bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and first-principles DFT study on the electrochemical reactivity of garnet-type solid electrolytes with carbon
Authors: Jalem R. , Morishita Y. , Okajima T. , Takeda H. , Kondo Y. , Nakayama M. , Kasuga T.
Published: August 2016

The decomposition of garnet Li7La3Zr2O12 during the charge process can proceed via a reaction with a carbon additive in a solid-state cell.
Synergetic effects of edge formation and sulfur doping on the catalytic activity of a graphene-based catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Oh SeKwon , Kim JongHun , Kim MinJoong , Nam DoHwan , Park JeongYoung , Cho EunAe , Kwon HyukSang
Published: August 2016

An edge activated S doped Fe-N-graphene (EA-SFeNG) was synthesized via a facile and effective ball milling and pyrolysis method for a highly active ORR catalyst.
Resolved astrometric orbits of ten O-type binaries
Authors: Le Bouquin J.-B. , Sana H. , Gosset E. , De Becker M. , Duvert G. , Absil O. , Anthonioz F. , Berger J.-P. , Ertel S. , Grellmann R. , Guieu S. , Kervella P. , Rabus M. , Willson M.
Published: August 2016

Aims. Our long-term aim is to derive model-independent stellar masses and distances for long period massive binaries by combining apparent astrometric orbit with double-lined radial velocity amplitudes (SB2).

Methods. We followed-up ten O+O binaries with AMBER, PIONIER and GRAVITY at the VLTI. Here, we report on 130 astrometric observations over the last seven years. We combined this dataset with distance estimates to compute the total mass of the systems. We also computed preliminary individual component masses for the five systems with available SB2 radial velocities.

Results. Nine of the ten binaries have their three-dimensional orbit well constrained. Four of them are known to be colliding wind, non-thermal radio emitters, and thus constitute valuable targets for future high angular resolution radio imaging. Two binaries break the correlation between period and eccentricity tentatively observed in previous studies. This suggests either that massive star formation produces a wide range of systems, or that several binary formation mechanisms are at play. Finally, we found that the use of existing SB2 radial velocity amplitudes can lead to unrealistic masses and distances.

Conclusions. If not understood, the biases in radial velocity amplitudes will represent an intrinsic limitation for estimating dynamical masses from SB2+interferometry or SB2+Gaia. Nevertheless, our results can be combined with future Gaia astrometry to measure the dynamical masses and distances of the individual components with an accuracy of 5 to 15%, completely independently of the radial velocities.
General theory of regular biorthogonal pairs and its physical operators
Authors: Inoue H.
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we introduce a general theory of regular biorthogonal sequences and its physical operators. Biorthogonal sequences {ϕn} and {ψn} in a Hilbert space H are said to be regular if Span {ϕn} and Span {ψn} are dense in H. The first purpose is to show that there exists a non-singular positive self-adjoint operator Tf in H defined by an orthonormal basis (ONB) f ≡ {fn} in H such that ϕn = Tffn and ψn=Tf−1fn, n = 0, 1, …, and such an ONB f is unique. The second purpose is to define and study the lowering operators Af and Bf†, the raising operators Bf and Af†, and the number operators Nf and Nf† determined by the non-singular positive self-adjoint operator Tf. These operators connect with quasi-Hermitian quantum mechanics and its relatives. This paper clarifies and simplifies the mathematical structure of this framework and minimizes the required assumptions.
Thin film synthesis and characterization of a chemically ordered magnetic nanolaminate (V,Mn)3GaC2
Authors: Tao Q. , Salikhov R. , Mockute A. , Lu J. , Farle M. , Wiedwald U. , Rosen J.
Published: August 2016

We report on synthesis and characterization of a new magnetic nanolaminate (V,Mn)3GaC2, which is the first magnetic MAX phase of a 312 stoichiometry. Atomically resolved energy dispersive X-ray mapping of epitaxial thin films reveals a tendency of alternate chemical ordering between V and Mn, with atomic layers composed of primarily one element only. Magnetometry measurements reveal a ferromagnetic response between 50 K and 300 K, with indication of a magnetic ordering temperature well above room temperature.
Residual tensile stresses and piezoelectric properties in BiFeO3-Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3-PbTiO3 ternary solid solution perovskite ceramics
Authors: Zheng Weilin , Yu Jian
Published: August 2016

For low dielectric loss perovskite-structured (1-x-y)BiFeO3-xBi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3-yPbTiO3 (BF-BZT-PT) (x = 0.04-0.15 and y = 0.15-0.26) ceramics in rhombohedral/tetragonal coexistent phase, structural phase transitions were studied using differential thermal analyzer combined with temperature-dependent dielectric measurement. Two lattice structural phase transitions are disclosed in various BF-BZT-PT perovskites, which is different from its membership of BiFeO3 exhibiting just one lattice structural phase transition at Curie temperature TC= 830oC. Consequently, residual internal tensile stresses were revealed experimentally through XRD measurements on ceramic pellets and counterpart powders, which are reasonably attributed to special structural phase transition sequence of BF-BZT-PT solid solution perovskites. Low piezoresponse was observed and argued extrinsically resulting from residual tensile stresses pinning ferroelectric polarization switching. Post-annealing and subsequent quenching was found effective for eliminating residual internal stresses in those BZT-less ceramics, and good piezoelectric property of d33 ≥ 28 pC/N obtained for 0.70BF-0.08BZT-0.22PT and 0.05 wt% MnO2-doped 0.70BF-0.04BZT-0.26PT ceramics with TC ≥ 640oC, while it seemed no effective for those BZT-rich BF-BZT-PT ceramics with x = 0.14 and 0.15 studied here.
A new correlation clustering method for cancer mutation analysis
Authors: Hou Jack P. , Emad Amin , Puleo Gregory J. , Ma Jian , Milenkovic Olgica
Published: August 2016

