bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Park Access among School-Age Youth in the United States
Authors: Harris Carmen D. , Paul Prabasaj , Zhang Xingyou , Fulton Janet E.
Published: June 2015

Background:

Fewer than 30% of U.S. youth meet the recommendation to be active > 60 minutes/day. Access to parks may encourage higher levels of physical activity.

Purpose:

To examine differences in park access among U.S. school-age youth, by demographic characteristics and urbanicity of block group.

Methods:

Park data from 2012 were obtained from TomTom, Incorporated. Population data were obtained from the 2010 U.S. Census and American Community Survey 2006–2010. Using a park access score for each block group based on the number of national, state or local parks within one-half mile, we examined park access among youth by majority race/ethnicity, median household income, median education, and urbanicity of block groups.

Results:

Overall, 61.3% of school-age youth had park access—64.3% in urban, 36.5% in large rural, 37.8% in small rural, and 35.8% in isolated block groups. Park access was higher among youth in block groups with higher median household income and higher median education.

Conclusion:

Urban youth are more likely to have park access. However, park access also varies by race/ethnicity, median education, and median household. Considering both the demographics and urbanicity may lead to better characterization of park access and its association with physical activity among youth.
Vinculin network–mediated cytoskeletal remodeling regulates contractile function in the aging heart
Authors: Kaushik Gaurav , Spenlehauer Alice , Sessions Ayla O. , Trujillo Adriana S. , Fuhrmann Alexander , Fu Zongming , Venkatraman Vidya , Pohl Danielle , Tuler Jeremy , Wang Mingyi , Lakatta Edward G. , Ocorr Karen , Bodmer Rolf , Bernstein Sanford I. , Van Eyk Jennifer E. , Cammarato Anthony , Engler Adam J.
Published: June 2015

Cardiac vinculin overexpression is a conserved aging response that is associated with enhanced myocardial performance and extended organismal life span.
Transglutaminase 4 as a prostate autoantigen in male subfertility
Authors: Landegren Nils , Sharon Donald , Shum Anthony K. , Khan Imran S. , Fasano Kayla J. , Hallgren Åsa , Kampf Caroline , Freyhult Eva , Ardesjö-Lundgren Brita , Alimohammadi Mohammad , Rathsman Sandra , Ludvigsson Jonas F. , Lundh Dan , Motrich Ruben , Rivero Virginia , Fong Lawrence , Giwercman Aleksander , Gustafsson Jan , Perheentupa Jaakko , Husebye Eystein S. , Anderson Mark S. , Snyder Michael , Kämpe Olle
Published: June 2015

TGM4 is a male-specific autoantigen for prostatitis associated with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1.
Monitoring blood pressure with your bathroom scale
Authors: Heldt Thomas
Published: June 2015

Imperceptible motions of the body can be measured with ballistocardiography and could help track cardiovascular variables and disease.
Complete Genome Sequences of Four European Subtype Strains of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus from Eastern Siberia, Russia
Authors: Adelshin Renat V. , Melnikova Olga V. , Karan Ludmila S. , Andaev Evgeny I. , Balakhonov Sergey V.
Published: June 2015

Three tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) strains were isolated from
Ixodes persulcatus
ticks, and one was isolated from a shrew in the territory of eastern Siberia (Russia). The level of sequence identity compared to Neudoerfl (the European prototype strain) is 97.2 to 97.3%.
Complete Genome Sequencing of a Multidrug-Resistant and Human-Invasive Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Strain of the Emerging Sequence Type 213 Genotype
Authors: Calva Edmundo , Silva Claudia , Zaidi Mussaret B. , Sanchez-Flores Alejandro , Estrada Karel , Silva Genivaldo G. Z. , Soto-Jiménez Luz M. , Wiesner Magdalena , Fernández-Mora Marcos , Edwards Robert A. , Vinuesa Pablo
Published: June 2015

Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serovar Typhimurium strain YU39 was isolated in 2005 in the state of Yucatán, Mexico, from a human systemic infection. The YU39 strain is representative of the multidrug-resistant emergent sequence type 213 (ST213) genotype. The YU39 complete genome is composed of a chromosome and seven plasmids.
Genetic Stabilization of the Drug-Resistant PMEN1 Pneumococcus Lineage by Its Distinctive DpnIII Restriction-Modification System
Authors: Eutsey Rory A. , Powell Evan , Dordel Janina , Salter Susannah J. , Clark Tyson A. , Korlach Jonas , Ehrlich Garth D. , Hiller N. Luisa
Published: June 2015

