bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A GIS‐based multi‐criteria seismic vulnerability assessment using the integration of granular computing rule extraction and artificial neural networks
Authors: Sheikhian Hossein , Delavar Mahmoud Reza , Stein Alfred
Published: May 2017

This study proposes multi‐criteria group decision‐making to address seismic physical vulnerability assessment. Granular computing rule extraction is combined with a feed forward artificial neural network to form a classifier capable of training a neural network on the basis of the rules provided by granular computing. It provides a transparent structure despite the traditional multi‐layer neural networks. It also allows the classifier to be applied on a set of rules for each incoming pattern. Drawbacks of original granular computing (GrC) are covered, where some input patterns remained unclassified. The study was applied to classify seismic vulnerability of the statistical units of the city of Tehran, Iran. Slope, seismic intensity, height and age of the buildings were effective parameters. Experts ranked 150 randomly selected sample statistical units with respect to their degree of seismic physical vulnerability. Inconsistency of the experts' judgments was investigated using the induced ordered weighted averaging (IOWA) operator. Fifty‐five classification rules were extracted on which a neural network was based. An overall accuracy of 88%, κ = 0.85 and R2 = 0.89 was achieved. A comparison with previously implemented methodologies proved the proposed method to be the most accurate solution to the seismic physical vulnerability of Tehran.
Freeze‐dried plasma enhances clot formation and inhibits fibrinolysis in the presence of tissue plasminogen activator similar to pooled liquid plasma
Authors: Huebner Benjamin R. , Moore Ernest E. , Moore Hunter B. , Sauaia Angela , Stettler Gregory , Dzieciatkowska Monika , Hansen Kirk , Banerjee Anirban , Silliman Christopher C.
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Systemic hyperfibrinolysis is an integral part of trauma‐induced coagulopathy associated with uncontrolled bleeding. Recent data suggest that plasma‐first resuscitation attenuates hyperfibrinolysis; however, the availability, transport, storage, and administration of plasma in austere environments remain challenging and have limited its use. Freeze‐dried plasma (FDP) is a potential alternative due to ease of storage, longer shelf life, and efficient reconstitution. FDP potentially enhances clot formation and resists breakdown better than normal saline (NS) and albumin and similar to liquid plasma.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Healthy volunteers underwent citrated blood draw followed by 50% dilution with NS, albumin, pooled plasma (PP), or pooled freeze‐dried plasma (pFDP). Citrated native and tissue plasminogen activator (t‐PA)‐challenge (75 ng/mL) thrombelastography were done. Proteins in PP, pFDP, and albumin were analyzed by mass spectroscopy.

RESULTS

pFDP and PP had superior clot‐formation rates (angle) and clot strength (maximum amplitude) compared with NS and albumin in t‐PA‐challenge thrombelastographies (angle: pFDP, 67.9 degrees; PP, 67.8 degrees; NS, 40.6 degrees; albumin, 35.8 degrees; maximum amplitude: pFDP, 62.4 mm; PP, 63.5 mm; NS, 44.8 mm; albumin, 41.1 mm). NS and albumin dilution increased susceptibility to t‐PA‐induced hyperfibrinolysis compared with pFDP and PP (NS, 62.4%; albumin, 62.6%; PP, 8.5%; pFDP, 6.7%). pFDP was similar to PP in the attenuation of t‐PA‐induced fibrinolysis. Most proteins (97%) were conserved during the freeze‐dry process, with higher levels in 12% of pFDP proteins compared with PP.

CONCLUSION

pFDP enhances clot formation and attenuates hyperfibrinolysis better than NS and albumin and is a potential alternative to plasma resuscitation in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock.
Implementation of a rapid assay of ADAMTS13 activity was associated with improved 30‐day survival rate in patients with acquired primary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura who received platelet transfusions
Authors: Yoshii Yumi , Fujimura Yoshihiro , Bennett Charles L. , Isonishi Ayami , Kurumatani Norio , Matsumoto Masanori
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Platelet (PLT) transfusions are probably harmful in patients with acquired idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP). Introduction of a rapid assay for ADAMTS13 activity should reduce the time to definite diagnosis of aTTP, reduce the amount of inappropriately transfused PLT concentrates, and improve mortality and morbidity.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We selected 265 aTTP patients with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. Of these, 91 patients were diagnosed by March 2005 (Period 1), when ADAMTS13 activity was measured by von Willebrand factor multimer assay, which took 4 to 7 days until the result was reported. An additional 174 patients were diagnosed after April 2005 (Period 2), when the activity was measured by a chromogenic enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, which took 1 to 2 days.

