bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of habitual glucosamine use with risk of cardiovascular disease: prospective study in UK Biobank
Authors: Ma Hao , Li Xiang , Sun Dianjianyi , Zhou Tao , Ley Sylvia H , Gustat Jeanette , Heianza Yoriko , Qi Lu
Published: May 2019

Objective

To prospectively assess the association of habitual glucosamine use with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

UK Biobank.

Participants

466 039 participants without CVD at baseline who completed a questionnaire on supplement use, which included glucosamine. These participants were enrolled from 2006 to 2010 and were followed up to 2016.

Main outcome measures

Incident CVD events, including CVD death, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

Results

During a median follow-up of seven years, there were 10 204 incident CVD events, 3060 CVD deaths, 5745 coronary heart disease events, and 3263 stroke events. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, race, lifestyle factors, dietary intakes, drug use, and other supplement use, glucosamine use was associated with a significantly lower risk of total CVD events (hazard ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.80 to 0.90), CVD death (0.78, 0.70 to 0.87), coronary heart disease (0.82, 0.76 to 0.88), and stroke (0.91, 0.83 to 1.00).

Conclusion

Habitual use of glucosamine supplement to relieve osteoarthritis pain might also be related to lower risks of CVD events.
Self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yeh Ping Teresa , Kennedy Caitlin E , de Vuyst Hugo , Narasimhan Manjulaa
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling test kits may increase screening for and early detection of cervical cancer and reduce its burden globally. To inform WHO self-care guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of HPV self-sampling among adult women on cervical (pre-)cancer screening uptake, screening frequency, social harms/adverse events and linkage to clinical assessment/treatment.

Methods

The included studies compared women using cervical cancer screening services with HPV self-sampling with women using standard of care, measured at least one outcome, and were published in a peer-reviewed journal. We searched PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CNIAHL), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) and Embase through October 2018. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and the Evidence Project tool for non-randomised studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models to generate pooled estimates of relative risk (RR).

Results

33 studies in 34 articles with 369 017 total participants met the inclusion criteria: 29 RCTs and 4 observational studies. All studies examined HPV self-sampling; comparison groups were standard of care (eg, Pap smear, visual inspection with acetic acid, clinician-collected HPV testing). 93% of participants were from high-income countries. All 33 studies measured cervical cancer screening uptake. Meta-analysis found greater screening uptake among HPV self-sampling participants compared with control (RR: 2.13, 95% CI 1.89 to 2.40). Effect size varied by HPV test kit dissemination method, whether mailed directly to home (RR: 2.27, 95% CI 1.89 to 2.71), offered door-to-door (RR: 2.37, 95% CI 1.12 to 5.03) or requested on demand (RR: 1.28, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.82). Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference in linkage to clinical assessment/treatment between arms (RR: 1.12, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.57). No studies measured screening frequency or social harms/adverse events.

Conclusion

A growing evidence base, mainly from high-income countries and with significant heterogeneity, suggests HPV self-sampling can increase cervical cancer screening uptake compared with standard of care, with a marginal effect on linkage to clinical assessment/treatment.

Systematic review registration number

PROSPERO CRD42018114871.
Transparency and accuracy in funding investigator-initiated clinical trials: a systematic search in clinical trials databases
Authors: Madeira Catarina , Santos Francisco , Kubiak Christine , Demotes Jacques , Monteiro Emília Carreira
Published: May 2019

Objectives

This study aims to identify the sources of funding for investigator-initiated clinical trials (IICTs) in Portugal, and to recommend ways to improve the quality of information collected from clinical trial databases about funding.

Design and methods

A systematic search of trial registrations over the last 13 years—using the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO-ICTRP) and four clinical trials registries (CTRs)—was carried out to identify IICTs in Portugal, used as a case study. Data from the databases were compared with data contained in publications to evaluate the consistency of information on funding sources. The term ‘database’ is used in this study to refer to both the WHO-ICTRP and the CTRs. When mentioned separately, the WHO-ICTRP is referred to as a ‘platform’, while the CTRs are referred to as ‘registries’.

Outcome

Suggestions to improve clinical trials databases to clearly identify the funding sources and data ownership in IICTs.

Results

Two hundred and eighty-two IICTs were identified in Portugal. Twenty per cent of trials were supported by industry with unclear information on the ownership of the results. Inaccuracy was found in the information about sponsors and funders. The information about funding in all resulting publications (77 out of 133 completed studies) was also inconsistent between databases in 35 out of 77 (45%) of the studies. Notably, 23% of the trials funded by non-profit organisations (n=226) received funds from international and/or national funding agencies.

