bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bilateral, simultaneous pneumococcal septic arthritis of the knees: a normal immune system, an unknown source
Authors: Whitehead-Clarke Thomas Ian , Singavarapu Raj , Gulihar Abhinav , Chettiar Krissen
Published: May 2016

Pneumococcal septic arthritis is a rare clinical entity and is often associated with a systemic bacteraemia. A 60-year-old man was admitted with bilateral swollen, painful knees. He was feeling feverish with raised inflammatory markers. Joint aspiration yielded purulent fluid, which, when cultured, grewStreptococcus Pneumoniaebilaterally. The patient underwent repeated arthroscopic knee washouts and was treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics. During his admission, various investigations and scans were undertaken to find an infective focus or signs of immunodeficiency; none were found. After 4 weeks of IV antibiotics and 4 knee washouts, the patient was discharged. We believe this is the only case documented of bilateral simultaneous pneumococcal septic arthritis of the knees in an immunocompetent patient with no extra-articular infective focus. This case exemplifies the importance of careful assessment of patients who present with bilateral swollen joints.
Effectiveness of the Baby Friendly Community Initiative in Italy: a non-randomised controlled study
Authors: Cattaneo Adriano , Bettinelli Maria Enrica , Chapin Elise , Macaluso Anna , Córdova do Espírito Santo Lílian , Murante Anna Maria , Montico Marcella
Published: May 2016

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of the Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) on exclusive breast feeding at 6 months.

Design

Controlled, non-randomised trial.

Setting

18 Local Health Authorities in 9 regions of Italy.

Participants

5094 mother/infant dyads in 3 cohorts were followed up to 12 months after birth in 3 rounds of data collection: at baseline, after implementation of the intervention in the early intervention group and after implementation in the late intervention group. 689 (14%) dyads did not complete the study.

Intervention

Implementation of the 7 steps of the BFCI.

Main outcome measures

The rate of exclusive breast feeding at 6 months was the primary outcome; breast feeding at discharge, 3 and 12 months was also measured.

Results

The crude rates of exclusive breast feeding at discharge, 3 and 6 months, and of any breast feeding at 6 and 12 months increased at each round of data collection after baseline in the early and late intervention groups. At the end of the project, 10% of infants were exclusively breast fed at 6 months and 38% were continuing to breast feed at 12 months. However, the comparison by adjusted rates and logistic regression failed to show statistically significant differences between groups and rounds of data collection in the intention-to-treat analysis, as well as when compliance with the intervention and training coverage was taken into account.

Conclusions

The study failed to demonstrate an effect of the BFCI on the rates of breast feeding. This may be due, among other factors, to the time needed to observe an effect on breast feeding following this complex intervention.
Prevalence, recovery patterns and predictors of quality of life and costs after non-fatal injury: the Brabant Injury Outcome Surveillance (BIOS) study
Authors: de Jongh M A C , Kruithof N , Gosens T , van de Ree C L P , de Munter L , Brouwers L , Polinder S , Lansink K W W ,   BIOS-group
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Trauma is a major public health problem worldwide that leads to high medical and societal costs. Overall, improved understanding of the full spectrum of the societal impact and burden of injury is needed. The main purpose of the Brabant Injury Outcome Surveillance (BIOS) study is to provide insight into prevalence, predictors and recovery patterns of short-term and long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and costs after injury.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective, observational, follow-up cohort study in which HRQoL, psychological, social and functional outcome, and costs after trauma will be assessed during 24 months follow-up within injured patients admitted in 1 of 10 hospitals in the county Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands. Data will be collected by self-reported questionnaires at 1 week (including preinjury assessment), and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after injury. If patients are not capable of filling out the questionnaires, proxies will be asked to participate. Also, information about mechanism and severity of injury, comorbidity and indirect and direct costs will be collected. Mixed models will be used to examine the course of HRQoL, functional and psychological outcome, costs over time and between different groups, and to identify predictors for poor or good outcome.

Relevance

This study should make a substantial contribution to the international collaborative effort to assess the societal impact and burden of injuries more accurately. The BIOS results will also be used to develop an outcome prediction model for outcome evaluation including, besides the classic fatal, non-fatal outcome.

Trial registration number

NCT02508675.
Cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care versus self-management in patients with musculoskeletal chest pain
Authors: Stochkendahl Mette Jensen , Sørensen Jan , Vach Werner , Christensen Henrik Wulff , Høilund-Carlsen Poul Flemming , Hartvigsen Jan
Published: May 2016

Aims

To assess whether primary sector healthcare in the form of chiropractic care is cost-effective compared with self-management in patients with musculoskeletal chest pain, that is, a subgroup of patients with non-specific chest pain.

