bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Novel Bacteriophages with Therapeutic Potential That Target
Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Al-Zubidi M. , Widziolek M. , Court E. K. , Gains A. F. , Smith R. E. , Ansbro K. , Alrafaie A. , Evans C. , Murdoch C. , Mesnage S. , Douglas C. W. I. , Rawlinson A. , Stafford G. P.
Published: August 2019

The Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen
Enterococcus faecalis
is frequently responsible for nosocomial infections in humans and represents one of the most common bacteria isolated from recalcitrant endodontic (root canal) infections.
E. faecalis
is intrinsically resistant to several antibiotics routinely used in clinical settings (such as cephalosporins and aminoglycosides) and can acquire resistance to vancomycin (vancomycin-resistant enterococci).
Colonic pseudo-obstruction in a patient with Sheehan’s syndrome
Authors: Kaur Navneet , Schubart Ulrich , Mandl Adel
Published: August 2019

A 56-year-old woman with a history of hypothyroidism and chronic constipation presented with an acute abdomen due to colonic pseudo-obstruction. Thyroid function tests were consistent with central hypothyroidism prompting intravenous administration of stress-dose glucocorticoids and levothyroxine. The patient then underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy with sigmoid resection and end-colostomy. The postoperative endocrine evaluation revealed that the patient had panhypopituitarism due to Sheehan’s syndrome (SS). The diagnosis had been missed by physicians who had been treating her for several years for presumed primary hypothyroidism with a low dose of levothyroxine, aimed at normalising a minimally elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level. This is the second reported case of SS presenting with colonic pseudo-obstruction and it illustrates the potential danger of relying on measurement of TSH alone in the evaluation and treatment of thyroid dysfunction.
Large intra-abdominal cystic lymphangioma managed by laparoscopic partial excision and modified drain with no need for open resection
Authors: Choy Kay Tai , Hartslief Merve
Published: August 2019

A 57-year-old woman was referred to the emergency department after a CT scan ordered by her general practitioner to investigate her abdominal pain showed a large cystic mass. The simple cystic appearance with its location in the small bowel mesentery prompted a provisional diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma. However, concerns regarding the size, location and local involvement of neurovascular structures presented a technical surgical challenge. Here we present a case of minimally invasive laparoscopic drainage using a modified Jackson-Pratt drain that avoided a laparotomy and open resection.
Preoperative radiation as part of a multidisciplinary strategy for a medically inoperable patient with a bleeding colon cancer
Authors: Peng June S , Lad Neha L , Spangenthal Edward J , Mattson David M , Nurkin Steven J
Published: August 2019

An 84-year-old man with a history of deep vein thrombosis on warfarin and coronary artery disease presented with haematochezia and was diagnosed with an ascending colon cancer. He was short of breath with lower extremity oedema at the initial surgical consultation. Evaluation revealed an acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure, and further workup and treatment were recommended by the cardiology team. After multidisciplinary discussion, he underwent radiation for the control of bleeding, followed by cardiac catheterisation and placement of a bare metal stent. The patient subsequently underwent robotic-assisted right hemicolectomy. Pathology demonstrated a complete response, and the patient recovered uneventfully. He is alive swith no evidence of disease recurrence 12 months after surgery and 18 months after initial diagnosis.
Thoracic spine metastasis presenting 18 years after complete resection of a phaeochromocytoma
Authors: Fadiga Lúcia , Saraiva Joana , Paiva Isabel , Carrilho Francisco
Published: August 2019

Phaeochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours (NET) with malignant behaviour in about 10% of cases. The median time from the diagnosis of primary tumour and bone metastasis is 3.4 years. We report a case of a 66-year-old woman presenting with a hypertensive crisis and back pain. She has a history of a phaeochromocytoma completely resected 18 years before. MRI showed a neoplastic mass on the 10th thoracic vertebra (T10), with fracture and spinal cord compression. The CT-guided biopsy was consistent with metastasis of a NET. Therefore, she was treated with phenoxybenzamine and external beam radiotherapy. However, clinical (dorsal pain) and biochemical (ie, elevated chromogranin A) signs suggested persistent disease and the patient was treated with iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine and T10 kyphoplasty. After 8 years, she remains clinically stable. This case demonstrates that phaeochromocytomas may reveal malignant behaviour several years after diagnosis, and therefore patients should be maintained under long term surveillance.
Simultaneous diagnosis of glioblastoma, cervical schwannoma, adrenal masses and growth hormone-secreting adenoma in a previously healthy patient
Authors: Shi Helen , Wright Christina Huang , Rivera Trenton , Wright James
Published: August 2019

A constellation of newly diagnosed benign tumours and glioblastoma is an uncommon occurrence in a single individual. We present a case of a patient with a history of skin lipomas who presented with seizures and was found to have a left frontotemporal multifocal enhancing mass on MRI. Work-up for metastatic disease revealed a benign lung carcinoid tumour, a cervical schwannoma, adrenal masses, a growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma, and lastly a glioblastoma following brain biopsy.
Abdominal wall endometriosis in a region distant to the caesarean section scar
Authors: Galazis Nicolas , Kyriacou Christopher , Johnstone-Ayliffe Carina , Nawar Magdy
Published: August 2019

Abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) is a rare entity presenting as a painful lump with a cyclical pattern, associated with previous caesarean section (CS). AWE is typically located at the site of the CS scar. The diagnosis is challenging in the rare instance when AWE presents at a location distant to the CS scar. A 37-year-old patient presented to a general surgeon with a 2-year history of left-sided, periumbilical pain exacerbated during her menstrual periods. A 3 cm firm and tender nodule was noted clinically. Intraoperatively, the nodule involved the rectus muscle and infiltrated the peritoneum. Histology confirmed endometriosis, and the patient recovered uneventfully. The rarity of this clinical entity and the fact that AWE mostly presents to non-gynaecologists make the diagnosis challenging prolonging its physical and psychological morbidity. Thorough history-taking with emphasis on the pattern of pain and a previous history of CS should raise suspicion of AWE.
Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency and Guillain-Barré syndrome occurring in a patient treated with nivolumab
Authors: Pierrard Julien , Petit Bénédicte , Lejeune Sarah , Seront Emmanuel
Published: August 2019

The increased use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has led to the observation of a variety of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). These irAEs occur usually within the first months after ICIs onset and can involve theorically all organs. We describe two rare irAEs occurring in a 70-year-old caucasian man who was treated with nivolumab for an advanced urothelial cancer of the left kidney. He developed an isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency that was diagnosed at week 19 and a neurological complication that appeared at week 79 and initially confounded with a lumbar spinal stenosis. Diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome was finally confirmed with the complete resolution of symptoms after 5 days of intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids. We highlight the importance of quickly recognising these potential life-threatening irAEs such as cortisol insufficiency and neurologic adverse events whose initially presentation could be non-specific.
Association of China’s universal two child policy with changes in births and birth related health factors: national, descriptive comparative study
Authors: Li Hong-tian , Xue Ming , Hellerstein Susan , Cai Yue , Gao Yanqiu , Zhang Yali , Qiao Jie , Blustein Jan , Liu Jian-meng
Published: August 2019

Objective

To measure the association of China’s universal two child policy, announced in October 2015, with changes in births and health related birth characteristics.

Design

National, descriptive before-and-after comparative study.

Setting

Every county in 28 of 31 provinces of mainland China.

Participants

Births included in two national databases: 67 786 749 births from county level monthly aggregated data between January 2014 and December 2017; and 31 786 279 deliveries from individual level delivery information records between January 2015 and December 2017.

Main outcome measures

Monthly mean number of births and mean proportion of multiparous mothers and mothers aged 35 and over, preterm deliveries, and caesarean deliveries.

Results

The study had two phases: the baseline period (up to and including June 2016, nine months after the policy announcement) and the effective period (from July 2016 to December 2017). The estimated number of additional births attributable to the new policy between July 2016 and December 2017 was 5.40 million (95% confidence interval 4.34 to 6.46). The monthly mean percentage of multiparous mothers and mothers aged 35 and over increased by 9.1 percentage points (95% confidence interval 6.4 to 11.7) and 5.8 percentage points (5.2 to 6.4), respectively. This increase in older mothers, however, was not associated with a concurrent increase in the overall rate of preterm birth. The monthly mean caesarean delivery rate among multiparous mothers increased by 1.2 percentage points (0.8 to 1.6) from 39.7% to 40.9%, and decreased by 3.0 percentage points (−3.5 to −2.5) among nulliparous mothers from 39.6% to 36.6%.

Conclusions

Since its announcement in October 2015, the universal two child policy has been associated with a rise in births in China and with changes in health related birth characteristics: women giving birth have been more likely to be multiparous, and more likely to be aged 35 and over. No evidence of concurrent worsening outcomes (that is, premature births) was seen.
Coping with healthcare costs for chronic illness in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic literature review
Authors: Murphy Adrianna , McGowan Catherine , McKee Martin , Suhrcke Marc , Hanson Kara
Published: August 2019

Background

Experiencing illness in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) can incur very high out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for healthcare and, while the existing literature typically focuses on levels of expenditure, it rarely examines what happens when households do not have the necessary money. Some will adopt one or more ‘coping strategies’, such as borrowing money, perhaps at exorbitant interest rates, or selling assets, some necessary for their future income, with detrimental long-term effects. This is particularly relevant for chronic illnesses that require consistent, long-term OOP payments. We systematically review the literature on strategies for financing OOP costs of chronic illnesses in LMICs, their correlates and their impacts on households.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EconLit, EMBASE, Global Health and Scopus on 22 October 2018 for literature published on or after 1 January 2000. We included qualitative or quantitative studies describing at least one coping strategy for chronic illness OOP payments in a LMIC context. Our narrative review follows Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines.

