bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carrion's Disease: the Sound of Silence
Authors: Gomes Cláudia , Ruiz Joaquim
Published: November 2017

Carrion's disease (CD) is a neglected biphasic vector-borne illness related toBartonella bacilliformis. It is found in the Andean valleys and is transmitted mainly by members of theLutzomyiagenus but also by blood transfusions and from mother to child. The acute phase, Oroya fever, presents severe anemia and fever. The lethality is high in the absence of adequate treatment, despite the organism being susceptible to most antibiotics. Partial immunity is developed after infection byB. bacilliformis, resulting in high numbers of asymptomatic carriers. Following infection there is the chronic phase, Peruvian warts, involving abnormal proliferation of the endothelial cells. Despite potentially being eradicable, CD has been expanded due to human migration and geographical expansion of the vector. Moreover,in vitrostudies have demonstrated the risk of the development of antimicrobial resistance. These findings, together with the description of newBartonellaspecies producing CD-like infections, the presence of undescribed potential vectors in new areas, the lack of adequate diagnostic tools and knowledge of the immunology and bacterial pathogenesis of CD, and poor international visibility, have led to the risk of increasing the potential expansion of resistant strains which will challenge current treatment schemes as well as the possible appearance of CD in areas where it is not endemic.
Evaluation of Oxacillin and Cefoxitin Disk Diffusion and MIC Breakpoints Established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute for Detection of
mecA
-Mediated Oxacillin Resistance in Staphylococcus schleiferi
Authors: Huse H. K. , Miller S. A. , Chandrasekaran S. , Hindler J. A. , Lawhon S. D. , Bemis D. A. , Westblade L. F. , Humphries R. M.
Published: November 2017

Staphylococcus schleiferi
is a beta-hemolytic, coagulase-variable colonizer of small animals that can cause opportunistic infections in humans. In veterinary isolates, the rate of
mecA
-mediated oxacillin resistance is significant, with reported resistance rates of >39%. The goal of this study was to evaluate oxacillin and cefoxitin disk diffusion (DD) and MIC breakpoints for detection of
mecA
-mediated oxacillin resistance in 52 human and 38 veterinary isolates of
S. schleiferi
. Isolates were tested on multiple brands of commercial media and according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) methods. Zone diameters and MIC values were interpreted using CLSI breakpoints (CLSI,
Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. M100-S27
, 2017) for
Staphylococcus aureus
/
Staphylococcus lugdunensis
, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), and
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
. Results were compared to those of
mecA
PCR. Twenty-nine of 90 (32%) isolates were
mecA
positive. Oxacillin inhibition zone sizes and MICs interpreted by
S. pseudintermedius
breakpoints reliably differentiated
mecA
-positive and
mecA
-negative isolates, with a categorical agreement (CA) of 100% and no very major errors (VMEs) or major errors (MEs) for all media. For cefoxitin DD results interpreted using
S. aureus
/
S. lugdunensis
and CoNS breakpoints, CA values were 85% and 75%, respectively, and there were 72% and 64% VMEs, respectively, and 0 MEs. For cefoxitin MICs interpreted using
S. aureus/S. lugdunensis
breakpoints, CA was 81%, and there were 60% VMEs and no MEs. Our data demonstrate that oxacillin DD or MIC testing methods using the current
S. pseudintermedius
breakpoints reliably identify
mecA
-mediated oxacillin resistance in
S. schleiferi
, while cefoxitin DD and MIC testing methods perform poorly.
A Comparison of Aspergillus and Mucorales PCR Testing of Different Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Fractions from Patients with Suspected Invasive Pulmonary Fungal Disease
Authors: Springer Jan , White P. Lewis , Kessel Johanna , Wieters Imke , Teschner Daniel , Korczynski Daniel , Liebregts Tobias , Cornely Oliver A. , Schwartz Stefan , Elgeti Thomas , Meintker Lisa , Krause Stefan W. , Posso Raquel B. , Heinz Werner J. , Fuhrmann Sandra , Vehreschild Jörg Janne , Einsele Hermann , Rickerts Volker , Loeffler Juergen
Published: November 2017

In patients with hematological malignancies, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens are commonly used for the diagnosis of mold infections. However, it is not clear whether the cell pellet (P) or the supernatant fraction (S) of the BALF specimen is optimal for molecular diagnostic testing. Thus, 99 BALF specimens were collected from 96 hematology patients with or without allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The cell pellets and supernatants were processed alone and in combination (S/P) for testing by two fungus-specific real-time PCR assays compliant with international recommendations. The results achieved with S/P were revealed to be superior in comparison to those achieved with S and P alone, with the use of each single fraction showing a reduced sensitivity for the detection of
Aspergillus
DNA (82% and 43% for S and P, respectively). In 57% of the samples, testing of the combination of S and P generated a lower quantification cycle value than testing of S or P alone. Molds would have been missed in 5 and 16 out of 28 samples if only S or P, respectively, was analyzed. No sample was positive by testing of S or P only. Similar results were obtained for the detection of Mucorales DNA in BALF specimens (reduced sensitivity of 67% and 50% for S and P, respectively). Study patients were categorized according to the current European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group classification for invasive fungal disease (IFD), revealing that 35 patients had proven/probable IFD (36%), 47 patients had possible IFD (49%), and 14 patients had undetermined IFD (15%).
General Model for Retroviral Capsid Pattern Recognition by TRIM5 Proteins
Authors: Wagner Jonathan M. , Christensen Devin E. , Bhattacharya Akash , Dawidziak Daria M. , Roganowicz Marcin D. , Wan Yueping , Pumroy Ruth A. , Demeler Borries , Ivanov Dmitri N. , Ganser-Pornillos Barbie K. , Sundquist Wesley I. , Pornillos Owen
Published: November 2017