Methods and results

115 adults aged 18–75 years with acute, non-specific chest pain of musculoskeletal origin were recruited from a cardiology department in Denmark. After ruling out acute coronary syndrome and receiving usual care, patients with musculoskeletal chest pain were randomised to 4 weeks of community-based chiropractic care (n=59) or to a single information session aimed at encouraging self-management as complementary to usual care (n=56). Data on resource use were obtained from Danish national registries and valued from a societal perspective. Patient cost and health-related quality-adjusted life years (QALYs; based on EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) and Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36)) were compared in cost-effectiveness analyses over 12 months from baseline. Mean costs were €2183 lower for the group with chiropractic care, but not statistically significant (95% CI −4410.5 to 43.0). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio suggested that chiropractic care was cost-effective with a probability of 97%, given a threshold value of €30 000 per QALY gained. In both groups, there was an increase in the health-related quality of life, and the mean increases were similar over the 12-month evaluation period. The mean differences in QALYs between the groups were negligible.

Conclusions

Chiropractic care was more cost-effective than self-management. Therefore, chiropractic care can be seen as a good example of a targeted primary care approach for a subgroup of patients with non-specific chest pain.

Trial registration number

NCT00462241.
Variabilities in the mortality-related resource utilisation for congenital heart disease
Authors: Danford David A , Karels Quentin , Kutty Shelby
Published: May 2016

Objective

Our objective was to characterise the divergence of effort from outcome in congenital heart disease (CHD) care by measuring mortality-related resource utilisation fraction (MRRUF) for various CHD lesions across institutions of differing volumes.

Methods

Study design was observational analysis of an administrative database, the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS). The setting was inpatient; 2004–2013. Patients were ≤21 years old with atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) or other single ventricle (SV). There were no interventions but diagnosis, institution (and volume), age, length of hospitalisation, billed charges and deaths were recorded. The main outcome measure was MRRUF, the ratio of investments during hospitalisations ending in fatality to investments during all hospitalisations.

Results

There were 50 939 admissions, 1711 deaths, 703 383 inpatient days, and $10 182 000 000 billed charges. MRRUF varied widely by diagnosis: highest in HLHS (21%), but present in ASD (2%) and VSD (4%). Highest among the very young, MRRUF also increased in HLHS and SV during adolescence. MRRUF increased with hospitalisation duration. MRRUF had no relation to institutional volume, and was static over the decade studied.

Conclusions

Even in the modern era we invest heavily in inpatient CHD care that does not produce the desired outcome. Although its magnitude varies by lesion and age, MRRUF is not limited to complex disease in the very young. MRRUF is not decreasing, and is not isolated to high or low volume institutions.
Global Analysis on the Discontinuous Limit Case of a Smooth Oscillator
Authors: Chen Hebai
Published: May 2016

Global dynamics of a class of planar Filippov systems with symmetry, which is a discontinuous limit case of a smooth oscillator, is studied. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence and the number of limit cycles are given. It is shown that at most two limit cycles or a pair of grazing loops exist. A special method is introduced to study grazing bifurcation. The monotonicity and the [Formula: see text] smoothness of the grazing bifurcation curve are proved. All global phase portraits and a complete global bifurcation diagram are described. Finally, some numerical examples are demonstrated.
Zeros of a Class of Transcendental Equation with Application to Bifurcation of DDE
Authors: Kou Kit Ian , Lou Yijun , Xia Yong-Hui
Published: May 2016

Zeros of a class of transcendental equation with small parameter [Formula: see text] are considered in this paper. There have been many works in the literature considering the distribution of zeros of the transcendental equation by choosing the delay [Formula: see text] as bifurcation parameter. Different from standard consideration, we choose [Formula: see text] as bifurcation parameter (not the delay [Formula: see text]) to discuss the distribution of zeros of such transcendental equation. After mathematical analysis, the obtained results are successfully applied to the bifurcation analysis in a biological model in the real word phenomenon. In the real world model, the effect of climate changes can be seen as the small parameter perturbation, which can induce bifurcations and instability. We present two methods to analyze the stability and bifurcations.
A Mechanistic Stochastic Ricker Model: Analytical and Numerical Investigations
Authors: Gadrich Tamar , Katriel Guy
Published: May 2016

The Ricker model is one of the simplest and most widely-used ecological models displaying complex nonlinear dynamics. We study a discrete-time population model, which is derived from simple assumptions concerning individual organisms’ behavior, using the “site-based” approach, developed by Brännström, Broomhead, Johansson and Sumpter. In the large-population limit the model converges to the Ricker model, and can thus be considered a mechanistic version of the Ricker model, derived from basic ecological principles, and taking into account the demographic stochasticity inherent to finite populations. We employ several analytical and precise numerical methods to study the model, showing how each approach contributes to understanding the model’s dynamics. Expressing the model as a Markov chain, we employ the concept of quasi-stationary distributions, which are computed numerically, and used to examine the interaction between complex deterministic dynamics and demographic stochasticity, as well as to calculate mean times to extinction. A Gaussian Markov chain approximation is used to obtain quantitative asymptotic approximations for the size of fluctuations of the stochastic model’s time series around the deterministic trajectory, and for the correlations between successive fluctuations. Results of these approximations are compared to results obtained from quasi-stationary distributions and from direct simulations, and are shown to be in good agreement.
Photodegradation of organic pollutants in water by immobilized porphyrins and phthalocyanines
Authors: Fernández Lucía , Esteves Valdemar I. , Cunha Ângela , Schneider Rudolf J. , Tomé João P.C.
Published: May 2016

