bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Succinate, iron chelation, and monovalent cations affect the transformation efficiency of Acinetobacter baylyi ATCC 33305 during growth in complex media
Authors: Leong Colleen G. , Boyd Caroline M. , Roush Kaleb S. , Tenente Ricardo , Lang Kristine M. , Lostroh C. Phoebe
Published: August 2017

Natural transformation is the acquisition of new genetic material via the uptake of exogenous DNA by competent bacteria. Acinetobacter baylyi is model for natural transformation. Here we focus on the natural transformation of A. baylyi ATCC 33305 grown in complex media and seek environmental conditions that appreciably affect transformation efficiency. We find that the transformation efficiency for A. baylyi is a resilient characteristic that remains high under most conditions tested. We do find several distinct conditions that alter natural transformation efficiency including addition of succinate, Fe2+ (ferrous) iron chelation, and substitution of sodium ions with potassium ones. These distinct conditions could be useful to fine tune transformation efficiency for researchers using A. baylyi as a model organism to study natural transformation.
Effect of zoledronate, a third-generation bisphosphonate, on proliferation and apoptosis of human dental pulp stem cells
Authors: Pourgonabadi Solmaz , Mousavi Seyed Hadi , Tayarani-Najaran Zahra , Ghorbani Ahmad
Published: August 2017

Clinical use of zoledronate is accompanied by osteonecrosis of the jaw but the pathogenesis is not well understood. We assumed that zoledronate may have cytotoxicity against stem cells of the oral cavity and in this way helps to initiate or promote osteonecrosis. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and gingival fibroblasts (GFs) were isolated from volunteers who were undergoing a third molar extraction. The proliferation of DPSCs and GFs was evaluated using the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay. The effect of zoledronate on apoptosis was determined by propidium iodide staining and Western blotting analysis. Incubation with zoledronate for 72 h and 7 days significantly decreased proliferation of DPSCs and GFs at concentrations of more than 0.4 μmol/L (p < 0.001). The IC50 of zoledronate was lower for DPSCs than for GFs (0.92 versus 3.5 μmol/L for 7 days of treatment). After 72 h of treatment with zoledronate, the percentage of apoptotic DPSCs significantly increased, which was accompanied by an increased level of pro-apoptotic proteins caspase-3 and Bax and decreased the level of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. In conclusion, zoledronate has anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in DPSCs. These effects may be involved in promoting zoledronate-induced osteonecrosis and suggest an unfavorable impact of this drug on regenerative potentials of the body stem cells.
Nuclear final-state interactions in deep inelastic scattering off the lightest nuclei
Authors: Cosyn W. , Sargsian M.
Published: August 2017

We review recent progress in studies of nuclear final-state interactions in deep inelastic scattering (DIS) off the lightest nuclei tagged by a recoil nucleon. These processes hold a lot of potential for resolving the outstanding issues related to the dynamics of hadronization in QCD. Within the minimal Fock component framework, valid at large Bjorken [Formula: see text], the main features of the theoretical approach based on the virtual nucleon approximation are elaborated. In this approach, the strong final-state interaction of the DIS products with the nuclear fragments is described by an effective eikonal amplitude, whose parameters can be extracted from the analysis of semi-inclusive DIS off the deuteron target. The extraction of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mass dependences of these parameters gives a new observable in studying the QCD structure of DIS final states. Another important feature of tagged DIS off the lightest nuclei is the possibility of performing pole extrapolation with a high degree of accuracy. Such extrapolation allows an extraction of the neutron structure function in a model independent way due to suppression of the final-state interaction in the on-shell limit of the struck nucleon propagator. We review the first application of the pole extrapolation to recent experimental data. Finally, we outline the extension of the framework to inclusive DIS, including a polarized deuteron target as well as its application to the tagged DIS reactions for future experiments at fixed target and collider energies.
A New Procedure for Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Structures Under Seismic Loading Based on Equivalent Nodal Secant Stiffness
Authors: Lee Tzu-Ying , Chung Kun-Jun , Chang Hao
Published: August 2017

This paper presents a dynamic analysis procedure for predicting the responses of large, highly nonlinear, discontinuous structural systems subjected to seismic loading. The concept of equivalent nodal secant stiffness is adopted to diagonalize the conventional stiffness matrix of the structure. With the lumped-mass idealization, the decoupled equilibrium equations of the structure are then solved by the implicit Newmark integration method. Additionally, an incremental-iterative procedure is performed to ensure that the equilibrium conditions are satisfied at the end of each time step. The proposed analysis procedure has the advantages of both the conventional explicit and implicit integration procedures, but with their disadvantages removed. Through extensive applications, the results demonstrate that the proposed procedure is simple and robust for analyzing practical structural systems in terms of computational efficiency and stability.
The functional Meyer–Tanaka formula
Authors: Saporito Yuri F.
Published: August 2017

