bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of myocardial 99mTc-labeled bisphosphonate uptake with cadmium zinc telluride camera in patients with transthyretin-related cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: Manrique Alain , Dudoignon David , Brun Stéphanie , N’Ganoa Catherine , Cassol Emmanuelle , Legallois Damien , Lavie-Badie Yoan , Agostini Denis , Lairez Olivier
Published: December 2019

Purpose

We aimed to compare different methods for semi-quantitative analysis of cardiac retention of bone tracers in patients with cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR).

Methods

Data from 67 patients with ATTR who underwent both conventional whole-body scan and a CZT myocardial SPECT (DSPECT, Spectrum Dynamics) 3 h after injection of 99mTc-labeled bone tracer were analyzed. Visual scoring of cardiac retention was performed on whole-body scan according to Perugini 4-point grading system from 0 (no uptake) to 3 (strong cardiac uptake with mild/absent bone uptake). A planar heart-to-background (H:B) ratio was calculated using whole-body scan (wb-H:B). CZT SPECT was quantified using three methods: planar H:B ratio calculated from anterior reprojection (ant-H:B), left anterior oblique reprojection (LAO-H:B), and 3D-H:B ratio calculated from transaxial slices as mean counts in a VOI encompassing the heart divided by background VOI in the contralateral lung. Interventricular septal thickness was obtained using echocardiography.

Results

H:Bs obtained from planar and reprojected data were not statistically different (wb-H:B, 2.05 ± 0.64, ant-H:B, 1.97 ± 0.61, LAO-H:B, 2.06 ± 0.64, all p = ns). However, 3D-H:B was increased compared to planar H:Bs (3D-H:B, 4.06 ± 1.77, all p < 0.0001 vs. wb-H:B, ant-H:B, and LAO-H:B). Bland-Altman plots demonstrated that the difference between 3D and planar H:Bs increased with the mean value of myocardial uptake. 3D-H:B was best correlated to septal thickness (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). Finally, abnormal right ventricular uptake was associated with higher values of cardiac retention.

Conclusion

3D semi-quantitative analysis of CZT SPECT optimized the assessment of 99mTc-labeled bone tracer myocardial uptake in patients with cardiac amyloidosis.
Effects of different operating parameters on hydrogen production by Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius DSM 6285
Authors: Mohr Teresa , Aliyu Habibu , Biebinger Lars , Gödert Roman , Hornberger Alexander , Cowan Don , de Maayer Pieter , Neumann Anke
Published: December 2019

Hydrogen gas represents a promising alternative energy source to dwindling fossil fuel reserves, as it carries the highest energy per unit mass and its combustion results in the release of water vapour as only byproduct. The facultatively anaerobic thermophile Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius is able to produce hydrogen via the water–gas shift reaction catalyzed by a carbon monoxide dehydrogenase–hydrogenase enzyme complex. Here we have evaluated the effects of several operating parameters on hydrogen production, including different growth temperatures, pre-culture ages and inoculum sizes, as well as different pHs and concentrations of nickel and iron in the fermentation medium. All of the tested parameters were observed to have a substantive effect on both hydrogen yield and (specific) production rates. A final experiment incorporating the best scenario for each tested parameter showed a marked increase in the H2 production rate compared to each individual parameter. The optimised parameters serve as a strong basis for improved hydrogen production with a view of commercialisation of this process.
House dust mite sensitisation and association with atopic dermatitis in Brunei
Authors: Emran Haziq , Chieng Christina Siew Eng , Taib Surita , Cunningham Anne Catherine
Published: December 2019

IgE sensitisation in tropical areas is under-reported. A 2 year retrospective cohort study of allergy data specific to aero and food allergens in Brunei demonstrated that specific IgE levels to house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D.farinae, Blomia tropicalis) were highest in this population and correlated with atopic dermatitis (p < 0.001). Shrimp and peanut were the most common food allergens. A dominance of house/storage mite sensitization is seen in Brunei which is consistent with other tropical countries.
The role of delayed bone age in the evaluation of stature and bone health in glucocorticoid treated patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Annexstad E. J. , Bollerslev J. , Westvik J. , Myhre A. G. , Godang K. , Holm I. , Rasmussen M.
Published: December 2019

Background

Low bone mineral density and an increased risk of appendicular and vertebral fractures are well-established consequences of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and the risk of fractures is exacerbated by long-term glucocorticoid treatment. Monitoring of endocrine and skeletal health and timely intervention in at-risk patients is important in the management of children with DMD.

Methods

As part of the Norwegian Duchenne muscular dystrophy cohort study, we examined the skeletal maturation of 62 boys less than 18 years old, both currently glucocorticoid treated (n = 44), previously treated (n = 6) and naïve (n = 12). The relationship between bone age, height and bone mineral density (BMD) Z-scores was explored.

