bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Challenges of Nursing Students in the Clinical Learning Environment: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Jamshidi Nahid , Molazem Zahra , Sharif Farkhondeh , Torabizadeh Camellia , Najafi Kalyani Majid
Published: June 2016

Background/Aim. Clinical learning is a main part of nursing education. Students’ exposure to clinical learning environment is one of the most important factors affecting the teaching-learning process in clinical settings. Identifying challenges of nursing students in the clinical learning environment could improve training and enhance the quality of its planning and promotion of the students. We aimed to explore Iranian nursing students’ challenges in the clinical learning environment.Materials and Methods. This is a qualitative study using the content analysis approach. The participants consisted of seventeen nursing students and three nursing instructors. The participants were selected through purposive sampling method and attended semistructured interviews and focus groups.Results. Three themes emerged after data analysis, including ineffective communications, inadequate readiness, and emotional reactions.Conclusion. Nursing students in Iran are faced with many challenges in the clinical learning environment. All challenges identified in this study affected the students’ learning in clinical setting. Therefore, we recommend that the instructors prepare students with a specific focus on their communication and psychological needs.
Effect of Microwave Radiation on the Synthesis of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and the Subsequent Photovoltaic Performance of CdS/P3HT Solar Cells
Authors: García-Escobar C. H. , Nicho M. E. , Hu Hailin , Alvarado-Tenorio G. , Altuzar-Coello P. , Cadenas-Pliego G. , Hernández-Martínez D.
Published: June 2016

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is a semiconductor polymer that has been proved to be a good electron donor in organic or hybrid solar cells. In this work, a detailed study of P3HT synthesis in CH2Cl2solvent by oxidative method with and without MW assistance has been conducted. Effects of synthesis process parameters on the physical properties of P3HT products and their application in hybrid CdS/P3HT photovoltaic devices were studied. It is observed that the use of MW as well as the reaction time affected the reaction yield and properties of the polymer products. It was found that, by the traditional method (without MW), the maximum yield and the properties of the polymer products were similar after 2 h or 24 h of synthesis. The optimal reaction time with MW for P3HT polymerization in CH2Cl2solvent was 1 h, and the obtained P3HT product showed similar or better properties than those P3HT polymers synthesized by the traditional method in the same solvent. The effect of using MW during the synthesis was to increase yield and crystal size of P3HT. Larger energy conversion efficiency of ITO/CdS/P3HT/CP-Au devices was obtained when the P3HT product had higher molecular weight and head/tail-head/tail (HT-HT) triad contents.
A Case of Glucocorticoid Remediable Aldosteronism and Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms
Authors: Shahrrava Anahita , Moinuddin Sunnan , Boddu Prajwal , Shah Rohan
Published: June 2016

Glucocorticoid remediable aldosteronism (GRA) is rare familial form of primary aldosteronism characterized by a normalization of hypertension with the administration of glucocorticoids. We present a case of GRA and thoracoabdominal aneurysm complicated by multiple aortic dissections requiring complex surgical and endovascular repairs. Registry studies have shown a high rate of intracranial aneurysms in GRA patients with high case fatality rates. The association of thoracoabdominal aneurysms with GRA has not been described, thus far, in literature. Studies have shown that high tissue aldosterone levels concomitant with salt intake have a significant role in the pathogenesis of aneurysms and this may explain the formation of aneurysms in the intracranial vasculature and aorta. The association of GRA with thoracic aortic aneurysms needs to be further studied to develop screening recommendations for early identification and optimal treatment. Also, the early use of mineralocorticoid antagonists may have a significant preventive and attenuating effect in aneurysm formation, an association which needs to be confirmed in future studies.
Syntaxin 5 Overexpression andβ-Amyloid 1–42 Accumulation in Endoplasmic Reticulum of Hippocampal Cells in Rat Brain Induced by Ozone Exposure
Authors: Hernández-Zimbrón Luis Fernando , Rivas-Arancibia Selva
Published: June 2016

Oxidative stress is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and it is currently accepted that oxidative damage precedes the overproduction of A42 peptide. We have reported that ozone causes oxidative stress inducing neurodegeneration in the brain of rats. It is associated with A42 overproduction and intracellular accumulation in hippocampus. Organelles like mitochondria, intracellular membranes, and endoplasmic reticulum have been identified as sites of A42 production and accumulation affecting cellular metabolism. However whether ozone exposure induces overproduction and/or accumulation of A42 in endoplasmic reticulum has not been studied. We evaluated this effect in the endoplasmic reticulum of hippocampal cells of rats exposed chronically to low doses of ozone (0.25 ppm) at 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. The effect of the presence of A42 in endoplasmic reticulum was analyzed evaluating the expression of the chaperone Syntaxin 5. Our results show an accumulation of A42 peptide in this organelle. It was observed by immunofluorescence and by WB in endoplasmic fractions from hippocampal cells of rats at 60 and 90 days of treatment. Significant overexpression of the chaperone Syntaxin 5 at 60 and 90 days of treatment was observed (P⁎<0.05). These results indicate that the exposure to environmental pollutants could be involved as a risk factor for neurodegenerative processes.
The Control Packet Collision Avoidance Algorithm for the Underwater Multichannel MAC Protocols via Time-Frequency Masking
Authors: Yu Yang , Shi Jie , He Ke , Han Peng
Published: June 2016