The human pathogen
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcus) exhibits a high degree of genomic diversity and plasticity. Isolates with high genomic similarity are grouped into lineages that undergo homologous recombination at variable rates. PMEN1 is a pandemic, multidrug-resistant lineage. Heterologous gene exchange between PMEN1 and non-PMEN1 isolates is directional, with extensive gene transfer from PMEN1 strains and only modest transfer into PMEN1 strains. Restriction-modification (R-M) systems can restrict horizontal gene transfer, yet most pneumococcal strains code for either the DpnI or DpnII R-M system and neither limits homologous recombination. Our comparative genomic analysis revealed that PMEN1 isolates code for DpnIII, a third R-M system syntenic to the other Dpn systems. Characterization of DpnIII demonstrated that the endonuclease cleaves unmethylated double-stranded DNA at the tetramer sequence 5′ GATC 3′, and the cognate methylase is a C5 cytosine-specific DNA methylase. We show that DpnIII decreases the frequency of recombination under
in vitro
conditions, such that the number of transformants is lower for strains transformed with unmethylated DNA than in those transformed with cognately methylated DNA. Furthermore, we have identified two PMEN1 isolates where the DpnIII endonuclease is disrupted, and phylogenetic work by Croucher and colleagues suggests that these strains have accumulated genomic differences at a higher rate than other PMEN1 strains. We propose that the R-M locus is a major determinant of genetic acquisition; the resident R-M system governs the extent of genome plasticity.

IMPORTANCE
Pneumococcus is one of the most important community-acquired bacterial pathogens. Pneumococcal strains can develop resistance to antibiotics and to serotype vaccines by acquiring genes from other strains or species. Thus, genomic plasticity is associated with strain adaptability and pneumococcal success. PMEN1 is a widespread and multidrug-resistant highly pathogenic pneumococcal lineage, which has evolved over the past century and displays a relatively stable genome. In this study, we characterize DpnIII, a restriction-modification (R-M) system that limits recombination. DpnIII is encountered in the PMEN1 lineage, where it replaces other R-M systems that do not decrease plasticity. Our hypothesis is that this genomic region, where different pneumococcal lineages code for variable R-M systems, plays a role in the fine-tuning of the extent of genomic plasticity. It is possible that well-adapted lineages such as PMEN1 have a mechanism to increase genomic stability, rather than foster genomic plasticity.
Toxoplasma
Actin Is Required for Efficient Host Cell Invasion
Authors: Drewry Lisa L. , Sibley L. David
Published: June 2015

Apicomplexan parasites actively invade host cells using a mechanism predicted to be powered by a parasite actin-dependent myosin motor. In the model apicomplexan
Toxoplasma gondii
, inducible knockout of the actin gene,
ACT1
, was recently demonstrated to limit but not completely abolish invasion. This observation has led to the provocative suggestion that
T. gondii
possesses alternative, ACT1-independent invasion pathways. Here, we dissected the residual invasive ability of Δ
act1
parasites. Surprisingly, we were able to detect residual ACT1 protein in inducible Δ
act1
parasites as long as 5 days after
ACT1
deletion. We further found that the longer Δ
act1
parasites were propagated after
ACT1
deletion, the more severe an invasion defect was observed. Both findings are consistent with the quantity of residual ACT1 retained in Δ
act1
parasites being responsible for their invasive ability. Furthermore, invasion by the Δ
act1
parasites was also sensitive to the actin polymerization inhibitor cytochalasin D. Finally, there was no clear defect in attachment to host cells or moving junction formation by Δ
act1
parasites. However, Δ
act1
parasites often exhibited delayed entry into host cells, suggesting a defect specific to the penetration stage of invasion. Overall, our results support a model where residual ACT1 protein retained in inducible Δ
act1
parasites facilitates their limited invasive ability and confirm that parasite actin is essential for efficient penetration into host cells during invasion.

IMPORTANCE
The prevailing model for apicomplexan invasion has recently been suggested to require major revision, based on studies where core components of the invasion machinery were genetically disrupted using a Cre-Lox-based inducible knockout system. For the myosin component of the motor thought to power invasion, an alternative parasite myosin was recently demonstrated to functionally compensate for loss of the primary myosin involved in invasion. Here, we highlight a second mechanism that can account for the surprising ability of parasites to invade after genetic disruption of core invasion machinery. Specifically, residual actin protein present in inducible knockout parasites appears able to support their limited invasion of host cells. Our results have important implications for the interpretation of the apicomplexan invasion model and also highlight significant considerations when analyzing the phenotypes of inducible knockout parasites generated using Cre-Lox technology.
Quorum Sensing Determines the Choice of Antiphage Defense Strategy in Vibrio anguillarum
Authors: Tan Demeng , Svenningsen Sine Lo , Middelboe Mathias
Published: June 2015

Selection for phage resistance is a key driver of bacterial diversity and evolution, and phage-host interactions may therefore have strong influence on the genetic and functional dynamics of bacterial communities. In this study, we found that an important, but so far largely overlooked, determinant of the outcome of phage-bacterial encounters in the fish pathogenVibrio anguillarumis bacterial cell-cell communication, known as quorum sensing. Specifically,V. anguillarumPF430-3 cells locked in the low-cell-density state (ΔvanTmutant) express high levels of the phage receptor OmpK, resulting in a high susceptibility to phage KVP40, but achieve protection from infection by enhanced biofilm formation. By contrast, cells locked in the high-cell-density state (ΔvanΟmutant) are almost completely unsusceptible due to quorum-sensing-mediated downregulation of OmpK expression. The phenotypes of the two quorum-sensing mutant strains are accurately reflected in the behavior of wild-typeV. anguillarum, which (i) displays increased OmpK expression in aggregated cells compared to free-living variants in the same culture, (ii) displays a clear inverse correlation betweenompKmRNA levels and the concentration ofN-acylhomoserine lactone quorum-sensing signals in the culture medium, and (iii) survives mainly by one of these two defense mechanisms, rather than by genetic mutation to phage resistance. Taken together, our results demonstrate thatV. anguillarumemploys quorum-sensing information to choose between two complementary antiphage defense strategies. Further, the prevalence of nonmutational defense mechanisms in strain PF430-3 suggests highly flexible adaptations to KVP40 phage infection pressure, possibly allowing the long-term coexistence of phage and host.