Results

Forty-seven papers were included. Studies identified coping strategies for chronic illness costs that are not traditionally addressed in financial risk protection research (eg, taking children out of school, sending them to work, reducing expenditure on food or education, quitting work to give care). Twenty studies reported socioeconomic or other correlates of coping strategies, with poorer households and those with more advanced disease more vulnerable to detrimental strategies. Only six studies (three cross-sectional and three qualitative) included evidence of impacts of coping strategies on households, including increased labour to repay debts and discontinuing treatment.

Conclusions

Monitoring of financial risk protection provides an incomplete picture if it fails to capture the effect of coping strategies. This will require qualitative and longitudinal research to understand the long-term effects, especially those associated with chronic illness in LMICs.
Current realities versus theoretical optima: quantifying efficiency and sociospatial equity of travel time to hospitals in low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Wong Kerry LM , Brady Oliver J , Campbell Oona Maeve Renee , Jarvis Christopher I , Pembe Andrea , Gomez Gabriela B , Benova Lenka
Published: August 2019

Background

Having hospitals located in urban areas where people, resources and wealth concentrate is efficient, but leaves long travel times for the rural and often poorer population and goes against the equity objective. We aimed to assess the current efficiency (mean travel time in the whole population) and equity (difference in travel time between the poorest and least poor deciles) of hospital care provision in four sub-Saharan African countries, and to compare them against their theoretical optima.

Methods

We overlaid the locations of 480, 115, 3787 and 256 hospitals in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Tanzania, respectively, with high-resolution maps of travel time, population and wealth to estimate current efficiency and equity. To identify the potential optima, we simulated 7500 sets of hospitals locations based on various population and wealth weightings and percentage reallocations for each country.

Results

The average travel time ranged from 38 to 79 min across countries, and the respective optima were mildly shorter (<15%). The observed equity gaps were wider than their optima. Compared with the best case scenarios, differences in the equity gaps varied from 7% in Tanzania to 77% in Nigeria. In Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania, narrower equity gaps without increasing average travel time were seen from simulations that held 75%–90% of hospitals at their current locations.

Interpretations

Current hospital distribution in the four sub-Saharan African countries could be considered efficient. Simultaneous gains in efficiency and equity do not necessarily require a fundamental redesign of the healthcare system. Our analytical approach is readily extendible to aid decision support in adding and upgrading existing hospitals.
Cross-cultural adaption and validation of the Chinese version of the Child Food Neophobia Scale
Authors: Zou JiaoJiao , Liu Yan , Yang Qiping , Liu Hanmei , Luo Jing , Ouyang Yufeng , Wang Joyce , Lin Qian
Published: August 2019

Objective

To adapt the Child Food Neophobia Scale (CFNS) cross-culturally for use among 12-36-month-old Chinese toddlers and to perform a preliminary assessment of its construct validity and reliability.

Background

Food neophobia is the fear of eating new or unfamiliar foods, which affects the type and quality of individual dietary intake, especially during early childhood. However, measurements of child food neophobia have rarely been reported in China due to a lack of reliable and valid measurements.

Methods

The CFNS was translated and adapted into a Chinese version (CFNS-CN) through a forward translation, reconciliation, a back translation, expert review and pretesting. The construct validity and reliability of the CFNS-CN were tested in 390 caregivers of 12–36 months old Chinese toddlers through convenience sampling in Changsha Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Hunan Province, China. The internal consistency, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability were estimated.

Results

The kappa coefficients indicated moderate to perfect agreement between the test and retest, and Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.91. A normal χ2/df, CMIN/DF=3.302, Comparative Fit Index, CFI=0.993, Tucker-Lewis Index, TLI=0.986 and root mean square error of approximation, RMSEA=0.077 were found. The CFA results showed that the model indicators were acceptable. High food neophobia was observed in 25.1% of individuals.

Conclusion

The CFNS-CN showed good internal consistency reliability and construct validity. The CFNS-CN may become an effective tool for assessing food neophobia in Chinese toddlers.

Trial registration

This trial was pre-registered at the China Clinical Trial Registration Center under registration number ChiCTR1800015890.
Characterisation of the fibroinflammatory process involved in progression from acute to chronic pancreatitis: study protocol for a multicentre, prospective cohort study
Authors: Novovic Srdan , Borch Anders , Werge Mikkel , Karran David , Gluud Lise , Schmidt Palle Nordblad , Hansen Erik Feldager , Nøjgaard Camilla , Jensen Annette Bøjer , Jensen Frank Krieger , Frøkjær Jens Brøndum , Hansen Mark Berner , Jørgensen Lars Nannestad , Drewes Asbjørn Mohr , Olesen Søren Schou
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is thought to present the end stage of a continuous disease process evolving from acute pancreatitis (AP), over recurrent AP, to early and end-stage CP. Due to the irreversible nature of CP, early detection and prevention is key. Prospective assessment based on advanced imaging modalities as well as biochemical markers of inflammation, fibrosis and oxidative stress may provide a better understanding of the underlying pathological processes and help identify novel biomarkers of disease with the ultimate goal of early diagnosis, intervention and prevention of disease progression. This paper describes the protocol of a prospective multicentre cohort study investigating the fibroinflammatory process involved in progression from acute to CP using state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging modalities and circulating biomarkers of inflammation, fibrosis and oxidative stress.

