bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retail Sector Concentration, Local Economic Structure, and Community Well-Being
Authors: Crowley Martha , Stainback Kevin
Published: May 2019

The rise and expansion of large retail firms mark a significant shift in economic organization across communities in the United States. In this article, we describe this shift and discuss implications for local economic structure and community well-being. We present theoretical perspectives on the concentration of productive resources and review findings from empirical studies linking retail-sector concentration to wages, jobs, and small firms as well as a host of community well-being outcomes, such as poverty, civic participation, health, and crime. Although most scholarly and public attention to this issue has focused on understanding impacts of Walmart in particular, our review seeks to highlight more general processes of rationalization, concentration, and a changing industrial structure. We conclude with a critique and directions for future research.
Convergence Toward Demographic Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Ham-Chande Roberto , Nava-Bolaños Isalia
Published: May 2019

The region known as Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) had 652 million inhabitants in 2018. Historically, it has been divided into many countries, beginning with colonization from Spain and Portugal. Miscegenation with the indigenous population settled its now distinctive social, cultural, and ethnic characteristics. Spanish is the nearly universal language, considering its command by the educated class of Brazil. On average, LAC's development is at a middle-income level. Its economic, social, and cultural background is highly diverse, both between countries and within each nation. Demographically, LAC is following the global trend of aging, although countries are heterogeneous in population sizes and progressing through different stages of demographic and epidemiological transitions. Based on the current trends of mortality, fertility, and migration, it is estimated that by 2060, the population will reach a maximum of about 790 million, then start a decrease in a concomitant convergence toward population aging.
What's New with Numbers? Sociological Approaches to the Study of Quantification
Authors: Mennicken Andrea , Espeland Wendy Nelson
Published: May 2019

Calculation and quantification have been critical features of modern societies, closely linked to science, markets, and administration. In the past thirty years, the pace, purpose, and scope of quantification have greatly expanded, and there has been a corresponding increase in scholarship on quantification. We offer an assessment of the widely dispersed literature on quantification across four domains where quantification and quantification scholarship have particularly flourished: administration, democratic rule, economics, and personal life. In doing so, we seek to stimulate more cross-disciplinary debate and exchange. We caution against unifying accounts of quantification and highlight the importance of tracking quantification across different sites in order to appreciate its essential ambiguity and conduct more systematic investigations of interactions between different quantification regimes.
Huangqi Shengmai Yin Protects against Radiation-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis Injury by Regulating the TGF-β1/Smads and MMPs
Authors: Gu Jing , Liu Yongqi , Wu Hongyan , Li Hailong , Liu Kai
Published: May 2019

Background. Radiation-induced heart damage is considered to be a progressive process of fibrosis. Emerging evidence has indicated that the Smads and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)/tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP) may be involved in radiation-induced cardiac fibrosis (RICF) by regulating the activation of TGF-β1 signaling pathway. Based on this, the present study was undertaken to characterize the effect of Huangqi Shengmai Yin (HSY) on RICF in a rat model.Methods. Precardiac region of rats was irradiated with 25 Gy X-rays, and their myocardial pathology scores in terms of injury and collagen volume fraction (CVF) and the expression levels of fibrotic molecules were detected.Results. The pathology scores and CVF in myocardial tissue increased after irradiation, and the expression ofTGF-β1, Col1,andCol3increased. This change indicated that such irradiation promoted the fibrosis damage in rat hearts. The damage was accompanied by an increase in the expression of Smad 2, Smad3, Smad4, and MMP14 and a decrease in the expression of Smad 7 and TIMP1. Administration of HSY weakened the RICF by decreasing pathology score and CVF and decreased the expression ofTGF-β1, Col1,andCol3in irradiated rat hearts. In addition, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, and MMP14 were downregulated, while Smad 7 and TIMP1 were upregulated during intervention with HSY.Conclusions. The involvement of theTGF-β1/SmadsandMMPs/TIMPsystem in RICF was confirmed. This study demonstrated, for the first time, that HSY attenuates the effects of RICF in a rat model. The effect HSY was found to be closely related to theTGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway and MMPs system. These results suggest that HSY is a prospective drug for clinical treatment of RICF.
The Efficacy of Shinbaro for the Preventive Treatment of Migraine: A Pilot Study
Authors: Jung Yesol , Won Bohee , Lee Mijung , Chung Jinyoung , Han Sung Ju , Kim Manho
Published: May 2019

Objective. To investigate the therapeutic potential and efficacy of Shinbaro, an herbal medication for inflammatory diseases and bone disorders, as a preventive treatment of migraine. Methods. In this prospective, interventional, single-arm, pre-post study, 37 migraine patients took 600mg bid of Shinbaro for 12 weeks. At 4-week intervals, the migraine frequency and the rescue medications frequency were measured from each patient’s headache diary. The modified Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaires to assess migraine associated disabilities were also completed at each visit. The serum calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) concentrations before and after 12 weeks of Shinbaro administration were compared. Results. The monthly migraine frequency was significantly reduced from 20.5 days at baseline to 16.4 days at week 12 (P =0.003), and 22% of the participants showed ≥ 50% reduction. The frequency reduction was observed by week 4 (P =0.035) and continuously occurred through week 8 (P =0.001) and week 12 (P =0.003). The rescue medications frequency also decreased significantly from 17.4 days at baseline to 13.2 days at week 12 (P =0.035). Lastly, the serum CGRP concentration dropped from 434.6 pg/mL at baseline to 371.4 pg/mL at week 12, which was statistically significant (P <0.001). Conclusions. Shinbaro demonstrated prophylactic effects in migraine patients, significantly reducing their mean migraine frequency, rescue medications frequency, and the serum CGRP concentration after 12 weeks of treatment. This study is registered in Clinical Research Information Service, Seoul National University Hospital Clinical Research Institute (IRB No. 1604-138-758).
Training Simulator for Acquiring Operational Skill to Operate Overhead Traveling Crane while Suppressing Load Sway
Authors: Noda Yoshiyuki , Hoshi Ryuki , Kaneshige Akihiro
Published: May 2019