Establishing high-speed and reliable underwater acoustic networks among multiunmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) is basic to realize cooperative and intelligent control among different UUVs. Nevertheless, different from terrestrial network, the propagation speed of the underwater acoustic network is 1500 m/s, which makes the design of the underwater acoustic network MAC protocols a big challenge. In accordance with multichannel MAC protocols, data packets and control packets are transferred through different channels, which lowers the adverse effect of acoustic network and gradually becomes the popular issues of underwater acoustic networks MAC protocol research. In this paper, we proposed a control packet collision avoidance algorithm utilizing time-frequency masking to deal with the control packets collision in the control channel. This algorithm is based on the scarcity of the noncoherent underwater acoustic communication signals, which regards collision avoiding as separation of the mixtures of communication signals from different nodes. We first measure the W-Disjoint Orthogonality of the MFSK signals and the simulation result demonstrates that there exists time-frequency mask which can separate the source signals from the mixture of the communication signals. Then we present a pairwise hydrophones separation system based on deep networks and the location information of the nodes. Consequently, the time-frequency mask can be estimated.
Thrombocytopenia and Postpartum Hemorrhage in a Woman with Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Authors: Pachtman Sarah L. , Deng Kathy , Nanda Deepak
Published: June 2016

Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, also known as DiGeorge or velocardiofacial syndrome, is associated with a wide spectrum of phenotypic features. It is known to be associated with severe macrothrombocytopenia. Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality globally. Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is rare cause of thrombocytopenia that can be a significant risk factor for life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage. We report a case of postpartum hemorrhage in a woman with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome causing severe macrothrombocytopenia.
Involvement of Hormone- and ROS-Signaling Pathways in the Beneficial Action of Humic Substances on Plants Growing under Normal and Stressing Conditions
Authors: García Andrés Calderín , Olaetxea Maite , Santos Leandro Azevedo , Mora Verónica , Baigorri Roberto , Fuentes Marta , Zamarreño Angel Maria , Berbara Ricardo Luis Louro , Garcia-Mina José María
Published: June 2016

The importance of soil humus in soil fertility has been well established many years ago. However, the knowledge about the whole mechanisms by which humic molecules in the rhizosphere improve plant growth remains partial and rather fragmentary. In this review we discuss the relationships between two main signaling pathway families that are affected by humic substances within the plant: one directly related to hormonal action and the other related to reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this sense, our aims are to try the integration of all these events in a more comprehensive model and underline some points in the model that remain unclear and deserve further research.
Serotonin- and Dopamine-Related Gene Expression indb/dbMice Islets and in MIN6β-Cells Treated with Palmitate and Oleate
Authors: Cataldo L. R. , Mizgier M. L. , Busso D. , Olmos P. , Galgani J. E. , Valenzuela R. , Mezzano D. , Aranda E. , Cortés V. A. , Santos J. L.
Published: June 2016

High circulating nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) concentration, often reported in diabetes, leads to impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) through not yet well-defined mechanisms. Serotonin and dopamine might contribute to NEFA-dependentβ-cell dysfunction, since extracellular signal of these monoamines decreases GSIS. Moreover, palmitate-treatedβ-cells may enhance the expression of the serotonin receptor Htr2c, affecting insulin secretion. Additionally, the expression of monoamine-oxidase type B (Maob) seems to be lower in islets from humans and mice with diabetes compared to nondiabetic islets, which may lead to increased monoamine concentrations. We assessed the expression of serotonin- and dopamine-related genes in islets fromdb/dband wild-type (WT) mice. In addition, the effect of palmitate and oleate on the expression of such genes, 5HT content, and GSIS in MIN6β-cell was determined. Lower Maob expression was found in islets fromdb/dbversus WT mice and in MIN6β-cells in response to palmitate and oleate treatment compared to vehicle. Reduced 5HT content and impaired GSIS in response to palmitate (−25%;p<0.0001) and oleate (−43%;p<0.0001) were detected in MIN6β-cells. In conclusion, known defects of GSIS in islets fromdb/dbmice and MIN6β-cells treated with NEFAs are accompanied by reduced Maob expression and reduced 5HT content.
Stability Analysis of a Helicopter with an External Slung Load System
Authors: Thanapalan Kary
Published: June 2016

This paper describes the stability analysis of a helicopter with an underslung external load system. The Lyapunov second method is considered for the stability analysis. The system is considered as a cascade connection of uncertain nonlinear system. The stability analysis is conducted to ensure the stabilisation of the helicopter system and the positioning of the underslung load at hover condition. Stability analysis and numerical results proved that if desired condition for the stability is met, then it is possible to locate the load at the specified position or its neighbourhood.
Research on Linux Trusted Boot Method Based on Reverse Integrity Verification
Authors: Huang Chenlin , Hou Chuanwang , Dai Huadong , Ding Yan , Fu Songling , Ji Mengluo
Published: June 2016

