bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Trial of Comparing the Efficacy of Two Neurofeedback Protocols for Treatment of Clinical and Cognitive Symptoms of ADHD: Theta Suppression/Beta Enhancement and Theta Suppression/Alpha Enhancement
Authors: Mohagheghi Arash , Amiri Shahrokh , Moghaddasi Bonab Nafiseh , Chalabianloo Gholamreza , Noorazar Seyed Gholamreza , Tabatabaei Seyed Mahmoud , Farhang Sara
Published: February 2017

Introduction. Neurofeedback (NF) is an adjuvant or alternative therapy for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study intended to compare the efficacy of two different NF protocols on clinical and cognitive symptoms of ADHD. Materials and Methods. In this clinical trial, sixty children with ADHD aged 7 to 10 years old were randomly grouped to receive two different NF treatments (theta suppression/beta enhancement protocol and theta suppression/alpha enhancement protocol). Clinical and cognitive assessments were conducted prior to and following the treatment and also after an eight-week follow-up. Results. Both protocols alleviated the symptoms of ADHD in general (p<0.001), hyperactivity (p<0.001), inattention (p<0.001), and omission errors (p<0.001); however, they did not affect the oppositional and impulsive scales nor commission errors. These effects were maintained after an eight-week intervention-free period. The only significant difference between the two NF protocols was that high-frequency alpha enhancement protocol performed better in suppressing omission errors (p<0.001). Conclusion. The two NF protocols with theta suppression/beta enhancement and theta suppression/alpha enhancement have considerable and comparable effect on clinical symptoms of ADHD. Alpha enhancement protocol was more effective in suppressing omission errors.
Spectrum of Congenital Anomalies among Surgical Patients at a Tertiary Care Centre over 4 Years
Authors: Agarwal Arushi , Rattan K. N. , Dhiman Ankur , Rattan Ananta
Published: February 2017

Introduction. Congenital anomalies are important causes of childhood death, chronic illness, and disability in many countries. Congenital malformations are rapidly emerging as one of the major worldwide problems. Aim. To study the percentage of various congenital anomalies among the patients admitted in Department of Pediatric Surgery at a tertiary care centre over a period of four years from 2011 to 2015 in our centre. Results. Neural tube defects were found to be the most common anomalies in 24.3% of the children admitted. Other common anomalies were anorectal malformation (20.7%), tracheoesophageal fistula (20%), and intestinal obstruction (14.84%). Majority (60.5%) of the patients were males. Conclusion. Congenital malformations are rapidly emerging as one of the major worldwide problems as they can result in long-term disability, which may have significant impacts on individuals, families, health-care systems, and societies. Regular antenatal visits and prenatal diagnosis are recommended for prevention, early intervention, and even planned termination, when needed.
Salient Object Detection Based on Background Feature Clustering
Authors: Huang Kan , Zhang Yong , Lv Bo , Shi Yongbiao
Published: February 2017

Automatic estimation of salient object without any prior knowledge tends to greatly enhance many computer vision tasks. This paper proposes a novel bottom-up based framework for salient object detection by first modeling background and then separating salient objects from background. We model the background distribution based on feature clustering algorithm, which allows for fully exploiting statistical and structural information of the background. Then a coarse saliency map is generated according to the background distribution. To be more discriminative, the coarse saliency map is enhanced by a two-step refinement which is composed of edge-preserving element-level filtering and upsampling based on geodesic distance. We provide an extensive evaluation and show that our proposed method performs favorably against other outstanding methods on two most commonly used datasets. Most importantly, the proposed approach is demonstrated to be more effective in highlighting the salient object uniformly and robust to background noise.
RNA-Seq Based Transcriptome Analysis of the Type I Interferon Host Response upon Vaccinia Virus Infection of Mouse Cells
Authors: Hernáez Bruno , Alonso Graciela , Alonso-Lobo Juan Manuel , Rastrojo Alberto , Fischer Cornelius , Sauer Sascha , Aguado Begoña , Alcamí Antonio
Published: February 2017

Vaccinia virus (VACV) encodes the soluble type I interferon (IFN) binding protein B18 that is secreted from infected cells and also attaches to the cell surface, as an immunomodulatory strategy to inhibit the host IFN response. By using next generation sequencing technologies, we performed a detailed RNA-seq study to dissect at the transcriptional level the modulation of the IFN based host response by VACV and B18. Transcriptome profiling of L929 cells after incubation with purified recombinant B18 protein showed that attachment of B18 to the cell surface does not trigger cell signalling leading to transcriptional activation. Consistent with its ability to bind type I IFN, B18 completely inhibited the IFN-mediated modulation of host gene expression. Addition of UV-inactivated virus particles to cell cultures altered the expression of a set of 53 cellular genes, including genes involved in innate immunity. Differential gene expression analyses of cells infected with replication competent VACV identified the activation of a broad range of host genes involved in multiple cellular pathways. Interestingly, we did not detect an IFN-mediated response among the transcriptional changes induced by VACV, even after the addition of IFN to cells infected with a mutant VACV lacking B18. This is consistent with additional viral mechanisms acting at different levels to block IFN responses during VACV infection.
A Time-Frequency Research for Ultrasonic Guided Wave Generated from the Debonding Based on a Novel Time-Frequency Analysis Technique
Authors: Wu Junhua , Ma Zheshu , Zhang Yonghui
Published: February 2017

