bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute exercise mobilizes hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and alters the mesenchymal stromal cell secretome
Authors: Emmons Russell , Niemiro Grace M. , Owolabi Olatomide , De Lisio Michael
Published: January 2016

Transplantation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC), collected from peripheral blood, is the primary treatment for many hematological malignancies; however, variable collection efficacy with current protocols merits further examination into factors responsible for HSPC mobilization. HSPCs primarily reside within the bone marrow and are regulated by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). Exercise potently and transiently mobilizes HSPCs from the bone marrow into peripheral circulation. Thus the purpose of the present study was to evaluate potential factors in the bone marrow responsible for HSPC mobilization, investigate potential sites of HSPC homing, and assess changes in bone marrow cell populations following exercise. An acute exercise bout increased circulating HSPCs at 15 min (88%, P < 0.001) that returned to baseline at 60 min. Gene expression for HSPC homing factors (CXCL12, vascular endothelial growth factor-a, and angiopoietin-1) were increased at 15 min in skeletal muscle and HSPC content was increased in the spleen 48 h postexercise (45%, P < 0.01). Acute exercise did not alter HSPCs or MSCs quantity in the bone marrow; however, proliferation of HSPCs (40%, P < 0.001), multipotent progenitors (40%, P < 0.001), short-term hematopoietic stem cells (61%, P < 0.001), long-term hematopoietic stem cells (55%, P = 0.002), and MSCs (20%, P = 0.01) increased postexercise. Acute exercise increased the content of the mobilization agent granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, as well as stem cell factor, interleukin-3, and thrombopoeitin in conditioned media collected from bone marrow stromal cells 15 min postexercise. These findings suggest that the MSC secretome is responsible for HSPC mobilization and proliferation; concurrently, HSPCs are homing to extramedullary sites following exercise.
Resistance training enhances insulin suppression of endogenous glucose production in elderly women
Authors: Honka Miikka-Juhani , Bucci Marco , Andersson Jonathan , Huovinen Ville , Guzzardi Maria Angela , Sandboge Samuel , Savisto Nina , Salonen Minna K. , Badeau Robert M. , Parkkola Riitta , Kullberg Joel , Iozzo Patricia , Eriksson Johan G. , Nuutila Pirjo
Published: January 2016

An altered prenatal environment during maternal obesity predisposes offspring to insulin resistance, obesity, and their consequent comorbidities, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Telomere shortening and frailty are additional risk factors for these conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of resistance training on hepatic metabolism and ectopic fat accumulation. Thirty-five frail elderly women, whose mothers' body mass index (BMI) was known, participated in a 4-mo resistance training program. Endogenous glucose production (EGP) and hepatic and visceral fat glucose uptake were measured during euglycemic hyperinsulinemia with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography. Ectopic fat was measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. We found that the training intervention reduced EGP during insulin stimulation [from 5.4 (interquartile range 3.0, 7.0) to 3.9 (−0.4, 6.1) μmol·kg body wt−1·min−1, P = 0.042] in the whole study group. Importantly, the reduction was higher among those whose EGP was more insulin resistant at baseline (higher than the median) [−5.6 (7.1) vs. 0.1 (5.4) μmol·kg body wt−1·min−1, P = 0.015]. Furthermore, the decrease in EGP was associated with telomere elongation ( r = −0.620, P = 0.001). The resistance training intervention did not change either hepatic or visceral fat glucose uptake or the amounts of ectopic fat. Maternal obesity did not influence the studied measures. In conclusion, resistance training improves suppression of EGP in elderly women. The finding of improved insulin sensitivity of EGP with associated telomere lengthening implies that elderly women can reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease with resistance training.
Habit formation coincides with shifts in reinforcement representations in the sensorimotor striatum
Authors: Smith Kyle S. , Graybiel Ann M.
Published: January 2016

Evaluating outcomes of behavior is a central function of the striatum. In circuits engaging the dorsomedial striatum, sensitivity to goal value is accentuated during learning, whereas outcome sensitivity is thought to be minimal in the dorsolateral striatum and its habit-related corticostriatal circuits. However, a distinct population of projection neurons in the dorsolateral striatum exhibits selective sensitivity to rewards. Here, we evaluated the outcome-related signaling in such neurons as rats performed an instructional T-maze task for two rewards. As the rats formed maze-running habits and then changed behavior after reward devaluation, we detected outcome-related spike activity in 116 units out of 1,479 recorded units. During initial training, nearly equal numbers of these units fired preferentially either after rewarded runs or after unrewarded runs, and the majority were responsive at only one of two reward locations. With overtraining, as habits formed, firing in nonrewarded trials almost disappeared, and reward-specific firing declined. Thus error-related signaling was lost, and reward signaling became generalized. Following reward devaluation, in an extinction test, postgoal activity was nearly undetectable, despite accurate running. Strikingly, when rewards were then returned, postgoal activity reappeared and recapitulated the original early response pattern, with nearly equal numbers responding to rewarded and unrewarded runs and to single rewards. These findings demonstrate that outcome evaluation in the dorsolateral striatum is highly plastic and tracks stages of behavioral exploration and exploitation. These signals could be a new target for understanding compulsive behaviors that involve changes to dorsal striatum function.
An Investigation into Error Source Identification of Machine Tools Based on Time-Frequency Feature Extraction
Authors: Chen Dongju , Zhou Shuai , Dong Lihua , Fan Jinwei
Published: January 2016

