanger, sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium transporting ATPase 2, phospholamban, or cardiac calsequestrin. These data support local metabolic integration of vascular and myocyte function through adenosine signaling in the anemic fetal heart.
MicroRNA-132 controls water homeostasis through regulating MECP2-mediated vasopressin synthesis
Authors: Bijkerk Roel , Trimpert Christiane , van Solingen Coen , de Bruin Ruben G. , Florijn Barend W. , Kooijman Sander , van den Berg Rosa , van der Veer Eric P. , Bredewold Edwin O. W. , Rensen Patrick C. N. , Rabelink Ton J. , Humphreys Benjamin D. , Deen Peter M. T. , van Zonneveld Anton Jan
Published: May 2018

Fine-tuning of the body’s water balance is regulated by vasopressin (AVP), which induces the expression and apical membrane insertion of aquaporin-2 water channels and subsequent water reabsorption in the kidney. Here we demonstrate that silencing of microRNA-132 (miR-132) in mice causes severe weight loss due to acute diuresis coinciding with increased plasma osmolality, reduced renal total and plasma membrane expression of aquaporin-2, and abrogated increase in AVP levels. Infusion with synthetic AVP fully reversed the antagomir-132-induced diuresis, and low-dose intracerebroventricular administration of antagomir-132 similarly caused acute diuresis. Central and intracerebroventricular antagomir-132 injection both decreased hypothalamic AVP mRNA levels. At the molecular level, antagomir-132 increased the in vivo and in vitro mRNA expression of methyl-CpG-binding protein-2 (MECP2), which is a miR-132 target and which blocks AVP gene expression by binding its enhancer region. In line with this, treatment of hypothalamic N6 cells with a high-salt solution increased its miR-132 levels, whereas it attenuated endogenous Mecp2 mRNA levels. In conclusion, we identified miR-132 as a first miRNA regulating the osmotic balance by regulating the hypothalamic AVP gene mRNA expression.
Modulation of mean arterial pressure and diuresis by renomedullary infusion of a selective inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase
Authors: Ahmad Ashfaq , Dempsey Sara K. , Daneva Zdravka , Li Ningjun , Poklis Justin L. , Li Pin-Lan , Ritter Joseph K.
Published: May 2018

The kidneys contribute to the control of body fluid and electrolytes and the long-term regulation of blood pressure through various systems, including the endocannabinoid system. Previously, we showed that inhibition of the two major endocannabinoid-hydrolyzing enzymes, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase, in the renal medulla increased the rate of urine excretion (UV) and salt excretion without affecting mean arterial pressure (MAP). The present study evaluated the effects of a selective FAAH inhibitor, N-3-pyridinyl-4-[[3-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]oxy]phenyl]methyl]-1-piperidine carboxamide (PF-3845) on MAP and renal functions. Infusion of PF-3845 into the renal medulla of C57BL/6J mice reduced MAP during the posttreatment phases and increased UV at 15 and 30 nmol/min per gram kidney weight (g kwt), relative to the pretreatment control phase. Intravenous PF-3845 administration reduced MAP at the 7.5, 15, and 30 doses and increased UV at the 15 and 30 nmol⋅min−1⋅g−1 kwt doses. PF-3845 treatment elevated sodium and potassium urinary excretion and medullary blood flow. Homozygous FAAH knockout mice were refractory to intramedullary PF-3845-induced changes in MAP, but UV was increased. Both MAP and UV responses to intramedullary PF-3845 in C57BL/6J mice were diminished by pretreatment with the cannabinoid type 1 receptor-selective antagonist, rimonabant (3 mg/kg, ip) but not the cyclooxygenase 2-selective inhibitor, celecoxib (15 mg/kg, iv). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses showed increased anandamide in kidney tissue and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol in plasma after intramedullary PF-3845. These data suggest that inhibition of FAAH in the renal medulla leads to both a diuretic and blood pressure-lowering response mediated by elevated anandamide in kidney tissue or 2-arachidonoyl glycerol in plasma.
Mitochondrial complex I defect resulting from exercise-induced lower limb ischemia in patients with peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Signolet I. , Abraham P. , Chupin S. , Ammi M. , Gueguen N. , Letournel F. , Picquet J. , Baufreton C. , Daligault M. , Procaccio V. , Reynier P. , Henni S.
Published: May 2018

