bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxygen Uptake and Muscle Deoxygenation Kinetics During Skating: Comparison Between Slide-Board and Treadmill Skating
Authors: Piucco Tatiane , Soares Rogério , Diefenthaeler Fernando , Millet Guillaume Y. , Murias Juan M.
Published: November 2017

Purpose:To compare the oxygen-uptake () kinetics during skating on a treadmill and skating on a slide board and to discuss potential mechanisms that might control thekinetics responses during skating.Methods:Breath-by-breath pulmonaryand near-infrared spectroscopy–derived muscle deoxygenated hemoglobin and myoglobin ([HHbMb]) were monitored continuously in 12 well-trained, young, long-track speed skaters. On-transientand [HHbMb] responses to skating on a treadmill and skating on a slide board at 80% of the estimated gas exchange threshold were fitted as monoexponential function. The signals were time-aligned, and the individual [HHbMb]-to-ratio was calculated as the average value from 20 to 120 s after exercise starts.Results:The time constants for the adjustment of phase II(τ) and [HHbMb] (τ [HHbMb]) were low and similar between slide board and treadmill skating (18.1 [3.4] vs 18.9 [3.6] for τand 12.6 [4.0] vs 12.4 [4.0] s for τ [HHbMb]). Theratio was not different from 1.0 (P > .05) in both conditions.Conclusions:The fastkinetics during skating suggest that chronic adaptation to skating might overcome any possible restriction in leg blood flow during low-intensity exercise. Theratio values also suggest a good matching of O2delivery to O2utilization in trained speed skaters. The similar τand τ [HHbMb] values between slide board and treadmill further reinforce the validity of using a slide board for skating testing and training purposes.
Observational Practice Promotes Action-Related Order Formation in Long-Term Memory: Investigating Action Observation and the Development of Cognitive Representation in Complex Motor Action
Authors: Frank Cornelia , Kim Taeho , Schack Thomas
Published: November 2017

To date, it is commonly agreed that physical practice, as well as mental types of practice, have the potential to bring about improvements in motor performance and to induce motor learning. The perceptual-cognitive representational background of these changes, however, is still being debated. In this experiment, we investigated the influence of observational practice on the performance and the representation of the golf putt. With this we aimed at adding to the ongoing debate on the particular contribution of observational practice to motor learning. Novices were assigned to one of two groups: observational and combined observational and physical practice. Motor performance and mental representation were measured prior to and after practice and after a three-day retention interval. Performance improved in both practice groups from pre- to retention-test. Together with performance improvements, mental representation structures developed functionally and became more elaborate over the course of the experiment. Interestingly, however, the pattern of changes over the course of the experiment and across the two practice types was different. Combined practice led to improvements in motor performance from pre- to post-test with representations developing alongside these improvements. Observational practice alone did not lead to performance improvement until after task execution, as shown by improvements in motor performance from post- to retention-test, even though mental representations changed from pre- to post-test. From this, observational practice seems to promote the development of representational frameworks of complex action, and thus action-related order formation in long-term memory.
Clinical Measures and Their Contribution to Dysfunction in Individuals With Patellar Tendinopathy
Authors: Jeon Hyunjae , McGrath Melanie L. , Grandgenett Neal , Rosen Adam B.
Published: November 2017

Context: Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is prevalent in physically active populations, and it affects their quality of living, performance of activity, and may contribute to the early cessation of their athletic careers. A number of previous studies have identified contributing factors for PT; however, their contributions to self-reported dysfunction remain unclear. Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if strength, flexibility, and various lower-extremity static alignments contributed to self-reported function and influence the severity of PT. Design: Cross-sectional research design. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: A total of 30 participants with PT volunteered for this study (age: 23.4 [3.6] y, height: 1.8 [0.1] m, mass: 80.0 [20.3] kg, body mass index: 25.7 [4.3]). Main Outcome Measures: Participants completed 7 different patient-reported outcomes. Isometric knee extension and flexion strength, hamstring flexibility and alignment measures of rearfoot angle, navicular drop, tibial torsion, q-angle, genu recurvatum, pelvic tilt, and leg length differences were assessed. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were assessed to determine significantly correlated outcome variables with each of the patient-reported outcomes. The factors with the highest correlations were used to identify factors that contribute the most to pain and dysfunction using backward selection, linear regression models. Results: Correlation analysis found significant relationships between questionnaires and body mass index (r = −.35–.46), normalized knee extension (r = .38–.50) and flexion strength (r = −.34–.50), flexibility (r = .32–.38, q-angle (r = .38–.56), and pelvic tilt (r = −.40). Regression models (R2 = .22–.54) identified thigh musculature strength and supine q-angle to have greatest predictability for severity in patient-reported outcomes. Conclusions: These findings put an emphasis of bodyweight management, improving knee extensor and flexor strength, and posterior flexibility in PT patients.
Vascular endothelial cells take hematopoietic stem cells to school
Authors: Jonas Brian A.
Published: November 2017

The bone marrow vascular endothelial cell niche plays a critical role in regulating hematopoietic system aging by influencing the phenotype of hematopoietic stem cells.
Epilepsy clocks in
Authors: Lehtinen Maria K.
Published: November 2017