Results

The participants in the glucocorticoid treated group were short in stature and puberty was delayed. Bone age was significantly delayed, and the delay increased with age and duration of treatment. The difference in height between glucocorticoid treated and naïve boys was no longer significant when height was corrected for delayed skeletal maturation. Mean BMD Z-scores fell below − 2 before 12 years of age in the glucocorticoid treated group, with scores significantly correlated with age, duration of treatment and pubertal development. When BMD Z-scores were corrected for by retarded bone age, the increase in BMD Z-scores was significant for all age groups.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that skeletal maturation should be assessed in the evaluation of short stature and bone health in GC treated boys with DMD, as failing to consider delayed bone age leads to underestimation of BMD Z-scores and potentially overestimation of fracture risk.
Rehabilitation approaches for children living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol for scoping review
Authors: Maddocks Stacy , Cobbing Saul , Hanass-Hancock Jill , Chetty Verusia
Published: December 2019

Background

A large number of children living with chronic conditions such as HIV experience impairments and disabilities. Current sub-Saharan African healthcare systems are challenged with paediatric care that does not integrate rehabilitation into management of chronic diseases such as HIV. Furthermore, little attention is paid to societal inclusion, community engagement and educational needs of these children. Integration of paediatric care and rehabilitation in a holistic approach can help to overcome the challenges associated with living disabilities. This scoping review proposes a synthesis of existing evidence on rehabilitation intervention strategies to increase functioning and to address disability-related barriers in children living with HIV and disability in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

A scoping review will be conducted to systematically map evidence on rehabilitation intervention for children living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies in sub-Saharan Africa from December 2012 to 2019 on rehabilitation interventions for children aged 5 to 10 years living with HIV will be included in the review. Peer-reviewed primary studies, as well as grey literature, will be identified from electronic databases including Google Scholar; PubMed; Medline; CINAHL and Cochrane. The search strings using keywords such as “HIV”, “impairment”, “disability”, “neurocognitive impairment”, “behavioural”, “rehabilitation” and “intervention” will be conducted using Boolean logic. Two groups of independent reviewers will conduct all title, abstract and full article screening. The study selection process will be mapped using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. A predesigned data-charting table will supplement the extraction of data. NVIVO software will aide in the thematic analysis of the data.

Discussion

The information from studies will be discussed in relation to the research questions using a critical narrative to explore the emergent themes. The quality of studies will be appraised using the mixed method appraisal tool. The scoping review will provide a baseline of evidence on rehabilitation interventions for children living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. The scoping review will inform healthcare providers, scholars and policy developers about the current use of rehabilitation interventions and what gaps need to be addressed with further research and intervention development.

Systematic review registration

OSF Center for Open Science: https://osf.io/ed7zb/
Load balancing in cloud computing – A hierarchical taxonomical classification
Authors: Afzal Shahbaz , Kavitha G.
Published: December 2019

Load unbalancing problem is a multi-variant, multi-constraint problem that degrades performance and efficiency of computing resources. Load balancing techniques cater the solution for load unbalancing situation for two undesirable facets- overloading and under-loading. In contempt of the importance of load balancing techniques to the best of our knowledge, there is no comprehensive, extensive, systematic and hierarchical classification about the existing load balancing techniques. Further, the factors that cause load unbalancing problem are neither studied nor considered in the literature. This paper presents a detailed encyclopedic review about the load balancing techniques. The advantages and limitations of existing methods are highlighted with crucial challenges being addressed so as to develop efficient load balancing algorithms in future. The paper also suggests new insights towards load balancing in cloud computing.
A coupled technological-sociological model for national electrical energy supply systems including sustainability
Authors: Benthaus Manfred
Published: December 2019

Global trends in the development and use of electricity utilities and assets are practically irreversible. In industrialized nations, capacity factors have grown so large that users may expect freely available electrical potential energy at all times and in almost all locations. Economically capitalizing on this trend means maximizing energy provision and use to boost gross domestic product growth rates. Electricity is now a basic indicator of social development; it is to the cultural-technological dimension what breathing air is to the physiological-biological dimension, the implication being that sustainable development of provision systems has become a matter of international concern.

This article presents a decision basis for the design of sustainable national electrical energy supply systems, incorporating country-specific boundary conditions in the form of user requirements to be specified by users. The basis is a solution space of technologically possible systems, obtained by combining generalized user requirements and physical limitations to generate the solution states. As all technological options for the system are brought under consideration, this approach represents a comprehensive comparative analysis.

The decision process ensues by assigning to each solution state a set of (newly defined) system risk factors. Particular consideration is given to evaluating the system’s ability to meet the user requirements, i.e., interruption-free provision. The central benchmark is the technological-economic availability. From this is obtained a sustainability boundary, the boundary between quantifiable and unquantifiable economic loss potentials.