This study aims to compare the structural and mitochondrial alterations between muscle segments affected by exercise-induced ischemia and segments of the same muscle without ischemia, in the same subject. In a prospective analysis, 34 patients presenting either peripheral arterial disease or chronic coronary syndrome without any evidence of peripheral arterial disease were eligible for inclusion based on findings indicating a need for either a femoro-popliteal bypass or a saphenous harvesting for coronary bypass. Before surgery, we assessed the level of exercise-induced ischemia in proximal and distal sections of the thigh by the measurement of transcutaneous oxygen pressure during an exercise treadmill test. Distal and proximal biopsies of the sartorius muscle were procured during vascular surgical procedures to assess mitochondrial function and morphometric parameters of the sartorius myofibers. Comparisons were made between the distal and proximal biopsies, with respect to these parameters. Thirteen of the study patients that initially presented with peripheral arterial disease had evidence of an isolated distal thigh exercise-induced ischemia, associated with a 35% decrease in the mitochondrial complex I enzymatic activity in the distal muscle biopsy. This defect was also associated with a decreased expression of the manganese superoxide dismutase enzyme and with alterations of the shapes of the myofibers. No functional or structural alterations were observed in the patients with coronary syndrome. We validated a specific model ischemia in peripheral arterial disease characterized by muscular alterations. This “Distal-Proximal-Sartorius Model” would be promising to explore the physiopathological consequences specific to chronic ischemia.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We compared proximal versus distal biopsies of the sartorius muscle in patients with superficial femoral artery stenosis or occlusion and proof of, distal only, regional blood flow impairment with exercise oximetry. We identified a decrease in the mitochondrial complex I enzymatic activity and antioxidant system impairment at the distal level only. We validate a model to explore the physiopathological consequences of chronic muscle ischemia.
Biological Effects and Biodistribution of Bufotenine on Mice
Authors: Vigerelli Hugo , Sciani Juliana Mozer , Eula Maria Andrea Camarano , Sato Luciana Almeida , Antoniazzi Marta M. , Jared Carlos , Pimenta Daniel C.
Published: May 2018

Bufotenine is an alkaloid derived from serotonin, structurally similar to LSD and psilocin. This molecule is able to inhibit the rabies virus infection in in vitro and in vivo models, increasing the survival rate of infected animals. Being a very promising molecule for an incurable disease and because of the fact that there is no consensus regarding its neurological effects, this study aimed to evaluate chronic treatment of bufotenine on behavior, pathophysiology, and pharmacokinetics of mice. Animals were daily treated for 21 consecutive days with 0.63, 1.05, and 2.1 mg/animal/day bufotenine and evaluated by open field test and physiological parameters during all the experiment. After this period, organs were collected for histopathological and biodistribution analysis. Animals treated with bufotenine had mild behavioral alterations compared to the control group, being dose-response relationship. On the other hand, animals showed normal physiological functions and no histological alterations in the organs. With high doses, an inflammatory reaction was observed in the site of injection, but with no cellular damage. The alkaloid could be found in the heart and kidney with all doses and in the lungs and brain with higher doses. These results show that the effective dose, 0.63 mg/day, is safe to be administered in mice, since it did not cause significant effects on the animals’ physiology and on the CNS. Higher doses were well tolerated, causing only mild behavioral effects. Thus, bufotenine might be a drug prototype for rabies treatment, an incurable disease.
Optimal Disturbance Rejection with Zero Steady‐State Error for Nonlinear Vehicle Suspension Systems under Persistent Road Disturbances
Authors: Zhong Xiao-Fang , Han Shi-Yuan , Yang Xi-Xin , Guan Yuan-Lin , Zhou Jin
Published: May 2018

