bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deletion of p75NTR prevents vaso-obliteration and retinal neovascularization via activation of Trk- A receptor in ischemic retinopathy model
Authors: Elshaer Sally L. , El-Remessy Azza B. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIschemic retinopathy is characterized by ischemia followed by retinal neovascularization (RNV) resulting in visual impairment. Given the role of neuron-secreted growth factors in regulating angiogenesis, we examined how genetic deletion of the neurotrophin receptor; p75NTR can overcome retinal ischemia using oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model. Wildtype (WT) or p75NTR−/− mice pups were subjected to hyperoxia (70% O2, p7-p12) then returned to normal air (relative hypoxia, p12-p17). Vascular alterations were assessed at p12 and p17 time-points. Deletion of p75NTR prevented hyperoxia-associated central vascular cell death (p12) and hypoxia-associated RNV and enhanced central vascular repair (p17). Decreased expression of apoptotic markers; preserved Akt survival signal decreased proNGF were also observed at p12. During hypoxia, deletion of p75NTR maintained VEGF and VEGFR2 activation and restored NGF/proNGF and BDNF/proBDNF levels. Deletion of p75NTR coincided with significant increases in expression and activation of NGF survival receptor, TrkA at basal and hyperoxic condition. Pharmacological inhibition of TrkA using compound K-252a (0.5 μg 1 μl−1/eye) resulted in 2-fold increase in pathological RNV and 1.34-fold increase in central vascular cell death in p75NTR−/− pups. In conclusion, deletion of p75NTR protected against retinal ischemia and prevented RNV, in part, through restoring neurotrophic support and activating TrkA receptor.
The underlying microbial mechanism of epizootic rabbit enteropathy triggered by a low fiber diet
Authors: Jin Ding Xing , Zou Hua Wei , Liu Si Qiang , Wang Li Zhi , Xue Bai , Wu De , Tian Gang , Cai Jingyi , Yan Tian Hai , Wang Zhi Sheng , Peng Quan Hui 
Published: August 2018

AbstractEpizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE) is reproduced successfully in the present study by feeding rabbits a low-fibre diet, and high-throughput sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis were applied to examine the microbial variations in the stomach, small intestine and caecum. The evenness was disturbed and the richness was decreased in the ERE groups. When the rabbits were suffering from ERE, the abundance of the Firmicutes was decreased in three parts of the digestive tract, whereas the Proteobacteria was increased in the stomach and caecum, the Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia were increased in the small intestine. Correlation analysis showed that the reduced concentrations of TVFA and butyrate in the caeca of the ERE group were attributed to the decreased abundances of genera such as Lactobacillus, Alistipes and other fibrolytic bacteria and butyrate- producing bacteria such as Eubacterium and Faecalibacterium. It is concluded that, in terms of microorganisms, the overgrowth of Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium perfringen, Enterobacter sakazakii and Akkermansia muciniphila and inhibition of Bifidobacterium spp. and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens in the stomach, small intestine and caecum resulted in a decrease in butyrate yield, leading to the incidence of ERE, and the probability of developing ERE could be manipulated by adjusting the dietary fibre level.
Analysis of nascent silicon phase-change gratings induced by femtosecond laser irradiation in vacuum
Authors: Gesuele Felice , JJ Nivas Jijil , Fittipaldi Rosalba , Altucci Carlo , Bruzzese Riccardo , Maddalena Pasqualino , Amoruso Salvatore 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe formation of periodic surface structures is a general effect of femtosecond laser irradiation of solid targets showing promising interest in material science and technology. However, the experiments are typically carried out in air, a condition in which the target surface becomes densely decorated with nanoparticles that can influence the formation of the surface structures in the early stage of the irradiation process. Here we report an investigation of structures generation on a silicon surface irradiated in vacuum (10−5 mbar) with a low number of laser pulses (N ≤ 10) that exploits several microscopy techniques (optical, atomic force, electron and Raman). Our analyses allow identifying the creation of silicon phase-change gratings consisting of alternating amorphous and crystalline periodic lines, with almost no material removal, located at the periphery of a shallow ablation crater. These gratings originate from two different kinds of defects: (i) the first is characterized by a peculiar lobed shape that is produced by the first few laser pulses; (ii) the second is provided by the one-dimensional, linear singularity defined by the ablation edge of the nascent crater. Both kind of defects lead to grating structures extending outwards the amorphous central area of the crater along the direction of the laser polarization. Comparative analysis with the surface formed in air, in the same experimental conditions, evidences the important role played by nanoparticles densely decorating the target in air and the striking variation occurring in vacuum.
The absorption of ultrasound in emulsions: computational modelling of thermal effects
Authors: Forrester Derek Michael , Pinfield Valerie J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAround liquid particles in a fluid of contrasting properties (for example, oil in water) in ultrasonic fields there are small regions where thermal waves can propagate with relatively high amplitudes. Herein, we demonstrate the existence and character of these waveforms using three-dimensional finite element modelling based on linearised Navier-Stokes equations. We investigate single particles and small clusters of particles, validating the expected thermal wavelength and the power dissipation due to viscous and thermal effects around the particle. The energy lost due to thermal and viscous dissipation is explored as a function of the average separation distance between the particles (linking to concentration) as well as the applied frequency. The determination of energy loss provides a new method for calculating the attenuation in particle systems. We demonstrate that the effective attenuation of an emulsion in which particles exist in clusters is influenced by the interparticle separation within the cluster, even at the same total particle concentration. Thus, the finite element modelling provides evidence for thermal interactions and their effect in correlated particle systems.
Prediction of Pseudoprogression versus Progression using Machine Learning Algorithm in Glioblastoma
Authors: Jang Bum-Sup , Jeon Seung Hyuck , Kim Il Han , Kim In Ah 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe aimed to investigate the feasibility of machine learning (ML) algorithm to distinguish pseudoprogression (PsPD) from progression (PD) in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). We recruited the patients diagnosed as primary GBM who received gross total resection (GTR) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy in two institutions from April 2010 to April 2017 and presented suspicious contrast-enhanced lesion on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during follow-up. Patients from two institutions were allocated to training (N = 59) and testing (N = 19) datasets, respectively. We developed a convolutional neural network combined with a long short-term memory ML structure. MRI data, which was 9 axial post-contrast T1-weighted images in our study, and clinical features were incorporated (Model 1). In the testing set, the trained Model 1 resulted in AUC of 0.83, AUPRC of 0.87, and F1-score of 0.74 using optimal threshold. The performance was superior to that of Model 2 (CNN-LSTM model with MRI data alone) and Model 3 (random forest model with clinical feature alone). The developed algorithm involving MRI data and clinical features could help making decision during follow-up of patients with GBM treated with GTR and concurrent CCRT.
Mixotrophic Microalgae Biofilm: A Novel Algae Cultivation Strategy for Improved Productivity and Cost-efficiency of Biofuel Feedstock Production
Authors: Roostaei Javad , Zhang Yongli , Gopalakrishnan Kishore , Ochocki Alexander J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this work, we studied a novel algae cultivation strategy, mixotrophic microalgae biofilm, to improve the productivity and cost-efficiency of algal biofuel production. In contrast to previous methods, this improved approach can achieve high productivity at low cost by harnessing the benefits of mixotrophic growth’s high efficiency, i.e., capable of subsisting on inorganic and organic carbons thus unaffected by limited light, and microalgae biofilm’s low harvesting cost. Our results, as one of the first studies of this type, proved that microalgae biofilms under mixotrophic condition exhibited significantly higher productivity and quality of biofuel feedstock: 2–3 times higher of biomass yield, 2–10 times higher of lipid accumulation, and 40–60% lower of ash content when compared to microalgae biofilms under autotrophic condition. In addition, we investigated the impact of cell-surface properties (hydrophobicity and roughness) on the growth activities of microalgae biofilms and found that the productivity of mixotrophic biofilms was significantly correlated with the surface hydrophobicity. Finally, our work demonstrated the applicability of integrating this novel cultivation method with wastewater for maximum efficiency. This study opens a new possibility to solve the long-lasting challenges of algal biofuel feedstock production, i.e., low productivity and high cost of algal cultivation.
A type III radio burst automatic analysis system and statistic results for a half solar cycle with Nançay Decameter Array data
Authors: Zhang P. J. , Wang C. B. , Ye L. 
Published: August 2018

