bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical and Experimental Analyses of the Dynamic Characteristics of Journal Bearings With Square Dimples
Authors: Yamada Hiroyuki , Taura Hiroo , Kaneko Satoru
Published: June 2017

Numerous previous numerical studies have investigated the effect of surface texturing upon the static characteristics of journal bearings, including their load-carrying capacity and friction torque. In general, the dynamic characteristics of journal bearings are also important, since they are essential factors in predicting the vibration behavior of actual rotors supported by journal bearings. However, the effects of surface texture upon these dynamic characteristics have not been investigated through either numerical or experimental analysis. Thus, in the present study, such analyses were conducted to investigate the dynamic characteristics of textured journal bearings, such as their dynamic coefficients of oil film and the stability-threshold shaft speed supported by the bearings. Numerical analysis was done using a model that included inertial effects and energy loss; this model agreed well with experimental results concerning static characteristics from our previous study. Dynamic testing based on a sinusoidal-excitation method was also performed using textured journal bearings with uniform square dimples to verify the numerical results, which agreed qualitatively with those of experiment, confirming the validity of the numerical analysis. These results suggest that under the same operating conditions, the main effect of texturing upon the dynamic coefficients is to yield the cross-coupled stiffness coefficients with lower absolute values than the conventional ones with a smooth surface. The linear stability-threshold shaft speed of the rotor supported by the textured journal bearings became higher than that of a smooth bearing, mainly due to the reduction of cross-coupled stiffness coefficients. This tendency became more pronounced for high Reynolds number operating conditions and textured bearings with a large number of dimples.
Experimental Study of Horizontal Flow Boiling Heat Transfer of R134a at a Saturation Temperature of 18.6 °C
Authors: Dorao Carlos A. , Fernandez Oscar Blanco , Fernandino Maria
Published: June 2017

In spite of the extensive work in flow boiling in small-diameter tubes, the general characteristics and dominant mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, flow boiling heat transfer of R134a inside a 5 mm I.D., smooth horizontal stainless steel pipe is experimentally studied. Local heat transfer coefficients (HTCs) were measured for heat fluxes from 3.9 to 47 kW/m2 and mass fluxes from 200 to 400 kg/m2 s at a saturation temperature of 18.6 °C. The studied cases have shown different behaviors at low and high heat fluxes. At low heat fluxes, the convective contribution looks to control the HTC, while at high heat fluxes the nucleation of vapor looks to be the dominant mechanism. Reducing the heat flux, the HTC approaches asymptotically a limit equivalent to the single-phase HTC defined in terms of the sum of the superficial liquid and vapor Reynolds numbers. A new correlation for dominant convective flow boiling is proposed and evaluated against experimental data from the literature.
Outbreak of CTX-M-15-Producing Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli O159:H20 in the Republic of Korea in 2016
Authors: Kim Jin Seok , Park Jungsun , Shin Eunkyung , Kim Soojin , Oh Sung Suck , Yang Hyo-Jin , Kim Dae-Won , Oh Kyung-Hwan , Kim Yonghoon , Kim Min , Kwon Mun Ju , Na Kyoungin , Lee Jin , Cho En-hi , Kang Byung-Hak , Kwak Hyo-Sun , Seong Won Keun , Kim Junyoung
Published: June 2017

We investigated an outbreak of enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
(ETEC) O159:H20 associated with the consumption of a tossed-noodle dish in a high school in 2016. Thirty-three ETEC strains isolated from clinical and food samples were genetically indistinguishable. The outbreak strains were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and harbored a
bla
CTX-M-15
gene on a 97-kb self-transferable IncK plasmid. This is the first outbreak caused by CTX-M-15-producing ETEC strains.
Prophylactic Treatment with VT-1161 Protects Immunosuppressed Mice from Rhizopus arrhizus var. arrhizus Infection
Authors: Gebremariam Teclegiorgis , Alkhazraji Sondus , Lin Lin , Wiederhold Nathan P. , Garvey Edward P. , Hoekstra William J. , Schotzinger Robert J. , Patterson Thomas F. , Filler Scott G. , Ibrahim Ashraf S.
Published: June 2017

We compared prophylactic or continuous therapy with the investigational drug VT-1161 to that with posaconazole in treating murine mucormycosis due to
Rhizopus arrhizus
var.
arrhizus
. In the prophylaxis studies, only VT-1161 resulted in improved survival and lowered tissue fungal burden of immunosuppressed infected mice. In the continuous therapy, VT-1161 outperformed posaconazole in prolonging mouse survival time despite its comparable effect in lowering tissue fungal burden. These results support the further development of VT-1161 against mucormycosis.
Potent Inhibition of HIV-1 Replication in Resting CD4 T Cells by Resveratrol and Pterostilbene
Authors: Chan Chi N. , Trinité Benjamin , Levy David N.
Published: June 2017