Methods and analysis

Adult control subjects and patients at different stages of CP according to the M-ANNHEIM system will be recruited from outpatient clinics at the participating sites and form three cohorts: controls (n=40), suspected CP (n=60) and definitive CP (n=60). Included patients will be followed prospectively for 15 years with advanced MRI and contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound with elastography, assessment of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function, biochemical and nutritional assessment, and evaluation of pain processing using quantitative sensory testing. Blood samples for a biobank will be obtained. The purpose of the biobank is to allow analyses of potential circulating biomarkers of disease progression, including markers of inflammation, fibrosis and oxidative stress.

Ethics and dissemination

Permissions from the Regional Science Ethics committee and the Regional Data Protection Agency have been obtained. We will submit the results of the study for publication in peer-reviewed journals regardless of whether the results are positive, negative or inconclusive.
Identification of the optimal points for the acupuncture treatment of neck pain in China: protocol for a multicenter, matched, case-control study
Authors: Sun Mingsheng , Tao Siyuan , Geng Guoyan , Peng Jieru , Ma Xingsha , Yan Mingxi , Chen Jiao , Cai Dingjun , Zheng Hui , Yang Chunxia , Zhao Ling , Liang Fan-rong
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Neck pain (NP) is a common condition that can be effectively treated by acupuncture. However, several treatment point prescriptions (ie, local acupoints, distal acupoints, and sensitised acupoints) may be used. The present study aims to identify the types of sensitisation and the distribution of sensitised points in patients with NP, to analyse the cut-off values and sensitisation rate for acupoint sensitisation, and to summarise the dominant forms of optimally sensitised points. This information will be helpful when choosing the optimal points to treat NP.

Methods and analysis

This multicentre, matched, case–control study will enrol 224 patients with NP, and 224 age-matched and sex-matched healthy participants as controls. Body surface temperature, mechanical pain threshold, pressure pain threshold and skin resistance will be assessed at the 15 acupoints most frequently used to treat NP, and at the five body regions in which pain occurs most frequently. Hypothesis testing will be used to compare the differences in variables between cases and controls. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis will be used to explore the cut-off values of the sensitive states of heat, pain and electrical resistance, which indicate sensitisation of the acupoint. The optimal points will be comprehensively determined by the acupoint sensitisation rate and OR.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval of this study has been granted by the Research Ethical Committee of the Teaching Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ID: 2018 KL-016). The outcomes of the study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration

ChiCTR1800016220.
Implementation of the Dutch expertise centre for child abuse: descriptive data from the first 4 years
Authors: van Rijn Rick Robert , Affourtit Marjo J , Karst Wouter A , Kamphuis Mascha , de Bock Leonie C , van de Putte Elise
Published: August 2019

Objective

Combined paediatric and forensic medical expertise to interpret physical findings is not available in Dutch healthcare facilities. The Dutch Expertise Centre for Child Abuse (DECCA) was founded in the conviction that this combination is essential in assessing potential physical child abuse. DECCA is a collaboration between the three paediatric hospitals and the Netherlands Forensic Institute. DECCA works with Bayes’ theorem and uses likelihood ratios in their conclusions.

Design

We present the implementation process of DECCA and cross-sectional data of the first 4 years.

Participants

Between 14 December 2014 and 31 December 2018, a total of 761 advisory requests were referred, all of which were included in this study. An advisee evaluation over the year 2015 was performed using a self-constructed survey to gain insight in the first experiences with DECCA.

Results

761 cases were included, 381 (50.1%) boys and 361 (47.4%) girls (19 cases (2.5%) sex undisclosed). Median age was 1.5 years (range 1 day to 20 years). Paediatricians (53.1%) and child safeguarding doctors (21.9%) most frequently contacted DECCA. The two most common reasons for referral were presence of injury/skin lesions (n=592) and clinical history inconsistent with findings (n=145). The most common injuries were bruises (264) and non-skull fractures (166). Outcome of DECCA evaluation was almost certainly no or improbable child abuse in 35.7%; child abuse likely or almost certain in 24.3%, and unclear in 12%. The advisee evaluations (response rate 50%) showed that 93% experienced added value and that 100% were (very) satisfied with the advice.

Conclusion

Data show growing interest in the expertise of DECCA through the years. DECCA seems to be a valuable addition to Dutch child protection, since advisee value the service and outcome of DECCA evaluations. In almost half of the cases, DECCA concluded that child abuse could not be substantiated.
Clinical trial data sharing: here’s the challenge
Authors: Kochhar Sonali , Knoppers Bartha , Gamble Carrol , Chant Alan , Koplan Jeffrey , Humphreys Georgina S
Published: August 2019

Objective

Anonymised patient-level data from clinical research are increasingly recognised as a fundamental and valuable resource. It has value beyond the original research project and can help drive scientific research and innovations and improve patient care. To support responsible data sharing, we need to develop systems that work for all stakeholders. The members of the Independent Review Panel (IRP) for the data sharing platform Clinical Study Data Request (CSDR) describe here some summary metrics from the platform and challenge the research community on why the promised demand for data has not been observed.

