bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skin Hydration Effects of Scale‐Up Fermented Cyclopia intermedia against Ultraviolet B‐Induced Damage in Keratinocyte Cells and Hairless Mice
Authors: Im A-Rang , Yeon Sung Hum , Ji Kon-Young , Son Rak Ho , Um Key An , Chae Sungwook
Published: January 2020

Photoaging occurs by chronic skin exposure to the sun and ultraviolet irradiation and leads to skin aging accompanied by a lack of skin hydration. We previously demonstrated the photoprotective effect of fermented Cyclopia intermedia (honeybush) extract on the skin. In this study, we evaluated the skin hydration effects of scaled‐up fermented honeybush extract (HU‐018) against ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in HaCaT immortalized human keratinocytes and hairless mice. Pretreating HaCaT cells with HU‐018 attenuated the decreased hyaluronic acid (HA) levels and mRNA expression of genes encoding involucrin, filaggrin, and loricrin by UVB irradiation. HU‐018 treatment also ameliorated the decreased stratum corneum (SC) hydration and the increased levels of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and erythema index (EI) in hairless mice after UVB exposure. Microarray analysis revealed changes in gene expression patterns of hyaluronan synthase 2 (Has2), transforming growth factor‐beta 3 (TGF‐β3), and elastin induced by HU‐018 in UVB‐irradiated mice. Consistently, the mRNA expression of Has2, TGF‐β3, and elastin was increased by HU‐018 treatment. Moreover, HU‐018 restored the increased epidermal thickness and collagen disorganization in skin tissue of UVB‐irradiated mice. HU‐018 treatment also decreased matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) expression and increased procollagen type‐1, elastin, and TGF‐β1 expression. In conclusion, we found that HU‐018 promoted skin hydration processes in UVB‐irradiated keratinocytes and hairless mice by modulating involucrin, filaggrin, loricrin, and HA expression and ameliorating visible signs of photoaging. Thus, HU‐018 may be a good skin hydration agent for skin care.
Impulsive Switching Epidemic Model with Benign Worm Defense and Quarantine Strategy
Authors: Lai Jiying , Gao Shujing , Liu Yujiang , Meng Xinzhu
Published: January 2020

The issue on how to effectively control Internet malicious worms has been drawn significant attention owing to enormous threats to the Internet. Due to the rapid spreading of malicious worms, it is necessary to explore the integrated measures to automatically mitigate the propagation on the Internet. In this paper, a novel worm propagation model is established, which combines both impulsive quarantine and benign worm implementation. Then, sufficient conditions for the global stability of worm-free periodic solution and the permanence of the benign worm are obtained. Finally, the effects of quarantine strategy are assessed and some feasible strategies that can constrain the propagation of malicious worm are provided by numerical simulation.
Colloidal Probes of PNIPAM-Grafted SiO2 in Studying the Microrheology of Thermally Sensitive Microgel Suspensions
Authors: Shang Jing , Gao Ruonan , Su Fu , Wang Huaguang , Zhu Dan
Published: January 2020

The complex rheology and the phase behavior of thermally sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels have been investigated in both the swollen and collapsed states by using microrheology. To avoid the interactions between the tracer probes and the PNIPAM microgels, such as the adsorption or the depletion effect, the probes of silica (SiO2) particles have been grafted with PNIPAM chains (SiO2-PNIPAM) and characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The successful preparation of SiO2-PNIPAM has also been proved by the investigation of the particle size and morphology with dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) below and beyond the phase transition temperature of PNIPAM. The microrheology of the PNIPAM microgel suspension has been investigated by using the prepared SiO2-PNIPAM particles as microrheological probes, and the results show that the diffusive coefficient of the probes in the swollen state is one-fifth of that in the collapsed state, and the viscosity of the PNIPAM microgel suspension in the swollen state is four times higher than that in the collapsed state, indicating SiO2-PNIPAM is a good probe in the microrheological study of PNIPAM microgel suspensions.
Crocin Alleviates Pain Hyperalgesia in AIA Rats by Inhibiting the Spinal Wnt5a/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway and Glial Activation
Authors: Wang Jin-Feng , Xu Hai-Jun , He Zhao-Long , Yin Qin , Cheng Wei
Published: January 2020

At present, most of the drugs have little effect on the pathological process of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Analgesia is an important measure in the treatment of RA and is also one of the criteria to determine the therapeutic effects of the disease. Some studies have found that crocin, a kind of Chinese medicine, can effectively alleviate pain sensitization in pain model rats, but the mechanism is not clear. Emerging evidence indicates that crocin may inhibit the metastasis of lung and liver cancer cells from the breast by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin and the Wnt signaling pathway is closely related to RA. Wnt5a belongs to the Wnt protein family and was previously thought to be involved only in nonclassical Wnt signaling pathways. Recent studies have shown that Wnt5a has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the classical Wnt signaling pathway, and so, Wnt5a has attracted increasing attention. This study demonstrated that crocin significantly increased the mechanical thresholds of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats, suggesting that crocin can alleviate neuropathic pain. Crocin significantly decreased the levels of pain-related factors and glial activation. Foxy5, activator of Wnt5a, inhibited the above effects of crocin in AIA rats. In addition, intrathecal injection of a Wnt5a inhibitor significantly decreased hyperalgesia in AIA rats. This research shows that crocin may alleviate neuropathic pain in AIA rats by inhibiting the expression of pain-related molecules through the Wnt5a/β-catenin pathway, elucidating the mechanism by which crocin relieves neuropathic pain and provides a new way of thinking for the treatment of AIA pain.
Integrated Chinese Herbal Medicine and Western Medicine on the Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study of Medical Records
Authors: Yeh Ming-Hsien , Chiu Hung-Pin , Wu Mei-Chun , Koo Malcolm , Lin Nai-Wei , Liao Kou-Kai , Yeh Chia-Chou , Li Te-Mao
Published: January 2020