HIV-1 infection of resting CD4 T cells plays a crucial and numerically dominant role during virus transmission at mucosal sites and during subsequent acute replication and T cell depletion. Resveratrol and pterostilbene are plant stilbenoids associated with several health-promoting benefits. Resveratrol has been shown to inhibit the replication of several viruses, including herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, papillomaviruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome virus, and influenza virus. Alone, resveratrol does not inhibit HIV-1 infection of activated T cells, but it does synergize with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in these cells to inhibit reverse transcription. Here, we demonstrate that resveratrol and pterostilbene completely block HIV-1 infection at a low micromolar dose in resting CD4 T cells, primarily at the reverse transcription step. The anti-HIV effect was fully reversed by exogenous deoxynucleosides and Vpx, an HIV-1 and simian immunodeficiency virus protein that increases deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) levels. These findings are consistent with the reported ability of resveratrol to inhibit ribonucleotide reductase and to lower dNTP levels in cells. This study supports the potential use of resveratrol, pterostilbene, or related compounds as adjuvants in anti-HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) formulations.
Multicenter Study of the Relationship between Carbapenem MIC Values and Clinical Outcome of Patients with Acinetobacter Bacteremia
Authors: Yang Ya-Sung , Wang Yung-Chih , Kuo Shu-Chen , Chen Chung-Ting , Liu Chang-Pan , Liu Yuag-Meng , Chen Te-Li , Lee Yi-Tzu
Published: June 2017

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) offer different recommendations for carbapenem MIC susceptibility breakpoints for
Acinetobacter
species. In addition, the clinical efficacy of the intermediate category remains uncertain. This study was designed to determine the optimal predictive breakpoints based on the survival of patients with
Acinetobacter
bacteremia treated with a carbapenem. We analyzed the 30-day mortality rates of 224 adults who received initial carbapenem monotherapy for the treatment of
Acinetobacter
bacteremia at 4 medical centers over a 5-year period, according to the carbapenem MICs of the initial isolates. The 30-day mortality was about 2-fold greater in patients whose isolates had carbapenem MICs of ≥8 mg/liter than in those with isolates with MICs of ≤4 mg/liter. The differences were significant by bivariate analysis (53.1% [60/113] versus 25.2% [28/111], respectively;
P
< 0.001) and on survival analysis by the log rank test (
P
< 0.001). Classification and regression tree analysis revealed a split between MICs of 4 and 8 mg/liter and predicted the same difference in mortality, with a
P
value of <0.001. Carbapenem treatment for
Acinetobacter
bacteremia caused by isolates with carbapenem MICs of ≥8 mg/liter was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 4.218; 95% confidence interval, 2.213 to 8.039;
P
< 0.001). This study revealed that patients with
Acinetobacter
bacteremia treated with a carbapenem had a more favorable outcome when the carbapenem MICs of their isolates were ≤4 mg/liter than those with MICs of ≥8 mg/liter.
Both MisR (CpxR) and MisS (CpxA) Are Required for Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection in a Murine Model of Lower Genital Tract Infection
Authors: Gangaiah Dharanesh , Raterman Erica L. , Wu Hong , Fortney Kate R. , Gao Hongyu , Liu Yunlong , Jerse Ann E. , Spinola Stanley M.
Published: June 2017

During infection,
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
senses and responds to stress; such responses may be modulated by MisRS (NGO0177 and NGO0176), a two-component system that is a homolog of CpxRA. In
Escherichia coli
, CpxRA senses and responds to envelope stress; CpxA is a sensor kinase/phosphatase for CpxR, a response regulator. When a
cpxA
mutant is grown in medium containing glucose, CpxR is phosphorylated by acetyl phosphate but cannot be dephosphorylated, resulting in constitutive activation. Kandler and coworkers (J. L. Kandler, C. L. Holley, J. L. Reimche, V. Dhulipala, J. T. Balthazar, A. Muszyński, R. W. Carlson, and W. M. Shafer, Antimicrob Agents Chemother 60:4690–4700, 2016,
https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.00823-16
) showed that MisR (CpxR) is required for the maintenance of membrane integrity and resistance to antimicrobial peptides, suggesting a role in gonococcal survival
in vivo
. Here, we evaluated the contributions of MisR and MisS (CpxA) to gonococcal infection in a murine model of cervicovaginal colonization and identified MisR-regulated genes using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The deletion of
misR
or
misS
severely reduced the capacity of
N. gonorrhoeae
to colonize mice or maintain infection over a 7-day period and reduced microbial fitness after exposure to heat shock. Compared to the wild type (WT), the inactivation of
misR
identified 157 differentially regulated genes, most of which encoded putative envelope proteins. The inactivation of
misS
identified 17 differentially regulated genes compared to the WT and 139 differentially regulated genes compared to the
misR
mutant, 111 of which overlapped those differentially expressed in the comparison of the WT versus the
misR
mutant. These data indicate that an intact MisRS system is required for gonococcal infection of mice. Provided the MisR is constitutively phosphorylated in the
misS
mutant, the data suggest that controlled but not constitutive activation is required for gonococcal infection in mice.
A Nutrient-Regulated Cyclic Diguanylate Phosphodiesterase Controls Clostridium difficile Biofilm and Toxin Production during Stationary Phase
Authors: Purcell Erin B. , McKee Robert W. , Courson David S. , Garrett Elizabeth M. , McBride Shonna M. , Cheney Richard E. , Tamayo Rita
Published: June 2017