The functional Itô formula, firstly introduced by Bruno Dupire for continuous semimartingales, might be extended in two directions: different dynamics for the underlying process and/or weaker assumptions on the regularity of the functional. In this paper, we pursue the former type by proving the functional version of the Meyer–Tanaka formula. Following the idea of the proof of the classical time-dependent Meyer–Tanaka formula, we study the mollification of functionals and its convergence properties. As an example, we study the running maximum and the max-martingales of Yor and Obłój.
Factors Influencing Innovation and Industrial Performance in Chinese Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Emodi Nnaemeka Vincent , Murthy Girish Panchakshara , Emodi Chinenye Comfort , Emodi Adaeze Saratu Augusta
Published: August 2017

This study investigates the factors influencing the Chinese manufacturing industry’s innovation and industrial performance utilizing a panel data approach on a sample of Chinese manufacturing enterprises over the period of 2008–2013. The industries were grouped according to related sectors into five groups, a general group was also created which included the whole data sample. The study found that research and development (R&D) expenditure positively influenced the growth of product innovation and industrial performance, but not necessarily knowledge innovation and export performance. Also, expenditure on new product development had a positive impact on both innovation and industrial performance. The growth of patent application was discovered to be influenced by an R&D project and foreign patent license. Finally, the number of enterprises and firm size (i.e. number of employees) contributed positively to the industrial output performance. The findings suggest that industrial R&D and new product development influences the success of product innovation and sales performance. The study recommends that the government should set up policies that will stimulate industrial R&D, while supporting technology transfers from foreign partners. Most importantly, government policies on the development of the industry should be addressed on a sectorial level and not a “one-size-fit-all” type of policy.
Health, Health Insurance, and Retirement: A Survey
Authors: French Eric , Jones John Bailey
Published: August 2017

The degree to which retirement decisions are driven by health is a key concern for both academics and policy makers. In this review, we survey the economic literature on the health–retirement link in developed countries. We describe the mechanisms through which health affects labor supply and discuss how these mechanisms interact with public pensions and public health insurance. The historical evidence suggests that health is not the primary source of variation in retirement across countries and over time. Furthermore, the decline of health with age can only explain a small share of the decline in employment near retirement age. Health considerations nonetheless play an important role, especially in explaining cross-sectional variation in employment and other outcomes within countries. We review the mechanisms through which health affects retirement and discuss recent empirical analyses.
Quantile Regression: 40 Years On
Authors: Koenker Roger
Published: August 2017

Since Quetelet's work in the nineteenth century, social science has iconified the average man, that hypothetical man without qualities who is comfortable with his head in the oven and his feet in a bucket of ice. Conventional statistical methods since Quetelet have sought to estimate the effects of policy treatments for this average man. However, such effects are often quite heterogeneous: Medical treatments may improve life expectancy but also impose serious short-term risks; reducing class sizes may improve the performance of good students but not help weaker ones, or vice versa. Quantile regression methods can help to explore these heterogeneous effects. Some recent developments in quantile regression methods are surveyed in this review.
Large-Scale Global and Simultaneous Inference: Estimation and Testing in Very High Dimensions
Authors: Cai T. Tony , Sun Wenguang
Published: August 2017

Due to rapid technological advances, researchers are now able to collect and analyze ever larger data sets. Statistical inference for big data often requires solving thousands or even millions of parallel inference problems simultaneously. This poses significant challenges and calls for new principles, theories, and methodologies. This review provides a selective survey of some recently developed methods and results for large-scale statistical inference, including detection, estimation, and multiple testing. We begin with the global testing problem, where the goal is to detect the existence of sparse signals in a data set, and then move to the problem of estimating the proportion of nonnull effects. Finally, we focus on multiple testing with false discovery rate (FDR) control. The FDR provides a powerful and practical approach to large-scale multiple testing and has been successfully used in a wide range of applications. We discuss several effective data-driven procedures and also present efficient strategies to handle various grouping, hierarchical, and dependency structures in the data.
Mechanisms of Persistent Activity in Cortical Circuits: Possible Neural Substrates for Working Memory
Authors: Zylberberg Joel , Strowbridge Ben W.
Published: August 2017

A commonly observed neural correlate of working memory is firing that persists after the triggering stimulus disappears. Substantial effort has been devoted to understanding the many potential mechanisms that may underlie memory-associated persistent activity. These rely either on the intrinsic properties of individual neurons or on the connectivity within neural circuits to maintain the persistent activity. Nevertheless, it remains unclear which mechanisms are at play in the many brain areas involved in working memory. Herein, we first summarize the palette of different mechanisms that can generate persistent activity. We then discuss recent work that asks which mechanisms underlie persistent activity in different brain areas. Finally, we discuss future studies that might tackle this question further. Our goal is to bridge between the communities of researchers who study either single-neuron biophysical, or neural circuit, mechanisms that can generate the persistent activity that underlies working memory.
Identifying Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms for Magnetosensation
Authors: Clites Benjamin L. , Pierce Jonathan T.
Published: August 2017