Recent studies suggested that Traditional Chinese Medicine could play a beneficial role in conventional cancer treatment. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the effect of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) combined with Western medicine on the survival of patients with colorectal cancer. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer identified from the Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital Cancer Registry Database in 2004–2014. Combining with the medical records of the study hospital, patients were classified into CHM users and CHM nonusers. Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to investigate the survival between CHM users and CHM nonusers. A total of 535 patients with colorectal cancer were included in the study with 147 of them were CHM users. The log‐rank test for Kaplan–Meier survival curve revealed a statistically significant difference between the survival of CHM users and CHM nonusers (P = 0.006). Results from multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CHM use was significantly associated with better survival (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.38 to 0.77). In addition, the CHM formulae Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, Zhi Bah Di Huang Wan, Ping Wei San, and Qui Pi Tang were significantly associated with better survival. In conclusion, findings from this retrospective cohort study indicated that integrated CHM and Western medicine could improve survival in patients with colorectal cancer. Additional research on integrating TCM with Western medicine to improve cancer survival is warranted.
Improving Synchronization in an Air and High-Speed Rail Integration Service via Adjusting a Rail Timetable: A Real-World Case Study in China
Authors: Ke Yu , Nie Lei , Liebchen Christian , Yuan Wuyang , Wu Xin
Published: January 2020

Air and high-speed rail (AH) integration services are gaining ground with the development of the high-speed railway and airline industries. A well-designed feeder train timetable with good synchronization is of great significance in an AH integration service, because it can improve the connectivity at transfer nodes and offer more opportunities for intermodal passengers to travel. In this study, we propose a multi-objective model of a feeder railway timetable problem in an AH integration service to improve synchronization. The aims of the optimization model are to maximize the number of synchronizations and the coverage of synchronized flights, as well as to minimize the transfer penalties of passengers. We focus on a scenario of a partial subnetwork in which one direction of a two-direction railroad line with one transfer station is considered. The model is applied to Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport, China. The results illustrate the effectiveness of the approach developed in the paper.
Prolonged Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support with Cardiopulmonary Failure in Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia
Authors: Bartkevics Maris , Hennig Bert , Gungor Tayfun , Ammann Roland , Kadner Alexander
Published: January 2020

We report a case of a child survival after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support of 25 days for cardiopulmonary failure and septic shock in the context of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). ECMO support is still a matter of debate for the management of septic patients with malignancy. However, these patients are at increased risk for early death secondary to pulmonary complications due to leukostasis, direct pulmonary infiltration with WBC, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome following malignant cell lysis. Despite the high risk of complications, ECMO support must be discussed as part of management, providing better outcome in this group of patients.
Partial Derivative Estimation for Underlying Functional-Valued Process in a Unified Framework
Authors: Ma Yunbei , Zhou Fanyin , Luo Xuan
Published: January 2020