Restriction factors are intrinsic cellular defense proteins that have evolved to block microbial infections. Retroviruses such as HIV-1 are restricted by TRIM5 proteins, which recognize the viral capsid shell that surrounds, organizes, and protects the viral genome. TRIM5α uses a SPRY domain to bind capsids with low intrinsic affinity (

K
D

of >1 mM) and therefore requires higher-order assembly into a hexagonal lattice to generate sufficient avidity for productive capsid recognition. TRIMCyp, on the other hand, binds HIV-1 capsids through a cyclophilin A domain, which has a well-defined binding site and higher affinity (

K
D

of ∼10 μM) for isolated capsid subunits. Therefore, it has been argued that TRIMCyp proteins have dispensed with the need for higher-order assembly to function as antiviral factors. Here, we show that, consistent with its high degree of sequence similarity with TRIM5α, the TRIMCyp B-box 2 domain shares the same ability to self-associate and facilitate assembly of a TRIMCyp hexagonal lattice that can wrap about the HIV-1 capsid. We also show that under stringent experimental conditions, TRIMCyp-mediated restriction of HIV-1 is indeed dependent on higher-order assembly. Both forms of TRIM5 therefore use the same mechanism of avidity-driven capsid pattern recognition.

IMPORTANCE
Rhesus macaques and owl monkeys are highly resistant to HIV-1 infection due to the activity of TRIM5 restriction factors. The rhesus macaque TRIM5α protein blocks HIV-1 through a mechanism that requires self-assembly of a hexagonal TRIM5α lattice around the invading viral core. Lattice assembly amplifies very weak interactions between the TRIM5α SPRY domain and the HIV-1 capsid. Assembly also promotes dimerization of the TRIM5α RING E3 ligase domain, resulting in synthesis of polyubiquitin chains that mediate downstream steps of restriction. In contrast to rhesus TRIM5α, the owl monkey TRIM5 homolog, TRIMCyp, binds isolated HIV-1 CA subunits much more tightly through its cyclophilin A domain and therefore was thought to act independently of higher-order assembly. Here, we show that TRIMCyp shares the assembly properties of TRIM5α and that both forms of TRIM5 use the same mechanism of hexagonal lattice formation to promote viral recognition and restriction.
Effects of Mutations on Replicative Fitness and Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Binding Affinity Are Among the Determinants Underlying Cytotoxic-T-Lymphocyte Escape of HIV-1 Gag Epitopes
Authors: Du Yushen , Zhang Tian-Hao , Dai Lei , Zheng Xiaojuan , Gorin Aleksandr M. , Oishi John , Wu Ting-Ting , Yoshizawa Janice M. , Li Xinmin , Yang Otto O. , Martinez-Maza Otoniel , Detels Roger , Sun Ren
Published: November 2017

Certain “protective” major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) alleles, such as B*57 and B*27, are associated with long-term control of HIV-1
in vivo
mediated by the CD8
+
cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte (CTL) response. However, the mechanism of such superior protection is not fully understood. Here we combined high-throughput fitness profiling of mutations in HIV-1 Gag,
in silico
prediction of MHC-peptide binding affinity, and analysis of intraperson virus evolution to systematically compare differences with respect to CTL escape mutations between epitopes targeted by protective MHC-I alleles and those targeted by nonprotective MHC-I alleles. We observed that the effects of mutations on both viral replication and MHC-I binding affinity are among the determinants of CTL escape. Mutations in Gag epitopes presented by protective MHC-I alleles are associated with significantly higher fitness cost and lower reductions in binding affinity with respect to MHC-I. A linear regression model accounting for the effect of mutations on both viral replicative capacity and MHC-I binding can explain the protective efficacy of MHC-I alleles. Finally, we found a consistent pattern in the evolution of Gag epitopes in long-term nonprogressors versus progressors. Overall, our results suggest that certain protective MHC-I alleles allow superior control of HIV-1 by targeting epitopes where mutations typically incur high fitness costs and small reductions in MHC-I binding affinity.

IMPORTANCE
Understanding the mechanism of viral control achieved in long-term nonprogressors with protective HLA alleles provides insights for developing functional cure of HIV infection. Through the characterization of CTL escape mutations in infected persons, previous researchers hypothesized that protective alleles target epitopes where escape mutations significantly reduce viral replicative capacity. However, these studies were usually limited to a few mutations observed
in vivo
. Here we utilized our recently developed high-throughput fitness profiling method to quantitatively measure the fitness of mutations across the entirety of HIV-1 Gag. The data enabled us to integrate the results with
in silico
prediction of MHC-peptide binding affinity and analysis of intraperson virus evolution to systematically determine the differences in CTL escape mutations between epitopes targeted by protective HLA alleles and those targeted by nonprotective HLA alleles. We observed that the effects of Gag epitope mutations on HIV replicative fitness and MHC-I binding affinity are among the major determinants of CTL escape.
Wide-field en face swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography using extended field imaging in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Hirano Takao , Kakihara Shinji , Toriyama Yuichi , Nittala Muneeswar Gupta , Murata Toshinori , Sadda Srinivas
Published: November 2017

Aims

To examine the feasibility of wide-field en face swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) with extended field imaging (EFI) for evaluation of the retinal vasculature in diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods

This study included 37 eyes of 27 patients (age, 65±10 years; male patients, 18; female patients, 9) with DR. All patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmological examination, including OCTA and fluorescein angiography (FA). The imaging methods were compared for visible field of view, presence and extent of non-perfused areas (NPAs), presence and number of new blood vessels (NVs), vessel density (VD) and patient comfort level measured by Visual Analogue Scale.

