bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporary hindlimb paresis following dystocia due to foetal macrosomia in a Celebes crested macaque (Macaca nigra)
Authors: Debenham John James , Bettembourg Vanessa , Østevik Liv , Modig Michaela , Jâderlund Karin Hultin , Lervik Andreas
Published: February 2017

A multiparous Celebes crested macaque presented with dystocia due to foetal macrosomia, causing foetal mortality and hindlimb paresis. After emergency caesarean section, recovery of motor function took 1 month before hindlimbs were weight bearing and 2 months before re‐integration with the troop.
Left Atrial Strain at Different Stages of Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs
Authors: Nakamura K. , Kawamoto S. , Osuga T. , Morita T. , Sasaki N. , Morishita K. , Ohta H. , Takiguchi M.
Published: February 2017

Background

Decreased function of the left atrium (LA) is a useful prognostic indicator in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). In humans,LAstrain is a novel severity indicator of mitral regurgitation, but its clinical utility in dogs has not been confirmed.

Objectives

To examine whetherLAstrain as evaluated with speckle‐tracking echocardiography is associated withMMVDstage in dogs.

Animals

Fifty‐two client‐owned dogs withMMVD.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study. Dogs were classified as stage B1, B2, C, or D, according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus. Physical examination findings and echocardiographic variables were compared among the groups. To assess the comparative accuracy of echocardiographic variables in identifying dogs with the presence or history congestive heart failure (CHF), receiver operating characteristic curves and multivariate logistic analysis were used.

Results

There were no significant differences in parameters ofLAstrain between B1 and B2 groups. However,LAlongitudinal strain during atrial contraction (εA) (median, 19.1%; interquartile range, 15.3–24.3% in B1, 19.6%; 14.1–21.4% in B2, 6.2%; 3.18–11.2% in C/D) and during ventricular systole (εS) (32.7%; 28.9–39.2% in B1, 35.6%; 31.7–41.9% in B2, 23.6%; 16.9–26.1% in C/D) were significantly lower in stages C/D than in stages B1 and B2. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, εAand peak early diastolic mitral inflow velocity were identified as independent indicators of stage C/D.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

εAwas the best predictor of the presence or history ofCHF. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical implications of these findings for treatment decisions and prognosis determination.
Ameloblastoma: current etiopathological concepts and management
Authors: Effiom OA , Ogundana OM , Akinshipo AO , Akintoye SO
Published: February 2017

Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic tumor of epithelial origin. It is locally aggressive with unlimited growth capacity and has a high potential for malignant transformation as well as metastasis. Ameloblastoma has no established preventive measures although majority of patients are between ages 30 and 60 years. Molecular and genetic factors that promote oncogenic transformation of odontogenic epithelium to ameloblastoma are strongly linked to dysregulation of multiple genes associated with mitogen‐activated protein kinase, sonic hedgehog, and WNT/β‐catenin signaling pathways. Treatment of ameloblastoma is focused on surgical resection with a wide margin of normal tissue because of its high propensity for locoregional invasion; but this is often associated with significant patient morbidity. The relatively high recurrence rate of ameloblastoma is influenced by the type of molecular etiological factors, the management approach, and how early the patient presents for treatment. It is expected that further elucidation of molecular factors that orchestrate pathogenesis and recurrence of ameloblastoma will lead to new diagnostic markers and targeted drug therapies for ameloblastoma.
Geriatric oral and maxillofacial dysfunctions in the context of geriatric syndrome
Authors: Nam Y , Kim N‐H , Kho H‐S
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To propose the application of the concept of geriatric syndrome for common geriatric oral and maxillofacial dysfunctions and to suggest the necessity of developing effective evaluation methods for oral and maxillofacial frailty.

Design

The concepts of frailty and geriatric syndrome based on multi‐morbidity and polypharmacy were applied to five common geriatric oral medicinal dysfunctional problems: salivary gland hypofunction (dry mouth), chronic oral mucosal pain disorders (burning mouth symptoms), taste disorders (taste disturbances), swallowing disorders (dysphagia), and oral and maxillofacial movement disorders (oromandibular dyskinesia and dystonia).

Results

Each of the dysfunctions is caused by various kinds of diseases and/or conditions and medications, thus the concept of geriatric syndrome could be applied. These dysfunctions, suggested as components of oral and maxillofacial geriatric syndrome, are associated and interacted with each other in a complexity of vicious cycle. The resulting functional impairments caused by this syndrome can cause oral and maxillofacial frailty.