Circadian
CLOCK
gene expression is reduced in human epileptic brain tissue, and its deletion is epileptogenic in mice.
Multicenter Evaluation of the Vitek MS v3.0 System for the Identification of Filamentous Fungi
Authors: Rychert Jenna , Slechta E. Sue , Barker Adam P. , Miranda Edwin , Babady N. Esther , Tang Yi-Wei , Gibas Connie , Wiederhold Nathan , Sutton DeAnna , Hanson Kimberly E.
Published: November 2017

Invasive fungal infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality affecting primarily immunocompromised patients. While fungal identification to the species level is critical to providing appropriate therapy, it can be slow and laborious and often relies on subjective morphological criteria. The use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry has the potential to speed up and improve the accuracy of identification. In this multicenter study, we evaluated the accuracy of the Vitek MS v3.0 system in identifying 1,601 clinical mold isolates compared to identification by DNA sequence analysis and supported by morphological and phenotypic testing. Among the 1,519 isolates representing organisms in the v3.0 database, 91% (
n
= 1,387) were correctly identified to the species level. An additional 27 isolates (2%) were correctly identified to the genus level. Fifteen isolates were incorrectly identified, due to either a single incorrect identification (
n
= 13) or multiple identifications from different genera (
n
= 2). In those cases, when a single identification was provided that was not correct, the misidentification was within the same genus. The Vitek MS v3.0 was unable to identify 91 (6%) isolates, despite repeat testing. These isolates were distributed among all the genera. When considering all isolates tested, even those that were not represented in the database, the Vitek MS v3.0 provided a single correct identification 98% of the time. These findings demonstrate that the Vitek MS v3.0 system is highly accurate for the identification of common molds encountered in the clinical mycology laboratory.
Disruption of the Opal Stop Codon Attenuates Chikungunya Virus-Induced Arthritis and Pathology
Authors: Jones Jennifer E. , Long Kristin M. , Whitmore Alan C. , Sanders Wes , Thurlow Lance R. , Brown Julia A. , Morrison Clayton R. , Vincent Heather , Peck Kayla M. , Browning Christian , Moorman Nathaniel , Lim Jean K. , Heise Mark T.
Published: November 2017

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus responsible for several significant outbreaks of debilitating acute and chronic arthritis and arthralgia over the past decade. These include a recent outbreak in the Caribbean islands and the Americas that caused more than 1 million cases of viral arthralgia. Despite the major impact of CHIKV on global health, viral determinants that promote CHIKV-induced disease are incompletely understood. Most CHIKV strains contain a conserved opal stop codon at the end of the viral nsP3 gene. However, CHIKV strains that encode an arginine codon in place of the opal stop codon have been described, and deep-sequencing analysis of a CHIKV isolate from the Caribbean identified both arginine and opal variants within this strain. Therefore, we hypothesized that the introduction of the arginine mutation in place of the opal termination codon may influence CHIKV virulence. We tested this by introducing the arginine mutation into a well-characterized infectious clone of a CHIKV strain from Sri Lanka and designated this virus Opal524R. This mutation did not impair viral replication kinetics
in vitro
or
in vivo
. Despite this, the Opal524R virus induced significantly less swelling, inflammation, and damage within the feet and ankles of infected mice. Further, we observed delayed induction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as reduced CD4
+
T cell and NK cell recruitment compared to those in the parental strain. Therefore, the opal termination codon plays an important role in CHIKV pathogenesis, independently of effects on viral replication.

IMPORTANCE
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that causes significant outbreaks of viral arthralgia. Studies with CHIKV and other alphaviruses demonstrated that the opal termination codon within nsP3 is highly conserved. However, some strains of CHIKV and other alphaviruses contain mutations in the opal termination codon. These mutations alter the virulence of related alphaviruses in mammalian and mosquito hosts. Here, we report that a clinical isolate of a CHIKV strain from the recent outbreak in the Caribbean islands contains a mixture of viruses encoding either the opal termination codon or an arginine mutation. Mutating the opal stop codon to an arginine residue attenuates CHIKV-induced disease in a mouse model. Compared to infection with the opal-containing parental virus, infection with the arginine mutant causes limited swelling and inflammation, as well as dampened recruitment of immune mediators of pathology, including CD4
+
T cells and NK cells. We propose that the opal termination codon plays an essential role in the induction of severe CHIKV disease.
Microdiversity of an Abundant Terrestrial Bacterium Encompasses Extensive Variation in Ecologically Relevant Traits
Authors: Chase Alexander B. , Karaoz Ulas , Brodie Eoin L. , Gomez-Lunar Zulema , Martiny Adam C. , Martiny Jennifer B. H.
Published: November 2017

Much genetic diversity within a bacterial community is likely obscured by microdiversity within operational taxonomic units (OTUs) defined by 16S rRNA gene sequences. However, it is unclear how variation within this microdiversity influences ecologically relevant traits. Here, we employ a multifaceted approach to investigate microdiversity within the dominant leaf litter bacterium,
Curtobacterium
, which comprises 7.8% of the bacterial community at a grassland site undergoing global change manipulations. We use cultured bacterial isolates to interpret metagenomic data, collected
in situ
over 2 years, together with lab-based physiological assays to determine the extent of trait variation within this abundant OTU. The response of
Curtobacterium
to seasonal variability and the global change manipulations, specifically an increase in relative abundance under decreased water availability, appeared to be conserved across six
Curtobacterium
lineages identified at this site. Genomic and physiological analyses in the lab revealed that degradation of abundant polymeric carbohydrates within leaf litter, cellulose and xylan, is nearly universal across the genus, which may contribute to its high abundance in grassland leaf litter. However, the degree of carbohydrate utilization and temperature preference for this degradation varied greatly among clades. Overall, we find that traits within
Curtobacterium
are conserved at different phylogenetic depths. We speculate that similar to bacteria in marine systems, diverse microbes within this taxon may be structured in distinct ecotypes that are key to understanding
Curtobacterium
abundance and distribution in the environment.

