bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of a severe case of Gitelman syndrome with poor response to standard treatment
Authors: Koudsi Leila , Nikolova Stanka , Mishra Vinita
Published: February 2016

Gitelman syndrome is an autosomal recessive distal renal tubular disorder caused by defective sodium chloride transporters. Biochemically, it presents with hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesaemia and hypocalciuria. It is usually managed with oral potassium supplements and potassium-sparing diuretics. We report a case of a 28-year-old woman whose condition worsened during pregnancy; she became resistant to standard management after delivery of her second child. She was managed in a specialist metabolic clinic through a comprehensive approach including perseverance with oral potassium supplement, weekly intravenous potassium and magnesium infusion, correction of vitamin D level and the offering of appropriate dietary advice; this controlled the patient's symptoms and prevented repeated hospital admissions. In this case report, we illustrate a patient's presentation and diagnosis with Gitelman syndrome, discuss triggers of exacerbation, review the relevant literature in terms of differential diagnoses and provide practical advice on the management of difficult cases in a specialist clinic.
ADS Based on Linear Accelerators
Authors: Pan Weimin , Dai Jianping
Published: February 2016

An accelerator-driven system (ADS), which combines a particle accelerator with a subcritical core, is commonly regarded as a promising device for the transmutation of nuclear waste, as well as a potential scheme for thorium-based energy production. So far the predominant choice of the accelerator for ADS is a superconducting linear accelerator (linac). This article gives a brief overview of ADS based on linacs, including the motivation, principle, challenges and research activities around the world. The status and future plan of the Chinease ADS (C-ADS) project will be highlighted and discussed in depth as an example.
Cyclotrons and FFAG Accelerators as Drivers for ADS
Authors: Calabretta Luciano , Méot François
Published: February 2016

This review summarizes projects and studies on circular accelerators proposed for driving subcritical reactors. The early isochronous cyclotron cascades, proposed about 20 years ago, and the evolution of these layouts up to the most recent solutions or designs based on cyclotrons and fixed field alternating gradient accelerators, are reported. In addition, the newest ideas and their prospects for development are discussed.
Detectors for Accelerator-Based Security Applications
Authors: Warren Glen A. , Stave Sean C. , Miller Erin A.
Published: February 2016

We present a review of detector systems used in accelerator-based security applications. The applications discussed span stockpile stewardship, material interdiction, treaty verification, and spent nuclear fuel assay. The challenge for detectors in accelerator-based applications is the separation of the desired signal from the background, frequently during high input count rates. Typical techniques to address the background challenge include shielding, timing, selection of sensitive materials, and choice of accelerator.
Radiologic Changes by Early Motion in Neck Fractures of the Fifth Metacarpal Treated with Antegrade Intramedullary Fixation
Authors: Heo Youn Moo , Kim Sang Bum , Yi Jin Woong , Kim Tae Gyun , Lim Byoung Gu
Published: February 2016

Background: As intramedullary (IM) fixation is one of the fixation methods used in neck fractures of the fifth metacarpal, an early motion of injured finger can be allowed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether immediate active motion affects the stability of antegrade IM fixation in surgical treatment of neck fractures of the fifth metacarpal bone and to assess related factors.

Methods: Thirty one patients treated by closed reduction and antegrade IM fixation were consecutively enrolled. All patients started active motion of the little finger since 7 postoperative days and only daily activities including writing, typing or washing were allowed until the union of fracture. All fractures were healed within four to eight weeks. The changes of angulation, fifth metacarpal length and tip to head distance of K-wire were compared between immediate postoperative radiographs and radiographs at eight weeks. In addition, the effects by age, gender, initial angulation and comminution of the metacarpal neck were assessed.

Results: The average change of angulation was 0.12°, 5th metacarpal length was 1.49mm and tip to head distance of K-wire was 1.31mm. There was no significant difference in the change of angulation (p = 0.137). But, there were significant differences in the change of 5th metacarpal length and tip to head distance of K-wire ([Formula: see text]). The change of angulation was related to a comminution of the metacarpal neck and that of 5th metacarpal length was related to age and sex.

Conclusions: The change of 5th metacarpal length and tip to head distance of K-wire can occur by an early mobilization in the antegrade IM fixation for neck fractures of the fifth metacarpal. However, we thought that an early active motion after surgery is important to increase the patients' satisfaction, even though careful selection of candidates is necessary.
Motion Analysis of the Trapeziometacarpal Joint Using Three-dimensional Computed Tomography
Authors: Kimura Tetsuya , Takai Hiroaki , Azuma Tatsuo , Sairyo Koichi
Published: February 2016

Background: Zancolli theorized that the first metacarpal bone axially rotates on the semispheroidal part of the trapezium, which is controlled by ligaments. This study used three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) to describe the motion of the first metacarpal bone on the trapezium.

Methods: 3D-CT images were taken of the left hand of 30 healthy volunteers (mean age [Formula: see text] years, 15 men and 15 women). They were divided into five groups: radial abduction, retroposition, adduction, palmar abduction, and opposition. The range of motion of radial abduction and palmar abduction of the trapeziometacarpal joint was measured from the first metacarpal bone to the second metacarpal bone. The range of motion of pronation was measured following Cheema's method. The main contacts of the joint surface of trapezium and the first metacarpal bone were determined on the 3D-CT images.