The road disturbance rejection problem for vehicle active suspension involving the nonlinear characteristics is researched in this paper. A continuous‐time state space of nonlinear vehicle active suspension is established first, in which the road disturbance is generated from the output of an introduced exosystem based on the ground displacement power spectral density. After that, based on the dynamics of road roughness and the internal model principle, a disturbance compensator with zero steady‐state error is designed, which is related to the dynamic characteristics of road disturbance and independent of the control system model. By combining the vehicle active suspension system and the designed road disturbance compensator, an augmented system is obtained without explicit indication of road disturbance. Then by solving a series of decoupled nonlinear two‐point‐boundary‐value problem and employing an iterative computing algorithm, an approximation optimal road disturbance rejection controller is obtained. Finally, the simulation results illustrate that the proposed approximation optimal road disturbance rejection controller can reduce the values of sprung mass acceleration, tire deflection, suspension deflection, and energy consumption and compensate the nonlinear behaviors of vehicle active suspension effectively.
Lateral‐Torsional Coupling Characteristics of a Two‐Stage Planetary Gear Rotor System
Authors: Wang Zhipeng , Yuan Yunbo , Wang Zhiyong , Liu Wei , Guo Yibin , Wang Donghua
Published: May 2018

Planetary gears are one part of the whole transmission chain, and the dynamics and vibration characteristics of them are strongly coupled with external rotors. In this paper, to demonstrate the interaction between multistage planetary gears and external rotors as well as investigate the lateral‐torsional coupling characteristics of them, a coupling model of a two‐stage planetary gear rotor system is proposed. In such a model, the two‐stage planetary gear subsystem is established as a lumped‐parameter model and the external rotor subsystem is established as a finite element model. The vibration mode distribution properties and lateral‐torsional coupling characteristics are both analyzed by modal strain energy. Three different conditions are considered: uncoupled, partially coupled, and fully coupled. The results indicate that the coupling among multiple subsystems and the lateral‐torsional coupling mainly exist in the low‐mode region. Natural frequencies dominated by the two‐stage planetary gear subsystem are sensitive to coupled conditions, whereas natural frequencies dominated by the input rotor subsystem are remarkably insensitive to coupled conditions. Furthermore, the natural frequency of the first torsional mode can be obtained only in the fully coupled condition. Experiments are implemented to obtain natural frequencies, and the experiment results validate the numerical results.
Risk Factors for Hemorrhagic and Ischemic Stroke in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Namale Gertrude , Kamacooko Onesmus , Kinengyere Alison , Yperzeele Laetitia , Cras Patrick , Ddumba Edward , Seeley Janet , Newton Robert
Published: May 2018

Introduction. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there is a significant burden of ischemic stroke (IS) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS), although data on risk factors for each type are sparse. In this systematic review we attempt to characterize the risk factors. Methods. We systematically reviewed (PubMed, EMBASE, WHOLIS, Google Scholar, Wiley online, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)) case-control studies and case series from 1980 to 2016 that reported risk factors for IS and/or HS in SSA. For each risk factor we calculated random-effects pooled odds ratios (ORs) for case-control studies and pooled prevalence estimates for case series. Results. We identified 12 studies, including 4,387 stroke patients. Pooled analysis showed that patients who had diabetes (OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.14–5.03) and HIV (OR = 2.46 (95% CI: 1.59–3.81) were at a significantly greater risk of suffering from all stroke types. There were insufficient data to examine these factors by stroke type. Among case series, the pooled prevalence of hypertension was higher for HS than for IS (73.5% versus 62.8%), while diabetes mellitus (DM) and atrial fibrillation (AF) were more prevalent among IS compared to HS (15.9% versus 10.6% and 9.6% versus 2.3%, respectively). Conclusions. There remain too few data from SSA to reliably estimate the effect of various factors on the risk of IS and HS. Furthermore, the vast majority of cases were identified in hospital and so are unlikely to be representative of the totality of stroke cases in the community.
The Electrical Stimulation of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Causes Oxidative Stress in Skeletal Muscle of Rats
Authors: Karnia Mateusz Jakub , Myslinska Dorota , Dzik Katarzyna Patrycja , Flis Damian Jozef , Ciepielewski Ziemowit Maciej , Podlacha Magdalena , Kaczor Jan Jacek
Published: May 2018

