bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TREM-2 promotes acquired cholesteatoma-induced bone destruction by modulating TLR4 signaling pathway and osteoclasts activation
Authors: Jiang Huaili , Si Yu , Li Zhuohao , Huang Xi , Chen Suijun , Zheng Yiqing , Xu Guo , Chen Ximing , Chen Yubin , Liu Yi , Xiong Hao , Huang Qiuhong , Liang Maojin , Zhang Zhigang
Published: December 2016

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM) has been broadly studied in inflammatory disease. However, the expression and function of TREM-2 remain undiscovered in acquired cholesteatoma. The expression of TREM-2 was significantly higher in human acquired cholesteatoma than in normal skin from the external auditory canal, and its expression level was positively correlated with the severity of bone destruction. Furthermore, TREM-2 was mainly expressed on dendritic cells (DCs). In human acquired cholesteatoma, the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-8 and MMP-9) were up-regulated, and their expression levels were positively correlated with TREM-2 expression. Osteoclasts were activated in human acquired cholesteatoma. In an animal model, TREM-2 was up-regulated in mice with experimentally acquired cholesteatoma. TREM-2 deficiency impaired the maturation of experimentally acquired cholesteatoma and protected against bone destruction induced by experimentally acquired cholesteatoma. Additional data showed that TREM-2 up-regulated IL-1β and IL-6 expression via TLR4 instead of the TLR2 signaling pathway and promoted MMP-2 and MMP-8 secretion and osteoclast activation in experimentally acquired cholesteatoma. Therefore, TREM-2 might enhance acquired cholesteatoma-induced bone destruction by amplifying the inflammatory response via TLR4 signaling pathways and promoting MMP secretion and osteoclast activation.
High-speed swept source optical coherence Doppler tomography for deep brain microvascular imaging
Authors: Chen Wei , You Jiang , Gu Xiaochun , Du Congwu , Pan Yingtian
Published: December 2016

Noninvasive microvascular imaging using optical coherence Doppler tomography (ODT) has shown great promise in brain studies; however, high-speed microcirculatory imaging in deep brain remains an open quest. A high-speed 1.3 μm swept-source ODT (SS-ODT) system is reported which was based on a 200 kHz vertical-cavity-surface-emitting laser. Phase errors induced by sweep-trigger desynchronization were effectively reduced by spectral phase encoding and instantaneous correlation among the A-scans. Phantom studies have revealed a significant reduction in phase noise, thus an enhancement of minimally detectable flow down to 268.2 μm/s. Further in vivo validation was performed, in which 3D cerebral-blood-flow (CBF) networks in mouse brain over a large field-of-view (FOV: 8.5 × 5 × 3.2 mm3) was scanned through thinned skull. Results showed that fast flows up to 3 cm/s in pial vessels and minute flows down to 0.3 mm/s in arterioles or venules were readily detectable at depths down to 3.2 mm. Moreover, the dynamic changes of the CBF networks elicited by acute cocaine such as heterogeneous responses in various vessel compartments and at different cortical layers as well as transient ischemic events were tracked, suggesting the potential of SS-ODT for brain functional imaging that requires high flow sensitivity and dynamic range, fast frame rate and a large FOV to cover different brain regions.
Urban-development-induced Changes in the Diversity and Composition of the Soil Bacterial Community in Beijing
Authors: Yan Bing , Li Junsheng , Xiao Nengwen , Qi Yue , Fu Gang , Liu Gaohui , Qiao Mengping
Published: December 2016

Numerous studies have implicated urbanization as a major cause of loss of biodiversity. Most of them have focused on plants and animals, even though soil microorganisms make up a large proportion of that biodiversity. However, it is unclear how the soil bacterial community is affected by urban development. Here, paired-end Illumina sequencing of the 16 S rRNA gene at V4 region was performed to study the soil microbial community across Beijing’s built-up area. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes, and Chloroflexi were the dominant phyla in all samples, but the relative abundance of these phyla differed significantly across these concentric zones. The diversity and composition of the soil bacterial community were found to be closely correlated with soil pH. Variance partitioning analysis suggested that urban ring roads contributed 5.95% of the bacterial community variation, and soil environmental factors explained 17.65% of the variation. The results of the current work indicate that urban development can alter the composition and diversity of the soil microbial community, and showed pH to be a key factor in the shaping of the composition of the soil bacterial community. Urban development did have a strong impact on the bacterial community of urban soil in Beijing.
Objective breast tissue image classification using Quantitative Transmission ultrasound tomography
Authors: Malik Bilal , Klock John , Wiskin James , Lenox Mark
Published: December 2016

Quantitative Transmission Ultrasound (QT) is a powerful and emerging imaging paradigm which has the potential to perform true three-dimensional image reconstruction of biological tissue. Breast imaging is an important application of QT and allows non-invasive, non-ionizing imaging of whole breasts in vivo. Here, we report the first demonstration of breast tissue image classification in QT imaging. We systematically assess the ability of the QT images’ features to differentiate between normal breast tissue types. The three QT features were used in Support Vector Machines (SVM) classifiers, and classification of breast tissue as either skin, fat, glands, ducts or connective tissue was demonstrated with an overall accuracy of greater than 90%. Finally, the classifier was validated on whole breast image volumes to provide a color-coded breast tissue volume. This study serves as a first step towards a computer-aided detection/diagnosis platform for QT.
Opposite effects of high- and low-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation probed with visual motion adaptation
Authors: Campana Gianluca , Camilleri Rebecca , Moret Beatrice , Ghin Filippo , Pavan Andrea
Published: December 2016

Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) is a recent neuro-modulation technique whose effects at both behavioural and neural level are still debated. Here we employed the well-known phenomenon of motion after-effect (MAE) in order to investigate the effects of high- vs. low-frequency tRNS on motion adaptation and recovery. Participants were asked to estimate the MAE duration following prolonged adaptation (20 s) to a complex moving pattern, while being stimulated with either sham or tRNS across different blocks. Different groups were administered with either high- or low-frequency tRNS. Stimulation sites were either bilateral human MT complex (hMT+) or frontal areas. The results showed that, whereas no effects on MAE duration were induced by stimulating frontal areas, when applied to the bilateral hMT+, high-frequency tRNS caused a significant decrease in MAE duration whereas low-frequency tRNS caused a significant corresponding increase in MAE duration. These findings indicate that high- and low-frequency tRNS have opposed effects on the adaptation-dependent unbalance between neurons tuned to opposite motion directions, and thus on neuronal excitability.
On-site determination of the migration amount of fluorescent whitening agents from paper to finger by fluorescence spectrophotometry
Authors: Yu Yang , Wang Xinghua , Fei Qiang , Yu Yong , Tian Sizhu , Wang Kun , Jiang Jia , Song Daqian , Yu Aimin , Zhang Ziwei
Published: December 2016

We have established a light emitting diode fluorescence spectrophotometer (LED-FS) for quantitatively determining the amount of FWA that migrates from paper notebooks or pads, used by local students, to fingers.
Electrostatic-driven solid phase microextraction coupled with surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy for rapid analysis of pentachlorophenol
Authors: Bian Weiwei , Zhu Sha , Qi Mingying , Xiao Lanlan , Liu Zhen , Zhan Jinhua
Published: December 2016

Rapid analysis of pentachlorophenol by electrostatic-driven SPME–SERS on a nanoporous Ag substrate with positive surface charge.
Comparison of nanomedicine-based chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy using reduced graphene oxide for the model system
Authors: Liu Jingjing , Liu Kai , Feng Liangzhu , Liu Zhuang , Xu Ligeng
Published: December 2016

Because of the efficient heat diffusion, rGO-based photothermal therapy showed better therapeutic efficacy compared to rGO-based chemo- and photodynamic therapies.
Insight into the interactions between nanoparticles and cells
Authors: Li Jingchao , Mao Hongli , Kawazoe Naoki , Chen Guoping
Published: December 2016

This review summarizes the latest advances in nanoparticle (NP)–cell interactions. The influence of NP size, shape, shell structure, surface chemistry and protein corona formation on cellular uptake and cytotoxicity is highlighted in detail. Their impact on other cellular responses such as cell proliferation, differentiation and cellular mechanics is also discussed.
Facile synthesis of cyanofurans via Michael-addition/cyclization of ene–yne–ketones with trimethylsilyl cyanide
Authors: Yu Yue , Chen Yang , Wu Wanqing , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: December 2016

Carbene migratory insertion? No! Ene–yne–ketones were utilized as a Michael-addition acceptor to react with TMSCN, affording a series of cyanofurans.
Correction: [{β-SiNi2W10O36(OH)2(H2O)}4]24−: a new robust visible light-driven water oxidation catalyst based on nickel-containing polyoxometalate
Authors: Yu Li , Ding Yong , Zheng Min , Chen Hongli , Zhao Junwei
Published: December 2016

Correction for ‘[{β-SiNi2W10O36(OH)2(H2O)}4]24−: a new robust visible light-driven water oxidation catalyst based on nickel-containing polyoxometalate’ by Li Yu et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, DOI: 10.1039/c6cc02728h.
Effect of the magnetic core of (MnFe)2O3@Ta2O5 nanoparticles on photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Manjunath Krishnappa , Souza Virgínia S. , Ganganagappa Nagaraju , Scholten Jackson D. , Teixeira Sérgio R. , Dupont Jairton , Thippeswamy Ramakrishnappa
Published: December 2016

(MnFe)2O3@Ta2O5–IL core–shell materials showed better photocatalytic H2 production compared to individual core MF and shell Ta2O5.
Nonsymmetrical cholesterol dimers constituting regioisomeric oxadiazole and thiadiazole cores: an investigation of the structure–property correlation
Authors: Pradhan Balaram , Chakraborty Nirmalangshu , Gupta Ravindra Kumar , Shanker G. , Achalkumar Ammathnadu S.
Published: December 2016

The effect of a bent angle on the stabilization of liquid crystalline and organogel self-assemblies.
Electronic halocyclization and radical haloazidation of benzene-linked 1,7-dienes for the synthesis of functionalized 3,1-benzoxazines
Authors: Sun Yuan-Ming , Yu Liu-Zhu , Zhu Zi-Zhong , Hu Xu-Bo , Gao Yu-Ning , Shi Min
Published: December 2016

Electronic halocyclization and radical haloazidation of benzene-linked 1,7-dienes by using TMSN3as an azidyl source and NBS as a halogen source has been disclosed in this paper, producing a series of functionalized 3,1-benzoxazines in moderate to good yields.
Semi-synthetic zwitterionic rifamycins: a promising class of antibiotics; survey of their chemistry and biological activities
Authors: Bujnowski Krzysztof , Synoradzki Ludwik , Darłak Radosław C. , Zevaco Thomas A. , Dinjus Eckhard
Published: December 2016