Results: Pronation of the trapeziometacarpal joint was [Formula: see text] in radial abduction, [Formula: see text] in retroposition, [Formula: see text] in adduction, [Formula: see text] in palmar abduction, and [Formula: see text] in opposition. Radial abduction was [Formula: see text] in radial abduction, [Formula: see text] in retroposition, [Formula: see text] in adduction, [Formula: see text] in palmar abduction, and [Formula: see text] in opposition. Palmar abduction was [Formula: see text] in radial abduction, [Formula: see text] in retroposition, [Formula: see text] in adduction, [Formula: see text] in palmar abduction, and [Formula: see text] in opposition. The contact surfaces of the trapezium and the first metacarpal bone were dorsal and ulnar in radial abduction, radial and ulnar in retroposition, and volar-ulnar and volarradial in opposition, respectively, while they were both central in adduction and both radial in palmar abduction.

Conclusions: The range of motion of the trapeziometacarpal joint was 44° for radial abduction/adduction, 48° for palmar abduction/adduction, and 57° for pronation/supination. The varying contact surfaces of the trapezium and the first metacarpal bone enabled a wide range of motion.
Concurrent Minimally Invasive Carpal Tunnel Release Techniques in Distal Radius Open Reduction Internal Fixation
Authors: Low O-Wern , Cheah Andre E. J.
Published: February 2016

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common complication associated with distal radius fractures. Open carpal tunnel release in the same setting as open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fractures is widely accepted. In this paper, we describe the technical details of a minimally invasive carpal tunnel release in the same setting as the fixation of a distal radius fracture via the same incision. Two options of minimally invasive techniques are described: The Knifelight® (Stryker, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA) instrument and the single portal carpal tunnel release system (Agee, 3M Healthcare, St Paul, Minnesota, USA). Being well known and accepted techniques of carpal tunnel release, we believe that the techniques described in this paper provide a viable alternative for carpal tunnel release in the setting of distal radius fracture fixation; with the added advantages of the original minimally invasive techniques.
Lipofibromatous Hamartoma of the Median and Ulnar Nerves at the Ipsilateral Wrist
Authors: Kohyama Sho , Tanaka Toshikazu , Okano Eriko , Yanai Takaji , Ochiai Naoyuki
Published: February 2016

Lipofibromatous hamartoma (LFH) is a rare condition of the peripheral nerves that typically affects the median nerve. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of LFH of both, the median and ulnar nerves, at the wrist of a 63-year-old female patient. The patient presented to our hospital with a 40-year history of pain, numbness, and dysesthesia affecting all fingers of her left hand. Atrophy of the thenar muscles and the first dorsal interosseous was observed upon physical examination. Imaging studies and a surgery revealed that the patient's median and ulnar nerves were significantly enlarged, confirming the LFH diagnosis. The patient's dysesthesia and numbness improved after Carpal tunnel and Guyon canal release, and her pinch ability improved after opponensplasty. LFH has been known to be solitary, typically affecting median nerve, but it must be noted that the tumor may affect multiple nerves like in our case.
Perspectives from the Avian Phylogenomics Project: Questions that Can Be Answered with Sequencing All Genomes of a Vertebrate Class
Authors: Jarvis Erich D.
Published: February 2016

The rapid pace of advances in genome technology, with concomitant reductions in cost, makes it feasible that one day in our lifetime we will have available extant genomes of entire classes of species, including vertebrates. I recently helped cocoordinate the large-scale Avian Phylogenomics Project, which collected and sequenced genomes of 48 bird species representing most currently classified orders to address a range of questions in phylogenomics and comparative genomics. The consortium was able to answer questions not previously possible with just a few genomes. This success spurred on the creation of a project to sequence the genomes of at least one individual of all extant ∼10,500 bird species. The initiation of this project has led us to consider what questions now impossible to answer could be answered with all genomes, and could drive new questions now unimaginable. These include the generation of a highly resolved family tree of extant species, genome-wide association studies across species to identify genetic substrates of many complex traits, redefinition of species and the species concept, reconstruction of the genomes of common ancestors, and generation of new computational tools to address these questions. Here I present visions for the future by posing and answering questions regarding what scientists could potentially do with available genomes of an entire vertebrate class.
Long-term oral administration of osteocalcin induces insulin resistance in male mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet
Authors: Yasutake Yu , Mizokami Akiko , Kawakubo-Yasukochi Tomoyo , Chishaki Sakura , Takahashi Ichiro , Takeuchi Hiroshi , Hirata Masato
Published: February 2016

