bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell Differentiation in a Bacillus thuringiensis Population during Planktonic Growth, Biofilm Formation, and Host Infection
Authors: Verplaetse Emilie , Slamti Leyla , Gohar Michel , Lereclus Didier
Published: April 2015

Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt) is armed to complete a full cycle in its insect host. During infection, virulence factors are expressed under the control of the quorum sensor PlcR to kill the host. After the host's death, the quorum sensor NprR controls a necrotrophic lifestyle, allowing the vegetative cells to use the insect cadaver as a bioincubator and to survive. Only a part of the Bt population sporulates in the insect cadaver, and the precise composition of the whole population and its evolution over time are unknown. Using fluorescent reporters to record gene expression at the single-cell level, we have determined the differentiation course of a Bt population and explored the lineage existing among virulent, necrotrophic, and sporulating cells. The dynamics of cell differentiation were monitored during growth in homogenized medium, biofilm formation, and colonization of insect larvae. We demonstrated that in the insect host and in planktonic culture in rich medium, the virulence, necrotrophism, and sporulation regulators are successively activated in the same cell. In contrast, in biofilms, activation of PlcR is dispensable for NprR activation and we observed a greater heterogeneity than under the other two growth conditions. We also showed that sporulating cells arise almost exclusively from necrotrophic cells. In biofilm and in the insect cadaver, we identified an as-yet-uncharacterized category of cells that do not express any of the reporters used. Overall, we showed that PlcR, NprR, and Spo0A act as interconnected integrators to allow finely tuned adaptation of the pathogen to its environment.

IMPORTANCE
Bt is an entomopathogen found ubiquitously in the environment and is a widely used biopesticide. Studies performed at the population level suggest that the infection process of Bt includes three successive steps (virulence, necrotrophism, and sporulation) controlled by different regulators. This study aimed to determine how these phenotypes are activated at the cellular level and if they are switched on in all cells. We used an insect model of infection and biofilms to decipher the cellular differentiation of this bacterium under naturalistic conditions. Our study reveals the connection and lineage existing among virulent, necrotrophic, and sporulating cells. It also shows that the complex conditions encountered in biofilms and during infection generate great heterogeneity inside the population, which might reflect a bet-hedging strategy to ameliorate survival. These data generate new insights into the role of regulatory networks in the adaptation of a pathogen to its host.
Life-threatening opioid toxicity from a fentanyl patch applied to eczematous skin
Authors: Doris Mhairi K , Sandilands Euan A
Published: April 2015

A 19-year-old man with a history of eczema was admitted to the emergency department following collapsing at home. The paramedics found him unresponsive with poor respiratory effort and a widespread erythematous rash. Anaphylaxis, thought to be secondary to flucloxacillin he had recently been prescribed, was diagnosed. Epinephrine, steroids and antihistamines were administered without clinical improvement. On arrival to hospital, constricted pupils were noted prompting the emergency physicians to consider opiate toxicity. Intravenous naloxone brought about an immediate recovery. His father subsequently disclosed that he had given his son one of his own fentanyl patches to alleviate the distressing symptoms of eczema. Although the patient had removed the patch prior to collapsing, he had suffered life-threatening opioid toxicity likely due to enhanced opiate absorption through eczematous skin. This case highlights the risks associated with fentanyl patches in patients with chronic skin conditions.
Endoscopic pedicled nasoseptal flap repair of spontaneous sphenoid sinus cerebrospinal fluid leaks
Authors: Gunaratne Dakshika Abeydeera , Singh Narinder Pal
Published: April 2015

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in the sphenoid sinus are an uncommon but potentially significant condition associated with thin pneumatised bone, obesity and raised intracranial pressure. Despite advances in endoscopic sinus surgery, successful repair remains problematic due to limitations in visualisation, access and management of underlying aetiological factors. Utilisation of vascularised tissue in the primary repair process of sphenoid CSF leaks is yet to be well explored in the literature. In this series, we describe our surgical approach and explore related clinical, pathological and operative factors in three cases of spontaneous sphenoid sinus CSF leaks, successfully repaired on first attempt with the use of a vascularised nasoseptal flap.
Treatment for acute anterior cruciate ligament tear: five year outcome of randomised trial
Authors: Frobell Richard B , Roos Harald P , Roos Ewa M , Roemer Frank W , Ranstam Jonas , Lohmander L Stefan
Published: April 2015

STUDY QUESTION

In young active adults with an acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, do patient reported or radiographic outcomes after five years differ between those treated with rehabilitation plus early ACL reconstruction and those treated with rehabilitation and optional delayed ACL reconstruction?

