bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C-reactive protein promotes bone destruction in human myeloma through the CD32–p38 MAPK–Twist axis
Authors: Yang Jing , Liu Zhiqiang , Liu Huan , He Jin , Yang Jianling , Lin Pei , Wang Qiang , Du Juan , Ma Wencai , Yin Zheng , Davis Eric , Orlowski Robert Z. , Hou Jian , Yi Qing
Published: December 2017

Liver-secreted C-reactive protein is not just a biomarker of myeloma, it promotes myeloma-associated bone loss in patients.
Papers of note in
Nature
552
(7683)
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: December 2017

This week’s articles highlight a potential therapeutic target for fibrosis; parasite receptors that contribute to malaria; a potential drawback of PD-1 inhibition for cancer immunotherapy; a noncoding RNA that regulates ribosome biogenesis; and a structural analysis of substrate binding by the kinase PINK1.
Generating heat through Ca
2+
cycling
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: December 2017

Beige fat regulates whole-body energy homeostasis by cycling Ca
2+
through RyR2 and SERCA2b.
Assessment of a quality improvement intervention to strengthen pharmaceutical human resources and improve availability and use of HIV medicines in Uganda
Authors: Byabagambi John B , Broughton Edward , Heltebeitel Simon , Wuliji Tana , Karamagi Esther
Published: December 2017

Inadequate medication dispensing and management by healthcare providers can contribute to poor outcomes among HIV-positive patients. Gaps in medication availability, often associated with pharmacy workforce shortages, are an important barrier to retention in HIV care in Uganda. An intervention to address pharmacy staffing constraints through strengthening pharmaceutical management, dispensing practices, and general competencies of facility clinical and pharmacy staff was implemented in 14 facilities in three districts in eastern Uganda. Teams of staff were organised in each facility and supported to apply quality improvement (QI) methods to address deficits in availability and rational use of HIV drugs. To evaluate the intervention, baseline and end line data were collected 24 months apart. Dispensing practices, clinical wellness and adherence to antiretrovirals improved by 45%, 28% and 20% from baseline to end line, respectively. All clients at end line received the medications prescribed, and medications were correctly, completely and legibly labelled more often. Clients better understood when, how much and for how long they were supposed to take their prescribed medicines at end line. Pharmaceutical management practices also improved from baseline in most categories by statistically significant margins. Facilities significantly improved on correctly recording stock information about antiretroviral drugs (53%vs100%, P<0.0001). Coinciding with existing staff taking on pharmaceutical roles, facilities improved management of unwanted and expired drugs, notably by optimising use of existing health workers and making pharmaceutical management processes more efficient. Implementation of this improvement intervention in the 14 facilities appeared to have a positive impact on client outcomes, pharmacy department management and providers’ self-reported knowledge of QI methods. These results were achieved at a cost of about US$5.50 per client receiving HIV services at participating facilities.
Narrative approach in understanding the drivers for resilience of military combat medics
Authors: Russell Cristel Antonia , Gibbons S W , Abraham P A , Howe E R , Deuster P , Russell D W
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Qualitative insights may demonstrate how combat medics (CM) deal with stressors and identify how resilience can potentially develop. Yet, qualitative research is scant in comparison to the many quantitative studies of health outcomes associated with military service.

Method

Semistructured qualitative interviews were used to collect personal narratives of US Army CMs who had previously served in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Results

Thematic analysis revealed three key driving forces for how resilience develops in the context of combat and war. The first was patriotism, which captures loyalty and full commitment to the military and its missions. The second was commitment to their family, reflecting the balance of responsibility to family of origin with the obligation one feels towards their military family. The last driving force was faith, or the drive to reach towards the transcendent to provide a moral compass and develop empathy in the face of difficult situations.

Conclusions

An individual’s commitment to country, military family and faith strengthens their resilience, and this can be used to inform future research efforts as well as current clinical practice.
Is there a relationship between spondyloarthritis and periodontitis? A case–control study
Authors: Bautista-Molano Wilson , van der Heijde Desirée , Landewé Robert , Lafaurie Gloria I , de Ávila Juliette , Valle-Oñate Rafael , Romero-Sanchez Consuelo
Published: December 2017

Objective

To compare the frequency and severity of periodontitis in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) with healthy control individuals, through the evaluation of clinical, serological and microbiological periodontal condition.

Methods

Patients with a diagnosis of SpA (n=78) and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) naive fulfilling the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) classification criteria as well as 156 healthy controls matched for age/gender were included. Two trained and calibrated periodontologists performed the periodontal clinical assessment. The presence of periodontitis and its severity were determined according to the criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-American Academy of Periodontology. The clinical periodontal variables, IgG1/IgG2 antibodies againstPorphyromonas gingivalis andperiodontopathic bacterial identification, were also established. Comparisons of periodontal characteristics between the patients with SpA and the control group were performed using univariable analyses. A logistic regression analyses was performed to calculate the OR (95% CI) for diagnosis of periodontitis in patients with SpA and matched controls.

Results

A diagnosis of periodontitis was established in 56% in patients with SpA versus 69% of healthy controls (P≤ 0.01). Severe periodontitis was found in 3% versus 12% in SpA versus healthy controls, respectively (P≤ 0.01). There was no significant increase of frequency of any periodontal variable, IgG1/IgG2 antibodies againstP. gingivalisor the presence of periodontopathic bacteria between patients with SpA and control group. Periodontitis was not positively associated with a diagnosis of SpA (OR: 0.57, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.00, P=0.05) in the logistic regression analyses.

