bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapidly fatal pneumococcal meningitis following non-penetrating traumatic brain injury
Authors: Strandvik Gustav , Shaaban Ahmed , Alsaleh Abdelrahman Rawhi Mahmoud , Khan Muhammad Mohsin
Published: February 2020

A previously healthy young man presented to hospital with severe traumatic brain injury following a motor vehicle collision. Within 24 hours of admission, and despite antibiotic coverage, he developed a fever. On the second day, the source of infection was discovered to be purulent pneumococcal meningitis. At 48 hours post-accident, he developed brain-stem death without evidence of raised intracranial pressure or trans-tentorial herniation. Initial CT scans of the head were essentially normal, but early repeat scans revealed evidence of pneumocephalus and possible frontal bone fracture. Current recommendations do not make room for targeted antibiotic prophylaxis in traumatic brain injury patients with traumatic skull fracture. We argue that our case demonstrates the need for aggressive targeted antibiotic prophylaxis in the presence of certain features such as frontal or sphenoid bone fracture and pneumocephalus.
Randomised clinical trial to determine the safety of quercetin supplementation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Han Meilan K , Barreto Tyler A , Martinez Fernando J , Comstock Adam T , Sajjan Umadevi S
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Quercetin is a plant flavonoid and has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In a preclinical model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), quercetin reduced markers of both oxidative stress and lung inflammation and also reduced rhinovirus-induced progression of lung disease. Although quercetin appears to be an attractive natural alternative to manage COPD, the safety of quercetin supplementation in this population is unknown.

Methods

We recruited COPD patients with mild-to-severe lung disease with FVE1 ranging between >35% and <80% and supplemented with either placebo or quercetin at 500, 1000 or 2000 mg/day in a dose-escalation manner. The duration of quercetin supplementation was 1 week.

Results

Patients had no study drug-related severe adverse events based on blood tests, which included both complete blood counts and evaluation of comprehensive metabolic panel. One of the patients reported mild adverse events included gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, which was observed in both placebo and quercetin groups.

Conclusions

Quercetin was safely tolerated up to 2000 mg/day as assessed by lung function, blood profile and COPD assessment test questionnaire.

Trial registration number

NCT01708278
Influence of cathode material type on the electrical breakdown behaviors of DC discharge
Authors: Diab F. , Gaber W.H. , Abdel-kader M.E. , Soliman B.A. , Abd Al-Halim M.A.
Published: February 2020

Paschen curves were studied using different cathode materials such as magnesium, zinc, and carbon graphite by discharge in argon gas of a pressure range between 0.08 and 3 Torr using a parallel plates configuration. The first and second Townsend coefficients (α and γ, respectively) and the ionization efficiency (η) of different cathode materials were deduced from Paschen curves as a function of the reduced field (E/P). The minimum breakdown voltage was found to be about 242 V for Mg material, which has the lowest work function, while carbon graphite has a higher breakdown voltage of 283 V due to its higher work function. The second coefficient γ was increased as a function of E/P and has higher values for materials of lower work functions, and a similar trend of γ is obtained as a function of the ion mean energy. On the other hand, the first coefficient α has a reverse behavior with both E/P and the work function of the cathode materials compared with the second coefficient. The ionization efficiency of the three cathode materials is identical, as η depends only on the gas properties and not the cathode material. η has a maximum value of about 0.025 V−1 for an E/P of about 185 Vcm−1Torr−1, corresponding to the maximum ionizing ability of electrons. The validation of the breakdown results has been confirmed by conferring with other published experimental measurements.
Velocity-dependent self-interacting dark matter from thermal freeze-out and tests in direct detections
Authors: Jia Lian-Bao
Published: February 2020

A small fraction of millicharged dark matter (DM) is considered in the literature to give an interpretation of the enhanced 21-cm absorption at the cosmic dawn. Here we focus on the case that the main component of DM is self-interacting dark matter (SIDM), motivated by the small-scale problems. For self-interactions of SIDM being compatible from dwarf to cluster scales, velocity-dependent self-interactions mediated by a light scalar $$\phi $$ϕ are considered. For fermionic SIDM $$\Psi $$Ψ, the main annihilation mode $$\Psi \bar{\Psi } \rightarrow \phi \phi $$ΨΨ¯→ϕϕ is a p-wave process. The thermal transition of SIDM $$\rightleftarrows \phi \rightleftarrows $$⇄ϕ⇄ standard model (SM) particles in the early universe sets a lower bound on couplings of $$\phi $$ϕ to SM particles, which has been excluded by direct detections of DM, and here we consider SIDM in thermal equilibrium via millicharged DM. For $$m_\phi>$$mϕ> twice millicharged DM mass, $$\phi $$ϕ could decay quickly and avoid excess energy injection to big bang nucleosynthesis. Thus, the $$\phi $$ϕ–SM particle couplings could be very tiny and evade direct detections of DM. The picture of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP)–nucleus scattering with contact interactions fails for SIDM–nucleus scattering with a light mediator, and a method is explored in this paper with which a WIMP search result can be converted into the hunt for SIDM in direct detections.
Robustness of the quantum BKL scenario
Authors: Góźdź Andrzej , Piechocki Włodzimierz
Published: February 2020