Carbon fibre composites have a promising application in the future of the vehicle, because of their high strength and light weight. Debonding is a major defect of the carbon fibre composite. The time-frequency analysis is fundamental to identify the defect on ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation and testing. In order to obtain the instantaneous frequency and the peak time of modes of the ultrasonic guided wave, an algorithm based on the Smoothed Pseudo Wigner-Ville distribution and the peak-track algorithm is presented. In the algorithm, a masking step is proposed, which can guarantee that the peak-track algorithm can automatically exact the instantaneous frequency and the instantaneous amplitude of different modes on the Smoothed Pseudo Wigner-Ville distribution. An experiment for detecting the debonding for a type of carbon fibre composite is done. The presented algorithm is employed on the experimental signals. The processed result of experimental signals reveals that the defect can stimulate new modes, and there is a quantitative relationship between the defect size and the frequency of the new mode. The presented technique provides a valuable way to detect the presentence, calculate the size, and locate the position of the debonding defect.
Pedestrian Stride Length Estimation from IMU Measurements and ANN Based Algorithm
Authors: Xing Haifeng , Li Jinglong , Hou Bo , Zhang Yongjian , Guo Meifeng
Published: February 2017

Pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) can be used for continuous position estimation when satellite or other radio signals are not available, and the accuracy of the stride length measurement is important. Current stride length estimation algorithms, including linear and nonlinear models, consider a few variable factors, and some rely on high precision and high cost equipment. This paper puts forward a stride length estimation algorithm based on a back propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN), using a consumer-grade inertial measurement unit (IMU); it then discusses various factors in the algorithm. The experimental results indicate that the error of the proposed algorithm in estimating the stride length is approximately 2%, which is smaller than that of the frequency and nonlinear models. Compared with the latter two models, the proposed algorithm does not need to determine individual parameters in advance if the trained neural net is effective. It can, thus, be concluded that this algorithm shows superior performance in estimating pedestrian stride length.
RELAP5 Simulation of PKL Facility Experiments under Midloop Conditions
Authors: Villanueva J. F. , Carlos S. , Sanchez-Saez F. , Martón I. , Martorell S.
Published: February 2017

Nuclear power plant risk has to be quantified in full power and in other modes of operation. This latter situation corresponds to low power and shutdown modes of operation in which the residual heat removal (RHR) system is required to extract the heat generated in the core. These accidental sequences are great contributors to the total plant risk. Thus, it is important to analyze the plant behavior to establish the accident mitigation measures required. In this way, PKL facility experimental series were undertaken to analyze the plant behavior in other modes of operation when the RHR is lost. In these experiments, the plant configurations were changed to analyze the influence of steam generators secondary side configurations, the temperature inside the pressurizer, and the inventory level on the plant behavior. Moreover, different accident management measures were proposed in each experiment to reach the conditions to restart the RHR. To understand the physical phenomena that takes place inside the reactor, the experiments are simulated with thermal-hydraulic codes, and this makes it possible to analyze the code capabilities to predict the plant behavior. This work presents the simulation results of four experiments included in PKL experimental series obtained using RELAP5/Mod3.3.
Nonoverlay Heterogeneous Network Planning for Energy Efficiency
Authors: Demirtaş Mahmut , Soysal Alkan
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we introduce nonoverlay microcell/macrocell planning that is optimally designed for improving energy efficiency of the overall heterogeneous cellular network. We consider two deployment strategies. The first one is based on a fixed hexagonal grid and the second one is based on a stochastic geometry. In both of our models, microcells are placed in those areas where the received signal power levels of macrocell common pilot channels are below a certain threshold. Thus, interference between microcells and macrocells is minimized. As a result, addition of microcells increases the achieved number of bits per unit energy. Under such deployment assumptions, we investigate the effects of certain parameters on the energy efficiency. These parameters include the user traffic, the Intersite Distance (ISD), the size of microcells and the number of microcells per macrocell for the grid model, and macrocell density and microcell density for the stochastic model. The results of our performance analyses show that utilizing microcells in a sparse user scenario is worse for the energy efficiency whereas it significantly improves both energy and spectral efficiencies in a dense user scenario. Another interesting observation is that it is possible to choose an optimum number of microcells for a given macrocell density.
Bioinformatics Study of Structural Patterns in Plant MicroRNA Precursors
Authors: Miskiewicz J. , Tomczyk K. , Mickiewicz A. , Sarzynska J. , Szachniuk M.
Published: February 2017

According to the RNA world theory, RNAs which stored genetic information and catalyzed chemical reactions had their contribution in the formation of current living organisms. In recent years, researchers studied this molecule diversity, i.a. focusing on small non-coding regulatory RNAs. Among them, of particular interest is evolutionarily ancient, 19–24 nt molecule of microRNA (miRNA). It has been already recognized as a regulator of gene expression in eukaryotes. In plants, miRNA plays a key role in the response to stress conditions and it participates in the process of growth and development. MicroRNAs originate from primary transcripts (pri-miRNA) encoded in the nuclear genome. They are processed from single-stranded stem-loop RNA precursors containing hairpin structures. While the mechanism of mature miRNA production in animals is better understood, its biogenesis in plants remains less clear. Herein, we present the results of bioinformatics analysis aimed at discovering how plant microRNAs are recognized within their precursors (pre-miRNAs). The study has been focused on sequential and structural motif identification in the neighbourhood of microRNA.
Performance Analysis of Two-Dimensional Maximum Likelihood Direction-of-Arrival Estimation Algorithm Using the UCA
Authors: Cho Yun-Seong , Seo Jeong-Min , Lee Joon-Ho
Published: February 2017