This paper presents a new identification method to identify the main errors of the machine tool in time-frequency domain. The low- and high-frequency signals of the workpiece surface are decomposed based on the Daubechies wavelet transform. With power spectral density analysis, the main features of the high-frequency signal corresponding to the imbalance of the spindle system are extracted from the surface topography of the workpiece in the frequency domain. With the cross-correlation analysis method, the relationship between the guideway error of the machine tool and the low-frequency signal of the surface topography is calculated in the time domain.
Gust Load Alleviation with Robust Control for a Flexible Wing
Authors: Liu Xiang , Sun Qin
Published: January 2016

Traditional methods for gust alleviation of aircraft are mostly proposed based on a specific flight condition. In this paper, robust control laws are designed for a large flexible wing with uncertainty in Mach number and dynamic pressure. To accurately describe the aeroelastic model over a large flight envelope, a nonlinear parameter-varying model is developed which is a function of both Mach number and dynamic pressure. Then a linear fractional transformation is established accordingly and a modified model order reduction technique is applied to reduce the size of the uncertainty block. The developed model, in which the statistic nature of the gust is considered by using the Dryden power spectral density function, enables the use ofμ-synthesis procedures for controller design. The simulations show that theμcontroller can always effectively reduce the wing root shear force and bending moment at a given range of Mach number and dynamic pressure.
Plant Natural Product Formononetin Protects Rat Cardiomyocyte H9c2 Cells against Oxygen Glucose Deprivation and Reoxygenation via Inhibiting ROS Formation and Promoting GSK‐3β Phosphorylation
Authors: Cheng Yuanyuan , Xia Zhengyuan , Han Yifan , Rong Jianhui
Published: January 2016

The opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) is a major cause of cell death in ischemia reperfusion injury. Based on our pilot experiments, plant natural product formononetin enhanced the survival of rat cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells during oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) and reoxygenation. For mechanistic studies, we focused on two major cellular factors, namely, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK‐3β), in the regulation of mPTP opening. We found that formononetin suppressed the formation of ROS and superoxide in a concentration‐dependent manner. Formononetin also rescued OGD/reoxygenation‐induced loss of mitochondrial membrane integrity. Further studies suggested that formononetin induced Akt activation and GSK‐3β (Ser9) phosphorylation, thereby reducing GSK‐3β activity towards mPTP opening. PI3K and PKC inhibitors abolished the effects of formononetin on mPTP opening and GSK‐3β phosphorylation. Immunoprecipitation experiments further revealed that formononetin increased the binding of phosphor‐GSK‐3β to adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) while it disrupted the complex of ANT with cyclophilin D. Moreover, immunofluorescence revealed that phospho‐GSK‐3β (Ser9) was mainly deposited in the space between mitochondria and cell nucleus. Collectively, these results indicated that formononetin protected cardiomyocytes from OGD/reoxygenation injury via inhibiting ROS formation and promoting GSK‐3β phosphorylation.
Bacteriospermia and Its Impact on Basic Semen Parameters among Infertile Men
Authors: Vilvanathan Sangeetha , Kandasamy Balan , Jayachandran Abiramy Lakshmy , Sathiyanarayanan Sarasa , Tanjore Singaravelu Vijayalakshmi , Krishnamurthy Veeraraghavan , Elangovan Vanithadevi
Published: January 2016

Introduction. Semen analysis is considered as the surrogate marker for male fecundity while assessing infertile men. There are several reasons for altered semen quality and bacteriospermia could be one among them. Thereby the aim of our work is to study the semen culture and its impact on semen parameters among infertile men.Materials and Methods. Semen samples were collected from men attending infertility clinic. Semen parameters were analysed based on WHO guidelines. Also, samples were subjected to culture using standard bacteriological techniques.Results. A total of 85 samples were collected. A number of 47 (55.30%) had normal sperm count, 37 (43.50%) had oligozoospermia, and one (1.17%) had azoospermia. Teratozoospermia was the most common abnormality observed (81.17%) followed by asthenozoospermia (28.23%). The prevalence of bacteriospermia was 35.3%.Enterococcus faecalis(30%) was the most common organism isolated followed by Coagulase negativeStaphylococcus(23.33%),Staphylococcus aureus(20%), andE. coli(10%). Other less frequently isolated organisms wereKlebsiella pneumoniae(6.66%),Proteussp. (6.66%), andCitrobactersp. (3.33%).Conclusion. The presence of asymptomatic bacteriospermia did not correlate with abnormal semen parameters.
Thin Film Electrodeposition of Ir(III) Cyclometallated Complexes
Authors: Ionescu Andreea , Aiello Iolinda , Crispini Alessandra , Godbert Nicolas
Published: January 2016

Novel electropolymerizable Ir(III) cyclometallated complexes have been synthesized and characterized. In these complexes the cyclometallated ligands are either 2-phenylpyridineH(PhPy) or benzothiazole-triphenylamineH(BzTh-tpa), while the Ir(III) coordination sphere is completed by a Schiff base substituted with a triphenylamine fragment. A complete electrochemical study has been conducted on all complexes, in order to verify the feasibility of electropolymerization and to elucidate the role of the specific position of the triphenylamine moiety in the molecular structure. Homogeneous thin films of Ir(III) metallopolymers have been successfully obtained through electropolymerization process.
Is the Frequency in Somatosensory Electrical Stimulation theKeyParameter in Modulating the Corticospinal Excitability of Healthy Volunteers and Stroke Patients with Spasticity?
Authors: Garcia Marco Antonio Cavalcanti , Catunda João Marcos Yamasaki , Souza Marcio Nogueira de , Fontana Ana Paula , Sperandei Sandro , Vargas Claudia D.
Published: January 2016

