bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acylglycerol kinase promotes tumour growth and metastasis via activating the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signalling pathway in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Qian , Zhong Ai-Lin , Hu Hao , Zhao Jing-Jing , Weng De-Sheng , Tang Yan , Pan Qiu-Zhong , Zhou Zi-Qi , Song Meng-Jia , Yang Jie-Ying , He Jun-Yi , Liu Yuan , Li Min , Hu Wan-Ming , Yang Chao-Pin , Xiang Tong , Chen Ming-Yuan , Ma Gang , Guo Ling , Xia Jian-Chuan
Published: January 2020

Background

Clinically, the median survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was only 6–12 months and a 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. Therefore, an in-depth study of the molecular mechanisms involved in RCC is of great significance for improving the survival of patients with advanced RCC. Acylglycerol kinase (AGK) is a newly discovered lipid kinase that has been reported to be a potent oncogene that may be involved in the regulation of malignant progression in a variety of tumours. However, the expression and biological characteristics of the AGK gene in RCC remain unclear.

Methods

AGK expression was quantified by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in RCC cell lines and paired patient tissues. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the prognostic value of AGK in human RCC tissue samples. Chi-squared test was performed to analyse the correlation between AGK expression and the clinicopathological features. Stable overexpression and knockdown of AGK in RCC cells was constructed with lentivirus. The oncogenic effects of AGK in human RCC progression were investigated using assays of colony formation, anchorage-independent growth, EdU assay, cell cycle analysis, wound-healing, trans-well analysis and xenograft tumour model. GSEA and KEGG analysis were conducted to detect the potential pathway of AGK involved in RCC. These results were further confirmed using the luciferase reporter assays, immunofluorescence and in vivo experiments.

Results

AGK expression is significantly elevated in RCC and closely related to the malignant development and poor prognosis in RCC patients. By in vitro and in vivo experiments, AGK was shown to enhance the proliferation of RCC cells by promoting the transition from the G1 phase to the S phase in the cell cycle and to enhance the migration and invasion by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. By activating the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signalling pathway in RCC, AGK can increase nuclear accumulation of β-catenin, which further upregulated TCF/LEF transcription factor activity.

Conclusions

AGK promotes the progression of RCC via activating the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signalling pathway and might be a potential target for the further research of RCC.
Female reproductive potential after oncological treatment: a rare case report of acute myeloid leukemia in monozygotic twin sisters with literature review
Authors: Burnik Papler Tanja , Vrtacnik Bokal Eda , Jančar Nina
Published: January 2020

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in monozygotic twins is a rare event and, until now, only a few cases have been reported. Due to improved oncological treatment and cancer survival rates, quality of life considerations post-treatment have become an important aspect in the treatment regime. The ability to have their own biological children is considered one of the most important indicators of quality of life by cancer survivors. As fertility following oncological treatment is often impaired, fertility preservation methods should be offered to these patients prior to the treatment. Here, we present a very rare case in which we can in vivo observe the impact of oncological treatment on female fertility when applied before and after puberty.

Case presentation

This is a very rare case of concordant AML in monozygotic twin sisters. Twin A became sick at the age of 21 months. She was treated with cytostatic medications and then underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT), the donor being her twin sister B. After 27 years, she is disease free and has regular periods. After trying to conceive for 4 years, she was seen by an infertility specialist. She underwent hysteroscopic uterine septum removal and laparoscopic enucleation of bilateral paraovarian cysts. Following those procedures, she immediately conceived naturally. Twin B became sick at 15 years of age. She was treated with chemotherapy and cranial radiation and relapsed after 10 years. She then received chemotherapy and had a BMT. Until relapse, she had normal menstrual cycles. After the second treatment she became amenorrhoeic and is now part of an oocyte donation program.