Diverse animals ranging from worms and insects to birds and turtles perform impressive journeys using the magnetic field of the earth as a cue. Although major cellular and molecular mechanisms for sensing mechanical and chemical cues have been elucidated over the past three decades, the mechanisms that animals use to sense magnetic fields remain largely mysterious. Here we survey progress on the search for magnetosensory neurons and magnetosensitive molecules important for animal behaviors. Emphasis is placed on magnetosensation in insects and birds, as well as on the magnetosensitive neuron pair AFD in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We also review conventional criteria used to define animal magnetoreceptors and suggest how approaches used to identify receptors for other sensory modalities may be adapted for magnetoreceptors. Finally, we discuss prospects for underutilized and novel approaches to identify the elusive magnetoreceptors in animals.
Acute myotube protein synthesis regulation by IL-6-related cytokines
Authors: Gao Song , Durstine J. Larry , Koh Ho-Jin , Carver Wayne E. , Frizzell Norma , Carson James A.
Published: August 2017

IL-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), members of the IL-6 family of cytokines, play recognized paradoxical roles in skeletal muscle mass regulation, being associated with both growth and atrophy. Overload or muscle contractions can induce a transient increase in muscle IL-6 and LIF expression, which has a regulatory role in muscle hypertrophy. However, the cellular mechanisms involved in this regulation have not been completely identified. The induction of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)-dependent myofiber protein synthesis is an established regulator of muscle hypertrophy, but the involvement of the IL-6 family of cytokines in this process is poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the acute effects of IL-6 and LIF administration on mTORC1 signaling and protein synthesis in C2C12 myotubes. The role of glycoprotein 130 (gp130) receptor and downstream signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mTORC1 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)-suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), was investigated by administration of specific siRNA or pharmaceutical inhibitors. Acute administration of IL-6 and LIF induced protein synthesis, which was accompanied by STAT3 activation, Akt-mTORC1 activation, and increased SOCS3 expression. This induction of protein synthesis was blocked by both gp130 siRNA knockdown and Akt inhibition. Interestingly, STAT3 inhibition or Akt downstream mTORC1 signaling inhibition did not fully block the IL-6 or LIF induction of protein synthesis. SOCS3 siRNA knockdown increased basal protein synthesis and extended the duration of the protein synthesis induction by IL-6 and LIF. These results demonstrate that either IL-6 or LIF can activate gp130-Akt signaling axis, which induces protein synthesis via mTORC1-independent mechanisms in cultured myotubes. However, IL-6- or LIF-induced SOCS3 negatively regulates the activation of myotube protein synthesis.
Transglutaminase 2 in pulmonary and cardiac tissue remodeling in experimental pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Penumatsa Krishna C. , Toksoz Deniz , Warburton Rod R. , Kharnaf Mousa , Preston Ioana R. , Kapur Navin K. , Khosla Chaitan , Hill Nicholas S. , Fanburg Barry L.
Published: August 2017

Tissue matrix remodeling and fibrosis leading to loss of pulmonary arterial and right ventricular compliance are important features of both experimental and clinical pulmonary hypertension (PH). We have previously reported that transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is involved in PH development while others have shown it to be a cross-linking enzyme that participates in remodeling of extracellular matrix in fibrotic diseases in general. In the present studies, we used a mouse model of experimental PH (Sugen 5416 and hypoxia; SuHypoxia) and cultured primary human cardiac and pulmonary artery adventitial fibroblasts to evaluate the relationship of TG2 to the processes of fibrosis, protein cross-linking, extracellular matrix collagen accumulation, and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation. We report here that TG2 expression and activity as measured by serotonylated fibronectin and protein cross-linking activity along with fibrogenic markers are significantly elevated in lungs and right ventricles of SuHypoxic mice with PH. Similarly, TG2 expression and activity, protein cross-linking activity, and fibrogenic markers are significantly increased in cultured cardiac and pulmonary artery adventitial fibroblasts in response to hypoxia exposure. Pharmacological inhibition of TG2 activity with ERW1041E significantly reduced hypoxia-induced cross-linking activity and synthesis of collagen 1 and α-smooth muscle actin in both the in vivo and in vitro studies. TG2 short interfering RNA had a similar effect in vitro. Our results suggest that TG2 plays an important role in hypoxia-induced pulmonary and right ventricular tissue matrix remodeling in the development of PH.
Energy homeostasis in apolipoprotein AIV and cholecystokinin-deficient mice
Authors: Weng Jonathan , Lou Danwen , Benoit Stephen C. , Coschigano Natalie , Woods Stephen C. , Tso Patrick , Lo Chunmin C.
Published: August 2017

