bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autonomous Flight
Authors: Tang Sarah , Kumar Vijay
Published: January 2018

This review surveys the current state of the art in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles, focusing on algorithms for quadrotors. Tremendous progress has been made across both industry and academia, and full vehicle autonomy is now well within reach. We begin by presenting recent successes in control, estimation, and trajectory planning that have enabled agile, high-speed flight using low-cost onboard sensors. We then examine new research trends in learning and multirobot systems and conclude with a discussion of open challenges and directions for future research.
Methods for the Control of Foodborne Pathogens in Low-Moisture Foods
Authors: Sánchez-Maldonado Alma Fernanda , Lee Alvin , Farber Jeffrey M.
Published: January 2018

Low-moisture foods (LMFs) have been defined as those food products with a water activity (aw) less than 0.85 and are generally considered less susceptible to microbial spoilage and the growth of foodborne pathogens. However, in recent years, outbreaks linked to LMFs have increased, with Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus, Cronobacter sakazakii, Clostridium spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, non-O157 E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus being the principal pathogens involved. Because of the new concerns raised as a result of recent outbreaks, new approaches need to be developed to control foodborne pathogens in LMFs. This review summarizes the recent research on novel inactivation methods suitable for use on LMFs. Among the methods discussed are the nonthermal inactivation methods as well as other novel methods such as radio-frequency and microwave heating. Additional research is needed to evaluate older technologies and develop new technologies, either alone or in combination, to understand the mechanisms of inactivation.
Role of intracellular angiotensin II
Authors: Re Richard N.
Published: January 2018

It has become clear that the vasoactive peptide angiotensin II, like other so-called intracrines, can act in the intracellular space. Evidence has accumulated indicating that such angiotensin II activity can be upregulated in disease states and cause pathology. Indeed, other intracrines appear to be involved in disease pathogenesis as well. At the same time, nitric oxide, potentially a cell protective factor, has been shown to be upregulated by intracellular angiotensin II. Recently data have been developed indicating that other potentially protective factors are directly upregulated at neuronal nuclei by angiotensin II. This led to the suggestion that intracellular angiotensin II is cell protective and not pathological. Here, the data on both sides of this issue and a possible resolution are discussed. In summary, there is evidence for both protective and pathological actions of intracellular angiotensin, just as there is abundant evidence derived from whole animal physiology to indicate that angiotensin–driven signaling cascades, including angiotensin II type 2 receptor- and Mas receptor-mediated events, can mitigate the effects of the angiotensin II/angiotensin II type 1 receptor axis (25). This mitigation does not negate the physiological and pathological importance of angiotensin II/angiotensin II type 1 receptor action but does expand our understanding of the workings of both intracellular and extracellular angiotensin II.
MBD2 Ablation Impairs Lymphopoiesis and Impedes Progression and Maintenance of T-ALL
Authors: Zhou Mi , Zhou Kuangguo , Cheng Ling , Chen Xing , Wang Jue , Wang Xiao-Min , Zhang Yingchi , Yu Qilin , Zhang Shu , Wang Di , Huang Liang , Huang Mei , Ma Ding , Cheng Tao , Wang Cong-Yi , Yuan Weiping , Zhou Jianfeng
Published: January 2018

Aberrant DNA methylation patterns in leukemia might be exploited for therapeutic targeting. In this study, we employed a genetically deficient mouse model to explore the role of the methylated DNA binding protein MBD2 in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. MBD2 ablation led to diminished lymphocytes. Functional defects of the lymphoid compartment were also observed after in vivo reconstitution of MBD2-deficient hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). In an established model of Notch1-driven T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), MBD2 ablation impeded malignant progression and maintenance by attenuating the Wnt signaling pathway. In clinical specimens of human T-ALL, Wnt signaling pathway signatures were significantly enhanced and positively correlated with the expression and function of MBD2. Furthermore, a number of typical Wnt signaling inhibitory genes were abnormally hypermethylated in primary human T-ALL. Abnormal activation of Wnt signaling in T-ALL was switched off by MBD2 deletion, partially by reactivating epigenetically silenced Wnt signaling inhibitors. Taken together, our results define essential roles for MBD2 in lymphopoiesis and T-ALL and suggest MBD2 as a candidate therapeutic target in T-ALL.

Significance: This study highlights a methylated DNA binding protein as a candidate therapeutic target to improve the treatment of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias, as a new starting point for developing epigenetic therapy in this and other lymphoid malignancies. Cancer Res; 78(7); 1632–42. ©2018 AACR.
High-Risk TP53 Mutations Are Associated with Extranodal Extension in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Sandulache Vlad C. , Michikawa Chieko , Kataria Pranav , Gleber-Netto Frederico O. , Bell Diana , Trivedi Sanchit , Rao Xiayu , Wang Jing , Zhao Mei , Jasser Samar , Myers Jeffrey N. , Pickering Curtis R.
Published: January 2018

Purpose: Development of extranodal extension (ENE) has been associated with poor survival in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Here, we sought to confirm the role of ENE as a poor prognostic factor, and identify genomic and epigenetic markers of ENE in order to develop a predictive model and improve treatment selection.

Experimental Design: An institutional cohort (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center) was utilized to confirm the impact of ENE on clinical outcomes and evaluate the genomic signature of primary and ENE containing tissue. OSCC data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed for the presence of molecular events associated with nodal and ENE status.