The quantum Belinski–Khalatnikov–Lifshitz scenario presents an unitary evolution of the system. However, the affine coherent states quantization applied to the quantization of the underlying classical scenario depends on the choice of the group parametrization. Using the two simplest parameterizations of the affine group, we show that qualitative features of our quantum system do not depend on the choice. It means that the quantum bounce replacing a singular classical scenario is expected to be a generic feature of the considered system. This paper complements our recent article (Góźdź et al. in Eur Phys J C 79:45, 2019).
New application of the Killing vector field formalism: modified periodic potential and two-level profiles of the axionic dark matter distribution
Authors: Balakin Alexander B. , Groshev Dmitry E.
Published: February 2020

We consider the structure of halos of the axionic dark matter, which surround massive relativistic objects with static spherically symmetric gravitational field and monopole-type magneto-electric fields. We work with the model of pseudoscalar field with the extended periodic potential, which depends on additional arguments proportional to the moduli of the Killing vectors; in our approach they play the roles of model guiding functions. The covariant model of the axion field with this modified potential is equipped with the extended formalism of the Killing vector fields, which is established in analogy with the formalism of the Einstein–Aether theory, based on the introduction of a unit timelike dynamic vector field. We study the equilibrium state of the axion field, for which the extended potential and its derivative vanish, and illustrate the established formalism by the analysis of two-level axionic dark matter profiles, for which the stage delimiters relate to the critical values of the modulus of the timelike Killing vector field.
Quantum stabilizer codes based on a new construction of self-orthogonal trace-inner product codes over GF(4)
Authors: Nguyen Duc Manh , Kim Sunghwan
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we propose quantum stabilizer codes based on a new construction of self-orthogonal trace-inner product codes over the Galois field with 4 elements (GF(4)). First, from any two binary vectors, we construct a generator matrix of linear codes whose components are over GF(4). We prove that the proposed linear codes comply with the self-orthogonal, trace-inner product. Then, we propose mapping tables to construct new quantum stabilizer codes by using linear codes. Comparison results show that our proposed quantum codes have various dimensions for any code length with the capacity for better errors correction relative to the referenced quantum codes.
Recent developments in dipyrrin based metal complexes: Self-assembled nanoarchitectures and materials applications
Authors: Jiang Qian , Desbois Nicolas , Wang Shifa , Gros Claude P.
Published: February 2020

While dipyrrin-boron complexes (BODIPYs) and their derivatives have attracted much attention, dipyrrin-based metal complexes recently appeared as a novel luminescent material. So far, dipyrrin-metal complexes have been regarded as non-luminescent or weakly luminescent. Interestingly, introduction of steric hindrance at the meso-position and the development of heteroleptic complexes with proper frontier orbital ordering are two recent strategies that have been developed to improve their luminescent ability. Compared with BODIPYs, one of the distinctive advantages of dipyrrin-metal complexes is that they can form a series of self-assembled supramolecules and polymer assemblies via facile coordination reactions. In recent times, several supramolecular, coordination polymers and Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have been developed, [Formula: see text] by spontaneous coordination reactions between dipyrrin ligands and metal ions. As a novel luminescent material, dipyrrin-metal complexes have been applied in many fields. This review article summarizes recent developments in dipyrrin-metal complexes from the viewpoint of the improvement of luminescent ability, the formation of supramolecular and coordination polymers and their potential applications.
Meso-Tetrapyrenylporphyrins: Synthesis, structural, spectral, electrochemical properties and Förster energy transfer (FRET) studies
Authors: Dar Tawseef Ahmad , Bulbul Amir Sohel , Sankar Muniappan , Kadish Karl M.
Published: February 2020

Meso-tetrapyrenylporphyrin and its metal (Co[Formula: see text], Cu[Formula: see text], Ni[Formula: see text] and Zn[Formula: see text]) complexes were synthesized, characterized and studied for their spectral, electrochemical and energy transfer properties. DFT optimization was carried out to gain an insight into the interactions between the porphyrin [Formula: see text]-system and the pyrenyl substituents. The pyrenyl substituents and the porphyrin core remain essentially orthogonal to each other in both the free base and the metallated porphyrins. Redox potentials of the pyrenylporphyrins are marginally shifted as compared to their corresponding phenyl derivatives. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) studies were carried out in toluene for free-base pyrenylporphyrin and its Zn(II) complex. Since pyrene is a good donor, an efficient energy transfer from pyrene (D) to the porphyrin core (A) on the order of 80–85% was observed for these two compounds. It was observed that energy transfer occurs mainly via ”through-bond” (TB) interaction rather than ”through-space” (TS) interaction.
Divisibility of Dynamical Maps with Time Independent Invariant State
Authors: Chruściński Dariusz , Kossakowski Andrzej
Published: February 2020

A new condition for dynamical maps with time independent invariant state displaying Heisenberg divisibility is provided. This condition is trivially satisfied for a Markovian semigroup. However, beyond Markovian semigroups it provides a nontrivial characteristics of quantum Markovianity. Interestingly, when the invariant state is pure one recovers a condition based on Wigner–Yanase skew information.
Unroofing the Ladakh Batholith: constraints from autochthonous molasse of the Indus Basin, NW Himalaya
Authors: Zhou Renjie , Aitchison Jonathan C. , Lokho Kapesa , Sobel Edward R. , Feng Yuexing , Zhao Jian-xin
Published: February 2020