Conclusions

Geriatric oral and maxillofacial dysfunctions could be better appreciated in the context of geriatric syndrome. The development of effective methods for evaluating the severity of these dysfunctions and the resulting frailty is essential.
Identification of the new C*07:555 allele in an unrelated donor for HSCT
Authors: Condello R. , Battarra M. , Testi M. , Testa G. , Andreani M.
Published: February 2017

HLA‐C*07:555 differs from C*07:01:01:01 by a C to G substitution in exon 2.
Relationship Between Technological Capability Towards Business Performance Moderated By Managerial Skill: A Study Of Broiler Contract Farming Industry In Malaysia
Authors: Sansul Bahri Syarliza Ilyana , Mohtar Shahimi , Ariffin Ahmad Shabudin
Published: February 2017

Broiler industry becomes one of the major industry in the world. The scenario in Malaysia also showed that broiler is one of the important industry that contributes to Malaysian GDP. Chicken meat is the most consumed protein and safe animal protein source since the white meat is safer than red meat. Besides that, it is the cheapest source of meat and protein. The production of chicken meat also has increased every year and the forecast of demand for poultry meat also increase until the year 2020. In order to improve sustainability of chicken meat production, this conceptual paper examines the relationship between technological capability and business performance in broiler industry in Malaysia with managerial skill as a moderating variable. Dynamic Capability View is used as a theory in this study to explain the importance of the resources towards performance in changing environment. The findings of the study should be able to enhance government and non-government organization’s efforts to use all the available resources optimally for improving the performance.
Reconfigurable Modular Chain: A Reversible Material for Folding Three-Dimensional Lattice Structures
Authors: Xu Zhe , McCann Connor , Dollar Aaron M.
Published: February 2017

A wide range of engineering applications, ranging from civil to space structures, could benefit from the ability to construct material-efficient lattices that are easily reconfigurable. The challenge preventing modular robots from being applied at large scales is mainly the high level of complexity involved in duplicating a large number of highly integrated module units. We believe that reconfigurability can be more effectively achieved at larger scales by separating the structural design from the rest of the functional components. To this end, we propose a modular chainlike structure of links and connector nodes that can be used to fold a wide range of two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) structural lattices that can be easily disassembled and reconfigured when desired. The node geometry consists of a diamondlike shape that is one-twelfth of a rhombic dodecahedron, with magnets embedded on the faces to allow a forceful and self-aligning connection with neighboring links. After describing the concept and design, we demonstrate a prototype consisting of 350 links and experimentally show that objects with different shapes can be successfully approximated by our proposed chain design.
Monkey business: Repurposing a protein from the simian immunodeficiency virus to enhance cytotoxic chemotherapy
Authors: Gill Saar
Published: February 2017

Cytarabine activity in acute myeloid leukemia blasts can be augmented by degrading the expression of a critical hydrolase.
Multicentre analysis of current ST-elevation myocardial infarction acute care pathways
Authors: Tra Joppe , de Blok Carolien , van der Wulp Ineke , de Bruijne Martine C , Wagner Cordula
Published: February 2017

Background

Rapid reperfusion with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is vital for patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the guideline-recommended time targets are regularly exceeded. The goal of this study was to gain insight into how Dutch PCI centres try to achieve these time targets by comparing their care processes with one another and with the European guideline-recommended process. In addition, accelerating factors perceived by care providers were identified.

Methods

In this multiple case study, interviews with STEMI care providers were conducted, transcribed and used to create process descriptions per centre. Analyses consisted of within-case and between-case analyses of the processes. Accelerating factors were identified by means of open and axial coding.

Results

In total, 28 interviews were conducted in six PCI centres. The centres differed from the guideline-recommended process on, for example, additional, unavoidable patient routings and monitoring delays, and from one another on the communication of diagnostic information (eg, transmitting all, only ambiguous or no ECGs) and catheterisation room preparation. These differences indicated diverging choices to maintain a balance between speed and diagnostic accuracy. Factors perceived by care providers as accelerating the process included trust in the tentative diagnosis, and avoiding unnecessary intercaregiver consultations. The combination of processes and accelerating factors were summarised in a model.

Conclusions

Numerous differences in processes between PCI centres were identified. Several time-saving strategies were applied by PCI centres, however, in different configurations. To further improve the care for patients with STEMI, best practices can be shared between centres and countries.
Skin autofluorescence, a non-invasive marker of advanced glycation end products: clinical relevance and limitations
Authors: Da Moura Semedo Cidila , Webb M’Balu , Waller Helen , Khunti Kamlesh , Davies Melanie
Published: February 2017

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are protein-bound compounds derived from glycaemic and oxidative stress that contain fluorescent properties, which can be non-invasively measured as skin autofluorescence (SAF) by the AGE Reader. SAF has been demonstrated to be a biomarker of cumulative skin AGEs and potentially may be a better predictor for the development of chronic complications and mortality in diabetes than glycated haemoglobin A1c. However, there are several confounding factors that should be assessed prior to its broader application: these include presence of other fluorescent compounds in the skin that might be measured (eg, fluorophores), skin pigmentation and use of skin creams. The aim of this article is to provide a theoretical background of this newly developed method, evaluate its clinical relevance and discuss the potential confounding factors that need further analysis.
Comparison of the effects of nobiletin and letrozole on the activity and expression of aromatase in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line
Authors: Rahideh Seyedeh Tayebeh , Keramatipour Mohammad , Nourbakhsh Mitra , Koohdani Fariba , Hoseini Mostafa , Talebi Saeed , Shidfar Farzad
Published: February 2017