Results: ENE was associated with decreased overall and disease-free survival. Mutation of the TP53 gene was the most common event in ENE+ OSCC. The frequency of TP53 mutation in ENE+ tumors was higher compared with ENE− tumors and wild-type (WT) TP53 was highly represented in pN0 tumors. pN+ENE+ patients had the highest proportion of high-risk TP53 mutations. Both primary tumors (PT) and lymph nodes with ENE (LN) exhibited a high rate of TP53 mutations (58.8% and 58.8%, respectively) with no significant change in allele frequency between the two tissue sites.

Conclusions: ENE is one of the most significant markers of OSCC OS and DFS. There is a shift toward a more aggressive biological phenotype associated with high-risk mutations of the TP53 gene. Prospective clinical trials are required to determine whether TP53 mutational status can be used for personalized treatment decisions. Clin Cancer Res; 24(7); 1727–33. ©2018 AACR.
Structure-Function Correlation in Hemianopic Vision Loss in Children Aged 3-6 Years Using OCT and SVOP, and Comparison with Adult Eyes
Authors: Bowl Wadim , Knobloch Robert , Schweinfurth Silke , Holve Kerstin , Stieger Knut , Lorenz Birgit
Published: January 2018

Purpose: To correlate visual field assessment with saccadic vector optokinetic perimetry (SVOP) in children with ganglion cell loss due to anterior pathway pathologies resulting in hemianopic visual field defects measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: 5 young (aged 3-6 years) and 5 adult patients with hemianopia, 10 healthy preschoolers (mean age 4.4 years), and 10 healthy adults (mean age 25.3 years) were tested with SVOP and OCT (focusing on the ganglion cell layer, GCL+). In adults, visual field testing was also performed with static and fundus-controlled perimetry. Results: OCT allowed precise structure analysis and showed a vertical border with GCL+ loss on the hemianopic side in children and adults compared to controls. SVOP showed visual field defects on the hemianopic side in peripheral regions and inadequate results at the parafoveal positions in both groups. In contrast, static and fundus-controlled perimetry showed a clear border in foveal and parafoveal regions. Conclusions: All children underwent SVOP with minimal restrictions, allowing functional evaluation of peripheral visual field positions. Parafoveal positions showed multiple false-positive results. The function-structure relationship is measurable even in young children by using the GCL+ analysis. This combination of novel child-friendly techniques allows collecting objectively measured values and simplifies diagnosis and follow-up in treatment.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging Investigation of Uncinate Fasciculus Anatomy in Healthy Controls: Description of a Subgenual Stem
Authors: Bhatia Kartik , Henderson Luke , Yim Mark , Hsu Eugene , Dhaliwal Rajiv
Published: January 2018

The uncinate fasciculus is the largest white matter association tract connecting the prefrontal cortex and the anteromedial temporal lobe. The traditional anatomical description outlines a temporal stem that hooks around the posterior insula, a subinsular body, and 2 prefrontal stems extending to the lateral orbital gyri and the frontopolar cortex. Recent imaging studies of the white matter tracts deep to the subgenual cingulate gyrus (Brodmann area 25: BA25) suggest the presence of white matter fibers extending from BA25 to the amygdala, via a route that would run in close proximity to the uncinate fasciculus, that are of functional importance in mood disorders. We hypothesized that these fibers represent a third, medial prefrontal stem of the uncinate fasciculus. Using diffusion tensor imaging in 74 healthy volunteer humans, we seeded the uncinate fasciculus using 2 regions of interest centered over the temporal stem and the caudal body of the uncinate fasciculus in the coronal plane at the level of the anterior commissure. A medial prefrontal stem extending to the subgenual cingulate gyrus was demonstrated in 65/74 left and 70/74 right cerebral hemispheres, and had a mean fractional anisotropy value of 0.43 (95% CI 0.40–0.47). The medial subgenual stem fibers were inseparable from the caudal body and temporal stem of the main uncinate fasciculus and followed the same hook-shaped morphology. A probable medial subgenual prefrontal stem of the uncinate fasciculus was demonstrated in a cohort of healthy volunteers and is of potential significance in our understanding of neuropsychiatry and mood disorders.
Higher Thrombin-Antithrombin III Complex Levels May Indicate Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Fidan Sami , Erkut Murat , Cosar Arif Mansur , Yogun Yasar , Örem Asım , Sönmez Mehmet  , Arslan Mehmet 
Published: January 2018

Aim: Coagulation disorders may develop in association with severe acute pancreatitis (AP). Plasma thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) levels are one of the principal markers of coagulation disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate TAT and other hemostatic parameters in patients with AP and to examine whether or not these parameters indicate the severity of AP. Method: Forty-six patients with AP (14 severe, 32 non-severe) and a 30-member healthy control group were recruited. The severity of AP was determined using the revised Atlanta classification. ELISA was used to measure patients’ plasma TAT levels. Results: The TAT levels of AP patients at presentation were higher than those of the control group (p = 0.005). The plasma TAT levels of patients with severe AP were also significantly higher than those of patients with non-severe AP (p = 0.05) and of the control group (p < 0.001). The general accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of TAT levels in predicting the severity of AP were 77.4, 77.8, and 77.3% respectively. Conclusion: The coagulation cascade was activated in the AP patients in our study, and this was shown to become more pronounced as severity of the disease increased. Plasma TAT levels at the time of presentation in patients with AP can be used as a marker for predicting the severity of the disease.
Return to Work and Participation in Society After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Lilja Gisela , Nielsen Niklas , Bro-Jeppesen John , Dunford Hannah , Friberg Hans , Hofgren Caisa , Horn Janneke , Insorsi Angelo , Kjaergaard Jesper , Nilsson Fredrik , Pelosi Paolo , Winters Tineke , Wise Matt P. , Cronberg Tobias
Published: January 2018

