bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Time course of functional changes in locomotor and sensory systems after spinal cord lesions in lamprey
Authors: Becker Matthew , Parker David 
Published: April 2019

Changes in motor and sensory properties occur either side of spinal cord lesion sites from lower vertebrates to humans. We have previously examined these changes in the lamprey, a model system for studying recovery after spinal cord injury. These analyses were performed 8–12 wk after complete spinal cord lesions, a time when most animals have recovered good locomotor function. However, anatomical analyses have been performed at earlier and later times than this. Because there have been no functional studies at these times, in this study we have examined changes between 2 and 24+ wk after lesioning. Functional changes developed at different times in different regions of the spinal cord. Spinal cord excitability was significantly reduced above and below the lesion site less than 6 wk after lesioning but showed variable region-specific changes at later times. Excitatory synaptic inputs to motor neurons were increased above the lesion site during the recovery phase (2–8 wk after lesioning) but only increased below the lesion site once recovery had occurred (8 wk and later). These synaptic effects were associated with lesion-induced changes in connectivity between premotor excitatory interneurons. Sensory inputs were potentiated at 8 wk and later after lesioning but were markedly reduced at earlier times. There are thus time- and region-specific changes in motor and sensory properties above and below the lesion site. Although animals typically recover good locomotor function by 8 wk, there were further changes at 24+ wk. With the assumption that these changes can help to compensate for the reduced descending input to the spinal cord, effects at later times may reflect ongoing modifications as regeneration continues.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The lamprey is a model system for studying functional recovery and regeneration after spinal cord injury. We show that changes in spinal cord excitability and sensory inputs develop at different times above and below the lesion site during recovery. These changes may occur in response to the lesion-induced removal of descending inputs and may subsequently help to compensate for the reduction of the descending drive to allow locomotor recovery. Changes also continue once animals have recovered locomotor function, potentially reflecting adaptations to further regeneration at later recovery times.
CD28 Homolog Is a Strong Activator of Natural Killer Cells for Lysis of B7H7+ Tumor Cells
Authors: Zhuang Xiaoxuan , Long Eric O. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
The CD28–B7 family of receptor–ligand pairs regulates lymphocyte responses through costimulation and coinhibition. It includes checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD-1, which limit antitumor and antivirus T-cell responses. CD28 homolog (CD28H) and B7H7 have been identified as a receptor–ligand pair in this family, which has costimulatory activity in T cells. Here, we show that CD28H is expressed in primary natural killer (NK) cells and that it is a strong activator of NK cells through selective synergy with receptors NKp46 and 2B4 to induce degranulation, lysis of target cells, and production of proinflammatory cytokines. Expression of B7H7 on target cells enhanced both natural and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of NK cells. Mutation of tyrosine 192 on the CD28H cytoplasmic tail abolished NK-cell activation through CD28H. As B7H7 is broadly expressed in tumor tissues, we engineered a CD28H chimeric antigen receptor (CD28H-CAR) consisting of full-length CD28H fused to the cytoplasmic domain of T-cell receptor ζ chain. Remarkably, expression of CD28H-CAR in NK cells triggered lysis of B7H7+ HLA-E+ tumor cells by overriding inhibition by the HLA-E receptor NKG2A. The cytoplasmic domains of CD28H and of the ζ chain were both required for this activity. Thus, CD28H is a powerful activation receptor of NK cells that broadens their antitumor activity and holds promise as a component of NK-based CARs for cancer immunotherapy.
Teaching Efficacy in Inclusive Education (IE) in Indonesia and other Asia, Developing Countries: a Systematic Review
Authors: Kristiana Ika Febrian , Hendriani Wiwin 
Published: April 2019