Apolipoprotein AIV (ApoAIV) and cholecystokinin (CCK) are well-known satiating signals that are stimulated by fat consumption. Peripheral ApoAIV and CCK interact to prolong satiating signals. In the present study, we hypothesized that ApoAIV and CCK control energy homeostasis in response to high-fat diet feeding. To test this hypothesis, energy homeostasis in ApoAIV and CCK double knockout (ApoAIV/CCK-KO), ApoAIV knockout (ApoAIV-KO), and CCK knockout (CCK-KO) mice were monitored. When animals were maintained on a low-fat diet, ApoAIV/CCK-KO, ApoAIV-KO, and CCK-KO mice had comparable energy intake and expenditure, body weight, fat mass, fat absorption, and plasma parameters relative to the controls. In contrast, these KO mice exhibited impaired lipid transport to epididymal fat pads in response to intraduodenal infusion of dietary lipids. Furthermore, ApoAIV-KO mice had upregulated levels of CCK receptor 2 (CCK2R) in the small intestine while ApoAIV/CCK-KO mice had upregulated levels of CCK2R in the brown adipose tissue. After 20 wk of a high-fat diet, ApoAIV-KO and CCK-KO mice had comparable body weight and fat mass, as well as lower energy expenditure at some time points. However, ApoAIV/CCK-KO mice exhibited reduced body weight and adiposity relative to wild-type mice, despite having normal food intake. Furthermore, ApoAIV/CCK-KO mice displayed normal fat absorption and locomotor activity, as well as enhanced energy expenditure. These observations suggest that mice lacking ApoAIV and CCK have reduced body weight and adiposity, possibly due to impaired lipid transport and elevated energy expenditure.
Running training experience attenuates disuse atrophy in fast-twitch skeletal muscles of rats
Authors: Nakamura Keisuke , Ohsawa Ikumi , Masuzawa Ryo , Konno Ryotaro , Watanabe Atsuya , Kawano Fuminori
Published: August 2017

Responsiveness to physiological stimuli, such as exercise and muscular inactivation, differs in individuals. However, the mechanisms responsible for these individual differences remain poorly understood. We tested whether a prior experience of exercise training affects the responses of skeletal muscles to unloading. Young rats were assigned to perform daily running training with a treadmill for 8 wk. After an additional 8 wk of normal habitation, the rats were hindlimb unloaded by tail suspension for 1 wk. Fast-twitch plantaris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles did not atrophy after unloading in rats with training experience, although soleus muscle lost weight similar to sedentary rats. We also analyzed the transcriptome in plantaris muscle with RNA sequencing followed by hierarchical clustering analysis and found that a subset of genes that were generally upregulated in sedentary rats after unloading were less responsive in rats with training experience. The distribution of histone 3 was diminished at the loci of these genes during the training period. Although the deposition of histone 3 was restored after an additional period of normal habitation, the incorporation of H3.3 variant was promoted in rats with training experience. This remodeling of nucleosomes closely correlated to the conformational changes of chromatin and suppressed gene expression in response to unloading. These results suggest that exercise training stimulated the early turnover of histone components, which may alter the responsiveness of gene transcription to physiological stimuli.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study demonstrates that disuse atrophy was suppressed in fast-twitch skeletal muscles of rats with training experience in early life. We also found a subset of genes that were less responsive to unloading in the muscle of rats with training experience. It was further determined that exercise training caused an early turnover of nucleosome components, which may alter the responsiveness of genes to stimulus in later life.
A latent low-dimensional common input drives a pool of motor neurons: a probabilistic latent state-space model
Authors: Feeney Daniel F. , Meyer François G. , Noone Nicholas , Enoka Roger M.
Published: August 2017

Motor neurons appear to be activated with a common input signal that modulates the discharge activity of all neurons in the motor nucleus. It has proven difficult for neurophysiologists to quantify the variability in a common input signal, but characterization of such a signal may improve our understanding of how the activation signal varies across motor tasks. Contemporary methods of quantifying the common input to motor neurons rely on compiling discrete action potentials into continuous time series, assuming the motor pool acts as a linear filter, and requiring signals to be of sufficient duration for frequency analysis. We introduce a space-state model in which the discharge activity of motor neurons is modeled as inhomogeneous Poisson processes and propose a method to quantify an abstract latent trajectory that represents the common input received by motor neurons. The approach also approximates the variation in synaptic noise in the common input signal. The model is validated with four data sets: a simulation of 120 motor units, a pair of integrate-and-fire neurons with a Renshaw cell providing inhibitory feedback, the discharge activity of 10 integrate-and-fire neurons, and the discharge times of concurrently active motor units during an isometric voluntary contraction. The simulations revealed that a latent state-space model is able to quantify the trajectory and variability of the common input signal across all four conditions. When compared with the cumulative spike train method of characterizing common input, the state-space approach was more sensitive to the details of the common input current and was less influenced by the duration of the signal. The state-space approach appears to be capable of detecting rather modest changes in common input signals across conditions.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We propose a state-space model that explicitly delineates a common input signal sent to motor neurons and the physiological noise inherent in synaptic signal transmission. This is the first application of a deterministic state-space model to represent the discharge characteristics of motor units during voluntary contractions.
Retina Image Vessel Segmentation Using a Hybrid CGLI Level Set Method
Authors: Chen Guannan , Chen Meizhu , Li Jichun , Zhang Encai
Published: August 2017

