bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human vestibulo-ocular reflex adaptation is frequency selective
Authors: Rinaudo Carlo N. , Schubert Michael C. , Figtree William V. C. , Todd Christopher J. , Migliaccio Americo A.
Published: July 2019

The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is the only system that maintains stable vision during rapid head rotations. The VOR gain (eye/head velocity) can be trained to increase using a vestibular-visual mismatch stimulus. We sought to determine whether low-frequency (sinusoidal) head rotation during training leads to changes in the VOR during high-frequency head rotation testing, where the VOR is more physiologically relevant. We tested eight normal subjects over three sessions. For training protocol 1, subjects performed active sinusoidal head rotations at 1.3 Hz while tracking a laser target, whose velocity incrementally increased relative to head velocity so that the VOR gain required to stabilize the target went from 1.1 to 2 over 15 min. Protocol 2 was the same as protocol 1, except that head rotations were at 0.5 Hz. For protocol 3, head rotation frequency incrementally increased from 0.5 to 2 Hz over 15 min, while the VOR gain required to stabilize the target was kept at 2. We measured the active and passive, sinusoidal (1.3Hz) and head impulse VOR gains before and after each protocol. Sinusoidal and head impulse VOR gains increased in protocols 1 and 3; however, although the sinusoidal VOR gain increase was ~20%, the related head impulse gain increase was only ~10%. Protocol 2 resulted in no-gain adaptation. These data show human VOR adaptation is frequency selective, suggesting that if one seeks to increase the higher-frequency VOR response, i.e., where it is physiologically most relevant, then higher-frequency head movements are required during training, e.g., head impulses.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows that human vestibulo-ocular reflex adaptation is frequency selective at frequencies >0.3 Hz. The VOR in response to mid- (1.3 Hz) and high-frequency (impulse) head rotations were measured before and after mid-frequency sinusoidal VOR adaptation training, revealing that the mid-frequency gain change was higher than high-frequency gain change. Thus, if one seeks to increase the higher-frequency VOR response, where it is physiologically most relevant, then higher-frequency head movements are required during training.
Ipsi- and contralateral corticocortical projection-dependent subcircuits in layer 2 of the rat frontal cortex
Authors: Ueta Yoshifumi , Sohn Jaerin , Agahari Fransiscus Adrian , Im Sanghun , Hirai Yasuharu , Miyata Mariko , Kawaguchi Yasuo
Published: July 2019

In the neocortex, both layer 2/3 and layer 5 contain corticocortical pyramidal cells projecting to other cortices. We previously found that among L5 pyramidal cells of the secondary motor cortex (M2), not only intratelencephalic projection cells but also pyramidal tract cells innervate ipsilateral cortices and that the two subtypes are different in corticocortical projection diversity and axonal laminar distributions. Layer 2/3 houses intratelencephalically projecting pyramidal cells that also innervate multiple ipsilateral and contralateral cortices. However, it remained unclear whether layer 2/3 pyramidal cells can be divided into projection subtypes each with distinct innervation to specific targets. In the present study we show that layer 2 pyramidal cells are organized into subcircuits on the basis of corticocortical projection targets. Layer 2 corticocortical cells of the same projection subtype were monosynaptically connected. Between the contralaterally and ipsilaterally projecting corticocortical cells, the monosynaptic connection was more common from the former to the latter. We also found that ipsilaterally and contralaterally projecting corticocortical cell subtypes differed in their morphological and physiological characteristics. Our results suggest that layer 2 transfers separate outputs from M2 to individual cortices and that its subcircuits are hierarchically organized to form the discrete corticocortical outputs.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pyramidal cell subtypes and their dependent subcircuits are well characterized in cortical layer 5, but much less is understood for layer 2/3. We demonstrate that in layer 2 of the rat secondary motor cortex, ipsilaterally and contralaterally projecting corticocortical cells are largely segregated. These layer 2 cell subtypes differ in dendrite morphological and intrinsic electrophysiological properties, and form subtype-dependent connections. Our results suggest that layer 2 pyramidal cells form distinct subcircuits to provide discrete corticocortical outputs.
Protein Kinases and Their Inhibitors in Pluripotent Stem Cell Fate Regulation
Authors: Lee Jungwoon , Park Young-Jun , Jung Haiyoung
Published: July 2019

Protein kinases modulate the reversible postmodifications of substrate proteins to their phosphorylated forms as an essential process in regulating intracellular signaling transduction cascades. Moreover, phosphorylation has recently been shown to tightly control the regulatory network of kinases responsible for the induction and maintenance of pluripotency, defined as the particular ability to differentiate pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into every cell type in the adult body. In particular, emerging evidence indicates that the balance between the self-renewal and differentiation of PSCs is regulated by the small molecules that modulate kinase signaling pathways. Furthermore, new reprogramming technologies have been developed using kinase modulators, which have provided novel insight of the mechanisms underlying the kinase regulatory networks involved in the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In this review, we highlight the recent progress made in defining the roles of protein kinase signaling pathways and their small molecule modulators in regulating the pluripotent states, self-renewal, reprogramming process, and lineage differentiation of PSCs.
Nonlinear Augmented Proportional Navigation for Midrange Rendezvous Guidance and Performance Assessment
Authors: Wang Weilin , Song Xumin
Published: July 2019

