bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The load dependence and the force-velocity relation in intact myosin filaments from skeletal and smooth muscles
Authors: Cheng Yu-Shu , de Souza Leite Felipe , Rassier Dilson E.
Published: October 2019

In the present study we evaluated the load dependence of force produced by isolated muscle myosin filaments interacting with fluorescently labeled actin filaments, using for the first time whole native myosin filaments. We used a newly developed approach that allowed the use of physiological levels of ATP. Single filaments composed of either skeletal or smooth muscle myosin and single filaments of actin were attached between pairs of nano-fabricated cantilevers of known stiffness. The filaments were brought into contact to produce force, which caused sliding of the actin filaments over the myosin filaments. We applied load to the system by either pushing or pulling the filaments during interactions and observed that increasing the load increased the force produced by myosin and decreasing the load decreased the force. We also performed additional experiments in which we clamped the filaments at predetermined levels of force, which caused the filaments to slide to adjust the different loads, allowing us to measure the velocity of length changes to construct a force-velocity relation. Force values were in the range observed previously with myosin filaments and molecules. The force-velocity curves for skeletal and smooth muscle myosins resembled the relations observed for muscle fibers. The technique can be used to investigate many issues of interest and debate in the field of muscle biophysics.
Synergistic activation of mitochondrial metabolism and the glutathione redox couple protects HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells from palmitoylcarnitine-induced stress
Authors: Turnbull Patrick C. , Dehghani Ali C. , Theriau Christopher F. , Connor Michael K. , Perry Christopher G. R.
Published: October 2019

Fatty acid stress can have divergent effects in various cancers. We explored how metabolic and redox flexibility in HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells mediates protection from palmitoylcarnitine. HepG2 cells, along with HCT 116 and HT29 colorectal cancer cells were incubated with 100 μM palmitoylcarnitine for up to 48 h. Mitochondrial H2O2 emission, glutathione, and cell survival were assessed in HT29 and HepG2 cells. 100 μM palmitoylcarnitine promoted early growth in HepG2 cells by ~8% after 48 h versus decreased cell survival observed in HT29 and HCT 116 cells. Palmitoylcarnitine increased mitochondrial respiration at physiological and maximal concentrations of ADP, while lowering cellular lactate content in HepG2 cells, suggesting a switch to mitochondrial metabolism. HepG2 cell growth was associated with an early increase in H2O2 emission by 10 min, followed by a decrease in H2O2 at 24 h that corresponded with increased glutathione content, suggesting a redox-based compensatory mechanism. In contrast, abrogation of HT29 cell proliferation was related to decreased mitochondrial respiration (likely due to cell death) and decreased glutathione. Concurrent glutathione depletion with BSO prevented palmitoylcarnitine-induced growth in HepG2 cells, indicating that glutathione was critical for promoting growth following palmitoylcarnitine. Inhibiting UCP2 with genipin sensitized HepG2 cells to palmitoylcarnitine, suggesting that activation of UCP2 may be a 2nd redox-based mechanism conferring protection. These findings suggest that HepG2 cells possess inherent metabolic and redox flexibility relative to HT29 cells that confers protection from palmitoylcarnitine-induced stress via adaptive increases in mitochondrial respiratory control, glutathione buffering, and induction of UCP2.
Surfactant plus budesonide decreases lung and systemic responses to injurious ventilation in preterm sheep
Authors: Hillman Noah H. , Kothe T. Brett , Schmidt Augusto F. , Kemp Matthew W. , Royse Emily , Fee Erin , Salomone Fabrizio , Clarke Michael W. , Musk Gabrielle C. , Jobe Alan H.
Published: October 2019

Mechanical ventilation from birth with normal tidal volumes (VT) causes lung injury and systemic responses in preterm sheep. The addition of budesonide to surfactant therapy decreases these injury markers. Budesonide and surfactant will decrease the injury from injurious VT ventilation in preterm sheep. Lambs at 126 ± 1 day gestational age were ventilated from birth with either: 1) Normal VT [surfactant 200 mg/kg before ventilation, positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) 5 cmH2O, VT 8 mL/kg] or 2) Injury VT (high pressure, 100% oxygen, no PEEP) for 15 min, then further randomized to surfactant + saline or surfactant + 0.25 mg/kg budesonide with Normal VT for 6 h. Lung function and lung, liver, and brain tissues were evaluated for indicators of injury. Injury VT + saline caused significant injury and systemic responses, and Injury VT + budesonide improved lung physiology. Budesonide decreased lung inflammation and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA in the lung, liver, and brain to levels similar to Normal VT + saline. Budesonide was present in plasma within 15 min of treatment in both ventilation groups, and less than 5% of the budesonide remained in the lung at 6 h. mRNA sequencing of liver and periventricular white matter demonstrated multiple pathways altered by both Injury VT and budesonide and the combination exposure. In lambs receiving Injury VT, the addition of budesonide to surfactant improved lung physiology and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine responses in the lung, liver, and brain to levels similar to lambs receiving Normal VT.
Meta-analysis of blood genome-wide expression profiling studies in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Elinoff Jason M. , Mazer Adrien J. , Cai Rongman , Lu Mengyun , Graninger Grace , Harper Bonnie , Ferreyra Gabriela A. , Sun Junfeng , Solomon Michael A. , Danner Robert L.
Published: October 2019

