bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety of Peritoneal Dialysis after Nonrenal Solid-Organ Transplantation
Authors: Buffet Anne , Guillouët Sonia , Lobbedez Thierry , Ficheux Maxence , Lanot Antoine , Béchade Clémence
Published: November 2017

Background

End-stage renal disease is a well-known complication after solid-organ transplantation, mostly as a result of calcineurin-inhibitor therapy. Among recipients of solid-organ transplants other than kidneys, peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been considered an accessory technique as an increased risk of infectious complications has been reported. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with a liver, heart, or lung transplant who underwent PD for replacement therapy.

Methods

This was a retrospective, monocentric study. Every adult patient starting PD between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2016, at our center was included. The history of previous solid-organ transplantation was determined. For the statistical analysis, we considered 2 groups of patients: 1 group having a history of transplantation of an organ other than the kidney (lung, heart, liver), and 1 group that was starting dialysis without any prior history of organ transplantation. Patients who had previously undergone kidney transplantation were excluded. The events of interest were the first peritonitis episode, death, and PD failure, defined as transfer to hemodialysis.

Results

A total of 383 patients started PD during this period, 13 of whom had a history of organ transplantation. We found no significant difference between the solid-organ transplantation patients and those without a history of transplantation in terms of the occurrence of peritonitis (HR [hazard ratio] 0.91 [0.37 – 2.22]), death (HR 0.83 [0.26 – 2.63]), and PD failure (HR 1.01 [0.32 – 3.22]).

Conclusion

Peritoneal dialysis appears to be an effective replacement therapy for patients with a previous history of solid-organ transplantation.
Peritoneal Dialysis in Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Recipients
Authors: Saiprasertkit Nalinee , Nihei Camila H. , Bargman Joanne M.
Published: November 2017

Background

In many dialysis programs, there is resistance to initiating peritoneal dialysis (PD) in liver transplant patients needing renal replacement therapy. This retrospective study reviews the outcome of PD in liver transplant patients at a major transplantation and dialysis center.

Method

We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients who underwent liver transplants and received PD between 1991 and 2016. Patient demographics, laboratory parameters, and adverse events were collected from our electronic database.

Results

Between 1991 and 2016, 14 patients underwent liver transplants and subsequently received PD. The mean age was 59.0 ± 7.1 years; 42.8% women; the mean time from transplant to PD initiation was 9.7 ± 2.8 years; average follow-up on PD was 31.3 months (range: 9 – 87 months). Hepatitis C was the main cause of liver failure necessitating the transplant (8 patients). Calcineurin inhibitor toxicity was the lead cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (12 patients). The overall peritonitis rate was 39.8 patient-months (0.3 episodes per year at risk). There was 1 patient with relapsing peritonitis, and 1 patient had severe peritonitis and died. Mean survival was 58.9 ± 11.3 months, 4 patients died, 4 received a kidney transplant, 1 patient was transitioned to hemodialysis due to poor ultrafiltration, 1 patient was transferred to another program, 2 remained on PD and 2 patients recovered renal function. Eight patients underwent liver biopsies during their time on PD without complication.

Conclusion

There appears to be no specific concern related to liver transplant patients undergoing PD. Peritonitis and mortality rates were no different from other solid organ recipients or even from the general PD population. The hepatic graft was never threatened, even during peritonitis. Therefore, these patients should not be denied the option of PD.
Lessons from the Short GRB 170817A: The First Gravitational-wave Detection of a Binary Neutron Star Merger
Authors: Granot Jonathan , Guetta Dafne , Gill Ramandeep
Published: November 2017

The first, long-awaited, detection of a gravitational-wave (GW) signal from the merger of a binary neutron star (NS–NS) system was finally achieved (GW170817) and was also accompanied by an electromagnetic counterpart—the short-duration gamma-ray burst (GRB) 170817A. It occurred in the nearby (

Mpc) elliptical galaxy NGC 4993 and showed optical, IR, and UV emission from half a day up to weeks after the event, as well as late-time X-ray (at

days) and radio (at

days) emission. There was a delay of

between the GW merger chirp signal and the prompt GRB emission onset, and an upper limit of

was set on the viewing angle w.r.t the jet’s symmetry axis from the GW signal. In this letter we examine some of the implications of these groundbreaking observations. The delay

sets an upper limit on the prompt GRB emission radius,

, for a jet with sharp edges at an angle

. GRB 170817A’s relatively low isotropic equivalent γ-ray energy output may suggest a viewing angle slightly outside the jet’s sharp edge,

, but its peak

photon energy and afterglow emission suggest instead that the jet does not have sharp edges and the prompt emission was dominated by less energetic material along our line of sight, at