We consider functional data analysis when the observations at each location are functional rather than scalar. When the dynamic of underlying functional-valued process at each location is of interest, it is desirable to recover partial derivatives of a sample function, especially from sparse and noise-contaminated measures. We propose a novel approach based on estimating derivatives of eigenfunctions of marginal kernels to obtain a representation for functional-valued process and its partial derivatives in a unified framework in which the number of locations and number of observations at each location for each individual can be any rate relative to the sample size. We derive almost sure rates of convergence for the procedures and further establish consistency results for recovered partial derivatives.
Generation of Cellular Reactive Oxygen Species by Activation of the EP2 Receptor Contributes to Prostaglandin E2-Induced Cytotoxicity in Motor Neuron-Like NSC-34 Cells
Authors: Kosuge Yasuhiro , Nango Hiroshi , Kasai Hiroki , Yanagi Takuya , Mawatari Takayuki , Nishiyama Kenta , Miyagishi Hiroko , Ishige Kumiko , Ito Yoshihisa
Published: January 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating motor neuron disease characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the central nervous system. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a pivotal role in the degeneration of motor neurons in human and transgenic models of ALS. We have shown previously that PGE2 directly induces neuronal death through activation of the E-prostanoid (EP) 2 receptor in differentiated NSC-34 cells, a motor neuron-like cell line. In the present study, to clarify the mechanisms underlying PGE2-induced neurotoxicity, we focused on generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and examined the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a cell-permeable antioxidant, on PGE2-induced cell death in differentiated NSC-34 cells. Dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence analysis of PGE2-treated cells showed that intracellular ROS levels increased markedly with time, and that this effect was antagonized by a selective EP2 antagonist (PF-04418948) but not a selective EP3 antagonist (L-798,106). Although an EP2-selective agonist, butaprost, mimicked the effect of PGE2, an EP1/EP3 agonist, sulprostone, transiently but significantly decreased the level of intracellular ROS in these cells. MTT reduction assay and lactate dehydrogenase release assay revealed that PGE2- and butaprost-induced cell death were each suppressed by pretreatment with NAC in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot analysis revealed that the active form of caspase-3 was markedly increased in the PGE2- and butaprost-treated cells. These increases in caspase-3 protein expression were suppressed by pretreatment with NAC. Moreover, dibutyryl-cAMP treatment of differentiated NSC-34 cells caused intracellular ROS generation and cell death. Our data reveal the existence of a PGE2-EP2 signaling-dependent intracellular ROS generation pathway, with subsequent activation of the caspase-3 cascade, in differentiated NSC-34 cells, suggesting that PGE2 is likely a key molecule linking inflammation to oxidative stress in motor neuron-like NSC-34 cells.
Prospective Multicenter Open-Label One-Arm Trial Investigating a Pumpkin Seed, Isoflavonoids, and Cranberry Mix in Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Nemr Elie , El Helou Elie , Mjaess Georges , Semaan Albert , Chebel Josselin Abi
Published: January 2020

Phytotherapy for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is progressively demanded by patients and trusted by physicians. The aim was to assess the efficacy of a mix of pumpkin seed extract, soy germ isoflavonoids, and cranberry (Novex®) in the management of mild to moderate LUTS in BPH patients. Male patients aged ≥40 years, who had had mild to moderate LUTS for >6 months at screening, with no previous therapy or who are still symptomatic despite current use of alpha-blockers, were recruited. Exclusion criteria were an IPSS >19 and an age >80 years. The mixed compound was administered orally, daily, for 3 months. Patients were evaluated by means of IPSS, urological quality of life (uQoL) index, and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) at 3 visits: baseline (visit 1), 30 days (visit 2), and 90 days after treatment (visit 3). Among 163 screened patients, 128 patients (61.8 ± 9.9 years) were recruited. IPSS improved from 15 (Q1 : 12–Q3 : 17) in visit 1, to 11 (Q1 : 8–Q3 : 14) in visit 2, and to 9 (Q1 : 6–Q3 : 12) in visit 3 (p<0.001). uQoL improved from 4 (3–4) in visit 1, to 3 (2–3) in visit 2, and to 2 (1–2) in visit 3 (p<0.001). The patients had an IIEF-5 score of 15 (12–18.7) in visit 1, 15 (12–18) in visit 2, and 17 (13–19) in visit 3 (p=0.99 visits 1 vs. 2, p=0.004 visits 2 vs. 3, and p=0.001 visits 1 vs. 3). Treating mild to moderate LUTS/BPH patients with Novex® might therefore relieve symptoms, improve the quality of life, and have a mild beneficial effect on erectile function.
Association of Glycated Proteins with Inflammatory Proteins and Periodontal Disease Parameters
Authors: Panezai Jeneen , Altamash Mohammad , Engstrӧm Per-Erik , Larsson Anders
Published: January 2020

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that may contribute to diabetogenesis. The aim was to investigate the levels of glycated proteins and their correlation with periodontal and systemic inflammation. Fifty-one patients with periodontitis and 20 healthy subjects underwent probing pocket depth (PPD) measurements. PPD total and PPD disease with and without tooth adjustment were used as continuous indices. Marginal bone loss (MBL) for mandibular premolars and molars was measured digitally. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were also analyzed. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fructosamine (FrAm) levels were measured in all subjects. A multiplex proximity extension assay (PEA) was used to analyze the serum samples for simultaneous measurement of 92 proteins. Both HbA1c and FrAm inversely correlated with IL-10, FGF-21, MCP-1, and TNF beta amongst 16 proteins. HbA1c correlated directly with OPG. Parameters of disease severity were consistently significant for HbA1c. Adjusted PPD total and number of missing teeth were increased in diabetes whereas levels of RANKL and RANKL to OPG ratio were the highest in nondiabetic periodontitis patients. Hyperglycemic conditions in periodontitis patients are associated with reduced levels of anti-inflammatory proteins as well as dysregulated bone resorption.
Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction
Authors: Ryu Hyang-Hwa , Kang Jun-Chul , Namgung Uk , Kim Song-Yi , Park Ji-Yeun
Published: January 2020

