bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethanol and Protein from Ethanol Plant By-Products Using Edible FungiNeurospora intermediaandAspergillus oryzae
Authors: Bátori Veronika , Ferreira Jorge A. , Taherzadeh Mohammad J. , Lennartsson Patrik R.
Published: November 2015

Feasible biorefineries for production of second-generation ethanol are difficult to establish due to the process complexity. An alternative is to partially include the process in the first-generation plants. Whole stillage, a by-product from dry-mill ethanol processes from grains, is mostly composed of undegraded bran and lignocelluloses can be used as a potential substrate for production of ethanol and feed proteins. Ethanol production and the proteins from the stillage were investigated using the edible fungiNeurospora intermediaandAspergillus oryzae, respectively.N. intermediaproduced 4.7 g/L ethanol from the stillage and increased to 8.7 g/L by adding 1 FPU of cellulase/g suspended solids.Saccharomyces cerevisiaeproduced 0.4 and 5.1 g/L ethanol, respectively. Under a two-stage cultivation with both fungi, up to 7.6 g/L of ethanol and 5.8 g/L of biomass containing 42% (w/w) crude protein were obtained. Both fungi degraded complex substrates including arabinan, glucan, mannan, and xylan where reductions of 91, 73, 38, and 89% (w/v) were achieved, respectively. The inclusion of the current process can lead to the production of 44,000 m3of ethanol (22% improvement), around 12,000 tons of protein-rich biomass for animal feed, and energy savings considering a typical facility producing 200,000 m3ethanol/year.
Hypoglycemic and Antidiabetic Effect ofPleurotus sajor-cajuAqueous Extract in Normal and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Ng Sze Han , Mohd Zain Mohd Shazwan , Zakaria Fatariah , Wan Ishak Wan Rosli , Wan Ahmad Wan Amir Nizam
Published: November 2015

Introduction.Pleurotus sajor-caju(PSC) is an edible oyster mushroom featuring high nutritional values and pharmacological properties.Objective. To investigate the hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effects of single and repeated oral administration of PSC aqueous extract in normal and diabetic rats.Materials and Methods. A single dose of 500, 750, or 1000 mg/kg of the PSC extract was given to experimental rats to determine the effects on blood glucose (BG) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The effective dose (750 mg/kg) of PSC extract was repeatedly administrated daily for 21 days in diabetic rats to examine its antidiabetic effects in terms of BG control, body weight, urine sugar, HbA1c, and several serum profiles.Results. The dose of 750 mg/kg showed the most significant BG reduction (23.5%) in normal rats 6 hours after administration in BG study (p<0.05). In OGTT study, the same dose produced a maximum BG fall of 41.3% in normal rats and 36.5% in diabetic rats 3 hours after glucose administration. In 21-day study, treated diabetic rats showed significant improvement in terms of fasting BG, body weight, and urine sugar as compared to control diabetic rats.Conclusion. The study evidenced scientifically the beneficial use of PSC as an alternative medicine in diabetes management.
Fishing for Nature’s Hits: Establishment of the Zebrafish as a Model for Screening Antidiabetic Natural Products
Authors: Tabassum Nadia , Tai Hongmei , Jung Da-Woon , Williams Darren R.
Published: November 2015

Diabetes mellitus affects millions of people worldwide and significantly impacts their quality of life. Moreover, life threatening diseases, such as myocardial infarction, blindness, and renal disorders, increase the morbidity rate associated with diabetes. Various natural products from medicinal plants have shown potential as antidiabetes agents in cell-based screening systems. However, many of these potential “hits” fail in mammalian tests, due to issues such as poor pharmacokinetics and/or toxic side effects. To address this problem, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model has been developed as a “bridge” to provide an experimentally convenient animal-based screening system to identify drug candidates that are activein vivo. In this review, we discuss the application of zebrafish to drug screening technologies for diabetes research. Specifically, the discovery of natural product-based antidiabetes compounds using zebrafish will be described. For example, it has recently been demonstrated that antidiabetic natural compounds can be identified in zebrafish using activity guided fractionation of crude plant extracts. Moreover, the development of fluorescent-tagged glucose bioprobes has allowed the screening of natural product-based modulators of glucose homeostasis in zebrafish. We hope that the discussion of these advances will illustrate the value and simplicity of establishing zebrafish-based assays for antidiabetic compounds in natural products-based laboratories.
Enhancing Weak-Signal Carrier Phase Tracking in GNSS Receivers
Authors: Curran James T.
Published: November 2015

Examining the performance of the GNSS PLL, this paper presents novel results describing the statistical properties of four popular phase estimators under both strong- and weak-signal conditions when subject to thermal noise, deterministic dynamics, and typical pedestrian motion. Design routines are developed which employ these results to enhance weak-signal performance of the PLL in terms of transient response, steady-state errors, and cycle-slips. By examining both single and data-pilot signals, it is shown that appropriate design and tuning of the PLL can significantly enhance tracking performance, in particular when used for pedestrian applications.
MOCVD Growth and Fabrication of High Power MUTC Photodiodes Using InGaAs‐InP System
Authors: Singh Nandan , Ho Charles Kin Fai , Tina Guo Xin , Chandra Mohan Manoj Kumar , Lee Kenneth Eng Kian , Wang Hong , Lam Huy Quoc
Published: November 2015