IMPORTANCE
Despite the plummeting costs of sequencing, characterizing the fine-scale genetic diversity of a microbial community—and interpreting its functional importance—remains a challenge. Indeed, most studies, particularly studies of soil, assess community composition at a broad genetic level by classifying diversity into taxa (OTUs) defined by 16S rRNA sequence similarity. However, these classifications potentially obscure variation in traits that result in fine-scale ecological differentiation among closely related strains. Here, we investigated “microdiversity” in a highly diverse and poorly characterized soil system (leaf litter in a southern Californian grassland). We focused on the most abundant bacterium,
Curtobacterium
, which by standard methods is grouped into only one OTU. We find that the degree of carbohydrate usage and temperature preference vary within the OTU, whereas its responses to changes in precipitation are relatively uniform. These results suggest that microdiversity may be key to understanding how soil bacterial diversity is linked to ecosystem functioning.
Bond length (Ti–O) dependence of nano ATO3-based (A = Pb, Ba, Sr) perovskite structures: Optical investigation in IR range
Authors: Ghasemifard Mahdi , Ghamari Misagh , Okay Cengiz
Published: November 2017

In the current study, ABO3 (A = Pb, Ba, Sr and B = Ti) perovskite structures are produced by the auto-combustion route by using citric acid (CA) and nitric acid (NA) as fuel and oxidizer. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed the perovskite nanostructure with cubic, tetragonal, and rhombohedral for SrTiO3, PbTiO3, and BaTiO3, respectively. Using Scherrer’s equation and XRD pattern, the average crystallite size of the samples were acquired. The effect of Ti–O bond length on the structure of the samples was evaluated. The type of structures obtained depends on Ti–O bond length which is in turn influenced by A[Formula: see text] substitutions. Microstructural studies of nanostructures calcined at 850[Formula: see text]C confirmed the formation of polyhedral particles with a narrow size distribution. The values of optical band gaps were measured and the impact of A[Formula: see text] was discussed. The optical properties such as the complex refractive index and dielectric function were calculated by IR spectroscopy and Kramers–Kronig (K–K) relations. Lead, as the element with the highest density as compared to other elements, changes the optical constants, remarkably due to altering titanium and oxygen distance in TO6 groups.
An Immersed Boundary Proper Generalized Decomposition (IB-PGD) for Fluid–Structure Interaction Problems
Authors: Le-Quoc C. , Le Linh A. , Ho-Huu V. , Huynh P. D. , Nguyen-Thoi T.
Published: November 2017

Proper generalized decomposition (PGD), a method looking for solutions in separated forms, was proposed recently for solving highly multidimensional problems. In the PGD, the unknown fields are constructed using separated representations, so that the computational complexity scales linearly with the dimension of the model space instead of exponential scaling as in standard grid-based methods. The PGD was proven to be effective, reliable and robust for some simple benchmark fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems. However, it is very hard or even impossible for the PGD to find the solution of problems having complex boundary shapes (i.e., problems of fluid flow with arbitrary complex geometry obstacles). The paper hence further extends the PGD to solve FSI problems with arbitrary boundaries by combining the PGD with the immersed boundary method (IBM) to give a so-called immersed boundary proper generalized decomposition (IB-PGD). In the IB-PGD, a forcing term constructed by the IBM is introduced to Navier–Stokes equations to handle the influence of the boundaries and the fluid flow. The IB-PGD is then applied to solve Poisson’s equation to find the fluid pressure distribution for each time step. The numerical results for three problems are presented and compared to those of previous publications to illustrate the robustness and effectiveness of the IB-PGD in solving complex FSI problems.
Retractable Compact Directed Complete Poset (Acts)
Authors: Ebrahimi M. Mehdi , Mahmoudi Mojgan , Yavari Mahdieh
Published: November 2017

Taking domains in the one hand and actions of a semigroup (automaton) on the other, as two crucial notions in mathematics as well as in computer science, we consider the notion of compact directed complete poset (acts), and investigate the interesting notion of absolute retractness for such ordered structures.