Background/Aims. Buyang Huanwu decoction (BHD) is a traditional Chinese and Korean herbal medicine prescription that has been widely used to treat various diseases including cerebral ischemia, gynecological disease, and neurological disorders. BHD is commonly used as a variable modified combination for synergistic therapeutic effects. However, the mechanism by which modified BHD (mBHD) produces anti‐inflammatory effects has not been elucidated yet. The purpose of this study was to develop mBHD with diminished potential side effects and verify its anti‐inflammatory effects. Methods. A cytotoxicity assay for BHD was performed using the MTT assay. Following treatment with BHD, mBHD‐1, and mBHD‐2 in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), nitric oxide (NO) secretion was detected in cell supernatants using a NO detection kit. The expression of proinflammatory mediators was detected using RT‐PCR and western blotting. To verify the mechanism of mBHD, specific inhibitors of JNK (SP600125) or p38 (SB203580) were used for co‐treatment with mBHD, and then the changes in NO and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were measured. Results. Both mBHD‐1 and mBHD‐2 showed greater anti‐inflammatory effects than BHD. Both mBHD‐1 and mBHD‐2 inhibited NO secretion and decreased the expression of IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and iNOS. Treatment with a p38 inhibitor and a JNK inhibitor in mBHD‐1‐ and mBHD‐2‐treated cells resulted in inhibition of NO and iNOS. Conclusion. We provided the first experimental evidence that mBHD may be a more useful anti‐inflammatory than BHD. High concentrations or long‐term use of BHD may be harmful to inflammatory status. Therefore, the length of treatment and concentration should be considered depending on the targeted disease.
Comparing the Effect of Foot Massage with Grape Seed Oil and Sweet Almond Oil on Physiological Leg Edema in Primigravidae: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Navaee Maryam , Rakhshkhorshid Marzieh
Published: January 2020

Background. Leg edema is a prevalent problem in pregnancy causing activity restrictions for pregnant women. This study was performed to compare the effect of foot massage using grape seed oil and sweet almond oil on physiological leg edema. Methods. A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 primigravidae referred to public health centres of Zahedan, Iran. The participants’ gestational age was 30–40 weeks. The study was conducted from August 2016 to November 2017. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups (massage with grape seed oil, massage with sweet almond oil, and without intervention). After determining the extent of leg edema, foot massages were done for 20 minutes within 5 days in the two intervention groups. Then, foot circumferences were measured on day 5 after the intervention. Foot circumferences for the control group were measured on days 1 and 5. A nonelastic tape measure was used to measure the circumferences. To analyse the data, SPSS 21 software and statistical tests including one‐way ANOVA, Tukey’s test, and paired t‐test were used. Results. The results from this study showed a significant difference in the mean score change of foot circumferences between groups (P = 0.001). According to the results of Tukey’s test, mean score changes of foot circumferences of both intervention groups were significantly different those of the control group. However, this difference was not significant between the two intervention groups (P = 0.865). Conclusion. The findings of this study confirmed the effectiveness of foot massage using grape seed and sweet almond oils to reduce pregnancy physiological edema. Therefore, foot massage with appropriate oils can be used as a useful technique by trained midwives in prenatal care centres or at pregnant women houses. This trial is registered with IRCT2015072723370N1.
Efficacy of Panobinostat for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Eleutherakis-Papaiakovou Evangelos , Kanellias Nikolaos , Kastritis Efstathios , Gavriatopoulou Maria , Terpos Evangelos , Dimopoulos Meletios Athanasios
Published: January 2020

Panobinostat represents a potent oral nonselective pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC) with activity in myeloma patients. It has been approved by the FDA and EMA in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma, in patients who have received at least two prior regimens, including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory agent. In order to further explore its clinical potential, it is evaluated in different combinations in relapsed/refractory and newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. This review focuses on available data about panobinostat’s pharmacology and its role in clinical practice. This review will reveal panobinostat’s efficacy as antimyeloma treatment, describing drug evolution from preclinical experimental administration to administration in phase III trials, which established its role in current clinical practice. Based on the latest data, we will present its mechanism of action, its efficacy, and most important issues regarding its toxicity profile. We will further try to shed light on its role in current and future therapeutic landscape of myeloma patients. Panobinostat retains its role in therapy of multiple myeloma because of its manageable toxicity profile and its efficacy, mainly in heavily pretreated multiple myeloma patients. These characteristics make it valuable also for novel regimens in combination with second-generation proteasome inhibitors, IMiDs, and monoclonal antibodies. Results of ongoing trials are expected to shed light on drug introduction in different therapeutic combinations or even at an earlier level of disease course.
Trajectory Tracking Control Study of a New Parallel Mechanism with Redundant Actuation
Authors: Zhang Haiqiang , Fang Hairong , Zhang Dan , Zou Qi , Luo Xueling
Published: January 2020

Parallel mechanisms with redundant actuation are attracting numerous scholars’ research interest due to their inherent advantages. In this paper, an efficient trajectory tracking control scheme for the new redundantly actuated parallel mechanism by integrating force/position hybrid control with the combination of inertia feed-forward control and back propagation (BP) neural network PID control is proposed. The dynamic models including the joint space and task space are formulated explicitly in efficient and compact form by means of the principle of virtual work and d’Alembert formulations. The force/position hybrid control is implemented to perform trajectory tracking and optimize the driving force configuration in MATLAB/Simulink environment, before being applied to an actual parallel mechanism. The illustrative simulation results demonstrate that the force/position hybrid control scheme is available to provide good trajectory tracking performance. Simultaneously, the feasibility of the proposed control scheme is verified by comparison analysis with the aforementioned conventional control method.
Human Fat-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Xenogenically Implanted in a Rat Model Show Enhanced New Bone Formation in Maxillary Alveolar Tooth Defects
Authors: Wofford Andrew , Bow Austin , Newby Steven , Brooks Seth , Rodriguez Rachel , Masi Tom , Stephenson Stacy , Gotcher Jack , Anderson David E. , Campbell Josh , Dhar Madhu
Published: January 2020