Motivation: Cancer genomes exhibit a large number of different alterations that affect many genes in a diverse manner. An improved understanding of the generative mechanisms behind the mutation rules and their influence on gene community behavior is of great importance for the study of cancer.

Results: To expand our capability to analyze combinatorial patterns of cancer alterations, we developed a rigorous methodology for cancer mutation pattern discovery based on a new, constrained form of correlation clustering. Our new algorithm, named C3 (Cancer Correlation Clustering), leverages mutual exclusivity of mutations, patient coverage and driver network concentration principles. To test C3, we performed a detailed analysis on TCGA breast cancer and glioblastoma data and showed that our algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art CoMEt method in terms of discovering mutually exclusive gene modules and identifying biologically relevant driver genes. The proposed agnostic clustering method represents a unique tool for efficient and reliable identification of mutation patterns and driver pathways in large-scale cancer genomics studies, and it may also be used for other clustering problems on biological graphs.

Availability and Implementation: The source code for the C3 method can be found at https://github.com/jackhou2/C3

Contacts:  jianma@cs.cmu.edu or milenkov@illinois.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Tracking changes to a microplankton community in a North Atlantic sea loch using the microplankton index PI(mp)
Authors: Whyte Callum , Davidson Keith , Gilpin Linda , Mitchell Elaine , Moschonas Grigorios , McNeill Sharon , Tett Paul
Published: August 2016

Microplankton plays a vital part in marine ecosystems, and its importance has been recognized by the inclusion of microplankton community composition in regulatory frameworks such as the European Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive as an indicator of ecological status. Quantitative techniques are therefore required to assess the environmental status of the microplankton in a water body. Here we demonstrate the use of a method known as the microplankton index PI(mp) to evaluate changes in the microplankton community of the west coast Scottish Sea Loch Creran. Microplankton in this fjord has been studied since the 1970s, providing a data set spanning four decades. Our analysis compares an arbitrarily chosen reference period between 1979 and 1981 with a period between 2011 and 2013 and demonstrates that between these two periods community structure has changed considerably with a substantial drop in the numbers of observed diatoms accompanied by a rise in the number of autotrophic/mixotrophic dinoflagellates as well as an increase in the potentially toxin producing genus Pseudo-nitzschia and that these are related to changes in both the intensity and timing of local patterns of precipitation. The PI(mp) is shown to be a useful and robust method to visualize and quantify changes in the underlying structure of the microplankton community and is a powerful addition to the toolbox of techniques needed to determine the health of our seas.
Temporal Trends in Anesthesia-related Adverse Events in Cesarean Deliveries, New York State, 2003 to 2012
Authors: Guglielminotti J. , Wong C.A. , Landau R. , Li G.
Published: August 2016

(Anesthesiology. 2015;123(5):1013–1023)

In 2010, 1.3 million women in the United States underwent cesarean delivery, making it the most common inpatient surgery in the country. Despite the pervasiveness of this procedure, it is associated with a heightened risk of anesthesia-related adverse events when compared with vaginal delivery. It is also associated with an increased risk of nonanesthetic perioperative morbidity and mortality. The goal of this study was to evaluate these anesthesia-related adverse events in terms of temporal trends. The authors also examined nonanesthetic perioperative complications, and overall mortality related to cesarean deliveries.
Determination of Base Excess in Umbilical Cord Blood at Birth: Accessory or Excess?
Authors: Olofsson P.
Published: August 2016

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;213(3):259–261)

In newborns, acidemia can be common, but if it is caused by hypoxia with anaerobic metabolism, it can signal future morbidities. Since it was first proposed in the 1950s, base excess in umbilical cord blood at birth has been used to measure nonrespiratory acid-base status in infants. As most base excess scores are negative at birth, the phrase base deficit can be used synonymously. The reasoning behind considering this measure in relation to pH levels is to differentiate respiratory and metabolic acidemia.
Failed Tracheal Intubation During Obstetric General Anaesthesia: A Literature Review
Authors: Kinsella S.M. , Winton A.L. , Mushambi M.C. , Ramaswamy K. , Swales H. , Quinn A.C. , Popat M.
Published: August 2016

(Int J Obstet Anesth. 2015;24(4):356–374)