New methods for water treatment are required as a result from an increasing awareness in the reduction of the pollution impact in the environment. In the perspective of the photo-oxidation of organic pollutants present in water, the principal incentive for the preparation of heterogeneous photocatalysts is their easy recovery from the reaction mixture, which allows their reuse in successive runs, minimizing the loss of their original photocatalytic properties. Different types of supports can be used in the immobilization of photoactive species, such as porphyrins (Pors) and phthalocyanines (Pcs). This mini-review will consider the different methodologies for the immobilization of Pors and Pcs and their photocatalytic performance in the photodegradation of organic pollutants in water, addressing also their recycling ability in successive water treatments.
Synthesis and electrochemistry of cobalt tetrabutanotriarylcorroles. Highly selective electrocatalysts for two-electron reduction of dioxygen in acidic and basic media
Authors: Sun Jing , Ou Zhongping , Guo Rui , Fang Yuanyuan , Chen Minyuan , Song Yang , Kadish Karl M.
Published: May 2016

Three [Formula: see text],[Formula: see text]-tetrabutano-substituted cobalt(III) triarylcorroles were synthesized and characterized by UV-vis, 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as well as electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry. The examined compounds are represented as butano-(YPh)3CorCo(PPh[Formula: see text], where Cor represents the core of the corrole and Y is a CH3, H or Cl group on the para-position of each meso-phenyl ring of the macrocycle. Each corrole undergoes two stepwise cobalt-centered reductions leading to formation of Co(II) and Co(I) derivatives in CH2Cl2 containing 0.1 M TBAP. Three reversible one-electron oxidations were observed within potential, ranging from 0.16 to 1.40 V in CH2Cl2. The first oxidation generates a mixture of Co(III) [Formula: see text]-cation radical and Co(IV), while the second oxidation is metal-centered to give the Co(IV) corrole. Each cobalt corrole was examined as a catalyst for electroreduction of O2 when coated on an edge-plane pyrrolytic graphite electrode in acidic and basic solutions. The results indicate that the cobalt tetrabutanotriarylcorroles can act as selective catalysts for the 2e reduction of molecular oxygen to give H2O2 as the final product under the given solution conditions.
See You See Me
Authors: Xu Tian (Linger) , Zhang Hui , Yu Chen
Published: May 2016

We focus on a fundamental looking behavior in human-robot interactions—gazing at each other's face. Eye contact and mutual gaze between two social partners are critical in smooth human-human interactions. Therefore, investigating at what moments and in what ways a robot should look at a human user's face as a response to the human's gaze behavior is an important topic. Toward this goal, we developed a gaze-contingent human-robot interaction system, which relied on momentary gaze behaviors from a human user to control an interacting robot in real time. Using this system, we conducted an experiment in which human participants interacted with the robot in a joint-attention task. In the experiment, we systematically manipulated the robot's gaze toward the human partner's face in real time and then analyzed the human's gaze behavior as a response to the robot's gaze behavior. We found that more face looks from the robot led to more look-backs (to the robot's face) from human participants, and consequently, created more mutual gaze and eye contact between the two. Moreover, participants demonstrated more coordinated and synchronized multimodal behaviors between speech and gaze when more eye contact was successfully established and maintained.
Computational Methodologies for Real-Space Structural Refinement of Large Macromolecular Complexes
Authors: Goh Boon Chong , Hadden Jodi A. , Bernardi Rafael C. , Singharoy Abhishek , McGreevy Ryan , Rudack Till , Cassidy C. Keith , Schulten Klaus
Published: May 2016

The rise of the computer as a powerful tool for model building and refinement has revolutionized the field of structure determination for large biomolecular systems. Despite the wide availability of robust experimental methods capable of resolving structural details across a range of spatiotemporal resolutions, computational hybrid methods have the unique ability to integrate the diverse data from multimodal techniques such as X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy into consistent, fully atomistic structures. Here, commonly employed strategies for computational real-space structural refinement are reviewed, and their specific applications are illustrated for several large macromolecular complexes: ribosome, virus capsids, chemosensory array, and photosynthetic chromatophore. The increasingly important role of computational methods in large-scale structural refinement, along with current and future challenges, is discussed.
The Lakes and Seas of Titan
Authors: Hayes Alexander G.
Published: May 2016