Uncarboxylated osteocalcin (GluOC), a bone-derived hormone, regulates energy metabolism by stimulating insulin secretion, pancreatic β-cell proliferation, and adiponectin expression in adipocytes. Previously, we showed that long-term intermittent or daily oral administration of GluOC reduced the fasting blood glucose level, improved glucose tolerance, and increased the fasting serum insulin concentration as well as pancreatic β-cell area in female mice fed a normal or high-fat, high-sucrose diet. We have now performed similar experiments with male mice and found that such GluOC administration induced glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and adipocyte hypertrophy in those fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet. In addition, GluOC increased the circulating concentration of testosterone and reduced that of adiponectin in such mice. These phenotypes were not observed in male mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet after orchidectomy, but they were apparent in orchidectomized male mice or intact female mice that were fed such a diet and subjected to continuous testosterone supplementation. Our results thus reveal a sex difference in the effects of GluOC on glucose homeostasis. Given that oral administration of GluOC has been considered a potentially safe and convenient option for the treatment or prevention of metabolic disorders, this sex difference will need to be taken into account in further investigations.
Regulation of cardiomyocyte autophagy by calcium
Authors: Shaikh Soni , Troncoso Rodrigo , Criollo Alfredo , Bravo-Sagua Roberto , García Lorena , Morselli Eugenia , Cifuentes Mariana , Quest Andrew F. G. , Hill Joseph A. , Lavandero Sergio
Published: February 2016

Calcium signaling plays a crucial role in a multitude of events within the cardiomyocyte, including cell cycle control, growth, apoptosis, and autophagy. With respect to calcium-dependent regulation of autophagy, ion channels and exchangers, receptors, and intracellular mediators play fundamental roles. In this review, we discuss calcium-dependent regulation of cardiomyocyte autophagy, a lysosomal mechanism that is often cytoprotective, serving to defend against disease-related stress and nutrient insufficiency. We also highlight the importance of the subcellular distribution of calcium and related proteins, interorganelle communication, and other key signaling events that govern cardiomyocyte autophagy.
Obesity, Asthma, and the Microbiome
Authors: Cho Youngji , Shore Stephanie A.
Published: February 2016

Obesity is a risk factor for asthma, but standard asthma drugs have reduced efficacy in the obese. Obesity alters the gastrointestinal microbial community structure. This change in structure contributes to some obesity-related conditions and also could be contributing to obesity-related asthma. Although currently unexplored, obesity may also be altering lung microbiota. Understanding the role of microbiota in obesity-related asthma could lead to novel treatments for these patients.
Mining Sequential Update Summarization with Hierarchical Text Analysis
Authors: Zhang Chunyun , Si Zhongwei , Ma Zhanyu , Xi Xiaoming , Yin Yilong
Published: February 2016

The outbreak of unexpected news events such as large human accident or natural disaster brings about a new information access problem where traditional approaches fail. Mostly, news of these events shows characteristics that are early sparse and later redundant. Hence, it is very important to get updates and provide individuals with timely and important information of these incidents during their development, especially when being applied in wireless and mobile Internet of Things (IoT). In this paper, we define the problem of sequential update summarization extraction and present a new hierarchical update mining system which can broadcast with useful, new, and timely sentence-length updates about a developing event. The new system proposes a novel method, which incorporates techniques from topic-level and sentence-level summarization. To evaluate the performance of the proposed system, we apply it to the task of sequential update summarization of temporal summarization (TS) track at Text Retrieval Conference (TREC) 2013 to compute four measurements of the update mining system: the expected gain, expected latency gain, comprehensiveness, and latency comprehensiveness. Experimental results show that our proposed method has good performance.
Combining Geoelectrical Measurements and CO2Analyses to Monitor the Enhanced Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils: A Field Implementation
Authors: Noel Cécile , Gourry Jean-Christophe , Deparis Jacques , Blessing Michaela , Ignatiadis Ioannis , Guimbaud Christophe
Published: February 2016

Hydrocarbon-contaminated aquifers can be successfully remediated through enhanced biodegradation. However,in situmonitoring of the treatment by piezometers is expensive and invasive and might be insufficient as the information provided is restricted to vertical profiles at discrete locations. An alternative method was tested in order to improve the robustness of the monitoring. Geophysical methods, electrical resistivity (ER) and induced polarization (IP), were combined with gas analyses, CO2concentration, and its carbon isotopic ratio, to develop a less invasive methodology for monitoring enhanced biodegradation of hydrocarbons. The field implementation of this monitoring methodology, which lasted from February 2014 until June 2015, was carried out at a BTEX-polluted site under aerobic biotreatment. Geophysical monitoring shows a more conductive and chargeable area which corresponds to the contaminated zone. In this area, high CO2emissions have been measured with an isotopic signature demonstrating that the main source of CO2on this site is the biodegradation of hydrocarbon fuels. Besides, the evolution of geochemical and geophysical data over a year seems to show the seasonal variation of bacterial activity. Combining geophysics with gas analyses is thus promising to provide a new methodology forin situmonitoring.
Assessment of Measurement Distortions in GNSS Antenna Array Space-Time Processing
Authors: Marathe Thyagaraja , Daneshmand Saeed , Lachapelle Gérard
Published: February 2016