IMPORTANCEComprehensive knowledge on bacterial antiphage strategies and their regulation is essential for understanding the role of phages as drivers of bacterial evolution and diversity. In an applied context, development of successful phage-based control of bacterial pathogens also requires detailed understanding of the mechanisms of phage protection in pathogenic bacteria. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the presence of quorum-sensing-regulated phage defense mechanisms in the fish pathogenVibrio anguillarumand provide evidence that quorum-sensing regulation allowsV. anguillarumto alternate between different phage protection mechanisms depending on population cell density. Further, our results demonstrate the prevalence of nonmutational defense mechanisms in the investigatedV. anguillarumstrain, which allow flexible adaptations to a dynamic phage infection pressure.
The temporal association of excessive health expenditure with suicidal ideation among primary income earners: a cross-sectional design using the Korean Welfare Panel Survey (KoWePS)
Authors: Shin Jaeyong , Choi Jae Woo , Jang Sung-in , Choi Young , Lee Sang Gyu , Ihm Tae Hwan , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: June 2015

Objective

Excessive health expenditure (EHE) is a global issue for households suffering from high-cost medical conditions, low incomes and limited insurance coverage. After the international financial crisis of 2008, EHE became a social problem in developed countries. Such economic crisis might induce severe mental stress, resulting in suicidal ideation.

Methods

We used the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KoWePS) from 2011 to 2013 and selected primary income earners, who were defined as practical and economic representatives of households; the total number of analysed samples was 4247 of 5717 households in the database. We only included households that had never experienced EHE before 2011. To examine the temporal relationship between EHE and suicidal ideation, we conducted a logistic regression analysis.

Results

Among 4247 participants, 146 (3.4%) experienced suicidal ideation, whereas 4101 (96.6%) did not. One scale of depression score (OR=1.28, CI 1.23 to 1.34, p<0.001) was associated with increased suicidal ideation. Such ideation was influenced to a greater extent by a recent EHE above 10% of disposable income (OR=1.91, CI 1.16 to 3.15, p=0.012) than by either a remote EHE (OR=1.29, CI 0.71 to 2.32) or one in 2011 and 2012 (OR=1.67, CI 1.01 to 2.78, p=0.048).

Conclusions

In this study, more recent EHE resulted in more suicidal ideation. In conclusion, we suggest that recent household EHE might be considered as an important factor to prevent suicidal ideation and to improve the mental health of individuals.
Understanding paratyphoid infection: study protocol for the development of a human model ofSalmonella entericaserovar Paratyphi A challenge in healthy adult volunteers
Authors: McCullagh David , Dobinson Hazel C , Darton Thomas , Campbell Danielle , Jones Claire , Snape Matthew , Stevens Zoe , Plested Emma , Voysey Merryn , Kerridge Simon , Martin Laura B , Angus Brian , Pollard Andrew J
Published: June 2015

Introduction

This study will develop the first human challenge model of paratyphoid infection which may then be taken forward to evaluate paratyphoid vaccine candidates.SalmonellaParatyphi A is believed to cause a quarter of the estimated 20 million cases of enteric fever annually. Epidemiological evidence also suggests that an increasing proportion of the enteric fever burden is attributable toS. Paratyphi infection meriting further attention and interest in vaccine development. Assessment of paratyphoid vaccine efficacy in preclinical studies is complicated by the lack of a small animal model and the human-restricted nature of the infection. The use of experimental human infection in healthy volunteers provides an opportunity to address these problems in a cost-effective manner.

Methods and analysis

Volunteers will ingest virulentS. Paratyphi A bacteria (NVGH308 strain) with a bicarbonate buffer solution to establish the infectious dose resulting in an ‘attack rate’ of 60–75%. Using an a priori decision-making algorithm, the challenge dose will be escalated or de-escalated to achieve the target attack rate, with the aim of reaching the study end point while exposing as few individuals as possible to infection. The attack rate will be determined by the proportion of paratyphoid infection in groups of 20 healthy adult volunteers, with infection being defined by one or more positive blood cultures (microbiological end point) and/or fever, defined as an oral temperature exceeding 38°C sustained for at least 12 h (clinical end point); 20–80 participants will be required. Challenge participants will start a 2-week course of an oral antibiotic on diagnosis of infection, or after 14 days follow-up.

Ethics and dissemination

The strict eligibility criterion aims to minimise risk to participants and their close contacts. Ethical approval has been obtained. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international congresses.