RESULTS

We found no significant differences in 30‐day survival rate between the two periods. Overall, 48 patients received PLT transfusions. Mortality was slightly greater between patients with (22.9%) versus without PLT transfusion (17.7%), but not significant. In Period 1, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that older age (≥60 years) and PLT transfusion administration were independent factors associated with higher risks of 30‐day mortality. In contrast, in Period 2, lower Rose‐Eldor TTP severity score and use of plasma exchange and corticosteroid therapy were independent factors associated with higher survival rates while nonadministration of PLT transfusions was not.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that PLT transfusions are harmful for aTTP patients when the definite diagnosis of severe ADAMTS13 deficiency is delayed. If it can be done as soon as possible, PLT transfusions for severe bleeding or surgical interventions might be allowed with subsequent plasmapheresis.
Psychopathological Symptoms and Psychological Well-being in Mexican Undergraduates
Authors: Contreras Mariel , León Ana Mariela de , Martínez Estela , Peña Elsa Melissa , Marques Luana , Gallegos Julia
Published: May 2017

College life involves a process of adaptation to changes that have an impact on the psycho-emotional development of students. Successful adaptation to this stage involves the balance between managing personal resources and potential stressors that generate distress. This epidemiological descriptive and transversal study estimates the prevalence of psychopathological symptomatology and psychological well-being among 516 college students, 378 (73.26%) women and 138 (26.74%) men, ages between 17 and 24, from the city of Monterrey in Mexico. It describes the relationship between psychopathological symptomatology and psychological well-being, and explores gender differences. For data collection, two measures were used: The Symptom Checklist Revised and the Scale of Psychological Well-being. Statistical analyses used were t test for independent samples, Pearson’s r and regression analysis with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v21.0). Statistical analyses showed that the prevalence of psychopathological symptoms was 10-13%, being Aggression the highest. The dimension of psychological well-being with the lowest scores was Environmental Mastery. Participants with a higher level of psychological well-being had a lower level of psychopathological symptoms, which shows the importance of early identification and prevention. Gender differences were found on some subscales of the psychopathological symptomatology and of the psychological well-being measures. This study provides a basis for future research and development of resources to promote the psychological well-being and quality of life of university students.
Non-abelian Cohen–Lenstra heuristics over function fields
Authors: Boston Nigel , Wood Melanie Matchett
Published: May 2017

Boston, Bush and Hajir have developed heuristics, extending the Cohen–Lenstra heuristics, that conjecture the distribution of the Galois groups of the maximal unramified pro-$p$extensions of imaginary quadratic number fields for$p$an odd prime. In this paper, we find the moments of their proposed distribution, and further prove there is a unique distribution with those moments. Further, we show that in the function field analog, for imaginary quadratic extensions of$\mathbb{F}_{q}(t)$, the Galois groups of the maximal unramified pro-$p$extensions, as$q\rightarrow \infty$, have the moments predicted by the Boston, Bush and Hajir heuristics. In fact, we determine the moments of the Galois groups of the maximal unramified pro-odd extensions of imaginary quadratic function fields, leading to a conjecture on Galois groups of the maximal unramified pro-odd extensions of imaginary quadratic number fields.
Dual Solutions for Opposing Mixed Convection in Porous Media
Authors: Shu Jian-Jun , Wang Qi-Wen , Pop Ioan
Published: May 2017

The problem of steady mixed convection boundary layer flow on a cooled vertical permeable circular cylinder embedded in a fluid-saturated porous medium is studied. Here, we evaluate the flow and heat transfer characteristics numerically for various values of the governing parameters and demonstrate the existence of dual solutions beyond a critical point.
Real-Time Determination of Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient Via Thermoelectric Modules
Authors: Korprasertsak Nataporn , Leephakpreeda Thananchai
Published: May 2017

In this paper, the determination of convective heat transfer coefficient under actual convection processes is proposed by using thermoelectric modules. The thermoelectric modules are positioned where cooling/heating processes take place. Based on the Seebeck effect and energy balance, voltage signals are mathematically related to the convective heat transfer coefficient in real time. In experiments, convective heat transfer coefficients of airflow in a wind tunnel are determined under heating/cooling processes at various wind speeds. The relative mean difference of the convective heat transfer coefficients between the proposed methodology and empirical formula is 2.31%. For real-time implementation, convective heat transfer coefficients of a copper plate, which is exposed to outdoor conditions during a whole day, are determined to predict copper plate temperatures from a governing equation. The performance of temperature prediction is confirmed by a coefficient of determination R2 of 0.9992. Analytical and experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed thermoelectric modules in determining the convective heat transfer coefficient for air under actual cooling/heating conditions, in time.
Analyses of the Control System Strategies and Methodology for Part Power Control of the Simple and Intercooled Recuperated Brayton Helium Gas Turbine Cycles for Generation IV Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Gad-Briggs A. , Pilidis P. , Nikolaidis T.
Published: May 2017

An important requirement for Generation IV Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) design is the control system, which enables part power operability. The choices of control system methods must ensure variation of load without severe drawbacks on cycle performance. The objective of this study is to assess the control of the NPP under part power operations. The cycles of interest are the simple cycle recuperated (SCR) and the intercooled cycle recuperated (ICR). Control strategies are proposed for NPPs but the focus is on the strategies that result in part power operation using the inventory control method. First, results explaining the performance and load limiting factors of the inventory control method are documented; subsequently, the transient part power performances are also documented. The load versus efficiency curves were also derived from varying the load to understand the efficiency penalties. This is carried out using a modeling and performance simulation tool designed for this study. Results show that the ICR takes ∼102% longer than the SCR to reduce the load to 50% in design point (DP) performance conditions for similar valve flows, which correlates with the volumetric increase for the ICR inventory tank. The efficiency penalties are comparable for both cycles at 50% part power, whereby a 22% drop in cycle efficiency was observed and indicates limiting time at very low part power. The analyses intend to aid the development of cycles for Generation IV NPPs specifically gas cooled fast reactors (GFRs) and very high-temperature reactors (VHTRs), where helium is the coolant.
Redundancy Resolution of Kinematically Redundant Parallel Manipulators Via Differential Dynamic Programing
Authors: Cavacanti Santos João , Martins da Silva Maíra
Published: May 2017