Conclusions

Identification of IICT funding and ownership of results is unclear in the databases used for this study, which may lead to misunderstandings about the independence of the obtained results. Transparency and accuracy are desirable so that public decision makers and strategic partners can accurately evaluate national performance in this particular type of clinical research.
Psychotropic drug use following venous thromboembolism versus diabetes mellitus in adolescence or young adulthood: a Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Højen Anette Arbjerg , Søgaard Mette , Melgaard Line , Lane Deirdre A. , Sørensen Erik Elgaard , Goldhaber Samuel Zachary , Larsen Torben Bjerregaard
Published: May 2019

Objectives

Critical and chronic illness in youth such as diabetes can lead to impaired mental health. Despite the potentially traumatic and life-threatening nature of venous thromboembolism (VTE), the long-term mental health of adolescents and young adults with VTE is unclear. We compared the long-term mental health of adolescents and young adults with VTE versus adolescents and young adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) using psychotropic drug purchase as proxy for mental health.

Design

Nationwide registry-based cohort study.

Setting

Denmark 1997–2015.

Participants

All patients aged 13–33 years with an incident diagnosis of VTE (n=5065) or IDDM (n=6609).

Exposure

First time primary hospital diagnosis of VTE or IDDM.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Adjusted absolute risk and risk difference at 1 and 5 years follow-up for first psychotropic drug purchase comparing patients with VTE and patients with IDDM.

Results

The absolute 1 year risk of psychotropic drug use was 6.2% among VTE patients versus 3.6% among patients with IDDM, at 5 years this was 19.3%–14.7%, respectively. After adjusting for the effect of sex, age and risk factors for VTE this corresponded to a 1 year risk differences of 1.9% (95 % CI 0.1% to 3.3%). At 5 years follow-up the risk difference was 1.9% (95% CI 0.5% to 3.3%).

Conclusion

One-fifth of adolescents and young adults with incident VTE had claimed a prescription for a psychotropic drug within 5 years, a risk comparable to that of young patients with IDDM.
How do potentially inappropriate medications and polypharmacy affect mortality in frail and non-frail cognitively impaired older adults? A cohort study
Authors: Porter Bryony , Arthur Antony , Savva George M
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To test whether the use of potentially inappropriate central nervous system acting medications, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or polypharmacy are associated with mortality in cognitively impaired older adults and whether frailer people are at greater risk of harm.

Setting

A cohort study nested within the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study II, a population representative cohort study of the older population in Cambridgeshire, Nottingham and Newcastle, UK.

Participants

A total of 1154 cognitively impaired participants, aged 65 years or older.

Exposures

Any use of antipsychotics, antidepressants, other anticholinergic medication, benzodiazepines or PPIs, polypharmacy (5–9) and hyperpolypharmacy (≥10 reported medications) were ascertained at baseline. Frailty was assessed using the Fried criteria.

Primary outcome

Mortality up to 8 years follow-up. HRs associated with potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), frailty and their interaction were estimated adjusting for covariates.

Results

Within the sample, 44% were taking one or more PIM. Apart from antipsychotics (adjusted HR=3.24, 95% CI 1.83 to 5.73), use of specific PIM was not associated with greater subsequent mortality. Polypharmacy (HR=1.17, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.45) and hyperpolypharmacy were associated with mortality (HR=1.60, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.22). Being frail (HR=1.90, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.72) or prefrail (HR=1.56, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.20) was associated with increased mortality. There was some evidence that the HR for polypharmacy on mortality was lower among frailer individuals, but the overall polypharmacy by frailty interaction was not statistically significant (p=0.102).

Conclusions

For those with cognitive impairment, greater concern should be afforded to the number of medications than the prescription of specific classes. Frailer individuals may have a lower relative risk of mortality associated with polypharmacy than less frail individuals.
Examining the effectiveness of a web-based intervention for symptoms of depression and anxiety in college students: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Karyotaki Eirini , Klein Anke M , Riper Heleen , Wit Leonore de , Krijnen Lisa , Bol Eline , Bolinski Felix , Burger Simone , Ebert David D , Auerbach Randy P , Kessler Ronald C , Bruffaerts Ronny , Batelaan Neeltje , van der Heijde Claudia M , Vonk Peter , Kleiboer Annet , Wiers Reinout W , Cuijpers Pim
Published: May 2019

Introduction

The college years are a peak period for the onset of common mental disorders. Poor mental health is associated with low academic attainment, physical, interpersonal and cognitive impairments. Universities can use online approaches to screen students for mental disorders and treat those in need. The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of a guided web-based transdiagnostic individually tailored intervention to treat students with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.

Methodsand analysis

The present study is a randomised controlled trial. Participants are Dutch college students (≥18 years) with mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety symptoms. The intervention is a guided web-based transdiagnostic individually tailored intervention that targets symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. The intervention consists of seven online sessions with a duration ranging from 4 to 7 weeks depending on individual progress. A booster session is administered 4 weeks after the completion of the seventh session. Primary outcome measures are the Patient Health Questionnaire for depression and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale for anxiety. These scales are administered at screening, post-treatment and follow-up assessments (6 and 12 months post-randomisation).