We address the performance analysis of the maximum likelihood (ML) direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation algorithm in the case of azimuth/elevation estimation of two incident signals using the uniform circular array (UCA). Based on the Taylor series expansion and approximation, we get explicit expressions of the root mean square errors (RMSEs) of the azimuths and elevations. The validity of the derived expressions is shown by comparing the analytic results with the simulation results. The derivation in this paper is further verified by illustrating the consistency of the analytic results with the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB).
Target Transportation of Auxin on Mesoporous Au/SiO2 Nanoparticles as a Method for Somaclonal Variation Increasing in Flax (L. usitatissimum L.)
Authors: Kokina Inese , Jahundoviča Inese , Mickeviča Ilona , Jermaļonoka Marija , Strautiņš Jānis , Popovs Sergejs , Ogurcovs Andrejs , Sledevskis Eriks , Polyakov Boriss , Gerbreders Vjačeslavs
Published: February 2017

Development of methods for direct delivery of different bioactive substances into the cell is a promising and intensively approached area of research. It has become a subject of serious research for multidisciplinary team of scientists working in such areas as physics, biology, and biotechnology. Plant calluses were grown on medium supplemented with different nanoparticles to be used as a model for biotechnological research. Gold nanoparticles with mesoporous silica coating were used as hormone carriers, since they possess many of critical properties required for cellular transportation instrument. Some of those properties are great biocompatibility and controlled release of carried molecules. Significant changes in hormones common impact were detected. The great increase in ploidy numbers, embryogenesis, induction, and methylation level was observed when compared to the “conventional” methods of targeted hormones delivery that embrace usage of Au nanoparticles as a main hormone carrier. The authors suppose the research under consideration can provide a new pathway to the design of a novel targeted plant hormone and bioactive substances carrier.
A Case of Congenitally Corrected Transposition of Great Arteries: An Infrequent Happenstance
Authors: Ajmera Prakash , Medep Vikas
Published: February 2017

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) is rare form of congenital heart diseases. It may be present with or without associated anomalies. Patients with CCTGA are usually diagnosed at early stages of life due to associated anomalies, but they may even remain asymptomatic till later decades of their life. We report a case of a 42-year-old man who presented at neurosurgery department with dizziness, seizures, and loss of consciousness, in whom isolated CCTGA was discovered incidentally. Further investigation depicted right ventricular hypertrophy, mild valvular regurgitation, mildly dilated pulmonary artery, low heart rate with AV dissociation, and third-degree heart block. These indicated for implantation of permanent pacemaker into the patient. The implantation of VVI mode pacemaker was uneventful and the patient is being followed up in the past eight months in favorable condition.
Airborne Position and Orientation System for Aerial Remote Sensing
Authors: Li Jianli , Fang Jiancheng , Lu Zhaoxing , Bai Lijian
Published: February 2017

The airborne Position Orientation System (POS) can accurately measure space-time reference information and plays a vital role in aerial remote sensing system. It may be applied in a direct georeference system for optical camera and a motion imaging system for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), which further advances efficiency and quality of imaging sensors. In this paper, the operation principle and components of airborne POS are introduced. Some key technologies of airborne POS are summarized. They include the error calibration and compensation, initial alignment, lever arm error modeling, time synchronization, and integrated estimation method. A high precision airborne POS has been developed and applied to a variety of aerial remote sensing systems.
Composition and Biomass of Aquatic Vegetation in the Poyang Lake, China
Authors: Du Wei , Li Ziqi , Zhang Zengxin , Jin Qiu , Chen Xi , Jiang Shanshan
Published: February 2017

The distribution of aquatic vegetation and associated community diversity and biomass in the Poyang Lake were investigated. The results showed that (1) 43 species of aquatic vascular plants were found in the Poyang Lake watershed which belonged to 22 families; (2) the vegetation of the Poyang Lake scattered in different areas which could be divided into 31 major plant communities and 5 plant zones including amphibian, emergent, floating-leaved, submerged, and floating input; (3) there were 67 aquatic plants in the lake area, and the standing stock (fresh weight) was 1519.41 t. The number of amphibians was the dominant plant species in the Poyang Lake, and the quantity and percentage of amphibians were predominant, which was far more than the other three life forms.
Severe Preeclampsia in the Setting of Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Lake Adam J. , Al Khabbaz Antoun , Keeney Renée
Published: February 2017

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune disease that leads to progressive muscle weakness and is common during female reproductive years. The myasthenic mother and her newborn must be observed carefully, as complications during all stages of pregnancy and the puerperium may arise suddenly. Preeclampsia is a common obstetrical condition for which magnesium sulfate is used for seizure prophylaxis. However, magnesium sulfate is strongly contraindicated in MG as it impairs already slowed nerve-muscle connections. Similarly, many first-line antihypertensive medications, including calcium channels blockers and β-blockers, may lead to MG exacerbation. This case describes the effective obstetrical management of a patient with MG who developed severe preeclampsia. The effective use of levetiracetam and various antihypertensive medications including intravenous labetalol is described. A review of the ten reported cases of MG complicated by preeclampsia is examined to aggregate observations of clinical care, with focus on delivery methods, anticonvulsants, and antihypertensive medications.
Cervicovaginal Bacteriology and Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns among Women with Premature Rupture of Membranes in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Musaba Milton W. , Kagawa Mike N. , Kiggundu Charles , Kiondo Paul , Wandabwa Julius
Published: February 2017