The present study addressed an advanced system that was designed to teach the skills needed to operate an electric overhead traveling crane. In the operation of an overhead traveling crane, to ensure the safe and efficient transport of a load, an operator must be able to suppress the sway of that load. However, considerable training is needed to master this skill. Furthermore, the beginners may cause accidents by operating the crane incorrectly. Therefore, in the present study, we devised a training system in which an operator can safely and efficiently master the operation of an electric overhead traveling crane while suppressing the load sway. In this approach, the operational conditions in which the load sway is suppressed can be derived theoretically. The operational conditions are displayed by the crane simulator as visual instructions in a virtual working environment. The efficacy of the proposed skill training approach with the crane simulator was verified through experiments whereby novices used the crane simulator to perform the task of transporting a load while suppressing load sway.
Rapid Growth of Pelvic Cyst during Pregnancy: A Case Report
Authors: Fujimoto Yoko , Takahashi Hironori , Horie Kenji , Nakaya Takeo , Niki Toshiro , Fujiwara Hiroyuki , Matsubara Shigeki
Published: May 2019

We describe a patient with bilateral cystic tumors of the pelvis. The left one rapidly grew during pregnancy and combined with the right one, whose clinical course made diagnosis difficult. A pregnant woman with a history of laparotomy was referred to us due to suspected bilateral pelvic cysts. The left-sided cyst had rapidly grown to 27 cm in diameter and merged with the right cyst, forming a large cyst occupying the entire pelvic cavity in the third trimester. Considering this rapid growth, cesarean section and resection of the cyst were performed at 37th week. The resected cyst consisted of two components: a large unilocular cyst containing serous fluid and a multilocular cyst suggestive of ovarian mucinous cystadenoma in the right ovary. The wall of the former largely lacked lining epithelium, but it was partly continuous with the latter mucinous epithelium. Immunohistochemically, estrogen and progesterone receptors were focally positive in the cyst wall, suggesting that pregnancy-associated sex-hormones may have contributed to the rapid growth of the cyst. We diagnosed this condition as a peritoneal inclusion cyst margining with a right ovarian mucinous cystadenoma. Peritoneal inclusion cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a rapidly growing pelvic mass during pregnancy.
Complex Case of Open Fracture-Dislocation of the Elbow
Authors: Primeau Tommy , Beauchamp-Chalifour Philippe , Pelet Stéphane
Published: May 2019

Complex elbow instability is difficult to surgically address. Careful consideration of the fractures and soft tissue injuries is required. We present the case of a patient who sustained an open fracture-dislocation of the elbow with significant loss of the external humeral condyle and partial loss of the olecranon. He was surgically treated with an iliac crest tricortical autograft fixed with a buttress plate and a lag screw. His lateral ulnar collateral ligament was reconstructed with tendinous autograft collected from his third and fourth extensor digitorum longus tendons. While the procedure complicated with a Nocardia infection and wound breakdown, the patient almost had full range of motion without instability at 11 months of follow-up.
An Improved Multithreshold Segmentation Algorithm Based on Graph Cuts Applicable for Irregular Image
Authors: Hu Yanzhu , Wang Jiao , Ai Xinbo , Zhuang Xu
Published: May 2019

In order to realize the multithreshold segmentation of images, an improved segmentation algorithm based on graph cut theory using artificial bee colony is proposed. A new weight function based on gray level and the location of pixels is constructed in this paper to calculate the probability that each pixel belongs to the same region. On this basis, a new cost function is reconstructed that can use both square and nonsquare images. Then the optimal threshold of the image is obtained through searching for the minimum value of the cost function using artificial bee colony algorithm. In this paper, public dataset for segmentation and widely used images were measured separately. Experimental results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper can achieve larger Information Entropy (IE), higher Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), higher Structural Similarity Index (SSIM), smaller Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and shorter time than other image segmentation algorithms.
Local Dominant Directional Symmetrical Coding Patterns for Facial Expression Recognition
Authors: Tong Ying , Chen Rui
Published: May 2019