This article deliberately avoids referencing specific technological solutions, with the justification that the basis of the user’s decision should be independent of technological considerations. The sole exception is a reference to the currently used technology, which forms the starting point.
Experimental Study on the Mechanism of the Combined Action of Cavitation Erosion and Abrasion at High Speed Flow
Authors: Wang X. , Hu Y. A. , Li Z. H.
Published: December 2019

A new experimental method on simulating the combined action of cavitation erosion and abrasion was proposed to investigate the erosion mechanism of overflow structure induced by the said processes. An automatic sand mixing device was invented for high-pressure and high-speed flow based on the characteristics of Venturi cavitation generator and hydraulic Bernoulli principle. The experimental system for the combined action of cavitation erosion and abrasion was designed and constructed, and high-speed sand mixing flow only appeared in the test section. A series of tests on the combined and single action of cavitation erosion and abrasion on hydraulic concrete and cement was carried out by using the invented experimental device. Results show that the wear of concrete surface exhibited the combined characteristics of cavitation erosion and abrasion under their joint action. The damage degree of concrete surface under the combined action was more severe than that under a single action. The mass loss of concrete under the combined action was higher than sum of mass losses of concrete under two single actions. The promotion and enhancement between cavitation erosion and abrasion existed in high-speed sand mixing flow. A power exponential relationship was observed between erosion mass loss and flow speed, and the velocity indexes approximated 4.5. Small and light sand particles easily follow water flow. Thus, the strong coupling effect of cavitation erosion and abrasion resulted from the presence of small sand particles. Given the different mechanisms of cavitation erosion and abrasion, presenting the skeleton structure formed by cavitation erosion was notably difficult under the action of abrasion. Meanwhile, abrasion wear easily occurred under the impact of cavitation erosion, and this result is due to the mechanism of the combined action of both processes.
Applications of SPDM in aircraft structural analysis at Embraer
Authors: Britto Maria Rodrigo , de Freitas Leal Marcus , Sousa Junior Edgard , Leite Lemos Vinicius , Magalhães Cardoso Patrick , de Oliveira Leonardo Cosme , Giovani Pereira Castro Saullo , de Lima Marcolin Marcelo , Joshi Darshan
Published: December 2019

Aircraft structural analysis is a process that involves several engineers working concurrently to analyze in detail all structural elements of an airframe, as well as the behavior of the aircraft structure as a whole. The airframe has to be decomposed in its major components such as fuselage sections, wings and control surfaces to allow the distribution of the analyses among the engineers. Finite element models (FEM) are created for each major component and used in the analyses. The major components, such as the wing, are further decomposed into its constituent parts, such as spars, ribs, and stringers; which might be modeled in more detail using dedicated FEMs. It’s a great challenge to manage the evolution of the structural modifications that happen during the course of these analyses. Design changes originated from stress analysis using higher fidelity FEMs have to be transferred to the lower fidelity FEMs and an assembly of the whole airframe FEM needs to be created and analyzed once again, using the correct versions of all the FEMs of the major parts. The objective of this paper is to present the results of the solution implemented by Embraer to overcome these challenges, by using the Simulation Process and Data Management (SPDM) technology. Embraer embarked on the SPDM journey eight years ago and during past years has matured various aspects of their SPDM implementation. The focus of the paper is on explaining applications of the SPDM system in the area of structural analysis at Embraer with a couple of representative business processes as examples, including the rapid generation and evaluation of aircraft assemblies and the consolidation and standardization of various simulation methods across the organization, by making those available over the SPDM platform. Key enablers for increasing simulation throughput and data traceability at Embraer are described. In addition, the approach that Embraer took for ongoing additions of new business processes to the SPDM system is presented. The results of the SPDM implementation at Embraer are encouraging, showing qualitative and quantitative gains of productivity and management of engineering data. The standardization and automation of engineering processes and the proper management of data generated by these processes are becoming an integral part of any competitive engineering department nowadays.
TrueBiters, an educational game to practice the truth tables of propositional logic: Development, evaluation, and lessons learned
Authors: De Troyer Olga , Lindberg Renny , Sajjadi Pejman
Published: December 2019

Since years, the logic course in the first year of our Bachelor program in Computer Science, dealing with propositional and predicate logic, suffers from poor pass rates. The students perceive the formal and abstract mechanisms of logic as difficult and awkward to deal with. Many students do not study the course material on a regular basis, which results in poor mastery of the basic concepts and principles. Consequently, students often fall behind as the course progresses. Previous attempts to remedy this procrastination behavior had little success. Since educational games are commended as an enjoyable way to foster learning, we decided in 2016 to develop an educational game for the course. This game, called TrueBiters, is a two-player competitive game inspired by an existing card game. We adapted this card game to propositional logic and digitized it as an app. The development was done in an iterative way. Each version was evaluated and using the received user feedback and evaluation results the game was improved and reevaluated. Based on the results of the evaluations we can conclude that the game is well suited for its target audience, i.e., logically-mathematically intelligent people, and is a good supplement, and even replacement for some of the traditional face-to-face exercise sessions. However, we also learned that a proper embedding into the course is needed to ensure that all students actually use the game and benefit from playing it. In this paper we present the game, explain and motivate its evolution, discuss the evaluations performed, and present lessons learned.
Scaffolding support through integration of learning material
Authors: Grévisse Christian , Rothkugel Steffen , Reuter Robert A. P.
Published: December 2019