As monomorphisms and embeddings for domain acts are different notions, we study absolute retractness with respect to both the class of monomorphisms and that of embeddings for compact directed complete poset (acts). We characterize the absolutely retract compact dcpos as complete compact chains. Also, we give some examples of compact directed complete poset acts which are (ε-)absolutely retract (with respect to embeddings) and show that completeness is not a sufficient condition for (ε-)absolute retractness.
On Formulas and Some Combinatorial Properties of Schubert Polynomials
Authors: Zhang Zerui , Chen Yuqun
Published: November 2017

By applying a Gröbner-Shirshov basis of the symmetric group Sn, we give two formulas for Schubert polynomials, either of which involves only nonnegative monomials. We also prove some combinatorial properties of Schubert polynomials. As applications, we give two algorithms to calculate the structure constants for Schubert polynomials, one of which depends on Monk’s formula.
MicroRNA-574 suppresses oocyte maturation via targeting hyaluronan synthase 2 in porcine cumulus cells
Authors: Pan Bo , Toms Derek , Li Julang
Published: November 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been established as important regulators of gene expression in the mammalian ovary. A previous screen of small RNA in the porcine ovary identified the downregulation of miR-574 during oocyte maturation, although its role during this process was not established. Here, we found that miR-574 directly targets the transcript for hyaluronan synthase 2 protein (HAS2), a key enzyme in the production of extracellular matrix by the surrounding cumulus cells. Inhibiting this miRNA during in vitro maturation (IVM) increased HAS2 levels along with several markers of oocyte quality. Furthermore, inhibiting miR-574 increased oocyte meiotic progression. We then stably overexpressed miR-574 using a lentiviral vector to transduce cumulus cells during IVM. This gain-of-function approach resulted in a 50% decrease in HAS2 expression and nearly 20% reduction in oocyte progression through meiosis. To confirm the specific targeting of HAS2 by miR-574, we constructed several luciferase vectors harboring the HAS2 3′-untranslated region. Cotransfection of the reporter and miR-574 attenuated luciferase activity. After mutating the putative miR-574 binding site, however, this effect was abolished and luciferase activity remained high. Our results show that the direct targeting of HAS2 by miR-574 negatively impacts oocyte quality during IVM and that inhibiting miR-574 derepresses HAS2 expression and subsequently improves oocyte maturation. Taken together, we help to elucidate a mechanism of posttranscriptional regulation by miRNA in the mammalian ovary.
Maternal circadian rhythms and the programming of adult health and disease
Authors: Varcoe Tamara J. , Gatford Kathryn L. , Kennaway David J.
Published: November 2017

The in utero environment is inherently rhythmic, with the fetus subjected to circadian changes in temperature, substrates, and various maternal hormones. Meanwhile, the fetus is developing an endogenous circadian timing system, preparing for life in an external environment where light, food availability, and other environmental factors change predictably and repeatedly every 24 h. In humans, there are many situations that can disrupt circadian rhythms, including shift work, international travel, insomnias, and circadian rhythm disorders (e.g., advanced/delayed sleep phase disorder), with a growing consensus that this chronodisruption can have deleterious consequences for an individual’s health and well-being. However, the impact of chronodisruption during pregnancy on the health of both the mother and fetus is not well understood. In this review, we outline circadian timing system ontogeny in mammals and examine emerging research from animal models demonstrating long-term negative implications for progeny health following maternal chronodisruption during pregnancy.
Effects of different storage solutions on renal ischemia tolerance after kidney transplantation in mice
Authors: Wang Lei , Wei Jin , Jiang Shan , Li Hui-Hua , Fu Liying , Zhang Jie , Liu Ruisheng
Published: November 2017

storage is the most prevalent method for graft preservation in kidney transplantation (KTX). The protective effects of various preservation solutions have been studied extensively in both clinical trials and experimental animal models. However, a paucity of studies have examined the effect of different preservation solutions on graft function in mouse KTX; in addition, the tolerance of the transplanted grafts to further insult has not been evaluated, which was the objective of the present study. We performed mouse KTX in three groups, with the donor kidneys preserved in different solutions for 60 min: saline, mouse serum, and University of Wisconsin (UW) solution. The graft functions were assessed by kidney injury markers and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The grafts that were preserved in UW solution exhibited better functions, reflected by 50 and 70% lower plasma creatinine levels as well as 30 and 55% higher plasma creatinine levels in GFR than serum and saline groups, respectively, during the first week after transplants. To examine the graft function in response to additional insult, we induced ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) by clamping the renal pedicle for 18 min at 4 wk after KTX. We found that the grafts preserved in UW solution exhibited ~30 and 20% less injury assessed by kidney injury markers and histology than in other two preservation solutions. Taken together, our results demonstrated that UW solution exhibited a better protective effect in transplanted renal grafts in mice. UW solution is recommended for use in mouse KTX for reducing confounding factors such as IRI during surgery.
Toward Model Building for Visual Aesthetic Perception
Authors: Liu Jianli , Lughofer Edwin , Zeng Xianyi
Published: November 2017

Several models of visual aesthetic perception have been proposed in recent years. Such models have drawn on investigations into the neural underpinnings of visual aesthetics, utilizing neurophysiological techniques and brain imaging techniques including functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetoencephalography, and electroencephalography. The neural mechanisms underlying the aesthetic perception of the visual arts have been explained from the perspectives of neuropsychology, brain and cognitive science, informatics, and statistics. Although corresponding models have been constructed, the majority of these models contain elements that are difficult to be simulated or quantified using simple mathematical functions. In this review, we discuss the hypotheses, conceptions, and structures of six typical models for human aesthetic appreciation in the visual domain: the neuropsychological, information processing, mirror, quartet, and two hierarchical feed-forward layered models. Additionally, the neural foundation of aesthetic perception, appreciation, or judgement for each model is summarized. The development of a unified framework for the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the aesthetic perception of visual art and the validation of this framework via mathematical simulation is an interesting challenge in neuroaesthetics research. This review aims to provide information regarding the most promising proposals for bridging the gap between visual information processing and brain activity involved in aesthetic appreciation.
Current Therapeutic Options for Heart Failure in Elderly Patients
Authors: Guerra F. , Brambatti M. , Matassini M. V. , Capucci A.
Published: November 2017