Ethics and dissemination

The Medical Ethics Committee of the Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre has approved the protocol (registration number 2016.583, A2017.362andA2018.421). Results of the trial will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NTR6797; Pre-results.
Doctors’ perceptions of how resource limitations relate to futility in end-of-life decision making: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Close Eliana , White Ben P , Willmott Lindy , Gallois Cindy , Parker Malcolm , Graves Nicholas , Winch Sarah
Published: May 2019

Objective

To increase knowledge of how doctors perceive futile treatments and scarcity of resources at the end of life. In particular, their perceptions about whether and how resource limitations influence end-of-life decision making. This study builds on previous work that found some doctors include resource limitations in their understanding of the concept of futility.

Setting

Three tertiary hospitals in metropolitan Brisbane, Australia.

Design

Qualitative study using in-depth, semistructured, face-to-face interviews. Ninety-six doctors were interviewed in 11 medical specialties. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Doctors’ perceptions of whether resource limitations were relevant to their practice varied, and doctors were more comfortable with explicit rather than implicit rationing. Several doctors incorporated resource limitations into their definition of futility. For some, availability of resources was one factor of many in assessing futility, secondary to patient considerations, but a few doctors indicated that the concept of futility concealed rationing. Doctors experienced moral distress due to the resource implications of providing futile treatment and the lack of administrative supports for bedside rationing.

Conclusions

Doctors’ ability to distinguish between futility and rationing would be enhanced through regulatory support for explicit rationing and strategies to support doctors’ role in rationing at the bedside. Medical policies should address the distinction between resource limitations and futility to promote legitimacy in end-of-life decision making.
Genital and analChlamydia trachomatisbacterial load in concurrently infected women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dirks J A M C , van Liere Genevieve A F S , Hoebe Christian J P A , Wolffs Petra , Dukers-Muijrers Nicole H T M
Published: May 2019

Objectives

Most international STI guidelines recommendChlamydia trachomatisanorectal testing in women after self-reported sexual exposure or symptoms in women. However, it has been shown that the prevalence of anorectalC. trachomatisis as high (7%–17 %) in women who do not report anorectal intercourse (AI) as in women who do. This study assessed the correlation between the genital and anorectalC. trachomatisload in concurrently infected women for increased microbiological insight.

Methods

A convenience sample of 105 women with a concurrent (genital and anorectal)C. trachomatisinfection was included from the STI clinic in South Limburg, the Netherlands. Women provided self-collected vaginal and anorectal swabs. TheC. trachomatisload was quantified with qPCR and the human cell load was assessed to ensure sample adequacy. Genital and anorectalC. trachomatisloads were divided into tertiles for comparison. The χ2test and linear regression were used to compare genital and anorectalC. trachomatisloads and identify determinants associated with load.

Results

The overall medianC. trachomatisload was higher in genital (median 5.3 log10C. trachomatis/ml) than anorectal samples (median 3.4, p ≤ 0.001), but both loads were within the same range. The genital and anal load categories were not related within one woman (p = 0.99), both in women with and without AI. The anorectalC. trachomatisload was in the same or higher load category than the genital load in 56% of women without AI, and 79% of women with AI.

Conclusions

Although no cut-off for clinical relevance is known, an anorectalC. trachomatisload in the same or higher load category than the genitalC. trachomatisload is likely to be clinically relevant. Other measurements should also be taken into account, such as leucocytes or bacterial viability to distinguish infection from contamination or exposure.
Potential of Fatty Oils from Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cancer Therapy: A Review for Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Clinical Studies
Authors: Huang Yanleng , Zhu Jiayi , Lin Xiao , Hong Yanlong , Feng Yi , Shen Lan
Published: May 2019

Cancer management is a worldwide challenge. In addition to effective cancer therapies like chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and combined TCM with western medicine has gradually gained attention in Oriental countries. One potential TCM approach using extracted fatty oils, containing fatty acids which are important active ingredients with a variety of pharmacological activities, makes significant contributions to cancer treatment. The strategies of treating cancer with the fatty oils of TCM were classified into “Fuzheng”, which usually associates with improving immunity, represented by coix seed oil. The other classification is “Quxie”, which relates to inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, and is represented by Brucea javanica oil. Compared with other active substances, the literature about anticancer fatty oils is relatively limited, and most of them focus on the composition and other biological activities without a systematic review. Therefore, based on the theories of “Fuzheng” and “Quxie” in TCM, in this paper, the anticancer effects of fatty oils have been reviewed. The chemical composition, anticancer mechanism, listed drugs, studying dosage form and clinical application of fatty oils have also been discussed. In summary, since there are different types and abundance of fatty oils among botanicals, anticancer effects of fatty oils can be achieved through two TCM theory-based strategies. We hoped that this review paper can reveal the anticancer potential of fatty oils and provide a reference for future related studies.
Immunostimulating and Antimetastatic Effects of Polysaccharides Purified from Ginseng Berry
Authors: Lee Dae-Young , Park Chan Woong , Lee Sue Jung , Park Hye-Ryung , Seo Dae Bang , Park Jun Yeon , Park Jiyong , Shin Kwang-Soon
Published: May 2019

