bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Access to Federally Qualified Health Centers and Emergency Department Use Among Uninsured and Medicaid‐insured Adults: California, 2005 to 2013
Authors: Nath Julia B. , Costigan Shaughnessy , Lin Feng , Vittinghoff Eric , Hsia Renee Y.
Published: January 2019

Background

While improved access to safety net primary care providers, like federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), is often cited as a route to alleviate potentially preventable emergency department (ED) visits, no studies have longitudinally established the impact of improving access to FQHCs on ED use among Medicaid‐insured and uninsured adults. We aimed to determine whether improved access to FQHCs was associated with lower ED use by uninsured and Medicaid‐insured adults.

Methods

Using data from the Uniform Data System, U.S. Census Bureau, and California Office of Statewide Health Planning & Development, we conducted a longitudinal analysis of 58 California counties from 2005 to 2013. For each county‐year observation, we employed three measures of FQHC access: geographic density of FQHCs (delivery sites per 100 square miles), FQHCs per county resident (delivery sites per 100,000 county residents), and the proportion of Medicaid‐insured or uninsured residents ages 19 to 64 years that utilized FQHCs. We then used a fixed‐effects model to examine the impact of changes in the measures of FQHC access on ED visit rates by Medicaid‐insured or uninsured adults in each county.

Results

Increasing geographic density of FQHCs was associated with a 26% to 35% decrease in ED use by uninsured but not Medicaid‐insured patients. Increasing numbers of clinics per county resident and higher percentages of Medicaid‐insured and uninsured adults seen at FQHCs were not associated with reduced rates of ED use among either uninsured or Medicaid‐insured adults.

Conclusions

We were unable to detect a consistent association between our measures of FQHC access and ED use by Medicaid‐insured and uninsured nonelderly California adults, underscoring the importance of investigating additional drivers to reduce ED use among these vulnerable patient populations.
Investigating brain d‐serine: Advocacy for good practices
Authors: Mothet Jean‐Pierre , Billard Jean‐Marie , Pollegioni Loredano , Coyle Joseph T. , Sweedler Jonathan V.
Published: January 2019

The last two decades have witnessed remarkable advance in our understanding the role of d‐amino acids in the mammalian nervous system: from the unknown, to known molecules with unknown functions, to potential central players in health and disease. d‐Amino acids have emerged as an important class of signaling molecules. In particular, the exploration of the roles of d‐serine in brain physiopathology is a vibrant field that is growing at an accelerating pace. However, disentangling the functions of a chiral molecule in a complex chemical matrice as the brain requires specific measurement and detection methods but is also a challenging task as many molecular tools and models investigators are using can lead to confounded observations. Thus, study of d‐amino acids demands accurate methodologies and specific controls, and these have often been lacking. Here we outline best practices for d‐amino acid research, with a special emphasis on d‐serine. We hope these concepts help move the field to greater rigor and reproducibility, allowing the field to advance.
Developmental Timescale of Rapid Adaptation to Conflicting Cues in Real‐Time Sentence Processing
Authors: Yazbec Angele , Kaschak Michael P. , Borovsky Arielle
Published: January 2019

Children and adults use established global knowledge to generate real‐time linguistic predictions, but less is known about how listeners generate predictions in circumstances that semantically conflict with long‐standing event knowledge. We explore these issues in adults and 5‐ to 10‐year‐old children using an eye‐tracked sentence comprehension task that tests real‐time activation of unexpected events that had been previously encountered in brief stories. Adults generated predictions for these previously unexpected events based on these discourse cues alone, whereas children overall did not override their established global knowledge to generate expectations for semantically conflicting material; however, they do show an increased ability to integrate discourse cues to generate appropriate predictions for sentential endings. These results indicate that the ability to rapidly integrate and deploy semantically conflicting knowledge has a long developmental trajectory, with adult‐like patterns not emerging until later in childhood.
The Space–Time Congruency Effect: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: von Sobbe Linda , Scheifele Edith , Maienborn Claudia , Ulrich Rolf
Published: January 2019

Several reaction time (RT) studies report faster responses when responses to temporal information are arranged in a spatially congruent manner than when this arrangement is incongruent. The resulting space–time congruency effect is commonly attributed to a culturally salient localization of temporal information along a mental timeline (e.g., a mental timeline that runs from left to right). The present study aims to provide a compilation of the published RT studies on this time–space association in order to estimate the size of its effect and the extent of potential publication bias in this field of research. In this meta‐analysis, three types of task are distinguished due to hitherto existing empirical findings. These findings suggest that the extent to which time is made relevant to the experimental task has a systematic impact on whether or not the mental timeline is activated. The results of this meta‐analysis corroborate these considerations: First, experiments that make time a task‐relevant dimension have a mean effect size of d = 0.46. Second, in experiments in which time is task irrelevant, the effect size does not significantly deviate from zero. Third, temporal priming studies have a surprisingly high mean effect size of d = 0.47, which, however, should be adjusted to d = 0.36 due to publication bias.
Abnormal longitudinal peak systolic strain in asymptomatic patients with type I diabetes mellitus
Authors: Van Berendoncks An M. , Van Gaal Luc , De Block Christophe , Buys Davy , Salgado Rodrigo , Vrints Christiaan , Shivalkar Bharati
Published: January 2019

Aims

In addition to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the prevalence of diabetic cardiomyopathy is increasingly recognized in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We aimed to identify the occurrence of subclinical markers of cardiovascular risk and cardiac dysfunction and assess their relation to clinical parameters in asymptomatic patients with T1DM.