Summary of data

From 2014 to the end of January 2019, there were a total of 473 research proposals (RPs) submitted to CSDR. Of these, 364 met initial administrative and data availability checks, and the IRP approved 291. Of the 90 research teams that had completed their analyses by January 2018, 41 reported at least one resulting publication to CSDR. Less than half of the studies ever listed on CSDR have been requested.

Conclusion

While acknowledging there are areas for improvement in speed of access and promotion of the platform, the total number of applications for access and the resulting publications have been low and challenge the sustainability of this model. What are the barriers for data contributors and secondary analysis researchers? If this model does not work for all, what needs to be changed? One thing is clear: that data access can realise new and unforeseen contributions to knowledge and improve patient health, but this will not be achieved unless we build sustainable models together that work for all.
Urinary bisphenol A and incidence of metabolic syndrome among Chinese men: a prospective cohort study from 2013 to 2017
Authors: Wu Suyang , Wang Feng , Lu Shaoyou , Chen Yi , Li Wenbo , Li Zhimin , Zhang Liuzhuo , Huang Hongying , Feng Wenting , Arrandale Victoria H , Evans Greg J , Tse Lap Ah
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Experimental studies suggested that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure increased the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) through the mechanism of insulin resistance. All previous epidemiological studies of BPA and MetS were cross-sectional studies, and their findings were mixed. This study aims to provide further evidence on the association between urinary BPA and risk of MetS using a prospective cohort study in China.

Methods

The study population was from the Shenzhen Night shift workers’ cohort. A total of 1227 male workers were recruited from the baseline survey in 2013 and then followed until 2017. Modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were used to identify the cases of MetS. Urinary BPA concentration was assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and it was categorised into three subgroups by tertiles to obtain the adjusted HR (aHR) and 95% CI using Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

During 4 years of follow-up, 200 subjects developed MetS. Compared with the lowest urinary BPA subgroup, a weakly increased risk of MetS was suggested among those with the middle (aHR=1.19, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.63) and high level of urinary BPA (aHR=1.16, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.59); however, the significant association with MetS was restricted primarily to the smokers, showing a positive gradient with urinary BPA (middle level: aHR=2.40, 95% CI 1.13 to 5.08; high level: aHR=2.87, 95% CI 1.38 to 5.98;p trend=0.010).

Conclusion

This prospective cohort study provided further evidence that exposure to BPA may increase the risk of MetS, and this association was further positively modified by cigarette smoking.
Sex solves Haldane’s dilemma
Authors: Hickey Donal A. , Golding G. Brian
Published: August 2019

The cumulative reproductive cost of multi-locus selection has been considered to be a potentially limiting factor on the rate of adaptive evolution. In this paper, we show that Haldane’s arguments for the accumulation of reproductive costs over multiple loci are valid only for a clonally reproducing population of asexual genotypes. We show that a sexually reproducing population avoids this accumulation of costs. Thus, sex removes a perceived reproductive constraint on the rate of adaptive evolution. The significance of our results is twofold. First, the results demonstrate that adaptation based on multiple genes—such as selection acting on the standing genetic variation—does not entail a huge reproductive cost as suggested by Haldane, provided of course that the population is reproducing sexually. Second, this reduction in the cost of natural selection provides a simple biological explanation for the advantage of sex. Specifically, Haldane’s calculations illustrate the evolutionary disadvantage of asexuality; sexual reproduction frees the population from this disadvantage.
Black hole solutions and Euler equation in Rastall and generalized Rastall theories of gravity
Authors: Moradpour H. , Heydarzade Y. , Corda C. , Ziaie A. H. , Ghaffari S.
Published: August 2019

Focusing on the special case of generalized Rastall theory, as a subclass of the non-minimal curvature-matter coupling theories in which the field equations are mathematically similar to the Einstein field equations in the presence of cosmological constant, we find two classes of black hole (BH) solutions including (i) conformally flat solutions and (ii) non-singular BHs. Accepting the mass function definition and by using the entropy contents of the solutions along with thermodynamic definitions of temperature and pressure, we study the validity of Euler equation on the corresponding horizons. Our results show that the thermodynamic pressure, meeting the Euler equation, is not always equal to the pressure components appeared in the gravitational field equations and satisfies the first law of thermodynamics, a result which in fact depends on the presumed energy definition. The requirements of having solutions with equal thermodynamic and Hawking temperatures are also studied. Additionally, we study the conformally flat BHs in the Rastall framework. The consequences of employing generalized Misner–Sharp mass in studying the validity of the Euler equation are also addressed.
HEDGING EFFECTIVENESS OF CROSS-LISTED NIFTY INDEX FUTURES
Authors: KUMAR K. KIRAN , BOSE SHREYA
Published: August 2019