Antenna array processing techniques are studied in GNSS as effective tools to mitigate interference in spatial and spatiotemporal domains. However, without specific considerations, the array processing results in biases and distortions in the cross-ambiguity function (CAF) of the ranging codes. Inspace-time processing (STP)the CAF misshaping can happen due to the combined effect of space-time processing and the unintentional signal attenuation by filtering. This paper focuses on characterizing these degradations for different controlled signal scenarios and for live data from an antenna array. The antenna array simulation method introduced in this paper enables one to perform accurate analyses in the field of STP. The effects of relative placement of the interference source with respect to the desired signal direction are shown using overall measurement errors and profile of the signal strength. Analyses of contributions from each source of distortion are conducted individually and collectively. Effects of distortions on GNSS pseudorange errors and position errors are compared forblind,semi-distortionless,anddistortionlessbeamforming methods. The results from characterization can be useful for designing low distortion filters that are especially important for high accuracy GNSS applications in challenging environments.
A Smart Device Enabled System for Autonomous Fall Detection and Alert
Authors: He Jian , Hu Chen , Wang Xiaoyi
Published: February 2016

The activity model based on 3D acceleration and gyroscope is created in this paper, and the difference between the activities of daily living (ADLs) and falls is analyzed at first. Meanwhile, the kNN algorithm and sliding window are introduced to develop a smart device enabled system for fall detection and alert, which is composed of a wearable motion sensor board and a smart phone. The motion sensor board integrated with triaxial accelerometer, gyroscope, and Bluetooth is attached to a custom vest worn by the elderly to capture the reluctant acceleration and angular velocity of ADLs in real time. The stream data via Bluetooth is then sent to a smart phone, which runs a program based on the kNN algorithm and sliding window to analyze the stream data and detect falls in the background. At last, the experiment shows that the system identifies simulated falls from ADLs with a high accuracy of 97.7%, while sensitivity and specificity are 94% and 99%, respectively. Besides, the smart phone can issue an alarm and notify caregivers to provide timely and accurate help for the elderly, as soon as a fall is detected.
DNA Modified with Metal Nanoparticles: Preparation and Characterization of Ordered Metal-DNA Nanostructures in a Solution and on a Substrate
Authors: Kasyanenko Nina , Varshavskii Mikhail , Ikonnikov Eugenii , Tolstyko Evgenii , Belykh Roman , Sokolov Petr , Bakulev Vladimir , Rolich Valery , Lopatko Konstantin
Published: February 2016

DNA interaction with silver and aluminum nanoparticles in a solution has been investigated with the AFM, SEM, dynamic light scattering, viscometry, and spectral methods. The comparison of DNA interaction with nanoparticles synthesized by the reduction of Ag+ions and with nanoparticles obtained by the electric discharge plasma method was done. DNA metallization in a solution and onn-silicon surface with metal nanoparticles or by the reduction of silver ions after their binding to DNA was executed and studied. It was shown that DNA strands with regular location of silver or aluminum nanoparticles can be prepared. The conditions for the formation of silver nanoparticles and silver nanoclusters on DNA were analyzed.
Estimation of the Mechanism of Adrenal Action of Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds Using a Computational Model of Adrenal Steroidogenesis in NCI-H295R Cells
Authors: Saito Ryuta , Terasaki Natsuko , Yamazaki Makoto , Masutomi Naoya , Tsutsui Naohisa , Okamoto Masahiro
Published: February 2016

Adrenal toxicity is one of the major concerns in drug development. To quantitatively understand the effect of endocrine-active compounds on adrenal steroidogenesis and to assess the human adrenal toxicity of novel pharmaceutical drugs, we developed a mathematical model of steroidogenesis in human adrenocortical carcinoma NCI-H295R cells. The model includes cellular proliferation, intracellular cholesterol translocation, diffusional transport of steroids, and metabolic pathways of adrenal steroidogenesis, which serially involve steroidogenic proteins and enzymes such as StAR, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, HSD3B2, CYP21A2, CYP11B1, CYP11B2, HSD17B3, and CYP19A1. It was reconstructed in an experimental dynamics of cholesterol and 14 steroids from anin vitrosteroidogenesis assay using NCI-H295R cells. Results of dynamic sensitivity analysis suggested that HSD3B2 plays the most important role in the metabolic balance of adrenal steroidogenesis. Based on differential metabolic profiling of 12 steroid hormones and 11 adrenal toxic compounds, we could estimate which steroidogenic enzymes were affected in this mathematical model. In terms of adrenal steroidogenic inhibitors, the predicted action sites were approximately matched to reported target enzymes. Thus, our computer-aided system based on systems biological approach may be useful to understand the mechanism of action of endocrine-active compounds and to assess the human adrenal toxicity of novel pharmaceutical drugs.
Clinical Characteristics Associated with Antibiotic Treatment Failure for Tuboovarian Abscesses
Authors: Farid Huma , Lau Trevin C. , Karmon Anatte E. , Styer Aaron K.
Published: February 2016