Background:

The aim of this study was to describe out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors’ ability to participate in activities of everyday life and society, including return to work. The specific aim was to evaluate potential effects of cognitive impairment.

Methods and Results:

Two hundred eighty-seven OHCA survivors included in the TTM trial (Target Temperature Management) and 119 matched control patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction participated in a follow-up 180 days post-event that included assessments of participation, return to work, emotional problems, and cognitive impairment. On the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 Participation Index, OHCA survivors (n=270) reported more restricted participation In everyday life and in society (47% versus 30%;
P
<0.001) compared with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction controls (n=118). Furthermore, 27% (n=36) of pre-event working OHCA survivors (n=135) compared with 7% (n=3) of pre-event working ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction controls (n=45) were on sick leave (odds ratio, 4.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–16.8;
P
=0.01). Among the OHCA survivors assumed to return to work (n=135), those with cognitive impairment (n=55) were 3× more likely (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–9.3;
P
=0.02) to be on sick leave compared with those without cognitive impairment (n=40; 36%, n=20, versus 15%, n=6). For OHCA survivors, the variables that were found most predictive for a lower participation were depression, restricted mobility, memory impairment, novel problem-solving difficulties, fatigue, and slower processing speed.

Conclusions:

OHCA survivors reported a more restricted societal participation 6 months post-arrest, and their return to work was lower compared with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction controls. Cognitive impairment was significantly associated with lower participation, together with the closely related symptoms of fatigue, depression, and restricted mobility. These predictive variables may be used during follow-up to identify OHCA survivors at risk of a less successful recovery that may benefit from further support and rehabilitation.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01946932.
MicroRNA-195 Regulates Metabolism in Failing Myocardium Via Alterations in Sirtuin 3 Expression and Mitochondrial Protein Acetylation
Authors: Zhang Xiaokan , Ji Ruiping , Liao Xianghai , Castillero Estibaliz , Kennel Peter J. , Brunjes Danielle L. , Franz Marcus , Möbius-Winkler Sven , Drosatos Konstantinos , George Isaac , Chen Emily I. , Colombo Paolo. C. , Schulze P. Christian
Published: January 2018

Background:

Heart failure leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities of the failing myocardium coupled with an energy-depleted state and cardiac remodeling. The mitochondrial deacetylase sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of mitochondrial function through regulating the mitochondrial acetylome. It is interesting to note that unique cardiac and systemic microRNAs have been shown to play an important role in cardiac remodeling by modulating key signaling elements in the myocardium.

Methods:

Cellular signaling was analyzed in human cardiomyocyte-like AC16 cells, and acetylation levels in rodent models of SIRT3
–/–
and transgenic microRNA-195 (miR-195) overexpression were compared with wild type. Luciferase assays, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation assays, and echocardiographic analysis were performed. Enzymatic activities of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and ATP synthase were measured.

Results:

In failing human myocardium, we observed induction of miR-195 along with decreased expression of the mitochondrial deacetylase SIRT3 that was associated with increased global protein acetylation. We further investigated the role of miR-195 in SIRT3-mediated metabolic processes and its impact on regulating enzymes involved in deacetylation. Proteomic analysis of the total acetylome showed increased overall acetylation, and specific lysine acetylation of 2 central mitochondrial metabolic enzymes, PDH and ATP synthase, as well. miR-195 downregulates SIRT3 expression through direct 3′-untranslated region targeting. Treatments with either sirtuin inhibitor nicotinamide, small interfering RNA–mediated SIRT3 knockdown or miR-195 overexpression enhanced acetylation of PDH complex and ATP synthase. This effect diminished PDH and ATP synthase activity and impaired mitochondrial respiration.SIRT3
–/–
and miR-195 transgenic mice consistently showed enhanced global protein acetylation, including PDH complex and ATP synthase, associated with decreased enzymatic activity.