. Finally, we consider the type of remnant that is produced by the NS–NS merger and find that a relatively long-lived (

s) massive NS is strongly disfavored, while a hyper-massive NS of lifetime

appears to be somewhat favored over the direct formation of a black hole.
Relationship between Vitamin D, Inflammation and Lung Function In Patients with Severe Uncontrolled Asthma
Authors: Janeva-Jovanovska Elena , Dokic Dejan , Jovkovska-Kaeva Biserka , Breskovska Gorica , Goseva Zlatica , Minov Jordan , Trajkov Dejan , Dimitrova-Genadieva Magdalena , Zafirovska-Ivanovska Beti
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND: Recently epidemiological studies showed that low vitamin D is linked to airway hyperresponsiveness, decreased lung function, poor asthma control, and steroid–resistant asthma.AIM: We investigated the relationship between Vitamin D, inflammation with circulating IL-33 and lung function in 30 patients with severe uncontrolled asthma.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 30 patients with severe uncontrolled asthma. In each of them were measured serum levels of IL-33 and Vitamin D by the ELISA method. The pulmonary function is measured by basic spirometry parameters, FEV1. The results were statistically elaborated according to the Pearson’s Correlation Tests.RESULTS: The results showed statistically insignificant correlation between Vitamin D and IL-33, and Vitamin D with FEV1 (Vit.D/IL-33; r = 0.11323, p = 0.551); (Vit.D/FEV1; r = -0.1005; p = 0.597) Correlation between IL-33 and FEV1 is negative but statistically significant (IL-33/FEV1; r = -0.5248; p = 0.003).CONCLUSION: Because there are little studies about the link between vitamin D and asthma, further research to clarify the mechanism how vitamin D control the activity of CD4+ T cells and the related Th2-type cytokines in the parthenogenesis of asthma.
Rapid Identification of Aspergillus Fumigatus Using Βeta-Tubulin and RodletA Genes
Authors: Zarrin Majid , Rashidnia Zeinab , Faramarzi Sama , Harooni Lida
Published: November 2017

AIM: The main purpose of the present study was to test the β-tubulin and rodletA genes for rapid identification of Aspergillus fumigatus.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one A. fumigatus strains including environmental, clinical and reference isolates were tested in this research. PCR was carried out based on βtub and rodA partial gene sequences.RESULTS: A 198 bp DNA fragment was obtained using βtub gene. PCR amplification of the rodA gene resulted in a 313 bp band. The βtub and rodA genes PCR products exhibited a 100% homology with the associated sequences in the GenBank.CONCLUSION: In the present study, we used a PCR approach that was able to discriminate A. fumigatus from other related species within the section Fumigati.
Terminologie, terminographie et métalangue guillaumienne : problèmes actuels
Authors: Bottineau Didier
Published: November 2017

Résumé La métalangue guillaumienne est connue pour sa remarquable complexité. Sa genèse est historiquement orientée par divers paramètres : la dialectique de la continuité et de la rupture avec Saussure ; le rejet de la logique au profit d’un mentalisme dynamique situé dans le sujet parlant ; les relations variables à la psychologie et aux neurosciences ; l’évolution du discours de l’auteur d’un matérialisme réaliste vers une modélisation toujours plus abstraite. Il en résulte un bilan pour le moins contrasté : une métalangue spécifique dont la légitimité se renégocie constamment, doublée d’une influence particulière sur la terminologie la plus classique ; cette hétérogénéité transparaît tant dans la pragmatique des guillaumiens, néo- et trans-guillaumiens actuels, que dans l’existence même de plusieurs dictionnaires terminologiques de la langue de Guillaume, caractérisés par des options terminographiques contrastées.
La « signologie » saussurienne des Notes item (1897-1900) : une terminologie hétérodoxe
Authors: Gandon Francis
Published: November 2017

Résumé Les Notes Item (1897-1900) font partie de la deuxième étape, selon Amacker (2001) de la pensée de Saussure : celle de la multiplicité des points de vue. Elles oscillent, de fait, du point de vue du locuteur à celui du mot en soi, du signe isolé au système, du synchronique au diachronique. La terminologie des Notes se confronte à une double aporie : remplacer la terminologie existante, jugée inepte ; suturer le gouffre entre points de vue divergents. On s’explique que leur exceptionnelle richesse soit restée sans postérité.
La particule a-t-elle un statut en grammaire anglaise ?
Authors: Guimier Claude
Published: November 2017

Résumé L’article se donne comme objectif l’examen des emplois du terme « particule » en grammaire anglaise. Le terme a été longtemps utilisé pour désigner l’ensemble des mots indéclinables. Il est également utilisé pour faire référence à des unités qui ne se laissent pas catégoriser dans les classes de mots dont l’existence est postulée par les grammairiens. La liste en est ouverte, mais on y trouve notamment that pronom relatif, to marqueur d’infinitif et les particules adverbiales. Certaines grammaires toutefois proposent de recatégoriser ces unités dans des classes préétablies.
À propos de behind et after
Authors: Gilbert Éric
Published: November 2017

Résumé Dans cet article, l’auteur propose une représentation formelle des prépositions after et behind susceptible de s’intégrer dans un modèle plus vaste applicable à l’ensemble des marqueurs de cette catégorie. Ce modèle est basé sur certains des concepts métalinguistiques de la Théorie des Opérations Énonciatives, et a pour principale caractéristique de refuser la primauté du spatial en lui préférant un système de schématisation suffisamment abstrait pour pouvoir rendre compte des différentes valeurs des prépositions sans avoir recours à des concepts comme celui de la métaphore.
Le connecteur histoire (de) au regard de ses occurrences dans Frantext
Authors: Legallois Dominique
Published: November 2017

Résumé La première partie de cet article propose une critique du terme de locution prépositive appliqué au connecteur histoire de + inf . Cette expression ne peut en effet être caractérisée par sa seule fonction prépositive, et la notion de locution ne peut lui être appliquée. La seconde partie propose un examen des occurrences du connecteur dans Frantext (datation, constructions, collocations) ; à partir d’observations, nous faisons quelques hypothèses sur les origines de la grammaticalisation d’ histoire de , et nous posons les caractéristiques sémantiques les plus importantes de la construction.
Sémantique du web vs . Semantic Web ?
Authors: Rastier François
Published: November 2017