Background. A 2013 Cochrane review concluded that the choice of antibiotics for prophylaxis in PROM is not clear. In Uganda, a combination of oral erythromycin and amoxicillin is the 1st line for prophylaxis against ascending infection. Our aim was to establish the current cervicovaginal bacteriology and antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Methods. Liquor was collected aseptically from the endocervical canal and pool in the posterior fornix of the vagina using a pipette. Aerobic cultures were performed on blood, chocolate, and MacConkey agar and incubated at 35–37°C for 24–48 hrs. Enrichment media were utilized to culture for GBS and facultative anaerobes. Isolates were identified using colonial morphology, gram staining, and biochemical analysis. Sensitivity testing was performed via Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and dilution method. Pearson’s chi-squared (χ2) test and the paired t-test were applied, at a P value of 0.05. Results. Thirty percent of the cultures were positive and over 90% were aerobic microorganisms. Resistance to erythromycin, ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, and ceftriaxone was 44%, 95%, 96%, and 24%, respectively. Rupture of membranes (>12 hrs), late preterm, and term PROM were associated with more positive cultures. Conclusion. The spectrum of bacteria associated with PROM has not changed, but resistance to erythromycin and ampicillin has increased.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women with venous thromboembolism treated with apixaban or warfarin
Authors: Bleker Suzanne , Hutten Barbara , Timmermans Anne , Büller Harry , Middeldorp Saskia , Brekelmans Marjolein , Scheres Luuk
Published: February 2017

Abnormal vaginal bleeding can complicate direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) treatment. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of abnormal vaginal bleeding in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) receiving apixaban or enoxaparin/warfarin. Data were derived from the AMPLIFY trial. We compared the incidence of abnormal vaginal bleeding between patients in both treatment arms and collected information on clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, management and outcomes. In the AMPLIFY trial, 1122 women were treated with apixaban and 1106 received enoxaparin/warfarin. A clinically relevant non-major (CRNM) vaginal bleeding occurred in 28 (2.5 %) apixaban and 24 (2.1 %) enoxaparin/warfarin recipients (odds ratio [OR] 1.2, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.7–2.0). Of all CRNM bleeds, 28 of 62 (45 %) and 24 of 120 (20 %) were of vaginal origin in the apixaban and enoxaparin/warfarin group, respectively (OR 3.4; 95 % CI 1.8–6.7). Premenopausal vaginal bleeds on apixaban were characterised by more prolonged bleeding (OR 2.3; 95 %CI 0.5–11). In both pre- and postmenopausal vaginal bleeds, diagnostic tests were performed in six (21 %) and in seven (29 %) apixaban and enoxaparin/ warfarin treated patients, respectively. Medical treatment was deemed not necessary in 16 (57 %) apixaban and 16 (67 %) enoxaparin/warfarin recipients. The severity of clinical presentation and course of the bleeds was mild in 75 % of the cases in both groups. In conclusion, although the absolute number of vaginal bleeding events is comparable between apixaban and enoxaparin/warfarin recipients, the relative occurrence of vaginal bleeds is higher in apixaban-treated women. The characteristics and severity of bleeding episodes were comparable in both treatment arms.
ПЕРЕБІГ СТАБІЛЬНОЇ ІШЕМІЧНОЇ ХВОРОБИ СЕРЦЯ НА ТЛІ НЕАЛКОГОЛЬНОЇ ЖИРОВОЇ ХВОРОБИ ПЕЧІНКИ В РЕАБІЛІТАЦІЙНОМУ ПЕРІОДІ ПІСЛЯ РЕВАСКУЛЯРИЗАЦІЙНИХ ВТРУЧАНЬ
Authors: Vakaliuk I. I. , Virstiuk N. H.
Published: February 2017

Метою дослідження було оцінити перебіг стабільної ішемічної хвороби серця (ІХС) на тлі неалкогольної жирової хвороби печінки (НАЖХП) у реабілітаційному періоді після проведення втручань із реваскуляризації міокарда. Обстежено 220 хворих на стабільну ІХС, поєднану з НАЖХП, із них 80 пацієнтів після реваскуляризаційних втручань. Усім хворим проведено загальноклінічні та функціональні методи обстеження з метою верифікації стабільної ІХС та НАЖХП. Встановлено більш сприятливий перебіг стабільної ІХС, супутніх серцевої недостатності (СН) та артеріальної гіпертензії (АГ) на тлі НАЖХП після реваскуляризації міокарда. Визначено, що клінічними особливостями перебігу стабільної ІХС на тлі НАЖХП є виражені клінічні симптоми основного захворювання та супутньої патології, менш виражені після реваскуляризації міокарда. Доведено, що реваскуляризація міокарда сприяє поліпшенню довгострокового прогнозу в хворих на стабільну ІХС на тлі НАЖХП.
АНАЛІЗ КОМБІНОВАНОГО ВПЛИВУ ІНТРАТУМОРАЛЬНОЇ ЕКСПРЕСІЇ ТИМІДИЛАТСИНТАЗИ ТА HENT1 НА ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ СХЕМИ ГЕМЦИТАБІН+ТЕГАФУР В АД’ЮВАНТОМУ ЛІКУВАННІ ХВОРИХ НА РАК ПІДШЛУНКОВОЇ ЗАЛОЗИ
Authors: Dronov O. I. , Zemskov S. V. , Hrabovyy O. M. , Klymnyuk I. S.
Published: February 2017