We report charge‐compensated modified uni‐traveling‐carrier photodiodes (MUTC‐PDs) with high photocurrent and fast response, grown using liquid group‐V precursor, in an AIXTRON MOCVD system. The liquid group‐V precursors involve less toxicity with better decomposition characteristics. Device fabrication is completed with standard processing techniques with BCB passivation. DC and RF measurements are carried out using a single mode fiber at 1.55 μm. For a 24‐μm‐diameter device (with diode ideality factor of 1.34), the dark current is 32.5 nA and the 3‐dB bandwidth is ≫20 GHz at a reverse bias of 5 V, which are comparable to the theoretical values. High photocurrent of over 150.0 mA from larger diameter (>60 μm) devices is obtained. The maximum DC responsivity at 1.55 μm wavelength is 0.51 A/W, without antireflection coating. These photodiodes play a key role in the progress of the future THz communication systems.
Cyclostationary Analysis for Gearbox and Bearing Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Feng Zhipeng , Chu Fulei
Published: November 2015

Gearbox and rolling element bearing vibration signals feature modulation, thus being cyclostationary. Therefore, the cyclic correlation and cyclic spectrum are suited to analyze their modulation characteristics and thereby extract gearbox and bearing fault symptoms. In order to thoroughly understand the cyclostationarity of gearbox and bearing vibrations, the explicit expressions of cyclic correlation and cyclic spectrum for amplitude modulation and frequency modulation (AM-FM) signals are derived, and their properties are summarized. The theoretical derivations are illustrated and validated by gearbox and bearing experimental signal analyses. The modulation characteristics caused by gearbox and bearing faults are extracted. In faulty gearbox and bearing cases, more peaks appear in cyclic correlation slice of 0 lag and cyclic spectrum, than in healthy cases. The gear and bearing faults are detected by checking the presence or monitoring the magnitude change of peaks in cyclic correlation and cyclic spectrum and are located according to the peak cyclic frequency locations or sideband frequency spacing.
Plant Beneficial Endophytic Bacteria from the Ethnomedicinal Mussaenda roxburghii (Akshap) of Eastern Himalayan Province, India
Authors: Pandey Pramod Kumar , Samanta Ramkrishna , Yadav Raj Narain Singh
Published: November 2015

Mussaenda roxburghii are very important ethnomedicinal plant, used for its various applications from the ancient period. The role of their associated plant beneficial endophytic bacteria was evaluated, which were previously untapped. Among the isolates, PAK6 was identified as efficient phosphate solubilizer, quantified by the molybdenum blue method. Four isolates PAK1, PAK2, PAK3, and PAK8 were able to synthesize significant level of IAA in the presence and absence of tryptophan. Isolates PAK1 and PAK9 were able to produce siderophore on CAS agar media, PAK2 and PAK9 were able to produce HCN, and PAK7 and PAK8 were able to grow on N2-free medium. All the isolates were able to produce a moderate level of polysaccharide and tolerate up to 10% of NaCl. Isolates PAK3, PAK6, PAK7, and PAK8 were able to grow well at pH 5.0 and isolates PAK2, PAK7, and PAK8 were able to tolerate 600 μg mL−1 of Al+3, while all the isolates except PAK1 showed a tolerance to 600 μg mL−1 of Mn+2 tested. Endophytic bacterial isolates PAK6 and PAK9 were effective against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sclerotium rolfsii.
Analytical Solution of General Bagley-Torvik Equation
Authors: Labecca William , Guimarães Osvaldo , Piqueira José Roberto C.
Published: November 2015

Bagley-Torvik equation appears in viscoelasticity problems where fractional derivatives seem to play an important role concerning empirical data. There are several works treating this equation by using numerical methods and analytic formulations. However, the analytical solutions presented in the literature consider particular cases of boundary and initial conditions, with inhomogeneous term often expressed in polynomial form. Here, by using Laplace transform methodology, the general inhomogeneous case is solved without restrictions in boundary and initial conditions. The generalized Mittag-Leffler functions with three parameters are used and the solutions presented are expressed in terms of Wiman’s functions and their derivatives.
Physical Exercise as a Diagnostic, Rehabilitation, and Preventive Tool: Influence on Neuroplasticity and Motor Recovery after Stroke
Authors: Pin-Barre Caroline , Laurin Jérôme
Published: November 2015