Trusted computing aims to build a trusted computing environment for information systems with the help of secure hardware TPM, which has been proved to be an effective way against network security threats. However, the TPM chips are not yet widely deployed in most computing devices so far, thus limiting the applied scope of trusted computing technology. To solve the problem of lacking trusted hardware in existing computing platform, an alternative security hardware USBKey is introduced in this paper to simulate the basic functions of TPM and a new reverse USBKey-based integrity verification model is proposed to implement the reverse integrity verification of the operating system boot process, which can achieve the effect of trusted boot of the operating system in end systems without TPMs. A Linux operating system booting method based on reverse integrity verification is designed and implemented in this paper, with which the integrity of data and executable files in the operating system are verified and protected during the trusted boot process phase by phase. It implements the trusted boot of operation system without TPM and supports remote attestation of the platform. Enhanced by our method, the flexibility of the trusted computing technology is greatly improved and it is possible for trusted computing to be applied in large-scale computing environment.
The Palliative Management of Refractory Cirrhotic Ascites Using the PleurX©Catheter
Authors: Reinglas Jason , Amjadi Kayvan , Petrcich Bill , Momoli Franco , Shaw-Stiffel Thomas
Published: June 2016

Background. Treatment options are limited for patients with refractory cirrhotic ascites (RCA). As such, we assessed the safety and effectiveness of the PleurX catheter for RCA.Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients with RCA who have undergone insertion of the PleurX catheter between 2007 and 2014 at our clinic.Results. Thirty-three patients with RCA were included in the study; 4 patients were lost to follow-up. All patients were still symptomatic despite bimonthly large volume paracentesis and were not candidates for TIPS or PV shunt. Technical success was achieved in 100% of patients. The median duration the catheter remained in situ was 117.5 days, with 95% CI of 48–182 days. Drain patency was maintained in 90% of patients. Microorganisms consistent with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) from a catheter source were isolated in 38% of patients. The median time to infection was 105 days, with 95% CI of 34–233 days. All patients were treated for SBP successfully with antibiotics.Conclusion. Use of the PleurX catheter for the management of RCA carries a high risk for infection when the catheter remains in situ for more than 3 months but has an excellent patency rate and did not result in significant renal injury.
A Novel Edge-Map Creation Approach for Highly Accurate Pupil Localization in Unconstrained Infrared Iris Images
Authors: Kumar Vineet , Asati Abhijit , Gupta Anu
Published: June 2016

Iris segmentation in the iris recognition systems is a challenging task under noncooperative environments. The iris segmentation is a process of detecting the pupil, iris’s outer boundary, and eyelids in the iris image. In this paper, we propose a pupil localization method for locating the pupils in the non-close-up and frontal-view iris images that are captured under near-infrared (NIR) illuminations and contain the noise, such as specular and lighting reflection spots, eyeglasses, nonuniform illumination, low contrast, and occlusions by the eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrow hair. In the proposed method, first, a novel edge-map is created from the iris image, which is based on combining the conventional thresholding and edge detection based segmentation techniques, and then, the general circular Hough transform (CHT) is used to find the pupil circle parameters in the edge-map. Our main contribution in this research is a novel edge-map creation technique, which reduces the false edges drastically in the edge-map of the iris image and makes the pupil localization in the noisy NIR images more accurate, fast, robust, and simple. The proposed method was tested with three iris databases: CASIA-Iris-Thousand (version 4.0), CASIA-Iris-Lamp (version 3.0), and MMU (version 2.0). The average accuracy of the proposed method is 99.72% and average time cost per image is 0.727 sec.
Existence of the Solution for System of Coupled Hybrid Differential Equations with Fractional Order and Nonlocal Conditions
Authors: Hilal Khalid , Kajouni Ahmed
Published: June 2016

This paper is motivated by some papers treating the fractional hybrid differential equations with nonlocal conditions and the system of coupled hybrid fractional differential equations; an existence theorem for fractional hybrid differential equations involving Caputo differential operators of order1<α≤2is proved under mixed Lipschitz and Carathéodory conditions. The existence and uniqueness result is elaborated for the system of coupled hybrid fractional differential equations.
Simulations of Steady Cavitating Flow in a Small Francis Turbine
Authors: Laouari Ahmed , Ghenaiet Adel
Published: June 2016

The turbulent flow through a small horizontal Francis turbine is solved by means of Ansys-CFX at different operating points, with the determination of the hydrodynamic performance and the best efficiency point. The flow structures at different regimes reveal a large flow eddy in the runner and a swirl in the draft tube. The use of the mixture model for the cavity/liquid two-phase flow allowed studying the influence of cavitation on the hydrodynamic performance and revealed cavitation pockets near the trailing edge of the runner and a cavitation vortex rope in the draft tube. By maintaining a constant dimensionless head and a distributor vane opening while gradually increasing the cavitation number, the output power and efficiency reached a critical point and then had begun to stabilize. The cavitation number corresponding to the safety margin of cavitation is also predicted for this hydraulic turbine.
Quantum Difference Langevin System with Nonlocalq-Derivative Conditions
Authors: Sitho Surang , Laoprasittichok Sorasak , Ntouyas Sotiris K. , Tariboon Jessada
Published: June 2016

