bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Step Rate Thresholds Associated with Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity in Adults
Authors: O’Brien Myles W. , Kivell Matthew J. , Wojcik William R. , D’Entremont Ghislain , Kimmerly Derek S. , Fowles Jonathon R.
Published: November 2018

Adults are recommended to engage in 150 min of moderate (MPA) to vigorous (VPA) aerobic physical activity per week, with the public health message of obtaining 3000 steps in 30 min. There is a paucity of research on step rate thresholds that correspond to absolute MVPA (moderate = 3 METs, vigorous = 6 METs) with no research evaluating adult relative MVPA (moderate = 40% VO2max, vigorous = 60% VO2max). Anthropometric differences also influence intensity-related step rate thresholds. The purpose of this study was to identify step rates across a range of walking intensities so that mathematical models incorporating anthropometric factors could be used to identify individualized MVPA step rate thresholds. Forty-three adults (25♀; age = 39.4 ± 15.2 years) completed a staged treadmill walking protocol with pedometers and indirect calorimetry: six-minutes at 2.4, 3.2, 4.0, 5.6, 6.4, 7.2 km/h. Mathematical modelling revealed absolute and relative MPA step rate thresholds of ~100 steps/minute (spm) and ~125 spm, respectively. VPA corresponded to step rates of ~133 spm and ~139 spm for absolute and relative thresholds respectively. The current public message of 3000 steps in 30 min is valid for absolute MPA. However, VPA is achieved at higher thresholds than previously reported, more than 130 spm for healthy adults.
Translation and Validation of the Malay Version of the Parents’ Satisfaction Scale (PSS-M) for Assessment of Caregivers’ Satisfaction with Health Care Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Nik Adib Nik Aida , Ibrahim Mohd Ismail , Ab Rahman Azriani , Bakar Raishan Shafini , Yahaya Nor Azni , Hussin Suria , Nor Arifin Wan
Published: November 2018

Background: A Malay version of Parent Satisfaction Scale (PSS-M) is needed to investigate the factors contributing to the Malay caregivers’ satisfaction with health care management for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of the study is to translate and validate the questionnaire to assess the caregivers’ satisfaction on health care services. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 caregivers of children with ASD aged between 2 and 17 years old that received treatment at two tertiary care centres in Kelantan. Permission to use the original version of the PSS questionnaire was obtained. The original English version of the PSS was translated into a Malay version following the 10 steps proposed by an established guideline. Pre-testing of the PSS was carried out with 30 caregivers before confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was established using 110 caregivers. They were asked to assess their understanding of the questionnaire. The one-dimensional questionnaire consists of 11 items, including staff attitudes, availability of staff, supportiveness, and helpfulness. The 5-point Likert scale provided ratings from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed using a robust maximum likelihood estimator. Results: The analysis showed model fit data with good reliability. Conclusion: The PSS-M shows overall model fitness based on specific indices, with good construct validity and excellent absolute reliability to determine the satisfaction level of caregivers of children with ASD with respect to health care services.
Perceived Environmental, Individual and Social Factors of Long-Distance Collective Walking in Cities
Authors: Yang Peng , Dai Shanshan , Xu Honggang , Ju Peng
Published: November 2018

Long-distance collective walking is a popular activity in cities across China. However, related research is limited, creating a research gap to explore participants’ dynamic experience and related influential factors. Therapeutic mobilities theory explores the relationships among walking, health, and well-being from a qualitative perspective. Based on therapeutic mobilities theory, following a systematic process, this study develops a scale to quantitatively estimate the perceived environmental, personal, and social factors that may influence health and well-being. By applying construal level theory, this paper further hypothesizes that personality traits and familiarity moderate environmental, personal, and social perceptions. Data were collected with a paper survey (n = 926) from the “Shenzhen 100 km Walking” event. The findings highlight that long-distance collective walkers have comparatively greater experiences of health and well-being in three aspects: positive social interaction, individual development, and environmental understanding. Personality traits, familiarity, and gender moderate this well-being experience. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Economic Evaluation of Environmental Interventions: Reflections on Methodological Challenges and Developments
Authors: Bojke Laura , Schmitt Laetitia , Lomas James , Richardson Gerry , Weatherly Helen
Published: November 2018

Evaluation of the costs and outcomes associated with environmental policies and interventions is often required to inform public policy and allocate scarce resources. Methods to conduct assessments of cost-effectiveness have been developed in the context of pharmaceuticals, but have more recently been applied in public health, diagnostics, and other more complex interventions. The suitability of existing economic evaluation methodology has been explored in many contexts, however, this is yet to be undertaken for interventions and policies pertaining to the natural environment, such as urban green spaces and strategies to reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution. To make significant inroads into the evaluation of interventions and policies relating to the natural environment requires an understanding of the challenges faced in this context. Many of these challenges may be practical (data-related), however, a number are also methodological, and thus have implications for the appropriate framework for economic evaluation. This paper considers some of the challenges faced when conducting cost-effectiveness analyses in this context and explores what solutions have been proposed thus far. The intention is to help pave the way for consideration of which existing framework is most appropriate for the evaluation of natural environment (NE) interventions, or if a distinct framework is required. Environmental policies and interventions relating to the built environment, for example, housing, are not explicitly included here.
The Relationship between Family Violence and Self-Control in Adolescence: A Multi-Level Meta-Analysis
Authors: Willems Yayouk E. , Li Jian-Bin , Hendriks Anne M. , Bartels Meike , Finkenauer Catrin
Published: November 2018

