bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cancer chemotherapy: incidence and predictors of 30-day mortality
Authors: Dizdar Omer , Demir Metin , Bozbulut Utku Burak , Hayran Mutlu , Kars Ayse
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Thirty-day mortality (30 DM) is a measure of quality of cancer treatment and the predictors for 30 DM are important to identify vulnerable patients who are least likely to benefit from chemotherapy. We assessed the incidence and potential predictors of 30 DM in patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods

All patients who received chemotherapy within an 8-month period in our hospital were assessed. Baseline prechemotherapy clinical features, vital signs, Modified Early Warning Scores (MEWS) and laboratory tests were recorded. Potential predictors of 30 DM were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Among 4560 patients included, 77 patients (1.7%) died within 30 days of chemotherapy. Patients who died were older (62 vs 58, p=0.002), mostly males (61% vs 43%, p=0.006), had worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance scores (ECOG PS), and higher MEWS scores compared with those who survived. Multivariate analysis identified age ≥60 years (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.1, p=0.01), male gender (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.9, p=0.02), ECOG PS≥3 (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 8.8, p=0.03), pulse rate ≥90 bpm (OR 3.8, 95% CI 2.0 to 7.0, p<0.01), systolic blood pressure <110 mm Hg (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.1, p=0.02), body mass index <25 kg/m2(OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.8, p=0.02) and haemoglobin< 90 g/L (OR 14.2, 95% CI 4.3 to 46.6, p<0.01) to be associated with increased risk of 30 DM.

Conclusions

Along with well-known prognostic factors such as ECOG PS and disease stage, other simple and readily available parameters may predict early mortality after chemotherapy and produce a signal for the physicians to carefully reevaluate vulnerable patients before chemotherapy administration.
MicroRNA expression profile in Treg cells in the course of primary immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Zhu Yuandong , Zhu Huan , Xie Xiaobao , Zheng Zhuojun , Ling Yun
Published: July 2019

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder which characterizes with platelet production impairment and platelet destruction increment. CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells (Tregs) are involved in the immune pathogenesis of ITP. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are also involved in ITP and their loss of function is shown to facilitate immune disorders. Thus, the miRNA expression profile in Tregs from ITP was analyzed in this study. We assessed the genome-wide miRNA expression profile of three newly diagnosed adult patients with ITP and three healthy controls using microarray analysis of CD4+CD25+CD127dim/− Tregs that were sorted using an immune magnetic bead kit. The miRNA microarray chip was based on miRBase 18.0 and Volcano Plot filtering software used to analyze the miRNA profile in Tregs. Distinct miRNA expression was further validated by fluorescence-based real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). We found that 502 human miRNAs were differentially expressed (244 upregulated and 258 downregulated) in patients with ITP compared with healthy donors. We identified 37 miRNAs expressed significantly, including 26 upregulated and 11 downregulated. Among the deregulated miRNAs, three downregulated miRNAs including miR-155–5p, miR-146b-5p, and miR-142–3p were selected for qPCR verification. We confirmed that miR-155–5p, miR-146b–5p, and miR-142–3p were significantly decreased in Tregs from patients with ITP compared with healthy controls. Compared with the healthy controls, miRNAs expressed differentially in the Tregs of patients with ITP. The levels of expression of miR-155–5p, miR-146b-5p, and miR-142–3p were significantly decreased. Therefore, the deregulation of miRNAs may affect the function of Tregs in the course of ITP.
Quantitative estimation of thrombus-erythrocytes using MRI. A phantom study with clot analogs and analysis by statistic regression models
Authors: Janot Kevin , Oliveira Tiago Ribeiro , Fromont-Hankard Gaelle , Annan Mariam , Filipiak Isabelle , Barantin Laurent , Guibon Roseline , Duffy Sharon , Gilvarry Michael , Cottier Jean-Philippe , Narata Ana Paula
Published: July 2019

Background

Thrombus composition has the potential to affect acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treatment.

Objective

To evaluate in an in vitro test the correlation of clot composition, especially erythrocytes (red blood cells (RBCs)), with the variation of signal intensity ratio (SIR) obtained with MRI sequences used for AIS, and qualification of the susceptibility vessel sign effect using clot analogs.

Materials and methods

Nine ovine clots were fixed in a gelatin-manganese solution and studied by MRI (T2GE, T2-weighted gradient echo; SWI, susceptibility-weighted imaging; FLAIR, fluid attenuated inversion recovery). RBC concentration was estimated using regression models (SLR, single linear regression; MLR, multiple linear regression; RF, random Forest; and ANN, artificial neural networking), which combined the SIR–histology relationship of three MRI sequences.

Results

Negative correlation was found between SIR and RBC concentration. T2GE SWI could not statistically distinguish clots with RBC content >54% and <23%. SLR was applied only to FLAIR images since T2GE and SWI demonstrated signal saturation. All four regression models showed a correlation between MRI and histology: SLR=0.981; MLR=0.986; RF=0.994, and ANN=0.971. One unknown clot was studied and agreement between SIR and histological analyses was found in all models.