The Indus Molasse records orogenic sedimentation associated with uplift and erosion of the southern margin of Asia in the course of ongoing India–Eurasia collision. Detailed field investigation clarifies the nature and extent of the depositional contact between this molasse and the underlying basement units. We report the first dataset on detrital zircon U–Pb ages, Hf isotopes and apatite U–Pb ages for the autochthonous molasse in the Indus Suture Zone. A latest Oligocene depositional age is proposed on the basis of the youngest detrital zircon U–Pb age peak and is consistent with published biostratigraphic data. Multiple provenance indicators suggest exclusively northerly derivation with no input from India in the lowermost parts of the section. The results provide constraints on the uplift and erosion history of the Ladakh Range following the initial India–Asia collision.

Supplementary material: Method description, Sample locations, Figures S1 and S2 and Tables S1 to S3 are available at:
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4858848
UK Rockall prospectivity: re-awakening exploration in a frontier basin
Authors: Broadley Lena , Schofield Nick , Jolley David , Howell John , Underhill John R.
Published: February 2020

The UK Rockall, located to the west of Scotland and the Hebrides, is a frontier petroleum-bearing basin. Exploratory drilling in the basin took place over a quarter of a century (1980–2006), during which time a total of 12 wells were drilled, leading to the discovery of a single, subcommercial gas accumulation. We argue that the basin, which has seen no drilling activity for more than a decade, has not been sufficiently tested by the existing well stock. We examine the reasons for the absence of key Jurassic source rocks in the UK Rockall wells, which are widely distributed elsewhere on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), and argue that their absence in the wells does not preclude their existence in the basin at large. An evaluation of the Permian–Early Eocene successions, based upon the seismic interpretation of new 2D seismic data, has been integrated with legacy data and regional evidence to establish the potential for source, reservoir and sealing elements within each interval. Finally, we look at the future for exploration in the UK Rockall and suggest a way forward in the drilling of a new joint governmental–industry test well that may help to unlock the exploration potential of this under-explored, yet prospective, basin.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Under-explored plays and frontier basins of the UK continental shelf collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/under-explored-plays-and-frontier-basins-of-the-uk-continental-shelf
Sleeve gastrectomy enhances glucose utilization and remodels adipose tissue independent of weight loss
Authors: Harris David A. , Mina Amir , Cabarkapa Dimitrije , Heshmati Keyvan , Subramaniam Renuka , Banks Alexander S. , Tavakkoli Ali , Sheu Eric G.
Published: February 2020

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) induces weight loss-independent improvements in glucose homeostasis by unknown mechanisms. We sought to identify the metabolic adaptations responsible for these improvements. Nonobese C57BL/6J mice on standard chow underwent SG or sham surgery. Functional testing and indirect calorimetry were used to capture metabolic phenotypes. Tissue-specific glucose uptake was assessed by 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18-FDG) PET/computed tomography, and RNA sequencing was used for gene-expression analysis. In this model, SG induced durable improvements in glucose tolerance in the absence of changes in weight, body composition, or food intake. Indirect calorimetry revealed that SG increased the average respiratory exchange ratio toward 1.0, indicating a weight-independent, systemic shift to carbohydrate utilization. Following SG, orally administered 18-FDG preferentially localized to white adipose depots, showing tissue-specific increases in glucose utilization induced by surgery. Transcriptional analysis with RNA sequencing demonstrated that increased glucose uptake in the visceral adipose tissue was associated with upregulation in transcriptional pathways involved in energy metabolism, adipocyte maturation, and adaptive and innate immune cell chemotaxis and differentiation. SG induces a rapid, weight loss-independent shift toward glucose utilization and transcriptional remodeling of metabolic and immune pathways in visceral adipose tissue. Continued study of this early post-SG physiology may lead to a better understanding of the anti-diabetic mechanisms of bariatric surgery.
Chronic stimulation induces adaptive potassium channel activity that restores calcium oscillations in pancreatic islets in vitro
Authors: Law Nathan C. , Marinelli Isabella , Bertram Richard , Corbin Kathryn L. , Schildmeyer Cara , Nunemaker Craig S.
Published: February 2020

Insulin pulsatility is important to hepatic response in regulating blood glucose. Growing evidence suggests that insulin-secreting pancreatic β-cells can adapt to chronic disruptions of pulsatility to rescue this physiologically important behavior. We determined the time scale for adaptation and examined potential ion channels underlying it. We induced the adaptation both by chronic application of the ATP-sensitive K+ [K(ATP)] channel blocker tolbutamide and by application of the depolarizing agent potassium chloride (KCl). Acute application of tolbutamide without pretreatment results in elevated Ca2+ as measured by fura-2AM and the loss of endogenous pulsatility. We show that after chronic exposure to tolbutamide (12–24 h), Ca2+ oscillations occur with subsequent acute tolbutamide application. The same experiment was conducted with potassium chloride (KCl) to directly depolarize the β-cells. Once again, following chronic exposure to the cell stimulator, the islets produced Ca2+ oscillations when subsequently exposed to tolbutamide. These experiments suggest that it is the chronic stimulation, and not tolbutamide desensitization, that is responsible for the adaptation that rescues oscillatory β-cell activity. This compensatory response also causes islet glucose sensitivity to shift rightward following chronic tolbutamide treatment. Mathematical modeling shows that a small increase in the number of K(ATP) channels in the membrane is one adaptation mechanism that is compatible with the data. To examine other compensatory mechanisms, pharmacological studies provide support that Kir2.1 and TEA-sensitive channels play some role. Overall, this investigation demonstrates β-cell adaptability to overstimulation, which is likely an important mechanism for maintaining glucose homeostasis in the face of chronic stimulation.
Anti-inflammatory effects of sacral nerve stimulation: a novel spinal afferent and vagal efferent pathway
Authors: Tu Lei , Gharibani Payam , Zhang Nina , Yin Jieyun , Chen Jiande DZ
Published: February 2020

Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) was reported to improve 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the SNS anti-inflammatory effect is mediated via the local sacral splanchnic nerve or the spinal afferent-vagal efferent-colon pathway. Under general anesthesia, rats were administrated with TNBS intrarectally, and bipolar SNS electrodes were implanted unilaterally at S3. The sacral and vagal nerves were severed at different locations for the assessment of the neural pathway. SNS for 10 days improved colonic inflammation only in groups with intact afferent sacral nerve and vagus efferent nerve. SNS markedly increased acetylcholine and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) and decreased myeloperoxidase and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-17A, and TNF-α) in colon tissues. SNS increased the number of c-fos-positive cells in the brain stem and normalized vagal activity measured by spectral analysis of heart rate variability. SNS exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on TNBS-induced colitis by enhancing vagal activity mediated mainly via the spinal afferent-brain stem-vagal efferent-colon pathway.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our findings support that there is a possible sacral afferent-vagal efferent pathway that can transmit sacral nerve stimulation to the colon tissue. Sacral nerve stimulation can be carried out by spinal cord afferent to the brain stem and then by the vagal nerve (efferent) to the target organ.
Biphasic MIF and SDF1 expression during podocyte injury promote CD44-mediated glomerular parietal cell migration in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Ito Naoko , Sakamoto Kazuo , Hikichi Chihiro , Matsusaka Taiji , Nagata Michio
Published: February 2020

Glomerular parietal epithelial cell (PEC) activation, as revealed by de novo expression of CD44 and cell migration toward the injured filtration barrier, is a hallmark of podocyte injury-driven focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). However, the signaling pathway that mediates activation of PECs in response to podocyte injury is unknown. The present study focused on CD44 signaling, particularly the roles of two CD44-related chemokines, migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1), and their common receptor, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4), in the NEP25/LMB2 mouse podocyte-toxin model of FSGS. In the early phase of the disease, CD44-positive PECs were locally evident on the opposite side of the intact glomerular tuft and subsequently increased in the vicinity of synechiae with podocyte loss. Expression of MIF and SDF1 was first increased in injured podocytes and subsequently transferred to activated PECs expressing CD44 and CXCR4. In an immortalized mouse PEC (mPEC) line, recombinant MIF and SDF1 (rMIF and rSDF1, respectively) individually increased CD44 and CXCR4 mRNA and protein levels. rMIF and rSDF1 stimulated endogenous MIF and SDF1 production. rMIF- and rSDF1-induced mPEC migration was suppressed by CD44 siRNA. However, MIF and SDF1 inhibitors failed to show any impact on proteinuria, podocyte number, and CD44 expression in NEP25/LMB2 mice. Our data suggest that injured podocytes upregulate MIF and SDF1 that stimulate CD44 expression and CD44-mediated migration, which is enhanced by endogenous MIF and SDF1 in PECs. This biphasic expression pattern of the chemokine-CD44 axis in podocytes and PECs may be a novel mechanism of “podocyte-PEC cross-talk” signaling underlying podocyte injury-driven FSGS.
Adherence, Awareness, Access, and Use of Standard Diagnosis and Treatment Guideline for Malaria Case Management among Healthcare Workers in Meatu, Tanzania
Authors: Budimu Adela , Emidi Basiliana , Mkumbaye Sixbert , Kajeguka Debora C.
Published: February 2020

Background. Effective case management is a vital component of malaria control and elimination strategies. However, the level of adherence to the malaria diagnostic test and treatment guideline is not known, particularly at Meatu district. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the adherence, awareness, access, and use of standard diagnosis and treatment guidelines among healthcare workers in Meatu district. Method. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which enrolled a total of 196 healthcare workers in Meatu district. Healthcare workers were sampled purposively to reach the required sample size. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results. Generally, 189 (96.4%) were aware of malaria treatment guidelines, while 148 (75.5%) had access and 98 (50.0%) used malaria treatment guidelines. One hundred and seven (54.6%) of all the healthcare workers adhered strictly to the diagnosis and national treatment guidelines. Ten (5.1%) partially adhered to the guideline when choosing antimalarials without confirmed malaria cases. Nonadherence to the prescription of recommended antimalarial drugs and laboratory confirmation was 79 (40.3%). Conclusion. Half of healthcare worker’s adhere to malaria diagnostic test and treatment guidelines. Most the healthcare workers are aware of the malaria diagnostic test and treatment guidelines. Continued education and assessment of the personal attitudes towards malaria diagnostic test and treatment guidelines are recommended.
Elevated hsa_circRNA_101015, hsa_circRNA_101211, and hsa_circRNA_103470 in the Human Blood: Novel Biomarkers to Early Diagnose Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhu Xuan , Niu Xing , Chen Lijie , Ge Chunlin
Published: February 2020