Theoretical studies propose an association between family violence and low self-control in adolescence; however, empirical findings of this association are inconclusive. The aim of the present research was to systematically summarize available findings on the relation between family violence and self-control across adolescence. We included 28 studies with 143 effect sizes, representing more than 25,000 participants of eight countries from early to late adolescence. Applying a three-level meta-analysis, taking dependency between effect sizes into account while retaining statistical power, we examined the magnitude and direction of the overall effect size. Additionally, we investigated whether theoretical moderators (e.g., age, gender, country), and methodological moderators (e.g., time lag between family violence and self-control, informant) influenced the magnitude of the association between family violence and self-control. Our results revealed that family violence and self-control have a small to moderate significant negative association (r = −0.191). This association did not vary across gender, country, and informants. The strength of the association, however, decreased with age and in longitudinal studies. This finding provides evidence that researchers and clinicians may expect low self-control in the wake of family violence, especially in early adolescence. Recommendations for future research in the area are discussed.
Internet Risks: An Overview of Victimization in Cyberbullying, Cyber Dating Abuse, Sexting, Online Grooming and Problematic Internet Use
Authors: Machimbarrena Juan M. , Calvete Esther , Fernández-González Liria , Álvarez-Bardón Aitor , Álvarez-Fernández Lourdes , González-Cabrera Joaquín
Published: November 2018

The advance of digital media has created risks that affect the bio-psycho-social well-being of adolescents. Some of these risks are cyberbullying, cyber dating abuse, sexting, online grooming and problematic Internet use. These risks have been studied individually or through associations of some of them but they have not been explored conjointly. The main objective is to determine the comorbidity between the described Internet risks and to identify the profiles of victimized adolescents. An analytical and cross-sectional study with 3212 participants (46.3% males) from 22 Spanish schools was carried out. Mean age was 13.92 ± 1.44 years (range 11–21). Assessment tools with adequate standards of reliability and validity were used. The main results indicate that the most prevalent single risk is cyberbullying victimization (30.27%). The most prevalent two-risk associations are cyberbullying-online grooming (12.61%) and cyberbullying-sexting (5.79%). The three-risk combination of cyberbullying-sexting-grooming (7.12%) is highlighted, while 5.49% of the adolescents present all the risks. In addition, four profiles are distinguished, with the profile Sexualized risk behaviour standing out, with high scores in grooming and sexting and low scores in the rest of the risks. Determining the comorbidity of risks is useful for clinical and educational interventions, as it can provide information about additional risks.
Importance of Remotely-Sensed Vegetation Variables for Predicting the Spatial Distribution of African Citrus Triozid (Trioza erytreae) in Kenya
Authors: Richard Kyalo , Abdel-Rahman Elfatih , Mohamed Samira , Ekesi Sunday , Borgemeister Christian , Landmann Tobias
Published: November 2018

Citrus is considered one of the most important fruit crops globally due to its contribution to food and nutritional security. However, the production of citrus has recently been in decline due to many biological, environmental, and socio-economic constraints. Amongst the biological ones, pests and diseases play a major role in threatening citrus quantity and quality. The most damaging disease in Kenya, is the African citrus greening disease (ACGD) or Huanglongbing (HLB) which is transmitted by the African citrus triozid (ACT), Trioza erytreae. HLB in Kenya is reported to have had the greatest impact on citrus production in the highlands, causing yield losses of 25% to 100%. This study aimed at predicting the occurrence of ACT using an ecological habitat suitability modeling approach. Specifically, we tested the contribution of vegetation phenological variables derived from remotely-sensed (RS) data combined with bio-climatic and topographical variables (BCL) to accurately predict the distribution of ACT in citrus-growing areas in Kenya. A MaxEnt (maximum entropy) suitability modeling approach was used on ACT presence-only data. Forty-seven (47) ACT observations were collected while 23 BCL and 12 RS covariates were used as predictor variables in the MaxEnt modeling. The BCL variables were extracted from the WorldClim data set, while the RS variables were predicted from vegetation phenological time-series data (spanning the years 2014–2016) and annually-summed land surface temperature (LST) metrics (2014–2016). We developed two MaxEnt models; one including both the BCL and the RS variables (BCL-RS) and another with only the BCL variables. Further, we tested the relationship between ACT habitat suitability and the surrounding land use/land cover (LULC) proportions using a random forest regression model. The results showed that the combined BCL-RS model predicted the distribution and habitat suitability for ACT better than the BCL-only model. The overall accuracy for the BCL-RS model result was 92% (true skills statistic: TSS = 0.83), whereas the BCL-only model had an accuracy of 85% (TSS = 0.57). Also, the results revealed that the proportion of shrub cover surrounding citrus orchards positively influenced the suitability probability of the ACT. These results provide a resourceful tool for precise, timely, and site-specific implementation of ACGD control strategies.
Functional Identification of Salt-Stress-Related Genes Using the FOX Hunting System from Ipomoea pes-caprae
Authors: Zhang Mei , Zhang Hui , Zheng Jie-Xuan , Mo Hui , Xia Kuai-Fei , Jian Shu-Guang
Published: November 2018