Conclusions:

Altogether, these data suggest that increased levels of miR-195 in failing myocardium regulate a novel pathway that involves direct SIRT3 suppression and enzymatic inhibition via increased acetylation of PDH and ATP synthase that are essential for cardiac energy metabolism.
How Reliable Is the Market for Technology?
Authors: Palermo Vincenzo , Higgins Matthew J. , Ceccagnoli Marco
Published: January 2018

Research has focused on why and when firms access external technology markets. Less is known about the reliability of patents attached to licensed technologies during litigation. Unreliable patents expose a firm to loss of downstream revenues. We address this by constructing a data set of patent litigation in the pharmaceutical industry and exploit a change in patent law that exogenously increased the probability of litigation. We find that licensed patents are more likely to fall during litigation. This effect is isolated to firms with fewer intellectual property capabilities and less patenting experience, suggesting that benefits from external technology are not shared equally.
What We Have Time for: Historical Responsibility on the Largest Scale
Authors: Smith Steven G.
Published: January 2018

A historically responsible agent is willing to be somehow in practical solidarity with all other actors with whom action is shared over time. The responsible idea of a most-inclusive history encompasses future occurrence together with all that has happened already. Despite our lack of control over future developments, we assess possible future ages as bright (if action opportunities are generally greater) or dark (if lesser) and position ourselves as contributors to multigenerational endeavors (such as Burke’s “all science” and “all art”) that we hope will be long-term successes in themselves and part of a larger historical optimality. Informed by the evolutionary sciences, a plausible modern envisioning of the future must include evolutionary innovations and surprises on a very long time scale. The historically responsible agent will therefore take seriously efforts like Olaf Stapledon’s Last and First Men to imagine the new powers and goals of our distantly posthuman future sharers in history.
Diversity metrics, species turnovers and nestedness of bird assemblages in a deep karst sinkhole
Authors: Battisti Corrado , Giardini Marco , Marini Francesca , Di Rocco Lorena , Dodaro Giuseppe , Vignoli Leonardo
Published: January 2018

We reported a study on breeding birds occurring inside an 80 m-deep karst sinkhole, with the characterization of the assemblages recorded along its semi-vertical slopes from the upper edge until the bottom. The internal sides of the sinkhole have been vertically subdivided in four belts about 20 m high. The highest belt (at the upper edge of the cenote) showed the highest values in mean number of bird detections, mean and normalized species richness, and Shannon diversity index. The averaged values of number of detections and species richness significantly differ among belts. Species turnover (Cody’s β-diversity) was maximum between the highest belts. Whittaker plots showed a marked difference among assemblages shaping from broken-stick model to geometric series, and explicited a spatial progressive stress with a disruption in evenness towards the deepest belts. Bird assemblages evidenced a nested subset structure with deeper belts containing successive subsets of the species occurring in the upper belts. We hypothesize that, at least during the daytime in breeding season, the observed non-random distribution of species along the vertical stratification is likely due to (i) the progressive simplification both of the floristic composition and vegetation structure, and (ii) the paucity of sunlight as resources from the upper edge to the inner side of the cenote.
Flora of Bokor National Park VII: Thismia bokorensis (Burmanniaceae), a new species representing a new generic record
Authors: SUETSUGU KENJI , TSUKAYA HIROKAZU , TAGANE SHUICHIRO , CHHANG PHOURIN , YUKAWA TOMOHISA , YAHARA TETSUKAZU
Published: January 2018

The genus Thismia Griffith (1844: 221) of the tribe Thismieae, Burmanniaceae sensu APG IV (2016) or Thismiaceae of other authors, represents one of the most species-rich mycoheterotrophic genera and consists of more than 60 species (Jonker 1948, Merckx 2008). Considering that the majority of these species were collected only once (Jonker 1948), and that many new species have recently been discovered, especially from various Southeast Asian countries (e.g., Tsukaya & Okada 2012, Dančák et al. 2013, Nuraliev et al. 2014, 2015, Truong et al. 2014, Chantanaorrapint & Sridith 2015, Li & Bi 2013, Hroneš et al. 2015, Tsukaya et al. 2017, Suetsugu et al. 2017), many more undescribed species are probably still hidden in the tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia.
Euscaphis japonica var. wupingensis, a new variety with yellow pericarp from Fujian, China
Authors: CAI BANG-PING , ZHANG XIU-YING , GUO HUI-ZHU , LIU SHUN-ZHI , HUANG KE-FU
Published: January 2018

Euscaphis japonica (Thunberg) Kanitz var. wupingensis B. P. Cai et Z. R. Chen, a new variety is described and illustrated here. The new variety with yellow pericarp is apt to be distinguished from E. japonica var. japonica (Thunb.) Kanitz with red pericarp. The new taxa also can be distinguished from E. japonica var. japonica by their buds, twigs, inflorescences, fruits and seeds.
Systematic and taxonomic observations on the subfamily Synapseudinae Guţu, 1972 and related metapseudid taxa (Crustacea: Tanaidacea: Apseudomorpha), with the erection of a new genus and descriptions of three new species
Authors: HEARD RICHARD W. , STĘPIEŃ ANNA , DRUMM DAVID T. , BŁAŻEWICZ MAGDALENA , ANDERSON GARY
Published: January 2018

The tanaidacean metapseudid subfamily Synapseudinae Guţu is reviewed, partially revised and the type species, Synapseudes minutus Miller, redescribed. As rediagnosed and defined here, the Synapseudinae is restricted to the genera Synapseudes Miller, Vicinisyndes Guţu, and Creefs Stępień & Błażewicz-Paszkowycz. The genera Curtipleon Băcescu and Cryptapseudes Băcescu are excluded from this subfamily. Three new species, S. caleyi, S. singularis, and S. hansknechti are described, bringing the number of putative species within the genus to 26. An identification key and table of selected specific characters for the species of Synapseudes are provided. A new monotypic genus, Ronabus, which is placed within the subfamily Metapseudinae Lang, is erected to receive Synapseudes idios Gardiner. The present taxonomic status of subfamilies within the Metapseudidae is briefly assessed.
First records of seven species of mantis shrimp from India (Crustacea: Stomatopoda)
Authors: AHYONG SHANE T. , KUMAR APPUKUTTANNAIR BIJU
Published: January 2018