The ever-growing amount of learning material poses a challenge to both learners and teachers. In order to perform a learning task, students often need to search for additional information. Inquiry might be hampered if they do not know what exactly to search for, especially if they lack prior knowledge in a domain. Furthermore, they might need to recall meta-information, e.g., the implicit links between learning resources or the location of an explanation within a document. In addition, their performance in a learning task might suffer from the constant need for further information. As the authoring of learning material is a time-intensive task, reusability of resources in different contexts should be enabled. In this paper, we present the ALMA-Yactul ecosystem, a holistic approach for student-centered integration of learning material. Based on semantic annotations, learners are provided with scaffolding support for retrieving material related to their current study task. This integration of resources is showcased in a variety of applications and domains, such as a plugin for an IDE or an enhanced sketchnoting app. Moreover, we show how Yactul, a gamified student response platform, can benefit from semantic annotations and integration of learning material. Additionally, teachers are provided with semi-automatic annotation support in the popular Office 365 suite to foster the reusability of their content. Apart from presenting the results of its usage in university classes, we also show how high school students without prior knowledge benefitted from this scaffolding support. A significantly better performance in resolving programming-related tasks could be observed compared to a traditional search process. Finally, the ecosystem is evaluated against a state-of-the-art technology integration model.
Retraction Note to: Estimation of the source process and forward simulation of long-period ground motion of the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi, Japan, earthquake
Authors: Kubo Hisahiko , Iwaki Asako , Suzuki Wataru , Aoi Shin , Sekiguchi Haruko
Published: December 2019

The authors have retracted this article [1] because after its publication, they noticed that the source inversion was not done with the intended setting. Although it was mentioned in this article [1] that the rupture starting point of the fault model was set at the hypocenter determined by JMA as shown in Fig. 1, the rupture starting point in the real analysis was accidentally set at an incorrect location, the center point of the subfault southern neighbor of the hypocenter subfault. Thus, the source-inversion result (Figs. 2, 3, S1, and S2) and the forward ground-motion simulation result for the mainshock (Figs. 4 and 5), which used the source-inversion result as a source input, need to be corrected.
Pharmaceutical hit of anti type 2 Diabetes mellitus on the phenolic extract of Malaka (Phyllanthus emblica L.) flesh
Authors: Musman Musri , Zakia Mauli , Rahmayani Ratu Fazlia Inda , Erlidawati Erlidawati , Safrida Safrida
Published: December 2019

Background

Ethnobotany knowledge in a community has shaped local wisdom in utilizing plants to treat diseases, such as the use of Malaka (Phyllanthus emblica) flesh to treat type 2 diabetes. This study presented evidence that the phenolic extract of the Malaka flesh could reduce blood sugar levels in the diabetic induced rats.

Methods

The phenolic extract of the P. emblica was administrated to the glucose-induced rats of the Wistar strain Rattus norvegicus for 14 days of treatment where the Metformin was used as a positive control. The data generated were analyzed by the two-way ANOVA Software related to the blood glucose level and by SAS Software related to the histopathological studies at a significant 95% confidence.

Results

The phenolic extract with concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight could reduce blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. The post hoc Dunnet test showed that the administration of the extract to the rats with a concentration of 100 mg/kg body weight demonstrated a very significant decrease in blood glucose levels and repaired damaged cells better than administering the extract at a concentration of 200 mg/kg weight body.

Conclusion

The evidence indicated that the phenolic extract of the Malaka flesh can be utilized as anti type 2 Diabetes mellitus without damaging other organs.
Antioxidant and antineoplastic activities of roots of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. Against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells
Authors: Hasi Rumana Yesmin , Ali Hanif , Islam Majidul , Habib Rowshanul , Satter Mohammed A. , Yeasmin Tanzima
Published: December 2019

Background

The goal of this study was to explore the inherent antioxidant and antineoplastic activities of methanolic extract of the roots of Hibiscus sabdariffa (MEHSR).

Methods

The dried coarse powder of roots of Hibiscus sabdariffa was subjected to methanolic extraction. Here in vitro methods were used to determine the various types of phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of MEHSR as well as its cytotoxic effect against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. In vivo, antineoplastic activity of MEHSR against EAC cells was also evaluated by determining the viable tumor cell count, survival time, body weight gain, hematological profiles of experimental mice along with observing morphological changes of EAC cells by fluorescence microscope. Analysis of the chemical composition of MEHSR was carried out using GC-MS.