Stroke remains a leading cause of adult motor disabilities in the world and accounts for the greatest number of hospitalizations for neurological disease. Stroke treatments/therapies need to promote neuroplasticity to improve motor function. Physical exercise is considered as a major candidate for ultimately promoting neural plasticity and could be used for different purposes in human and animal experiments. First, acute exercise could be used as a diagnostic tool to understand new neural mechanisms underlying stroke physiopathology. Indeed, better knowledge of stroke mechanisms that affect movements is crucial for enhancing treatment/rehabilitation effectiveness. Secondly, it is well established that physical exercise training is advised as an effective rehabilitation tool. Indeed, it reduces inflammatory processes and apoptotic marker expression, promotes brain angiogenesis and expression of some growth factors, and improves the activation of affected muscles during exercise. Nevertheless, exercise training might also aggravate sensorimotor deficits and brain injury depending on the chosen exercise parameters. For the last few years, physical training has been combined with pharmacological treatments to accentuate and/or accelerate beneficial neural and motor effects. Finally, physical exercise might also be considered as a major nonpharmacological preventive strategy that provides neuroprotective effects reducing adverse effects of brain ischemia. Therefore, prestroke regular physical activity may also decrease the motor outcome severity of stroke.
Assessment of Stand-Alone Residential Solar Photovoltaic Application in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case Study of Gambia
Authors: Kanteh Sakiliba Sambu , Sani Hassan Abubakar , Wu Jianzhong , Saja Sanneh Edward , Ademi Sul
Published: November 2015

The focus of this paper is the design and implementation of solar PV deployment option, which is economical and easy to maintain for remote locations in less developed countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The feasibility of stand-alone solar PV systems as a solution to the unstable electricity supply and as an alternative to the conventional resource, “diesel generators,” is presented. Moreover, a design of a system is carried out, such that the electrical demand and site meteorological data of a typical household in the capital, Banjul, is simulated. Likewise, the life cycle cost analysis to assess the economic viability of the system, along with the solar home performance, is also presented. Such system will be beneficial to the inhabitants of Gambia by ensuring savings in fuel costs and by reducing carbon emissions produced by generators. The selection of appropriate-sized components is crucial, as they affect the lifetime, reliability, and initial costs. The design presented in this study represents a solution for domestic houses to adopt the system according to the location and environment, in order to meet electricity demand.
Study on Fluid-Lining-Rock Coupling Interaction of Diversion Tunnel under Seismic Load
Authors: Deng Jian , Xiao Ming , Chen Juntao , Xie Bingbing , Yang Yang
Published: November 2015

Fluid-lining-rock coupling interaction of diversion tunnel under seismic load is a critical problem in seismic research which should be solved urgently. Based on the explicit finite element method for dynamic analysis of single-phase fluid and solid medium and combining with the boundary conditions of coupling interface, a dynamic explicit finite element solving format of diversion tunnel considering fluid-lining coupling interaction is established. In light of the basic theory of dynamic contact force method and applying the nonlinear hyperbolic constitutive model of contact surface, a dynamic explicit finite element time-domain integral equation of combined bearing of lining and surrounding rocks, which takes the bond-slip behavior of the contact surface into account, is put forward. Meanwhile, considering the dynamic interaction process of inner water and lining, lining and surrounding rocks, an explicit finite element numerical simulation analysis method of fluid-lining-rock coupling interaction of diversion tunnel under seismic load is presented. The calculation results of case study reasonably reflect the seismic response characteristics of diversion tunnel, and an effective analysis method is provided for the aseismic design of hydraulic tunnel.
NDSL: Node Density-Based Subregional Localization in Large Scale Anisotropy Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Tang Zhanyong , Zhang Jie , Wang Liang , Han Jinzhi , Fang Dingyi , Wang Anwen
Published: November 2015

Localization is emerging as a fundamental component in wireless sensor network and is widely used in the fields of environmental monitoring, national defense and military, transportation, and so on. Current positioning system, however, can only locate an object's position in isotropy wireless sensor network with high accuracy but cannot locate it accurately in anisotropy wireless sensor network. Besides, past proposals only mentioned anisotropy to show that connectivity of network is different in each direction. However, how to quantify the degree of anisotropy is not clearly pointed out. This paper introduces NDSL (node density-based subregional localization), a positioning system that is used in anisotropy wireless sensor network. The network is divided into many subregions where the nodes density is relatively uniform and then corrects the single-hop distance for each beacon node to locate unknown nodes. We also use nodes distribution and signals distribution to build a model to evaluate the degree of anisotropy for anisotropy network. Through the analysis of the degree of anisotropy for different topologies, the results show that the model is consistent with the facts. Results from actual deployments and simulation experiments show that the accuracy of NDSL algorithm obviously improves compared with DV-Hop algorithm.
A Compact Two-Level Sequentially Rotated Circularly Polarized Antenna Array forC-Band Applications
Authors: Maddio Stefano
Published: November 2015