Somatosensory electrical stimulation (SES) has been proposed as an approach to treat patients with sensory-motor impairment such as spasticity. However, there is still no consensus regarding which would be the adequate SES parameters to treat those deficits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of applying SES over the forearm muscles at four different frequencies of stimulation (3, 30, 150, and 300 Hz) and in two intervals of time (5′ and 30′) by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation and Hoffmann’s reflex (H-reflex) in healthy volunteers (Experiments  I and II). A group of stroke patients (Experiment  III) was also preliminary evaluated to ascertain SES effects at a low frequency (3 Hz) applied for 30′ over the forearm spastic flexors muscles by measuring the wrist joint passive torque. Motor evoked potentials and the H-reflex were collected from different forearm and hand muscles immediately before and after SES and up to 5′ (Experiment  I) and 10′ (Experiments  I and II) later. None of the investigated frequencies of SES was able to operate as akeyin switching modulatory effects in the central nervous system of healthy volunteers and stroke patients with spasticity.
Wise Mobile Icons Organization: Apps Taxonomy Classification Using Functionality Mining to Ease Apps Finding
Authors: Lavid Ben Lulu David , Kuflik Tsvi
Published: January 2016

Nowadays, every user has dozens of Apps on her/his mobile device. As time passes, it becomes increasingly difficult simply to find the desired App among those installed on the mobile device and launch it. In spite of several attempts to address this challenge, no good solution for this growing problem has yet been found. In this paper, we examine the idea of classifying Apps based on their functionality to allow users to find and access them easily. An App’s functionality is elicited from the textual description of the App, as retrieved from the App store, and enriched by content from additional online publications. The functional representation is then classified into classes and mapped into personal categories using functional hierarchical compact taxonomies that can be easily presented on the small screen of a mobile device. Experiments and user studies demonstrated the potential of this approach.
A Novel Method for Mechanical Fault Diagnosis Based on Variational Mode Decomposition and Multikernel Support Vector Machine
Authors: Lv Zhongliang , Tang Baoping , Zhou Yi , Zhou Chuande
Published: January 2016

A novel fault diagnosis method based on variational mode decomposition (VMD) and multikernel support vector machine (MKSVM) optimized by Immune Genetic Algorithm (IGA) is proposed to accurately and adaptively diagnose mechanical faults. First, mechanical fault vibration signals are decomposed into multiple Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs) by VMD. Then the features in time-frequency domain are extracted from IMFs to construct the feature sets of mixed domain. Next, Semisupervised Locally Linear Embedding (SS-LLE) is adopted for fusion and dimension reduction. The feature sets with reduced dimension are inputted to the IGA optimized MKSVM for failure mode identification. Theoretical analysis demonstrates that MKSVM can approximate any multivariable function. The global optimal parameter vector of MKSVM can be rapidly identified by IGA parameter optimization. The experiments of mechanical faults show that, compared to traditional fault diagnosis models, the proposed method significantly increases the diagnosis accuracy of mechanical faults and enhances the generalization of its application.
Diabetic Retinopathy: Animal Models, Therapies, and Perspectives
Authors: Cai Xue , McGinnis James F.
Published: January 2016

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major complications of diabetes. Although great efforts have been made to uncover the mechanisms underlying the pathology of DR, the exact causes of DR remain largely unknown. Because of multifactor involvement in DR etiology, currently no effective therapeutic treatments for DR are available. In this paper, we review the pathology of DR, commonly used animal models, and novel therapeutic approaches. Perspectives and future directions for DR treatment are discussed.
Hospital Admission Patterns in Children with CAH: Admission Rates and Adrenal Crises Decline with Age
Authors: Rushworth R. Louise , Falhammar Henrik , Munns Craig F. , Maguire Ann M. , Torpy David J.
Published: January 2016

Objective. To examine patterns of hospitalisation for acute medical conditions in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).Design. A retrospective study of hospitalisation using administrative data.Setting. All hospitals in NSW, Australia.Patients. All patients admitted with CAH and a random sample of admissions in patients aged 0 to 18 years without adrenal insufficiency (AI).Main Outcome Measures. Admissions and comorbidities by age and sex.Results. Of 573 admissions for medical problems in CAH children, 286 (49.9%) were in males, and 236 (41.2%) had a principal diagnosis of CAH or had an adrenal crisis (AC). 37 (6.5%) ACs were recorded. An infection was found in 43.5% (n=249) of the CAH patient admissions and 51.7% (n=1613) of the non-AI group,p<0.001. Children aged up to one year had the highest number of admissions (n=149) and six ACs (four in males). There were 21 ACs recorded for children aged 1–5 years. Older CAH children had fewer admissions and fewer ACs. No in-hospital deaths were recorded.Conclusions. Admission for medical problems in CAH children declines with age. An AC was recorded in 6.5% of the admissions, with the majority of ACs occurring in the 1 to 5 years age group and there were no deaths.
Residual Dyslipidemia Leads to Unfavorable Outcomes in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Que Bin , Wang Chunmei , Ai Hui , Zhang Xinyong , Wang Mei , Nie Shaoping
Published: January 2016