Rifamycins are an important group of macrocyclic antibiotics highly active against tuberculosis and various other Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria.
Monolayer group IVA monochalcogenides as potential and efficient catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction from first-principles calculations
Authors: Ji Yujin , Yang Mingye , Dong Huilong , Wang Lu , Hou Tingjun , Li Youyong
Published: December 2016

Monolayer group IVA monochalcogenides MXs are theoretically found to be potential ORR catalysts, especially in alkaline environments.
The Relationship Between Grammatical Development and Disfluencies in Preschool Children Who Stutter and Those Who Recover
Authors: Hollister Julia , Van Horne Amanda Owen , Zebrowski Patricia
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The dual diathesis stressor model indicates that a mismatch between a child's endogenous linguistic abilities and exogenous linguistic contexts is one factor that contributes to stuttering behavior. In the present study, we used a developmental framework to investigate if reducing the gap between endogenous and exogenous linguistics factors would result in less disfluency for typical children, children who recover from stuttering (CWS-R), and children who persist.

Method

Children between 28 and 43 months of age participated in this study: 8 typical children, 5 CWS-R, and 8 children who persist. The children were followed for 18 months with language samples collected every 6 months. The Index of Productive Syntax (Scarborough, 1990) served as a measure of endogenous grammatical ability. Length and complexity of active declarative sentences served as a measure of exogenous linguistic demand. A hierarchical linear model analysis was conducted using a mixed-model approach.

Results

The results partially corroborate the dual diathesis stressor model. Disfluencies significantly decreased in CWS-R as grammatical abilities (not age) increased. Language development may serve as a protective factor or catalyst for recovery for CWS-R. As grammatical ability grew and the gap between linguistic ability and demand decreased; however, none of the three groups was more likely to produce disfluencies in longer and more complex utterances.
Algorithm-Driven Dosage Decisions (AD
3
): Optimizing Treatment for Children With Language Impairment
Authors: Justice Laura M. , Logan Jessica , Jiang Hui , Schmitt Mary Beth
Published: December 2016

Background

This study was designed to provide recommended amounts of treatment to achieve the optimal amount of language gain for children with language impairment.

Method

The authors retrospectively analyzed treatment outcomes for 233 children for delivered dose, intensity, and cumulative intensity of therapy. The steps of the analytical process they applied to arrive at algorithms for recommended amounts of treatment were (1) multilevel modeling to predict children's language gains from the 3 intensity parameters and (2) extraction of regression weights to create a recommended amount of treatment.

Results

Optimal outcomes can be identified using an equation specifying
Ŷ
= desired points of change (e.g., 0.6
SD
units),
V
= child's baseline language skills,
D
= average number of minutes spent targeting language in a session,
F
= total number of sessions conducted across the year, and
D
×
F
= product of planned dose and frequency (cumulative intensity). Input of the values for
Ŷ
and
V
provides recommended amount of treatment.

Conclusions

This study constitutes the first effort to provide empirical guidance on intensity of treatment for children with language impairment. The use of algorithm-driven dosage recommendations may be more effective than clinician judgment and trial and error, although these correlational results must be confirmed with experimental methods.
The Relationship Between Relative Fundamental Frequency and a Kinematic Estimate of Laryngeal Stiffness in Healthy Adults
Authors: McKenna Victoria S. , Heller Murray Elizabeth S. , Lien Yu-An S. , Stepp Cara E.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

This study examined the relationship between the acoustic measure relative fundamental frequency (RFF) and a kinematic estimate of laryngeal stiffness.

Method

Twelve healthy adults (mean age = 22.7 years,SD= 4.4; 10 women, 2 men) produced repetitions of /ifi/ while varying their vocal effort during simultaneous acoustic and video nasendoscopic recordings. RFF was determined from the last 10 voicing cycles before the voiceless obstruent (RFF offset) and the first 10 cycles of revoicing (RFF onset). A kinematic stiffness ratio was calculated for the vocal fold adductory gesture during revoicing by normalizing the maximum angular velocity by the maximum glottic angle during the voiceless obstruent.

Results

A linear mixed effect model indicated that RFF offset and onset were significant predictors of the kinematic stiffness ratios. The model accounted for 52% of the variance in the kinematic data. Individual relationships between RFF and kinematic stiffness ratios varied across participants, with at least moderate negative correlations in 83% of participants for RFF offset but only 40% of participants for RFF onset.