Analogous to Earth's water cycle, Titan's methane-based hydrologic cycle supports standing bodies of liquid and drives processes that result in common morphologic features including dunes, channels, lakes, and seas. Like lakes on Earth and early Mars, Titan's lakes and seas preserve a record of its climate and surface evolution. Unlike on Earth, the volume of liquid exposed on Titan's surface is only a small fraction of the atmospheric reservoir. The volume and bulk composition of the seas can constrain the age and nature of atmospheric methane, as well as its interaction with surface reservoirs. Similarly, the morphology of lacustrine basins chronicles the history of the polar landscape over multiple temporal and spatial scales. The distribution of trace species, such as noble gases and higher-order hydrocarbons and nitriles, can address Titan's origin and the potential for both prebiotic and biotic processes. Accordingly, Titan's lakes and seas represent a compelling target for exploration.
Fracking in Tight Shales: What Is It, What Does It Accomplish, and What Are Its Consequences?
Authors: Norris J. Quinn , Turcotte Donald L. , Moores Eldridge M. , Brodsky Emily E. , Rundle John B.
Published: May 2016

Fracking is a popular term referring to hydraulic fracturing when it is used to extract hydrocarbons. We distinguish between low-volume traditional fracking and the high-volume modern fracking used to recover large volumes of hydrocarbons from shales. Shales are fine-grained rocks with low granular permeabilities. During the formation of oil and gas, large fluid pressures are generated. These pressures result in natural fracking, and the resulting fracture permeability allows oil and gas to escape, reducing the fluid pressures. These fractures may subsequently be sealed by mineral deposition, resulting in tight shale formations. The objective of modern fracking is to reopen these fractures and/or create new fractures on a wide range of scales. Modern fracking has had a major impact on the availability of oil and gas globally; however, there are serious environmental objections to modern fracking, which should be weighed carefully against its benefits.
Permafrost Meta-Omics and Climate Change
Authors: Mackelprang Rachel , Saleska Scott R. , Jacobsen Carsten Suhr , Jansson Janet K. , Taş Neslihan
Published: May 2016

Permanently frozen soil, or permafrost, covers a large portion of the Earth's terrestrial surface and represents a unique environment for cold-adapted microorganisms. As permafrost thaws, previously protected organic matter becomes available for microbial degradation. Microbes that decompose soil carbon produce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, contributing substantially to climate change. Next-generation sequencing and other -omics technologies offer opportunities to discover the mechanisms by which microbial communities regulate the loss of carbon and the emission of greenhouse gases from thawing permafrost regions. Analysis of nucleic acids and proteins taken directly from permafrost-associated soils has provided new insights into microbial communities and their functions in Arctic environments that are increasingly impacted by climate change. In this article we review current information from various molecular -omics studies on permafrost microbial ecology and explore the relevance of these insights to our current understanding of the dynamics of permafrost loss due to climate change.
Citrus Flavonoids as Regulators of Lipoprotein Metabolism and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Mulvihill Erin E. , Burke Amy C. , Huff Murray W.
Published: May 2016

Citrus flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds with significant biological properties. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the ability of citrus flavonoids to modulate lipid metabolism, other metabolic parameters related to the metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis. Citrus flavonoids, including naringenin, hesperitin, nobiletin, and tangeretin, have emerged as potential therapeutics for the treatment of metabolic dysregulation. Epidemiological studies reveal an association between the intake of citrus flavonoid–containing foods and a decreased incidence of cardiovascular disease. Studies in cell culture and animal models, as well as a limited number of clinical studies, reveal the lipid-lowering, insulin-sensitizing, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory properties of citrus flavonoids. In animal models, supplementation of rodent diets with citrus flavonoids prevents hepatic steatosis, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance primarily through inhibition of hepatic fatty acid synthesis and increased fatty acid oxidation. Citrus flavonoids blunt the inflammatory response in metabolically important tissues including liver, adipose, kidney, and the aorta. The mechanisms underlying flavonoid-induced metabolic regulation have not been completely established, although several potential targets have been identified. In mouse models, citrus flavonoids show marked suppression of atherogenesis through improved metabolic parameters as well as through direct impact on the vessel wall. Recent studies support a role for citrus flavonoids in the treatment of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, obesity, and atherosclerosis. Larger human studies examining dose, bioavailability, efficacy, and safety are required to promote the development of these promising therapeutic agents.
Impact of high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet on myocardial substrate oxidation, insulin sensitivity, and cardiac function after ischemia-reperfusion
Authors: Liu Jian , Wang Peipei , Douglas Samuel L. , Tate Joshua M. , Sham Simon , Lloyd Steven G.
Published: May 2016