Background. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and prognosis of residual lipid abnormalities in statin‐treated acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Subjects and Methods. A total of 3,047 ACS patients who underwent PCI and received statin therapy were included. Plasma concentrations of LDL‐C, HDL‐C, and TG were measured. For the follow‐up study, major adverse cardiovascular cerebrovascular events (MACCE; including total death, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization) were documented. Results. A total of 93.14% of all individuals were followed up for 18.1 months (range, 0–29.3 months). Of all 3,047 patients, those with a suboptimal goal were 67.75%, 85.85%, and 33.64% for LDL‐C, HDL‐C, and TG levels, respectively. Multiple Cox regression analysis revealed there were significant increases in cumulative MACCE of 41% (HR = 1.41, 95% CI [1.09–1.82], p = 0.008), and revascularization of 48% (HR = 1.48, 95% CI [1.10–1.99], p = 0.01) in low HDL‐C patients with ACS after PCI, but not the high TG group at the end of study. Conclusions. Our results showed there is high rate of dyslipidemia in Chinese ACS patients after PCI. Importantly, low HDL‐C but not high TG levels are associated with higher MACCE and revascularization rates in ACS patients after PCI.
Social Isolation Stress Induces Anxious-Depressive-Like Behavior and Alterations of Neuroplasticity-Related Genes in Adult Male Mice
Authors: Ieraci Alessandro , Mallei Alessandra , Popoli Maurizio
Published: January 2016

Stress is a major risk factor in the onset of several neuropsychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression. Although several studies have shown that social isolation stress during postweaning period induces behavioral and brain molecular changes, the effects of social isolation on behavior during adulthood have been less characterized. Aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between the behavioral alterations and brain molecular changes induced by chronic social isolation stress in adult male mice. Plasma corticosterone levels and adrenal glands weight were also analyzed. Socially isolated (SI) mice showed higher locomotor activity, spent less time in the open field center, and displayed higher immobility time in the tail suspension test compared to group-housed (GH) mice. SI mice exhibited reduced plasma corticosterone levels and reduced difference between right and left adrenal glands. SI showed lower mRNA levels of the BDNF-7 splice variant, c-Fos, Arc, and Egr-1 in both hippocampus and prefrontal cortex compared to GH mice. Finally, SI mice exhibited selectively reduced mGluR1 and mGluR2 levels in the prefrontal cortex. Altogether, these results suggest that anxious- and depressive-like behavior induced by social isolation stress correlates with reduction of several neuroplasticity-related genes in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of adult male mice.
Effect of End Friction on the Dynamic Compressive Mechanical Behavior of Concrete under Medium and Low Strain Rates
Authors: Jin Liu , Xu Chengshun , Han Yaqiang , Du Xiuli
Published: January 2016

The objective of the study is to examine the quantitative influence of end friction on the dynamic mechanical behavior of concrete under medium and low strain rates. Considering the concrete heterogeneity, a mesoscale mechanical model was established to study the confinement effect of end friction, in which the concrete was assumed to be composed of aggregates, mortar matrix, and the interfacial transition zones between them. The friction behavior was utilized to describe the interaction between the concrete specimens and loading apparatus. The dynamic axial compressive mechanical behavior of concrete subjected to different medium and low strain rates and friction coefficients was simulated. Furthermore, the confinement mechanism of end friction on the compressive dynamic increase factor (DIF) of concrete was studied. The simulation results indicate that with the increase of end friction coefficient, the uniaxial compressive strength of concrete first increases and then becomes stable; the end friction confinement changes the local stress state and damage distribution of concrete, and it thus contributes to the increase in compressive strength of concrete; the friction contribution factor presents a descending tendency with increasing the strain rate and decreases obviously when the end friction coefficient increases.
Phytotoxicity and Benzoxazinone Concentration in Field Grown Cereal Rye (Secale cerealeL.)
Authors: La Hovary C. , Danehower D. A. , Ma G. , Reberg-Horton C. , Williamson J. D. , Baerson S. R. , Burton J. D.
Published: January 2016

Winter rye (Secale cerealeL.) is used as a cover crop because of the weed suppression potential of its mulch. To gain insight into the more effective use of rye as a cover crop we assessed changes in benzoxazinone (BX) levels in rye shoot tissue over the growing season. Four rye varieties were planted in the fall and samples harvested at intervals the following spring. Two different measures of phytotoxic compound content were taken. Seed germination bioassays were used as an estimate of total phytotoxic potential. Dilutions of shoot extracts were tested using two indicator species to compare the relative toxicity of tissue. In addition, BX (DIBOA, DIBOA-glycoside, and BOA) levels were directly determined using gas chromatography. Results showed that rye tissue harvested in March was the most toxic to indicator species, with toxicity decreasing thereafter. Likewise the BX concentration in rye shoot tissue increased early in the season and then decreased over time. Thus, phytotoxicity measured by bioassay and BX levels measured by GC have a similar but not identical temporal profile. The observed decrease in phytotoxic potential and plant BX levels in rye later in the season appears to correlate with the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth.
The Importance of Ubiquitination and Deubiquitination in Cellular Reprogramming
Authors: Suresh Bharathi , Lee Junwon , Kim Kye-Seong , Ramakrishna Suresh
Published: January 2016

