bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activities of Ca2+-related ion channels during the formation of kidney stones in an infection-induced urolithiasis rat model
Authors: Cherng Juin-Hong , Hsu Yu-Juei , Liu Chuan-Chieh , Tang Shou-Hung , Sartika Dewi , Chang Shu-Jen , Fan Gang-Yi , Wu Sheng-Tang , Meng En
Published: September 2019

Bacterial infection has long been recognized to contribute to struvite urinary stone deposition; however, its contribution to the development of chronic kidney stones has not been extensively investigated. In the present study, we hypothesized another possible method of bacteria contributing to the formation of calcium oxalate (CaOx) that accounts for the biggest part of the kidney stone. Bacteria may play important roles by influencing renal Ca2+-related ion channel activities, resulting in chronic inflammation of the kidney along with rapid aggregation of stones. We examined the correlation among infection-promoted CaOx kidney stones and alterations in Ca2+-related ion channels in an animal model with experimentally induced Proteus mirabilis and foreign body infection. After the bladder was infected for 7 days, the data demonstrated that stones were presented and induced severe renal tubular breakage as well as altered levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, cyclooxygenase-2, osteopontin, and transient receptor potential vanilloid member 5 expression, reflecting responses of kidney ion channels. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, osteopontin, and transient receptor potential vanilloid member 5 expression was significantly downregulated over time, indicating the chronic inflammation phase of the kidney and accelerated aggregation of CaOx crystals, respectively, whereas cyclooxygenase-2 exhibited no differences. These results indicated that bacterial infection is considerably correlated with an alteration in renal Ca2+-related ion channels and might support specific and targeted Ca2+-related ion channel-based therapeutics for urolithiasis and related inflammatory renal damage.
In utero exposure to maternal diabetes impairs nephron progenitor differentiation
Authors: Cerqueira Débora M. , Hemker Shelby L. , Bodnar Andrew J. , Ortiz Daniella M. , Oladipupo Favour O. , Mukherjee Elina , Gong Zhenwei , Appolonia Corynn , Muzumdar Radhika , Sims-Lucas Sunder , Ho Jacqueline
Published: September 2019

The incidence of diabetes mellitus has significantly increased among women of childbearing age, and it has been shown that prenatal exposure to maternal diabetes increases the risk of associated congenital anomalies of the kidney. Congenital anomalies of the kidney are among the leading causes of chronic kidney disease in children. To better understand the effect of maternal diabetes on kidney development, we analyzed wild-type offspring (DM_Exp) of diabetic Ins2+/C96Ymice (Akita mice). DM_Exp mice at postnatal day 34 have a reduction of ~20% in the total nephron number compared with controls, using the gold standard physical dissector/fractionator method. At the molecular level, the expression of the nephron progenitor markers sine oculis homeobox homolog 2 and Cited1 was increased in DM_Exp kidneys at postnatal day 2. Conversely, the number of early developing nephrons was diminished in DM_Exp kidneys. This was associated with decreased expression of the intracellular domain of Notch1 and the canonical Wnt target lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1. Together, these data suggest that the diabetic intrauterine environment impairs the differentiation of nephron progenitors into nephrons, possibly by perturbing the Notch and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.
Recalibration of auditory perception of speech due to orofacial somatosensory inputs during speech motor adaptation
Authors: Ohashi Hiroki , Ito Takayuki
Published: September 2019

Speech motor control and learning rely on both somatosensory and auditory inputs. Somatosensory inputs associated with speech production can also affect the process of auditory perception of speech, and the somatosensory-auditory interaction may play a fundamental role in auditory perception of speech. In this report, we show that the somatosensory system contributes to perceptual recalibration, separate from its role in motor function. Subjects participated in speech motor adaptation to altered auditory feedback. Auditory perception of speech was assessed in phonemic identification tests before and after speech adaptation. To investigate a role of the somatosensory system in motor adaptation and subsequent perceptual change, we applied orofacial skin stretch in either a backward or forward direction during the auditory feedback alteration as a somatosensory modulation. We found that the somatosensory modulation did not affect the amount of adaptation at the end of training, although it changed the rate of adaptation. However, the perception following speech adaptation was altered depending on the direction of the somatosensory modulation. Somatosensory inflow rather than motor outflow thus drives changes to auditory perception of speech following speech adaptation, suggesting that somatosensory inputs play an important role in tuning of perceptual system.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This article reports that the somatosensory system works not equally with the motor system, but predominantly in the calibration of auditory perception of speech by speech production.
Sensory enhancement amplifies interlimb cutaneous reflexes in wrist extensor muscles
Authors: Sun Yao , Zehr E. Paul
Published: September 2019