Ginseng root has been used in traditional oriental medicine for the enhancement of immune system function. The immunostimulatory effects of ginseng berry polysaccharides, however, remain unclear. Effects of polysaccharides from ginseng berry on the activation of natural killer (NK) cells and inhibition of tumors are reported. A crude polysaccharide was isolated from ginseng berry as a ginseng berry polysaccharide portion (GBPP) and was further fractionated using gel filtration chromatography to obtain the three polysaccharide fractions GBPP-I, -II and -III. GBPP-I consisted of mainly galactose (46.9%) and arabinose (27.5%). GBPP-I showed a high dose-dependent anticomplementary activity. Stimulation of murine peritoneal macrophages by GBPP-I showed the greatest enhancement of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[Formula: see text] production. In addition, an ex vivo assay of natural killer (NK) cell activity showed that oral ([Formula: see text] administration of GBPP-I significantly increased NK cell cytotoxicity in YAC-1 tumor cells and production of granzyme B. Prophylactic intravenous ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] administration of GBPP-I significantly and dose-dependently inhibited lung metastatic activity in B16BL6 melanoma cells. Depletion of NK cells after injection of rabbit anti-asialo GM1 partially abolished the inhibitory effect of GBPP-I on lung metastasis, indicating that NK cells play an important role in anticancer effects. GBPP-I exerts a strong immune-enhancing activity and can prevent cancer metastasis through activation of NK cells and other immune-related cells.
Thermodynamic phase transition of quantum-corrected Schwarzschild black hole based on nonsingular temperature
Authors: Shahjalal Md.
Published: May 2019

Due to thermal radiation process, the temperature of the Schwarzschild black hole diverges at the time the black hole evaporates, while it is natural to expect a vanishing temperature, since the spacetime geometry becomes Minkowskian whose intrinsic temperature is identically zero. Recently, a nonsingular temperature has been proposed in this research line, which follows the Hawking temperature for the large black hole system, at the same time becomes null in the limiting case the black hole mass tends to zero. In this paper, the stability and the phase transition of the quantum-corrected Schwarzschild black hole are investigated based on this modified temperature. For that, the thermodynamic quantities like the local temperature, the heat capacity, and the off-shell free energy are calculated. The results show that the free energy of the black hole follows the characteristic swallow-tail behavior, implying the existence of an unstable intermediate black hole state quickly decaying into the stable small or large black hole.
Ricci dark energy in bumblebee gravity model
Authors: Jesus W. D. R. , Santos A. F.
Published: May 2019

The Ricci dark energy is a model inspired by the holographic dark energy models with the dark energy density being proportional to Ricci scalar curvature. Here, this model is studied in the bumblebee gravity theory. It is a gravitational theory that exhibit spontaneous Lorentz symmetry breaking. Then, the modified Friedmann equation is solved for two cases. In the first case, the coupling constant [Formula: see text] is equal to zero and in the second case a solution in the vacuum, where the bumblebee field becomes a constant that minimizes the potential, is considered. The coupling constant controls the interaction gravity-bumblebee.
Minimal surfaces and generalized Einstein–Maxwell-dilaton theory
Authors: Butler M. , Ghezelbash A. M.
Published: May 2019

We present novel classes of nonstationary solutions to the five-dimensional generalized Einstein–Maxwell-dilaton theory with cosmological constant, in which the Maxwell’s field and the cosmological constant couple to the dilaton field. In the first class of solutions, the two nonzero coupling constants are different, while in the second class of solutions, the two coupling constants are equal to each other. We find consistent cosmological solutions with positive, negative or zero cosmological constant, where the cosmological constant depends on the value of one coupling constant in the theory. Moreover, we discuss the physical properties of the five-dimensional solutions and the uniqueness of the solutions in five dimensions by showing the solutions with different coupling constants cannot be uplifted to any Einstein–Maxwell theory in higher dimensions.
Urban community structure detection based on the OD of traffic analysis zones
Authors: Dong Qing-Feng , Chen Dian-Kun , Wang Ting
Published: May 2019

At present, the detection of urban community structures is mainly based on existing administrative divisions, and is performed using qualitative methods. The lack of quantitative methods makes it difficult to judge the rationality of urban community divisions. In this study, we used complex network association mining methods to detect a city community structure by using the Origin-Destinations (OD) at traffic analysis zone (TAZ) level, and successively assigned all the TAZs into different communities. Based on the community results, we calculated the community core degree of each TAZ within every community, and then calculated the Traffic Core Degree and Location Core Degree indicators of the community based on OD passenger flow and spatial location relationship between communities. Finally, we analyzed the correlation among three indicators to ensure the rationality of the community structure. We used the city of Zhengzhou in 2016 as an example case study. For Zhengzhou, we detected a total of six communities. We found a relatively low correlation between Traffic Core Degree and Location Core Degree. Within each group, the correlation between community core degree and Traffic Core Degree was higher than that between community core degree and Location Core Degree, indicating that the urban community structure is more reasonably based on traffic characteristics. The development of a quantitative approach for determining reasonable city community structures has important implications for transportation planning and industrial layout.
Algorithm for Curved Surface Mesh Generation Based on Delaunay Refinement
Authors: zhou Longquan , Wang Hongjuan , Lu Xinming , Zhang Wei , Zhang Xingli
Published: May 2019