Ubiquitination of core stem cell transcription factors can directly affect stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Ubiquitination and deubiquitination must occur in a timely and well‐coordinated manner to regulate the protein turnover of several stemness related proteins, resulting in optimal embryonic stem cell maintenance and differentiation. There are two switches: an E3 ubiquitin ligase enzyme that tags ubiquitin molecules to the target proteins for proteolysis and a second enzyme, the deubiquitinating enzyme (DUBs), that performs the opposite action, thereby preventing proteolysis. In order to maintain stemness and to allow for efficient differentiation, both ubiquitination and deubiquitination molecular switches must operate properly in a balanced manner. In this review, we have summarized the importance of the ubiquitination of core stem cell transcription factors, such as Oct3/4, c‐Myc, Sox2, Klf4, Nanog, and LIN28, during cellular reprogramming. Furthermore, we emphasize the role of DUBs in regulating core stem cell transcriptional factors and their function in stem cell maintenance and differentiation. We also discuss the possibility of using DUBs, along with core transcription factors, to efficiently generate induced pluripotent stem cells. Our review provides a relatively new understanding regarding the importance of ubiquitination/deubiquitination of stem cell transcription factors for efficient cellular reprogramming.
Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells Differentiation from Dental Pulp Stem Cells: Future Potential for Bladder Tissue Engineering
Authors: Song Bing , Jiang Wenkai , Alraies Amr , Liu Qian , Gudla Vijay , Oni Julia , Wei Xiaoqing , Sloan Alastair , Ni Longxing , Agarwal Meena
Published: January 2016

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are multipotent cells capable of differentiating into multiple cell lines, thus providing an alternative source of cell for tissue engineering. Smooth muscle cell (SMC) regeneration is a crucial step in tissue engineering of the urinary bladder. It is known that DPSCs have the potential to differentiate into a smooth muscle phenotype in vitro with differentiation agents. However, most of these studies are focused on the vascular SMCs. The optimal approaches to induce human DPSCs to differentiate into bladder SMCs are still under investigation. We demonstrate in this study the ability of human DPSCs to differentiate into bladder SMCs in a growth environment containing bladder SMCs‐conditioned medium with the addition of the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1). After 14 days of exposure to this medium, the gene and protein expression of SMC‐specific marker (α‐SMA, desmin, and calponin) increased over time. In particular, myosin was present in differentiated cells after 11 days of induction, which indicated that the cells differentiated into the mature SMCs. These data suggested that human DPSCs could be used as an alternative and less invasive source of stem cells for smooth muscle regeneration, a technology that has applications for bladder tissue engineering.
Otx2-PNN Interaction to Regulate Cortical Plasticity
Authors: Bernard Clémence , Prochiantz Alain
Published: January 2016

The ability of the environment to shape cortical function is at its highest during critical periods of postnatal development. In the visual cortex, critical period onset is triggered by the maturation of parvalbumin inhibitory interneurons, which gradually become surrounded by a specialized glycosaminoglycan-rich extracellular matrix: the perineuronal nets. Among the identified factors regulating cortical plasticity in the visual cortex, extracortical homeoprotein Otx2 is transferred specifically into parvalbumin interneurons and this transfer regulates both the onset and the closure of the critical period of plasticity for binocular vision. Here, we review the interaction between the complex sugars of the perineuronal nets and homeoprotein Otx2 and how this interaction regulates cortical plasticity during critical period and in adulthood.
Simultaneously Recovering High-Purity Chromium and Removing Organic Pollutants from Tannery Effluent
Authors: Zong Jie , Li Yan-Chun , Hu Kang
Published: January 2016

Chromium pollution is a serious issue because of carcinogenic toxicities of the pollutants and low recovery rate of chromium because of the presence of organic, such as protein and fat. In this work, high recovery rate and high purity of the chromium ion were successfully prepared by the way of acid enzyme, flocculant, and Fenton oxidation. The experiments were characterized by TG, TOC, UV-VIS, and SEM. In the work, the tannery waste chrome liquor was used as experimental material. The results showed that the percentage of reduction of TOC in the tannery waste chrome liquor by method of Fenton oxidation, acid enzyme, and the flocculant was 71.15%, 65.26%, and 22.05%, respectively. Therefore, the organism content of chrome tanning waste liquid was greatly reduced through the pretreatment. And the application experiment showed that the properties and grain surface and fibers of the tanned leather with commercial chromium powder and chrome tanning agent prepared from the chromium waste liquid treated with Fenton are nearly the same.
Interplay between Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase, and Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma Polymorphisms on the Risk of End‐Stage Renal Disease among Han Chinese Patients
Authors: Chao Chia-Ter , Chen Yen-Ching , Chiang Chih-Kang , Huang Jenq-Wen , Fang Cheng-Chung , Chang Chen-Chih , Yen Chung-Jen
Published: January 2016