Heart failure (HF) is a major and growing public health problem with high morbidity and mortality (Ponikowski et al., 2016). It affects 1-2% of the general population in developed countries, and the average age at diagnosis is 76 years. Because of a better management of acute phase and comorbidities, HF incidence is increasing in elderly patients, with a prevalence rising to 10% among people aged 65 years or older (Mozaffarian et al., 2014). Therefore, a substantial number of elderly patients need to be treated. However, because of clinical trial exclusion criteria or coexisting comorbidities, currently recommended therapies are widely based on younger population with a much lower mean age. In this review, we will focus on available pharmacological, electrical, and mechanical therapies, underlining pros, cons, and practical considerations of their use in this specific patient population.
Digitally Scanned Radiographs versus Conventional Films for Determining Clarity of Periapical Lesions and Quality of Root Canal Treatment
Authors: Almanei Kholod , Alsulaimani Rakan , Alfadda Sarah , Albabtain Sarah , Alsulaimani Reem
Published: November 2017

Aim. To compare digital images of conventional radiographs with the original radiographs for perceived clarity of periapical lesions and the quality of root canal treatment. Materials and Methods. One hundred and four intraoral periapical radiographs of patients with endodontically treated teeth were randomly selected. The radiographs were digitized using an MD300 USB X-ray Reader. The digital images were transferred to an HP laptop. Three evaluators compared each conventional radiograph with the matching digital image. The images were ranked for clarity and assessed for diagnostic quality; data were analyzed using the Reliability Calculation “ReCal.” Results. Both the digital images and conventional films had comparable clarity and diagnostic quality. Results indicated a moderate agreement between the evaluators. Conclusions. Conventional radiographs digitized using an MD300 USB X-ray Reader have similar clarity and diagnostic quality in comparison to the original radiographs.
Ensembling Variable Selectors by Stability Selection for the Cox Model
Authors: Yin Qing-Yan , Li Jun-Li , Zhang Chun-Xia
Published: November 2017

As a pivotal tool to build interpretive models, variable selection plays an increasingly important role in high-dimensional data analysis. In recent years, variable selection ensembles (VSEs) have gained much interest due to their many advantages. Stability selection (Meinshausen and Bühlmann, 2010), a VSE technique based on subsampling in combination with a base algorithm like lasso, is an effective method to control false discovery rate (FDR) and to improve selection accuracy in linear regression models. By adopting lasso as a base learner, we attempt to extend stability selection to handle variable selection problems in a Cox model. According to our experience, it is crucial to set the regularization region Λ in lasso and the parameter λmin properly so that stability selection can work well. To the best of our knowledge, however, there is no literature addressing this problem in an explicit way. Therefore, we first provide a detailed procedure to specify Λ and λmin. Then, some simulated and real-world data with various censoring rates are used to examine how well stability selection performs. It is also compared with several other variable selection approaches. Experimental results demonstrate that it achieves better or competitive performance in comparison with several other popular techniques.
Synthesis of a High-Coercivity FePt–Ag Nanocomposite Magnet via Block Copolymer-Templated Self-Assembly
Authors: Wakayama Hiroaki , Yonekura Hirotaka
Published: November 2017

Magnetic recording media are composed of magnetic thin films consisting of magnetically isolated crystallites. For practical use of magnetic particles as recording media, it will be necessary to realize high coercivity by fabricating nanocrystalline grains and forming grain boundaries with the nonmagnetic phase. In this study, a high-coercivity FePt–Ag nanocomposite magnet was synthesized by means of block copolymer-templated self-assembly. Precursors of Fe, Pt, and Ag were introduced into a polymer block, and the resulting material was oxidized and then reduced to form a nanocomposite consisting of FePt nanoparticles surrounded by a matrix of Ag. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the introduction of Ag did not significantly affect the crystalline ordering of the FePt. The addition of Ag increased the coercivity by 53% (from 11.1 to 17.0 kOe). Our results suggest that the grain boundaries of the nonmagnetic Ag metal acted as pinning sites, disrupting magnetic coupling between individual FePt nanocrystallites and hindering domain wall motion at an external magnetic field.
Early Onset of Tenofovir-Related Fanconi Syndrome in a Child with Acute Hepatitis B: A Case Report and Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Pascale Renato , Guardigni Viola , Badia Lorenzo , Volpato Francesca , Viale Pierluigi , Verucchi Gabriella
Published: November 2017