As a nonintrusive method, the retina imaging provides us with a better way for the diagnosis of ophthalmologic diseases. Extracting the vessel profile automatically from the retina image is an important step in analyzing retina images. A novel hybrid active contour model is proposed to segment the fundus image automatically in this paper. It combines the signed pressure force function introduced by the Selective Binary and Gaussian Filtering Regularized Level Set (SBGFRLS) model with the local intensity property introduced by the Local Binary fitting (LBF) model to overcome the difficulty of the low contrast in segmentation process. It is more robust to the initial condition than the traditional methods and is easily implemented compared to the supervised vessel extraction methods. Proposed segmentation method was evaluated on two public datasets, DRIVE (Digital Retinal Images for Vessel Extraction) and STARE (Structured Analysis of the Retina) (the average accuracy of 0.9390 with 0.7358 sensitivity and 0.9680 specificity on DRIVE datasets and average accuracy of 0.9409 with 0.7449 sensitivity and 0.9690 specificity on STARE datasets). The experimental results show that our method is effective and our method is also robust to some kinds of pathology images compared with the traditional level set methods.
Effects of Gamma Irradiation on Agromorphological Characteristics of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench.)
Authors: Asare Aaron Tettey , Mensah Francis , Acheampong Samuel , Asare-Bediako Elvis , Armah Jonathan
Published: August 2017

Cultivation of okra in Ghana is challenged by low yield due to lack of improved varieties. Gamma irradiated okra seeds can generate genetic variability to improve the crop. Samples of 150 seeds, each of okra genotype, UCCC6, were irradiated with 400 Gy to 1000 Gy using cobalt 60 source at a dose rate exposure of 121.58 Gy/hr. There were 40 stands comprising single plant per stand in three replications per treatment in a randomized complete block design outlay. Seedling survival, plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, number of branches, leaf length and width, days to 50% flowering, number of fruits, length and weight of fruit, number of seeds, and 100-seed weight decreased significantly (P≤0.05) with increasing doses of gamma rays. Seedling survival was highest (88%) at 400 Gy, followed by control (81%). However, 600 Gy, 800 Gy, and 1000 Gy had 61%, 41%, and 17% seedling survival, respectively, with LD50 at 720 Gy. Significant (P≤0.05) correlations existed between growth and yield components. Optimum growth and yield in okra were induced by 400 Gy but the higher doses had growth retardation effects and the induced variability can be assessed at M2 generation.
Uterine Rupture at 21 Weeks in Twin Pregnancy with TTTS and Previous C-Section
Authors: Bhikha-kori Gieta , Sueters Marieke , Middeldorp Johanna M.
Published: August 2017

Uterine rupture is a health problem in every country. The diagnosis is not always obvious and fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality can be high.
The Temporal Pattern of a Lesion Modulates the Functional Network Topology of Remote Brain Regions
Authors: De Baene W. , Rutten G. J. M. , Sitskoorn M. M.
Published: August 2017

Focal brain lesions can alter the morphology and function of remote brain areas. When the damage is inflicted more slowly, the functional compensation by and structural reshaping of these areas seem to be more effective. It remains unclear, however, whether the momentum of lesion development also modulates the functional network topology of the remote brain areas. In this study, we compared resting-state functional connectivity data of patients with a slowly growing low-grade glioma (LGG) with that of patients with a faster-growing high-grade glioma (HGG). Using graph theory, we examined whether the tumour growth velocity modulated the functional network topology of remote areas, more specifically of the hemisphere contralateral to the lesion. We observed that the contralesional network topology characteristics differed between patient groups. Based only on the connectivity of the hemisphere contralateral to the lesion, patients could be classified in the correct tumour-grade group with 70% accuracy. Additionally, LGG patients showed smaller contralesional intramodular connectivity, smaller contralesional ratio between intra- and intermodular connectivity, and larger contralesional intermodular connectivity than HGG patients. These results suggest that, in the hemisphere contralateral to the lesion, there is a lower capacity for local, specialized information processing coupled to a higher capacity for distributed information processing in LGG patients. These results underline the utility of a network perspective in evaluating effects of focal brain injury.
A Review of the Conceptualisation and Risk Factors Associated with Treatment-Resistant Depression
Authors: Murphy Jenifer A. , Sarris Jerome , Byrne Gerard J.
Published: August 2017