Methods and results

A total of 102 patients (mean age 46 years [20–73], 62% male) with a history of T1DM ranging from 5 to 47 years underwent standard 2D and pulse‐wave tissue Doppler echocardiography (Philips iE33) and computerized tomography for assessment of coronary calcium score (CACS) and visceral fat. Global peak longitudinal strain (GPLSS, speckle tracking) was calculated by offline analysis (Qlab 9.0). Whereas systolic function was preserved in all patients (LVEF > 50%), subclinical dysfunction (defined as global longitudinal peak systolic strain [GLPSS] of >−20%) was present in 39% and 66% had diastolic dysfunction. Fifty patients had a CACS above the 50th percentile according to age and gender. These patients were older, more obese, had higher levels of visceral fat, higher SBP and increased levels of LDL cholesterol. Higher CACS meant increased risk of diastolic and subclinical systolic dysfunction. However, decreased GLPSS was also detected in 30% of patients with CACS of <50th percentile. Stepwise linear regression analysis indicated visceral fat as a strong predictor of abnormal GPLSS and CACS.

Conclusion

Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction and atherosclerosis were highly prevalent in asymptomatic T1DM. Abnormal GPLSS was noted with or without associated increase in CACS. Visceral fat was a strong predictor of increased CACS as well as abnormal GLPSS.
Maternal body mass index, excess gestational weight gain, and diabetes are positively associated with neonatal adiposity in the Pregnancy and Neonatal Diabetes Outcomes in Remote Australia (PANDORA) study
Authors: Longmore Danielle K. , Barr Elizabeth L.M. , Lee I‐Lynn , Barzi Federica , Kirkwood Marie , Whitbread Cherie , Hampton Vanya , Graham Sian , Van Dokkum Paula , Connors Christine , Boyle Jacqueline A. , Catalano Patrick , Brown Alex D.H. , O'Dea Kerin , Oats Jeremy , McIntyre H. David , Shaw Jonathan E. , Maple‐Brown Louise J. ,   on behalf of the PANDORA study research team
Published: January 2019

Background

In‐utero exposures likely influence the onset and severity of obesity in youth. With increasing rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and maternal adiposity in pregnancy globally, it is important to assess the impact of these factors on neonatal adipose measures.

Objectives

To evaluate the contribution of maternal ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, and hyperglycaemia to neonatal adiposity.

Methods

Pregnancy and Neonatal Diabetes Outcomes in Remote Australia (PANDORA) is a longitudinal cohort study of Australian mother and neonate pairs. In this analysis, Indigenous (n = 519) and Europid (n = 358) women were included, of whom 644 had hyperglycaemia (type 2 diabetes [T2DM], diabetes in pregnancy [DIP], or gestational diabetes [GDM]). Associations between maternal ethnicity, hyperglycaemia, BMI and gestational weight gain, and the neonatal outcomes of length, head circumference, sum of skinfolds, total body fat, and percentage body fat were examined. Models were adjusted for maternal age, smoking status, parity, education, neonatal gender, and gestational age.

Results

Among those with hyperglycaemia in pregnancy, Indigenous women had a higher proportion of T2DM and DIP (36%, 13%) compared with Europid women (4%, 3%). In multivariate analysis, maternal T2DM (compared with no hyperglycaemia), BMI during pregnancy, and excess compared with appropriate gestational weight gain, were significantly associated with greater neonatal measures. DIP was associated with greater sum of skinfolds, total body fat, and percentage body fat. Indigenous ethnicity was associated with greater sum of skinfolds.

Conclusions

Maternal BMI, excess gestational weight gain, and hyperglycaemia operated as independent factors influencing neonatal adiposity. Interventions addressing these factors are needed to reduce neonatal adiposity.
Sarup Revisited
Authors: Andersen Niels H.
Published: January 2019

In the second half of the 4thmillennium BC, we see signifi cant changes in the early Neolithic culture. These take place some centuries after the initial introduction of agriculture and sees striking developments such as the apparent opening-up of the landscape, involving forest clearance, the introduction of the ard for ploughing and the construction of regular houses. The transition to a settled and sedentary farming lifestyle must also have demanded mental adaptations, whereby the farmers were required to forge new and stable alliances. These alliances appear to be forged by a series of communal works, involving monumental structures, such as the building of dolmens and passage graves as well as the extensive and land-demanding causewayed enclosures. The causewayed enclosures were essentially used for only a few days but were remembered for centuries.