Background. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), play an important role in the risk for cancer and metabolic disorders. However, little is known regarding the effect of antioxidant SNPs on renal events. Methods. We prospectively enrolled multicenter patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and those without chronic kidney disease (CKD) of Han Chinese origin, with SOD2 (Val16Ala), GPX1 (Pro197Leu), and PPAR‐γ (Pro12Ala, C161T) genotyped. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the significant risk determinants for ESRD. Results. Compared to ESRD patients, non‐CKD subjects were more likely to have T allele at SOD2 Val16Ala (p = 0.036) and CC genotype at PPAR‐γ Pro12Ala (p = 0.028). Regression analysis showed that TT genotype of SOD2 Val16Ala conferred significantly lower ESRD risk among patients without diabetes (odds ratio 0.699; p = 0.018). GPX1 SNP alone did not alter the risk. We detected significant interactions between SNPs including PPAR‐γ Pro12Ala, C161T, and GPX1 regarding the risk of ESRD. Conclusion. This is the first and largest study on the association between adverse renal outcomes and antioxidant SNPs among Han Chinese population. Determination of SOD2 and PPAR‐γ SNPs status might assist in ESRD risk estimation.
Experiments and Electromechanical Properties of a Broadband Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester
Authors: Wang Guangqing , Gao Shuaishuai , Li Xiaojun
Published: January 2016

A broadband piezoelectric energy harvester (BPEH), consisting of a conventional linear piezoelectric energy harvester (CPEH) and an elastic magnifier, was presented in this paper. The improved two-degree-of-freedom lumped-parameter electromechanical model of the BPEH was established and the optimal external resistances under short-circuit and open-circuit resonance conditions were investigated to maximize the output power of the BPEH. The output voltage and output power of the BPEH obtained from the theoretical model were verified and found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental results. The obtained results have shown that the maximal output powers under short-circuit and open-circuit resonance conditions are both 24 times that generated by the CPEH without elastic magnifier. The frequency space between the two peaks of the frequency-response curve of the BPEH is 14 Hz which is 7 times that of CPEH.
In Situ Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in Rat Fatty Liver Induced by a Methionine‐ and Choline‐Deficient Diet
Authors: Freitas Isabel , Boncompagni Eleonora , Tarantola Eleonora , Gruppi Cristian , Bertone Vittorio , Ferrigno Andrea , Milanesi Gloria , Vaccarone Rita , Tira M. Enrica , Vairetti Mariapia
Published: January 2016

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious health problem in developed countries. We documented the effects of feeding with a NAFLD‐inducing, methionine‐ and choline‐deficient (MCD) diet, for 1–4 weeks on rat liver oxidative stress, with respect to a control diet. Glycogen, neutral lipids, ROS, peroxidated proteins, and SOD2 were investigated using histochemical procedures; ATP, GSH, and TBARS concentrations were investigated by biochemical dosages, and SOD2 expression was investigated by Western Blotting. In the 4‐week‐diet period, glycogen stores decreased whereas lipid droplets, ROS, and peroxidated proteins expression (especially around lipid droplets of hepatocytes) increased. SOD2 immunostaining decreased in poorly steatotic hepatocytes but increased in the thin cytoplasm of macrosteatotic cells; a trend towards a quantitative decrease of SOD expression in homogenates occurred after 3 weeks. ATP and GSH values were significantly lower for rats fed with the MCD diet with respect to the controls. An increase of TBARS in the last period of the diet is in keeping with the high ROS production and low antioxidant defense; these TBARS may promote protein peroxidation around lipid droplets. Since these proteins play key roles in lipid mobilization, storage, and metabolism, this last information appears significant, as it points towards a previously misconsidered target of NAFLD‐associated oxidative stress that might be responsible for lipid dysfunction.
Neuromuscular Regeneration: Perspective on the Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Secretion Products
Authors: Caseiro Ana Rita , Pereira Tiago , Ivanova Galya , Luís Ana Lúcia , Maurício Ana Colette
Published: January 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells are posing as a promising character in the most recent therapeutic strategies and, since their discovery, extensive knowledge on their features and functions has been gained. In recent years, innovative sources have been disclosed in alternative to the bone marrow, conveying their associated ethical concerns and ease of harvest, such as the umbilical cord tissue and the dental pulp. These are also amenable of cryopreservation and thawing for desired purposes, in benefit of the donor itself or other patients in pressing need. These sources present promising possibilities in becoming useful cell sources for therapeutic applications in the forthcoming years. Effective and potential applications of these cellular‐based strategies for the regeneration of peripheral nerve are overviewed, documenting recent advances and identified issues for this research area in the near future. Finally, besides the differentiation capacities attributed to mesenchymal stem cells, advances in the recognition of their effective mode of action in the regenerative theatre have led to a new area of interest: the mesenchymal stem cells’ secretome. The paracrine modulatory pathway appears to be a major mechanism by which these are beneficial to nerve regeneration and comprehension on the specific growth factors, cytokine, and extracellular molecules secretion profiles is therefore of great interest.
The Bromodomain Inhibitor JQ1 and the Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Panobinostat Synergistically Reduce N-Myc Expression and Induce Anticancer Effects
Authors: Shahbazi Jeyran , Liu Pei Y. , Atmadibrata Bernard , Bradner James E. , Marshall Glenn M. , Lock Richard B. , Liu Tao
Published: January 2016

Purpose: Patients with neuroblastoma associated with MYCN oncogene amplification experience a very poor prognosis. BET bromodomain inhibitors are among the most promising novel anticancer agents as they block BRD3 and BRD4 from activating oncogene transcription. However, treatment with BET bromodomain inhibitors alone does not result in cancer remission in many murine models.

Experimental Design: MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells were treated with vehicle control, the BET bromodomain inhibitor JQ1, the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat, or the combination of JQ1 and panobinostat. Genes modulated by JQ1, panobinostat, or the combination therapy were identified by Affymetrix microarray, and cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined by Alamar blue assays and flow cytometry analysis. Modulation of LIN28B promoter activity by BRD3 and BRD4 was examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays. In addition, neuroblastoma-bearing mice were treated with vehicle control, JQ1, and/or panobinostat.