Trial registration number

NCT02100397.
Simulation of unstable rock failure under unloading conditions
Authors: Manouchehrian Amin , Cai Ming
Published: June 2015

Rockburst is an unstable rock failure and one of the most hazardous problems in deep hard-rock mines. Before excavation, rocks are loaded under a polyaxial condition. Upon excavation, the rocks at the excavation boundaries are loaded in the tangential direction and unloaded in the radial direction. Understanding rock behaviour under this excavation loading condition is critical for developing measures to control rock failure in underground construction. In this paper, numerical simulation results of unstable rock failure using an explicit finite element tool are presented. Firstly, uniaxial compression tests were simulated to confirm the suitability of the adopted numerical tool for simulating unstable rock failures. Transferred energy ratio (TER) and loading system reaction intensity (LSRI) were proposed as indicators to distinguish between stable and unstable failures. Secondly, unstable rock failures under polyaxial unloading conditions were simulated. The influences of loading system stiffness (LSS), specimen’s height to width ratio (H/W), and intermediate principal stress (σ2) on rock failure were investigated. The simulation results showed that rock failure was more violent when the loading system was softer, the specimen was taller, and the confinement was lower. The modelling approach presented in this paper can be useful for predicting unstable rock failure and estimating released kinetic energy, which is important for designing rock support in deep tunnels to control rockburst damage.
Tonic immobility as an anaesthetic for elasmobranchs during surgical implantation procedures
Authors: Kessel Steven T. , Hussey Nigel E.
Published: June 2015

Tonic immobility is a widely used technique for the surgical implantation of acoustic tags in elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays), yet it is still not broadly recognised as an acceptable procedure by many regulatory bodies, animal care committees, and even journal ethics standards. To highlight its regular use and applicability as a field procedure, a literature search was conducted on the anaesthetic technique adopted for all existing elasmobranch-focused acoustic telemetry papers, up to 31 December 2013. A total of 57 studies were identified that contained relevant details on surgical methodological procedures. Of these, the majority of studies (43, or 75.4%) employed tonic immobility, while 10 (17.6%) used general chemical anaesthetic and 4 (7%) used local chemical anaesthetic. These studies identify that tonic immobility provides an effective anaesthetic for surgical implantation in elasmobranchs, as it offers several benefits over chemical anaesthetics, both from a practical and from an animal welfare perspective. Practically, rapid induction and recovery optimizes the surgical procedure, desirable under often complex field conditions, where general chemical anaesthetics prolong duration and administration is often unfeasible because of the size of study animals. Benefits over chemical anaesthetic for animal welfare include no risk of overdose, no uptake of chemicals to body tissues, minimal disruption to respiration, thereby reducing potential for negative sublethal impacts that influence postrelease behaviour, and immediate and full recovery. Given these benefits and its long-standing use in field studies, it is recommended that tonic immobility be recognised as an acceptable anaesthetic technique for surgical procedures on elasmobranchs.
Effect of crowding stress on tolerance to ischemia–reperfusion injury in young male and female hypertensive rats: molecular mechanisms
Authors: Ledvényiová-Farkašová Veronika , Bernátová Iveta , Balis Peter , Puzserova Angelika , Barteková Monika , Gablovsky Ivan , Ravingerová Tana
Published: June 2015

Sex and social stress may represent risk factors in the etiology of hypertension and heart response to ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (Akt) plays an important role in the processes associated with hypertension and myocardial tolerance to I/R, and may be involved in myocardial stress reaction. The impact of chronic stress on the response to I/R was investigated in the hearts of 7-week-old spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats of both sexes. Stress was induced by reducing living space to 70 cm2/100 g body mass of rat for 2 weeks, while the controls were kept at 200 cm2/100 g. Langendorff-perfused hearts, subjected to I/R, exhibited higher vulnerability to ventricular tachycardia in crowd-stressed SHR vs. the control rats, and this was more pronounced in the males. Myocardial infarction was not affected by crowding stress in any of the groups. Male and female SHR showed increased activation of cardiac Akt, whereas nitric oxide synthase activity (NOS) with pro-apoptotic signaling decreased in the males but was not altered in the females (vs. WKY rats). NOS was enhanced in the female SHR and WKY groups by comparison with the respective males. Stress only reduced NOS activity in the SHR groups, and without changes in apoptotic markers. In conclusion, we showed that stress in young SHR mainly affects the nonlethal markers for I/R, and has no impact on myocardial infarction and apoptosis, despite reduced NOS activity.
A Resolution of the Paradox of Enrichment
Authors: Feng Z. C. , Li Y. Charles
Published: June 2015

The paradox of enrichment was observed by Rosenzweig [1971] in a class of predator–prey models. Two of the parameters in the models are crucial for the paradox. These two parameters are the prey's carrying capacity and prey's half-saturation for predation. Intuitively, increasing the carrying capacity due to enrichment of the prey's environment should lead to a more stable predator–prey system. Analytically, it turns out that increasing the carrying capacity always leads to an unstable predator–prey system that is susceptible to extinction from environmental random perturbations. This is the so-called paradox of enrichment. Our resolution here rests upon a closer investigation on a dimensionless number H formed from the carrying capacity and the prey's half-saturation. By recasting the models into dimensionless forms, the models are in fact governed by a few dimensionless numbers including H. The effects of the two parameters: carrying capacity and half-saturation are incorporated into the number H. In fact, increasing the carrying capacity is equivalent (i.e. has the same effect on H) to decreasing the half-saturation which implies more aggressive predation. Since there is no paradox between more aggressive predation and instability of the predator–prey system, the paradox of enrichment is resolved.