Guidance systems are important to autonomous rendezvous with uncooperative targets such as an active debris removal (ADR) mission. A novel guidance frame is established in rotating line-of-sight (LOS) coordinates, which resolves the coupling effect between pitch and yaw planes in a general 3D scenario. The guidance law is named augmented proportional navigation (APN) by applying nonlinear control along LOS and classical proportional navigation normal to LOS. As saving time is a critical factor in space rescue and on-orbit service, the finite time convergence APN (FTCAPN) is further proposed which proves to possess convergence and high robustness. This paper builds on previous efforts in polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) to develop an efficient analysis technique for guidance algorithms. A large scope of uncertainty sources are considered to make state evaluation trustworthy and provide precise prediction of trajectory bias. The simulation results show that the accuracy of the proposed method is compatible with Monte Carlo simulation which requires extensive computational effort.
Cushing Syndrome Secondary to Primary Neuroendocrine Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Zainal A. , Akinsola O. , Rajamani K.
Published: July 2019

Cushing syndrome (CS) is a disorder characterized by a result of chronic exposure to excessive glucocorticoids. This article describes a case of a 30-year-old female presenting with fatigue, abdominal striae, unintentional weight gain, and lipodystrophy. A rare diagnosis of ectopic adrenocorticotropic-dependent CS was determined and a neuroendocrine lung tumor (NET) was discovered on chest x-ray. After surgical resection, pathology confirmed lung NET that stained positive for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The patient’s symptoms fully resolved. The authors aim to urge clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for ectopic ACTH secretion (EAS) through a multimodal approach when caring for patients with CS.
Study on Photocatalytic Antibacterial and Sustained-Release Properties of Cellulose/TiO2/β-CD Composite Hydrogel
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhu Jiangying , Hu Yanqiang , Chen Aonan , Zhou Liang , Gao Hui , Liu Yamei , Liu Shengquan
Published: July 2019

A novel cellulose/TiO2/β-CD hydrogel with high photocatalytic antibacterial activity and sustained release of drug was prepared. TiO2 sol with a diameter of about 9 nm in this hydrogel was the photoantibacterial agent. β-CD can significantly enhance photoantibacterial activity and the sustained-release effect of this hydrogel. The structure and property of this hydrogel composite were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were selected as model bacteria to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the composite hydrogel under natural light irradiation and darkness, respectively. The in vitro release experiment used curcumin as a model drug in PBS buffer solution. The influence of β-CD on the antibacterial activity and sustained-release effect of the composite hydrogel was investigated. The results showed that the hydrogel composite presented a good photoantibacterial property, while the antibacterial activity can be neglected under the condition of no light. The complete release of curcumin from the composite was achieved after 120 h. Therefore, the hydrogel system has the characteristics of low cost and high effect, which could be used for an antibacterial sustained-release material.
Choledochotomy for Obstructive Choledocholithiasis in Two Dogs
Authors: Folk Christian , Lux Cassie
Published: July 2019

Two geriatric (> 9 years old) dogs presented for vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia. Obstructive choledocholithiasis was diagnosed based on analysis of a serum biochemical analysis and abdominal radiographs and ultrasonography. In both dogs, choledocholiths were removed from the common bile duct via a choledochotomy without a cholecystectomy, and survival without recurrence occurred in both dogs for more than 1 year.
Multimodal Transport Network Optimization Considering Safety Stock under Real-Time Information
Authors: Chen Ming-fei , Liu Yan-qiu , Song Yang , Sun Qi , Cong Chuang-chuang
Published: July 2019

A production department and two distribution departments form a multimodal logistics supply network. The production department provides two ordering opportunities within one production cycle, and the real-time updates of demand information are required in the interval between two orders. Based on this, the paper studies the security inventory optimization problem of multimodal transport networks. On the basis of portraying the real-time information update process, the multimodal network optimization model without considering safety stock and the multimodal network optimization model considering safety stock are constructed, respectively, and the transshipment price and demand information of the intermodal network are updated. The parameters are analyzed for sensitivity. The analysis of examples shows that, on the one hand, with the update of demand information, the distribution department adopts the multimodal transport model with safety stock to improve the profit of the distribution department and the supply network. On the other hand, the production sector can meet market demand with a lower production scale, while the distribution department can effectively respond to stochastic demand through a multimodal model with safety stock.
Human Urinary Kallidinogenase Reduces Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in BV-2 Cells
Authors: Zhao Zhongyan , Xu Zhiyu , Liu Tao , Huang Shixiong , Huang Huai , Huang Xiaoyun
Published: July 2019

Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders which poses significant socioeconomic burden worldwide. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress both play important roles in the pathogenesis of migraine. Human urinary kallidinogenase (UK) is a tissue kallikrein derived from human urine. Increasing evidence suggests that UK may protect against ischemic stroke, but UK’s treatment potential against migraine remains to be explored. Immortal BV-2 murine microglial cells were treated with UK (125 nM, 250 nM, and 500 nM) and then given lipopolysaccharides (LPS, 1000 ng/mL). Cell viability of BV-2 cells was tested by the CCK-8 assay. Expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were examined with the ELISA method and western blot. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to determine oxidative stress. Our results showed that LPS administration increased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, PGE2, IL-6, and IL-1β) and oxidative stress (ROS and MDA) when compared with the control group and decreased significantly upon introduction with UK. Taken together, UK treatment reduced LPS-induced neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner, which might be a potential treatment of migraine.
Development and Clinical Evaluation of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for the Diagnosis of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis in Brazil
Authors: Avelar Daniel Moreira de , Carvalho Débora Moreira , Rabello Ana
Published: July 2019

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is considered a major public health concern in Brazil and several regions of the world. A recent advance in the diagnosis of infectious diseases was the development of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a new LAMP assay for detection of K26 antigen-coding gene ofL. donovanicomplex. A total of 219 blood samples of immunocompetent patients, including 114 VL cases and 105 non-VL cases, were analyzed for the diagnosis of VL in the present study. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated against a combination of parasitological and/or serological tests as a reference standard. The results were compared to those of kDNALeishmania-PCR. The detection limit for the K26-Lamp assay was 1fgL. infantumpurified DNA and 100 parasites/mL within 60 min of amplification time with visual detection for turbidity. The assay was specific forL. donovanicomplex. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 98.2%, 98.1%, and 98.2%, respectively, for K26-LAMP and 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, for kDNALeishmania-PCR. Excellent agreement was observed between K26-LAMP and kDNALeishmania-PCR assays (K = 0.96). A highly sensitive and specific LAMP assay targeting K26 antigen-coding gene ofL. donovanicomplex was developed for diagnosis in peripheral blood samples of VL patients.
Theoretical and Numerical Studies on Damped Nonlinear Vibration of Orthotropic Saddle Membrane Structures Excited by Hailstone Impact Load
Authors: Liu Changjiang , Wang Fan , Liu Jian , Deng Xiaowei , Zhang Zuoliang , Xie Haibing
Published: July 2019

The orthotropic membrane structures have been popular in architectural structures. However, because of its lightweight and small stiffness, large nonlinear deflection vibration may occur under impact load, which leads to structural failure. In this paper, the governing equations of the large deflection nonlinear damped vibration of orthotropic saddle membrane structures excited by hailstone impact load are proposed according to the von Kármán’s large deflection theory and solved by applying the Bubnov–Galerkin method and the method of KBM perturbation. The approximate theoretical solution of the frequency function and displacement function of the large deflection nonlinear damped vibration of saddle membrane structures with four edges fixed excited by hailstone impact was obtained. The analytical examples proved that the mode shape function (equation (43)) can be applied to calculate the single‐order mode shapes and the total superposed mode shapes of the damped large nonlinear deflection vibration of orthotropic saddle membrane structures excited by hailstone impact load succinctly. In addition, we compare and analyze the results of vibration frequency, amplitude, time histories, and total displacement of membrane structures with different pretensions and arch‐to‐span ratios under the impact of differently sized hailstones. The correctness of the analytical theory is verified by comparing with the results of numerical simulation. According to the results of this paper, we put forward some suggestions for the vibration control and dynamic design of practical spatial membrane structures.
Prediction of Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer by Gene Expression and Clinicopathological Models: Development and Validation within a Population-Based Cohort
Authors: Dihge Looket , Vallon-Christersson Johan , Hegardt Cecilia , Saal Lao H. , Häkkinen Jari , Larsson Christer , Ehinger Anna , Loman Niklas , Malmberg Martin , Bendahl Pär-Ola , Borg Åke , Staaf Johan , Rydén Lisa
Published: July 2019

Purpose:

More than 70% of patients with breast cancer present with node-negative disease, yet all undergo surgical axillary staging. We aimed to define predictors of nodal metastasis using clinicopathological characteristics (CLINICAL), gene expression data (GEX), and mixed features (MIXED) and to identify patients at low risk of metastasis who might be spared sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB).

Experimental Design: Breast tumors (n = 3,023) from the population-based Sweden Cancerome Analysis Network–Breast initiative were profiled by RNA sequencing and linked to clinicopathologic characteristics. Seven machine-learning models present the discriminative ability of N0/N+ in development (n = 2,278) and independent validation cohorts (n = 745) stratified as ER+HER2−, HER2+, and TNBC. Possible SLNB reduction rates are proposed by applying CLINICAL and MIXED predictors.

Results:

In the validation cohort, the MIXED predictor showed the highest area under ROC curves to assess nodal metastasis; AUC = 0.72. For the subgroups, the AUCs for MIXED, CLINICAL, and GEX predictors ranged from 0.66 to 0.72, 0.65 to 0.73, and 0.58 to 0.67, respectively. Enriched proliferation metagene and luminal B features were noticed in node-positive ER+HER2− and HER2+ tumors, while upregulated basal-like features were observed in node-negative TNBC tumors. The SLNB reduction rates in patients with ER+HER2− tumors were 6% to 7% higher for the MIXED predictor compared with the CLINICAL predictor accepting false negative rates of 5% to 10%.

