bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sodium Hypochlorite Irrigation and Its Effect on Bond Strength to Dentin
Authors: Abuhaimed Tariq S. , Abou Neel Ensanya A.
Published: August 2017

Effective shaping and cleaning of root canals are essential for the success of endodontic treatment. Due to the complex anatomy of root canal spaces, the use of various instrumentation techniques alone is not effective in producing bacteria-free root canal spaces. Irrigation, disinfectants, rinses, and intervisit medications are used in conjunction with the mechanical instrumentation to ensure the success of endodontic treatment. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), a halogenated compound, is routinely used to irrigate the root canal during endodontic treatments. NaOCl has been known for its antibacterial action, proteolytic and dissolution capacity, and debridement properties. NaOCl, however, can alter the composition of dentin and hence its interaction with the adhesive resins used to bond the restorative materials to treated dentin. This review therefore covers in depth the action of NaOCl on dentin-adhesive resin bond strength including both enhancement and reduction, then mechanisms proposed for such action, and finally how the adverse action of NaOCl on dentin can be reversed.
Association of Polymorphisms inToll-Like Receptors 4and9with Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in Korean Pediatric Patients
Authors: Cho Won Kyoung , Jang Jung-Pil , Choi Eun-Jeong , Ahn Moonbae , Kim Shin Hee , Cho Kyoung Soon , Park So Hyun , Baek In Cheol , Jung Min Ho , Kim Tai-Gyu , Suh Byung-Kyu
Published: August 2017

Background.Toll-like receptors(TLRs) have been suggested to be associated with the development of AITD.Methods. Fifteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 7TLRgenes were analyzed in 104 Korean children (girls = 86, boys = 18) with AITD (Hashimoto disease (HD) = 44, Graves’ disease (GD) = 60, thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) = 29, and non-TAO = 31) with 183 controls.Results.GD showed higher frequencies of theTLR4 rs1927911C allele than control. TAO showed a lower frequency of theTLR4 rs1927911CT genotype and non-TAO showed a higher frequency of theTLR4 rs1927911CC genotype than control. The frequency of theTLR9 rs187084CC genotype in TAO was higher than that in non-TAO. GD females showed a higher frequency of theTLR4rs10759932T allele,rs1927911CC genotype, and thers1927911C allele than controls. GD males showed a higher frequency of theTLR4 rs10759932CC genotype andrs1927911TT genotype and lower frequency of thers1927911CT genotype than control. The frequency of theTLR4 rs10759932CC genotype, C allele andrs1927911TT genotype, and T allele in a GD female were lower than in a GD male.Conclusions.Our results suggest thatTLR4and9polymorphisms might contribute to the pathogenesis of GD and TAO.
The Fault Diagnosis of Rolling Bearing Based on Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition and Random Forest
Authors: Qin Xiwen , Li Qiaoling , Dong Xiaogang , Lv Siqi
Published: August 2017

Accurate diagnosis of rolling bearing fault on the normal operation of machinery and equipment has a very important significance. A method combining Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) and Random Forest (RF) is proposed. Firstly, the original signal is decomposed into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) by EEMD, and the effective IMFs are selected. Then their energy entropy is calculated as the feature. Finally, the classification is performed by RF. In addition, the wavelet method is also used in the proposed process, the same as EEMD. The results of the comparison show that the EEMD method is more accurate than the wavelet method.
Potential Therapeutic Mechanisms and Tracking of Transplanted Stem Cells: Implications for Stroke Treatment
Authors: Zhang Yanhong , Yao Honghong
Published: August 2017

Stem cell therapy is a promising potential therapeutic strategy to treat cerebral ischemia in preclinical and clinical trials. Currently proposed treatments for stroke employing stem cells include the replacement of lost neurons and integration into the existing host circuitry, the release of growth factors to support and promote endogenous repair processes, and the secretion of extracellular vesicles containing proteins, noncoding RNA, or DNA to regulate gene expression in recipient cells and achieve immunomodulation. Progress has been made to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying stem cell therapy and the homing, migration, distribution, and differentiation of transplanted stem cells in vivo using various imaging modalities. Noninvasive and safe tracer agents with high sensitivity and image resolution must be combined with long-term monitoring using imaging technology to determine the optimal therapy for stroke in terms of administration route, dosage, and timing. This review discusses potential therapeutic mechanisms of stem cell transplantation for the treatment of stroke and the limitations of current therapies. Methods to label transplanted cells and existing imaging systems for stem cell labeling and in vivo tracking will also be discussed.
Internal Impingement of the Shoulder: A Risk of False Positive Test Outcomes in External Impingement Tests?
Authors: Leschinger Tim , Wallraff Christopher , Müller Dirk , Hackenbroch Matthias , Bovenschulte Henning , Siewe Jan
Published: August 2017