Conclusions

This is a case of AML in monozygotic twins who, after treatment, have completely different reproductive potential. They both received oncological treatment, and one of them conceived conceived naturally while the other suffered premature ovarian failure and is not able to have a biological child. Based on the outcome of this case, it appears that the pre-pubertal state truly serves as protection against ovarian failure.
Small RNAs in eucaryotes: new clues for amplifying microRNA benefits
Authors: Ledda Bernardetta , Ottaggio Laura , Izzotti Alberto , Sukkar Samir G. , Miele Mariangela
Published: January 2020

miRNAs, the smallest nucleotide molecules able to regulate gene expression at post transcriptional level, are found in both animals and plants being involved in fundamental processes for growth and development of living organisms. The number of miRNAs has been hypothesized to increase when some organisms specialized the process of mastication and grinding of food. Further to the vertical transmission, miRNAs can undergo horizontal transmission among different species, in particular between plants and animals. In the last years, an increasing number of studies reported that miRNA passage occurs through feeding, and that in animals, plant miRNAs can survive the gastro intestinal digestion and transferred by blood into host cells, where they can exert their functions modulating gene expression. The present review reports studies on miRNAs during evolution, with particular focus on biogenesis and mechanisms regulating their stability in plants and animals. The different biogenesis and post biogenesis modifications allow to discriminate miRNAs of plant origin from those of animal origin, and make it possible to better clarify the controversial question on whether a possible cross-kingdom miRNA transfer through food does exist. The majority of human medicines and supplements derive from plants and a regular consumption of plant food is suggested for their beneficial effects in the prevention of metabolic diseases, cancers, and dietary related disorders. So far, these beneficial effects have been generally attributed to the content of secondary metabolites, whereas mechanisms regarding other components remain unclear. Therefore, in light of the above reported studies miRNAs could result another component for the medical properties of plants. miRNAs have been mainly studied in mammals characterizing their sequences and molecular targets as available in public databases. The herein presented studies provide evidences that miRNA situation is much more complex than the static situation reported in databases. Indeed, miRNAs may have redundant activities, variable sequences, different methods of biogenesis, and may be differently influenced by external and environmental factors. In-depth knowledge of mechanisms of synthesis, regulation and transfer of plant miRNAs to other species can open new frontiers in the therapy of many human diseases, including cancer.
Positive solutions of fractional p-Laplacian equations with integral boundary value and two parameters
Authors: Zhang Luchao , Zhang Weiguo , Liu Xiping , Jia Mei
Published: January 2020

We consider a class of Caputo fractionalp-Laplacian differential equations with integral boundary conditions which involve two parameters. By using the Avery–Peterson fixed point theorem, we obtain the existence of positive solutions for the boundary value problem. As an application, we present an example to illustrate our main result.
Stability analysis and prevention strategies of tobacco smoking model
Authors: Alzahrani Ebraheem , Zeb Anwar
Published: January 2020

This research work is related to a tobacco smoking model having a significance class of users of tobacco in the form of snuffing. For this purpose, the formulation of the model containing snuffing class is presented; then the equilibrium points as regards being smoking free and smoking positive are discussed. The Hurwitz theorem is used for finding the local stability of the model and Lyaponov function theory is used for the search of global stability. We use different controls for control of smoking and the Pontryagin maximum principle for characterization of the optimal level. For the solution of the proposed model, a nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) scheme and the Runge–Kutta fourth order method are used. Finally, some numerical results are presented for control and without control systems with the help of MATLAB.
Oscillation results for nonlinear second order difference equations with mixed neutral terms
Authors: Grace Said R. , Alzabut Jehad
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we establish new oscillation criteria for nonlinear second order difference equations with mixed neutral terms. The key idea of our approach is to compare with first order equations whose oscillatory behaviors are already known. The obtained results not only improve and extend existing results reported in the literature but also provide a new platform for the investigation of a wide class of nonlinear second order difference equations. The results are supported by examples to demonstrate the validity of the theoretical findings.
Synchronization control of stochastic delayed Lotka–Volterra systems with hardware simulation
Authors: Wang Lan , Dong Yiping , Xie Da , Zhang Hao
Published: January 2020