Conclusions:

Although CLINICAL and MIXED predictors of nodal metastasis had comparable accuracy, the MIXED predictor identified more node-negative patients. This translational approach holds promise for development of classifiers to reduce the rates of SLNB for patients at low risk of nodal involvement.
Glibenclamide Targets Sulfonylurea Receptor 1 to Inhibit p70S6K Activity and Upregulate KLF4 Expression to Suppress Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Kexin , Sun Geng , Li Min , Chen Hongling , Zhang Zuhao , Qian Xixi , Li Ping , Xu Lin , Huang Wenbin , Wang Xuerong
Published: July 2019

Sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) is the regulatory subunit of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) and the receptor of antidiabetic drugs, such as glibenclamide, which induce insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells. However, the expression and role of SUR1 in cancer are unknown. In this study, we found that SUR1 expression was elevated in human non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) tissues and cell lines. SUR1 silencing suppressed the growth of NSCLC cells, while SUR1 overexpression promoted cell growth. Targeting SUR1 with glibenclamide suppressed cell growth, cell-cycle progression, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cell migration. Moreover, SUR1 directly interacted with p70S6K and upregulated p70S6K phosphorylation and activity. In addition, glibenclamide inhibited p70S6K, and overexpression of p70S6K partially reversed the growth-inhibiting effect of glibenclamide. Furthermore, glibenclamide upregulated the expression of the tumor suppressor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), and silencing KLF4 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of glibenclamide on cell growth, EMT, and migration. We found that SUR1 targeted p70S6K to downregulate KLF4 expression by enhancing DNA-methyltransferase 1–mediated methylation of the KLF4 promoter. Finally, in xenograft mouse models, SUR1 expression silencing or glibenclamide treatment inhibited the growth of A549 tumors, downregulated p70S6K activity, and upregulated KLF4 expression. These findings suggested that SUR1 expression was elevated in some NSCLC tissues and functioned as a tumor enhancer. Targeting SUR1 with glibenclamide inhibited NSCLC through downregulation of p70S6K activity and subsequent upregulation of the expression of the tumor suppressor gene KLF4. SUR1 can be developed as a new target for cancer therapy and glibenclamide has potential anticancer effects.
CTBP1 Confers Protection for Hippocampal and Cortical Neurons in Rat Models of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Hu Kai  , Li Yafeng  , Yu Huifen  , Hu Yanhui
Published: July 2019

Objective: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related devastating neurodegenerative disorder. The hippocampus and cerebral cortex are the most closely related brain regions of cognitive function and neurogenesis. The present study investigated the role of C-terminal-binding protein 1 (CTBP1) in AD. Methods: AD rat models were established through intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid polypeptide Aβ(25–35) and intragastric administration of aluminum chloride solution, and the expression pattern that CTBP1 showed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex was determined. The learning and memory abilities of AD rats after CTBP1 overexpression were assessed. Hippocampal and cortical neurons were transfected with siRNA against CTBP1 or CTBP1-overexpressing plasmids in order to study the effects of CTBP1 elevation or depletion on neuron morphological changes, apoptosis, and viability. The expression of CTBP1, proapoptotic factor (B-cell lymphoma 2; Bcl-2), and antiapoptotic factors (Bcl-2-associated X protein [Bax] and caspase-3) was subsequently evaluated. Results: CTBP1 was poorly expressed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. AD rats displayed enhanced learning and memory abilities following CTBP1 overexpression. Furthermore, overexpression of CTBP1 improved morphological changes of hippocampal and cortical neurons, increased neuron activity, and inhibited neuron apoptosis in AD rats. Moreover, the expression of Bax and caspase-3 decreased, yet Bcl-2 increased. Conclusion: Collectively, CTBP1 plays a protective role in the degeneration of hippocampal and cortical neurons whereby overexpressed CTBP1 attenuated the hippocampal and cortical neuron apoptosis and enhanced neuron activity, highlighting the potential of CTBP1 as a target for AD treatment.
Defining and Evaluating Overdiagnosis in Mental Health: A Meta-Research Review
Authors: Thombs Brett , Turner Kimberly A. , Shrier Ian
Published: July 2019

