bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of RGM Medium for Isolation of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria from Respiratory Samples from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis in the United States
Authors: Plongla Rongpong , Preece Clair L. , Perry John D. , Gilligan Peter H.
Published: February 2017

A novel selective agar (RGM medium) has been advocated for the isolation of rapidly growing mycobacteria from the sputa of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The aim of this study was to compare RGM medium to
Burkholderia cepacia
selective agar (BCSA) and a standard acid-fast bacillus (AFB) culture method for the isolation of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) from patients with CF. The applicability of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for the identification of NTM isolated on RGM medium was also assessed. Respiratory samples (
n
= 869) were collected from 487 CF patients and inoculated directly onto RGM medium and BCSA. Cultures were incubated at 30°C and examined for up to 28 days. A subset of 212 samples (from 172 patients) was also cultured by using a mycobacterial growth indicator tube (MGIT) and on Lowenstein-Jensen medium following dual decontamination. By using a combination of all methods, 98 mycobacteria were isolated from 869 samples (11.3%). The sensitivity of RGM medium (96.9%) was significantly higher than that of BCSA (35.7%) for the isolation of mycobacteria (
P
< 0.0001). The sensitivity of RGM medium was also superior to that of standard AFB culture for the isolation of mycobacteria (92.2% versus 47.1%;
P
< 0.0001). MALDI-TOF MS was effective for the identification of mycobacteria in RGM medium. RGM medium offers a simple and highly effective tool for the isolation of NTM from patients with CF. Extended incubation of RGM medium for 28 days facilitates the isolation of slow-growing species, including members of the
Mycobacterium avium
complex (MAVC).
Short-Read Whole-Genome Sequencing for Laboratory-Based Surveillance of Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Marchand-Austin Alex , Tsang Raymond S. W. , Guthrie Jennifer L. , Ma Jennifer H. , Lim Gillian H. , Crowcroft Natasha S. , Deeks Shelley L. , Farrell David J. , Jamieson Frances B.
Published: February 2017

Bordetella pertussis
is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes respiratory infections in humans. Ongoing molecular surveillance of
B. pertussis
acellular vaccine (aP) antigens is critical for understanding the interaction between evolutionary pressures, disease pathogenesis, and vaccine effectiveness. Methods currently used to characterize aP components are relatively labor-intensive and low throughput. To address this challenge, we sought to derive aP antigen genotypes from minimally processed short-read whole-genome sequencing data generated from 40 clinical
B. pertussis
isolates and analyzed using the SRST2 bioinformatic package. SRST2 was able to identify aP antigen genotypes for all antigens with the exception of pertactin, possibly due to low read coverage in GC-rich low-complexity regions of variation. Two main genotypes were observed in addition to a singular third genotype that contained an 84-bp deletion that was identified by SRST2 despite the issues in allele calling. This method has the potential to generate large pools of
B. pertussis
molecular data that can be linked to clinical and epidemiological information to facilitate research of vaccine effectiveness and disease severity in the context of emerging vaccine antigen-deficient strains.
Capsid Phosphorylation State and Hepadnavirus Virion Secretion
Authors: Ning Xiaojun , Basagoudanavar Suresh H. , Liu Kuancheng , Luckenbaugh Laurie , Wei Duoqian , Wang Chunyan , Wei Bo , Zhao Yingren , Yan Taotao , Delaney William , Hu Jianming
Published: February 2017

The C-terminal domain (CTD) of hepadnavirus core protein is involved in multiple steps of viral replication. In particular, the CTD is initially phosphorylated at multiple sites to facilitate viral RNA packaging into immature nucleocapsids (NCs) and the early stage of viral DNA synthesis. For the avian hepadnavirus duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV), CTD is dephosphorylated subsequently to facilitate the late stage of viral DNA synthesis and to stabilize NCs containing mature viral DNA. The role of CTD phosphorylation in virion secretion, if any, has remained unclear. Here, the CTD from the human hepatitis B virus (HBV) was found to be dephosphorylated in association with NC maturation and secretion of DNA-containing virions, as in DHBV. In contrast, the CTD in empty HBV virions (i.e., enveloped capsids with no RNA or DNA) was found to be phosphorylated. The potential role of CTD dephosphorylation in virion secretion was analyzed through mutagenesis. For secretion of empty HBV virions, which is independent of either viral RNA packaging or DNA synthesis, multiple substitutions in the CTD to mimic either phosphorylation or dephosphorylation showed little detrimental effect. Similarly, phospho-mimetic substitutions in the DHBV CTD did not block the secretion of DNA-containing virions. These results indicate that CTD dephosphorylation, though associated with NC maturation in both HBV and DHBV, is not essential for the subsequent NC-envelope interaction to secrete DNA-containing virions, and the CTD state of phosphorylation also does not play an essential role in the interaction between empty capsids and the envelope for secretion of empty virions.