Résumé Le programme du Web sémantique entend remplacer le « Web des documents » par le « Web des données » et prolonge ainsi le programme classique de la représentation des connaissances. En revanche, pour une sémantique du Web inspirée par la linguistique de corpus, les connaissances résident dans les textes et les documents qui les véhiculent. Elles ne peuvent donc en être abstraites sans perdre leur valeur contextuelle et leur pertinence. Cela conduit à recontextualiser la notion même de donnée, ainsi qu’à problématiser le rapport entre données et métadonnées.
Une conscience interprétative face à un univers de textes
Authors: Kanellos Ioannis , Mauceri Christian
Published: November 2017

Résumé Notre contribution s’interroge sur la possibilité d’un environnement de travail pour une analyse qui intègre, dans le traitement même des données, l’activité interprétative humaine. Nous visons ici, plus particulièrement, le problème des données textuelles. Nous cherchons tout d’abord à situer les enjeux épistémologiques d’une Analyse de Données Interprétative en revisitant certains aspects d’un fonds herméneutique. Dans la suite, nous cherchons à donner quelque évidence au parcours théorique et technique que nous proposons pour un tel dessein, parcours qui emprunte beaucoup à la Sémantique Interprétative , à une technique issue de la Sémantique Latente et quelques techniques classiques en traitement des données textuelles. Enfin, nous décrivons une application au moyen de laquelle nous cherchons à valider notre propos sur un corpus textuel d’un genre d’actualité (une classe de blogs).
Usages linguistiques de la textométrie
Authors: Pincemin Bénédicte , Guillot Céline , Heiden Serge , Lavrentiev Alexei , Marchello-Nizia Christiane
Published: November 2017

Résumé La textométrie propose des techniques statistiques pour l’étude des occurrences d’un motif linguistique dans un corpus. L’article présente une synthèse des pratiques de linguistes du français médiéval qui ont eu accès à des fonctionnalités textométriques, avec une interprétation au plan linguistique des calculs et formalismes textométriques utilisés. L’enjeu est d’expliquer l’attrait ou au contraire le désintérêt pour chaque fonctionnalité, et d’en tirer des enseignements théoriques et pratiques.
El uso de los medios sociales en las bibliotecas de los centros de educación secundaria como canales de difusión de su información: el caso de Extremadura
Authors: Infante-Fernández Lara María , Faba-Pérez Cristina
Published: November 2017

Usando como muestra los centros públicos de educación secundaria de la Comunidad de Extremadura en España, el objetivo de este trabajo consiste en descubrir cómo la biblioteca escolar realiza la difusión de información a través de medios sociales, cuáles son los más utilizados para ello y qué contenidos son los más difundidos, así como establecer una clasificación de centros educativos atendiendo al uso que sus bibliotecas hacen de los medios, para lo que se crea una ponderación contrastada de medios y de usos. Los resultados de la muestra señalan que: el 60,61% de las bibliotecas de secundaria participa en algún medio social (con un promedio de 3,66); Twitter, Facebook, Google+ y Pinterest resultan los medios más dinámicos para llevar a cabo la difusión de información; los blogs se asientan como la herramienta más importante para realizar esta labor; y la ‘Población’ y el ‘Producto Interior Bruto per cápita’ del municipio en el que se ubica el centro escolar cuya biblioteca se analiza, no influyen en la posición que éste obtiene en la clasificación de medios sociales. Se concluye con la propuesta de una serie de pautas para una planificación futura sobre la presencia de las bibliotecas escolares de secundaria en medios sociales.
Beneficios de las relaciones entre los miembros de los comités editoriales y las revistas científicas. El caso de las revistas iberoamericanas de psicología
Authors: González-Sala Francisco , Osca-Lluch Julia , Tortosa Gil Francisco , Peñaranda Ortega María
Published: November 2017

El objetivo del presente trabajo es profundizar en los hábitos de publicación de los miembros de los comités editoriales de las revistas iberoamericanas de psicología recogidas en la Web of Science (WoS) entre los años 2013 y 2015 a través de diferentes indicadores bibliométricos. Los resultados revelan una disparidad en la participación de los miembros del comité editorial de una revista a otra, un menor tiempo de aceptación de los artículos y un mayor número de citas, principalmente en las bases de datos Web of Science y BIOSIS, por parte de los miembros del comité editorial. Muchos de los miembros de los equipos editoriales son investigadores de reconocido prestigio en su disciplina, por lo tanto, su participación a través de la publicación de artículos en las revistas de las que forman parte es un aval de éxito para la publicación, dado el número de citas que reciben sus trabajos.
Google Scholar como una fuente de evaluación científica: una revisión bibliográfica sobre errores de la base de datos
Authors: Orduna-Malea Enrique , Martín-Martín Alberto , Delgado López-Cózar Emilio
Published: November 2017