A compact circular polarized antenna array with a convenient gain/bandwidth/dimension trade-off is proposed for applications in theC-band. The design is based on the recursive application of the sequential phase architecture, resulting in a 4 × 4 array of closely packed identical antennas. The 16 antenna elements are disc-based patches operating in modal degeneration, tuned to exhibit a broad while imperfect polarization. Exploiting the compact dimension of the patches and a space-filling design for the feeding network, the entire array is designed to minimize the occupied area. A prototype of the proposed array is fabricated with standard photoetching procedure in a single-layer via less printed board of overall area 80 × 80 mm2. Adequate left-hand polarization is observed over a wide bandwidth, demonstrating a convenient trade-off between bandwidth and axial ratio. Satisfying experimental results validate the proposed design, with a peak gain of 12.6 dB at 6.7 GHz maintained within 3 dB for 1 GHz, a very wide 10 dB return loss bandwidth of 3 GHz, and a 4 dB axial ratio bandwidth of 1.82 GHz, meaning 31% of fractional bandwidth.
Predictive Markers for the Recurrence of Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Treated with Intravesical Therapy
Authors: Miyata Yasuyoshi , Sakai Hideki
Published: November 2015

High recurrence rate is one representative characteristic of bladder cancer. Intravesical therapy after transurethral resection is often performed in patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to prevent recurrence. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and several anticancer/antibiotic agents, such as mitomycin C and epirubicin, are commonly used for this therapy. BCG treatment demonstrates strong anticancer effects. However, it is also characterized by a high frequency of adverse events. On the other hand, although intravesical therapies using other anticancer and antibiotic agents are relatively safe, their anticancer effects are lower than those obtained using BCG. Thus, the appropriate selection of agents for intravesical therapy is important to improve treatment outcomes and maintain the quality of life of patients with NMIBC. In this review, we discuss the predictive value of various histological and molecular markers for recurrence after intravesical therapy in patients with NMIBC.
Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Juices from Ten Iranian Pomegranate Cultivars Depend on Extraction
Authors: Akhavan Hamidreza , Barzegar Mohsen , Weidlich Helmut , Zimmermann Benno F.
Published: November 2015

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of ten juices from arils and whole pomegranate cultivars grown in Iran were studied. Phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of juices from whole pomegranate fruit were significantly higher than juices from pomegranate arils, but the variety has a greater influence than the processing method. The main phenolics in the studied juices were punicalagin A (5.40–285 mg/L), punicalagin B (25.9–884 mg/L), and ellagic acid (17.4–928 mg/L). The major and minor anthocyanins of cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside (0.7–94.7 mg/L), followed by cyanidin 3-glucoside (0.5–52.5 mg/L), pelargonidin 3,5-diglucoside + delphinidin 3-glucoside (0–10.3 mg/L), delphinidin 3,5-diglucoside (0–7.68 mg/L), pelargonidin 3-glucoside (0–9.40 mg/L), and cyanidin-pentoside (0–1.13 mg/L) were identified; the latter anthocyanin as well as cyanidin-pentoside-hexoside and delphinidin-pentoside were detected for the first time in Iranian pomegranates. The total phenolic contents were in the range of 220–2931 mg/100 mL. The results indicate that the pomegranate phenolics are not only influenced by extraction method but also—and even more—affected by the cultivar. Moreover, a good correlation was observed between total phenolic content and ABTS and FRAP methods in all pomegranate juices (>0.90). The results of current research can help to select the pomegranate cultivars for commercial juice production.
Continuous Fixed-Bed Column Study and Adsorption Modeling: Removal of Lead Ion from Aqueous Solution by Charcoal Originated from Chemical Carbonization of Rubber Wood Sawdust
Authors: Biswas Swarup , Mishra Umesh
Published: November 2015

The efficiency of chemically carbonized rubber wood sawdust for the removal of lead ion from the aqueous stream was investigated by column process. Chemically carbonized rubber wood sawdust was prepared by treating the sawdust with H2SO4and HNO3. Maximum removal of lead ion in column process was found as 38.56 mg/g. The effects of operating parameters such as flow rate, bed depth, concentration, and pH were studied in column mode. Experimental data confirmed that the adsorption capacity increased with the increasing inlet concentration and bed depth and decreased with increasing flow rate. Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, and Adams-Bohart models were used to analyze the column experimental data and the relationship between operating parameters. Chemically carbonized rubber wood sawdust was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscope was also utilized for morphological analysis of the adsorbent. Furthermore X-ray fluorescence spectrum analysis and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were also used for the confirmation of lead adsorption process.
Nature of Communication Ineffectiveness Inherent in the Procurement Systems on Mass Housing Projects
Authors: Kwofie Titus Ebenezer , Adinyira Emmanuel , Fugar Frank
Published: November 2015

Mass housing projects (MHPs) are deemed to exhibit unique procurement systems which consequently induce communication ineffectiveness that continues to dominate the challenges among mass housing project teams. However, this acknowledged communication ineffectiveness inherent in the unique procurement system features of mass housing project among the project team remains to be empirically examined. This study seeks to investigate the influence of procurement system (PS) features of MHPs to communication ineffectiveness among the mass housing project team. By adopting a quantitative method design, a structured questionnaire survey on project team leaders managing MHPs in Ghana was used in collecting empirical data. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explore the communication problems inherent in the PS features of mass housing projects. The results revealed moderate to high effects of communication ineffectiveness in information flow and information composition inherent in the unique PS features of MHPs. The results further revealed misunderstanding, inaccuracies, barriers, and information dissemination challenges as the major communication ineffectiveness induced by the PS features of MHPs. By gaining knowledge and understanding into the communication ineffectiveness associated with these features of MHPs, practitioners are well positioned to plan communication and management strategies to engender success in mass housing delivery.
Defining Multimorbidity: From English to Portuguese Using a Delphi Technique
Authors: Prazeres Filipe , Santiago Luiz Miguel , Simões José Augusto
Published: November 2015

