bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Cytomegalovirus Terminase Gene Mutations Selected after Exposure to Three Distinct Inhibitor Compounds
Authors: Chou Sunwen
Published: August 2017

Letermovir, GW275175X (a benzimidazole), and tomeglovir (Bay38-4766) are chemically unrelated human cytomegalovirus (CMV) terminase complex inhibitors that have been tested in human subjects. UL56 gene mutations are the dominant pathway of letermovir resistance, while UL89 and UL56 mutations are known to confer benzimidazole resistance. This study compares the mutations elicited by the three inhibitors duringin vitroCMV propagation. GW275175X consistently selected for UL89 D344E and sometimes selected for UL89 C347S, UL89 R351H, or UL56 Q204R. Tomeglovir consistently selected for UL89 V362M and sometimes selected for UL89 N329S, T350M, H389N, or N405D or UL56 L208M, E407D, H637Q, or V639M. Adding to known and novel UL56 mutations, letermovir occasionally selected for UL89 N320H, D344E, or M359I. Recombinant phenotyping confirmed that UL89 D344E conferred 9-fold resistance (an increased 50% effective concentration [EC50]) for GW275175X and increased the letermovir and tomeglovir EC50s by 1.7- to 2.1-fold for the baseline virus and the UL56 Q204R, E237D, F261L, and M329T mutants. UL89 N320H and M359I conferred <2-fold letermovir resistance but 7-fold tomeglovir resistance; the N320H mutant was also 4-fold resistant to GW275175X. UL89 N329S conferred tomeglovir and letermovir cross-resistance. UL89 T350M conferred resistance to all three inhibitors. UL89 C347S conferred 27-fold GW275175X resistance. UL89 V362M and H389N conferred 98-fold and 29-fold tomeglovir resistance, respectively, without conferring cross-resistance. Thus, characteristic UL89 mutations confer substantial resistance to GW275175X and tomeglovir and are an uncommon accessory pathway of letermovir resistance. Instances of moderate cross-resistance and the proximity of the selected UL89 and UL56 mutations suggest targeting of a similar terminase functional locus involving UL56 and UL89 interaction.
Spontaneous Loss of Virulence in Natural Populations of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Maury Mylène M. , Chenal-Francisque Viviane , Bracq-Dieye Hélène , Han Lei , Leclercq Alexandre , Vales Guillaume , Moura Alexandra , Gouin Edith , Scortti Mariela , Disson Olivier , Vázquez-Boland José A. , Lecuit Marc
Published: August 2017

The pathogenesis of
Listeria monocytogenes
depends on the ability of this bacterium to escape from the phagosome of the host cells via the action of the pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO). Expression of the LLO-encoding gene (
hly
) requires the transcriptional activator PrfA, and both
hly
and
prfA
genes are essential for
L. monocytogenes
virulence. Here, we used the hemolytic activity of LLO as a phenotypic marker to screen for spontaneous virulence-attenuating mutations in
L. monocytogenes
. Sixty nonhemolytic isolates were identified among a collection of 57,820 confirmed
L. monocytogenes
strains isolated from a variety of sources (0.1%). In most cases (56/60; 93.3%), the nonhemolytic phenotype resulted from nonsense, missense, or frameshift mutations in
prfA
. Five strains carried
hly
mutations leading to a single amino acid substitution (G299V) or a premature stop codon causing strong virulence attenuation in mice. In one strain, both
hly
and
gshF
(encoding a glutathione synthase required for full PrfA activity) were missing due to genomic rearrangements likely caused by a transposable element. The PrfA/LLO loss-of-function (PrfA
−
/LLO
−
) mutants belonged to phylogenetically diverse clades of
L. monocytogenes
, and most were identified among nonclinical strains (57/60). Consistent with the rare occurrence of loss-of-virulence mutations, we show that
prfA
and
hly
are under purifying selection. Although occurring at a low frequency, PrfA
−
/LLO
−
mutational events in
L. monocytogenes
lead to niche restriction and open an evolutionary path for obligate saprophytism in this facultative intracellular pathogen.
Patient with Niemann-Pick disease type C: over 20 years' follow-up
Authors: Abe Kazuo , Sakai Norio
Published: August 2017

We report a 37-year-old woman with Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) 1. At the age of 8 years, she presented slow running followed by both fingers dystonia at the age of 10 years. At the age of 16 years, she developed declined scholastic achievement. On her first visit at the age of 17 years, she showed dystonia, ataxic gait and vertical supranuclear gaze palsy. We suspected it was NPC. She presented atrophies in the frontal lobes, brainstem and cerebellum in a brain MRI. She presented hepatomegalies and splenomegalies in an abdominal CT. At the age of 26 years, she undertook perpetually tracheal fistula because of recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Diagnosis of NPC1 was made by filipin staining and existence of foamy cells in the bone marrow and NPC1 gene analysis. We obtained informed consent of genetic analysis. Miglustat therapy was started at the age of 32 years. Improvements in swallowing capacity and in muscle tonus were seen.
Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) caused by phenytoin
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Ragsdale Bruce D , Rahman Zia Ur , Nigam Gaurav
Published: August 2017