Aims. We design an event recognition-analysis system that can automatically detect solar type III radio burst and can mine information of the burst from the dynamic spectra observed by Nançay Decameter Array (NDA). We investigate the frequency drift rate of type III bursts and the speed of electron beams responsible for the generation of the bursts.
Methods. Several computer vision methods are used in this automatic analysis system. The Hough transform is performed to recognize the line segment associated with type III bursts in the dynamic spectra. A modified active contour model is used to track the backbone of the burst and estimate the frequency drift rate at different frequency channels. We run this system on the NDA data from 2012 to 2017, and give a statistical survey of the event number distribution, the starting and stopping frequencies of bursts, the frequency dependence of the drift rate, and the exciter speed using three corona density models.
Results. The median value of the average frequency drift rates is about 6.94 MHz s−1 for 1389 simple well-isolated type III bursts detected in the frequency range 10–80 MHz of NDA observation. The frequency drift rate changes with frequency as d f/dt = −0.0672 f1.23 from a least-squares fitting. The average exciter speed is about 0.2c based the density models. We do not find any significant dependence of the drift rate and the exciter speed on the solar activity cycle.
Exercise-Loaded Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Lymphangiography for Diagnosing Lymphedema
Authors: Shinaoka Akira , Yamada Kiyoshi , Kimata Yoshihiro , Matsumoto Kumiko 
Published: August 2018

Background Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence lymphography (ICGLG) that can visualize the lymphatic vessel and its flow noninvasively and dynamically was developed in 2007. It is frequently used to observe the function and pathway of the lymphatic vessels. ICGLG is simple and easy to perform, and it is useful for understanding the condition of the lymphatic system in real time. However, its protocol is not standardized. In addition, the lymphatic flow is enhanced by an exercise load such as walking. Till now, there is no report of exercise-loaded ICGLG. Therefore, we aimed to shorten the examination time and establish a standard ICGLG protocol.
Methods We examined 63 patients (126 lower limbs) who visited our clinic for lower extremity edema. We observed detailed images of exercise-loaded ICGLG and examined the changes in findings over time in affected legs classified according to the International Society of Lymphedema. After ICG was injected, the participants exercised for 30 minutes. We observed the farthest proximal point where any ICG could be observed and the appearance of dermal backflow (DB), which is a specific finding of lymphedema, every 5 minutes.
Results The proximal migration speed of ICG tended to slow as the disease stage worsened. For all disease stages, after 20 minutes of exercise, the DB appearance rate did not change further. The rates were 0% for legs with stage 0 lymphedema, 50% for legs with stage 1 lymphedema, and 100% for legs with stages 2a and 2b lymphedema.
Conclusion The appropriate exercise duration after ICG injection is 20 minutes. ICGLG is useful for screening for lymphedema.
Examining the influence of grip type on wrist and club head kinematics during the golf swing: Benefits of a local co‐ordinate system
Authors: Carson Howie J. , Richards Jim , Mazuquin Bruno 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWrist movements have been identified as an important factor in producing a successful golf swing, with their complex motion influencing both club head velocity and orientation. However, a detailed analysis of wrist angles is lacking in the literature. The purpose of this study was to determine kinematics across wrists and club head characteristics during the golf swing under weak, neutral and strong grip conditions. Twelve professional male golfers executed 24 shots using a driver under three grip conditions. A six degrees of freedom analysis of the hand with respect to the distal forearm was performed using a 10‐camera three‐dimensional motion capture system. Differences in joint angles were explored using repeated measures ANOVAs at key swing events (onset, top of backswing and impact), in addition club head velocity and clubface angle at impact were also explored. Main findings revealed significant differences in flexion/extension and internal/external rotation for both wrists at all swing events, whereas fewer significant interactions were found in ulnar/radial deviation across grips for both wrists at all events. Clubface angle only differed significantly between the weak and the strong and neural grips, presenting a more ‘open’ clubface to the intended hitting direction. This study is the first to explore tri‐planar wrist movement and the effect of different grips, such analysis has implications for coaching knowledge and practice and should inform future research into different aspects of skill, technique analysis and may inform injury mechanisms/prevention.
A Novel Surgical Technique for Management of Giant Central Calcified Thoracic Disk Herniations: A Dual Corridor Method Involving Tubular Transthoracic/Retropleural Approach Followed by a Posterior Transdural Diskectomy
Authors: Lowe Stephen R , Alshareef Mohammed A , Kellogg Ryan T , Eriksson Evert A , Kalhorn Stephen P 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Thoracic disk herniations (TDHs) represent only 0.15% to 1.8% of surgically managed disk herniations but have posed a particular challenge to spine surgeons. Numerous surgical approaches have been cited in the literature with varying degrees of success, technical complexity, and complication profiles.