The Stomatopoda of India is comparatively well studied, with 79 species recorded to date. We herein report on a series of stomatopods collected by commercial fishing trawlers from localities on the southwest and southeastern coasts of India. The present series includes 17 species of stomatopods collected as trawl bycatch; seven are the first Indian records: Lysiosquillina lisa Ahyong & Randall, 2001, Odontodactylus cultrifer (White, 1951), O. japonicus (De Haan, 1844), Faughnia formosae Manning & Chan, 1997, Busquilla plantei Manning, 1978, Carinosquilla spinosa Ahyong & Naiyanetr, 2002, and Quollastria kapala Ahyong, 2001. Faughnia formosae is the first member of the superfamily Parasquilloidea to be recorded from India. We also show that Acanthosquilla dighaensis Ghosh, 1998, is a junior synonym of Bigelowina phalangium (Fabricius, 1798), described from Bombay but widespread in Indian waters.
Anormogomphus kiritshenkoi Bartenev, 1913 (Odonata: Gomphidae): a literature review of the variable spelling of the species epithet, choice of the correct spelling and notes on the type locality of the species
Authors: SCHORR MARTIN , KOSTERIN OLEG E. , BORISOV SERGEY N. , MARINOV MILEN
Published: January 2018

The spelling of the specific name of an Anormogomphus species in its original description by Bartenev (1913) was variable, kiritshenkoi (5 times) vs kiritschenkoi (1 time). Bartenev himself did not mention this species in his further publications. Later authors proceeded to use different spelling versions of this name, including those not in the original paper. According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), the valid spelling should be chosen by the First Reviser. Acting as such, we choose as valid the name spelling Anormogomphus kiritshenkoi Bartenev, 1913, since it predominates in the original description, appears in the species subtitle, and is a proper transliteration from Cyrillic to Latin. It also corresponds to the spelling of his name used by A.N. Kiritshenko himself. Information of the type locality of the species is provided.
The EU’s ontological (in)security: Stabilising the ENP area … and the EU-self?
Authors: Johansson-Nogués Elisabeth
Published: January 2018

The 2016 EU Global Strategy and the 2015 European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) review have made stabilisation of the ENP area one of their main priorities. Our argument here, however, is that the Global Strategy and the ENP review not only seek to mitigate the numerous crises currently affecting the neighbourhood; they also aim to address a set of intra-EU vulnerabilities linked to events in the ENP area that are threatening the EU’s own ontological security. We employ narrative analysis to explore how insecurity in the EU and in the ENP area is affecting the EU’s relation to the neighbourhood-other and its understanding of the EU-self. Our main findings point to the Global Strategy and the ENP review providing ample measures to stabilise the neighbourhood. However, whether they have provided a sufficiently compelling narrative to enable the emergence of new emotional structures for the EU and its member states to make sense of themselves and their relation to the neighbourhood-other remains an open question.
In Situ Tissue Engineering of the Bile Duct Using Polypropylene Mesh-Collagen Tubes
Authors: Nakashima S. , Nakamura T. , Miyagawa K. , Yoshikawa T. , Kin S. , Kuriu Y. , Nakase Y. , Sakakura C. , Otsuji E. , Hagiwara A. , Yamagishi H.
Published: January 2018

Multiple attempts have been made to replace biliary defects with a variety of materials. Recently, successful biliary reconstruction using the Gore-Tex vascular graft has been reported experimentally and clinically We designed a new artificial bile duct consisting of collagen sponge and polypropylene mesh. We presently evaluated the feasibility of using this prosthesis as a scaffold for bile duct tissue regeneration in a canine model. Our prosthesis, a sponge made from porcine dermal collagen, is reinforced with a polypropylene mesh cylinder. We used the prosthesis to reconstruct the middle portion of the common bile duct in seven beagle dogs to evaluate its efficacy. While one dog died of biliary stricture 8 months after operation, six survived without problems to scheduled time points for tissue evaluation at 1 to 12 months. All prostheses had become completely incorporated into the host. A confluent epithelial lining was observed within 3 months. In cholangiograms the prosthesis displayed long-term patency in the six dogs and provided satisfactory bile drainage for up to 12 months. Our graft thus shows promise for repair of biliary defects and should lead to development of a new treatment for biliary reconstruction.
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B with Lamivudine in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Zubkin M. , Balakirev E. , Chervinko V. , Baranova F. , Zolotarevsky V. , Bakulin I. , Stahanova V. , Stanke A. , Stenina I. , Kovalchuk A. , Novozhenov V.
Published: January 2018

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B in renal transplant recipients remains one of the major problems in clinical nephrology. Lamivudine is considered to be a drug of choice for these patients, however, its efficacy in patients with hepatitis B after renal transplantation (RT) has not been completely proven. Twenty-two RT recipients treated with lamivudine were evaluated. The duration of treatment was 15.6±1.9 months. Fourteen patients (64%) had normalization of aminotransferase (ALT); in 9 of them (41% of the whole group), serum HBV DNA was eliminated. Serum HBeAg was undetectable in 4 out of 15 (27%) previously positive patients.