Since the 1970s, excavations have been undertaken in the Sarup area, on the island of Funen, Denmark, to obtain more detailed information about the activities that took place there between c. 3600 and 3000 BC. This paper presents the results of excavations and studies of two well-preserved causewayed enclosures, the Barkaer-structures and more than 30 megalithic monuments, as well as investigations of several settlements. This research has provided insight into a complex farming culture, which appears to have been firmly consolidated by major communal construction works, whereby teams and networks were created within an evolving cooperative social structure.
Robust hydrophobicity and evaporation inertness of rare‐earth monosilicates in hot steam at very high temperature
Authors: Tian Zhilin , Zhang Jie , Sun Luchao , Zheng Liya , Wang Jingyang
Published: January 2019

Rare‐earth oxides are intrinsically hydrophobic, and this characteristic opens new horizons for their design and diverse applications as robust hydrophobic surfaces. Here, we discover some rare‐earth (RE) monosilicates (RE2SiO5) that are hydrophobic under ambient conditions. Their hydrophobicity is positively correlated with their hot‐steam corrosion at 1400°C. RE3+ in RE2SiO5 is further found to be a hydration prohibitor, and its species can regulate hydration and volatilization at very high temperatures. These results may provide basis for innovative designs of RE silicates in harsh hot‐steam environments for robust environmental barrier coatings (EBC) or as ceramic components.
Accuracy of “At Risk” Tissue Predictions Using CT Perfusion in Acute Large Vessel Occlusions
Authors: Lee Songmi , Yoo Albert J. , Marquering Henk A. , Berkhemer Olvert A. , Majoie Charles B. , Dippel Diederik W.J. , Sheth Sunil A. ,   for the MR CLEAN Investigators
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The validity of CT perfusion (CTP) predictions of expected infarction volume (“at risk” tissue) without rapid recanalization remains poorly characterized.

METHODS

From the MR CLEAN trial, we included patients who underwent CTP without successful recanalization. “At risk” volume was defined as Tmax > 6 seconds and ischemic core as relative CBF < 30 (Olea Sphere). Coprimary outcomes were follow‐up infarct volume (FIV) on CT at 1‐5 days and 90‐day mRS. Data are presented as median [IQR] or OR [95% CI] unless otherwise specified.

RESULTS

Among 37 patients who met criteria, 14 (38%) were women, median age was 61 years [52‐69], NIHSS was 19 [15‐21], ASPECTS was 8 [7‐9], and onset to imaging was 160 minutes [39‐200]. Occlusion location was M1 for 22 (59%), ICA‐T in 10 (27%), and M2 in 4 (11%). In univariable analysis, “at risk” volume correlated poorly with FIV (r = .06, P = .77). Among patients with predicted “at risk” volume < 100 mL, 36% had FIV > 200 mL. In adjusted linear regression, NIHSS but not “at risk” volume was associated with FIV (Coef 12, P = .045; Coef –.15, P = .8). In adjusted logistic regression, NIHSS but not “at risk” volume was associated with mRS 0‐2 at 90 days (OR .7 [.5‐.99]; OR 1.0 [.99‐1.04]).

CONCLUSION

Predictions of “at‐risk” tissue using CTP may underestimate the natural history of infarction from acute large vessel occlusions. NIHSS may perform better as a predictor of clinical outcomes in patients without rapid recanalization.
El derecho a la salud como dimensión de la ciudadanía social en américa latina y Venezuela
Authors: Delgado Blanco Andy Del Valle
Published: January 2019

Este artículo es parte de una investigación más rigurosa realizada por la autora para obtener el grado de Doctora en Estudios del Desarrollo. Su propósito es examinar la realización efectiva del derecho a la salud como dimensión básica de la ciudadanía social, tanto en América Latina como en Venezuela. Para cumplir con ese objetivo, la discusión se ha estructurado en tres partes: revisión del proceso de construcción de la ciudadanía social en la región, luego, en Venezuela y, finalmente, el estado en que se encuentra el disfrute efectivo de ese derecho en este último país. La revisión documental realizada sugiere que el desarrollo histórico de la ciudadanía social en esta parte del mundo evidencia ciclos de inclusión-exclusión en los que hay, por un lado, una expansión de derechos  y mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de las personas, en términos globales y, por el otro, una desigualdad social que disminuye sus capacidades para desarrollarse, con pocas posibilidades de que las competencias y facultades intersubjetivas de los derechos traduzcan la igualdad normativa en un ejercicio más pleno del derecho. Así, el derecho a la salud aunque tiene una concepción universalista no se concreta en los hechos.
Interpretación del régimen de reservas en tratados internacionales y sesgos cognitivos – Nuevos enfoques
Authors: Téllez Núñez Andrés
Published: January 2019

El régimen de reservas en la Convención de Viena de 1969 (CV) representa uno de sus apartes más complejos desde el punto de vista de su interpretación. La pregunta que este artículo busca responder es la siguiente: ¿por qué los Estados en últimas se comportan como se comportan al formular reservas y correspondientemente o aceptarlas u objetarlas? Al procurar responderla, sugerimos que la Comisión de Derecho Internacional (CDI) podría verse beneficiada de aproximaciones centradas en behavioral economics, las cuales, quizás, disminuirían los impactos negativos que tendría para el derecho internacional público el régimen de reservas vigente. Este artículo de revisión inscrito en un plan de investigación sobre la praxis del derecho internacional público moderno, propone como hipótesis de trabajo que al ser el régimen de reservas no solo complejo, sino también débil, la CDI podría tener en cuenta los hallazgos de behavioral economics y así armonizar la interpretación de las normas jurídicas en materia de reservas.
El límite económico al cumplimiento de contrato Desde la excesiva onerosidad sobrevenida a los costos excesivos del cumplimiento específico
Authors: Momberg Uribe Rodrigo , Vidal Olivares Alvaro
Published: January 2019