Рак підшлункової залози (РПЗ) є одним із найагресивніших серед гастроінтестинальних раків. Шанс на довгострокову виживаність, що залишається неприйнятливо низькою, дає тільки радикальна резекція. Оптимізація ад’ювантного лікування хворих на РПЗ є актуальним питанням сучасної онкології. Метою роботи був аналіз комбінованого впливу інтратуморальної експресії hENT1 і тимідилатсинтази (TS) на ефективність схеми гемцитабін+тегафур ГемТег в ад'ювантному лікуванні хворих на РПЗ. До дослідження залучено 62 хворих на РПЗ з R0-cтатусом резекції на І та ІІ стадіях (UICC ver.7). Усі хворі отримували комбінацію ГемТег в якості ад’ювантної терапії. Діагноз у кожному випадку був веріфікований гістологічно, після чого імуногістохімічно визначали експресію hENT1 та TS. Статистичну обробку виконували за допомогою критерію Фішера, методів χі-квадрат, Каплана–Майєра та аналізу ризиків за Коксом. Медіана спостереження становила 34 місяці. За допомогою однофакторного аналізу оцінювали переваги у виживаності, порівняно з когортою хворих із співпаданням низької експресії hENT1 та TS. При цьому виживаність у когортах із високою експресією hENT1, з високою експресією TS та з високою експресією обох маркерів була значно вищою (р=0,053; р=0,03 та р<0,001 відповідно). При багатофакторному аналізі ризиків за Коксом у стратифікованих когортах HR становив 4,65 (СI: 2,12–10,21), 4,82 (СI: 2,13–10,91) та 23,14 (СI: 2,73–195,88) відповідно. Висока інтратуморальна експресія hENT1 та TS незалежно одне від одного може покращувати загальну виживаність хворих на РПЗ при ад’ювантному лікуванні за схемою ГемТег. Хворі, в яких одночасно відзначалася висока експресія hENT1 та TS, отримували найбільшу перевагу в виживаності.
ЗАКОНОМІРНОСТІ ІНДИВІДУАЛЬНОЇ АНАТОМІЧНОЇ МІНЛИВОСТІ НОСОВОЇ ДІЛЯНКИ У ПЛОДІВ ЛЮДИНИ
Authors: Kuznyak N. B.
Published: February 2017

Досліджено 117 плодів людини віком від 5 до 10 місяців внутрішньоутробного розвитку (85,0–500,0 мм ТПД) обох статей із використанням комплексу методів морфологічного дослідження (антропометрія, морфометрія, комп’ютерна томографія, тривимірне комп’ютерне реконструювання, статистичний аналіз). Статистичний аналіз морфометричних параметрів структур носової ділянки плодів обох статей упродовж плодового періоду пренатального онтогенезу людини дозволив з’ясувати та визначити особливості конституційної та статево-вікової анатомії, встановити математичні закономірності змін морфометричних показників досліджених структур, що може бути морфологічним підґрунтям для розробки діагностичних алгоритмів та вирішення питань про ступінь зрілості плода. Періодами нерівномірного росту морфометричних показників носової ділянки є 5 та 8 місяці внутрішньоутробного розвитку, під час яких спостерігається прискорене зростання її розмірів у обох стетей, а також 7 місяць, під час якого уповільнюються темпи її росту. Cтатевовікова особливість змін висоти носової апертури характеризується схожістю часової динаміки у плодів брахіморфного типу чоловічої статі та мезоморфного типу жіночої статі. Довжина носової порожнини інтенсивніше зростає у плодів чоловічої статі з доліхоморфним конституційним типом та в плодів жіночої статі з доліхо- та брахіморфним типами. Мезоморфні плоди обох статей та брахіморфні плоди чоловічої статі характеризуються більш високими значеннями довжини носової порожнини на початку плодового періоду та повільним її зростанням упродовж розвитку. Ширина носової апертури у плодів обох статей доліхоморфного типу слід вважати крайньою формою анатомічної мінливості (високі значення на початку плодового періоду та прискорене зростання її упродовж розвитку). Ширина носової порожнини характеризується схожістю часової динаміки зростання в плодів доліхоморфного типу обох статей та значною статевою відмінністю серед інших конституційних типів. Зокрема, у плодів чоловічої статі мезоморфного типу вона зростає найінтенсивніше, а для брахіморфного типу характерна тенденція до зменшення цього показника. Тому для плодів чоловічої статі брахіморфного типу притаманні крайні форми анатомічної мінливості ширини носової порожнини. Математичний аналіз особливостей морфометричних змін носової апертури та носової порожнини дозволив вивести логарифмічні функції, що відображають закономірності динаміки змін цих структур:– ширина носової порожнини (чоловіча стать): y=6,6219*exp(0,1178*x);– ширина носової порожнини (жіноча стать): y= 6,323*exp(0,128*x);– довжина носової порожнини (чоловіча стать): y=11,9296*exp(0,1076*x);– довжина носової порожнини (жіноча стать): y=11,6504*exp(0,0992*x);– ширина носової апертури (чоловіча стать): y=5,8844*exp(0,1116*x);– ширина носової апертури (жіноча стать): y=5,8259*exp(0,0914*x);– висота носової апертури (чоловіча стать): y= 6,9016*exp(0,1418*x);– висота носової апертури (жіноча стать): y=7,0358*exp(0,1004*x).
ПСИХОСОЦІАЛЬНА АДАПТАЦІЯ КОСМЕТОЛОГІЧНИХ ПАЦІЄНТІВ ІЗ ЗНИЖЕНОЮ САМООЦІНКОЮ
Authors: Yudin M. A.
Published: February 2017