Background. Due to restorative concerns, bone regenerative therapies have garnered much attention in the field of human oral/maxillofacial surgery. Current treatments using autologous and allogenic bone grafts suffer from inherent challenges, hence the ideal bone replacement therapy is yet to be found. Establishing a model by which MSCs can be placed in a clinically acceptable bone defect to promote bone healing will prove valuable to oral/maxillofacial surgeons. Methods. Human adipose tissue-derived MSCs were seeded onto Gelfoam® and their viability, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation was evaluated in vitro. Subsequently, the construct was implanted in a rat maxillary alveolar bone defect to assess in vivo bone healing and regeneration. Results. Human MSCs were adhered, proliferated, and uniformly distributed, and underwent osteogenic differentiation on Gelfoam®, comparable with the tissue culture surface. Data confirmed that Gelfoam® could be used as a scaffold for cell attachment and a delivery vehicle to implant MSCs in vivo. Histomorphometric analyses of bones harvested from rats treated with hMSCs showed statistically significant increase in collagen/early bone formation, with cells positive for osteogenic and angiogenic markers in the defect site. This pattern was visible as early as 4 weeks post treatment. Conclusions. Xenogenically implanted human MSCs have the potential to heal an alveolar tooth defect in rats. Gelfoam®, a commonly used clinical biomaterial, can serve as a scaffold to deliver and maintain MSCs to the defect site. Translating this strategy to preclinical animal models provides hope for bone tissue engineering.
Continued Elevation of Plasma IL-4 and IL-17 Predicts the Progression from VMC to DCM
Authors: Wang Z. H. , Liao Y. H. , Yuan J. , Jin X. J. , Yu M. , Chen R. Z. , Xu D. J. , Wei J. , Wan J. , Zhao D. C. , Han H. Y. , Li B. , Tian G. , Hu G. , Xu J.
Published: January 2020

Objective. To investigate plasma cytokines (interferon gamma, interleukin-4, and interleukin-17) in patients with viral myocarditis (VMC) and evaluate their predictive value in the progression from VMC to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Methods. A prospective, multicenter, observational study included 536 patients with newly diagnosed VMC admitted in cardiology departments of 24 tertiary super specialised university-affiliated hospitals in the China registry from January 2012 to June 2016. Demographics and clinical characteristics at baseline and after three months were collected, including laboratory blood tests, ECG, echocardiography, and drug treatment in each participating site. The plasma anti-viral antibodies (Abs), anti-heart autoimmune Abs, and cytokines were detected by ELISA. Results. Of the 536 patients, 534 were included for analysis after two patients died in less than a month. The plasma levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 were continually higher in patients with incident DCM than in those without incident DCM at baseline, from the 1st month and the 3rd month; all had a P value of <0.0001. There was a positive correlation between IL-4 and LVEDd (r=0.30, P<0.0001) and between IL-17 and LVEDd (r=0.11, P=0.02). When all these covariates have entered the model simultaneously, elevated IL-4 and IL-17 were still significantly associated with DCM incidence. The RR (95% CI) of DCM incidence were 1.04 (1.02-1.06) for IL-4 and 5.24 (2.81-9.79) for IL-17. Conclusion. The continued elevation of plasma IL-4 and IL-17 in VMC patients were associated with a high incidence of DCM at three months, and these two cytokines were independent predictors for the progression from VMC to DCM.
Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer Is Induced to Increase Proton Production
Authors: Sun Huiyan , Zhou Yi , Skaro Michael Francis , Wu Yiran , Qu Zexing , Mao Fenglou , Zhao Suwen , Xu Ying
Published: January 2020

Considerable metabolic reprogramming has been observed in a conserved manner across multiple cancer types, but their true causes remain elusive. We present an analysis of around 50 such reprogrammed metabolisms (RM) including the Warburg effect, nucleotide de novo synthesis, and sialic acid biosynthesis in cancer. Analyses of the biochemical reactions conducted by these RMs, coupled with gene expression data of their catalyzing enzymes, in 7,011 tissues of 14 cancer types, revealed that all RMs produce more H+ than their original metabolisms. These data strongly support a model that these RMs are induced or selected to neutralize a persistent intracellular alkaline stress due to chronic inflammation and local iron overload. To sustain these RMs for survival, cells must find metabolic exits for the nonproton products of these RMs in a continuous manner, some of which pose major challenges, such as nucleotides and sialic acids, because they are electrically charged. This analysis strongly suggests that continuous cell division and other cancerous behaviors are ways for the affected cells to remove such products in a timely and sustained manner. As supporting evidence, this model can offer simple and natural explanations to a range of long-standing open questions in cancer research including the cause of the Warburg effect.