Ipomoea pes-caprae is a seashore halophytic plant and is therefore a good model for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying salt and stress tolerance in plant research. Here, we performed Full-length cDNA Over-eXpressor (FOX) gene hunting with a functional screening of a cDNA library using a salt-sensitive yeast mutant strain to isolate the salt-stress-related genes of I. pes-caprae (IpSR genes). The library was screened for genes that complemented the salt defect of yeast mutant AXT3 and could grow in the presence of 75 mM NaCl. We obtained 38 candidate salt-stress-related full-length cDNA clones from the I. pes-caprae cDNA library. The genes are predicted to encode proteins involved in water deficit, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, cellular vesicle trafficking, metabolic enzymes, and signal transduction factors. When combined with the quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses, several potential functional salt-tolerance-related genes were emphasized. This approach provides a rapid assay system for the large-scale screening of I. pes-caprae genes involved in the salt stress response and supports the identification of genes responsible for the molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance.
Circular RNAs in Muscle Function and Disease
Authors: Greco Simona , Cardinali Beatrice , Falcone Germana , Martelli Fabio
Published: November 2018

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of RNA produced during pre-mRNA splicing that are emerging as new members of the gene regulatory network. In addition to being spliced in a linear fashion, exons of pre-mRNAs can be circularized by use of the 3′ acceptor splice site of upstream exons, leading to the formation of circular RNA species. In this way, genetic information can be re-organized, increasing gene expression potential. Expression of circRNAs is developmentally regulated, tissue and cell-type specific, and shared across eukaryotes. The importance of circRNAs in gene regulation is now beginning to be recognized and some putative functions have been assigned to them, such as the sequestration of microRNAs or proteins, the modulation of transcription, the interference with splicing, and translation of small proteins. In accordance with an important role in normal cell biology, circRNA deregulation has been reported to be associated with diseases. Recent evidence demonstrated that circRNAs are highly expressed in striated muscle tissue, both skeletal and cardiac, that is also one of the body tissue showing the highest levels of alternative splicing. Moreover, initial studies revealed altered circRNA expression in diseases involving striated muscle, suggesting important functions of these molecules in the pathogenetic mechanisms of both heart and skeletal muscle diseases. The recent findings in this field will be described and discussed.
Plant Calcium Signaling in Response to Potassium Deficiency
Authors: Wang Xiaoping , Hao Ling , Zhu Biping , Jiang Zhonghao
Published: November 2018

Potassium (K+) is an essential macronutrient of living cells and is the most abundant cation in the cytosol. K+ plays a role in several physiological processes that support plant growth and development. However, soil K+ availability is very low and variable, which leads to severe reductions in plant growth and yield. Various K+ shortage-activated signaling cascades exist. Among these, calcium signaling is the most important signaling system within plant cells. This review is focused on the possible roles of calcium signaling in plant responses to low-K+ stress. In plants, intracellular calcium levels are first altered in response to K+ deficiency, resulting in calcium signatures that exhibit temporal and spatial features. In addition, calcium channels located within the root epidermis and root hair zone can then be activated by hyperpolarization of plasma membrane (PM) in response to low-K+ stress. Afterward, calcium sensors, including calmodulin (CaM), CaM-like protein (CML), calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK), and calcineurin B-like protein (CBL), can act in the sensing of K+ deprivation. In particular, the important components regarding CBL/CBL-interacting protein kinase (CBL/CIPK) complexes-involved in plant responses to K+ deficiency are also discussed.
Kaempferia parviflora Extract as a Potential Anti-Acne Agent with Anti-Inflammatory, Sebostatic and Anti-Propionibacterium acnes Activity
Authors: Jin Solee , Lee Mi-Young
Published: November 2018

Kaempferia parviflora, referred to as black ginger, has traditionally been used as a health-promoting alternative medicine. In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory, sebostatic, and anti-Propionibacterium acnes activities of K. parviflora extract. The extract significantly down-regulated the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level. Moreover, the phosphorylation of IĸBα and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and the enhanced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7) cells were markedly decreased by the extract. Notably, the main component of K. parviflora, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, also modulated the expression of iNOS and NF-κB signal molecules in P. acnes-stimulated human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Additionally, K. parviflora extract inhibited the lipogenesis of sebocytes, as evidenced by a reduced level of triglyceride and lipid accumulation in the sebocytes. The sebostatic effect was also confirmed by a reduced expression of peroxisome proliferation-activating receptors (PPAR-γ) and oil-red O staining in sebocytes. Taken together, this study suggests for the first time that K. parviflora extract could be developed as a potential natural anti-acne agent with anti-inflammatory, sebostatic, and anti-P. acnes activity.
Combining Calcium Phosphates with Polysaccharides: A Bone-Inspired Material Modulating Monocyte/Macrophage Early Inflammatory Response
Authors: Rammal Hassan , Bour Camille , Dubus Marie , Entz Laura , Aubert Léa , Gangloff Sophie C. , Audonnet Sandra , Bercu Nicolae B. , Boulmedais Fouzia , Mauprivez Cedric , Kerdjoudj Halima
Published: November 2018