Conclusions

We found a lower rather than a higher frequency and severity of periodontitis in patients with SpA in comparison with healthy control individuals. Our findings suggest that there is no positive association between SpA and periodontitis in Colombian patients.
Evaluation of the joint distribution at disease presentation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a large study across continents
Authors: Bergstra Sytske Anne , Chopra Arvind , Saluja Manjit , Vega-Morales David , Govind Nimmisha , Huizinga Tom W J , Helm-van Mil Annette van der
Published: December 2017

Background

Genetic and environmental risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are population dependent and may affect disease expression. Therefore, we studied tender and swollen joint involvement in patients newly diagnosed with RA in four countries and performed a subanalysis within countries to assess whether the influence of autoantibody positivity affected disease expression.

Methods

Patients with symptom duration <2 years fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism 2010 RA classification criteria were selected from METEOR (Measurement of Efficacy of Treatment in the Era of Outcome in Rheumatology), an international observational database, and the Dutch Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic. Indian (n=947), Mexican (n=141), South African (n=164) and Dutch (n=947) autoantibody-positive and negative patients with RA, matched by symptom duration, were studied for swollen and tender joint distribution.

Results

Between countries, the reported distribution of swollen joint distribution differed, with more knee synovitis in Mexico, South Africa and India compared with the Netherlands (37%, 36%, 30% and 13%) and more elbow (29%, 23%, 7%, 7%) and shoulder synovitis (21%, 11%, 0%, 1%) in Mexico and South Africa compared with India and the Netherlands.

Since the number of autoantibody-negative patients in Mexico and South Africa was limited, Indian and Dutch autoantibody-positive and negative patients with RA were compared. The number of swollen and tender joints was higher in autoantibody-negative patients, but the overall distribution of involved joints was similar.

Conclusion

Joint involvement at diagnosis does not differ between autoantibody-positive and negative patients with RA in India and the Netherlands. However, joint involvement is reported differently across countries. More research is needed whether these differences are cultural and/or pathogenetic.
Asinine herpesvirus‐3 (equine herpesvirus‐8)‐associated neurological disease in a donkey
Authors: van Maanen Kees , van der Zaag Ellen , Buter Rianne , van den Wollenberg Linda , van Oldruitenborgh‐Oosterbaan Marianne Sloet
Published: December 2017

A 30‐year‐old female donkey with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) was referred to the Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, for losing weight despite good appetite and treatment for PPID. Twelve days after returning home, the mare developed nasal discharge, and the next day it was found recumbent and was only able to stand up with manual assistance. The next day the mare showed severe tetraparesis, ataxia, and hypotonia of anus, tail and bladder, and it became completely recumbent. Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy was suspected, and to confirm the diagnosis a deep nasal swab was taken. Because of the poor prognosis the mare was euthanased. The swab scored very strong positive for equine herpesvirus‐1 (EHV‐1) and virus isolation was performed to enable further characterisation of the virus. The identity of the virus was again confirmed as EHV‐1 with type‐specific monoclonal antibodies, but sequencing identified the virus as asinine herpesvirus‐3 (EHV‐8).
Nitrogen dynamics vary across hydrologic gradients and by forest community composition in the perhumid coastal temperate rainforest of southeast Alaska
Authors: Bisbing Sarah M. , D’Amore David V.
Published: December 2017

Nitrogen (N) limitation constrains plant growth, but complex interactions among species and ecosystems hinder our ability to identify primary drivers of N availability. Hydrologic, biogeochemical, and ecological processes interact spatially and temporally, requiring measurements of N across diverse ecosystem types and as a function of both site conditions and vegetation composition. We measured initial exchangeable and mineralized N along a hydrologic gradient in the Alaskan perhumid coastal temperate rainforest to test a conceptual model of linkages between N availability and landscape, hydrologic, and ecosystem characteristics in temperate forests. Mineralization was closely associated with inorganic N concentrations. Inorganic N as NH4+generally increased with increasing depth to groundwater but was strongly determined by plant–water interactions. Exchangeable and mineralized N were closely linked to tree species, forest biomass, and hydrologic regime regardless of ecosystem type. The emergence of tree species as indicators of N cycling highlights the effect that species have on nutrient dynamics, while the trend of increasing inorganic N with increasing soil saturation points to the role of hydrology in driving N availability. Our research quantified N dynamics for an understudied, yet critical, system and provides a framework for exploring feedbacks among soil saturation, forest composition, and nutrient cycling in temperate forests.
Observable consequences of zero-point energy
Authors: Sen Siddhartha , Gupta Kumar S.
Published: December 2017

Spectral line widths, the Lamb shift and the Casimir effect are generally accepted to be observable consequences of the zero-point electromagnetic (ZPEM) fields. A new class of observable consequences of ZPEM field at the mesoscopic scale were recently proposed and observed. Here, we extend this class of observable effects and predict that mesoscopic water layers should have a high value for its solid–liquid phase transition temperature, as illustrated by water inside a single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT). For this case, our analysis predicts that the phase transition temperature scales inversely with the square of the effective radius available for the water flow within the CNT.
Behaviors Comparisons and Prediction of Pre-Pressed Spring Self-Centering Energy Dissipation Braces
Authors: Fan Xiao-Wei , Xu Long-He , Li Zhong-Xian
Published: December 2017