IMPORTANCE
The phosphorylation state of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core or capsid protein is highly dynamic and plays multiple roles in the viral life cycle. To study the potential role of the state of phosphorylation of CTD in virion secretion, we have analyzed the CTD phosphorylation state in complete (containing the genomic DNA) versus empty (genome-free) HBV virions. Whereas CTD is unphosphorylated in complete virions, it is phosphorylated in empty virions. Mutational analyses indicate that neither phosphorylation nor dephosphorylation of CTD is required for virion secretion. These results demonstrate that while CTD dephosphorylation is associated with HBV DNA synthesis, the CTD state of phosphorylation may not regulate virion secretion.
The B Cell Response to Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Cattle following Sequential Vaccination with Multiple Serotypes
Authors: Grant Clare F. J. , Carr B. Veronica , Kotecha Abhay , van den Born Erwin , Stuart David I. , Hammond John A. , Charleston Bryan
Published: February 2017

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is a highly contagious viral disease. Antibodies are pivotal in providing protection against FMDV infection. Serological protection against one FMDV serotype does not confer interserotype protection. However, some historical data have shown that interserotype protection can be induced following sequential FMDV challenge with multiple FMDV serotypes. In this study, we have investigated the kinetics of the FMDV-specific antibody-secreting cell (ASC) response following homologous and heterologous inactivated FMDV vaccination regimes. We have demonstrated that the kinetics of the B cell response are similar for all four FMDV serotypes tested following a homologous FMDV vaccination regime. When a heterologous vaccination regime was used with the sequential inoculation of three different inactivated FMDV serotypes (O, A, and Asia1 serotypes) a B cell response to FMDV SAT1 and serotype C was induced. The studies also revealed that the local lymphoid tissue had detectable FMDV-specific ASCs in the absence of circulating FMDV-specific ASCs, indicating the presence of short-lived ASCs, a hallmark of a T-independent 2 (TI-2) antigenic response to inactivated FMDV capsid.

IMPORTANCE
We have demonstrated the development of intraserotype response following a sequential vaccination regime of four different FMDV serotypes. We have found indication of short-lived ASCs in the local lymphoid tissue, further evidence of a TI-2 response to FMDV.
Gender differences in clinical presentation and 1-year outcomes in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Schnabel Renate B , Pecen Ladislav , Ojeda Francisco M , Lucerna Markus , Rzayeva Nargiz , Blankenberg Stefan , Darius Harald , Kotecha Dipak , Caterina Raffaele De , Kirchhof Paulus
Published: February 2017

Objectives

Our objective was to examine gender differences in clinical presentation, management and prognosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a contemporary cohort.

Methods

In 6412 patients, 39.7% women, of the PREvention oF thromboembolic events – European Registry in Atrial Fibrillation, we examined gender differences in symptoms, risk factors, therapies and 1-year incidence of adverse outcomes.

Results

Men with AF were on average younger than women (mean±SD: 70.1±10.7 vs 74.1±9.7 years, p<0.0001). Women more frequently had at least one AF-related symptom at least occasionally compared with men (95.4% in women, 89.8% in men, p<0.0001). Prescription of oral anticoagulation was similar, with an increase of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants from 5.9% to 12.6% in women and from 6.2% to 12.6% in men, p<0.0001 for both.

Men were more frequently treated with electrical cardioversion and ablation (20.6% and 6.3%, respectively) than women (14.9% and 3.3%, respectively), p<0.0001. Women had 65% (OR: 0.35; 95% CI (0.22 to 0.56)) lower age-adjusted and country-adjusted odds of coronary revascularisation, 40% (OR: 0.60; (0.38 to 0.93)) lower odds of acute coronary syndrome and 20% (OR: 0.80; (0.68 to 0.96)) lower odds of heart failure at 1 year. There were no statistically significant gender differences in 1-year stroke/transient ischaemic attack/arterial thromboembolism and major bleeding events.

Conclusion

In a ‘real-world’ European AF registry, women were more symptomatic but less likely to receive invasive rhythm control therapy such as electrical cardioversion or ablation. Further study is needed to confirm that these differences do not disadvantage women with AF.
Health and social exclusion in older age: evidence from Understanding Society, the UK household longitudinal study
Authors: Sacker Amanda , Ross Andy , MacLeod Catherine A , Netuveli Gopal , Windle Gill
Published: February 2017

Background

Social exclusion of the elderly is a key policy focus but evidence on the processes linking health and social exclusion is hampered by the variety of ways that health is used in social exclusion research. We investigated longitudinal associations between health and social exclusion using an analytical framework that did not conflate them.

Methods

Data employed in this study came from 4 waves of Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study 2009–2013. The sample comprised all adults who took part in all 4 waves, were 65 years or more in Wave 3, and had complete data on our variables of interest for each analysis. We used linear regression to model the relationship between Wave 2/3 social exclusion and Wave1–2 health transitions (N=4312) and logistic regression to model the relationship between Wave2/3 social exclusion and Wave 4 health states, conditional on Wave 3 health (N=4244).

Results

There was a dose–response relationship between poor health in Waves 1 and 2 and later social exclusion. Use of a car, mobile phone and the internet moderated the association between poor health and social exclusion. Given the health status in Wave 3, those who were more socially excluded had poorer outcomes on each of the three domains of health in Wave 4.