Failed tracheal intubation guidelines for obstetrics were first developed by Michael Tunstall at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital in the 1970s. Multiple versions of these original guidelines spread through local adaptation. The American Society of Anesthesiologists produced official national guidelines on management of the difficult airway in 1992, and these were last updated in 2013. Similar guidelines were developed by the Difficult Airway Society (DAS) for the United Kingdom in 2004. These do not address issues specific to the obstetric patient, however. Developments in obstetric anesthesia practice that have taken place since Tunstall introduced his guidelines include availability of supraglottic airway devices (SAD), antacid and oral intake protocols during labor, rapid onset nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs, and rapid neuromuscular reversal agents. Use of neuraxial anesthesia for cesarean section has increased, and up to one third of obstetric general anesthetics are now administered after failed neuraxial anaesthesia. The Obstetric Anaesthetists’ Association (OAA) and DAS have just published stand-alone obstetric failed intubation guidelines. The primary aim of this study was to search the relevant literature for evidence to support these guidelines, with special focus on quantitative data to estimate incidences of difficult airway management, management options, and maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Uterine Exteriorization Compared With In Situ Repair for Cesarean Delivery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zaphiratos V. , George R.B. , Boyd J.C. , Habib A.S.
Published: August 2016

(Can J Anaesth. 2015;62(11):1209–1220)

In 2009, a meta-analysis was published comparing 2 different methods of uterine repair: uterine exteriorization and in situ repair. Over 3000 patients were included in this analysis, which showed no noticeable difference in outcomes between the 2 methods. Since then, 5 trials have been published comparing these 2 methods, increasing the studied patient population to over 16,000. With this wealth of data coming from a series of new trials, the authors of this paper undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing perioperative outcomes for uterine exteriorization versus in situ repair during cesarean delivery.
Morbidity Associated With Cesarean Delivery in the United States: Is Placenta Accreta an Increasingly Important Contributor?
Authors: Creanga A.A. , Bateman B.T. , Butwick A.J. , Raleigh L. , Maeda A. , Kuklina E. , Callaghan W.M.
Published: August 2016

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;213(3):384.e1–e11)

In the United States, 1.3 million women underwent cesarean delivery in 2012 alone. The fact that this is such a common surgery may have led to a heightened sense of safety surrounding the procedure despite the fact that it is associated with serious risks such as placenta accreta, which can result in major obstetric morbidity. The authors of this study investigated morbidity associated with both first and repeat cesarean deliveries with a special emphasis on placenta accreta. They also attempted to identify potential factors related to types of hospitals and patient demographics that might be associated with increased risk of such morbidity.
Does Spinal Block Through Tattooed Skin Cause Histological Changes in Nervous Tissue and Meninges? An Experimental Model in Rabbits
Authors: Ferraz I.L. , Barros G.A. , Ferreira Neto P.G. , Solanki D. , Marques M.A. , Machado V.M. , Cabral L.W. , Lima R.M. , Vianna P.T. , Navarro L.H. , Ganen E.M.
Published: August 2016

(Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2015;40(5):533–538)

As tattoos continue to become a more pervasive cultural trend, it is increasingly likely for anesthesiologists to encounter patients with tattoos covering their lumbar and sacral area. Although there are currently no reports of complications from placing a needle through tattooed skin, there are also insufficient data to determine whether it is completely safe. Concerns are that ink fragments, which may contain carcinogenic amides, can be accidentally deposited in the subarachnoid space, leading to arachnoiditis. The authors of this study investigated whether placing a 22-G spinal needle through tattooed skin could result in changes to the spinal cord and meninges or if fragments of ink could become trapped in the needle bore.
Trajectory of Platelets in Pregnancy: Do Low-risk Women Need an Intrapartum Full Blood Count Prior to Epidural?
Authors: Duong C. , Kidson-Gerber G. , Peters N. , Listijono D.R. , Henry A.
Published: August 2016

(Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2015;55(5):511–514)

Thrombocytopenia, defined as a platelet count <150×109/L, occurs in 7% to 10% of pregnancies. There is no clear agreement as to whether women who are determined to be low risk for thrombocytopenia need a platelet count before intrapartum epidural analgesia can be administered and awaiting this laboratory value could delay epidural administration. As women typically receive a full blood count around 28 weeks of gestation, the authors of this study sought to determine whether women with normal platelet levels during that routine check-up and overall low risk of thrombocytopenia tended to maintain a normal platelet count up until the peripartum period.
Bedside Gastric Ultrasonography in Term Pregnant Women Before Elective Cesarean Delivery: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Arzola C. , Perlas A. , Siddiqui N.T. , Carvalho J.A.
Published: August 2016

(Anesth Analg. 2015;121:752–758)

Bedside ultrasonography can be used to establish the gastric contents of pregnant women about to undergo general anesthesia for elective cesarean delivery. This could help avoid the serious complication of pulmonary aspiration by prompting anesthesiologists to discourage general anesthesia in a woman found to have a full stomach. In the past ultrasonography was not able to detect an empty stomach, but technological improvements have made this a possibility. This study investigated the qualitative and quantitative sonographic patterns of the gastric antrum in fasted pregnant patients.
Anal Incontinence Among First Time Mothers: What Happens in Pregnancy and the First Year After Delivery?
Authors: Johannessen H.H. , Wibe A. , Stordahl A. , Sandvik L. , Mørkved S.
Published: August 2016

(Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2015;94(9):1005–1013)