High-fat, low-carbohydrate Diet (HFLCD) impairs the myocardial response to ischemia-reperfusion, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We sought to determine the magnitude of diet-induced alterations in intrinsic properties of the myocardium (including insulin sensitivity and substrate oxidation) and circulating substrate and insulin differences resulting from diet, leading to this impaired response. Rats were fed HFLCD (60% kcal from fat/30% protein/10% carbohydrate) or control diet (CONT) (16%/19%/65%) for 2 wk. Isolated hearts underwent global low-flow ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R). Carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy was used to determine myocardial substrate TCA cycle entry. Myocardial insulin sensitivity was assessed as dose-response of Akt phosphorylation. There was a significant effect of HFLCD and I/R with both these factors leading to an increase in free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation and a decrease in carbohydrate or ketone oxidation. Following I/R, HFLCD led to decreased ketone and increased FFA oxidation; the recovery of left ventricular (LV) function was decreased in HFLCD and was negatively correlated with FFA oxidation and positively associated with ketone oxidation. HFLCD also resulted in reduced insulin sensitivity. Under physiologic ranges, there were no direct effects of buffer insulin and ketone levels on oxidation of any substrate and recovery of cardiac function after I/R. An insulin-ketone interaction exists for myocardial substrate oxidation characteristics. We conclude that the impaired recovery of function after ischemia-reperfusion with HFLCD is largely due to intrinsic diet effects on myocardial properties, rather than to diet effect on circulating insulin or substrate levels.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor differentially modulates excitability of two classes of hippocampal output neurons
Authors: Graves A. R. , Moore S. J. , Spruston N. , Tryba A. K. , Kaczorowski C. C.
Published: May 2016

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Canonically, this has been ascribed to an enhancing effect on neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity in the CA1 region. However, it is the pyramidal neurons in the subiculum that form the primary efferent pathways conveying hippocampal information to other areas of the brain, and yet the effect of BDNF on these neurons has remained unexplored. We present new data that BDNF regulates neuronal excitability and cellular plasticity in a much more complex manner than previously suggested. Subicular pyramidal neurons can be divided into two major classes, which have different electrophysiological and morphological properties, different requirements for the induction of plasticity, and different extrahippocampal projections. We found that BDNF increases excitability in one class of subicular pyramidal neurons yet decreases excitability in the other class. Furthermore, while endogenous BDNF was necessary for the induction of synaptic plasticity in both cell types, BDNF enhanced intrinsic plasticity in one class of pyramidal neurons yet suppressed intrinsic plasticity in the other. Taken together, these data suggest a novel role for BDNF signaling, as it appears to dynamically and bidirectionally regulate the output of hippocampal information to different regions of the brain.
Retinoic acid and sodium butyrate suppress the cardiac expression of hypertrophic markers and proinflammatory mediators in Npr1 gene-disrupted haplotype mice
Authors: Subramanian Umadevi , Kumar Prerna , Mani Indra , Chen David , Kessler Isaac , Periyasamy Ramu , Raghavaraju Giri , Pandey Kailash N.
Published: May 2016

The objective of the present study was to examine the genetically determined differences in the natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPRA) gene ( Npr1) copies affecting the expression of cardiac hypertrophic markers, proinflammatory mediators, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in a gene-dose-dependent manner. We determined whether stimulation of Npr1 by all-trans retinoic acid (RA) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor sodium butyric acid (SB) suppress the expression of cardiac disease markers. In the present study, we utilized Npr1 gene-disrupted heterozygous ( Npr1+/−, 1-copy), wild-type ( Npr1+/+, 2-copy), gene-duplicated ( Npr1++/+, 3-copy) mice, which were treated intraperitoneally with RA, SB, and a combination of RA/SB, a hybrid drug (HB) for 2 wk. Untreated 1-copy mice showed significantly increased heart weight-body weight (HW/BW) ratio, blood pressure, hypertrophic markers, including beta-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC) and proto-oncogenes (c-fos and c-jun), proinflammatory mediator nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and MMPs (MMP-2, MMP-9) compared with 2-copy and 3-copy mice. The heterozygous (haplotype) 1-copy mice treated with RA, SB, or HB, exhibited significant reduction in the expression of β-MHC, c-fos, c-jun, NF-κB, MMP-2, and MMP-9. In drug-treated animals, the activity and expression levels of HDAC were significantly reduced and histone acetyltransferase activity and expression levels were increased. The drug treatments significantly increased the fractional shortening and reduced the systolic and diastolic parameters of the Npr1+/− mice hearts. Together, the present results demonstrate that a decreased Npr1 copy number enhanced the expression of hypertrophic markers, proinflammatory mediators, and MMPs, whereas an increased Npr1 repressed the cardiac disease markers in a gene-dose-dependent manner.
Minimal-Order Functional Observer-Based Residual Generators for Fault Detection and Isolation of Dynamical Systems
Authors: Tran H. M. , Trinh H.
Published: May 2016

This paper examines the design of minimal-order residual generators for the purpose of detecting and isolating actuator and/or component faults in dynamical systems. We first derive existence conditions and design residual generators using only first-order observers to detect and identify the faults. When the first-order functional observers do not exist, then based on a parametric approach to the solution of a generalized Sylvester matrix equation, we develop systematic procedures for designing residual generators utilizing minimal-order functional observers. Our design approach gives lower-order residual generators than existing results in the literature. The advantages for having such lower-order residual generators are obvious from the economical and practical points of view as cost saving and simplicity in implementation can be achieved, particularly when dealing with high-order complex systems. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the proposed fault detection and isolation schemes. In all of the numerical examples, we design minimum-order residual generators to effectively detect and isolate actuator and/or component faults in the system.
A Privacy-Preserving Outsourcing Data Storage Scheme with Fragile Digital Watermarking-Based Data Auditing
Authors: Cao Xinyue , Fu Zhangjie , Sun Xingming
Published: May 2016