Interlimb neural connections support motor tasks such as locomotion and cross-education strength training. Somatosensory pathways that can be assessed with cutaneous reflex paradigms assist in subserving these connections. Many studies show that stimulation of cutaneous nerves elicits reflexes in muscles widespread across the body and induces neural plasticity after training. Sensory enhancement, such as long-duration trains of transcutaneous stimulation, facilitates performance during rehabilitation training or fatiguing motor tasks. Performance improvements due to sensory stimulation may be caused by altered spinal and corticospinal excitability. However, how enhanced sensory input regulates the excitability of interlimb cutaneous reflex pathways has not been studied. Our purpose was to investigate the effects of sensory enhancement on interlimb cutaneous reflexes in wrist extensor muscles. Stimulation to provide sensory enhancement (2-s trains at 150 Hz to median or superficial radial nerves) or evoke cutaneous reflexes (15-ms trains at 300 Hz to superficial radial nerve) was applied in different arms while participants ( n = 13) performed graded isometric wrist extension. Wrist extensor electromyography and cutaneous reflexes were measured bilaterally. We found amplified inhibitory reflexes in the arm receiving superficial radial and median nerve sensory enhancement with net reflex amplitudes decreased by 709.5% and 695.3% repetitively. This suggests sensory input alters neuronal excitabilities in the interlimb cutaneous pathways. These findings have potential application in facilitating motor function recovery through alterations in spinal cord excitability enhancing sensory input during targeted rehabilitation and sports training.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show that sensory enhancement increases excitability in interlimb cutaneous pathways and that these effects are not influenced by descending motor drive on the contralateral side. These findings confirm the role of sensory input and cutaneous pathways in regulating interlimb movements. In targeted motor function training or rehabilitation, sensory enhancement may be applied to facilitate outcomes.
Responses of neurons in macaque MT to unikinetic plaids
Authors: Wallisch Pascal , Movshon J. Anthony
Published: September 2019

Response properties of MT neurons are often studied with “bikinetic” plaid stimuli, which consist of two superimposed sine wave gratings moving in different directions. Oculomotor studies using “unikinetic plaids” in which only one of the two superimposed gratings moves suggest that the eyes first move reflexively in the direction of the moving grating and only later converge on the perceived direction of the moving pattern. MT has been implicated as the source of visual signals that drives these responses. We wanted to know whether stationary gratings, which have little effect on MT cells when presented alone, would influence MT responses when paired with a moving grating. We recorded extracellularly from neurons in area MT and measured responses to stationary and moving gratings, and to their sums: bikinetic and unikinetic plaids. As expected, stationary gratings presented alone had a very modest influence on the activity of MT neurons. Responses to moving gratings and bikinetic plaids were similar to those previously reported and revealed cells selective for the motion of plaid patterns and of their components (pattern and component cells). When these neurons were probed with unikinetic plaids, pattern cells shifted their direction preferences in a way that revealed the influence of the static grating. Component cell preferences shifted little or not at all. These results support the notion that pattern-selective neurons in area MT integrate component motions that differ widely in speed, and that they do so in a way that is consistent with an intersection-of-constraints model.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Human perceptual and eye movement responses to moving gratings are influenced by adding a second, static grating to create a “unikinetic” plaid. Cells in MT do not respond to static gratings, but those gratings still influence the direction selectivity of some MT cells. The cells influenced by static gratings are those tuned for the motion of global patterns, but not those tuned only for the individual components of moving targets.
The Neuroscience of Drug Reward and Addiction
Authors: Volkow Nora D. , Michaelides Michael , Baler Ruben
Published: September 2019

Drug consumption is driven by a drug’s pharmacological effects, which are experienced as rewarding, and is influenced by genetic, developmental, and psychosocial factors that mediate drug accessibility, norms, and social support systems or lack thereof. The reinforcing effects of drugs mostly depend on dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens, and chronic drug exposure triggers glutamatergic-mediated neuroadaptations in dopamine striato-thalamo-cortical (predominantly in prefrontal cortical regions including orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex) and limbic pathways (amygdala and hippocampus) that, in vulnerable individuals, can result in addiction. In parallel, changes in the extended amygdala result in negative emotional states that perpetuate drug taking as an attempt to temporarily alleviate them. Counterintuitively, in the addicted person, the actual drug consumption is associated with an attenuated dopamine increase in brain reward regions, which might contribute to drug-taking behavior to compensate for the difference between the magnitude of the expected reward triggered by the conditioning to drug cues and the actual experience of it. Combined, these effects result in an enhanced motivation to “seek the drug” (energized by dopamine increases triggered by drug cues) and an impaired prefrontal top-down self-regulation that favors compulsive drug-taking against the backdrop of negative emotionality and an enhanced interoceptive awareness of “drug hunger.” Treatment interventions intended to reverse these neuroadaptations show promise as therapeutic approaches for addiction.
Occurrence ofβ-Lactamase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacterial Isolates in Water Sources in Cali City, Colombia
Authors: Vivas Monica Chavez , Caicedo Luz Dary , Castillo Jorge Enrique
Published: September 2019