We introduce a new class of boundary value problems for Langevin quantum difference systems. Some new existence and uniqueness results for coupled systems are obtained by using fixed point theorems. The existence and uniqueness of solutions are established by Banach’s contraction mapping principle, while the existence of solutions is derived by using Leray-Schauder’s alternative. The obtained results are well illustrated with the aid of examples.
Occult Cranial Cervical Dislocation: A Case Report and Brief Literature Review
Authors: Shatsky Joshua B. , Alton Timothy B. , Bellabarba Carlo , Bransford Richard J.
Published: June 2016

Study Design. Retrospective case report and review.Objective. Cranial cervical dislocation (CCD) is commonly a devastating injury. Delay in diagnosis has been found to lead to worse outcomes. Our purpose is to describe a rare case of occult cranial cervical dislocation (CCD) and use it to highlight key clinical and radiographic findings to ensure expedited diagnosis and proper management avoiding delays and subsequent neurologic deterioration.Method. Case report with literature review.Results. We describe a unique case of occult cranial cervical dislocation where initial imaging of the cervical spine failed to illustrate displacement of the occipital-cervical (O-C1) articulation or C1-C2 articulation. Careful evaluation of subtle radiographic clues suggested a more severe injury than initial review. Additional imaging was obtained due to these subtle clues confirming true cranial cervical dislocation allowing subsequent treatment with no neurologic sequelae.Conclusion. A high index of suspicion of CCD may prevent injury in select patients who present without gross cord compromise. Careful consideration of associated fractures, soft tissue injuries, and mechanism of injury are essential clues to the correct diagnosis and management of injuries to the craniocervical junction (CCJ).
An Analysis of the Effects of Smartphone Push Notifications on Task Performance with regard to Smartphone Overuse Using ERP
Authors: Kim Seul-Kee , Kim So-Yeong , Kang Hang-Bong
Published: June 2016

Smartphones are used ubiquitously worldwide and are essential tools in modern society. However, smartphone overuse is an emerging social issue, and limited studies have objectively assessed this matter. The majority of previous studies have included surveys or behavioral observation studies. Since a previous study demonstrated an association between increased push notifications and smartphone overuse, we investigated the effects of push notifications on task performance. We detected changes in brainwaves generated by smartphone push notifications using the N200 and P300 components of event-related potential (ERP) to investigate both concentration and cognitive ability. ERP assessment indicated that, in both risk and nonrisk groups, the lowest N200 amplitude and the longest latency during task performance were found when push notifications were delivered. Compared to the nonrisk group, the risk group demonstrated lower P300 amplitudes and longer latencies. In addition, the risk group featured a higher rate of error in the Go-Nogo task, due to the negative influence of smartphone push notifications on performance in both risk and nonrisk groups. Furthermore, push notifications affected subsequent performance in the risk group.
Extragenital Infections Caused byChlamydia trachomatisandNeisseria gonorrhoeae: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Chan Philip A. , Robinette Ashley , Montgomery Madeline , Almonte Alexi , Cu-Uvin Susan , Lonks John R. , Chapin Kimberle C. , Kojic Erna M. , Hardy Erica J.
Published: June 2016

In the United States, sexually transmitted diseases due toChlamydia trachomatisandNeisseria gonorrhoeaecontinue to be a major public health burden. Screening of extragenital sites including the oropharynx and rectum is an emerging practice based on recent studies highlighting the prevalence of infection at these sites. We reviewed studies reporting the prevalence of extragenital infections in women, men who have sex with men (MSM), and men who have sex only with women (MSW), including distribution by anatomical site. Among women, prevalence was found to be 0.6–35.8% for rectal gonorrhea (median reported prevalence 1.9%), 0–29.6% for pharyngeal gonorrhea (median 2.1%), 2.0–77.3% for rectal chlamydia (median 8.7%), and 0.2–3.2% for pharyngeal chlamydia (median 1.7%). Among MSM, prevalence was found to be 0.2–24.0% for rectal gonorrhea (median 5.9%), 0.5–16.5% for pharyngeal gonorrhea (median 4.6%), 2.1–23.0% for rectal chlamydia (median 8.9%), and 0–3.6% for pharyngeal chlamydia (median 1.7%). Among MSW, the prevalence was found to be 0–5.7% for rectal gonorrhea (median 3.4%), 0.4–15.5% for pharyngeal gonorrhea (median 2.2%), 0–11.8% for rectal chlamydia (median 7.7%), and 0–22.0% for pharyngeal chlamydia (median 1.6%). Extragenital infections are often asymptomatic and found in the absence of reported risk behaviors, such as receptive anal and oral intercourse. We discuss current clinical recommendations and future directions for research.
Perforation of the Papilla of Vater in Wire-Guided Cannulation
Authors: Takano Yuichi , Nagahama Masatsugu , Yamamura Eiichi , Maruoka Naotaka , Takahashi Hiroshi
Published: June 2016