Conclusions

Use of the internet and technology protected older adults in poor health from social exclusion. Age-friendly hardware and software design might have public health benefits.
Saikosaponin a Induces Apoptosis through Mitochondria-Dependent Pathway in Hepatic Stellate Cells
Authors: Chen Chang-Han , Chen Ming-Feng , Huang S. Joseph , Huang Chun-Yen , Wang Hao-Kuang , Hsieh Wen-Chuan , Huang Chih-Hao , Liu Li-Feng , Shiu Li-Yen
Published: February 2017

Saikosaponin a (SSa) is one of the main active components of Bupleurum falcatum. It is commonly used to treat liver injury and fibrosis in traditional Chinese medicine. Our previous study showed that SSa induces apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation of rat hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line HSC-T6. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism of SSa-mediated apoptosis. Rat HSC cell line HSC-T6 and human HSC cell line LX-2 were used in this study. SSa triggered cell death mainly by apoptosis, as indicated by the typical morphological changes, sub-G1 phase of cell cycle increase, and activation of the caspase-9/caspase-3 cascade. In addition, SSa-induced apoptosis was partially inhibited by the caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK, suggesting an involvement of caspase-3 dependent and independent pathways. Moreover, SSa upregulated pro-apoptotic proteins [BAK, Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD), and p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA)] and downregulated anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2). In the mitochondria, SSa triggered the translocation of BAX and BAK from the cytosol to the outer membrane, resulting in a reduction of mitochondrial functions and membrane potential and subsequent release of apoptotic factors. Therefore, this study demonstrates that SSa induces apoptosis through the intrinsic mitochondrial-dependent pathway in HSCs.
Gut-liver axis at the frontier of host-microbial interactions
Authors: Brandl Katharina , Kumar Vipin , Eckmann Lars
Published: February 2017

Liver and intestine are tightly linked through the venous system of the portal circulation. Consequently, the liver is the primary recipient of gut-derived products, most prominently dietary nutrients and microbial components. It functions as a secondary “firewall” and protects the body from intestinal pathogens and other microbial products that have crossed the primary barrier of the intestinal tract. Disruption of the intestinal barrier enhances microbial exposure of the liver, which can have detrimental or beneficial effects in the organ depending on the specific circumstances. Conversely, the liver also exerts influence over intestinal microbial communities via secretion of bile acids and IgA antibodies. This mini-review highlights key findings and concepts in the area of host-microbial interactions as pertinent to the bilateral communication between liver and gut and highlights the concept of the gut-liver axis.
Dicer-dependent production of microRNA221 in hepatocytes inhibits p27 and is required for liver regeneration in mice
Authors: Oya Yuki , Masuzaki Ryota , Tsugawa Daisuke , Ray Kevin C. , Dou Yongchao , Karp Seth J.
Published: February 2017

Dicer processes microRNAs (miRs) into active forms in a wide variety of tissues, including the liver. To determine the role of Dicer in liver regeneration, we performed a series of in vivo and in vitro studies in a murine 2/3 hepatectomy model. Dicer was downregulated after 2/3 hepatectomy, and loss of Dicer inhibited liver regeneration associated with decreased cyclin A2 and miR-221, as well as increased levels of the cell cycle inhibitor p27. In vitro, miR-221 inhibited p27 production in primary hepatocytes and increased hepatocyte proliferation. Specific reconstitution of miR-221 in hepatocyte-specific Dicer-null mice inhibited p27 and restored liver regeneration. In wild type mice, targeted inhibition of miR-221 using a cholesterol-conjugated miR-221 inhibited hepatocyte proliferation after 2/3 hepatectomy. These results identify Dicer production of miR-221 as an essential component of a miRNA-dependent mechanism for suppression of p27 that controls the rate of hepatocyte proliferation after partial hepatectomy.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our findings demonstrate a direct role for microRNAs in controlling the rate of liver regeneration after injury. By deleting Dicer, an enzyme responsible for processing microRNAs into mature forms, we determined miR-221 is a critical microRNA in the physiological process of restoration of liver mass after injury. miR-221 suppresses p27, releasing its inhibitory effects on hepatocyte proliferation. Pharmaceuticals based on miR-221 may be useful to modulate hepatocyte proliferation in the setting of liver injury.
Oxygen-sensitive regulation and neuroprotective effects of growth hormone-dependent growth factors during early postnatal development
Authors: Jung Susan , Boie Gudrun , Doerr Helmuth-Guenther , Trollmann Regina
Published: February 2017

Perinatal hypoxia severely disrupts metabolic and somatotrophic development, as well as cerebral maturational programs. Hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) represent the most important endogenous adaptive mechanisms to hypoxia, activating a broad spectrum of growth factors that contribute to cell survival and energy homeostasis. To analyze effects of systemic hypoxia and growth hormone (GH) therapy (rhGH) on HIF-dependent growth factors during early postnatal development, we compared protein (using ELISA) and mRNA (using quantitative RT PCR) levels of growth factors in plasma and brain between normoxic and hypoxic mice (8% O2, 6 h; postnatal day 7, P7) at P14. Exposure to hypoxia led to reduced body weight ( P < 0.001) and length ( P < 0.04) compared with controls and was associated with significantly reduced plasma levels of mouse GH ( P < 0.01) and IGF-1 ( P < 0.01). RhGH abrogated these hypoxia-induced changes of the GH/IGF-1 axis associated with normalization of weight and length gain until P14 compared with controls. In addition, rhGH treatment increased cerebral IGF-1, IGF-2, IGFBP-2, and erythropoietin mRNA levels, resulting in significantly reduced apoptotic cell death in the hypoxic, developing mouse brain. These data indicate that rhGH may functionally restore hypoxia-induced systemic dysregulation of the GH/IGF-1 axis and induce upregulation of neuroprotective, HIF-dependent growth factors in the hypoxic developing brain.
Folic acid supplementation increases cutaneous vasodilator sensitivity to sympathetic nerve activity in older adults
Authors: Stanhewicz Anna E. , Greaney Jody L. , Alexander Lacy M. , Kenney W. Larry
Published: February 2017