Conclusions

RFF significantly predicted kinematic estimates of laryngeal stiffness in healthy speakers and has the potential to be a useful clinical indicator of laryngeal tension. Further research is needed in individuals with voice disorders.
Optimal design of motor shape and magnetisation direction to obtain vibration reduction and average torque improvement in IPM BLDC motor
Authors: Kim Hong‐seok , Kwon Byung‐il
Published: December 2016

An optimal design for the interior permanent magnet (IPM) motor is proposed to reduce vibration and increase average torque, based on simultaneous consideration of the rotor d‐axis notch shape, the stator chamfer angle, and the magnetisation direction. The notch shape of the rotor and the chamfer of the stator tooth shape were first reviewed in order to reduce the vibration of the IPM motor; however, the optimal shapes for reduced vibration also reduced the average torque. Then, a design optimisation for average torque improvement was performed considering the magnetisation direction and the vibration reduction based on the modelled stator and rotor shapes. Finally, the validity and superiority of the optimised design were confirmed by manufacturing and testing a prototype motor.
Influence of parameters of cap‐lamination secondaries on performances in single‐sided linear induction motors
Authors: Lv Gang , Zhou Tong , Zeng Dihui , Liu Zhiming
Published: December 2016

The secondary is an important design factor of single‐sided linear induction motors (SLIMs), as well as has influence on the cost and performance of SLIMs. In this study, the cap‐lamination secondary is designed and relations of the secondary parameter and performance of SLIMs are calculated. First, the aluminium (Al) cap and lamination back iron of the cap‐lamination secondary are designed and discussed. Then, improvements in performance caused by two potentially significant effects of the cap‐lamination secondary, i.e. the thick cap edge and lamination, are identified. Second, a flat‐solid secondary is applied and two SLIMs, which are the same primary and two different secondaries, are calculated by three‐dimensional finite‐element method. Eddy current densities in the Al and back iron plate, which are two parts of the secondary, are analysed. Owing to different transverse edge effects, variations of the air‐gap flux density are calculated with different secondaries. Finally, the numerical results of the thrust, power factor, and efficiency are experimentally validated by measurements on test rig of SLIMs. It shows that the SLIM with cap‐lamination secondary, which has higher performance, is affected greatly by the conductor structure of the secondary and the lamination of the iron back plate.
Varying phase angle control in isolated bidirectional DC–DC converter for integrating battery storage and solar PV system in standalone mode
Authors: Karthikeyan V. , Gupta Rajesh
Published: December 2016

This study proposes a varying phase angle control (VPAC) in isolated bidirectional dc–dc converter (IBDC) for integrating battery storage unit to a DC link in a standalone solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The IBDC is capable of power transfer using high step up/down ratio between DC link and battery. The VPAC control proposed in this study effectively manage the power flow control between the battery storage unit and the solar PV fed DC link by continuously varying the phase angle between high voltage and low voltage (LV) bridge voltage of the IBDC. The solar PV system is incorporated with the maximum power point tracking using DC–DC converter. In order to control the voltage across the AC load a voltage source inverter is used. The study also presents the design aspects of the IBDC converter for the application considered. The performance of the proposed power flow control strategy has been studied through PSCAD/EMTDC simulation and validated using LPC 2148 ARM processor.
NiO nanoparticles electrodeposited on reduced GO–CuO nanocomposite bulk modified CCE as a sensitive glucose sensor
Authors: Razmi Habib , Shirdel Hossein , Mohammad‐Rezaei Rahim
Published: December 2016

A novel enzymeless glucose sensor based on nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles electrodeposited on reduced graphene oxide–copper oxide nanocomposite bulk modified carbon ceramic electrode (rGO–CuO/CCE) was reported. The prepared NiO/rGO–CuO/CCE was characterised by scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, atomic‐force microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Electrocatalytic performance of the NiO/rGO–CuO/CCE was investigated in details for the electro‐oxidation of glucose using cyclic voltammetry and amperometry techniques. The developed sensor responds efficiently to glucose over the concentration range 5–920 µM with the detection limit 2.63 µM and sensitivity 5980 µA mM−1 cm−2. According to EIS studies, ternary presence of rGO, CuO and NiO nanoparticles increased the electron transfer performance and sensitivity of NiO/rGO–CuO/CCE to glucose. The prepared sensor was applied for the determination of glucose in human serum samples with satisfactory results. Owing to renewable and polishable surface, high sensitivity, reproducible responses and long‐term stability, the developed sensor could be used in clinical applications.
Preparation of core‐shell Zn‐doped CoFe2O4 cubes @CNT composites and their absorbing performances
Authors: Xue Haoliang , Jiao Qingze , Hao Liang , Ni Xiang , Wang Yajiao , Li Hansheng , Wu Qin , Zhao Yun
Published: December 2016

Core–shell structured composites of Zn‐doped CoFe2O4 cubes @CNTs were in situ synthesised using a CVD method at 450°C with Zn‐doped CoFe2O4 cubes as catalysts and ethanol as carbon source. The as‐obtained products were characterised using an X‐ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscope, thermogravimetric analyser and vibrating sample magnetometer. Results demonstrated that CNTs uniformly grew on the surface of Zn doped CoFe2O4 cubes to form the shell with average diameter of 20–80 nm. The average diameter of the core/shell Zn‐doped CoFe2O4@CNTs cubes range from 3 to 10 µm. The magnetic hysteresis curves of Zn‐doped CoFe2O4 cubes @CNTs illustrated the strong magnetic response to a varying magnetic field and the saturation magnetisations for the composites obtained at 450 and 600°C were 33.55 and 10.05 emu g−1, respectively. A minimum reflection loss of −9.98 dB was observed at 9.2 GHz for the Zn‐doped CoFe2O4@CNTs core/shell composites with a thickness of 2 mm. The Zn‐doped CoFe2O4@CNTs core/shell composites prepared at a higher temperature exhibited better microwave absorbing performance than the sample prepared at a lower temperature.
Climate variation drives dengue dynamics
Authors: Xu Lei , Stige Leif C. , Chan Kung-Sik , Zhou Jie , Yang Jun , Sang Shaowei , Wang Ming , Yang Zhicong , Yan Ziqiang , Jiang Tong , Lu Liang , Yue Yujuan , Liu Xiaobo , Lin Hualiang , Xu Jianguo , Liu Qiyong , Stenseth Nils Chr.
Published: December 2016