To overcome the shortcomings of inaccurate textural direction representation and high-computational complexity of Local Binary Patterns (LBPs), we propose a novel feature descriptor named as Local Dominant Directional Symmetrical Coding Patterns (LDDSCPs). Inspired by the directional sensitivity of human visual system, we partition eight convolution masks into two symmetrical groups according to their directions and adopt these two groups to compute the convolution values of each pixel. Then, we encode the dominant direction information of facial expression texture by comparing each pixel’s convolution values with the average strength of its belonging group and obtain LDDSCP-1 and LDDSCP-2 codes, respectively. At last, in view of the symmetry of two groups of direction masks, we stack these corresponding histograms of LDDSCP-1 and LDDSCP-2 codes into the ultimate LDDSCP feature vector which has effects on the more precise facial feature description and the lower computational complexity. Experimental results on the JAFFE and Cohn-Kanade databases demonstrate that the proposed LDDSCP feature descriptor compared with LBP, Gabor, and other traditional operators achieves superior performance in recognition rate and computational complexity. Furthermore, it is also no less inferior to some state-of-the-art local descriptors like as LDP, LDNP, es-LBP, and GDP.
A Case of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome: Difficulty in Prenatal Diagnosis
Authors: Kinjo Tadatsugu , Mekaru Keiko , Nakada Miyuki , Nitta Hayase , Masamoto Hitoshi , Aoki Yoichi
Published: May 2019

We report a case of Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) where prenatal diagnosis was not made even with major anomaly. A 33-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our institution at 23 weeks of gestation because of fetal forearm defect. Ultrasound examination revealed short forearms and short humeri and femurs (–2.1 SD). The fetal estimated body weight was 450 g (–1.3 SD). Fetal MRI at 26 weeks of gestation revealed short forearms and hypoplasty of hand fingers. Fetal growth restriction became evident thereafter, leading to intrauterine fetal death occurring at 29 weeks of gestation. A stillbirth baby was of 798 g in body weight and 33.0 cm in length. External examination showed a low hairline, synophrys, low-set ear, hypertrichosis, and smooth long philtrum with thin lips. The neck appeared short and broad. Finally, CdLS was diagnosed. The prenatal diagnosis might be possible as the arm findings were totally characteristic in a small fetus, regardless of whether an overhanging upper lip was identified. Because CdLS is a rare condition, it is important to consider its possibility as a part of differential diagnosis.
Segmentation of Brain MR Images by Using Fully Convolutional Network and Gaussian Mixture Model with Spatial Constraints
Authors: Lai Jiawei , Zhu Hongqing , Ling Xiaofeng
Published: May 2019

Accurate segmentation of brain tissue from magnetic resonance images (MRIs) is a critical task for diagnosis, treatment, and clinical research. In this paper, a novel algorithm (GMMD‐U) that incorporates the modified full convolutional neural network U‐net and Gaussian‐Dirichlet mixture model (GMMD) with spatial constraints is presented. The proposed GMMD‐U considers the local spatial relationships by assuming that the prior probability obeys the Dirichlet distribution. Specifically, GMMD is applied for extracting brain tissue that has a distinct intensity region and modified U‐net is exploited to correct the wrong‐classification areas caused by GMMD or other conventional approaches. The proposed GMMD‐U is designed to take advantage of the statistical model‐based segmentation techniques and deep neural network. We evaluate the performance of GMMD‐U on a publicly available brain MRI dataset by comparing it with several existing algorithms, and the results reported reveal that the proposed framework can accurately detect the brain tissue from MRIs. The proposed learning‐based integrated framework could be effective for brain tissue segmentation, which will be helpful for surgeons in brain disease diagnosis.
Nephroprotective Effect of Herbal Extract Eurycoma longifolia on Paracetamol-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Chinnappan Sasikala M. , George Annie , Thaggikuppe Praveen , Choudhary YogendraKumar , Choudhary Vandana K. , Ramani Yesha , Dewangan Rashmi
Published: May 2019

Paracetamol (PCM) is a well-known drug widely used for its analgesic and antipyretic properties. PCM is generally considered as safe but overdose of PCM can cause nephrotoxicity. Traditionally, herbs have been used for the treatment of drug or toxin-induced renal disorders and numerous medicinal plants were tested for nephroprotection effect in PCM-induced nephrotoxicity model. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of the herbal extract Eurycoma longifolia (EL) against PCM-induced nephrotoxicity rat model. Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of eight rats each: control (vehicle 10 ml/kg), PCM alone (200 mg/kg PCM), EL 100 (EL 100 mg/kg+200 mg/kg PCM), EL 200 (EL 200 mg/kg+200 mg/kg PCM), and EL 400 (EL 400 mg/kg+200 mg/kg PCM). All animals from control group received vehicle daily and animals from groups PCM alone, EL 100, EL 200, and EL 400 received repeated dose of PCM and the assigned treatment of EL daily for a period of 14 days. On the 15th day, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, protein, and albumin were measured in blood and creatinine clearance was measured in urine collected over 24 hours. Kidney sections of all experimental groups underwent histopathological analysis. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum creatinine and blood urea levels in the PCM alone group compared to the treatment groups due to nephrotoxicity. In the treatment groups, there was a dose-dependent protection against PCM-induced changes observed in serum total protein, albumin, urea, and creatinine. Significant (p<0.05) drop was seen in serum creatinine and blood urea content in EL 200 and EL 400 groups. Creatinine clearance significantly increased for EL 200 (p<0.01) and EL 400 (p < 0.001) groups. Serum total protein and serum albumin content were significantly increased (p<0.05) in EL 200 and EL 400 groups compared to PCM alone group. Histopathological examination (H&E staining) of the rat kidneys revealed severe degeneration in the PCM alone group, while there was evidence of significant dose-dependent protection in the treatment groups against PCM-induced changes. The serum and urine biochemical results and histopathology analysis of the kidney indicate the nephroprotective potential of EL extract against PCM-induced nephrotoxicity.
Variation in Assessing Renal Allograft Rejection: A National Assessment of Nephrology Practice
Authors: Peabody John , Billings Paul , Valdenor Czarlota , Demko Zach , Moshkevich Solomon , Paculdo David , Tran Mary
Published: May 2019