Conclusions

We presented a method to quantify RBC concentration in clot analogs, combining SWI, T2GE, and FLAIR. This in vitro study has some limitations, so clot collection after thrombectomy with simultaneous imaging analysis is necessary to validate this model.
Outcome of intracranial flow diversion according to the antiplatelet regimen used: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Podlasek Anna , Al Sultan Abdul Aziz , Assis Zarina , Kashani Nima , Goyal Mayank , Almekhlafi Mohammed A
Published: July 2019

Background

Thromboembolic complications are not uncommon in patients undergoing neurointerventional procedures. The use of flow diverting stents is associated with higher risks of these complications despite current dual antiplatelet regimens.

Objective

To explore contemporary evidence on the safety of emerging dual antiplatelet regimens in flow diverting stenting procedures.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify relevant articles in electronic databases, and relevant references. Studies reporting the complications and mortality of flow diverting stenting procedures using acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) + ticagrelor or ASA + prasugrel compared with ASA + clopidogrel were included.

Results

Of 452 potentially relevant studies, we identified 49 studies (2526 patients) which reported the safety of ticagrelor or prasugrel for pooled analysis, and five studies (1005 patients) for meta-analysis. The pooled overall mortality in all studies was 2.14%, ischemic complications 6.89%, and hemorrhagic complications 3.68%. The use of ticagrelor or prasugrel was associated with a lower risk of mortality compared with clopidogrel (RR=4.57, 95% CI 1.23 to 16.99; p=0.02). Considering ischemic events, ASA + clopidogrel was as safe as ASA + prasugrel (RR=0.55, 95% CI 0.11 to 2.74; p=0.47) and ASA + ticagrelor (RR=0.74, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.74; p=0.49). ASA +ticagrelor was not associated with a higher risk of hemorrhagic complications (RR=0.92, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.16; p=0.89).

Conclusions

Evidence suggests that dual antiplatelet regimens including ticagrelor or prasugrel are safe for patients undergoing flow diversion procedures. Regimens using ticagrelor were associated with better survival than those using clopidogrel in the included studies.
STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF UNDOPED AND SILVER, LITHIUM AND COBALT-DOPED ZnO THIN FILMS
Authors: TEZEL FATMA MEYDANERİ , KARİPER İ. AFŞIN
Published: July 2019

Undoped and silver, lithium and cobalt-doped ZnO thin films have been successfully deposited on glass by chemical bath deposition (CBD). The reaction temperature was 50∘C and the films were annealed at 400∘C for 4[Formula: see text]h in a high temperature furnace. UV/VIS spectrum was used to determine optical transmittance, optical band gap ([Formula: see text] and absorbance values of Ag:ZnO, Co:ZnO, Li:ZnO and undoped ZnO thin films. Optical band gap ([Formula: see text] and absorbance values of undoped ZnO, Ag:ZnO, Co:ZnO and Li:ZnO thin films were found as 0.0158, 0.0064, 0.2638, 0.0956 and 3.24, 3.13, 3.27, 2.96 eV, respectively. Extinction coefficients and refraction indexes of the films were found to be 0.0096, 0.0038, 0.0068, 0.019 (extinction coefficient) and 1.26, 1.14, 1.66, 2.33 (refraction index), respectively. X-ray patterns of undoped ZnO, Ag:ZnO, Co:ZnO and Li:ZnO thin films were confirmed as amorphous.
Blaschke Finsler metrics on spheres
Authors: Kim Chang-Wan
Published: July 2019

In this paper, it is shown that the reversible Blaschke Finsler metrics on spheres with vanishing [Formula: see text]-curvature are Riemannian.
Stringy dyonic solutions and clifford structures
Authors: Belfakir A. , belhaj A. , El Maadi Y. , Ennadifi S. E. , Hassouni Y. , Segui A.
Published: July 2019

Using the toroidal compactification of string theory on [Formula: see text]-dimensional tori, [Formula: see text], we investigate dyonic objects in arbitrary dimensions. First, we present a class of dyonic black solutions formed by two different D-branes using a correspondence between toroidal cycles and objects possessing both magnetic and electric charges, belonging to [Formula: see text] dyonic gauge symmetry. This symmetry could be associated with electrically charged magnetic monopole solutions in stringy model buildings of the standard model (SM) extensions. Then, we consider in some detail such black hole classes obtained from even-dimensional toroidal compactifications, and we find that they are linked to [Formula: see text] Clifford algebras using the vee product. It is believed that this analysis could be extended to dyonic objects which can be obtained from local Calabi–Yau manifold compactifications.
Influence of metachronal wave on hyperbolic tangent fluid model with inclined magnetic field
Authors: Akram Safia , Afzal Farkhanda , Imran Muhammad
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the theoretical study of a nonlinear problem of cilia induced flow by considering the fluid as anincompressible non-Newtonian fluid (hyperbolic tangent fluid) model by means of ciliated walls. The leading equations of present flow problem are simplified under the consideration of long-wavelength approximation. We have utilized regular perturbation technique to solve the simplified leading equations of hyperbolic tangent fluid model. The analytical solution is computed for stream function and numerical solution is computed for the rise in pressure. The characteristics of the ciliary system on tangent hyperbolic fluid are analyzed graphically and discussed in detail. It has been found that when [Formula: see text], the results of pressure rise coincide with the results of Newtonian fluid. It has also been observed that the size of the trapping bolus decreases with an increase in Hartmann number and Weissenberg number.
COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF INNOVATION, ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY, PUBLIC FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND DETERMINANTS OF THE INNOVATIVE PERFORMANCE OF ENTERPRISE
Authors: MOURA DULCINEIA CATARINA , MADEIRA MARIA JOSÉ , DUARTE FILIPE A. P.
Published: July 2019