Significance:

Inhibiting acidifying metabolic reprogramming could be a novel strategy for treating cancer.
Mitochondrial DNA Copy-Number Variation and Pancreatic Cancer Risk in the Prospective EPIC Cohort
Authors: Gentiluomo Manuel , Katzke Verena A. , Kaaks Rudolf , Tjønneland Anne , Severi Gianluca , Perduca Vittorio , Boutron-Ruault Marie-Christine , Weiderpass Elisabete , Ferrari Pietro , Johnson Theron , Schulze Matthias B. , Bergmann Manuela , Trichopoulou Antonia , Karakatsani Anna , La Vecchia Carlo , Palli Domenico , Grioni Sara , Panico Salvatore , Tumino Rosario , Sacerdote Carlotta , Bueno-de-Mesquita Bas , Vermeulen Roel , Sandanger Torkjel M. , Quirós J. Ramón , Rodriguez-Barranco Miguel , Amiano Pilar , Colorado-Yohar Sandra , Ardanaz Eva , Sund Malin , Khaw Kay-Tee , Wareham Nicholas J. , Schmidt Julie A. , Jakszyn Paula , Morelli Luca , Canzian Federico , Campa Daniele
Published: January 2020

Background:

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in peripheral blood has been found to be associated with risk of developing several cancers. However, data on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are very limited.

Methods:

To further our knowledge on this topic, we measured relative mtDNA copy number by a quantitative real-time PCR assay in peripheral leukocyte samples of 476 PDAC cases and 357 controls nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort.

Results:

We observed lower mtDNA copy number with advancing age (P = 6.54 × 10−5) and with a high body mass index (BMI) level (P = 0.004) and no association with sex, smoking behavior, and alcohol consumption. We found an association between increased mtDNA copy number and decreased risk of developing PDAC with an odds ratios (OR) of 0.35 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.16–0.79; P = 0.01] when comparing the fifth quintile with the first using an unconditional logistic regression and an OR of 0.19 (95% CI, 0.07–0.52; P = 0.001) with a conditional analysis. Analyses stratified by BMI showed an association between high mtDNA copy number and decreased risk in the stratum of normal weight, consistent with the main analyses.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest a protective effect of a higher number of mitochondria, measured in peripheral blood leukocytes, on PDAC risk.

Impact:

Our findings highlight the importance of understanding the mitochondrial biology in pancreatic cancer.
New Insights into the Anterior Complex
Authors: Viñals Fernando , Correa Flavia , Tubau Albert , Alonso Ignacio , Serra Vicente , Herraiz Ignacio , Hormazabal Lorena , Quiroz Gabriel , Saint-Jean Constanza , Diaz Linder , Zambrano Belkys , Galindo Alberto
Published: January 2020

Objective: To introduce visualization of the germinal matrix (GM), external angle of the frontal horn, and periventricular white matter while evaluating the anterior complex (AC) during basic ultrasound assessment of the fetal brain. Case Presentations: This is a retrospective observational study of healthy women with singleton pregnancies, with no increased risk of fetal central nervous system anomalies, attending routine ultrasound screening at 20–32 weeks’ gestation. Seventeen cases are presented in which an abnormal aspect of the GM or external angle of the frontal horn or periventricular white matter on AC evaluation has allowed a prenatal diagnosis of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage, subependymal cysts, connatal cysts, periventricular venous hemorrhagic infarction, and white matter injury. Conclusion: An extended AC evaluation could significantly improve the ­diagnosis of hemorrhagic/cystic/hypoxic-ischemic lesions during the performance of a basic ultrasound study of the fetal brain.
Classifiers ensemble and synthetic minority oversampling techniques for academic performance prediction
Authors: Yusuf Abdulazeez , John Ayuba
Published: January 2020

The increasing need for data driven decision making recently has resulted in the application of data mining in various fields including the educational sector which is referred to as educational data mining. The need for improving the performance of data mining models has also been identified as a gap for future researcher. In Nigeria, higher educational institutions collect various students’ data, but these data are rarely used in any decision or policy making to improve the academic performance of students. This research work, attempts to improve the performance of data mining models for predicting students’ academic performance using stacking classifiers ensemble and synthetic minority over-sampling techniques. The research was conducted by adopting and evaluating the performance of J48, IBK and SMO classifiers. The individual classifiers models, standard stacking classifier ensemble model and stacking classifiers ensemble model were trained and tested on 206 students’ data set from the faculty of science federal university Dutse. Students’ specific previous academic performance records at Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and first year Cumulative Grade Point Average of students are used as data inputs in WEKA 3.9.1 data mining tool to predict students’ graduation classes of degrees at undergraduate level. The result shows that application of synthetic minority over-sampling technique for class balancing improves all the various models performance with the proposed modified stacking classifiers ensemble model outperforming the various classifiers models in both performance accuracy and RSME values making it the best model.
Financial stock application using websocket in real time application
Authors: Yinka-Banjo Chika Ogochukwu , Esther Ogundeyi Kehinde
Published: January 2020