Recent studies indicate that activation of hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenocortical axis (HPA) plays the crucial role in stress response, while several lines of evidence mark the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) as a major mediator of the HPA axis responses to stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the corticosterone flux induced by the electrical stimulation of BST on markers of free radical damage of lipids and proteins and antioxidant enzyme activity in skeletal muscle of rats. The male Wistar rats were used and assigned to one of three groups: sham‐operated (SHM; n = 6), two‐week (ST2; n = 6), and four‐week stimulated (ST4; n = 5) groups. Blood, soleus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles were collected. The chronic, 4‐week electrical stimulation of the BST evokes increased plasma corticosterone concentration, which resulted in oxidative stress in skeletal muscles. We found higher level of lipid peroxidation markers, lower level of protein oxidation marker, and elevated antioxidant enzyme activity in both muscles. Our findings have also potential implication showing that reaction to the long‐term “psychological stress” may lead to free radical damage of muscle.
Markers of Anemia in Children with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Rusak Ewa , Rotarska-Mizera Anna , Adamczyk Piotr , Mazur Bogdan , Polanska Joanna , Chobot Agata
Published: May 2018

Aim. The aim of the study was to assess markers of anemia in type 1 diabetes (T1D) children, compare them to results obtained in the control group, and estimate their relation to BMI SDS. Methods. 94 (59% ♀) T1D children without other autoimmune disorders, aged 12.5 ± 4.1 years, T1D duration: 4.2 ± 3.6 years, HbA1c 7.3 ± 1.5% (57 ± 12.6 mmol/mol). Sex- and age-matched controls (43 children). In all children, anthropometric measurements, the blood count, iron turnover parameters, and vitamin B12 concentration were taken. Results. T1DM children had significantly higher red cell distribution width (RDW) (13.6 versus 12.6%; p<0.001), hepcidin (0.25 versus 0.12 ng/ml; p<0.001), and vitamin B12 concentrations (459 versus 397 pg/ml; p<0.01) and lower TIBC (59.09 versus 68.15 μmol/l; p<0.001) than in the control group. Logistic regression revealed that RDW, TIBC (both p<0.001), and hepcidin (p<0.05) significantly differentiated both groups. In T1DM children, BMI SDS negatively correlated with vitamin B12 (p<0.01) concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p<0.05) and positively with TIBC (p<0.01) and HbA1c (p<0.001). Conclusions. Patients and controls differed especially in terms of RDW and TIBC. In studied T1DM children, BMI SDS was associated to iron metabolism parameters and vitamin B12 concentration.
Implementation Process and Impacts of a Participatory HIV Research Project with Key Populations
Authors: Dias Sónia , Gama Ana , Simões Daniel , Mendão Luís
Published: May 2018

A participatory HIV research project was conducted with sex workers (SW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) to understand epidemiological HIV dynamics and associated sociobehavioural factors among these vulnerable groups. We examine the impact of this project, critically analysing the processes undertaken and focusing on the advantages and the challenges faced. A partnership was built through two Community Advisory Boards (CABs) and a Scientific Commission (SC). Regular meetings, workshops, and focus groups were conducted with CABs, SC, and partners to assess the processes and outcomes of the project implementation. This participatory research produced change processes with impacts at different levels: individuals, community organizations, health professionals, academics, and policy-makers. Advantages of the participatory process were encountered but also challenges, evidencing the dynamic and complex nature of each project’s stage. This project showed that participatory research can work as an intervention. Indeed, it triggered a dynamic and interactive process of knowledge coproduction and translation into effective community-oriented health actions and policies. The participatory research reproduced an innovative alliance for HIV prevention and sexual health promotion responsive to local needs and priorities. Further efforts are needed to systematize and evaluate the processes and impacts of participatory health research.
Marrow Adipose Tissue: Its Origin, Function, and Regulation in Bone Remodeling and Regeneration
Authors: Li Qiwen , Wu Yunshu , Kang Ning
Published: May 2018

Marrow adipose tissue (MAT) is a unique fat depot in the bone marrow and exhibits close relationship with hematopoiesis and bone homeostasis. MAT is distinct from peripheral adipose tissue in respect of its heterogeneous origin, site-specific distribution, and complex and perplexing function. Though MAT is indicated to function in hematopoiesis, skeletal remodeling, and energy metabolism, its explicit characterization still requires further research. In this review, we highlight recent advancement made in MAT regarding the origin and distribution of MAT, the local interaction with bone homeostasis and hematopoietic niche, the systemic endocrine regulation of metabolism, and MAT-based strategies to enhance bone formation.
Correlation Analysis between Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes and Gastrointestinal Bleeding after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Zhang Chenhao , Huang Chaolian , Wang Mingming , Kong Xiaolin , Liu Guannan , Wang Jie
Published: May 2018