Introduction. Pollution by domestic, industrial, and hospital wastes of the artificial and natural waters of the city of Cali led us to investigate the presence of Gram-negative bacteria resistant to antibiotics in these aquatic ecosystems.Material and methods. We used culture-dependent methods and molecular techniques to investigate the prevalence and dynamics ofβ-lactamase producing Gram-negative bacteria in five areas located in channels and rivers that cross the city of Cali in January (dry season) and May (wet season). The association between the variables was determined by the chi-square test, using the statistical package SPSS vs 23.0.Results. The main species beingEscherichia coliandPseudomonasspp. with associated resistance to both cefoxitin and cefotaxime were observed in 73.3% isolates during the dry season. Most of the isolates belonged to antibiotype 3 (with resistance to 6 antibiotics), 51.2% in the dry season and 48.9% in the wet season, and they were found especially in the artificial waters of “Intersector Canal (CVC) Sur”.Conclusion. These results indicate thatβ-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria are widespread in the environment in the aquatic ecosystem of Cali city. The artificial and natural waters that cross the city are finally discharged into the Rio Cauca; this river can then be considered as a medium for the spread of bacterial antibiotic resistance genes.
An Alternative Solution of Train‐Track Dynamic Interaction
Authors: Chen Zhaowei , Fang Hui
Published: September 2019

Train‐track interaction (TTI) is a classic research topic in railway engineering, which consists of three main parts, namely, train model, track model, and wheel‐rail interaction. To improve the computational accuracy and broaden the application range, an alternative calculation method to investigate TTI based on secondary development technology of the commercial software ANSYS through APDL language is introduced in this article. Primarily, the train‐track interaction theory is briefly presented. On this basis, TTI is programmed and implemented on the computing platform of ANSYS by fully taking the nonlinear wheel‐rail interaction into consideration. In this calculation method, the train model, which is established based on multibody dynamics theory and solved by an advanced explicit integration method, is programmed into ANSYS through APDL language, while the track part is simulated according to finite element theory. Then, the proposed calculation method is validated with field test results to verify the validity. Finally, a numerical demonstration is conducted employing the present method. Results show that the introduced method is effective and able to investigate TTI. Different complicated track systems can be accurately simulated employing this method. Moreover, this method is also adoptable to explore train‐bridge interaction and train‐track‐bridge interaction.
Circularly Polarized Wearable Antenna Based on NinjaFlex-Embedded Conductive Fabric
Authors: Li Jianxiong , Jiang Yuchen , Zhao Xiaoming
Published: September 2019

A circularly polarized (CP) wearable antenna based on the FDM (fused deposition modeling) technology is proposed. Conductive fabric is used to realize conductive parts of the patch antenna on the NinjaFlex substrate. The antenna is encapsulated with additional layers of NinjaFlex. Modified patch ensures the CP character at 2.45 GHz. Bending and washing tests are conducted to check the performance stability, and good agreement between simulated and measured results is observed. The experimental results illustrate that the antenna holds 11% 10 dB S11 bandwidth and around 70 MHz 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth. In addition, surface current analysis is also given to understand the operating mechanism of CP wave.
Target-Induced Aggregation of Gold Nanoparticles for Colorimetric Detection of Bisphenol A
Authors: Hwang Sung Hyun , Jeong Sehan , Choi Hyung Joo , Eun Hyunmin , Jo Min Geun , Kwon Woo Young , Kim Seokjoon , Kim Yonghwan , Lee Miran , Park Ki Soo
Published: September 2019

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in a wide variety of consumer products owing to its beneficial properties of optical clarity, shatter resistance, and heat resistance. However, leached BPA has been shown to disturb the endocrine system and could cause cancer even at low concentrations, which has led to public concern. To reduce the toxic effects caused by BPA, it is important to monitor the BPA levels and its presence in products in a simple, rapid, and on-site manner. Here, we propose a new colorimetric strategy for the simple and rapid detection of BPA employing a DNA aptamer, a cationic surfactant, and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Using the developed system, the presence of BPA can be successfully determined based simply on a visually detectable color change from red to blue, triggered by aggregate formation of the AuNPs, which can be monitored even with the naked eye. Under the optimized conditions, this system could detect BPA with excellent selectivity and sensitivity, and its high performance was validated in the receipt obtained from local market and BPA-spiked tap water samples, ensuring its practical applicability. Moreover, the limit of the detection of the system was determined to be 97 nM, which is below the current tolerable daily intake level, demonstrating its suitability for toxicity assessment and on-site quality control in a more economical manner when compared with conventional methods.
Characterization of Microbial Communities in a Dairy Farm Matrix in Ningxia, China, by 16S rDNA Analysis
Authors: Zhang Wen , Li Wu , Ma Chenjie , Wu Xiaoling , Li Xunde , Zeng Jin , Deng Guangcun , Wang Yujiong
Published: September 2019

A large amount of dairy manure is produced annually in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China due to the increase in food-producing animal agriculture in this region. The presence of bovine-originated zoonotic, especially human, pathogenic bacteria in untreated manure poses a significant threat to the environment and to public health. However, little is known about the composition, diversity, and abundance of bacterial communities in untreated dairy manure in the Ningxia region. In this study, the microbial community structure of the dairy farm matrix was characterized through 16S rDNA sequencing. The impact of manure treatment methods on bacterial communities was also analyzed. The results showed that the microbial community in dairy manure contained both beneficial bacteria and pathogens, withFirmicutes,Bacteroidetes,Proteobacteria,Spirochaetes, andActinobacteriaas dominant phyla. The results also showed the diversity and variety of abundance of zoonotic pathogens among different matrices. The number of pathogens was found to increase significantly in the accumulated but untreated manure, which appeared to be the main matrix of dairy farms that accumulated pathogens including zoonotic pathogens. Findings from this study suggested that farm management, particularly proper treatment of manure, is essential to achieve a shift in the bacterial community composition and a reduction in the environmental load of pathogens including zoonotic pathogens.
Modal Parameters Identification Method Based on Symplectic Geometry Model Decomposition
Authors: Jin Hang , Lin Jianhui , Chen Xieqi , Yi Cai
Published: September 2019