The pre-pressed spring self-centering energy dissipation (PS-SCED) brace that combines the friction energy dissipation mechanism with a self-centering member comprising combination disc springs is developed and experimentally studied. The configuration of the proposed bracing system is presented and a Bouc–Wen model-based restoring force model is proposed to predict its hysteretic behavior. Two large scale PS-SCED braces with different length and different types of disc springs are designed, fabricated, and tested under low cyclic reversed loadings, and results demonstrate that the PS-SCED brace exhibits stable and repeatable self-centering hysteretic responses with effective energy dissipation capacity. The ductility of the proposed bracing system can be enhanced by employing the disc springs with bearing surface, and increasing the length of the tube members or segments of the disc springs. The symmetry of the bearing force in tension and in compression meets the design requirement for bracing elements. And the proposed restoring force model can accurately portray the hysteretic behavior of the PS-SCED bracing system.
Uncertainty relations for two observables coupled with the third one
Authors: Dodonov Viktor V.
Published: December 2017

A new lower boundary for the product of variances of two observables is obtained in the case, when these observables are entangled with the third one. This boundary can be higher than the Robertson–Schrödinger one. The special case of the two-dimensional pure Gaussian state is considered as an example.
Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Eye Drops for the Treatment of Post-LASIK Chronic Ocular Surface Syndrome
Authors: Alio Jorge L. , Rodriguez Alejandra E. , Abdelghany Ahmed A. , Oliveira Renan F.
Published: December 2017

Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma (E-PRP) eye drops for the treatment of chronic ocular surface syndrome (OSS) following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).Methods. This prospective interventional consecutive clinical study include 156 eyes of 80 patients affected by post-LASIK chronic OSS who were treated with autologous E-PRP 6 times a day as monotherapy for 6 weeks.Results. Dry eye symptoms improved in 85% of the cases. A decrease in at least one quadrant to total disappearance on CFS was observed in 89.6% of the patients who had positive CFS before treatment. Three eyes presented severe punctate keratitis (1.9%) at baseline, all of which healed completely. Conjunctival hyperemia improved in 93.3% of the patients with previous signs of ocular surface inflammation. There was a significant improvement in logMAR CDVA from 0.14 ± 0.19 to 0.06 ± 0.12 (p=0.000), and 74 (71.4%) eyes improved at least 1 line in CDVA.Conclusion. Monotherapy with autologous E-PRP is a well-tolerated, safe, and effective treatment for the management of post-LASIK ocular surface syndrome.Precis. Monotherapy with autologous platelet-rich plasma eye drops has been shown to be an adequate option for the treatment of post-LASIK chronic ocular surface syndrome. This trial is registered withNCT03322917.
Coats’ Disease-Related Macular Edema Treated with Combined Aflibercept and Laser Photocoagulation
Authors: Shieh Wen-Shi , Shah Gaurav K. , Blinder Kevin J.
Published: December 2017

Purpose. To describe the clinical response of refractory macular edema associated with Coats’ disease following treatment with aflibercept and laser photocoagulation. Methods. Case report. Results. A 17-year-old female presented with decreased vision of the left eye. Ophthalmic exam demonstrated intraretinal hemorrhages and exudation with associated edema centrally. Angiographic evaluation revealed central leaking microaneurysms and peripheral capillary dropout. These findings and a systemic work-up that yielded an incidental Factor V Leiden mutation lead to a diagnosis of Coats’ disease. Initial treatment consisted of laser photocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab but with poor response. Switching to intravitreal aflibercept resulted in resolution of the refractory macular edema and improvement of visual acuity to 20/25 in the left eye. Conclusion. We describe a case of refractory macular edema which responded more favorably to intravitreal aflibercept compared with bevacizumab when combined with laser photocoagulation in a patient with Coats’ disease.
SIFT Saliency Analysis for Matching Repetitive Structures
Authors: Yang Yan , Hu Xiaopeng , Xu Lijuan , Wang Fan
Published: December 2017

The ambiguity resulting from repetitive structures in a scene presents a major challenge for image matching. This paper proposes a matching method based on SIFT feature saliency analysis to achieve robust feature matching between images with repetitive structures. The feature saliency within the reference image is estimated by analyzing feature stability and dissimilarity via Monte‐Carlo simulation. In the proposed method, feature matching is performed only within the region of interest to reduce the ambiguity caused by repetitive structures. The experimental results demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed method, especially in the presence of respective structures.
Heparanase Overexpresses in Keratoconic Cornea and Tears Depending on the Pathologic Grade
Authors: García Beatriz , García-Suárez Olivia , Merayo-Lloves Jesús , Ferrara Guilherme , Alcalde Ignacio , González Javier , Lisa Carlos , Alfonso Jose F. , Vazquez Fernando , Quirós Luis M.
Published: December 2017