Objective. To explore potential biomarkers to accurately diagnose patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) at early stage and to auxiliary clinicians implement the best treatment options. Methods. We selected 3 patients with AP and 3 healthy controls for microarray analysis to obtain differentially expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs). To further verify the results of the microarray analysis, the six differentially expressed circRNAs were confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity of differentially expressed circRNAs were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A ceRNA network was constructed based on the 6 differentially expressed circRNAs. Results. There were 25 upregulated circRNAs and 26 downregulated circRNAs in the blood of patients with AP. Next, the qPCR verification results further confirmed three downregulated circRNAs, including hsa_circRNA_002532, has_circRNA_059665, and hsa_circRNA_104156, and three upregulated circRNAs including hsa_circRNA_101015, hsa_circRNA_101211, and hsa_circRNA_103470. Among them, hsa_circRNA_101015, hsa_circRNA_101211, and hsa_circRNA_103470 increased with the severity of the disease. ROC analysis showed that the three circRNA models show promise to diagnose AP. And a ceRNA network revealed that above six circRNAs could participate in complex regulated network. Conclusions. Elevated hsa_circRNA_101015, hsa_circRNA_101211, and hsa_circRNA_103470 could be used as novel biomarkers to diagnose AP patients.
The Association of Paraoxonase-1 Polymorphism with Carotid Artery Stenosis among Elderly Chinese Population
Authors: Sun Jianyun , Wang Long , Yang Qian , Zhou Taofeng , Ding Xianhui , Yang Ke , Zhou Zhiming
Published: February 2020

Elderly population is in high risk of carotid atherosclerosis and artery stenosis (CAS). It has been proved that PON1 polymorphism is associated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, which plays an important role in artery atherosclerosis. CAS is an important cause of ischemic stroke. This study is aimed at investigating the association of PON1 (rs662) polymorphism with the risk of CAS among elderly Chinese population. Consecutive elderly patients with CAS were enrolled into the study. Genotyping for PON1 (rs662) polymorphism was performed on all participants. There were 310 CAS patients in this study, with 88 symptomatic CAS and 222 asymptomatic CAS. G allele had a frequency of 59.66% in symptomatic CAS (sCAS); and A allele had an incidence of 36.93% in asymptomatic CAS (aCAS) (P<0.05). In all CAS patients with and without symptom, no associations were found in any genotype comparison. However, among aCAS subjects, based on GA phenotype, the odds ratio (OR) of the mutant GG with stenosis severity was 0.20 (P=0.01). The OR of GG+GA mutation was 0.28 for moderate/severe severity, compared with GA type (P=0.03). This study indicates that PON1 (rs662) polymorphism is not associated with the presence of symptom among CAS patients. Moreover, PON1 (rs662) polymorphism correlates with stenosis severity among aCAS.
Determinants of Anemia among HIV-Positive Children on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Attending Hospitals of North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2019: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Beletew Biruk , Mengesha Ayelign , Ahmed Mohammed , Fitwi Awet , Wudu Mesfin
Published: February 2020

Introduction. Anemia is one of the most commonly observed hematological abnormalities and an independent poor prognostic marker of HIV disease. The rate of progression and mortality in this subgroup of patients is high compared to nonanemic patients. WHO estimates that over two billion people are anemic worldwide and young children bear the world’s highest prevalence rate of anemia. In Ethiopia, there is limited information about the determinant factors associated with anemia among HIV positive children. Thus, this study aimed to determine the determinant factors of anemia among HIV-infected children on HAART.Objective. The main purpose of this study was to assess the determinants of anemia among children on highly active antiretroviral therapy attending hospitals of North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.Methods. A case-control study was conducted on 350 HIV-infected children on HAART attending Hospitals of North Wollo Zone, from February 1 to March 30, 2019. The study participants were selected with a consecutive sampling technique. An adapted, interviewer-administered, and pretested questionnaire and chart review were employed to collect the data. Besides, blood and stool samples were investigated to determine hematologic indices and malaria and to investigate intestinal parasites, respectively. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS version 24 statistical software and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors.Results. A total of 350 HIV positive children (117 cases and 234 controls) were included in this study with an overall response rate of 100%. On multivariate analysis, variables which have spastically significant association with anemia were as follows: had amebiasis (AOR = 7.29, 1.22–43.56), had history of opportunistic infections (AOR = 9.63, 1.94–47.85), had malaria infection (malaria pf) (AOR = 4.37, 1.16–16.42), eating nondiversified food (AOR = 10.39, 2.25–48.0), WGT-AgeZscore value between −2_−3 (AOR = 9.80, 2.46–39.14), level of adherence (AOR = 2.31, 1.92, 7.77), and being from a rural area (AOR = 8.8, 2.07–37.79).Conclusion. In this study, having parasitic infections, having a history of opportunistic infections, being malnourished, having poor adherence to ART, caregivers living in the rural area, and eating nondiversified foods were significantly associated with hemoglobin status. Therefore, intervention aimed at prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of anemia is essential in these patients.
A Robust IoT-Based Three-Factor Authentication Scheme for Cloud Computing Resistant to Session Key Exposure
Authors: Wang Feifei , Xu Guosheng , Xu Guoai , Wang Yuejie , Peng Junhao
Published: February 2020