This paper proposes a novel method of structural system modal identification, where the iterative method is introduced in symplectic geometric model decomposition (SGMD). The proposed method can decompose the measured response into finite symplectic geometric components and identify the modal parameters of time‐invariant structures and the instantaneous frequency of time‐variant system through each symplectic geometric component. To obtain the shape information of the structural model, the SGCs of the same frequency at different measuring points are subjected to singular value decomposition (SVD). Both simulated data verification and measured data verification were used to verify if the method proposed in this article is effective for time‐invariant system and time‐variant system identification. For the simulated data, we study on a structural system which is set up with time‐variant stiffness and time‐invariant system. The measured vibration data of beam structure and time‐variant wheel‐rail coupling system were also tested and varied. Compared with the results of empirical model decomposition, the proposed method is capable of identifying instantaneous frequencies with better accuracy.
G-DCF: Improving System Spectral Efficiency through Concurrent Transmissions in Wireless LANs
Authors: Eliab Ayinebyona , Kim Yonghwi , Lee Joosang , Lee Jeong-Gun , So Jungmin
Published: September 2019

This paper presents G-DCF, a MAC protocol for wireless LANs that can improve system spectral efficiency of wireless LANs by allowing more concurrent transmissions. The 802.11 DCF creates exposed terminals which are nodes that can transmit successfully but are blocked by carrier sensing. More potential exposed terminals are created when APs are densely placed, limiting spatial reuse of channels and thus system throughput. In order to allow concurrent transmissions from exposed terminals, G-DCF establishes groups in the network. Members of a group are nodes located within the carrier sense range of each other but can transmit packets concurrently. Whenever one member of a group wins the channel and transmits its packet, other nodes in the group also start transmission, triggered by the group ID included in the preamble. Contention window is adjusted according to the group size for fair share of the channel. Performance evaluations show that G-DCF can significantly improve system throughput and fairness over 802.11 DCF, especially when the APs are densely deployed.
DOA-Based Localization Method with Multiple Screening K-Means Clustering for Multiple Sources
Authors: Zhang Yankui , Wang Daming , Cui Weijia , You Jiangdong , Li Hao , Liu Fei
Published: September 2019

The existing angle-based localization methods are mainly suitable for the single source. Actually, there often exists situation which contains multiple target sources. To solve the problem of localization of multitarget sources, this paper presents a K-means clustering method based on multiple screening, which can effectively realize the localization of multiple sources based on DOA (direction of arrival) parameters. The method firstly establishes a cost function of position coordinates by using DOA parameters from the measuring position coordinates and then solves the cost function to obtain a complete set of real position coordinates and fuzzy position coordinates. As the distribution of real target coordinates is concentrated and the fuzzy target positions are scattered, the K-means clustering method is adopted to classify the coordinate set. In order to improve the positioning accuracy, a multiscreening process is introduced to screen the input samples before each clustering, and it can be finally concluded that clustering centers are the position coordinates of the target sources. Meanwhile, the complexity analysis and performance verification of this method are proposed. Simulation experiments show that this method can efficiently realize ambiguity-free, highly precise localization of multitarget sources.
Cholesterol Prevents Hypoxia-Induced Hypoglycemia by Regulation of a Metabolic Ketogenic Shift
Authors: Miron Naama , Tirosh Oren
Published: September 2019

Blood cholesterol levels have been connected to high-altitude adaptation. In the present study, we treated mice with high-cholesterol diets following exposure to acute hypoxic stress and evaluated the effects of the diets on whole-body, liver glucose, and liver fat metabolism. For rapid cholesterol liver uptake, 6-week-old male C57BL/J6 mice were fed with high-cholesterol/cholic acid (CH) diet for 6 weeks and then were exposed to gradual oxygen level reduction for 1 h and hypoxia at 7% oxygen for additional 1 hour using a hypoxic chamber. Animals were than sacrificed, and metabolic markers were evaluated. Hypoxic treatment had a strong hypoglycemic effect that was completely blunted by CH treatment. Decreases in gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis as well as an increase in ketone body formation were observed. Such changes indicate a metabolic shift from glucose to fat utilization due to activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase/AMPK axis in the CH-treated animals. Increased ketogenesis was also observed in vitro in hepatocytes after cholesterol treatment. In conclusion, our results show for the first time that cholesterol contributes to metabolic shift and adaptation to hypoxia in vivo and in vitro through induction of HIF-1α and iNOS expression.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis, Properties, and Biological Applications of Platinum Nanoclusters
Authors: Huang Xin , Li Zengbei , Yu Zhengguo , Deng Xinjie , Xin Yi
Published: September 2019