SUMMARY ANSWER

At five years, patients assigned to rehabilitation plus early ACL reconstruction did not differ significantly in patient reported or radiographic outcomes from those assigned to initial rehabilitation with the option of having a later reconstruction if needed.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

The relative efficacy of surgical reconstruction and rehabilitation for short and long term outcomes of ACL rupture is debated. Clinicians and young active adult patients should consider rehabilitation as a primary treatment option following an acute ACL tear.
Risk factors for HIV and syphilis infection among male sex workers who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study in Hangzhou, China, 2011
Authors: Luo Yan , Zhu Chunyan , Chen Shuchang , Geng Qingshan , Fu Rong , Li Xiting , Xu Ke , Cheng Jie , Ding Jianming
Published: April 2015

Objective

To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of HIV and syphilis infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in male sex workers (MSW).

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Hangzhou, China.

Participants

259 MSW in MSM were recruited by respondent-driven sampling from May 2011 to December 2011.The inclusion criteria were: (1) age ≥18 years; (2) engaging in sex with men in the previous year and (3) willing to cooperate in the implementation of the study.

Outcome measures

HIV-related knowledge, high-risk behaviour and condom use.

Results

Among these MSW in MSM, 23.2% were infected with HIV and/or syphilis, 8.9% were infected only with HIV, 12.7% only with syphilis and 1.5% with HIV/syphilis co-infection; 96.6% sold sex to males, 8.9% bought sex from males and 15.4% sold sex to females; 49.0% had non-commercial sex behaviours with males and 24.3% with females. The rate of condom use while having commercial sex with clients was 86.9% and 53.3% (selling anal and oral sex to males, respectively), 95.5% (buying sex from males) and 77.5% (selling sex to females), respectively. Regarding their non-commercial sex behaviour, the rate of condom use was 77.2% (with males) and 49.2% (with females), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that age >30 years (OR 1.055; 95% CIs 1.015 to 1.095) and having ≥10 non-commercial male sex partners (OR, 1.573; 95% CI 1.018 to 2.452) were significantly associated with HIV/syphilis infection, while heterosexuality (OR, 0.238; 95% CI 0.066 to 0.855) was significantly associated with a low HIV/syphilis infection rate.

Conclusions

The MSW in MSM population in Hangzhou has a high prevalence of HIV/syphilis infection, poor perceived risks of HIV and more engagement in unsafe sex with its clients and partners, in addition to a low rate of condom use. These risk factors may account for their relatively high infection rate of HIV/syphilis.
Recall of physical activity advice was associated with higher levels of physical activity in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Fisher A , Williams K , Beeken R , Wardle J
Published: April 2015

Objectives

The present study tested the hypothesis that recall of receiving physical activity (PA) advice would be associated with higher levels of PA in patients with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Setting

Colorectal cancer patients who were diagnosed in 2010 or 2011, and had been treated in the English National Health Service (NHS).

Participants

17 753 respondents completed at least one section of the survey relevant to the current study and after exclusion of 171 with dementia (since results relied on recall), 15 254 had complete data for the current study. 60% were male, 67% were>65 years and 96% were from a white ethnic group.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Patients completed the ‘Living with and Beyond Colorectal Cancer’ Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS) survey in 2013. The survey included questions on receiving exercise advice/information (‘PA advice’), and the frequency of currently doing at least 30 min of brisk PA per day (‘PA level’: 0, 1–4 or 5–7 days, within the past week; with the top category meeting UK guidelines).

Results

A third of respondents (31%) recalled receiving PA advice. Independent of demographics and treatment, patients who recalled having PA advice were more likely to be currently doing some brisk PA (51% in the advice group vs 42% in the no advice group; OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.60 to 1.90; p<0.001), and more likely to be meeting PA guidelines (25% vs 20%; OR 1.70, CI 1.54 to 1.88; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Recalling being given PA advice after a diagnosis of CRC was associated with higher levels of PA. However, less than a third of patients recalled receiving advice. Future research should examine the context in which advice is given and randomised trials are required. However, encouraging clinicians working with patients with CRC to give brief PA advice is warranted and may help improve outcomes for CRC survivors.
Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in female clinic attendees in Honiara, Solomon Islands
Authors: Marks M , Kako H , Butcher R , Lauri B , Puiahi E , Pitakaka R , Sokana O , Kilua G , Roth A , Solomon A W , Mabey D C
Published: April 2015

Objectives

This study sought to determine the prevalence of common bacterial sexually transmitted infections, includingChlamydia trachomatisandNeisseria gonorrhoeae, in women attending clinics in the Solomon Islands.

Methods

We conducted a sexual health survey among women attending three nurse-led community outpatient clinics in August 2014, to establish the prevalence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections in female clinic attenders in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Vaginal swab samples were tested for infection withC. trachomatisandN. gonorrhoeaeusing a commercial strand displacement amplification assay. Serum samples were tested for syphilis.

Results

We enrolled 296 women, aged 16–49, attending three clinics. Knowledge of safe sexual practices was high but reported condom usage was low. The prevalence of infection withC. trachomatiswas 20%. The prevalence of infection withN. gonorrhoeaeand syphilis were 5.1% and 4.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections are a major health problem in the Solomon Islands. Interventions are urgently needed.
Multicentre observational study of adults with asthma exacerbations: who are the frequent users of the emergency department in Japan?
Authors: Watase Hiroko , Hagiwara Yusuke , Chiba Takuyo , Camargo Carlos A , Hasegawa Kohei
Published: April 2015

Objectives

Emergency department (ED) visits for asthma exacerbation reflect a failure of longitudinal asthma management. However, little is known about the characteristics of patients with frequent ED visits (≥2 visits in a 1-year period). We aimed to characterise the adult patients who frequently presented to the ED for asthma exacerbation in Japan.