The so-called instability of the predator–prey system is characterized by the existence of a stable limit cycle in the phase plane, which gets closer and closer to the predator axis and prey axis. Due to random environmental perturbations, this can lead to extinction. We also further explore spatially dependent models for which the phase space is infinite-dimensional. The spatially independent limit cycle which is generated by a Hopf bifurcation from an unstable steady state, is linearly stable in the infinite-dimensional phase space. Numerical simulations indicate that the basin of attraction of the limit cycle is riddled. This shows that spatial perturbations can sometimes (neither always nor never) remove the paradox of enrichment near the limit cycle!
A UI-Centric Approach for the End-User Development of Multidevice Mashups
Authors: Cappiello Cinzia , Matera Maristella , Picozzi Matteo
Published: June 2015

In recent years, models, composition paradigms, and tools for mashup development have been proposed to support the integration of information sources, services and APIs available on the Web. The challenge is to provide a gate to a “programmable Web,” where end users are allowed to construct easily composite applications that merge content and functions so as to satisfy the long tail of their specific needs. The approaches proposed so far do not fully accommodate this vision. This article, therefore, proposes a mashup development framework that is oriented toward the End-User Development. Given the fundamental role of user interfaces (UIs) as a medium easily understandable by the end users, the proposed approach is characterized by UI-centric models able to support a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) specification of data integration and service orchestration. It, therefore, contributes to the definition of adequate abstractions that, by hiding the technology and implementation complexity, can be adopted by the end users in a kind of “democratic” paradigm for mashup development. This article also shows how model-to-code generative techniques translate models into application schemas, which in turn guide the dynamic instantiation of the composite applications at runtime. This is achieved through lightweight execution environments that can be deployed on the Web and on mobile devices to support the pervasive use of the created applications.
Aspects of access
Authors: St. Amant Kirk
Published: June 2015

Increasingly, health and medical communication involves a global perspective. This perspective now includes coordinating international efforts ranging from treating globally dispersed patients to containing infectious diseases. In many cases, the focus of such information is instructional---content that tells individuals how to perform certain health-or medical-related processes. In such situations, usability is essential to success. That is, individuals must be able to use instructional materials as intended to achieve a particular purpose or objective. Communication designers therefore need to identify approaches that can facilitate the usability of health and medical content in a range of international settings.
Problem solving in user networks
Authors: Lanier Clinton R.
Published: June 2015

This paper argues that online communication products should employ item-to-item collaborative filtering algorithms to equip readers with the best potential sets of information that fits their specific contexts. Many online resources are utilizing item-to-item collaborative filtering algorithms which harness the decisions of users to affect their experience. Examples include the recommendation engine used by Amazon.com to help steer customers to products they might enjoy, the "Music Genome Project" used by the internet radio platform, Pandora, and various user interfaces that quickly determine the best user experience to present each individual user.
Communication and exchange between information visualization and industrial design
Authors: Qian Zhenyu Cheryl , Chen Yingjie Victor
Published: June 2015

Our daily activities now heavily rely on data, and sometimes are even controlled by them. Integrating InfoVis into people's daily lives can help them to access, explore, understand, and utilize the vast variance of data. This paper aims to explore and discuss the idea exchange between the traditional domain of industrial design and the novel field of InfoVis. There are three potential approaches. Extending InfoVis into a product design can fill up the small screen on the product and make the product more user friendly. Appling the 3D form of industrial design to InfoVis can bring it to the physical world and enhance the information qualify in our lives. We also argue that there could be a harmonious combination of industrial design and InfoVis that integrate the benefits from both. To understand this hybrid domain, we introduce some preliminary research explorations that covers both the industrial design and InfoVis, along with our education practices, including our assessment framework, research outcomes, education approaches, and student design projects.
Strategy first, execution second
Authors: Zhou Quan
Published: June 2015

In technical communication education, design is often narrowly and essentially framed as execution of features. This approach fails to account for the innovative phase of user research, the iterative design process, and contextual factors such as workflow and governance. Inspired by Alan Cooper's Goal-Directed Design (2014), this paper advocates for a "design strategy" approach to the practice and pedagogy of design in technical communication. In particular, it calls for treating design as a process of research, discovery, prototyping, execution, and evaluation. This design process must strategically serve organizational objectives and user goals.
MPEG column
Authors: Timmerer Christian
Published: June 2015

The 111th MPEG meeting (note: link includes press release and all publicly available output documents) was held in Geneva, Switzerland showing up some interesting aspects which I'd like to highlight here. Undoubtedly, it was the shortest meeting I've ever attended (and my first meeting was #61) as final plenary concluded at 2015/02/20T18:18!
Information Transfer between Generations Linked to Biodiversity in Rock-Paper-Scissors Games
Authors: Bose Ranjan
Published: June 2015