Noble metal nanoclusters (M NCs), defined as an aggregation of a few to tens of atoms, are considered a borderline between atoms and metal nanoparticles (M NPs), which tends to exhibit molecule-like behaviours such as discrete electronic state and size-dependent fluorescence. In the past decades, gold and silver nanoclusters (Au NCs and Ag NCs) have been massively explored and utilized in the field of industrial catalysis, optoelectronic devices, biological imaging, environmental detection, clinical diagnoses, and treatment. The analogue of Au and Ag NCs and platinum nanoclusters (Pt NCs), especially their biological applications, is relatively and rarely discussed. This review firstly investigates the synthetic methodology of Pt NCs including template-assisted and template-free approaches and then introduces their unique optical, catalytic, and thermal properties. Particular importance here is the biological applications of Pt NCs such as the bioimaging of various cells as a preferred fluorophore in contrast to traditional fluorescent markers (e.g., organic dye, semiconductor quantum dots, and fluorescent proteins), the usage of Pt NCs-based antitumour drugs as a new class chemotherapeutics for malignant tumour therapy, and the utilization of antibacteria as an alternative of Ag-based antibacterial agent. On the whole, the development of Pt NCs has already gained delectable progress; however, the study of ultrafine Pt NCs is at the beginning stage and there are still plenty of challenges like synthesis of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent Pt NCs, the explicit signal pathway of cell apoptosis, and attempt in diverse biological applications that need to be urgently tackled in future.
Iron Pill-Induced Gastritis in the Paediatric Population
Authors: Ching Daniel , Mews Cathy , Crompton Charles , Ravikumar Madhur , Abeysuriya Disna
Published: September 2019

Iron is the most common trace mineral in the body. The effects of iatrogenic iron pill-induced gastritis (IPIG) at therapeutic levels are underreported and underappreciated in the paediatric population. Herein, we report a case of an 11-year-old boy presenting with increasing epigastric pain and refusing oral intake secondary to iron pill tablets. We report only the second confirmed case of a paediatric patient with IPIG in the peer-reviewed literature.
Long-Term Outcome in Patients with a Solitary Peutz-Jeghers Polyp
Authors: Iwamuro Masaya , Aoyama Yuki , Suzuki Seiyuu , Kobayashi Sayo , Toyokawa Tatsuya , Moritou Yuki , Hori Shinichiro , Matsueda Kazuhiro , Yoshioka Masao , Tanaka Takehiro , Okada Hiroyuki
Published: September 2019

Background. Clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with a solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyp (PJP) have not been fully investigated. Methods. Solitary PJP was diagnosed when a single hamartomatous lesion was identified in the gastrointestinal tract of patients without mucocutaneous pigmentation or a family history of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients (32 men and 19 women) with a solitary PJP and analyzed the sex, age at diagnosis, endoscopic features, and outcomes in this patient group. The STK11/LKB1 germline mutation was not investigated in any of the patients. Results. The mean age of the 51 patients was 66.1 years. The polyp was found in the duodenum (N=10), jejunum (N=2), cecum (N=2), transverse colon (N=5), sigmoid colon (N=21), or rectum (N=11). Most of the polyps presented as a pedunculated lesion (N=40), followed by semipedunculated (N=9) and sessile (N=2) morphologies. The mean size of a solitary PJP was 15.6 mm (range: 5 to 33 mm). During a mean endoscopic follow-up period of 4.5 years (range: 0.1 to 16.1 years), no recurrence was identified. Eighteen of the enrolled patients had a history of cancer or concomitant cancer. Five patients died due to non-gastrointestinal-related causes. No additional cancer or death directly related to solitary PJP was observed. Conclusions. Solitary PJPs did not recur in this study. Although examination of the entire gastrointestinal tract using esophagogastroduodenoscopy, enteroscopy, and colonoscopy is desirable to exclude Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, follow-up endoscopy after endoscopic polyp resection may be unnecessary, once the diagnosis of a solitary PJP is made.
Assessment of Ganglion Cell Complex and Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Changes following Cataract Surgery in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma
Authors: Abdelghany Ahmed A. , Sallam Moataz A. , Ellabban Abdallah A.
Published: September 2019