Significance

Dengue is a vector-borne infectious disease that threatens human health on a global scale. Because of climate change, globalization, and other factors, dengue has increasingly spread to new countries and over larger areas, from tropical to temperate zones. In this study, we found that climate has both direct effects on dengue incidence and indirect effects mediated by mosquito density, as mosquitoes are the vectors of dengue. The quantitative results derived from this study may be helpful toward advancing our understanding of how climate influences vector-borne diseases and prove useful for the control and prevention of dengue fever.
Nutritional, technological and managerial parameters for precision feeding to enhance feed nutrient utilization and productivity in different dairy cattle production systems.
Authors: Empel M. J. van , Makkar H. P. S. , Dijkstra J. , Lund P.
Published: December 2016

Increased future demand of animal products as well as competition between food, feed and fuel, require efficient utilization of feed resources to strengthen environmental, economic and social sustainability of livestock systems. The objective of this review is to summarize current knowledge on precision feeding (PF) and the relevance of PF approaches in dairy cattle production systems in developing countries. The concept of PF aims at achieving balanced nutrition (matching animal requirements with nutrient supply, preferably from locally available feed resources) to improve animal productivity and to reduce both the cost of production and environmental pollution. In addition to the supply of proper amounts of nutrients to the dairy cow using various methodologies and tools, approaches that enhance overall nutrient digestion and availability to the animal are also discussed as an integral part of PF. These approaches involve improved analyses of feed ingredients, nutrient requirement determination, formulation of a balanced ration, individual feeding, optimization of rumen and post rumen digestion, and optimization of metabolism of absorbed amino acids and other nutrients. Based on identified and analysed PF approaches, processing and treatment of forage, including conservation through ensiling, is promising to improve feed intake and productivity of the cow and to reduce excretion of environmental pollutants per unit milk. Experiments with rumen protected nutrients for both fat and protein gave a wide range of results. Inconsistent effects of the use of enzymes such as cellulases and xylanases on feed efficiency have been observed. Plant extracts need more research to get tangible results but have a broad scale of potential (indirect) advantages on production and health. Similarly more research is needed for probiotics and acidifiers, which have shown inconsistent results. Medicinal or hormonal approaches have proven to be effective in animal performance and feed efficiency. Feeding concepts, such as ration balancing programmes or the use of feed blocks, resulted in improved feed efficiency and substantially increased farmer income. In view of large variation in forage quality, rapid determination of nutrient composition of forage on site is indispensable in PF of dairy cattle. The relevance of application of the elaborate approaches for intensive, mixed crop-livestock, mixed extensive and extensive systems have been discussed. The focus of PF in developing countries should be on using feed resources that do not compete with human food, and in amounts that meet the nutrient requirements for production from the targeted animal. Policy and institutional building options are needed to realize the potential of PF for sustainable dairy production systems.
Elimination of Screening Urine Cultures Prior to Elective Joint Arthroplasty
Authors: Lamb Michael J. , Baillie Laura , Pajak Dariusz , Flynn Jan , Bansal Vikas , Simor Andrew , Vearncombe Mary , Walker Sandra A. N. , Clark Susan , Gollish Jeffrey , Leis Jerome A.
Published: December 2016

Discontinuing routine processing of screening urine cultures prior to elective joint arthroplasty resulted in substantial reduction in urine cultures ordered and antimicrobial prescriptions for asymptomatic bacteriuria, without any significant impact on incidence of prosthetic joint infection. This simple change would be scalable across institutions with potential for significant healthcare savings.
Optimizations for the Electrically-Evoked Stapedial Reflex Threshold Measurement in Cochlear Implant Recipients
Authors: Wolfe Jace , Gilbert Melanie , Schafer Erin , Litvak Leonid M. , Spahr Anthony J. , Saoji Aniket , Finley Charles
Published: December 2016

Objective:

The electrically-evoked stapedial reflex threshold (eSRT) has proven to be useful in setting upper stimulation levels of cochlear implant recipients. However, the literature suggests that the reflex can be difficult to observe in a significant percentage of the population. The primary goal of this investigation was to assess the difference in eSRT levels obtained with alternative acoustic admittance probe tone frequencies.

Design:

A repeated-measures design was used to examine the effect of 3 probe tone frequencies (226, 678, and 1000 Hz) on eSRT in 23 adults with cochlear implants.

Results:

The mean eSRT measured using the conventional probe tone of 226 Hz was significantly higher than the mean eSRT measured with use of 678 and 1000 Hz probe tones. The mean eSRT were 174, 167, and 165 charge units with use of 226, 678, and 1000 Hz probe tones, respectively. There was not a statistically significant difference between the average eSRTs for probe tones 678 and 1000 Hz. Twenty of 23 participants had eSRT at lower charge unit levels with use of either a 678 or 1000 Hz probe tone when compared with the 226 Hz probe tone. Two participants had eSRT measured with 678 or 1000 Hz probe tones that were equal in level to the eSRT measured with a 226 Hz probe tone. Only 1 participant had an eSRT that was obtained at a lower charge unit level with a 226 Hz probe tone relative to the eSRT obtained with a 678 and 1000 Hz probe tone.