Design

A multicentre chart review study of 23 EDs across Japan.

Participants

Adults aged 18–54 years who presented to the ED with asthma exacerbation from 2009 to 2011.

Outcome measures

Frequency of ED visits for asthma exacerbation in a 1-year period, including the index ED visit.

Results

Of the 1002 eligible patients, 218 (22%) had frequent ED visits, accounting for 48% of total ED visits for asthma exacerbation in the 1-year period. Specifically, 12% had 2 ED visits and 10% had ≥3 visits. In these patients, guideline-recommended chronic management was suboptimal. For example, among patients with ≥3 ED visits, only 63% were treated with inhaled corticosteroids and 49% were current smokers. In a multinomial logistic regression model, markers of chronic asthma severity (history of hospitalisation for asthma and use of inhaled corticosteroids) were significantly associated with a higher frequency of ED visits (both p<0.05).

Conclusions

This multicentre study in Japan demonstrated that many patients are frequent ED users for asthma exacerbation. We also found that their asthma control management is suboptimal, most likely contributing to worse chronic severity and more frequent ED visits. Further dissemination and adoption of evidence-based guidelines are required to reduce asthma morbidity in this high-risk population.
Fifty moves a year: is there an association between joint physical custody and psychosomatic problems in children?
Authors: Bergström Malin , Fransson Emma , Modin Bitte , Berlin Marie , Gustafsson Per A , Hjern Anders
Published: April 2015

Background

In many Western countries, an increasing number of children with separated parents have joint physical custody, that is, live equally much in their parent's respective homes. In Sweden, joint physical custody is particularly common and concerns between 30% and 40% of the children with separated parents. It has been hypothesised that the frequent moves and lack of stability in parenting may be stressful for these children.

Methods

We used data from a national classroom survey of all sixth and ninth grade students in Sweden (N=147839) to investigate the association between children's psychosomatic problems and living arrangements. Children in joint physical custody were compared with those living only or mostly with one parent and in nuclear families. We conducted sex-specific linear regression analyses for z-transformed sum scores of psychosomatic problems and adjusted for age, country of origin as well as children's satisfaction with material resources and relationships to parents. Clustering by school was accounted for by using a two-level random intercept model.

Results

Children in joint physical custody suffered from less psychosomatic problems than those living mostly or only with one parent but reported more symptoms than those in nuclear families. Satisfaction with their material resources and parent–child relationships was associated with children's psychosomatic health but could not explain the differences between children in the different living arrangements.

Conclusions

Children with non-cohabitant parents experience more psychosomatic problems than those in nuclear families. Those in joint physical custody do however report better psychosomatic health than children living mostly or only with one parent. Longitudinal studies with information on family factors before and after the separation are needed to inform policy of children's postseparation living arrangements.
Recurrence, retreatment, and rebleed rates of coiled aneurysms with respect to the Raymond–Roy scale: a meta-analysis
Authors: Darflinger Robert , Thompson Laura A , Zhang Zhiwei , Chao Kuo
Published: April 2015

Background and purpose

The Raymond–Roy grading scale is used for aneurysm coiling with only limited data on its validity. The scale was developed based on the extent of initial aneurysm occlusion from 1 to 3. However, the model usefulness in evaluating recurrence, retreatment, and rebleeding is unknown. Our goal was to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the predictiveness of the Raymond scale.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of the English literature for aneurysm coiling which reported the initial embolization results, based on the Raymond–Roy grading scale, and the respective recurrence rates, retreatment rates, and rebleed rates. This yielded data for 4587 aneurysms. We conducted a Bayesian random effects meta-analysis to evaluate the outcomes with respect to the reported initial embolization results.

Results

We found the Raymond scale to be predictive of retreatment, with statistically higher rates of retreatment with higher initial Raymond grade. Furthermore, we found a higher probability of rebleeding for initial grades 2 or 3 versus grade 1, which approached significance. The rebleed rates were probably affected by monitoring and treatment of recurrence. However, although there was a trend towards higher recurrence rates with initial grade, this was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The modified Raymond–Roy scale appears to provide reasonable predictive value for treated aneurysm, especially for the clinically more important aspects of retreatment and rebleed rates.
Effect of urethral infusion of atracurium besylate on manual bladder expression in dogs and cats with spinal cord injuries: a randomised trial
Authors: Galluzzi F. , De Rensis F. , Saleri R. , Spattini G.
Published: April 2015