Kinematic redundancy may be an efficient way to improve the performance of parallel manipulators. Nevertheless, the inverse kinematic problem of this kind of manipulator presents infinite solutions. The selection of a single kinematic configuration among a set of many possible ones is denoted as redundancy resolution. While several redundancy resolution strategies have been proposed for planning the motion of redundant serial manipulators, suitable proposals for parallel manipulators are seldom. Redundancy resolution can be treated as an optimization problem that can be solved locally or globally. Gradient projection methods have been successfully employed to solve it locally. For global strategies, these methods may be computationally demanding and mathematically complex. The main objective of this work is to exploit the use of differential dynamic programing (DDP) for decreasing the computational demand and mathematical complexity of a global optimization based on the gradient projection method for redundancy resolution. The outcome of the proposed method is the optimal inputs for the active joints for a given trajectory of the end-effector considering the input limitations and different cost functions. Using the proposed method, the performance of a redundant 3PRRR manipulator is investigated numerically and experimentally. The results demonstrate the capability and versatility of the strategy.
Enumeration of Configurations and Their Kinematics for ModRED II Modular Robots
Authors: Hossain Kazi M. , Nelson Carl A. , Dasgupta Prithviraj
Published: May 2017

Modular robotics is a popular topic for robotic applications and design. The reason behind this popularity is the ability to use and reuse the same robot modules for accomplishing different tasks through reconfiguration. The robots are capable of self-reconfiguration based on the requirements of the task and environmental constraints. It is possible to have a large number of configuration combinations for the same set of modules. Therefore, it is important to identify unique configurations from among the full set of possible configurations and establish a kinematic strategy for each before reconfiguring the robots into a new shape. This becomes more difficult for robot units having more than one connection type and more degrees of freedom (DOF) For example, ModRED II modules have two types of connections and four DOF per module. In this paper, the set of configurations is enumerated, and determination of configuration isomorphism is accomplished for ModRED II modules using graph theory. Kinematic equations are then derived for unique configurations. The kinematic method is then demonstrated for certain example configurations using ModRED II modules.
Spotting the black swan: why emergency medicine is ahead of the curve
Authors: Roland Damian
Published: May 2017

“Black Swans”, originally described as an economic theory, are unexpected events whose potential to occur only becomes apparent after they have happened. The concept is very relevant to the practice of Emergency Medicine and this article explores how black swans impact on emergency care and how staff unconsciously aim to mitigate against them.
Isolating lattice from electronic contributions in thermal transport measurements of metals and alloys above ambient temperature and an adiabatic model
Authors: Criss Everett M. , Hofmeister Anne M.
Published: May 2017

From femtosecond spectroscopy (fs-spectroscopy) of metals, electrons and phonons reequilibrate nearly independently, which contrasts with models of heat transfer at ordinary temperatures ([Formula: see text] K). These electronic transfer models only agree with thermal conductivity [Formula: see text] data at a single temperature, but do not agree with thermal diffusivity [Formula: see text] data. To address the discrepancies, which are important to problems in solid state physics, we separately measured electronic (ele) and phononic (lat) components of [Formula: see text] in many metals and alloys over [Formula: see text]290–1100 K by varying measurement duration and sample length in laser-flash experiments. These mechanisms produce distinct diffusive responses in temperature versus time acquisitions because carrier speeds [Formula: see text] and heat capacities [Formula: see text] differ greatly. Electronic transport of heat only operates for a brief time after heat is applied because [Formula: see text] is high. High [Formula: see text] is associated with moderate [Formula: see text], long lengths, low electrical resistivity, and loss of ferromagnetism. Relationships of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with physical properties support our assignments. Although [Formula: see text] reaches [Formula: see text] near 470 K, it is transient. Combining previous data on [Formula: see text] with each [Formula: see text] provides mean free paths and lifetimes that are consistent with [Formula: see text] K fs-spectroscopy, and new values at high [Formula: see text]. Our findings are consistent with nearly-free electrons absorbing and transmitting a small fraction of the incoming heat, whereas phonons absorb and transmit the majority. We model time-dependent, parallel heat transfer under adiabatic conditions which is one-dimensional in solids, as required by thermodynamic law. For noninteracting mechanisms, [Formula: see text]. For metals, this reduces to [Formula: see text] above [Formula: see text]20 K, consistent with our measurements, and shows that Meissner’s equation [Formula: see text] is invalid above [Formula: see text]20 K. For one mechanism with multiple, interacting carriers, [Formula: see text]. Thus, certain dynamic behaviors of electrons and phonons in metals have been misunderstood. Implications for theoretical models and technological advancements are briefly discussed.
Thinning a Triangulation of a Bayesian Network or Undirected Graph to Create a Minimal Triangulation
Authors: Jones Edmund , Didelez Vanessa
Published: May 2017