During heat stress, blunted increases in skin sympathetic nervous system activity (SSNA) and reductions in end-organ vascular responsiveness contribute to the age-related reduction in reflex cutaneous vasodilation. In older adults, folic acid supplementation improves the cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) response to passive heating; however, the influence of folic acid supplementation on SSNA:CVC transduction is unknown. Fourteen older adults (66 ± 1 yr, 8 male/6 female) ingested folic acid (5 mg/day) or placebo for 6 wk in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. In protocol 1, esophageal temperature (Tes) was increased by 1.0°C (water-perfused suit) while SSNA (peroneal microneurography) and red cell flux in the innervated dermatome (laser Doppler flowmetry; dorsum of the foot) were continuously measured. In protocol 2, two intradermal microdialysis fibers were placed in the skin of the lateral calf for graded infusions of acetylcholine (ACh; 10−10to 10−1M) with and without nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blockade (20 mM nitro-l-arginine methyl ester). Folic acid improved reflex vasodilation (46 ± 4% vs. 31 ± 3% CVCmaxfor placebo; P < 0.001) without affecting the increase in SSNA (Δ506 ± 104% vs. Δ415 ± 73% for placebo; NS). Folic acid increased the slope of the SSNA-to-CVC relation (0.08 ± 0.02 vs. 0.05 ± 0.01 for placebo; P < 0.05) and extended the response range. Folic acid augmented ACh-induced vasodilation (83 ± 3% vs. 66 ± 4% CVCmaxfor placebo; P = 0.002); however, there was no difference between treatments at the NOS-inhibited site (53 ± 4% vs. 52 ± 4% CVCmaxfor placebo; NS). These data demonstrate that folic acid supplementation enhances reflex vasodilation by increasing the sensitivity of skin arterioles to central sympathetic nerve outflow during hyperthermia in aged human subjects.
Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome candidate 1-like 1 epigenetically regulates nephrin gene expression
Authors: Ito Yugo , Katayama Kan , Nishibori Yukino , Akimoto Yoshihiro , Kudo Akihiko , Kurayama Ryota , Hada Ichiro , Takahashi Shohei , Kimura Toru , Fukutomi Toshiyuki , Katada Tomohisa , Suehiro Junichi , Beltcheva Olga , Tryggvason Karl , Yan Kunimasa
Published: February 2017

Altered expression of nephrin underlies the pathophysiology of proteinuria in both congenital and acquired nephrotic syndrome. However, the epigenetic mechanisms of nephrin gene regulation remain elusive. Here, we show that Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome candidate 1-like 1 long form (WHSC1L1-L) is a novel epigenetic modifier of nephrin gene regulation. WHSC1L1-L was associated with histone H3K4 and H3K36 in human embryonic kidney cells. WHSC1L1-L gene was expressed in the podocytes, and functional protein product was detected in these cells. WHSC1L1-L was found to bind nephrin but not other podocyte-specific gene promoters, leading to its inhibition/suppression, abrogating the stimulatory effect of WT1 and NF-κB. Gene knockdown of WHSC1L1-L in primary cultured podocytes accelerated the transcription of nephrin but not CD2AP. An in vivo zebrafish study involving the injection of Whsc1l1 mRNA into embryos demonstrated an apparent reduction of nephrin mRNA but not podocin and CD2AP mRNA. Immunohistochemistry showed that both WHSC1L1-L and nephrin emerged at the S-shaped body stage in glomeruli. Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy displayed WHSC1L1 to colocalize with trimethylated H3K4 in the glomerular podocytes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed the reduction of the association of trimethylated H3K4 at the nephrin promoter regions. Finally, nephrin mRNA was upregulated in the glomerulus at the early proteinuric stage of mouse nephrosis, which was associated with the reduction of WHSC1L1. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that WHSC1L1-L acts as a histone methyltransferase in podocytes and regulates nephrin gene expression, which may in turn contribute to the integrity of the slit diaphragm of the glomerular filtration barrier.
Spaceflight-induced synaptic modifications within hair cells of the mammalian utricle
Authors: Sultemeier David R. , Choy Kristel R. , Schweizer Felix E. , Hoffman Larry F.
Published: February 2017