У дослідженні проводилося вивчення особливостей психофункціонального функціонування пацієнтів косметологічного профілю із дисгармонічним самовідношенням та зниженою самооцінкою. Дослідження проводилося на базі медичного центру “СА-КЛІНІК” протягом 2014–2016 рр. У тестуванні прийняли участь 204 жінки, які звернулися за косметологічною допомогою. Опитуваних поділили на групи на основі критерію самовідношення: основну групу склали особи з дисгармонійним типом із тенденцією до заниженої самооцінки (ОГ, n=108), групу порівняння склали жінки з гармонійним типом (ГП, n=96). На психосоціальне функціонування жінок із дисгармонійним самовідношенням та заниженою самооцінкою впливали низька самооцінка своїх фізичних та особистісних властивостей, незадоволеність собою, невпевненість, нерішучість, негативні переживання, пов’язані з міжособистісною взаємодією, труднощі у встановленні та підтриманні соціальних контактів, пасивність, залежність, екстерналізація локусу контролю. Найбільш ураженою сферою психосоціальної адаптації у жінок із заниженою самооцінкою було самосприйняття, що на психологічному рівні виступало провідними психопатогенним чинником дезадаптації. Психокорекція порушень психосоціального функціонування у косметологічних пацієнтів важлива складова медико-психологічної допомоги.
СТАН ПРООКСИДАНТНО-АНТИОКСИДАНТНИХ ПРОЦЕСІВ У ЛЕГЕНЯХ В ДИНАМІЦІ РОЗВИТКУ ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНОГО АЛЕРГІЧНОГО АЛЬВЕОЛІТУ
Authors: Kovalska M. Ye.
Published: February 2017

В роботі показано, що екпериментальний алергічний альвеоліт характеризується зростанням вмісту продуктів ліпопероксидації (діє нових кон’югатів і малонового діальдегіду) у всі періоди дослідження та активності ферментів супероксиддисмутази (СОД), каталази (КТ) і глутатіонпероксидази (ГПО) на 2 добу експерименту та суттєве зниження показників СОД, КТ та ГПО на 24 і 34 доби цього модельного процесу захворювання.
MEDICAL ERRORS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE OF PHYSICIANS IN TERNOPIL REGION (UKRAINE)
Authors: Franchuk V. V.
Published: February 2017

Background. The professional occupation of a doctor quite often meets different imperfections, which have negative outcome for patients.Objective. The study was aimed to investigate the expert characteristics of improper performance of the professional duties by medical staff on the example of a particular region of Ukraine.Methods. In the study the archival materials (commission on forensic medical examinations) held in Ternopil Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination in 2007-2014 years were analysed. The research results are summarized and processed with the use of general statistical methods.Results. It is defined that during this period 112 examinations concerning medical malpractice were implemented (9.05% of all commission examinations).Conclusions. Medical errors were combined, especially during the diagnostics, treatment and in medical records. The majority of cases (82.1%) of medical malpractice were caused by the objective reasons.
Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Induces Aortic Valve Calcification by Inhibiting Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Signaling in Valvular Interstitial Cells
Authors: Choi Bongkun , Lee Sahmin , Kim Sang-Min , Lee Eun-Jin , Lee Sun Ro , Kim Dae-Hee , Jang Jeong Yoon , Kang Sang-Wook , Lee Ki-Up , Chang Eun-Ju , Song Jae-Kwan
Published: February 2017

Background:

Calcification of the aortic valve leads to increased leaflet stiffness and consequently to the development of calcific aortic valve disease. However, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of calcification remain unclear. Here, we identified that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4, also known as CD26) increases valvular calcification and promotes calcific aortic valve disease progression.

Methods:

We obtained the aortic valve tissues from humans and murine models (wild-type and endothelial nitric oxide synthase-deficient-mice) and cultured the valvular interstitial cells (VICs) and valvular endothelial cells from the cusps. We induced osteogenic differentiation in the primary cultured VICs and examined the effects of the DPP-4 inhibitor on the osteogenic changes in vitro and aortic valve calcification in endothelial nitric oxide synthase-deficient-mice. We also induced calcific aortic stenosis in male New Zealand rabbits (weight, 2.5–3.0 kg) by a cholesterol-enriched diet+vitamin D2 (25 000 IU, daily). Echocardiography was performed to assess the aortic valve area and the maximal and mean transaortic pressure gradients at baseline and 3-week intervals thereafter. After 12 weeks, we harvested the heart and evaluated the aortic valve tissue using immunohistochemistry.

Results:

We found that nitric oxide depletion in human valvular endothelial cells activates NF-κB in human VICs. Consequently, the NF-κB promotes DPP-4 expression, which then induces the osteogenic differentiation of VICs by limiting autocrine insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling. The inhibition of DPP-4 enzymatic activity blocked the osteogenic changes in VICs in vitro and reduced the aortic valve calcification in vivo in a mouse model. Sitagliptin administration in a rabbit calcific aortic valve disease model led to significant improvements in the rate of change in aortic valve area, transaortic peak velocity, and maximal and mean pressure gradients over 12 weeks. Immunohistochemistry staining confirmed the therapeutic effect of Sitagliptin in terms of reducing the calcium deposits in the rabbit aortic valve cusps. In rabbits receiving Sitagliptin, the plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 levels were significantly increased, in line with DPP-4 inhibition.