Major depression does not always remit. Difficult-to-treat depression is thought to contribute to the large disease burden posed by depression. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is the conventional term for nonresponse to treatment in individuals with major depression. Indicators of the phenomenon are the poor response rates to antidepressants in clinical practice and the overestimation of the efficacy of antidepressants in medical scientific literature. Current TRD staging models are based on anecdotal evidence without an empirical rationale to rank one treatment strategy above another. Many factors have been associated with TRD such as inflammatory system activation, abnormal neural activity, neurotransmitter dysfunction, melancholic clinical features, bipolarity, and a higher traumatic load. This narrative review provides an overview of this complex clinical problem and discusses the reconceptualization of depression using an illness staging model in line with other medical fields such as oncology.
Blood Vessel Extraction in Color Retinal Fundus Images with Enhancement Filtering and Unsupervised Classification
Authors: Yavuz Zafer , Köse Cemal
Published: August 2017

Retinal blood vessels have a significant role in the diagnosis and treatment of various retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, arteriosclerosis, and hypertension. For this reason, retinal vasculature extraction is important in order to help specialists for the diagnosis and treatment of systematic diseases. In this paper, a novel approach is developed to extract retinal blood vessel network. Our method comprises four stages: (1) preprocessing stage in order to prepare dataset for segmentation; (2) an enhancement procedure including Gabor, Frangi, and Gauss filters obtained separately before a top-hat transform; (3) a hard and soft clustering stage which includes K-means and Fuzzy C-means (FCM) in order to get binary vessel map; and (4) a postprocessing step which removes falsely segmented isolated regions. The method is tested on color retinal images obtained from STARE and DRIVE databases which are available online. As a result, Gabor filter followed by K-means clustering method achieves 95.94% and 95.71% of accuracy for STARE and DRIVE databases, respectively, which are acceptable for diagnosis systems.
The Role of Defensins in HIV Pathogenesis
Authors: Pace Barcley T. , Lackner Andrew A. , Porter Edith , Pahar Bapi
Published: August 2017

Profound loss of CD4+T cells, progressive impairment of the immune system, inflammation, and sustained immune activation are the characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Innate immune responses respond immediately from the day of HIV infection, and a thorough understanding of the interaction between several innate immune cells and HIV-1 is essential to determine to what extent those cells play a crucial role in controlling HIV-1in vivo. Defensins, divided into the three subfamiliesα-,β-, andθ-defensins based on structure and disulfide linkages, comprise a critical component of the innate immune response and exhibit anti-HIV-1 activities and immunomodulatory capabilities. In humans, onlyα- andβ-defensins are expressed in various tissues and have broad impacts on HIV-1 transmission, replication, and disease progression.θ-defensins have been identified as functional peptides in Old World monkeys, but not in humans. Instead,θ-defensins exist only as pseudogenes in humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. The use of the syntheticθ-defensin peptide “retrocyclin” as an antiviral therapy was shown to be promising, and further research into the development of defensin-based HIV-1 therapeutics is needed. This review focuses on the role of defensins in HIV-1 pathogenesis and highlights future research efforts that warrant investigation.
Development of a Plantar Load Estimation Algorithm for Evaluation of Forefoot Load of Diabetic Patients during Daily Walks Using a Foot Motion Sensor
Authors: Watanabe Ayano , Noguchi Hiroshi , Oe Makoto , Sanada Hiromi , Mori Taketoshi
Published: August 2017

Forefoot load (FL) contributes to callus formation, which is one of the pathways to diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). In this study, we hypothesized that excessive FL, which cannot be detected by plantar load measurements within laboratory settings, occurs in daily walks. To demonstrate this, we created a FL estimation algorithm using foot motion data. Acceleration and angular velocity data were obtained from a motion sensor attached to each shoe of the subjects. The accuracy of the estimated FL was validated by correlation with the FL measured by force sensors on the metatarsal heads, which was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The mean of correlation coefficients of all the subjects was 0.63 at a level corridor, while it showed an intersubject difference at a slope and stairs. We conducted daily walk measurements in two diabetic patients, and additionally, we verified the safety of daily walk measurement using a wearable motion sensor attached to each shoe. We found that excessive FL occurred during their daily walks for approximately three hours in total, when any adverse event was not observed. This study indicated that FL evaluation method using wearable motion sensors was one of the promising ways to prevent DFUs.
Interrelations among SMED Stages: A Causal Model
Authors: Díaz-Reza José Roberto , García-Alcaraz Jorge Luis , Mendoza-Fong José Roberto , Martínez-Loya Valeria , Macías Emilio Jiménez , Blanco-Fernández Julio
Published: August 2017

Mexico has received a lot of foreign investment that has brought in a wide range of novel production philosophies, such as Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED). Despite its popularity and reported effectiveness, Mexican companies often quit SMED implementation as they consider it challenging. This usually happens when organizations are not familiarized enough with each one of the SMED stages or do not know how they are interrelated. In this article the interrelations among the different SMED implementation stages by means of a structural equations model are analyzed. Data for constructing the model were gathered from a survey administered to 250 employees from the Mexican maquiladora industry. The survey assessed the importance of 14 activities belonging to the four SMED stages. The descriptive analyses of these stages were conducted and integrated into a structural equations model as latent variables, to find their level of dependency. The model was constructed using WarpPLS 5 software, and direct, indirect, and total effects among variables are analyzed and validated. Results from the model revealed that Stage 1 of SMED implementation, known as the Identification Stage, has both direct and indirect effects on all the other SMED stages, being the most important stage.
An Optimization Model and Modified Harmony Search Algorithm for Microgrid Planning with ESS
Authors: Jiao Yang , Wu Jing , Tan Qing-kun , Tan Zhong-fu , Wang Guan
Published: August 2017