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate- (TDF-) related nephropathy is known to be a long-term complication of this drug, more commonly observed in HIV-infected patients, but occurring also in hepatitis B. Cases of Fanconi Syndrome associated with TDF have been reported in adult patients, usually as a long-term complication of chronic hepatitis B treatment. We present here a case of a 12-year-old male developing a severe acute HBV hepatitis treated with TDF. The patient achieved an early virological and biochemical response, but with a subsequent onset of proximal renal tubular damage, consistent with Fanconi Syndrome. After withdrawing this drug and switching to Entecavir, a complete resolution of tubulopathy and, after 6 months, a complete HBsAg seroconversion occurred. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an early renal injury due to TDF-therapy in a pediatric patient treated for acute hepatitis B.
Application of Image Processing and Three‐Dimensional Data Reconstruction Algorithm Based on Traffic Video in Vehicle Component Detection
Authors: Li Gang , Song Huansheng , Wang Shuyu , Kong Jinliang
Published: November 2017

Vehicle detection is one of the important technologies in intelligent video surveillance systems. Owing to the perspective projection imaging principle of cameras, traditional two‐dimensional (2D) images usually distort the size and shape of vehicles. In order to solve these problems, the traffic scene calibration and inverse projection construction methods are used to project the three‐dimensional (3D) information onto the 2D images. In addition, a vehicle target can be characterized by several components, and thus vehicle detection can be fulfilled based on the combination of these components. The key characteristics of vehicle targets are distinct during a single day; for example, the headlight brightness is more significant at night, while the vehicle taillight and license plate color are much more prominent in the daytime. In this paper, by using the background subtraction method and Gaussian mixture model, we can realize the accurate detection of target lights at night. In the daytime, however, the detection of the license plate and taillight of a vehicle can be fulfilled by exploiting the background subtraction method and the Markov random field, based on the spatial geometry relation between the corresponding components. Further, by utilizing Kalman filters to follow the vehicle tracks, detection accuracy can be further improved. Finally, experiment results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Hyperplastic Polyps and Gastroduodenal Pseudomelanosis
Authors: Agrawal Akanksha , Jain Deepanshu , Arguello Vivian , Sher Daniel
Published: November 2017

Pseudomelanosis is a rare endoscopic finding of the upper gastrointestinal tract characterized by hemosiderin deposits in histiocytes of lamina propria. We report a case of 72-year-old lady on chronic oral iron supplementation diagnosed with gastric hyperplastic polyps with background pseudomelanosis of stomach and duodenum. Concomitant occurrence of gastric pseudomelanosis, duodenal pseudomelanosis, and gastric hyperplastic polyps has never been reported. Its presence in the absence of gastritis raises question if pseudomelanosis could be associated with hyperplastic polyp. With limited literature on its etiology and prognosis, these patients should be prospectively followed and reported to study the natural history of the disease.
Analysis of Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas sp. QTF5 Reveals Its Benzoic Acid Degradation Ability and Heavy Metal Tolerance
Authors: Li Yang , Ren Yi , Jiang Nan
Published: November 2017

Pseudomonas sp. QTF5 was isolated from the continuous permafrost near the bitumen layers in the Qiangtang basin of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in China (5,111 m above sea level). It is psychrotolerant and highly and widely tolerant to heavy metals and has the ability to metabolize benzoic acid and salicylic acid. To gain insight into the genetic basis for its adaptation, we performed whole genome sequencing and analyzed the resistant genes and metabolic pathways. Based on 120 published and annotated genomes representing 31 species in the genus Pseudomonas, in silico genomic DNA-DNA hybridization (<54%) and average nucleotide identity calculation (<94%) revealed that QTF5 is closest to Pseudomonas lini and should be classified into a novel species. This study provides the genetic basis to identify the genes linked to its specific mechanisms for adaptation to extreme environment and application of this microorganism in environmental conservation.
ZnCl2 Incorporated into Experimental Adhesives: Selected Physicochemical Properties and Resin-Dentin Bonding Stability
Authors: Almeida Giselle Soares , da Silva Eduardo Moreira , Guimarães José Guilherme Antunes , da Silva Rayssa Nogueira Lamego , dos Santos Glauco Botelho , Poskus Laiza Tatiana
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC%), water sorption (WS), solubility (SO), and resin-dentin bonding stability of experimental adhesive systems containing ZnCl2. Different concentrations (wt.%) of ZnCl2 were added to a model etch-and-rinse adhesive system consisting of BISGMA, HEMA, UDMA, GDMA, water, and ethanol: Zn0 (0%-control group); Zn2 (2%); Zn3.5 (3.5%); and Zn5 (5%). Adper Single Bond 2 (SB) was used as commercial reference. The samples were light cured for 20s using a quartz-tungsten-halogen unit (650 mW/cm2). DC% (n=5) was measured using FT-IR spectroscopy, and WS and SO (n=5) were calculated based on ISO4049. Microtensile bond strength (μTBS) and nanoleakage (NL) were measured after 24 h and 12 months of water storage (n=10). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test (5%). Zn5 presented the lowest DC% and the highest WS and SO (p<0.05). Zn0 and Zn2 presented statistically similar DC%, WS, SO, and immediate μTBS. All adhesives containing ZnCl2 maintained a μTBS stability after 12 months, but only Zn2 and Zn3.5 did not suffer an increase in NL. SB presented the highest immediate μTBS but the greatest reduction after 12 months (p<0.05). The addition of 2 wt.% of ZnCl2 in adhesive formulations seems to be a promising way to improve the resin-dentin bonding stability. Higher concentrations than 2 wt.% could impair some physicochemical properties.
Efficacy of Rituximab in a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patient Presenting with Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage
Authors: Montes-Rivera Gabriela , Ríos Grissel , Vilá Luis M.
Published: November 2017