Purpose. To assess eye pressure, ganglion cell complex, and retinal nerve fiber layer changes following cataract surgery in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.Methods. Eighty-five patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) were included in the study. They were divided into two groups; the first group included patients with PEXG and cataract who underwent phacoemulsification (pseudophakic group;n = 40 eyes). The second group included patients with PEXG without cataract (control group;n = 45 eyes). Both groups were on antiglaucoma treatment. IOP changes after surgery and the ganglion cell complex (GCC) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thicknesses were evaluated in patients underwent cataract extraction surgery compared to controls that did not have cataract, nor underwent surgery. Both groups were followed up postoperatively for 18 months.Results. There was no difference in the mean age and glaucoma stage in both groups (P=0.242and 0.70, respectively). In the pseudophakic group, the mean IOP significantly dropped from 20.43 ± 0.90 to 17.00 ± 2.75 mmHg at the end of the follow-up period (P≤0.001). Slight decrease (≈3 μm) was recorded in the mean GCC thickness of the pseudophakic patients from the baseline at the end of the follow-up period. This decrease was lower than that of the controls (≈5 μm). No significant pRNFL changes were recorded all over the postoperative visits (88.78 ± 22.55 μm at 3 months, 88.67 ± 23.14 μm at 6 months, 87.62 ± 23.04 μm at 12 months, and 87.32 ± 22.61 μm at 18 months) as compared to preoperative value (90.28 ± 22.31 μm) withP=0.335, 0.387, 0.158, and 0.110, respectively, or controls (89.69 ± 21.76 μm, 88.73 ± 21.08 μm, 87.33 ± 20.67 μm, and 87.23 ± 20.54 μm withP=0.850, 0.990, 0.951, and 0.984).Conclusion. Phacoemulsification and IOL implantation may aid in managing pseudoexfoliation glaucoma by lowering IOP and slowing the rate of GCC and pRNFL losses over a short-term period.
Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized with Rumex hymenosepalus: A Strategy to Combat Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) in a Cultivated White Shrimp
Authors: Alvarez-Cirerol Francisco Javier , López-Torres Marco Antonio , Rodríguez-León Ericka , Rodríguez-Beas César , Martínez-Higuera Aaron , Lara Humberto H. , Vergara Sandra , Arellano-Jimenez M. Josefina , Larios-Rodríguez Eduardo , Martínez-Porchas Marcel , de-la-Re- Vega Enrique , Iñiguez-Palomares Ramón Alfonso
Published: September 2019

Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) or Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Syndrome (AHPNS) is a disease produced by gram-negative bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus), which has caused declines in worldwide production of a white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei). In this work, we propose the implementation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized with Rumex hymenosepalus (Rh) extract as an alternative on V. parahaemolyticus control. AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). AgNP mean sizes by DLS were 80.82±1.16 nm and sizes between 2 and 10 nm by TEM, with a zeta potential of −47.72±1.05 mV. This study evaluated AgNPs and Rh antimicrobial capacity on V. parahaemolyticus at different concentrations; the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) found was 25 μg/mL for AgNPs and 220 μg/mL for Rh. Additionally, were carried out time-kill curves and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation for 1 and 4 MIC. Both concentrations (MIC) were tested for toxicity on Artemia nauplii from Artemia franciscana (A. franciscana), because nauplii were used as biocarriers for AgNPs and Rh extract on L. vannamei. Once the shrimp were treated, they were challenged with Vibrio infection and it was found that those who were treated with both agents showed greater survival than the control. V. parahaemolyticus and postlarval samples were taken from the bioassay and fixed and prepared for TEM and SEM in order to search NPs in internal structure of bacteria and the hepatopancreatic area of shrimps; AgNPs were detected in both cases. AgNPs and Rh extract show antibacterial properties on the infected shrimp with V. parahaemolyticus. The action mechanisms are interaction with the bacterial membrane and ROS generation; these effects are produced by both agents.
Hemophagocytic Syndrome-Associated Variant of Methotrexate-Associated Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma in a Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient
Authors: Komeno Yukiko , Akiyama Minako , Okochi Yasumi , Tokuda Hitoshi , Abe Keiko , Iihara Kuniko , Ryu Tomiko
Published: September 2019

A 59-year-old man was treated for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 12 years with methotrexate (MTX) and prednisolone. After MTX-associated interstitial pneumonia developed, he was treated with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone for 7 months. Arthritis worsened, and tacrolimus was added to the treatment regimen. One month later, he had fever, loss of appetite, and dyspnea on exertion. Blood tests showed pancytopenia with large, atypical lymphocytes. Computed tomography showed mild splenomegaly. Bone marrow examination demonstrated CD20-positive, EBER-positive atypical lymphocytes, and hemophagocytosis. Random skin biopsy led to the diagnosis of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL). The final diagnosis was a hemophagocytic syndrome-associated variant of IVLBCL. Complete remission was achieved after seven courses of R-CHOP. However, within a month, he complained of dizziness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed focal infarctions in the cerebellum and around the left lateral ventricle. Central nervous system relapse was suspected. Although salvage chemotherapy (CHASER), whole brain irradiation, and intrathecal injection of cytarabine and prednisolone were temporarily effective, he died. Autopsy revealed infiltration of lymphoma cells in the brain and adrenal glands. To the best of our knowledge, this is the sixth case of IVLBCL and the first case of the hemophagocytic syndrome-associated variant of IVLBCL in RA patients in the literature.
Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Ligand Positron Emission Tomography in Men with Nonmetastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Fendler Wolfgang P. , Weber Manuel , Iravani Amir , Hofman Michael S. , Calais Jérémie , Czernin Johannes , Ilhan Harun , Saad Fred , Small Eric J. , Smith Matthew R. , Perez Paola M. , Hope Thomas A. , Rauscher Isabel , Londhe Anil , Lopez-Gitlitz Angela , Cheng Shinta , Maurer Tobias , Herrmann Ken , Eiber Matthias , Hadaschik Boris
Published: September 2019

Purpose:

Systemic androgen-signaling inhibition added to ongoing androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) improved clinical outcomes in patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer without detectable metastases by conventional imaging (nmCRPC). Prostate-specific membrane antigen ligand positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) detects prostate cancer with superior sensitivity to conventional imaging, but its performance in nmCRPC remains largely unknown. We characterized cancer burden in high-risk patients with nmCRPC using PSMA-PET.