Background.WGC in ERCP is considered a safe technique, although rare complications can occur. One unique complication of WGC is the perforation of the papilla of Vater by the guidewire.Subjects and Methods.Of 2032 patients who underwent ERCP at our department between January 2010 and December 2014, we selected 208 patients who underwent WGC for naïve papilla as subjects. A detailed examination of patients in whom a perforation occurred was conducted, and risk factors for perforations were investigated.Results.The perforation was observed in 7 of 208 patients (3.4%). All patients recovered with conservative treatment without the need for surgery. The perforation rate was significantly higher in the patients with juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula than those without diverticula (12.5% versus 0.6%,p<0.001). Cannulation of the bile duct was ultimately achieved in 5 of 7 patients; PSP was performed for 4 of these patients.Conclusion.Caution must be exercised when dealing with patients who have a juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula because they are at higher risk of perforations. Because these are small perforations made by a wire, most of them heal with conservative treatment. However, perforations can make cannulation difficult, and PSP may be useful for deep cannulation.
Prevalence of Extended Spectrumβ-Lactamase and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Clinical Isolates ofPseudomonasfrom Patients of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Manzoor , Hassan Mukhtiar , Khalid Anwar , Tariq Imran , Asad Muhammad Hassham Hassan Bin , Samad Abdul , Mahmood Qaisar , Murtaza Ghulam
Published: June 2016

Majority of gram negative pathogenic bacteria are responsible for extended spectrumβ-lactamases (ESBLs) production, which show resistance to some newer generation of antibiotics. The study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of ESBL and antibiotic susceptibility pattern ofPseudomonasisolates collected during 2010 to 2014 from tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar, Pakistan. Out of 3450 samples, 334Pseudomonasspp. isolates comprised of 232 indoor and 102 outdoor patients were obtained from different specimens and their susceptibility pattern was determined against 20 antibiotics. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer agar diffusion method and ESBL production was detected by Synergy Disc Diffusion technique. The mean age group of the patients was 29.9 + 9.15 years. Meronem showed best activity (91.02%) from class carbapenem,β-lactam andβ-lactamase inhibitors exhibited 69.16% activity, and doxycycline had a diminished activity (10.18%) toPseudomonasspp. Outdoor isolates were more resistant than the indoor and during the course of the study the sensitivity rate of antibiotics was gradually reducing. ESBL production was observed in 44.32% while the remaining was non-ESBL. The moderate active antibiotics were amikacin (50.7%), SCF (51.4%), TZP (52.7%), and MXF (54.1%) among ESBL producing isolates. Lack of antibiotic policy, irrational uses (3GCs particularly), and the emergence of antibiotic resistant organisms in hospitals may be causes of high antibiotic resistance.
Efficacy of Linezolid and Fosfomycin in Catheter-Related Biofilm Infection Caused by Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Chai Dong , Liu Xu , Wang Rui , Bai Yan , Cai Yun
Published: June 2016

As long-standing clinical problems, catheter-related infections and other chronic biofilm infections are more difficult to treat due to the high antibiotic resistance of biofilm. Therefore, new treatments are needed for more effective bacteria clearance. In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial activities of several common antibiotics alone and their combinations against biofilm-embedded methicillin-resistantstaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infections, bothin vitroandin vivo. In brief, fosfomycin, levofloxacin, and rifampin alone or in combination with linezolid were testedin vitroagainst planktonic and biofilm-embedded MRSA infection in three MRSA stains. The synergistic effects between linezolid and the other three antibiotics were assessed by fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) and time-kill curves, where the combination of linezolid plus fosfomycin showed the best synergistic effect in all strains. For further evaluationin vivo, we applied the combination of linezolid and fosfomycin in a catheter-related biofilm rat model and found that viable bacteria counts in biofilm were significantly reduced after treatment (P<0.05). In summary, we have shown here that the combination of linezolid and fosfomycin treatment had improved therapeutic effects on biofilm-embedded MRSA infection bothin vitroandin vivo, which provided important basis for new clinical therapy development.
Effect of TRPV4-p38 MAPK Pathway on Neuropathic Pain in Rats with Chronic Compression of the Dorsal Root Ganglion
Authors: Qu Yu-Juan , Zhang Xiao , Fan Zhen-Zhen , Huai Juan , Teng Yong-Bo , Zhang Yang , Yue Shou-Wei
Published: June 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among TRPV4, p38, and neuropathic pain in a rat model of chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion. Mechanical allodynia appeared after CCD surgery, enhanced via the intrathecal injection of 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4α-PDD, an agonist of TRPV4) and anisomycin (an agonist of p38), but was suppressed by Ruthenium Red (RR, an inhibitor of TRPV4) and SB203580 (an inhibitor of p38). The protein expressions of p38 and P-p38 were upregulated by 4α-PDD and anisomycin injection but reduced by RR and SB203580. Moreover, TRPV4 was upregulated by 4α-PDD and SB203580 and downregulated by RR and anisomycin. In DRG tissues, the numbers of TRPV4- or p38-positive small neurons were significantly changed in CCD rats, increased by the agonists, and decreased by the inhibitors. The amplitudes of ectopic discharges were increased by 4α-PDD and anisomycin but decreased by RR and SB203580. Collectively, these results support the link between TRPV4 and p38 and their intermediary role for neuropathic pain in rats with chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion.
Is Floppy Eyelid Syndrome More Prevalent in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Patients?
Authors: Wang Ping , Yu Dao-Jiang , Feng Gang , Long Zhen-Hai , Liu Chang-Jiang , Li Hui , Zhao Tian-Lan
Published: June 2016