Results

SS-OCTA with EFI allowed capture of larger areas (by 1.80±0.18 times on average) of the fundus than SS-OCTA without EFI. Compared with FA, the sensitivities of SS-OCTA with EFI for detection of NPAs and NVs were 96% and 79%, respectively, with specificities of 100% and 96%, respectively. There was no significant difference in extent of NPAs (61.2±45.8 vs 61.5±55.0 disc areas, P=0.99) or number of NVs (1.5±3.3 vs 0.9±1.8, P=0.68) between FA and SS-OCTA with EFI. VD showed significantly lower values in EFI SS-OCTA than in those acquired without EFI (31.6%±4.3%  vs 34.2%±4.3%, P<0.001). Wide-field OCTA with EFI was significantly more comfortable for patients than FA (P<0.001).

Conclusions

SS-OCTA with EFI allows acquisition of wide-field en face images of the retinal vasculature in patients with DR, with greater patient comfort than FA.
Intra-arterial oxidative stress correlates negatively with cognitive function and positively with postoperative ischemic lesions in carotid artery stenosis stenting
Authors: Shimamura Norihito , Naraoka Masato , Matsuda Naoya , Katayama Kosuke , Kakuta Kiyohide , Katagai Takeshi , Fujiwara Nozomi , Fumoto Toshio , Ohkuma Hiroki
Published: November 2017

Background and purpose

Carotid plaque contains biologically active substances released into the blood during carotid artery stenting (CAS). The main purpose of this prospective study was to analyse sequential changes in oxidative stress during CAS and their relationship to clinical factors.

Methods

Twenty-two consecutive CAS procedures were performed between May 2014 and April 2016. Arterial blood was collected four times: (1) after the sheath insertion without edaravone; (2) pre-angioplasty with edaravone from the carotid artery; (3) after post-stenting angioplasty from an occluded carotid artery; and (4) before sheath removal. Derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) were measured photometrically. The relationship between d-ROMs or BAP and preoperatively investigated biochemical parameters, cognitive function, and number of diffusion-weighted image (DWI) high spot lesions was analysed using one-way ANOVA and the Tukey–Kramer HSD test.

Results

The d-ROM values for CAS were 355±58.8 Carratelli Units at sheath insertion, 315±57.2 after edaravone infusion, 328±56.8 after post-stenting angioplasty, and 315±53.0 just before sheath removal. The d-ROM values were reduced significantly after edaravone infusion (P<0.05). The BAP at sheath insertion was reduced significantly according to age (P<0.05). The d-ROMs at sheath insertion correlated negatively with the dementia scale and positively with the post-CAS DWI high spots (1.00±1.07; P<0.05). Other biochemical parameters did not correlate with the d-ROM values or BAP.

Conclusion

Oxidative stress is correlated negatively with cognitive function and positively with postoperative ischemic lesions. Antioxidant potential decreases with ageing.
Heterogeneity of respiratory disease in children and young adults with sickle cell disease
Authors: Lunt Alan , Mortimer Lucy , Rees David , Height Sue , Thein Swee Lay , Greenough Anne
Published: November 2017

To detect and characterise different phenotypes of respiratory disease in children and young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), 11 lung function and haematological biomarkers were analysed using k-means cluster analysis in a cohort of 114 subjects with SCD aged between 5 and 27 years. Three clusters were detected: cluster 1 had elevated pulmonary capillary blood volume, mixed obstructive/restrictive lung disease, hypoxia and moderately severe anaemia; cluster 2 were older patients with restrictive lung disease; and cluster 3 were younger patients with obstructive lung disease, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase and bronchodilator reversibility. These results may inform more personalised management strategies to improve outcomes.
C-Mine
Authors: Lin Chen-Hsuan , Wan Lu , Chen Deming
Published: November 2017

The better-than-worst-case (BTW) design methodology can achieve higher circuit energy efficiency, performance, or reliability by allowing timing errors for rare cases and rectifying them with error correction mechanisms. Therefore, the performance of BTW design heavily depends on the correctness of common cases, which are frequent input patterns in a workload. However, most existing methods do not provide sufficiently scalable solutions and also overlook the whole picture of the design. Thus, we propose a new technique, common-case mining method (C-Mine), which combines two scalable techniques, data mining and Boolean satisfiability (SAT) solving, to overcome these limitations. Data mining can efficiently extract patterns from an enormous dataset, and SAT solving is famous for its scalable verification. In this article, we present two versions of C-Mine, C-Mine-DCT and C-Mine-APR, which aim at faster runtime and better energy saving, respectively. The experimental results show that, compared to a recent publication, C-Mine-DCT can achieve compatible performance with an additional 8% energy savings and 54x speedup for bigger benchmarks on average. Furthermore, C-Mine-APR can achieve up to 13% more energy saving than C-Mine-DCT while confronting designs with more common cases.
Characterization of CD38 in the major cell types of the heart: endothelial cells highly express CD38 with activation by hypoxia-reoxygenation triggering NAD(P)H depletion
Authors: Boslett James , Hemann Craig , Christofi Fedias L. , Zweier Jay L.
Published: November 2017