With the development of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, Internet-enabled devices have been widely used in our daily lives. As a new service paradigm, cloud computing aims at solving the resource-constrained problem of Internet-enabled devices. It is playing an increasingly important role in resource sharing. Due to the complexity and openness of wireless networks, the authentication protocol is crucial for secure communication and user privacy protection. In this paper, we discuss the limitations of a recently introduced IoT-based authentication scheme for cloud computing. Furthermore, we present an enhanced three-factor authentication scheme using chaotic maps. The session key is established based on Chebyshev chaotic-based Diffie–Hellman key exchange. In addition, the session key involves a long-term secret. It ensures that our scheme is secure against all the possible session key exposure attacks. Besides, our scheme can effectively update user password locally. Burrows–Abadi–Needham logic proof confirms that our scheme provides mutual authentication and session key agreement. The formal analysis under random oracle model proves the semantic security of our scheme. The informal analysis shows that our scheme is immune to diverse attacks and has desired features such as three-factor secrecy. Finally, the performance comparisons demonstrate that our scheme provides optimal security features with an acceptable computation and communication overheads.
Procedural Treatments for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Review of Current Injectable Therapies
Authors: Billesberger Lisa M. , Fisher Kyle M. , Qadri Yawar J. , Boortz-Marx Richard L.
Published: February 2020

Knee osteoarthritis is a common painful degenerative condition affecting the aging Canadian population. In addition to pain and disability, osteoarthritis is associated with depression, comorbid conditions such as diabetes, and increased caregiver burden. It is predicted to cost the Canadian healthcare system $7.6 billion dollars by 2031. Despite its high cost and prevalence, controversy persists in the medical community regarding optimal therapies to treat knee osteoarthritis. A variety of medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and opioids can cause severe side effects with limited benefits. Total knee arthroplasty, although a definitive management, comes with risk such as postoperative infections, revisions, and chronic pain. Newer injectable therapies are gaining attention as alternatives to medications because of a safer side effect profile and are much less invasive than a joint replacement. Platelet-rich plasma is beginning to replace the more common injectable therapies of intra-articular corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid, but larger trials are needed to confirm this effect. Small studies have examined prolotherapy and stem cell therapy and demonstrate some benefits. Trials involving genicular nerve block procedures have been successful. As treatments evolve, injectable therapies may offer a safe and effective pathway for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.
Body Mass Index and 1-Year Unplanned Readmission in Chinese Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Sun Dandan , Zhang Qingyun , Li Wei , Wang Haichen
Published: February 2020

Background. Evidence regarding the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and 1-year unplanned readmission was limited. Therefore, the objective of this research is to investigate whether BMI was independently related to 1-year unplanned readmission in Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention (PCI) after adjusting for other covariates. Methods. The present study was a cohort study. A total of 214 participants with AMI after PCI were involved in a hospital in China from 1st January 2017 to 1st January 2018. The target independent variable and the dependent variable were BMI measured at baseline and 1-year unplanned readmission, respectively. Covariates involved in this study included age, gender, TC, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, PT, APTT, INR, creatinine, HGB, LVEF, discharge medication, marital status, educational level, COPD, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, history of ischemic stroke, history of hemorrhagic stroke, arrhythmia, and hypertension. Results. The average age of 172 selected participants was 60.2 ± 10.8 years old, and about 68.6% of them was male. The rate of readmission in patients with AMI was 26.14%. The result of fully adjusted binary logistic regression showed BMI was negatively associated with risk of readmission after adjusting confounders (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.1, 95% CI 0.93–1.29). Nonlinear relationship was detected between BMI and 1-year unplanned readmission, whose point was 29.3. The effect sizes and the confidence intervals of the left and right sides of inflection point were 0.9 (0.7–1.2, P for nonlinearity = 0.530) and 2.8 (1.3–5.8, P for nonlinearity = 0.008), respectively. Conclusion. BMI has a nonlinear relationship with 1-year unplanned readmission in patients with myocardial infarction. The 1-year unplanned readmission rate of overweight patients (BMI > 29.3 kg/m2) has increased significantly. Obesity paradox does not exist in terms of readmission of Chinese patients with myocardial infarction after PCI.
Methylated Flavonols from Amomum koenigii J.F.Gmel. and Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Phan Minh Giang , Do Thi Viet Huong , Nguyen Quoc Binh
Published: February 2020