El presente trabajo se propone analizar el estado dogmático del límite económico a la pretensión de cumplimiento del contrato, y la imprevisión o excesiva onerosidad sobrevenida, considerando las condiciones, ámbitos de aplicación, y efectos de ambas figuras en el derecho de contratos, con el objetivo de delinear los campos operativos de cada instituto, despejando las confusiones existentes sobre el particular.
Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Induces ORF3-Independent Mitochondrial Apoptosis via PERK Activation and Elevation of Cytosolic Calcium
Authors: Zhang Yikai , Sun Renjie , Geng Shichao , Shan Ying , Li Xiaoliang , Fang Weihuan
Published: January 2019

PCV2 encodes protein ORF3, a putative protein with proapoptotic activity. Our early studies showed that PCV2 infection triggers ER stress via selective activation of the PERK pathway, a branch of the ER stress pathways, in permissive cells for enhanced replication and infection increased cytosolic Ca
2+
and ROS levels. Here we clearly show that PCV2 infection or Cap expression induces ORF3-independent apoptosis via increased cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca
2+
levels and cellular ROS levels as a result of activation of the PERK pathway.
Residues on Adeno-associated Virus Capsid Lumen Dictate Interactions and Compatibility with the Assembly-Activating Protein
Authors: Maurer Anna C. , Cepeda Diaz Ana Karla , Vandenberghe Luk H.
Published: January 2019

Efforts to engineer the AAV capsid to gain desirable properties for gene therapy (e.g., tropism, reduced immunogenicity, and higher potency) require that capsid modifications do not affect particle assembly. The relationship between VP and the cofactor that facilitates its assembly, AAP, is central to both assembly preservation and vector production. Understanding the requirements for this compatibility can inform manufacturing strategies to maximize production and reduce costs. Additionally, library-based approaches that simultaneously examine a large number of capsid variants would benefit from a universally functional AAP, which could hedge against overlooking variants with potentially valuable phenotypes that were lost during vector library production due to incompatibility with the cognate AAP. Studying interactions between the structural and nonstructural components of AAV enhances our fundamental knowledge of capsid assembly mechanisms and the protein-protein interactions required for productive assembly of the icosahedral capsid.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Serratia
sp. 1D1416
Authors: Alabed Diaa , Huo Naxin , Gu Yong , McCue Kent F. , Thomson James G.
Published: January 2019

This work reports the draft genome of
Serratia
sp. 1D1416. The assembled genome contains a 5,552,016-bp circular chromosome.
Genome Sequence of a Classical Swine Fever Virus of Subgenotype 2.1, Isolated from a Pig in Japan in 2018
Authors: Nishi Tatsuya , Kameyama Ken-ichiro , Kato Tomoko , Fukai Katsuhiko
Published: January 2019

In 2018, classical swine fever virus (CSFV) was detected in Japan. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of CSFV/JPN/1/2018.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequence of a “
Candidatus
Liberibacter asiaticus” Strain from Yunnan, China
Authors: Chen Yanling , Li Tao , Zheng Zheng , Xu Meirong , Deng Xiaoling
Published: January 2019

The draft genome sequence of “
Candidatus
Liberibacter asiaticus” strain YNJS7C, isolated from a navel orange tree in Yunnan Province, China, is presented here. The YNJS7C strain has a genome size of 1,258,986 bp, with a G+C content of 36.6%, 1,174 predicted open reading frames, and 53 RNA genes.
Closed Genome Sequence of Bacillus paralicheniformis Strain CBMAI 1303, a Bacterium Applied for Phytopathogen Biocontrol
Authors: Pylro Victor Satler , Dias Armando Cavalcante Franco , Andreote Fernando Dini , Varani Alessandro de Mello , Leite Laura Rabelo , Andreote Cristiane Cipolla Fasanella , Bernardo Eduardo Roberto de Almeida , Martins Thales Facanali
Published: January 2019

We report the complete genome sequence and annotation of
Bacillus paralicheniformis
strain CBMAI 1303, a bacterium applied for phytopathogen biocontrol.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus reuteri Strain LR CGMCC 11154, Isolated from the Feces of Healthy Weaned Piglets
Authors: Yu Ting , Yang Xi , Wang Zhilin , Zhu Cui , Bei Jinlong , Wang Li , Liu Wenhua , Zhu Qingfeng , Jiang Zongyong , Chen Zhuang
Published: January 2019

Lactobacillus reuteri
strain LR CGMCC 11154, which was isolated from the feces of healthy weaned piglets, was experimentally proven to be a probiotic bacterium. The whole genome was sequenced on the Illumina Miseq platform to obtain the draft genome, which consists of 120 contigs totaling 1.9 Mbp encoding 1,854 genes.
Genome-based taxonomic classification
Authors: Paul Bobby , Dixit Gunjan , Murali Thokur Sreepathy , Satyamoorthy Kapaettu
Published: January 2019