Background. External impingement tests are considered as being particularly reliable for identifying subacromial and coracoid shoulder impingement mechanisms. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate if these tests are likely to provoke an internal shoulder impingement mechanism which, in cases of a pathologic condition, can lead to a positive test result.Method. In 37 subjects, the mechanical contact between the glenoid rim and the rotator cuff (RC) was measured quantitatively and qualitatively in external impingement test positions using an open MRI system.Results. Mechanical contact of the supraspinatus with the posterosuperior glenoid was present in 30 subjects in the Neer test. In the Hawkins test, the subscapularis was in contact with the anterosuperior glenoid in 33 subjects and the supraspinatus in 18. In the horizontal impingement test, anterosuperior contact of the supraspinatus with the glenoid was identified in 35 subjects.Conclusion. The Neer, Hawkins, and horizontal impingement tests are likely to provoke the mechanism of an internal shoulder impingement. A posterosuperior internal impingement mechanism is being provoked predominately in the Neer test. The Hawkins test narrows the distance between the insertions of the subscapularis and supraspinatus and the anterosuperior labrum, which leads to an anterosuperior impingement mechanism.
Fault Diagnosis for Rotating Machinery Based on Convolutional Neural Network and Empirical Mode Decomposition
Authors: Xie Yuan , Zhang Tao
Published: August 2017

The analysis of vibration signals has been a very important technique for fault diagnosis and health management of rotating machinery. Classic fault diagnosis methods are mainly based on traditional signal features such as mean value, standard derivation, and kurtosis. Signals still contain abundant information which we did not fully take advantage of. In this paper, a new approach is proposed for rotating machinery fault diagnosis with feature extraction algorithm based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and convolutional neural network (CNN) techniques. The fundamental purpose of our newly proposed approach is to extract distinguishing features. Frequency spectrum of the signal obtained through fast Fourier transform process is trained in a designed CNN structure to extract compressed features with spatial information. To solve the nonstationary characteristic, we also apply EMD technique to the original vibration signals. EMD energy entropy is calculated using the first few intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) which contain more energy. With features extracted from both methods combined, classification models are trained for diagnosis. We carried out experiments with vibration data of 52 different categories under different machine conditions to test the validity of the approach, and the results indicate it is more accurate and reliable than previous approaches.
Adaptive Quantization for Multichannel Wiener Filter-Based Speech Enhancement in Wireless Acoustic Sensor Networks
Authors: de la Hucha Arce Fernando , Moonen Marc , Verhelst Marian , Bertrand Alexander
Published: August 2017

Speech enhancement in wireless acoustic sensor networks requires the exchange of audio signals. Since the wireless communication often dominates the nodes’ energy budget, techniques for data exchange reduction are crucial. Adaptive quantization aims to optimize the bit depth of each exchanged signal according to its contribution to the speech enhancement performance. This enables the network to scale its energy and communication bandwidth requirements according to the current operating environment. The impact metric was previously proposed to predict the effect of quantization in linear minimum mean squared error (MMSE) estimation. We provide new insights into greedy adaptive quantization based on this impact metric. We achieve this by expanding the mathematical framework to include a new metric based on the gradient of the MMSE as a function of the quantization noise power. Using these tools, we show how the MMSE gradient naturally leads to a greedy algorithm and how the impact metric is a generalization of the gradient metric and a previously proposed metric. Besides, we validate the impact metric for adaptive quantization both in a simulated and in a real wireless acoustic sensor network deployed in a home environment, showing the energy savings achievable through greedy adaptive quantization.
Torsional Potential Energy Surfaces of Dinitrobenzene Isomers
Authors: Smith Paul M. , Borunda Mario F.
Published: August 2017

The torsional potential energy surfaces of 1,2-dinitrobenzene, 1,3-dinitrobenzene, and 1,4-dinitrobenzene were calculated using the B3LYP functional with 6-31G(d) basis sets. Three-dimensional energy surfaces were created, allowing each of the two C-N bonds to rotate through 64 positions. Dinitrobenzene was chosen for the study because each of the three different isomers has widely varying steric hindrances and bond hybridization, which affect the energy of each conformation of the isomers as the nitro functional groups rotate. The accuracy of the method is determined by comparison with previous theoretical and experimental results. The surfaces provide valuable insight into the mechanics of conjugated molecules. The computation of potential energy surfaces has powerful application in modeling molecular structures, making the determination of the lowest energy conformations of complex molecules far more computationally accessible.
Correlation of Macular Focal Electroretinogram with Ellipsoid Zone Extension in Stargardt Disease
Authors: Abed Edoardo , Placidi Giorgio , Calandriello Luigi , Piccardi Marco , Campagna Francesca , Bertelli Matteo , Minnella Angelo Maria , Savastano Maria Cristina , Falsini Benedetto
Published: August 2017

Stargardt disease (STGD1) is the most common cause of inherited juvenile macular degeneration. This disease is characterized by a progressive accumulation of lipofuscin in the outer retina and subsequent loss of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cone photoreceptor function and structure in STGD1. Macular function was assessed by visual acuity measurement and focal electroretinogram (FERG) recording while spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging was performed to evaluate the integrity of photoreceptors. FERG amplitude was significantly reduced in patients with Stargardt disease (p<0.0001). The amplitude of FERG showed a negative relationship with interruption of ellipsoid zone (EZ) (R2=0.54, p<0.0001) and a positive correlation with average macular thickness (AMT). Conversely, visual acuity was only weakly correlated with central macular thickness (CMT) (R2=0.12, p=0.04). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that FERG amplitude is a reliable indicator of macular cone function while visual acuity reflects the activity of the foveal region. A precise assessment of macular cone function by FERG recording may be useful to monitor the progression of STGD1 and to select the optimal candidates to include in future clinical trials to treat this disease.
Influence of SPK with Enteric Drainage on the Pancreatic Exocrine Function in Diabetic Patients with Uremia
Authors: Pei Guanghui , Lv Wu , Li Xiaohang , Zhang Guoqing , Zhang Jialin
Published: August 2017