Real time web application involves clients which is also known as a browser getting updates from the server as they happen. The finance world is moving fast, and human brains cannot sustain processing data at that speed, so algorithms are used with regards to the limit observed in old-style real-time communication which include long polling, polling server-sent events and comets, this paper uses WebSocket technology when dealing with real time applications. The Web Socket offers improved result as compared to the conventional approaches that are considered to be good solution of providing real time information and lessens overhead acquired while communicating over the internet and offers stateful, efficient communication among web servers and clients. When there is need to track companies worth/stock using a dashboard immediately and not some seconds ago, WebSocket can be used to stream data without delays.
Renewable energies evaluation and linking to smart grid
Authors: Yassine Benouaz Idriss , Boumediene Allaoua
Published: January 2020

To tackle the widespread challenges encountered during the management of power flow in electrical networks, the integration of smart grid (S.G)            is proposed as a viable solution to address the environmental and economic concerns. In order to enhance overall functionality of the electric power delivery system, operation of the smart grid is governed by data-driven algorithms where various sensors and smart meters are used to collect this data. On other hand, the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels and its negative impact on the environnement has incentivized the exploitation of renewable energies in the smart grid. In the present paper, a hybrid Photovoltaic/Wind (PV/Wind) is suggested to supply a smart grid. The objective of this study is to asses the feasibility of a smart grid supplied solely by renewable energy sources. Conceptual standings of this newly suggested model are validated by simulations.
Design and implementation of line follower and obstacle detection robot
Authors: Bendimrad Ahmed , El Amrani Ayoub , El Amrani Bouchta
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we propose a method for a line follower robot based on the instantaneous computation of the radius of curvature of this line, using infrared line sensors. The number and layout of its sensors, as well as the method chosen, play an important role in the robot's response to the line, with the desired accuracy and speed. In addition, the robot must be equipped with an anti-collision system, using an ultrasonic distance sensor, to detect and avoid obstacles in several situations, especially at line crossovers, when other robots share a common complex line.
Structural correction of nonlinear dynamics of frequency-controlled induction motor drives
Authors: Kodkin Vladimir L. , Anikin Aleksandr Sergeevich , Baldenkov Aleksandr Aleksandrovich
Published: January 2020

Frequency analysis of processes in the frequency-controlled induction motor drive s, as in automatic control systems with dynamic non-linearities, are presented in this paper. For the first time, dynamic formulas of transfer functions of a torque driver in an induction motor with frequency control, taking into account the slip and frequency of the stator voltage, are proposed. Methods for constructing families of frequency characteristics of such electromechanical systems with “frozen” but different values of the frequency of the stator voltage and slip are described. The frequency characteristics corresponding to these transfer functions are constructed in the Simulink application of the MatLab software. Based on results of the analysis the structural correction methods that improve the dynamics of such nonlinear systems are proposed. The nonlinear transfer functions obtained in this work made it possible to substantiate structural solutions that linearize frequency-controlled electric drives and significantly increase their efficiency. This paper is an example of how the initial complicated (but more accurate) interpretation of nonlinearity allowed us to find a new best solution to the problem of controlling a complex dynamic object.
Comparative study of two control strategies proportional integral and fuzzy logic for the control of a doubly fed induction generator dedicated to a wind application
Authors: Ahlem Chebel , A Benretem , I Dobrev , Barkati Barkati
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a study analysis of a complete wind energy conversion system, the system based on a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG); a vector control with stator flux orientation of the DFIG is also used to control independently the active and reactive powers. A comparative study have been performed between the conventional PI controller and fuzzy logic control to investigate its dynamic and static performances. This research work involves the study of a phase in advance, to provide effective assistance, to all those who have to make decisions regarding the planning and implementation of wind energy projects. The main objective is to model the wind chain and the use of two types of strategies for the control of this generator to ensure a good regulation we started with the modeling of the wind chain then the modeling of the DFIG and then the use of the two strategies for the regulation of the latter .The complete system is modeled and simulated in the MATLAB/ Simulink. The performance and robustness are analyzed and compared by Matlab / Simulink .Simulation results prove the excellent performance of fuzzy control unit as improving power quality and stability of wind turbine.
DTC-ANN-2-level hybrid by neuronal hysteresis with mechanical sensorless induction motor drive using KUBOTA observer
Authors: Ahmed Dris , Mokhtar Bendjebbar , Aek Belaidi
Published: January 2020

In this paper, DTC is applied for two-level inverter fed IM drives based on neuronal hysteresis comparators and The Direct Torque Control (DTC) is known to produce quick and robust response in AC drive system. However, during steady state, torque, flux and current ripple. An improvement of electric drive system can be obtained using a DTC method based on ANNs which reduces the torque and flux ripples, the estimated the rotor speed using the KUBOTA observer method based on measurements of electrical quantities of the motor. The validity of the proposed methods is confirmed by the simulation results.The THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of stator current, torque ripple and stator flux ripple are determined and compared with conventional DTC control scheme using Matlab/Simulink environment.
Improvement of direct torque control applied to doubly fed induction motor under variable speed
Authors: Aroussi Hala Alami , Ziani Elmostafa , Bouderbala Manale , Bossoufi Badre
Published: January 2020