Methylated flavonols form a special group with modulating biological activities in comparison with kaempferol and quercetin. The present study isolated ten compounds including two kaempferol methyl ethers: 5-hydroxy-3,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone (1), 3-hydroxy-5,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone (6); four quercetin methyl ethers: retusin (5-hydroxy-3,7,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavone) (4), 3,5-dihydroxy-7,3′,4′-trimethoxyflavone (5), 3,4′-dihydroxy-5,7,3′-trimethoxyflavone (7), and 3,5,7,3′,4′-pentamethoxyflavone (9); β-sitosterol (2); 5-hydroxy-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)eicosan-3-one (3); p-hydroquinone (8); and vanillic acid (10) from the rhizomes and fruit of Amomum koenigii J.F.Gmel. (Zingiberaceae). Their structures were determined by MS, NMR, and X-ray spectroscopic techniques. Among the methylated flavonols, 1, 4–7, and 9 were isolated for the first time from the rhizomes, while 1, 4, and 5 were isolated from the fruit. Compounds 2, 3, 7, 8, and 10 were reported for the first time from the species. Three main methylated flavonols 1, 4, and 5 were quantitatively analyzed in the rhizomes of A. koenigii by RP-HPLC-DAD; their contents were determined to be 1.81% (1), 1.38% (4), and 1.76% (5). The antimicrobial assay against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and antioxidant DPPH scavenging test were performed for the isolated methylated flavonols.
GAN-Based Image Super-Resolution with a Novel Quality Loss
Authors: Zhu Xining , Zhang Lin , Zhang Lijun , Liu Xiao , Shen Ying , Zhao Shengjie
Published: February 2020

Single image super-resolution (SISR) has been a very attractive research topic in recent years. Breakthroughs in SISR have been achieved due to deep learning and generative adversarial networks (GANs). However, the generated image still suffers from undesired artifacts. In this paper, we propose a new method named GMGAN for SISR tasks. In this method, to generate images more in line with human vision system (HVS), we design a quality loss by integrating an image quality assessment (IQA) metric named gradient magnitude similarity deviation (GMSD). To our knowledge, it is the first time to truly integrate an IQA metric into SISR. Moreover, to overcome the instability of the original GAN, we use a variant of GANs named improved training of Wasserstein GANs (WGAN-GP). Besides GMGAN, we highlight the importance of training datasets. Experiments show that GMGAN with quality loss and WGAN-GP can generate visually appealing results and set a new state of the art. In addition, large quantity of high-quality training images with rich textures can benefit the results.
Hepatitis C Virus Screening of High-Risk Patients in a Canadian Emergency Department
Authors: Ragan Kelsey , Pandya Anjali , Holotnak Tristan , Koger Katrina , Collins Neil , Swain Mark G.
Published: February 2020

Background. Approximately 0.7% of the Canadian population is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and many individuals are unaware of their infection. Our objectives were to utilize an emergency department (ED) based point-of-care (POC) HCV screening test to describe our local population and estimate the proportion of high-risk patients in our population with undiagnosed HCV. Methods. A convenience sample of medically stable patients (≥18 years) presenting to a community ED in Calgary, AB, between April and July 2018 underwent rapid clinical screening for HCV risk factors, including history of injection drug use, healthcare in endemic countries, and other recognized criteria. High-risk patients were offered POC HCV testing. Antibody-positive patients underwent HCV-RNA testing and were linked to hepatology care. The primary outcome was the proportion of new HCV diagnoses in the high-risk population. Results. Of the 999 patients screened by survey, 247 patients (24.7%) were high-risk and eligible for testing. Of these, 123 (49.8%) were from HCV-endemic countries, while 63 (25.5%) and 31 (12.6%) patients endorsed a history of incarceration and intravenous drug use (IVDU), respectively. A total of 144 (58.3%) eligible patients agreed to testing. Of these, 6 patients were POC-positive (4.2%, CI 0.9–7.4%); all 6 had antibodies detected on confirmatory lab testing and 4 had detectable HCV-RNA viral loads in follow-up. Notably, 103 (41.7%) patients declined POC testing. Interpretation. Among 144 high-risk patients who agreed to testing, the rate of undiagnosed HCV infection was 4.2%, and the rate of undiagnosed HCV infection with detectable viral load was 2.8%. Many patients with high-risk clinical criteria refused POC testing. It is unknown if tested and untested groups have the same disease prevalence. This study shows that ED HCV screening is feasible and that a small number of previously undiagnosed patients can be identified and linked to potentially life-changing care.
Comparison of Direct and Video Laryngoscopes during Different Airway Scenarios Performed by Experienced Paramedics: A Randomized Cross‐Over Manikin Study
Authors: Ruetzler Kurt , Szarpak Lukasz , Smereka Jacek , Dabrowski Marek , Bialka Szymon , Mosteller Lauretta , Szarpak Agnieszka , Ludwin Kobi , Wojewodzka-Zelezniakowicz Marzena , Ladny Jerzy Robert
Published: February 2020

