bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study of the treadmill inclination influence on the flexion angles of the lower limbs joints
Authors: Tarnita D , Petcu A I , Oncescu A T , Vaduva R C , Tenovici M C , Petrovici I L , Tarnita D N
Published: August 2019

This paper presents an experimental study of the flexion-extension movement of the human lower limb joints. Measurements were performed on a group of fourteen healthy subjects, experimental data being obtained for flexion-extension cycles during five different walking tests on horizontal and inclined treadmills. Experimental data were obtained using the Biometrics system, which is based on electrogonimeter sensors. Average cycles for each joint were obtained for all subjects in the experimental group and for all experimental tests. The flexion-extension angles at the lower limbs joints have a pronounced increase with the increase of the walking speed, but also with the increase of the treadmill inclination.
Applied Research on “Fallibility” Chinese Character Aesthetics in Package Design
Authors: Yan Dong , Yang Dong
Published: August 2019

Chinese character is a symbol with the function of information communication, its design thought and method are of widespread significance to package design. The thesis has introduced the “Fallibility” ideas into Chinese character design to analyze the relation between “Fallibility” of Chinese characters and the identification of Chinese characters, and how to shape “Fallibility” features. Visual communication needs to break people’s common visual habits to manifest most abundant and profound content in simplified and symbolized form, besides, by extracting highly precise graphic language and easily understandable arrangement order, it can deliver expected connotation. The thesis studies how to use “Fallibility” idea for reference to form directive design method, so as to make Chinese character more flexible and exploit more free space for theoretical research and practice of package design.
Research and practice of express transportation service based on ecological thinking
Authors: Liu Di , Meng Kaining , Ouyang Fuxi
Published: August 2019

This paper attempts to apply the ecological thinking mode to the service of express transportation industry, and puts forward the corresponding solutions to many pollution problems existing in the current express transportation industry. This paper analyzes and summarizes the existing problems of express transportation industry, through the methods of field investigation, data collection and data analysis, probes into the present situation and pollution problems of express transportation cost at present, and looks for the opportunities and related strategies in which ecological thinking mode can be involved. Improve the transportation quality, control the logistics cost, and use the ecological thinking mode to establish the ecological express transportation service process of saving resources, protecting the environment and promoting the sustainable development of economy and society.
Information aggregation of Qin Huai coloured-lanterns
Authors: Li Nannan , Lu Zhangping , Li Mingzhu
Published: August 2019

The scattered information concerning Qin Huai coloured-lanterns was integrated from literature resources through information digging, organization and association. Firstly, The topic types about Qin Huai coloured-lanterns from literature resources were clarified on the software Cite Space and through card sorting. Then associations and semantic relation networks were constructed together with the semantic relations among topics. A literature resource information base on Qin Huai coloured-lanterns was established with the help of Ontopia topic maps. This study offers some convenient research methods for coloured-lantern researches and fans, improves the utilization rate of coloured-lantern resources, and promotes the transmission and sharing of coloured-lantern information. Finally, the usability of coloured-lantern information base was confirmed by designing a case study. The research methods and flowchart used here can be adopted by researchers from other fields.
Research on Index System of Industrial Design and Development in Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: Liu Xiaojing , Li Mengmeng , Liu Ying
Published: August 2019

In recent years, the central leaders and relevant ministries and commissions have issued guidelines for the development of China’s industrial design, and the development of industrial design in manufacturing enterprises has attracted more attention. At present, the development level of industrial design in various regions and industries in China is uneven. No institution or organization can accurately provide nationwide survey data, and the existing regional or industry-related survey data lack uniformity and continuity, which cannot provide sufficient reference for the country to formulate relevant policies. This paper mainly describes the building of index system of industrial design and development in manufacturing enterprise. The paper builds the framework based on literature at home and abroad, two rounds of questionnaire, expert interview and field research, selects indexes through Delphi method, analytic method and frequency analysis approach and then revises index system according to the expert evaluation of regional pilot. It attempts to connect with national statistical framework, so as to grasp the problems and trends of the development of industrial design. The establishment of index system of industrial design and development in manufacturing enterprise plays an important role in the future development of China’s industrial design and the formulation of economic transformation policies.
Exploring the Application of Serious Game Based on Augmented Reality: A Case Study on Tsingtao Beer Museum
Authors: Li Xueai , Xie Miantao , Chu Junjie
Published: August 2019

This work aims to explore the feasibility and significance of serious game based on augmented reality in museums, and approaches its effect on the experience of visitors. Depending on the status of museums and the characteristics and advantages of AR serious game, the article demonstrates that the experience and the follow-up purchase intention of visitors can be enhanced by improving the interestingness, learning and interaction of visiting museums, and setting up personalized mechanisms. Taking Tsingtao Beer Museum as an example, we designed a game concept prototype and described the method of game development. Finally, the article proposes the prospect and significance of further study on the application of AR in museums.
The Teaching of Art Design Theory and the Cultivation of Students’ Innovative Ability in Applied Undergraduate Colleges
Authors: Zhang Hai-chao , Wang Li , Wang Qiang
Published: August 2019