Nobiletin (NOB) is one of the polymethoxyflavones mainly found in citrus fruits. Aromatase or cytochrome P450 (CYP19) enzyme catalyzes the last and rate-limiting step in estrogen biosynthesis. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of NOB on the activity and expression of aromatase, and to compare this property with letrozole (LET) as aromatase inhibitor in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Cell viability was assessed with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Aromatase enzyme activity based on the conversion of androgenic substrate testosterone into 17β-estradiol was determined. CYP19 gene expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. MTT assays demonstrated that NOB at a concentration of 100 μmol/L decreased cell viability in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). NOB significantly inhibited aromatase at the concentration of 0.1 μmol/L (P = 0.013), whereas other concentrations had no effect. Treatment with 10 μmol/L and 1 μmol/L of NOB for 48 h significantly increased (P = 0.001) and decreased (P = 0.02) relative aromatase expression, respectively. The combination of LET and NOB had no effect on aromatase. This study showed for the first time that NOB decreases the activity and expression of aromatase at low concentrations in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
Effects of trapped neutrinos on the composition and structure of massive protoneutron stars
Authors: Zhou Xia , Jia Huanyu , Hong Bin , Mu Xueling , Wang Hui
Published: February 2017

The properties of massive protoneutron stars (PNSs) are of great significance for the study of supernova and the evolution of neutron stars or black holes. The mass of the massive neutron star PSR J1614-2230 is fitted by selecting the nuclear coupling constants and adjusting the hyperon coupling constants in the framework of the relativistic mean field (RMF) theory. The model is then extrapolated to calculate the properties of massive PNS with the trapped neutrinos. The effects of different trapped neutrinos on the composition and structure of massive PNSs are discussed for entropy per baryon [Formula: see text]. Results show that the presence of trapped neutrinos increase the energy density. Moreover, the significant neutrinos trapped, such as electron leptons number [Formula: see text], reduces the pressure of massive PNSs in the density region 0.2–0.5[Formula: see text]fm[Formula: see text], that is to say, the equation-of-state (EOS) is softened in this region. The maximum masses and corresponding radii of massive PNSs are calculated to be 2.110[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], 2.106[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], 2.095[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], 2.082[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] and 12.19, 11.88, 11.75 and 11.81 km for the electron leptons number [Formula: see text]. We calculate the distribution of the internal temperature, and get the effects of the trapped neutrinos on the internal temperature of massive PNSs for the first time. For the different electron leptons number [Formula: see text], the central temperatures of the massive PNS, when the mass is taken to be the same as that of the observed neutron star PSR J1614-2230[Formula: see text], are [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MeV, respectively.
Distribution locale des points rationnels de hauteur bornée sur une surface de del Pezzo de degré 6
Authors: Huang Zhizhong
Published: February 2017

We establish a measure which describes precisely the local asymptotic distribution of rational points outside the locally accumulating subvarieties around a general rational point on a del Pezzo surface of degree 6 in the sense of diophantine approximation.
Home-based vs. laboratory-based practical activities in the learning of human physiology: the perception of students
Authors: Neves Ben-Hur S. , Altermann Caroline , Gonçalves Rithiele , Lara Marcus Vinícius , Mello-Carpes Pâmela B.
Published: February 2017

Different tools have been used to facilitate the teaching and learning process in different areas of knowledge. Practical activities represent a form of teaching in which students not only listen to theoretical concepts but are also able to link theory and practice, and their importance in the biological sciences is notable. Sometimes, however, there is neither the time nor the resources to promote laboratory practices in physiology classes. In this sense, home-based practical activities may be an interesting alternative. Here, different approaches of practical activities were used and students’ perceptions of the contributions of home-based practical activities (HBPA) and laboratory-based practical activities (LBPA) for physiology learning were collected. After each approach, the students evaluated the activities through an anonymous questionnaire. A total of 49 students completed the questionnaires, and the results demonstrate that both HBPA and LBPA were considered important contributors to physiology learning but that this contribution was more significant in the case of LBPA (χ2= 4.356, P = 0.037).
A survey of first-year biology student opinions regarding live lectures and recorded lectures as learning tools
Authors: Simcock D. C. , Chua W. H. , Hekman M. , Levin M. T. , Brown S.
Published: February 2017