Results

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of MEHSR were found to be 143.36 and 82.81 mg/g of extract in terms of gallic acid and catechin equivalent, respectively. The MEHSR exhibited very good scavenging property on DPPH (IC50: 13.37 μg/mL) and ABTS (IC50: 18.88 μg/mL) radicals in respect to nitric oxide (IC50: 72.82 μg/mL) radical and lipid peroxidation (IC50: 75.78 μg/mL) inhibition. MEHSR was found to induce Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell death at a dose dependent fashion. At dose 10 mg/kg, MEHSR significantly inhibited tumor cell growth rate (62.24%; p < 0.05), decreased tumor weight (57.81%; p < 0.05), increased life span (38.97%) compared to the untreated control mice. MEHSR also restored all hematological parameters of EAC-bearing mice towards normal level. Furthermore, administration of MEHSR induced apoptosis of EAC cells as observed in Hoechst 33342 stained cells under fluorescence microscope. Arachidic acid (49.18%), oleic acid (36.36%) and octadecanoic acid (14.47%) were identified as the major components of MEHSR by GC-MS analysis.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, our findings proposed that MEHSR may possess promising antioxidant and antineoplastic efficacy against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells by induction of cell apoptosis. Therefore, it might be a potent and novel candidate for anticancer therapy.
Determinants of health seeking behavior for chronic non-communicable diseases and related out-of-pocket expenditure: results from a cross-sectional survey in northern Bangladesh
Authors: Rasul Fatema Binte , Kalmus Olivier , Sarker Malabika , Adib Hossain Ishrath , Hossain Md Shahadath , Hasan Md Zabir , Brenner Stephan , Nazneen Shaila , Islam Muhammed Nazmul , De Allegri Manuela
Published: December 2019

Background

In spite of high prevalence rates, little is known about health seeking and related expenditure for chronic non-communicable diseases in low-income countries. We assessed relevant patterns of health seeking and related out-of-pocket expenditure in Bangladesh.

Methods

We used data from a household survey of 2500 households conducted in 2013 in Rangpur district. We employed multinomial logistic regression to assess factors associated with health seeking choices (no care or self-care, semi-qualified professional care, and qualified professional care). We used descriptive statistics (5% trimmed mean and range, median) to assess related patterns of out-of-pocket expenditure (including only direct costs).

Results

Eight hundred sixty-six (12.5%) out of 6958 individuals reported at least one chronic non-communicable disease. Of these 866 individuals, 139 (16%) sought no care or self-care, 364 (42%) sought semi-qualified care, and 363 (42%) sought qualified care. Multivariate analysis confirmed that the following factors increased the likelihood of seeking qualified care: a higher education, a major chronic non-communicable disease, a higher socio-economic status, a lower proportion of chronic household patients, and a shorter distance between a household and a sub-district public referral health facility. Seven hundred fifty-four (87 %) individuals reported out-of-pocket expenditure, with drugs absorbing the largest portion (85%) of total expenditure. On average, qualified care seekers encountered the highest out-of-pocket expenditure, followed by those who sought semi-qualified care and no care, or self-care.

Conclusion

Our study reveals insufficiencies in health provision for chronic conditions, with more than half of all affected people still not seeking qualified care, and the majority still encountering considerable out-of-pocket expenditure. This calls for urgent measures to secure better access to care and financial protection.
Individual and contextual factors associated with sexual initiation among adolescents
Authors: Furlanetto Milene Fontana , Ghedin Dienifer Mattos , Gonçalves Tonantzin Ribeiro , Marin Angela Helena
Published: December 2019

Adolescent sexual practices have been widely investigated as experiences that pose potential risks for health. The present study, therefore, aimed to investigate individual and contextual factors associated with sexual initiation, sexual activity before the age of 15 years, and inconsistent condom use. A total of 253 adolescents aged 11 to 18 years, from public schools in the capital and metropolitan region of Rio Grande do Sul, were interviewed. They answered a questionnaire covering sociodemographic data and sexual behaviors and completed the Perception of Family Support Inventory. The data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics and it was verified that both individual (higher level of education, school repetition, and use of licit and illicit substances) and contextual factors (perception of less affective-consistent support and greater autonomy from the family) were related to sexual initiation among adolescents. The associations found for the groups with sexual initiation before and after 15 years of age were similar, indicating that age did not increase the exposure to risks. Inconsistent condom use was related to the use of tobacco and other drugs. Taken together, the results indicated the co-occurrence of risk behaviors, such as sexual risks and substance abuse, as well as highlighting some family characteristics as protective factors.
Augmentation of situational awareness by fault passage indicators in distribution network incorporating network reconfiguration
Authors: Jain Tanmay , Ghosh Debomita , Mohanta Dusmanta Kumar
Published: December 2019