The aim of this randomised trial was to assess the effect of urethral infusion of atracurium besylate in dogs and cats with signs of urinary retention secondary to lesions affecting spinal cord segments T3–L3. Eighteen dogs and six cats with urinary retention were examined and scored before treatment on the degree of difficulty of inducing bladder emptying by manual bladder compression. Animals were subsequently treated in a blinded fashion by the same operator with urethral infusion of 2–4 ml of either a solution of 0.5 mg/ml of atracurium (treatment group) or placebo (control group) and, after five minutes, a second attempt was made to induce bladder emptying by manual compression and a post‐treatment score assigned. Pretreatment scores did not differ between the treatment and control groups (5.6±0.8 v 6.2±0.7, respectively; P=0.22); however, post‐treatment scores were significantly lower in the treatment group compared with the control group (2.9±0.4 v 5.9±0.3; P<0.05). Urethral infusion of atracurium facilitates manual bladder expression in dogs and cats with urinary retention secondary to spinal cord injuries. No side effects were recognised.
Genetic Algorithms for Feature Selection for Brain–Computer Interface
Authors: Rejer Izabela
Published: April 2015

The crucial problem that has to be solved when designing an effective brain–computer interface (BCI) is: how to reduce the huge space of features extracted from raw electroencephalography (EEG) signals. One of the strategies for feature selection that is often applied by BCI researchers is based on genetic algorithms (GAs). The two types of GAs that are most commonly used in BCI research are the classic algorithm and the Culling algorithm. This paper presents both algorithms and their application for selecting features crucial for the correct classification of EEG signals recorded during imagery movements of the left and right hand. The results returned by both algorithms are compared to those returned by an algorithm with aggressive mutation and an algorithm with melting individuals, both of which have been proposed by the author of this paper. While the aggressive mutation algorithm has been published previously, the melting individuals algorithm is presented here for the first time.
Partial Orders on Fuzzy Truth Value Algebras
Authors: Harding John , Walker Carol , Walker Elbert
Published: April 2015

The elements of the truth value algebra of type-2 fuzzy sets are the mappings of the unit interval into itself, with operations given by various convolutions of the pointwise operations. This algebra can be specialized and generalized in various interesting ways. First, we consider the more general case of all mappings of a bounded chain with an involution into a complete chain, and delimit some of the properties of the resulting algebra. These include two binary operations each of which give a partial order on the elements of that algebra. These partial orders and their intersection are the principal objects of interest. We specialize this situation in two cases: (1) all mappings of the unit interval into itself, the original version of the truth value algebra of type-2 fuzzy sets introduced by Zadeh, and (2) all mappings of a finite chain into another finite chain. Again, each of these two cases yields two partial orders on the elements of the resulting algebras, and in each case, our principal interest is in these partial orders and their intersection.
Convergence rate of semi-supervised gradient learning algorithms
Authors: Sheng Baohuai , Xiang Daohong , Ye Peixin
Published: April 2015

Semi-supervised learning deals with learning with a small amount labeled sample and a large amount of unlabeled sample to improve the learning ability. The purpose of the semi-supervised gradient learning is to increase the smoothness of the solution using unlabeled gradient data. In this paper, we study the semi-supervised kernel-based regularization scheme involving function gradient value. We show that the learning rate can be bounded by a K-functional with gradients of the function, which verify how the unlabeled gradient data quantitatively influences the learning rate. Some approaches from convex analysis play a key role in our error analysis.
An operator approach to analysis of conditional kernel canonical correlation
Authors: Cai Jia
Published: April 2015

Kernel canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is a nonlinear extension of CCA, which aims at extracting information shared by two random variables. In this paper, a new notion of conditional kernel CCA is introduced. Conditional kernel CCA aims at analyzing the effect of variable Z to the dependence between X and Y. Rates of convergence of an empirical normalized conditional cross-covariance operator (empirical NCCCO) to the normalized conditional cross-covariance operator (NCCCO) are also investigated in this paper. Elaborate error analysis of conditional kernel CCA is elegantly conducted under mild decay conditions. Our refined analysis leads to satisfactory learning rates in a more general setting.
Asymptotic spectra of matrix-valued functions of independent random matrices and free probability
Authors: Götze F. , Kösters H. , Tikhomirov A.
Published: April 2015

We investigate the universality of singular value and eigenvalue distributions of matrix-valued functions of independent random matrices and apply these general results in several examples. In particular we determine the limit distribution and prove universality under general conditions for singular value and eigenvalue distributions of products of independent matrices from spherical ensembles.
China's "New Diplomacy" under the Xi Jinping Administration
Authors: Yang Jiemian
Published: April 2015

Since the establishment of the Xi Jinping administration, China's diplomacy has undergone significant changes while adopting many legacies of the previous times. It has increasingly manifested the diplomatic thinking of a great rising nation, strategic designs which keep pace with the times, and strong measures to tackle new challenges as well as to promote favorable changes for China's continuing development. With a review of the historical background and current situations faced by China, this paper closely examines the innovations and improvement of China's diplomatic thinking, the characteristics of China's current diplomatic strategy, and the new features of China's diplomatic practice. It is concluded that, despite the large advance in China's diplomatic thinking, strategies and practice, they need to be further theorized, institutionalized and operationalized, in order to fulfill the varying tasks under the rapidly changing domestic and international environments.
Be Strong and Be Good? Continuity and Change in China's International Strategy under Xi Jinping
Authors: Zhu Feng , Lu Peng
Published: April 2015