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although infrequent, its mortality is very high. While there are no established therapeutic guidelines, DAH has been traditionally managed with high-dose intravenous (IV) corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and plasma exchange. The efficacy of alternative therapies such as rituximab has been described only in a few cases. Herein, we report a 25-year-old Hispanic man who presented with acute-onset SLE manifested by polyarthralgia, nephritis, seizures, pancytopenia, severe hypocomplementemia, and elevated anti-dsDNA antibodies. His disease course was complicated by DAH. His condition was refractory to high-dose intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone pulses, IV cyclophosphamide, and plasmapheresis. Given the lack of clinical response, he was started on IV rituximab 375 mg/m2 weekly for a total of four courses. He rapidly improved after the first two doses. Over the next seven months, he did not present recurrent pulmonary symptoms. Follow-up chest computed tomography did not show residual abnormalities. This case, together with other reports, suggests that rituximab is an effective therapeutic option for DAH in SLE.
Prediction of Natural Gas Consumption in Different Regions of China Using a Hybrid MVO‐NNGBM Model
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Luo Dongkun , Liu Jianye , Wang Wenhuan , Jie Guixin
Published: November 2017

The accurate and reasonable prediction of natural gas consumption is significant for the government to formulate energy planning. To this end, we use the multiverse optimizer (MVO) algorithm to optimize the parameters of the Nash nonlinear grey Bernoulli model (NNGBM (1,1)) and propose a hybrid MVO‐NNGBM model to predict the natural gas consumption in 30 regions of China. The results indicate that the prediction precision of the hybrid MVO‐NNGBM model is better than that of other grey‐based models. According to the forecast results, China’s natural gas consumption will grow rapidly over the next five years and reach 354.1 billion cubic meters (bcm) by 2020. Moreover, the spatial distribution of natural gas consumption will shift from being supply oriented towards being demand driven and will be mainly concentrated in coastal and developed provinces.
Feasibility of Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Bronchoscopic Cryobiopsy without Fluoroscopy for Lung Parenchymal Lesions
Authors: Chang Chih-Hao , Lee Chung-Shu , Li Shih-Hong , Chung Fu-Tsai , Wang Chih-Wei , Juan Yu-Hsiang , Hu Han-Chung , Li Li-Fu , Chen Ning-Hung , Yang Cheng-Ta , Kao Kuo-Chin
Published: November 2017

Background. Cryobiopsy is used to biopsy peripheral lung lesions through flexible bronchoscopy with fluoroscopic guidance. However, fluoroscopy is not available at some institutions. This study evaluated the feasibility of radial endobronchial ultrasound-guided bronchoscopic cryobiopsy without fluoroscopy. Methods. This retrospective study was conducted at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, in Taiwan. This study enrolled patients who received bronchoscopy examinations with cryotechnology between July 2014 and June 2016. The data were collected through medical chart review. Results. During the study period, 101 patients underwent bronchoscopy examinations with cryotechnology. Ninety patients with endobronchial tumors were excluded from this study. Eleven patients who underwent radial endobronchial ultrasound-guided bronchoscopic cryobiopsy for lung parenchymal lesions were enrolled into this study. The mean age was 61.1 ± 13.8 years. Five patients were men, and the other six were women. The number of cryobiopsies ranged from 1 to 3. In the histological biopsies, the mean specimen diameter was 0.53 ± 0.23 cm, and the mean biopsy area was 0.20 ± 0.19 cm2. Nine of 11 patients had pathological diagnoses. No complications, including pneumothorax, respiratory failure, or major bleeding, were recorded after the procedure. Conclusions. Endobronchial ultrasound is used to ensure biopsy location, and endobronchial ultrasound-guided cryobiopsy is a feasible technique to biopsy peripheral lung lesions in selected cases at institutions without fluoroscopy equipment. This study provided some rationale for further studies examining the impact of fluoroscopy.
An ECM-Mimicking, Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Embedded Hybrid Scaffold for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Haj Jozafina , Haj Khalil Tharwat , Falah Mizied , Zussman Eyal , Srouji Samer
Published: November 2017

While biologically feasible, bone repair is often inadequate, particularly in cases of large defects. The search for effective bone regeneration strategies has led to the emergence of bone tissue engineering (TE) techniques. When integrating electrospinning techniques, scaffolds featuring randomly oriented or aligned fibers, characteristic of the extracellular matrix (ECM), can be fabricated. In parallel, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are capable of both self-renewing and differentiating into numerous tissue types, have been suggested to be a suitable option for cell-based tissue engineering therapies. This work aimed to create a novel biocompatible hybrid scaffold composed of electrospun polymeric nanofibers combined with osteoconductive ceramics, loaded with human MSCs, to yield a tissue-like construct to promote in vivo bone formation. Characterization of the cell-embedded scaffolds demonstrated their resemblance to bone tissue extracellular matrix, on both micro- and nanoscales and MSC viability and integration within the electrospun nanofibers. Subcutaneous implantation of the cell-embedded scaffolds in the dorsal side of mice led to new bone, muscle, adipose, and connective tissue formation within 8 weeks. This hybrid scaffold may represent a step forward in the pursuit of advanced bone tissue engineering scaffolds.
Protective Effect of Yang Mi Ryung® Extract on Noise‐Induced Hearing Loss in Mice
Authors: Kim Min Soo , Kwak SeongAe , Baek Heumyoung , Li Zewu , Choe Seong-Kyu , Song Kyung
Published: November 2017