In this paper, the synchronization control of a non-autonomous Lotka–Volterra system with time delay and stochastic effects is studied. The purpose is to firstly establish sufficient conditions for the existence of global positive solution by constructing a suitable Lyapunov function. Some synchronization criteria are then derived by designing an appropriate full controller and a pinning controller, respectively. Finally, an example is presented to illustrate the feasibility and validity of the main theoretical results based on the Field-Programmable Gate Array hardware simulation tool.
Analytical, semi-analytical, and numerical solutions for the Cahn–Allen equation
Authors: Khater Mostafa M. A. , Park Choonkil , Lu Dianchen , Attia Raghda A. M.
Published: January 2020

This paper studies the analytical, semi-analytical, and numerical solutions of the Cahn–Allen equation, which plays a vital role in describing the structure of the dynamics for phase separation inFe–Cr–X($X=Mo,Cu$X=Mo,Cu) ternary alloys. The modified Khater method, the Adomian decomposition method, and the quintic B-spline scheme are implemented on our suggested model to get distinct kinds of solutions. These solutions describe the dynamics of the phase separation in iron alloys and are also used in solidification and nucleation problems. The applications of this model arise in many various fields such as plasma physics, quantum mechanics, mathematical biology, and fluid dynamics. The comparison between the obtained solutions is represented by using figures and tables to explain the value of the error between exact and numerical solutions. All solutions are verified by using Mathematica software.
Epidemiology of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Egyptian intensive care units using National Healthcare–associated Infections Surveillance Data, 2011–2017
Authors: Kotb Sara , Lyman Meghan , Ismail Ghada , Abd El Fattah Mohammad , Girgis Samia A. , Etman Ahmed , Hafez Soad , El-Kholy Jehan , Zaki Maysaa El Sayed , Rashed Hebat-allah G. , Khalil Ghada M. , Sayyouh Omar , Talaat Maha
Published: January 2020

Objective

To describe the epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in Egyptian hospitals reporting to the national HAI surveillance system.

Methods

Design: Descriptive analysis of CRE HAIs and retrospective observational cohort study using national HAI surveillance data. Setting: Egyptian hospitals participating in the HAI surveillance system. The patient population included patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in participating hospitals. Enterobacteriaceae HAI cases were Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter isolates from blood, urine, wound or respiratory specimen collected on or after day 3 of ICU admission. CRE HAI cases were those resistant to at least one carbapenem. For CRE HAI cases reported during 2011–2017, a hospital-level and patient-level analysis were conducted using only the first CRE isolate by pathogen and specimen type for each patient. For facility, microbiology, and clinical characteristics, frequencies and means were calculated among CRE HAI cases and compared with carbapenem-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae HAI cases through univariate and multivariate logistic regression using STATA 13.

Results

There were 1598 Enterobacteriaceae HAI cases, of which 871 (54.1%) were carbapenem resistant. The multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that carbapenem resistance was associated with specimen type, pathogen, location prior to admission, and length of ICU stay. Between 2011 and 2017, there was an increase in the proportion of Enterobacteriaceae HAI cases due to CRE (p-value = 0.003) and the incidence of CRE HAIs (p-value = 0.09).

Conclusions

This analysis demonstrated a high and increasing burden of CRE in Egyptian hospitals, highlighting the importance of enhancing infection prevention and control (IPC) programs and antimicrobial stewardship activities and guiding the implementation of targeted IPC measures to contain CRE in Egyptian ICU’s .
Implementation and impact of pediatric antimicrobial stewardship programs: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Donà D. , Barbieri E. , Daverio M. , Lundin R. , Giaquinto C. , Zaoutis T. , Sharland M.
Published: January 2020

Background

Antibiotics are the most common medicines prescribed to children in hospitals and the community, with a high proportion of potentially inappropriate use. Antibiotic misuse increases the risk of toxicity, raises healthcare costs, and selection of resistance. The primary aim of this systematic review is to summarize the current state of evidence of the implementation and outcomes of pediatric antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) globally.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched to identify studies reporting on ASP in children aged 0–18 years and conducted in outpatient or in-hospital settings. Three investigators independently reviewed identified articles for inclusion and extracted relevant data.