Inflammatory cell infiltrates are a prominent feature of aberrant vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), suggesting that immune effector cells contribute to disease progression. Genome-wide blood expression profiling studies have attempted to better define this inflammatory component of PAH pathobiology but have been hampered by small sample sizes, methodological differences, and very little gene-level reproducibility. The current meta-analysis (seven studies; 156 PAH patients/110 healthy controls) was performed to assess the comparability of data across studies and to possibly derive a generalizable transcriptomic signature. Idiopathic (IPAH) compared with disease-associated PAH (APAH) displayed highly similar expression profiles with no differentially expressed genes, even after substantially relaxing selection stringency. In contrast, using a false discovery rate of ≤1% and I2 < 40% (low-to-moderate heterogeneity across studies) both IPAH and APAH differed markedly from healthy controls with the combined PAH cohort yielding 1,269 differentially expressed, unique gene transcripts. Bioinformatic analyses, including gene-set enrichment, which uses all available data independent of gene selection thresholds, identified interferon, mammalian target of rapamycin/p70S6K, stress kinase, and Toll-like receptor signaling as enriched mechanisms within the PAH gene signature. Enriched biological functions and diseases included tumorigenesis, autoimmunity, antiviral response, and cell death consistent with prevailing theories of PAH pathogenesis. Although otherwise indistinguishable, APAH (predominantly PAH due to systemic sclerosis) had a somewhat stronger interferon profile than IPAH. Meta-analysis defined a robust and generalizable transcriptomic signature in the blood of PAH patients that can help inform the identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Attenuated pulmonary fibrosis in sialidase-3 knockout (Neu3−/−) mice
Authors: Karhadkar Tejas R. , Chen Wensheng , Gomer Richard H.
Published: October 2019

Pulmonary fibrosis involves the formation of inappropriate scar tissue in the lungs, but what drives fibrosis is unclear. Sialidases (also called neuraminidases) cleave terminal sialic acids from glycoconjugates. In humans and mice, pulmonary fibrosis is associated with desialylation of glycoconjugates and upregulation of sialidases. Of the four mammalian sialidases, we previously detected only NEU3 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. In this report, we show that NEU3 upregulates extracellular accumulation of the profibrotic cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β, and IL-6 upregulates NEU3 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, suggesting that NEU3 may be part of a positive feedback loop potentiating fibrosis. To further elucidate the role of NEU3 in fibrosis, we used bleomycin to induce lung fibrosis in wild-type C57BL/6 and Neu3−/− mice. At 21 days after bleomycin, compared with male and female C57BL/6 mice, male and female Neu3−/− mice had significantly less inflammation, less upregulation of other sialidases and the profibrotic cytokine active transforming growth factor β1, and less fibrosis in the lungs. Our results suggest that NEU3 participates in fibrosis and that NEU3 could be a target to develop treatments for fibrosis.
Liquiritin apioside attenuates laryngeal chemoreflex but not mechanoreflex in rat pups
Authors: Wei Wan , Gao Xiuping , Zhao Lei , Zhuang Jianguo , Jiao Yang , Xu Fadi
Published: October 2019

Liquiritin apioside (LA), a main flavonoid component of licorice, reportedly suppresses cough responses to inhalation of aerosolized capsaicin [CAP; a stimulant to transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)] in conscious guinea pigs via acting on peripheral nerves. However, the evidence of LA having a direct effect on airway sensory fibers is lacking. Considering the important role laryngeal chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors play in triggering apnea and cough, we studied whether LA suppressed the apneic responses to stimulation of these receptors via directly acting on the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). Intralaryngeal delivery of chemical [CAP, HCl, and distilled water (DW)] and mechanical [an air-pulse (AP)] stimulations was applied in anesthetized rat pups to evoke the apnea. These stimuli were repeated after intralaryngeal LA treatment or peri-SLN LA treatment to determine the direct effect of LA on the SLN. Our results showed that all stimuli triggered an immediate apnea. Intralaryngeal LA treatment significantly attenuated the apneic response to chemical but not mechanical stimulations. The same attenuation was observed after peri-SLN LA treatment. Owing that TRPV1 receptors of laryngeal C fibers are responsible for the CAP-triggered apneas, the LA impact on the activity of laryngeal C neurons retrogradely traced by DiI was subsequently studied using a patch-clamp approach. LA pretreatment significantly altered the electrophysiological kinetics of CAP-induced currents in laryngeal C neurons by reducing their amplitudes, increasing the rise times, and prolonging the decay times. In conclusion, our results, for the first time, reveal that LA suppresses the laryngeal chemoreceptor-mediated apnea by directly acting on the SLN (TRPV1 receptors of laryngeal C fibers).
Interlimb differences in parameters of aerobic function and local profiles of deoxygenation during double-leg and counterweighted single-leg cycling
Authors: Iannetta Danilo , Passfield Louis , Qahtani Ahmad , MacInnis Martin J. , Murias Juan M.
Published: October 2019