Background. The clinical utility of early detection and treatment of allograft rejection is well-established. Despite frequent testing called for by standard of care protocols, the five-year kidney allograft survival rate is estimated to be as low as 71%. Herein, we report on posttransplant care provided to kidney allograft recipients by board-certified nephrologists in the United States. Methods. We measured clinical practice in a representative sample of 175 practicing nephrologists. All providers cared for simulated patients’ status after renal transplant ranging from 30-75 years in age and 3-24 months after transplant. Our sample of nephrologists cared for a total of 525 allograft cases. Provider responses to the cases were reviewed by trained clinicians, and care was compared to evidence-based care standards and accepted standard of care protocols. Results. Among nephrologists, practicing in settings ranging from transplant centers to community practice, we found that the clinical workup of kidney injury in posttransplant patients is highly variable and frequently deviates from evidence-based care. In cases with pathologic evidence of rejection, only 29.1% (102/350) received an appropriate, evidence-based biopsy, whereas, in cases with no pathological evidence of rejection, 41.3% (45/109) received low-value, unnecessary biopsies. Conclusion. Clinical care in the posttransplant setting is highly variable. Biopsies are often ordered in cases where their results do not alter treatment. Additionally, we found that misdiagnosis was common as were opportunities for earlier biopsy and detection of rejection. This evidence suggests that better diagnostic tools may be helpful to determine which transplant patients should be biopsied and which should not. This study suggests that nephrologists and transplant patients need better tests than creatinine and proteinuria and less invasive approaches than routine biopsies to determine when transplant patients should be investigated for rejection and additional treatment.
High Prevalence of Multidrug Resistant Bacteria in Cirrhotic Patients with Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: Is It Time to Change the Standard Antimicrobial Approach?
Authors: Oliveira Jerônimo De Conto , Carrera Enrique , Petry Roberta C. , Deutschendorf Caroline , Mantovani Augusto , Barcelos Samantha Thifani Alrutz , Cassales Santiago , Schacher Fernando Comunello , Lopes Antônio Barros , Alvares-da-Silva Mario R.
Published: May 2019

Introduction. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) has a deleterious clinical impact in end-stage liver disease, and multidrug resistance has increased, raising concern about effectiveness of traditional antibiotic regimens. Patients and Methods. Single-center retrospective study of ascitic fluid infections in cirrhotic patients. Results. We analyzed medical records related to 2129 culture-positive ascitic fluid and found 183 samples from cirrhotic patients. There were 113 monobacterial SBP cases from 97 cirrhotic patients; 57% of patients were male; hepatitis C and alcohol were the main etiologies for cirrhosis. Multidrug resistant bacteria were isolated in 46.9% of SBP samples, and third-generation cephalosporin and quinolone resistant reached 38.9% and 25.7% of SBP cases. Conclusion. SBP due to multidrug resistant bacteria is a growing problem, and one should consider reported resistance profiles for the decision-making process of empirical first-line treatment prescription.
Combined Candida dubliniensis and Candida albicans Keratitis following a Chemical Injury
Authors: Torosian Justin , Mauger Thomas
Published: May 2019

Candida dubliniensis is an uncommon source of ocular infections and has only been reported in a single previous case of keratitis. This report documents the course of a combined Candida dubliniensis and Candida albicans keratitis following a chemical injury. Antifungal sensitivities of the two different Candida species are also demonstrated.
Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Presenting as Acute Renal Failure
Authors: Rose Ashley , Slone Samuel , Padron Eric
Published: May 2019

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the second most common acute leukemia in adults. It is an aggressive hematologic neoplasm, with a bimodal age distribution typically presenting in childhood and the 6th decade of life (Terwilliger and Abdul-Hay, 2017). Renal injury in ALL is common and can occur through many different mechanisms, such as prerenal acute kidney injury, acute tubular necrosis, renovascular disease, obstruction, glomerulonephritis, and parenchymal infiltration of tumor cells (Luciano and Brewster, 2014). Infiltration of kidneys by leukemia cells is common; however a resultant injury only occurs in about 1% of patients, and renal failure is even more rare (Luciano and Brewster, 2014). Renal failure due to bilateral infiltration of tumor cells has been reported in only a few cases and is thought to be a poor prognostic indicator (Luciano and Brewster, 2014; Sherief et al., 2015). Biopsy is essential to the diagnosis of renal infiltration of leukemia. We present a case of acute renal failure secondary to bilateral renal infiltration of ALL presenting as the first sign of relapse in a young man.
Laboratory and Clinical Evaluation of DNA Microarray for the Detection of Carbapenemase Genes in Gram-Negative Bacteria from Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Song Yi , Dou Fengna , He Sha , Zhou Yu , Liu Qiqi
Published: May 2019