Power distribution systems are profoundly inclined to disturbances like untimely switching of breakers & relays, sympathetic tripping, and uncertainties regarding fault location. Thus, system stability and reliability are greatly affected. In this way, situational awareness and system integrity are the crucial factors in developing power system security, as it empowers successful decision making & timely reaction by the operators to any disturbance and also maintaining continuity of power supply. This paper focuses on the enhancement of situational awareness by fault location through fault passage indicators (FPI) to improve nominal impedance-based methods in distribution networks. Also, the proposed method is validated by comparing it with Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) based fault location method. Further, simultaneous reconfiguration of the system is incorporated to maintain the continuity of supply. The analysis has been tested on IEEE 33 bus distribution system.
Comparing marginal bone height changes around immediately and delayed implant-retained mandibular overdentures in controlled diabetic patients: a randomized clinical study
Authors: Ibraheem Eman Mostafa Ahmed , Hammad Hoda Gaafar Hassan , El-Sisy Ahmed Mostafa Esmat
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study was conducted to evaluate the marginal bone height changes around dental implants in mandibular implant-retained complete acrylic overdentures using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with implementation of both immediate and delayed loading protocols in controlled type II diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.

Patients and methods

Twenty completely edentulous controlled diabetic patients were selected to participate in this study to receive mandibular implant-retained overdentures. Then, the study patients were randomly divided into two equal groups according to the loading protocol: group I, ten patients had received complete overdentures retained with two implants and two ball attachments while applying the immediate implant loading protocol and group II, ten patients had received complete overdentures retained with two implants and two ball attachments while applying the delayed implant loading protocol. For each patient, a computer-guided surgical stent was prepared for CBCT assessment to properly determine the dimensions and angulations of the two implants that were inserted in the inter-foraminal region. Afterward, the dental prosthetic was loaded, and a second CBCT was done for each patient to measure the marginal alveolar bone height. Then CBCTs were periodically performed after a period of 6 and 12 months after prosthetic loading in order to monitor the changes in marginal bone height surrounding the inserted dental implants.

Results

Statistical analysis of obtained records revealed no significant difference between the two loading protocols in the studied groups.

Conclusion

Marginal bone height changes around immediately and delayed implant-retained mandibular over dentures seem comparable in controlled type II diabetic patients.

Trial registration

Trial registration number: 16086; date of registry, November 2016; date of the research, June 2017
Proteomic analysis of heat shock proteins in maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Abou-Deif Mahmoud Hussien , Rashed Mohamed Abdel-Salam , Khalil Kamal Mohamed , Mahmoud Fatma El-Sayed
Published: December 2019

Background

Maize is one of the important cereal food crops in the world. High temperature stress causes adverse influence on plant growth. When plants are exposed to high temperatures, they produce heat shock proteins (HSPs), which may impart a generalized role in tolerance to heat stress. Proteome analysis was performed in plant to assess the changes in protein types and their expression levels under abiotic stress. The purpose of the study is to explore which proteins are involved in the response of the maize plant to heat shock treatment.

Results

We investigated the responses of abundant proteins of maize leaves, in an Egyptian inbred line of maize “K1”, upon heat stress through two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) on samples of maize leaf proteome. 2-DE technique was used to recognize heat-responsive protein spots using Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) and silver staining. In 2-D analysis of proteins from plants treated at 45 °C for 2 h, the results manifested 59 protein spots (4.3%) which were reproducibly detected as new spots where did not present in the control. In 2D for treated plants for 4 h, 104 protein spots (7.7%) were expressed only under heat stress. Quantification of spot intensities derived from heat treatment showed that twenty protein spots revealed clear differences between the control and the two heat treatments. Nine spots appeared with more intensity after heat treatments than the control, while four spots appeared only after heat treatments. Five spots were clearly induced after heat treatment either at 2 h or 4 h and were chosen for more analysis by LC-MSMS. They were identified as ATPase beta subunit, HSP26, HSP16.9, and unknown HSP/Chaperonin.

Conclusion

The results revealed that the expressive level of the four heat shock proteins that were detected in this study plays important roles to avoid heat stress in maize plants.
Anatomy, ultrastructure and histology of the olfactory organ of the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, Centrarchidae
Authors: Kim Hyun Tae , Yun Seung Woon , Park Jong Young
Published: December 2019

The detailed anatomy, ultrastructure and histology of the olfactory organ ofMicropterus salmoideswere investigated by a stereo microscope, a light microscope, and a scanning electron microscope. Its external structure shows a tube-like anterior nostril to stick out and a posterior nostril flat to the skin surface. Meanwhile, its internal structure, the olfactory chamber, contains a fan-shaped rosette structure with 9 to 11 lamellae in adult fish over 35 cm in standard length (SL) and two accessory nasal sacs (ethmoidal and lacrimal sacs) were found. Interestingly, the rosette in young fish under 15 cm in SL was a longitudinal structure in parallel with each of 4–5 lamellae. Histologically, the sensory epithelium (SE) on the olfactory chamber consists of 5 types of cells: olfactory receptor neurons, supporting cells, basal cells, lymphatic cells and mucous cells. In contrast, the non-sensory epithelium (NSE) has stratified epithelial cells, lymphatic cells and mucous cells. The mucous cells of the SE are abundant and distributed densely in one row on the outermost superficial surface, but the one of the NSE are less than the SE. From these results, the olfactory characters ofM. salmoidesmay be related with its ecological habit spending in the middle layer of stagnant water contaminated, more or less.
An endangered regional cuisine in Sweden: the decline in use of European smelt, Osmerus eperlanus (L., 1758), as food stuff
Authors: Svanberg Ingvar , Jäppinen Armas , Bonow Madeleine
Published: December 2019