The fundamental physical processes responsible for anal incontinence are not entirely understood. At the group level, it is typical for first time mothers to experience this problem during late pregnancy and the first postpartum year, but it is not yet clear why this is the case. The authors of this study investigated changes in continence status among individual healthy primiparous women from late pregnancy to the first postpartum year. The authors also sought to determine factors that might be associated with persistent anal incontinence and new onset incontinence at 1 year postpartum.
Recurrent Preeclampsia in Women With Metabolic Syndrome and Low Plasma Volume: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Stekkinger E. , Scholten R.R. , Heidema W.M. , Spaanderman M.E.A.
Published: August 2016

(BJOG. 2015;122(13):1773–1780)

Preeclampsia occurs in 2% to 8% of pregnancies and is associated with significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Women with a history of preeclampsia are at increased risk for preeclampsia in subsequent pregnancies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of recurrent preeclampsia in women who have been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and/or low plasma volume compared with women who have a history of preeclampsia but neither of these pathologic conditions.
Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity After Attempted Operative Vaginal Delivery According to Fetal Head Station
Authors: Ducarme G. , Hamel J.-F. , Bouet P.-E. , Legendre G. , Vandenbroucke L. , Sentilhes L.
Published: August 2016

(Obstet Gynecol. 2015;126:521–529)

It has been suggested that midpelvic operative vaginal delivery methods (eg, vacuum extraction, Thierry’s spatulas, or forceps) might significantly increase maternal and neonatal morbidity. However, the data are not up-to-date. Subsequently, the authors of the present study assessed severe maternal and neonatal morbidity after attempted operative vaginal delivery and also compared morbidity after midpelvic and low pelvic delivery attempts.
Maternal and Fetal Morbidity Associated With Uterine Rupture of the Unscarred Uterus
Authors: Gibbins K.J. , Weber T. , Holmgren C.M. , Porter T.F. , Varner M.W. , Manuck T.A.
Published: August 2016

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;213:382.e1–e6)

Uterine rupture is a serious condition that can jeopardize the health of both mothers and their unborn children. Rupture usually occurs in a uterus that has been scarred as a result of a previous cesarean delivery. There are relatively little data regarding the outcomes for mothers and neonates following rupture of an unscarred uterus, as this is such a rare complication. In the small number of reported cases of primary rupture, it was found to be associated with a perinatal mortality rate of 12% to 35% and a hysterectomy rate of 20% to 31%. The authors of this article designed their study to better understand the obstetric and neonatal characteristics surrounding primary rupture as well as its outcomes. The authors also evaluated uterine ruptures in scarred and unscarred uteruses and compared characteristics between these 2 groups.
Initial Preference for Labor Without Neuraxial Analgesia and Actual Use: Results from a National Survey in France
Authors: Kpéa L. , Bonnet M. , Ray C. , Prunet C. , Ducloy-Bouthors A. , Blondel B.
Published: August 2016

(Anesth Analg. 2015;121:759–766)

Neuraxial analgesia is an effective labor pain relief option for pregnant women. It can refer to epidural, spinal, or combined spinal-epidural analgesia. In principle, neuraxial analgesia use should be the women’s choice. However, few studies have examined the association between women’s initial preferences for this pain relief option and its actual administration. In this study, authors studied factors associated with a woman’s preference to decline neuraxial analgesia, as well as the factors associated with the woman receiving neuraxial analgesia when she initially did not prefer it. Data were collected from a cross-section of the French 2010 National Perinatal Survey, which surveyed analgesia preference and provided information from medical records, interviews of women about their social/demographic characteristics, prenatal care, and pain management during labor, and questionnaires about maternity unit organization (535 maternity wards). Both univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted.
Pain Associated With Cesarean Delivery Skin Closure: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Mackeen A.D. , Khalifeh A. , Fleisher J. , Han C. , Leiby B. , Berghella V.
Published: August 2016

(Obstet Gynecol. 2015;126:702–707)

Cesarean delivery is typically performed by a suprapubic low-transverse skin incision, which is closed with the placement of either a continuous absorbable suture or interrupted staples. Studies that have examined pain associated with suture closure compared with staple closure are varied and limited. The authors of the present study thereby compared patient-reported pain and pain medication use associated with these 2 forms of skin closure for cesarean delivery. This study was a secondary analysis of a prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trial with 746 pregnant women undergoing either primary or repeat cesarean delivery. The primary outcome of the initial study was the incidence of wound complications associated with closure type; the primary analysis found that suture closure lowered the rate of wound complications.
Obstetric Forceps
Authors: Dildy Gary A. , Belfort Michael A. , Clark Steven L.
Published: August 2016

Both resident training in the use of obstetric forceps and forceps deliveries are experiencing precipitous declines in the United States. Current minimum training requirements are insufficient to ensure competency in this skill. These trends bear striking similarities to observations regarding the decline and ultimate extinction of biologic species and portend the inevitable disappearance of this valuable skill from the obstetric armamentarium. Attempts by experienced teaching faculty to provide residents with experience in a few forceps deliveries are of little value and may do more harm than good. There would seem to be only two viable solutions to this dilemma: 1) abandon attempts to teach forceps and prepare residents for a real-world practice setting in which management of second-stage labor does not include the availability forceps delivery; or 2) prioritize the development of high-fidelity simulation models in which fetal head size and attitude and pelvic size and architecture can be continuously varied to allow residents to obtain sufficient experience to know both how and when to proceed with forceps delivery. We believe this latter approach is the sole alternative to inevitable extinction of this species.
Differences in Serum Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Rise in Early Pregnancy by Race and Value at Presentation
Authors: Barnhart Kurt T. , Guo Wensheng , Cary Mark S. , Morse Christopher B. , Chung Karine , Takacs Peter , Senapati Suneeta , Sammel Mary D.
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To assess whether variation in serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) measures, used to assess early gestation viability, are associated with differences in clinical presentation and patient factors.