Background. The prevalence of a variety of carbapenemases in Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) has posed a global threat on clinical control and management. Monitoring and controlling the carbapenemase-producing GNB became imperative tasks for many healthcare centers. The aim of this study was to develop a high-throughput, specific, sensitive, and rapid DNA microarray-based method for the diagnosis, phenotypic confirmation, and molecular epidemiological study of carbapenemase genes. Methods. We targeted a panel of eight carbapenemase genes, including blaKPC, blaNDM-1, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-48, blaOXA-51, blaIMP, blaVIM, and blaDIM for detection. Ultrasensitive chemiluminescence (CL) detection method was developed and used to simultaneously detect eight carbapenemase genes, and plasmids were established as positive or limit of detection (LOD) reference materials. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines in order to screen clinical isolates resistant to carbapenem antibiotics as well as Sanger sequencing which was used to confirm the reliability of the results presented by DNA microarray. Results. Eight carbapenemase genes could be detected with high sensitivity and specificity. The absolute LOD of this strategy to detect serially diluted plasmids of eight carbapenemase genes was 102- 103copies/μL. Then, 416 specimens collected from hospital were detected and the results showed 96.6% concordance between the phenotypic and microarray tests. Compared with Sanger sequencing, a specificity and sensitivity of 100% were recorded for blaNDM-1, blaIMP, blaVIM, and blaDIM genes. The specificity for blaKPC, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-48, and blaOXA-51 genes was 100% and the sensitivity was 98.5%, 97.6%, 95.7%, and 97.9%, respectively. The overall consistency rate between the sequencing and microarray is 97.8%. Conclusions. The proposed ultrasensitive CL imaging DNA hybridization has high specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility and could detect and differentiate clinical specimens that carried various carbapenemase genes, suggesting that the method can conveniently be customized for high-throughput detection of the carbapenemase-producing GNB and can be easily adapted for various clinical applications.
Nonstandard Interactions and Prospects for Studying Standard Parameter Degeneracies in DUNE and T2HKK
Authors: Verma Surender , Bhardwaj Shankita
Published: May 2019

The future long baseline experiments such as DUNE and T2HKK have promising prospects to determine the neutrino mass hierarchy and measuring standard CP phase δ. However, presence of possible nonstandard interactions of neutrinos with matter may intricate this picture and is the subject matter of the present work. We have studied the standard parameter degeneracies in presence of nonstandard interactions (NSI) with DUNE and T2HKK experiments. We examine the mass hierarchy degeneracy assuming (i) all NSI parameters to be nonzero and (ii) one NSI parameter (ϵeμ) and its corresponding CP phase (δeμ) to be nonzero. We find that the latter case is more appropriate to resolve mass hierarchy degeneracy with DUNE and T2HKK experiments due to relatively small uncertainties emanating from the NSI sector. We have, also, investigated the octant degeneracy with neutrino (νμ→νe) and antineutrino (ν¯μ→ν¯e) mode separately. We find that to resolve this degeneracy the long baseline experiment with combination of neutrino and antineutrino mode is essential. Furthermore, we have considered DUNE in conjunction with T2HKK experiment to study CP phase degeneracy due to standard (δ) and nonstandard (δeμ) CP phases. We find that DUNE and T2HKK, in conjunction, have more sensitivity for CP violation effects (10σ for true NH and 8.2σ for true IH).
A New Approach to Rough Set Based on Remote Neighborhood Systems
Authors: Sun Shoubin , Li Lingqiang , Hu Kai
Published: May 2019

The notion of neighborhood systems is abstracted from the geometric notion of “near”, and it is primitive in the theory of topological spaces. Now, neighborhood systems have been applied in the study of rough set by many researches. The notion of remote neighborhood systems is initial in the theory of topological molecular lattice, and it is abstracted from the geometric notion of “remote”. Therefore, the notion of remote neighborhood systems can be considered as the dual notion of neighborhood systems. In this paper, we develop a theory of rough set based on remote neighborhood systems. Precisely, we construct a pair of lower and upper approximation operators and discuss their basic properties. Furthermore, we use a set of axioms to describe the lower and upper approximation operators constructed from remote neighborhood systems.
Homeomorphism Mapping Based Neural Networks for Finite Time Constraint Control of a Class of Nonaffine Pure‐Feedback Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Zhu Quanmin , Li Yang , Wu Xueli
Published: May 2019

This paper proposes a new scheme for solving finite time neural networks adaptive tracking control issue for the nonaffine pure‐feedback nonlinear system. The procedure, based on homeomorphism mapping and backstepping, effectively deals with constraint control and design difficulty induced by pure‐feedback structure. The most outstanding novelty is that finite time adaptive law is proposed for training weights of neural networks. Furthermore, by combining finite time adaptive law and Lyapunov‐based arguments, a valid finite time adaptive neural networks controller design algorithm is presented to ensure that system is practical finite stable (PFS) rather than uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB). Because of using the finite time adaptive law to training weights of neural networks, the closed‐loop error system signals are in assurance of bounded in finite time. Benchmark simulations have well demonstrated effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach.
Disseminated Histoplasmosis as an AIDS-Defining Illness Presenting as Fever of Unknown Origin in an 11-Year-Old Female
Authors: Kalata Kathryn E. , Osborne Christina , Willis Amy , Navarro Kacey , Fenton Laura Z. , Smith Christiana
Published: May 2019