The NAD(P)+-hydrolyzing enzyme CD38 is activated in the heart during the process of ischemia and reperfusion, triggering NAD(P)(H) depletion. However, the presence and role of CD38 in the major cell types of the heart are unknown. Therefore, we characterize the presence and function of CD38 in cardiac myocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. To comprehensively evaluate CD38 in these cells, we measured gene transcription via mRNA, as well as protein expression and enzymatic activity. Endothelial cells strongly expressed CD38, while only low expression was present in cardiac myocytes with intermediate levels in fibroblasts. In view of this high level expression in endothelial cells and the proposed role of CD38 in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction, endothelial cells were subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation to characterize the effect of this stress on CD38 expression and activity. An activity-based CD38 imaging method and CD38 activity assays were used to characterize CD38 activity in normoxic and hypoxic-reoxygenated endothelial cells, with marked CD38 activation seen following hypoxia-reoxygenation. To test the impact of hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced CD38 activation on endothelial cells, NAD(P)(H) levels and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-derived NO production were measured. Marked NADP(H) depletion with loss of NO and increase in superoxide production occurred following hypoxia-reoxygenation that was prevented by CD38 inhibition or knockdown. Thus, endothelial cells have high expression of CD38 which is activated by hypoxia-reoxygenation triggering CD38-mediated NADP(H) depletion with loss of eNOS-mediated NO generation and increased eNOS uncoupling. This demonstrates the importance of CD38 in the endothelium and explains the basis by which CD38 triggers post-ischemic endothelial dysfunction.
Cell confluence regulates claudin-2 expression: possible role for ZO-1 and Rac
Authors: Amoozadeh Yasaman , Anwer Shaista , Dan Qinghong , Venugopal Shruthi , Shi Yixuan , Branchard Emily , Liedtke Elisabeth , Ailenberg Menachem , Rotstein Ori D. , Kapus András , Szászi Katalin
Published: November 2017

Claudin-2 (Cldn-2) is a channel-forming tight junction (TJ) protein in the proximal tubules that mediates paracellular Na+ transport and has also emerged as a regulator of proliferation and migration. Expression of Cldn-2 is altered by numerous stimuli, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here we show that Cldn-2 protein and mRNA expression were low in subconfluent tubular cells and increased during junction maturation. Cldn-1 or occludin did not exhibit similar confluence-dependence. Conversely, disruption of TJs by Ca2+ removal or silencing of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) or ZO-2 induced a large drop in Cldn-2 abundance. Immunofluorescent staining revealed a more uneven Cldn-2 staining in nascent, Cldn-1-positive TJs. Subconfluence and ZO-1 silencing augmented Cldn-2 degradation and reduced Cldn-2 promoter activity, suggesting that insertion into the TJs slows Cldn-2 turnover. Indeed, blocking endocytosis or lysosomal degradation increased Cldn-2 abundance. Cell confluence increased expression of the junctional adapters ZO-1 and -2, and the small GTPase Rac, and elevated Rac activity and p21-activated kinase (Pak) phosphorylation, suggesting that they might mediate confluence-dependent Cldn-2 regulation. Indeed, Rac silencing or Pak inhibition strongly reduced Cldn-2 protein abundance, which was likely the combined effect on turnover, as these interventions reduced Cldn-2 promoter activity and augmented Cldn-2 degradation. Taken together, our data suggest that TJ integrity and maturity, ZO-1 expression/TJ localization, and Rac/Pak control Cldn-2 degradation and synthesis. A feedback mechanism connecting Cldn-2 expression with junction remodeling, e.g., during wound healing, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, or tumor metastasis formation, may have important downstream effects on permeability, proliferation, and migration.
mTORC1/rpS6 regulates blood-testis barrier dynamics and spermatogenetic function in the testis in vivo
Authors: Li Stephen Y. T. , Yan Ming , Chen Haiqi , Jesus Tito , Lee Will M. , Xiao Xiang , Cheng C. Yan
Published: November 2017