Results: LIN28B was one of the top genes synergistically reduced by JQ1 and panobinostat. BRD3 and BRD4 directly bound to the LIN28B gene promoter and activated LIN28B gene transcription, and knocking down LIN28B reduced the expression of N-Myc protein, but not N-Myc mRNA. JQ1 and panobinostat synergistically reduced LIN28B gene and N-Myc protein expression, and synergistically induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells, but not normal nonmalignant cells in vitro. In neuroblastoma-bearing mice, JQ1 and panobinostat synergistically and considerably reduced N-Myc protein expression in tumor tissues and blocked tumor progression.

Conclusions: Our findings have identified a novel strategy to reduce the N-Myc oncoprotein expression and a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of aggressive neuroblastoma. Clin Cancer Res; 22(10); 2534–44. ©2016 AACR.
Tracking Down Response and Resistance to TRK Inhibitors
Authors: Okimoto Ross A. , Bivona Trever G.
Published: January 2016

Summary: Two recent studies validate the LMNA–NTRK1 fusion as an oncogenic driver and therapeutic target of TRK inhibitors. The LMNA–NTRK1 fusion occurs at low frequency across multiple tumor types. The studies highlight the increasing need to develop molecular biomarker–based clinical trials across cancer subtypes.Cancer Discov; 6(1); 14–6. ©2016 AACR.

See related article by Russo et al., p. 36.
Relationship between Twinkle Artefacts and in vivo Biochemical Composition of Kidney Stones
Authors: Kaya Coskun , Baseskioglu Barbaros , Degirmenci Nevbahar , Yenilmez Aydın , Baydemir Canan , Dönmez Turgut
Published: January 2016

Introduction: Our aim was to predict the chemical composition of kidney stones according to their twinkle artefact (TA) features obtained by in vivo color Doppler ultrasonography and to determine the potential factors affecting the formation and intensity of TAs. Materials and Methods: A total of 101 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. All patients were evaluated for TAs using color Doppler ultrasonography. All stones were subjected to chemical analysis. The relationships between the TA and the size and chemical composition of the stone, presence of hydronephrosis and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated statistically. Results: According to the results of the chemical analysis, 66 (65.3%) were calcium oxalate stones. It was found that the in vivo TA intensity did not predict cystine and calcium oxalate monohydrate stones (p > 0.05) and the intensity of TAs increases with increasing BMI (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The present study is the first to show that TAs may not be reliable in overweight patients. The TAs could not predict the chemical composition of stones; so future comprehensive in vivo studies will clarify the role of TAs in the prediction of the stone type preoperatively.
Pathobiology of MicroRNAs and Their Emerging Role in Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration
Authors: Ludvíková Marie , Kalfeřt David , Kholová Ivana
Published: January 2016

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRs) are noncoding, single-stranded regulatory RNA molecules involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. They control the development and maintenance of the diverse cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, motility and apoptosis. Expression of miRs is tissue-specific and each alteration of the tissue miR profile is associated with a distinct disease status. Study Design: We reviewed the literature on the expression of miRs in thyroid tumors, focusing on methodology and diagnostic and prognostic output. Separately, we analyzed 11 studies on miR profiles in thyroid cytological material. Results: Numerous studies have evaluated the miR profiles of thyroid tumors in an attempt to find a possible diagnostic and prognostic role. Both downregulation and upregulation of numerous miRs was found, but differences between the surgical pathology specimens and corresponding fine-needle aspirates in the expression of the same miRs were also reported. Conclusions: The results from surgically resected material cannot be extrapolated into preoperative use without validation. For diagnostic use, the strong overlap between follicular adenoma and follicular carcinoma miR profiles is challenging. In summary, miR-221 and miR-222 are consistently upregulated in different types of thyroid carcinomas and might be used as markers of malignancy.
Mature Teratoma Confined to the Posterior Fossa
Authors: Daugherty Christopher , Ngo Thang , Drehner Dennis , Maugans Todd
Published: January 2016

Mature teratomas located solely in the posterior fossa are rare. We describe a girl who presented with hydrocephalus caused by a posterior fossa tumor that was ultimately diagnosed as a mature teratoma following complete extirpation. Unusual imaging characteristics which produced confusion preoperatively were, however, very consistent with mature teratomas that are encountered in the gonads. Immature elements were universally absent; therefore, extirpation was curative. Hydrocephalus is unlikely to resolve after tumor removal, and cerebrospinal fluid diversion may be required.
A Modified Antegrade Stenting Technique for Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Infants and Children
Authors: Kalkan Senad , Ersöz Cevper , Armagan Abdullah , Taşçı Ali İhsan , Silay Mesrur Selcuk
Published: January 2016

Objective: There are 2 critical steps of stent placement during laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) in children. Introduction to the ureteropelvic junction and passing through the ureterovesical junction. We aimed at overcoming those 2 steps by creating a modified technique. Methods: Consecutive 27 children undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty by a single surgeon were prospectively enrolled into this study. The modifications of our technique are using an Amplatz dilator and a closed tip stent. Results: The mean age of the children was 6.7 (range 4 months-17 years). The mean time of stent insertion was 2.7 ± 2.0 (2-6) min and the operative time was 128.3 ± 17.6 (90-180) min. The mean number of days of hospital stay was 2.0 ± 0.4 (1-3). After a mean follow-up period of 20.3 ± 4.2 (14-30) months, no operative failure was detected. Conclusion: Our modified technique is a completion of the current armamentarium for stent placement during LP in infants and children.
Wenn sich Menschen ändern - Veränderungsprozesse in der Psychotherapie und ihre Beziehung zu spezifischen Therapietechniken und allgemeinen Wirkfaktoren
Authors: Lambert Michael J. , Kleinstäuber Maria
Published: January 2016