A previously healthy 11-year-old female, who emigrated from Central America four years prior, was admitted with eight days of fever, night sweats, and anorexia. Past medical history included severe bronchiolitis, varicella, and hepatitis A as a child. Upon admission, her physical exam was significant for nontender cervical lymphadenopathy, intermittent erythematous papules on the upper extremities, and mild abdominal tenderness. Initial laboratory studies revealed leukopenia, anemia, elevated inflammatory markers, and antibodies to HIV-1 in the patient’s serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Computed tomography scan was remarkable for many small nodules throughout the lungs and widespread lymphadenopathy. Additional testing confirmed the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS with a CD4 count of 52 cells/mm3, complicated by disseminated histoplasmosis. This case is significant because it represents a late presentation of vertically transmitted HIV with disseminated histoplasmosis in a nonendemic region as the AIDS-defining illness. This highlights the importance of maintaining a broad differential for opportunistic infections, especially among those who have spent a significant amount of time in a country where unusual pathogens may be more common. This case also considers the utility of antigen testing as a sensitive diagnostic test in immunocompromised patients.
A New Alternative Synthesis of Salicylaldazine via Microwave Irradiation Method
Authors: Kassim Karimah , Hamali Muhamad Azwan , Yamin Bohari
Published: May 2019

Two diazine Schiff base ligands, HLa and HLb, derived from thiocarbohydrazide and salicylaldehyde derivatives were synthesized using the microwave-assisted synthesis approach. The confirmation of both ligands was elucidated through physiochemical and spectroscopy techniques as well as single X-ray crystallography diffraction. The analyses showed that the ligands synthesized were formed as azine instead of thiocarbohydrazone based on the missing thione, C=S moiety, throughout FTIR and NMR spectrascopic data. This finding was further concluded by X-ray crystal analysis. The biological properties of these ligands were screened using the disc diffusion method. The result shows that HLb shows significant inhibition towards all of the bacteria tested.
Leader‐Following Consensus for Second‐Order Nonlinear Multiagent Systems with Input Saturation via Distributed Adaptive Neural Network Iterative Learning Control
Authors: Deng Xiongfeng , Sun Xiuxia , Liu Shuguang , Zhang Boyang
Published: May 2019

In this paper, the consensus tracking control problem of leader‐following nonlinear multiagent systems with iterative learning control is investigated. The model of each following agent consists of second‐order unknown nonlinear dynamics and the external disturbance. Moreover, the input of each following agent is subject to saturation constraint. It is assumed that the information of leader is not available to any following agents, and the radial basis function neural network is introduced to approximate the nonlinear dynamics. Then, a distributed adaptive neural network iterative learning control protocol and the adaptive updating laws for the time‐varying parameters are proposed, respectively. A new Lyapunov function is constructed to analyze the validity of the presented control protocol. Finally, a numerical example is provided to verify the effectiveness of theoretical results.
Disruption of the Scaffolding Function of mLST8 Selectively Inhibits mTORC2 Assembly and Function and Suppresses mTORC2-Dependent Tumor Growth In Vivo
Authors: Hwang Yoonha , Kim Laura C. , Song Wenqiang , Edwards Deanna N. , Cook Rebecca S. , Chen Jin
Published: May 2019

mTOR is a serine/threonine kinase that acts in two distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, and is dysregulated in many diseases including cancer. mLST8 is a shared component of both mTORC1 and mTORC2, yet little is known regarding how mLST8 contributes to assembly and activity of the mTOR complexes. Here we assessed mLST8 loss in a panel of normal and cancer cells and observed little to no impact on assembly or activity of mTORC1. However, mLST8 loss blocked mTOR association with mTORC2 cofactors RICTOR and SIN1, thus abrogating mTORC2 activity. Similarly, a single pair of mutations on mLST8 with a corresponding mutation on mTOR interfered with mTORC2 assembly and activity without affecting mTORC1. We also discovered a direct interaction between mLST8 and the NH2-terminal domain of the mTORC2 cofactor SIN1. In PTEN-null prostate cancer xenografts, mLST8 mutations disrupting the mTOR interaction motif inhibited AKT S473 phosphorylation and decreased tumor cell proliferation and tumor growth in vivo. Together, these data suggest that the scaffolding function of mLST8 is critical for assembly and activity of mTORC2, but not mTORC1, an observation that could enable therapeutic mTORC2-selective inhibition as a therapeutic strategy.

Significance:

These findings show that mLST8 functions as a scaffold to maintain mTORC2 integrity and kinase activity, unveiling a new avenue for development of mTORC2-specific inhibitors.
Low-Dose IFNγ Induces Tumor Cell Stemness in Tumor Microenvironment of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Song Mengjia , Ping Yu , Zhang Kai , Yang Li , Li Feng , Zhang Chaoqi , Cheng Shaoyan , Yue Dongli , Maimela Nomathamsanqa Resegofetse , Qu Jiao , Liu Shasha , Sun Ting , Li Zihai , Xia Jianchuan , Zhang Bin , Wang Liping , Zhang Yi
Published: May 2019