The signaling molecule cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) mediates physiological adaptation to extracellular stimuli in a wide range of bacteria. The complex metabolic pathways governing c-di-GMP synthesis and degradation are highly regulated, but the specific cues that impact c-di-GMP signaling are largely unknown. In the intestinal pathogen
Clostridium difficile
, c-di-GMP inhibits flagellar motility and toxin production and promotes pilus-dependent biofilm formation, but no specific biological functions have been ascribed to any of the individual c-di-GMP synthases or phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Here, we report the functional and biochemical characterization of a c-di-GMP PDE, PdcA, 1 of 37 confirmed or putative c-di-GMP metabolism proteins in
C. difficile
630. Our studies reveal that
pdcA
transcription is controlled by the nutrient-regulated transcriptional regulator CodY and accordingly increases during stationary phase. In addition, PdcA PDE activity is allosterically regulated by GTP, further linking c-di-GMP levels to nutrient availability. Mutation of
pdcA
increased biofilm formation and reduced toxin biosynthesis without affecting swimming motility or global intracellular c-di-GMP. Analysis of the transcriptional response to
pdcA
mutation indicates that PdcA-dependent phenotypes manifest during stationary phase, consistent with regulation by CodY. These results demonstrate that inactivation of this single PDE gene is sufficient to impact multiple c-di-GMP-dependent phenotypes, including the production of major virulence factors, and suggest a link between c-di-GMP signaling and nutrient availability.
Imaging pain relief in osteoarthritis (IPRO): protocol of a double-blind randomised controlled mechanistic study assessing pain relief and prediction of duloxetine treatment outcome
Authors: Reckziegel Diane , Bailey Helen , Cottam William J , Tench Christopher R , Mahajan Ravi P , Walsh David A , Knaggs Roger D , Auer Dorothee P
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) pain is a major cause of long-term disability and chronic pain in the adult population. One in five patients does not receive satisfactory pain relief, which reflects the complexity of chronic pain and the current lack of understanding of mechanisms of chronic pain. Recently, duloxetine has demonstrated clinically relevant pain relief, but only in half of treated patients with OA. Here, the aim is to investigate the neural mechanisms of pain relief and neural signatures that may predict treatment response to duloxetine in chronic knee OA pain.

Methods and analysis

This is an ongoing single-centre randomised placebo-controlled mechanistic study (2:1 (placebo) allocation), using a multimodal neuroimaging approach, together with psychophysiological (quantitative sensory testing), genetics and questionnaire assessments. Eighty-one subjects with chronic knee OA pain are planned to power for between-group comparisons (placebo, duloxetine responder and duloxetine non-responder). Participants have a baseline assessment and, following 6 weeks of duloxetine (30 mg for 2 weeks, then 60 mg for 4 weeks), a follow-up evaluation. Brain imaging is performed at 3T with blood-oxygen-level dependent functional MRI at rest and during pin-prick nociceptive stimulation for main outcome assessment; arterial spin labelling and structural imaging (T1-weighted) for secondary outcome assessment. Questionnaires evaluate pain, negative affect, quality of sleep and cognition.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the East Midlands, Nottingham and is being carried out under the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (64th, 2013) and Good Clinical Practice standards. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02208778).

This work was supported by Arthritis Research UK (Grant 18769).
Timing of complications during and after elective endovascular intracranial aneurysm coiling
Authors: Kameda-Smith Michelle Masayo , Klurfan Paula , van Adel Brian Anthony , Larrazabal Ramiro , Farrokhyar Forough , Bennardo Michael , Gunnarsson Thorsteinn
Published: June 2017

Objective

To determine the time to complications during and after elective endovascular intracranial aneurysm coiling.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing elective endovascular aneurysm coiling between March 2006 and October 2013 in one large Eastern Canadian Neurointerventional Service was performed. Data regarding the incidence, time and type of complication related to the endovascular coiling procedure and clinical outcome at last follow-up were collected. Patient, aneurysm and operation factors were analyzed to determine any factors associated with complication occurrence.

Results

Of the 150 patient procedures analyzed, 16% experienced a coiling-related complication, although none resulted in death. 6.7% of patients experienced an intraoperative complication, of which thromboembolism was the most common type. The majority of the complications were detected in the first 6 hours after reversal of anesthesia, and a small proportion the next morning prior to discharge. Only 3.3% of patients had persistent neurological deficit after the procedure on last follow-up. Duration of the operation demonstrated a strong association with the occurrence of procedure-related complications.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that coiling-related complications of elective endovascular coiling tend to occur either intraoperatively or are detected shortly after reversal of anesthesia. Further investigation with a larger cohort may help to guide important preoperative communication with patients and identify a select group of patients who may not necessarily require prolonged admission to hospital for observation.
Spatial Wavefunction Switched (SWS) FET SRAM Circuits and Simulation
Authors: Saman Bander , Gogna P. , Hasaneen El-Sayed , Chandy J. , Heller E. , Jain F. C.
Published: June 2017

This paper presents the design and simulation of static random access memory (SRAM) using two channel spatial wavefunction switched field-effect transistor (SWS-FET), also known as a twin-drain metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOS-FET). In the SWS-FET, the channel between source and drain has two quantum well layers separated by a high band gap material between them. The gate voltage controls the charge carrier concentration in the quantum well layers and it causes the switching of charge carriers from one channel to other channel of the device. The standard SRAM circuit has six transistors (6T), two p-type MOS-FET and four n-type MOS-FET. By using the SWSFET, the size and the number of transistors are reduced and all of transistors are n-channel SWS-FET. This paper proposes two different models of the SWS-FET SRAM circuits with three transistors (3T) and four transistors (4T) also addresses the stability of the proposed SWS-FET SRAM circuits by using the N-curve analysis. The proposed models are based on integration between Berkeley Shortchannel IGFET Model (BSIM) and Analog Behavioral Model (ABM), the model is suitable to investigate the gates configuration and transient analysis at circuit level.
Fano resonances in nanorod dimers antenna
Authors: Wang Junqiao , Zhang Jia , Tian Yongzhi , Mu Kaijun , Fan Chunzhen , Chen Shu , Ding Pei
Published: June 2017