Objective. To explore the characters of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to provide syndrome study theoretical evidence for TCM differentiation treatment after PCI through retrospective study. Methods. Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) who underwent PCI in Cardiovascular Intervention Center of Wangjing Hospital during Dec. 2012 to Dec. 2014 and met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Retrospective study was then conducted based on patients’ clinical document and angiography data to explore the distribution pattern of TCM syndromes. Results. 801 patients were recruited in the study. TCM syndromes in descending order of their incidence were Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, heart blood stasis syndrome, Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome, phlegm and blood stasis syndrome, Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, Yang asthenia syndrome, heart and kidney yin deficiency syndrome to cold congeal, and blood stasis syndrome in a more to less order. Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was in the most (occurring in 298 patients, 37.20%); Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome occurred in 163 patients (20.35%); heart blood stasis syndrome was shown in 126 patients (15.73%); phlegm and blood stasis syndrome was shown in 95 patients (11.86%). Conclusion. Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was closely associated with post‐PCI bleeding, implying that this syndrome might serve as a powerful predictor of GI bleeding as well as a potential supplement to the current predicting and scoring system of bleeding such as CRUSADE.
A New Approach to Achieve Variable Negative Stiffness by Using an Electromagnetic Asymmetric Tooth Structure
Authors: Han Chao , Liu Xueguang , Wu Muyun , Liang Weilong
Published: May 2018

Traditional passive nonlinear isolators have been paid much attention in recent literatures due to their excellent performance compared to linear vibration isolators. However, they are incapable of dealing with varying conditions such as changing excitation frequency due to the nonadjustable negative stiffness. To solve this drawback, a new approach to achieve variable negative stiffness is proposed in this paper. The negative stiffness is realized by an electromagnetic asymmetric magnetic tooth structure and can be changed by adjusting the magnitude of the input direct current. Analytical model of the electromagnetic force is built and simulations of magnetic field are conducted to validate the negative stiffness. Then the EATS is applied to vibration isolation and an electromagnetic vibration isolator is designed. Finally, a series of tests are conducted to measure the negative stiffness experimentally and confirm the effect of the EATS in vibration isolation.
Association of Ki-67 Labelling Index and IL-17A with Pituitary Adenoma
Authors: Glebauskiene Brigita , Liutkeviciene Rasa , Vilkeviciute Alvita , Gudinaviciene Inga , Rocyte Aurelija , Simonaviciute Dovile , Mazetyte Ruta , Kriauciuniene Loresa , Zaliuniene Dalia
Published: May 2018

The aim of the present study was to determine if the Ki-67 labelling index reflects invasiveness of pituitary adenoma and to evaluate IL-17A concentration in blood serum of pituitary adenoma patients. The study was conducted in the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. All pituitary adenomas were analysed based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. The suprasellar extension and sphenoid sinus invasion by pituitary adenoma were classified according to Hardy classification modified by Wilson. Knosp classification system was used to quantify the invasion of the cavernous sinus. The Ki-67 labelling index was obtained by immunohistochemical analysis with the monoclonal antibody, and serum levels of IL-17A were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sixty-nine PA tissue samples were investigated. Serum levels of IL–17A were determined in 60 patients with PA and 64 control subjects. Analysis revealed statistically significantly higher Ki-67 labelling index in invasive compared to noninvasive pituitary adenomas. Median serum IL-17A level was higher in the pituitary adenoma patients than in the control group. Conclusion. IL-17A might be a significant marker for patients with pituitary adenoma and Ki-67 labelling index in case of invasive pituitary adenomas.
Prognosis and Histological Classification in Elderly Patients with ANCA-Glomerulonephritis: A Registry-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Bjørneklett Rune , Bostad Leif , Fismen Anne-Siri
Published: May 2018