Objective. This study aimed to determine the use of fecal elastase in evaluating the effect of simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation with enteric drainage on the pancreatic exocrine function of diabetic patients with uremia.Methods. A total of 19 patients with simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation (SPK) with enteric drainage, 31 diabetic patients with uremia (chronic renal failure (CRF)), 22 diabetic patients with uremia who underwent renal transplantation (RT), and 20 normal individuals (CON) were included in the study. Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency was determined using fecal elastase. Results. The fecal pancreatic elastase level in SPK patients with enteric drainage was 479 μg/g, which was significantly higher than 229 μg/g in CRF patients and 197 μg/g in RT patients. Using 200 μg/g as the established threshold, a reduced fecal pancreatic elastase level was found in 14/31 of CRF patients, 12/22 of RT patients, 1/19 of SPK patients with enteric drainage, and 1/20 of CON patients. The correlation analysis revealed a significant association between fecal elastase and glycosylated hemoglobin.Conclusions. The present study indicated that SPK with enteric drainage improves pancreatic endocrine and exocrine functions. Fecal elastase may be a clinically relevant means to determine the therapeutic effects.
Laparoscopic Repair of Diaphragmatic Rupture: A Case Report with Radiological and Surgical Correlation
Authors: Nguyen Patrick , Davis Bonnie , Tran Daniel D.
Published: August 2017

The leading cause of diaphragmatic rupture is penetrating abdominal trauma, including gunshot- and stab-related wounds; however, diaphragmatic rupture can also result from blunt trauma to the abdomen. The diagnosis can be difficult to make as the physical examination may be unremarkable, and imaging, that is, a conventional chest X-ray and/or CT imaging, may initially fail to reveal the injury. Failure to recognize diaphragmatic rupture can result in a delayed presentation, sometimes years later, with a potential catastrophic outcome. Therefore, prompt and swift diagnosis is critical to avoid this potential harmful scenario. Traditionally, repair is performed through a laparotomy or a thoracotomy incision. Owing to the many advances made in minimally invasive surgery, not only has laparoscopy become the modality of choice to diagnose diaphragmatic rupture due to its high degree of sensitivity and specificity, but it can provide simultaneous therapeutic intervention as well. We report a case of laparoscopic repair of a diaphragmatic rupture in a 22-year-old female who sustained blunt abdominal trauma during a motor vehicle accident.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of Diethyl 1-((4-Methyl-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-4-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dicarboxylate
Authors: Boukhssas S. , Aouine Y. , Faraj H. , Alami A. , El Hallaoui A. , Bekkari H.
Published: August 2017

The compound, diethyl 1-((4-methyl-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-4-yl)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dicarboxylate 2, was synthesized in high yield, through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of 4-(azidomethyl)-4-methyl-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazole and diethyl but-2-ynedioate in the absence of a solvent. The structure of the synthesized compound was established on the basis of NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C), X-ray crystallography, and MS data. The prepared compound was also tested in vitro for its antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). The calculation of MBC/MIC ratio showed that this triazole derivative 2 had a bactericidal effect on the two strains tested.
Graph-Based Semantic Web Service Composition for Healthcare Data Integration
Authors: Arch-int Ngamnij , Arch-int Somjit , Sonsilphong Suphachoke , Wanchai Paweena
Published: August 2017

Within the numerous and heterogeneous web services offered through different sources, automatic web services composition is the most convenient method for building complex business processes that permit invocation of multiple existing atomic services. The current solutions in functional web services composition lack autonomous queries of semantic matches within the parameters of web services, which are necessary in the composition of large-scale related services. In this paper, we propose a graph-based Semantic Web Services composition system consisting of two subsystems: management time and run time. The management-time subsystem is responsible for dependency graph preparation in which a dependency graph of related services is generated automatically according to the proposed semantic matchmaking rules. The run-time subsystem is responsible for discovering the potential web services and nonredundant web services composition of a user’s query using a graph-based searching algorithm. The proposed approach was applied to healthcare data integration in different health organizations and was evaluated according to two aspects: execution time measurement and correctness measurement.
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Genes Mediating Salt Tolerance through Calcineurin/CchA-Independent Signaling inAspergillus nidulans
Authors: Wang Sha , Zhou Hongchang , Wu Jun , Han Jiangyu , Li Shasha , Shao Shengwen
Published: August 2017