Inclusive education involving disable students has been applied in several countries including Asian countries. Nevertheless, teachers’ efficacy in implementing inclusive education remains out of sight. This review aims to summarize some facts depicting teachers’ efficacy in an inclusive education (IE) setting taking place in several Asian countries, particularly in developing countries. The search of e-literature was conducted to identify full-English articles published since 2004 concerning on teachers’ efficacy in teaching in inclusive programs/schools. The database used in searching the appropriate literatures was the database assembled in August 2017 which contained social-science articles such as PsycARTICLES, ERIC, Sciencedirect, SSCI, Springer Link, and Google Scholar. There were two studies identified using inclusive and exclusion criteria stipulation in this review. Teachers’ teaching efficacy in inclusive education (IE) in Indonesia and Bangladesh as developing countries in Asia – including efficacy in use inclusive instruction, efficacy in managing behavior, and efficacy in collaboration – was categorized in a good condition. Improving the measurement and research on teachers’ efficacy in teaching in an inclusive program/school will require greater investment in arranging several inclusive teachers’ professionalism enhancement and the increase in the number of disable students acquiring their education rights
Stand-alone PV system with MPPT function based on fuzzy logic control for remote building applications
Authors: Attia Hussain A. , Gonzalo Fernando DelAma 
Published: April 2019

<p align="LEFT"><span>Due to the limitations of reaching the grid utility to remote area, such as rural and/or countryside areas. Stand-alone photovoltaic power systems represent good alternative that it can be adapted for electrical power delivering to these areas. In this paper, a new design of stand-alone solar system suitable for individual building application is presented. This study focuses on proposing a desired solar PV panels matrix arrangement and connection, in addition to presenting an accurate design of Buck-Boost DC-DC converter which controlled by fuzzy logic controller FLC. The controller guarantees the maximum Power Point working conditions and manipulates the fluctuation of the DC link voltage of the matrix due to the weather changing. The main system includes battery bank charger, single phase inverter, and passive power filter. This study addresses the design and performance analysis the DC side of the 7.85 kW PV system. The system performance is evaluated through MATLAB/Simulink results which reflected the promising indications as an effective system for rural individual stand-alone building applications. </span></p>
Efficacy and Safety of Firibastat, A First-in-Class Brain Aminopeptidase A Inhibitor, in Hypertensive Overweight Patients of Multiple Ethnic Origins
Authors: Ferdinand Keith C. , Balavoine Fabrice , Besse Bruno , Black Henry R. , Desbrandes Stephanie , Dittrich Howard C. , Nesbitt Shawna D. ,   On behalf of the NEW HOPE Investigators
Published: April 2019

Background:
Despite existing therapy, successful control of hypertension in the United States is estimated at less than 50%. In blacks, hypertension occurs earlier, is more severe, controlled less often and has a higher morbidity and mortality than in whites. Blacks are also less responsive to monotherapy with angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor type 1 blockers. Obesity, higher salt-sensitivity and low plasma renin activity are possible reasons of this poor blood pressure (BP) control, especially in blacks. The aim of the study was to assess efficacy and safety of firibastat, a first-in-class aminopeptidase A inhibitor preventing conversion of brain angiotensin-II into angiotensin-III, in BP lowering in a high-risk diverse hypertensive population.

Methods:
Two hundred fifty-six overweight or obese hypertensive patients, including 54% black and Hispanic individuals, were enrolled in a multicenter, open-label, phase II study. After a 2-week wash-out period, subjects received firibastat for 8 weeks (250 mg BID orally for 2 weeks, then 500 mg BID if automated office blood pressure (AOBP) >140/90 mm Hg; hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg QD was added after 1 month if AOBP ≥160/110 mm Hg). The primary end point was change from baseline in systolic AOBP after 8 weeks of treatment, and secondary end points include diastolic AOBP, 24-hour mean ambulatory BP and safety.

Results:

Firibastat lowered systolic AOBP by 9.5 mm Hg (
P
<0.0001) and diastolic AOBP by 4.2 mm Hg (
P
<0.0001). 85% of the subjects did not receive hydrochlorothiazide and were treated with firibastat alone. Significant BP reduction was found across all subgroups regardless age, sex, body mass index, or race. Systolic AOBP decreased by 10.2 mm Hg (
P
<0.0001) in obese patients, by 10.5 mm Hg (
P
<0.0001) in blacks, and 8.9 mm Hg (
P
<0.0001) in nonblacks. Most frequent adverse events were headaches (4%) and skin reactions (3%). No angioedema was reported. No change in potassium, sodium, and creatinine blood level were observed.