In one procedure for finding the maximal prime decomposition of a Bayesian network or undirected graphical model, the first step is to create a minimal triangulation of the network, and a common and straightforward way to do this is to create a triangulation that is not necessarily minimal and then thin this triangulation by removing excess edges. We show that the algorithm for thinning proposed in several previous publications is incorrect. A different version of this algorithm is available in the R package gRbase, but its correctness has not previously been proved. We prove that this version is correct and provide a simpler version, also with a proof. We compare the speed of the two corrected algorithms in three ways and find that asymptotically their speeds are the same, neither algorithm is consistently faster than the other, and in a computer experiment the algorithm used by gRbase is faster when the original graph is large, dense, and undirected, but usually slightly slower when it is directed.
High-Roller Impact: A Large Generalized Game Model of Parimutuel Wagering
Authors: Bayraktar Erhan , Munk Alexander
Published: May 2017

How do large-scale participants in parimutuel wagering events affect the house and ordinary bettors? A standard narrative suggests that they may temporarily benefit the former at the expense of the latter. To approach this problem, we begin by developing a model based on the theory of large generalized games. Constrained only by their budgets, a continuum of diffuse (ordinary) players and a single atomic (large-scale) player simultaneously wager to maximize their expected profits according to their individual beliefs. Our main theoretical result gives necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of a pure-strategy Nash equilibrium. Using this framework, we analyze our question in concrete scenarios. First, we study a situation in which both predicted effects are observed. Neither is always observed in our remaining examples, suggesting the need for a more nuanced view of large-scale participants.
An Empirical Investigation of Ecommerce-Reputation-Escalation-as-a-Service
Authors: Xu Haitao , Liu Daiping , Wang Haining , Stavrou Angelos
Published: May 2017

In online markets, a store’s reputation is closely tied to its profitability. Sellers’ desire to quickly achieve a high reputation has fueled a profitable underground business that operates as a specialized crowdsourcing marketplace and accumulates wealth by allowing online sellers to harness human laborers to conduct fake transactions to improve their stores’ reputations. We term such an underground market a
seller-reputation-escalation (SRE) market
. In this article, we investigate the impact of the SRE service on reputation escalation by performing in-depth measurements of the prevalence of the SRE service, the business model and market size of SRE markets, and the characteristics of sellers and offered laborers. To this end, we have infiltrated five SRE markets and studied their operations using daily data collection over a continuous period of 2 months. We identified more than 11,000 online sellers posting at least 219,165 fake-purchase tasks on the five SRE markets. These transactions earned at least $46,438 in revenue for the five SRE markets, and the total value of merchandise involved exceeded $3,452,530. Our study demonstrates that online sellers using the SRE service can increase their stores’ reputations at least 10 times faster than legitimate ones while about 25% of them were visibly penalized. Even worse, we found a much stealthier and more hazardous service that can, within a single day, boost a seller’s reputation by such a degree that would require a legitimate seller at least a year to accomplish. Armed with our analysis of the operational characteristics of the underground economy, we offer some insights into potential mitigation strategies. Finally, we revisit the SRE ecosystem 1 year later to evaluate the latest dynamism of the SRE markets, especially the statuses of the online stores once identified to launch fake-transaction campaigns on the SRE markets. We observe that the SRE markets are not as active as they were 1 year ago and about 17% of the involved online stores become inaccessible likely because they have been forcibly shut down by the corresponding E-commerce marketplace for conducting fake transactions.
VLSI Architectures for the Restricted Boltzmann Machine
Authors: Yuan Bo , Parhi Keshab K.
Published: May 2017

Neural network (NN) systems are widely used in many important applications ranging from computer vision to speech recognition. To date, most NN systems are processed by general processing units like CPUs or GPUs. However, as the sizes of dataset and network rapidly increase, the original software implementations suffer from long training time. To overcome this problem, specialized hardware accelerators are needed to design high-speed NN systems. This article presents an efficient hardware architecture of restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM) that is an important category of NN systems. Various optimization approaches at the hardware level are performed to improve the training speed.
As-soon-as-possible
and
overlapped-scheduling
approaches are used to reduce the latency. It is shown that, compared with the flat design, the proposed RBM architecture can achieve 50% reduction in training time. In addition, an
on-the-fly
computation scheme is also used to reduce the storage requirement of binary and stochastic states by several hundreds of times. Then, based on the proposed approach, a 784-2252 RBM design example is developed for MNIST handwritten digit recognition dataset. Analysis shows that the VLSI design of RBM achieves significant improvement in training speed and energy efficiency as compared to CPU/GPU-based solution.
Compact Indexing and Judicious Searching for Billion-Scale Microblog Retrieval
Authors: Zhang Dongxiang , Nie Liqiang , Luan Huanbo , Tan Kian-Lee , Chua Tat-Seng , Shen Heng Tao
Published: May 2017

In this article, we study the problem of efficient top-kdisjunctive query processing in a huge microblog dataset. In terms of compact indexing, we categorize the keywords into rare terms and common terms based on inverse document frequency (idf) and propose tailored block-oriented organization to save memory consumption. In terms of fast searching, we classify the queries into three types based on term category and judiciously design an efficient search algorithm for each type. We conducted extensive experiments on a billion-scale Twitter dataset and examined the performance with both simple and more advanced ranking functions. The results showed that with much smaller index size, our search algorithm achieves a factor of 2--3 times faster speedup over state-of-the-art solutions in both ranking scenarios.
Processing Long Queries Against Short Text
Authors: Zhang Dongxiang , Li Yuchen , Fan Ju , Gao Lianli , Shen Fumin , Shen Heng Tao
Published: May 2017