Cloud storage has been recognized as the popular solution to solve the problems of the rising storage costs of IT enterprises for users. However, outsourcing data to the cloud service providers (CSPs) may leak some sensitive privacy information, as the data is out of user’s control. So how to ensure the integrity and privacy of outsourced data has become a big challenge. Encryption and data auditing provide a solution toward the challenge. In this paper, we propose a privacy-preserving and auditing-supporting outsourcing data storage scheme by using encryption and digital watermarking. Logistic map-based chaotic cryptography algorithm is used to preserve the privacy of outsourcing data, which has a fast operation speed and a good effect of encryption. Local histogram shifting digital watermark algorithm is used to protect the data integrity which has high payload and makes the original image restored losslessly if the data is verified to be integrated. Experiments show that our scheme is secure and feasible.
The Effect of MSCs Derived from the Human Umbilical Cord Transduced by Fibroblast Growth Factor‐20 on Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Jinfeng Li , Yunliang Wang , Xinshan Liu , Shanshan Wang , Chunyang Xu , Peng Xue , Xiaopeng Yang , Zhixiu Xu , Honglei Yin , Xia Cao , Haifeng Duan , Bingzhen Cao
Published: May 2016

Cell therapy is a potential therapeutic approach for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Mesenchymal stem cells derived from the human umbilical cord (hUC‐MSCs) give priority to PD patients because of multiple advantages. The appropriate gene transduction of hUC‐MSC before transplantation is a promising procedure for cell therapy. Fibroblast growth factor‐20 (FGF‐20) has been shown to protect dopaminergic neurons against a range of toxic insults in vitro. In this study, the hUC‐MSCs were gene transduced with FGF‐20, and then we transplanted them into the PD mice model. The results showed that MSC‐FGF‐20 treatment obviously improved the behavior of PD, accompanied by the increase of tyrosine carboxylase‐ (TH‐) positive cell and dopamine (DA). Furtherly, immunohistochemistry disclosed that MSC‐FGF‐20 obviously promoted the degradation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), a transcription factor that controls genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines, highly expressed in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic regions in PD patients. Therefore, MSC‐FGF‐20 has a potential for improving PD, closely related to the degradation of NF‐κB.
Association between the Type of Workplace and Lung Function in Copper Miners
Authors: Skoczyńska Anna , Gruszczyński Leszek , Wojakowska Anna , Ścieszka Marek , Turczyn Barbara , Schmidt Edward
Published: May 2016

The aim of the analysis was to retrospectively assess changes in lung function in copper miners depending on the type of workplace. In the groups of 225 operators, 188 welders, and 475 representatives of other jobs, spirometry was performed at the start of employment and subsequently after 10, 20, and 25 years of work. Spirometry Longitudinal Data Analysis software was used to estimate changes in group means for FEV1and FVC. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess an association between workplace and lung function. Lung function assessed on the basis of calculation of longitudinal FEV1 (FVC) decline was similar in all studied groups. However, multiple linear regression model used in cross-sectional analysis revealed an association between workplace and lung function. In the group of welders, FEF75 was lower in comparison to operators and other miners as early as after 10 years of work. Simultaneously, in smoking welders, the FEV1/FVC ratio was lower than in nonsmokers (p< 0,05). The interactions between type of workplace and smoking (p< 0,05) in their effect on FVC, FEV1, PEF, and FEF50 were shown. Among underground working copper miners, the group of smoking welders is especially threatened by impairment of lung ventilatory function.
Efficacy of Oral Ginger (Zingiber officinale) for Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Chen Chen X. , Barrett Bruce , Kwekkeboom Kristine L.
Published: May 2016

This systematic review examines the efficacy of oral ginger for dysmenorrhea. Key biomedical databases and grey literature were searched. We included randomized controlled trials comparing oral ginger against placebo or active treatment in women with dysmenorrhea. Six trials were identified. Two authors independently reviewed the articles, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus with a third reviewer. We completed a narrative synthesis of all six studies and exploratory meta‐analyses of three studies comparing ginger with placebo and two studies comparing ginger with a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ginger appeared more effective for reducing pain severity than placebo. The weighted mean difference on a 10 cm visual analogue scale was 1.55 cm (favoring ginger) (95% CI 0.68 to 2.43). No significant difference was found between ginger and mefenamic acid (an NSAID). The standardized mean difference was 0 (95% CI −0.40 to 0.41). Available data suggest that oral ginger could be an effective treatment for menstrual pain in dysmenorrhea. Findings, however, need to be interpreted with caution because of the small number of studies, poor methodological quality of the studies, and high heterogeneity across trials. The review highlights the need for future trials with high methodological quality.
Simple, Safe, and Cost-Effective Technique for Resected Stomach Extraction in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Derici Serhan , Atila Koray , Bora Seymen , Yener Serkan
Published: May 2016