Adaptation to changes in the environment is crucial for the viability of all organisms. Although the importance of calcineurin in the stress response has been highlighted in filamentous fungi, little is known about the involvement of ion-responsive genes and pathways in conferring salt tolerance without calcium signaling. In this study, high-throughput RNA-seq was used to investigate salt stress-induced genes in the parent, ΔcnaB, and ΔcnaBΔcchAstrains ofAspergillus nidulans, which differ greatly in salt adaption. In total, 2,884 differentially expressed genes including 1,382 up- and 1,502 downregulated genes were identified. Secondary transporters, which were upregulated to a greater extent in ΔcnaBΔcchAthan in the parent or ΔcnaBstrains, are likely to play important roles in response to salt stress. Furthermore, 36 genes were exclusively upregulated in the ΔcnaBΔcchAunder salt stress. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that genes involved in transport, heat shock protein binding, and cell division processes were exclusively activated in ΔcnaBΔcchA. Overall, our findings reveal that secondary transporters and stress-responsive genes may play crucial roles in salt tolerance to bypass the requirement for the CchA-calcineurin pathway, contributing to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that influence fungal salt stress adaption inAspergillus.
New Subclasses concerning Some Analytic and Univalent Functions
Authors: Darus Maslina , Owa Shigeyoshi
Published: August 2017

Considering a function f(z)=z/1-z2 which is analytic and starlike in the open unit disc U and a function f(z)=z/1-z which is analytic and convex in U, we introduce two new classes Sα⁎(β) and Kα(β) concerning fα(z)=z/1-zα  (α>0). The object of the present paper is to discuss some interesting properties for functions in the classes Sα⁎(β) and Kα(β).
A Novel Genetic Group of Bovine Hepacivirus in Archival Serum Samples from Brazilian Cattle
Authors: Canal Cláudio W. , Weber Matheus N. , Cibulski Samuel P. , Silva Mariana S. , Puhl Daniela E. , Stalder Hanspeter , Peterhans Ernst
Published: August 2017

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) (genus Hepacivirus; family Flaviviridae) is a major human pathogen causing persistent infection and hepatic injury. Recently, emerging HCV-like viruses were described infecting wild animals, such as bats and rodents, and domestic animals, including dogs, horses, and cattle. Using degenerate primers for detecting bovine pestiviruses in a 1996 survey three bovine serum samples showed a low identity with the genus Pestivirus of the Flaviviridae family. A virus could not be isolated in cell culture. The description of bovine hepaciviruses (BovHepV) in 2015 allowed us to retrospectively identify the sequences as BovHepV, with a 88.9% nucleotide identity. In a reconstructed phylogenetic tree, the Brazilian BovHepV samples grouped within the bovine HCV-like cluster in a separated terminal node that was more closely related to the putative bovine Hepacivirus common ancestor than to bovine hepaciviruses detected in Europe and Africa.
Study on Dynamic Response of Downhole Tools under Perforation Impact Load
Authors: Jun Liu , Shide Li , Qingyou Liu , Xian Liu , Xiaoqiang Guo , Yufa He
Published: August 2017

A model of a multibody system is established to investigate the dynamic response of an oil tube-shock absorber-perforating gun system in downhole perforation-test joint operation. In the model, the oil tube and perforating gun are modeled as elastic rods and the shock absorber is modeled as single particle system with damping and a spring. Two force continuity conditions are used to simulate the interactions among the three components. The perforation impact load is determined by an experiment of underwater explosion of perforating bullets. Using the model, the effects of charge quantity of perforating bullet, the number of shock absorbers, and the length of oil tube on the dynamic response of oil tube and packer are investigated. On this basis, a basic principle of the combination design of shock absorber and oil tube is proposed to improve the mechanical state of downhole tools. The study results can provide theoretical support for the design of downhole perforation-test joint operation.
Anticataractogenesis and Antiretinopathy Effects of the Novel Protective Agent Containing the Combined Extract of Mango and Vietnamese Coriander in STZ‐Diabetic Rats
Authors: Wattanathorn Jintanaporn , Thiraphatthanavong Paphaphat , Thukham-mee Wipawee , Muchimapura Supaporn , Wannanond Panakaporn , Tong-un Terdthai
Published: August 2017

The novel protectant against diabetic cataract and diabetic retinopathy is currently required due to the increased prevalence and therapeutic limitation. Based on the advantage of polyphenol on diabetic eye complications, we hypothesized that the combined extract of mango seed Vietnamese coriander (MPO), a polyphenol‐rich substance, should possess anticataractogenesis and antiretinopathy in streptozotocin‐ (STZ‐) diabetic rats. MPO at doses of 2, 10, and 50 mg/kg·BW were orally given to STZ‐diabetic rats for 10 weeks. Lens opacity was evaluated every week throughout a study period whereas the evaluation of cataract severity and histological changes of both rat lens epithelium and retina together with the biochemical assays of oxidative stress status, aldose reductase, p38MAPK, ERK1/2, and VEGF were performed at the end of experiment. Our data showed that MPO improved cataract and retinopathy in STZ‐diabetic rats. The improved oxidative stress status and the decreased p38MAPK, ERK1/2, and VEGF were also observed. Therefore, anticataractogenesis and antiretinopathy of MPO might occur partly via the decreased oxidative stress status and the suppression of aldose reductase, p38MAPK, ERK1/2, and VEGF. This study points out that MPO is the potential candidate protectant against diabetic cataract and diabetic retinopathy. However, the exploration for possible active ingredient (S) still requires further researches.
Dendritic Immunotherapy Improvement for an Optimal Control Murine Model
Authors: Rangel-Reyes J. C. , Chimal-Eguía J. C. , Castillo-Montiel E.
Published: August 2017