Objective. Although parenteral antibiotic treatment is a standard approach for tuboovarian abscesses, a significant proportion of patients fail therapy and require interventional radiology (IR) guided drainage. The objective of this study is to assess if specific clinical factors are associated with antibiotic treatment failure.Study Design. Retrospective medical record review of patients hospitalized for tuboovarian abscesses from 2001 through 2012 was performed. Clinical characteristics were compared for patients who underwent successful parenteral antibiotic treatment, failed antibiotic treatment necessitating subsequent IR drainage, initial drainage with concurrent antibiotics, and surgery.Results. One hundred thirteen patients admitted for inpatient treatment were identified. Sixty-one (54%) patients were treated with antibiotics alone. Within this group, 24.6% failed antibiotic treatment and required drainage. Mean white blood cell count (K/μL) (18.7±5.94versus13.9±5.12) (p=0.003), mean maximum diameter of tuboovarian abscess (cm) (6.8±2.9versus5.2±2.0) (p=0.03), and length of stay (days) (9.47±7.43versus4.59±2.4) (p=0.002) were significantly greater for patients who failed antibiotic treatment.Conclusions. Admission white blood cell count greater than 16 K/μL and abscess size greater than 5.18 cm are associated with antibiotic treatment failure. These factors may provide guidance for initial selection of IR guided drainage.
Phenolic Composition, Antioxidant Activity, andIn VitroAvailability of Four Different Berries
Authors: Marhuenda Javier , Alemán María Dolores , Gironés-Vilaplana Amadeo , Pérez Alfonso , Caravaca Gabriel , Figueroa Fernando , Mulero Juana , Zafrilla Pilar
Published: February 2016

Polyphenols from berries have proved healthy effects after“in vitro”and“in vivo”studies, such as preventing tumor growing and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. We compared four different kinds of berries—strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry—with the aim to distinguish their phenolic composition, concerning their antioxidant capacity along with their“in vitro”availability. Folin-Ciocalteu method was used for the determination of phenolic compounds, and the antioxidant capacity was measured by ORAC method. Moreover, the determination of anthocyanins was accomplished with an HPLC-DAD. Finally, we carried out an“in vitro”digestion to simulate the gastrointestinal digestion. All berries showed good antioxidant capacity with significant differences, besides high total phenolic compounds. Content of anthocyanins measured by HPLC-DAD varied between the different berries, namely, blackberries and strawberries which showed higher anthocyanin concentration. After“in vitro”digestion, berries showed poor bioavailability of the analysis of anthocyanins (9.9%–31.7%). Availability of total phenolic compounds was higher than anthocyanins (33%–73%). Moreover, strawberries and blackberries presented the less availability grade. Decrease in antioxidant activity measured by ORAC method was about 90% in all berries studied. Therefore, bioavailability of phenolic compounds remains unclear and more correlation between“in vitro”and“in vivo”studies seems to be necessary.
Spontaneous Coronary Dissection: “Live Flash” Optical Coherence Tomography Guided Angioplasty
Authors: Bento Angela Pimenta , Fernandes Renato Gil dos Santos Pinto , Neves David Cintra Henriques Silva , Patrício Lino Manuel Ribeiro , Aguiar José Eduardo Chambel de
Published: February 2016

Optical Coherence tomography (OCT) is a light-based imaging modality which shows tremendous potential in the setting of coronary imaging. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an infrequent cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The diagnosis of SCAD is made mainly with invasive coronary angiography, although adjunctive imaging modalities such as computed tomography angiography, IVUS, and OCT may increase the diagnostic yield. The authors describe a clinical case of a young woman admitted with the diagnosis of ACS. The ACS was caused by SCAD detected in the coronary angiography and the angioplasty was guided by OCT. OCT use in the setting of SCAD has been already described and the true innovation in this case was this unique use of OCT. The guidance of angioplasty with live and short images was very useful as it allowed clearly identifying the position of the guidewires at any given moment without the use of prohibitive amounts of contrast.
A Review of the Literature on Extrarenal Retroperitoneal Angiomyolipoma
Authors: Venyo Anthony Kodzo-Grey
Published: February 2016

Background. Extrarenal retroperitoneal angiomyolipomas are rare.Aim. To review the literature.Results. Angiomyolipomas, previously classified as hamartomas, are now classified as benign tumours. Thirty cases of primary retroperitoneal angiomyolipomas have been reported. Diagnosis of the disease upon is based radiological and pathological findings of triphasic features of (a) fat and (b) blood vessels and myoid tissue. Immunohistochemistry tends to be positive for HMB45, MART1, HHF35, calponin, NKI-C3, and CD117. The lesion is common in women. Treatment options have included the following: (a) radical surgical excision of the lesion with renal sparing surgery or radical nephrectomy in cases where malignant tumours could not be excluded and (b) selective embolization of the lesion alone or prior to surgical excision. One case of retroperitoneal angiomyolipoma was reported in a patient 15 years after undergoing radical nephrectomy for angiomyolipoma of kidney and two cases of distant metastases of angiomyolipoma have been reported following radical resection of the tumour.Conclusions. With the report of two cases of metastases ensuing surgical resection of the primary lesions there is need for academic pathologists to debate and review angiomyolipomas to decide whether to reclassify angiomyolipomas as slow-growing malignant tumours or whether the reported cases of metastases were de novo tumours or metastatic lesions.
Modulatory Action by the Serotonergic System: Behavior and Neurophysiology inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Majeed Zana R. , Abdeljaber Esraa , Soveland Robin , Cornwell Kristin , Bankemper Aubrey , Koch Felicitas , Cooper Robin L.
Published: February 2016