Curved surface mesh generation is a key step for many areas. Here, a mesh generation algorithm for closed curved surface based on Delaunay refinement is proposed. We focus on improving the shape quality of the meshes generated and making them conform to 2-manifold. The Delaunay tetrahedralization of initial sample is generated first, the initial surface mesh which is a subset of the Delaunay tetrahedralization can be achieved. A triangle is refined by inserting a new point if it is large or of bad quality. For each sample, we also check the triangles that adjoin it whether from a topological disk. If not, the largest triangle will be refined. Finally, the surface mesh is updated after a new point is inserted into the sample. The definition of mesh size function for surface mesh generation is also put in this paper. Meshing experiments of some models demonstrate that the new algorithm is advantageous in generating high quality surface mesh, the count of mesh is suitable and can well approximate the curved surface. The presented method can be used for a wide range of problems including computer graphics, computer vision and finite element method.
A Novel Fault Classification Technique in Series Compensated Transmission Line using Ensemble Method
Authors: Raval Pranav D. , Pandya A. S.
Published: May 2019

The paper presents a novel approach for classification of faults in Extra High Voltage (EHV) transmission line with series compensation. The proposed algorithm utilizes single end currents extracted from three phases of a transmission line given to a fault detection and classification system. A detailed model is constructed to analyze fault patterns occurring on a dual feed system with multiple series compensation provided on EHV transmission line. The algorithm uses a full cycle of post-fault currents. A Multiresolution Analysis Wavelet-based decomposition technique is used to provide a joint time frequency analysis. Extensive study is done by designing different fault classifiers using Support Vector Machine (SVM) with different feature vector groups. The SVMs with different parameters are compared to show performance of SVMs in given feature space of faults. A new algorithm is proposed with Ensemble method having group of different classifiers, namely, Artificial Neural Network (ANN), K-Nearest Neighborhood (KNN) and SVM. A combination of feature selection with Ensemble Classifiers is trained and tested on a wide range of fault patterns. A significant improvement in performance is obtained with different combination of features in Ensemble Classifier using subspace partition method.The proposed Ensemble Classifier provides an accuracy of 99.5%.
Nonlinear Thermo-Electro-Mechanical Vibration of Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Nanoshells on Winkler–Pasternak Foundations Via Nonlocal Donnell’s Nonlinear Shell Theory
Authors: Wang Yan Qing , Liu Yun Fei , Yang T. H.
Published: May 2019

The thermo-electro-mechanical nonlinear vibration of circular cylindrical nanoshells on the Winkler–Pasternak foundation is investigated. The nanoshell is made of functionally graded piezoelectric material (FGPM), which is simulated by the nonlocal elasticity theory and Donnell’s nonlinear shell theory. The Hamilton’s principle is employed to derive the nonlinear governing equations and corresponding boundary conditions. Then, the Galerkin’s method is used to obtain the nonlinear Duffing equation, to which an approximate analytical solution is obtained by the multiple scales method. The results reveal that the system exhibits hardening-spring behavior. External applied voltage and temperature change have significant effect on the nonlinear vibration of the FGPM nanoshells. Moreover, the effect of power-law index on the nonlinear vibration of the FGPM nanoshells depends on parameters such as the external applied voltage, temperature change and properties of the Winkler–Pasternak foundation.
Pyrolysis of self-assembled hemin on carbon for efficient oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Shen Shen , Zhai Zihui , Qin Jiaqi , Zhang Xue , Song Yujiang
Published: May 2019

The employment of inexpensive metallomacrocycles to create non-precious metal electrocatalysts (NPMEs) with high performance remains a challenge. Herein, we report the self-assembly of low-cost and abundant hemin on carbon black (EC600) under hydrothermal conditions in combination with subsequent pyrolysis, leading to a new NPME. Our NPME exhibits a half-wave potential of 0.89 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), an onset potential of 1.0 V vs. RHE and an average HO[Formula: see text] yield below 2% as well as high durability toward oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in alkaline electrolytes, ranking at the top of all reported NPMEs derived from hemin.
Time is an Illusion.
Authors: Neville-Neil George
Published: May 2019

One of the more surprising things about digital systems - and, in particular, modern computers - is how poorly they keep time. When most programs ran on a single system this was not a significant issue for the majority of software developers, but once software moved into the distributed-systems realm this inaccuracy became a significant challenge. Few programmers have read the most important paper in this area, Leslie Lamport’s "Time, Clocks, and the Ordering of Events in a Distributed System" (1978), and only a few more have come to appreciate the problems they face once they move into the world of distributed systems.
Pioglitazone decreased renal calcium oxalate crystal formation by suppressing M1 macrophage polarization via the PPAR-γ-miR-23 axis
Authors: Chen Zhiqiang , Yuan Peng , Sun Xifeng , Tang Kun , Liu Haoran , Han Shanfu , Ye Tao , Liu Xiao , Yang Xiaoqi , Zeng Jin , Yan Libin , Xing Jinchun , Xiao Kefeng , Ye Zhangqun , Xu Hua
Published: May 2019