The blood-testis barrier (BTB), conferred by Sertoli cells in the mammalian testis, is an important ultrastructure that supports spermatogenesis. Studies using animal models have shown that a disruption of the BTB leads to meiotic arrest, causing defects in spermatogenesis and male infertility. To better understand the regulation of BTB dynamics, we report findings herein to understand the role of ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6), a downstream signaling protein of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), in promoting BTB disruption in the testis in vivo, making the barrier “leaky.” Overexpression of wild-type rpS6 (rpS6-WT, the full-length cDNA cloned into the mammalian expression vector pCI-neo) and a constitutively active quadruple phosphomimetic mutant cloned into pCI-neo (p-rpS6-MT) vs. control (empty pCI-neo vector) was achieved by transfecting adult rat testes with the corresponding plasmid DNA using a Polyplus in vivo-jetPEI transfection reagent. On the basis of an in vivo functional BTB integrity assay, p-rpS6-MT was found to induce BTB disruption better than rpS6-WT did (and no effects in empty vector control), leading to defects in spermatogenesis, including loss of spermatid polarity and failure in the transport of cells (e.g., spermatids) and organelles (e.g., phagosomes), to be followed by germ exfoliation. More important, rpS6-WT and p-rpS6-MT exert their disruptive effects through changes in the organization of actin- and microtubule (MT)-based cytoskeletons, which are mediated by changes in the spatiotemporal expression of actin- and MT-based binding and regulatory proteins. In short, mTORC1/rpS6 signaling complex is a regulator of spermatogenesis and BTB by modulating the organization of the actin- and MT-based cytoskeletons.
Oxidative stress increases megalin expression in the renal proximal tubules during the normoalbuminuric stage of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kurosaki Yoshifumi , Imoto Akemi , Kawakami Fumitaka , Yokoba Masanori , Takenaka Tsuneo , Ichikawa Takafumi , Katagiri Masato , Ishii Naohito
Published: November 2017

Megalin, an endocytic receptor expressed in proximal tubule cells, plays a critical role in renal tubular protein reabsorption and is associated with the albuminuria observed in diabetic nephropathy. We have previously reported increased oxidant production in the renal cortex during the normoalbuminuric stage of diabetes mellitus (DM); however, the relationship between oxidative stress and renal megalin expression during the normoalbuminuric stage of DM remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated whether oxidative stress affects megalin expression in the normoalbuminuric stage of DM in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model and in immortalized human proximal tubular cells (HK-2). We demonstrated that increased expression of renal megalin accompanies oxidative stress during the early stage of DM, before albuminuria development. Telmisartan treatment prevented the diabetes-induced elevation in megalin level, possibly through an oxidative stress-dependent mechanism. In HK-2 cells, hydrogen peroxide significantly increased megalin levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner; however, the elevation in megalin expression was decreased following prolonged exposure to severe oxidative stress induced by 0.4 mmol/l hydrogen peroxide. High-glucose treatment also significantly increased megalin expression in HK-2 cells. Concurrent administration of the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine blocked the effects of high glucose on megalin expression. Furthermore, the hydrogen peroxide-induced increase in megalin expression was blocked by treatment with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt inhibitors. Increase of phosphorylated Akt expression was also seen in the renal cortex of diabetic rats. Taken together, our results indicate that mild oxidative stress increases renal megalin expression through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt pathway in the normoalbuminuric stage of DM.
Mobility Load Balancing in Cellular System with Multicriteria Handoff Algorithm
Authors: Girma Solomon T. , Abebe Abinet G.
Published: November 2017

Efficient traffic load balancing algorithm is very important to serve more mobile users in the cellular networks. This paper is based on mobility load balancing handoff algorithm using fuzzy logic. The rank of the serving and the neighboring Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) are calculated every half second with the help of measurement report from the two-ray propagation model. This algorithm is able to balance load of the BTS by handing off some ongoing calls on BTS’s edge of highly loaded BTS to move to overlapping underloaded BTS, such that the coverage area of loaded BTS virtually shrunk towards BTS center of a loaded sector. In case of low load scenarios, the coverage area of a BTS is presumed to be virtually widened to cover up to the partial serving area of neighboring BTS. This helps a highly loaded neighboring BTS or failed BTS due to power or transmission. Simulation shows that new call blocking and handoff blocking using the proposed algorithm are enhanced notably.
A Key Major Guideline for Engineering Bioactive Multicomponent Nanofunctionalization for Biomedicine and Other Applications: Fundamental Models Confirmed by Both Direct and Indirect Evidence
Authors: Dastjerdi Roya , Scherrieble Andreas , Bahrizadeh Shiva , Avareh Sadrabadi Fatemeh , Hedayat Laleh
Published: November 2017

This paper deals with the engineering multicomponent nanofunctionalization process considering fundamental physicochemical features of nanostructures such as surface energy, chemical bonds, and electrostatic interactions. It is pursued by modeling the surface nanopatterning and evaluating the proposed technique and the models. To this end, the effects of surface modifications of nanoclay on surface interactions, orientations, and final features of TiO2/Mt nanocolloidal textiles functionalization have been investigated. Various properties of cross-linkable polysiloxanes (XPs) treated samples as well as untreated samples with XPs have been compared to one another. The complete series of samples have been examined in terms of bioactivity and some physical properties, given to provide indirect evidence on the surface nanopatterning. The results disclosed a key role of the selected factors on the final features of treated surfaces. The effects have been thoroughly explained and modeled according to the fundamental physicochemical features. The developed models and associated hypotheses interestingly demonstrated a full agreement with all measured properties and were appreciably confirmed by FESEM evidence (direct evidence). Accordingly, a guideline has been developed to facilitate engineering and optimizing the pre-, main, and post-multicomponent nanofunctionalization procedures in terms of fundamental features of nanostructures and substrates for biomedical applications and other approaches.
Enrichment of Human-Computer Interaction in Brain-Computer Interfaces via Virtual Environments
Authors: Luz María Alonso-Valerdi , Víctor Rodrigo Mercado-García
Published: November 2017