Objective. To translate the European General Practice Research Network multimorbidity definition according to Portuguese cultural and linguistic features.Methods. Similar to the process completed in several other European countries, a forward and backward translation of the English multimorbidity definition using the Delphi technique was performed in Portugal.Results. Twenty-three general practitioners (GPs)—14 males and 9 females—agreed to form the Portuguese expert panel for the Delphi process (59% acceptance rate). The Portuguese definition of multimorbidity was achieved after two Delphi rounds with a mean (SD) consensus score for final round of 8.43/9 (0.73).Conclusion. With this paper the definition of multimorbidity is now available in a new language—Portuguese. Its availability in the local language will raise Portuguese GPs’ awareness about multimorbidity and allow future national and international research. The operationalization of the definition will allow an easier identification of patients with multimorbidity.
Cardiac Niche Influences the Direct Reprogramming of Canine Fibroblasts into Cardiomyocyte‐Like Cells
Authors: Palazzolo Giacomo , Quattrocelli Mattia , Toelen Jaan , Dominici Roberto , Anastasia Luigi , Tettamenti Guido , Barthelemy Inès , Blot Stephane , Gijsbers Rik , Cassano Marco , Sampaolesi Maurilio
Published: November 2015

The Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies are caused by mutation of dystrophin gene and primarily affect skeletal and cardiac muscles. Cardiac involvement in dystrophic GRMD dogs has been demonstrated by electrocardiographic studies with the onset of a progressive cardiomyopathy similar to the cardiac disease in DMD patients. In this respect, GRMD is a useful model to explore cardiac and skeletal muscle pathogenesis and for developing new therapeutic protocols. Here we describe a protocol to convert GRMD canine fibroblasts isolated from heart and skin into induced cardiac‐like myocytes (ciCLMs). We used a mix of transcription factors (GATA4, HAND2, TBX5, and MEF2C), known to be able to differentiate mouse and human somatic cells into ciCLMs. Exogenous gene expression was obtained using four lentiviral vectors carrying transcription factor genes and different resistance genes. Our data demonstrate a direct switch from fibroblast into ciCLMs with no activation of early cardiac genes. ciCLMs were unable to contract spontaneously, suggesting, differently from mouse and human cells, an incomplete differentiation process. However, when transplanted in neonatal hearts of SCID/Beige mice, ciCLMs participate in cardiac myogenesis.
High Mobility Group B Proteins, Their Partners, and Other Redox Sensors in Ovarian and Prostate Cancer
Authors: Barreiro-Alonso Aida , Lamas-Maceiras Mónica , Rodríguez-Belmonte Esther , Vizoso-Vázquez Ángel , Quindós María , Cerdán M. Esperanza
Published: November 2015

Cancer cells try to avoid the overproduction of reactive oxygen species by metabolic rearrangements. These cells also develop specific strategies to increase ROS resistance and to express the enzymatic activities necessary for ROS detoxification. Oxidative stress produces DNA damage and also induces responses, which could help the cell to restore the initial equilibrium. But if this is not possible, oxidative stress finally activates signals that will lead to cell death. High mobility group B (HMGB) proteins have been previously related to the onset and progressions of cancers of different origins. The protein HMGB1 behaves as a redox sensor and its structural changes, which are conditioned by the oxidative environment, are associated with different functions of the protein. This review describes recent advances in the role of human HMGB proteins and other proteins interacting with them, in cancerous processes related to oxidative stress, with special reference to ovarian and prostate cancer. Their participation in the molecular mechanisms of resistance to cisplatin, a drug commonly used in chemotherapy, is also revised.
Transcriptome Analysis of Long Noncoding RNAs in Toll‐Like Receptor 3‐Activated Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Wang Shihua , Li Xiaoxia , Zhao Robert Chunhua
Published: November 2015

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess great immunomodulatory capacity which lays the foundation for their therapeutic effects in a variety of diseases. Recently, toll‐like receptors (TLR) have been shown to modulate MSC functions; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Emerging evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an important class of regulators involved in a wide range of biological processes. To explore the potential involvement of lncRNAs in TLR stimulated MSCs, we performed a comprehensive lncRNA and mRNA profiling through microarray. 10.2% of lncRNAs (1733 out of 16967) and 15.1% of mRNA transcripts (1760 out of 11632) were significantly differentially expressed (absolute fold‐change ≥5
, P value ≤0.05) in TLR3 stimulated MSCs. Furthermore, we characterized the differentially expressed lncRNAs through their classes and length distribution and correlated them with differentially expressed mRNA. Here, we are the first to determine genome‐wide lncRNAs expression patterns in TLR3 stimulated MSCs by microarray and this work could provide a comprehensive framework of the transcriptome landscapes of TLR3 stimulated MSCs.
Liver Resection for Non-Colorectal Liver Metastases - Standards and Extended Indications
Authors: Kulik Ulf , Lehner Frank , Bektas Hüseyin , Klempnauer Jürgen
Published: November 2015