Controversial findings are reported about the relationship between floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The main goal of this study was to evaluate whether FES is more prevalent in OSAS patients by performing a meta-analysis. A comprehensive literature search of Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed. Only studies related to the prevalence of FES in OSAS were included in the meta-analysis. We estimated a pooled odds ratio (OR) for the prevalence of FES in OSAS. In total, 6 studies with 767 participants met the inclusion criteria. Using a fixed-effects model, the pooled OR was 4.12. The test for the overall effect revealed that FES was statistically prevalent in OSAS patients when compared with that in non-OSAS subjects (Z=4.98,p<0.00001). In the subgroup analysis by OSAS severity, the incidence of FES in OSAS increased with severity of OSAS as indicated with increased OR values (OR = 2.56, 4.62, and 7.64 for mild, moderate, and severe OSAS). In conclusion, the results indicate that FES is more prevalent in OSAS patients. However, this result was based only on unadjusted estimates. Prospective cohort studies are needed to determine whether OSAS is an independent risk factor for FES.
Undiagnosed Sjögren’s Syndrome Presenting as Mesenteric Panniculitis
Authors: Burns Rebecca L. , Bhavnagri Sharukh J.
Published: June 2016

Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare inflammatory and fibrotic process that affects the small intestine mesentery. It may occur following abdominal surgery or in association with a variety of conditions, including malignancy, infection, and certain autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Herein, an unusual case of mesenteric panniculitis in a patient with primary Sjögren’s syndrome will be presented. The patient presented with abdominal pain, weight loss, sicca symptoms, fatigue, and arthralgia. An abdominal CT revealed mesenteric fat stranding and prominent lymph nodes of the small intestine mesentery. She was found on laboratory workup to have positive antinuclear and anti-SSa antibodies. Minor salivary gland lip biopsy revealed focal lymphocytic sialadenitis. The patient’s symptoms and CT findings improved with corticosteroids. This case suggests that Sjögren’s syndrome should be considered as an underlying disease process in the evaluation of patients with mesenteric panniculitis.
Synthesis of Monolithic Fe2O3-Al2O3Composite Aerogels via Organic Solvent Sublimation Drying
Authors: Ren Lili , Li Xueai , Cui Sumin
Published: June 2016

Monolithic Fe2O3-Al2O3composite aerogels have been prepared successfully via organic solvent sublimation drying method. The results show that a new phase forms when the right amount of ferric oxide is added to the alumina aerogel. From the TEM pictures we can see a shuttle-type structure with the length of about 15 nm forms, which leads to the high surface areas of composited aerogel.
Formation of Aldehydic Phosphatidylcholines during the Anaerobic Decomposition of a Phosphatidylcholine Bearing the 9-Hydroperoxide of Linoleic Acid
Authors: Onyango Arnold N.
Published: June 2016

Lipid oxidation-derived carbonyl compounds are associated with the development of various physiological disorders. Formation of most of these products has recently been suggested to require further reactions of oxygen with lipid hydroperoxides. However, in rat and human tissues, the formation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal is greatly elevated during hypoxic/ischemic conditions. Furthermore, a previous study found an unexpected result that the decomposition of a phosphatidylcholine (PC) bearing the 13-hydroperoxide of linoleic acid under a nitrogen atmosphere afforded 9-oxononanoyl-PC rather than 13-oxo-9,11-tridecadienoyl-PC as the main aldehydic PC. In the present study, products of the anaerobic decomposition of a PC bearing the 9-hydroperoxide of linoleic acid were analysed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. 9-Oxononanoyl-PC (ONA-PC) and several well-known bioactive aldehydes including 12-oxo-9-hydroperoxy-(or oxo or hydroxy)-10-dodecenoyl-PCs were detected. Hydrolysis of the oxidized PC products, methylation of the acids obtained thereby, and subsequent gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy with electron impact ionization further confirmed structures of some of the key aldehydic PCs. Novel, hydroxyl radical-dependent mechanisms of formation of ONA-PC and peroxyl-radical dependent mechanisms of formation of the rest of the aldehydes are proposed. The latter mechanisms will mainly be relevant to tissue injury under hypoxic/anoxic conditions, while the former are relevant under both normoxia and hypoxia/anoxia.
Fascicular Visual Field Defects in Open-Angle Glaucoma: Evaluation with Microperimetry
Authors: Arrico Loredana , Giannotti Rossella , Fratipietro Manuela , Malagola Romualdo
Published: June 2016