METHOD:

This retrospective cohort study included 285 women with first-trimester pain and bleeding and a pregnancy of unknown location for whom a normal intrauterine pregnancy was ultimately confirmed. Serial samples were collected at three U.S. sites and hCG changes were analyzed for differences by race, ethnicity, and clinical factors. A nonlinear, mixed-effects regression model was used assuming a random subject shift in the time axis.

RESULTS:

The hCG rise in symptomatic women with ongoing intrauterine pregnancy differs by patient factors and level at presentation. The 2-day minimum (first percentile) rise in hCG was faster when presenting hCG values were low and slower when presenting hCG value was high. African American women had a faster hCG rise (P<.001) compared with non–African American women. Variation in hCG curves was associated with prior miscarriage (P=.014), presentation of bleeding (P<.001), and pain (P=.002). For initial hCG values of less than 1,500, 1,500–3,000 and greater than 3,000 milli-international units/mL, the predicted 2-day minimal (first percentile) rise was 49%, 40%, and 33%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

The rise of hCG levels in women with viable intrauterine pregnancies and symptoms of potential pregnancy failure varies significantly by initial value. Changes in hCG rise related to race should not affect clinical care. To limit interruption of a potential desired intrauterine pregnancy, a more conservative “cutoff” (slower rise) is needed when hCG values are high.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00194168.
Programmed Death-Ligand 1 on Antigen-presenting Cells Facilitates the Induction of Antigen-specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes: Application to Adoptive T-Cell Immunotherapy
Authors: Goto Tatsunori , Nishida Tetsuya , Takagi Erina , Miyao Kotaro , Koyama Daisuke , Sakemura Reona , Hanajiri Ryo , Watanabe Keisuke , Imahashi Nobuhiko , Terakura Seitaro , Murata Makoto , Kiyoi Hitoshi
Published: August 2016

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) binds to programmed death-1 (PD-1) on activated T cells and contributes to T-cell exhaustion. PD-L1 expressed on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) could be thought to inhibit the induction of Ag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) by transducing negative signal into T cells; however, the roles of PD-L1 on APCs have not yet been well examined. Therefore, we evaluated the roles of PD-L1 on APCs in the induction of Ag-specific CTLs. CD3+ T cells isolated from cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seropositive healthy donors were stimulated with mature dendritic cells pulsed with CMV pp65-derived HLA-restricted peptides in the presence of anti-PD-L1 blocking antibody. Unexpectedly, PD-L1 blockade resulted in a less efficient induction of CMV-specific CTLs, suggesting that PD-L1 play a positive role in the induction of Ag-specific CTLs. For further evaluations and application to adoptive immunotherapy, we generated K562-based artificial APCs, which were retrovirally transduced with HLA class I molecules and various combinations of CD80/86 and PD-L1. K562/HLA+CD80/86+PD-L1 cells produced significantly higher induction of CMV-specific CTLs than K562/HLA or K562/HLA+CD80/86 cells without causing excessive differentiation or functional exhaustion of the induced CTLs, whereas PD-L1 itself did not have a stimulatory effect. Furthermore, only K562/HLA+CD80/86+PD-L1 cells pulsed with HLA-A*24:02-restricted Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) peptide clearly expanded WT1-specific CTLs from healthy donors. Our findings presumed that PD-L1 expressed on APCs along with CD80/86 enhanced the induction of Ag-specific CTLs probably depending on fine-tuning excessive stimulation of CD80/86, and that K562/HLA+CD80/86+PD-L1 cells has therapeutic potential as a novel type of artificial APCs for adoptive immunotherapy.
Angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas receptor as an antinociceptive agent in cancer-induced bone pain
Authors: Forte Brittany L. , Slosky Lauren M. , Zhang Hong , Arnold Moriah R. , Staatz William D. , Hay Meredith , Largent-Milnes Tally M. , Vanderah Todd W.
Published: August 2016