Design is a professional course that keeps pace with the times. The teaching requires to master the market foresight and integrate the enterprise demand information and enterprise concept into the teaching. Therefore, we attach great importance to the cultivation of students’ innovative ability. In the course of art design specialty, the knowledge of art design theory, as an important content, plays an important role in training students’ ability of design innovation. Firstly, this paper introduces the teaching of art theory, points out its role in the process of cultivating students’ innovative ability. Secondly, it puts forward corresponding countermeasures for the teaching of art design theory and the cultivation of students’ innovative ability in Applied Undergraduate colleges, so as to improve students’ innovative ability of design according to students’ personality characteristics, so as to cultivate Art talents that meet the needs of the times.
Application of Design Geometry in Minimalist Style Product Design
Authors: Zhang Xuyang , Xue Yanmin
Published: August 2019

From the historical overview of design geometry, this paper briefly introduces the current popular style of product design---minimalist design. The emphasis is laid on the analysis and research of design geometry in the minimalist style product design, leading to the contemporary designer’s concern and thinking about design geometry. Thus, this paper establishes the importance of design geometry in minimalist style product appearance design.
Research on the Characteristic of Projectile Fragments Dispersion Based on Fragment Warhead Design
Authors: Li Yong , Chen Dong , Jiang Ming , Tian Zonghao
Published: August 2019

Dispersion of fragments of projectiles is an important factor affecting the lethal efficiency of projectiles and one of the main objectives of optimal design of fragmented warheads. By using Taylor angle approximation, Shapiro formula and experimental measurement, the fragment dispersion characteristics are analyzed. The results show that if the mass of metal plate (fragments) detonated by explosive is constant, the characteristics of fragments scattering are basically determined; for a certain structure of shell warhead, the direction of fragments scattering is related to the initiation position and the direction of detonation wave propagation; and by marking the size of the dispersing sector, the range of fragments scattering can be determined.
Practical Exploration of Association Rules Mining Algorithm in Open Education
Authors: Huang Shaozhen
Published: August 2019

Open education is a new type of education, which is produced along with the development of modern information technology. It is a teaching model based on modern information technology. With the continuous reform of China’s education system, the autonomy of students in major colleges and universities is increasing. However, because students do not understand the course, it is very difficult to select courses. Therefore, it is especially important to excavate the university teaching platform database. This paper briefly introduces the concept of association rules mining algorithm, mainly studies the application of association rules mining algorithm in the open education learning system, in order to provide meaningful guidance for students’ elective courses, thus improving students’ academic performance.
pH-dependent effects of procaine on equine gamete activation†
Authors: Leemans Bart , Stout Tom A E , Soom Ann Van , Gadella Bart M
Published: August 2019

Procaine directly triggers pH-dependent cytokinesis in equine oocytes and induces hypermotility in stallion spermatozoa, an important event during capacitation. However, procaine-induced hyperactivated motility is abolished when sperm is washed to remove the procaine prior to sperm-oocyte co-incubation. To understand how procaine exerts its effects, the external Ca2+ and Na+ and weak base activity dependency of procaine-induced hyperactivation in stallion spermatozoa was assessed using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Percoll-washed stallion spermatozoa exposed to Ca2+-depleted (+2 mM EGTA) procaine-supplemented capacitating medium (CM) still demonstrated hyperactivated motility, whereas CM without NaCl or Na+ did not. Both procaine and NH4Cl, another weak base, were shown to trigger a cytoplasmic pH increase (BCECF-acetoxymethyl (AM)), which is primarily induced by a pH rise in acidic cell organelles (Lysosensor green dnd-189), accompanied by hypermotility in stallion sperm. As for procaine, 25 mM NH4Cl also induced oocyte cytokinesis. Interestingly, hyperactivated motility was reliably induced by 2.5–10 mM procaine, whereas a significant cytoplasmic cAMP increase and tail-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation were only observed at 10 mM. Moreover, 25 mM NH4Cl did not support the latter capacitation characteristics. Additionally, cAMP levels were more than 10× higher in boar than stallion sperm incubated under similar capacitating conditions. Finally, stallion sperm preincubated with 10 mM procaine did not fertilize equine oocytes. In conclusion, 10 mM procaine causes a cytoplasmic and acidic sperm cell organelle pH rise that simultaneously induces hyperactivated motility, increased levels of cAMP and tail-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation in stallion spermatozoa. However, procaine-induced hypermotility is independent of the cAMP/protein tyrosine phosphorylation pathway.
Hematogenous dissemination of Chlamydia muridarum from the urethra in macrophages causes testicular infection and sperm DNA damage†
Authors: Bryan Emily R , Kollipara Avinash , Trim Logan K , Armitage Charles W , Carey Alison J , Mihalas Bettina , Redgrove Kate A , McLaughlin Eileen A , Beagley Kenneth W
Published: August 2019