Exposure to the microgravity conditions of spaceflight alleviates the load normally imposed by the Earth’s gravitational field on the inner ear utricular epithelia. Previous ultrastructural investigations have shown that spaceflight induces an increase in synapse density within hair cells of the rat utricle. However, the utricle exhibits broad physiological heterogeneity across different epithelial regions, and it is unknown whether capabilities for synaptic plasticity generalize to hair cells across its topography. To achieve systematic and broader sampling of the epithelium than was previously conducted, we used immunohistochemistry and volumetric image analyses to quantify synapse distributions across representative utricular regions in specimens from mice exposed to spaceflight (a 15-day mission of the space shuttle Discovery). These measures were compared with similarly sampled Earth-bound controls. Following paraformaldehyde fixation and microdissection, immunohistochemistry was performed on intact specimens to label presynaptic ribbons (anti-CtBP2) and postsynaptic receptor complexes (anti-Shank1A). Synapses were identified as closely apposed pre- and postsynaptic puncta. Epithelia from horizontal semicircular canal cristae served as “within-specimen” controls, whereas utricles and cristae from Earth-bound cohorts served as experimental controls. We found that synapse densities decreased in the medial extrastriolae of microgravity specimens compared with experimental controls, whereas they were unchanged in the striolae and horizontal cristae from the two conditions. These data demonstrate that structural plasticity was topographically localized to the utricular region that encodes very low frequency and static changes in linear acceleration, and illuminates the remarkable capabilities of utricular hair cells for synaptic plasticity in adapting to novel gravitational environments.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Spaceflight imposes a radically different sensory environment from that in which the inner ear utricle normally operates. We investigated synaptic modifications in utricles from mice flown aboard a space shuttle mission. Structural synaptic plasticity was detected in the medial extrastriola, a region associated with encoding static head position, as decreased synapse density. These results are remarkably congruent with a recent report of decreased utricular function in astronauts immediately after returning from the International Space Station.
High cardiorespiratory fitness in early to late middle age preserves the cortical circuitry associated with brain-heart integration during volitional exercise
Authors: Wood Katelyn N. , Luchyshyn Torri A. , Shoemaker J. Kevin
Published: February 2017

This study tested the hypothesis that high cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake) preserves the cortical circuitry associated with cardiac arousal during exercise in middle- to older-aged individuals. Observations of changes in heart rate (HR) and in cortical blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) images were made in 52 healthy, active individuals (45–73 yr; 16 women, 36 men) across a range of fitness (26–66 ml·kg−1·min−1). Seven repeated bouts of isometric handgrip (IHG) at 40% maximal voluntary contraction force were performed with functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T, with each contraction lasting 20 s and separated by 40 s of rest. HR responses to IHG showed high variability across individuals. Linear regression revealed that cardiorespiratory fitness was not a strong predictor of the HR response ( r2 = 0.09). In a region-of-interest analysis both the IHG task and the HR time course correlated with increased cortical activation in the bilateral insula and decreased activation relative to baseline in the anterior and posterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). t-Test results revealed greater deactivation at the MPFC with higher fitness levels beyond that of guideline-based activity. Therefore, whereas high cardiorespiratory fitness failed to affect absolute HR responses to IHG in this age range, a select effect was observed in cortical regions known to be associated with cardiovascular arousal.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our first observation suggests that fitness does not strongly predict the heart rate (HR) response to a volitional handgrip task in middle- to older-aged adults. Second, the BOLD response associated with the handgrip task, and with the HR time course, was associated with response patterns in the cortical autonomic network. Finally, whereas high cardiorespiratory fitness failed to affect absolute HR responses to isometric handgrip in this age range, a select effect was observed in cortical regions known to be associated with cardiovascular arousal, beyond that achieved through healthy active living.
RAID-6Plus: A Comprised Methodology for Extending RAID-6 Codes
Authors: Deng Ming-Zhu , Xiao Nong , Yu Song-Ping , Liu Fang , Zhu Lingyu , Chen Zhi-Guang
Published: February 2017

Existing RAID-6 code extensions assume that failures are independent and instantaneous, overlooking the underlying mechanism of multifailure occurrences. Also, the effect of reconstruction window is ignored. Additionally, these coding extensions have not been adapted to occurrence patterns of failure in real-world applications. As a result, the third parity drive is set to handle the triple-failure scenario; however, the lower level failure situations have been left unattended. Therefore, a new methodology of extending RAID-6 codes named RAID-6Plus with better compromise has been studied in this paper. RAID-6Plus (Deng et al., 2015) employs short combinations which can greatly reuse overlapped elements during reconstruction to remake the third parity drive. A sample extension code called RDP+ is given based on RDP. Moreover, we extended the study to present another extension example called X-code+ which has better update penalty and load balance. The analysis shows that RAID-6Plus is a balanced tradeoff of reliability, performance, and practicality. For instance, RDP+ could achieve speedups as high as 33.4% in comparison to the RTP with conventional rebuild, 11.9% in comparison to RTP with the optimal rebuild, 47.7% in comparison to STAR with conventional rebuild, and 26.2% for a single failure rebuild.
Time‐Free Solution to SAT Problem by Tissue P Systems
Authors: Luo Yueguo , Xiong Zhongyang , Zhang Guanghua
Published: February 2017