A cohort of first-year biology students was surveyed regarding their opinions and viewing habits for live and recorded lectures. Most respondents (87%) attended live lectures as a rule (attenders), with 66% attending more than two-thirds of the lectures. In contrast, only 52% accessed recordings and only 13% viewed more than two-thirds of the available recordings. Respondents regarded lectures as efficient for information delivery (75%), and 89% enjoyed live lectures because they were useful for learning (89%), understanding coursework (94%), and keeping up with the subject (93%). Lecture enjoyment was driven less by entertainment (34%) or interaction with the lecturers (47%), although most students preferred an entertaining lecturer to a factual expert (72%). Exam marks were positively correlated with the number of lectures attended ( P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with the number of recordings viewed ( P < 0.05), although marks were similar for lecture attenders and nonattenders ( P > 0.05). Lecture attenders mostly missed lectures to complete assessments during the same week (68%), whereas nonattenders were more likely to miss lectures due to outside commitments or preference for study from books or recorded lectures ( P < 0.001). Recordings were used to replace missed lectures (64%), rather than for revision, and were viewed mostly alone (96%) in one sitting (65%). Only 22% of respondents agreed that some lectures could be replaced by recordings, but 59% agreed with having some videoconference lectures from experts on another campus. Overall, this cohort showed a clear preference for live lectures over recordings, with limited support for synchronous videoconference lectures.
The value of homemade phantoms for training veterinary students in the ultrasonographic detection of radiolucent foreign bodies
Authors: Mariano Beraldo Carolina , Rondon Lopes Érika , Hage Raduan , Hage Maria Cristina F. N. S.
Published: February 2017

Ingested or penetrating foreign bodies are common in veterinary medicine. When they are radiolucent, these objects become a diagnostic challenge, but they can be investigated sonographically. However, successful object identification depends on the skill of the sonographer. Considering that these cases appear randomly during hospital routines, it is not always possible to train all students to identify them correctly. Therefore, the aim of this study was to produce homemade simulations of radiolucent foreign bodies for veterinary student demonstrations that could be identified sonographically and to evaluate the acceptability, applicability, and usefulness of these simulations according to a visual analog scale questionnaire and subjective questions. For this purpose, object models (a pacifier nipple, a toy ball, a sock, nylon thread, and a mango seed) were designed, produced, and immersed in gelatin. To simulate wood splinters in the integumentary and musculoskeletal system, a piece of meat punctured with a toothpick and ice cream stick splinters were used. The type of phantom had a determinant effect on the visualization (chi-square = 36.528, P < 0.0001) and recognition (chi-square = 18.756, P = 0.0021) capability of the students. All of the students answered that their experience with the models could help in real situations. The student responses to the questionnaire indicated that the project was well accepted, and the participants believed that this experience could be applicable to and useful in veterinary routines.
Phenotyping of adipose, liver, and skeletal muscle insulin resistance and response to pioglitazone in spontaneously obese rhesus monkeys
Authors: Shang Jin , Previs Stephen F. , Conarello Stacey , Chng Keefe , Zhu Yonghua , Souza Sandra C. , Staup Michael , Chen Ying , Xie Dan , Zycband Emanuel , Schlessinger Karni , Johnson Victoria Plamadeala , Arreaza Gladys , Liu Franklin , Levitan Diane , Wang Liangsu , van Heek Margaret , Erion Mark , Wang Yixin , Kelley David E.
Published: February 2017

Insulin resistance and diabetes can develop spontaneously with obesity and aging in rhesus monkeys, highly similar to the natural history of obesity, insulin resistance, and progression to type 2 diabetes in humans. The current studies in obese rhesus were undertaken to assess hepatic and adipose contributions to systemic insulin resistance—currently, a gap in our knowledge—and to benchmark the responses to pioglitazone (PIO). A two-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, with tracer-based glucose flux estimates, was used to measure insulin resistance, and in an intervention study was repeated following 6 wk of PIO treatment (3 mg/kg). Compared with lean healthy rhesus, obese rhesus has a 60% reduction of glucose utilization during a high insulin infusion and markedly impaired suppression of lipolysis, which was evident at both low and high insulin infusion. However, obese dysmetabolic rhesus manifests only mild hepatic insulin resistance. Six-week PIO treatment significantly improved skeletal muscle and adipose insulin resistance (by ~50%). These studies strengthen the concept that insulin resistance in obese rhesus closely resembles human insulin resistance and indicate the value of obese rhesus for appraising new insulin-sensitizing therapeutics.
Renal Transplant Patients Biopsied for Cause and Tested for C4d, DSA, and IgG Subclasses and C1q: Which Humoral Markers Improve Diagnosis and Outcomes?
Authors: Cicciarelli James C. , Lemp Nathan A. , Chang Youngil , Koss Michael , Hacke Katrin , Kasahara Noriyuki , Burns Kevin M. , Min David I. , Naraghi Robert , Shah Tariq
Published: February 2017

The association between donor specific antibodies (DSA) and renal transplant rejection has been generally established, but there are cases when a DSA is present without rejection. We examined 73 renal transplant recipients biopsied for transplant dysfunction with DSA test results available: 23 patients diffusely positive for C4d (C4d+), 25 patients focally positive for C4d, and 25 patients negative for C4d (C4d−). We performed C1q and IgG subclass testing in our DSA+ and C4d+ patient group. Graft outcomes were determined for the C4d+ group. All 23 C4d+ patients had IgG DSA with an average of 12,500 MFI (cumulative DSA MFI). The C4d− patients had average DSA less than 500 MFI. Among the patients with C4d+ biopsies, 100% had IgG DSA, 70% had C1q+ DSA, and 83% had complement fixing IgG subclass antibodies. Interestingly, IgG4 was seen in 10 of the 23 recipients’ sera, but always along with complement fixing IgG1, and we have previously seen excellent function in patients when IgG4 DSA exists alone. Cumulative DSA above 10,000 MFI were associated with C4d deposition and complement fixation. There was no significant correlation between graft loss and C1q positivity, and IgG subclass analysis seemed to be a better correlate for complement fixing antibodies in the C4d+ patient group.
Optimizing Neuropsychological Assessments for Cognitive, Behavioral, and Functional Impairment Classification: A Machine Learning Study
Authors: Battista Petronilla , Salvatore Christian , Castiglioni Isabella
Published: February 2017