Tridimensional representations stimulate cognitive processes that are the core and foundation of human-computer interaction (HCI). Those cognitive processes take place while a user navigates and explores a virtual environment (VE) and are mainly related to spatial memory storage, attention, and perception. VEs have many distinctive features (e.g., involvement, immersion, and presence) that can significantly improve HCI in highly demanding and interactive systems such as brain-computer interfaces (BCI). BCI is as a nonmuscular communication channel that attempts to reestablish the interaction between an individual and his/her environment. Although BCI research started in the sixties, this technology is not efficient or reliable yet for everyone at any time. Over the past few years, researchers have argued that main BCI flaws could be associated with HCI issues. The evidence presented thus far shows that VEs can (1) set out working environmental conditions, (2) maximize the efficiency of BCI control panels, (3) implement navigation systems based not only on user intentions but also on user emotions, and (4) regulate user mental state to increase the differentiation between control and noncontrol modalities.
Development of Flow-Through Polymeric Membrane Reactor for Liquid Phase Reactions: Experimental Investigation and Mathematical Modeling
Authors: Mengistie Endalkachew Chanie , Lahitte Jean-François
Published: November 2017

Incorporating metal nanoparticles into polymer membranes can endow the membranes with additional functions. This work explores the development of catalytic polymer membrane through synthesis of palladium nanoparticles based on the approaches of intermatrix synthesis (IMS) inside surface functionalized polyethersulfone (PES) membrane and its application to liquid phase reactions. Flat sheet PES membranes have been successfully modified via UV-induced graft polymerization of acrylic acid monomer. Palladium nanoparticles have been synthesized by chemical reduction of palladium precursor loaded on surface modified membranes, an approach to the design of membranes modified with nanomaterials. The catalytic performances of the nanoparticle incorporated membranes have been evaluated by the liquid phase reduction of p-nitrophenol using NaBH4 as a reductant in flow-through membrane reactor configuration. The nanocomposite membranes containing palladium nanoparticles were catalytically efficient in achieving a nearly 100% conversion and the conversion was found to be dependent on the flux, amount of catalyst, and initial concentration of nitrophenol. The proposed mathematical model equation represents satisfactorily the reaction and transport phenomena in flow-through catalytic membrane reactor.
Disparities in Prostate, Lung, Breast, and Colorectal Cancer Survival and Comorbidity Status among Urban American Indians and Alaskan Natives
Authors: Emerson Marc A. , Banegas Matthew P. , Chawla Neetu , Achacoso Ninah , Alexeeff Stacey E. , Adams Alyce S. , Habel Laurel A.
Published: November 2017

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AIAN), although cancer survival information in this population is limited, particularly among urban AIAN. In this retrospective cohort study, we compared all-cause and prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancer–specific mortality among AIAN (n = 582) and non-Hispanic white (NHW; n = 82,696) enrollees of Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) diagnosed with primary invasive breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer from 1997 to 2015. Tumor registry and other electronic health records provided information on sociodemographic, comorbidity, tumor, clinical, and treatment characteristics. Cox regression models were used to estimate adjusted survival curves and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). AIAN had a significantly higher comorbidity burden compared with NHW (P < 0.05). When adjusting for patient, disease characteristics, and Charlson comorbidity scores, all-cause mortality and cancer-specific mortality were significantly higher for AIAN than NHW patients with breast cancer (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.13–1.92) or with prostate cancer (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.14–3.06) but not for AIAN patients with lung and colorectal cancer. Despite approximately equal access to preventive services and cancer care in this setting, we found higher mortality for AIAN than NHW with some cancers, and a greater proportion of AIAN cancer patients with multiple comorbid conditions. This study provides severely needed information on the cancer experience of the 71% of AIANs who live in urban areas and access cancer care outside of the Indian Health Services, from which the vast majority of AIAN cancer information comes. Cancer Res; 77(23); 6770–6. ©2017 AACR.
Archaeal and Bacterial Community Structure in an Anaerobic Digestion Reactor (Lagoon Type) Used for Biogas Production at a Pig Farm
Authors: Pampillón-González Liliana , Ortiz-Cornejo Nadia L. , Luna-Guido Marco , Dendooven Luc , Navarro-Noya Yendi E.
Published: November 2017

Biogas production from animal waste is an economically viable way to reduce environmental pollution and produce valuable products, i.e., methane and a nutrient-rich organic waste product. An anaerobic digestion reactor for biogas production from pig waste was sampled at the entrance, middle (digestion chamber), and exit of a digester, while the bacterial and archaeal community structure was studied by 16S rRNA gene metagenomics. The number of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTU)-97% was 3-7 times larger than that of archaeal ones. Bacteria and Archaea found in feces of animals (e.g., Clostridiaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Methanosarcina, Methanolobus, Methanosaeta, and Methanospirillum) dominated the entrance of the digester. The digestion chamber was dominated by anaerobic sugar-fermenting OP9 bacteria and the syntrophic bacteria Candidatus Cloacamonas (Waste Water of Evry 1; WWE1). The methanogens dominant in the digestion chamber were the acetoclastic Methanosaeta and the hydrogenothrophic Methanoculleus and Methanospirillum. Similar bacterial and archaeal groups that dominated in the middle of the digestion chamber were found in the waste that left the digester. Predicted functions associated with degradation of xenobiotic compounds were significantly different between the sampling locations. The microbial community found in an anaerobic digestion reactor loaded with pig manure contained microorganisms with biochemical capacities related to the 4 phases of methane production.
Current Modalities for the Assessment of Future Remnant Liver Function
Authors: Rassam Fadi , Olthof Pim B. , Bennink Roelof J. , van Gulik Thomas M.
Published: November 2017