It is typically assumed that in the context of double-leg cycling, dominant (DOMLEG) and nondominant legs (NDOMLEG) have similar aerobic capacity and both contribute equally to the whole body physiological responses. However, there is a paucity of studies that have systematically investigated maximal and submaximal aerobic performance and characterized the profiles of local muscle deoxygenation in relation to leg dominance. Using counterweighted single-leg cycling, this study explored whether peak O2 consumption (V̇o2peak), maximal lactate steady-state (MLSSp), and profiles of local deoxygenation [HHb] would be different in the DOMLEG compared with the NDOMLEG. Twelve participants performed a series of double-leg and counterweighted single-leg DOMLEG and NDOMLEG ramp-exercise tests and 30-min constant-load trials. V̇o2peak was greater in the DOMLEG than in the NDOMLEG (2.87 ± 0.42 vs. 2.70 ± 0.39 L/min, P < 0.05). The difference in V̇o2peak persisted even after accounting for lean mass ( P < 0.05). Similarly, MLSSp was greater in the DOMLEG than in the NDOMLEG (118 ± 31 vs. 109 ± 31 W; P < 0.05). Furthermore, the amplitude of the [HHb] signal during ramp exercise was larger in the DOMLEG than in the NDOMLEG during both double-leg (26.0 ± 8.4 vs. 20.2 ± 8.8 µM, P < 0.05) and counterweighted single-leg cycling (18.5 ± 7.9 vs. 14.9 ± 7.5 µM, P < 0.05). Additionally, the amplitudes of the [HHb] signal were highly to moderately correlated with the mode-specific V̇o2peak values (ranging from 0.91 to 0.54). These findings showed in a group of young men that maximal and submaximal aerobic capacities were greater in the DOMLEG than in the NDOMLEG and that superior peripheral adaptations of the DOMLEG may underpin these differences.
Contrasting open-loop dynamic characteristics of sympathetic and vagal systems during baroreflex-mediated heart rate control in rats
Authors: Kawada Toru , Yamamoto Hiromi , Hayama Yohsuke , Nishikawa Takuya , Tanaka Kunihiko , Sugimachi Masaru
Published: October 2019

Although heart rate (HR) is governed by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, a head-to-head comparison of the open-loop dynamic characteristics of the total arc from a baroreceptor pressure input to the HR response has yet to be performed. We estimated the transfer function from carotid sinus pressure input to the HR response ( HCSP→HR) before and after bilateral vagotomy ( n = 7) as well as before and after the administration of a β-blocker propranolol ( n = 8) in anesthetized male Wistar-Kyoto rats. The carotid sinus pressure was perturbed according to a Gaussian white noise signal so that the input power spectra were relatively flat between 0.01 and 1 Hz. The gain plot of HCSP→HR was V-shaped. Vagotomy reduced the dynamic gain at 1 Hz (0.0598 ± 0.0065 to 0.0025 ± 0.0004 beats·min−1·mmHg−1, P < 0.001) but not at 0.01 or 0.1 Hz. β-Blockade reduced the dynamic gain at 0.01 Hz (0.247 ± 0.069 to 0.077 ± 0.017 beats·min−1·mmHg−1, P = 0.020) but not at 0.1 or 1 Hz. We also estimated the efferent limb transfer function from electrical vagal efferent stimulation to the HR response ( HVN→HR) under β-blockade conditions. We associated the model parameters of HVN→HR with the mean HR and the standard deviation of HR so that HVN→HR could be estimated based only on the HR data. We finally estimated the neural arc transfer function from a pressure input to efferent vagal nerve activity by dividing HCSP→HR by HVN→HR. The mathematically determined vagal neural arc showed derivative characteristics with its phase near zero radians at the lowest frequency.
Direct pathway neurons in mouse dorsolateral striatum in vivo receive stronger synaptic input than indirect pathway neurons
Authors: Filipović Marko , Ketzef Maya , Reig Ramon , Aertsen Ad , Silberberg Gilad , Kumar Arvind
Published: October 2019

Striatal projection neurons, the medium spiny neurons (MSNs), play a crucial role in various motor and cognitive functions. MSNs express either D1- or D2-type dopamine receptors and initiate the direct-pathway (dMSNs) or indirect pathways (iMSNs) of the basal ganglia, respectively. dMSNs have been shown to receive more inhibition than iMSNs from intrastriatal sources. Based on these findings, computational modeling of the striatal network has predicted that under healthy conditions dMSNs should receive more total input than iMSNs. To test this prediction, we analyzed in vivo whole cell recordings from dMSNs and iMSNs in healthy and dopamine-depleted (6OHDA) anaesthetized mice. By comparing their membrane potential fluctuations, we found that dMSNs exhibited considerably larger membrane potential fluctuations over a wide frequency range. Furthermore, by comparing the spike-triggered average membrane potentials, we found that dMSNs depolarized toward the spike threshold significantly faster than iMSNs did. Together, these findings (in particular the STA analysis) corroborate the theoretical prediction that direct-pathway MSNs receive stronger total input than indirect-pathway neurons. Finally, we found that dopamine-depleted mice exhibited no difference between the membrane potential fluctuations of dMSNs and iMSNs. These data provide new insights into the question of how the lack of dopamine may lead to behavioral deficits associated with Parkinson’s disease.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The direct and indirect pathways of the basal ganglia originate from the D1- and D2-type dopamine receptor expressing medium spiny neurons (dMSNs and iMSNs). Theoretical results have predicted that dMSNs should receive stronger synaptic input than iMSNs. Using in vivo intracellular membrane potential data, we provide evidence that dMSNs indeed receive stronger input than iMSNs, as has been predicted by the computational model.
Initial Cytotoxicity of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) during Setting on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Kim Soo-Youn , Lee Su-Min , Lee Jung-Hwan
Published: October 2019