Background: Overdiagnosis is thought to be common in some mental disorders, but it has not been defined or examined systematically. Assessing overdiagnosis in mental health requires a consistently applied definition that differentiates overdiagnosis from other problems (e.g., misdiagnosis), as well as methods for quantification. Objectives: Our objectives were to (1) describe how the term “overdiagnosis” has been defined explicitly or implicitly in published articles on mental disorders, including usages consistent (overdefinition, overdetection) and inconsistent (misdiagnosis, false-positive test results, overtreatment, overtesting) with accepted definitions of overdiagnosis; and (2) identify examples of attempts to quantify overdiagnosis. Method: We searchedPubMed through January 5, 2019. Articles on mental disorders, excluding neurocognitive disorders, were eligible if they usedthe term “overdiagnosis” in the title, abstract, or text. Results: We identified 164 eligible articles with 193 total explicit or implicit uses of the term “overdiagnosis.” Of 9 articles with an explicit definition, only one provided a definition that was partially consistent with accepted definitions. Of all uses, 11.4% were consistent, and 76.7% were related to misdiagnosis and thus inconsistent. No attempts to quantify the proportion of patients who were overdiagnosed based on overdetection or overdefinition were identified. Conclusions: There are few examples of mental health articles that describe overdiagnosis consistent with accepted definitions and no examples of quantifying overdiagnosis based on these definitions. A definition of overdiagnosis based on diagnostic criteria that include people with transient or mild symptoms not amenable to treatment (overdefinition) could be used to quantify the extent of overdiagnosis in mental disorders.
No Difference in Survival between Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Neo-Adjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy in Gastric Cardia Cancer Patients: A Contemporary View from the National Cancer Database
Authors: Tsai Catherine , Mueller Alexandra , Maubach Johannes , Warschkow Rene , Nussbaum Daniel P. , Schmied Bruno M. , Blazer Dan , Gloor Beat , Worni Mathias
Published: July 2019

Introduction: Both neo-adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NACRT) and neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), in addition to surgical resection of gastric cardia cancer, improves survival outcomes. We assessed whether NACRT or NAC had superior overall survival (OS) and relative survival (RS) outcomes using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Methods: The NCDB from 2006 to 2014 was reviewed to identify non-metastatic adult gastric cardia cancer patients who underwent surgical resection and received NACRT or NAC. Advanced statistical models were applied to assess survival outcomes. Results: Of the 5,371 patients included, 4,520 (84.2%) were male, the mean age was 61.2 years (SD 10.0), 4,229 (78.7%) underwent NACRT, and 1,142 (21.3%) underwent NAC. NACRT patients more often had an R0 resection compared to NAC (91.4 vs. 86.6%, p < 0.001, respectively). Univariate 5-year OS rates were 40.0% (95% CI 38.2–41.8) for NACRT and 40.1% (37.0–43.6) for NAC (p = 0.302). No differences in OS for NAC vs. NACRT were found after multivariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.95, 95% CI 0.86–1.05, p = 0.290). There were no survival differences after stepwise, propensity score, RS analyses, nor after near-far-matching (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82–1.07, p = 0.332). Conclusions: NAC or NACRT yield the same survival outcome for patients with resectable gastric cardia cancer. These data support the need for randomized controlled trials comparing the 2 regimens head-to-head.
Omental Micrometastasis in Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Bayrak Mehmet , Yılmaz Alpay , Yılmaz Fatih , İlhan Olcay , Oz Atalay Fatma , Ozan Hakan
Published: July 2019

Introduction: Although there are several reports on omentum metastasis, limited studies have evaluated omental micrometastases, particularly isolated microscopic metastases in endometrial cancer (EC). We performed this study to assess the frequency of omental micrometastasis in EC, especially when the omentum is the only site of extrauterine spread. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to assess cases of EC with an omental sample during primary surgical treatment for EC at the Gynecological Oncology Unit, Uludag University Hospital, Bursa, Turkey, between January 2005 and May 2018. Results: In total, 435 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, which comprised a complete surgical staging. The prevalence of omental metastases was 5.3% (n = 23), regardless of the subtype or clinical stage. Omental micrometastasis was detected in four cases (17.4%). In half of these patients, the omentum was the only site of disease outside the uterus, with an estimated 0.46% of isolated omental involvement. The grade of the endometrioid tumor was found to be statistically correlated with omental metastases (p = 0.01). There was a significant correlation between omental metastasis and positive peritoneal cytology, as well as adnexal involvement (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusion: We recommend omentectomy routinely in serous EC. In addition, we suggest selective omentectomy in patients with EC who have concomitant adnexal involvement or grade 3 tumors.
The Human-Specific and Smooth Muscle Cell-Enriched LncRNA SMILR Promotes Proliferation by Regulating Mitotic CENPF mRNA and Drives Cell-Cycle Progression Which Can Be Targeted to Limit Vascular Remodeling
Authors: Mahmoud Amira D. , Ballantyne Margaret D. , Miscianinov Vladislav , Pinel Karine , Hung John , Scanlon Jessica P. , Iyinikkel Jean , Kaczynski Jakub , Tavares Adriana S. , Bradshaw Angela C. , Mills Nicholas L. , Newby David E. , Caporali Andrea , Gould Gwyn W. , George Sarah J. , Ulitsky Igor , Sluimer Judith C. , Rodor Julie , Baker Andrew H.
Published: July 2019

Rationale:

In response to blood vessel wall injury, aberrant proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) causes pathological remodeling. However, the controlling mechanisms are not completely understood.

Objective:

We recently showed that the human long noncoding RNA,
SMILR
, promotes vascular SMCs proliferation by a hitherto unknown mechanism. Here, we assess the therapeutic potential of
SMILR
inhibition and detail the molecular mechanism of action.