Bacterial populations are routinely characterized based on microscopic examination, colony formation, and biochemical tests. However, in the recent past, bacterial identification, classification, and nomenclature have been strongly influenced by genome sequence information. Advances in bioinformatics and growth in genome databases has placed genome-based metadata analysis in the hands of researchers who will require taxonomic experience to resolve intricacies. To achieve this, different tools are now available to quantitatively measure genome relatedness within members of the same species, and genome-wide average nucleotide identity (gANI) is one such reliable tool to measure genome similarity. A genome assembly with a gANI score of <95% at the intraspecies level is generally considered indicative of a separate species. In this study, we have analysed 300 whole-genome sequences belonging to 26 different bacterial species available in the NCBI Genome database and calculated their similarity at the intraspecies level based on gANI score. At the intraspecies level, nine bacterial species showed less than 90% gANI and more than 10% of unaligned regions. We suggest the appropriate use of available bioinformatics resources after genome assembly to arrive at the proper bacterial identification, classification, and nomenclature to avoid erroneous species assignments and disparity due to diversity at the intraspecies level.
Photovoltaic and photoelectric response of Sn2P2S6 ferroelectric films
Authors: Solnyshkin A. V. , Kislova I. L. , Belov A. N. , Shevyakov V. I. , Kiselev D. A. , Raevski I. P. , Sandjiev D. N. , Raevskaya S. I.
Published: January 2019

In the present work, the comparative study of the electric response of Sn2P2S6 films to the visible light action was carried out without and under external electric field. The light flux modulated by a chopper induces the integral response comprising time-dependent photoelectric and photovoltaic components. It was shown that spontaneous polarization influences the electric response characteristics.
A Survey of Zero-Shot Learning
Authors: Wang Wei , Zheng Vincent W. , Yu Han , Miao Chunyan
Published: January 2019

Most machine-learning methods focus on classifying instances whose classes have already been seen in training. In practice, many applications require classifying instances whose classes have not been seen previously. Zero-shot learning is a powerful and promising learning paradigm, in which the classes covered by training instances and the classes we aim to classify are disjoint. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey of zero-shot learning. First of all, we provide an overview of zero-shot learning. According to the data utilized in model optimization, we classify zero-shot learning into three learning settings. Second, we describe different semantic spaces adopted in existing zero-shot learning works. Third, we categorize existing zero-shot learning methods and introduce representative methods under each category. Fourth, we discuss different applications of zero-shot learning. Finally, we highlight promising future research directions of zero-shot learning.
Closest Conjunct Agreement
Authors: Nevins Andrew , Weisser Philipp
Published: January 2019

Closest conjunct agreement is of great theoretical interest in terms of what it reveals about the structure of coordination; the locality of agreement relations; and the interaction between syntax, semantics, and morphology in the expression of agreement. We highlight recent approaches to the phenomenon, including typologically diverse case studies and experimentally elicited results, and point out crystallized generalizations as well as directions for future research, including the absence of last conjunct agreement, the absence of closest conjunct case, differences between conjunction and disjunction, and the role of linear adjacency in morphological realization.
Bladder urothelial BK channel activity is a critical mediator for innate immune response in urinary tract infection pathogenesis
Authors: Yeh Judy , Lu Ming , Alvarez-Lugo Lery , Chai Toby C.
Published: January 2019

The open probability of calcium-activated voltage-gated potassium channel (BK channel) on bladder umbrella urothelial cells is increased by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). It is hypothesized that this channel’s activity is important in the urothelial innate immune response during urinary tract infection (UTI). We performed in vivo studies using female C57BL/6 mice whose bladders were inoculated with LPS (150 μl of 1 mg/ml) or uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC, UTI89), without and with intravesical BK inhibitor iberiotoxin (IBTX, 1 μM). Inflammatory biomarkers (chemokines and cytokines) were measured in urine specimens collected 2 h after inoculation using a 32-multiplex ELISA. Of these 32 biomarkers, 19 and 15 were significantly elevated 2 h after LPS and UPEC exposure, respectively. IBTX significantly abrogated the elevations of 15 out of 19 biomarkers after LPS inoculation and 12 out of 15 biomarkers after UPEC inoculation. In a separate experiment, qPCR for IL-6, interferon-γ-induced protein 10 (CXCL10), and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (CXCL2) in urothelium paralleled the changes measured in urine of these same biomarkers, supporting that urinary changes in biomarker levels reflected urothelial expression changes. These in vivo data demonstrated that BK channel activity is crucial in the urothelial host innate immune response, as measured by changes in urinary biomarkers, in UTI pathogenesis.
Experimental and theoretical study of velocity fluctuations during slow movements in humans
Authors: Guigon Emmanuel , Chafik Oussama , Jarrassé Nathanaël , Roby-Brami Agnès
Published: January 2019