The aim of this paper is to better understand whether cooperation, absorptive capacity and public financial support for innovation activities, how they influence the innovative performance of Portuguese enterprise. The literature review focuses the importance of these three factors both drivers as the limiters process of business innovation, influencing the innovative performance of enterprise. Based on a review of the literature, hypotheses are formulated, which are tested with secondary data resources from the Community Innovation Survey 2010. This questionnaire was implemented under the supervision of EUROSTAT. The method used is the logistic regression model. The results obtained confirm that the implementation of cooperation with partners belonging to internal sources of business has a significant influence on the innovations achieved at the level of both products and processes.
Application of the Shuffled Frog Leaping Algorithm (SFLA) in Constructing Fuzzy Classification Systems
Authors: Mirhosseini Seyyed Mohsen , Haghighi Hassan
Published: July 2019

A Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) is a way of mapping an input space to an output space using the fuzzy logic. FISs are widely used to solve classification problems. The Shuffled Frog Leaping Algorithm (SFLA) is a metaheuristic inspired by the natural evolution of frogs in searching for the largest source of food. By using local and global searches simultaneously, SFLA is effective in solving various optimization problems. This paper first proposes a new method to create zero-order Sugeno Fuzzy Inference Systems using SFLA. Then, the paper introduces an approach to use resulting SFLA-based Fuzzy Inference Systems to build test oracles. Test oracle is a mechanism for determining whether a test on a software program has passed or failed. The experimental results show that SFLA creates fuzzy systems more efficiently than three other evolutionary algorithms, including Genetic Algorithm (GA), Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Moreover, with respect to the accuracy and convergence speed criteria, SFLA and PSO outperform other evolutionary algorithms, while their performances are comparable to each other. At last, the experimental results indicate that SFLA-based FISs can be used to create test oracles with acceptable accuracy.
Effect of Cost-Sharing Federal Programs on Adoption of Water Conservation Practices: Results from Propensity Score Matching Approach
Authors: Adusumilli Naveen , Dikitanan Rowell , Wang Hua
Published: July 2019

The extent of recommended conservation practices is crucial for addressing natural resource concerns on the farms. The practices implementation is supported by working lands conservation programs, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program. The paper applies a propensity score matching approach to evaluate the effects of enrollment in the two federal conservation programs on irrigation water conservation practices adoption in Louisiana row crop agriculture. The analysis reveals that enrollment in the programs leads to statistically significant greater adoption of water management practices. The analysis provides correction for selection bias in adoption that can result from not accounting for the differences between program participants and non-participants. The analysis enables to provide a stronger and relatively accurate argument about the impact of conservation support programs on the adoption of conservation on the ground.
The forensic comparison of trace amounts of soil on a pyjama top with hypersulphidic subaqueous soil from a river as evidence in a homicide cold case
Authors: Fitzpatrick Robert W. , Raven Mark D.
Published: July 2019

In a cold case investigation of a 1983 homicide, trace amounts of soil were identified on a 10-year-old victim's pyjama top. Swatch samples were cut from the pyjama top, specifically the hem, to determine the provenance of this questioned soil. A comparative study was undertaken of the questioned soil with control soils from the Onkaparinga estuary using morphological observations with the naked eye and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), chemistry, traditional laboratory X-ray diffraction (XRD) and synchrotron µ-XRD. Synchrotron µ-XRD with high-intensity X-rays provided greater sensitivity and resolution than the laboratory XRD source to identify pyrite and clay minerals on the pyjama top. SEM confirmed that these mineral particles are deeply impregnated in gaps between fibres of the fabric, which are likely to have originated under water with force being applied on the pyjama top – implying that the victim was pushed into the mud. This is substantiated by transference shaking experiments, where mineral particles are dominantly located on the surface of the fabric. The questioned soil samples have a moderately strong degree of comparability with the control hypersulphidic subaqueous soils containing pyrite in the Onkaparinga River estuary – providing evidence that the soils have similar origins. The accused was found guilty by a Supreme Court judge of murder.
Angiogenesis Changes in Ovariectomized Rats with Osteoporosis Treated with Estrogen Replacement Therapy
Authors: Zhang Yige , Hua Fei , Ding Kai , Chen Haifeng , Xu Chenyang , Ding Wenge
Published: July 2019

To investigate whether angiogenesis changes in early menopausal osteoporosis treated with estrogen replacement therapy, 120 rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham operation group (SHAM), ovariectomy group (OVX), and ovariectomy plus three different estrogen doses replacement therapy groups (OVX + E2). We detected the bone microarchitecture and measured the expression levels of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). CD31 immunofluorescence and silica gel perfusion imaging were used to analyze the vascular distribution. We confirmed that the femur BMD of ovariectomized rats was significantly lower than SHAM group and OVX+E2 groups. After estrogen therapy, the local microvascular formation increased after estrogen treatment in a dose dependent manner. ERβ was downregulated and VEGF was upregulated, positively correlated with estrogen dosage. We successfully constructed an osteoporosis model of ovariectomized rats with estrogen replacement therapy. We also found angiogenesis changed in early menopausal osteoporosis treated with estrogen replacement therapy. We indicated that estrogen replacement therapy increased angiogenesis through VEGF upregulation. However, we observed that, at the highest doses of estrogen studied, increased angiogenesis was associated with a decrease in BMD, the underlying mechanisms of which remain unclear.
A Cardiogenic Shock due to an Acute MI with LCA Arising from the Right Coronary Sinus Successfully Treated with PCI
Authors: Jadeed Rayyan , Pethig Klaus , Böcker Dirk
Published: July 2019

Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) are a diverse group of congenital anomalies with an incidence ranging from 0.17% in autopsy cases to 1.2% in patients undergoing coronary angiography. The left coronary artery (LCA) originating from the right coronary sinus is a very rare CAA with a frequency of 0.03%. We present a very rare case of a cardiogenic shock as a consequence of an acute anterolateral myocardial infarction by a totally occlusive lesion in the long left main stem with a complete LCA arising from the right coronary sinus in an 85-year-old female. This lesion was successfully treated with 2 drug-eluting stents. This is perhaps the first published case about cardiogenic shock due to an acute myocardial infarction associated with this type of coronary anomalies, and it presents a special challenge in the catheter laboratory.
The Impact of High-Fat Diet on Mitochondrial Function, Free Radical Production, and Nitrosative Stress in the Salivary Glands of Wistar Rats
Authors: Zalewska Anna , Ziembicka Dominika , Żendzian-Piotrowska Małgorzata , Maciejczyk Mateusz
Published: July 2019

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the salivary gland dysfunction in insulin resistance; however, the cause of increased free radical formation in these conditions is still unknown. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of high-fat diet (HFD) on the mitochondrial respiratory system, prooxidant enzymes, ROS production, and nitrosative/oxidative stress in the submandibular and parotid glands of rats. The experiment was performed on male Wistar rats divided into two groups (n=10): control and HFD. The 8-week feeding of HFD affects glucose metabolism observed as significant increase in plasma glucose and insulin as well as HOMA-IR as compared to the control rats. The activity of mitochondrial Complex I and Complex II+III was significantly decreased in the parotid and submandibular glands of HFD rats. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity and the hydrogen peroxide level were significantly increased in the parotid and submandibular glands of the HFD group as compared to those of the controls. HFD rats also showed significantly lower reduced glutathione (GSH) and reduced : oxidized glutathione (GSH : GSSG) ratio, as well as a higher GSSG level in the parotid glands of HFD rats. The activity of NADPH oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and levels of oxidative/nitrosative stress (malonaldehyde, nitric oxide, nitrotyrosine, and peroxynitrite) and inflammation/apoptosis (interleukin-1βand caspase-3) biomarkers were statistically elevated in the HFD group in comparison to the controls. HFD impairs mitochondrial function in both types of salivary glands by enhancing ROS production, as well as stimulating inflammation and apoptosis. However, free radical production, protein nitration, and lipid peroxidation were more pronounced in the parotid glands of HFD rats.
Factors Associated with Initial Mode of Breast Cancer Detection among Black Women in the Women’s Circle of Health Study
Authors: Szukis Holly A. , Qin Bo , Xing Cathleen Y. , Doose Michelle , Xu Baichen , Tsui Jennifer , Lin Yong , Hirshfield Kim M. , Ambrosone Christine B. , Demissie Kitaw , Hong Chi-Chen , Bandera Elisa V. , Llanos Adana A. M.
Published: July 2019

Mammogram-detected breast cancers have a better prognosis than those identified through clinical breast exam (CBE) or through self-detection, primarily because tumors detected by mammography are more likely to be smaller and do not involve regional nodes. In a sample of 1,322 Black women, aged 40-75 years, diagnosed with breast cancer between 2002 and 2016, we evaluated factors associated with CBE and self-detection versus screening mammogram as the initial mode of breast cancer detection, using multivariable logistic regression models. Compared with screening mammogram, history of routine screening mammogram (OR 0.20, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.54) and performance of breast self-examination (BSE) (OR 0.31, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.74) before diagnosis were associated with lower odds of CBE as the initial mode of detection, while performance of CBEs before diagnosis (OR 11.04, 95% CI: 2.24, 54.55) was positively associated. Lower body mass index (<25.0 kg/m2 vs. ≥35.0 kg/m2: OR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.52, 3.98), performance of BSEs before diagnosis (less than once per month: OR 4.08, 95% CI: 2.45, 6.78; at least monthly: OR 4.99, 95% CI: 3.13, 7.97), and larger tumor size (1.0-2.0 cm vs. <1.0 cm: OR 2.92, 95% CI: 1.84, 4.64; >2.0 cm vs. <1.0 cm: OR 6.41, 95% CI: 3.30, 12.46) were associated with increased odds of self-detection relative to screening mammogram. The odds of CBE and self-detection as initial modes of breast cancer detection among Black women are independently associated with breast care and breast cancer screening services before diagnosis and with larger tumors at diagnosis.
Effects of Proanthocyanidins on Arsenic Methylation Metabolism and Efflux in Human Hepatocytes L-02
Authors: Ren Qing-Xin , Xu Meng-Chuan , Niu Qiang , Hu Yun-Hua , Wang Hai-Xia , Li Shu-Gang
Published: July 2019