Without losing symmetry, plasmonic Fano resonances have been observed and investigated in multiple nanorod dimers antennae in this paper. The dipole–dipole Fano resonance in three nanorod dimers can be excited simultaneously due to the resonance detuning, and the induced currents of nanorod dimers on both sides are in-phase and out-of-phase with the middle nanorod dimer, respectively. The sharp Fano dip excited in three nanorod dimers antennae can be used to realize the high sensitive sensing of 1116 nm/RIU in the visible and near infrared regions. Furthermore, the Fano resonance is also observed in plasmonic nanoantennae with four nanorod dimers.
Molecular dynamics modeling and simulation of lubricant between sliding solids
Authors: Ghaffari Mir Ali , Zhang Yan , Xiao Shaoping
Published: June 2017

This paper presents molecular dynamic modeling and simulation of lubricant between sliding solids. Linear [Formula: see text]-alkanes with united atoms were used to model lubricant while iron sliding solids were modeled with body-centered cubic crystal lattices. We employed various potential functions, including the embedded atom method, the multibody force field and the Lennard–Jones potential, to approximate the interatomic interactions in the molecular model. Hydrodynamic lubrication was considered in this paper. We found that the temperature and the chain length of alkanes had effects on the friction between lubricated sliding solids. In addition, one debris, modeled as a nanoparticle, was added in the lubricant to study its effect on the friction. It was observed that nanoparticles would increase the friction in hydrodynamic lubrication.
Conceptual and Experimental Tools to Understand Spatial Effects and Transport Phenomena in Nonlinear Biochemical Networks Illustrated with Patchy Switching
Authors: Pompano Rebecca R. , Chiang Andrew H. , Kastrup Christian J. , Ismagilov Rustem F.
Published: June 2017

Many biochemical systems are spatially heterogeneous and exhibit nonlinear behaviors, such as state switching in response to small changes in the local concentration of diffusible molecules. Systems as varied as blood clotting, intracellular calcium signaling, and tissue inflammation are all heavily influenced by the balance of rates of reaction and mass transport phenomena including flow and diffusion. Transport of signaling molecules is also affected by geometry and chemoselective confinement via matrix binding. In this review, we use a phenomenon referred to as patchy switching to illustrate the interplay of nonlinearities, transport phenomena, and spatial effects. Patchy switching describes a change in the state of a network when the local concentration of a diffusible molecule surpasses a critical threshold. Using patchy switching as an example, we describe conceptual tools from nonlinear dynamics and chemical engineering that make testable predictions and provide a unifying description of the myriad possible experimental observations. We describe experimental microfluidic and biochemical tools emerging to test conceptual predictions by controlling transport phenomena and spatial distribution of diffusible signals, and we highlight the unmet need for in vivo tools.
Incretin secretion in humans is under the influence of cannabinoid receptors
Authors: Chia Chee W. , Carlson Olga D. , Liu David D. , González-Mariscal Isabel , Santa-Cruz Calvo Sara , Egan Josephine M.
Published: June 2017

The mechanisms regulating incretin secretion are not fully known. Human obesity is associated with altered incretin secretion and elevated endocannabinoid levels. Since cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) are expressed on incretin-secreting cells in rodents, we hypothesized that endocannabinoids are involved in the regulation of incretin secretion. We compared plasma glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) responses during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 20 lean and 20 obese participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Next, we recruited 20 healthy men to evaluate GIP and GLP-1 responses during OGTT after administering placebo or nabilone (CBR agonist) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover fashion. Compared with the BLSA lean group, the BLSA obese group had significantly higher fasting and post-OGTT GIP levels, but similar fasting GLP-1 and significantly lower post-OGTT GLP-1 levels. In the nabilone vs. placebo study, when compared with placebo, nabilone resulted in significantly elevated post-dose fasting GIP levels and post-OGTT GIP levels, but no change in post-dose fasting GLP-1 levels together with significantly lower post-OGTT GLP-1 levels. Glucose levels were not different with both interventions. We conclude that elevated GIP levels in obesity are likely a consequence of increased endocannabinoid levels. CBRs exert tonic control over GIP secretion, which may have a homeostatic effect in suppressing GLP-1 secretion. This raises the possibility that gut hormones are influenced by endocannabinoids.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Bioethical Lens
Authors: Liso Arcangelo , Neri Margherita , Maglietta Francesca , La Russa Raffaele , Turillazzi Emanuela
Published: June 2017