Moving smoothly is generally considered as a higher-order goal of motor control and moving jerkily as a witness of clumsiness or pathology, yet many common and well-controlled movements (e.g., tracking movements) have irregular velocity profiles with widespread fluctuations. The origin and nature of these fluctuations have been associated with the operation of an intermittent process but in fact remain poorly understood. Here we studied velocity fluctuations during slow movements, using combined experimental and theoretical tools. We recorded arm movement trajectories in a group of healthy participants performing back-and-forth movements at different speeds, and we analyzed velocity profiles in terms of series of segments (portions of velocity between 2 minima). We found that most of the segments were smooth (i.e., corresponding to a biphasic acceleration) and had constant duration irrespective of movement speed and linearly increasing amplitude with movement speed. We accounted for these observations with an optimal feedback control model driven by a staircase goal position signal in the presence of sensory noise. Our study suggests that one and the same control process can explain the production of fast and slow movements, i.e., fast movements emerge from the immediate tracking of a global goal position and slow movements from the successive tracking of intermittently updated intermediate goal positions.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show in experiments and modeling that slow movements could result from the brain tracking a sequence of via points regularly distributed in time and space. Accordingly, slow movements would differ from fast movement by the nature of the guidance and not by the nature of control. This result could help in understanding the origin and nature of slow and segmented movements frequently observed in brain disorders.
The Influence of Oxidative Stress and Natural Antioxidants on Morphometric Parameters of Red Blood Cells, the Hemoglobin Oxygen Binding Capacity, and the Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes
Authors: Revin Victor V. , Gromova Natalia V. , Revina Elvira S. , Samonova Anastasia Yu. , Tychkov Alexander Yu. , Bochkareva Svetlana S. , Moskovkin Alexander A. , Kuzmenko Tatyana P.
Published: January 2019

Using a wide range of different physical and chemical methods, it was found that the oxidative stress caused by addition of hydrogen peroxide to the incubation medium has a significant effect on the conformation of haematoporphyrin, influencing the oxygen-binding properties of haemoglobin in red blood cells. Morphofunctional characteristics of red blood cells change; in particular, we have observed the transformation of erythrocytes, their transition into echinocytes. In erythrocytes, in response to increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) antioxidant enzymes become active. The use of natural antioxidants (β-carotene and resveratrol) works towards reducting the level of oxidative processes. Resveratrol has the greatest antioxidant effect.
Analysis of the Thermal Characteristics of Surrounding Rock in Deep Underground Space
Authors: Chen Liu , Li Jiangbo , Han Fei , Zhang Yu , Liu Lang , Zhang Bo
Published: January 2019

With the development of society, the economy, and national security, the exploitation of deep underground space has become an inevitable trend in human society. However, high‐temperature‐related problems occur in deep underground spaces. The high temperature of deep underground space is essentially influenced by the thermal characteristics of the surrounding rock. According to the mathematical model of heat transfer of the surrounding rock in deep underground space, similar criteria numbers are established. Experiments were carried out to investigate the thermal characteristics of the surrounding rock. The distribution characteristics of temperature were determined by the Fourier number (Fo) and Biot number (Bi), and the effects of heat transfer time, airflow velocities, and air temperature and radial displacement on the distribution characteristics of temperature were studied. The results indicate that the surrounding rock temperature decreases with long heat transfer times, high airflow velocities, and low air temperatures.
Deeper Insights into Conformational Analysis of cis-Butene and 1-Alkenes as Monomers and Dimers: QTAIM, NCI, and DFT Approach
Authors: Firme Caio L.
Published: January 2019

A few theoretical and experimental studies have been done so far about the properties and the conformational analysis of alkenes as monomers and dimers. Deeper insights into the conformational analysis of monomers and dimers of alkenes and the relation with boiling point are done in this work. In low-lying cis-butene, there is no repulsive interaction between methyl groups but there is an attractive hydrogen-hydrogen bonding. In monomers of 1-alkenes, the most stable conformer has bent-inward geometry which favors the π bond interaction with methyl/methylene hydrogen/carbon atoms. Conversely, each alkene’s molecule in the corresponding most stable alkene’s dimer has a straight, zig-zag geometry. Two straight, zig-zag alkene’s molecules in the corresponding most stable dimer have only one type of intermolecular interaction (hydrogen-hydrogen bonding). As a consequence, very good linear relationships between a physical property (such as boiling point) and theoretical parameters are obtained.
Motor Cortex Function in Fibromyalgia: A Study by Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Gentile Eleonora , Ricci Katia , Delussi Marianna , Brighina Filippo , de Tommaso Marina
Published: January 2019

Previous studies indicated changes of motor cortex excitability in fibromyalgia (FM) patients and the positive results of transcranial stimulation techniques. The present study aimed to explore the metabolism of motor cortex in FM patients, in resting state and during slow and fast finger tapping, using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), an optical method which detects in real time the metabolism changes in the cortical tissue. We studied 24 FM patients and 24 healthy subjects. We found a significant slowness of motor speed in FM patients compared to controls. During resting state and slow movement conditions, the metabolism of the motor areas was similar between groups. The oxyhemoglobin concentrations were significantly lower in patients than in control group during the fast movement task. This abnormality was independent from FM severity and duration. The activation of motor cortex areas is dysfunctional in FM patients, thus supporting the rationale for the therapeutic role of motor cortex modulation in this disabling disorder.
Prestress Design of Tensegrity Structures Using Semidefinite Programming
Authors: Wang Yafeng , Xu Xian
Published: January 2019

Finding appropriate prestresses which can stabilize the system is a key step in the design of tensegrity structures. A semidefinite programming‐ (SDP‐) based approach is developed in this paper to determine appropriate prestresses for tensegrity structures. Three different stability criteria of tensegrity structures are considered in the proposed approach. Besides, the unilateral property of members and the evenness of internal forces are taken into account. The stiffness of the whole system can also be optimized by maximizing the minimum eigenvalue of the tangent stiffness matrix. Deterministic algorithms are used to solve the semidefinite programming problem in polynomial time. The applicability of the proposed approach is verified by three typical examples. Compared to previous stochastic‐based approaches, the global optimality of the solution of the proposed approach is theoretically guaranteed and the solution is exactly reproducible.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depression among Patients with Diabetes at Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Madkhali Jnadi M. , Hakami Ammar A. , Dallak Ali H. , Hakami Ramzi M. , Yatimi Abdullah A. , Hamdi Mohmmed E. , Bakkari Hisham A. , Kariri Khalil I. , Abiri Jubran M. , Ahmed Anas E. , Mashi Abdulrahman H.
Published: January 2019