Background. Keratoconus has classically been defined as a noninflammatory disorder, although recent studies show elevated levels of inflammatory markers suggesting that keratoconus could be, at least in part, an inflammatory condition. Heparanase upregulation has been described in multiple inflammatory disorders. In this article, we study the differential expression of heparanase in cornea and tears from keratoconus patients and healthy controls. Methods. A transcriptomic approach was used employing quantitative polymerase chain reaction to analyze the expression of heparanase and heparanase 2 in stromal and epithelial corneal cells. The protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in corneal sections. Enzymatic activity in tears was measured using [3H]-labeled heparan sulfate as substrate. Results. Heparanase transcription was detected in stromal and epithelial cells and appeared upregulated in keratoconus. Overexpression of the enzyme was also detected by immunohistochemistry. Corneal expression of heparanase 2 was detected in some cases. Heparanase catalytic activity was found in tears and displayed a positive correlation with the degree of keratoconus. Conclusions. Heparanase overexpresses in keratoconic corneas, possibly reinforcing the inflammatory condition of the pathology. The presence of heparanase activity in tears allows us to propose its use as a biomarker for the diagnosis of the disorder.
Thyrotoxic Atrial Fibrillation: Factors Associated with Persistence and Risk of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Wong Cheuk-Lik , Tam Ho-Kee Vicki , Fok Chun-Kit Vincent , Lam Pong-Kai Ellen , Fung Lai-Ming
Published: December 2017

Background. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the commonest cardiovascular manifestations of thyrotoxicosis. A significant proportion of patients have persistent AF which may have long term consequences, for example, ischemic stroke. Methods. We performed a retrospective cohort study in a regional hospital from January 2004 to June 2016 to examine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of thyrotoxic patients who presented with atrial fibrillation and to investigate possible factors associated with persistent atrial fibrillation and ischemic stoke. Results. Among 1918 patients who had a diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, 133 (6.9%) patients presented with AF. Spontaneous sinus conversion occurred in 89 (66.9%) patients in which 85 (94%) patients developed sinus conversion before or within 6 months after having achieved euthyroidism. The remaining 44 (33.1%) had persistent AF. The rate of ischemic stroke was numerically higher among patients who had persistent AF than those with spontaneous sinus conversion (15.9% versus 10.1%; log-rank 0.442, p=0.506). Patients who sustained an ischemic stroke were older (71 ± 11 years versus 62 ± 16 years, p=0.023) and had a trend towards higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (2.9 ± 1.7 versus 2.3 ± 1.7, p=0.153). History of smoking (adjusted odds ratio 4.9, 95% CI [1.8,14.0], p=0.002), a larger left atrial diameter (adjusted odd ratio 2.6, 95% CI [1.2,5.5], p=0.014), and a relatively lower free thyroxine level at diagnosis (adjusted odd ratio 2.1, 95% CI [1.2,3.5], p=0.008) were associated with persistence of AF on multivariate analysis. Conclusion. Persistence of thyrotoxic AF occurred in one-third of patients and spontaneous sinus conversion was unlikely after six months of euthyroidism. High rate of ischemic stroke was observed among patients with persistent thyrotoxic AF and older age. Patients with factors associated with persistent AF, especially older people, should be closely monitored beyond 6 months so that anticoagulation can be initiated in a timely manner to reduce risk of ischemic stroke.
Multifaceted Roles of GSK‐3 in Cancer and Autophagy‐Related Diseases
Authors: Mancinelli Romina , Carpino Guido , Petrungaro Simonetta , Mammola Caterina Loredana , Tomaipitinca Luana , Filippini Antonio , Facchiano Antonio , Ziparo Elio , Giampietri Claudia
Published: December 2017

GSK‐3 is a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase existing as GSK‐3α and GSK‐3β isoforms, both active under basal conditions and inactivated upon phosphorylation by different upstream kinases. Initially discovered as a regulator of glycogen synthesis, GSK‐3 is also involved in several signaling pathways controlling many different key functions. Here, we discuss recent advances regarding (i) GSK‐3 structure, function, regulation, and involvement in several cancers, including hepatocarcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia, and melanoma (active GSK‐3 has been shown to induce apoptosis in some cases or inhibit apoptosis in other cases and to induce cancer progression or inhibit tumor cell proliferation, suggesting that different GSK‐3 modulators may address different specific targets); (ii) GSK‐3 involvement in autophagy modulation, reviewing signaling pathways involved in neurodegenerative and liver diseases; (iii) GSK‐3 role in oxidative stress and autophagic cell death, focusing on liver injury; (iv) GSK‐3 as a possible therapeutic target of natural substances and synthetic inhibitors in many diseases; and (v) GSK‐3 role as modulator of mammalian aging, related to metabolic alterations characterizing senescent cells and age‐related diseases. Studies summarized here underline the GSK‐3 multifaceted role and indicate such kinase as a molecular target in different pathologies, including diseases associated with autophagy dysregulation.
Diabetes Mellitus and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Li Xu , Wang Xiaocong , Gao Pujun
Published: December 2017

The occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is two to three times higher in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), the prevalence of which is increasing sharply worldwide. The purpose of this review was to describe clinical links between DM and HCC and potential biological mechanisms that may account for this association. We evaluated the role of potential pathways that could account for the development of HCC with different etiologies in the presence of DM. In addition, we also briefly discuss the potential effect of other factors such as type and dosage of antidiabetic medicines and duration of DM on HCC risk.
Deep Venous Thrombosis and Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism Revealing Silent Celiac Disease: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Dumic Igor , Martin Scott , Salfiti Nadim , Watson Robert , Alempijevic Tamara
Published: December 2017

Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic, chronic autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals following dietary gluten exposure. CD can present with a wide range of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal manifestations and requires lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet [GFD]. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) as a presentation of celiac disease is unusual and rarely reported. We present a case of a 46-year-old man who was admitted for shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain and was found to have iron deficiency anemia, deep venous thrombosis, and bilateral pulmonary emboli (PE). After work-up for his anemia, the patient was diagnosed with CD. Comprehensive investigation for inherited or acquired prothrombotic disorders was negative. It is becoming increasingly recognized that CD is associated with an increased risk for VTE. PE, however, as a presentation of CD is exceedingly rare and to the best of our knowledge this is the third case report of such an occurrence and the only case report of a patient from North America. It is important to recognize that the first symptoms or signs of celiac disease might be extraintestinal. Furthermore, VTE as a presentation of CD is rare but life-threatening.
Development and Characterization of Photoinduced Acrylamide-Grafted Polylactide Films for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Rahman Mijanur , Sreearunothai Paiboon , Opaprakasit Pakorn
Published: December 2017

Surface grafting of biodegradable/biocompatible polylactide (PLA) films by a UV-assisted reaction has been developed by employing a hydrophilic acrylamide (Am) monomer, an N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAm) cross-linker, and a camphorquinone (CQ)/N,N′-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate (DMAEMA) photoinitiator/coinitiator system. The accomplishment of the process is confirmed by FTIR and XPS analyses. Physicochemical changes of the grafted PLA films are evaluated in terms of chemical structures, radiation-induced degradation followed by crystallization, morphology, thermal properties, and mechanical behavior. The results reveal that a low degree of PLA degradation through chain scission is observed in both blank and grafted PLA films. This generates more polar chain ends that can further induce crystallization. Results from contact angle measurements indicate that the grafted films have higher hydrophilicity and pH-responsive behavior. The incorporation of PAm on the film’s surface and the induced crystallization lead to improvements in certain aspects of mechanical properties of the films. The materials have high potential for use in biomedical and environmental applications, such as cell culture substrates or scaffolds or pH-sensitive absorbents.
Design of Yagi Antenna with Slow-Wave Half-Mode SIW Feeding Technique for Ku Band Applications
Authors: Han Bo , Wang Shibing , Zhao Jia , Shi Xiaofeng
Published: December 2017

A novel planar Yagi antenna printed on a microwave substrate with dielectric constant of 3.55 for Ku band applications has been presented in this paper. The proposed antenna has been fed by the slow-wave half-mode substrate-integrated waveguide and has achieved good characteristics, such as reduced size, high gain, broadband, and low insertion loss. The proposed antenna has been fabricated by Rogers 4350 substrate with lengths of two arms for dipole 0.46 λ0. Measured results indicate that the impedance bandwidth (below −10 dB return loss) is from 15.4 GHz to 19.4 GHz with peak gain 7.49 dBi. Both simulations and experiments convince that the proposed antenna could have reliable applications for Ku band wireless communications.
A Novel Tunable Triple-Band Left-Handed Metamaterial
Authors: Li Si , Elsherbeni Atef Z. , Yu Wenhua , Li Wenxing , Mao Yunlong
Published: December 2017

A novel tunable triple-band left-handed metamaterial (LHM) composed of a single-loop resonator (SLR) and a variable capacitor-loaded short wire pair (CL-SWP) printed on both sides of a substrate is presented in this paper. The CL-SWP-based metamaterial (MTM) is a novel single-sided LHM. It is theoretically analyzed capable of extracting tunable negative permeability and a wide-band negative permittivity. We ran simulations for the CL-SWP-based MTM, the SLR-based MTM, and the proposed LHM. Together with the measured results, it is identified that this novel LHM exhibits a tunable triple-band left-handed (LH) property. With the increase of the loaded capacitance, one LH band is relatively stable, while the other two are moving towards lower frequencies with their bandwidth getting wider and narrower, respectively. The surface current density distributions indicate that the first LH band is mainly decided by the SLR, one of the rest 2 LH bands is mainly decided by the CL-SWP, and the other one is decided by the SLR and CL-SWP together.
Analysis of the Impacts of Bearing on Vibration Characteristics of Rotor
Authors: Yang Peiji , Yuan Qi , Huang Chao , Zhou Yafeng , Li Hongliang , Zhou Yu
Published: December 2017

Aiming at a Top Gas Recovery Turbine Unit (TRT) with double support rotor and the extending disk end, theoretical and experimental analysis about influence of cylindrical bearing and four-lobe bearing on vibration of TRT rotor system are conducted in this paper. The results indicate that vibration of the rotor supported by cylindrical bearing is more stable than that supported by four-lobe bearing at the driving end (DE) and the nondriving end (NDE). The amplitude of rotor is supported by both of these types of bearing increases as the speed increases at the NDE, while the amplitude of the DE remains unchanged. Comparing with the result of theoretical analysis, the practical test results are more consistent with the theoretical response analysis conducted by applying unbalanced mass at the extending disk end. This paper presents an analysis method of the critical characteristics of a double support rotor system with the extending disk end and provides reference value for dealing with vibration fault of double support rotor system with the extending disk end.
In Vivo Subacute Toxicity and Antidiabetic Effect of Aqueous Extract of Nigella sativa
Authors: Bensiameur-Touati Karima , Kacimi Ghouti , Haffaf El-Mehdi , Berdja Sihem , Aouichat-Bouguerra Souhila
Published: December 2017