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is one of a range of therapeutic options available to patients suffering from various diseases. HSCT procedure involves important ethical and legal aspects that can occur at every phase of the procedure: the clinical choice of whether to perform the procedure, pretransplantation preparation regimens, donor selection, stem cell harvest procedure, transplantation phase, and short-term and long-term follow-up care. In this discussion paper, we outline the ethical issue-facing physicians involved in HSCT. Currently, HSCT is a widely accepted treatment for many life-threatening diseases. It thus represents a real therapeutic hope for many patients. It does, however, carry a burden of possible morbidity and mortality. Consequently, there are substantial information and communication issues involved in the consent process for HSCT. In the final decision, the judgements of different parties, such as patients, family members, and healthcare professionals, intersect and overlap and this is particularly true when the patient is a minor. Finally, HSCT is a very expensive procedure. The social and economic concerns of HSCT are discussed within the actual contextual framework of the dramatic increase in healthcare costs and inequalities in healthcare in relation to socioeconomic status, educational status, and ethnicity.
Use of Anti-VEGF Agents in Glaucoma Surgery
Authors: Slabaugh Mark , Salim Sarwat
Published: June 2017

A number of antivascular endothelial growth factor agents are currently available to treat various ocular conditions. These agents have similar, but distinct, biologic qualities and have been explored in the management of neovascular glaucoma and in glaucoma surgery. Several different delivery methods are described, and because these medications are routinely given as intraocular injections, some benefits over traditional antifibrotic medications when used in glaucoma surgery are noted. These agents effectively induce regression of anterior segment neovascularization and facilitate initial surgical management of neovascular glaucoma, but the long-term outcome of this condition remains dependent on definitive management of the underlying process. Use in trabeculectomy or tube shunt procedures for other types of glaucoma has shown promise in modulating bleb morphology but has not yet been found to be as effective as traditional antifibrotic agents. There are reports of persistently raised intraocular pressure after repeated use of the anti-VEGF agents, possibly related to frequency of injection. These medications have wide application in the field of surgical glaucoma, but a definitive role has yet to be defined.
Ten-Year Follow-Up of a Fragment Reattachment to an Anterior Tooth: A Conservative Approach
Authors: Mendes Luiz , Laxe Laisa , Passos Leandro
Published: June 2017

This report describes the 10-year follow-up data of a patient who underwent fragment reattachment to the maxillary central incisor after coronal fracture with pulp exposure as well as the procedures followed for functional and esthetic adjustments. A 9-year-old female patient presented at the clinic of dentistry at the State University of Rio de Janeiro with a coronal fracture and pulp exposure of the right maxillary central incisor that had occurred immediately after an accident. The intact tooth fragment was recovered at the accident site and stored in milk. The treatment plan followed was to perform direct pulp capping and tooth fragment reattachment. When the patient was 14 years old, adhesion between fragment and remaining tooth was lost, and fragment reattachment was performed. Five years later, the same tooth presented clinical discoloration and absence of sensitivity during pulp vitality tests. Subsequently, a new treatment plan was formulated, which included endodontic treatment, followed by nonvital tooth bleaching and light-cured composite resin restoration. An esthetic and natural-looking restoration was achieved. Tooth fragment reattachment is not a temporary restorative technique and requires functional and esthetic adjustments over time to maintain the biomimetic characteristics of traumatized anterior teeth and predictable outcomes.
When Is Evidence Enough Evidence? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Trabectome as a Solo Procedure in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Chow Jeffrey T. Y. , Hutnik Cindy M. L. , Solo Karla , Malvankar-Mehta Monali S.
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the availability of evidence for one of the earliest available minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedures, the Trabectome. Various databases were searched up to December 20, 2016, for any published studies assessing the use of the Trabectome as a solo procedure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated for the change in intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma mediations used at 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up. After screening, three studies and one abstract with analyzable data were included. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant reductions in IOP and number of glaucoma medications used at all time points. Though the Trabectome as a solo procedure appears to lower IOP and reduces the number of glaucoma medications, more high-quality studies are required to make definitive conclusions. The difficulty of obtaining evidence may be one of the many obstacles that limit a full understanding of the potential safety and/or efficacy benefits compared to standard treatments. The time has come for a thoughtful and integrated approach with stakeholders to determine optimal access to care strategies for our patients.
Multiple Bony Injuries on Bone Scan in a Case of Unsuspected Child Abuse
Authors: Chuang Ya-Wen , Hsu Chien-Chin , Chang Chin-Chuan , Lin Chia-Yang , Chu Hsiu-Lan , Huang Ying-Fong , Tyan Yu-Chang
Published: June 2017

This case is described of an eleven-month-old infant with lower limbs swelling and the left elbow skeletal malformation following a fall. The radionuclide bone scan was performed to exclude bone infection or congenital skeletal anomaly. The images unexpectedly showed multiple increased radioactive foci throughout the whole body. It was a strong probability of child abuse. All lesions are readily apparent on the following plain film radiographs and MRI.
Comparative Readability Analysis of Online Patient Education Resources on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Gulati Rishabh , Nawaz Mohammad , Lam Linh , Pyrsopoulos Nikolaos T.
Published: June 2017

Background. The National Institutes of Health recommend a readability grade level of less than 7th grade for patient directed information. In this study, we use validated readability metrics to analyze patient information from prominent websites pertaining to ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.Methods. The terms “Crohn’s Disease,” “Ulcerative Colitis,” and “Inflammatory Bowel Disease” were queried on Google and Bing. Websites containing patient education material were saved as a text file and then modified through expungement of medical terminology that was described within the text. Modified text was then divided into subsections that were analyzed using six validated readability scales.Results. None of the websites analyzed in this study achieved an estimated reading grade level below the recommended 7th grade. The median readability grade level (after modification) was 11.5 grade levels for both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The treatment subsection required the highest level of education with a median readability grade of 12th grade (range of 6.9 to 17).Conclusion. Readability of online patient education material from the analyzed popular websites far exceeds the recommended level of being less than 7th grade. Patient education resources should be revised to achieve wider health literacy.
Body Posture, Postural Stability, and Metabolic Age in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Wilczyński Jacek , Pedrycz Agnieszka , Mucha Dariusz , Ambroży Tadeusz , Mucha Dawid
Published: June 2017