Background: Due to the uncertain benefit of liver resection for non-colorectal liver metastases (NCLM), patient selection for surgery is generally difficult. Therefore, the aim of this article was to propose standard and extended indications for liver resection in this heterogeneous disease collective. Methods: Review of the literature. Results: The myriad of biologically different primary tumor entities as well as the mostly small and retrospective studies investigating the benefit of surgery for NCLM limits the proposal of general recommendations. Only resection of neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM) appears to offer a clear benefit with a 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) of 74 and 51%, respectively, in the largest series. Resection of liver metastases from genitourinary primaries might offer reasonable benefit in selected cases - with a 5-year OS of up to 61% for breast cancer and of 38% for renal cell cancer. The long-term outcome following surgery for other entities was remarkably poorer, e.g., gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and melanoma reached a 5-year OS of 20-42, 17-25, and about 20%, respectively. Conclusion: Liver resection for NELM can be defined as a standard indication for the resection of NCLM while lesions of genitourinary origin might be defined as an extended indication.
Asthma: Hospitalization Trends and Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality and Hospitalization Costs in the USA (2001-2010)
Authors: Kaur Bani Preet , Lahewala Sopan , Arora Shilpkumar , Agnihotri Kanishk , Panaich Sidakpal S. , Secord Elizabeth , Levine Diane
Published: November 2015

Background: In the last decade, the proportion of people with asthma in the USA grew by nearly 15%, with 479,300 hospitalizations and 1.9 million emergency department visits in 2009 alone. The primary objective of our study was to evaluate in-hospital outcomes in patients admitted with asthma exacerbation in terms of mortality, length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization costs. Methods: We queried the HCUP's Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 2001 and 2010 using the ICD9-CM diagnosis code 493 for asthma (n = 760,418 patients). The NIS represents 20% of all hospitals in the USA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors of in-hospital mortality. LOS and hospitalization costs were also analyzed. Results: The overall LOS was 3.9 days and as high as 8.3 days in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. LOS has decreased in recent years, though it continues to be higher than in 2001. The hospitalization cost increased steadily over the study period. The overall in-hospital mortality was 1% and as high as 9.8% in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Multivariate predictors of longer LOS, higher hospitalization costs and in-hospital mortality included increasing age and hospitalizations during the winter months. Private insurance was predictive of lower hospitalization costs and LOS as well as lower in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Asthma continues to account for significant in-hospital mortality and resource utilization, especially in mechanically ventilated patients. Age, admissions during winter months and the type of insurance are independent predictors of in-hospital outcomes.
Morphologic and Functional Imaging of Non-Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: Heusch Philipp , Antoch Gerald
Published: November 2015

Liver metastases are the most frequent malignant liver lesions. Besides colorectal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors are the most common entities that metastasize to the liver. The morphology of these metastases depends on the primary tumor. For morphologic and functional imaging of non-colorectal liver metastases, multiple imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography coupled with CT or MRI are available. This review summarizes morphologic and functional characteristics of different non-colorectal liver metastases.
The Role of Palliative Surgery in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Heidenreich Axel , Porres Daniel , Pfister David
Published: November 2015

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues or antagonists represents the treatment of choice in men with metastatic prostate cancer (PCA). Depending on the serum concentration of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir, the survival might vary between 11 and 78 months. In castration-resistant PCA (CRPC), all new medical treatment options can induce complete and partial remissions in metastatic foci, but they have no profound effect on the prostate itself, as has been shown recently. About one-third of all patients without local treatment of the primary will develop significant complications of the lower and upper urinary tract due to local progression of the PCA. In men with CRPC and lower urinary tract symptoms, palliative transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) can be performed with a 60-70% success rate. Infiltration of the pelvic floor, the bladder neck and trigone, and the external urethral sphincter can make palliative radical surgery necessary. Bladder neck closure with continent vesicostomy, radical cystoprostatectomy with an incontinent urinary diversion, and anterior and posterior exenteration are individual therapeutic options in men with a good performance status and a considerable life expectancy. Symptomatic involvement of the upper urinary tract can be managed by the placement of endoluminal stents or a percutaneous nephrostomy in men with poor performance. In men with a good response to ADT and a good performance status, reconstructive ureteral surgery might be considered and the options of ureteral reimplantation, ureter ileal replacement, and a subcutaneous pyelovesical bypass have to be discussed. The indication to perform one of the above-mentioned surgical approaches needs to be discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board.
Mobile Health Devices as Tools for Worldwide Cardiovascular Risk Reduction and Disease Management
Authors: Piette John D. , List Justin , Rana Gurpreet K. , Townsend Whitney , Striplin Dana , Heisler Michele
Published: November 2015