Conclusions:

DPP-4-dependent insulin-like growth factor-1 inhibition in VICs contributes to aortic valve calcification, suggesting that DPP-4 could serve as a potential therapeutic target to inhibit calcific aortic valve disease progression.
Medical Therapy for Secondary Prevention and Long-Term Outcome in Patients With Myocardial Infarction With Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Lindahl Bertil , Baron Tomasz , Erlinge David , Hadziosmanovic Nermin , Nordenskjöld Anna , Gard Anton , Jernberg Tomas
Published: February 2017

Background:

Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) occurs in 5% to 10% of all patients with myocardial infarction. Clinical trials of secondary prevention treatment in MINOCA patients are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the associations between treatment with statins, renin-angiotensin system blockers, β-blockers, dual antiplatelet therapy, and long-term cardiovascular events.

Methods:

This is an observational study of MINOCA patients recorded in the SWEDEHEART registry (the Swedish Web-system for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-based care in Heart disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapy) between July 2003 and June 2013 and followed until December 2013 for outcome events in the Swedish Cause of Death Register and National Patient Register. Of 199 162 myocardial infarction admissions, 9466 consecutive unique patients with MINOCA were identified. Among those, the 9136 patients surviving the first 30 days after discharge constituted the study population. Mean age was 65.3 years, and 61% were women. No patient was lost to follow-up. A stratified propensity score analysis was performed to match treated and untreated groups. The association between treatment and outcome was estimated by comparing between treated and untreated groups by using Cox proportional hazards models. The exposures were treatment at discharge with statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, β-blockers, and dual antiplatelet therapy. The primary end point was major adverse cardiac events defined as all-cause mortality, hospitalization for myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and heart failure.

Results:

At discharge, 84.5%, 64.1%, 83.4%, and 66.4% of the patients were on statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, β-blockers, and dual antiplatelet therapy, respectively. During the follow-up of a mean of 4.1 years, 2183 (23.9%) patients experienced a major adverse cardiac event. The hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for major adverse cardiac events were 0.77 (0.68–0.87), 0.82 (0.73–0.93), and 0.86 (0.74–1.01) in patients on statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, and β-blockers, respectively. For patients on dual antiplatelet therapy followed for 1 year, the hazard ratio was 0.90 (0.74–1.08).

Conclusions:

The results indicate long-term beneficial effects of treatment with statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers on outcome in patients with MINOCA, a trend toward a positive effect of β-blocker treatment, and a neutral effect of dual antiplatelet therapy. Properly powered randomized clinical trials to confirm these results are warranted.
Specific Lobar Affection Reveals a Rostrocaudal Gradient in Functional Outcome in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Gerner Stefan T. , Kuramatsu Joji B. , Moeller Sebastian , Huber Angelika , Lücking Hannes , Kloska Stephan P. , Madžar Dominik , Sembill Jochen A. , Schwab Stefan , Huttner Hagen B.
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose—

Several studies have reported a better functional outcome in lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) compared with deep location. However, among lobar ICH, a correlation of hemorrhage site—involving the specific lobes—with functional outcome has not been established.

Methods—

Conservatively treated patients with supratentorial ICH, admitted to our hospital over a 5-year period (2008–2012), were retrospectively analyzed. Lobar patients were classified as isolated or overlapping ICH according to affected lobes. Demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics were recorded and compared among lobar ICH patients using above subclassification. Functional outcome—dichotomized into favorable (modified Rankin Scale, 0–3) and unfavorable (modified Rankin Scale, 4–6)—was assessed after 3 and 12 months. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify predictors for favorable outcome.

Results—

Of overall 553 patients, 260 had lobar ICH. In isolated lobar ICH, median hematoma-volume decreased from rostral (frontal, 22.4 mL [7.3–55.5 mL]) to caudal (occipital, 7.1 mL [5.2–16.4 mL];
P
=0.045), whereas the proportion of patients with favorable outcome increased (frontal: 23/63 [36.5%] versus occipital: 10/12 [83.3%];
P
=0.003). Patients with overlapping lobar ICH had larger ICH volumes than isolated lobar ICH (overlapping, 48.9 mL [22.6–78.5 mL] versus 15.3 mL [5.0–44.6 mL];
P
<0.001) and poorer clinical status on admission (Glasgow Coma Scale and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale). Correlations with anatomic aspects provided evidence of a rostrocaudal gradient with increasing gray/white-matter ratio and decreasing hematoma-volume and rate of hematoma enlargement from frontal to occipital ICH location. Multivariate analysis revealed affection of occipital lobe (odds ratio, 3.75 [1.38–10.22]) and affection of frontal lobe (odds ratio, 0.52 [0.28–0.94]) to be independent predictors for favorable outcome and unfavorable outcome, respectively.

Conclusions—

Among patients with lobar ICH radiological and outcome characteristics differed according to location. Especially affection of the frontal lobe was frequent and associated with unfavorable outcome after 3 months.
Parameter Identifiability in Statistical Machine Learning: A Review
Authors: Ran Zhi-Yong , Hu Bao-Gang
Published: February 2017

This review examines the relevance of parameter identifiability for statistical models used in machine learning. In addition to defining main concepts, we address several issues of identifiability closely related to machine learning, showing the advantages and disadvantages of state-of-the-art research and demonstrating recent progress. First, we review criteria for determining the parameter structure of models from the literature. This has three related issues: parameter identifiability, parameter redundancy, and reparameterization. Second, we review the deep influence of identifiability on various aspects of machine learning from theoretical and application viewpoints. In addition to illustrating the utility and influence of identifiability, we emphasize the interplay among identifiability theory, machine learning, mathematical statistics, information theory, optimization theory, information geometry, Riemann geometry, symbolic computation, Bayesian inference, algebraic geometry, and others. Finally, we present a new perspective together with the associated challenges.
Cryptantha nevadensis var. rigida elevated to species with a new name, C. juniperensis
Authors: SIMPSON MICHAEL G. , KELLEY RONALD B.
Published: February 2017