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition with high mortality. Diagnosis is challenging due to variable clinical presentation and a protracted latency period following initiation of the offending drug. DRESS is a complex interplay that starts by introduction of the offending drug, reactivation of viruses and activation of the immune system. Herpes virus reactivation is considered a diagnostic marker and indicator of illness severity. Prompt recognition and the removal of offending agent remain the key to successful treatment. In cases of severe organ involvement, corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, antiviral and specialist consultation may be helpful. Here we present a case of a 36-year-old African-American male who presented with symptoms mimicking sepsis with an associated skin eruption that was diagnosed as DRESS.
Correlation between preconception maternal non-occupational exposure to interior decoration or oil paint odour and average birth weight of neonates: findings from a nationwide cohort study in China’s rural areas
Authors: Liu Huiting , Chen Shi , Zhu Huijuan , Yang Hongbo , Gong Fengying , Wang Linjie , Jiang Yu , Lian Bill Q , Yan Chengsheng , Li Jianqang , Wang Qing , Zhang Shikun , Pan Hui
Published: August 2017

Background

Birth weight is a critical indicator of neonatal health and foretells people’s health in adolescence and even adulthood. Some researchers have warned against the adverse effects on babies’ birth weight of exposure to pollutants in interior decoration or oil paint by odour intake. This study evaluated the effects of maternal exposure to such factors before conception on the birth weights of neonates.

Methods

Data on 213 461 cases in this study were from the database of the free National Pre-pregnancy Checkups Project. Defined as ‘exposed’ were those women exposed to oil paint odour or interior decoration at home or in the workplace within 6 months before their pregnancy. The study focused on revealing the correlation between such exposure and the birth weight of the neonates of these women, especially the incidence of macrosomia and low birth weight (LBW). Statistical analysis was conducted using the Kruskal–Wallis H test, the Mann–Whitney U test and logistic regression.

Results

The birth weight of babies from mothers non-occupationally exposed to such settings averaged 3465 g (range 3150–3650 g), whereas the birth weight of those from mothers free of such exposure averaged 3300 g (range 3000–3600g). Maternal exposure preconception to interior decoration or oil paint odour reduced the incidence of LBW in their babies (p=0.003, OR 0.749, 95% CI 0.617 to 0.909). Such exposure may also augment the probability of macrosomia (p<0.001, OR 1.297, 95% CI 1.133 to 1.484).

Conclusion

Maternal exposure to interior decoration or oil paint odour preconception may increase the average birth weight of neonates, as well as the incidence of macrosomia.
Socioeconomic status and prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases in Chinese women: a structural equation modelling approach
Authors: Yin Hui , Wu Qunhong , Cui Yu , Hao Yanhua , Liu Chaojie , Li Ye , Liang Libo , Wang Limin , Tao Yuchun
Published: August 2017

Objective

To investigate the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and offer theoretical evidence for the prevention and control of NCDs.

Design

Cross-sectional survey and structural equation modelling.

Setting

Nationwide, China.

Participants

Female participants in the 2008 National Health Services Survey in China who were 15 years and older.

Results

SES factors were associated with the increased risk of NCDs in Chinese women. Education was identified as the most important factor with a protective role (factor loading=−0.115) for NCDs. Income mainly affected NCDs directly, whereas occupation mainly affected NCDs indirectly. The effects of SES on NCDs were more significant than that of smoking. Medical insurance, smoking and self-reported health played a mediating role in the correlations between those SES factors and NCDs.

Conclusions

In China, socioeconomic disparities associated with the prevalence of NCDs exist among women. Educational and social interventions are needed to mitigate their negative consequences on health outcomes in Chinese women.
Assessment of healthcare delivery in the early management of bacterial meningitis in UK young infants: an observational study
Authors: Okike Ifeanyichukwu O , Ladhani Shamez N , Anthony Mark , Ninis Nelly , Heath Paul T
Published: August 2017

Objective

To define early presenting features of bacterial meningitis in young infants in England and to review the adequacy of individual case management as compared with relevant national guidelines and an expert panel review.

Design

Retrospective medical case note review and parental recall using standardised questionnaires.

Setting

England and Wales.

Participants

Infants aged <90 days with bacterial meningitis diagnosed between July 2010 and July 2013.

Results

Of the 97 cases recruited across England and Wales, 66 (68%) were admitted from home and 31 (32%) were in hospital prior to disease onset. Almost all symptoms reported by parents appeared at the onset of the illness, with very few new symptoms appearing subsequently. Overall, 20/66 (30%) infants were assessed to have received inappropriate prehospital management. The median time from onset of first symptoms to first help was 5 hours (IQR: 2–12) and from triage to receipt of first antibiotic dose was 2.0 hours (IQR: 1.0–3.3), significantly shorter in infants with fever or seizures at presentation compared with those without (1.7 (IQR: 1.0–3.0) vs 4.2 (IQR: 1.8–6.3) hours, p=0.02). Overall, 26 (39%) infants had a poor outcome in terms of death or neurological complication; seizures at presentation was the only significant independent risk factor (OR, 7.9; 95% CI 2.3 to 207.0). For cases in hospital already, the median time from onset to first dose of antibiotics was 2.6 (IQR: 1.3–9.8) hours, and 12/31 (39%) of infants had serious neurological sequelae at hospital discharge. Hearing test was not performed in 23% and when performed delayed by ≥4 weeks in 41%.