OBJECTIVE
To report a case of a combined lateral retropleural and dorsal transdural approach for complex thoracic discectomy.

METHODS
In this report, we describe a combined lateral/retropleural and posterior transdural approach for a patient with a giant calcified TDH that was not amenable to safe removal using a single approach.

RESULTS
In complex situations such as this, a dual corridor approach allows for improved visualization and maximal resection opportunity and opens up yet another option to address recalcitrant TDH.

CONCLUSION
The staged dual corridor approach is safe and represents a further surgical option for extremely difficult TDH.
Clinical Implications of Gluteal Fat Graft Migration: A Dynamic Anatomical Study
Authors: Del Vecchio Daniel A. , Villanueva Nathaniel L. , Mohan Raja , Johnson Bret , Wan Dinah , Venkataram Aniketh , Rohrich Rod J. 
Published: August 2018

Background:
The intraoperative mortality and overall complication rate for gluteal augmentation with fat transplantation is unacceptably high. The current controversy among experts regarding safety is whether fat should be placed within the gluteus muscle or limited to only the subcutaneous space. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that under certain pressures, fat injected within the gluteal muscle can actually migrate out of the muscle and into a deeper plane containing critical neurovascular structures, by means of the process of deep intramuscular migration.

Methods:
A total of eight human cadaver dissections were performed. Four hemibuttocks were selected for intramuscular fat injection. The patterns of subfascial fat migration were evaluated in three of these hemibuttocks by direct visual inspection and in one hemibuttock by endoscopic evaluation. Four other hemibuttocks were selected for subcutaneous or suprafascial fat injection.

Results:
Proxy fat was found to migrate through the muscle and into the deep submuscular space with each intramuscular injection. With subcutaneous injection, no proxy fat was found during dissection in the intramuscular septae or submuscular space.

Conclusions:
The intramuscular insertion of fat, which up to this point has been considered reasonable to perform in the superficial muscle and even recommended in the literature, is now deemed to be an inexact and risky surgical technique. This technique, because of the migratory nature of injected fat, should be avoided from further use in fat transplantation to the gluteal region.
Understanding sex differences in the regulation of cancer-induced muscle wasting
Authors: Montalvo Ryan N. , Counts Brittany R. , Carson James A. 
Published: August 2018

Purpose of review
We highlight evidence for sexual dimorphism in preclinical and clinical studies investigating the cause and treatment of cancer cachexia.