A replacement name, Cryptantha juniperensis, nomen et status novum, is proposed for Cryptantha nevadensis A.Nelson & P.B.Kennedy var. rigida I.M.Johnston. A new name was necessary because the name C. rigida was unavailable, due to its previous use for the South American Cryptantha rigida (Phil.) Reiche. Cryptantha juniperensis is similar to what has been treated as Cryptantha nevadensis var. nevadensis, with which it shares appressed upper stem trichomes and a relatively long fruiting calyx, often with erect to reflexed apices. However, Cryptantha juniperensis differs significantly from Cryptantha nevadensis var. nevadensis by the nutlet shape, which is narrowly ovate to widely lance-ovate, narrowly acute, and tuberculate in the former but lance-ovate, strongly acuminate, and elongate-tuberculate to muricate in the latter. In addition, Cryptantha juniperensis is erect (vs. lax and sprawling in Cryptantha nevadensis var. nevadensis), has fruiting calyces between 4.5–7.5 mm (vs. 6–11 mm long), and has a corolla limb that ranges between 2–5 mm in diameter (vs. 1–2 mm in diameter). Cryptantha juniperensis, which has also been classified as Cryptantha intermedia (A.Gray) Greene var. rigida Brand, is similar to recognized varieties of C. intermedia in nutlet morphology and in growth habit but differs in having upper stems with trichomes mostly appressed (vs. mostly spreading), a smaller corolla size (ca. 2–5 mm vs. 3–11 mm), and cymules that are mostly paired (vs. cymules that are arranged in threes). Preliminary molecular studies also support the recognition of C. juniperensis as a taxon separate from both C. nevadensis and C. intermedia.
The genus Xanthoconium (Boletaceae, Boletales) in tropical China
Authors: LIANG ZHI-QUN , CHAI HUI , JIANG SHUAI , YE ZHENG-KUN , ZENG NIAN-KAI
Published: February 2017

The collections of Xanthoconium from tropical China are investigated on the basis of morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from the nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S), the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (RPB2). Two species are recognized in the region, one is the previously described taxon: X. sinensis, the other is described as new: X. fusciceps. Xanthoconium fusciceps is morphologically characterized by a dark brown pileus with a rugulose or pitted surface, non-staining hymenophore and context, golden yellow basidiospores, cystidia with pale yellowish brown, yellowish brown to golden brown pigments, and uninflated hyphae in the pileipellis. Detailed descriptions, color photos of fresh basidiomata and line-drawings of microstructures of the two taxa are presented.
Glaucium alakirensis (Papaveraceae), a new species from Southern Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: AYKURT CANDAN , YILDIZ KEMAL , ÖZÇANDIR AYŞEN , MUNGAN FATMA , DENİZ İ. GÖKHAN
Published: February 2017

Glaucium alakirensis, a small cushion forming perennial from South Anatolia, is described and compared with related species (G. leiocarpum, G. secmenii). The chorology and ecology of the new species and its relatives are discussed. The IUCN threat category Critically Endangered is suggested.
A new species of Gamasodes Oudemans from Australia (Acari: Parasitidae)
Authors: HALLIDAY R. B. , WALTER D. E. , POLAK M.
Published: February 2017

Gamasodes queenslandicus sp. nov. (Acari: Parasitidae) is described from Queensland, Australia, on the basis of the deutonymph and male and female adults. This is the first record of the genus for the Australian biogeographic region. Mites at the deutonymph stage were found attached to fruitfeeding species of Drosophila, from which they appear to extract haemolymph. A world checklist for the genus Gamasodes is provided.
Notice from Chief Editor
Authors: ZHANG ZHI-QIANG
Published: February 2017

The first issue of Zootaxa was published on 28 May 2001. On 27 May 2005, Zootaxa 1000 was published. In four years, over 1100 authors from all over the world had published 1000 papers/monographs in more than 23000 pages. Papers range from 4 to 1295 pages. Most papers were published within one month after acceptance by editors. Zootaxa has established itself as a major international journal in systematic zoology.
Review of Sesioctonus Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae) from Colombia with descriptions of five new species
Authors: SHARKEY MICHAEL J. , BRICEÑO G. ROSA A.
Published: February 2017

As part of an extensive survey of Colombian arthropods, the species of Sesioctonus from Colombia are reviewed. Nine new Colombian species records for Sesioctonus are reported, including five new species that are described here. The species identified are Sesioctonus diazi Briceño, S. galeos Briceño, S. theskelos Briceño, S. grandis Briceño, S. boliviensis Briceño, Sesioctonus longinoi n.sp., Sesioctonus philipi n.sp., Sesioctonus torresi n.sp., Sesioctonus stephaniai n.sp., and Sesioctonus susanai n.sp. Including the species reported here, eleven species of Sesioctonus are recorded from Colombia. A revised key to all known species of Sesioctonus is presented.
A new species of Argeiopsis Kensley, 1974 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Bopyridae: Argeiinae) from the northern Arabian Sea
Authors: BOYKO CHRISTOPHER B. , KAZMI QUDDUSI B.
Published: February 2017

A parasitized specimen of Microprosthema validum Stimpson (Stenopodidea) from the Arabian Sea off Pakistan was found to bear a pair of bopyrid isopods referable to the genus Argeiopsis Kensley, 1974. Although damaged, these specimens clearly represent a new species that is only the second in the genus. This new species is described and illustrated and a discussion of previous records of the type species A. inhacae is given.