The use of inorganic calcium/phosphate supplemented with biopolymers has drawn lots of attention in bone regenerative medicine. While inflammation is required for bone healing, its exacerbation alters tissue regeneration/implants integration. Inspired by bone composition, a friendly automated spray-assisted system was used to build bioactive and osteoinductive calcium phosphate/chitosan/hyaluronic acid substrate (CaP-CHI-HA). Exposing monocytes to CaP-CHI-HA resulted in a secretion of pro-healing VEGF and TGF-β growth factors, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6 and IL-8 pro-inflammatory mediators but also IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine along with an inflammatory index below 1.5 (versus 2.5 and 7.5 following CaP and LPS stimulation, respectively). Although CD44 hyaluronic acid receptor seems not to be involved in the inflammatory regulation, results suggest a potential role of chemical composition and calcium release from build-up substrates, in affecting the intracellular expression of a calcium-sensing receptor. Herein, our findings indicate a great potential of CaP-CHI-HA in providing required inflammation-healing balance, favorable for bone healing/regeneration.
Biological Potential and Mechanism of Prodigiosin from Serratia marcescens Subsp. lawsoniana in Human Choriocarcinoma and Prostate Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Li Dan , Liu Jun , Wang Xin , Kong Di , Du Wei , Li Hongbo , Hse Chung-Yun , Shupe Todd , Zhou Dongpo , Zhao Kai
Published: November 2018

Tripyrrole molecules have received renewed attention due to reports of numerous biological activities, including antifungal, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antimalarial, immunosuppressive, and anticancer activities. In a screen of bacterial strains with known toxicities to termites, a red pigment-producing strain, HDZK-BYSB107, was isolated from Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, which grows in Oregon, USA. Strain HDZK-BYSB107 was identified as Serratia marcescens subsp. lawsoniana. The red pigment was identified as prodigiosin using ultraviolet absorption, LC-MS, and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The bacterial prodigiosin had an inhibitory effect on both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The main objective of this study was to explore the anticancer activities and mechanism of strain HDZK-BYSB107 prodigiosin by using human choriocarcinoma (JEG3) and prostate cancer cell lines (PC3) in vitro and JEG3 and PC3 tumor-bearing nude mice in vivo. In vitro anticancer activities showed that the bacterial prodigiosin induced apoptosis in JEG3 cells. In vivo anticancer activities indicated that the prodigiosin significantly inhibited the growth of JEG3 and PC3 cells, and the inhibitory activity was dose and time dependent. The anticancer efficacy of the bacterial prodigiosin on JEG3 and PC3 cells, JEG3 and PC3 tumor exhibited a correlation with the down regulation of the inhibitor of IAP family, including XIAP, cIAP-1 and cIAP-2, and the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase. The expressions of P53 and Bax/Bcl-2 in JEG3 and PC3 cells were significantly higher than in untreated groups. Our results indicated that the bacterial prodigiosin extracted from C. lawsoniana is a promising molecule due to its potential for therapeutic applications.
Global Analysis of WOX Transcription Factor Gene Family in Brassica napus Reveals Their Stress- and Hormone-Responsive Patterns
Authors: Wang Mang-Mang , Liu Ming-Ming , Ran Feng , Guo Peng-Cheng , Ke Yun-Zhuo , Wu Yun-Wen , Wen Jing , Li Peng-Feng , Li Jia-Na , Du Hai
Published: November 2018

The plant-specific WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factor gene family is important for plant growth and development but little studied in oil crops. We identified and characterized 58 putative WOX genes in Brassica napus (BnWOXs), which were divided into three major clades and nine subclades based on the gene structure and conserved motifs. Collinearity analysis revealed that most BnWOXs were the products of allopolyploidization and segmental duplication events. Gene structure analysis indicated that introns/exons and protein motifs were conserved in each subclade and RNA sequencing revealed that BnWOXs had narrow expression profiles in major tissues and/or organs across different developmental stages. The expression pattern of each clade was highly conserved and similar to that of the sister and orthologous pairs from Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that members of the WOX4 subclade were induced in seedling roots by abiotic and hormone stresses, indicating their contribution to root development and abiotic stress responses. 463 proteins were predicted to interact with BnWOXs, including peptides regulating stem cell homeostasis in meristems. This study provides insights into the evolution and expression of the WOX gene family in B. napus and will be useful in future gene function research.
Inventions 2018 Best Paper Award
Authors:   Inventions Editorial Office
Published: November 2018