Methods and Results:

We used deep RNA-sequencing of human saphenous vein SMCs stimulated with IL (interleukin)-1α and PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor)-BB with SMILR knockdown (siRNA) or overexpression (lentivirus), to identify
SMILR
-regulated genes. This revealed a SMILR-dependent network essential for cell cycle progression. In particular, we found using the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator viral system that SMILR regulates the late mitotic phase of the cell cycle and cytokinesis with
SMILR
knockdown resulting in ≈10% increase in binucleated cells.
SMILR
pulldowns further revealed its potential molecular mechanism, which involves an interaction with the mRNA of the late mitotic protein CENPF (centromere protein F) and the regulatory Staufen1 RNA-binding protein.
SMILR
and this downstream axis were also found to be activated in the human ex vivo vein graft pathological model and in primary human coronary artery SMCs and atherosclerotic plaques obtained at carotid endarterectomy. Finally, to assess the therapeutic potential of
SMILR
, we used a novel siRNA approach in the ex vivo vein graft model (within the 30 minutes clinical time frame that would occur between harvest and implant) to assess the reduction of proliferation by EdU incorporation. SMILR knockdown led to a marked decrease in proliferation from ≈29% in controls to ≈5% with SMILR depletion.

Conclusions:

Collectively, we demonstrate that SMILR is a critical mediator of vascular SMC proliferation via direct regulation of mitotic progression. Our data further reveal a potential SMILR-targeting intervention to limit atherogenesis and adverse vascular remodeling.
New synonym, new combination and typifications in Varronia (Cordiaceae, Boraginales)
Authors: SILVA THAYNARA DE SOUSA , MELO JOSÉ IRANILDO MIRANDA DE
Published: July 2019

Due to their recent reestablishment at the generic level, some species of the genus Varronia need to be (re-)allocated and their names and respective nomenclature types reviewed. One new combination (V. serratifolia) and a new synonym (V. intonsa) are proposed here. To promote nomenclatural stability, the historical of the names of widely distribute species is discussed and a lectotype is assigned to V. globosa, a lectotype and an epitype for V. curassavica. The names V. hermanniifolia, C. hermanniifolia var. calycina, Cordia sessilifolia var. macrantha, and V. villicaulis are also lectotypified. A neotype is designated to V. paucidentata.
A new species of Penaincisalia (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Eumaeini) from the high Andes of Colombia
Authors: PRIETO CARLOS , RODRIGUEZ GABRIEL
Published: July 2019

A new species of Penaincisalia from the central mountain range of Colombia is described and diagnosed. We present a brief discussion on the systematic placement of Penaincisalia cuiva Prieto & Rodríguez n. sp. within the genus. The species is apparently a member of the “browni group”, and we discuss its relationships with other members of this group. Adult specimens of both sexes and the genitalia of the male are illustrated and compared with P. magnifica, the most closely related species according to phenotypic appearance. A key to the known species of the “browni group” is provided.
High-Resolution History: Downscaling China’s Climate from the 20CRv2c Reanalysis
Authors: Amato R. , Steptoe H. , Buonomo E. , Jones R.
Published: July 2019

A Met Office Hadley Centre regional climate model, HadRM3P, is used to dynamically downscale the NOAA Twentieth Century Reanalysis, version 2c (20CRv2c), to generate a fine-resolution reconstruction of China’s climate from 1851 to 2010. The downscaled dataset has a small warm and seasonal wet bias (1.4°C; 0.9 mm day−1) relative to recent observations but otherwise represents spatial and temporal trends realistically. Analysis focused on temperature and precipitation shows that downscaling 20CRv2c is found to improve its representation of China’s climatological annual cycle, particularly over areas with sparse observational coverage such as the Tibetan Plateau. The downscaled dataset better represents the interannual variability and trends in observed temperature since 1901 and suggests that China has experienced a significant and sustained increase in temperature of 0.05°C (10 yr)−1 since the 1850s. Chinese precipitation trends have not changed significantly in the recent past or over the past 160 years. This analysis serves as an initial yet imperative step toward improving in-depth understanding of the characteristics and multidecadal drivers of high-impact events over China such as heat waves, droughts, and extreme precipitation.
Major Moisture Pathways and Their Importance to Rainy Season Precipitation over the Sanjiangyuan Region of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Yu , Huang Wenyu , Zhong Deyu
Published: July 2019