This study investigated the effects of proanthocyanidins (PC) on arsenic methylation metabolism and efflux in human hepatocytes (L-02), as well as the relationships between PC and GSH, MRP1 and other molecules. Cells were randomly divided into blank control group, arsenic trioxide exposure group (ATO, As2O3, 25μmol/L), and PC-treated arsenic exposure group (10, 25, 50mg/L). After 24/48h, the contents of different forms of arsenic were determined, and the methylation indexes were calculated. Intracellular S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase (AS3MT), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were ascertained. Changing trends were observed and the correlation between arsenic metabolism and efflux related factors and arsenic metabolites was analyzed. We observed that cells showed increased levels of content/constituent ratio of methyl arsenic, primary/secondary methylation index, methylation growth efficiency/rate, and the difference of methyl arsenic content in cells and culture medium (P<0.05, resp.). Compared with ATO exposure group, the intracellular SAM content in PC-treated group decreased, and the contents of GSH, AS3MT, and MRP1 increased (P<0.05, resp.). There was a positive correlation between the content of intracellular GSH/AS3MT and methyl arsenic. The content of MRP1 was positively correlated with the difference of methyl arsenic content in cell and culture medium; conversely, the SAM content was negatively correlated with intracellular methyl arsenic content (P<0.05, resp.). Taken together, these results prove that PC can promote arsenic methylation metabolism and efflux in L-02 cells, which may be related to the upregulation of GSH, MRP1, and AS3MT levels by PC.
Personal and Clinical Predictors of Poor Metabolic Control in Children with Type 1 Diabetes in Jordan
Authors: Alassaf Abeer , Odeh Rasha , Gharaibeh Lubna , Ibrahim Sarah , Ajlouni Kamel
Published: July 2019

Background. Achieving adequate metabolic control in children with type 1 diabetes is important in slowing the progression of future microvascular and macrovascular complications, but still it is a universal challenge. We aim to investigate possible factors associated with poor metabolic outcomes in Jordan as an example of a country with limited resources. Methods. This is a retrospective chart review study of children with type 1 diabetes. Several clinical and personal characteristics were tested for association with metabolic control reflected by HbA1c levels. Linear logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate possible predictors of metabolic control. One-way ANOVA analysis was used to detect significant differences in HbA1c between categories. Results. Significant predictors of metabolic control were found. A one-year increase in age led to an increase in HbA1c by 0.053% (P=0.044). A decline in HbA1c levels was predicted in children who have precise amount of carbohydrates or who are receiving insulin at school (-0.46% (P=0.014) and -0.82% (P=0.004), respectively). When family members other than mothers decided the insulin dose, the HbA1c level increased by 0.74% (P=0.005). Conclusion. Poor metabolic control was associated with age, dietary noncompliance, not receiving insulin at school, and absence of direct mother care. Our study is one of the few studies from Middle East evaluating predictors of metabolic control. Global research studies help in giving universal insight towards developing more effective multidisciplinary team approach for diabetes care and education.
Rheological and Structural Properties of Camel Milk/Sweet Potato Starch Gel
Authors: Mohamed A. A. , Hussain S. , Alamri M. S. , Ibraheem M. A , Abdo Qasem Akram A. , Alhaj Omar A. , Alshuniaber Mohammad A.
Published: July 2019

The unique composition of camel milk limited its use for fermented products preparation. In this research, camel milk (CAM) or cow milk (COM) was blended with sweet potato starch (SPS). Blends were precooked and the rheological properties of the gel were determined. Since the elastic modulus (G′) was much greater than the viscous modulus (G″), milk + SPS gels are considered viscoelastic. The tan δ of all blends was <1.0, signifying solid-like behavior; however, variations between CAM gels or COM were identified. Unlike COM, CAM was more frequency-dependent at low frequencies (0.1 to 1.0 rad/sec). Gels exhibited shear thinning according to the nonlinear rheological tests. Camel milk exhibited gel hardness much higher than cow milk. Because of the domination of G′ and the low power law exponent, camel milk is expected to present processing complications such as in extrusion cooking.
Hydrogel and Organic Amendments to Increase Water Retention in Anthroposols for Land Reclamation
Authors: Miller Valerie S. , Naeth M. Anne
Published: July 2019

Using waste materials from industrial activities to build anthroposols (soils built or altered by humans) can provide soil for reclamation and reduce amounts of materials stored in landfills. Mines and other large industrial disturbances requiring anthroposols usually have large amounts of nonorganic waste materials with low water holding capacity and large amounts of coarse fragments. Thus, water holding capacity is a key property to build into anthroposols as all aspects of revegetation are strongly influenced by soil water content. This research assessed the effectiveness of hydrogel and organic amendments to increase the water retention in common mine wastes used to build anthroposols for reclamation in three greenhouse experiments. Waste materials were crushed rock, lakebed sediment, and processed kimberlite, from a northern diamond mine in Canada. Amendments were hydrogel, sewage, salvaged soil, and peat. Pots were filled with the material and weighed and saturated, followed by periodic weighing until the weight was near constant. Water retention was consistently highest in processed kimberlite, with and without amendments. Water retention increased most with hydrogel in processed kimberlite and crushed rock. Hydrogel application method impacted the initial water retention, but over time, the effect was limited. Water retention in lakebed sediment showed little difference relative to no amendment addition and had lowest increases relative to other substrates. Type of waste material and amendment, application rate, and application method impacted water retention and can be adapted to build anthroposols in the field using waste materials suitable for reclamation.
Detection of Subclinical Diabetic Retinopathy by Fine Structure Analysis of Retinal Images
Authors: Khansari Maziyar M. , O’Neill William D. , Penn Richard D. , Blair Norman P. , Shahidi Mahnaz
Published: July 2019