We are pleased to announce the second “Inventions Best Paper Award” for 2018. [...]
Renal Venous Pattern: A New Parameter for Predicting Prognosis in Heart Failure Outpatients
Authors: Puzzovivo Agata , Monitillo Francesco , Guida Pietro , Leone Marta , Rizzo Caterina , Grande Dario , Ciccone Marco Matteo , Iacoviello Massimo
Published: November 2018

Aim of the study: In chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, renal congestion plays a key role in determining the progression of renal dysfunction and a worse prognosis. The aim of this study was to define the role of Doppler venous patterns reflecting renal congestion that predict heart failure progression. Methods: We enrolled outpatients affected by CHF, in stable clinical conditions and in conventional therapy. All patients underwent a clinical evaluation, routine chemistry, an echocardiogram and a renal echo-Doppler. Pulsed Doppler flow recording was performed at the level of interlobular renal right veins in the tele-expiratory phase. The venous flow patterns were divided into five groups according to the fluctuations of the flow. Type A and B were characterized by a continuous flow, whereas type C was characterized by a short interruption or reversal flow during the end-diastolic or protosystolic phase. Type D and E were characterized by a wide interruption and/or reversal flow. The occurrence of death and/or of heart transplantation and/or of hospitalization due to heart failure worsening was considered an event during follow-up. Results: During a median follow-up of 38 months, 126 patients experienced the considered end-point. Venous pattern C (HR 4.04; 95% CI: 2.14–7.65; p < 0.001), pattern D (HR 7.16; 95% CI: 3.69–13.9; p < 0.001) and pattern E (HR 8.94; 95% CI: 4.65–17.2; p < 0.001) were all associated with events using an univariate Cox regression analysis. Moreover, both the presence of pattern C (HR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.09–2.97; p: 0) and of pattern D or E (HR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.16–3.12; p: 0.011) remained significantly associated to events using a multivariate Cox regression analysis after correction for a reference model with an improvement of the overall net reclassification index (0.46; 95% CI 0.24–0.68; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the independent and incremental role of Doppler venous patterns reflecting renal congestion in predicting HF progression among CHF patients, thus suggesting its possible utility in daily clinical practice to better characterize patients with cardio-renal syndrome.
Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular-Renal Damage in Fabry Disease: Is There Room for a Pathophysiological Involvement?
Authors: Ravarotto Verdiana , Simioni Francesca , Carraro Gianni , Bertoldi Giovanni , Pagnin Elisa , Calò Lorenzo A.
Published: November 2018

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the GLA gene that lead to a reduction or an absence of the enzyme α-galactosidase A, resulting in the progressive and multisystemic accumulation of globotriaosylceramide. Clinical manifestation varies from mild to severe, depending on the phenotype. The main clinical manifestations are cutaneous (angiokeratomas), neurological (acroparesthesias), gastrointestinal (nausea, diarrhea abdominal pain), renal (proteinuria and kidney failure), cardiovascular (cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias), and cerebrovascular (stroke). A diagnosis of Fabry disease can be made with an enzymatic assay showing absent or reduced α-galactosidase A in male patients, while in heterozygous female patients, molecular genetic testing is needed. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human α-galactosidase is nowadays the most-used disease-specific therapeutic option. Despite ERT, cardiocerebrovascular-renal irreversible organ injury occurs, therefore additional knowledge and a deeper understanding of further pathophysiological mechanisms leading to end organ damage in Fabry disease are needed. Recent data point toward oxidative stress, oxidative stress signaling, and inflammation as some such mechanisms. In this short review, the current knowledge on the involvement of oxidative stress in cardiovascular-renal remodeling is summarized and related to the most recent evidence of oxidative stress activation in Fabry disease, and clearly points toward the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of the medium- to long-term cardiovascular-renal damage of Fabry disease.
Moderating Effect of Insulin Resistance on the Relationship between Gray Matter Volumes and Cognitive Function
Authors: Lee Jiyeon , Kim Jihyeon , Shin Seong A , Park Soowon , Yoon Dong Hyun , Kim Hongrae , Kim Yu Kyeong , Moon Min Kyong , Koo Bo Kyung , Lee Jun-Young
Published: November 2018

Background: It is controversial whether exposure to insulin resistance accelerates cognitive deterioration. The present study aimed to investigate the association between insulin resistance and gray matter volume loss to predict the cognitive decline. Methods: We recruited 160 participants (78 with Alzheimer’s disease and 82 without Alzheimer’s disease). Insulin resistance, regional gray matter volume, and cognitive function were assessed. A hierarchical moderated multiple regression (MMR) model was used to determine any associations among insulin resistance, structural changes in the brain, and cognitive decline. Results: The volumes of 7 regions in the gray matter were negatively related to insulin resistance in Alzheimer’s disease (p =0.032). Hierarchical MMR analysis indicated that insulin resistance did not directly affect the cognitive decline but moderated the cognitive decline through the decrease in gray matter volume in the key brain regions, i.e., inferior orbitofrontal gyrus (left), middle cingulate gyrus (right), hippocampus (right), and precuneus (right) (p < 0.05 in each case). Conclusion: Insulin resistance appears to exacerbate the cognitive decline associated with several gray matter volume loss.
Pregnancy in Chronic Kidney Disease: Need for Higher Awareness. A Pragmatic Review Focused on What Could Be Improved in the Different CKD Stages and Phases
Authors: Piccoli Giorgina B. , Zakharova Elena , Attini Rossella , Ibarra Hernandez Margarita , Orozco Guillien Alejandra , Alrukhaimi Mona , Liu Zhi-Hong , Ashuntantang Gloria , Covella Bianca , Cabiddu Gianfranca , Li Philip Kam Tao , Garcia-Garcia Guillermo , Levin Adeera
Published: November 2018