Only a handful freshwater fish species are still commercially sought after in Sweden. Subsistence fishing in lakes and rivers is also rare nowadays and has in general been replaced by recreational fishing. However, fishing for European smelt, Osmerus eperlanus (L.), once popular in many areas of central Sweden, has survived into the twenty-first century, particularly in the province of Värmland, as a minor, but interesting regional food speciality. It is a dish with character, since smelt has a very particular scent and it is therefore esteemed by some and rejected by others. Nowadays, it is eaten locally, especially by the elder generations, and attempts to popularize it as a regional food have so far failed. However, smelt deserves to be marketed as a regional culinary specialty, and has great potential to become popular among modern foodies. A traditional dish known as “smelt pancake” can be promoted. Interesting enough, there are new categories of smelt enthusiasts that have discovered the possibility of fishing in large numbers in spring, especially Thai and other immigrants. There are also a significant numbers of sojourners and visitors from the Baltic States, especially Lithuanians, fishing for smelt in Värmland.
Exploring receptor tyrosine kinases-inhibitors in Cancer treatments
Authors: Metibemu D. Samuel , Akinloye O. Adeboye , Akamo A. Jamiu , Ojo D. Ajiboye , Okeowo O. Tolulope , Omotuyi I. Olaposi
Published: December 2019

Background

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are signaling enzymes responsible for the transfer of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) γ-phosphate to the tyrosine residues substrates. RTKs demonstrate essential roles in cellular growth, metabolism, differentiation, and motility. Anomalous expression of RTK customarily leads to cell growth dysfunction, which is connected to tumor takeover, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Understanding the structure, mechanisms of adaptive and acquired resistance, optimizing inhibition of RTKs, and eradicating cum minimizing the havocs of quiescence cancer cells is paramount.

MainText

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) vie with RTKs ATP-binding site for ATP and hitherto reduce tyrosine kinase phosphorylation, thus hampering the growth of cancer cells. TKIs can either be monoclonal antibodies that compete for the receptor’s extracellular domain or small molecules that inhibit the tyrosine kinase domain and prevent conformational changes that activate RTKs. Progression of cancer is related to aberrant activation of RTKs due to due to mutation, excessive expression, or autocrine stimulation.

Conclusions

Understanding the modes of inhibition and structures of RTKs is germane to the design of novel and potent TKIs. This review shed light on the structures of tyrosine kinases, receptor tyrosine kinases, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, minimizing imatinib associated toxicities, optimization of tyrosine kinase inhibition in curtailing quiescence in cancer cells and the prospects of receptor tyrosine kinase based treatments.
Role of dynamic ultrasound versus MRI in diagnosis and assessment of shoulder impingement syndrome
Authors: El-Shewi Islam El-Hefnawi Abdel Fattah , El Azizy Hatem Mohamed , Gadalla Amr Abd El Fattah Hassan
Published: December 2019

Background

Subacromial impingement is the most frequent cause of shoulder pain, accounting for up to 60% of all shoulder complaints; dynamic high-resolution ultrasonography can be used in the detection of different abnormalities causing and related to shoulder impingement. This is compared to MRI, which we considered as a standard in our cases.

Results

Fifty patients presented with symptoms of painful shoulder with 42 patients of them having limited movements of their shoulders. All patients had a conventional B-mode ultrasound examination, and dynamic sonographic examination was also performed in all patients. The results were compared to the MRI examination results of those patients. The addition of dynamic ultrasound examination for diagnosis of the painful shoulder showed the highest sensitivity in the assessment of impingement syndrome and for detection of different abnormalities affecting the shoulder joint (e.g., 85.7% for rotator cuff partial-thickness tear, 90% for rotator cuff full-thickness tear).

Conclusion

Based on our results, the static US combined with dynamic study can be a helpful tool in detecting different abnormalities of the painful shoulder especially impingement syndrome and its different causes.
Rainbow trout slow myoblast cell culture as a model to study slow skeletal muscle and the characterization ofmir-133andmir-499families as a case study
Authors: Duran Bruno Oliveira da Silva , Dal-Pai-Silva Maeli , Garcia de la serrana Daniel
Published: December 2019