Serotonin modulates various physiological processes and behaviors. This study investigates the role of 5-HT in locomotion and feeding behaviors as well as in modulation of sensory-motor circuits. The 5-HT biosynthesis was dysregulated by feedingDrosophilalarvae 5-HT, a 5-HT precursor, or an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase during early stages of development. The effects of feeding fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, during early second instars were also examined. 5-HT receptor subtypes were manipulated using RNA interference mediated knockdown and 5-HT receptor insertional mutations. Moreover, synaptic transmission at 5-HT neurons was blocked or enhanced in both larvae and adult flies. The results demonstrate that disruption of components within the 5-HT system significantly impairs locomotion and feeding behaviors in larvae. Acute activation of 5-HT neurons disrupts normal locomotion activity in adult flies. To determine which 5-HT receptor subtype modulates the evoked sensory-motor activity, pharmacological agents were used. In addition, the activity of 5-HT neurons was enhanced by expressing and activating TrpA1 channels or channelrhodopsin-2 while recording the evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in muscle fibers. 5-HT2 receptor activation mediates a modulatory role in a sensory-motor circuit, and the activation of 5-HT neurons can suppress the neural circuit activity, while fluoxetine can significantly decrease the sensory-motor activity.
Settlement Analysis of Saturated Tailings Dam Treated by CFG Pile Composite Foundation
Authors: Lai Jinxing , Liu Houquan , Qiu Junling , Chen Jianxun
Published: February 2016

Cement fly ash gravel (CFG) pile composite foundation is an effective and economic foundation treatment approach, which is significant to building foundation, subgrade construction, and so forth. The present paper aims at investigating the settlement behaviors of saturated tailings dam soft ground under CFG pile composite foundation treatment, in which FEM and laboratory model test were utilized. The proposed findings demonstrate that CFG pile treatment is effective in reinforcing saturated tailings dam and loading has little influence on settlement of soil between piles. The variation of soil between piles settlement in FEM has a good agreement with the laboratory model test. Additionally, the cushion deformation modulus has a small effect on the composite foundation settlement, although the cushion thickness will generate certain influence on the settlement distribution of the composite foundation.
MnTBAP Therapy Attenuates Renal Fibrosis in Mice with 5/6 Nephrectomy
Authors: Yu Jing , Mao Song , Zhang Yue , Gong Wei , Jia Zhanjun , Huang Songming , Zhang Aihua
Published: February 2016

Renal fibrosis is a common pathological feature of all kinds of chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) with uncertain mechanisms. Accumulating evidence demonstrated an important role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of CKD. Here we hypothesized that MnTBAP (manganese (III) tetrakis (4‐benzoic acid)porphyrin chloride), a cell‐permeable mimic of superoxide dismutase (SOD), may protect against the fibrotic response in CKD by antagonizing oxidative stress. To verify this hypothesis, we performed experiments in tubular epithelial cells and mice with 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx). In mouse tubular epithelial cells, TGF‐β1 induced a significant transition to fibrotic phenotype in line with a remarkable mitochondrial dysfunction, which was markedly improved by MnTBAP (1.14 μM) pretreatment. In remnant kidneys of 5/6 Nx mice, tubulointerstitial fibrosis occurred in parallel with mitochondrial abnormality in renal tubular cells. Administration of MnTBAP significantly attenuated the deposition of extracellular matrix as evidenced by the blocked expressions of fibronectin, collagen I, and collagen III. Masson staining also displayed an ameliorated accumulation of collagenous matrix in MnTBAP‐treated mice. Moreover, MnTBAP also significantly improved the severity of proteinuria without altering CKD‐related hypertension. Collectively, MnTBAP therapy served as a promising strategy in preventing renal fibrosis in CKDs possibly via antagonizing mitochondrial‐derived oxidative stress and subsequent protection of mitochondrial function.
Dissemination of Extended-Spectrumβ-Lactamase- and AmpCβ-Lactamase-ProducingEscherichia coliwithin the Food Distribution System of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Do Phuc , Nguyen Thi Anh Dao , Le Thi Hien , Tran Nguyen Minh Doan , Ngo Thanh Phong , Dang Van Chinh , Kawai Takao , Kanki Masashi , Kawahara Ryuji , Jinnai Michio , Yonogi Shinya , Hirai Yuji , Yamamoto Yoshimasa , Kumeda Yuko
Published: February 2016

To investigate the dissemination of ESBL/pAmpC-producingE. coliwithin the food distribution system of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, the prevalence of ESBL/pAmpC-producingE. colistrains in chicken meat, pork, beef, and fish/shrimp samples obtained from slaughterhouses, a wholesale market, and supermarkets was examined. Among the total of 330 collected food samples, ESBL/pAmpC-producingE. coliwas detected in 150 samples (45.5%). The highest prevalence of these isolates was in chicken meat (76/82, 92.7%), followed by pork (32/92, 34.8%), beef (18/74, 34.3%), and fish/shrimp (24/82, 29.3%). A total of 342 strains of ESBL/pAmpC-producingE. coliwere isolated from 150 positive food samples. The most prevalent genes responsible for ESBL or pAmpC activity belonged to the CTX-M-9 (110/342, 31.2%), CTX-M-1 (102/342, 29.8%), and CIT (118/342, 34.5%) groups. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the high occurrence of pAmpC (37.1%) in animal-based food in Vietnam. Among the 342 total ESBL/pAmpC-producingE. coliisolates, 276 (80.7%) were resistant to at least 6 antibiotic agents. Notably, high percentages of resistance to ciprofloxacin and fosfomycin were found in isolates from chicken (80.5% and 50.8%, resp.). These findings demonstrate that animal-based food products in HCMC represent a major reservoir of ESBL/pAmpC-producingE. coli.
Prenatal Exposures to Multiple Thyroid Hormone Disruptors: Effects on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Molehin Deborah , Dekker Nitert Marloes , Richard Kerry
Published: February 2016