While imaging studies such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging allow the volumetric assessment of the liver segments, only indirect information is provided concerning the quality of the liver parenchyma and its actual functional capacity. Assessment of liver function is therefore crucial in the preoperative workup of patients who require extensive liver resection and in whom portal vein embolization is considered. This review deals with the modalities currently available for the measurement of liver function. Passive liver function tests include biochemical parameters and clinical grading systems such as the Child-Pugh and MELD scores. Dynamic quantitative tests of liver function can be based on clearance capacity tests such as the indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test. Although widely used, discrepancies have been reported for the ICG clearance test in relation with clinical outcome. Nuclear imaging studies have the advantage of providing simultaneous morphologic (visual) and physiologic (quantitative functional) information about the liver. In addition, regional (segmental) differentiation allows specific functional assessment of the future remnant liver. Technetium-99m (99mTc)-galactosyl human serum albumin scintigraphy and 99mTc-mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy potentially identify patients at risk for post-resectional liver failure who might benefit from liver-augmenting techniques. As there is no one test that can measure all the components of liver function, liver functional reserve is estimated based on a combination of clinical parameters and quantitative liver function tests.
Routine Treatment-Resistant Clostridium difficile Infection during Recovery from Myxedema
Authors: Adamski Jan K. , Jäschke Björn B. , Uusitalo-Seppälä Raija S. , Moilanen Kalle V.J. , Pehkonen Antti V. , Weigl Wojciech
Published: November 2017

Development of the extreme form of hypothyroidism defined as myxedema is very rare. Acute symptoms and their management have been described in detail previously. However, not much attention has been devoted to therapeutic challenges that are faced in the recovery phase of the treatment, especially pertaining to the gastrointestinal system. The link between myxedema and the appearance of severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has not been established so far. A 61-year-old woman with no significant medical record was admitted to hospital because of infected heel pressure and thyroid dysfunction. A week later, due to hypothermia, hypotension, and unconsciousness, she was transferred to the intensive care unit. The clinical picture and the results of laboratory tests confirmed diagnosis of myxedema. After the introduction of resuscitative measures and hormonal substitution, patient’s condition stabilized within 10 days. Due to concomitant sepsis, initially piperacillin/tazobactam and later cefuroxime were administered. After 20 days of antibiotic therapy, the patient developed CDI that was resistant to the routine mode of treatment. The clinical recovery was achieved only after a fecal microbiota transplantation procedure. The function of the digestive tract in myxedema is disturbed by gastric achlorydia and reduced peristalsis, which in turn can predispose the small intestine to overgrowth of bacteria. The use of antibiotics can additionally decrease the intestinal bacterial diversity, favoring the overgrowth of Clostridium difficile. The authors conclude that myxedema may increase the likelihood of a treatment-resistant form of CDI that requires the implementation of fecal microbiota transplantation.
Müller Cell-Derived PEDF Mediates Neuroprotection via STAT3 Activation
Authors: Eichler Wolfram , Savković-Cvijić Helena , Bürger Susanne , Beck Mike , Schmidt Manuela , Wiedemann Peter , Reichenbach Andreas , Unterlauft Jan Darius
Published: November 2017

Background/ Aims: This study was performed to reveal signaling pathways exploited by pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) derived from retinal (glial) Müller cells to protect retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from cell death. Methods: The survival of RGCs was determined in the presence of conditioned culture media (MCM) from or in co-cultures with Müller cells. The significance of PEDF-induced STAT3 activation was evaluated in viability assays and using Western blotting analyses and siRNA-transfected cells. Results: Secreted mediators of Müller cells increased survival of RGCs under normoxia or hypoxia to a similar degree as of PEDF- or IL-6-exposed cells. PEDF and MCM induced an increased STAT3 activation in RGCs and R28 cells, and neutralization of PEDF in MCM attenuated STAT3 activation. Inhibition of STAT3 reduced PEDF-promoted survival of RGCs. Similar to IL-6, PEDF induced STAT3 activation, acting in a dose-dependent manner via the PEDF receptor (PEDF-R) encoded by the PNPLA2 gene. Ablation of PEDF-R attenuated MCM-induced STAT3 activation and compromised the viability of PEDF-exposed R28 cells. Conclusions: Müller cells are an important source of PEDF, which promotes RGC survival through STAT3 activation and, at least in part, via PEDF-R. Enhancing the secretory function of Müller cells may be useful to promote RGC survival in retinal neurodegenerative diseases.
Transfer of knowledge in international cooperation: the Farmanguinhos – SMM case
Authors: Silva Samuel Araujo Gomes da , Duarte Roberto Gonzalez , Castro José Márcio de
Published: November 2017