Muscle fibers are classified as fast, intermediate and slow. In vitro myoblast cell culture model from fast muscle is a very useful tool to study muscle growth and development, however, similar models for slow muscle do not exist. Thanks to the compartmentalization of fish muscle fibers we developed a slow myoblast cell culture for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Slow and fast muscle-derived myoblasts had similar morphology, but with differential expression of slow muscle markers such as slow myhc, sox6 and pgc-1α. We also characterized the mir-133 and mir-499 microRNA families in trout slow and fast myoblasts as a case study during myogenesis and in response to electrostimulation. Three mir-133 (a-1a, a-1b and a-2) and four mir-499 (aa, ab, ba and bb) paralogues were identified for rainbow trout and named base on their phylogenetic relationship to zebrafish and Atlantic salmon orthologues. Omy-mir-499ab and omy-mir-499bb had 0.6 and 0.5-fold higher expression in slow myoblasts compared to fast myoblasts, whereas mir-133 duplicates had similar levels in both phenotypes and little variation during development. Slow myoblasts also showed increased expression for omy-mir-499b paralogues in response to chronic electrostimulation (7-fold increase for omy-mir-499ba and 2.5-fold increase for omy-mir-499bb). The higher expression of mir-499 paralogues in slow myoblasts suggests a role in phenotype determination while the lack of significant differences of mir-133 copies during culture development might indicate a different role in fish compared to mammals. We have also found signs of sub-functionalization of mir-499 paralogues after electrostimulation, with omy-mir-499b copies more responsive to electrical signals.
Nicaraven Attenuates Postoperative Systemic Inflammatory Responses-Induced Tumor Metastasis
Authors: Zhang Xu , Moriwaki Takahito , Kawabata Tsuyoshi , Goto Shinji , Liu Ke-Xiang , Guo Chang-Ying , Li Tao-Sheng
Published: December 2019

Background

Inflammation has been demonstrated to promote cancer metastasis. Due to the well-known systemic inflammatory responses (SIR) after major surgery, it is critical to investigate and attenuate SIR-induced tumor metastasis of cancer patients suffering surgical procedures.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were intravenously injected with Lewis lung cancer cells at 6, 24, and 72 h after the induction of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We found that the number of tumor nodules significantly increased in lungs of mice injected with cancer cells at 6 h but not at 24 and 72 h after I/R injury. The administration of nicaraven 30 min before and 24 h after I/R injury effectively attenuated the enhanced tumor metastasis to lungs. Protein array showed the increase of various cytokines in plasma of mice at 6 h after I/R injury, but many of them were attenuated by the administration of nicaraven. Immunostaining indicated the increase of Ly6g-, CD206-, and CD11c-positive inflammatory cells in the lungs, but it was also attenuated by nicaraven administration.

Conclusions

Postoperative SIR-induced tumor metastasis have been clearly evidenced in our experimental model, and the administration of nicaraven may ameliorate the SIR-induced tumor metastasis by suppressing inflammatory responses.
Pediatric sedation in vascular malformations interventions by a non-anesthesiologist—feasibility and safety
Authors: Weiser Giora , Gross Itai , Verstandig Anthony , Farkas Adam
Published: December 2019

Objective:

Sedation for pediatric patients undergoing interventional procedures in radiology is in increasing demand. Once only anesthesiology-performed, there is a demand for sedation services to perform sedations for these procedures. However, the safety of performing long sedations by non-anesthesiologists in interventional radiology has not been reported. This pilot study aimed at describing a single center's experience and outcome with sedation.

Methods:

This study reviews the sedations performed at a single center by a pediatric emergency physician who performed the sedation. The results regarding safety and satisfaction were reviewed.

Results:

A total of 52 sedations were documented. Four cases of significant adverse events and three adverse events occurred. In all cases, the procedures were completed. None of the patients required intubation or admission following the sedation. There was high satisfaction by the interventional radiologists.

Conclusion:

This small pilot study shows that sedations for procedures in interventional radiology can be performed safely and successfully by dedicated non-anesthesiology sedation services. This may be considered as an alternative when anesthesiology service is not available.

Advances in knowledge:

This small, single center pilot study examines the safety of sedation by a non-anesthesiologist for interventional radiology procedures. This may offer an additional method of performing procedures in the pediatric population while anesthesia is not readily available.
Accounting
Authors: Gadzhiev Nazirhan , Ivlicheva Natal'ya , Ivlichev Pavel , Kolesnikova Elena , Konovalenko Sergei Aleksandrovich , Kornilovich Ruslan , Lobanov Mihail , Pilyugin Nikolay , Rebrov Aleksey , Trofimov Mihail , Trushina Natal'ya , Harada Georgy Ismaylovich
Published: December 2019

The textbook contains 29 topics that reveal the specifics of the discipline "Accounting". Their study will allow students to master the basic techniques, accounting techniques, learn to identify errors and violations in the work of the organization, signs of economic crimes, acquire skills in working with regulatory documents regulating accounting and financial work in the line of economic security and anti-corruption.
Meets the requirements of the Federal state educational standards of higher education of the last generation.
Designed for students majoring in 38.05.01 " Economic security "(specialization "Economic and legal support of economic security"), cadets, students of higher educational institutions, including educational organizations of the Ministry of internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.