Many real applications in real-time news stream advertising call for efficient processing of long queries against short text. In such applications, dynamic news feeds are regarded as queries to match against an advertisement (ad) database for retrieving the
k
most relevant ads. The existing approaches to keyword retrieval cannot work well in this search scenario when queries are triggered at a very high frequency. To address the problem, we introduce new techniques to significantly improve search performance. First, we devise a two-level partitioning for tight upper bound estimation and a lazy evaluation scheme to delay full evaluation of unpromising candidates, which can bring three to four times performance boosting in a database with 7 million ads. Second, we propose a novel rank-aware block-oriented inverted index to further improve performance. In this index scheme, each entry in an inverted list is assigned a rank according to its importance in the ad. Then, we introduce a block-at-a-time search strategy based on the index scheme to support a much tighter upper bound estimation and a very early termination. We have conducted experiments with real datasets, and the results show that the rank-aware method can further improve performance by an order of magnitude.
Recovering the Body
Authors: Lock Margaret
Published: May 2017

The Anthropocene has been officially declared as a new geological epoch owing to the lasting impact made by humans on environments, negatively affecting the health and even survival of human populations. Furthermore, over the past decade, molecular science has shown that the human genome is reactive to environments that are external and internal to the body. Hence, environments impact directly on individual bodies by bringing about epigenetic changes in the genome. Following a discussion of human exceptionalism and its limitations, I argue that an anthropology of embodiment should be situated in time and space, and recognition given to local biologies as a subcategory of situated biologies evident globally. Examples are then given of the intergenerational transmission of epigenetic effects due to environmental toxic exposures with a concluding call for anthropologists to engage with the worldwide challenge.
A Patient with MSUD: Acute Management with Sodium Phenylacetate/Sodium Benzoate and Sodium Phenylbutyrate
Authors: Köse Melis , Canda Ebru , Kagnici Mehtap , Uçar Sema Kalkan , Çoker Mahmut
Published: May 2017

In treatment of metabolic imbalances caused by maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), peritoneal dialysis, and hemofiltration, pharmacological treatments for elimination of toxic metabolites can be used in addition to basic dietary modifications. Therapy with sodium phenylacetate/benzoate or sodium phenylbutyrate (NaPB) in urea-cycle disorder cases has been associated with a reduction in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) concentrations when the patients are on adequate dietary protein intake. Moreover, NaPB in treatment of MSUD patients is also associated with reduction of BCAA levels in a limited number of cases. However, there are not enough studies in the literature about application and efficacy of this treatment. Our case report sets an example of an alternative treatment’s efficacy when extracorporeal procedures are not available due to technical difficulties during attack period of the disease.
Da‐Cheng‐Qi Decoction Combined with Conventional Treatment for Treating Postsurgical Gastrointestinal Dysfunction
Authors: Jin Wei , Li Qingjie , Luo Xiaoqiong , Zhong Juan , Song Yang , Li Yiwei
Published: May 2017

Aim. To assess the current clinical evidence of the effectiveness of Da‐Cheng‐Qi Decoction (DCQD) for the treatment of Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (PGD). Methods. Randomized controlled trails (RCTs) of Da‐Cheng‐Qi Decoction (DCQD) to PGD were searched from available major electronic databases to September 2016. The intervention must be a modified DCQD or DCQD integrated to Western Medicine (WM) compared with WM or placebo or blank. The main outcome index was clinical effectiveness and improvement of major symptoms. Data extraction, data analysis, and methodological quality assessment are conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions, version 5.0.2. RevMan 5.3 software was applied to our data analyses. Results. Seven RCTs involving 494 participants were recruited and identified. The methodological quality of all trials were assessed and generally of low‐level. Those studies were published between 2004 and 2013. All 7 studies which used herbals (modified DCQD) integrate WM in test group compared with WM as the intervention and only one study (Sunyouxu 2013) integrates placebo to Western Medicine as the control group intervention. The treatment course was 1 week to 2 weeks. Evaluation of intervention effectiveness consists of the clinical effective rate indicator and the PGD symptoms indicator including time of borborygmus, time of gastrointestinal exhaust, and time of defecate. The clinical effectiveness results are beneficial to the test group. Conclusion. DCQD could improve PGD symptoms and promotion clinical effectiveness.
A Rational Adoption of the High Sensitive Assay for Cardiac Troponin I in Diagnostic Routine
Authors: Croce Antonio , Brunati Pietro , Colzani Carlo , Terramocci Riccardo , Favero Stefano , Bordoni Gabriele , Galli Claudio
Published: May 2017