It has been statistically proven that the efficacy of lamivudine therapy correlates with degree of fibrosis and higher histological activity index values.

We could not establish any correlation between the outcome of antiviral therapy and patients' age, sex, conditions of contagion (while on dialysis or after RT), time lapsed after the infection had been detected, duration of post-transplant period, type of immunosuppression, HBeAg positivity or negativity, ALT levels, concomitant HCV infection.

The efficacy of antiviral HBV therapy is limited by the duration of lamivudine treatment: in 4 out of 5 patients with virologic response, the viremia condition relapsed several weeks after the medication had been stopped. Two patients continued to sustain their biochemical response and 1 patient had ALT levels elevated to above normal, but the value was almost twice as low as initially reported. Liver biopsy was repeated in 4 RT recipients after the end of antiviral therapy; in 3 of them positive morphologic changes were observed.
Implant Retention in Infected Joint Replacements: A Surgeon's Perspective
Authors: Theis J.C.
Published: January 2018

There is no standard treatment for infected joint replacements. The surgical options are varied and treatment choices may pose problems in relation to both efficacy and cost effectiveness. Surgical debridement combined with antibiotic therapy is an appealing option for surgeons and patients as it can lead to eradication of the infection with implant retention and good functional outcome. It avoids major revision surgery which can result in significant morbidity and mortality in an elderly group of patients.

The author reviewed 73 patients with hip and knee periprosthetic infections and the data was analyzed in terms of outcome of primary treatment and final outcome, including bacteriology and prosthesis retention. Out of the 73 patients (53 hips and 20 knees), the majority (69%) were managed by primary surgical debridement followed by antibiotics and about one third (34%) lost their implants as a result of the infection. Retention of implants was higher in acute infections (85–100%) as opposed to late infections (20–50%). The microbiological analysis showed that Staphylococcus and Streptococcus caused the majority (76%) of infections. In this series, patients with an infected joint replacement had roughly the same probability (30%) of retaining the original prosthesis, undergoing a successful revision, or having no implants in situ at the end of treatment. (Int J Artif Organs 2008; 31: 804–9)
Development and Evaluation of a Novel Artificial Catheter-Deliverable Prosthetic Heart Valve and Method for in Vitro Testing
Authors: Claiborne Thomase , Bluestein Danny , Schoephoerster Richard T.
Published: January 2018

Background

This work presents a novel artificial prosthetic heart valve designed to be catheter or percutaneously deliverable, and a method for in vitro testing of the device. The device is intended to create superior characteristics in comparison to tissue-based percutaneous valves.

Methods

The percutaneous heart valve (PHV) was constructed from state-of-the-art polymers, metals and fabrics. It was tested hydrodynamically using a modified left heart simulator (LHS) and statically using a tensile testing device.

Results

The PHV exhibited a mean transvalvular pressure gradient of less than 15 mmHg and a mean regurgitant fraction of less than 5 percent. It also demonstrated a resistance to migration of up to 6 N and a resistance to crushing of up to 25 N at a diameter of 19 mm. The PHV was crimpable to less than 24 F and was delivered into the operating LHS via a 24 F catheter.

Conclusion

An artificial PHV was designed and optimized, and an in vitro methodology was developed for testing the valve. The artificial PHV compared favorably to existing tissue-based PHVs. The in vitro test methods proved to be reliable and reproducible. The PHV design proved the feasibility of an artificial alternative to tissue based PHVs, which in their traditional open-heart implantable form are known to have limited in vivo durability.
Keeping warm: a review of deep geothermal potential of the UK
Authors: Gluyas JG , Adams CA , Busby JP , Craig J , Hirst C , Manning DAC , McCay A , Narayan NS , Robinson HL , Watson SM , Westaway R , Younger PL
Published: January 2018

In 2015, the primary energy demand in the UK was 202.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoe = 848 EJ). Of this, about 58 mtoe (2.43 EJ) was used for space heating. Almost all of this heat was from burning fossil fuels either directly (50% of all gas used is for domestic purposes) or indirectly for power generation. Burning fossil fuels for heat released about 160 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2015. The UK must decarbonise heating for it to meet its commitments on emissions reduction. UK heat demand can be met from ultra-low-carbon, low enthalpy geothermal energy. Here we review the geothermal potential of the UK, comprising a combination of deep sedimentary basins, ancient warm granites and shallower flooded mines. A conservative calculation of the contained accessible heat in these resources is 200 EJ, about 100 years supply. Presently only one geothermal system is exploited in the UK. It has been supplying about 1.7MWT (heat) to Southampton by extracting water at a temperature of 76 ℃ from a depth of 1.7 km in the Wessex Basin. Like Southampton, most of the major population centres in the UK lie above or adjacent to major geothermal heat sources. The opportunity for using such heat within district heating schemes is considerable. The consequences of developing a substantial part of the UK’s geothermal resource are profound. The baseload heating that could be supplied from low enthalpy geothermal energy would cause a dramatic fall in the UK’s emissions of greenhouse gases, reduce the need for separate energy storage required by the intermittent renewables (wind and solar) and underpin a significant position of the nation’s energy security for the foreseeable future, so lessening the UK’s dependence on imported oil and gas. Investment in indigenous energy supplies would also mean retention of wealth in the UK.
Prevention & Conservation: Historicizing the Stigma of Hearing Loss, 1910-1940
Authors: Virdi Jaipreet
Published: January 2018