Therapeutic protocols in immunotherapy are usually proposed following the intuition and experience of the therapist. In order to deduce such protocols mathematical modeling, optimal control and simulations are used instead of the therapist’s experience. Clinical efficacy of dendritic cell (DC) vaccines to cancer treatment is still unclear, since dendritic cells face several obstacles in the host environment, such as immunosuppression and poor transference to the lymph nodes reducing the vaccine effect. In view of that, we have created a mathematical murine model to measure the effects of dendritic cell injections admitting such obstacles. In addition, the model considers a therapy given by bolus injections of small duration as opposed to a continual dose. Doses timing defines the therapeutic protocols, which in turn are improved to minimize the tumor mass by an optimal control algorithm. We intend to supplement therapist’s experience and intuition in the protocol’s implementation. Experimental results made on mice infected with melanoma with and without therapy agree with the model. It is shown that the dendritic cells’ percentage that manages to reach the lymph nodes has a crucial impact on the therapy outcome. This suggests that efforts in finding better methods to deliver DC vaccines should be pursued.
Total Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Prepubertal Children with Obesity
Authors: Rowicka Grażyna , Dyląg Hanna , Ambroszkiewicz Jadwiga , Riahi Agnieszka , Weker Halina , Chełchowska Magdalena
Published: August 2017

Aims. Obesity is accompanied by the formation of oxygen free radicals, whose intensified activity without effective defense mechanisms can lead to oxidative stress and related complications. We evaluated the presence of oxidative stress in obese prepubertal children. Methods. The study included 83 healthy children aged 2–10 years (62 with obesity and 21 nonobese controls). Total oxidant capacity (TOC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL), lipid parameters, glucose, and C‐reactive protein (CRP) were measured in serum. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Results. Serum TOC concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and TAC concentration was lower (p < 0.05) in obese children. OSI was higher (p < 0.01) in obese subjects compared with controls. CRP levels were normal in all children, but median CRP value was higher (p < 0.01) and HDL cholesterol levels were lower (p < 0.05) in the obese group. We found a significant negative correlation between TAC and ox‐LDL concentrations (r = −0.27, p < 0.05) in obese children. Furthermore, obesity duration was positively correlated with TOC level (r = 0.32, p < 0.05) in this group. Conclusions. Obesity‐related oxidative stress already occurs in prepubescence. Early obesity diagnosis and the necessary therapeutic activity implementation is a vital strategy for the prophylaxis of free radical damage and related multiorgan complications.
Three-Dimensional Organoid System Transplantation Technologies in Future Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases
Authors: Wei NaiLi , Quan ZiFang , Tang Hailiang , Zhu JianHong
Published: August 2017

In recent years, scientists have made great achievements in understanding the development of human brain and elucidating critical elements of stepwise spatiotemporal control strategies in neural stem cell specification lineage, which facilitates successful induction of neural organoid in vitro including the cerebral cortex, cerebellar, neural tube, hippocampus cortex, pituitary, and optic cup. Besides, emerging researches on neural organogenesis promote the application of 3D organoid system transplantation in treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Present review will categorize current researches on organogenesis into three approaches: (a) stepwise, direct organization of region-specific or population-enriched neural organoid; (b) assemble and direct distinct organ-specific progenitor cells or stem cells to form specific morphogenesis organoid; and (c) assemble embryoid bodies for induction of multilayer organoid. However, the majority of these researches focus on elucidating cellular and molecular mechanisms involving in brain organogenesis or disease development and only a few of them conducted for treating diseases. In this work, we will compare three approaches and also analyze their possible indications for diseases in future treatment on the basis of their distinct characteristics.
Plague: A Millenary Infectious Disease Reemerging in the XXI Century
Authors: Grácio A. J. dos Santos , Grácio Maria Amélia A.
Published: August 2017

Plague, in the Middle Ages known as Black Death, continues to occur at permanent foci in many countries, in Africa, Asia, South America, and even the USA. During the last years outbreaks were reported from at least 3 geographical areas, in all cases after tens of years without reported cases. The recent human plague outbreaks in Libya and Algeria suggest that climatic and other environmental changes in Northern Africa may be favourable for Y. pestis epidemiologic cycle. If so, other Northern Africa countries with plague foci also may be at risk for outbreaks in the near future. It is important to remember that the danger of plague reoccurrence is not limited to the known natural foci, for example, those of Algeria, Angola, and Madagascar. In a general context, it is important that governments know the dangerous impact that this disease may have and that the health and medical community be familiar with the epidemiology, symptoms, treatment, and control of plague, so an appropriated and timely response can be delivered should the worst case happen. Plague can be used as a potential agent of bioterrorism. We have concluded that plague is without a doubt a reemerging infectious disease.
Resonance Raman Scattering in TlGaSe2 Crystals
Authors: Syrbu N. N. , Tiron A. V. , Zalamai V. V. , Bejan N. P.
Published: August 2017

The resonance Raman scattering for geometries Y(YX)Z and Y(ZX)Z at temperature 10 K and infrared reflection spectra in E∥a and E∥b polarizations at 300 K were investigated. The number of Aa (Ba) and Au (Bu) symmetry vibrational modes observed experimentally and calculated theoretically agree better in this case than when TlGa2Se4 crystals belong to D2h symmetry group. The emission of resonance Raman scattering and excitonic levels luminescence spectra overlap. The lines in resonance Raman spectra were identified as a combination of optical phonons in Brillouin zone center.
Role of Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Sepsis and Potential Therapies
Authors: Mantzarlis Konstantinos , Tsolaki Vasiliki , Zakynthinos Epaminondas
Published: August 2017