Subjects with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) show loss of cognitive functions and change in behavioral and functional state affecting the quality of their daily life and that of their families and caregivers. A neuropsychological assessment plays a crucial role in detecting such changes from normal conditions. However, despite the existence of clinical measures that are used to classify and diagnose AD, a large amount of subjectivity continues to exist. Our aim was to assess the potential of machine learning in quantifying this process and optimizing or even reducing the amount of neuropsychological tests used to classify AD patients, also at an early stage of impairment. We investigated the role of twelve state-of-the-art neuropsychological tests in the automatic classification of subjects with none, mild, or severe impairment as measured by the clinical dementia rating (CDR). Data were obtained from the ADNI database. In the groups of measures used as features, we included measures of both cognitive domains and subdomains. Our findings show that some tests are more frequently best predictors for the automatic classification, namely, LM, ADAS-Cog, AVLT, and FAQ, with a major role of the ADAS-Cog measures of delayed and immediate memory and the FAQ measure of financial competency.
Impaired Surface Expression of HLA-DR, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 in Ex Vivo-In Vitro Stimulated Monocytes from Severely Injured Trauma Patients
Authors: Heftrig David , Sturm Ramona , Oppermann Elsie , Kontradowitz Kerstin , Jurida Katrin , Schimunek Lukas , Woschek Mathias , Marzi Ingo , Relja Borna
Published: February 2017

Objective. Trauma patients (TP) frequently develop an imbalanced immune response that often causes infectious postinjury complications. Monocytes show a diminished capability of both producing proinflammatory cytokines and antigen presentation after trauma. TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 recognize pathogens and subsequently activate monocytes. While there are conflictive data about TLR2 and TLR4 expression after trauma, no studies about the expression of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, and HLA-DR on monocytes from TP after their secondary ex vivo-in vitro “hit” have been reported.Methods/Results. Ex vivo-in vitro lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated blood from TP showed diminished interleukin- (IL-) 1β-release in TP for five postinjury days compared to healthy volunteers (HV). The recovery was observed at day 5. In parallel, monocytes from TP showed an impaired capability of TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 expression after secondary stimulation compared to HV, while the measurement of unstimulated samples showed significant reduction of TLR4 and TLR9 at ED. Furthermore, HLA-DR decreased after trauma and was even more profound by stimulation of monocytes. Ratio of monocytes to leukocytes was significantly increased at days 6 and 7 after trauma compared to HV.Conclusion. Impaired expression of TLRs and HLA-DR in acute inflammatory conditions may be responsible for the well-described monocyte paralysis after severe trauma.
Lp Estimates for Weak Solutions to Nonlinear Degenerate Parabolic Systems
Authors: Wei Na , Ge Xiangyu , Wu Yonghong , Zhao Leina
Published: February 2017

This paper is devoted to the Lp estimates for weak solutions to nonlinear degenerate parabolic systems related to Hörmander’s vector fields. The reverse Hölder inequalities for degenerate parabolic system under the controllable growth conditions and natural growth conditions are established, respectively, and an important multiplicative inequality is proved; finally, we obtain the Lp estimates for the weak solutions by combining the results of Gianazza and the Caccioppoli inequality.
Safety and Effectiveness of Bone Marrow Cell Concentrate in the Treatment of Chronic Critical Limb Ischemia Utilizing a Rapid Point-of-Care System
Authors: Ponemone Venkatesh , Gupta Saniya , Sethi Dalip , Suthar Manish , Sharma Monika , Powell Richard J. , Harris Kenneth Lee , Jungla Nungshi , Arambam Priyadarshini , Kaul Upendra , Seth Ashok , Bukhari Suhail
Published: February 2017

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the end stage of lower extremity peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in which severe obstruction of blood flow results in ischemic rest pain, ulcers and/or gangrene, and a significant risk of limb loss. This open-label, single-arm feasibility study evaluated the safety and therapeutic effectiveness of autologous bone marrow cell (aBMC) concentrate in revascularization of CLI patients utilizing a rapid point-of-care device. Seventeen (17) no-option CLI patients with ischemic rest pain were enrolled in the study. Single dose of aBMC, prepared utilizing an intraoperative point-of-care device, the Res-Q™ 60 BMC system, was injected intramuscularly into the afflicted limb and patients were followed up at regular intervals for 12 months. A statistically significant improvement in Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), Transcutaneous Oxygen Pressure (TcPO2), mean rest pain and intermittent claudication pain scores, wound/ ulcer healing, and 6-minute walking distance was observed following aBMC treatment. Major amputation-free survival (mAFS) rate and amputation-free rates (AFR) at 12 months were 70.6% and 82.3%, respectively. In conclusion, aBMC injections were well tolerated with improved tissue perfusion, confirming the safety, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of aBMC treatment in CLI patients.
A Special Golden Curve in Human Upper Limbs’ Length Proportion: A Functional Partition Which Is Different from Anatomy
Authors: Wang Nan , Ma Jie , Jin Dan , Yu Bin
Published: February 2017