Knowledge of the quantitative importance of moisture transport pathways of the Sanjiangyuan region (known as the “water tower” of China) can provide insights into the regional atmospheric branch of the hydrological cycle over the Sanjiangyuan region. A combined method with a clustering algorithm [Hierarchical Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (HDBSCAN)] and a Lagrangian moisture source diagnostic is developed to identify the major moisture transport pathways and quantify their importance to three types of consecutive precipitation events—extreme precipitation (EP) events, moderate precipitation (MP) events, and extreme aridity (EA) events—for the Sanjiangyuan region during the rainy season (June–September 1960–2017). The results indicate that moisture paths from the northwest covering northwest China and central Asia (the N.W. pathway) and moisture paths from southern and southeastern China (the S.S. pathway) are stable moisture transport pathways during EP and MP events [importance (precipitation contribution in percentage): N.W. pathway, 18.4% (EP), 32.2% (MP); S.S. pathway, 25.9% (EP), 28.5% (MP)]. Affected by the western edge of a significant anticyclone anomaly centered around 35°N, 115°E, the moisture paths via the Bay of Bengal (the B.B. pathway) can reach the target region and become a supplementary moisture contributor (14.9%) to EP events. Moisture paths via the Arabian Sea and Indian peninsula (the A.I. pathway) are also active but the contributions are limited [4.9% (EP) and 5.6% (MP)]. For EA events, the fast-moving trajectories from farther western Asia (the F.W. pathway) play a dominant role and all major moisture pathways (F.W., N.W., and S.S. pathways) carry limited moisture to the target region.
The influence of supervisor bottom-line mentality and employee bottom-line mentality on leader-member exchange and subsequent employee performance
Authors: Quade Matthew J , McLarty Benjamin D , Bonner Julena M
Published: July 2019

Are supervisors who care more about profits than employee well-being seen by employees as being good exchange partners? How do employees perceive and respond to supervisors who treat the bottom line as more important than anything else? Supervisors who hold a bottom-line mentality (BLM) neglect competing priorities such as employee well-being and ethical practices to focus on securing bottom-line success. We find high-BLM supervisors serve as low-quality exchange partners with their employees, resulting in employee perceptions of low-quality leader-member exchange (LMX) relationships. In turn, employees reciprocate by withholding the very thing the supervisor desires—performance—in order to maintain balance in the exchange relationship. As such, supervisors who possess a BLM could actually be negatively impacting the organization’s bottom line through the harmful social exchange relationships they engender with their employees and their impact on employee task performance. We also examine the moderating role of employee BLM on these relationships. When employee BLM is low, we observe a greater negative effect on employee value judgments of the supervisor (i.e. reduced LMX perceptions) and lower employee performance. We test and find support for all of our hypotheses in two multi-source (i.e. employee-supervisor dyads), time-lagged field studies ( N = 189 and N = 244).
Estimates of Testing for Latent Tuberculosis Infection and Cost, United States, 2013
Authors: Marks Suzanne M. , Woodruff Rachel Yelk , Owusu-Edusei Kwame , Asay Garrett R. Beeler , Hill Andrew N.
Published: July 2019

Objectives:

Tracking trends in the testing of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) can help measure tuberculosis elimination efforts in the United States. The objectives of this study were to estimate (1) the annual number of persons tested for LTBI and the number of LTBI tests conducted, by type of test and by public, private, and military sectors, and (2) the cost of LTBI testing in the United States.

Methods:

We searched the biomedical literature for published data on private-sector and military LTBI testing in 2013, and we used back-calculation to estimate public-sector LTBI testing. To estimate costs, we applied Medicare-allowable reimbursements in 2013 by test type.

Results:

We estimated an average (low-high) 13.3 million (11.3-15.4 million) persons tested for LTBI and 15.3 million (12.9-17.7 million) LTBI tests, of which 13.2 million (11.1-15.3 million) were tuberculin skin tests and 2.1 million (1.8-2.4 million) were interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs). Eighty percent of persons tested were in the public sector, 18% were in the private sector, and 2% were in the military. Costs of LTBI tests and of chest radiography totaled $314 million (range, $256 million to $403 million).

Conclusions:

To achieve tuberculosis elimination, millions more persons will need to be tested in all sectors. By targeting testing to only those at high risk of tuberculosis and by using more specific IGRA tests, the incidence of tuberculosis in the United States can be reduced and resources can be more efficiently used.
Exploring Women’s Mutuality in Confronting Care-Precarity: ‘Care Accounts’ – a Conceptual Tool
Authors: Raw Anni , McKie Linda
Published: July 2019

Exploring scholarship in reciprocity, gift and gendered social capital, and drawing upon research and analysis across 15 years (2003–2018), this article offers fresh theoretical insights into everyday practices of low-paid women with care responsibilities. Framing women’s pragmatic mutuality in confronting precarity in their care arrangements, we propose the concept of ‘Care Accounts’, articulating a practice of collaborative workplace problem solving. Women lodge and generate good will with colleagues by swapping or extending their shifts to cover for each other; generating capacity and continuity of care across unexpected family events or crises. Systems of reciprocal workplace mutuality – care/work micro-networks – build as women pool their capacity to respond. We highlight, however, an ensnarement effect of Care Accounts, as they further lock women into low paid jobs. We suggest priority attention must be given to the prevalence and urgency of ‘care-precarity’ and the dereliction in care planning that Care Accounts reveal.
Depression and Quality of Life in Older Gay and Bisexual Men in Spain and Portugal
Authors: Pereira Henrique , de Vries Brian , Serrano Juan Pedro , Afonso Rosa Marina , Esgalhado Graça , Monteiro Samuel
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study was to assess levels of depressive symptoms and quality of life in older gay and bisexual older Spanish and Portuguese men and explore associations between these two samples and these variables. Using online surveys, 191 older gay and bisexual men from Spain and Portugal (mean age = 70 years) completed the Spanish and Portuguese versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale and World Health Organization Instrument to Assess Quality of Life. Overall, moderate levels of depression and quality of life were found. Gay men and Spanish men report higher levels of depressive symptoms than bisexual and Portuguese men. Gay men score higher on physical health dimensions; bisexual men score higher on the social relationships dimension. Lower levels of physical health, psychological symptoms, and social relationships were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. These exploratory findings offer both similarities and differences between the samples from the two countries—and with U.S. data—and further evidence of the pervasive experience of depression in the lives of sexual minority older men with a renewed awareness of myriad contexts within which individuals age.
The Military Scandal: Its Definition, Dynamics, and Significance
Authors: Andrews Dia Jade , Connor James , Wadham Ben
Published: July 2019