Context. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a poorer quality of life when compared with patients without DM. In fact, one in every five diabetic patients suffers from comorbid depression, which can lead to poor management, poor compliance with treatment, and low quality of life. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of depression and identified its associated factors among diabetic patients at Jazan Province, KSA. Methods and Materials. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 diabetic patients attending a diabetic center in addition to four primary healthcare centers. We used a simple Arabic translation of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II) tool to evaluate the depression level among the subjects. We also evaluated the frequencies of certain sociodemographic characteristics and clinical information. Moreover, we performed univariate and multivariate analyses to identify the potential risk factors using adjusted odds ratios (AORs). Results. The prevalence of depression among DM patients was 20.6%. The majority of patients showed no depression (N = 285, 59.4%), one-fifth had mild depression (N = 96, 20.0%), some (N = 55, 11.4%) had moderate depression, and some had severe depression (N = 44, 9.2%). Depression was significantly more prevalent among uneducated patients (N = 27, 31.8%) (X2 = 17.627, P = 0.001) and patients with low monthly income (< 2500 SR/month) (N = 33, 22.8%) (X2 = 9.920, P = 0.019). Hypertension (AOR = 2.531, 95% CI [1.454, 4.406]) and ischemic heart diseases (AOR = 3.892, 95% CI [1.995, 7.593]) were considered as risk factors for depression among diabetic patients. Conclusions. Almost one in every five patients with DM is affected by depression coexisting with cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, screening for psychological problems, proper treatment, and educating patients with diabetes about DM self-management should be routine components of DM care.
Physical Insights into Molecular Sensors, Molecular Logic Gates, and Photosensitizers in Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Tzeli Demeter , Petsalakis Ioannis D.
Published: January 2019

In this article, the importance of charge/electron transfer in two rapidly growing areas of science is highlighted. In the field of molecular sensors, it plays a considerable role on the detection of molecular systems to serve as fluorescence sensors, switches, and molecular logic gates (MLG) replacing the semiconductor electronics, while in the field of photodynamic therapy, it acts competitive. On these scientific fields, a lot of research has been conducted in the last decades to find out potential candidates. In the field of fluorescent sensors, switches, and molecular logic gates, the fluorescent photo-induced electron transfer switching principle is responsible for the quenching of fluorescence. The manipulation of the quenching can lead to the design of an ideal candidate for complicated molecular logic operation. In the field of photodynamic therapy (PDT), the intersystem crossings occurring between excited singlet and triplet states are the key for an ideal photosensitizer (PS) candidate. The triplets must present relatively long lifetimes, and they must lie near or above the energy which is needed for the excitation of molecular oxygen. It this case, charge/electron phenomena can act competitive, and they are not desirable. However, there are a few complexes which are good PSs of singlet oxygen despite the charge transfer (CT) nature of their lowest excited state.
Hemoperitoneum after Ovulation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Buskmiller Cara , Rosenberg Henri , Sen Sandeep
Published: January 2019

Background. Three prior cases of hemoperitoneum associated with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have been reported in adolescents. This reports a case of hemoperitoneum after ovulation in an adult. Case. A 34-year-old nulligravida presented with abdominal pain after a heavy period and rebound tenderness. Urine beta-hCG was negative, hemoglobin was 5.4, and platelet count was zero. CT revealed hemoperitoneum and contrast blush surrounding the left ovary. She was treated for newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus and steroid-refractory ITP. Her platelet count and symptoms improved. Conclusion. Hemoperitoneum after ovulation in ITP is rare; this represents the first adult case in the literature and reviews differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia. The obstetrician/gynecologist is part of a multidisciplinary team caring for patients with bleeding of gynecological origin and should withhold surgical intervention for hemoperitoneum when medical therapy is warranted.
Experimental Study of the Pore Structure Deterioration of Sandstones under Freeze‐Thaw Cycles and Chemical Erosion
Authors: Li Jielin , Kaunda Rennie B. , Zhu Longyin , Zhou Keping , Gao Feng
Published: January 2019