To solve problems such as the high cost of microgrids (MGs), balance between supply and demand, stability of system operation, and optimizing the MG planning model, the energy storage system (ESS) and harmony search algorithm (HSA) are proposed. First, the conventional MG planning optimization model is constructed and the constraint conditions are defined: the supply and demand balance and reserve requirements. Second, an ESS is integrated into the optimal model of MG planning. The model with an ESS can solve and identify parameters such as the optimal power, optimal capacity, and optimal installation year. Third, the convergence speed and robustness of the ESS are optimized and improved. A case study comprising three different cases concludes the paper. The results show that the modified HSA (MHSA) can effectively improve the stability and economy of MG operation with an ESS.
Donor-Cell Origin High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome Synchronous with an Intracranial Meningioma-Like Tumor, 8 Years after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Brás G. , Pinho-Vaz C. , Campos A.
Published: August 2017

Secondary neoplasias are well known consequences of radiotherapy or chemotherapy for a primary cancer. In this report, we describe two rare secondary neoplasias occurring in the same patient: a meningioma-like intracranial tumor and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) of donor-cells origin, both diagnosed simultaneously, 8 years after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Due to an engraftment failure during the first allo-HSCT of a matched related donor for CLL treatment, the salvage treatment was a second allo-HSCT. At the moment of meningioma-like tumor diagnosis, the patient was pancytopenic due to high-risk MDS, so it was decided to postpone a surgical intervention until hematological improvement. For the high-risk MDS of donor-cells origin the chosen treatment was induction with intensive chemotherapy. Due to refractory disease, the patient was treated with 5-azacitidine and donor-lymphocytes infusion with no response and, finally, a third allo-HSCT of a matched unrelated donor was performed. The patient died 6 months after the third allo-HSCT, in cytogenetic remission but without hematological recovery, due to an intracranial hemorrhage with origin in the meningioma-like tumor.
Antitumor Effect of a DNA Vaccine Harboring Prostate Cancer-Specific Antigen with IL-12 as an Intramolecular Adjuvant
Authors: Yang Yu , Shao Zhiqiang , Gao Jiangping
Published: August 2017

To improve the lower immune intensity of DNA vaccines, we developed a DNA vaccine based on prostate cancer-specific antigen (PSA), which has been suggested as a potential target for prostate cancer therapy, and enhanced the DNA vaccine potency using interleukin-12 (IL-12) as an intramolecular adjuvant. A series of DNA plasmids encoding human PSA, IL-12, and their conjugates was constructed and injected into female mice intramuscularly, followed by an electric pulse. The humoral and cellular immune responses after immunization were detected by ELISA and ELISPOT, respectively. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of these plasmids, a mouse model with a PSA-expressing tumor was constructed. Mice vaccinated with PSA-IL-12 plasmids elicited the strongest PSA-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Furthermore, these vaccinations inhibited the growth of PSA-expressing tumors and prolonged mouse survival. These observations emphasize the potential of the IL-12 gene as an intramolecular adjuvant for DNA vaccines. Moreover, the vaccine based on PSA and IL-12 may be a promising treatment for prostate cancer.
A Review of Conventional PCR Assays for the Detection of Selected Phytopathogens of Wheat
Authors: Kuzdraliński Adam , Kot Anna , Szczerba Hubert , Nowak Michał , Muszyńska Marta
Published: August 2017