Ecological processes, such as reproduction, mobility, and interaction between species, play important roles in the maintenance of biodiversity. Classically, the cyclic dominance of species has been modelled using the nonhierarchical interactions among competing species, represented by the “Rock-Paper-Scissors” (RPS) game. Here we propose a cascaded channel model for analyzing the existence of biodiversity in the RPS game. The transition between successive generations is modelled as communication of information over a noisy communication channel. The rate of transfer of information over successive generations is studied using mutual information and it is found that “greedy” information transfer between successive generations may lead to conditions for extinction. This generalized framework can be used to study biodiversity in any number of interacting species, ecosystems with unequal rates for different species, and also competitive networks.
Analysis of Factors Affecting Patients’ Compliance to Topical Antiglaucoma Medications in Egypt as a Developing Country Model
Authors: Abu Hussein Nahla B. , Eissa Iman M. , Abdel-Kader Ahmed A.
Published: June 2015

Purpose. To study factors affecting patients’ compliance to antiglaucoma medications in Egypt where there are unique factors as a developing country.Patients and Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study on 440 Egyptian patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) recruited for over two years. The patients were thoroughly interviewed about their age, education level, duration of glaucoma, difficulty in instilling the drops, medication regimens, a family history of glaucoma, knowledge of the disease, and the presence of medical insurance.Results. 236 (53.6%) were noncompliant compared to 204 (46.4%) who were compliant. Females had a tendency for higher compliance(p=0.061). Patient age above 50 years and low level of education and negative family history of glaucoma were factors significantly associated with poor compliance(p<0.0001). Polytherapy and lack of medical insurance could be contributing factors.Conclusion. Egyptian patients have a high rate of noncompliance compared to the average in literature. Great effort is needed in educating patients about the importance of medications and the risk and the prognosis of this disease. Economic factors must also be taken into consideration in developing countries with large number of poor patients. We recommend simplifying drug regimens, incorporating electronic dose monitors, and creating reminders for follow-up visits of glaucoma patients.
Sulfated Alkyl Glucopyranans with Potent Antiviral Activity Synthesized by Ring-Opening Copolymerization of Anhydroglucose and Alkyl Anhydroglucose Monomers
Authors: Bai Shiming , Budragchaa Davaanyam , Han Shuqin , Kanamoto Taisei , Nakashima Hideki , Yoshida Takashi
Published: June 2015

Sulfated glucopyranans having long alkyl groups were prepared by the ring-opening copolymerization of benzylated 1,6-anhydroglucopyranose with 3-O-octadecyl 1,6-anhydro-β-d-glucopyranose monomers, and subsequent deprotection and sulfation. Water-soluble sulfated glucopyranans with 2.8 and 4.7 mol% of 3-O-octadecyl group and lower molecular weights ofM-n= 2.5 × 103–5.1 × 103have potent anti-HIV activity at 0.05–1.25 μg/mL, even though sulfated polysaccharides with molecular weights belowM-n= 6 × 103had low anti-HIV activity. The interaction with poly-l-lysine as a model compound of proteins was analyzed by SPR, DSL, and zeta potential, indicating that the sulfated 3-O-octadecyl glucopyranans had high association and low dissociation rate constants, and the particle size increased after addition of poly-l-lysine. The anti-HIV activity was induced by electrostatic interaction between sulfate groups and amino groups of poly-l-lysine and by the synergistic effect of the hydrophobic long alkyl chain and hydrophilic sulfated group.
Random Vibration Analysis of Train Moving over Slab Track on Bridge under Track Irregularities and Earthquakes by Pseudoexcitation Method
Authors: Zeng Zhiping , Zhu Kunteng , He Xianfeng , Xu Wentao , Chen Lingkun , Lou Ping
Published: June 2015

This paper investigates the random vibration and the dynamic reliability of operation stability of train moving over slab track on bridge under track irregularities and earthquakes by the pseudoexcitation method (PEM). Each vehicle is modeled by multibody dynamics. The track and bridge is simulated by a rail-slab-girder-pier interaction finite element model. The coupling equations of motion are established based on the wheel-rail interaction relationship. The random excitations of the track irregularities and seismic accelerations are transformed into a series of deterministic pseudoexcitations by PEM. The time-dependent power spectral densities (PSDs) of the random vibration of the system are obtained by step-by-step integration method, and the corresponding dynamic reliability is estimated based on the first-passage failure criterion. A case study is then presented in which a high-speed train moves over a slab track resting on a simply supported girder bridge. The PSD characteristics of the random vibration of the bridge and train are analyzed, the influence of the wheel-rail-bridge interaction models on the random vibration of the bridge and train is discussed, and furthermore the influence of train speed, earthquake intensity, and pier height on the dynamic reliability of train operation stability is studied.
Mechanism and Durability of Repair Systems in Polymer-Modified Cement Mortars
Authors: Wang Ru , Zhang Liang
Published: June 2015