Interaction of pioglitazone (PGZ) and macrophages (Mps) in renal crystal formation remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the possible mechanisms involved with Mps of PGZ in suppressing renal crystal formation. Crystal formation in the mouse kidney was detected using polarized light optical microscopy and Pizzolato staining. Gene expression was detected by Western blot analysis, quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Mp phenotypes were identified by flow cytometric analysis. Cell apoptosis was detected with TUNEL assay, and tubular injury was detected with periodic acid-Schiff staining. Interaction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ and promoter was determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to authenticate target genes of miRNA-23 (miR-23). Recombinant adenovirus was used to elucidate the role of miR-23 in vivo. Renal crystal formation, inflammation, tubular injury, and cell apoptosis were significantly marked in glyoxylic acid-treated groups and significantly decreased in PGZ-treated groups. PGZ significantly reduced Mp infiltration and M1 Mp polarization in the kidney. In vitro, PGZ shifted crystal-stimulated M1-predominant Mps to M2-predominant Mps, which were anti-inflammatory. PPAR-γ could directly bind to one PPAR-γ regulatory element in the promoter of pre-miR-23 to promote expression of miR-23 in Mps. We identified two downstream target genes of miR-23, interferon regulatory factor 1 and Pknox1. Moreover, miR-23 decreased crystal deposition, M1 Mp polarization, and injury in the kidney. This study has proven that PGZ decreased renal calcium oxalate crystal formation and renal inflammatory injury by suppressing M1 Mp polarization through a PPAR-γ-miR-23-interferon regulatory factor 1/Pknox1 axis. PGZ is liable to be a potential therapeutic medicine for treating urolithiasis.
Stress granules are formed in renal proximal tubular cells during metabolic stress and ischemic injury for cell survival
Authors: Wang Shixuan , Kwon Sang-Ho , Su Yunchao , Dong Zheng
Published: May 2019

Stress granules (SGs) are a type of cytoplasmic structures formed in eukaryotic cells upon cell stress, which mainly contain RNA-binding proteins and RNAs. The formation of SGs is generally regarded as a mechanism for cells to survive a harsh insult. However, little is known about SG formation and function in kidneys. To address this, we applied different kinds of stressors to cultured proximal tubular cells as well as a short period of ischemia-reperfusion to mouse kidneys. It was found that glycolytic inhibitors such as 2-deoxy-d-glucose and 3-(3-pyridinyl)-1-(4-pyridinyl)-2-propen-1-one induced SG formation within 30 min in these cells. Similarly, SGs were induced by inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration such as sodium azide and CCCP. Renal ischemia-reperfusion induced SG formation in the cells of proximal tubules. To test the role of SGs, we stably knocked down G3bp1, a SG core protein, in renal tubular cells by shRNA viral transduction. As expected, knockdown of G3bp1 largely disrupted the assembly of SGs. After azide or cisplatin treatment, more dead cells were found in knockdown cells compared with controls, accompanied by increases in cleaved/active caspase-3. Reintroduction of exogenous G3bp1 into knockdown cells could rescue the cell death phenotype. Taken together, our data provide the first evidence of SG formation in renal tubular cells during metabolic stress and acute kidney injury. SGs are formed to protect proximal tubular cells under these conditions. Modulation of SG biogenesis may provide a novel approach to lessen the severity of renal diseases.
1D network simulations for evaluating regional flow and pressure distributions in healthy and asthmatic human lungs
Authors: Choi Sanghun , Yoon Sujin , Jeon Jichan , Zou Chunrui , Choi Jiwoong , Tawhai Merryn H. , Hoffman Eric A. , Delvadia Renishkumar , Babiskin Andrew , Walenga Ross , Lin Ching-Long
Published: May 2019

This study aimed to introduce a one-dimensional (1D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for airway resistance and lung compliance to examine the relationship between airway resistance, pressure, and regional flow distribution. We employed five healthy and five asthmatic subjects who had dynamic computed tomography (CT) scans (4D CT) along with two static scans at total lung capacity and functional residual capacity. Fractional air-volume change ([Formula: see text]) from 4D CT was used for a validation of the 1D CFD model. We extracted the diameter ratio from existing data sets of 61 healthy subjects for computing mean and standard deviation (SD) of airway constriction/dilation in CT-resolved airways. The lobar mean (SD) of airway constriction/dilation was used to determine diameters of CT-unresolved airways. A 1D isothermal energy balance equation was solved, and pressure boundary conditions were imposed at the acinar region ( model A) or at the pleural region ( model B). A static compliance model was only applied for model B to link acinar and pleural regions. The values of 1D CFD-derived [Formula: see text] for model B demonstrated better correlation with 4D CT-derived [Formula: see text] than model A. In both inspiration and expiration, asthmatic subjects with airway constriction show much greater pressure drop than healthy subjects without airway constriction. This increased transpulmonary pressures in the asthmatic subjects, leading to an increased workload (hysteresis). The 1D CFD model was found to be useful in investigating flow structure, lung hysteresis, and pressure distribution for healthy and asthmatic subjects. The derived flow distribution could be used for imposing boundary conditions of 3D CFD.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY A one-dimensional (1D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for airway resistance and lung compliance was introduced to examine the relationship between airway resistance, pressure, and regional flow distribution. The 1D CFD model investigated differences of flow structure, lung hysteresis, and pressure distribution for healthy and asthmatic subjects. The derived flow distribution could be used for imposing boundary conditions of three-dimensional CFD.
Eccentric training enhances the αB-crystallin binding to the myofibrils and prevents skeletal muscle weakness in adjuvant-induced arthritis rat
Authors: Himori Koichi , Tatebayashi Daisuke , Ashida Yuki , Yamada Takashi
Published: May 2019