We examined evidence on whether mobile health (mHealth) tools, including interactive voice response calls, short message service, or text messaging, and smartphones, can improve lifestyle behaviors and management related to cardiovascular diseases throughout the world. We conducted a state-of-the-art review and literature synthesis of peer-reviewed and gray literature published since 2004. The review prioritized randomized trials and studies focused on cardiovascular diseases and risk factors, but included other reports when they represented the best available evidence. The search emphasized reports on the potential benefits of mHealth interventions implemented in low- and middle-income countries. Interactive voice response and short message service interventions can improve cardiovascular preventive care in developed countries by addressing risk factors including weight, smoking, and physical activity. Interactive voice response and short message service–based interventions for cardiovascular disease management also have shown benefits with respect to hypertension management, hospital readmissions, and diabetic glycemic control. Multimodal interventions including Web-based communication with clinicians and mHealth-enabled clinical monitoring with feedback also have shown benefits. The evidence regarding the potential benefits of interventions using smartphones and social media is still developing. Studies of mHealth interventions have been conducted in >30 low- and middle-income countries, and evidence to date suggests that programs are feasible and may improve medication adherence and disease outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that mHealth interventions may improve cardiovascular-related lifestyle behaviors and disease management. Next-generation mHealth programs developed worldwide should be based on evidence-based behavioral theories and incorporate advances in artificial intelligence for adapting systems automatically to patients’ unique and changing needs.
sys.begin to sys.exit: Software Performs A Piece of Work
Authors: Jucan Ioana B.
Published: November 2015

What happens to theatre in an algorithmically driven world, and what becomes possible when algorithms and the software they constitute are put to work to make theatre? A Piece of Work by Annie Dorsen considers this question an exigent problem to be solved—algorithmically and theatrically.
Room for Care: Simone Leigh’s Free People’s Medical Clinic
Authors: Davis Samara
Published: November 2015

In the former home of Dr. Josephine English, the first African American woman to have an OB/GYN practice in New York and founder of the Paul Robeson Theatre in Brooklyn, the unique confluence of forces created in this space through divergent types of labor honored the architecture by adding to its historicity. Simone Leigh and organizers were constantly negotiating the overlapping issues of identity, visibility, labor, interdisciplinarity, artistic practice, and care in this clinic-installation.
Open Carry: Radical Stillness
Authors: Johnston Chloe
Published: November 2015

At the Blue Mesa Grill in Arlington, Texas, a gathering of members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense were confronted outside the restaurant by two dozen men and women carrying rifles. The activists of Open Carry Texas insisted that they were doing nothing. But what were their guns doing?
Cultural Transmission in Cycles: The Production and Maintenance of Cumulative Culture
Authors: Abel Thomas
Published: November 2015

The ‘information cycle’ is an evolutionary model of the processes of gene/culture maintenance and change. This paper reports the first naturalistic experimental study designed to collect information data that can illuminate the mechanisms of ‘culture’ production and sharing in information cycles. It is an analysis of conversation among university students in Taiwan. A junior class of 32 students utilized pencil and paper (P&P) diaries to record conversation topics over a three week period. It was expected that some topics of special interest would be shared widely as they were passed among speakers through repeated information cycles. This type of linear transmission did appear. However, of great interest, the majority of widely shared topics were initiated by larger scales of information cycles, it is argued, specifically popular media, education, social media, ritual, and legal scales, which triggered cascades of conversation sharing. This result indicates that the sharing of cultural information relies on statistical, not linear, transmission, in which topics are shared imprecisely but repeatedly, permitting the construction of shared knowledge. Further, it indicates that culture is shared in a hierarchy of transmission cycles, which differ in space, cycle time, input, and copy fidelity. Further, it indicates that culture must be maintained against depreciation by repeated cycling in information cycles. Cultural transmission is indeed a complex, statistical, multi-scaled process that requires a nested model of information cycles as I have proposed.
The Religion of “I Don’t Know”
Authors: Ellington Lee , Reblin Maija , Ferrell Betty , Puchalski Christina , Otis-Green Shirley , Handzo George , Doyon Katherine , Clayton Margaret F.
Published: November 2015

The goal of this pilot study was to identify naturally occurring, spiritually relevant conversations and elucidate challenges for nurses in home hospice. We examined naturalistic communication data collected during nurse hospice visits with cancer patients and their family caregivers. Using deductive content analysis, guided by Consensus Conference spiritual categories and definition, categorical themes were identified. Thirty-three visits to seven families were recorded by five nurses. Although most spiritual dialogue was brief, analysis revealed five themes: Spiritual Beliefs and Rituals, Connection, Spiritual Comfort, Closure and Acceptance, and Spiritual Distress. Findings demonstrate the range of spiritual issues raised in hospice and challenges nurses face in maintaining boundaries while remaining genuine and family-centered in providing care. This work serves as a foundation for future research and education to help clinicians to engage in more intentional spiritual conversations in the support of families at end of life.
Environment Policy
Authors: Sargoni Janine , Lockley Andrew
Published: November 2015