Conclusions:
Our results demonstrate the efficacy of firibastat in lowering BP in a high-risk diverse population where monotherapy with angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor type 1 blockers may be less effective and support the strategy to further investigate firibastat in subjects with difficult-to-treat or potentially resistant hypertension.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique Identifier: NCT03198793.
Metabolomics Profiling of Visceral Adipose Tissue: Results From MESA and the NEO Study
Authors: Neeland Ian J. , Boone Sebastiaan C. , Mook‐Kanamori Dennis O. , Ayers Colby , Smit Roelof A. J. , Tzoulaki Ioanna , Karaman Ibrahim , Boulange Claire , Vaidya Dhananjay , Punjabi Naresh , Allison Matthew , Herrington David M. , Jukema J. Wouter , Rosendaal Frits R. , Lamb Hildo J. , van Dijk Ko Willems , Greenland Philip , de Mutsert Renée 
Published: April 2019

Background

Identifying associations between serum metabolites and visceral adipose tissue (
VAT
) could provide novel biomarkers of
VAT
and insights into the pathogenesis of obesity‐related diseases. We aimed to discover and replicate metabolites reflecting pathways related to
VAT
.

Methods and Results

Associations between fasting serum metabolites and
VAT
area (by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) were assessed with cross‐sectional linear regression of individual‐level data from participants in MESA (Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis; discovery, N=1103) and the NEO (Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity) study (replication, N=2537). Untargeted
1
H nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics profiling of serum was performed in
MESA,
and metabolites were replicated in the
NEO
study using targeted
1
H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A total of 30 590 metabolomic spectral variables were evaluated. After adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, smoking, physical activity, glucose/lipid‐lowering medication, and body mass index, 2104 variables representing 24 nonlipid and 49 lipid/lipoprotein subclass metabolites remained significantly associated with
VAT
(
P
=4.88×10
−20
–1.16×10
−3
). These included conventional metabolites, amino acids, acetylglycoproteins, intermediates of glucose and hepatic metabolism, organic acids, and subclasses of apolipoproteins, cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides. Metabolites mapped to 31 biochemical pathways, including amino acid substrate use/metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. In the replication cohort, acetylglycoproteins, branched‐chain amino acids, lactate, glutamine (inversely), and atherogenic lipids remained associated with
VAT
(
P
=1.90×10
−35
–8.46×10
−7
), with most associations remaining after additional adjustment for surrogates of
VAT
(glucose level, waist circumference, and serum triglycerides), reflecting novel independent associations.

Conclusions

We identified and replicated a metabolite panel associated with
VAT
in 2 community‐based cohorts. These findings persisted after adjustment for body mass index and appear to define a metabolic signature of visceral adiposity.
Coronary Microcirculation Downstream Non‐Infarct‐Related Arteries in the Subacute Phase of Myocardial Infarction: Implications for Physiology‐Guided Revascularization
Authors: Mejía‐Rentería Hernán , Lee Joo Myung , van der Hoeven Nina W. , Gonzalo Nieves , Jiménez‐Quevedo Pilar , Nombela‐Franco Luis , Núñez‐Gil Iván J. , Salinas Pablo , Del Trigo María , Cerrato Enrico , van Royen Niels , Knaapen Paul , Koo Bon‐Kwon , Macaya Carlos , Fernández‐Ortiz Antonio , Escaned Javier 
Published: April 2019

Background

Concerns exist about reliability of pressure‐wire‐guided coronary revascularization of non‐infarct‐related arteries (non‐
IRA
). We investigated whether physiological assessment of non‐
IRA
during the subacute phase of myocardial infarction might be flawed by microcirculatory dysfunction.