Background. The study aims to analyze the relationship between body posture and composition, as well as postural stability in Parkinson’s disease patients. Material and Methods. 32 people were evaluated. The study was conducted in the Laboratory of Posturology at Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce (Poland). Body posture was examined using the optoelectronic body posture Formetric Diers Method III 4D. Postural stability was evaluated using the Biodex Balance System platform. Body composition was assessed with the method of bioelectrical impedance analysis using the Tanita MC 780 MA analyzer. Results. 11 patients (34.37%) had hyperkyphosis, 10 (31.25%) hyperlordosis, and 3 (9.37%) hyperkyphosis-hyperlordosis posture. Scoliosis (>10°) was observed in 28 (87.5%) subjects, whereas 4 (12.5%) presented scoliotic body posture (1–9°). In the examined population, all parameters of postural stability were within normal limits. Conclusions. A significant positive correlation was observed between surface rotation (°), General Stability Index (r=0.4075, p=0.0206), and Anteroposterior Stability Index (r=0.3819, p=0.0310). There was also a significant positive correlation between surface rotation (+max) (°), General Stability Index (r=0.3526, p=0.0206), and Anteroposterior Stability Index (r=0.3873, p=0.0285). Metabolic age also presented a significant positive correlation between metabolic age and General Stability Index (r=0.4057, p=0.0212), as well as Anteroposterior Stability Index (r=0.3507, p=0.0490).
Conversion of Monte Carlo Steps to Real Time for Grain Growth Simulation
Authors: Maazi N.
Published: June 2017

Monte Carlo (MC) technique is becoming a very effective simulation method for prediction and analysis of the grain growth kinetics at mesoscopic level. It should be noted that MC models have no real time of physical systems due to the probabilistic nature of this simulation technique. This leads to difficulties when converting simulated time, the Monte Carlo steps tMCS, to real time. The correspondence between Monte Carlo steps and real time should be proposed for comparing the kinetics of MC models with the experiments. In this work, the conversion of Monte Carlo steps to real time is attempted. The lattice sites spacing Δ and the temperature T cannot be ignored in the Monte Carlo simulation of grain growth. Real time will be associated with tMCS, T, and Δ.
Multispecies Coevolution Particle Swarm Optimization Based on Previous Search History
Authors: Wang Danping , Hu Kunyuan , Ma Lianbo , He Maowei , Chen Hanning
Published: June 2017

A hybrid coevolution particle swarm optimization algorithm with dynamic multispecies strategy based on K-means clustering and nonrevisit strategy based on Binary Space Partitioning fitness tree (called MCPSO-PSH) is proposed. Previous search history memorized into the Binary Space Partitioning fitness tree can effectively restrain the individuals’ revisit phenomenon. The whole population is partitioned into several subspecies and cooperative coevolution is realized by an information communication mechanism between subspecies, which can enhance the global search ability of particles and avoid premature convergence to local optimum. To demonstrate the power of the method, comparisons between the proposed algorithm and state-of-the-art algorithms are grouped into two categories: 10 basic benchmark functions (10-dimensional and 30-dimensional), 10 CEC2005 benchmark functions (30-dimensional), and a real-world problem (multilevel image segmentation problems). Experimental results show that MCPSO-PSH displays a competitive performance compared to the other swarm-based or evolutionary algorithms in terms of solution accuracy and statistical tests.
Conditional Well-Posedness for an Inverse Source Problem in the Diffusion Equation Using the Variational Adjoint Method
Authors: Sun Chunlong , Liu Qian , Li Gongsheng
Published: June 2017

This article deals with an inverse problem of determining a linear source term in the multidimensional diffusion equation using the variational adjoint method. A variational identity connecting the known data with the unknown is established based on an adjoint problem, and a conditional uniqueness for the inverse source problem is proved by the approximate controllability to the adjoint problem under the condition that the unknowns can keep orders locally. Furthermore, a bilinear form is set forth also based on the variational identity and then a norm for the unknowns is well-defined by which a conditional Lipschitz stability is established.
Structure and Function Relationship of Activated Retinal Glia in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients
Authors: Nützi Christoph , Schötzau Andreas , Grieshaber Matthias C.
Published: June 2017