The incidence of Chlamydia infection, in both females and males, is increasing worldwide. Male infections have been associated clinically with urethritis, epididymitis, and orchitis, believed to be caused by ascending infection, although the impact of infection on male fertility remains controversial. Using a mouse model of male chlamydial infection, we show that all the major testicular cell populations, germ cells, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and testicular macrophages can be productively infected. Furthermore, sperm isolated from vas deferens of infected mice also had increased levels of DNA damage as early as 4 weeks post-infection. Bilateral vasectomy, prior to infection, did not affect the chlamydial load recovered from testes at 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-infection, and Chlamydia-infected macrophages were detectable in blood and the testes as soon as 3 days post-infection. Partial depletion of macrophages with clodronate liposomes significantly reduced the testicular chlamydial burden, consistent with a hematogenous route of infection, with Chlamydia transported to the testes in infected macrophages. These data suggest that macrophages serve as Trojan horses, transporting Chlamydia from the penile urethra to the testes within 3 days of infection, bypassing the entire male reproductive tract. In the testes, infected macrophages likely transfer infection to Leydig, Sertoli, and germ cells, causing sperm DNA damage and impaired spermatogenesis.
COP9 signalosome complex subunit 5, an IFT20 binding partner, is essential to maintain male germ cell survival and acrosome biogenesis†
Authors: Huang Qian , Liu Hong , Zeng Jing , Li Wei , Zhang Shiyang , Zhang Ling , Song Shizhen , Zhou Ting , Sutovsky Miriam , Sutovsky Peter , Pardi Ruggero , Hess Rex A , Zhang Zhibing
Published: August 2019

Intraflagellar transport protein 20 (IFT20) is essential for spermatogenesis in mice. We discovered that COPS5 was a major binding partner of IFT20. COPS5 is the fifth component of the constitutive photomorphogenic-9 signalosome (COP9), which is involved in protein ubiquitination and degradation. COPS5 is highly abundant in mouse testis. Mice deficiency in COPS5 specifically in male germ cells showed dramatically reduced sperm numbers and were infertile. Testis weight was about one third compared to control adult mice, and germ cells underwent significant apoptosis at a premeiotic stage. Testicular poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, a protein that helps cells to maintain viability, was dramatically decreased, and Caspase-3, a critical executioner of apoptosis, was increased in the mutant mice. Expression level of FANK1, a known COPS5 binding partner, and a key germ cell apoptosis regulator was also reduced. An acrosome marker, lectin PNA, was nearly absent in the few surviving spermatids, and expression level of sperm acrosome associated 1, another acrosomal component was significantly reduced. IFT20 expression level was significantly reduced in the Cops5 knockout mice, and it was no longer present in the acrosome, but remained in the Golgi apparatus of spermatocytes. In the conditional Ift20 mutant mice, COPS5 localization and testicular expression levels were not changed. COP9 has been shown to be involved in multiple signal pathways, particularly functioning as a co-factor for protein ubiquitination. COPS5 is believed to maintain normal spermatogenesis through multiple mechanisms, including maintaining male germ cell survival and acrosome biogenesis, possibly by modulating protein ubiquitination.
EACVI survey on multimodality training in ESC countries
Authors: Cameli Matteo , Marsan Nina Ajmone , D’Andrea Antonello , Dweck Marc R , Fontes-Carvalho Ricardo , Manka Robert , Michalski Blazej , Podlesnikar Tomaz , Sitges Marta , Popescu Bogdan A , Edvardsen Thor , Fox Kevin F , Haugaa Kristina H
Published: August 2019

One of the missions of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) is ‘to promote excellence in clinical diagnosis, research, technical development, and education in cardiovascular imaging’. The future of imaging involves multimodality so each imager should have the incentive and the possibility to improve its knowledge in other cardiovascular techniques. This article presents the results of a 20 questions survey carried out in cardiovascular imaging (CVI) centres across Europe. The aim of the survey was to assess the situation of experience and training of CVI in Europe, the availability and organization of modalities in each centre and to ask for vision about potential improvements in CVI at national and European level.
Intraspecific Variation in Protists: Clues for Microevolution from Poteriospumella lacustris (Chrysophyceae)
Authors: Majda Stephan , Boenigk Jens , Beisser Daniela
Published: August 2019

Species delimitation in protists is still a challenge, attributable to the fact that protists are small, difficult to observe and many taxa are poor in morphological characters, whereas most current phylogenetic approaches only use few marker genes to measure genetic diversity. To address this problem, we assess genome-level divergence and microevolution in strains of the protist Poteriospumella lacustris, one of the first free-living, nonmodel organisms to study genome-wide intraspecific variation.

Poteriospumella lacustris is a freshwater protist belonging to the Chrysophyceae with an assumed worldwide distribution. We examined three strains from different geographic regions (New Zealand, China, and Austria) by sequencing their genomes with the Illumina and PacBio platforms.