Conclusions:

The results of this investigation demonstrate that the use of a standard 226 Hz probe tone is not ideal for measurement of the eSRT. The use of higher probe tone frequencies (i.e., 678 or 1000 Hz) resulted in lower eSRT levels when compared with the eSRT levels obtained with use of a 226 probe tone. In addition, 4 of the 23 participants included in this study did not have a measureable eSRT with use of a 226 Hz probe tone, but all of the participants had measureable eSRT with use of both the 678 and 1000 Hz probe tones. Additional work is required to understand the clinical implication of these changes in the context of cochlear implant programming.
Congenital insensitivity to pain in one family
Authors: Svec Andrey , Feldinszka Jana , Kokavec Milan
Published: December 2016

Congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by mutation in several different genes. The diagnosis requires the combined skills and cooperation of pediatricians, neurologists, radiologists, pathologists, and orthopedic surgeons. Orthopedic manifestations of CIP include delayed diagnosis of fractures, nonunions, Charcot arthropathy, avascular necrosis, osteomyelitis, joint dislocations, and heterotopic ossifications. We present case reports of two brothers with CIP with various orthopedic manifestations and methods of surgical treatment with 10 years of follow-up.
The Natural History of Petroclival Meningiomas: A Volumetric Study
Authors: Hunter Jacob B. , Yawn Robert J. , Wang Ray , O’Connell Brendan P. , Carlson Matthew L. , Mistry Akshitkumar , Haynes David S. , Thompson Reid C. , Weaver Kyle D. , Wanna George B.
Published: December 2016

Objectives:

This study characterizes primary petroclival meningioma growth rates, before intervention, using volumetric analysis. In addition, predictors of growth are analyzed.

Methods:

Patients with previously untreated petroclival meningiomas were retrospectively reviewed (1999–2015). Image analysis software was used to perform volumetric analyses of tumor size and growth. Three-dimensional segmentation volumetric analyses were compared with volumes estimated utilizing three orthogonal dimensions. Tumor growth was defined as a 15% increase in volume.

Results:

Thirty-four patients who underwent at least two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies before intervention were included. The mean age was 55.2 years, and 65.7% were women. The mean tumor volume at presentation was 5.6 cm3 (range, 0.1–25.8 cm3) as determined from segmentation volumetric analysis. At a mean follow-up of 44.5 months (range, 3.7–125.1 mo), 88.2% of tumors grew. The mean annual volumetric growth rate was 2.38 cm3/yr (−0.63 to 25.9 cm3/yr). Tumor volume, T2 hyperintensity within the tumor, peritumoral edema, and ataxia and/or cerebellar symptoms at presentation were all significantly associated with greater rates of tumor growth. Ultimately, 10 (29.4%) patients underwent treatment during the follow-up period.

Conclusion:

Our experience demonstrates that the vast majority (88%) of untreated petroclival meningiomas grow; the mean volumetric growth rate was noted to be 2.38 cm3/yr. We found a significant association between increased growth rate and larger tumor size at diagnosis, T2 hyperintensity within the tumor, peritumoral edema, and the presence of ataxia and/or cerebellar symptoms.
Live Donors of the Initial Observational Study of Uterus Transplantation—Psychological and Medical Follow-Up Until 1 Year After Surgery in the 9 Cases
Authors: Kvarnström Niclas , Järvholm Stina , Johannesson Liza , Dahm-Kähler Pernilla , Olausson Michael , Brännström Mats
Published: December 2016

Background

The first prospective observational study of uterus transplantation was initiated in 2013 with live donation to 9 women with absolute uterine factor infertility. We explored the medical complications and psychosocial wellbeing of the donors during the first postoperative year.

Methods

Complications were registered and graded according to the Clavien-Dindo (C-D) classification. Symptoms related to the surgery were registered. Data on length of hospital stay, sick leave, socioeconomic parameters, and life events were obtained. Psychological evaluations (Psychological General Well-Being, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS], SF-36) questionnaires focusing on quality of life, mood, and relationship, were conducted at inclusion and at 3, 6, and 12 months after uterus donation.

Results

One major surgical complication (C-D IIIb) occurred. A ureteric-vaginal fistula developed 2 weeks after uterus procurement. The fistula was surgically repaired. Two self-reported and transient complications (C-D I) were noted (nocturia, meralgia paresthetica). Hospital stays of all donors were 6 days and median sick leave was 56 days (range, 14-132). At inclusion, median scores exceeded the normative values of the Swedish population in Psychological General Well-Being and Dyadic Adjustment Scale. HADS-Anxiety was detected preoperatively in 1 donor. Two donors exceeded 10-point declines in SF-36 summary scores and increased their HADS scores by 6 points during the observation period. All donors returned to their predonation levels of physical health.