Aim. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between upper limbs’ three functional partitions and the golden curve. Materials and Methods. We measured 30 subjects’ right or left upper limb data and investigate the relationship between them and the golden curve by use of SPSS version 20.0 statistical software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, Illinois), one-sample t-test. Results. There are four points on human’s upper limbs which have no difference with the four points on the golden curve. And there is one point of which the difference is obvious. But we still could draw the conclusion that human upper limbs are accordant with the golden curve. Conclusion. Human upper limbs are accordant with the golden curve.
Feasibility of a Nurse-Led Weekend Group Exercise Program for People after Stroke
Authors: Scrivener Katharine , Tourany Raymond , McNamara-Holmes Mary , Schurr Karl , Dorsch Simone , Dean Catherine
Published: February 2017

Background. Additional physical activity including repetitive task practice can improve outcomes after stroke. The additional practice can be facilitated by therapists and family members or could also be delivered by nursing staff. Objective. To investigate the feasibility of a nurse-led weekend exercise program after stroke. Participants. Individuals after stroke, who participated in a weekend exercise program during their hospital admission. Methods. A retrospective audit of the number of referrals to and amount of exercise repetitions achieved in a nurse-led weekend exercise program was undertaken. The weekend exercise program occurs on each Saturday and Sunday for one hour. The repetitions of exercise completed during each class were documented by staff. An audit was conducted to ascertain the amount and type of exercise completed within the class. Results. During the study period 284 people were referred to the exercise program. The mean number of exercise repetitions completed per participant in each class was 180.7 (SD 205.4). The number of exercise repetitions completed by participants was highly variable ranging from 0 to 1190 per class. Conclusion. The amount of average exercise repetitions completed in the Weekend Warrior program was large but with significant variability. A nurse-led exercise class is a feasible method of delivering exercise opportunities to individuals in hospital after stroke.
Brain White Matter Impairment in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Zheng Weimin , Chen Qian , Chen Xin , Wan Lu , Qin Wen , Qi Zhigang , Chen Nan , Li Kuncheng
Published: February 2017

It remains unknown whether spinal cord injury (SCI) could indirectly impair or reshape the white matter (WM) of human brain and whether these changes are correlated with injury severity, duration, or clinical performance. We choose tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) to investigate the possible changes in whole-brain white matter integrity and their associations with clinical variables in fifteen patients with SCI. Compared with the healthy controls, the patients exhibited significant decreases in WM fractional anisotropy (FA) in the left angular gyrus (AG), right cerebellum (CB), left precentral gyrus (PreCG), left lateral occipital region (LOC), left superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), left supramarginal gyrus (SMG), and left postcentral gyrus (PostCG) (p<0.01, TFCE corrected). No significant differences were found in all diffusion indices between the complete and incomplete SCI. However, significantly negative correlation was shown between the increased radial diffusivity (RD) of left AG and total motor scores (uncorrectedp<0.05). Our findings provide evidence that SCI can cause not only direct degeneration but also transneuronal degeneration of brain WM, and these changes may be irrespective of the injury severity. The affection of left AG on rehabilitation therapies need to be further researched in the future.
The Analytical Form of the Dispersion Equation of Elastic Waves in Periodically Inhomogeneous Medium of Different Classes of Crystals
Authors: Ispulov Nurlybek A. , Qadir Abdul , Zhukenov Marat K. , Dossanov Talgat S. , Kissikov Tanat G.
Published: February 2017

The investigation of thermoelastic wave propagation in elastic media is bound to have much influence in the fields of material science, geophysics, seismology, and so on. The heat conduction equations and bound equations of motions differ by the difficulty level and presence of many physical and mechanical parameters in them. Therefore thermoelasticity is being extensively studied and developed. In this paper by using analytical matrizant method set of equation of motions in elastic media are reduced to equivalent set of first-order differential equations. Moreover, for given set of equations, the structure of fundamental solutions for the general case has been derived and also dispersion relations are obtained.
Procalcitonin Impairs Liver Cell Viability and Function In Vitro: A Potential New Mechanism of Liver Dysfunction and Failure during Sepsis?
Authors: Sauer Martin , Doß Sandra , Ehler Johannes , Mencke Thomas , Wagner Nana-Maria
Published: February 2017