Methods and Results

We analyzed non‐
IRA
that underwent fractional flow reserve, coronary flow reserve, and the index of microcirculatory resistance assessment. Microcirculation and hyperemic response were evaluated in 49 acute myocardial infarction patients (59 non‐
IRA
) and compared with a matched control group of 46 stable angina (
SA
) patients (59 vessels). Time between acute myocardial infarction to physiological interrogation was 5.9±2.4 days. Fractional flow reserve was similar in both groups (0.79±0.11 in non‐
IRA
versus 0.80±0.13 in
SA
vessels,
P
=0.527). Lower coronary flow reserve values were found in non‐
IRA
compared with
SA
vessels (1.77 [1.25–2.76] versus 2.44 [1.63–4.00],
P
=0.018), primarily driven by an increased baseline flow in non‐
IRA
(rest mean transit time 0.58 [0.32–0.83] versus 0.65 s [0.39–1.20],
P
=0.045), whereas the hyperemic flow was similar (hyperemic mean transit time 0.26 [0.20–0.42] versus 0.26 s [0.18–0.35],
P
=0.873). No differences were found regarding index of microcirculatory resistance (15.6 [10.4–21.8] in non‐
IRA
versus 16.7 [11.6–23.6] U in
SA
vessels,
P
=0.559). During adenosine infusion, the hyperemic response was similar in both groups (non‐
IRA
versus
SA
vessels) in terms of the resistive reserve ratio (3.1±2.1 versus 3.7±2.2,
P
=0.118).

Conclusions

In the subacute phase of myocardial infarction, non‐
IRA
show an increased baseline flow that may cause abnormal coronary flow reserve despite preserved hyperemic flow. In non‐
IRA
, microcirculatory resistance and adenosine‐induced hyperemic response are similar to those found in
SA
patients. From a physiological perspective, these findings support the use of fractional flow reserve to interrogate non‐
IRA
during the subacute phase of myocardial infarction.
Effect of vertical location of the spark plug on the performance of a raw biogas-fueled variable compression ratio spark ignition engine
Authors: Chaudhari Ashish J , Hotta Santosh K , Sahoo Niranjan , Kulkarni Vinayak 
Published: April 2019

The present experimental investigations deal with the spark plug location and its effect on the performance and emission of a 100% raw biogas-fueled variable compression ratio engine. Different measurements of performance, combustion, and emission parameters are used to analyze the effect of four spark locations protruded inside the clearance volume (viz. 0, 2, 5, and 10 mm). The protrusion of the spark plug by 2 mm is observed to be optimum for compression ratios 8, 9, and 10. For this optimum spark plug location, engine efficiency and fuel economy are found to be higher. Faster combustion, in this particular case, has led to early and higher peak cylinder pressure and burnt gas temperature. Lower emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide have verified the optimality of 2 mm protrusion location of the spark plug for all the compression ratios. Thus, present investigations recommend minor protrusion of the spark plug to assist the combustion process, to enhance the performance and lowering the emission of a biogas-fueled engine.
On the monetary measures of global liquidity
Authors: Hashmi Israr Ahmad Shah , Bhatti Arshad Ali 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis study constructs and examines the dynamics of theoretical and atheoretical measures of global liquidity, using monthly data on the components of broad money over the period 2001 M12-2017 M12 for 39 high income countries. We group the countries into five regional blocks as categorized by the World Bank: East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and North America. The atheoretical measures exploited by this study comprise of the simple-sum, GDP-weighted growth rates and PCA based aggregation methods; whereas theoretical measures include the currency equivalent and Divisia index techniques of monetary aggregation. We employ a graphical approach to investigate the trends and dynamics of the aggregates overtime, and a cross-correlation between cyclical components of global real economic activity and the lag of cyclical components of the measures of global liquidity to gauge the strength of their associations. The findings of this study reveal that theoretical measures outperform atheoretical ones in effective delineation of financial and liquidity conditions, and policy stance. Their cyclical components are also strongly associated with those of global real business activity. The currency equivalent measure, besides being a leading indicator of the shift in policy stance, has a sturdy association with global real business activity. Moreover, the theoretical measures, as noted by some empirical studies, contain some information content that the atheoretical lack.
Prostate cancer dose–response, fractionation sensitivity and repopulation parameters evaluation from 25 international radiotherapy outcome data sets
Authors: Tamponi Matteo , Gabriele Domenico , Maggio Angelo , Stasi Michele , Meloni Giovanni B. , Conti Maurizio , Gabriele Pietro 
Published: April 2019