Conclusions

In young infants, the non-specific features associated with bacterial meningitis appear to show no progression from onset to admission, whereas there were small but significant differences in the proportion of infants with more specific symptoms at hospital admission compared with at the onset of the illness, highlighting the difficulties in early recognition by parents and healthcare professionals alike. A substantial proportion of infants received inappropriate prehospital and posthospital management. We propose a targeted campaign for education and harmonisation of practice with evidence-based management algorithms.
Evaluation of the McGrath MAC and Macintosh laryngoscope for tracheal intubation in 2000 patients undergoing general anaesthesia: the randomised multicentre EMMA trial study protocol
Authors: Kriege Marc , Alflen Christian , Tzanova Irene , Schmidtmann Irene , Piepho Tim , Noppens Ruediger R
Published: August 2017

Introduction

The direct laryngoscopy technique using a Macintosh blade is the first choice globally for most anaesthetists. In case of an unanticipated difficult airway, the complication rate increases with the number of intubation attempts. Recently, McGrath MAC (McGrath) video laryngoscopy has become a widely accepted method for securing an airway by tracheal intubation because it allows the visualisation of the glottis without a direct line of sight. Several studies and case reports have highlighted the benefit of the video laryngoscope in the visualisation of the glottis and found it to be superior in difficult intubation situations. The aim of this study was to compare the first-pass intubation success rate using the (McGrath) video laryngoscope compared with conventional direct laryngoscopy in surgical patients.

Methods and analysis

The EMMA trial is a multicentre, open-label, patient-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Consecutive patients requiring tracheal intubation are randomly allocated to either the McGrath video laryngoscope or direct laryngoscopy using the Macintosh laryngoscope. The expected rate of successful first-pass intubation is 95% in the McGrath group and 90% in the Macintosh group. Each group must include a total of 1000 patients to achieve 96% power for detecting a difference at the 5% significance level. Successful intubation with the first attempt is the primary endpoint. The secondary endpoints are the time to intubation, attempts for successful intubation, the necessity of alternatives, visualisation of the glottis using the Cormack & Lehane score and percentage of glottic opening score and definite complications.

Ethics and dissemination

The project was approved by the local ethics committee of the Medical Association of the Rhineland Palatine state and Westphalia-Lippe. The results of this study will be made available in the form of manuscripts for publication and presentations at national and international meetings.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 02611986; pre-results.
eLearning for health system leadership and management capacity building: a protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Tudor Car Lorainne , Atun Rifat
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Health leadership and management capacity are essential for health system strengthening and for attaining universal health coverage by optimising the existing human, technological and financial resources. However, in health systems, health leadership and management training is not widely available. The use of information technology for education (ie, eLearning) could help address this training gap by enabling flexible, efficient and scalable health leadership and management training. We present a protocol for a systematic review on the effectiveness of eLearning for health leadership and management capacity building in improving health system outcomes.

Methodology and analysis

We will follow the Cochrane Collaboration methodology. We will search for experimental studies focused on the use of any type of eLearning modality for health management and leadership capacity building in all types of health workforce cadres. The primary outcomes of interest will be health outcomes, financial risk protection and user satisfaction. In addition, secondary outcomes of interest include the attainment of health system objectives of improved equity, efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness. We will search relevant databases of published and grey literature as well as clinical trials registries from 1990 onwards without language restrictions. Two review authors will screen references, extract data and perform risk of bias assessment independently. Contingent on the heterogeneity of the collated literature, we will perform either a meta-analysis or a narrative synthesis of the collated data.

Ethics and dissemination

The systematic review will aim to inform policy makers, investors, health professionals, technologists and educators about the existing evidence, potential gaps in literature and the impact of eLearning for health leadership and management capacity building on health system outcomes. We will disseminate the review findings by publishing it as a peer-reviewed journal manuscript and conference abstracts.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD42017056998
Better evidence for earlier assessment and surgical intervention for refractory epilepsy (The BEST study): a mixed methods study protocol
Authors: Rapport Frances , Shih Patti , Mitchell Rebecca , Nikpour Armin , Bleasel Andrew , Herkes Geoffrey , Vagholkar Sanjyot , Mumford Virginia
Published: August 2017

Introduction

One-third of patients with refractory epilepsy may be candidates for resective surgery, which can lead to positive clinical outcomes if efficiently managed. In Australia, there is currently between a 6-month and 2-year delay for patients who are candidates for respective epilepsy surgery from the point of referral for surgical assessment to the eventual surgical intervention. This is a major challenge for implementation of effective treatment for individuals who could potentially benefit from surgery. This study examines implications of delays following the point of eligibility for surgery, in the assessment and treatment of patients, and the factors causing treatment delays.