Sepsis is one of the most important causes of death in intensive care units. Despite the fact that sepsis pathogenesis remains obscure, there is increasing evidence that oxidants and antioxidants play a key role. The imbalance of the abovementioned substances in favor of oxidants is called oxidative stress, and it contributes to sepsis process. The most important consequences are vascular permeability impairment, decreased cardiac performance, and mitochondrial malfunction leading to impaired respiration. Nitric oxide is perhaps the most important and well‐studied oxidant. Selenium, vitamin C, and 3N‐acetylcysteine among others are potential therapies for the restoration of redox balance in sepsis. Results from recent studies are promising, but there is a need for more human studies in a clinical setting for safety and efficiency evaluation.
A Successfully Treated Case of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Causing Severe Anemia and Localized Peritonitis Showing Angina Pectoris Resulting in Watershed Cerebral Infarction
Authors: Sehara Yoshihide , Hayashi Yuka , Ohya Kenichi , Kaneko Naoki , Sawada Mikio
Published: August 2017

Ischemic stroke following acute myocardial infarction is a rare but a serious complication. Because the pathophysiology of stroke is dynamic, it is often hard to identify the cause of stroke. Here, we present the case of a 75-year-old man with ischemic stroke following angina pectoris caused by severe anemia and localized peritonitis due to gastrointestinal stromal tumor of small intestine. On admission, he showed consciousness disturbance, fever, and left hemiplegia. The electrocardiogram on admission showed ST-segment depression in V2 to V6 which was normalized 4 hours later. The ultrasound cardiogram showed the mild hypokinesis in the apical portion of left ventricle which was also normalized later. The magnetic resonance imaging and angiography showed ischemic stroke in watershed area between right anterior and middle cerebral arteries area and stenosis of distal portion of right middle cerebral artery. The computed tomography of abdomen showed a mass of small intestine. We decided to perform curative surgery after transfusion and successfully resected the mass of the small intestine, which was revealed to be a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). This is a successfully treated case of GIST in which the complicated pathophysiology of watershed cerebral infarction following angina pectoris might be clearly revealed.
Assessment of Nutritional Status, Digestion and Absorption, and Quality of Life in Patients with Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Witvliet-van Nierop J. E. , Lochtenberg-Potjes C. M. , Wierdsma N. J. , Scheffer H. J. , Kazemier G. , Ottens-Oussoren K. , Meijerink M. R. , de van der Schueren M. A. E.
Published: August 2017

Background and Aim.To provide a comprehensive quantitative assessment of nutritional status, digestion and absorption, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).Methods.Sixteen patients with LAPC were prospectively assessed for weight loss (WL), body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), handgrip strength (HGS), dietary macronutrient intake, serum vitamin levels, resting and total energy expenditure (REE and TEE, indirect calorimetry), intestinal absorption capacity and fecal losses (bomb calorimetry), exocrine pancreatic function (fecal elastase-1 (FE1)), and gastrointestinal quality of life (GIQLI).Results.Two patients had a low BMI, 10 patients had WL > 10%/6 months, 8 patients had a FFMI < P10, and 8 patients had a HGS < P10. Measured REE was 33% higher (P=0.002) than predicted REE. TEE was significantly higher than daily energy intake (P=0.047). Malabsorption (<85%) of energy, fat, protein, and carbohydrates was observed in, respectively, 9, 8, 12, and 10 patients. FE1 levels were low (<200 μg/g) in 13 patients. Total QoL scored 71% (ample satisfactory).Conclusion.Patients with LAPC have a severely impaired nutritional status, most likely as a result of an increased REE and malabsorption due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The trial is registered with PANFIRE clinicaltrials.govNCT01939665.
The Use of Partial Least Square Regression and Spectral Data in UV-Visible Region for Quantification of Adulteration in Indonesian Palm Civet Coffee
Authors: Suhandy Diding , Yulia Meinilwita
Published: August 2017

Asian palm civet coffee or kopi luwak (Indonesian words for coffee and palm civet) is well known as the world’s priciest and rarest coffee. To protect the authenticity of luwak coffee and protect consumer from luwak coffee adulteration, it is very important to develop a robust and simple method for determining the adulteration of luwak coffee. In this research, the use of UV-Visible spectra combined with PLSR was evaluated to establish rapid and simple methods for quantification of adulteration in luwak-arabica coffee blend. Several preprocessing methods were tested and the results show that most of the preprocessing spectra were effective in improving the quality of calibration models with the best PLS calibration model selected for Savitzky-Golay smoothing spectra which had the lowest RMSECV (0.039) and highest RPDcal value (4.64). Using this PLS model, a prediction for quantification of luwak content was calculated and resulted in satisfactory prediction performance with high both RPDp and RER values.
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis with Myocarditis and Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Hanna Ramy Magdy , Lopez Eduardo , Wilson James
Published: August 2017