We describe the adoption of high sensitive troponin I (hsTnI) in clinical practice in two hospital settings in Italy. Samples from 426 consecutive patients (mean age 68.8 ± 17.0) admitted to the Emergency Department with a suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been tested at admittance and after 3 and 6 hours by contemporary TnI and hsTnI. Results have been compared to the final clinical diagnosis. Troponin was detectable in 68.6% by TnI and 89.9% by hsTnI. Since hsTnI has a lower threshold for females, 38/41 patients with positive values only by hsTnI were women. The correlation between the assays was very high (r=0.92). A diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was made in 45 cases (10.5%). The negative and positive predictive values for a 50% troponin variation at 3 hours were 95.8% and 66.7% for hsTnI and 95.0% and 52.6% for TnI and at 6 hours 90.3% and 100% for hsTnI and 88.9% and 78.9% for TnI, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated a greater efficiency by hsTnI at 3 hours versus 6 hours (AUC = 0.91 versus 0.72). The main benefits of hsTnI are the adoption of gender-specific 99th percentile and the shortening of time to decision.
Camellia sinensis Prevents Perinatal Nicotine‐Induced Neurobehavioral Alterations, Tissue Injury, and Oxidative Stress in Male and Female Mice Newborns
Authors: Ajarem Jamaan S. , Al-Basher Gadh , Allam Ahmed A. , Mahmoud Ayman M.
Published: May 2017

Nicotine exposure during pregnancy induces oxidative stress and leads to behavioral alterations in early childhood and young adulthood. The current study aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) against perinatal nicotine‐induced behavioral alterations and oxidative stress in mice newborns. Pregnant mice received 50 mg/kg C. sinensis on gestational day 1 (PD1) to postnatal day 15 (D15) and were subcutaneously injected with 0.25 mg/kg nicotine from PD12 to D15. Nicotine‐exposed newborns showed significant delay in eye opening and hair appearance and declined body weight at birth and at D21. Nicotine induced neuromotor alterations in both male and female newborns evidenced by the suppressed righting, rotating, and cliff avoidance reflexes. Nicotine‐exposed newborns exhibited declined memory, learning, and equilibrium capabilities, as well as marked anxiety behavior. C. sinensis significantly improved the physical development, neuromotor maturation, and behavioral performance in nicotine‐exposed male and female newborns. In addition, C. sinensis prevented nicotine‐induced tissue injury and lipid peroxidation and enhanced antioxidant defenses in the cerebellum and medulla oblongata of male and female newborns. In conclusion, this study shows that C. sinensis confers protective effects against perinatal nicotine‐induced neurobehavioral alterations, tissue injury, and oxidative stress in mice newborns.
Review of Small Gauge Vitrectomy: Progress and Innovations
Authors: Mohamed Shaheeda , Claes Carl , Tsang Chi Wai
Published: May 2017

Purpose.To summarise the surgical advances and evolution of small gauge vitrectomy and discuss its principles and application in modern vitreoretinal surgery. The advent of microincisional vitrectomy systems (MIVS) has created a paradigm shift away from twenty-gauge vitrectomy systems, which have been the gold standard in the surgical management of vitreoretinal diseases for over thirty years. Advances in biomedical engineering and surgical techniques have overcome the technical hurdles of shifting to smaller gauge instrumentation and sutureless surgery, improving surgical capabilities and expanding the indications for MIVS.
Distribution of Parasites Detected in Stool Samples of Patients in Le Dantec University Hospital of Dakar, Senegal, from 2011 to 2015
Authors: Diongue Khadim , Ndiaye Mouhamadou , Seck Mame Cheikh , Diallo Mamadou Alpha , Ndiaye Yaye Dié , Badiane Aïda Sadikh , Ndiaye Daouda
Published: May 2017

To identify the parasites responsible for intestinal parasitic infections diagnosed at Le Dantec University Hospital of Dakar, distribution of parasites detected in stool samples of patients was studied. From 2011 to 2015, 2578 patients were included in the study. A direct examination and Ritchie technique were performed as parasite search techniques. In total, 408 samples were positive showing 440 intestinal parasites; this corresponds to prevalence of 15.8%. Parasites were detected in monoparasitism (85.7%) and multiparasitism (14.3%). The most common species found in monoparasitism wereEntamoeba coli(38.9%),E. histolytica/dispar(12.7%),Giardia intestinalis(8%), andAscaris lumbricoides(7.3%). The most common associations wereA. lumbricoides-Trichuris trichiura(3.6%) andE. coli-G. intestinalis(2.7%). Nonhospitalized patients were significantly more affected with 65.4% compared to hospitalized counterparts; and also there were more men (50.7%) than women. With 67.4%, adults were the most affected age group, while the elderly were less affected with only 7% (p=0.5). This study shows increasing prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections over the years. So health education should be promoted in addition to the already begun mass treatment program. This would help to limit or even halt the spread of these diseases.
Study on the Diversity and Use of Wild Edible Plants in Bullen District Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Berihun Tariku , Molla Eyayu
Published: May 2017