With China entering a new stage of its peaceful rise, how the latest changes in its international strategy may be evaluated becomes an increasingly important question. Existing discussion on the question is problematic and misleading, either paying overwhelming attention to the technical issues such as the logical consistency of the means and the ends of China's foreign policy or emphasizing the unique Sino-centric logic of action adopted by China in its engagement with the world. However interesting these studies may appear, they fail to integrate the two most important factors regarding China's international strategy: the strategic target(s) and the practices. This article attempts to address concerns about China's changing international strategy by investigating these two factors. It firstly traces the evolution of China's strategic target since 1949, suggesting that it is changing from a single-faceted one as being materially strong to a multi-faceted one with increasing efforts to be socially good. This change represents China's changing identity from an outsider of the Western-dominated international society to an active participant in an international society witnessing the decline of the West and the rise of the Rest. Subsequently, the article briefly examines China's interaction with other international agents in the second decade of the 21st century, ranging from the United States being the hegemon to Japan being a regional competitor, and to smaller neighboring Southeast Asian countries. It concludes that China's international strategy is at the cross roads of being materially strong or being socially good, or both — each scenario has indicators in China's international practices under Xi Jinping's administration. With ever closer engagement and mutual construction between China and the international society, each side should provide sufficient dynamics for the other to improve its degree of legitimacy in the future.
China's Economic Diplomacy: Focusing on the Asia-Pacific Region
Authors: Zha Daojiong
Published: April 2015

Of all the major activities and initiatives by the fifth-generation Chinese leadership, formally inaugurated in 2012, those relating to the Asia-Pacific region are the most noteworthy. The past two years witnessed the Chinese leadership enunciating a "Chinese Dream" vision for the nation and offering to share the prospects of prosperity and stability with the entire Asia-Pacific region and beyond. The leadership also adopted a "new normal" mode, aimed at stabilizing domestic economic growth and improving its quality. By way of establishing and expanding free trade zones, China demonstrates its commitment to liberalization. The spate of free trade agreements concluded with U.S. security allies, in addition to a commitment to expedite conclusion of a bilateral investment treaty with the U.S., points to China's separation of rules-based trade/investment management from concerns about geostrategic denial. Chinese initiation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and integration with economies along a "Silk Road Economic Belt" and a "Twenty-first-Century Maritime Silk Road" are bold yet challenging. At the same time, other Chinese economic diplomacy initiatives have yet to win broad-based support. Nevertheless, in its totality, China is not seeking to rewrite established rules of world economic governance.
China's New Leadership and the New Development of China-Latin America Relations
Authors: Jiang Shixue
Published: April 2015

Before China's current leadership was established at the 18th Congress of the Communist Party of China in November 2012, China's relations with Latin America had already been proceeding rapidly and steadily. The way the new Chinese leadership is promoting the bilateral relationship reflects China's increasing engagement with both developed and developing countries, aiming to generate win-win results on the basis of creating and consolidating various partnerships. In the new era, with a new partnership, a new road map, and a new forum, China-Latin America relations are expected to proceed with greater momentum. In the meantime, there will be new problems and challenges to tackle in order to realize the many visions and resolves of leaders on both sides.
Fungal Effectors and Plant Susceptibility
Authors: Lo Presti Libera , Lanver Daniel , Schweizer Gabriel , Tanaka Shigeyuki , Liang Liang , Tollot Marie , Zuccaro Alga , Reissmann Stefanie , Kahmann Regine
Published: April 2015

Plants can be colonized by fungi that have adopted highly diverse lifestyles, ranging from symbiotic to necrotrophic. Colonization is governed in all systems by hundreds of secreted fungal effector molecules. These effectors suppress plant defense responses and modulate plant physiology to accommodate fungal invaders and provide them with nutrients. Fungal effectors either function in the interaction zone between the fungal hyphae and host or are transferred to plant cells. This review describes the effector repertoires of 84 plant-colonizing fungi. We focus on the mechanisms that allow these fungal effectors to promote virulence or compatibility, discuss common plant nodes that are targeted by effectors, and provide recent insights into effector evolution. In addition, we address the issue of effector uptake in plant cells and highlight open questions and future challenges.
Gain and phase of perceived virtual rotation evoked by electrical vestibular stimuli
Authors: Peters Ryan M. , Rasman Brandon G. , Inglis J. Timothy , Blouin Jean-Sébastien
Published: April 2015

Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) evokes a perception of rotation; however, very few quantitative data exist on the matter. We performed psychophysical experiments on virtual rotations experienced when binaural bipolar electrical stimulation is applied over the mastoids. We also performed analogous real whole body yaw rotation experiments, allowing us to compare the frequency response of vestibular perception with (real) and without (virtual) natural mechanical stimulation of the semicircular canals. To estimate the gain of vestibular perception, we measured direction discrimination thresholds for virtual and real rotations. Real direction discrimination thresholds decreased at higher frequencies, confirming multiple previous studies. Conversely, virtual direction discrimination thresholds increased at higher frequencies, implying low-pass filtering of the virtual perception process occurring potentially anywhere between afferent transduction and cortical responses. To estimate the phase of vestibular perception, participants manually tracked their perceived position during sinusoidal virtual and real kinetic stimulation. For real rotations, perceived velocity was approximately in phase with actual velocity across all frequencies. Perceived virtual velocity was in phase with the GVS waveform at low frequencies (0.05 and 0.1 Hz). As frequency was increased to 1 Hz, the phase of perceived velocity advanced relative to the GVS waveform. Therefore, at low frequencies GVS is interpreted as an angular velocity signal and at higher frequencies GVS becomes interpreted increasingly as an angular position signal. These estimated gain and phase spectra for vestibular perception are a first step toward generating well-controlled virtual vestibular percepts, an endeavor that may reveal the usefulness of GVS in the areas of clinical assessment, neuroprosthetics, and virtual reality.
Calreticulin Mutated Essential Thrombocythemia Presenting as Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Nazha Bassel , Garcia Gwenalyn , Kandov Ruben , Odaimi Marcel
Published: April 2015

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by a clonal expansion of megakaryocytes. ET can result in both arterial and venous thrombosis. Involvement of the coronary arteries has been reported. Patients who harbor aCALRmutation are half as likely to suffer a thrombotic event as compared to patients with aJAK2mutation. We report a case ofCALR-mutated ET whose initial disease manifestation was a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.
Performance Analysis of Wind-Induced Piezoelectric Vibration Bimorph Cantilever for Rotating Machinery
Authors: Zhou Gongbo , Wang Houlian , Zhu Zhencai , Huang Linghua , Li Wei
Published: April 2015

Harvesting the energy contained in the running environment of rotating machinery would be a good way to supplement energy to the wireless sensor. In this paper, we take piezoelectric bimorph cantilever beam with parallel connection mode as energy collector and analyze the factors which can influence the generation performance. First, a modal response theory model is built. Second, the static analysis, modal analysis, and piezoelectric harmonic response analysis of the wind-induced piezoelectric bimorph cantilever beam are given in detail. Finally, an experiment is also conducted. The results show that wind-induced piezoelectric bimorph cantilever beam has low resonant frequency and stable output under the first modal mode and can achieve the maximum output voltage under the resonant condition. The output voltage increases with the increase of the length and width of wind-induced piezoelectric bimorph cantilever beam, but the latter increasing amplitude is relatively smaller. In addition, the output voltage decreases with the increase of the thickness and the ratio of metal substrate to piezoelectric patches thickness. The experiment showed that the voltage amplitude generated by the piezoelectric bimorph cantilever beam can reach the value simulated in ANSYS, which is suitable for actual working conditions.
Long Noncoding RNAs in Digestive System Malignancies: A Novel Class of Cancer Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets?
Authors: Kladi-Skandali Athina , Michaelidou Kleita , Scorilas Andreas , Mavridis Konstantinos
Published: April 2015

High throughput methodologies have revealed the existence of an unexpectedly large number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). The unconventional role of lncRNAs in gene expression regulation and their broad implication in oncogenic and tumor suppressive pathways have introduced lncRNAs as novel biological tumor markers. The most prominent example of lncRNAs application in routine clinical practice is PCA3, a FDA-approved biomarker for prostate cancer. Regarding digestive system malignancies, the oncogenic HOTAIR is one of the most widely studied lncRNAs in the preclinical level and has already been identified as a potent prognostic marker for major malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we provide an overview of recent findings regarding the emerging role of lncRNAs not only as key regulators of cancer initiation and progression in colon, stomach, pancreatic, liver, and esophageal cancers, but also as reliable tumor markers and therapeutic tools. lncRNAs can be easily, rapidly, and cost-effectively determined in tissues, serum, and gastric juice, making them highly versatile analytes. Taking also into consideration the largely unmet clinical need for early diagnosis and more accurate prognostic/predictive markers for gastrointestinal cancer patients, we comment upon the perspectives of lncRNAs as efficient molecular tools that could aid in the clinical management.
Supplemental Interscalene Blockade to General Anesthesia for Shoulder Arthroscopy: Effects on Fast Track Capability, Analgesic Quality, and Lung Function
Authors: Zoremba Martin , Kratz Thomas , Dette Frank , Wulf Hinnerk , Steinfeldt Thorsten , Wiesmann Thomas
Published: April 2015