Experimental Design:

We retrospectively included 200 patients with nmCRPC, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >2 ng/mL, and high risk for metastatic disease [PSA doubling time (PSADT) of ≤10 months and/or Gleason score of ≥8] from six high-volume PET centers. We centrally reviewed PSMA-PET detection rate for pelvic disease and distant metastases (M1). We further evaluated SPARTAN patients stratified by risk factors for PSMA-PET-detected M1 disease.

Results:

PSMA-PET was positive in 196 of 200 patients. Overall, 44% had pelvic diseases, including 24% with local prostate bed recurrence, and 55% had M1 disease despite negative conventional imaging. Interobserver agreement was very high (κ: 0.81–0.91). PSA ≥ 5.5 ng/mL, locoregional nodal involvement determined by pathology (pN1), prior primary radiation, and prior salvage radiotherapy independently predicted M1 disease (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

PSMA-PET detected any disease in nearly all patients and M1 disease in 55% of patients previously diagnosed with nmCRPC, including subgroups with PSADT of ≤10 months and Gleason score of ≥8. The value of PSMA-PET imaging for treatment guidance should be tested in future studies.
T2 Mapping as a Tool for Assessment of Dental Pulp Response to Caries Progression: An in vivo MRI Study
Authors: Cankar Ksenija , Vidmar Jernej , Nemeth Lidija , Serša Igor
Published: September 2019

Among radiological methods, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) excels in its ability to image soft tissue at great contrast and without the need of harmful radiation. This study tested whether in vivo MRI based on standard MRI sequences run on a standard clinical MRI system can be used to quantify dental pulp response to caries progression using the T2 mapping method. In the study, 74 teeth were scanned on a 3-T MRI system, and caries was assessed according to the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). The T2 maps were processed to obtain T2 profiles along selected root canals (from crown to apex), and the profiles were sorted according to both tooth type (single-rooted vs. molar) and ICDAS score. In all the examined dental pulps, it was found that T2 values decrease with an increase in the ICDAS score. In the coronal part of dental pulps, average T2 values of 166, 153, and 115 ms were found in ICDAS groups 0, 1–3, and 4–6, respectively. In single-rooted teeth, T2 values were found approximately constant as a function of dental pulp depth, while in multi-rooted teeth, they were found increasing in the coronal part and decreasing towards the root apex. The study confirmed that T2 mapping of dental pulp can be used to reliably quantify its response to caries progression and that it has a potential to become a complementary diagnostic tool to standard radiographic methods in the assessment of dental pulp response to caries.
Factors Affecting the Degree of Angular Remodeling in Stent-Assisted Coiling of Bifurcation Aneurysms
Authors: Saied Ahmed , Elsaid Nada , Joshi Krishna , Gomaa Mohamed , Amer Talal , Saad Mohamed , Lopes Demetrius
Published: September 2019

Background: Stent-assisted coiling (SAC) leads to significant changes in the vascular angle altering the bifurcation geometry and the hemodynamics at the bifurcation apex. It is believed that the stent alone exerts this effect, but other possible factors have not been studied. Purpose: To study the factors contributing to angular remodeling following SAC of bifurcation aneurysms including the anatomical, stent-related, and coil-related factors. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 43 basilar and carotid bifurcation aneurysms treated by SAC using Neuroform EZ (n = 28), Enterprise (n = 8), and Lvis Jr. (n = 7) stents. The bifurcation angle between the mother and stented daughter vessel was measured in 4 settings: pretreatment, poststenting, postcoiling, and at delayed follow-up (6–12 months). The degree of stent-induced angular remodeling was calculated by subtracting the poststenting bifurcation angle from the pretreatment one, while the coil-induced angular remodeling was calculated as the difference between the postcoiling and poststenting bifurcation angle. The immediate postprocedural degree of angular remodeling is the sum of the stent- and coil-induced angular remodeling. We studied the effect of several factors including the pretreatment bifurcation angle, aneurysm site, diameter of parent vessel, stent type, stent length in the daughter vessel, postoperative actual in situ coil size, and packing density. Results: The mean degree of stent-induced and coil-induced angular remodeling was 10.2 (0–47) and 4.53 (–7 to 30), respectively. The immediate postprocedural and delayed angular remodeling was 14.8 (–4 to 47) and 4.75 (–12 to 40), respectively. The degree of immediate remodeling was significantly affected by the actual in situ coil size (p = 0.017), and the pretreatment bifurcation angle (p = 0.024). Linear regression was carried out and the pretreatment bifurcation angle was defined as a predictor. The degree of delayed remodeling is significantly affected only by the pretreatment bifurcation angle (p = 0.011). Conclusion: Immediate angular remodeling following SAC of bifurcation aneurysms can happen after stenting or coiling or both. This is the first study reporting the role of the coils as an additional factor beside the stent in inducing immediate angular changes; this effect is correlated to the size of the coils. The pretreatment bifurcation angle is the most consistent factor affecting the degree of both immediate and delayed angular remodeling.
Bioengineering of Fetal Skin: Differentiation of Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells into Keratinocytes
Authors: Basler Michelle , Pontiggia Luca , Biedermann Thomas , Reichmann Ernst , Meuli Martin , Mazzone Luca
Published: September 2019