This paper investigated the mechanism and durability of repair systems made of ordinary cement-based repair mortar and three kinds of polymer-modified repair mortars with old concrete, SBR dispersion, SAE dispersion, and SAE powder. By comparing the bonding properties of mortars before and after erosion, it was found that polymers could effectively improve the durability of the repair system and SAE powder had the best improvement. Micromorphology study of the repair mortar and the interface of repair mortar with old concrete through SEM showed that the polymer film formed from SAE powder whatever in the mortar or at the interface was dense and tough, the film formed from SAE dispersion was loose and weak, while the film formed from SBR dispersion was in between them, which explained the difference in the tensile bond strength and the durability of the repair systems.
Colorectal Cancer Risk Following Adenoma Removal: A Large Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Coleman Helen G. , Loughrey Maurice B. , Murray Liam J. , Johnston Brian T. , Gavin Anna T. , Shrubsole Martha J. , Bhat Shivaram K. , Allen Patrick B. , McConnell Vivienne , Cantwell Marie M.
Published: June 2015

Background: Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated significant reductions in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality associated with polypectomy. However, little is known about whether polypectomy is effective at reducing colorectal cancer risk in routine clinical practice. The aim of this investigation was to quantify colorectal cancer risk following polypectomy in a large prospective population-based cohort study.

Methods: Patients with incident colorectal polyps between 2000 and 2005 in Northern Ireland were identified via electronic pathology reports received to the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry. Patients were matched to the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry to detect colorectal cancer and deaths up to December 31, 2010. Colorectal cancer standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated and Cox proportional hazards modeling applied to determine colorectal cancer risk.

Results: During 44,724 person-years of follow-up, 193 colorectal cancer cases were diagnosed among 6,972 adenoma patients, representing an annual progression rate of 0.43%. Colorectal cancer risk was significantly elevated in patients who had an adenoma removed (SIR, 2.85; 95% CI, 2.61–3.25) compared with the general population. Male sex, older age, rectal site, and villous architecture were associated with an increased colorectal cancer risk in adenoma patients. Further analysis suggested that not having a full colonoscopy performed at, or following, incident polypectomy contributed to the excess colorectal cancer risk.

Conclusions: Colorectal cancer risk was elevated in individuals following polypectomy for adenoma, outside of screening programs.

Impact: This finding emphasizes the need for full colonoscopy and adenoma clearance, and appropriate surveillance, after endoscopic diagnosis of adenoma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(9); 1373–80. ©2015 AACR.
Disruption of Proline Synthesis in Melanoma Inhibits Protein Production Mediated by the GCN2 Pathway
Authors: Kardos Gregory R. , Wastyk Hannah C. , Robertson Gavin P.
Published: June 2015

Many processes are deregulated in melanoma cells and one of those is protein production. Although much is known about protein synthesis in cancer cells, effective ways of therapeutically targeting this process remain an understudied area of research. A process that is upregulated in melanoma compared with normal melanocytes is proline biosynthesis, which has been linked to both oncogene and tumor suppressor pathways, suggesting an important convergent point for therapeutic intervention. Therefore, an RNAi screen of a kinase library was undertaken, identifying aldehyde dehydrogenase 18 family, member A1 (ALDH18A1) as a critically important gene in regulating melanoma cell growth through proline biosynthesis. Inhibition of ALDH18A1, the gene encoding pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS), significantly decreased cultured melanoma cell viability and tumor growth. Knockdown of P5CS using siRNA had no effect on apoptosis, autophagy, or the cell cycle but cell-doubling time increased dramatically suggesting that there was a general slowdown in cellular metabolism. Mechanistically, targeting ALDH18A1 activated the serine/threonine protein kinase GCN2 (general control nonderepressible 2) to inhibit protein synthesis, which could be reversed with proline supplementation. Thus, targeting ALDH18A1 in melanoma can be used to disrupt proline biosynthesis to limit cell metabolism thereby increasing the cellular doubling time mediated through the GCN2 pathway.

Implications: This study demonstrates that melanoma cells are sensitive to disruption of proline synthesis and provides a proof-of-concept that the proline synthesis pathway can be therapeutically targeted in melanoma tumors for tumor inhibitory efficacy. Mol Cancer Res; 13(10); 1408–20. ©2015 AACR.
Validity and Reliability of the European-Portuguese Preschool Language Assessment ALPE
Authors: Mendes Ana , Lousada Marisa , Valente Ana Rita , Hall Andreia
Published: June 2015

Background/Aims: To design and standardize the Preschool Language Test (Teste de Linguagem-Avaliação da Linguagem Pré-Escolar, TL-ALPE) which assesses European Portuguese (EP)-speaking children's receptive and expressive language abilities. Methods: To standardize TL-ALPE, data was collected on 817 EP-speaking children aged 3 years and 0 months to 5 years and 12 months. The standardization, validity and reliability procedures of TL-ALPE followed the standard recommendations. Results: TL-ALPE presented a strong cohesion (internal consistency, >80%) and strong inter- and intrajudge reliability (>90%). The content validity was verified by the description of instrument domain and the items. The construct validity of TL-ALPE was confirmed by the proportional increase in mean score values with age for both receptive and expressive abilities. The results of concurrent validity revealed strong correlations between TL-ALPE and other EP preschool language tests for expressive and total language scores. Conclusion: TL-ALPE is a valid and reliable instrument to assess language skills of EP-speaking preschool children. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Consensus Development from the 5th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert Meeting (APPLE 2014)
Authors: Hsu Chiun , Chen Bang-Bin , Chen Chien-Hung , Ho Ming-Chih , Cheng Jason Chia-Hsien , Kokudo Norihiro , Murakami Takamichi , Yeo Winnie , Seong Jinsil , Jia Ji-Dong , Han Kwan-Hyub , Cheng Ann-Lii
Published: June 2015