Introduction. Airway management plays an essential role in anaesthesia practice, during both elective and urgent surgery procedures and emergency medicine. Aim. The aim of the study was to compare Macintosh laryngoscope (MAC), McGrath, and TruView PCD in 5 separate airway management scenarios. Methods. This prospective cross‐over simulation study involved 93 paramedics. All paramedics performed intubation using direct laryngoscope (MAC), McGrath, and TruView PCD video laryngoscopes. The study was performed in 5 different scenarios: (A) normal airway, (B) tongue oedema, (C) pharyngeal obstruction, (D) cervical collar stabilization with tongue oedema, and (E) cervical collar stabilization with pharyngeal obstruction. Results. In scenario A, the success rate was 99% with MAC, 100% with McGrath, and 94% with PCD. Intubation time was 17 s (IQR: 16–21) for MAC, 18 s (IQR: 16–21) for McGrath, and 27 s (IQR: 23–34) for PCD. In scenario B, the success rate was 61% with MAC, 97% with McGrath, and 97% with PCD (p < 0.001). Intubation time was 44 s (IQR: 24–46) for MAC, 22 s (IQR: 20–27) for McGrath, and 39 s (IQR: 30–57) for PCD. In scenario C, the success rate with MAC was 74%, 97% with McGrath, and 72% with PCD (p < 0.001). Intubation time was 21 s (IQR: 19–29) for MAC, 18 s (IQR: 18–24.5) for McGrath, and 30 s (IQR: 23–39) for PCD. In scenario D, the success rate with MAC was 32%, 69% with McGrath, and 58% with PCD (p < 0.001). Intubation time was 26 s (IQR: 20–29) for MAC, 26 s (IQR: 20–29) for McGrath, and 45 s (IQR: 33–56) for PCD. In scenario E, the success rate with MAC was 32%, but 64% with McGrath and 62% with PCD (p < 0.001). Intubation time was 28 s (IQR: 25–39) for MAC, 19 s (IQR: 18–26) for McGrath, and 34 s (IQR: 27–45) for PCD. Conclusions. The McGrath video laryngoscope proved better than Truview PCD and direct intubation with Macintosh laryngoscope in terms of success rate, duration of first intubation attempt, number of intubation attempts, Cormack‐Lehane grade, percentage of glottis opening (POGO score), number of optimization manoeuvres, severity of dental compression, and ease of use.
Osteopromotion Capacity of Bovine Cortical Membranes in Critical Defects of Rat Calvaria: Histological and Immunohistochemical Analysis
Authors: Danieletto-Zanna Carolina Ferrairo , Bizelli Vinícius Ferreira , Ramires Guilherme André Del Arco , Francatti Tamires Melo , Carvalho Paulo Sérgio Perri de , Bassi Ana Paula Farnezi
Published: February 2020

Membranes that aid the guided bone regeneration (GBR) process have been the subject of studies of compatible biomaterials that contribute to this repair process. The present study compared different membranes used in critical-size defects of rat calvaria by assessing GBR as well as histological, histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical reactions. Forty-eight male albino Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 12 each), namely, C: membrane-free control group (only blood clot, negative control group); BG: porcine collagen membrane group (Bio-Gide®, positive control group); GD: bovine cortical membrane group (first experimental group); and GDF: thicker bovine cortical membrane group (second experimental group). Rats were euthanized at 30 and 60 days postoperatively. Quantitative data from the histometric analysis were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s posttest when p<0.05. Histomorphometric results of the thicker bovine cortical membrane at 30 and 60 days were promising, showing improved new bone formation values (p<0.05), and the CD group presented similar results in both analysis periods, being surpassed only by the GDF group (p<0.05). The immunohistochemical results were associated with the histomorphometric data. A less-thick membrane also assisted in GBR. All membranes promoted GBR, especially the positive control and experimental groups.
The Protective Effect of rhBNP on Postresuscitation Myocardial Dysfunction in a Rat Cardiac Arrest Model
Authors: Yang Min , Hua Tianfeng , Yang Zhengfei , Chen Limin , Zou Yangyang , Huang Xiaohui , Li Jun
Published: February 2020

Purpose. We investigated the protective effects and the underlying mechanisms through which recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) acts on postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction (PRMD) in the cardiac arrest (CA) model. Methods. Ventricular fibrillation was induced and untreated for 6 min. And the time of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was 8 min, after which defibrillation was attempted in this rat model. 24 Sprague Dawley rats (450–550g) were randomized into cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) + rhBNP and CPR + placebo groups after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). rhBNP was infused at PR 30 min (loading dose: 1.5 µg/kg, 3 min; maintenance dose: 0.01 µg/kg/min, 6 h). Vital signs, ejection fraction (EF), cardiac output (CO), myocardial performance index (MPI), and 24 h survival rate were continuously recorded. The serum levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and N‐terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) were detected by ELISA. Heart tissues were evaluated by light microscopy. The protein expression levels of myocardial inflammatory factors (IL‐6 and TNF‐α), Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear transcription factor‐κB (NF‐κB) subunit p65 (p65), and phosphor‐p65 were analyzed by western blotting. Results. The administration of rhBNP attenuated the severity of PRMD and myocardial tissue injuries, with improvement of MAP (mean arterial blood pressure), ETCO2 (end‐tidal CO2), serum level of NT‐proBNP, EF, CO, and MPI values. The serum levels and protein expression levels in myocardial tissue of IL‐6 and TNF‐α after ROSC were reduced by inhibiting the expression of TLR4/NF‐κB. Conclusion. Our research demonstrated that the administration of rhBNP attenuated the severity of PRMD and myocardial tissue injuries and increased the 24 h survival rate in this CA model. rhBNP administration also reduced the serum and myocardial tissue levels of IL‐6 and TNF‐α after ROSC, likely due to the suppression of the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway and the regulation of inflammatory mediator secretion.