Methods and analysis

Mixed methods design: Observations of qualitative consultations, patient and healthcare professional interviews, and health-related quality of life assessments for a group of 10 patients and six healthcare professionals (group 1); quantitative retrospective medical records’ reviews examining longitudinal outcomes for 50 patients assessed for, or undergoing, resective surgery between 2014 and 2016 (group 2); retrospective epidemiological study of all individuals hospitalised with a diagnosis of epilepsy in New South Wales (NSW) in the last 5 years (2012–2016; approximately 11 000 hospitalisations per year, total 55 000), examining health services’ use and treatment for individuals with epilepsy, including refractory surgery outcomes (group 3).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been granted by the North Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/17/HAWKE/22) and the NSW Population & Health Services Research Ethics Committee (HREC/16/CIPHS/1). Results will be disseminated through publications, reports and conference presentations to patients and families, health professionals and researchers.
Shoe cushioning, body mass and running biomechanics as risk factors for running injury: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Malisoux Laurent , Delattre Nicolas , Urhausen Axel , Theisen Daniel
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Repetitive loading of the musculoskeletal system is suggested to be involved in the underlying mechanism of the majority of running-related injuries (RRIs). Accordingly, heavier runners are assumed to be at a higher risk of RRI. The cushioning system of modern running shoes is expected to protect runners again high impact forces, and therefore, RRI. However, the role of shoe cushioning in injury prevention remains unclear. The main aim of this study is to investigate the influence of shoe cushioning and body mass on RRI risk, while exploring simultaneously the association between running technique and RRI risk.

Methods and analysis

This double-blinded randomised controlled trial will involve about 800 healthy leisure-time runners. They will randomly receive one of two running shoe models that will differ in their cushioning properties (ie, stiffness) by ~35%. The participants will perform a running test on an instrumented treadmill at their preferred running speed at baseline. Then they will be followed up prospectively over a 6-month period, during which they will self-report all their sports activities as well as any injury in an internet-based database TIPPS (Training and Injury Prevention Platform for Sports). Cox regression analyses will be used to compare injury risk between the study groups and to investigate the association among training, biomechanical and anatomical risk factors, and injury risk.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the National Ethics Committee for Research (Ref: 201701/02 v1.1). Outcomes will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at international conferences, as well as articles in popular magazines and on specialised websites.

Trial registration number

NCT03115437, Pre-results.
Short-term changes in spatial distribution pattern of an herbivore in response to accumulating snow
Authors: Kawaguchi Toshinori , Desrochers André
Published: August 2017

Deep snow can reduce accessibility to vegetation and cover by herbivores by blanketing understory cover, yet simultaneously increase access to foliage at higher levels. Thus, snow depth fluctuation should lead to spatiotemporal variation in herbivore habitat use. We measured shifts in habitat use by snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) as a function of snow depth in an eastern Canadian boreal forest where snow depth often exceeds 1 m. We hypothesized that as snow accumulates, snowshoe hares shift from locations with dense vegetation just above ground to locations with dense vegetation higher above ground. We surveyed 58 km of transects over three winters and found 1954 hare tracks. We analyzed track counts as a response to a density index of low vegetation (0–1.5 m above ground), high vegetation (2–4 m above ground), predator tracks, and snow depth. We found more hare tracks in sites with dense high vegetation when snow was deeper, and more hare tracks in sites with dense low vegetation when snow was shallower. Predator track presence did not influence responses to snow depth. Snow depth dynamics can drive hare distribution, and in turn, introduce uncertainty in spatial distribution models for the species and possibly its interactions with predators.
Influence of prey size on reproduction among populations of Diamond-backed Watersnakes (Nerodia rhombifer)
Authors: Chamberlain J.D. , Clifton I.T. , Gifford M.E.
Published: August 2017

Mean prey size often varies across landscapes, resulting in predator populations having differing access to energetic resources. Shifts in resource quality are likely to cause differences in energy allocation of reproduction. Thus, additional energy intake may lead to (i) increased offspring size, (ii) increased numbers of offspring, (iii) increased relative proportion of energy allocated to reproduction, (iv) increased absolute amount of energy allocated to reproduction or (v) increased energy allocated to growth of some other nonreproductive function, or (vi) some combination of the above outcomes. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the reproductive allocation patterns of four populations of Diamond-backed Watersnakes (Nerodia rhombifer (Hallowell, 1852)) that differ in their mean prey size. Snakes at large prey sites produced longer, heavier babies compared with snakes from small prey sites. Statistical interactions among sites confounded our ability to compare differences in litter size, litter mass, and relative clutch mass. We suggest that increased prey size results in populations shifting reproductive allocation to increase offspring size. Effects of prey size on litter size, litter mass, and relative clutch mass remain unclear.
Increased diet breadth of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) at their northern range limit: a multimethod approach
Authors: Shively Rachel , Barboza Perry , Doak Patricia , Jung Thomas S.
Published: August 2017