Background. After shoulder surgery performed in patients with interscalene nerve block (without general anesthesia), fast track capability and postoperative pain management in the PACU are improved compared with general anesthesia alone. However, it is not known if these evidence-based benefits still exist when the interscalene block is combined with general anesthesia.Methods. We retrospectively analyzed a prospective cohort data set of 159 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy with general anesthesia alone (n=60) or combined with an interscalene nerve block catheter (n=99) for fast track capability time. Moreover, comparisons were made for VAS scores, analgesic consumption in the PACU, pain management, and lung function measurements.Results. The groups did not differ in mean time to fast track capability (22 versus 22 min). Opioid consumption in PACU was significantly less in the interscalene group, who had significantly better VAS scores during PACU stay. Patients receiving interscalene blockade had a significantly impaired lung function postoperatively, although this did not affect postoperative recovery and had no impact on PACU times.Conclusion. The addition of interscalene block to general anesthesia for shoulder arthroscopy did not enhance fast track capability. Pain management and VAS scores were improved in the interscalene nerve block group.
A Framework for Real Time Processing of Sensor Data in the Cloud
Authors: Kamburugamuve Supun , Christiansen Leif , Fox Geoffrey
Published: April 2015

We describe IoTCloud, a platform to connect smart devices to cloud services for real time data processing and control. A device connected to IoTCloud can communicate with real time data analysis frameworks deployed in the cloud via messaging. The platform design is scalable in connecting devices as well as transferring and processing data. With IoTCloud, a user can develop real time data processing algorithms in an abstract framework without concern for the underlying details of how the data is distributed and transferred. For this platform, we primarily consider real time robotics applications such as autonomous robot navigation, where there are strict requirements on processing latency and demand for scalable processing. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the system, a robotic application is developed on top of the framework. The system and the robotics application characteristics are measured to show that data processing in central servers is feasible for real time sensor applications.
Climate Characteristics of High-Temperature and Muggy Days in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region in the Recent 30 Years
Authors: Zhang Guohua , Guan Jian , Ai Jingyi , Zhang Jiangtao , Jin Xiaoqing
Published: April 2015

The climate characteristics of high-temperature (37°C and above) and muggy days in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region over the past 30 years from 1981 to 2010 are analyzed. The results are summarized as follows. During this period, the years with the most number of high-temperature days are 1997–2005 and 2009 in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, while high-temperature extremes appear in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2009, and 2010. This disparity between the years with high-temperature extremes and the years with the most number of high-temperature days is located primarily in the central and southern cities of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. High-temperature extremes in the southern cities appear in June and July, while high-temperature extremes in the other cities appear in July. The years with the most number of muggy days are 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2010 in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, but the years with the extreme muggy conditions appear in 1981, 2002, 2005, and 2010. The most number of muggy days are in July, and the muggy days in July and August account for about 90% of the entire summer. Over the 30-year period, no apparent changes are observed in the number of days with precipitation and the annual precipitation amount.
Effects ofStreptococcus sanguinisBacteriocin on Cell Surface Hydrophobicity, Membrane Permeability, and Ultrastructure ofCandidaThallus
Authors: Ma Shengli , Zhao Yingnan , Xia Xue , Dong Xue , Ge Wenyu , Li Hui
Published: April 2015

Candida albicans(C.a) andCandida tropicalis(C.t) were treated withStreptococcus sanguinisbacteriocin (S.s bacteriocin), respectively; the bacteriostatic dynamics of S.s bacteriocin, their effects on cell surface hydrophobicity, leakage of inorganic phosphorus and macromolecular substance, cytosolic calcium concentration, and ultrastructure changes ofCandidathallus were detected and analyzed. The results showed that inhibitory effect of S.s bacteriocin on C.a and C.t reached peak level at 24 h, the cell-surface hydrophobicity decreased significantly (P< 0.05) after S.s bacteriocin treatment, and there was leakage of cytoplasmic inorganic phosphorus and macromolecular substance from C.a and C.t; cytosolic calcium concentration decreased greatly. After 24 h treatment by S.s bacteriocin, depressive deformity and defect could be found in the cell surface of C.a and C.t; the thallus displayed irregular forms: C.a was shrunken, there was unclear margins abutting upon cell wall and cell membrane, nucleus disappeared, and cytoplasm was inhomogeneous; likewise, C.t was first plasmolysis, and then the cytoplasm was shrunk, the ultrastructure of cell wall and cell membrane was continuously damaged, and the nucleus was karyolysis. It was illustrated that S.s bacteriocin had similar antifungal effect on C.a and C.t; their cell surface hydrophobicity, membrane permeability, and ultrastructure were changed significantly on exposure to S.s bacteriocin.
Reconstructive Osteotomy for Ankle Malunion Improves Patient Satisfaction and Function
Authors: Inori Fumiaki , Tohyama Masahiko , Yasuda Hiroyuki , Konishi Sadahiko , Waseda Akeo
Published: April 2015

Treatment of chronic symptoms caused by a malunion is a difficult problem in orthopedic surgery. We encountered a case of ankle malunion at our hospital about 1 year after the first operation. The patient had been unable to walk with weight-bearing but regained the ability to walk after reconstructive osteotomy of the fibula. Functional scores for the foot and ankle were significantly improved after intervention. Reconstructive osteotomy appears to represent a good option for ankle malunion.
A Case of Diverticular Perforation in a Young Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis on Methotrexate
Authors: Chang Ian , Guggenheim Carla , Laird-Fick Heather
Published: April 2015