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently suffer from muscle weakness. We examined whether eccentric training prevents skeletal muscle weakness in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rat, a widely used animal model for RA. AIA was induced in the knees of Wistar rats by injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant. To induce eccentric contractions (ECCs), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (45 V) was applied to the plantar flexor muscles simultaneously with forced dorsiflexion of the ankle joint (0–40°) and was given every 6 s. ECC exercise was applied every other day for a total of 11 sessions and consisted of 4 sets of 5 contractions. There was a significant reduction in in vitro maximum Ca2+-activated force in skinned fibers in gastrocnemius muscle from AIA rats. These changes were associated with reduced expression levels of contractile proteins (i.e., myosin and actin), increased levels of inflammation redox stress-related biomarkers (i.e., TNF-α, malondialdehyde-protein adducts, NADPH oxidase 2, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase), and autolyzed active calpain-1 in AIA muscles. ECC training markedly enhanced the steady-state levels of αB-crystallin, a small heat shock protein, and its binding to the myofibrils and prevented the AIA-induced myofibrillar dysfunction, reduction in contractile proteins, and inflammation-oxidative stress insults. Our findings demonstrate that ECC training preserves myofibrillar function without muscle damage in AIA rats, which is at least partially attributable to the protective effect of αB-crystallin on the myofibrils against oxidative stress-mediated protein degeneration. Thus ECC training can be a safe and effective intervention, counteracting the loss of muscle strength in RA patients.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Eccentric contractions (ECCs) are regarded as an effective way to increase muscle strength. No studies, however, assess safety and effectiveness of ECC training on muscle weakness associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we used adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats to demonstrate that ECC training prevents intrinsic contractile dysfunction without muscle damage in AIA rats, which may be attributed to the protective effect of αB-crystallin on the myofibrils against inflammation-oxidative stress insults.
Polymeric Nanogels as Versatile Nanoplatforms for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Sabir Fakhara , Asad Muhammad Imran , Qindeel Maimoona , Afzal Iqra , Dar Muhammad Junaid , Shah Kifayat Ullah , Zeb Alam , Khan Gul Majid , Ahmed Naveed , Din Fakhar-ud
Published: May 2019

Nanomaterials have found extensive biomedical applications in the past few years because of their small size, low molecular weight, larger surface area, enhanced biological, and chemical reactivity. Among these nanomaterials, nanogels (NGs) are promising drug delivery systems and are composed of cross-linked polymeric nanoparticles ranging from 100 to 200 nm. NGs represent an innovative zone of research with speedy developments taking place on a daily basis. An incredible amount of focus is placed on the fabrication of NGs with novel polymers to achieve better control over the drug release. This review article covers a number of aspects of NGs including their types, associated pros and cons, and methods of preparation along with technical and economical superiority and therapeutic efficacy over each other. The last part of review summarizes the applications of NGs in the drug delivery and treatment of various diseases including brain disease, cardiovascular diseases, oxidative stress, diabetes, cancer therapy, tissue engineering, gene therapy, inflammatory disorders, pain management, ophthalmic and autoimmune diseases, and their future challenges. NGs appear to be an outstanding nominee for drug delivery systems, and further study is required to explore their interactions at the cellular and molecular levels.
Discriminative Fusion Correlation Learning for Visible and Infrared Tracking
Authors: Yun Xiao , Sun Yanjing , Yang Xuanxuan , Lu Nannan
Published: May 2019

Discriminative correlation filter‐ (DCF‐) based trackers are computationally efficient and achieve excellent tracking in challenging applications. However, most of them suffer low accuracy and robustness due to the lack of diversity information extracted from a single type of spectral image (visible spectrum). Fusion of visible and infrared imaging sensors, one of the typical multisensor cooperation, provides complementarily useful features and consistently helps recognize the target from the background efficiently in visual tracking. Therefore, this paper proposes a discriminative fusion correlation learning model to improve DCF‐based tracking performance by efficiently combining multiple features from visible and infrared images. Fusion learning filters are extracted via late fusion with early estimation, in which the performances of the filters are weighted to improve the flexibility of fusion. Moreover, the proposed discriminative filter selection model considers the surrounding background information in order to increase the discriminability of the template filters so as to improve model learning. Extensive experiments showed that the proposed method achieves superior performances in challenging visible and infrared tracking tasks.
Gastric Perforation after Chicken Bone Ingestion
Authors: Radicic Kasey , Dorsey J. Thomas , Greco Rick
Published: May 2019