The assembled genomes were small with 49–55 Mb but gene-rich with 16,000–19,000 genes, of which ∼8,000 genes could be assigned to functional categories. At least 68% of these genes were shared by all three species. Genetic variation occurred predominantly in genes presumably involved in ecological niche adaptation. Most surprisingly, we detected differences in genome ploidy between the strains (diploidy, triploidy, and tetraploidy).

In analyzing intraspecific variation, several mechanisms of diversification were identified including SNPs, change of ploidy and genome size reduction.
A Population Pharmacokinetic and Exposure–Response Model of Golimumab for Targeting Endoscopic Remission in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Dreesen Erwin , Kantasiripitak Wannee , Detrez Iris , Stefanović Sebastian , Vermeire Séverine , Ferrante Marc , Bouillon Thomas , Drobne David , Gils Ann
Published: August 2019

Background

Unlike other anti–tumor necrosis factor alpha antibodies, golimumab does not deliver on its promise of effectiveness for treating patients with ulcerative colitis. We investigated the value of therapeutic drug monitoring for optimizing golimumab therapy.

Methods

We analyzed the golimumab pharmacokinetics data of 56 patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Induction and maintenance golimumab concentrations (296 venipuncture, 414 serum) were used to develop a population pharmacokinetic model. Exposure–response relationships were analyzed using the data of 40/56 patients with available endoscopy data. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed, and an exposure–response Markov model was developed, linking golimumab exposure to probabilities of transitioning between Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES) states from baseline to week (w)14.

Results

Golimumab pharmacokinetics was best described by a 2-compartment model with linear absorption and elimination. Antibodies to golimumab and previous biological therapy reduced golimumab exposure. Still, interindividual pharmacokinetic variability (IIVPK) remained largely unexplained. Endoscopic remission (ER; MESw14 ≤ 1) was achieved in 14/40 (35%) patients. Golimumab serum trough concentration thresholds of 7.4 mg/L (w6) and 3.2 mg/L (w14) predicted ER at w14 (positive predictive values [pv+] 83% and 91%, pv- 82% and 67%, respectively). The 3.2-mg/L target predicted 38% and 44% chances of achieving ER in patients with MESbaseline of 3 and 2, respectively.

Conclusions

Personalized, model-based induction dosing aiming at here-established target concentrations may account for IIVPK and thus provide patients with more equal chances of achieving ER. As <50% of patients attained the exposure targets, higher golimumab induction dosing requires investigation to secure its future in clinical practice.
International Relations/Black Internationalism: Reimagining Teaching and Learning about Global Politics
Authors: Koomen Jonneke
Published: August 2019

A growing body of critical scholarship interrogates racism in international relations. Yet many introductory undergraduate courses reproduce the colonial and racist foundations and practices of the discipline for new students of global politics. This article argues that, to engage seriously racism in international relations, scholars must rethink undergraduate curriculum and pedagogy. To this end, I offer an alternative model of teaching introductory international relations courses. I propose reading the disciplinary canon alongside, through, and against the texts of Black internationalists. This diverse intellectual and political tradition provides ways to (re)claim the study of race, racism, and Black liberation struggles as international politics. In doing so, Black internationalism allows international relations scholars to radically rethink our curricula, our classrooms, our pedagogy, and the politics of knowledge-making more broadly.
Estimation of indirect social genetic effects for skin lesion count in group-housed pigs by quantifying behavioral interactions1
Authors: Angarita Belcy K , Cantet Rodolfo J C , Wurtz Kaitlin E , O’Malley Carly I , Siegford Janice M , Ernst Catherine W , Turner Simon P , Steibel Juan P
Published: August 2019

Mixing of pigs into new social groups commonly induces aggressive interactions that result in skin lesions on the body of the animals. The relationship between skin lesions and aggressive behavioral interactions in group-housed pigs can be analyzed within the framework of social genetic effects (SGE). This study incorporates the quantification of aggressive interactions between pairs of animals in the modeling of SGE for skin lesions in different regions of the body in growing pigs. The dataset included 792 pigs housed in 59 pens. Skin lesions in the anterior, central, and caudal regions of the body were counted 24 h after pig mixing. Animals were video-recorded for 9 h postmixing and trained observers recorded the type and duration of aggressive interactions between pairs of animals. The number of seconds that pairs of pigs spent engaged in reciprocal fights and unilateral attack behaviors were used to parametrize the intensity of social interactions (ISI). Three types of models were fitted: direct genetic additive model (DGE), traditional social genetic effect model (TSGE) assuming uniform interactions between dyads, and an intensity-based social genetic effect model (ISGE) that used ISI to parameterize SGE. All models included fixed effects of sex, replicate, lesion scorer, weight at mixing, premixing lesion count, and the total time that the animal spent engaged in aggressive interactions (reciprocal fights and unilateral attack behaviors) as a covariate; a random effect of pen; and a random direct genetic effect. The ISGE models recovered more direct genetic variance than DGE and TSGE, and the estimated heritabilities (h^D2) were highest for all traits (P < 0.01) for the ISGE with ISI parametrized with unilateral attack behavior. The TSGE produced estimates that did not differ significantly from DGE (P > 0.5). Incorporating the ISI into ISGE, even in a small dataset, allowed separate estimation of the genetic parameters for direct and SGE, as well as the genetic correlation between direct and SGE (r^ds), which was positive for all lesion traits. The estimates from ISGE suggest that if behavioral observations are available, selection incorporating SGE may reduce the consequences of aggressive behaviors after mixing pigs.
‘Gopāl is my Baby’: Vulnerable Deities and Maternal Love at Bengali Home Shrines
Authors: Andrews Ashlee Norene
Published: August 2019