Purpose. Use of microperimetry (Mp-1), correlating with Humphrey perimetry (30-2 program), in patients affected by primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with perimetric defects, in order to obtain an evaluation of the accuracy of the results obtained by Mp-1.Materials and Methods. In this study 40 eyes of 25 patients affected by POAG with perimetric defects were included. All patients underwent microperimetry test by Nidek Mp-1 (NAVIS software version 1.7.2, Nidek Technologies). Mean sensitivity values expressed in decibel (dB) of all tested dots and mean values for each quadrant obtained by microperimetric test were correlated with corresponding quadrants obtained by static perimetry analysis. Data were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation and Bland-Altman analysis.Results. Interpolated data showed that mean sensitivity values in all spots tested by Mp-1 (11.98 dB, SD 4.31) may be significantly correlated with mean total values obtained by Humphrey 30-2 perimetry (17.95, SD 4.32), with correlation coefficient of 0.556.Conclusions. Topographic visualization of the perimetric alteration by microperimetry allows retesting areas with reduced sensitivity which are topographically visualized and displayable on the ocular fundus examination, avoiding worsening of the functional defect by better modulation of the antiglaucoma therapy and therefore it allows better monitoring of the pathologic functional damage.
Dicephalus Parapagus Conjoined Twins Diagnosed by First-Trimester Ultrasound
Authors: Watanabe Keiko , Ono Masanori , Shirahashi Mayu , Ikeda Toshiyuki , Yakubo Kazumi
Published: June 2016

Conjoined twins are a rare phenomenon, occurring in 1% of monochorionic twin gestation, with an incidence of 1 : 50 000 to 1 : 100 000. Many conjoined twins have abnormalities incompatible with life, so early prenatal diagnosis is very important for optimal management of both pregnancy and delivery. We report a case of dicephalus parapagus conjoined twins, sharing a single heart, diagnosed at 12 weeks’ gestation. With early ultrasound diagnosis, we were able to provide appropriate and timely prenatal counseling to the family.
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome: From Clinical Findings to Basic Understandings
Authors: Liu Tao , Wang Ning , Zhang Li , Zhong Linda
Published: June 2016

Functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS) is one of the less common functional gastrointestinal disorders. Conventional therapy has unsatisfactory response to it so people turn to Chinese medicine for help. Currently, we reviewed the whole picture of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) clinical and basic application in the treatment of FAPS, especially the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome, the single herb, and Chinese medicine formulae, thus to provide a solid base to further develop evidence‐based study for this common gastrointestinal complaint in the future. We developed the search strategy and set the inclusion and exclusion criteria for article search. From the included articles, we totally retrieved 586 records according to our searching criteria, of which 16 were duplicate records and 291 were excluded for reasons of irrelevance. The full text of 279 articles was retrieved for detailed assessment, of which 123 were excluded for various reasons. The number one used single herb is Radix Ginseng. The most common syndrome was liver qi depression. The most frequently used classic formula was Si‐Mo‐Tang. This reflected the true situation of clinical practice of Chinese medicine practitioners and could be further systematically synthesized as key points of the therapeutic research for FAPS.
Recruiting and Engaging Older Men in Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs: Perspectives on Barriers and Strategies
Authors: Anderson Chelsie , Seff Laura R. , Batra Anamika , Bhatt Chintan , Palmer Richard C.
Published: June 2016

Evidence-based health promotion programs are effective at reducing health risks and healthcare costs among older adults, but few men participate in the programs. This mixed methods study aimed to gain insight into the barriers to recruiting and engaging older men in evidence-based health promotion programs offered by the Healthy Aging Regional Collaborative of South Florida (HARC). Fourteen program coordinators participated in a focus group to identify barriers and strategies to improve male participation, and 49 instructors participated in a survey to triangulate the findings. Themes among barriers to male participation included women outnumbering men in the implementation sites and programs, conflict between male gender roles and the programs, and preference for other activities. Themes among strategies included public support of programs by male community leaders, program advertisements featuring males, and adapting program content. Survey results supported themes identified in the focus group. Nearly 78% of the survey respondents agreed that the perception of exercise programs as feminine was a barrier and over 90% of the survey respondents believed program advertisements featuring men would increase male participation. Findings indicate that health promotion programs and recruiting strategies need to be tailored to the unique needs and preferences of older men to improve participation.
Distortion Optimization of Engine Cylinder Liner Using Spectrum Characterization and Parametric Analysis
Authors: Yang Zhaohui , Li Baotong , Yu Tianxiang
Published: June 2016

In an automotive powertrain system, the cylinder liner is one of the most critical components which possesses the intricate structural configurations coupled with complex pattern of various operational loads. This paper attempts to develop a concrete and practical procedure for the optimization of cylinder liner distortion for achieving future requirements regarding exhaust emissions, fuel economy, and oil consumptions. First, numerical calculation based on finite element method (FEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is performed to capture the mechanism of cylinder liner distortion under actual engine operation conditions. Then, a spectrum analysis approach is developed to describe the distribution characteristic of operational loads (thermal and mechanical) around the circumference of a distorted cylinder bore profile; the FFT procedure provides an efficient way to implement this calculation. With this approach, a relationship between the dominant order of distortion and special operational load is obtained; the design features which are critically relative to cylinder liner distortion are also identified through spectrum analysis. After characterizing the variation tendency of each dominant order of distortion through parametric analysis, a new design scheme is established to implement the distortion optimization. Simulation results indicate that a much better solution is obtained by using the proposed scheme.
Studies of Adsorption of Heavy Metals onto Spent Coffee Ground: Equilibrium, Regeneration, and Dynamic Performance in a Fixed-Bed Column
Authors: Davila-Guzman N. E. , Cerino-Córdova F. J. , Loredo-Cancino M. , Rangel-Mendez J. R. , Gómez-González R. , Soto-Regalado E.
Published: June 2016