During the early twentieth century, otologists began collaborating with organizers of the New York League for the Hard of Hearing to build a bridge to “adjust the economic ratio” of deafness and create new research avenues for alleviating or curing hearing loss. This collegiality not only defined the medical discourse surrounding hearing impairment, anchoring it in hearing tests and hearing aid prescription, but, in so doing, solidified the notion that deafness was a “problem” in dire need of a “solution.” Public health campaigns thus became pivotal for spreading this message on local and national levels. This paper focuses on how, from the 1920s to 1950s, as otologists became more involved with social projects for the deaf and hard of hearing — advocating lip-reading, community work, and welfare programs — at the same time, they also mandated for greater therapeutic regulation, control of hearing aid distribution, and standardization of hearing tests. The seemingly paradoxical nature of their roles continued to reinforce the stigmatization of deafness: with widespread availability of effective help, the hearing impaired were expected to seek out therapeutic or technological measures rather than live with their affliction.
Being more with less: Exploring the flexible political leadership identities of government ministers
Authors: Lees-Marshment Jennifer , Smolović Jones Owain
Published: January 2018

The paper focuses on the identity work of government ministers, exploring how they experience themselves in relation to contemporary demands and discourses of leadership and democracy. We note a substantial number of studies seeking to develop theories of political and public leadership, particularly in more collaborative directions, but no studies that seek to explore how such demands are experienced by the political leaders who occupy leadership roles. We adopt a poststructuralist approach to identity as a means of empirically exploring how government ministers construct their identities. Drawing on 51 interviews with senior politicians, we propose a model of flexible political leadership identity, which argues that just as public agencies in these austere times are asked to do more with less, so political leaders seem to need to be more but with less perceived discretionary power. We propose four identities that answer quite different leadership demands: ‘the consultor’, ‘the traveller,’ ‘the adjudicator’ and ‘the master.’ These are semi-occupied identities, partial fulfilments of contemporary but contradictory leadership discourses. We conclude the paper with a reflection on how our findings might inform future research and leadership development interventions.
Detrimental effect of systemic vascular risk factors on brain hemodynamic function assessed with MRI
Authors: King Kevin S , Sheng Min , Liu Peiying , Maroules Christopher D , Rubin Craig D , Peshock Ron M , McColl Roderick W , Lu Hanzhang
Published: January 2018

Background and purpose

Vascular risk factors have been associated with decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF) but this is etiologically nonspecific and may result from vascular insufficiency or a response to decreased brain metabolic activity. We apply new MRI techniques to measure oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2), hypothesizing that decreased CBF related to these vascular risk factors will be associated with increased OEF, confirming a primary vascular insufficiency.

Methods

3T MRI was obtained on 70 community-based participants in this IRB-approved study with informed consent, with previous assessment of systolic blood pressure, hypertension medication, elevated serum triglycerides, low serum HDL, and diabetes mellitus. CBF was measured using phase contrast adjusted for brain volume (ml/100 g/min), OEF (%) was obtained from T2-Relaxation-Under-Spin-Tagging (TRUST), and CMRO2 (μmol/100 g/min) was derived using the Fick principle. Stepwise linear regression identified optimal predictors of CBF with age, sex, and hematocrit included for adjustment. This predictive model was then evaluated against OEF and CMRO2.

Results

Hypertriglyceridemia was associated with low CBF and high OEF. High systolic blood pressure was associated with high CBF and low OEF, which was primarily attributable to those with pressures above 160 mmHg. Neither risk factor was associated with significant differences in cerebral metabolic rate.

Conclusion

Low CBF related to hypertriglyceridemia was accompanied by high OEF with no significant difference in CMRO2, confirming subclinical vascular insufficiency. High CBF related to high systolic blood pressure likely reflected limitations of autoregulation at higher blood pressures.
Sella turcica bridging and ossified carotico-clinoid ligament: Correlation with sex and age
Authors: Gibelli Daniele , Cellina Michaela , Gibelli Stefano , Panzeri Marta , Oliva Antonio Giancarlo , Termine Giovanni , Sforza Chiarella
Published: January 2018

Aim

Sella turcica bridging and ossified carotico-clinoid ligament are two variants of the sella turcica, the origin of which is partially unknown. These variations should be properly recognised, as they may hamper the removal of the anterior clinoid process in surgical procedures. Therefore, our aim was to determine the prevalence of these two anatomical variants and to investigate their prevalence according to patient sex and age in a series of maxilla computed tomography scans.

Materials and methods

We revised 300 computed tomography scans of the head from northern Italian patients, stratified into three age groups (18–40 years, 41–60 years, >60 years): a logistic regression analysis was used to explore an association of sella turcica bridging with age and sex through Matlab software, also including a test for the extracted model ( P < 0.05).

Results

The mean prevalence of sella turcica bridging and ossified carotico-clinoid ligament were 0.16 ± 0.06 (48/300, 16.0%) and 0.09 ± 0.03 (26/300, 8.7%), respectively. Statistically significant differences according to sex were found neither for sella turcica bridging ( P = 0.345) nor for ossified carotico-clinoid ligament ( P = 0.412). Only sella turcica bridging showed a correlation with age ( P = 0.007). In addition, the two variants were often associated, as patients without sella turcica bridging usually did not show ossified carotico-clinoid ligament ( P < 0.001).