Erkenntnisse diverser Studien legen nahe, dass Placebo-Kontrollgruppen mehr von Psychotherapie profitieren als Kontrollgruppen ohne jegliche Behandlung, jedoch weniger als Patienten, die eine theoriegeleitete Behandlung erhalten. Die vorliegende Auswertung der Befunde vergleichender Ergebnisstudien - zum einen solche, die Ergebnisse von Patienten, die von auszubildenden/paraprofessionellen versus professionellen Therapeuten behandelt wurden, gegenüberstellen und zum anderen solche, die eine Symptomverbesserung in der Anfangsphase der Behandlung (‚early response‘ bzw. frühe Therapie-Response) in einem beträchtlichen Anteil der Stichprobe zeigen - legt nahe, dass den allgemeinen Wirkfaktoren von Psychotherapie bedeutende Effekte zukommen. Das Phänomen der frühen Therapie-Response stellt dabei eine Herausforderung dar, sowohl für das Verständnis der Effekte spezifischer psychotherapeutischer Ansätze als auch der ursächlichen Effekte spezifischer therapeutischer Techniken in der Behandlung bestimmter Erkrankungen. Die Behandlungsergebnisse sind dabei am ehesten als komplexes Zusammenspiel allgemeiner Wirkfaktoren, wie z.B. der Erwartung des Patienten hinsichtlich einer erfolgreichen Behandlung oder der therapeutischen Beziehung, sowie spezifischer Interventionen zu verstehen.
Erwartungsfokussierte Psychotherapeutische Interventionen (EFPI)
Authors: Rief Winfried , Glombiewski Julia Anna
Published: January 2016

Erkenntnisse der Placebo-Forschung legen nahe, dass Erwartungen in Bezug auf die Wirksamkeit einer Behandlung ein entscheidender Prädiktor für den tatsächlichen Behandlungserfolg sind. Dieser Einfluss von Erwartungen wurde sowohl für die Behandlung von körperlichen Erkrankungen als auch von psychischen Störungen nachgewiesen. Bei psychischen Störungen spielen neben den Erwartungen an den Behandlungserfolg noch weitere Erwartungen eine wichtige Rolle. Dazu gehören störungsspezifische Erwartungen (z.B. Erwartungen bezüglich des Eintretens eines katastrophalen Ereignisses bei Patienten mit Angststörungen) ebenso wie Erwartungen über sich selbst und andere (z.B. «Andere werden mich ablehnen, wenn sie meine wahre Persönlichkeit kennenlernen»). Das Modell der Erwartungsverletzung (engl. expectation violation = ViolEx) stellt dar, wie Erwartungen bei psychischen Störungen entstehen, wie sie sich verändern und warum sie trotz gegensätzlicher Erfahrungen oft persistieren. Darauf aufbauend stellen wir einen Behandlungsansatz mit Fallbeispielen vor, der psychotherapeutische Interventionen durch das Fokussieren auf Patientenerwartungen optimieren kann (Erwartungsfokussierte psychotherapeutische Interventionen; EFPI). Zwar beinhalten einige etablierte psychotherapeutische Interventionen bereits (zum Teil implizit) erwartungsmodifizierende Elemente, doch EFPI stellen einen fokussierteren Ansatz dar, mit dessen Hilfe die Gründe für wenig erfolgreich verlaufende Therapien identifiziert werden und Ansatzpunkte für weitere Interventionen gefunden können.
Influence of End-Stage Renal Disease on Hematoma Volume and Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Cohort Study and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xu Mangmang , Lei Chunyan , Liu Ming , Liu Junfeng , Tan Ge , Li Dan
Published: January 2016

Objective: To assess the association between end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and hematoma volume and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), we performed a meta-analysis of all available evidence, including data from our own center. Methods: We reviewed major literature databases to identify studies on association between ESRD and hematoma volume and IVH, and the association between ESRD and hematoma site. We then combined these data with those from our own retrospective cohort study. The relationship between ESRD and functional outcome was analyzed using logistic regression. Results: Our retrospective study involved 15 patients with ESRD of 302 subjects. The results showed that patients with ESRD had larger hematoma volume (p = 0.028), higher proportion of patients with hematoma volume over 30 ml (OR 3.89, 95% CI 1.20-12.56 in model 1 and OR 3.72, 95% CI 1.15-12.06 in model 3), and higher incidence of IVH (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.14-10.46 in model 1 and OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.07-9.66 in model 2) than patients without ESRD. The meta-analysis further supported a relationship between the risk of ESRD and hematoma volume (p = 0.014), as well as IVH (OR 2.82, 95% CI 2.03-3.91). On multivariate analysis, ESRD was significantly associated with the mortality at the third month (OR 7.534, 95% CI 1.495-38.491). Conclusions: Evidence strongly suggests that ESRD is independently associated with hematoma volume and IVH, and is an independent risk factor for mortality at the third month.