Google Scholar es un motor de búsqueda académico y herramienta de descubrimiento lanzada por Google (ahora Alphabet) en noviembre de 2004. El hecho de que para cada registro bibliográfico se proporcione información acerca del número de citas recibidas por dicho registro desde el resto de registros indizados en el sistema (independientemente de su fuente) ha propiciado su utilización en análisis bibliométricos y en procesos de evaluación de la actividad académica, especialmente en Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades. No obstante, la existencia de errores, en ocasiones de gran magnitud, ha provocado su rechazo y crítica por una parte de la comunidad científica. Este trabajo pretende precisamente realizar una revisión bibliográfica exhaustiva de todos los estudios que de forma monográfica o colateral proporcionan alguna evidencia empírica sobre cuáles son los errores cometidos por Google Scholar (y productos derivados, como Google Scholar Metrics y Google Scholar Citations). Los resultados indican que el corpus bibliográfico dedicado a los errores en Google Scholar es todavía escaso (n= 49), excesivamente fragmentado, disperso, con resultados obtenidos sin metodologías sistemáticas y en unidades no comparables entre sí, por lo que su cuantificación y su efecto real no pueden ser caracterizados con precisión. Ciertas limitaciones del propio buscador (tiempo requerido de limpieza de datos, límite de citas por registro y resultados por consulta) podrían ser la causa de esta ausencia de trabajos empíricos.
Campus Intelligent Safety Supervision System Based on RFID
Authors: Chen Ning , Yue Qingqing
Published: November 2017

In this paper,for the problem of the security of students in primary and secondary schools,we propose a campus intelligent safety supervision system based on RFID technology.Through the use of RFID technology for non-contact automatic recognition features,the system achieves the goal of supervising the school gate, classroom, danger zone entrance and other places in the primary and secondary schools. Then the information of the acquisition is classified,compared,displayed,alarm,etc.The information is automatically acquired and transmitted in real time, which makes the supervision and management of the school more intelligent.Compared with the existing campus management system, the system can be more accurate access to information in real-time, improve the convenience and effectiveness of safety management, and realize the intelligent supervision and management of the students in primary and secondary schools.
Security Technology of Wireless Sensor Internet of Things Based on Data Fusion
Authors: Zhang Jie
Published: November 2017

In order to prove the effect of data fusion technology in the Internet of things, a wireless sensor Internet of things security technology based on data fusion is designed, and the impact of data fusion in the field of communication technology is studied. Therefore, two security fusion algorithms are designed on the basis of analyzing and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of various security fusion algorithms, namely, data security fusion algorithm EDCSDA and approximate fusion algorithm PADSA. By analyzing the probability distribution model of the data collected by the nodes, the disturbance data is superimposed on the original data to hide the effect of the original data. A test bed system for perception layer of the Internet of things is designed and implemented. The test results prove the feasibility of the two algorithms. Meanwhile, it shows that the two algorithms can reduce the transmission overhead of the network while guaranteeing the security. Based on the above finding, it is concluded that data fusion technology is very effective for improving network efficiency and prolonging the network life cycle as one of the key technologies in the perception layer of Internet of things.
A Multi-Agent Approach to Design a WLAN System
Authors: Zheng You , Xu Xiaohuo , Shi Tailong , Fang Dandan , An Peng
Published: November 2017

There have been a number of research works that investigate the use of formal optimization techniques for the accurate design of WLAN. Unfortunately, these approaches may not be effectively applied to a large scale WLAN deployment scenario. Consequently, it is necessary to design an algorithm that has more powerful ability of global optimization to solve such problems. The main contribution of the work presented in this paper is designing a multi-agent optimization algorithm based on the local control from agents and global control from system, including the synthetical analysis of the relationship of channel and field strength in WLAN. The results of experiments indicate that our multi-agent optimization algorithm is much more efficient comparing with the present agent-based algorithm for the practical engineering project with low density candidate sites scenarios.
Les Maliens en France et aux États-Unis
Authors: Boulanger Claire , Mary Kévin
Published: November 2017

Depuis une vingtaine d’années, un nombre croissant d’auteurs s’intéressent à la notion de transnationalisme en tant que paradigme qui permet de sortir de l’analyse unidirectionnelle du fait migratoire (qui oppose notamment pays d’émigration et pays d’immigration) et permet de comprendre l’existence de modes de vies qui transcendent les frontières (Marques, Góis, 2008). Dans cette perspective, les migrants développent des formes actives de participation à des processus économiques, politiques, ou culturels, touchant à la fois la région ou le pays de départ et la région ou le pays de destination, réunis pour l’analyse en un espace social transnational (Faist, 2000). C’est ce que nous entendons ici par « pratiques transnationales ». L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser ces pratiques à travers l’exemple des Maliens en France et aux États-Unis.
Entrer par le logement pour étudier des pratiques de migrants circulaires
Authors: Chapon Julie , Le Roux Guillaume
Published: November 2017

Notre envie de collaborer, à l’occasion de ce séminaire, s’est d’abord appuyée sur la connaissance d’un espace commun, Ouagadougou, à travers des travaux de recherche doctorale (Julie Chapon) et la participation à la mise en place et aux traitements des enquêtes « Mobilités spatiales en Afrique de l’Ouest » réalisées par l’Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (Guillaume Le Roux). Malgré nos thématiques de recherche et nos approches différentes, la mutualisation de nos expériences nous a permis de prendre conscience de ce que nos travaux partagent : la position scientifique dans la manière d’aborder de façon globale les mobilités et la mobilisation de certains concepts et outils, notamment pour envisager les mobilités les plus labiles.
Determination of the Growth Rate of Hydrothermally Synthesised ZnO2 Crystallites
Authors: Egblewogbe Martin , Gebreyesus Garu , Atarah Samuel A.
Published: November 2017