Pregnancy is possible in all phases of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but its management may be difficult and the outcomes are not the same as in the overall population. The prevalence of CKD in pregnancy is estimated at about 3%, as high as that of pre-eclampsia (PE), a better-acknowledged risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. When CKD is known, pregnancy should be considered as high risk and followed accordingly; furthermore, since CKD is often asymptomatic, pregnant women should be screened for the presence of CKD, allowing better management of pregnancy, and timely treatment after pregnancy. The differential diagnosis between CKD and PE is sometimes difficult, but making it may be important for pregnancy management. Pregnancy is possible, even if at high risk for complications, including preterm delivery and intrauterine growth restriction, superimposed PE, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Results in all phases are strictly dependent upon the socio-sanitary system and the availability of renal and obstetric care and, especially for preterm children, of intensive care units. Women on dialysis should be aware of the possibility of conceiving and having a successful pregnancy, and intensive dialysis (up to daily, long-hours dialysis) is the clinical choice allowing the best results. Such a choice may, however, need adaptation where access to dialysis is limited or distances are prohibitive. After kidney transplantation, pregnancies should be followed up with great attention, to minimize the risks for mother, child, and for the graft. A research agenda supporting international comparisons is highly needed to ameliorate or provide knowledge on specific kidney diseases and to develop context-adapted treatment strategies to improve pregnancy outcomes in CKD women.
Organo-Clay Nanomaterials Based on Halloysite and Cyclodextrin as Carriers for Polyphenolic Compounds
Authors: Massaro Marina , Riela Serena
Published: November 2018

Hybrid material based on halloysite covalently linked to a hyper-reticulated cyclodextrin network was investigated as a potential carrier for polyphenolic compounds. The absorption ability of the hybrid system was studied in different pH conditions as well as the kinetic release of curcumin, chosen as a drug model. A preliminary study was performed to assess the antioxidant capacity of the obtained carrier. The obtained results highlighted that the curcumin molecule can have sustained release from the carrier over the time, retaining its antioxidant properties due to the combination of two different host systems that give rise to an hyper-reticulated structure, allowing an increase in the drug loading and stabilization. Therefore, this work puts forward an efficient strategy to prepare organic-inorganic hybrids with three different cavities that could encapsulate two or more drug molecules with different physico-chemical properties.
Thermal Turbulent Flow in Leading Edge Grooved and Conventional Tilting Pad Journal Bearing Segments—A Comparative Study
Authors: Croné Philip , Almqvist Andreas , Larsson Roland
Published: November 2018

A comparative study between a conventional- and leading edge grooved (LEG) tilting pad journal bearing (TPJB) segment is performed. The developed model uses the Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model, coupled with the energy equation and a partial differential equation for the fluid domain mesh displacement to predict the thermal flow characteristics. Instead of using an effective boundary condition to determine the inlet temperature of the LEG pad and excluding the additional LEG portion, as is common practice, the whole geometry of the LEG is modeled. Several sizes of the LEG portion is investigated and it is shown to have quite a small influence on pressure, temperature, film thickness and turbulence intensity. Moreover, the results also show that the conventional pad gives rise to higher levels of turbulence in the mid plane compared to its LEG counterpart, while the latter has a marginally higher value of turbulence when the volume average value is computed. The maximum value of turbulence is however present in the conventional model.
Effect of Multidirectional Forging on the Grain Structure and Mechanical Properties of the Al–Mg–Mn Alloy
Authors: Kishchik Mikhail S. , Mikhaylovskaya Anastasia V. , Kotov Anton D. , Mosleh Ahmed O. , AbuShanab Waheed S. , Portnoy Vladimir K.
Published: November 2018

The effect of isothermal multidirectional forging (IMF) on the microstructure evolution of a conventional Al–Mg-based alloy was studied in the strain range of 1.5 to 6.0, and in the temperature range of 200 to 500 °C. A mean grain size in the near-surface layer decreased with increasing cumulative strain after IMF at 400 °C and 500 °C; the grain structure was inhomogeneous, and consisted of coarse and fine recrystallized grains. There was no evidence of recrystallization when the micro-shear bands were observed after IMF at 200 and 300 °C. Thermomechanical treatment, including IMF followed by 50% cold rolling and annealing at 450 °C for 30 min, produced a homogeneous equiaxed grain structure with a mean grain size of 5 µm. As a result, the fine-grained sheets exhibited a yield strength and an elongation to failure 30% higher than that of the sheets processed with simple thermomechanical treatment. The IMF technique can be successfully used to produce fine-grained materials with improved mechanical properties.
Effects of Environmental Factors on Concrete Carbonation Depth and Compressive Strength
Authors: Chen Ying , Liu Peng , Yu Zhiwu
Published: November 2018