Objective: This study was undertaken to model the biochemical free survival at 5 years and to evaluate the parameters defining dose–response curve, dose–fractionation radiosensitivity and repopulation. Methods: It was carried out a literature search on Pubmed to retrieve data sets of patients treated with external beam radiation therapy of 1.8–4.0 Gy per fraction and overall treatment time of 3 to 10 weeks. 10 groups were identified, based on risk class and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Dose–response curve D50 (dose at 50% probability of control) and g50 (steepness), α/β (dose–fractionation radiosensitivity), and repopulation parameters, dprolif and Tprolif , were calculated. Bootstrap-based cross-validation was performed and median and 95% CI (confidence interval) were evaluated. Results: 25 data sets, including 20,310 patients, were considered. The median (95% CI) D50 and g50 values were 62 (CI 53 – 66) Gy and 1.6 (0.8 – 2.4). ADT patients showed lower values of D50 and g50 (57 ± 5 Gy and 1.1 ± 0.4) compared to no-ADT patients (65 ± 2 Gy and 2.3 ± 0.6), with p < 0.0001 and p = 0.002. If we did not consider any dependence on overall treatment time, the median (95% CI) value of α/β was 1.4 (1.0 – 1.9) Gy with p < 0.0001 for all patients. The median values of dproli f and Tprolif were 0.0 to 0.3 Gy/d and 18–40 days. Conclusion: Dose–response curve resulted dependent on risk class and ADT, with higher steepness for no-ADT patients. Low values of dose–fractionation radiosensitivity were found, supporting the use of moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy in each risk class. A limited dependence on repopulation was observed. Advances in knowledge: Prostate cancer response to moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy was reliably quantified considering risk class and androgen deprivation therapy.
Role of diffusion-weighted MRI in differentiating benign from malignant bone tumors
Authors: Rao Anuradha , Sharma Chandni , Parampalli Raghuram 
Published: April 2019

Objective: To evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted MRI in differentiating benign from malignant primary bone tumors. To know the sensitivity and specificity of diffusion weighted MRI and calculating apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) cutoff in differentiating benign from malignant primary bone tumors. Methods and materials : This is a prospective observational study of 50 patients, who were clinically or radiologically suspected with primary bone tumor and referred to the Department of Radiodiagnosis, for radiography or for MRI. These patients underwent routine MRI sequences including diffusion-weighted MRI with b﻿-values of 0, 500 and 1000, followed by pathological examination supplemented by immunohistochemistry (wherever necessary). Hematological malignancies, recently biopsied cases and recurrent cases were excluded from the study. Results: Out of 50 patients with suspected bone tumors, 15 were benign (and tumor like lesions) and 35 were malignant primary bone tumors. The most common age group involved for both benign and malignant primary bone tumors was 11–20 years (23 cases—46%). In our study, total number of affected males were 27 (54%) and total number of affected females were 23 (46%) with M:F ratio of 1.17:1. In this study 72% lesions had appendicular bone involvement and 28% had axial bone involvement. 94.3% of malignant lesions showed restriction on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and in 80 % of benign lesions restriction was absent on DWI which was statistically significant. Mean ADC levels in malignant lesions was 1.092 ± 0.497 and in benign lesions was 1.62 ± 0.596 which was statistically significant. Chondrosarcoma had highest ADC and Ewing’s sarcoma had lowest ADC values in malignant lesions. Chondroblastoma had highest ADC and Osteomyelitis had lowest ADC values in benign lesions. ADC value of 1.31 had highest sensitivity and specificity to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. Conclusion: DWI is helpful in differentiating malignant from benign bone tumors and tumor like lesions with diffusion restriction favoring malignancy. Inspite of some overlap, ADC values of benign and malignant bone tumors are different and measurement of ADC values improves the accuracy of the diagnosis of bone tumors and tumor like lesions. Calculation of ADC may also be used as baseline reference to assess response to treatment in future or for follow up. Advances in knowledge: DWI imaging (and ADC values) has been extensively used in neuroimaging. Extension of this application to musculoskeletal–oncologic imaging is not so well studied. Apart from differentiating benign from malignant lesions which is the main focus of this study, assessment of response to treatment by ADC values may be possible in near future.