Purpose. Liver dysfunction and failure are severe complications of sepsis and result in poor outcome and increased mortality. The underlying pathologic mechanisms of hepatocyte dysfunction and necrosis during sepsis are only incompletely understood. Here, we investigated whether procalcitonin, a biomarker of sepsis, modulates liver cell function and viability.Materials and Methods. Employing a previously characterized and patented biosensor system evaluating hepatocyte toxicity in vitro, human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2/C3A) were exposed to 0.01–50 ng/mL procalcitonin for2×72 h and evaluated for proliferation, necrosis, metabolic activity, cellular integrity, microalbumin synthesis, and detoxification capacity. Acetaminophen served as positive control. For further standardization, procalcitonin effects were confirmed in a cellular toxicology assay panel employing L929 fibroblasts. Data were analyzed using ANOVA/Tukey’s test.Results. Already at concentrations as low as 0.25 ng/mL, procalcitonin induced HepG2/C3A necrosis (P<0.05) and reduced metabolic activity, cellular integrity, synthesis, and detoxification capacity (allP<0.001). Comparable effects were obtained employing L929 fibroblasts.Conclusion. We provide evidence for procalcitonin to directly impair function and viability of human hepatocytes and exert general cytotoxicity in vitro.Therapeutical targeting of procalcitonin could thus display a novel approach to reduce incidence of liver dysfunction and failure during sepsis and lower morbidity and mortality of septic patients.
Salidroside Modulates Insulin Signaling in a Rat Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Li Hongshan , Ying Hao , Hu Airong , Li Dezhou , Hu Yaoren
Published: February 2017

A growing body of evidence has shown the beneficial effects of salidroside in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of salidroside on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in rats and explore the underlying mechanisms related to insulin signaling. A rat model of NASH was developed by high‐fat diet for 14 weeks. From week 9 onward, the treatment group received oral salidroside (4.33 mg/kg) daily for 6 weeks. Salidroside effectively attenuated steatosis and vacuolation of hepatic tissue, with a dramatic decrease in liver triglycerides and free fatty acid levels (P < 0.01). Dysregulation of FINS, FBG, HOMA‐IR, ALT, and AST in serum was ameliorated with salidroside treatment (P < 0.01). In the liver, salidroside induced significant increases in key molecules in the insulin signaling pathway, such as phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (PKB), with a significant decrease in SREBP‐1c levels (P < 0.01). Therefore, salidroside effectively protected rats from high‐fat‐diet‐induced NASH, which may be partially attributed to its effects on the hepatic insulin signaling pathway.
Buparvaquone Nanostructured Lipid Carrier: Development of an Affordable Delivery System for the Treatment of Leishmaniases
Authors: Monteiro Lis Marie , Löbenberg Raimar , Cotrim Paulo Cesar , Barros de Araujo Gabriel Lima , Bou-Chacra Nádia
Published: February 2017

Buparvaquone (BPQ), a veterinary drug, was formulated as nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for leishmaniases treatment. The formulation design addressed poor water solubility of BPQ and lack of human drug delivery system. The DSC/TG and microscopy methods were used for solid lipids screening. Softisan® 154 showed highest BPQ solubility in both methods. The BPQ solubility in liquid lipids using HPLC revealed Miglyol® 812 as the best option. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to identify the optimal Softisan154 : Miglyol 812 ratios (7 : 10 to 2 : 1) and Kolliphor® P188 and Tween® 80 concentration (>3.0% w/w) aiming forz-average in the range of 100–300 nm for macrophage delivery. The NLC obtained by high-pressure homogenization showed lowz-averages (<350 nm), polydispersity (<0.3), and encapsulation efficiency close to 100%. DSC/TG and microscopy in combination proved to be a powerful tool to select the solid lipid. The relationship among the variables, demonstrated by a linear mathematical model using RSM, allowed generating a design space. This design space showed the limits in which changes in the variables influenced thez-average. Therefore, these drug delivery systems have the potential to improve the availability of affordable medicines due to the low cost of raw materials, using well established, reliable, and feasible scale-up technology.
Persons or Property – Freedom and the Legal Status of Animals
Authors: Schmidt Andreas T.
Published: February 2017

Is freedom a plausible political value for animals? If so, does this imply that animals are owed legal personhood rights or can animals be free but remain human property? Drawing on different conceptions of freedom, I will argue that while positive freedom, libertarian self-ownership, and republican freedom are not plausible political values for animals, liberal ‘option-freedom’ is. However, because such option-freedom is in principle compatible with different legal statuses, animal freedom does not conceptually imply a right to legal self-ownership. Nonetheless, a concern for animal option-freedom means that humans do have a pro tanto duty of non-interference. Arguments familiar from the liberal tradition moreover imply that such a duty speaks for drastic reforms of existing animal law. But it does not imply wholesale abolitionism: it neither rules out positive duties towards animals nor means that we should abandon all interactions with animals.
Finite element simulation and experimental analysis of robotic boring based on an approach of equivalent stiffness
Authors: Wang Guifeng , Dong Huiyue , Guo Yingjie , Ke Yinglin
Published: February 2017