The influence of temperature, CO2 concentration and relative humidity on the carbonation depth and compressive strength of concrete was investigated. Meanwhile, phase composition, types of hydration products and microstructure characteristics of samples before and after the carbonation were analyzed by XRD and ESEM. Research results demonstrate that temperature, CO2 concentration and relative humidity influence the carbonation depth and compressive strength of concrete significantly. There is a linear relationship between temperature and carbonation depth, as well as the compressive strength of concrete. CO2 concentration and relative humidity present a power function and a polynomial function with carbonation depth of concrete, respectively. The concrete carbonation depth increases with the increase of relative humidity and reaches the maximum value when the relative humidity is 70%. Significant differences of phase composition, hydration products and microstructure are observed before and after the carbonation. Carbonization products of samples are different with changes of temperatures (10 °C, 20 °C and 30 °C). The result of crystal structure analysis indicates that the carbonation products are mainly polyhedral spherical vaterite and aragonite.
The Influence of Annealing on the Structural and Soft Magnetic Properties of (Fe0.4Co0.6)79Nb3B18 Nanocrystalline Alloys
Authors: Zhu Man , Fa Yang , Yao Lijuan , Tao Peng , Jian Zengyun , Chang Fang’e
Published: November 2018

The soft magnetic properties of Fe-based nanocrystalline alloys are determined by their grain size. In the present article, the (Fe0.4Co0.6)79Nb3B18 nanocrystalline alloys have been successfully prepared by isothermal annealing. The variation of soft magnetic properties as a function of annealing temperature and incubation time is investigated in detail. Two distinct crystallization behaviors were found for the (Fe0.4Co0.6)79Nb3B18 alloys. The initial nanocrystallization products comprise a mixture of α-Fe(Co), Fe2B, and Fe23B6-type crystalline metastable phases, and the final crystallization products are composed of α-Fe(Co), Fe2B, and Fe3B crystalline phases. The grain size decreases first and then increases with the increasing annealing temperature in the range of 764–1151 K, and a fine grain size with mean grain size of 12.7 nm can be achieved for alloys annealed at 880 K. As the annealing temperature increases from 764 K to 1151 K, the saturation magnetization increases first and then decreases without a significant increase of the coercivity. The alloys annealed at 880 K exhibit the optimized soft magnetic properties with high Ms of 145 emu g−1 and low Hc of 0.04 Oe.
Corrosion of the Welded Aluminium Alloy in 0.5 M NaCl Solution. Part 2: Coating Protection
Authors: Gnedenkov Andrey S. , Sinebryukhov Sergey L. , Mashtalyar Dmitry V. , Vyaliy Igor E. , Egorkin Vladimir S. , Gnedenkov Sergey V.
Published: November 2018

The high electrochemical activity of the aircraft 1579 aluminium alloy with a welded joint and the necessity of the coating formation to protect this material against corrosion as well as to increase the stability of the weld interface in the corrosive medium has been previously established. In this work, two suggested methods of protective coating formation based on plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) in tartrate-fluoride electrolyte significantly increased the protective properties of the welded joint area of the 1579 Al alloy. The electrochemical properties of the formed surface layers have been investigated using SVET (scanning vibrating electrode technique) and SIET (scanning ion-selective electrode technique), EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy), OCP (open circuit potential), and PDP (potentiodynamic polarization) in 0.5 M NaCl. The less expressed character of the local electrochemical processes on the welded 1579 Al alloy with the composite coating in comparison with the base PEO-layer has been established. Polymer-containing coatings obtained using superdispersed polytetrafluoroethylene (SPTFE) treatment are characterized by the best possible protective properties and prevent the material from corrosion destruction. Single SPTFE treatment enables one to increase PEO-layer protection by 5.5 times. The results of this study indicate that SVET and SIET are promising to characterize and to compare corrosion behaviour of coated and uncoated samples with a welded joint in chloride-containing media.
Estimation of Notched Composite Plates Fatigue Life Using Residual Strength Model Calibrated by Step-Wise Tests
Authors: Romanowicz Paweł , Muc Aleksander
Published: November 2018