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of four mechanisms of knowledge transfer (training, technical visits, expatriation, and standard operating procedures) on the different dimensions (potential and realized) of absorptive capacity in international technical cooperation. METHODS: We examine the case of implementation of the Sociedade Moçambicana de Medicamentos. Data have been collected using semi-structured interviews (applied to 21 professionals of the Sociedade Moçambicana de Medicamentos, Farmanguinhos, FIOCRUZ, and Itamaraty) and official documents. The data of the interviews have been submitted to content analysis, using the software NVivo. RESULTS: Training and technical visits directly influenced the acquisition and, partly, the assimilation of knowledge. Expatriation contributed with the transformation of this knowledge from the development and refinement of operational routines. Finally, the definition of standard operating procedures allowed the Mozambican technicians to be the actors of the transformation of the knowledge previously acquired and assimilated and, at the same time, it laid the foundations for a future exploration of the knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Training and technical visits mainly influence the potential absorptive capacity, while expatriation and standard operating procedures most directly affect the realized absorptive capacity.
Feeding limitations in temperate anurans and the niche variation hypothesis
Authors: Cloyed Carl S. , Eason Perri K.
Published: November 2017

The niche variation hypothesis (NVH) states that populations with wider niches are more phenotypically variable. The NVH has important ecological and evolutionary implications but has been controversial since its inception. Recent interpretations have supported the NVH by directly comparing among-individual diet variation with population dietary niche breadth. Traditional studies of the NVH focused on morphological traits as proxies of niche variation, with contradictory results. Gape-limited predators may be relatively likely to show effects of morphological variation on diet breadth because gape size can strongly limit diet. We used five anurans to test NVH predictions, including three true frogs,Rana catesbeiana,R. clamitans, andR. sphenocephala, and two toads,Anaxyrus americanusandA. fowleri. We combined recent and traditional approaches by comparing both individual variation in diet and variation in gape width with dietary niche breadth. We found support for the NVH within two species of the three true frogs but not for either toad species, a difference likely driven by greater strength of the feeding limitation caused by gape width in the frogs. Toads had higher gape width to snout-vent length ratios, reducing the strength of the feeding limitation imposed by gape width. We found strong support for the NVH among species; species with more among-individual variation in diet and species with more variation in gape width had broader niches. Our results highlight the circumstances under which the NVH is applicable and demonstrate an example in which the NVH is supported through both traditional and recent interpretations.
Description of Xiphinema hangzhouense sp. n. (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from the rhizosphere of Magnolia grandiflora in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Cai Ruihang , Maria Munawar , Barsalote Eda Marie , Subbotin Sergei A. , Zheng Jingwu
Published: November 2017

Xiphinema hangzhouensesp. n. is described from the rhizosphere ofMagnolia grandiflorain Hangzhou, China. The new species is characterised by having a monodelphic reproductive system, slim body, total stylet = 186-192μm long and vulva located anteriorly at 27.6-31.2% of total body length. The new species has a gonad 400-450μm long with a simple uterus and no Z-organ. The female tail is elongated conoid with a rounded terminus. The species has four juvenile stages and no male was found. The polytomous identification codes ofX. hangzhouensesp. n. are A1, B4, C2, D23, E12, F2, G2, H2, I23, J2, K2, L1. The new species is morphologically similar toX. winotoi. Phylogenetic analyses of the 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA, 18S rRNA and partialCOIgene sequences ofX. hangzhouensesp. n. and some closely relatedXiphinemaspecies revealed that the new taxon clustered with high statistical support withX. radicicolaandX. setariae.
National Identity after a Conflict: National Identity Choice among Northern Irish Youth
Authors: Bingham Natasha , Duffy Christopher
Published: November 2017

This work uses multinomial logistic regression to explore how Northern Irish youth view their national identity and the factors that shape their self-identification post-1998 Good Friday Agreement. We use the 2005-2015 Northern Ireland Young Life and Times Surveys of 16-year-olds to investigate these questions. The results indicate that intergroup contact is less influential than environmental factors on national identity. Residential and school composition has more of an effect on solidifying Irish identity than British identity (relative to that of a Northern Irish identity). Our work adds to the literature on national identity development and choice among young adults in post-conflict and post-peace-agreement environments.
“Between Europe and Asia”: Geography and Identity in Post-Soviet Nation-building Narratives
Authors: Kucera Joshua
Published: November 2017

Formulations of “between Europe and Asia” or “a bridge between East and West” are common in nation-building narratives in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. They appear prominently in both political speech and school textbooks. A close examination of this geographical rhetoric reveals its political and geopolitical subtext. In both countries this discourse tends to value “Western” economic ties while emphasizing the traditional, “Eastern” form of dictatorial rule and the need for national harmony. It also reminds both domestic and international audiences of the geopolitical importance and sensitivity of the countries’ positions.
“If Torture Is Wrong, What About 24?” Torture and the Hollywood Effect
Authors: Kearns Erin M. , Young Joseph K.
Published: November 2017

Since 9/11, entertainment media has focused on depictions of terrorism and counterterrorism. How do dramatic depictions of counterterrorism practices—specifically torture—affect public opinion and policy? Using a mixed within-subjects and between-subjects experimental design, we examine how framing affects support for torture. Participants ( n = 150) were randomly assigned to a condition for dramatic depictions showing torture as (a) effective, (b) ineffective, or (c) not present ( control). Participants who saw torture as effective increased their stated support for it. Participants who saw torture—regardless of whether or not it was effective—were more likely to sign a petition on torture. We discuss the policy implications of our findings on how framing affects opinion and action regarding torture.