Recent findings
Cancer cachexia is unintended bodyweight loss occurring with cancer, and skeletal muscle wasting is a critical predictor of negative outcomes in the cancer patient. Skeletal muscle exhibits sexual dimorphism in fiber type, function, and regeneration capacity. Sex differences have been implicated in skeletal muscle metabolism, mitochondrial function, immune response to injury, and myogenic stem cell regulation. All of these processes have the potential to be involved in cancer-induced muscle wasting. Unfortunately, the vast majority of published studies examining cancer cachexia in preclinical models or cancer patients either have not accounted for sex in their design or have exclusively studied males. Preclinical studies have established that ovarian function and estradiol can affect skeletal muscle function, metabolism and mass; ovarian function has also been implicated in the sensitivity of circulating inflammatory cytokines and the progression of cachexia.

Summary
Females and males have unique characteristics that effect skeletal muscle's microenvironment and intrinsic signaling. These differences provide a strong rationale for distinct causes for cancer cachexia development and treatment in males and females.
Structural basis and mechanism of the unfolding-induced activation of an acid response chaperone HdeA
Authors: Yu Xing-Chi , Hu Yunfei , Ding Jienv , Li Hongwei , Jin Changwen 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTThe role of protein structural disorder in biological functions is gaining increasing interests in the past decade. The bacterial acid-resistant chaperone HdeA belongs to a group of “conditionally disordered” protein that is activated via an order-to-disorder transition. However, the mechanism for unfolding-induced activation remains unclear due to the lack of experimental information on the unfolded state conformation and the chaperone-client interactions. Here we use advanced solution NMR methods to characterize the activated state conformation of HdeA under acidic condition and identify the client binding sites. The activated HdeA becomes largely disordered and exposes two essential hydrophobic patches of residues for client interactions. The pH-dependent chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) result identifies three acid-sensitive regions that act as structural locks during the activation process, revealing a multi-step activation mechanism of HdeA chaperone function at atomic level. The results highlight the role of protein disorder in chaperone function and the self-inhibitory role of ordered structures under non-stress conditions, offering new insights for further understanding the protein structure-function paradigm.
Mycobacterium ulceransin Mosquitoes and March flies captured from endemic areas of Northern Queensland, Australia
Authors: Singh Avishek , McBride William John Hannan , Govan Brenda , Pearson Mark , Ritchie Scott A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMycobacterium ulceransis the causative agent of Buruli ulcer (BU). This nontuberculous mycobacterial infection has been reported in over 33 countries worldwide. In Australia, the majority of cases of BU have been recorded in coastal Victoria and the Mossman-Daintree areas of north Queensland. Mosquitoes have been postulated as a vector ofM. ulceransin Victoria, however the specific mode of transmission of this disease is still far from being well understood. In the current study, we trapped and analysed 16,900 (allocated to 845 pools) mosquitoes and 296 March flies from the endemic areas of north Queensland to examine for the presence ofM. ulceransDNA by polymerase chain reaction. Seven of 845 pools of mosquitoes were positive on screening using the IS2404 PCR target but only one pool was positive for presence ofM. ulceransafter confirmatory testing. None of the March fly samples were positive for the presence ofM. ulcerans.M. ulceranswas detected on proboscises of deliberately exposed mosquitoes.Author SummaryThe causative agent of Buruli ulcer is Mycobacterium ulcerans. This destructive skin disease is characterized by extensive and painless necrosis of skin and underlying tissues usually on extremities of body due to production of toxin named mycolactone. The disease is prevalent in Africa and coastal Australia. The exact mode of transmission and potential environmental reservoir for the pathogen still remain obscure. Aquatic and biting insects have been identified as important niche in transmission and maintenance of pathogen in the environment. In this study we screened mosquitoes and march flies captured from endemic areas of northern Queensland for the presence ofM. ulcerans.In addition, we conducted artificial blood feeding experiment to identify the role of mosquitoes in transmission of this pathogen. We found one pool of mosquito out of 845 pools positive forM. ulceransand none of the March fly samples were positive. This could indicate a low burden of the bacteria in the environment coinciding with a comparatively low number of human cases ofM. ulceransinfection seen during the trapping period of the study. Evidence to support mechanical transmission via mosquito proboscises was found.