Powders consisting of nanoparticles of zinc peroxide were prepared via a simple hydrothermal process using zinc acetate dihydrate and hydrogen peroxide precursors. The size of the crystallites was determined using x-ray powder diffraction. Over a period of 5 hours the crystallite radius increased from 4 nm – 9 nm at a temperature of 68 °C ± 5 °C, with growth rate constant of 0.23 nm3 min−1 calculated using the Lifshitz, Slyozov, and Wagner model. The powders were further characterised with High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis, and Small Angle X-ray Scattering, showing well-crystallised ZnO2 nanoparticles.
Influence of Stabilizer on the Microstructures and Photocatalytic Performance of ZnO Nanopowder Synthesized by Sol-Gel Method
Authors: Xu Xiao Nan , Zhang Qiu Ping , Ong Brain T.M. , Yuan Huan , Chen Yu , Liu Yu Tong , Xu Ming
Published: November 2017

Utilizing zinc acetate as precursor, and monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA) as stabilizers, respectively, ZnO nanoparticles with uniformly distributed grains were synthesized by sol-gel method at different sintering temperatures. Analysis of the degradation of methyl orange by photocatalysis shows that utilizing MEA as the stabilizer and 550°C as the sintering temperature results in smaller grain size, greater surface-to-volume ratio, and a density of surface defects suitable for a photocatalyst. The greatest photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange was achieved under UV irradiation. Based on our microstructural analysis and photocatalysis, the microstructure of ZnO particles and, in turn, their photocatalytic effect are affected significantly by the stabilizer type and the sintering temperature.
Identification of IFN-γ and IL-27 as Critical Regulators of Respiratory Syncytial Virus–Induced Exacerbation of Allergic Airways Disease in a Mouse Model
Authors: Nguyen Thi Hiep , Maltby Steven , Tay Hock L. , Eyers Fiona , Foster Paul S. , Yang Ming
Published: November 2017

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection induces asthma exacerbations, which leads to worsening of clinical symptoms and may result in a sustained decline in lung function. Exacerbations are the main cause of morbidity and mortality associated with asthma, and significantly contribute to asthma-associated healthcare costs. Although glucocorticoids are used to manage exacerbations, some patients respond to them poorly. The underlying mechanisms associated with steroid-resistant exacerbations remain largely unknown. We have previously established a mouse model of RSV-induced exacerbation of allergic airways disease, which mimics hallmark clinical features of asthma. In this study, we have identified key roles for macrophage IFN-γ and IL-27 in the regulation of RSV-induced exacerbation of allergic airways disease. Production of IFN-γ and IL-27 was steroid-resistant, and neutralization of IFN-γ or IL-27 significantly suppressed RSV-induced steroid-resistant airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation. We have previously implicated activation of pulmonary macrophage by TNF-α and/or MCP-1 in the mechanisms of RSV-induced exacerbation. Stimulation of pulmonary macrophages with TNF-α and/or MCP-1 induced expression of both IFN-γ and IL-27. Our findings highlight critical roles for IFN-γ and IL-27, downstream of TNF-α and MCP-1, in the mechanism of RSV-induced exacerbation. Thus, targeting the pathways that these factors activate may be a potential therapeutic approach for virus-induced asthma exacerbations.
Reticulon-1 and Reduced Migration toward Chemoattractants by Macrophages Differentiated from the Bone Marrow of Ultraviolet-Irradiated and Ultraviolet-Chimeric Mice
Authors: McGonigle Terence A. , Dwyer Amy R. , Greenland Eloise L. , Scott Naomi M. , Carter Kim W. , Keane Kevin N. , Newsholme Philip , Goodridge Helen S. , Pixley Fiona J. , Hart Prue H.
Published: November 2017

The ability of macrophages to respond to chemoattractants and inflammatory signals is important for their migration to sites of inflammation and immune activity and for host responses to infection. Macrophages differentiated from the bone marrow (BM) of UV-irradiated mice, even after activation with LPS, migrated inefficiently toward CSF-1 and CCL2. When BM cells were harvested from UV-irradiated mice and transplanted into naive mice, the recipient mice (UV-chimeric) had reduced accumulation of elicited monocytes/macrophages in the peritoneal cavity in response to inflammatory thioglycollate or alum. Macrophages differentiating from the BM of UV-chimeric mice also had an inherent reduced ability to migrate toward chemoattractants in vitro, even after LPS activation. Microarray analysis identified reduced reticulon-1 mRNA expressed in macrophages differentiated from the BM of UV-chimeric mice. By using an anti-reticulon-1 Ab, a role for reticulon-1 in macrophage migration toward both CSF-1 and CCL2 was confirmed. Reticulon-1 subcellular localization to the periphery after exposure to CSF-1 for 2.5 min was shown by immunofluorescence microscopy. The proposal that reduced reticulon-1 is responsible for the poor inherent ability of macrophages to respond to chemokine gradients was supported by Western blotting. In summary, skin exposure to erythemal UV radiation can modulate macrophage progenitors in the BM such that their differentiated progeny respond inefficiently to signals to accumulate at sites of inflammation and immunity.
p40 & thyroid transcription factor-1 immunohistochemistry
Authors: Walia Ritika , Jain Deepali , Madan Karan , Sharma Mehar C. , Mathur Sandeep R. , Mohan Anant , Iyer Venkateswaran K. , Kumar Lalit
Published: November 2017

Background & objectives:

Accurate histopathological subtyping of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is essential for targeted therapeutic agents. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is helpful in identification of different tumour subtypes. In this study two marker approaches, one each for glandular and squamous cell differentiation was applied to maximize the proportion of accurately subtyped NSCLC not otherwise specified (NOS) tumours on small biopsy samples.