Many cancerous solid tumors metastasize to the bone and induce pain (cancer-induced bone pain [CIBP]). Cancer-induced bone pain is often severe because of enhanced inflammation, rapid bone degradation, and disease progression. Opioids are prescribed to manage this pain, but they may enhance bone loss and increase tumor proliferation, further compromising patient quality of life. Angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) binds and activates the Mas receptor (MasR). Angiotensin-(1-7)/MasR activation modulates inflammatory signaling after acute tissue insult, yet no studies have investigated whether Ang-(1-7)/MasR play a role in CIBP. We hypothesized that Ang-(1-7) inhibits CIBP by targeting MasR in a murine model of breast CIBP. 66.1 breast cancer cells were implanted into the femur of BALB/cAnNHsd mice as a model of CIBP. Spontaneous and evoked pain behaviors were assessed before and after acute and chronic administration of Ang-(1-7). Tissues were collected from animals for ex vivo analyses of MasR expression, tumor burden, and bone integrity. Cancer inoculation increased spontaneous pain behaviors by day 7 that were significantly reduced after a single injection of Ang-(1-7) and after sustained administration. Preadministration of A-779 a selective MasR antagonist prevented this reduction, whereas pretreatment with the AT2 antagonist had no effect; an AT1 antagonist enhanced the antinociceptive activity of Ang-(1-7) in CIBP. Repeated Ang-(1-7) administration did not significantly change tumor burden or bone remodeling. Data here suggest that Ang-(1-7)/MasR activation significantly attenuates CIBP, while lacking many side effects seen with opioids. Thus, Ang-(1-7) may be an alternative therapeutic strategy for the nearly 90% of patients with advanced-stage cancer who experience excruciating pain.
Low-grade Nonrhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma: What is Peculiar for Childhood
Authors: Fawzy Mohamed , Sedky Mohamed , ElZomor Hossam , El Sherbiny Magdy , Salama Emad , Mahdy Ahmed
Published: August 2016

Background:

Nearly half of soft tissue sarcomas are nonrhabdomyosarcomas (NRSTSs). The low-grade (LG) form comprises a heterogenous group of diseases that rarely metastasize but are known for local recurrence.

Aim of the Study:

The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate pediatric LG-NRSTS with regard to demography, survival, and factors affecting outcome in Egyptian patients.

Patients and Methods:

The study reviewed 66 NRSTS patients who presented to the Pediatric Oncology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, between January 2008 and December 2013.

Results:

Out of the reviewed cases 32 patients had LG tumors and were eligible for analysis. The male to female ratio was 1:1 and the median age was 7.5 years (range, 1 mo to 18 y). Desmoid fibromatosis (N=18) showed frequent local recurrence and nearly half of this group was alive without disease. No recurrence of the disease occurred in the nonfibromatosis group (n=14) and all patients were alive and free of disease. The 5-year overall survival was 88% for the entire group of study patients versus 45% for event-free survival. Tumors >5 cm in diameter and fibromatosis histology subtype were associated with lower EFS.

Conclusions:

LG-NRSTS generally has good prognosis, with overall survival reaching 90%. However, aggressive fibromatosis usually runs a poorer course in the form of high incidence of local recurrence and lower survival rates. This needs to be further assessed in larger prospective studies including novel therapies in addition to the current conventional modalities.
EPH/EPHRIN SIGNALING CONTROLS PROGENITOR IDENTITIES IN THE VENTRAL SPINAL CORD
Authors: Laussu Julien , Audouard Christophe , Kischel Anthony , Assis-Nascimento Poincyane , Escalas Nathalie , Liebl Daniel J. , Soula Cathy , Davy Alice
Published: August 2016

SUMMARY STATEMENT

This article by Laussu et al. describes a role for Eph:ephrin signaling in controlling the identity of neural progenitors in the ventral spinal cord.

Early specification of progenitors of the ventral spinal cord involves the morphogen Sonic Hedgehog which induces distinct progenitor identities in a dose-dependent manner. Following these initial patterning events, progenitor identities have to be maintained in order to generate appropriate numbers of progeny. Here we provide evidence that communication via Eph:ephrin signaling is required to maintain progenitor identities in the ventral spinal cord. We show that ephrinB2 and ephrinB3 are expressed in restricted progenitor domains in the ventral spinal cord while several Eph receptors are more broadly expressed. Further, we provide evidence that expression ofEfnb3andEphA4is controlled by Shh. Genetic loss-of-function analyses indicate that expression of ephrinB2 and ephrinB3 is required to control progenitor identities and in vitro experiments reveal that activation of Eph forward signaling in spinal progenitors up-regulates the expression of the identity transcription factor Nkx2.2. Altogether our results indicate that cell-to-cell communication is necessary to control progenitor identity in the ventral spinal cord.
Reconstructing the backbone of the Saccharomycotina yeast phylogeny using genome-scale data
Authors: Shen Xing-Xing , Zhou Xiaofan , Kominek Jacek , Kurtzman Cletus P. , Hittinger Chris Todd , Rokas Antonis
Published: August 2016

Understanding the phylogenetic relationships among the yeasts of the subphylum Saccharomycotina is a prerequisite for understanding the evolution of their metabolisms and ecological lifestyles. In the last two decades, the use of rDNA and multi-locus data sets has greatly advanced our understanding of the yeast phylogeny, but many deep relationships remain unsupported. In contrast, phylogenomic analyses have involved relatively few taxa and lineages that were often selected with limited considerations for covering the breadth of yeast biodiversity. Here we used genome sequence data from 86 publicly available yeast genomes representing 9 of the 11 major lineages and 10 non-yeast fungal outgroups to generate a 1,233-gene, 96-taxon data matrix. Species phylogenies reconstructed using two different methods (concatenation and coalescence) and two data matrices (amino acids or the first two codon positions) yielded identical and highly supported relationships between the 9 major lineages. Aside from the lineage comprised by the family Pichiaceae, all other lineages were monophyletic. Most interrelationships among yeast species were robust across the two methods and data matrices. However, 8 of the 93 internodes conflicted between analyses or data sets, including the placements of: the clade defined by species that have reassigned the CUG codon to encode serine, instead of leucine; the clade defined by a whole genome duplication; and ofAscoidea rubescens.These phylogenomic analyses provide a robust roadmap for future comparative work across the yeast subphylum in the disciplines of taxonomy, molecular genetics, evolutionary biology, ecology, and biotechnology. To further this end, we have also provided a BLAST server to query the 86 Saccharomycotina genomes, which can be found athttp://y1000plus.org/blast.
Natural and laboratory mutations inkuzbanianare associated with heavy metal stress phenotypes inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Le Manh Hung , Guio Lain , Merenciano Miriam , Rovira Quirze , Barrón Maite G. , González Josefa
Published: August 2016