This paper investigates the hedging effectiveness of cross-listed Nifty Index futures and compares the performance of constant and dynamic optimal hedging strategies. We use daily data of Nifty index traded on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), India and cross-listed Nifty futures traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) for a period of six years from July 15, 2010 to July 15, 2016. Various competing forms of Multivariate Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (MGARCH) models, such as Constant Conditional Correlation (CCC) and Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC), have been employed to capture the time-varying volatility. The results clearly depict that dynamic hedge ratios outperform traditional constant hedge ratios with the DCC–GARCH model being the most efficient with maximum variance reduction from the unhedged portfolio.
SIRT6, a Mammalian Deacylase with Multitasking Abilities
Authors: Chang Andrew R. , Ferrer Christina M. , Mostoslavsky Raul
Published: August 2019

Mammalian sirtuins have emerged in recent years as critical modulators of multiple biological processes, regulating cellular metabolism, DNA repair, gene expression, and mitochondrial biology. As such, they evolved to play key roles in organismal homeostasis, and defects in these proteins have been linked to a plethora of diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and aging. In this review, we describe the multiple roles of SIRT6, a chromatin deacylase with unique and important functions in maintaining cellular homeostasis. We attempt to provide a framework for such different functions, for the ability of SIRT6 to interconnect chromatin dynamics with metabolism and DNA repair, and the open questions the field will face in the future, particularly in the context of putative therapeutic opportunities.
Malaysian Tualang Honey Inhibits Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Endothelial Hyperpermeability
Authors: Devasvaran Kogilavanee , Tan Jun Jie , Ng Chin Theng , Fong Lai Yen , Yong Yoke Keong
Published: August 2019

Malaysian Tualang honey (TH) is a known therapeutic honey extracted from the honeycombs of the Tualang tree (Koompassia excelsa) and has been reported for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and wound healing properties. However, the possible vascular protective effect of TH against oxidative stress remains unclear. In this study, the effects of TH on hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) elicited vascular hyperpermeability in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and Balb/c mice were evaluated. Our data showed that TH concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 1.00% showed no cytotoxic effect to HUVECs. Induction with 0.5 mM H2O2 was found to increase HUVEC permeability, but the effect was significantly reversed attenuated by TH (p<0.05), of which the permeability with the highest inhibition peaked at 0.1%. In Balb/c mice, TH (0.5 g/kg-1.5 g/kg) significantly (p<0.05) reduced H2O2 (0.3%)-induced albumin-bound Evans blue leak, in a dose-dependent manner. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed that TH reduced actin stress fiber formation while increasing cortical actin formation and colocalization of caveolin-1 and β-catenin in HUVECs. Signaling studies showed that HUVECs pretreated with TH significantly (p<0.05) decreased intracellular calcium release, while sustaining the level of cAMP when challenged with H2O2. These results suggested that TH could inhibit H2O2-induced vascular hyperpermeability in vitro and in vivo by suppression of adherence junction protein redistribution via calcium and cAMP, which could have a therapeutic potential for diseases related to the increase of both oxidant and vascular permeability.
Targeting IL-17A Improves the Dysmotility of the Small Intestine and Alleviates the Injury of the Interstitial Cells of Cajal during Sepsis
Authors: Li Jing , Kong Pengyu , Chen Chao , Tang Jing , Jin Xiaoming , Yan Jinglong , Wang Yufu
Published: August 2019

Intestinal dysmotility is a frequent complication during sepsis and plays an important role in the development of secondary infections and multiple organ failure. However, the central mechanisms underlying this process have not been well elucidated. Currently, effective therapies are still lacking for the treatment of sepsis-induced intestinal dysmotility. In this study, we found that the activation of IL-17 signaling within the muscularis propria might be associated with dysmotility of the small intestine during polymicrobial sepsis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that targeting IL-17A partially rescued the motility of the small intestine and alleviated interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) injury during sepsis. The blockade of IL-17A suppressed the dominant sepsis-induced infiltration of M1-polarized macrophages into the muscularis. Additionally, impaired ICC survival may be associated with the oxidative stress injury induced by dominant infiltration of M1-polarized macrophages. Our findings reveal the important role of the IL-17 signaling pathway in the small intestine during sepsis and provide clues for developing a novel therapeutic strategy for treating gastrointestinal dysmotility during sepsis.
Evaluation of Alternative Methods to Assess the Biological Properties of Propolis on Metabolic Activity and Biofilm Formation in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Veloz Jorge Jesús , Alvear Marysol , Salazar Luis A.
Published: August 2019

Several biological activities have been reported for the Chilean propolis, among their antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties, due to its high polyphenol content. In this study, we evaluate alternative methods to assess the effect of Chilean propolis on biofilm formation and metabolic activity of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a major cariogenic agent in oral cavity. Biofilm formation was studied by using crystal violet and by confocal microscopy. The metabolic activity of biofilm was evaluated by MTT and by flow cytometry analysis. The results show that propolis reduces biofilm formation and biofilm metabolic activity in S. mutans. When the variability of the methods to measure biofilm formation was compared, the coefficient of variation (CV) fluctuated between 12.8 and 23.1% when using crystal violet methodology. On the other hand, the CV ranged between 2.2 and 3.3% with confocal microscopy analysis. The CV for biofilm’s metabolic activity measured by MTT methodology ranged between 5.0 and 11.6%, in comparison with 1.9 to 3.2% when flow cytometry analysis was used. Besides, it is possible to conclude that the methods based on colored compounds presented lower precision to study the effect of propolis on biofilm properties. Therefore, we recommend the use of flow cytometry and confocal microscopy in S. mutans biofilm analysis.
Rapid Determination of the Freshness of Lotus Seeds Using Surface Desorption Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization-Mass Spectrometry with Multivariate Analyses
Authors: Chi Yunyang , Luo Liping , Huang Xueyong , Cui Meng , Dai Ximo , Hao Yingbin , Guo Xiali , Luo Huolin
Published: August 2019