Purpose. To evaluate clinically activated retinal astrocytes and Müller cells (ARAM) regarding retinal sensitivity and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods. Central visual field (VF; i.e., retinal sensitivity) was measured with a custom-made macular pattern by microperimetry and correlated with the presence (ARAM+) or absence (ARAM−) of ARAM on red-free fundus photography and with the corresponding RNFL by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results. In the eyes of POAG patients, ARAM+ had overall a significantly lower retinal sensitivity (ARAM+: 7.34 dB, ARAM−: 11.9 dB; p<0.001) and lower RNFL thickness in the inferior peripapillary quadrants compared to ARAM− (RNFL superior: ARAM+ 74.2 μm, ARAM− 77.5 μm; RNFL temporal: ARAM+ 46.8 μm, ARAM− 53.0 μm, p<0.001; and RNFL inferior: ARAM+ 63.2 μm, ARAM− 73.1 μm, p<0.001). Within the same eye, ARAM+ showed a lower retinal sensitivity compared to ARAM− ([ARAM− (11.13 dB)] − [ARAM+ (9.56 dB) = 1.57 dB; p=0.25). The proportion of ARAM+ per eye correlated strongly with reduced retinal light sensitivity (p=0.02), corresponding lower peripapillary RNFL thickness (p=0.02), and lower RNFL temporal quadrant thickness (p<0.01), but not with greater age (p=0.45). Conclusion. ARAM was more frequently identified in the eyes with a lower retinal sensitivity and peripapillary RNFL thickness and may be a clinical sign in the macula for an advanced stage of POAG.
Identifying Chinese Herbal Medicine Network for Endometriosis: Implications from a Population‐Based Database in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Pei-Ju , Lin Yi-Hsuan , Chen Jiun-Liang , Yang Sien-Hung , Chen Yu-Chun , Chen Hsing-Yu
Published: June 2017

Background. Endometriosis is a common but bothersome gynecological disease, and Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is used for treating endometriosis. The aim of this study is to explore CHM network and core treatments for endometriosis by analyzing nationwide CHM prescription database. Methods. From 1998 to 2013, the CHM prescriptions made primarily for endometriosis among women diagnosed with endometriosis (ICD‐9‐CM code: 671) by gynecologists during their reproductive age were collected. CHM network analysis was then carried out by using association rule mining and social network analysis. Results. A total of 12,986 CHM prescriptions made for endometriosis were analyzed. There were 556 kinds of CHM ever used, and, in average, each prescription was composed of 6.2 CHMs. Gui‐Zhi‐Fu‐Ling‐Wan (GZFLW) was used most frequently, followed by Cyperus rotundus (28.1% and 18.8% of all prescriptions, resp.). Additionally, the combination of Cyperus rotundus with GZFLW (8.0%) was the most frequently used combination of two CHMs. CHM network showed that GZFLW was the core CHM for endometriosis and graphically demonstrated the extensive coverage of TCM syndromes and pathogenesis of endometriosis. Conclusions. CHM network provides graphical demonstration and summary of commonly used CHMs for endometriosis, and further studies are warranted based on these findings.
Semiautomatic Segmentation of Glioma on Mobile Devices
Authors: Wu Ya-Ping , Lin Yu-Song , Wu Wei-Guo , Yang Cong , Gu Jian-Qin , Bai Yan , Wang Mei-Yun
Published: June 2017

Brain tumor segmentation is the first and the most critical step in clinical applications of radiomics. However, segmenting brain images by radiologists is labor intense and prone to inter- and intraobserver variability. Stable and reproducible brain image segmentation algorithms are thus important for successful tumor detection in radiomics. In this paper, we propose a supervised brain image segmentation method, especially for magnetic resonance (MR) brain images with glioma. This paper uses hard edge multiplicative intrinsic component optimization to preprocess glioma medical image on the server side, and then, the doctors could supervise the segmentation process on mobile devices in their convenient time. Since the preprocessed images have the same brightness for the same tissue voxels, they have small data size (typically 1/10 of the original image size) and simple structure of 4 types of intensity value. This observation thus allows follow-up steps to be processed on mobile devices with low bandwidth and limited computing performance. Experiments conducted on 1935 brain slices from 129 patients show that more than 30% of the sample can reach 90% similarity; over 60% of the samples can reach 85% similarity, and more than 80% of the sample could reach 75% similarity. The comparisons with other segmentation methods also demonstrate both efficiency and stability of the proposed approach.
Dengue Virus NS1 Protein as a Diagnostic Marker: Commercially Available ELISA and Comparison to qRT-PCR and Serological Diagnostic Assays Currently Used by the State of Florida
Authors: Ambrose Jason H. , Sekaran Shamala Devi , Azizan Azliyati
Published: June 2017

Background. The proper management of patients infected with dengue virus requires early detection. Here, real-time molecular assays have proven useful but have limitations, whereas ELISAs that detect antibodies are still favored but results are obtained too late to be of clinical value. The production of DENV NS1 peaks early during infection and its detection can combine the advantages of both diagnostic approaches.Methods.This study compared assays currently used for detecting DENV infection at the Florida Department of Health including anti-DENV IgM and IgG ELISAs as well as qRT-PCR, against a commercially available DENV NS1 ELISA. These comparisons were made among a group of 21 human sera.Results. Nine of 14 (64.3%) DENV qRT-PCR+ samples were also DENV NS1+. Interestingly, the 5 NS1− samples that were qRT-PCR+ were additionally IgM− and IgG+ suggesting a nonprimary infection. Compared to qRT-PCR, the NS1 assay had a sensitivity of 64.3%, specificity 100%, PPV of 100%, and NPV of 58.3%.Conclusions. The NS1 ELISA performed as expected in known DENV qRT-PCR+ samples; however negative NS1 results for qRT-PCR+ and IgG+ sera seemingly reduced the usefulness of the NS1 ELISA for nonprimary cases. We therefore conclude that diagnosis obtained via DENV NS1 ELISA deserves further investigation.
Effect of Whole‐Body Cryotherapy on Antioxidant Systems in Experimental Rat Model
Authors: Skrzep-Poloczek Bronisława , Romuk Ewa , Wiśnowiska Bernadeta , Owczarek Aleksander J. , Choręza Piotr , Sieroń Aleksander , Birkner Ewa , Stygar Dominika
Published: June 2017