Background. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a popular operation during the recent years. This procedure requires resection of 80–90% of the stomach. Extraction of gastric specimen is known to be a challenging and costly stage of the operation. In this paper, we report results of a simple and cost-effective specimen extraction technique which was applied to 137 consecutive LSG patients.Methods. Between October 2013 and October 2015, 137 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgeries were performed at Dokuz Eylul University General Surgery Department, Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Unit. All specimens were extracted through a 15 mm trocar site without using any special device.Results. We noticed one superficial incisional surgical site infection and treated this patient with oral antibiotics. No cases of trocar site hernia were observed.Conclusion. Different techniques have been described for specimen extraction. This simple technique allows extraction of specimen safely in a short time and does not require any special device.
Genetic Analysis of Reducedγ-Tocopherol Content in Ethiopian Mustard Seeds
Authors: García-Navarro Elena , Fernández-Martínez José M. , Pérez-Vich Begoña , Velasco Leonardo
Published: May 2016

Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinataA. Braun) line BCT-6, with reducedγ-tocopherol content in the seeds, has been previously developed. The objective of this research was to conduct a genetic analysis of seed tocopherols in this line. BCT-6 was crossed with the conventional line C-101 and theF1,F2, and BC plant generations were analyzed. Generation mean analysis using individual scaling tests indicated that reducedγ-tocopherol content fitted an additive-dominant genetic model with predominance of additive effects and absence of epistatic interactions. This was confirmed through a joint scaling test and additional testing of the goodness of fit of the model. Conversely, epistatic interactions were identified for total tocopherol content. Estimation of the minimum number of genes suggested that bothγ- and total tocopherol content may be controlled by two genes. A positive correlation between total tocopherol content and the proportion ofγ-tocopherol was identified in theF2generation. Additional research on the feasibility of developing germplasm with high tocopherol content and reduced concentration ofγ-tocopherol is required.
Salivary Myeloperoxidase, Assessed by 3,3′-Diaminobenzidine Colorimetry, Can Differentiate Periodontal Patients from Nonperiodontal Subjects
Authors: Klangprapan Supaporn , Chaiyarit Ponlatham , Hormdee Doosadee , Kampichai Amonrujee , Khampitak Tueanjit , Daduang Jureerut , Tavichakorntrakool Ratree , Panijpan Bhinyo , Boonsiri Patcharee
Published: May 2016

Periodontal diseases, which result from inflammation of tooth supporting tissues, are highly prevalent worldwide. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), from certain white blood cells in saliva, is a biomarker for inflammation. We report our study on the salivary MPO activity and its association with severity of periodontal diseases among Thai patients. Periodontally healthy subjects (n=11) and gingivitis (n=32) and periodontitis patients (n=19) were enrolled. Assessments of clinically periodontal parameters were reported as percentages for gingival bleeding index (GI) and bleeding on probing (BOP), whereas pocket depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were measured in millimeters and then made to index scores. Salivary MPO activity was measured by colorimetry using 3,3′-diaminobenzidine as substrate. The results showed that salivary MPO activity in periodontitis patients was significantly higher than in healthy subjects (p=0.003) and higher than in gingivitis patients (p=0.059). No difference was found between gingivitis and healthy groups (p=0.181). Significant correlations were observed (p<0.01) between salivary MPO activity and GI (r=0.632,p<0.001), BOP (r=0.599,p<0.001), PD (r=0.179,p=0.164), and CAL (r=0.357,p=0.004) index scores. Sensitivity (94.12%), specificity (54.55%), and positive (90.57%) and negative (66.67%) predictive values indicate that salivary MPO activity has potential use as a screening marker for oral health of the Thai community.
Classification of Arabic Twitter Users: A Study Based on User Behaviour and Interests
Authors: Alabdullatif Abdullatif , Shahzad Basit , Alwagait Esam
Published: May 2016

Social networks are among the most popular interactive media today due to their simplicity and their ability to break down the barriers of community rules and their speed and because of the increasing pressures of work environments that make it more difficult for people to visit or call friends. There are many social networking products available and they are widely used for social interaction. As the amount of threading data is growing, producing analysis from this large volume of communications is becoming increasingly difficult for public and private organisations. One of the important applications of this work is to determine the trends in social networks that depend on identifying relationships between members of a community. This is not a trivial task as it has numerous challenges. Information shared between social members does not have a formal data structure but is transmitted in the form of texts, emoticons, and multimedia. The inspiration for addressing this area is that if a company is advertising a sports product, for example, it has a difficulty in identifying targeted samples of Arab people on social networks who are interested in sports. In order to accomplish this, an experiment oriented approach is adopted in this study. A goal for this company is to discover users who have been interacting with other users who have the same interests, so they can receive the same type of message or advertisement. This information will help a company to determine how to develop advertisements based on Arab people’s interests. Examples of such work include the timely advertisement of the utilities that can be effectively marketed to increase the audience; for example, on the weekend days, the effective market approaches can yield considerable results in terms of increasing the sales and profits. In addition, finding an efficient way to recommend friends to a user based on interest similarity, celebrity degree, and online behaviour is of interest to social networks themselves. This problem is explored to establish and apply an efficient and easy way to classify a social network of Arab users based on their interests using available types of information, whether textual or nontextual, and to try to increase the accuracy of interest classification. Since most of the social networking is done from the mobiles nowadays, the efficient and reliable algorithm can help in developing a robust app that can perform the tweet classification on mobile phones.
Autocrine Secretion of Progastrin Promotes the Survival and Self-Renewal of Colon Cancer Stem–like Cells
Authors: Giraud Julie , Failla Laura M. , Pascussi Jean-Marc , Lagerqvist Ebba L. , Ollier Jérémy , Finetti Pascal , Bertucci François , Ya Chu , Gasmi Imène , Bourgaux Jean-François , Prudhomme Michel , Mazard Thibault , Ait-Arsa Imade , Houhou Leila , Birnbaum Daniel , Pélegrin André , Vincent Charles , Ryall James G. , Joubert Dominique , Pannequin Julie , Hollande Frédéric
Published: May 2016