Noise‐induced hearing loss (NIHL) results from the damage of the delicate hair cells inside the ear after excessive stimulation of noise. Unlike certain lower animals such as amphibians, fishes, and birds, in humans, hair cells cannot be regenerated once they are killed or damaged; thus, there are no therapeutic options to cure NIHL. Therefore, it is more important to protect hair cells from the noise before the damage occurs. In this study, we report the protective effect of Yang Mi Ryung extract (YMRE) against NIHL; this novel therapeutic property of YMRE has not been reported previously. Our data demonstrates that the hearing ability damaged by noise is markedly restored in mice preadministrated with YMRE before noise exposure, to the level of normal control group. Our study also provides the molecular mechanism underlying the protective effect of YMRE against NIHL by showing that YMRE significantly blocks noise‐induced apoptotic cell death and reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cochleae. Moreover, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis demonstrates that YMRE has anti‐inflammatory properties, suppressing the mRNA levels of TNFα and IL‐1β induced by noise exposure. In conclusion, YMRE could be a useful preventive intervention to prevent hearing impairment induced by the exposure to excessive noise.
Type II Diabetes and Incidence of Estrogen Receptor Negative Breast Cancer in African American Women
Authors: Palmer Julie R. , Castro-Webb Nelsy , Bertrand Kimberly , Bethea Traci N. , Denis Gerald V.
Published: November 2017

White women with type II diabetes (T2D) have an estimated 20% increased risk of developing breast cancer. Little is known about associations by breast cancer subtype or among African American (AA) women, who are disproportionately affected by T2D and estrogen receptor negative (ER−) breast cancer. We assessed the relation of T2D to incidence of ER− and ER+ breast cancer in data from the Black Women's Health Study, a prospective cohort of AA women enrolled in 1995 and followed biennially. During 847,934 person-years of follow-up, there were 1,851 incident invasive breast cancers, including 914 ER+ and 468 ER− cases. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to compute HRs for breast cancer incidence associated with T2D relative to no T2D, controlling for body mass index (BMI) and other potential confounders. The HR for T2D relative to no T2D was 1.18 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.40] for overall breast cancer incidence, with the increase accounted for by ER− cancer: HRs were 1.02 (95% CI, 0.80–1.31) for ER+ and 1.43 (95% CI, 1.03–2.00) for ER− cancer. The HR for T2D and ER− breast cancer was highest among nonobese women (1.92; 95% CI, 1.22–3.04). The findings suggest that AA women with T2D are at increased risk of developing ER− breast cancer and that poor metabolic health may be more important than obesity for this subtype. Given the high prevalence of T2D in AA women, the observed association could, in part, explain racial disparities in incidence of ER− breast cancer. Cancer Res; 77(22); 6462–9. ©2017 AACR.
Collagen Alignment as a Predictor of Recurrence after Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Authors: Conklin Matthew W. , Gangnon Ronald E. , Sprague Brian L. , Van Gemert Lisa , Hampton John M. , Eliceiri Kevin W. , Bredfeldt Jeremy S. , Liu Yuming , Surachaicharn Nuntida , Newcomb Polly A. , Friedl Andreas , Keely Patricia J. , Trentham-Dietz Amy
Published: November 2017

Background: Collagen fibers surrounding breast ducts may influence breast cancer progression. Syndecan-1 interacts with constituents in the extracellular matrix, including collagen fibers, and may contribute to cancer cell migration. Thus, the orientation of collagen fibers surrounding ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions and stromal syndecan-1 expression may predict recurrence.

Methods: We evaluated collagen fiber alignment and syndecan-1 expression in 227 women diagnosed with DCIS in 1995 to 2006 followed through 2014 (median, 14.5 years; range, 0.7–17.6). Stromal collagen alignment was evaluated from diagnostic tissue slides using second harmonic generation microscopy and fiber analysis software. Univariate analysis was conducted using χ2 tests and ANOVA. The association between collagen alignment z-scores, syndecan-1 staining intensity, and time to recurrence was evaluated using HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Greater fiber angles surrounding DCIS lesions, but not syndecan-1 staining intensity, were related to positive HER2 (P = 0.002) status, comedo necrosis (P = 0.03), and negative estrogen receptor (P = 0.002) and progesterone receptor (P = 0.02) status. Fiber angle distributions surrounding lesions included more angles closer to 90 degrees than normal ducts (P = 0.06). Collagen alignment z-scores for DCIS lesions were positively related to recurrence (HR = 1.25; 95% CI, 0.84–1.87 for an interquartile range increase in average fiber angles).

Conclusions: Although collagen alignment and stromal syndecan-1 expression did not predict recurrence, collagen fibers perpendicular to the duct perimeter were more frequent in DCIS lesions with features typical of poor prognosis.

Impact: Follow-up studies are warranted to examine whether additional features of the collagen matrix may more strongly predict patient outcomes. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(2); 138–45. ©2017 AACR.