Background. The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of whole‐body cryotherapy (WBC) in rats on their antioxidant systems, lipid peroxidation products, and their total oxidative status at different exposure times and temperatures. Methods. Antioxidants in serum, plasma, liver, and erythrocytes were evaluated in two study groups following 1 min of exposure to −60°C and −90°C, for 5 and 10 consecutive days. Results. WBC increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase in the group subjected to 5 and 10 days exposure, −60°C. The glutathione S‐transferase activity increased in the groups subjected to 10 days WBC sessions. Total antioxidant capacity increased after 5 and 10 days of 1 min WBC, −60°C; a decrease was observed at −90°C. A decreased level of erythrocyte malondialdehyde concentration was observed at −60°C after 5 and 10 days of cryostimulation. An increased concentration was measured at −90°C after 10 days, and increase of erythrocyte malondialdehyde concentration after 5 days, −90°C. Conclusions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research showing the effect of WBC in rats at different exposure times and temperatures. The effect of cryotherapy on enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems was observed in the serum of animals exposed to a temperature of −60°C in comparison to control.
Prothrombotic Fibrin Clot Phenotype in Patients with Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism: A New Risk Factor for Recurrence
Authors: Undas Anetta
Published: June 2017

Prothrombotic fibrin clot phenotype, involving faster formation of dense meshwork composed of thinner and highly branched fibers that are relatively resistant to plasmin-induced lysis, has been reported in patients with not only myocardial infarction or stroke, but also venous thromboembolism (VTE), encompassing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and/or pulmonary embolism (PE). Prothrombotic fibrin clot phenotype, in particular prolonged clot lysis time, is considered a novel risk factor for VTE as well as venous thrombosis at unusual location, for example, cerebral sinus venous thrombosis, retinal vein obstruction, and Budd-Chiari syndrome. Growing evidence from observational studies indicates that abnormal fibrin clot properties can predict recurrent DVT and PE and they are involved in serious complications of VTE, for example, thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and postthrombotic syndrome. The purpose of this article is to review our current understanding of the role of fibrin clot structure and function in venous thrombosis with emphasis on clinical issues ranging from prognosis to therapy.
Capability of Ophthalmology Residents to Detect Glaucoma Using High-Dynamic-Range Concept versus Color Optic Disc Photography
Authors: Ittarat Mantapond , Itthipanichpong Rath , Manassakorn Anita , Tantisevi Visanee , Chansangpetch Sunee , Rojanapongpun Prin
Published: June 2017

Background. Assessment of color disc photograph (C-DP) is affected by image quality, which decreases the ability to detect glaucoma. High-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging provides a greater range of luminosity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the capability of ophthalmology residents to detect glaucoma using HDR-concept disc photography (HDR-DP) compared to C-DP. Design. Cross-sectional study. Methods. Twenty subjects were classified by 3 glaucoma specialists as either glaucoma, glaucoma suspect, or control. All C-DPs were converted to HDR-DPs and randomly presented and assessed by 10 first-year ophthalmology residents. Sensitivity and specificity of glaucoma detection were compared. Results. The mean ± SD of averaged retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was 74.0 ± 6.1 μm, 100.2 ± 9.6 μm, and 105.8 ± 17.2 μm for glaucoma, glaucoma suspect, and controls, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity of HDR-DP was higher than that of C-DP (87% versus 68%, mean difference: 19.0, 95% CI: 4.91 to 33.1; p=0.014). Regarding diagnostic specificity, HDR-DP and C-DP yielded 46% and 75% (mean difference: 29.0, 95% CI: 13.4 to 44.6; p=0.002). Conclusions. HDR-DP statistically increased diagnostic sensitivity but not specificity. HDR-DP may be a screening tool for nonexpert ophthalmologists.
Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Recurrent Mooren’s Ulcer
Authors: Yang Lixia , Xiao Juan , Wang Jiawei , Zhang Han
Published: June 2017

Purpose. To investigate the clinical characteristics of Mooren’s ulcer in East China and to identify the potential risk factors that affect the recurrence of Mooren’s ulcer. Methods. We reviewed the medical records of 95 patients (100 eyes) diagnosed with Mooren’s ulcer from May 2005 to December 2014. The patients were classified into recurrent and nonrecurrent groups and followed up for 18 months. The difference between two groups was estimated. The patients in the recurrent group were subdivided according to the history of corneal infection and corneal perforation, respectively. The recurrent time in the subgroups was analyzed. Results. Patients in the recurrent group were more likely to have a history of corneal infection and corneal perforation than that in the nonrecurrent groups. In patients with recurrent Mooren’s ulcer, the median time to first recurrence was 130 days in the infection group, 480 days in noninfection group, and 195 days in the perforation group versus 480 days in nonperforation group. Conclusion. Corneal infection and corneal perforation were associated with early recurrence of Mooren’s ulcer. The tailored follow-up schedule should be used for patients with corneal infection and corneal perforation due to the high risk of recurrence.