Subpopulations of cancer stem–like cells (CSC) are thought to drive tumor progression and posttreatment recurrence in multiple solid tumors. However, the mechanisms that maintain stable proportions of self-renewing CSC within heterogeneous tumors under homeostatic conditions remain poorly understood. Progastrin is a secreted peptide that exhibits tumor-forming potential in colorectal cancer, where it regulates pathways known to modulate colon CSC behaviors. In this study, we investigated the role of progastrin in regulating CSC phenotype in advanced colorectal cancer. Progastrin expression and secretion were highly enriched in colon CSC isolated from human colorectal cancer cell lines and colon tumor biopsies. Progastrin expression promoted CSC self-renewal and survival, whereas its depletion by RNA interference–mediated or antibody-mediated strategies altered the homeostatic proportions of CSC cells within heterogeneous colorectal cancer tumors. Progastrin downregulation also decreased the frequency of ALDHhigh cells, impairing their tumor-initiating potential, and inhibited the high glycolytic activity of ALDHhigh CSC to limit their self-renewal capability. Taken together, our results show how colorectal CSC maintain their tumor-initiating and self-renewal capabilities by secreting progastrin, thereby contributing to the tumor microenvironment to support malignancy. Cancer Res; 76(12); 3618–28. ©2016 AACR.
In SituTumor Vaccination by Combining Local Radiation and Tumor-Specific Antibody or Immunocytokine Treatments
Authors: Morris Zachary S. , Guy Emily I. , Francis David M. , Gressett Monica M. , Werner Lauryn R. , Carmichael Lakeesha L. , Yang Richard K. , Armstrong Eric A. , Huang Shyhmin , Navid Fariba , Gillies Stephen D. , Korman Alan , Hank Jacquelyn A. , Rakhmilevich Alexander L. , Harari Paul M. , Sondel Paul M.
Published: May 2016

Interest in combining radiotherapy and immune checkpoint therapy is growing rapidly. In this study, we explored a novel combination of this type to augment antitumor immune responses in preclinical murine models of melanoma, neuroblastoma, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cooperative effects were observed with local radiotherapy and intratumoral injection of tumor-specific antibodies, arising in part from enhanced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). We could improve this response by combining radiation with intratumoral injection of an IL2-linked tumor-specific antibody (termed here an immunocytokine), resulting in complete regression of established tumors in most animals associated with a tumor-specific memory T-cell response. Given the T-cell response elicited by combined local radiation and intratumoral immunocytokine, we tested the potential benefit of adding this treatment to immune checkpoint blockade. In mice bearing large primary tumors or disseminated metastases, the triple-combination of intratumoral immunocytokine, radiation, and systemic anti–CTLA-4 improved primary tumor response and animal survival compared with combinations of any two of these three interventions. Taken together, our results show how combining radiation and intratumoral immunocytokine in murine tumor models can eradicate large tumors and metastases, eliciting an in situ vaccination effect that can be leveraged further by T-cell checkpoint blockade, with immediate implications for clinical evaluation. Cancer Res; 76(13); 3929–41. ©2016 AACR.
Talimogene Laherparepvec for the Treatment of Advanced Melanoma
Authors: Ott Patrick A. , Hodi F. Stephen
Published: May 2016

Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is a first-in-class oncolytic virus that mediates local and systemic antitumor activity by direct cancer cell lysis and an “in situ vaccine” effect. Based on an increased durable response rate compared with granulocyte macrophage–colony stimulating factor in a randomized phase III trial, it was approved by the FDA for the treatment of melanoma metastatic to skin or lymph nodes. The drug is currently in clinical trials as monotherapy and in combination with immune-checkpoint inhibitors and radiotherapy in melanoma and other cancers. The mechanism of action, toxicity, and efficacy as well as its role in current clinical practice and potential future applications are reviewed. Clin Cancer Res; 22(13); 3127–31. ©2016 AACR.