Bone-marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) which are important cell source for hard tissue regeneration stay near periapical lesions of tooth, playing an essential role in periodontal regeneration. Since the biomineralization process of MSCs is largely governed by the initial local environment, it is crucial to know the biological effects of dental bioceramic (mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)) right after implantation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the initial cytotoxicity of 4 different commercially available MTA materials (Endocem MTA, Ortho MTA, ProRoot MTA, and MTA Angelus) against hMSCs during or after setting using extracts of materials. The materials were mixed separately and placed into disk-shaped Teflon split molds (10 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness), and the sample discs were separated and eluted in the culture medium for 24 h. The extracts were exposed to hMSCs, and cytotoxicity was evaluated by the WST assay. In the present study, all 4 MTA products tested showed severe cytotoxicity at 100% and 50% extract, while 25% and 12.5% revealed 30∼100% depending on the MTA products. Endocem MTA showed severe cytotoxicity at 12.5% extract, while others showed relatively higher cell viability compared to Endocem MTA. Images of live and dead cells represented less live cells at 25% and 12.5%, confirming cell viability assay. Therefore, careful consideration of the concentration of MTA extracts is necessary, especially when applying MTA to the elderly patients to maintain the viability of hMSCs.
Analytical Solutions of a Modified Predator-Prey Model through a New Ecological Interaction
Authors: Aljahdaly Noufe H. , Alqudah Manar A.
Published: October 2019

The predator-prey model is a common tool that researchers develop continuously to predict the dynamics of the animal population within a certain phenomenon. Due to the sexual interaction of the predator in the mating period, the males and females feed together on one or more preys. This scenario describes the ecological interaction between two predators and one prey. In this study, the nonlinear diffusive predator-prey model is presented where this type of interaction is accounted for. The influence of this interaction on the population of predators and preys is predicted through analytical solutions of the dynamical system. The solutions are obtained by using two reliable and simple methods and are presented in terms of hyperbolic functions. In addition, the biological relevance of the solutions is discussed.
Analysis of Complex Modal Characteristics of Fractional Derivative Viscoelastic Rotating Beams
Authors: Lu Tianle , Wang Zhongmin , Liu Dongdong
Published: October 2019

For the transverse vibration problem of a fractional derivative viscoelastic rotating beam, the differential equation of the system is obtained based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and Hamilton principle. Then, introducing dimensionless quantities to differential equations and boundary conditions, the generalized complex eigenvalue equations of the system are obtained by the differential quadrature method. The effects of the slenderness ratio, the viscoelastic ratio, the hub radius‐beam length ratio, and dimensionless hub speed and fractional order on the vibration characteristics of fractional derivative viscoelastic rotating beams are discussed by numerical examples. Numerical calculations show that when the dimensionless hub speed is constant, the real part of complex frequency increases with the increase of the fractional order, and the higher‐order growth trend is more obvious. Through the study of displacement response at different points on the beam, it can be seen that the closer to the free end, the larger the response amplitude. And, the amplitude of response has been attenuated, which is also consistent with the vibration law of free vibration considering damping.
Comparative Antidiabetic Activity of Aqueous, Ethanol, and Methanol Leaf Extracts ofPersea americanaand Their Effectiveness in Type 2 Diabetic Rats
Authors: Kouamé N’Goran M. , Koffi Camille , N’Zoué Kanga S. , Yao N’Guessan A. R. , Doukouré Brahima , Kamagaté Mamadou
Published: October 2019

Native to Mexico,Persea americanaMill. (avocado) is a fruit tree whose different parts (leaf, bark, roots, and stone) are used in traditional medicine especially against diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of 28-day treatment with aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic leaf extracts on glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetic mellitus using Wistar rats. Type 2 diabetes was induced with nicotinamide (120 mg/kg, i.p.) and streptozotocin (65 mg/kg, i.p.). After 28 days of treatment, histopathological examination of the pancreas, kidneys, liver, and muscle (tibialis anterior) were realized. Biochemical markers were determined and an intestinal absorption test of D-glucose was performed. All extracts (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) significantly (p<0.001) reduced blood glucose level at the 28thday of treatment with a more pronounced effect for methanolic extract. The treatments were well tolerated and induced a restoration of T-CHOL and HDL-C levels compared to the control group. Methanolic extract reduced the AIP (atherogenic index of plasma) by 45%. Histopathological analyzes of the pancreas showed regeneration of islets of Langerhans. Methanolic extract was the most effective in preventing intestinal glucose uptake up to 60.90% in relation to metformin. These results justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine against type 2 diabetes. However, other complementary studies should be done to identify the molecules responsible for this activity and their signaling voice.
Clinical Features of Primary and Systemic Metastatic Intraocular Lymphomas in Spanish Patients
Authors: Llorenç Victor , Fuster Carla , Alba-Linero Carmen , Moll-Udina Aina , Serrano Alba , Solé Manel , Sainz de la Maza Maite , Aldecoa Iban , Adán Alfredo
Published: October 2019