Purpose: Open fetal spina bifida repair has become a novel clinical standard of care. In very large spina bifida lesions, the skin defect cannot be covered primarily, asking for alternative solutions. We hypothesize that amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC) could be differentiated into keratinocytes that could then be used to bioengineer autologous skin usable for in utero back coverage. Methods: To obtain human AFSC, amniotic fluid samples obtained from fetal surgeries were subjected to immunoselection for c-kit. C-kit-positive samples and controls were cultured with the additives morphogenetic protein 4 and vitamin C to induce differentiation towards keratinocytes. This process was monitored by measuring the expression of K8 and K14 via immunohistochemical staining, flow cytometry, and polymerase chain reaction. Results: After immunoselection and expansion, most cells were positive for K8, but none for K14. After completion of the differentiation protocol, cell colonies with keratinocyte-like appearance could be observed, but cells remained positive for K8 and negative for K14, indicating failed differentiation into keratinocytes. Conclusions: Culturing of keratinocyte-like cells from AFSC, harvested intraoperatively, was not feasible in this setting. The reasons for failure must be investigated and eliminated, as bioengineering of fetal skin for clinical use during fetal surgery for spina bifida remains an attractive goal.
Prevalence of Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease and Its Impact on Acute Kidney Injury for Chinese Adult Patients Undergoing Valvular Heart Surgery
Authors: Xie Zhiyong , Mo Zhiming , Chen Jimei , Wu Yanhua , Chen Shixin , Li Zhilian , Ye Zhiming , Liang Huaban , Liu Shuangxin , Fu Lei , Chen Yuanhan , Liang Xinling
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery (VHS) is an indication for combined valvular heart surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting. However, the impact of nonsignificant CAD on postoperative outcomes is not well understood. This study illustrated the epidemiological characteristics of CAD in China and investigated the impact of CAD on postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and postoperative mortality. Methods: This study comprised an epidemiological survey followed by a case-control investigation. The epidemiological characteristics of CAD were studied in 4,172 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography before planned VHS at a core cardiovascular center. Then, 3,618 patients were selected for the subsequent case-control study to further analyze the associations between CAD and postoperative advanced AKI (grade 2 or 3 by KDIGO criteria), longer ICU stay (highest quartile), and increased mortality by logistic regression. Results: Of the participants, 5.1 and 9.3% had moderate and significant CAD, respectively. The incidence of CAD increased after 60 years of age. Although CAD was not related to longer postoperative ICU stay in a multivariate logistic model, moderate CAD (OR 1.539 [95% CI 1.078–2.199]) and significant CAD (OR 1.798 [95% CI 1.094–2.955]) remained independent risk factors for postoperative advanced AKI after adjusting for multiple traditional risk factors. Significant CAD, but not nonsignificant CAD, was associated with postoperative mortality. Conclusions: Concomitant CAD is common in Chinese patients who undergo VHS. Moderate and significant CAD might have detrimental effects on postoperative advanced AKI.
Dapsone in a Large Tertiary Center: Outdated Therapeutic Option or Timeless Agent?
Authors: Anzengruber Florian , Schenk Janina , Graf Vanessa , Nordmann Thierry M. , Guenova Emmanuella , Dummer Reinhard
Published: September 2019

Background: The ancient drug dapsone has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory features. In dermatology, dapsone is primarily used for neutrophil-dominant skin diseases. However, real-life data assessing the long-term efficacy of dapsone across multiple dermatological diseases is missing. ­Objectives: To determine the efficacy and safety of dapsone in patients with inflammatory skin diseases treated at the Department of Dermatology of the University Hospital Zurich. Methods: The hospital database was searched for patients treated with dapsone in the last 20 years (from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2017). Overall, 175 patients were included in our study. Results: Thirty-four patients received dapsone for eosinophilic dermatoses, 82 for neutrophilic dermatoses and 59 for other dermatoses. After 3 months, 8% of all patients reached complete remission, 40.6% showed improvement, 30.3% had stable disease, and only 9.1% had disease progression. Final treatment evaluation revealed complete response in 13.2%, disease improvement in 47.4%, stable disease in 25.7% and disease progression in only 12.0%. Patients who showed remission or improvement after 3 months were significantly older than patients with stable or progressive disease. In addition, remission after 3 months was associated with a significantly lower dose of dapsone compared to improvement only. Hemolysis was the most common adverse event (21.7%). Conclusions: Our data show that dapsone is a valid treatment option in various dermatological diseases, leading to a favorable response in the vast majority of patients. In addition, it is well tolerated, safe and inexpensive. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to further elucidate the role of this high-potential drug.