IFNγ is conventionally recognized as an inflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in antitumor immunity. Although it has been used clinically to treat a variety of malignancies, low levels of IFNγ in the tumor microenvironment (TME) increase the risk of tumor metastasis during immunotherapy. Accumulating evidence suggests that IFNγ can induce cancer progression, yet the mechanisms underlying the controversial role of IFNγ in tumor development remain unclear. Here, we reveal a dose-dependent effect of IFNγ in inducing tumor stemness to accelerate cancer progression in patients with a variety of cancer types. Low levels of IFNγ endowed cancer stem-like properties via the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1)–PI3K–Akt–Notch1 axis, whereas high levels of IFNγ activated the JAK1–STAT1–caspase pathway to induce apoptosis in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Inhibition of ICAM1 abrogated the stem-like properties of NSCLC cells induced by the low dose of IFNγ both in vitro and in vivo. This study unveils the role of low levels of IFNγ in conferring tumor stemness and elucidates the distinct signaling pathways activated by IFNγ in a dose-dependent manner, thus providing new insights into cancer treatment, particularly for patients with low expression of IFNγ in the TME.

Significance:

These findings reveal the dose-dependent effect of IFNγ in inducing tumor stemness and elucidate the distinct molecular mechanisms activated by IFNγ in a dose-dependent manner.
Myocarditis in Cynomolgus Monkeys Following Treatment with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Ji Changhua , Roy Marc D. , Golas Jonathan , Vitsky Allison , Ram Sripad , Kumpf Steven W. , Martin Matthew , Barletta Frank , Meier William A. , Hooper Andrea T. , Sapra Puja , Khan Nasir K. , Finkelstein Martin , Guffroy Magali , Buetow Bernard S.
Published: May 2019

Purpose:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) targeting PD1, PDL1, or CTLA4 are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAE) in multiple organ systems including myocarditis. The pathogenesis and early diagnostic markers for ICI-induced myocarditis are poorly understood, and there is currently a lack of laboratory animal model to enhance our understanding. We aimed to develop such a model using cynomolgus monkeys.

Experimental Design:

Chinese-origin cynomolgus monkeys were dosed intravenously with vehicle or nivolumab 20 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 15 mg/kg once weekly and euthanized on day 29.

Results:

Multiple organ toxicities were observed in cynomolgus monkeys, and were characterized by loose feces, lymphadenopathy, and mononuclear cell infiltrations of varying severity in heart, colon, kidneys, liver, salivary glands, and endocrine organs. Increased proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes as well as an increase in activated T cells and central memory T cells in the blood, spleen, and lymph nodes, were observed. Transcriptomic analysis suggested increased migration and activation of T cells and increased phagocytosis and antigen presentation in the heart. Mononuclear cell infiltration in myocardium was comprised primarily of T cells, with lower numbers of macrophages and occasional B cells, and was associated with minimal cardiomyocyte degeneration as well as increases in cardiac troponin-I and NT-pro-BNP. Morphologically, cardiac lesions in our monkey model are similar to the reported ICI myocarditis in humans.

Conclusions:

We have developed a monkey model characterized by multiple organ toxicities including myocarditis. This model may provide insight into the immune mechanisms and facilitate biomarker identification for ICI-associated irAEs.
Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Identifies Novel Genetic Predictors of Response to Anti–PD-(L)1 Therapies in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Fang Wenfeng , Ma Yuxiang , Yin Jiani C. , Hong Shaodong , Zhou Huaqiang , Wang Ao , Wang Fufeng , Bao Hua , Wu Xue , Yang Yunpeng , Huang Yan , Zhao Hongyun , Shao Yang W. , Zhang Li
Published: May 2019

Purpose:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized cancer management. However, molecular determinants of response to ICIs remain incompletely understood.

Experimental Design:

We performed genomic profiling of 78 patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent anti–PD-(L)1 therapies by both whole-exome and targeted next-generation sequencing (a 422-cancer-gene panel) to explore the predictive biomarkers of ICI response. Tumor mutation burden (TMB), and specific somatic mutations and copy-number alterations (CNA) were evaluated for their associations with immunotherapy response.

Results:

We confirmed that high TMB was associated with improved clinical outcomes, and TMB quantified by gene panel strongly correlated with WES results (Spearman's ρ = 0.81). Compared with wild-type, patients with FAT1 mutations had higher durable clinical benefit (DCB, 71.4% vs. 22.7%, P = 0.01) and objective response rates (ORR, 57.1% vs. 15.2%, P = 0.02). On the other hand, patients with activating mutations in EGFR/ERBB2 had reduced median progression-free survival (mPFS) compared with others [51.0 vs. 70.5 days, P = 0.0037, HR, 2.47; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.32–4.62]. In addition, copy-number loss in specific chromosome 3p segments containing the tumor-suppressor ITGA9 and several chemokine receptor pathway genes, were highly predictive of poor clinical outcome (survival rates at 6 months, 0% vs. 31%, P = 0.012, HR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.09–4.00). Our findings were further validated in two independently published datasets comprising multiple cancer types.