Objectives. To describe and compare clinical findings in different subtypes of biopsy-proven intraocular lymphomas (IOLs). Design. Retrospective, observational case series. Methods. The clinical and pathologic features in IOLs at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona from 1995 to 2018 were retrospectively studied. Results. Twenty-one patients, 12 men (57%), median age 60 (interquartile range, IQR: 18 years), and a median follow-up of 30 (IQR 60) months were included. Eleven patients had primary vitreo-retinal lymphoma (PVRL, 52%), 4 had primary uveal lymphoma (PUL, 19%), and 6 had systemic metastatic retinal lymphomas (SMRLs, 28%). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was the main IOL subset in PVRL (91%) and in SMRL (83%), whereas extranodal marginal zone lymphoma was the only type in PUL (100%). Survival rate was 44% in PVRL and 20% in SMRL at 5 years (p=0.047). One patient had flow cytometry of two different vitreous humour samples. With them, flow cytometry was performed in a total of 11 samples, yielding 7 positive samples. Conclusions and Relevance. Even though PVRL is the most frequent IOL subtype, our findings suggest that PUL and SMRL should be considered as potential IOL causes. Overall survival was poor in PVRL and even shorter in SMRL patients.
Assessment of Acoustic Emission and Triaxial Mechanical Properties of Rock-Cemented Tailings Matrix Composites
Authors: Cao Shuai , Yilmaz Erol , Song Weidong , Xue Gaili
Published: October 2019

Acoustic emission (AE) test is a powerful technique for examining the sounds of cracks growing, breaking, and other modes of damage in cementitious materials deforming under stress, such as rock-cemented tailings matrix composites (RCTMC). RCTMC, an engineered mixture of tailings, cement, rock, and water, is widely used to fulfill numerous important roles at underground mine sites as a construction material and a ground support tool. To study the mechanical strength and AE properties of RCTMC, compression testing was carried out using a triaxial compression test system (TAW-2000) and AE monitoring system (PCI-2), and the failure modes of samples were also examined. Results have shown that (1) the failure process of RCTMC samples can be divided into six main stages: compaction, linear elastic characteristic, crack growth, primary damage development, cemented tailings backfill withstand stress zone, and secondary damage development stage. CTB has the strengthening effect on mechanical strength of rock; (2) the AE process can be also divided into six main stages: the prepeak quiescence period, the elastic energy reserve period, the first destruction development AE area, the secondary energy reserve period, the second damage development stage, and the postpeak calm period; and (3) samples’ cumulative ring count is “stepped” distribution over time, and the ring count has entered the postpeak flat stage after many active periods. The process of RCTMC samples from tensile to shear failure mode is represented by numerical simulation. Finally, the obtained experimental results can offer a useful reference for the further study of the mechanism of the surrounding rock and cemented tailings backfill structure.
Maternal Bradycardia Associated with Betamethasone Administration During Pregnancy
Authors: Sarumi Mojirayo A. , Hole James W. , Gherman Robert B.
Published: October 2019

Background. Maternal risks of betamethasone have been rarely reported. Case. At 36 weeks’ gestation, a previously healthy 23-year-old gravida with fetal intrauterine growth restriction was admitted to the hospital for steroid administration. Twenty-six hours after the first dose of betamethasone, a maternal bradycardia was initially noted and eventually nadired at 41 beats per minute. Consultation with the cardio-electrophysiology service revealed no other apparent etiologies for the sinus bradycardia. Due to the asymptomatic nature of the maternal bradycardia, pharmacologic interventions were not recommended. With observation alone, a normal maternal heart rate returned by forty-nine hours after the original betamethasone injection. The patient subsequently had an uneventful intrapartum course. Conclusion. Maternal bradycardia can be associated with antenatal betamethasone administration. Due to the transient nature of this side effect, expectant management is recommended as the treatment option for asymptomatic patients.
Successful Treatment of Adult-Onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis with CO2 Laser and Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Lu Sheng , Liu Yang , Shi Runjie , Zhou Pingyu
Published: October 2019

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a noninvasive benign epithelial tumor caused by human papillomavirus. Clinically, it featured rapid growth, multifocus, and frequent recurrence. Though a number of therapies have been investigated, the recurrence after treatment is always a challenge. In this report, we describe a 27-year-old male patient with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis who was treated with CO2 laser therapy followed by 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT). There was no adverse reaction after treatment and no recurrence during the follow-up time.
Regional Electric Bus Driving Plan Optimization Algorithm considering Charging Time Window
Authors: Liu Yuhuan , Yao Enjian , Lu Muyang , Yuan Ling
Published: October 2019