Organisms must cope with altered environmental conditions such as high concentrations of heavy metals. Stress response to heavy metals is mediated by the metal-responsive transcription factor 1 (MTF-1), which is conserved from Drosophila to humans. MTF-1 binds to metal response elements (MREs) and changes the expression of target genes.kuzbanian (kuz), a metalloendopeptidase that activates the evolutionary conservedNotchsignaling pathway, has been identified as an MTF-1 target gene. We have previously identified a putatively adaptive transposable element in theDrosophila melanogastergenome, namedFBti0019170, inserted in akuzintron. In this work, we investigated whether laboratory-induced mutations inkuzare associated with zinc stress phenotypes. We found that both embryos and adult flies overexpressingkuzare more tolerant to zinc compared with wild-type flies. On the other hand, we found that the effect ofFBti0019170on zinc stress tolerance depends on developmental stage and genetic background. Moreover, in the majority of the genetic backgrounds analyzed,FBti0019170has a deleterious effect in unpolluted environments in pre-adult stages. These results highlight the complexity of natural mutations and suggest that besides laboratory-induced mutations natural mutations need to be studied in order to accurately characterize gene function and evolution.
Creating a school context of success
Authors: Mitchell Roxanne M. , Mendiola Brenda J. , Schumacker Randall , Lowery Xaviera
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use SEM to explore the effects of enabling school structure (ESS) and academic optimism (AO) on school achievement (SA).

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 58 urban schools, including 42 elementary schools and 16 middle schools in a southeastern district in the USA were included in this study. Structural equation modeling was used to test the effects of three exogenous predictor variables (ESS, elementary status, and socio-economic status (SES)) on a latent mediating variable (AO) and a latent dependent variable (academic achievement).

Findings

Findings confirm that three factors; collective efficacy, faculty trust in clients, and academic emphasis come together to create the general latent construct referred to as AO by Hoyet al.(2006). Findings also support the importance of ESS in establishing a culture of AO. Together ESS, AO, elementary school level, and SES explained 77 percent of the variance in SA, with AO having the most significant effect above and beyond the effects of SES.

Research limitations/implications

This study was based on a sample of schools in the Southern portion of the USA. Findings may not be generalizable to other areas. The lack of availability of individual student achievement data prevented the use of hierarchical linear modeling.

Practical implications

Findings from this study point to the importance of administrators establishing flexible rules and regulations and engaging in a leadership style that is collaborative. It appears that ESS not only promotes the establishment of AO but contributes to increased SA and is likely to be critical for upper levels of schooling.

Social implications

Reform efforts need to involve parents and community members. AO may provide an appropriate lens to further explore parent and community perceptions of reform efforts and relationships with administrators and teachers. ESS may assist in creating the structures necessary for increased parent and community involvement as well as increased perceptions of AO.

Originality/value

This study is one of only three studies known to explore the effects of ESS on AO and is one of the first known studies to explore these effects in a middle school setting.
The effect of body-movement teaching, learning motivation and performance
Authors: Sugahara Satoshi , Sugao Hisayo , Dellaportas Steven , Masaoka Takahiro
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This research applies a quasi-experimental research method to investigate the impact of an innovative resource titled “Accounting Exercise” (teaching intervention using physical movement and lyrics) on learning motivation and performance on a group of students enrolled in a first-year undergraduate accounting course in Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

Five classes were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (two classes) or a control group (three classes). In the experimental group, 90 students participated in a 15-min “Accounting Exercise” at the commencement of lectures over three consecutive weeks. The remaining 133 students assigned to the control group did not participate in the Accounting Exercise.

Findings

The findings indicate that the Accounting Exercise provided stimuli in maintaining students’ learning motivation. This finding is important for entry-level students where learning motivation has the potential to influence students’ future decisions on major areas of study and career choices.

Originality/value

This finding is important for entry-level students where future career options are decided. This effect is also believed to contribute to reducing the declining numbers of students in accounting majors.
Financial Openness, Aggregate Consumption and Threshold Effects
Authors: Bousmah Marwân‐al‐Qays , Onori Daria
Published: August 2016

We analyse the influence of financial openness on the level of aggregate consumption, a research question that has been left surprisingly unexplored by the previous literature. We construct a complete and balanced panel data set of 88 countries for the period 1980–2010, and then differentiate between four groups of countries. Models for non‐stationary heterogeneous panels, as well as panel threshold regression models, are used to estimate the determinants of aggregate consumption. The core finding of the paper is that the financial openness effect on consumption changes in the course of economic development, with the level or per capita income acting as a threshold which is consistently estimated within the model. The openness effect is non‐homogeneous across groups, stronger for low levels of per capita income and diminishes as income rises. These findings provide new insights into the welfare effect of financial liberalization.
Forecasting the fate of high mountain ponds in the Andean region under future climate change
Authors: Itzel Montemayor Sara , Melo María Cecilia , Elizabeth Scheibler Erica
Published: August 2016