This work is dedicated to the study of an improved direct torque control of the doubly fed induction motor (DFIM). The control method adopts direct torque control 'DTC' because of its various advantages like the ease of implementation which allows a good performance at transient and steady state without PI regulators and rotating coordinate transformations. To do this, the modeling of the motor is performed. Subsequently, an explanation of the said command is spread out as well as the principle of adjusting the flux and the electromagnetic torque according to the desired speed. Then, the estimation method of these two control variables will be presented as well as the adopted switching table of the hysteresis controller model used based on the model of the multilevel inverters. Finally, the robustness of the developed system will be analyzed with validation in Matlab/Simulink environment to illustrate the performance of this control.
Dimensões da autoria e do estilo na ficção seriada televisiva
Authors: Picado Benjamim , Jacob de Souza Maria Carmem
Published: January 2020

Estabelecemos uma reflexão sobre o estilo como categoria heurística da análise da autoria nos formatos seriados de ficção televisiva: tal uso vincula essa categoria às dinâmicas sociais de atribuição autoral, uma vez reconhecidas as instâncias de tomada de decisão em processos criativos e o funcionamento textual de tais obras. Avançamos assim a hipótese da conjunção de questões de método vindas de duas fontes, a saber: a observância a processos sociais da autoria (na definição de agentes responsáveis e das dinâmicas sociais de reconhecimento) e aquelas que se associam às gramáticas textuais dos formatos seriados (na escritura dramatúrgica e nos princípios da encenação audiovisual).

(Princípios da encenação audiovisual).
Paradoxos da (des)possessão
Authors: Rocha Rose De Melo
Published: January 2020

O artigo aborda ambivalências e paradoxos dos processos de consumo na contemporaneidade, analisando-os desde uma perspectiva comunicacional. Epistemologicamente, dialoga com os marcadores da impureza, da bastardia e do tensivo para problematizá-los. Corroborando as entonações de Jesús Martín-Barbero, do consumo como forma de dominação chega-se à dominação como uma forma de consumo. Nessa direção, os paradoxos da (des)possessão são chaves de análise do capitalismo, no qual uma ordem de consumo sideralizada e afetual é posta em circulação, ancorada, como advogado por Paul Preciado, na produção e disseminação em larga escala de medicamentos e audiovisualidades cujo objetivo é designar modos corretos e compulsórios de gozar.
Deficiency of Circulating Monocytes Ameliorates the Progression of Myxomatous Valve Degeneration in Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Kim Andrew J. , Xu Na , Umeyama Kazuhiro , Hulin Alexia , Ponny Sithara Raju , Vagnozzi Ronald J. , Green Ellis A. , Hanson Paul , McManus Bruce M. , Nagashima Hiroshi , Yutzey Katherine E.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Myxomatous valve degeneration (MVD) involves the progressive thickening and degeneration of the heart valves, leading to valve prolapse, regurgitant blood flow, and impaired cardiac function. Leukocytes composed primarily of macrophages have recently been detected in myxomatous valves, but the timing of the presence and the contributions of these cells in MVD progression are not known.

Methods:

We examined MVD progression, macrophages, and the valve microenvironment in the context of Marfan syndrome (MFS) using mitral valves from MFS mice (
Fbn1

C1039G/+

), gene-edited MFS pigs (
FBN1

Glu433AsnfsX98/+

), and patients with MFS. Additional histological and transcriptomic evaluation was performed by using nonsyndromic human and canine myxomatous valves, respectively. Macrophage ontogeny was determined using MFS mice transplanted with mTomato+ bone marrow or MFS mice harboring RFP (red fluorescent protein)–tagged C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) monocytes. Mice deficient in recruited macrophages (
Fbn1

C1039G/+

;Ccr2

RFP/RFP

) were generated to determine the requirements of recruited macrophages to MVD progression.

Results:

MFS mice recapitulated histopathological features of myxomatous valve disease by 2 months of age, including mitral valve thickening, increased leaflet cellularity, and extracellular matrix abnormalities characterized by proteoglycan accumulation and collagen fragmentation. Diseased mitral valves of MFS mice concurrently exhibited a marked increase of infiltrating (MHCII+, CCR2+) and resident macrophages (CD206+, CCR2–), along with increased chemokine activity and inflammatory extracellular matrix modification. Likewise, mitral valve specimens obtained from gene-edited MFS pigs and human patients with MFS exhibited increased monocytes and macrophages (CD14+, CD64+, CD68+, CD163+) detected by immunofluorescence. In addition, comparative transcriptomic evaluation of both genetic (MFS mice) and acquired forms of MVD (humans and dogs) unveiled a shared upregulated inflammatory response in diseased valves. Remarkably, the deficiency of monocytes was protective against MVD progression, resulting in a significant reduction of MHCII macrophages, minimal leaflet thickening, and preserved mitral valve integrity.

Conclusions:

All together, our results suggest sterile inflammation as a novel paradigm to disease progression, and we identify, for the first time, monocytes as a viable candidate for targeted therapy in MVD.