Context. Nigella sativa seeds are usually used as traditional medicine for a wide range of therapeutic purposes. Objective. To investigate the subacute toxicity of NS aqueous extract and select its lowest dose to study its antidiabetic effect. Methods. 5 AqE.NS doses (2, 6.4, 21, 33, and 60 g/Kg) were daily administered to mice by gavage. Biochemical parameters measurements and histological study of the liver and the kidney were performed after 6 weeks of supplementation. Thereafter, and after inducing diabetes by alloxan, rats were treated by 2 g/Kg of AqE.NS during 8 weeks. Metabolic parameters were measured on sera. A horizontal electrophoresis of plasmatic lipoprotein was conducted. Glycogen, total lipids, and triglycerides were measured in the liver. TBARS were evaluated on adipose tissue, liver, and pancreas. Results. AqE.NS showed no variation in urea and albumin at the 5 doses, but hepatotoxicity from 21 g/Kg was confirmed by histopathological observations of the liver. In diabetic rats, AqE.NS significantly decreased glycemia, TG, T‐cholesterol, LDL‐c, and TBARS and showed a restored insulinemia and a significant increase in HDL‐c. Results on the liver indicated a decrease in lipids and a possible glycogenogenesis. Conclusion. AqE.NS showed its safety at low doses and its evident antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant effect.
An Improved Urban Mapping Strategy Based on Collaborative Processing of Optical and SAR Remotely Sensed Data
Authors: Han Ruimei , Liu Pei , Wang Han , Yang Leiku , Zhang Hanwei , Ma Chao
Published: December 2017

Potential of combining SAR and optical remotely sensed data for rapid urban mapping is highlight. Two groups of optical and SAR remotely sensed data are selected to evaluate the strategy. Outputs are verified and analyzed from 3 aspects. The single class and merged map accuracy are evaluated; the proposed method is compared with 2 mature algorithms; the selected classifiers are applied to 7 different fusion algorithms to make further comprehension. The outcomes illustrate the potential of synergic optical and SAR data for monitoring urbanization status and demonstrate that the proposed SAR/optical information synergy method improved the capabilities of urban mapping compared with separately using SAR and optical data. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can map built‐up area, water body, and vegetation at accuracy of 99.31%, 91.92%, and 91.72%, respectively. These results are much better than when solo optical or SAR data was selected and better than classification results based on mature fusion methods. The main contributions of this article are as follows: the proposal of a rapid urban mapping strategy based on integration of optical and SAR data and the verifying and analysis of potential of synergic optical and SAR data for rapid urban mapping.
Synthesis, Molecular Docking Studies, and Antifungal Activity Evaluation of New Benzimidazole-Triazoles as Potential Lanosterol 14α-Demethylase Inhibitors
Authors: Can Nafiz Öncü , Acar Çevik Ulviye , Sağlık Begüm Nurpelin , Levent Serkan , Korkut Büşra , Özkay Yusuf , Kaplancıklı Zafer Asım , Koparal Ali Savaş
Published: December 2017

Due to anticandidal importance of azole compounds, a new series of benzimidazole-triazole derivatives(5a–5s)were designed and synthesized as ergosterol inhibitors. The chemical structures of the target compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods. The final compounds were screened for antifungal activity againstCandida glabrata(ATCC 90030),Candida krusei(ATCC 6258),Candida parapsilosis(ATCC 22019), andCandida albicans(ATCC 24433). Compounds5iand5sexhibited significant inhibitory activity againstCandidastrains with MIC50values ranging from 0.78 to 1.56 μg/mL. Cytotoxicity results revealed that IC50values of compounds5iand5sagainst NIH/3T3 are significantly higher than their MIC50values. Effect of the compounds5iand5sagainst ergosterol biosynthesis was determined by LC-MS-MS analysis. Both compounds caused a significant decrease in the ergosterol level. The molecular docking studies were performed to investigate the interaction modes between the compounds and active site of lanosterol 14-α-demethylase (CYP51), which is as a target enzyme for anticandidal azoles. Theoretical ADME predictions were also calculated for final compounds.
A Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Multicriteria Decision‐Making Method with Interactive Criteria and Its Application to Renewable Energy Projects Selection
Authors: Xiao Jichang , Cai Jianfeng , Wang Xiaodong
Published: December 2017

A variety of multicriteria decision‐making (MCDM) methods for renewable energy projects evaluation have been proposed, of which the premise of using these methods is to assume that the criteria are independent of each other. However, it may be difficult or costly to build independent criteria set in some cases because renewable energy planning is to pursue a balance of economic, social, and environmental goals, which makes the existence of interaction among criteria be of great possibility. In this paper, we consider a highly ambiguous decision situation, where the experts are allowed to give the evaluations in the form of hesitant fuzzy linguistic terms set (HFLTS). We build a hesitant fuzzy linguistic decision‐making model handling the interaction among criteria from the perspective of distance measure and apply it to renewable energy projects selection. The proposed method can consider more fuzzy factors and deal with the interaction among criteria more approximately. It can reduce the decision pressure and improve the decision‐making efficiency because the decision makers are allowed to express their preference in form of HFLTS and a decision criteria set of which the criteria are independent of each other is not necessary.
A20/TNFAIP3 Regulates the DNA Damage Response and Mediates Tumor Cell Resistance to DNA-Damaging Therapy
Authors: Yang Chuanzhen , Zang Weicheng , Tang Zefang , Ji Yapeng , Xu Ruidan , Yang Yongfeng , Luo Aiping , Hu Bin , Zhang Zemin , Liu Zhihua , Zheng Xiaofeng
Published: December 2017