Conclusions:

We identified novel genomic biomarkers that were predictive of response to anti–PD-(L)1 therapies. Our findings suggest that comprehensive profiling of TMB and the aforementioned molecular markers could result in greater predictive power of response to ICI therapies in NSCLC.
Molecular Basis for Arbovirus Transmission by Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes
Authors: Alonso-Palomares Luis A. , Moreno-García Miguel , Lanz-Mendoza Humberto , Salazar Ma Isabel
Published: May 2019

Mosquitoes are considered the most important vectors for the transmission of pathogens to humans. Aedes aegypti is a unique species, not only by its highly anthropophilic and peridomestic habits but also because it can transmit an important variety of pathogenic viruses. Examples are dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika, and Mayaro viruses. After ingesting viremic blood, a wide range of mechanisms are activated in the mosquito to counteract viral infection. Nevertheless, these arboviruses possess strategies to overcome barriers in the mosquito and eventually reach the salivary glands to continue the transmission cycle. However, the infection and eventual transmission of arbovirus depends on multiple factors. The current review focuses in detail on the anatomic, physiological, and molecular characteristics of the mosquito A. aegypti that participate in response to a viral infection. In the past decades, the awareness of the importance of this mosquito as a disease vector and its impact on human health was largely recognized. We need to improve our comprehension of molecular mechanisms that determine the outcome of successful virus replication or control of infection for each arbovirus in the vector; this could lead to the design of effective control strategies in the future.
Usefulness of Ultrasound-Computer-Craniocorpography in Unilateral Ménière’s Disease
Authors: Maihoub Stephanie , Tamás László , Molnár András , Szirmai Agnes
Published: May 2019

Background: Ménière’s disease (MD) is composed of a set of fluctuating symptoms, whereby vertigo is the most unpleasant among them and often accompanied by deterioration of the balance system. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to objectively assess the Romberg and Unterberger-Fukuda tests by ultrasound-computer-craniocorpography (US-COMP-CCG) in patients suffering from MD and to characterize the balance disorders in different frames of MD. Methods: This is a case-control study where 51 patients with normal vestibular system and 42 patients suffering from definite MD were examined by US-COMP-CCG. They were divided into three grades according to the attack rates and the complaints of the patient during the attack-free periods. Results: Parameters of significance showing the worsening of the balance system with the aggravation of the disease are seen in both tests. In the standing test, the longitudinal and lateral sway and the forehead covering values are of importance, whereas in the stepping test, the parameter of relevance is the lateral sway. Conclusions: The severity of worsening of the balance system, based on the objective results of the system parameters, are parallel to the worsening of MD based on our findings.
Highly Porous Titanium Cups versus Hydroxyapatite-Coated Sockets: Midterm Results in Metachronous Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Castagnini Francesco , Bordini Barbara , Yorifuji Makiko , Giardina Federico , Natali Simone , Pardo Francesco , Traina Francesco
Published: May 2019

Objective: Highly porous titanium cups have been recently introduced, with contradictory outcomes. A retrospective consecutive case series involving bilateral metachronous total hip arthroplasties (THA) performed with 2 different cups, i.e., Fixa (F) and Fixa Ti-Por (T) (Adler Ortho, Milan, Italy), and the same stem, was evaluated. T sockets, manufactured using electron beam melting, were supposed to prove superior in terms of clinical results, survival rates, and radiographic parameters in comparison to hydroxyapatite-coated F cups with conventional porosity. Subjects and Methods: Twenty-four bilateral metachronous THAs with an F cup on one side and a T socket on the other side were evaluated. Preoperative and postoperative Harris hip scores (HHS) were collected for every patient. Radiographic signs of loosening were assessed. The radiographic signs of osseointegration (radiolucent lines, superolateral buttress, inferomedial buttress, radial trabeculae, and stress shielding) were evaluated. Results: No intraoperative complications occurred. The mean HHS score was excellent and comparable in both groups. At the mean follow-up of 134 months (F) and 79 months (T), no cup or liner revisions were performed. No radiographic signs of loosening were reported. All of the patients revealed 3 parameters of good bony ingrowth at least. Both groups showed similar radiographic parameters regarding osseointegration, which were stable over the time. Stress shielding was more evident in the T cohort (p =0.07). Conclusion: Highly porous titanium cups produced using an additive manufacturing and electron beam melting technology achieved reliable midterm clinical and radiographic results not inferior to those of second-generation cups.
Análise do Processo de Turistificação de Fernando de Noronha (PE) entre os Anos de 1960 e 2016
Authors: Cordeiro Itamar , Körössy Nathália , Tôrres Edvânia
Published: May 2019

O turismo é uma invenção humana repleta de propósitos e ideologias. Por isso mesmo, o espaço turístico não deve ser assumido enquanto algo natural. Pelo contrário, deve ser questionado em sua essência, de modo a identificar as intenções por trás de sua produção. Este estudo analisa o processo de turistificação de Fernando de Noronha (um dos destinos mais conhecidos e desejados do país) entre os anos de 1960 e 2017. Metodologicamente, este estudo se caracteriza como uma pesquisa descritiva, de natureza qualitativa, realizada a partir de pesquisas bibliográficas e documentais e entrevistas. A análise do processo de turistificação de Fernando de Noronha identificou que, ao longo da sua história e independentemente da gestão que esteve à frente do arquipélago, o espaço insular sempre foi pensado para cumprir o papel de um destino de luxo. Essa tendência, aliás, permanece até os dias de hoje. Constatou-se que essa lógica tem sido responsável pela migração de diversos ilhéus e pela desestruturação do tecido social local.

Palavras-chave: Turismo; Turistificação; Fernando de Noronha.