Background.Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential for normal human fetal development and play a major role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Delivery of TH to target tissues is dependent on processes including TH synthesis, transport, and metabolism. Thyroid hormone endocrine disruptors (TH-EDCs) are chemical substances that interfere with these processes, potentially leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes.Objectives.This review focuses on the effects of prenatal exposures to combinations of TH-EDCs on fetal and neonatal glucose and lipid metabolism and also discusses the various mechanisms by which TH-EDCs interfere with other hormonal pathways.Methods.We conducted a comprehensive narrative review on the effects of TH-EDCs with particular emphasis on exposure during pregnancy.Discussion.TH imbalance has been linked to many metabolic processes and the effects of TH imbalance are particularly pronounced in early fetal development due to fetal dependence on maternal TH for proper growth and development. The pervasive presence of EDCs in the environment results in ubiquitous exposure to either single or mixtures of EDCs with deleterious effects on metabolism.Conclusions.Further evaluation of combined effects of TH-EDCs on fetal metabolic endpoints could improve advice provided to expectant mothers.
The Kleine-Levin Syndrome: A Rare Disease with Often Delayed Diagnosis—A Report of Two Cases in the Department of Neurology of the University Hospital of Cocody (Côte d’Ivoire)
Authors: Assi Berthe , Yapo-Ehounoud Constance , Baby Mohamed Ben Allaoui , Aka-Diarra Evelyne , Amon-Tanoh Muriel , Tanoh Christian
Published: February 2016

The Kleine-Levin syndrome is a rare pathology characterized by recurrent episodes of hypersomnia associated with behavioral and cognitive disorders with, among others, hyperphagia and hypersexuality. The disease mainly affects young males. A few studies mention cases that occurred in Africa, especially in Côte d’Ivoire. In this paper, we report the very first two cases observed in the Neurology Department of the University Hospital of Cocody. The diagnosis was clinical, based on the recurrence of hypersomnia, cognitive and behavioral disorders during the periods of hypersomnia, and the return of patients to normal state between episodes. This diagnosis was delayed due to failure to understand the pathology, thereby leading patients to wandering. In fact, the two patients were consulted, respectively, 3 years and 6 years after the hypersomnia began. The objective was to report the very first cases observed in the Neurology Department of the University Hospital of Cocody, Côte d’Ivoire.
Biomedical Application of Dental Tissue‐Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Lee Jung-Hwan , Seo Seog-Jin
Published: February 2016

The academic researches and clinical applications in recent years found interest in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs‐) based regenerative medicine due to their pluripotency able to differentiate into any cell types in the body without using embryo. However, it is limited in generating iPSCs from adult somatic cells and use of these cells due to the low stem cell potency and donor site morbidity. In biomedical applications, particularly, dental tissue‐derived iPSCs have been getting attention as a type of alternative sources for regenerating damaged tissues due to high potential of stem cell characteristics, easy accessibility and attainment, and their ectomesenchymal origin, which allow them to have potential for nerve, vessel, and dental tissue regeneration. This paper will cover the overview of dental tissue‐derived iPSCs and their application with their advantages and drawbacks.
New Bismuth Germanate Oxide Nanoparticle Material for Biolabel Applications in Medicine
Authors: Oviedo M. J. , Contreras O. E. , Rosenstein Y. , Vazquez-Duhalt R. , Macedo Z. S. , Carbajal-Arizaga G. G. , Hirata G. A.
Published: February 2016

Bismuth germanate (Bi4Ge3O12, BGO) has been the focus of several studies due to its scintillation properties. It has been employed as detector in scientific research and medicine, and herein we studied its possible biomedical applications. The photoluminescence properties of the uncoated and protein-coated nanoparticles were analyzed in different body fluids, at different pH. The nanoparticles yielded blueish-white luminescence with a maximum emission peak at 485 nm corresponding to the3P1→1S0electron transition of Bi3+. They showed luminescence properties at different pH values and in human fluids, such as urine and blood serum. Finally, the BGO nanoparticles were functionalized with the anti-HLA I W6/32 monoclonal antibody and the capacity of the antibody-loaded nanoparticles to recognize the cognate antigen (HLA I) of the W6/32 mAb was assessed on the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line THP-1. The possibility of functionalizing BGO nanoparticles with W6/32 antibodies and their specificity to identify THP-1 cells make them promising candidates for biomedical applications as biolabels.
DNA Hypomethylation Contributes to Genomic Instability and Intestinal Cancer Initiation
Authors: Sheaffer Karyn L. , Elliott Ellen N. , Kaestner Klaus H.
Published: February 2016