A competent DNA damage response (DDR) helps prevent cancer, but once cancer has arisen, DDR can blunt the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy that cause lethal DNA breakage in cancer cells. Thus, blocking DDR may improve the efficacy of these modalities. Here, we report a new DDR mechanism that interfaces with inflammatory signaling and might be blocked to improve anticancer outcomes. Specifically, we report that the ubiquitin-editing enzyme A20/TNFAIP3 binds and inhibits the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF168, which is responsible for regulating histone H2A turnover critical for proper DNA repair. A20 induced after DNA damage disrupted RNF168–H2A interaction in a manner independent of its enzymatic activity. Furthermore, it inhibited accumulation of RNF168 and downstream repair protein 53BP1 during DNA repair. A20 was also required for disassembly of RNF168 and 53BP1 from damage sites after repair. Conversely, A20 deletion increased the efficiency of error-prone nonhomologous DNA end-joining and decreased error-free DNA homologous recombination, destablizing the genome and increasing sensitivity to DNA damage. In clinical specimens of invasive breast carcinoma, A20 was widely overexpressed, consistent with its candidacy as a therapeutic target. Taken together, our findings suggest that A20 is critical for proper functioning of the DDR in cancer cells and it establishes a new link between this NFκB-regulated ubiquitin-editing enzyme and the DDR pathway.

Significance: This study identifies the ubiquitin-editing enzyme A20 as a key factor in mediating cancer cell resistance to DNA-damaging therapy, with implications for blocking its function to leverage the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cancer Res; 78(4); 1069–82. ©2017 AACR.
Comprehensive Mutation and Copy Number Profiling in Archived Circulating Breast Cancer Tumor Cells Documents Heterogeneous Resistance Mechanisms
Authors: Paoletti Costanza , Cani Andi K. , Larios Jose M. , Hovelson Daniel H. , Aung Kimberly , Darga Elizabeth P. , Cannell Emily M. , Baratta Paul J. , Liu Chia-Jen , Chu David , Yazdani Maryam , Blevins Allen R. , Sero Valeria , Tokudome Nahomi , Thomas Dafydd G. , Gersch Christina , Schott Anne F. , Wu Yi-Mi , Lonigro Robert , Robinson Dan R. , Chinnaiyan Arul M. , Bischoff Farideh Z. , Johnson Michael D. , Park Ben H. , Hayes Daniel F. , Rae James M. , Tomlins Scott A.
Published: December 2017

Addressing drug resistance is a core challenge in cancer research, but the degree of heterogeneity in resistance mechanisms in cancer is unclear. In this study, we conducted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating tumor cells (CTC) from patients with advanced cancer to assess mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapy and reveal opportunities for precision medicine. Comparison of the genomic landscapes of CTCs and tissue metastases is complicated by challenges in comprehensive CTC genomic profiling and paired tissue acquisition, particularly in patients who progress after targeted therapy. Thus, we assessed by NGS somatic mutations and copy number alterations (CNA) in archived CTCs isolated from patients with metastatic breast cancer who were enrolled in concurrent clinical trials that collected and analyzed CTCs and metastatic tissues. In 76 individual and pooled informative CTCs from 12 patients, we observed 85% concordance in at least one or more prioritized somatic mutations and CNA between paired CTCs and tissue metastases. Potentially actionable genomic alterations were identified in tissue but not CTCs, and vice versa. CTC profiling identified diverse intra- and interpatient molecular mechanisms of endocrine therapy resistance, including loss of heterozygosity in individual CTCs. For example, in one patient, we observed CTCs that were either wild type for ESR1 (n = 5/32), harbored the known activating ESR1 p.Y537S mutation (n = 26/32), or harbored a novel ESR1 p.A569S (n = 1/32). ESR1 p.A569S was modestly activating in vitro, consistent with its presence as a minority circulating subclone. Our results demonstrate the feasibility and potential clinical utility of comprehensive profiling of archived fixed CTCs. Tissue and CTC genomic assessment are complementary, and precise combination therapies will likely be required for effective targeting in advanced breast cancer patients.

Significance: These findings demonstrate the complementary nature of genomic profiling from paired tissue metastasis and circulating tumor cells from patients with metastatic breast cancer. Cancer Res; 78(4); 1110–22. ©2017 AACR.
Electron Beam Intraoperative Radiotherapy (ELIOT) in Pregnant Women with Breast Cancer: From in Vivo Dosimetry to Clinical Practice
Authors: Leonardi Maria , Cecconi Agnese , Luraschi Rosa , Rondi Elena , Cattani Federica , Lazzari Roberta , Morra Anna , Soto Santos , Zanagnolo Vanna , Galimberti Viviana , Gentilini Oreste , Peccatori Fedro , Jereczek-Fossa Barbara , Orecchia Roberto
Published: December 2017