The distribution of small mammals is constrained by extreme environmental demands and variable food supplies that are commonly incurred at northern latitudes. Little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte, 1831)) are at the northwestern limits of their range in Alaska (USA), where environmental demands are higher and prey availability is more seasonal than elsewhere in their range. We hypothesized that the little brown bat in interior Alaska has adjusted to these constraints by broadening its foraging niche, relative to that of southern conspecifics. We analyzed arthropod fragments (microhistology) in guano to describe prey composition to order. We compared the efficacy of evaluating diet by microhistology with DNA analysis and stable isotope analysis on guano and hair. Bats consumed aerial prey such as Lepidoptera (moths) and Diptera (true flies and mosquitoes), as well as terrestrial arthropods including Araneae (spiders). Shifts in the proportion of aerial prey in the diet were closely linked to ordinal day. Values for δ15N in hair indicated that bats were generalists in interior Alaska, coastal Alaska, and the Yukon (Canada), but significant outliers indicated that some individuals have distinct diets. The little brown bat’s flexibility in feeding strategies likely allows this species to sustain populations in arctic and subarctic regions.
Rhodiola crenulata Attenuates High Glucose Induced Endothelial Dysfunction in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Huang Li-Yen , Yen I-Chuan , Tsai Wei-Cheng , Ahmetaj-Shala Blerina , Chang Tsu-Chung , Tsai Chien-Sung , Lee Shih-Yu
Published: August 2017

Rhodiola crenulata root extract (RCE), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism via the AMPK pathway in high glucose (HG) conditions. However, the effect of RCE on HG-induced endothelial dysfunction remains unclear. The present study was designed to examine the effects and mechanisms of RCE against hyperglycemic insult in endothelial cells. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pretreated with or without RCE and then exposed to 33[Formula: see text]mM HG medium. The cell viability, nitrite production, oxidative stress markers, and vasoactive factors, as well as the mechanisms underlying RCE action, were then investigated. We found that RCE significantly improved cell death, nitric oxide (NO) defects, and oxidative stress in HG conditions. In addition, RCE significantly decreased the HG-induced vasoactive markers, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), fibronectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, the RCE-restored AMPK-Akt-eNOS-NO axis and cell viability were abolished by the presence of an AMPK inhibitor. These findings suggested that the protective effects of RCE were associated with the AMPK-Akt-eNOS-NO signaling pathway. In conclusion, we showed that RCE protected endothelial cells from hyperglycemic insult and demonstrated its potential for use as a treatment for endothelial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus.
Heat-Processed Scutellariae Radix Protects Hepatic Inflammation through the Amelioration of Oxidative Stress in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Mice
Authors: Park Chan Hum , Shin Mi-Rae , An Byung Kwan , Joh Hyun Woo , Lee Jang Cheon , Roh Seong-Soo , Yokozawa Takako
Published: August 2017

The present study evaluated the effects of heat-processed Scutellariae Radix (Scutellaria baicalensis) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in mice. Scutellariae Radix heat-processed at 160[Formula: see text]C or 180[Formula: see text]C was orally administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight for three days before the intraperitoneal injection of LPS, and the effects were compared with those of vehicle-treated LPS administered to control mice. The administration of Scutellariae Radix decreased the elevated serum monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitrite/nitrate, peroxynitrite, and hepatic functional parameters, and reduced the increased ROS in the liver. The augmented expressions of hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation-related proteins, phospho-p38, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase, nuclear factor-[Formula: see text] B p65, activator protein-1, cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, MCP-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text], and IL-6, were downregulated by the heat-processed Scutellariae Radix. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the increased hepatocellular damage in the liver of LPS-treated mice improved with the administration of heat-processed Scutellariae Radix. Overall, the ameliorative effects of Scutellariae Radix were superior to those when heat-processed at 180[Formula: see text]C. Our results indicate that heat-processed Scutellariae Radix acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by ameliorating oxidative stress in the liver of mice with LPS-induced liver injury.
Entropic uncertainty relation based on generalized uncertainty principle
Authors: Hsu Li-Yi , Kawamoto Shoichi , Wen Wen-Yu
Published: August 2017

We explore the modification of the entropic formulation of uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics which measures the incompatibility of measurements in terms of Shannon entropy. The deformation in question is the type so-called generalized uncertainty principle that is motivated by thought experiments in quantum gravity and string theory and is characterized by a parameter of Planck scale. The corrections are evaluated for small deformation parameters by use of the Gaussian wave function and numerical calculation. As the generalized uncertainty principle has proven to be useful in the study of the quantum nature of black holes, this study would be a step toward introducing an information theory viewpoint to black hole physics.
A toy model of discretized gravity in two dimensions and its extensions
Authors: Rotondo Marcello , Nojiri Shin’ichi
Published: August 2017