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), previously known as Wegener’s granulomatosis, is a pulmonary-renal syndrome affecting small and medium sized blood vessels. The disease has a prevalence in studies ranging from 3 to 15.7 cases per 100,000, with a noted increasing incidence and prevalence in more recent studies. Pulmonary manifestations include hemorrhage, lung cavitary lesions, and pulmonary fibrosis. Within the kidney, GPA is known to cause rapidly progressive pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis. Rare and severe cardiovascular manifestations include pericarditis, arrhythmias, myocarditis, and aortic valve disease. Our patient is a 43-year-old female with typical pulmonary and renal lesions from GPA and also acute myocarditis, multiple episodes of ventricular tachycardia, and a severe reactive thrombocytosis.
Adaptive Exponential Synchronization for Stochastic Competitive Neural Networks with Time‐Varying Leakage Delays and Reaction‐Diffusion Terms
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Wang Lili , Xu Rui
Published: August 2017

We study the exponential synchronization problem for a class of stochastic competitive neural networks with different timescales, as well as spatial diffusion, time‐varying leakage delays, and discrete and distributed time‐varying delays. By introducing several important inequalities and using Lyapunov functional technique, an adaptive feedback controller is designed to realize the exponential synchronization for the proposed competitive neural networks in terms of p‐norm. According to the theoretical results obtained in this paper, the influences of the timescale, external stimulus constants, disposable scaling constants, and controller parameters on synchronization are analyzed. Numerical simulations are presented to show the feasibility of the theoretical results.
Experimental Characterization of Damped CFRP Materials with an Application to a Lightweight Car Door
Authors: Fasana Alessandro , Ferraris Alessandro , Airale Andrea Giancarlo , Berti Polato Davide , Carello Massimiliana
Published: August 2017

This paper presents a complete design procedure for defining a dynamic model of a Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) component with an embedded damping material layer. The experiment to determine the mechanical characteristics of the materials is performed by the Oberst beam technique to provide precise material properties for a Finite Element (FE) model. The technique implemented, namely, the Linear Identification by Polynomial Expansion in the Z-domain (LIPEZ) method, is used to compare the experimental data with the numerical simulation results provided by the modal parameters to be compared with the numerical results. Two automotive components (a leaf spring and an outer shell of front door) have been tested. The research revealed the utter importance of a correct definition of the geometry for the numerical models. Finally, the positive effects for acoustic performance with a thin layer of KRAIBON® SUT9609/24 damping material, included in the stacking sequence of the CFRP component, are highlighted.
Hypermetabolic Thyroid Incidentaloma on Positron Emission Tomography: Review of Laboratory, Radiologic, and Pathologic Characteristics
Authors: Bakhshayesh Karam Mehrdad , Doroudinia Abtin , Joukar Farzaneh , Nadi Kobra , Dorudinia Atosa , Mehrian Payam , Yousefikoma Abbas
Published: August 2017

Introduction. Incidental hypermetabolic thyroid lesions on Positron Emission Tomography have significant clinical value and may harbor malignancy. In this study we evaluated laboratory, radiologic, and pathologic characteristics of incidental hypermetabolic thyroid lesions. Materials and Methods. We evaluated 18 patients prospectively with various malignancies and hypermetabolic thyroid incidentaloma. The thyroid function tests, ultrasound assessment, and guided FNA biopsy were performed on all cases. Results. We included 9 male and 9 female patients with mean age of 51 years. Most common malignancy was colon cancer. Metabolic activity quantification using maximum standard uptake value demonstrated range between 1.4 and 65.4 with mean value of 9.4. We found highest metabolic activity in patients with lung adenocarcinoma, B-cell lymphoma, and colon adenocarcinoma. On ultrasound exam most thyroid lesions were of solid, hypoechoic, noncalcified nature with either normal or peripheral increased vascularity. FNA biopsy report was benign in 15 cases and malignant or highly suggestive for malignancy in 3 other cases. Two of the three malignant cases demonstrated metabolic activity higher than average SUV max. Conclusion. Most thyroid hypermetabolic incidentalomas are benign lesions, while higher values of SUV max are in favor of malignancy. This mandates further evaluation of incidentally found thyroid hypermetabolic lesions on routine PET/CT scans.
Tacrolimus Aggravated Tube Feeding Syndrome with Acute Renal Failure in a Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipient
Authors: Kula R. , Melter M. , Kunkel J. , Dörfler C. , Alikadic S. , Knoppke B. , Zant R.
Published: August 2017

Acute renal failure can be caused by calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), due to arteriolopathy and altered tubular function. Within this context, we present the case of a 14-month-old liver transplant recipient who suffered an acute polyuric renal failure during a short episode of hypercaloric feeding. In our case, CNI-induced distal RTA led to nephrocalcinosis and therefore to secondary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. The diet with high renal solute load consequently resulted in an acute polyuric renal failure with severe hypernatremic dehydration. In conclusion, a hypercaloric diet in children with potentially impaired renal function due to therapy with CNIs requires precise calculation of the potential renal solute load and the associated fluid requirements.
Frequency and Predictors of Self-Reported Hypoglycemia in Insulin-Treated Diabetes
Authors: Malkani Samir , Kotwal Anupam
Published: August 2017