The proposed new technique of fatigue life prediction for notched composite plates is based on a residual strength model calibrated with the use of step-wise fatigue tests. It was proposed to calibrate the fatigue model with fatigue tests in which load conditions are in a step-wise fashion. The adopted fatigue model takes into account the most important loading parameters such as testing frequency, stress ratio, layer orientation and maximal fatigue stress. It was demonstrated that with the use of step-wise fatigue tests, it is possible to calibrate the fatigue model for a particular material and structure with the use of fewer samples. In the experimental tensile and fatigue tests TVR 380 M12/26%/R-glass/epoxy composite plates [+45°/−45°]4 with circular and elliptical cut-outs were used. The fatigue tests were performed under different loading conditions. The influence of testing frequency, stress ratio, maximal fatigue load and also geometry of the cut-out on damage growth rate and fatigue life were studied. The predicted fatigue life was in good agreement with the durability determined experimentally in all investigated samples.
Development of High-Performance Enamel Coating on Grey Iron by Low-Temperature Sintering
Authors: Song Dan , Tang Ren , Yang Falin , Qiao Yanxin , Sun Jiapeng , Jiang Jinghua , Ma Aibin
Published: November 2018

In this study, we report on a low-temperature sintered enamel coating with a high-strength bonding and wear-resistance that protected a grey cast iron substrate. The SiO2–Al2O3–B2O3 composited prescription for the enamel coating was modified by the partial substitutions of SiO2 for B2O3 and alkali metals for Li2O. The optimized enamel coating was prepared by sintering at a relatively low temperature (730 °C) for seven minutes. Due to the composition of both the amorphous and crystalline phases, the enamel coating presented sufficient hardness and excellent wear resistance. The wear volume loss and the specific wear rate of the enamel coating were obviously lower than that of the metal substrate. The enamel coating can effectively improve the service life of the grey cast iron substrate in a complex frictional environment.
The Crimping and Expanding Performance of Self-Expanding Polymeric Bioresorbable Stents: Experimental and Computational Investigation
Authors: Zhao Fan , Liu Laijun , Yang Yang , Wang Fujun , Wang Lu
Published: November 2018

Polymeric bioresorbable stents (PBRSs) are considered the most promising devices to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanical weakness still hampers their application. In general, PBRSs are crimped into small sheathes and re-expanded to support narrowed vessels during angioplasty. Accordingly, one of the most significant requirements of PBRSs is to maintain mechanical efficacy after implantation. Although a little research has focused on commercial balloon-expanding PBRSs, a near-total lack has appeared on self-expanding PBRSs and their deformation mechanisms. In this work, self-expanding, composite polymeric bioresorbable stents (cPBRSs) incorporating poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) and polycaprolactone (PCL) yarns were produced and evaluated for their in vitro crimping and expanding potential. Furthermore, the polymer time-reliable viscoelastic effects of the structural and mechanical behavior of the cPBRSs were analyzed using computational simulations. Our results showed that the crimping process inevitably decreased the mechanical resistance of the cPBRSs, but that this could be offset by balloon dilatation. Moreover, deformation mechanisms at the yarn level were discussed, and yarns bonded in the crossings showed more viscous behavior; this property might help cPBRSs to maintain their structural integrity during implantation.
A New Operational Matrix of Fractional Derivatives to Solve Systems of Fractional Differential Equations via Legendre Wavelets
Authors: Secer Aydin , Altun Selvi
Published: November 2018

This paper introduces a new numerical approach to solving a system of fractional differential equations (FDEs) using the Legendre wavelet operational matrix method (LWOMM). We first formulated the operational matrix of fractional derivatives in some special conditions using some notable characteristics of Legendre wavelets and shifted Legendre polynomials. Then, the system of fractional differential equations was transformed into a system of algebraic equations by using these operational matrices. At the end of this paper, several examples are presented to illustrate the effectivity and correctness of the proposed approach. Comparing the methodology with several recognized methods demonstrates that the advantages of the Legendre wavelet operational matrix method are its accuracy and the understandability of the calculations.
Renal Replacement Therapy in Children in Lithuania: Challenges, Trends, and Outcomes
Authors: Viršilas Ernestas , Čerkauskienė Rimantė , Masalskienė Jūratė , Rudaitis Šarūnas , Dobilienė Diana , Jankauskienė Augustina
Published: November 2018

Background and Objectives: Pediatric renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Lithuania resumed in 1994 after a 12-year pause in renal transplantation. Management of end stage renal disease (ESRD) has changed, and outcomes have improved over decades. Our aim was to evaluate the dynamics of RRT in Lithuania in the period 1994–2015, describe its distinctive features, and compare our results with other countries. Materials and Methods: Data between 1994 and 2015 were collected from patients under the age of 18 years with ESRD receiving RRT. The data included: Hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), transplantation incidence and prevalence, transplant waiting time, dialysis modalities before transplantation, causes of ESRD and gender distribution in transplanted patients, and patient and graft survival. Results: RRT incidence and prevalence maintained an increase up until 2009. Sixty-four transplantations were performed. Juvenile nephronophthisis (25.9%) was the primary cause of ESRD in transplanted children. The transplant waiting time median was 8.0 months. The male to female ratio post-transplantation was 1.02. Patient survival after transplantation at 10 years was 90.0%, while graft survival for living (related) was 77.0% and 51.1% for deceased. Twelve patients died while on RRT. Conclusions: RRT numbers are increasing in Lithuania. HD is the primary treatment of choice before transplantation, with continued low numbers of preemptive transplantation. Patient survival post-transplantation is favorable, though graft survival is less satisfactory.