This study was designed to document the use and conservation of wild edible plants in Bullen district, northwestern Ethiopia. Data was collected through semistructured interview and focus group discussions. The collected data was analyzed through direct matrix ranking, pairwise ranking, and priority ranking methods. In this study, a total of 77 wild edible plant species were identified. Of these plants, trees account for 35.5% followed by shrubs (31.1%). Fruits were the most harvested parts (59.7%) followed by leaves (12.9%), roots and tubers (3.8%), and rhizomes (2.5%). These plants are consumed either raw (57.1%) and/or cooked (17%); most are collected by women (62.5%) and children (20.8%), but the participation of men is stumpy (4.2%). According to pairwise ranking analysis, fruits of Vitex doniana and the leaves of Portulaca quadrifida are the most preferred plant species because of their sweet taste. However, some of the plants have side effects causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Although religion and cultural norms and values play an important role in the conservation of wild edible plants, population pressure and its associated impacts contributed much to the disappearance of these plants. Thus, community participation is the suggested solution for the conservation and sustainable use of the wild edible plants in the study area.
Preoperative Serum IL-12p40 Is a Potential Predictor of Kasai Portoenterostomy Outcome in Infants with Biliary Atresia
Authors: Goda Shaimaa Samy , Khedr Mohamed Ahmed , Elshenawy Soha Zaki , Ibrahim Tarek Mohamed , El-Araby Hanaa Ahmed , Sira Mostafa Mohamed
Published: May 2017

The standard-of-care treatment for biliary atresia (BA) is surgical restoration of bile flow by Kasai portoenterostomy. We aimed to study serum interleukin- (IL-) 12p40, a natural antagonist for the proinflammatory IL-12p70, and its relation to surgical outcomes of BA. The study included 75 infants with neonatal cholestasis: BA group (n=25), non-BA cholestasis group (n=30), and neglected BA group (n=20), in addition to thirty healthy neonates serving as controls. IL-12p40 was measured by ELISA in all individuals and a second assessment was performed 3 months postoperatively in the BA group. The surgical outcomes were classified as successful (bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dl) or failed (bilirubin > 2 mg/dl). IL-12p40 was higher in BA compared to that in the non-BA and control groups (P values were 0.036 and <0.0001, resp.) but comparable to that in the neglected BA group. Preoperative IL-12p40 levels in BA patients were significantly higher in successful Kasai compared with failed Kasai and a cutoff level of 547.47 pg/ml could predict the successful outcome with 87.5% sensitivity and 82.4% specificity. Three-month postoperative IL-12p40 tended to decrease in both the successful and failed groups. In conclusion, preoperative serum IL-12p40 is a potential predictor of Kasai outcome. Serial postoperative measurements may anticipate the failure of an initially successful operation, hence the need for liver transplantation.
Tumor Dormancy and Relapse: From a Natural Byproduct of Evolution to a Disease State
Authors: Manjili Masoud H.
Published: May 2017

Species evolve by mutations and epigenetic changes acting on individuals in a population; tumors evolve by similar mechanisms at a cellular level in a tissue. This article reviews growing evidence about tumor dormancy and suggests that (i) cellular malignancy is a natural byproduct of evolutionary mechanisms, such as gene mutations and epigenetic modifications, which is manifested in the form of tumor dormancy in healthy individuals as well as in cancer survivors; (ii) cancer metastasis could be an early dissemination event that could occur during malignant dormancy even before primary cancer is clinically detectable; and (iii) chronic inflammation is a key factor in awakening dormant malignant cells at the primary site, leading to primary cancer development, and at distant sites, leading to advanced stage diseases. On the basis of this evidence, it is reasonable to propose that we are all cancer survivors rather than cancer-free individuals because of harboring dormant malignant cells in our organs. A better understanding of local and metastatic tumor dormancy could lead to novel cancer therapeutics for the prevention of cancer. Cancer Res; 77(10); 2564–9. ©2017 AACR.
Discovery of a Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitor that Targets PP2A–β-Catenin Signaling and Restricts Tumor Growth and Metastasis
Authors: Maheshwari Shrankhla , Avula Srinivasa R. , Singh Akhilesh , Singh L. Ravithej , Palnati Gopala R. , Arya Rakesh K. , Cheruvu Srikanth H. , Shahi Sudhir , Sharma Tanuj , Meena Sanjeev , Singh Anup K. , Kant Ruchir , Riyazuddin Mohammed , Bora Himangsu K. , Siddiqi Mohammad I. , Gayen Jiaur R. , Sashidhara Koneni V. , Datta Dipak
Published: May 2017

Molecular hybridization of different pharmacophores to tackle both tumor growth and metastasis by a single molecular entity can be very effective and unique if the hybrid product shows drug-like properties. Here, we report synthesis and discovery of a novel small-molecule inhibitor of PP2A–β-catenin signaling that limits both in vivo tumor growth and metastasis. Our molecular hybridization approach resulted in cancer cell selectivity and improved drug-like properties of the molecule. Inhibiting PP2A and β-catenin interaction by selectively engaging PR55α-binding site, our most potent small-molecule inhibitor diminished the expression of active β-catenin and its target proteins c-Myc and Cyclin D1. Furthermore, it promotes robust E-cadherin upregulation on the cell surface and increases β-catenin–E-Cadherin association, which may prevent dissemination of metastatic cells. Altogether, we report synthesis and mechanistic insight of a novel drug-like molecule to differentially target β-catenin functionality via interacting with a particular subunit of PP2A. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(9); 1791–805. ©2017 AACR.
Niclosamide and Bicalutamide Combination Treatment Overcomes Enzalutamide- and Bicalutamide-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Liu Chengfei , Armstrong Cameron M. , Lou Wei , Lombard Alan P. , Cucchiara Vito , Gu Xinwei , Yang Joy C. , Nadiminty Nagalakshmi , Pan Chong-xian , Evans Christopher P. , Gao Allen C.
Published: May 2017