In order to explore a new method to detect the freshness of lotus seeds, the lotus seeds stored for 0, 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively, were used as experimental materials and analyzed by DAPCI-MS (desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry). The obtained data were processed by principal component analysis (PCA) and backpropagation artificial neural networks (BP-ANNs). The result showed that DAPCI-MS could obtain abundant chemical material information from the slice surface of lotus seeds. The BP-ANNs model could be applied not only to distinguish fresh and aged lotus seeds with the testing set accuracies of 95.0% and 91.7%, respectively, but also to classify lotus seeds with different storage times with the testing set accuracies of 90.0%, 85.0%, 85.0%, and 90.0%, respectively. The paper developed a fast, convenient, and accurate method for the freshness detection of lotus seed and would provide reliable reference value for rapid authentication of food freshness by the rapid mass spectrometry technique.
Early Brain Damage Affects Body Schema and Person Perception Abilities in Children and Adolescents with Spastic Diplegia
Authors: Butti Niccolò , Montirosso Rosario , Giusti Lorenzo , Piccinini Luigi , Borgatti Renato , Urgesi Cosimo
Published: August 2019

Early brain damage leading to cerebral palsy is associated to core motor impairments and also affects cognitive and social abilities. In particular, previous studies have documented specific alterations of perceptual body processing and motor cognition that are associated to unilateral motor deficits in hemiplegic patients. However, little is known about spastic diplegia (SpD), which is characterized by motorial deficits involving both sides of the body and is often associated to visuospatial, attentional, and social perception impairments. Here, we compared the performance of a sample of 30 children and adolescents with SpD (aged 7-18 years) and of a group of age-matched controls with typical development (TD) at two different tasks tapping on body representations. In the first task, we tested visual and motor imagery abilities as assessed, respectively, by the object-based mental rotation of letters and by the first-person transformations for whole-body stimuli. In the second task, we administered an inversion effect/composite illusion task to evaluate the use of configural/holistic processing of others’ body. Additionally, we assessed social perception abilities in the SpD sample using the NEPSY-II battery. In line with previously reported visuospatial deficits, a general mental imagery impairment was found in SpD patients when they were engaged in both object-centered and first-person mental transformations. Nevertheless, a specific deficit in operating an own-body transformation emerged. As concerns body perception, while more basic configural processing (i.e., inversion effect) was spared, no evidence for holistic (i.e., composite illusion) body processing was found in the SpD group. NEPSY-II assessment revealed that SpD children were impaired in both the theory of mind and affect recognition subtests. Overall, these findings suggested that early brain lesions and biased embodied experience could affect higher-level motor cognition and perceptual body processing, thus pointing to a strict link between motor deficits, body schema alterations, and person processing difficulties.
The Variant at TGFBRAP1 but Not TGFBR2 Is Associated with Antituberculosis Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Zhang Jingwei , Zhao Zhenzhen , Bai Hao , Jiao Lin , Wu Qian , Wu Tao , Liu Tangyuheng , Hu Xuejiao , Song Jiajia , Lyv Mengyuan , Ying Binwu
Published: August 2019

Background. TGFBRAP1 and TGFBR2 play important roles in the TGF-β/smad signalling pathway and may disturb liver homeostasis by regulating liver injury and renewal. However, little is known about the association between their genetic polymorphisms and antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury (ATDILI), so we explored the association between their variants and the susceptibility to ATDILI. Materials and Methods. A total of 746 tuberculosis patients were prospectively enrolled, and fifteen selected SNPs were genotyped. The allele, genotype, and genetic model frequencies of the variants were compared between patients with or without ATDILI, as well as the joint effect analysis of SNP-SNP interactions. The odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Results. The A variant at rs17687727 was significantly associated with an increased risk for ATDILI (OR 1.55; 95% CI: 1.08–2.22; p=0.016), which is consistent with the results in the additive and dominant models. Other allele, genotype, and genetic model frequencies were similar in the two groups for the other fourteen SNPs (all p>0.05). Conclusion. Our study first implied that the A variant of rs17687727 in TGFBRAP1 influenced the susceptibility to ATDILI in first-line antituberculosis combination treatment in the Han Chinese population in a dependent manner.
A Hybrid Aggregate Index Method for Trajectory Data
Authors: Shi Yaqing , Huang Song , Zheng Changyou , Ji Haijin
Published: August 2019