Tissue P systems are a class of computing models inspired by intercellular communication, where the rules are used in the nondeterministic maximally parallel manner. As we know, the execution time of each rule is the same in the system. However, the execution time of biochemical reactions is hard to control from a biochemical point of view. In this work, we construct a uniform and efficient solution to the problem with tissue P systems in a time‐free way for the first time. With the P systems constructed from the sizes of instances, the execution time of the rules has no influence on the computation results. As a result, we prove that such system is shown to be highly effective for NP‐complete problem even in a time‐free manner with communication rules of length at most 3.
Genomewide Expression and Functional Interactions of Genes under Drought Stress in Maize
Authors: Thirunavukkarasu Nepolean , Sharma Rinku , Singh Nidhi , Shiriga Kaliyugam , Mohan Sweta , Mittal Swati , Mittal Shikha , Mallikarjuna Mallana Gowdra , Rao Atmakuri Ramakrishna , Dash Prasanta Kumar , Hossain Firoz , Gupta Hari Shanker
Published: February 2017

A genomewide transcriptome assay of two subtropical genotypes of maize was used to observe the expression of genes at seedling stage of drought stress. The number of genes expressed differentially was greater in HKI1532 (a drought tolerant genotype) than in PC3 (a drought sensitive genotype), indicating primary differences at the transcriptional level in stress tolerance. The global coexpression networks of the two genotypes differed significantly with respect to the number of modules and the coexpression pattern within the modules. A total of 174 drought-responsive genes were selected from HKI1532, and their coexpression network revealed key correlations between different adaptive pathways, each cluster of the network representing a specific biological function. Transcription factors related to ABA-dependent stomatal closure, signalling, and phosphoprotein cascades work in concert to compensate for reduced photosynthesis. Under stress, water balance was maintained by coexpression of the genes involved in osmotic adjustments and transporter proteins. Metabolism was maintained by the coexpression of genes involved in cell wall modification and protein and lipid metabolism. The interaction of genes involved in crucial biological functions during stress was identified and the results will be useful in targeting important gene interactions to understand drought tolerance in greater detail.
Immunohistochemical Markers as Predictors of Histopathologic Response and Prognosis in Rectal Cancer Treated with Preoperative Adjuvant Therapy: State of the Art
Authors: Del Gobbo Alessandro , Ferrero Stefano
Published: February 2017

We explain the state of the art of the immunohistochemical markers of response in rectal cancers treated with neoadjuvant medical therapies and its implication with prognosis. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is widely used to improve the outcome of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, and the evaluation of the effects of medical therapy is to date based on histomorphological examination by applying four grading systems of response to therapy (tumor regression grade (TRG)). The need to identify immunohistochemical markers that could ensure a better assessment of response and possibly provide additional prognostic information has emerged. We identified p53, p27kip1, Ki67, matrix metalloprotease-9, survivin, Ki67 proliferative index, CD133, COX2, CD44v6, thymidylate synthase, thymidine phosphorylase, and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase as the most common markers studied in literature to date, and we explained their prognostic potential and their implications in the evaluation of the response to preoperative therapies in rectal cancers.
Esthetic Rehabilitation of Anterior Teeth with Copy-Milled Restorations: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Rani Sapna , Devi Jyoti , Jain Chandan , Mutneja Parul , Verma Mahesh
Published: February 2017

Digitalization has become part and parcel of contemporary prosthodontics with the probability of most of the procedures being based on the digital techniques in the near future. This digital revolution started in the latter half of the 20th century by converting analog objects/signals into digital bits and bytes. Recent developments in all-ceramic materials and systems of computer-aided designing and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), copy milling, and so forth offer excellent esthetics and superb biocompatibility. Copy milling system for ceramics enables milling of the zirconia cores of all-ceramic restorations precisely and also if this system is properly used the procedure for fabricating all-ceramic restorations can be substantially simplified. This case report presents fabrication of all-ceramic Maryland Bridge and post-core with a copy milling system for esthetics and preservation of integrity of tooth. For both of the patients, the use of biologic, all-ceramic, copy-milled restorations resulted in clinical success and recovered function and esthetics.
Course of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms during Flares of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Authors: Garrett Gareth , Ambrose Nicola , Davids Zaib , Bindman Dorothea
Published: February 2017

We present the case of a seventeen-year-old girl who presents with an interesting course of neuropsychiatric symptoms during several flares of SLE. The patient was diagnosed at the age of thirteen and has had four flares in total. The latter two flares included cutaneous and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The most recent flare occurred when she was aged seventeen. She had cutaneous symptoms which coincided with an episode of hypomania. Her mental state further deteriorated following steroid treatment. She exhibited affective and psychotic symptoms. Treatment with cyclophosphamide and olanzapine was associated with an improvement in both cutaneous and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Previously aged sixteen the patient had presented with cutaneous symptoms and a moderate depressive episode which was also exacerbated by steroid treatment. The patient’s mood improved when the dose of oral steroids was reduced to a daily dose of 15–20 mg prednisolone.
Bilateral Olecranon Tophaceous Gout Bursitis
Authors: Özdemir Güzelali , Deveci Alper , Andıç Kemal , Erdem Yaşar Niyazi
Published: February 2017

In this case, we present a patient with the diagnosis of bilateral olecranon tophaceous gout. After the surgical treatment, there was no limitation of range of motion or wound problem at 6th month control.
Open and Arthroscopic with Mini-Open Surgical Hip Approaches for Treatment of Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis and Concomitant Hip Pathology
Authors: Ellsworth Bridget , Kamath Atul F.
Published: February 2017