Currently, although pure electric buses have the advantage of environmental‐friendly, its endurance mileage is insufficient and the charging pile is still far away from the actual demand, resulting in a more complicated scheduling. Given this, we studied the driving plan of a pure electric bus, aiming to support the promotion and application of the electric bus. Considering service quality, we built a regional pure electric bus driving plan model and designed an optimal solution based on packing idea and genetic algorithm, aiming at minimizing fleet size, charging facility, and empty driving mileage. We took the electric bus routes operated in a region of Beijing as an empirical example. Compared with the results from the greedy algorithm, we found that the total cost of 544 bus trips with tasks was reduced by 19.6%. Although the average empty driving mileage increased by approximately 20%, the number of pure electric bus vehicles and the required amount of charging infrastructure decreased by 19.7% and 33.3%, respectively. The cost of increasing empty driving mileage was lower than that of the reducing number of buses and charging facilities, indicating that the above three variables reached a balance, and the optimization algorithm is proved to be significantly effective.
Contralateral Posterior Chamber Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation as Rehabilitation of Refractive Lens Exchange with a Monofocal Intraocular Lens in a Young, Nonpresbyopic, Bilateral Highly-Myopic Patient
Authors: Balparda Kepa , Vanegas-Ramírez Claudia Marcela , Segura-Muñoz Laura , Gómez-Londoño Manuela
Published: October 2019

Background. Refractive errors are widespread in the human population; nowadays, numerous surgical options allow for efficient and safe correction them. One of the main elements to ensure success in this kind of intervention will depend on the careful patient and surgical approach selection. Excimer laser corneal surgery is considered by most for low to moderate ametropias. Another option, which has been suggested may be safer, is to cut a small corneal lenticule with femtosecond laser, and then extracting it through a small incision. Nevertheless, in some specific cases, such as patients with high refractive error or those with some corneal abnormality, laser corneal ablations are considered unsafe from either a biomechanical or refractive standpoint. In this kind of particular cases, Phakic Intraocular Lens (P-IOL) implantation constitutes attractive, highly predictable and safe option.Objective. The authors want to show the case of a young high-myopic woman, already pseudophakic in one eye, where the P-IOL implantation in the fellow eye yielded excellent short-term visual results, and high patient’s satisfaction, is presented.Materials. The authors present the case of a 32-years-old, highly myopic female patient underwent a Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) with a monofocal Intraocular Lens (IOL) implantation in her left eye elsewhere, and developed severe visual issues, especially regarding near-work. Symptoms resolved through the implantation of a posterior chamber P-IOL in the contralateral eye.Results. The postoperative course was unremarkable, inflammation was mild, and visual recovery was quick. There was no need to perform any procedure on her left eye or to use any reading glasses, as unilateral effective near vision through her right eye was enough for all her daily tasks.Conclusions. RLE in young pre-presbyopic highly myopic patients may not be an advisable alternative in most cases, because of the high risks of retinal complications observed. In addition, eliminating accommodation will cause significant limitations, and multifocal IOLs currently available are far from the quality of vision that a young human crystalline lens yields. On the other hand, implantation of a P-IOL is a good option if eye conditions are optimal, as it preserves natural accommodation. In this case an EyeCryl Phakic Toric® IOL showed excellent short-term refractive predictability and safety.
Screening and Identification of Antipyretic Components in the Postfrost Leaves of Morus alba Based on Multivariable and Continuous-Index Spectrum-Effect Correlation
Authors: Qu Yongsheng , Wang Liang , Guo Wei
Published: October 2019

The leaves of Morus alba (LMA) are crucial traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) of clearing heat. In ancient Chinese materia medica and the current Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, LMA are recorded to be harvested after frost for medicinal purpose. However, the reason and mechanism of this traditional usage have been still unknown so far. In this work, it was confirmed firstly that the antipyretic effect of LMA after frost was better than that of before frost significantly on feverish rats. Subsequently, the chemical profiles of LMA before and after frost were characterized by fingerprint, respectively. Then, the endemic peaks after frost and positive differential peaks were screened as the research object of spectrum-effect correlation by orthogonal signal correction partial least square discrimination (OPLS). Finally, a multivariable and continuous-index spectrum-effect correlation model coupled with OPLS was established. As a result, the antipyretic components of postfrost LMA were screened and identified as citric acid derivative and tryptophan which may be the synergistic material basis. The study can provide a scientific foundation for the enhancement of effects in the postfrost LMA. Moreover, the strategy of this research could provide a valuable reference for revealing the material basis of synergetic or antagonistic effects among other complex drug systems.
Light Repository Blockchain System with Multisecret Sharing for Industrial Big Data
Authors: Chen Hefeng , Wu Hsiao-Ling , Chang Chin-Chen , Chen Long-Sheng
Published: October 2019

Blockchain is an emerging technology that promises many exciting applications in various fields, including financial, medical, energy, and logistics management. However, there are still some limitations in the existing blockchain framework that prevents its widespread adoption in the commercial world. One important limitation is the storage requirement, wherein each blockchain node has to store a copy of the distributed ledger. Thus, as the number of transactions increases, this storage requirement grows quadratically, eventually limiting the scalability of a blockchain system. Moreover, the public ledger in a blockchain framework allows anyone in the network to audit the transaction, which may not be favourable in some privacy-sensitive applications. In this paper, a secret-sharing scheme is proposed to reduce the size of the blockchain transactions. Each transaction block is divided into t parts, and the size of each part is 1/t size of transaction block. We use the secret-sharing mechanism to share t parts into n shares. Hence, each node stores not one transaction but one share in the blockchain system. The proposed scheme can eventually reduce the storage cost of a blockchain transaction by 1/t without introducing an additional recovery communication cost; however, robustness is reduced in node failure as a tradeoff. Meanwhile, the proposed scheme was more efficient and secure compared to other state-of-the-art schemes that aim to reduce blockchain storage for industrial big data.
An Evaluation of the DNA-Protective Effects of Extracts fromMenyanthes trifoliataL. Plants Derived fromIn VitroCulture Associated with Redox Balance and Other Biological Activities
Authors: Kowalczyk Tomasz , Sitarek Przemysław , Skała Ewa , Rijo Patricia , Andrade Joana M. , Synowiec Ewelina , Szemraj Janusz , Krajewska Urszula , Śliwiński Tomasz
Published: October 2019