Conclusions

The results support that it is feasible to retrieve a uterus safely from a live donor. Further studies are needed to better evaluate the method.
Perfluorooctane sulfonate affects proliferation and differentiation of pluripotent human teratocarcinoma cells
Authors: Popovic Mina , Neilan Brett A , Pomati Francesco
Published: December 2016

Perfluorinated compounds have raised concern due to their potential association with detrimental postnatal outcomes in animals and humans. We tested the effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on a human pluripotent teratocarcinoma (known as NCCIT) cells as an in vitro prototype for developmental toxicity in mammals. NCCIT contains stem-cells able to differentiate into endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. We tested our cell model using a teratogenic compound, retinoic acid (RA), a cytotoxin, nocodazole (ND), and PFOS. We assayed cells proliferation, morphology and expression of stem cell and germ layer marker genes. PFOS reduced NCCIT cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner and induced morphological changes in cell cultures that resembled ectodermal phenotypes. A tendency towards a differentiated state in NCCIT was confirmed by real-time gene expression. PFOS triggered up-regulation of the gene nestin, indicative of ectodermal lineage differentiation, and interfered with the expression of the pluripotency stem-cell marker TERT. PFOS produced effects on both cells proliferation and differentiation, although not as severe as those observed for RA and ND, at levels that fall within the range of concentrations found in animal and human plasma. We discuss our findings in the context of possible interference of PFOS with the processes governing the early development of mammalian tissues.
Decoding the nonconscious dynamics of thought generation
Authors: Koenig-Robert Roger , Pearson Joel
Published: December 2016

Much of economics, psychology and neuroscience have focused on thought dynamics and how they control our behavior, from individual moral choices to the irrationality of market dynamics. However, how much of our thoughts we actually control when we feel we make deliberate choices remains unknown. Here we show that the content of thoughts can be decoded from activity patterns as early as 11 seconds before individuals report having formed the volitional thought. Participants freely chose which of two differently oriented and colored gratings to think about. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and pattern classification methods, we consistently classified the contents of thoughts using activity patterns recorded before and after the thought was reported. We found that activity patterns were predictive as far as 11 seconds before the conscious thought, in visual, frontal and subcortical areas. These predictive patterns contained similar information to the responses evoked by unattended perceptual gratings and were evident in individual visual areas. Interestingly, neural information present before the decision was associated with the vividness of future thoughts, suggesting that preceding nonconscious sensory-like representations can impact the content and strength of future conscious thoughts. Our results suggest that thoughts and their strength can be biased by prior spontaneous nonconscious perception-like representations, advancing theories of free will and models of intrusive and repetitive thought production.
Genomic characterization of serial-passaged Ebola virus in a boa constrictor cell line
Authors: Fedewa Greg , Radoshitzky Sheli R. , Chī Xiǎolì , Dǒngb Lián , Spear Melissa , Strauli Nicolas , Stenglein Mark D. , Hernandez Ryan D. , Jahrling Peter B. , Kuhn Jens H. , DeRisi Joseph
Published: December 2016

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a viral hemorrhagic fever with a high case-fatality rate in humans. EVD is caused by four members of the filoviral genusEbolavirus, with Ebola virus (EBOV) being the most notorious one. Although bats are discussed as potential ebolavirus reservoirs, limited data actually support this hypothesis. Glycoprotein 2 (GP2) of reptarenaviruses, known to infect only boa constrictors and pythons, are similar in sequence and structure to ebolaviral glycoprotein 2 (GP2), suggesting that EBOV may be able to infect snake cells. We therefore serially passaged EBOV and a distantly related filovirus, Marburg virus (MARV), in the boa constrictor kidney cell line, JK, and characterized viral growth and mutational frequency by sequencing. We observed that EBOV efficiently infected and replicated in JK cells, but MARV did not. In contrast to most cell lines, EBOV infected JK cells did not result in obvious cytopathic effect (CPE). Genomic characterization of serial-passaged EBOV in JK cells revealed that genomic adaptation was not required for infection. Deep sequencing coverage (>10,000x) demonstrated the existence of only a single non-synonymous variant (EBOV glycoprotein precursor preGP T544I) of unknown significance within the viral population that exhibited a shift in frequency of at least 10% over six passages. Our data suggest that boid snake derived cells are competent for filovirus infection without appreciable genomic adaptation; that cellular filovirus infection without CPE may be more common than currently appreciated; and that there may be significant differences between the natural host spectra of ebolaviruses and marburgviruses.

IMPORTANCE

Ebola virus (EBOV) causes a high case-fatality form of viral hemorrhagic fever. The natural reservoir of EBOV remains unknown. EBOV is distantly related to Marburg virus (MARV), which has been found in bats in the wild. The glycoprotein of a reptarenavirus known to infect boid snakes (pythons and boas) shows similarity in sequence and structure to these viruses, suggesting that EBOV and MARV may be able to infect and replicate in snake cells. We demonstrate that JK, a boa constrictor cell line, does not support MARV infection, but does support EBOV infection without causing overt cytopathic effect or the need for appreciable adaptation. These findings suggest different filoviruses may have a more diverse natural host spectra than previously thought.
Optimizing Communication of Emergency Response Adaptive Randomization Clinical Trials to Potential Participants
Authors: McEvoy Bredan , Haidar David , Tehranisa Jason , Meurer William J.
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Acute clinical stroke trials are challenging to communicate to patients and families considering participation. Response adaptive randomization (RAR) is a technique that alters the proportion of trial subjects receiving active treatment, based on the outcomes of previous subjects. We aimed to determine how well interactive videos would improve understanding of a simulated acute stroke trial scenario that incorporated a design with RAR.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of emergency department patients who were without stroke, altered mental status, or critical illness. Subjects viewed a hypothetical stroke and clinical trial scenario. They were randomized into one of four groups with either an RAR or fixed randomization clinical trial design and with either a standard consent video, or an interactive video.