Background: The aim of this study was to confirm our preliminary results with in vivo dosimetry in non-pregnant breast cancer patients receiving electron beam intraoperative radiotherapy (ELIOT) and to report on the first treatment in a pregnant woman. Patients and Methods: Following our previous experience, 5 non-pregnant patients receiving ELIOT to the tumor bed after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) were studied with thermoluminescent dosimeters positioned in the subdiaphragmatic region, within the uterus, and in the ovarian region. In December 2011, the first pregnant breast cancer patient underwent BCS and ELIOT (21 Gy at 90% isodose) during the 15th week of gestation. Results: The mean dose to the subdiaphragmatic external region in the 5 non-pregnant patients was 5.57 mGy, while pelvic measurements were below 1 mGy. The actual dosimetry of the pregnant patient showed a mean subdiaphragmatic dose of 4.34 mGy, a mean suprapubic dose of 1.64 mGy, and mean ovarian doses of 1.48 mGy (right-sided) and 1.44 mGy (left-sided). The expected dose to the fetus was estimated as 0.84 mGy (0.004% of the prescribed dose). Conclusion: ELIOT as an anticipated boost to the breast could be considered in pregnant women in the early second trimester, postponing whole-breast irradiation after delivery.
Psychopathological Dimensions in Portuguese Subjects with Transthyretin Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy
Authors: Lopes Alice , Fonseca Isabel , Sousa Alexandra , Branco Margarida , Rodrigues Carla , Coelho Teresa , Sequeiros Jorge , Freitas Paula
Published: December 2017

Background: Transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) is a fatal, chronic, progressive disease. It is a rare hereditary amyloidosis, which manifests as a sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction. It begins during adulthood. Aims and Methods: Our aim is to evaluate psychopathological dimensions in a population attending a consultation center for TTR-FAP. Two hundred and nine subjects (symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers), 84 men and 127, women participated in the study. Most subjects were married (67.1%) and most of them were still working; 33% were retired from work or on a sick leave. A sociodemographic questionnaire and The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) were applied. Statistical analysis was performed (descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon, and Spearman tests). Results: The Global Symptom Index (GSI) was significantly higher in patients (p = 0.001). Considering GSI, 32.7% of total subjects were above the median for general population. When subgroups were evaluated, 25.6% of symptomatic carriers, 26.3% of subjects without established diagnosis, and 39.1% of patients were above median. GSI was significantly higher in patients (p = 0.001). Some BSI dimensions were also significantly higher in the patient group (somatization, depression, anxiety, and psychoticism) when compared with carriers. Women scored higher than men. Sick women scored higher for all dimensions except somatization. Asymptomatic carriers scored statistically higher for phobic anxiety (p = 0.01), interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, and depression. In patients, most dimensions and GSI (rho = 0.33, p = 0.002) had positive correlations with years of disease. Conclusions: TTR-FAP patients and carriers are a very vulnerable group for psychological distress and psychopathological problems. Women and patients are at higher risk.
Predicting Trajectories of Functional Decline in 60- to 70-Year-Old People
Authors: Jonkman Nini H. , Del Panta Vieri , Hoekstra Trynke , Colpo Marco , van Schoor Natasja M. , Bandinelli Stefania , Cattelani Luca , Helbostad Jorunn L. , Vereijken Beatrix , Pijnappels Mirjam , Maier Andrea B.
Published: December 2017

Background: Early identification of people at risk of functional decline is essential for delivering targeted preventive interventions. Objective: The aim of this study is to identify and predict trajectories of functional decline over 9 years in males and females aged 60-70 years. Methods: We included 403 community-dwelling participants from the InCHIANTI study and 395 from the LASA study aged 60-70 years at baseline, of whom the majority reported no functional decline at baseline (median 0, interquartile range 0-1). Participants were included if they reported data on ≥2 measurements of functional ability during a 9-year follow-up. Functional ability was scored with 6 self-reported items on activities of daily living. We performed latent class growth analysis to identify trajectories of functional decline and applied multinomial regression models to develop prediction models of identified trajectories. Analyses were stratified for sex. Results: Three distinct trajectories were identified: no/little decline (219 males, 241 females), intermediate decline (114 males, 158 females), and severe decline (36 males, 30 females). Higher gait speed showed decreased risk of functional limitations in males (intermediate limitations, odds ratio [OR] 0.74, 95% CI 0.57-0.97; severe limitations, OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.26-0.66). The final model in males further included the predictors fear of falling and alcohol intake (no/little decline, area under the receiver operating curve [AUC] 0.68, 95% CI 0.62-0.73; intermediate decline, AUC 0.63, 95% CI 0.56-0.69; severe decline, AUC 0.79, 95% CI 0.71-0.87). In females, higher gait speed showed a decreased risk of intermediate limitations (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.38-0.68) and severe limitations (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.07-0.44). Other predictors in females were age, living alone, economic satisfaction, balance, physical activity, BMI, and cardiovascular disease (no/little decline, AUC 0.80, 95% CI 0.75-0.85; intermediate decline, AUC 0.74, 95% CI 0.69-0.79; severe decline, AUC 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.99). Conclusion: Already in people aged 60-70 years, 3 distinct trajectories of functional decline were identified in these cohorts over a 9-year follow-up. Predictors of trajectories differed between males and females, except for gait speed. Identification of people at risk is the basis for targeting interventions.