We propose a toy model of quantum gravity in two dimensions with Euclidean signature. The model is given by a kind of discretization which is different from the dynamical triangulation. We show that there exists a continuum limit and we can calculate some physical quantities such as the expectation value of the area, that is, the volume of the two-dimensional Euclidean spacetime. We also consider the extensions of the model to higher dimensions.
Emergent Universe as an interaction in the dark sector
Authors: Marachlian Emiliano , Sánchez G. I. E. , Santillán Osvaldo P.
Published: August 2017

A cosmological scenario where dark matter interacts with a variable vacuum energy for a spatially flat Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) spacetime is proposed and analyzed to show that with a linear equation of state and a particular interaction in the dark sector it is possible to get a model of an Emergent Universe. In addition, the viability of two particular models is studied by taking into account the recent observations. The updated observational Hubble data and the JLA supernovae data are used in order to constraint the cosmological parameters of the models and estimate the amount of dark energy in the radiation era. It is shown that the two models fulfil the severe bounds of [Formula: see text] at the 2[Formula: see text] level of Planck.
High-order rogue waves of the Benjamin–Ono equation and the nonlocal nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Liu Wei
Published: August 2017

High-order rogue wave solutions of the Benjamin–Ono equation and the nonlocal nonlinear Schrödinger equation are derived by employing the bilinear method, which are expressed by simple polynomials. Typical dynamics of these high-order rogue waves are studied by analytical and graphical ways. For the Benjamin–Ono equation, there are two types of rogue waves, namely, bright rogue waves and dark rogue waves. In particular, the fundamental rogue wave pattern is different from the usual fundamental rogue wave patterns in other soliton equations. For the nonlocal nonlinear Schrödinger equation, the exact explicit rogue wave solutions up to the second order are presented. Typical rogue wave patterns such as Peregrine-type, triple and fundamental rogue waves are put forward. These high-order rogue wave patterns have not been shown before in the nonlocal Schrödinger equation.
Nonlinear TE surface waves in a ferrite slab bounded by Kerr-type metamaterials
Authors: Zamir Burhan , Ali Rashid
Published: August 2017

In this paper, nonlinear transverse electric surface waves in a structure consisting of a ferrite slab sandwiched between a Kerr-type double-negative metamaterial (DNG-MTM) have been investigated. In addition to a DNG-MTM, two special cases with nonlinear single-negative metamaterials (SNG-MTMs) have also been discussed. The dispersion relations are obtained by applying the boundary conditions to the tangential field components of each layer. The propagation characteristics are plotted numerically for the effective wave index versus propagation frequency.
A Survey on Behavior Control Architectures for Social Robots in Healthcare Interventions
Authors: Cao Hoang-Long , Esteban Pablo Gómez , De Beir Albert , Simut Ramona , Perre Greet van de , Lefeber Dirk , Vanderborght Bram
Published: August 2017

The use of Robot-Assisted Therapy (RAT) in healthcare interventions has increasingly received research attention. However, a lot of RAT studies are conducted under Wizard of Oz (WoZ) techniques in which the robots are teleoperated or pre-programmed. The trend of RAT is moving towards (partially) autonomous control in which the robot behavior control architecture plays a significant role in creating effective human–robot interaction by engaging and motivating human users into the therapeutic processes. This paper describes the state-of-the-art of the autonomous behavior control architectures currently developed for social robots in healthcare interventions, considering both clinical and exploratory studies. We also present certain requirements that an architecture used in RAT study should acquire, which provide roboticists and therapists an inspiration to orient their designs and implementations on the basis of their targeted RAT applications.
Structural and magnetic properties of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 ferromagnetic thin film grown on PMN-PT by sol–gel method
Authors: Zhang Jing , Shi Peng , Zhu Mingmin , Liu Ming , Ren Wei , Ye Zuoguang
Published: August 2017

We report the preparation of epitaxial La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]MnO3 thin films grown on (001)-oriented 0.72Pb(Mg[Formula: see text]Nb[Formula: see text]O3-0.28PbTiO3 substrates by the sol–gel technique. The phase structure, magnetic properties and magnetoresistance of the samples are investigated by using high solution X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, physical property measurement system, respectively. The La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]MnO3 thin films display a well-defined hysteresis loop and typical ferromagnetism behavior at lower temperature. High magnetoresistance at 5[Formula: see text]T of 42% appears at 227[Formula: see text]K for La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]MnO3 thin film.
Nutrition from the Inside Out
Authors: Bier Dennis M.
Published: August 2017