Methods:

Two hundred and sixty three consecutive lung biopsies of primary lung carcinoma were prospectively studied. These were subtyped first morphologically and then by IHC for p40 and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1). The diagnosis of NSCLC-NOS before and after addition of IHC was evaluated. Results were correlated and validated with morphologically proven cases and matched surgical specimens.

Results:

Based on morphology, only 140 of the 263 (53.2%) cases of NSCLC were characterized, whereas 123 (46.7%) were classified as NSCLC-NOS type. With addition of IHC (p40 and TTF-1), the latter category reduced to 14.4 per cent and a sum of 225 (85.5%) cases were accurately subtyped into squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma. p40 showed 100 per cent sensitivity and specificity for squamous differentiation whereas TTF-1 showed sensitivity of 85.3 per cent and specificity of 98.1 per cent. Ninety per cent correlation of morphologic subtypes was achieved with matched resected specimens.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Our results showed that an approach of using only a two-antibody panel (p40 and TTF-1) might help in reduction of diagnostic category of NSCLC-NOS significantly and contribute in saving tissue for future molecular testing.
Potential benefit of optimizing atrioventricular & interventricular delays in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Urbanek Bozena , Kaczmarek Krzysztof , Klimczak Artur , Ruta Jan , Chudzik Michal , Piestrzeniewicz Katarzyna , Ptaszynski Pawel , Wranicz Jerzy Krzysztof
Published: November 2017

Background & objectives:

The clinical benefit of optimization (OPT) of atrioventricular delay (AVD) and interventricular delay (VVD) in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains debatable. This study was aimed to determine the influence of AVD and VVD OPT on selected parameters in patients early after CRT implantation and at mid-term follow up (FU).

Methods:

Fifty two patients (61±10 yr, 23 males) with left bundle branch block, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35 per cent and heart failure were selected for CRT implantation. Early on the second day (2DFU) after CRT implantation, the patients were assigned to the OPT or the factory setting (FS) group. Haemodynamic and electrical parameters were evaluated at baseline, on 2DFU after CRT and mid-term FU [three-month FU (3MFU)]. Echocardiographic measures were assessed before implantation and at 3MFU. The AVD/VVD was deemed optimal for the highest cardiac output (CO) with impedance cardiography (ICG) monitoring.

Results:

On 2DFU, the AVD was shorter in the OPT group, LV was paced earlier than in FS group and CO was insignificantly higher in OPT group. At 3MFU, improvement of CO was observed only in OPT patients, but the intergroup difference was not significant. At 3MFU in OPT group, reduction of LV in terms of LV end-diastolic diameter (LVeDD), LV end-systolic diameter, LV end-diastolic and systolic volume with the improvement in LVEF was observed. In FS group, only a reduction in LVeDD was present. In OPT group, the paced QRS duration was shorter than in FS group patients.

Interpretation & conclusions:

CRT OPT of AVD and VVD with ICG was associated with a higher CO and better reverse LV remodelling. CO monitoring with ICG is a simple, non-invasive tool to optimize CRT devices.
Molecular & genetic characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains circulating in the southern part of West Siberia
Authors: Pasechnik Oksana , Dymova Maya Alexandrovna , Stasenko Vladimir Leonidovich , Blokh Aleksey Igorevich , Tatarintseva Marina Petrovna , Kolesnikova Lyubov Pavlovna , Filipenko Maksim Leonidovich
Published: November 2017

Background & objectives:

A complicated epidemiological situation characterized by significantly high tuberculosis (TB) morbidity is observed in West Siberia. This study was aimed to investigate the genetic characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis circulating in the southern part of West Siberia (in the Omsk region).

Methods:

From March 2013 to January 2015, 100 isolates of M. tuberculosis were obtained from patients with pulmonary TB living in the Omsk region. Drug susceptibility testing was performed on Lowenstein-Jensen medium (absolute concentration method). Genetic typing of isolates was carried out by variable number tandem repeats of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRU-VNTR) typing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The genetic types and characteristics of cluster strains were determined using 15 MIRU-VNTR loci.

Results:

Thirty six VNTR types were found. Twenty six (26.0%) isolates had a unique profile, and the remaining 74 were grouped in 10 clusters containing from 2 to 23 isolates. The Beijing genotype was found in 72 isolates, 61 (85.0%) of which were part of five clusters that included two large clusters containing 23 isolates. Other genetic families, such as Latin-American Mediterranean (LAM, 11.0%), S family (2.0%) and Haarlem (4.0%), were also detected. The genetic family of 11 isolates could not be determined. Six different VNTR profiles were found in these non-classified isolates. Only 16 per cent of isolates were sensitive to anti-TB drugs. The katG315 (94.8%) and rpoB531 (92.2%) mutations were identified in 77 multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates.