Menyanthes trifoliataL. is a valuable medical plant found in Europe, North America, and Asia, which grows on peat bogs and swamps. It has long been used in folk medicine as a remedy for various ailments. This is the first report to demonstrate the protective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of aqueous methanolic extracts derived from the aerial parts (MtAPV) and roots (MtRV) ofin vitrogrown plants on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). It describes the influence of the tested extracts on the expression of antioxidant (HO-1, NQO1,NRF2,kEAP1, andGCLC) and inflammation-related genes (IL-1α,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α, andIFN-γ) in cells stimulated with H2O2or LPS, respectively. In addition,M. trifoliataextracts were found to moderately affect the growth of certain bacterial and fungal pathogens, with the strongest antibacterial effect found againstPseudomonas aeruginosaandEnterococcus faecalis.M. trifoliataextracts demonstrated protective effects against mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) damage caused by ROS, decreasing the numbers of mtDNA lesions in theND1andND2genes and nDNA damage in theTP53andHPRT1genes and reducing cleavage in PARP1- andγ-H2A.X-positive cells. The root extract ofin vitro M. trifoliata(MtRV) appears to have better anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and protective properties than the extract from the aerial part (MtAPV). These differences in biological properties may result from the higher content of selected phenolic compounds and betulinic acid in the MtRV than in the MtAPV extract.
Experimental Study on the Structural Performance Degradation of Corrosion‐Damaged Reinforced Concrete Beams
Authors: Jung Ju-Seong , Lee Bang Yeon , Lee Kang-Seok
Published: October 2019

It is very important to investigate the effects of the seismic performance of corrosion‐damaged reinforced concrete (RC) members, in terms of their strength and lateral deformability, on the seismic performance of entire building systems. Such investigation allows accurate evaluation of the seismic performance of RC structures with corroded members, including beams and columns. However, current techniques for evaluating the seismic performance of existing RC structures do not take the effects of deterioration (including the corrosion of reinforcing bars) on the performance of RC members into account. The main objective of this research is to propose a practical methodology for evaluating the seismic performance of RC buildings with corrosion‐damaged members. We extrapolate a structural performance degradation factor from the strength‐deformation capability of corroded members to allow direct quantitative evaluation of their seismic performance. In this study, as a first step toward achieving this goal, we experimentally investigated the effect of reinforcing bar corrosion on the behavior of RC beams and the structural performance degradation factor. Our analysis was based on the strength‐deformation capabilities of corrosion‐damaged beams. We also propose a relationship between the half‐cell potential of corroded reinforcing bars and the structural performance degradation behavior of RC beams. Our results indicate that there is a relatively strong correlation between the performance degradation factor and the average potential difference, with coefficients of determination (R2) of the flexural and shear beams of 0.78 and 0.91, respectively. The potential difference, which was measured using the half‐cell measurement method, can serve as one of the indicators of relative structural degradation, but we must ensure that the environmental measurement conditions are held constant.
Urinary Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Are Elevated in Obese Children and Correlate with a Marker of Endothelial Dysfunction
Authors: Selvaraju Vaithinathan , Ayine Priscilla , Fadamiro Moni , Babu Jeganathan Ramesh , Brown Michael , Geetha Thangiah
Published: October 2019

Obesity is a state of chronic low-level inflammation closely associated with oxidative stress. Childhood obesity is associated with endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress markers individually. This study was aimed at determining the association between the biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction in urine samples of healthy, overweight, and obese children. Eighty-eight elementary school children aged between 6 and 10 years participated in this study. Anthropometric measurements were measured using WHO recommendations. The biomarkers of low-grade inflammation such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP); oxidative stress markers such as 8-isoprostane and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were analyzed in urine samples. The area under the curve (AUC) by the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) was analyzed to identify the best urinary biomarker in childhood obesity. Linear regression and Pearson correlation were analyzed to determine the association between the parameters. The obese participants have significantly increased levels of CRP, AGP, IL-6, and 8-isoprostane compared to normal-weight participants. The overweight participants had significantly increased levels of ET-1 and 8-OHdG but not the obese group compared to the NW group. The AUC for urinary CRP (AUC: 0.847, 95% CI: 0.765-0.930; p<0.0001) and 8-isoprostane (AUC: 0.857, 95% CI: 0.783-0.932; p<0.0001) showed a greater area under ROC curves compared to other inflammatory and oxidative markers. The urinary CRP and 8-isoprostane significantly correlated with the obesity measures (body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to- height ratio) and ET-1, inflammatory, and oxidative markers. The increased urinary inflammatory markers and 8-isoprostane can serve as a noninvasive benchmark for early detection of the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
A Study on Lump and Interaction Solutions to a (3 + 1)‐Dimensional Soliton Equation
Authors: Liu Xi-zhong , Lou Zhi-Mei , Qian Xian-Min , Thiam Lamine
Published: October 2019