A key mission of the Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer Expert (APPLE) Association is to ensure a coherent view for management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to advance new treatment for this difficult disease. At the 5th APPLE meeting, held in July 2014 in Taipei, Taiwan, an APPLE consensus development program was established to facilitate discussion among experts in the Asia-Pacific region on pertinent issues for HCC management, including (1) surgery for intermediate/advanced-stage disease, (2) prevention of HCC recurrence after curative treatment, (3) optimizing imaging diagnosis, (4) radiotherapy: current practice and future clinical trials, and (5) the role of cytotoxic chemotherapy. A pre-congress questionnaire was undertaken with the consensus development committee members to help understand the current practice patterns for HCC in the Asia-Pacific region and to identify issues relating to optimal patient care and further clinical trials for which consensus needs to be developed. In this report, the results of the questionnaire are presented, and the pertinent issues identified by each consensus group for further discussion and consensus development are summarized.
Interventional Decentralized Telemonitoring: Bridging the Gap Between Patient's Device and Physician's Needs in Well Selected Indications
Authors: Schulz Egbert G. , Neumann Claas L.
Published: June 2015

Telemedicine comprises different concepts aiming to close a spatial distance between practitioner, medical staff and patient. It's functionality can include mere data transmission but extend as well to triggering alarms or enable consultation and therapy suggestions. A special form of telemedicinal application is interventional decentralized telemonitoring. Here practitioner-patient communication is characterized by telemedicinial data collection driven therapy-control and -optimization. To identify feasible indications for the employment of telemonitoring a detailed definition of communicated parameters, alarm rules and algorithms of intervention are required as well as a benefit-cost analysis. The quality of the telemedical application is determined by the medical quality of the resulting actions.
Renal Effects of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients: A Study with Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and Serum Cystatin C
Authors: Arun Oguzhan , Celik Gulperi , Oc Bahar , Unlu Ali , Celik Jale Bengi , Oc Mehmet , Duman Ates
Published: June 2015

Background/Aims: Cardiac surgery and diabetes are major causes of acute kidney injury (AKI). We aimed to investigate the value of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and serum cystatin C, as early biomarkers for prediction of AKI in diabetic and non-diabetic adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: 15 non-diabetic and 15 diabetic adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery were enrolled. Peri-operative clinical and laboratory variables were recorded. Urinary NGAL, serum cystatin C, serum creatinine (Cre) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were evaluated. Results: AKI was detected in 4 patients in non-diabetic group and 12 patients in diabetic group. Urinary NGAL levels of diabetic and non-diabetic patients and serum cystatin C levels of diabetic patients exceed upper normal limits or cutoff values much earlier than BUN and Cre. cystatin C levels of non-diabetic patients remain unchanged. Cystatin C and NGAL levels of patients meeting AKI criteria and NGAL levels of patients not meeting AKI criteria exceeded upper normal limits or cut off values much earlier in than BUN and Cre. Conclusions: Measurement of cystatin C level in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients may reveal AKI earlier than NGAL and BUN. In diabetic patients, measurement of urinary NGAL and serum cystatin C levels may indicate AKI signs earlier than BUN and Cre.
Impact of Phosphorus Restriction and Vitamin D-Substitution on Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in a Proteinuric Mouse Model
Authors: Bohnert Bernhard N. , Daniel Christoph , Amann Kerstin , Voelkl Jakob , Alesutan Ioana , Lang Florian , Heyne Nils , Häring Hans-Ulrich , Artunc Ferruh
Published: June 2015

Background/Aims: Since the discovery of FGF23, secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in renal disease has been considered to result primarily from phosphorus retention rather than vitamin D deficiency. However, the impact of phosphorus restriction and vitamin D supplementation on SHPT is still ill defined. Methods: We investigated the development of SHPT in a doxorubicin-induced proteinuric mouse model and tested different treatment strategies including a low phosphorus diet and substitution with native or active vitamin D in 129 S1/SvImJ wild-type mice. Results: Development of SHPT at day 30 was strongly related to the magnitude of induced proteinuria. In mice with a proteinuria <100 mg/mg creatinine, SHPT was mild (PTH increase 2.4-fold), and serum levels of FGF23, phosphate and urea remained almost stable, whereas mice with heavy proteinuria (>100 mg/mg creatinine) developed marked SHPT (PTH increase 10.1-fold) accompanied by massive increase in FGF23 (27.0-fold increase), hyperphosphatemia (1.8-fold increase), renal failure (7.3-fold urea increase) and depletion of both 25-OH vitamin D and 1,25-OH vitamin D. Substitution with native or active vitamin D was unable to suppress SHPT, whereas a low-phosphorus diet (Pi content 0.013%) completely suppressed SHPT in mice with both mild and heavy proteinuria. Conclusions: The development of SHPT resulted from phosphate retention in this proteinuric model and could completely be suppressed with a low-phosphorus diet.