Infection of phyllosphere (stems, leaves, husks, and grains) by pathogenic fungi reduces the wheat yield and grain quality. Detection of the main wheat pathogenic fungi provides information about species composition and allows effective and targeted plant treatment. Since conventional procedures for the detection of these organisms are unreliable and time consuming, diagnostic DNA-based methods are required. Nucleic acid amplification technologies are independent of the morphological and biochemical characteristics of fungi. Microorganisms do not need to be cultured. Therefore, a number of PCR-based methodologies have been developed for the identification of key pathogenic fungi, such as Fusarium spp., Puccinia spp., Zymoseptoria tritici, Parastagonospora nodorum, Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis. This article reviews frequently used DNA regions for fungus identification and discusses already known PCR assays for detection of the aforementioned wheat pathogens. We demonstrate that PCR-based wheat pathogen identification assays require further research. In particular, the number of diagnostic tests for Fusarium graminearum, Puccinia spp., and P. tritici-repentis are insufficient.
Collectin-11 Is an Important Modulator of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Phagocytosis and Cytokine Production
Authors: Dong Xia , Wu Weiju , Ma Liang , Liu Chengfei , Bhuckory Mohajeet B. , Wang Liping , Nandrot Emeline F. , Xu Heping , Li Ke , Liu Yizhi , Zhou Wuding
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we report previously unknown roles for collectin-11 (CL-11, a soluble C-type lectin) in modulating the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell functions of phagocytosis and cytokine production. We found that CL-11 and its carbohydrate ligand are expressed in both the murine and human neural retina; these resemble each other in terms of RPE and photoreceptor cells. Functional analysis of murine RPE cells showed that CL-11 facilitates the opsonophagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments and apoptotic cells, and also upregulates IL-10 production. Mechanistic analysis revealed that calreticulin on the RPE cells is required for CL-11-mediated opsonophagocytosis whereas signal-regulatory protein α and mannosyl residues on the cells are involved in the CL-11-mediated upregulation of IL-10 production. This study is the first to demonstrate the role of CL-11 and the molecular mechanisms involved in modulating RPE cell phagocytosis and cytokine production. It provides a new insight into retinal health and disease and has implications for other phagocytic cells.
Factors to Consider When Deciding on the Type of Free-Flap Reconstruction of Head and Neck Soft Tissue Defects
Authors: Aladimi Mohammed Thabet , Han Bo , Li Chunjie , Helal Hussein , Gao Zhenjie , Li Longjiang
Published: August 2017

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the functional and aesthetic outcomes on donor and recipient sites and to determine the effects of technical factors including flap thickness and vessel diameters measured by ultrasonography as well as the size of the defect and postoperative volume reduction of the flaps measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: In patients who had undergone soft tissue reconstructive surgery between March 2013 and March 2016 using 55 anterolateral thigh flaps (ALTFs), 30 radial forearm flaps (RFFs), and 18 latissimus dorsi flaps (LDFs), color Doppler ultrasonography was performed to measure the thickness of the flap at the site of the perforator. Preoperative color Doppler ultrasound examinations of the blood vessel diameters of donor and recipient sites were carried out. Results: 97.1% of flaps showed complete survival and 2.9% complete failure (2 ALTFs and 1 LDF). The difference in flap volume of ALTFs, RFFs, and LDFs between MRI 1 (3-6 weeks) and MRI 2 (6-18 months) was 27.6, 17.9, and 36.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Proper selection of the flap is important for the optimization of the aesthetic and functional outcomes. Ultrasound, the surgeon's experience and the extension and nature of the defect play a key role in the selection of the flap.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Tremor: Is There a Common Structure?
Authors: Fiechter Michael , Nowacki Andreas , Oertel Markus F. , Fichtner Jens , Debove Ines , Lachenmayer M. Lenard , Wiest Roland , Bassetti Claudio L. , Raabe Andreas , Kaelin-Lang Alain , Schüpbach Michael W. , Pollo Claudio
Published: August 2017

Background: Subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation has been recognized to control resting tremor in Parkinson disease. Similarly, thalamic stimulation (ventral intermediate nucleus; VIM) has shown tremor control in Parkinson disease, essential, and intention tremors. Recently, stimulation of the posterior subthalamic area (PSA) has been associated with excellent tremor control. Thus, the optimal site of stimulation may be located in the surrounding white matter. Aims: The objective of this work was to investigate the area of stimulation by determining the contact location correlated with the best tremor control in STN/VIM patients. Methods: The mean stimulation site and related volume of tissue activated (VTA) of 25 tremor patients (STN or VIM) were projected on the Morel atlas and compared to stimulation sites from other tremor studies. Results: All patients showed a VTA that covered ≥50% of the area superior and medial to the STN or inferior to the VIM. Our stimulation areas suggest involvement of the more lateral and superior part of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (DRTT), whereas targets described in other studies seem to involve the DRTT in its more medial and inferior part when it crosses the PSA. Conclusions: According to anatomical and diffusion tensor imaging data, the DRTT might be the common structure stimulated at different portions within the PSA/caudal zona incerta.
Uncommon Solid Pancreatic Neoplasm: The Role of New Modalities of Ultrasound Endoscopy
Authors: Leitão Cátia , Ribeiro Helena , Pinto João , Caldeira Ana , Pereira Eduardo , Banhudo António
Published: August 2017

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like cells is a rare pancreatic neoplasm with unique ultrasound endoscopic features. A 59-year-old female presented with a 3-month history of weight loss. Abdominal computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound showed a large pancreatic tumor with a heterogeneous echotexture and liver metastasis. Endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration was used to establish the diagnosis. In this case report, we review the endoscopic, clinical, and pathological features of this type of tumor and describe for the first time the endoscopic features of real-time elastography and contrast enhancement. Real-time elastography revealed a heterogeneous predominantly blue pattern suggestive of pancreatic malignancy, and the contrast-enhanced endosonography showed a hypervascular mass and distinctive vascular (solid) and avascular (liquid/necrotic) components of the lesion, guiding the fine needle aspiration.