Background and Objective. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major complication of diabetes and the leading cause of blindness among US working-age adults. Detection of subclinical DR is important for disease monitoring and prevention of damage to the retina before occurrence of vision loss. The purpose of this retrospective study is to describe an automated method for discrimination of subclinical DR using fine structure analysis of retinal images. Methods. Discrimination between nondiabetic control (NC; N = 16) and diabetic without clinical retinopathy (NDR; N = 17) subjects was performed using ordinary least squares regression and Fisher’s linear discriminant analysis. A human observer also performed the discrimination by visual inspection of the images. Results. The discrimination rate for subclinical DR was 88% using the automated method and higher than the rate obtained by a human observer which was 45%. Conclusions. The method provides sensitive and rapid analysis of retinal images and could be useful in detecting subclinical DR.
Slightly Symptomatic Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-Related Inflammation with Spontaneous Remission in Four Months
Authors: Tetsuka Syuichi , Hashimoto Ritsuo
Published: July 2019

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri) is a rare variant of CAA with autoimmune inflammation. A 77-year-old female experienced light-headedness during walking and mild ataxic gait without any other objective neuropsychological deficits. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an area of abnormal signal and mild parenchymal swelling in the right parietal lobe, indicating vasogenic edema. T2⁎-weighted gradient echo imaging revealed some subcortical microbleeds in the same lesion. Based on the proposed criteria for CAA-ri, she was diagnosed with probable CAA-ri. After 4 months, the spontaneous improvement was noted in the patient’s clinical and radiological findings. This report presents a rare and atypical case of CAA-ri in which the diagnosis was established after the patient underwent neuroimaging for only mild neurological symptoms, and the patient’s clinical and radiological findings displayed spontaneous improvement. Despite typical and striking MRI findings of CAA-ri, this patient only presented a minimal symptom; this dissociation could highlight the significance of not misinterpreting any new neurological symptoms. Thus, increased availability of MRI and growing awareness of CAA-ri might result in more incidentally diagnosed cases in the future. Furthermore, this case suggests that it would be better to strictly monitor the clinical-radiological findings of patients with probable CAA-ri who only present with minimal symptoms without the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy.
Immunization Campaigns and Strategies against Human Papillomavirus in Italy: The Results of a Survey to Regional and Local Health Units Representatives
Authors: Trucchi Cecilia , Costantino Claudio , Restivo Vincenzo , Bertoncello Chiara , Fortunato Francesca , Tafuri Silvio , Amicizia Daniela , Martinelli Domenico , Paganino Chiara , Piazza Maria Francesca , Tassinari Federico , Tisa Valentino , Stefanizzi Pasquale , Baldo Vincenzo , Casuccio Alessandra , Prato Rosa , Ansaldi Filippo , Icardi Giancarlo
Published: July 2019

Objective. The study aimed to assess the impact of HPV immunization campaigns organizational aspects, the characteristics of immunization program (vaccination targets and type of offer), and communicative strategies adopted by four Italian administrative regions on vaccination coverage observed. Methods. From November 2017 to March 2018, regional and Local Health Units (LHUs) representatives were invited to complete an online survey including 54 questions evaluating vaccination invite systems, access systems to vaccination centres, reminder and recall systems, and adverse events surveillance. An overall descriptive analysis was conducted. Since observed vaccine coverage (VC) obtained in females (2002-2004 birth cohorts) was lower than objectives fixed by the Italian Ministry of Health, variables were assessed using the national VC mean obtained in the 2003 girls birth cohort as outcome. Results. Twenty-six LHUs belonging to 4 Northern and Southern Italian regions participated in the study. Organizational aspects significantly related to VC lower than the national mean were access to vaccine centres without appointment and parents’ reservation as appointment planning system. Recall systems for both the first and the second dose, including the appointment in the invitation letter, the availability of regional immunization registry, and education of healthcare workers on universal HPV immunization strategies, instead, were related to higher VC. As regards preadolescent immunization strategies, both VC obtained in girls and boys were far from the Ministerial goals. Only 20% of LHUs introduced multicohort female strategies while all LHUs adopted copayment targeting both men and women. Immunizations strategies targeting subjects at risk were implemented only in half of participating LHUs. Conclusions. VC observed in participating LHUs are largely lower than the national objectives in all anti-HPV vaccine targets. Both organizational and educational strategies have to be implemented to improve the VC goals.
Fault Diagnosis of Reciprocating Compressor Based on Convolutional Neural Networks with Multisource Raw Vibration Signals
Authors: Yang Hong-bai , Zhang Jiang-an , Chen Lei-lei , Zhang Hong-li , Liu Shu-lin
Published: July 2019