Nearly 50 years ago, I set out to investigate the clinical problem of hypoglycemia in children with illnesses that limited their food intake. My goal was to gather accurate and precise measurable data. At the time, I wasn't interested in nutrition as a discipline defined in its more general or popular sense. To address the specific problem that interested me required development of entirely new methods based on stable, nonradioactive tracers that satisfied the conditions of accuracy and precision. At the time, I had no inclination of the various theoretical and practical problems that would have to be solved to achieve this goal. Some are briefly described here. Nor did I have the slightest idea that developing the field would result in a fundamental change in how human clinical investigation was conducted, with the eventual replacement of radiotracers with stable isotopically labeled ones, even for adult clinical investigation. Additionally, I had no inclination that the original questions would open avenues to much broader questions of practical nutritional relevance. Moreover, only much later as the editor of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition did I appreciate the policy implications of how nutritional data are presented in the scientific literature. At least in part, less accurate and precise measurements and less than full transparency in reporting nutritional data have resulted in widespread debate about the public policy recommendations and guidelines that are the intended result of collecting the data in the first place. This article provides a personal recollection (with all the known faults of self-reporting and retrospective memory) of the journey that starts with measurement certainty and ends with policy uncertainty.
β-Hydroxybutyrate: A Signaling Metabolite
Authors: Newman John C. , Verdin Eric
Published: August 2017

Various mechanisms in the mammalian body provide resilience against food deprivation and dietary stress. The ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is synthesized in the liver from fatty acids and represents an essential carrier of energy from the liver to peripheral tissues when the supply of glucose is too low for the body's energetic needs, such as during periods of prolonged exercise, starvation, or absence of dietary carbohydrates. In addition to its activity as an energetic metabolite, BHB is increasingly understood to have cellular signaling functions. These signaling functions of BHB broadly link the outside environment to epigenetic gene regulation and cellular function, and their actions may be relevant to a variety of human diseases as well as human aging.
Maoto, a Traditional Japanese Herbal Medicine, Inhibits Uncoating of Influenza Virus
Authors: Masui Shinta , Nabeshima Shigeki , Ajisaka Kazuhiko , Yamauchi Kei , Itoh Ryota , Ishii Kazunari , Soejima Toshinori , Hiromatsu Kenji
Published: August 2017

We previously reported in randomized controlled trials that maoto, a traditional herbal medicine, showed clinical and virological efficacy for seasonal influenza. In this study, a culturing system for influenza was used to test the effect of maoto. A549 cells in the culture were infected with influenza virus A (PR8) and followed after treatment with maoto; the virus titers in the culture supernatant, intracellular viral proteins, and viral RNA were determined. When infected cells were cultured with maoto for 24 hr, the virus titer and protein were significantly reduced compared with medium only. Other subtypes, A/H3N2, H1N1pdm, and B, were also inhibited by maoto. Proliferation of viral RNA in a 6 hr culture was inhibited by maoto in the early phase, especially in the first 30 min. Focusing on the entry step of the influenza virus, we found that endosomal pH, regulated by vacuolar‐type H+ ATPase (V‐ATPase) located in the membrane, was increased when treated with maoto. We also found that uncoating of influenza viruses was also inhibited by maoto, resulting in the increase of the number of virus particles in endosomes. These results strongly suggest that the inhibition of endosomal acidification by maoto results in blocking influenza virus entry to cytoplasm, probably through the inhibition of V‐ATPase. The present study provides evidence that supports the clinical use of maoto for the treatment of influenza.
Clinical Impact of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate in Breast Cancer
Authors: Tsuchida Junko , Nagahashi Masayuki , Takabe Kazuaki , Wakai Toshifumi
Published: August 2017

Breast cancer metastasizes to lymph nodes or other organs, which determine the prognosis of patients. It is difficult to cure the breast cancer patients with distant metastasis due to resistance to drug therapies. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis and drug resistance is expected to provide new therapeutic targets. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a pleiotropic, bioactive lipid mediator that regulates many cellular functions, including proliferation, migration, survival, angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis, and immune responses. S1P is formed in cells by sphingosine kinases and released from them, which acts in an autocrine, paracrine, and/or endocrine manner. S1P in extracellular space, such as interstitial fluid, interacts with components in the tumor microenvironment, which may be important for metastasis. Importantly, recent translational research has demonstrated an association between S1P levels in breast cancer patients and clinical outcomes, highlighting the clinical importance of S1P in breast cancer. We suggest that S1P is one of the key molecules to overcome the resistance to the drug therapies, such as hormonal therapy, anti-HER2 therapy, or chemotherapy, all of which are crucial aspects of a breast cancer treatment.
Numerical Study for Near‐Bed Variables in Velocity‐Skewed Oscillatory Sheet Flow Transport
Authors: Chen Xin , Zhang Zichao , Li Yong , Shi Xiaoyan
Published: August 2017

The near‐bed sediment concentration and vertical sediment flux are important in sediment transport mechanics, but they are known much less than the horizontal sediment flux, especially for fine sediment in unsteady flows. A developed two‐phase model is applied to study the near‐bed sediment concentration, vertical sediment flux, and the relevant total sediment amount for the velocity‐skewed oscillatory sheet flow transport. With the sediment concentration hindered fall velocity, the classical reference concentration formulas conducted by Engelund and Fredsoe (1976) and Zyserman and Fredsoe (1994) are utilized for the comparison with the two‐phase model and illustration of the phase‐lag and sediment size effects in near‐bed sediment concentration and vertical sediment flux. The concentration and vertical flux predicted by the two‐phase model agree well with experimental data and are better than empirical formulas. Furthermore, the sediment size effect for pick‐up flux function over starved bed is shown to be quite different from that containing sufficient sediment in oscillatory flows.
Efficient Multiple Kernel Learning Algorithms Using Low-Rank Representation
Authors: Niu Wenjia , Xia Kewen , Zu Baokai , Bai Jianchuan
Published: August 2017