Background. Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare benign tumor affecting large joints and prompts excision to prevent local destruction of the joint. The purpose of this case report is to describe two differing surgical approaches for management of PVNS of the hip in patients requiring concomitant treatment for additional hip pathology.Methods. This report discusses the presentation, clinical and radiographic findings, and operative management of two contrasting cases of PVNS of the hip. Case1describes a 31-year-old female with localized PVNS in addition to a labral tear treated with arthroscopic labral repair followed by tumor excision via a mini-open incision. Case2describes a 29-year-old male with more diffuse PVNS in addition to a cam deformity managed with open surgical dislocation of the hip, tumor excision, and restoration of the femoral head/neck junction.Results. This report demonstrates two cases of successful excision of PVNS of the hip in addition to addressing concomitant hip pathology in both cases.Conclusions. Open surgical dislocation of the hip or arthroscopic surgery with a mini-open incision may be used in appropriately selected patients to successfully excise PVNS lesions in addition to addressing concomitant hip pathology.
BK Virus Encephalitis in HIV-Infected Patients: Case Report and Review
Authors: Antoniolli Luciana , Borges Rafael , Goldani Luciano Z.
Published: February 2017

Encephalitis and meningitis due to BKPyV are unusual and emerging condition. Only a few cases of BKPyV encephalitis have been reported in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, with the majority of cases presenting with concurrent hemorrhagic cystitis and HIV-infected patients. The authors report two HIV-infected patients with the diagnosis of BKPyV encephalitis and discuss the main clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of this infection in patients with AIDS. Physicians should be aware to recognize the main clinical features and diagnose BKPyV central nervous infection in the setting of AIDS.
Controllable Growth of the ZnO Nanorod Arrays on the Al Substrate and Their Reversible Wettability Transition
Authors: Li Hong , Liu Hongyan , Li Yushan , Liu Qinzhuang
Published: February 2017

High-quality ZnO nanorod arrays are formed using the ZnO nanoflakes on the Al substrate as seed layer. A reversible wettability transition can be easily achieved via alternation of UV irradiation and dark storage. The physical adsorption of the water molecules on the surface of ZnO nanorod arrays is considered to be responsible for this transition, which is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
A Comparison of Classical and Pulsating Jets in Crossflow at Various Strouhal Numbers
Authors: Chang Jianlong , Shao Xudong , Li Jiangman , Hu Xiao
Published: February 2017

Investigation of the classical and pulsating jet in crossflow (JICF) at a low Reynolds number (Re = 100) has been performed by the LES method based on varied velocity ratios (r =   1~4). Time‐averaged particle trajectories are compared in the classical and pulsating JICF. The formation mechanism and the corresponding flow characteristics for the counter‐rotating vortex pair (CRVP) have been analyzed. An unexpected “vortex tail” has been found in the JICF at higher velocity ratio due to the enhanced interactions indicated by the increased jet momentum among the CRVP, upright vortices, and shear layers. The analysis of time‐averaged longitudinal vorticity including a coupling mechanism between vortices has been performed. The returning streamlines appear in the pulsating JICF, and two extra converging points emerge near the nozzle of the jet at different Strouhal numbers. The temperature profiles based on the iso‐surface for the classical and pulsating JICF have been obtained computationally and analyzed in detail.
A Case of Conjunctival Amyloidosis with Repeated Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Authors: Ando Takaaki , Oshitari Toshiyuki , Saito Mamiko , Tawada Ayako , Baba Takayuki , Yotsukura Jiro , Yamamoto Shuichi
Published: February 2017

Conjunctival amyloidosis is a very rare disease, and its presence may be a sign of systemic amyloidosis. We present our ocular and systemic findings in a patient with conjunctival amyloidosis. A 43-year-old man had repeated subconjunctival hemorrhages (SCHs) for two years and was referred to the Chiba University Hospital. He had comprehensive ophthalmological and systemic examinations to determine the cause of the SCHs. His visual acuities were 1.2 OU, and the intraocular pressures were 13-14 mmHg OU. Magnetic resonance imaging was normal. Initially, the SCH was the only abnormality. After 3 months, the SCH had partially cleared, and a pink mass was detected in the superior area of the subconjunctiva. Partial biopsy and histopathological examinations showed a greenish birefringence and dichroism under polarized light illumination. The birefringence was located in amyloid fibers. Immunofixation electrophoresis detected λ-light chain abnormality in the ocular biopsy specimen but systemic examinations did not find any lesions. Multiple myeloma was ruled out, and the patient is being followed closely to detect any early signs of systemic amyloidosis. Because repeated SCHs might be initial signs of systemic amyloidosis, patients with conjunctival amyloidosis should be comprehensively examined for systemic amyloidosis because of its poor life prognosis.
Effects of a Supraseasonal Drought on the Ecological Attributes ofPlagioscion squamosissimus(Heckel, 1840) (Pisces, Sciaenidae) in a Brazilian Reservoir
Authors: Souza Antonia E. F. , Oliveira Jônnata F. , Peretti Danielle , Fernandes Rodrigo , Costa Rodrigo S. , Novaes José Luis Costa
Published: February 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a supraseasonal drought on the ecological attributes ofPlagioscion squamosissimus. The fish were caught quarterly from February 2010 to November 2014 using gill nets in the reservoir of Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The abundance of the species was evaluated with the catch per unit effort (CPUE) metric and then correlated with the accumulated rainfall and water volume of the reservoir. The diet of the fish was evaluated using the feeding index (IAi). The proportional similarity index (PSi) was used to evaluate the variation in the niches of the fish. The body condition was inferred through the relative condition factor, and its variation was assessed with ANOVA. A reduction in the abundance of the species that were positively correlated with the reservoir water volume was observed. The diet of the fish comprised shrimp, gastropods, fish, insects, shrimp larvae, and vegetable matter, with shrimp being the major component. PSishowed the occurrence of individual specialization during November 2013 and November 2014. The relative condition factor was not correlated with a reduction in the water volume of the reservoir. The supraseasonal drought did not affect the relative condition factor, diet, and the trophic niche, but it did affect the species abundance.
Correlation of Body Mass Index and Waist-Hip Ratio with Severity and Complications of Hyperlipidemic Acute Pancreatitis in Chinese Patients
Authors: Yang Lixin , Liu Jing , Xing Yun , Du Lichuan , Chen Jing , Liu Xin , Hao Jianyu
Published: February 2017

Hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP) is characterized by critical condition and high recurrence rate compared with non-HLAP. We conducted this study to investigate the value of body mass index and waist-hip ratio in predicting severity and local complications in HLAP. 96 patients with HLAP were categorized by body mass index and waist-hip ratio, respectively. According to the body mass index, they were divided into 3 groups, including normal weight, overweight, and obesity. According to the waist-hip ratio, they were divided into central obesity group and no central obesity group. The body mass index and waist-hip ratio were compared in severity, local complications, and systematic complications of HLAP, using chi-square test and Monte Carlo simulations. The body mass index and waist-hip ratio were correlated with the severity of acute pancreatitis (MAP, MSAP, and SAP), respiratory failure, and circulatory failure in HLAP (p<0.05), but not correlated with the local complications (walled-off necrosis, pancreatic abscess, and pancreatic pseudocyst), renal failure, and gastrointestinal bleeding.The body mass index and waist-hip ratio are valuable in predicting severity and complication in HLAP. We demonstrated that obese patients had an increased risk of developing more serious condition and more complications in HLAP.
Nurses and Physicians Attitudes toward Nurse-Physician Collaboration: A Survey from Gaza Strip, Palestine
Authors: Elsous Aymen , Radwan Mahmoud , Mohsen Samah
Published: February 2017

Interprofessional collaboration and teamwork between nurses and physicians is essential for improving patient outcomes and quality of health services. This study examined the attitudes of nurses and physicians toward nurse-physician collaboration. A cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses and physicians (n=414) in two main referral public hospitals in the Gaza Strip using the Arabic Jefferson Scale of Attitude toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration. Descriptive statistics and difference of means, proportions, and correlations were examined using Student’st-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation andp<0.05was considered as statistical significant. Response rate was 42.8% (75.6% for nurses and 24.4% for physicians). Nurses expressed more positives attitudes toward collaboration than physicians (M ± SD on four-point scale:3.40±0.30and3.01±0.35, resp.) and experience duration was not proved to have an interesting influence. Teamwork approach in the professional practice should be recognized taking into consideration that the relationship between physicians and nurses is complementary and nurses are partners in patient care.
A Case of Spontaneous Transdiaphragmatic Intercostal Hernia with Contralateral Injury, and Review of the Literature
Authors: Chapman Alexander A. , Duff Steven B.
Published: February 2017

This case report discusses the diagnosis and management of a 67-year-old male presenting with a spontaneous transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia with contralateral intercostal hernia. The patient had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations requiring multiple prolonged courses of steroids. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with computed tomography (CT) and underwent surgical repair via thoracotomy with primary repair of the diaphragmatic defect. The patient’s postoperative course was uncomplicated. A review of the literature since the first similar case in 1977 recognizes the propensity of this injury to be found in patients with COPD and chronic steroid usage, as well as its diagnosis and management. The case reviewed is the second documented case of a concurrent abdominal wall herniation and the first one with a contralateral injury. It is important for clinicians to be aware of this pathology when evaluating patients with COPD and chronic steroid usage.
Acupuncture Injection Combined with Electrokinetic Injection for Polydimethylsiloxane Microfluidic Devices
Authors: Ha Ji Won
Published: February 2017

We recently reported acupuncture sample injection that leads to reproducible injection of nL-scale sample segments into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel for microchip capillary electrophoresis. The advantages of the acupuncture injection in microchip capillary electrophoresis include capability of minimizing sample loss and voltage control hardware and capability of introducing sample plugs into any desired position of a microchannel. However, the challenge in the previous study was to achieve reproducible, pL-scale sample injections into PDMS microchannels. In the present study, we introduce an acupuncture injection technique combined with electrokinetic injection (AICEI) technique to inject pL-scale sample segments for microchip capillary electrophoresis. We carried out the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separation of FITC and fluorescein, and the mixture of 10 μM FITC and 10 μM fluorescein was separated completely by using the AICEI method.