Chicken bone ingestion is a common occurrence that usually passes uneventfully through the digestive tract and rarely results in complications such as perforation, which occurs very rarely within the stomach. We report here a case of a chicken bone ingestion resulting in gastric perforation, which ultimately required surgical correction.
Cascade Control of Grid-Connected PV Systems Using TLBO-Based Fractional-Order PID
Authors: Badis Afef , Mansouri Mohamed Nejib , Boujmil Mohamed Habib
Published: May 2019

Cascade control is one of the most efficient systems for improving the performance of the conventional single-loop control, especially in the case of disturbances. Usually, controller parameters in the inner and the outer loops are identified in a strict sequence. This paper presents a novel cascade control strategy for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems based on fractional-order PID (FOPID). Here, simultaneous tuning of the inner and the outer loop controllers is proposed. Teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) algorithm is employed to optimize the parameters of the FOPID controller. The superiority of the proposed TLBO-based FOPID controller has been demonstrated by comparing the results with recently published optimization techniques such as genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and ant colony optimization (ACO). Simulations are conducted using MATLAB/Simulink software under different operating conditions for the purpose of verifying the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy. Results show that the performance of the proposed approach provides better dynamic responses and it outperforms the other control techniques.
Mapping Knowledge Domains of Integration in BIM‐Based Construction Networks: A Systematic Mixed‐Method Review
Authors: Guo Bin , Feng Tao
Published: May 2019

Building information modeling‐based construction networks (BbCNs) are teams from several professional organizations working together to assume building information modeling‐ (BIM‐) related assignments on BIM‐enabled projects. With a view to achieving a better understanding of the knowledge domains on integration in BbCNs, a systematic mixed‐method review of the relevant studies published from 2008 to 2018 is conducted in this study. An “integration pentagon” made up of context, process, organization, task, and actor is used as a theoretical lens to identify and construct knowledge maps describing the integration in BbCNs. The study conducts a comprehensive review upon a bibliometric analysis based on 1019 researches into BIM and a qualitative analysis of 42 carefully selected researches into integration in BbCNs. The findings confirm that the solutions provided by these researches to support integration in BbCNs are altogether technology oriented. The sociotechnical dimensions including context, organization, task, and actor show limitations. More importantly, the major academic contributions of the study lie in offering an objective and systematic analysis of previous researches, revealing the gaps on integration in BbCNs, and advising researchers in future studies regarding the integration pentagon as an all‐inclusive analysis tool. These results highlight the status quo of BbCNs knowledge and serve as a dynamic platform to allow other scholars to perform further developments of integration in BbCNs.
The 3D Nonstationary Creep Constitutive Model of Sandstone Based on Fractional Order
Authors: Zhang Shuguang , Liu Wenbo
Published: May 2019

Based on nonlinear creep characteristics of rock, triaxial creep tests were conducted on sandstone by using an MTS812.02 test machine. The creep properties of rocks under different conditions were analyzed. Establishing a creep model that describes parameter degradation is necessary to address the deterioration of rock creep parameters over time. A nonstationary Abel pot was constructed on the basis of laws of damage accumulation and deterioration. Then, the nonstationary creep model was established according to fractional order theory. The parameters of the triaxial creep test curve under different confining pressures were identified on the basis of Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm in Hengda coal mine in Fuxin, China. By comparing the model curve with the experimental curve, we found that the nonlinear model not only accurately reflected the creep characteristics of the decay and steady creep stages but also overcame the limitation of traditional creep model, that is, difficulty in describing the accelerated creep. Finally, the influence of fractional order and nonstationary parameters on rock creep was obtained by parameter sensitivity analysis. Overall, the model had high fitting degree as well as good prediction and analysis for 3D creep test data.
Effect of Ge Nanoparticles in the Core of Photonic Crystal Fiber on Supercontinuum Generation
Authors: Ju Seongmin , Lee Yuseung , Jeong Seongmook , Kim Youngwoong , Kim In-Sik , Ko Do-Kyeong , Han Won-Taek
Published: May 2019

The effect of Ge nanoparticle (Ge NP) incorporation in the germanosilicate glass core of the photonic crystal fiber (PCF) on supercontinuum generation (SCG) was investigated. The Ge NP-doped germanosilicate glass core PCF was fabricated by using the modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) and the stack-and-draw processes. The average diameter of Ge NPs embedded in the core of the PCF was 4.2 nm. The absorption peaks at 480 nm and 515 nm and the band from 600 to 800 nm were attributed to the Ge NPs in the core of the PCF. SCG of the 490 nm bandwidth (598 nm~1088 nm) with a conversion efficiency of 31% was obtained by pumping at 800 nm with the Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser of 160 mW with 35 fs pulse at 1 kHz repetition rate, resulting from the enhanced optical nonlinearity from Ge NPs as well as the PCF structure of the fiber.