The issue of rock deterioration in chemical environments has drawn much attention in recent years in the rock engineering community. In this study, a series of 30 freeze‐thaw cycling tests are conducted on sandstone samples soaked in H2SO4 solution and in pure water, prior to the application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) on the rock specimens. The porosity of the sandstone, the distribution of transverse relaxation time T2, and the NMR images are acquired after each freeze‐thaw cycle. The pore size distribution curves of the sandstone after freeze‐thaw cycles, four categories of pore scale, and the features of freeze‐thaw deterioration for pores of different sizes in H2SO4 solution and pure water are established. The result shows that, with the influence of the acid environment and the freeze‐thaw cycles, the mass of the samples largely deteriorates. As the freeze‐thaw cycles increase, the porosity of rocks increases approximately linearly. The distribution of the NMR T2 develops gradually from 4 peaks to 5 or even to 6. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dynamically displays the process of the freeze‐thaw deterioration of the microstructure inside the sandstones under acid conditions. The results also show pore expansion in rocks under the coupling effects of chemistry and the freeze‐thaw cycles, which differ largely from the freeze‐thaw deterioration of the rock specimens placed in pure water.
Genistein Prevents Development of Spontaneous Ovarian Cancer and Inhibits Tumor Growth in Hen Model
Authors: Sahin Kazim , Yenice Engin , Bilir Birdal , Orhan Cemal , Tuzcu Mehmet , Sahin Nurhan , Ozercan Ibrahim H. , Kabil Nashwa , Ozpolat Bulent , Kucuk Omer
Published: January 2019

Genistein, the major isoflavone in soybean, has been reported to exert anticancer effects on various types of cancer including ovarian cancer; however, its chemopreventive effects and mechanisms of action in ovarian cancer have not been fully elucidated in spontaneously developing ovarian cancer models. In this study, we demonstrated the preventive effects and mechanisms of genistein in the laying hen model that develops spontaneous ovarian cancer at high incidence rates. Laying hens were randomized to three groups: control (3.01 mg/hen, n = 100), low (52.48 mg/hen n = 100), and high genistein supplementation (106.26 mg/hen/day; per group). At the end of 78 weeks, hens were euthanized and ovarian tumors were collected and analyzed. We observed that genistein supplementation significantly reduced the ovarian tumor incidence (P = 0.002), as well as the number and size of the tumors (P = 0.0001). Molecular analysis of the ovarian tumors revealed that genistein downregulated serum malondialdehyde, a marker for oxidative stress and the expression of NFκB and Bcl-2, whereas it upregulated Nrf2, HO-1, and Bax expression at protein level in ovarian tissues. Moreover, genistein intake decreased the activity of mTOR pathway as evidenced by reduced phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6K1, and 4E-BP1. Taken together, our findings strongly support the potential of genistein in the chemoprevention of ovarian cancer and highlight the effects of the genistein on the molecular pathways involved in ovarian tumorigenesis.
IL2/Anti-IL2 Complex Combined with CTLA-4, But Not PD-1, Blockade Rescues Antitumor NK Cell Function by Regulatory T-cell Modulation
Authors: Caudana Pamela , Núñez Nicolas Gonzalo , De La Rochere Philippe , Pinto Anaïs , Denizeau Jordan , Alonso Ruby , Niborski Leticia Laura , Lantz Olivier , Sedlik Christine , Piaggio Eliane
Published: January 2019

High-dose IL2 immunotherapy can induce long-lasting cancer regression but is toxic and insufficiently efficacious. Improvements are obtained with IL2/anti-IL2 complexes (IL2Cx), which redirect IL2 action to CD8+ T and natural killer (NK) cells. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of combining IL2Cx with blockade of inhibitory immune pathways. In an autochthonous lung adenocarcinoma model, we show that the IL2Cx/anti–PD-1 combination increases CD8+ T-cell infiltration of the lung and controls tumor growth. In the B16-OVA model, which is resistant to checkpoint inhibition, combination of IL2Cx with PD-1 or CTLA-4 pathway blockade reverses that resistance. Both combinations work by reinvigorating exhausted intratumoral CD8+ T cells and by increasing the breadth of tumor-specific T-cell responses. However, only the IL2Cx/anti–CTLA-4 combination is able to rescue NK cell antitumor function by modulating intratumoral regulatory T cells. Overall, association of IL2Cx with PD-1 or CTLA-4 pathway blockade acts by different cellular mechanisms, paving the way for the rational design of combinatorial antitumor therapies.
Glycyrrhizin, a High-Mobility Group Box 1 Inhibitor, Improves Lipid Metabolism and Suppresses Vascular Inflammation in Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice
Authors: Ding Jia-wang , Luo Cai-yun , Wang Xin-an , Zhou Tian , Zheng Xia-xia , Zhang Zai-qiang , Yu Bin , Zhang Jing , Tong Xiao-hong
Published: January 2019

Background: High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is known to have proinflammatory properties; however, the mechanisms by which HMGB1 influences immune responses during atherosclerosis (AS) development are not well understood. Thus, this study investigated the relationship between HMGB1 and vascular inflammation in Apoe–/– mice and whether glycyrrhizin (GLY), a small inhibitor of HMGB1, could have atheroprotective effects in AS. Methods: Apoe–/– mice on a high-fat diet were treated with GLY (50 mg/kg) or vehicle by gavage once daily for 12 weeks, respectively. Results: The GLY group exhibited significantly decreased serum lipid levels, atherosclerotic plaque deposition, and serum HMGB1 levels, as well as an increased Treg/Th17 ratio. The GLY group displayed increased interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-2 expression and decreased IL-17A and IL-6 expression. Furthermore, the GA treatment significantly reduced STAT3 phosphorylation in Th17 cells and increased STAT5 phosphorylation in Treg cells. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the attenuation of atherosclerotic lesions in Apoe–/– mice by GLY might be associated with the amelioration of lipid metabolism abnormalities, inhibition of HMGB1 expression, and alterations in the Treg/Th17 ratio.