Based on bilinear formulation of a (3 + 1)‐dimensional soliton equation, lump solution and related interaction solutions are investigated. The lump solutions of the soliton equation are classified into three cases with nonsingularity conditions being given. The interaction solutions between lump and a stripe soliton are obtained in eight cases, which have interesting fusing and fission behaviors with changing time. The interaction solutions of the soliton equation between a lump and a resonant pair of stripe solitons are also given, and we find that the lump just exist for a finite period during the interaction process.
Weigh More, Pay More? Public Opinion on Varying Health Insurance Contributions among Divergent Weight Groups
Authors: Bernard Marie , Riedel-Heller Steffi G. , Luck-Sikorski Claudia
Published: October 2019

Background: The prevalence of obesity and its related costs has increased over the past decades. In Germany, obesity-related costs are merely covered by statuary health insurance. Within the statutory health care system, the health insurance contributions do not differ between people with and without health issues, such as being obese. This study aims to investigate the public’s opinion about whether people with obesity should pay a higher proportional health care contribution than people of normal weight. Methods: We conducted a pilot study and collected thereof data of a convenience sample. In total, 179 participants who perceived themselves to be of normal weight (51.40% female; mean age = 32.46, SD = 5.74) were surveyed using a questionnaire. Within this questionnaire, the participants had to rate how high the proportional health care contribution for people with and without obesity should be. Moreover, we assessed participants’ antifat attitudes by applying the Fat Phobia Scale and the Implicit Association Test. Results: A paired t test revealed that participants suggest a significantly higher proportional contribution for health insurance for people with obesity compared to people with normal weight (t(178) = 4.51, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicates that people with stronger explicit (OR = 8.77, p < 0.001) and implicit stigma (OR = 1.06, p = 0.018), and higher BMI (OR = 1.27, p = 0.04) are more likely to suggest an increased contribution rate for people with obesity. Conclusion: Although we found that participants suggested higher contribution rates for people with obesity, overall only one-quarter of the participants suggested higher contribution rates for people with obesity, whereas almost three-quarters of the participants did not distinguish the contribution rate for people with and without obesity. Moreover, we found that the participants called for higher insurance premiums for people with and without obesity. Therefore, future studies should consider giving more information about the statutory health care system or the health care contribution rate before asking participants about their opinion.
Infarct Patterns in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vertebrobasilar Disease in Relation to Hemodynamics
Authors: Schaafsma Joanna D. , Silver Frank L. , Kasner Scott E. , Caplan Louis R. , Rose-Finnell Linda , Charbel Fady T. , Pandey Dilip K. , Amin-Hanjani Sepideh ,   for the VERiTAS Study Group
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Distal territory blood flow is independently associated with subsequent strokes in symptomatic vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic disease. We aimed to assess infarct patterns in relation to hemodynamic status in the prospective Vertebrobasilar Flow Evaluation and Risk of Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke (VERiTAS) study. Methods: Distal territory blood flow was measured using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in 72 patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic vertebrobasilar disease, and then dichotomized into normal (n = 54) and low (n = 18) flow. Patients were followed longitudinally on standard medical management. Two observers blinded to flow status independently reviewed the imaging performed at the time of subsequent strokes, in order to adjudicate the likely mechanism based on infarct patterns. The frequency of stroke mechanisms was qualitatively compared based on flow status. Results: During a median follow-up period of 23 months, 10/72 patients had a subsequent stroke; 5 of these had low distal flow. Infarct patterns were adjudicated to be consistent with hemodynamic (n = 2), embolic (n = 4), and junctional plaque/perforator (n = 4) infarcts. Hemodynamic infarcts were seen in 40% (2/5) low-flow patients, in comparison to 0% (0/5) normal-flow patients. Conclusion: In contrast to normal-flow patients, those with low distal flow seem to be uniquely susceptible to hemodynamic infarctions, although other patterns of infarction can also be seen in these hemodynamically impaired patients.
Overdiagnosis of Juvenile Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Takano Toru
Published: October 2019

Overdiagnosis is the detection of a disease that does not do any harm to the patient throughout the lifetime. Thyroid cancer in children is a rare disease; however, since 2011, many children in Fukushima, Japan, have been diagnosed with it, and the number has shown a steady increase to over 200 cases at present. Some experts have stated that this phenomenon is due to overdiagnosis caused by thyroid ultrasound (US)-based thyroid screening detecting self-limiting thyroid cancer, which will not lead to clinical symptoms in the future. Harm caused by overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer is more serious in the young, since it is difficult to perform active surveillance and children diagnosed with cancer are likely to suffer from stigma. Thus, overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer in the young is not only a health problem but also a problem of human rights. Conflicts of interest among people related to screening programs and some experts with incomplete knowledge on overdiagnosis help to spread misleading opinions together with fear of radiation exposure among residents, which has led to their erroneous understanding of the nature of US-based thyroid screening. Scientific and honest discussions among experts to enhance education of residents and consideration of medical ethics are crucial to prevent the expansion of overdiagnosis.