The aggregate query of moving objects on road network keeps being popular in the ITS research community. The existing methods often assume that the sampling frequency of the positioning devices like GPS or roadside radar is dense enough, making the result’s uncertainty negligible. However, such assumption is not always tenable, especially in the extreme occasions like wartime. Regarding this issue, a hybrid aggregate index framework is proposed in this paper, in order to perform aggregate queries on massive trajectories that are sampled sparsely. Firstly, this framework uses an offline batch processing component based on the UPBI‐Sketch index to acquire each object’s most likely position between two continuous sampling instants. Next, it introduces the AMH+‐Sketch index to processing the aggregate operation online, making sure each object is counted only once in the result. The experimental results show that the hybrid framework can ensure the query accuracy by adjusting the parameters L and U of AMH+‐Sketch index and its space storage advantage becomes more and more obvious when the data scale is very large.
Research on Springback Control in Stretch Bending Based on Iterative Compensation Method
Authors: Zhang Zhiyuan , Ma Rui , Wang Chunge , Zhao Jun
Published: August 2019

An unavoidable problem in the stretch‐bending process is springback, which dictates the shape and dimensional accuracy of the product. This problem can be solved by adjusting the geometry of the die or through active process control. This study focuses on the design of the die shape to achieve the target product. Based on the fixed‐point iterative method and displacement adjustment (DA) method, this paper proposes an iterative compensation method, which has a higher convergence rate, lower number of iterations, and higher precision compared to the DA method with only one control parameter. In addition, like the DA method, the proposed method does not depend on the material properties or mechanical model, but the difference is that it can quickly and effectively find out the iteration parameter, determine whether the parameter has convergence or not, and has no compensation factor. According to the deviation of iterative parameters between the value after stretch bending and the target value, the iterative compensation method can be used to calculate the compensation magnitude and compensation direction of the iterative parameter. For stretch‐bending processes with invariable‐ and variable‐curvature die shapes, the convergence of control parameters is verified mathematically with the convergence theorem of the method, and experiments are conducted to verify the iterative compensation method. The experimental results show that the target products can be obtained with a small number of iterations without knowing the specific material properties.
Impaired Recent Verbal Memory in Pornography-Addicted Juvenile Subjects
Authors: Prawiroharjo Pukovisa , Ellydar Hainah , Pratama Peter , Edison Rizki Edmi , Suaidy Sitti Evangeline Imelda , Amani Nya’ Zata , Carissima Diavitri
Published: August 2019

We aimed to find the differences in memory capabilities between pornography-addicted and nonaddicted juveniles. We enrolled 30 juveniles (12–16 y) consisting of 15 pornography addiction and 15 nonaddiction subjects. We used Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) to measure verbal memory, Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT) for visual memory, along with Trail Making Test A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B) for attention. We found a significant reduction in the RAVLT A6 result of the addiction group (nonaddiction vs addiction: 13.47 ± 2.00 vs 11.67 ± 2.44, MD = −1.80, p=0.04), but not in ROCFT or attention tests. Analysis in sex subgroups yielded no sex-specific difference. We concluded that pornography addiction may be associated with impaired recent verbal memory in juveniles, regardless of sex and without association to attention.
Cardiac Arrest due to Butane Gas Inhalation in an 18 Years Old Boy
Authors: AlRabiah Abdulaziz A. , AlShamrani Abdulmalik M. , AlMass Afnan A.
Published: August 2019

An 18-year-old male smoker inhaled butane gas out of a pocket lighter with his friend for the purpose of changing his voice. He suddenly collapsed and lost his consciousness. Upon arrival to the Emergency Department, he was found pulseless with a rhythm of ventricular fibrillation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated according to the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocol for three cycles until return of spontaneous circulation archived. After extubation, the patient was ataxic and had significant memory loss and severe confusion. Days later he improved and was discharged with walking aid for his ataxia and a plan to followup with the neurology team for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and electroencephalogram (EEG) as an outpatient.
Effect of Hypoxia on Gene Expression in Cell Populations Involved in Wound Healing
Authors: D’Alessandro Sarah , Magnavacca Andrea , Perego Federica , Fumagalli Marco , Sangiovanni Enrico , Prato Mauro , Dell’Agli Mario , Basilico Nicoletta
Published: August 2019

Wound healing is a complex process regulated by multiple signals and consisting of several phases known as haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling. Keratinocytes, endothelial cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts are the major cell populations involved in wound healing process. Hypoxia plays a critical role in this process since cells sense and respond to hypoxic conditions by changing gene expression. This study assessed the in vitro expression of 77 genes involved in angiogenesis, metabolism, cell growth, proliferation and apoptosis in human keratinocytes (HaCaT), microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), differentiated macrophages (THP-1), and dermal fibroblasts (HDF). Results indicated that the gene expression profiles induced by hypoxia were cell-type specific. In HMEC-1 and differentiated THP-1, most of the genes modulated by hypoxia encode proteins involved in angiogenesis or belonging to cytokines and growth factors. In HaCaT and HDF, hypoxia mainly affected the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in cell metabolism. This work can help to enlarge the current knowledge about the mechanisms through which a hypoxic environment influences wound healing processes at the molecular level.