Reciprocating compressors are widely used in petroleum industry. Due to containing complex nonlinear signal, it is difficult to extract the fault features from its vibration signals. This paper proposes a new method named Convolutional Neural Network based on Multisource Raw vibration signals (MSRCNN). The proposed method uses multisource raw vibration signals collected by several sensors as input and uses the designed CNN to operate both the feature extraction and classification. The gas valve signals of reciprocating compressor in different states are used as the experimental data. In order to test the effectiveness of the proposed method, it is compared with the traditional BP (Back‐Propagation) neural network fault diagnosis method based on power spectrum energy and wavelet packet energy. In order to further test the antinoise performance of the proposed method, some noisy signals with different signal‐to‐noise ratios were constructed by adding white noise into sampled signals for testing. The results show that the MSRCNN model has higher fault recognition rate than the traditional methods. This indicates that the MSRCNN method not only has good fault recognition effect, but also has certain antinoise performance.
IGHG1 Regulates Prostate Cancer Growth via the MEK/ERK/c-Myc Pathway
Authors: Chu Jing , Li Yutong , Deng Zhihai , Zhang Zhenlin , Xie Qun , Zhang Heyuan , Zhong Weifeng , Pan Bin
Published: July 2019

Increasing evidence indicates that immunoglobulins are important for the regulation of various cancers including prostate cancer (PCa). However, the underlying mechanisms of IgG regulated PCa development remain to be further explored. Here, we demonstrated that IgG1 heavy chain (IGHG1) was increased in tissues from PCa patients. Inhibition of IGHG1 by antibody blocking or genetic knockdown suppressed cell growth and induced cell cycle arrest and ultimate apoptosis. Expression levels of c-Myc were positively correlated with the levels of IGHG1. Furthermore, MEK/ERK/c-Myc pathway lied downstream of IGHG1 in cultured prostate cancer cells. Inhibition of IGHG1 restrained the tumor growth in nude mice and inactivated MEK/ERK/c-Myc pathway both in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that IGHG1 play a crucial role during the development of prostate cancer and inhibition of IGHG1 may be a potential therapy in the treatment of PCa.
Burnout in relation to Gender, Teaching Experience, and Educational Level among Educators
Authors: Jamaludin Izzul Ilham , You Huay Woon
Published: July 2019

This study aims to investigate the burnout levels of the educators with respect to gender, teaching experience, and educational level. The subjects of the study are 31 educators. A survey design using a questionnaire was utilized to collect data within three burnout dimensions, i.e., emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA). The study has found that the educators are emotionally exhausted and experience reduced personal accomplishment levels with high levels of depersonalization. Both genders regardless of years of experience with Bachelor, Master, and PhD degrees demonstrated high levels of emotional exhaustion. The educators who are troubled by depersonalization are mainly Bachelor degree holders with less than 5 years of experience. This indicates that these educators have negative attitudes towards the people they are working with including students and parents. This may be attributed to their lack of working experience. Nevertheless, female educators with Master degrees and 6 to 10 years of experience are highly affected by reduced personal accomplishment levels. The lack of fulfillment felt by these educators can lead to weak performance in class. The findings from this study are essential to give an overview on the burnout levels among educators and identify alternative solutions to overcome this situation. In addition, school authorities and administrators can take these factors into account when making recruitment decisions.
Variations of the Reference Evapotranspiration and Aridity Index Over Northeast China: Changing Properties and Possible Causes
Authors: Cao Liguo , Zhou Zhengchao
Published: July 2019

Temporal and spatial variations in reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and aridity index (AI) can be used as important indexes for understanding climate change and its effects on ecosystem stability. Thus, in this work, we comprehensively investigated 71 meteorological stations in Northeast China from 1965 to 2017 to analyze the spatial-temporal variation and trend of ET0 and AI using the nonparametric Mann–Kendall test, the linear regression, and the Morlet wavelet methods. The results elucidated that ET0 for Northeast China as a whole exhibited a decrease at a rate of −1.97 mm/yr, AI declined at a rate of −0.01/yr during 1965–2017, and approximately 94% stations showed a decrease trend. Spatially, the high values of AI and ET0 were primarily at the western part of the study area except for the Heilongjiang province, and the stations showing low values were mainly distributed in the central and eastern part. The decreasing trends for AI were more obvious in the eastern part compared with the western part over the study region. The abrupt changes in AI occurred in 2005 and 2007, whereas only one abrupt change for ET0 occurred in 1995. For annual ET0, there were periods of 3, 7, 11, and 15 yr, and there existed periods of 1, 7, 11, and 13 yr for annual AI. The correlation coefficients implied wind speed and precipitation were the dominant meteorological factors resulting in the ET0 and AI decrease, respectively. Additionally, the change of the Indian summer monsoon index (ISMI) may also contribute to the weakened AI in the study area. Nevertheless, further investigation is still required to clarify the mechanisms for AI and ET0 variations in the future.
Low-Energy Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Ameliorates Kidney Function in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Hsiao Chang-Chun , Huang Wei-Han , Cheng Kuang-Hung , Lee Chien-Te
Published: July 2019