Background. The value of a histologic classification scheme to classify patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) into focal, mixed, crescentic, and sclerotic types for predicting risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is well documented. However, the prognostic value of histological classification specifically in elderly patients (≥70 years) with ANCA-GN has not previously been investigated. Methods. Patients with biopsy-verified pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis were identified from the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry between 1991 and 2012 and those ≥70 years of age at the time of diagnosis and having positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody serology were included in this study. The incidence rate of ESRD and/or death was determined by linking the study cohort to the Norwegian Renal Registry and the Population Registry of Norway. The ESRD-free survival and patient survival were compared between the 4 histological types. Results. Of the 81 patients included, 20 progressed to ESRD and 34 died. The 1-year and 5-year ESRD-free survival varied between histological groups (p = 0.003) as follows: focal, 97% and 97%, respectively; mixed, 70% and 57%; crescentic, 76% and 63%; and sclerotic, 49% and 49%. Patient survival did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.30). Conclusion. Histological classification in elderly patients with ANCA-GN is useful for predicting ESRD but not survival.
Concordance between Immunohistochemistry and Microarray Gene Expression Profiling for Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, and HER2 Receptor Statuses in Breast Cancer Patients in Lebanon
Authors: Fakhri Ghina B. , Akel Reem S. , Khalil Maya K. , Mukherji Deborah A. , Boulos Fouad I. , Tfayli Arafat H.
Published: May 2018

Introduction. Accurate evaluation of estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER2 is critical when diagnosing invasive breast cancer for optimal treatment. The current evaluation method is via immunohistochemistry (IHC). In this paper, we compared results of ER, PR, and HER2 from microarray gene expression to IHC in 81 fresh breast cancer specimens. Methods. Gene expression profiling was performed using the GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 arrays (Affymetrix Inc). Immunohistochemical staining for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 status was performed using standard methods at a CAP-accredited pathology laboratory. Concordance rates, agreement measures, and kappa scores were calculated for both methods. Results. For ER, Kappa score was 0.918 (95% CI, 0.77.3–1.000) and concordance rate was 97.5% (95% CI, 91.4%–99.7%). For PR, Kappa score was 0.652 (95% CI, 0.405–0.849) and concordance rate was 86.4% (95% CI, 77%–93%). For HER2, Kappa score was 0.709 (95% CI, 0.428–0.916) and concordance rate was 97.5% (95% CI, 91.4%–99.7%). Conclusion. Our results are in line with the available evidence with the concordance rate being the lowest for the progesterone receptor. In general, microarray gene expression and IHC proved to have high concordance rates. Several factors can increase the discordance rate such as differences in sample processing.
Limb Pain as Unusual Presentation of a Parietal Intraparenchymal Bleeding Associated with Crack Cocaine Use: A Case Report
Authors: Lucerna Alan , Espinosa James , Zaman Taimur , Hertz Risha , Stranges Douglas
Published: May 2018

Limb pain as a presenting feature of an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke is extremely rare. Here we present a case of a 65-year-old male with complaints of left arm pain and allodynia (specifically light touch to any part of the left arm produced significant discomfort) who was found to have a right parietal lobe intraparenchymal bleed after smoking crack cocaine. Acute central pain is mainly associated with parietal, thalamic, and brainstem lesions. It has been proposed that acute limb pain from a parietal lobe stroke is due to the disconnection of the parietal cortex from the thalamus secondary to the interruption of the pathways between the hemisphere and thalamus/basal ganglia.
A Review of Podocyte Biology
Authors: Garg Puneet
Published: May 2018

Background: Podocyte biology is a developing science that promises to help improve understanding of the mechanistic nature of multiple diseases associated with proteinuria. Proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome has been linked to mechanistic dysfunctions in the renal glomerulus involving the function of podocyte epithelial cells, including podocyte foot process effacement. Summary: Developments in imaging technology are improving knowledge of the detailed structure of the human renal glomerulus and cortex. Podocyte foot processes attach themselves to the glomerular capillaries at the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) forming intercellular junctions that form slit diaphragm filtration barriers that help maintain normal renal function. Damage in this area has been implicated in glomerular disease. Injured podocytes undergo effacement whereby they lose their structure and spread out, leading to a reduction in filtration barrier function. Effacement is typically associated with the presence of proteinuria in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease, and diabetes. It is thought to be due to a breakdown in the actin cytoskeleton of the foot processes, complex contractile apparatuses that allow podocytes to dynamically reorganize according to changes in filtration requirements. The process of podocyte depletion correlates with the development of glomerular sclerosis and chronic kidney disease. Focal adhesion complexes that interact with the underlying GBM bind the podocytes within the glomerular structure and prevent their detachment. Key Messages: Knowledge of glomerular podocyte biology is helping to advance our understanding of the science and mechanics of the glomerular filtering process, opening the way to a variety of new potential applications for clinical targeting.