Climate models suggest that Solar Radiation Management (SRM), such as by means of Stratospheric Aerosol Injection, could counteract the warming effects of greenhouse gases, though not with total effectiveness. As far as the regulation of SRM is concerned, scholars have focused typically on public, state-based regimes such as those provided by international treaties. The evidence suggests that SRM may also cause a reduction in atmospheric CO2, thereby creating potential carbon credit accrual. The emergence of private interests, in the form of credits tradeable in the voluntary carbon markets, represents a new challenge for the effective public regulation of SRM. Without an appropriate response, major, novel and potentially unacceptable risks to the climate system, biosphere and society may occur.
Are clinical measures of foot posture and mobility associated with foot kinematics when walking?
Authors: Buldt Andrew K. , Murley George S. , Levinger Pazit , Menz Hylton B. , Nester Christopher J. , Landorf Karl B.
Published: November 2015

Background

There is uncertainty as to which foot posture measures are the most valid in terms of predicting kinematics of the foot. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of clinical measures of static foot posture and mobility with foot kinematics during barefoot walking.

Method

Foot posture and mobility were measured in 97 healthy adults (46 males, 51 females; mean age 24.4 ± 6.2 years). Foot posture was assessed using the 6‐item Foot Posture Index (FPI), Arch Index (AI), Normalised Navicular Height (NNHt) and Normalised Dorsal Arch Height (DAH). Foot mobility was evaluated using the Foot Mobility Magnitude (FMM) measure. Following this, a five‐segment foot model was used to measure tri‐planar motion of the rearfoot, midfoot, medial forefoot, lateral forefoot and hallux. Peak and range of motion variables during load acceptance and midstance/propulsion phases of gait were extracted for all relative segment to segment motion calculations. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for potential confounding variables.

Results

The degree of variance in peak and range of motion kinematic variables that was independently explained by foot posture measures was as follows: FPI 5 to 22 %, NNHt 6 to 20 %, AI 7 to 13 %, DAH 6 to 8 %, and FMM 8 %. The FPI was retained as a significant predictor across the most number of kinematic variables. However, the amount of variance explained by the FPI for individual kinematic variables did not exceed other measures. Overall, static foot posture measures were more strongly associated with kinematic variables than foot mobility measures and explained more variation in peak variables compared to range of motion variables.

Conclusions

Foot posture measures can explain only a small amount of variation in foot kinematics. Static foot posture measures, and in particular the FPI, were more strongly associated with foot kinematics compared with foot mobility measures. These findings suggest that foot kinematics cannot be accurately inferred from clinical observations of foot posture alone.
Effects of passive leg raising and volume expansion on mean systemic pressure and venous return in shock in humans
Authors: Guérin Laurent , Teboul Jean-Louis , Persichini Romain , Dres Martin , Richard Christian , Monnet Xavier
Published: November 2015

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess how mean systemic pressure (Psm) and resistance to venous return (Rvr) behave during passive leg raising (PLR) in cases of fluid responsiveness and fluid unresponsiveness.

Method

In 30 patients with an acute circulatory failure, in order to estimate the venous return curve, we constructed the regression line between pairs of cardiac index (CI) and central venous pressure (CVP). Values were measured during end-inspiratory and end-expiratory ventilatory occlusions performed at two levels of positive end-expiratory pressure. The x-axis intercept was used to estimate Psm and the inverse of the slope to quantify Rvr. These measurements were obtained at baseline, during PLR and after fluid infusion. Patients in whom fluid infusion increased CI by more than 15 % were defined as “fluid-responders”.

Results

In fluid-responders (n = 15), CVP and Psm significantly increased (from 7 ± 3 to 9 ± 4 mmHg and from 25 ± 13 to 31 ± 13 mmHg, respectively) during PLR. The Psm-CVP gradient significantly increased by 20 ± 30 % while Rvr did not change significantly during PLR. In fluid-nonresponders, CVP and Psm increased significantly but the Psm-CVP gradient did not change significantly during PLR. PLR did not change the intra-abdominal pressure in the whole population (14 ± 6 mmHg before vs. 13 ± 5 mmHg during PLR, p = 0.26) and in patients with intra-abdominal hypertension at baseline (17 ± 4 mmHg before vs. 16 ± 4 mmHg during PLR, p = 0.14). In the latter group, PLR increased Psm from 22 ± 11 to 27 ± 10 mmHg (p <0.01) and did not change Rvr (5.1 ± 2.6 to 5.2 ± 3 mmHg/min/m2/mL, p = 0.71). In fluid-responders, Psm, CVP and the Psm-CVP gradient significantly increased during fluid infusion while the Rvr did not change. In fluid-nonresponders, CVP and Psm increased significantly during fluid infusion while the Psm-CVP gradient and Rvr did not change.

Conclusion

PLR significantly increased Psm without modifying Rvr. This was also the case in patients with intra-abdominal hypertension. In case of fluid responsiveness, PLR increased venous return by increasing Psm to a larger extent than CVP. In patients with fluid unresponsiveness, PLR increased Psm but did not change the Psm–CVP gradient. Fluid infusion induced similar effects on Psm and Rvr.