This article utilises interviews I completed with Hindu Bengali women in Kolkata, India, concerning their practices of domestic shrine care and worship. I illustrate how the loving relationship women build between themselves and their domestic deities—a relationship women describe as the marker of bhakti—is fomented through their daily caretaking of deities such as Gopāl, the toddler form of Kṛṣṇa found in many Kolkatan home shrines. While male Brahmin priests oversee pūjā in Kolkata’s Hindu temples, it is often the mothers, daughters, and daughters-in-laws that are responsible for the care and daily worship of the domestic shrine, where such work is deemed ‘a woman’s duty’ and is assimilated within the domestic responsibilities that Bengali women traditionally undertake. Household shrine care and worship varies but generally consists of acts that one might show to a beloved family member such as feeding and offering water; cleansing, dressing and adorning; gift-giving; decorating a comfortable living space; and waking and putting to sleep. Bengali women explained to me their authority over the domestic shrine by citing their maternal capacity to love to suggested that they were more apt and skilled than men to care for the physically vulnerable deities at home. When noting this, they often mentioned the needs of the child-god Gopāl and their feelings of maternal love and devotion that his presence evokes within them through his depiction as a chubby toddler, crawling on his hands and knees with one hand that is extended outwards; much like a child asking to hold the hand of his parent. This article examines how both the familial necessity of caretaking demanded by the home deity and the imagining of the deity as physically vulnerable promote the development of this bhakti relationship between the female devotee and deity within the contemporary Bengali home.
A prospective multicentre feasibility study of stereotactic body radiotherapy in Japanese patients with spinal metastases
Authors: Ito Kei , Furuya Tomohisa , Shikama Naoto , Nihei Keiji , Tanaka Hiroshi , Kumazaki Yu , Nishimura Hideki , Karasawa Katsuyuki
Published: August 2019

Objective

Stereotactic body radiotherapy has emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional radiotherapy for spinal metastases. However, it has limitations, including the need for advanced techniques and specific adverse effects. The present trial aimed to validate the feasibility and safety of stereotactic body radiotherapy in Japanese patients with spinal metastases.

Methods

Patients with one or two spinal metastases received stereotactic body radiotherapy of 24 Gy in two fractions. The primary endpoint was the proportion of severe adverse effects (≥ grade 3) in patients within 6 months after spine stereotactic body radiotherapy. Adverse effects were evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4. The treatment protocol was considered feasible and tolerable if the proportion of severe adverse effects was 10% or less.

Results

Overall, 20 spinal segments in 20 patients who registered between March 2014 and October 2015 were included. Minor and major deviations were observed in the planning of 2 and 0 cases, respectively. The treatment completion rate was 100%. The median follow-up after registration was 24.5 (range: 1–61) months. Although four patients experienced acute grade 2 adverse effects, no grade 3 or higher adverse effects were observed within 6 months after spine stereotactic body radiotherapy. Vertebral compression fractures were observed in two patients (14 and 16 months after stereotactic body radiotherapy). The local control and pain response rates at 6 months were 100 and 83%, respectively.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of spine stereotactic body radiotherapy in Japanese patients with spinal metastases.
Unusual osseous metaplasia following hernia repair with Prolene mesh: a case report
Authors: Nasralla Awrad , Tsang Bonnie
Published: August 2019

The use of Prolene mesh for repair of various hernias is very common. As with any surgical procedure, it can be associated with complications such as seroma, hematoma and wound infection. However, it is uncommon to develop heterotopic ossification following incisional hernia repair with Prolene mesh. Herein, we report a case with chronic abdominal pain secondary to heterotopic ossification occurring after incisional hernia repair with Prolene mesh. It is crucial to report uncommon reactions to the mesh in order to aid in diagnosis of unexplained abdominal pain post hernia repair, after common etiologies are ruled out.
Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits: a nephrologist perspective
Authors: Bridoux Frank , Javaugue Vincent , Nasr Samih H , Leung Nelson
Published: August 2019

Proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN) with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits (PGNMIDs) is a recently described entity among the spectrum of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS). The disease is renal limited and manifests with chronic glomerular disease, altered renal function and albuminuria, sometimes in the nephrotic range. Acute nephritic syndrome is rare. PGNMID occurs mostly in the sixth decade, but it may affect young adults. Histologically, PGNMID is characterized predominantly by membranoproliferative GN and less frequently by diffuse endocapillary GN, mesangioproliferative GN or atypical membranous GN. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopic studies are the cornerstone of diagnosis, showing granular deposits involving glomeruli only, and composed of monotypic immunoglobulin G (IgG), with a single heavy chain subclass (most commonly IgG3) and light chain (LC) restriction (usually κ), admixed with complement deposits. PGNMID variants with monotypic LC-only, IgA or IgM deposits are uncommon. Ultrastructurally, deposits are amorphous with predominant subendothelial and mesangial distribution. PGNMID should be distinguished from type 1 cryoglobulinemic GN and immunotactoid GN, which share some common pathological features. Contrary to other MGRS lesions, the rate of detection of the nephrotoxic monoclonal Ig in the serum or urine, and of an abnormal bone marrow B-cell clone, is only ∼30%. Renal prognosis is poor, with progression to end-stage renal disease in 25% of patients within 30 months and frequent early recurrence on the renal allograft. The pathophysiology of PGNMID is unclear and its treatment remains challenging. However, recent studies indicate that clone-targeted chemotherapy may significantly improve renal outcomes, opening future perspectives for the management of this rare disease.
The neural mechanisms of social reward in early psychosis
Authors: Fett Anne-Kathrin J , Mouchlianitis Elias , Gromann Paula M , Vanes Lucy , Shergill Sukhi S , Krabbendam Lydia
Published: August 2019

In chronic psychosis, reduced trust is associated with a neural insensitivity to social reward and reduced theory of mind (ToM). Here we investigate whether these mechanisms could underlie emerging social impairments in early psychosis. Twenty-two participants with early psychosis and 25 controls (male, 13–19 years) participated in two interactive trust games against a cooperative and unfair partner. Region of interest neuroimaging analyses included right caudate, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ), involved in reward and ToM processing. Both groups showed similar levels of trust (i.e. investments). However, individuals with psychosis failed to activate the caudate differentially in response to cooperation and unfairness while making decisions to trust. During cooperative returns, patients showed reduced and controls increased caudate activation. Patients demonstrated greater rTPJ activation than controls, possibly pointing towards compensatory mechanisms. Effects were associated with Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence vocabulary scores. No group differences emerged in mPFC activation. Early psychosis is associated with an aberrant neural sensitivity to social reward. This could foster reduced social motivation and social isolation. Absent behavioural differences in early, relative to chronic psychosis could indicate that trust is achieved through increased compensatory demand on ToM.
Effect of innovation policy mix on innovation efficiency: Evidence from Chinese wind power industry chain
Authors: Wang Xiaozhen , Jiang Zihao , Zheng Ying
Published: August 2019

Wind power (WP) is a long-term strategic energy alternative for China to cope with energy shortage and environmental crisis. Yet, how innovation policies precisely affect innovation efficiency (IE) of WP industry remains poorly understood. Therefore, based on the micro-data of Chinese WP-listed companies, this article measures the IE of enterprises in different links of wind power industry chain (WPIC), and discusses the effects of innovation policy and its mix on IE. The results show that there exists non-efficiency problems in Chinese WP industry during 2014–7, but the innovation of enterprises in the upstream of WPIC is DEA efficient. IE of enterprises in the midstream presents a U-shape, which fluctuates periodically in downstream. In addition, neither a single policy nor a policy mix has a significant impact on IE of enterprises in the upstream and midstream of WPIC, but has a significant negative effect on that of the downstream.
Inhibition of UBE2N‐dependent CDK6 protein degradation by miR‐934 promotes human bladder cancer cell growth
Authors: Yan Huiying , Ren Shuwei , Lin Qi , Yu Yuan , Chen Caiyi , Hua Xiaohui , Jin Honglei , Lu Yongyong , Zhang Huxiang , Xie Qipeng , Huang Chuanshu , Huang Haishan
Published: August 2019

Because bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant cancers of the urinary system, identification of BC cell growth‐associated effectors is of great significance. Cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK)6 is a member of the CDK family of cell cycle‐related proteins and plays an important role in cancer cell growth. This is borne out by the fact that a CDK6 inhibitor had been approved to treat several types of cancers. Nevertheless, underlying molecular mechanisms concerning how to regulate CDK6 expression in BC remains unclear. In the present study, it was observed that miR‐934 was much higher in human BCs and human BC cell lines as well. The results also revealed that miR‐934 inhibition dramatically decreased human BC cell monolayer growth in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in vivo; the outcomes were accompanied by CDK6 protein down‐regulation and G0‐G1 cell cycle arrest. Moreover, overexpression of CDK6 reversed the inhibition of BC cell growth induced by miR‐934. Further studies showed that miR‐934 binds to a 3'‐UTR of ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme 2N (ube2n) mRNA, down‐regulated UBE2N protein expression; this, in turn, attenuated CDK6 protein degradation and led to CDK6 protein accumulation as well as the promotion of BC tumor growth. Collectively, this study not only establishes a novel regulatory axis of miR‐934/UBE2N of CDK6 but also provides data suggesting that miR‐934 and UBE2N may be potentially promising targets for therapeutic strategies against BC.—Yan, H., Ren, S., Lin, Q., Yu, Y., Chen, C., Hua, X., Jin, H., Lu, Y., Zhang, H., Xie, Q., Huang, C., Huang, H. Inhibition of UBE2N‐dependent CDK6 protein degradation by miR‐934 promotes human bladder cancer cell growth. FASEB J. 33, 12112‐12123 (2019). www.fasebj.org
Molecular architecture of bacterial amyloids in Bacillus biofilms
Authors: Mammeri Nadia El , Hierrezuelo Jesus , Tolchard James , Cámara‐Almirón Jesús , Caro‐Astorga Joaquín , Álvarez‐Mena Ana , Dutour Antoine , Berbon Melanie , Shenoy Jayakrishna , Morvan Estelle , Grélard Axelle , Kauffmann Brice , Lecomte Sophie , de Vicente Antonio , Habenstein Birgit , Romero Diego , Loquet Antoine
Published: August 2019