Background. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate (MTX), are associated with gastrointestinal toxicity. MTX inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, but it is unclear if polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene predict toxicity.Case. We describe a 33-year-old male with polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis who developed sigmoid diverticular perforation while receiving methotrexate, folic acid, prednisone, and naproxen. He tested heterozygous for the C677T alleleMTHFRgene.Discussion. Rheumatoid arthritis and its treatments are associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal disease. In one study, perforation was highest among individuals with concomitant exposure to NSAIDs, nonbiologic DMARDs, and glucocorticoids. Multiple mutations of theMTHFRgene have been identified, but their association with MTX toxicity is unclear. This case adds to a growing body of literature that could help inform the treatment of others in the future.
Elevated ZNF703 Protein Expression Is an Independent Unfavorable Prognostic Factor for Survival of the Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yang Hang , Jiang Wen-Qi , Cao Ye , Sun Yong-An , Wei Jing , An Xin , Zhang Ying-Chun , Song Ming , Wang Shu-Sen , Yuan Zhong-Yu , Peng Rou-Jun , Chen Tan-Huan , Li Li-Ren , Shi Yan-Xia
Published: April 2015

Aim. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) show that the ZNF703 gene amplifies and overexpresses in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). However, the clinical relevance of this observation in HNSCC is unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the expression of ZNF703 protein and its prognostic effect on HNSCC.Methods. Two hundred ten HNSCC patients from Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center with complete survival follow-up were included in this study. Tumor samples from primary sites were collected. The expression of the ZNF703 protein was tested by immunohistochemistry (IHC).Results. The high expression of ZNF703 in HNSCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than that of the matched noncancerous tissues (48.6% versus 11.6%,P<0.001). ZNF703 overexpression was correlated with tumor position (laryngeal carcinoma) and recurrence (allP<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that ZNF703 protein overexpression was an independent prognostic factor (P=0.022, hazard ratio = 1.635, 95% CI 1.073–2.493) in HNSCC patients.Conclusion. ZNF703 overexpression is associated with adverse prognosis in HNSCC, which might be a novel biomarker of HNSCC.
Densification and Devitrification of Fused Silica Induced by Ballistic Impact: A Computational Investigation
Authors: Grujicic Mica , Snipes Jennifer , Ramaswami S. , Yavari Ramin , Cheeseman Bryan
Published: April 2015

A molecular‐level computational investigation is carried out to determine the dynamic response and material topology changes of fused silica subjected to ballistic impact by a hard projectile. The analysis was focused on the investigation of specific aspects of the dynamic response and of the topological changes such as the deformation of highly sheared and densified regions, and the conversion of amorphous fused silica to SiO2 crystalline polymorphs (in particular, α‐quartz and stishovite). The topological changes in question were determined by carrying out a postprocessing atom‐coordination procedure. This procedure suggested the formation of stishovite (and perhaps α‐quartz) within fused silica during ballistic impact. To rationalize the findings obtained, the all‐atom molecular‐level computational analysis is complemented by a series of quantum‐mechanics density functional theory (DFT) computations. The latter computations enable determination of the relative potential energies of the fused silica, α‐quartz and stishovite, under ambient pressure (i.e., under their natural densities) as well as under imposed (as high as 50 GPa) pressures (i.e., under higher densities) and shear strains. In addition, the transition states associated with various fused‐silica devitrification processes were identified. The results obtained are found to be in good agreement with their respective experimental counterparts.
Degradation of FBL Dye Wastewater by Magnetic Photocatalysts from Scraps
Authors: Liu Robert , Wu Chia Feng , Ger Ming Der
Published: April 2015

Magnetic photocatalyst solves the separation problem between wastewater and TiO2 photocatalysts by the application of magnetic field. This research investigates the treatment of simulated FBL dye wastewater using Mn‐Zn ferrite/TiO2 magnetic photocatalyst. The magnetic Mn‐Zn ferrite powder was first produced by a chemical coprecipitation method from spent dry batteries and spent pickling acid solutions. These two scraps comprise the only constituents of Mn‐Zn ferrite. The as‐synthesized Mn‐Zn ferrite was then suspended in a solution containing Ti(SO4)2 and urea. Subsequently a magnetic photocatalyst was obtained from the solution by chemical coprecipitation. The prepared Mn‐Zn ferrite powder and magnetic photocatalyst (Mn‐Zn ferrite/TiO2) were characterized using XRD, EDX, SEM, SQUID, BET, and so forth. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized magnetic photocatalysts was tested using degradation of FBL dye wastewater. The adsorption and degradation studies by the TOC and ADMI measurement were carried out, respectively. The adsorption isotherm and Langmuir‐Hinshelwood kinetic model for the prepared magnetic TiO2 were proved to be applicable for the treatment. This research transforms waste into a valuable magnetic photocatalyst.