Background. Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease. Traditional therapy for diabetic nephropathy has focused on supportive treatment, and there is no significant effective therapy. We investigated the effect of low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy on a diabetic nephropathy rat model. Methods. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy rats were treated with six sessions of low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (weekly for six consecutive weeks) or left untreated. We assessed urinary creatinine and albumin, glomerular volume, renal fibrosis, podocyte number, renal inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue repair markers (SDF-1 and VEGF) six weeks after the completion of treatment. Results. The six-week low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy regimen decreased urinary albumin excretion as well as reduced glomerular hypertrophy and renal fibrosis in the rat model of diabetic nephropathy. Moreover, low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy increased podocyte number in diabetic nephropathy rats. This was likely primarily attributed to the fact that low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy reduced renal inflammation and oxidative stress as well as increased tissue repair potency and cell proliferation. Conclusions. Low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy preserved kidney function in diabetic nephropathy. Low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy may serve as a novel noninvasive and effective treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
A Study of Taxi Service Mode Choice Based on Evolutionary Game Theory
Authors: Bai Zhu , Huang Mingxia , Bian Shuai , Wu Huandong
Published: July 2019

The emergence of online car-hailing service provides an innovative approach to vehicle booking but has negatively influenced the taxi industry in China. This paper modeled taxi service mode choice based on evolutionary game theory (EGT). The modes included the dispatching and online car-hailing modes. We constructed an EGT framework, including determining the strategies and the payoff matrix. We introduced different behaviors, including taxi company management, driver operation, and passenger choice. This allowed us to model the impact of these behaviors on the evolving process of service mode choice. The results show that adjustments in taxi company, driver, and passenger behaviors impact the evolutionary path and convergence speed of our evolutionary game model. However, it also reveals that, regardless of adjustments, the stable states in the game model remain unchanged. The conclusion provides a basis for studying taxi system operation and management.
Invariant Solutions and Nonlinear Self-Adjointness of the Two-Component Chaplygin Gas Equation
Authors: Gao Ben , Wang Yanxia
Published: July 2019

In this paper, the Lie group method is performed on a special dark fluid, the Chaplygin gas, which describes both dark matter and dark energy in the present universe. Based on an optimal system of one-dimensional subalgebras, similarity reductions and group invariant solutions are given. Finally, by means of Ibragimov’s method, conservation laws are obtained.
Uruguai se filma
Authors: Remundini Isadora
Published: July 2019

O livro Uruguay se filma: prácticas documentales (1920-1990) editado por Georgina Torello e organizado a partir do Grupo de Estudios Audiovisuales (GEstA), traça um panorama amplo do cinema de não ficção no Uruguai, recuperando e analisando um patrimônio fílmico disperso. Os nove textos que compõem a publicação dedicam-se às relações entre história e cinema documental naquele país em diferentes momentos, debatendo temas contundentes, como o nacionalismo, o cinema científico, as concepções de povo e os debates em torno da ditadura e da luta armada.
Um só ou dois desejos?
Authors: Silva Cíntia Vieira da
Published: July 2019

O texto aproxima certas concepções de Deleuze e Guatarri relativas ao que poderíamos aqui chamar provisoriamente de uma “teoria do desejo”, tal como esboçada no Anti-Édipo, da teoria dos afetos formulada na Ética de Espinosa, mostrando assim mais uma etapa da crítica da tradição psicanalítica na obra conjunta dos filósofos franceses.
Natural History of Myocardial Injury and Chamber Remodeling in Acute Myocarditis
Authors: White James A. , Hansen Reis , Abdelhaleem Ahmed , Mikami Yoko , Peng Mingkai , Rivest Sandra , Satriano Alessandro , Dykstra Steven , Flewitt Jacqueline , Heydari Bobak , Lydell Carmen P. , Friedrich Matthias G. , Howarth Andrew G.
Published: July 2019

Background:

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is commonly used to diagnose acute myocarditis. However, the natural history of CMR-based tissue markers and their association with left ventricular recovery is poorly explored. We prospectively investigated the natural history of CMR-based myocardial injury and chamber remodeling over 12 months in patients with suspected acute myocarditis.

Methods:

One hundred patients with suspected acute myocarditis were enrolled. All underwent CMR evaluations at baseline and 12 months, inclusive of T2 and late gadolinium enhancement. Blinded quantitative analyses compared left ventricular chamber volumes, function, myocardial edema, and necrosis at each time point using predefined criteria. The predefined primary outcomes were improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction ≥10% and improvement in the indexed left ventricular end diastolic volume ≥10% at 12 months.

Results:

The mean age was 39.9±14.5 years (82 male) with baseline left ventricular ejection fraction of 57.1±11.2%. A total of 72 patients (72%) showed late gadolinium enhancement at baseline with 57 (57%) having any T2 signal elevation. Left ventricular volumes and EF improved significantly at 12 months. Global late gadolinium enhancement extent dropped from 8.5±9.2% of left ventricular mass to 3.0±5.2% (
P
=0.0001) with prevalence of any late gadolinium enhancement dropping to 48%. Reductions in global T2 signal ratio occurred at 12 months (1.85±0.3 to 1.56±0.2;
P
=0.0001) with prevalence of T2 ratio ≥2.0 dropping to 7%. Neither marker provided associations with the primary outcomes.

Conclusions:

In clinically suspected acute myocarditis, significant reductions in tissue injury markers occur during the first 12 months of convalescence. Neither the presence nor extent of the investigated CMR-based tissue injury markers were predictive of our pre-defined function or remodeling outcomes at 12 months in this referral population.