Discussion

Our results suggest an association between the two variants, and provide a novel contribution to the debate around their origin.
Efficient selective screening for heart failure in elderly men and women from the community: A diagnostic individual participant data meta-analysis
Authors: Kievit Rogier F , Gohar Aisha , Hoes Arno W , Bots Michiel L , van Riet Evelien ES , van Mourik Yvonne , Bertens Loes CM , Boonman-de Winter Leandra JM , den Ruijter Hester M , Rutten Frans H
Published: January 2018

Background

Prevalence of undetected heart failure in older individuals is high in the community, with patients being at increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to the chronic and progressive nature of this complex syndrome. An essential, yet currently unavailable, strategy to pre-select candidates eligible for echocardiography to confirm or exclude heart failure would identify patients earlier, enable targeted interventions and prevent disease progression. The aim of this study was therefore to develop and validate such a model that can be implemented clinically.

Methods and results

Individual patient data from four primary care screening studies were analysed. From 1941 participants >60 years old, 462 were diagnosed with heart failure, according to criteria of the European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines. Prediction models were developed in each cohort followed by cross-validation, omitting each of the four cohorts in turn. The model consisted of five independent predictors; age, history of ischaemic heart disease, exercise-related shortness of breath, body mass index and a laterally displaced/broadened apex beat, with no significant interaction with sex. The c-statistic ranged from 0.70 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64–0.76) to 0.82 (95% CI 0.78–0.87) at cross-validation and the calibration was reasonable with Observed/Expected ratios ranging from 0.86 to 1.15. The clinical model improved with the addition of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide with the c-statistic increasing from 0.76 (95% CI 0.70–0.81) to 0.89 (95% CI 0.86–0.92) at cross-validation.

Conclusion

Easily obtainable patient characteristics can select older men and women from the community who are candidates for echocardiography to confirm or refute heart failure.
Extended posterior approach for huge popliteal aneurysm extended to superficial femoral artery
Authors: Cho Tomoki , Iwaki Hideyuki , Masuda Munetaka
Published: January 2018

Objectives:

Generally, popliteal artery aneurysms have been addressed surgically by a medial, posterior, or lateral approach. We have designed a new posterior approach that exposes the superficial femoral artery and entire popliteal artery without dividing any muscles in a just prone position.

Methods and results:

A 72-year old man with huge popliteal aneurysm extended to superficial femoral artery was admitted to our hospital. Surgery was performed due to a high risk of rupture. An S-shaped skin incision was made in the popliteal fossa. We could not expose the proximal side of the giant aneurysm proximal to the foramen of the adductor magnus. We extended the skin incision to the proximal and exfoliated the medial side of semitendinosus muscle. We could expose the superficial femoral artery in this approach like in a medial approach. We could perform the interposition of great saphenous vein.

Conclusion:

The advantages of this approach allowed for entire exposure of the popliteal aneurysm in the same patient’s position when we perform aneurysmectomy and bypass. It is possible for this approach to provide easy access to the superficial femoral artery proximal to the adductor hiatus and distal below-knee popliteal artery including the tibioperoneal trunk.
Effects of diffusion time on non-Gaussian diffusion and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI parameters in breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft models
Authors: Iima Mami , Nobashi Tomomi , Imai Hirohiko , Koyasu Sho , Saga Tsuneo , Nakamoto Yuji , Kataoka Masako , Yamamoto Akira , Matsuda Tetsuya , Togashi Kaori
Published: January 2018

Background

Perfusion-related intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and non-Gaussian diffusion magnetic resonance (MR) parameters are becoming important biomarkers for differentiating malignant from benign tumors without contrast agents. However, diffusion-time dependence has rarely been investigated in tumors.

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between diffusion time and diffusion parameters in breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft mouse models.

Material and Methods

Diffusion-weighted MR images (DWI) were obtained on a 7-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner at two different diffusion times (9.6 ms and 27.6 ms) in human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5) xenograft mouse models. Perfusion-related IVIM (fIVIM and D*) and non-Gaussian diffusion (ADC0 and K) parameters were estimated. Parametric maps of diffusion changes with the diffusion times were generated using a synthetic apparent diffusion coefficient (sADC) obtained from b = 438 and 2584 s/mm2.

Results

ADC0 values significantly decreased when diffusion times were changed from 9.6 ms to 27.6 ms in MDA-MB-231, HepG2, and PLC/PRF/5 groups ( P = 0.0163, 0.0351, and 0.0170, respectively). K values significantly increased in MDA-MB-231 and HepG2 groups ( P < 0.0003 and = 0.0007, respectively); however, no significant difference was detected in the PLC/PRF/5 group. fIVIM values increased, although not significantly ( P = 0.164–0.748). The maps of sADC changes showed that diffusion changes with the diffusion time were not homogeneous across tumor tissues.

Conclusion

Diffusion MR parameters in both breast cancer and HCC xenograft models were found to be diffusion time-dependent. Our results show that diffusion time is an important parameter to consider when interpreting DWI data.