The formation of biofilms provides structural and adaptive bacterial response to the environment. In Bacillus species, the biofilm extracellular matrix is composed of exopolysaccharides, hydrophobins, and several functional amyloid proteins. We report, using multiscale approaches such as solid‐state NMR (SSNMR), electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and immune‐gold labeling, the molecular architecture of B. subtilis and pathogenic B. cereus functional amyloids. SSNMR data reveal that the major amyloid component TasA in its fibrillar amyloid form contain β‐sheet and α‐helical secondary structure, suggesting a nontypical amyloid architecture in B. subtilis. Proteinase K digestion experiments indicate the amyloid moiety is ~100 aa long, and subsequent SSNMR and FTIR signatures for B. subtilis and B. cereus TasA filaments highlight a conserved amyloid fold, albeit with substantial differences in structural polymorphism and secondary structure composition. Structural analysis and coassembly data on the accessory protein TapA in B. subtilis and its counterpart camelysin in B. cereus reveal a catalyzing effect between the functional amyloid proteins and a common structural architecture, suggesting a coassembly in the context of biofilm formation. Our findings highlight nontypical amyloid behavior of these bacterial functional amyloids, underlining structural variations between biofilms even in closely related bacterial species.—El Mammeri, N., Hierrezuelo, J., Tolchard, J., Cámara‐Almirón, J., Caro‐Astorga, J., Álvarez‐Mena, A., Dutour, A., Berbon, M., Shenoy, J., Morvan, E., Grélard, A., Kauffmann, B., Lecomte, S., de Vicente, A., Habenstein, B., Romero, D., Loquet, A. Molecular architecture of bacterial amyloids in Bacillus biofilms. FASEB J. 33, 12146‐12163 (2019). www.fasebj.org
Improved Patient Flow and Provider Efficiency After the Implementation of an Electronic Health Record
Authors: Pyron Lesley , Carter-Templeton Heather
Published: August 2019

Electronic health records are used widely across the nation in many different types of healthcare facilities. Electronic health record systems can provide more accurate and complete information about a patient's health, improve patient safety, and improve patient care. The purpose of this project is to evaluate a provider efficiency and workflow program at a hospital-owned, freestanding urgent care system after implementation of an electronic health record. A retrospective, longitudinal approach was used to evaluate the implementation of an electronic health record system among six freestanding urgent care clinics. The logic model was used as a guiding framework to determine whether provider efficiency and patient flow were improved. Data were collected from participants via an online survey, electronic health record data review, paper chart review, and direct observation of providers. An evaluation of a provider efficiency program using door-to-triage, door-to-provider, door-to-discharge, and average length of stay at each urgent care clinic was collected. The results indicate improvement in all areas after implementation of the electronic health record in all six urgent care settings. The average length of stay decreased from 109 minutes in 2014 to 73 minutes in 2016.
Orbital Bone Decompression for Non-Thyroid Eye Disease Proptosis
Authors: Limongi Roberto Murillo , Feijó Eduardo Damous , Rodrigues Lopes e Silva Marlos , Akaishi Patrícia , Velasco e Cruz Antônio Augusto , Christian Pieroni-Gonçalves Allan , Pereira Filipe , Devoto Martin , Bernardini Francesco , Marques Victor , Tao Jeremiah P.
Published: August 2019

Orbital decompression may have a role in improving proptosis in non-thyroid eye disease entities.

Purpose:

To report a multicenter large case series of orbital decompression for non-thyroid eye disease proptosis.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review of cases of orbital decompression performed by 9 experienced orbital surgeons from different countries from 2014 to 2017 for non-thyroid eye disease proptosis. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) negative vector (high axial length or shallow orbit), 2) inflammatory, and 3) tumor. Types of orbital decompression and Hertel exophthalmometry (preoperative and minimum 6 months postoperative) were recorded. Charts were also assessed for serious complications. The amount of exophthalmometry improvement was recorded according to the above groups.