Results:

We enrolled 720 participants. In the RAR group with interactive video, 128 out of 149 (85.9%) of the subjects were able to correctly identify the allocation method, compared to the 172 out of 285 (61.6%) in the RAR group with the uninterrupted video for an absolute increase of 25.6% (95% Cl 17-33%). The RAR group with interactive video had a higher odds of correct identification of allocation method (O.R. 2.767, 95% Cl [1.011 – 7.570] while controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, education, self-reported understanding of protocol, stroke awareness and agreement to participate in trial.

Conclusions:

The interactive video increased participant understanding of an RAR design in a simulated stroke scenario. Future research should focus on whether acute trial recruitment can be enhanced using similar techniques.
Updated reference genome sequence and annotation ofMycobacterium bovisAF2122/97
Authors: Malone Kerri M. , Farrell Damien , Stuber Tod P. , Schubert Olga T. , Aebersold Reudi , Robbe-Austerman Suelee , Gordon Stephen V.
Published: December 2016

We report an update to the reference genome of the bovine tuberculosis bacillusMycobacterium bovisAF2122/97 generated using an integrative multi-‘omics approach. Updates include 42 new CDS, 14 modified annotations, 26 SNP corrections, and disclosure that the RD900 locus, previously described as absent from the genome, is in fact present.
Population history of the Sardinian people inferred from whole-genome sequencing
Authors: Chiang Charleston W K , Marcus Joseph H , Sidore Carlo , Al-Asadi Hussein , Zoledziewska Magdalena , Pitzalis Maristella , Busonero Fabio , Maschio Andrea , Pistis Giorgio , Steri Maristella , Angius Andrea , Lohmueller Kirk E , Abecasis Goncalo R , Schlessinger David , Cucca Francesco , Novembre John
Published: December 2016

The population of the Mediterranean island of Sardinia has made important contributions to genome-wide association studies of traits and diseases. The history of the Sardinian population has also been the focus of much research, and in recent ancient DNA (aDNA) studies, Sardinia has provided unique insight into the peopling of Europe and the spread of agriculture. In this study, we analyze whole-genome sequences of 3,514 Sardinians to address hypotheses regarding the founding of Sardinia and its relation to the peopling of Europe, including examining fine-scale substructure, population size history, and signals of admixture. We find the population of the mountainous Gennargentu region shows elevated genetic isolation with higher levels of ancestry associated with mainland Neolithic farmers and depleted ancestry associated with more recent Bronze Age Steppe migrations on the mainland. Notably, the Gennargentu region also has elevated levels of pre-Neolithic hunter-gatherer ancestry and increased affinity to Basque populations. Further, allele sharing with pre-Neolithic and Neolithic mainland populations is larger on the X chromosome compared to the autosome, providing evidence for a sex-biased demographic history in Sardinia. These results give new insight to the demography of ancestral Sardinians and help further the understanding of sharing of disease risk alleles between Sardinia and mainland populations.
Markov modeling reveals novel intracellular modulation of the human TREK-2 selectivity filter
Authors: Harrigan Matthew P. , McKiernan Keri A. , Shanmugasundaram Veerabahu , Denny Rajiah Aldrin , Pande Vijay S.
Published: December 2016

Two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channel ion conductance is regulated by diverse stimuli that directly or indirectly gate the channel selectivity filter (SF). Recent crystal structures for the TREK-2 member of the K2P family reveal distinct “up” and “down” states assumed during activation via mechanical stretch. We performed 195 ps of all-atom, unbiased molecular dynamics simulations of the TREK-2 channel to probe how membrane stretch regulates the SF gate. Markov modeling reveals a novel “pinched” SF configuration that stretch activation rapidly destabilizes. Free-energy barrier heights calculated for critical steps in the conduction pathway indicate that this pinched state impairs ion conduction. Our simulations predict that this low-conductance state is accessed exclusively in the compressed, “down” conformation in which the intracellular helix arrangement allosterically pinches the SF. By explicitly relating structure to function, we contribute a critical piece of understanding to the evolving K2P puzzle.
Local Discriminant Hyperalignment for multi-subject fMRI data alignment
Authors: Yousefnezhad Muhammad , Zhang Daoqiang
Published: December 2016

Multivariate Pattern (MVP) classification can map different cognitive states to the brain tasks. One of the main challenges in MVP analysis is validating the generated results across subjects. However, analyzing multi-subject fMRI data requires accurate functional alignments between neuronal activities of different subjects, which can rapidly increase the performance and robustness of the final results. Hyperalignment (HA) is one of the most effective functional alignment methods, which can be mathematically formulated by the Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) methods. Since HA mostly uses the unsupervised CCA techniques, its solution may not be optimized for MVP analysis. By incorporating the idea of Local Discriminant Analysis (LDA) into CCA, this paper proposes Local Discriminant Hyperalignment (LDHA) as a novel supervised HA method, which can provide better functional alignment for MVP analysis. Indeed, the locality is defined based on the stimuli categories in the train-set, where the correlation between all stimuli in the same category will be maximized and the correlation between distinct categories of stimuli approaches to near zero. Experimental studies on multi-subject MVP analysis confirm that the LDHA method achieves superior performance to other state-of-the-art HA algorithms.