Military scandals are disruptive episodes that can have long-lasting organizational consequences for military institutions. Recently, scholars who study military institutions have sought to understand this phenomenon and its significance. However, given their complexity and empirically opaque nature, military scandals are difficult to study, and a general account of this phenomenon has remained elusive. This article addresses this problem by drawing upon the growing field of scandal research to present a definition and account of the military scandal. We argue that military scandals are episodes of mediatized public moral conflict concerning transgressions involving the military institution, its members, and/or associated actors. We employ Ari Adut’s theory of public attention as a core explanation of scandal dynamics and effects and use this to argue that the military scandal phenomenon can be employed to simultaneously examine interactions and relationships between the military, the state, news media organizations, and civil society.
Policy Adoption, Innovation, and Performance Management: The Case of Performance-funding Policies in State Postsecondary Education
Authors: Birdsall Chris
Published: July 2019

Since the 1980s, nearly every state government has implemented some form of performance management. This article turns to the context of public higher education where the use of performance management has been popular but highly controversial and unstable. Using the Cox conditional gap time model for repeating events and state-level panel data, this article investigates the factors associated with the adoption and readoption of performance-based funding policies for public higher education. Results indicate that state higher education governing structures, increases in public tuition, and educational attainment are important predictors of whether a state adopts performance-based funding.
Dimensional Analysis in Economics: A Study of the Neoclassical Economic Growth Model
Authors: Texocotitla Miguel Alvarez , Alvarez-Hernández M. David , Alvarez-Hernández Shaní Eneida
Published: July 2019

The fundamental purpose of the present research article is to introduce the basic principles of dimensional analysis in the context of the neoclassical economic theory, in order to apply such principles to the fundamental relations that underlay most models of economic growth. In particular, basic instruments from dimensional analysis are used to evaluate the analytical consistency of the neoclassical economic growth model. The analysis shows that an adjustment to the model is required in such a way that the principle of dimensional homogeneity is satisfied.

JEL: A12, C02, C65, O40
A Region Recovers: Planning for Resilience after Superstorm Sandy
Authors: Finn Donovan , Chandrasekhar Divya , Xiao Yu
Published: July 2019

2012’s Superstorm Sandy had a devastating impact on the New York City metropolitan region, including the suburban Long Island coast and the New Jersey shore. Given the size, density, complexity, and diversity of the region, many approaches have been used to address poststorm recovery. Planning has been central to these efforts. Using in-depth interviews with recovery stakeholders, this analysis of the planning responses to Sandy illustrates what an emergent model of resilient recovery planning looks like and highlights the kinds of resources and approaches that help facilitate this approach. We argue that preexisting planning capacity, strong political leadership, and nongovernmental funding support were critically important aspects of resilience-focused Sandy recovery planning processes.
Diethylnitrosamine aggravates cadmium-induced hepatorenal oxidative damage in prepubertal rats
Authors: Owumi Solomon E , Dim Uche J , Najophe Eseroghene S
Published: July 2019

The adverse health consequences of environmental, occupational, and dietary exposure to either diethylnitrosamine (DEN) or cadmium (Cd) have been widely investigated. However, because most environmental exposures to xenobiotics do not occur in isolation but in mixtures, the effects of simultaneous exposure to both DEN and Cd on hepatorenal function deserves investigation. The present study investigated the impact of 7 days oral co-exposure to 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of DEN and 5 mg/kg b.w. of Cd on biomarkers of hepatic and renal functions, antioxidant defense systems, and oxidative stress indices in the liver and kidney of prepubertal rats. The results showed that the significant ( p < 0.05) increases in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, urea, and creatinine following separate administration of DEN and Cd to rats were further increased in the co-exposure group. Moreover, marked decreases in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase as well as glutathione levels following individual administration of DEN and Cd to rats were exacerbated in the co-exposure group. Further, the marked increase in the lipid peroxidation level and the histopathological lesions in the liver and kidney of rats treated with DEN or Cd alone were intensified in the co-exposure group These findings indicate that co-exposure to DEN and Cd elicited more severe hepatic and renal oxidative damage in the rats, thus suggesting a greater risk to humans who are co-exposed to them.