Aims. Hypoglycemia is a limiting factor for achieving stringent glycemic control in diabetes. This study analyzes the frequency and predictors of hypoglycemia in insulin-treated diabetes in an ambulatory setting. Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed to study self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) data for 3 months prior to a patient’s HbA1c test. Results. Hypoglycemia occurred more frequently in type 1 than in type 2 diabetes; however, 19% of type 2 diabetes patients did experience at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia. For type 1 diabetes, hypoglycemia had a positive association with glycemic variability and duration of diabetes and a negative association with HbA1c and lowest blood glucose (BG). For type 2 diabetes, a positive association was noted with glycemic variability and a negative association with age and lowest BG. Conclusions. Delineating factors predisposing to hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes is difficult. Lower HbA1c is a potential predictor of hypoglycemia in type 1 but not in type 2 diabetes. Longer duration of diabetes for type 1 and younger age for type 2 are associated with more hypoglycemia. Glycemic variability portends increased risk for hypoglycemia and should be a focus of further research.
Analysis on Human Blockage Path Loss and Shadow Fading in Millimeter-Wave Band
Authors: Zhao Hongmei , Wang Qian , Shi Kunfeng
Published: August 2017

Millimeter-wave (Mm-w) is the trend of communication development in the future; users who carry mobile communication equipment could be blocked by others in a crowded population environment. Based on Shooting and Bouncing Ray (SBR) method and setting up different orientation receivers (RX), population density, and people fabric property at 28 GHz and 38 GHz, simulating experimental scene similar to station square by Wireless Insite software, we use least square method to do linear-regression analysis for path loss and build path loss model. The result shows that the path loss index has a certain change in the different frequency, orientation receivers, population density, and people fabric. The path loss index of RouteC1 and RouteA2 has an obvious change in the central transmitter (TX). Each route shadow fading obeys Gaussian distribution whose mean is 0. This paper’s result has a theoretical guiding for designing the communication system in a crowded population environment.
On Concrete Spectral Properties of a Twisted Laplacian Associated with a Central Extension of the Real Heisenberg Group
Authors: El Fardi Aymane , Ghanmi Allal , Intissar Ahmed
Published: August 2017

We consider the special magnetic Laplacian given byΔν,μ=4∑j=1n∂2/∂zj∂zj¯+2iνE+E¯+n+2μE-E¯-ν2+μ2z2. We show thatΔν,μis connected to the sub-Laplacian of a group of Heisenberg type given byC ×ω Cnrealized as a central extension of the real Heisenberg groupH2n+1. We also discuss invariance properties ofΔν,μand give some of their explicit spectral properties.
Vibration Analysis for Monitoring of Ancient Tie-Rods
Authors: Collini L. , Garziera R. , Riabova K.
Published: August 2017

This paper presents an application of vibration analysis to the monitoring of tie-rods. An algorithm for the axial load estimation based on experimentally measured natural frequencies is introduced and its application to a case study is reported. The proposed model of a tie-rod incorporates elastic bed-type boundary conditions that represent the contact between stonework and the tie-rod. The weighed differences between experimentally and numerically determined frequencies are minimized with respect to the parameters of the model, the main being the axial load and the stiffness at the tie-rod/wall interface. Thus, the multidimensional optimization problem is solved. Results are analysed in comparison to a model with simple fixed-end boundary conditions. In addition, the analytical formulation of the problem is delivered.
Magnetic Cobalt and Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles in Hyperbranched Polyester Polyol Matrix
Authors: Medvedeva O. I. , Kambulova S. S. , Bondar O. V. , Gataulina A. R. , Ulakhovich N. A. , Gerasimov A. V. , Evtugyn V. G. , Gilmutdinov I. F. , Kutyreva M. P.
Published: August 2017

A series of cobalt (Co) and its oxides based nanoparticles were synthesized by using hyperbranched polyester polyol Boltorn H20 as a platform and sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. UV, FT-IR, XRD, NTA, and TEM methods were employed to obtain physicochemical characteristics of the products. The average diameter of Co nanoparticles was approximately8.2±3.4 nm. Their magnetic properties, including hysteresis loop, field-cooled, and zero field-cooled curves were investigated. The nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetism at room temperature, accompanied by magnetic hysteresis below the blocking temperature.
Two-Tier VoI Prioritization System on Requirement-Based Data Streaming toward IoT
Authors: Choochotkaew Sunyanan , Yamaguchi Hirozumi , Higashino Teruo
Published: August 2017

Toward the world of Internet of Things, people utilize knowledge from sensor streams in various kinds of smart applications. The number of sensing devices is rapidly increasing along with the amount of sensing data. Consequently, a bottleneck problem at the local gateway has attracted high concern. An example scenario is smart elderly houses in rural areas where each house installs thousands of sensors and all connect to resource-limited and unstable 2G/3G networks. The bottleneck state can incur unacceptable latency and loss of significant data due to the limited waiting-queue. Orthogonally to the existing solutions, we propose a two-tier prioritization system to enhance information quality, indicated by VoI, at the local gateway. The proposed system has been designed to support several requirements with several conflicting criteria over shared sensing streams. Our approach adopts Multicriteria Decision Analysis technique to merge requirements and to assess the VoI. We introduce the framework that can reduce the computational cost by precalculation. Through a case study of building management systems, we have shown that our merge algorithm can provide 0.995 cosine-similarity for representing all user requirements and the evaluation approach can obtain satisfaction values around 3 times higher than the naïve strategies for the top-list data.