Intestinal cancer is a heterogeneous disease driven by genetic mutations and epigenetic changes. Approximately 80% of sporadic colorectal cancers are initiated by mutation and inactivation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, which results in unrestrained intestinal epithelial growth and formation of adenomas. Aberrant DNA methylation promotes cancer progression by the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes via promoter methylation. In addition, global DNA hypomethylation is often seen before the formation of adenomas, suggesting that it contributes to neoplastic transformation. Previous studies employed mice with a hypomorphic mutation in DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1), which exhibited constitutive global DNA hypomethylation and decreased tumorigenesis in the ApcMin/+ mouse model of intestinal cancer. However, the consequences of intestinal epithelial-specific acute hypomethylation during ApcMin/+ tumor initiation have not been reported. Using temporally controlled intestinal epithelial-specific gene ablation, we show that total loss of Dnmt1 in the ApcMin/+ mouse model of intestinal cancer causes accelerated adenoma initiation. Deletion of Dnmt1 precipitates an acute response characterized by hypomethylation of repetitive elements and genomic instability, which surprisingly is followed by remethylation with time. Two months post-Dnmt1 ablation, mice display increased macroadenoma load, consistent with a role for Dnmt1 and DNA methylation in maintaining genomic stability. These data suggest that DNA hypomethylation plays a previously unappreciated role in intestinal adenoma initiation. Cancer Prev Res; 9(7); 534–46. ©2016 AACR.

See related article by Lee and Laird, p. 509
Decreased Toll-Like Receptor 2 and Toll-Like Receptor 7/8-Induced Cytokines in Parkinson's Disease Patients
Authors: da Silva Delson José , Borges Arissa Felipe , Souza Priscila Oliveira , Reis de Souza Patrícia , Ribeiro de Barros Cardoso Cristina , Dorta Miriam Leandro , Pelli de Oliveira Milton Adriano , Teixeira Antônio Lúcio , Ribeiro-Dias Fátima
Published: February 2016

Objectives: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed in several immune cells including blood monocytes and resident macrophages, such as microglia in the central nervous system. TLRs recognize pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns, leading to the release of inflammatory and toxic molecules, which can contribute to neuroinflammation associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to compare the potential of peripheral blood cells from PD patients or healthy subjects to produce cytokines after exposure to TLR agonists, and to investigate TLR2 and TLR4 expression on monocyte subsets. Methods: Twenty-one patients and 21 healthy controls were recruited. Patients were evaluated according to the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, and Hoehn and Yahr stage. Cytokines were measured in supernatants of whole blood cultures after incubation with TLR2, TLR4, or TLR7/8 agonists, by cytometric bead array. Expression of CD14, CD16, TLR2, and TLR4 was analyzed by cytometry. Results: Patient blood cells produced lower levels of cytokines in response to TLR2 and also after TLR7/8/R848 activation than controls. Percentages of CD14+CD16+ or CD14+CD16- monocytes and TLR2 and TLR4 expression were similar between patients and controls. Conclusions: Blood leukocyte TLR2 and TLR7/8 responses are impaired in PD. This was neither associated with imbalance in monocyte subsets nor with TLR2/TLR4 expression on these cells. The association between a decreased TLR response in periphery and damage of brain in PD must be further investigated.
Evolutionary Growth of Genome Representations on Artificial Cellular Organisms with Indirect Encodings
Authors: Nichele Stefano , Giskeødegård Andreas , Tufte Gunnar
Published: February 2016

Evolutionary design targets systems of continuously increasing complexity. Thus, indirect developmental mappings are often a necessity. Varying the amount of genotype information changes the cardinality of the mapping, which in turn affects the developmental process. An open question is how to find the genotype size and representation in which a developmental solution would fit. A restricted pool of genes may not be large enough to encode a solution or may need complex heuristics to find a realistic size. On the other hand, using the whole set of possible regulatory combinations may be intractable. In nature, the genomes of biological organisms are not fixed in size; they slowly evolve and acquire new genes by random gene duplications. Such incremental growth of genome information can be beneficial also in the artificial domain. For an evolutionary and developmental (evo-devo) system based on cellular automata, we investigate an incremental evolutionary growth of genomes without any a priori knowledge on the necessary genotype size. Evolution starts with simple solutions in a low-dimensional space and incrementally increases the genotype complexity by means of gene duplication, allowing the evolution of scalable genomes that are able to adapt genetic information content while compactness and efficiency are retained. The results are consistent when the target phenotypic complexity, the geometry size, and the number of cell states are scaled up.
Rabbinic Narrative: Documentary Perspectives on the Sage-Story in The Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan Text A
Authors: Neusner Jacob
Published: February 2016

In 250 ce tractate Abot, The Fathers, delivered its message through aphorisms assigned to named sages. A few centuries later—perhaps in 500 ce—Abot deR. Natan, The Fathers according to Rabbi Nathan, gave flesh and blood form to those sages, recasting the earlier tractate by adding a sizable number of narratives about its named authorities. The authorship of The Fathers presented its teachings in the form of aphorisms, rarely finding it necessary to supply those aphorisms with a narrative setting and never resorting to narrative for the presentation of its propositions. The authorship of The Fathers according to Rabbi Nathan provided a vast amplification and supplement to The Fathers, introducing into its treatment of the received tractate a huge corpus of narratives of various sorts. In this way, the later authorship indicated that it found, in narrative in general, and stories about sages in particular, the preferred modes of discourse for presenting its message.