Activation of the androgen receptor (AR) and its splice variants is linked to advanced prostate cancer and drives resistance to antiandrogens. The roles of AR and AR variants in the development of resistance to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and bicalutamide treatment, however, are still incompletely understood. To determine whether AR variants play a role in bicalutamide resistance, we developed bicalutamide-resistant LNCaP cells (LNCaP-BicR) and found that these resistant cells express significantly increased levels of AR variants, particularly AR-V7, both at the mRNA and protein levels. Exogenous expression of AR-V7 in bicalutamide-sensitive LNCaP cells confers resistance to bicalutamide treatment. Knockdown of AR-V7 in bicalutamide- and enzalutamide-resistant CWR22Rv1, enzalutamide-resistant C4-2B (C4-2B MDVR), and LNCaP-BicR cells reversed bicalutamide resistance. Niclosamide, a potent inhibitor of AR variants, significantly enhanced bicalutamide treatment. Niclosamide and bicalutamide combination treatment not only suppressed AR and AR variants expression and inhibited their recruitment to the PSA promoter, but also significantly induced apoptosis in bicalutamide- and enzalutamide-resistant CWR22Rv1 and C4-2B MDVR cells. In addition, combination of niclosamide with bicalutamide inhibited the growth of enzalutamide-resistant tumors. In summary, our results demonstrate that AR variants, particularly AR-V7, drive bicalutamide resistance and that targeting AR-V7 with niclosamide can resensitize bicalutamide-resistant cells to bicalutamide treatment. Furthermore, combination of niclosamide with bicalutamide inhibits enzalutamide resistant tumor growth, suggesting that the combination of niclosamide and bicalutamide could be a potential cost-effective strategy to treat advanced prostate cancer in patients, including those who fail to respond to enzalutamide therapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(8); 1521–30. ©2017 AACR.
Behavioral Performance and Neural Systems Are Robust to Sensory Injury in Workers of the Ant Pheidole dentata
Authors: Waxman Hannah K. , Muscedere Mario L. , Traniello James F.A.
Published: May 2017

Miniaturized nervous systems have been thought to limit behavioral ability, and animals with miniaturized brains may be less flexible when challenged by injuries resulting in sensory deficits that impact the development, maintenance, and plasticity of small-scale neural networks. We experimentally examined how injuries to sensory structures critical for olfactory ability affect behavioral performance in workers of the ant Pheidole dentata, which have minute brains (0.01 mm3) and primarily rely on the perception and processing of chemical signals and cues to direct their social behavior. We employed unilateral antennal denervation to decrease the olfactory perception ability of workers and quantified consequential neuroanatomical and behavioral performance effects. Postablation neuroanatomical metrics revealed a 25% reduction in the volume of the antennal lobe ipsilateral to the antennal lesion relative to the contralateral lobe, indicating atrophy of the input-deprived tissue. However, antennectomy did not affect the volumes of the mushroom body or its subcompartments or the number of mushroom body synaptic complexes (microglomeruli) in either brain hemisphere. Synapsin immunoreactivity, however, was significantly higher in the ipsilateral mushroom body calyces, which could reflect presynaptic potentiation and homeostatic compensation in higher-order olfactory regions. Despite tissue loss caused by antennal lesioning and resulting unilateral sensory deprivation, the ability of workers to perform behaviors that encompass the breadth of their task repertoire and meet demands for colony labor remained largely intact. The few behavioral deficits recorded were restricted to pheromone trail-following ability, a result that was expected due to the need for bilateral olfactory input to process spatial odor information. Our macroscopic and cellular neuroanatomical measurements and assessments of task performance demonstrate that the miniaturized brains of P. dentata workers and their sensorimotor functions are remarkably robust to injury-related size reduction and remain capable of generating behaviors required to respond appropriately to chemical social signals and effectively nurse immatures, as well as participate in coordinated foraging.
GnRHa Treatment of Cryptorchid Boys Affects Genes Involved in Hormonal Control of the HPG Axis and Fertility
Authors: Hadziselimovic Faruk , Gegenschatz-Schmid Katharina , Verkauskas Gilvydas , Demougin Philippe , Bilius Vytautas , Dasevicius Darius , Stadler Michael B.
Published: May 2017

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa; Buserelin) rescues fertility during adulthood in the majority of high infertility risk cryptorchid boys presenting with defective mini-puberty. However, the molecular events governing this effect are not understood. We report the outcome of an RNA profiling analysis of testicular biopsies from 4 operated patients who were treated with GnRHa for 6 months versus 3 operated controls who were not treated. GnRHa induces a significant transcriptional response, including protein-coding genes involved in pituitary development, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and testosterone synthesis. Furthermore, we observed an increased abundance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) participating in epigenetic processes, including AIRN, FENDRR, XIST, and HOTAIR. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in boys with altered mini-puberty is the consequence of a profoundly altered gene expression program involving protein-coding genes and lncRNAs. Our results point to molecular mechanisms that underlie the ability of GnRHa to rescue fertility.