Results:

The analysis included 41 orbits of 29 patients (14 women and 15 men) with a mean age of 38.9 years (ranging from 9 to 74; standard deviation (SD) 15.66). There were 17 orbits of 11 patients in the negative vector group, 16 orbits of 10 patients in the inflammatory group, and 8 orbits of 8 patients in the tumor group. The mean reduction of proptosis was 2.95 mm in the negative vector group, 2.54 mm in the inflammatory group, and 5.75 mm in the tumor group. There were no serious complications.

Conclusions:

Orbital decompression was safe and effective in reducing proptosis for non-thyroid eye disease indications in this series. The amount of exophthalmometry improvement was less in the inflammatory orbitopathy group compared with other proptosis etiology groups.
Successful endoscopic hemoclipping and conservative management for typhoid fever complicated by massive intestinal bleeding and acute pancreatitis
Authors: Cho Joon Hyun
Published: August 2019

Rationale:

Massive intestinal bleeding as a complication of typhoid fever has rarely been reported due to the advent of antibiotics. In addition, although several literatures have been issued on the use and success of endoscopic modalities in cases of massive typhoid ulcer bleeding, few have described hemostasis by endoscopic hemoclipping.

Patient concerns:

We describe a case of a 61-year-old Korean female who presented acute episodes of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding during admission to local hospital with a provisional diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis. She had returned from a trip to Southeast Asia 3 weeks prior to admission

Diagnoses:

After the result of blood culture was identified as Salmonella typhi, we could make a diagnosis of typhoid fever complicated by massive intestinal bleeding and acute pancreatitis based on elevated serum lipase and computerized tomography (CT) findings.

Interventions:

The patient was treated successfully by two repeat colonoscopic hemostasis procedures involving the deployment of hemoclips on ulcers in the terminal ileum and 10-day course of intravenous ciprofloxacin

Outcomes:

The patient was stable and reported no further episodes of intestinal bleeding or fever during the follow-up time. In addition, acute pancreatitis, which is a rare complication of typhoid fever, resolved without complication on follow-up CT and a laboratory study.

Lessons:

Considering the risk of procedure-related complications such as perforation of the small intestine wall, which become thin and friable due to ulceration, mechanical hemostasis methods, such as hemoclipping, might be safer than coagulation, when the bleeding spot can be identified and is not multiple, as in our case. In addition, our case demonstrates that S. typhi should be considered in the differential diagnosis of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, especially in the setting of recent travel in South or Southeast Asia.
Association of mRNA expression levels of Cullin family members with prognosis in breast cancer
Authors: Liu Aiyu , Zhang Shizhen , Shen Yanwen , Lei Rui , Wang Yannan
Published: August 2019

Cullin proteins couple with RING-finger proteins, adaptor proteins and substrate recognition receptors to form E3 ubiquitin ligases for recognizing numerous substrates and participating in a variety of cellular processes, especially in genome stability and tumorigenesis. However, the prognostic values of Cullins in breast cancer remain elusive.

A “Kaplan–Meier plotter” (KM plotter) online survival analysis tool was used to evaluate the association of individual Cullin members’ mRNA expression with overall survival (OS) in breast cancer patients.

Our results revealed that elevated mRNA expression of CUL4A and PARC were significantly associated with poor OS for breast cancer patients. While high mRNA expression of CUL2, CUL4B, and CUL5 were correlated with better survival for breast cancers.

The associated results suggested that some Cullin members could serve as new predictive prognostic indicators for breast cancer.
Antenatal infection and intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants
Authors: Huang Jinglan , Meng Junjie , Choonara Imti , Xiong Tao , Wang Yibin , Wang Huiqing , Qu Yi , Mu Dezhi
Published: August 2019

Background:

The aim of this study was to summarize current evidence evaluating the association between antenatal infection and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants.

Materials and methods:

We searched for published articles on antenatal infection and IVH in 3 English (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EBSCO) and 3 Chinese (VEIPU, CNKI, and WANFANG) databases on May 19, 2019. In addition, the references of these articles were screened. The included studies had to meet all of the following criteria: preterm infants (<37 weeks); comparing antenatal infection with no infection; the outcomes included IVH (all grades), mild IVH, or sereve IVH; the type of study was randomized controlled trial or cohort study.

Results:

A total of 23 cohort studies involving 13,605 preterm infants met our inclusion criteria. Antenatal infection increased the risk of IVH (odds ratios ([OR] 2.18, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.58–2.99), mild IVH (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.09–3.49) and severe IVH (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.52–4.61). For type of antenatal infection, the ORs and 95% CI were as follows: 2.21 (1.60–3.05) for chorioamnionitis, 2.26 (1.55–3.28) for histologic chorioamnionitis, 1.88 (1.22–2.92) for clinical chorioamnionitis, and 1.88 (1.14–3.10) for ureaplasma.

Conclusions:

Antenatal infection may increase the risk of developing IVH in the preterm infant. The evidence base is however of low quality and well-designed studies are needed.