Unlike Support Vector Machine (SVM), Multiple Kernel Learning (MKL) allows datasets to be free to choose the useful kernels based on their distribution characteristics rather than a precise one. It has been shown in the literature that MKL holds superior recognition accuracy compared with SVM, however, at the expense of time consuming computations. This creates analytical and computational difficulties in solving MKL algorithms. To overcome this issue, we first develop a novel kernel approximation approach for MKL and then propose an efficient Low-Rank MKL (LR-MKL) algorithm by using the Low-Rank Representation (LRR). It is well-acknowledged that LRR can reduce dimension while retaining the data features under a global low-rank constraint. Furthermore, we redesign the binary-class MKL as the multiclass MKL based on pairwise strategy. Finally, the recognition effect and efficiency of LR-MKL are verified on the datasets Yale, ORL, LSVT, and Digit. Experimental results show that the proposed LR-MKL algorithm is an efficient kernel weights allocation method in MKL and boosts the performance of MKL largely.
On the Characterization and Enumeration of Some Generalized Trapezoidal Numbers
Authors: Jitman Somphong , Phongthai Chakrit
Published: August 2017

A trapezoidal number, a sum of at least two consecutive positive integers, is a figurate number that can be represented by points rearranged in the plane as a trapezoid. Such numbers have been of interest and extensively studied. In this paper, a generalization of trapezoidal numbers has been introduced. For each positive integerm, a positive integerNis called anm-trapezoidal numberifNcan be written as an arithmetic series of at least2terms with common differencem. Properties ofm-trapezoidal numbers have been studied together with their trapezoidal representations. In the special case wherem=2, the characterization and enumeration of such numbers have been given as well as illustrative examples. Precisely, for a fixed2-trapezoidal numberN, the ways and the number of ways to writeNas an arithmetic series with common difference2have been determined. Some remarks on3-trapezoidal numbers have been provided as well.
Large Subcapsular Splenic Hematoma with a Large Pancreatic Pseudocyst Was Successfully Treated with Splenic Arterial Embolization and Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Drainage of Pancreatic Pseudocyst
Authors: Zhang Song , Liu Fei , Buch Heena , Xu Guifang , Wang Lei
Published: August 2017

Subcapsular splenic hematoma is a rare complication of pancreatitis. The management for subcapsular splenic hematoma remains controversial. We herein report a case of a large subcapsular splenic hematoma with a large pancreatic pseudocyst, which was successfully treated with splenic arterial embolization and ultrasound- (US-) guided percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst, for the first time. A 44-year-old male suffered from recurrent abdominal pain for more than two years. He had previous 3 episodes of pancreatitis. A subcapsular splenic hematoma (16.0 × 16.0 × 7.6 cm) with pancreatic pseudocyst (13.5 × 10.0 × 8.0 cm) was shown on abdominal computed tomography (CT). He underwent splenic arterial embolization to decrease the blood supply of the spleen and then ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of the large pancreatic pseudocyst. After 2 weeks, the repeated CT-Abdomen showed the disappearance of pancreatic pseudocyst and multiple areas of infarction on the spleen, while the splenic subcapsular hematoma had also significantly reduced. The patient was discharged after almost a month of his hospital admission with the drainage tube attached, and about 2 weeks later the drainage tube was removed upon CT scan confirmation of decrease in the volume of the subcapsular hematoma. Patient had no abdominal symptoms at the 1.5-year follow-up.
Connectivity, Information Jumps, and Market Stability: An Agent-Based Approach
Authors: Khashanah Khaldoun , Alsulaiman Talal
Published: August 2017

We propose a metamodel to assess simulated market stability by introducing information connectivity in an agent-based network. The market is occupied by heterogeneous agents with different behaviors, strategies, and information connectivity. A jump-diffusion process simulating events that may occur in the market is introduced. Agents information awareness varies along with agents propensity to respond to the information jump and jump size. A jump reshuffles market positions based on agents risk preferences determined by behavior and strategy. We examine the effect of information awareness on the volatility index of the simulated market in a scale-free market network. The analysis is performed by developing five experiments wherein the first one corresponds to systemic information ignorance state. Three experiments examine the role of hubs, normal agents, and hermits in the network when intermediate combinations of agent types have information awareness. The fifth experiment corresponds to the systemic information awareness with all agents being informed. The results show that the simulated market is driven to instability in a similar manner to patterns observed in a crisis where all agents become homogeneous in information awareness of events. Hubs contribute to increased connectivity and act as amplifiers of good, bad, or inaccurate information or sentiment.