The aims of this study are (i) to identify areas in the Andean region where the climate will remain stable enough for the survival of the study species; (ii) to analyze how climate change will affect these areas under different climate scenarios; (iii) to generate spatially explicit predictive maps of the expansion or retraction of these areas; and (iv) based on this information, to identify areas with priority for conservation. The analysis was performed using presence‐only data for 14 Heteroptera and Odonata species. Current and future models were developed to identify areas where the climate would be suitable for small ponds, using Maxent v3.3.3k, with future models based on three different Global Climate Models for the 2050 period (scenarios A2a and B2a). Model performance was evaluated using the jackknife approach. Climatic niche breadth and climatic niche similarities were calculated through Levin's concentration metrics and the I statistic index (implemented in ENMTools), respectively. Maxent logistic outputs were converted into binary presence/absence maps, based on the ‘minimum training presence logistic threshold’, and used to build species richness maps for each condition considered (present and future). Current and future models with areas climatically suitable for small ponds were developed. All the study species proved to be narrow specialists and share similar climatic spaces. Our projections suggest that four of the species would not find suitable climate conditions for survival in the future. The priority area for conservation, where most species would find suitable climate conditions, is located between 33–47°S and 73–70°W. We identified future loss of the priority area towards the east and a small gain towards the north and south. The most probable situation for the year 2050 is a negative precipitation–evapotranspiration balance, and small ponds will probably be very short‐lived or dry completely during summer, suggesting a drastic change in species assemblages and species richness of the region, which could become a hotspot of extinction.
Use pattern for contraceptive implants in Norway
Authors: Øvre‐Eide Vigdis , Skjeldestad Finn Egil
Published: August 2016

Introduction

Knowledge about global use patterns of contraceptive implants is limited. This study aims to describe implant use patterns from a user and a prescriber perspective.

Material and methods

In a cross‐sectional design, we estimated the annual number of users by calculating doses sold per 1000 women‐years in the Norwegian Prescription Database for 2006–2012. For each contraceptive method, we calculated on an annual basis a proportion of defined daily doses of all hormonal contraceptives in five‐year age groups. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 22, using chi‐square test, t‐test, and survival analysis.

Results

Sales from pharmacies for contraceptive implants more than doubled over the study years and were consistently higher in the younger age groups. The collection rate was 9.3 per 1000 women in 2012, when implant sales amounted to 2.4% of all daily doses of hormonal contraceptives sold. General practitioners and doctors with no specialty were the major prescribers to those starting to use contraceptive implants (starters), whereas gynecologists prescribed nearly 12% of the volume, with a higher proportion to women >35 years of age than younger women. The cumulative proportions of continued users at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 96.1, 78.6, 51.9, and 34.9%, respectively, significantly lower for users who had prescribing doctors with no specialty. At end of the first expiration period, 21% of starters continued using implants.

Conclusion

Implants play a minor role in the overall use of hormonal contraception in Norway. One in five starters continue as long‐term users.
Impact of variants of MMP‐7(‐181A>G) gene in susceptibility to the development of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder and its severity
Authors: Singh HariOm , Marathe Shruti D. , Nain Sumitra , Nema Vijay , Angadi Mansa , Bapat Shradha S. , Ghate Manisha V. , Gangakhedkar Raman R.
Published: August 2016

The HIV‐1‐induced neurological toxicity has been associated with the deficiency of matrix metalloproteinases. Tat protein of HIV up regulates MMP‐7 release and activation, leading to neurotoxicity. The SNP ‐181A>G of MMP‐7 is known to have functional effects on its promoter activity. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association of variants of MMP‐7 ‐181A>G gene in HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). In the present case–control study, we recruited 50 HIV‐infected individuals with HAND, 130 HIV‐infected individuals without HAND and 150 unrelated healthy individuals. Polymorphism for MMP‐7 ‐181A>G gene was genotyped by PCR‐RFLP method. Frequency of ‐181GG and G allele of MMP‐7 did not differ significantly between patients with HAND and without HAND (8.0% vs 13.1%, p = 0.22 and 31% vs 38.1%, p = 0.21). Individuals with ‐181 AG, ‐181GG genotype, and G allele of MMP‐7 were found to have reduced the risk of development of HAND but not significant (50.0% vs 51.9%, p = 0.09, OR = 0.54; 13.1% vs 19.0%, p = 0.33, OR = 0.71 and 38.1% vs 44.9%, p = 0.09, OR = 0.75). Individuals in early HIV disease stage having ‐181AG genotype and ‐181AG + GG combined genotype of MMP‐7 were not associated with the development of HAND (OR = 1.27, p = 0.25 and OR = 1.25, p = 0.17). Tobacco and alcohol consumption among individuals with any genotype of MMP‐7 was not associated with the risk of development of HAND. In conclusion, individuals with ‐181GG genotype and G allele had no impact on susceptibility to the development of HAND and its severity.