Robotic boring is an effective way to implement finish machining of intersection holes. However, to a certain extent, its application is limited due to the low rigidity of the robot, whose stiffness brings on high vibration levels. In this study, a new approach based on an equivalent stiffness is proposed to gain a fundamental understanding for the cutting mechanism and vibration performance of a robotic boring system. In the approach, the robotic boring system in one direction is regarded as a mass–spring–damping unit according to the structure characteristics of the robot. Thus, the whole robotic boring system is equivalent to a mass–spring–damping group in three-dimensional space. The stiffness and natural frequency of the robot system were measured by stiffness identification and a modal test on an ABB IRB 6600-175/2.55 robot. An equivalent three-dimensional finite element model based on this approach was established to simulate the robotic boring process, and a verification experiment was conducted to determine the accuracy of the finite element simulation. The results show that the simulated cutting force components and the amplitude in the feed direction are in good agreement with the experiment under different cutting conditions, and this proposed approach is feasible.
Transglucosidase improves the bowel movements in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A preliminary randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Shimozato Akihiro , Sasaki Makoto , Ogasawara Naotaka , Funaki Yasushi , Ebi Masahide , Goto Chiho , Koikeda Satoshi , Joh Takashi , Kasugai Kunio
Published: February 2017

Background

Recent studies have highlighted the relationship between gut microbiota and bowel movements.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate transglucosidase treatment efficacy for bowel movements in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to clarify the relationship between bowel movements, dietary habits, gut microbiota and fecal short‐chain fatty acids.

Methods

In this randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, 66 patients received placebo or transglucosidase (300 or 900 mg/day) orally, for 12 weeks. Fecal bacterial communities and short‐chain fatty acids were analyzed before and after the treatment.

Results

Transglucosidase treatment significantly (p  < 0.05) affected fecal microbiota (Prevotella spp., Bacteroides spp., Bifidobacterium spp., and Clostridium subcluster XIVa) and fecal short‐chain fatty acid (acetate, valerate, succinate and lactate) content. Clostridium cluster IV, Clostridium subcluster XIVa, Clostridium cluster XVIII and fecal pH increased significantly and order Lactobacillales decreased in patients with bowel movement disorder compared with controls. Transglucosidase treatment significantly improved bowel movements compared with placebo treatment (46.2%, 95% confidence interval: 19.2–74.9% vs. 0%, 95% confidence interval: 0–33.6%, p  < 0.05). This effect was not observed in patients without bowel movement disorder.

Conclusion

Patients with bowel movement disorder suffer from gut dysbiosis. Transglucosidase treatment alleviates bowel movement disorder symptoms in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients by increasing fecal acetate level.
Feasts of the Anthropocene: Beyond Climate Change as Special Object in the Study of Religion
Authors: Jenkins Willis
Published: February 2017

The discipline of religious studies often misses how climate change drives shifts across its domains of interpretation by treating it as a special object. This essay depicts how cultural stress from anthropogenic changes in planetary systems may be illuminated through what cultures and movements are doing with food and argues that it makes sense to interpret some of those gastronomic functions with religious analyses. Insofar as food movements attempt to reckon with changing relations of a postnatural world, or cultivate formations of identity and agency from which to make meaning from those relations, they implicitly display how climate can influence dimensions of life often approached through the study of religion.
Afterword
Authors: Chakrabarty Dipesh
Published: February 2017

This afterword discusses the essays included in the special issue and argues how new critical perspectives on the Anthropocene might emerge in the humanities from its encounter with the scientific literature on global warming and with the scholarship on “deep history.”
PIGN prevents protein aggregation in the endoplasmic reticulum independently of its function in the GPI synthesis
Authors: Ihara Shinji , Nakayama Sohei , Murakami Yoshiko , Suzuki Emiko , Asakawa Masayo , Kinoshita Taroh , Sawa Hitoshi
Published: February 2017

Quality control of proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is essential for ensuring the integrity of secretory proteins before their release into the extracellular space. Secretory proteins that fail to pass quality control form aggregates. Here we show the PIGN-1/PIGN is required for quality control in Caenorhabditis elegans and in mammalian cells. In C. elegans pign-1 mutants, several proteins fail to be secreted and instead form abnormal aggregation. PIGN-knockout HEK293 cells also showed similar protein aggregation. Although PIGN-1/PIGN is responsible for glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor biosynthesis in the ER, certain mutations in C. elegans pign-1 caused protein aggregation in the ER without affecting GPI-anchor biosynthesis. These results show that PIGN-1/PIGN has a conserved and non-canonical function to prevent deleterious protein aggregation in the ER independently of the GPI-anchor biosynthesis. PIGN is a causative gene for some human diseases including multiple congenital seizure-related syndrome (MCAHS1). Two pign-1 mutations created by CRISPR/Cas9 that correspond to MCAHS1 also cause protein aggregation in the ER, implying that the dysfunction of the PIGN non-canonical function might affect symptoms of MCAHS1 and potentially those of other diseases.