Equilibrium and dynamic adsorption of heavy metals onto spent coffee ground (SCG) were studied. The equilibrium adsorption of Cd2+, Cu2+, and Pb2+in a batch system was modeled by an ion-exchange model (IEM) based on an ion-exchange of heavy metals with calcium and protons bonded to active sites on SCG surface. The maximum amount of adsorbed metal ions obtained using the IEM was 0.12, 0.21, and 0.32 mmol/g of Cd2+, Cu2+, and Pb2+, respectively. Regeneration of SCG was evaluated using citric acid, calcium chloride, and nitric acid. The observed trend of desorption efficiency through four adsorption-desorption cycles was HNO3> CaCl2> C6H8O7. The effect of process variables such as flow rate and bed height during the dynamic adsorption was evaluated. Moreover, the applicability of a mass transfer model based on external mass transfer resistance, axial dispersion, and ion-exchange isotherm was evaluated, and the results were in good agreement with the experimental data for the adsorption in SCG packed column. The sensitivity analysis of the model parameters showed that axial dispersion coefficient is the most significant parameter in the dynamic simulation. The results obtained showed the potential of SCG as a low-cost material for wastewater metal removal in continuous systems.
Previous Crop and Cultivar Effects on Methane Emissions from Drill-Seeded, Delayed-Flood Rice Grown on a Clay Soil
Authors: Smartt Alden D. , Brye Kristofor R. , Rogers Christopher W. , Norman Richard J. , Gbur Edward E. , Hardke Jarrod T. , Roberts Trenton L.
Published: June 2016

Due to anaerobic conditions that develop in soils under flooded-rice (Oryza sativaL.) production, along with the global extent of rice production, it is estimated that rice cultivation is responsible for 11% of global anthropogenic methane (CH4) emissions. In order to adequately estimate CH4emissions, it is important to include data representing the range of environmental, climatic, and cultural factors occurring in rice production, particularly from Arkansas, the leading rice-producing state in the US, and from clay soils. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of previous crop (i.e., rice or soybean (Glycine maxL.)) and cultivar (i.e., Cheniere (pure-line, semidwarf), CLXL745 (hybrid), and Taggart (pure-line, standard-stature)) on CH4fluxes and emissions from rice grown on a Sharkey clay (very-fine, smectitic, thermic Chromic Epiaquerts) in eastern Arkansas. Rice following rice as a previous crop generally had greater (p<0.01) fluxes than rice following soybean, resulting in growing season emissions (p<0.01) of 19.6 and 7.0 kg CH4-C ha−1, respectively. The resulting emissions from CLXL745 (10.2 kg CH4-C ha−1) were less (p=0.03) than those from Cheniere or Taggart (15.5 and 14.2 kg CH4-C ha−1, resp.), which did not differ. Results of this study indicate that common Arkansas practices, such as growing rice in rotation with soybean and planting hybrid cultivars, may result in reduced CH4emissions relative to continuous rice rotations and pure-line cultivars, respectively.
Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) Compounds Improve the Biochemical Indices of the Patients with Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Liu Boyan , Du Yanhui , Cong Lixin , Jia Xiaoying , Yang Ge
Published: June 2016

Danshen was able to reduce the risk of the patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), but the mechanism is still widely unknown. Biochemical indices (lipid profile, markers of renal and liver function, and homocysteine (Hcy)) are closely associated with CHD risk. We aimed to investigate whether the medicine reduces CHD risk by improving these biochemical indices. The patients received 10 Danshen pills (27 mg/pill) in Dashen group, while the control patients received placebo pills, three times daily. The duration of follow‐up was three months. The serum biochemical indices were measured, including lipid profiles (LDL cholesterol (LDL‐C), HDL‐C, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein (Apo) A, ApoB, ApoE, and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a))); markers of liver function (gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), total bilirubin (TBil), indirect bilirubin (IBil), and direct bilirubin (DBil)); marker of renal function (uric acid (UA)) and Hcy. After three‐month follow‐up, Danshen treatment reduced the levels of TG, TC, LDL‐C, Lp(a), GGT, DBil, UA, and Hcy (P < 0.05). In contrast, the treatment increased the levels of HDL‐C, ApoA, ApoB, ApoE, TBil, and IBil (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Danshen can reduce the CHD risk by improving the biochemical indices of CHD patients.
EF Hand Protein IBA2 Promotes Cell Proliferation in Breast Cancers via Transcriptional Control of Cyclin D1
Authors: Zhang Ying , Wang Shuling , Li Lingsong
Published: June 2016

EF hand (EFh) domain–containing proteins have been implicated in malignant progression, but their precise functional contributions are uncertain. Here, we report evidence that the EFh protein IBA2 promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells by facilitating their transit through the G1–S cell-cycle transition. Mechanistic investigations revealed that IBA2 acted at the transcriptional level to promote the expression of the critical cell-cycle regulator cyclin D1. Clinically, we found that levels of IBA2 were significantly upregulated in breast cancer specimens, where its expression correlated positively with histologic grade. Our results suggest a key role for IBA2 in mammary tumorigenesis. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4535–45. ©2016 AACR.