Interpretation & conclusions:

This study showed that the M. tuberculosis population in the Omsk region was heterogeneous. The Beijing genotype predominated and was actively spreading. The findings obtained point to the need for the implementation of more effective preventive measures to stop the spread of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains.
Newer direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Gupta Varun , Kumar Ashish , Sharma Praveen , Arora Anil
Published: November 2017

Approximately three per cent of the world's population (170-200 million people) is chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and almost 500,000 people die each year (mostly in lower middle-income countries) from complications secondary to HCV infection. In India, HCV infection imposes a considerable burden of mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs. In the last two decades, the treatment of HCV has evolved from interferon (IFN)-based therapies with or without ribavirin (RBV) to pegylated-IFN (PEG-IFN) and RBV-based therapies that were better tolerated by patients. However, the introduction of oral drugs, which specifically target virus-specific proteins, has now revolutionized the treatment of chronic HCV. These agents are known as direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). These drugs have resulted in very high HCV cure rates even with reduced treatment duration and an excellent tolerability by the patients compared to PEG-IFN- and RBV-based therapies. In India, sofosbuvir (SOF), one of the most effective DAAs, has been made available at a compassionate price; thus only those DAA-based management strategies, which contain SOF are adopted in India. Here, we review different DAAs and their possible roles in different genotypes and stages of liver disease, stressing upon the role of SOF. An attempt has also been made to devise strategies using SOF for the most prevalent genotypes in our country (genotypes 3 and 1) and cirrhosis.
Bisphenol A-induced ultrastructural changes in the testes of common marmoset
Authors: Vijaykumar Tushara , Singh Dipty , Vanage Geeta R. , Dhumal Rohit V. , Dighe Vikas D.
Published: November 2017

Background & objectives:

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor that is widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins and dental sealants. It is known to have adverse effects on spermatogenesis in rodents. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of BPA in adult common marmoset owing to its similarities with human spermatogenesis.

Methods:

Sixteen marmosets were divided into four groups (n=4 per group) and given oral doses of BPA (2.5, 12.5 and 25 μg/kg BW/day) for 70 days to cover two spermatogenic cycles, and the control group received only vehicle (honey). Testes were processed for histological and transmission electron microscopy studies.

Results:

Histology of the testis showed sloughing of germ cells into the lumen, increase in interstitial space and vacuolation of Sertoli cell cytoplasm. Ultrastructural analysis of the testis revealed several degenerative effects on the basement membrane, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and other developing germ cells in the 12.5 and 25 μg/kg BW/day groups as compared to control.

Interpretation & conclusions:

The observed ultrastructural changes caused by BPA in testicular morphology might be indicative of a perturbed sperm production. Considering the genetic and spermatogenic similarities of common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and humans, the study findings are of significance. Further studies are, however, needed to elucidate the mechanism of action.
A new strategy of heterosis research in mice – approach and results on chromosome 19
Authors: Brunsch C. , Philipp U. , Reinecke P. , Moser G. , Geldermann H. , Koepke K. , Leucht W. , Stier H.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The following steps were performed to analyse heterosis and QTL effects in litter size of mice: intercross of mouse inbred strains C57BL/6J and Balb/cJ in order to produce a F2 generation with 948 female animals; selection of trait groups with extreme high ((13 offspring) and extreme low litter size (5 offspring)); typing of 56 microsatellites with an average distance of 32 cM; detection of different chromosome regions with associations to heterosis in litter size. Chromosome 19 was associated to heterosis in litter size. Additional animals with extreme high and low litter sizes were then typed for four DNA markers on chromosome 19 and used for QTL mapping. A QTL was identified for litter size in segment D19Mit28 &ndash: D19Mit99 with a maximum at 15 cM (p ≤ 0.05). The QTL explains about 11% of the phenotypic variance in the F2 generation. With a degree of dominance of 4.09 the QTL shows that superdominance can explain heterosis in litter size.
Survey of ß-Lactoglobulin and αS1-Casein polimorpbisms in Hungarian dairy sheep breeds and crosses on DNA level (short communication)
Authors: Anton I. , Zsolnai A. , Fesús L. , Kukovics S. , Molnár A.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Beta-lactoglobulin (LGB) and the Welsh αS1-casein (αS1-casein D) types have been determined using PCR-RFLP tests in DNA isolated from blood samples collected from four dairy sheep breeds (Awassi, British Milk Sheep, Tsigaia, Lacaune), from Hungarian Merinos and from various crossbreeds (AwassixMerino) F1, (MerinoxLanghe) F1, (MerinoxPleven Blackhead) F1, (MerinoxPleven Blackhead ) F1x Black East Friesian). The following LGBA frequency values have been obtained: Awassi 0.3478; British Milk Sheep 0.6857; Tsigaia 0.5650; Lacaune 0.4730; Hungarian Merino 0.6767; (Awassix Merino) F1 0.4694; (MerinoxLanghe) F1 0.7777; (MerinoxPleven Blackhead) F1 0.5945; (MerinoxPleven Blackhead) F1 x Black East Friesian 0.6026. The Welsh αS1-casein variant was found in the Hungarian Merino breed only (4 homozygous and 16 heterozygous ewes). Plans for studies on the possible effects of these milk protein types, on milk yield and composition as well as on cheese making properties ofmilk and cheese yields are outlined.
Transferrin Polymorphism versus Growth Rate in Lambs, Polish Long-wool Sheep – II. Analysis of relation between transferrin polymorphism of lamb blood serum versus growth rate of lambs up to age of 5 months
Authors: Kmieć M.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The flock comprised 3419 lambs, either sex, from the four subsequent lambings ofthe Polish long-wool sheep and the subject ofthe study was to attempt to verify a hypothesis ofthe polygenic inheritance ofthe growth rate of lambs in the six periods of living, (0–28, 0–100, 0–152, 28–100, 28–152 and 100–152 days respectively) and to find possible relations between the transferrin polymorphism and lamb growth rate. The relations found between the transferrin polymorphism and lamb growth rate and the preliminary evaluation leading to the identification of alleles of large effectiveness show possibilities to use the transferrin polymorphism as a genetic marker of the traits concerned for the breeding – selecting scheme.
A comparative gross and lipid composition of Murrah breed of buffalo and cross-bred cow's milk during different lactation stages
Authors: Sharma K. C. , Sachdeva V. K. , Singh S.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. A comparative gross and lipid composition of the milk from buffalo and cross-bred cows, depicted that total lipid contents in buffalo milk are comparatively higher in early, mid lactation and almost two fold in late lactation than in cow. The total proteins, lactose and SNF (Solids-not-fat) Contents are comparatively higher in buffalo than in cow's milk. The calcium, phosphorus and ash Contents are comparatively higher in mid and late lactation than early lactation in both the species. Amongst lipids, triglycerides constitued the major fraction and phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin are the major phospholipids followed by phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol in both the species and remained almost invariable during the whole of lactation period. The short chain fatty aeids (C4 to C10) are higher during mid than early and late lactation wheras total unsaturated fatty acids are lower during early and mid lactation than late lactation in both species.
Marker controlled inheritance of the polled locus in Simmental cattle
Authors: Brockmann G. A. , Martin J. , Teuscher F. , Schwerin M.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The inheritance of the polled phenotype in Simmental cattle was tested for linkage with alleles of four microsatellite markers on the proximal region of BTA1. For the study half-sib offspring of three sires were selected which are known to be heterozygous for the polled condition. The analysis of 57 animals (42 polled and 15 horned) revealed complete linkage between the polled locus and the markers BM6438 and SODlMicro2. The reliability of the prediction of the hörn Status of the offspring for marker assisted selection was estimated from its marker genotype in comparison to the patemal haplotype phases responsible for polledness, and from the allele frequencies of the favoured marker alleles in the random population.
Segregation von Pigmentzellanomalien bei Kreuzungen zwischen dem Münchener Miniaturschwein Troll und der Deutschen Landrasse
Authors: Müller S. , Wanke R. , Hermanns W. , Distl O.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Title of the paper: Segregation of melanocytic lesions in crosses among the Munich Miniature Swine Troll and German Landrace Since 1986, a line of Munich Miniature Swine (MMS) Troll showing a high incidence of spontaneous benign and malignant cutaneous melanocytic lesions has been established at the University of Munich. In order to study me inheritance of cutaneous melanocytic lesions in the Munich Miniature Swine Troll, we established the F1-, F2-, BIDL-, and BITroll-generations, starting with one melanoma-bearing MMS Troll boar and four non-affected sows of the German Landrace (DL) as founder animals. A total of 176 animals were available, 27 in the F1-, 111 in the F2-, 19 in the B|DL-, and 14 in the BITroll-generation. Benign melanocytic lesions with two distinct forms of basal melanocytic hyperplasia or nests of hyperplastic melanocytes like in human junctional nevus were observed in 10 (41,7%) F1-, 20 (18%) F2-, 2 (10,5%) BIDL-, and 7 (50%) BITroll-animals. Malignant melanomas were found in four (3,6%) F2- and one (7,1%) BITroll-animals, but did not occur in the F1- and BIDL-generations. The observed segregation pattern suggests a different mode of inheritance for benign melanocytic lesions and melanomas, respectively. An influence of SLA haplotypes could not be observed. However, a significant influence of coat colour on the occurence of melanoma could be found in the F2-generation. While around 65% of F2-animals had the German Landrace dominant white colour, melanomas were only found in black and red animals. Benign lesions of the junctional nevus type, too, were only found in black animals. A possible explanation is the lack of melanocytes in the skin of dominant white pigs caused by a mutation of the KIT-gene, which leads to a failure of melanoblast migration and development
Das Leben ist ein Spiel
Authors: Grauvogl A.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Title of the paper: Life is a game Sexual reproduction causes the independent combination of genetic elements. But not only the physiology of reproduction but also behavioural physiology is familiär with independent combinations; in this case the behavioural elements while playing. An attempt is made to analyse and discover the difference between the playing behaviour of animals versus the playing behaviour of humans during childhood. The mathematical theory of game also is based upon selective choice. The social aspects of play in animal and human collectives is explained as well as the possibilities of therapeutical games.
Liegeverhalten von Pferden in Gruppenauslaufhaltung
Authors: Zeitler-Feicht M. H. , Prantner V.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Titel of the paper: Recumbence resting behaviour of horses in loose housing Systems with open yards Recumbence resting behaviour was investigated in 48 horses in four loose housing Systems with open yards subdivided in areas for feeding, recumbence and for free range. Continuous observations were made for each loose housing system on three independent days during a 24-hr period. In all housing Systems the horses chose exclusively the area of recumbence to rest in sternal or lateral position. On the one hand the dimension of the area of recumbence influenced we recumbence resting behaviour. In the fourth housing system the insufftcient recumbence area reduced the resting time. At the other hand the time of recumbence was dependent on social rank. The animals with lower rank showed a significant shorter recumbence time than the horses with higher rank. However the frequency of recumbence was similar in all horses independent of stable, social rank and age. The results clearly show, that the dimension of the area of recumbence as the only parameter is not enough to satisfy the demand of recumbence in all horses.