Results

Of the 41,916 studies screened, 113 were eligible for inclusion in this study. Most of the studies originated in the USA (52.2%), while a minority were conducted in Europe (24.7%) or Asia (17.7%). Seventy-four (65.5%) studies used a before-and-after design, and sixteen (14.1%) were randomized trials. The majority (81.4%) described in-hospital ASPs with half of interventions in mixed pediatric wards and ten (8.8%) in emergency departments. Only sixteen (14.1%) studies focused on the costs of ASPs. Almost all the studies (79.6%) showed a significant reduction in inappropriate prescriptions. Compliance after ASP implementation increased. Sixteen of the included studies quantified cost savings related to the intervention with most of the decreases due to lower rates of drug administration. Seven studies showed an increased susceptibility of the bacteria analysed with a decrease in extended spectrum beta-lactamase producersE. coliandK. pneumoniae;a reduction in the rate ofP. aeruginosacarbapenem resistance subsequent to an observed reduction in the rate of antimicrobial days of therapy; and, in two studies set in outpatient setting, an increase in erythromycin-sensitiveS. pyogenesfollowing a reduction in the use of macrolides.

Conclusions

Pediatric ASPs have a significant impact on the reduction of targeted and empiric antibiotic use, healthcare costs, and antimicrobial resistance in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Pediatric ASPs are now widely implemented in the USA, but considerable further adaptation is required to facilitate their uptake in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.
High clonal diversity of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from clinical samples in a non-outbreak situation. A cohort study
Authors: Xercavins Mariona , Jiménez Elena , Padilla Emma , Riera Montserrat , Freixas Núria , Boix-Palop Lucia , Pérez Josefa , Calbo Esther
Published: January 2020

Background

Klebsiella pneumoniae has been responsible for a large number of clonal hospital outbreaks. However, some epidemiological changes have been observed since the emergence of CTX-M enzymes in K. pneumoniae.

Aim

To analyse the transmission dynamics of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp) in an acute care hospital.

Methods

In 2015 a prospective cohort study was conducted. All new consecutive adult patients with ESBL-Kp isolates in all clinical samples were included. Patients with a previous known infection/colonization by ESBL-Kp and patients in high risk areas (e.g., intensive care units) were excluded. Cross-transmission was defined as the carriage of a clonally-related ESBL-Kp between newly diagnosed patients who shared the same ward for ≥48 h with another case, within a maximum time window of 4 weeks. ESBL-production was confirmed using the double-disk diffusion method and PCR. Clonal relationships were investigated by rep-PCR and multilocus sequence typing (MLST).

Results

Sixty ESBL-Kp isolates from 60 patients were included and analysed. Infections and colonizations were classified as hospital-acquired (52%), healthcare-related (40%) or community-acquired (8%).

High genetic diversity was detected. When epidemiological clinical data were combined with the rep-PCR, the patterns identified did not show any cases of cross-transmission. ESBL-Kp were detected in 12.5% of environmental samples. No clonal relationship could be established between environmental reservoirs and patients. The genetic mechanism detected in all strains was associated with blaCTX-M genes, and 97% were CTX-M-15.

Conclusions

The dynamics of ESBL-K. pneumoniae isolated in our setting could not be explained by clonal transmission from an index patient. A polyclonal spread of ESBL-Kp was identified.
The impact of cytochrome 450 and Paraoxonase polymorphisms on clopidogrel resistance and major adverse cardiac events in coronary heart disease patients after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Zhang Zhaowei , Chen Mingxiao , Zhang Long , Zhao Qiang
Published: January 2020

Background

Clopidogrel is an inactive prodrug, it catalyzed into its active form by Cytochrome 450 and Paraoxonase-1(PON-1). polymorphisms of genes encoding these enzymes will affect the efficacy of Clopidogrel. The main objective of our study was to investigate the association of CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3 and PON-1Q192R polymorphisms with Clopidogrel resistance and major adverse cardiac events in Jin Hua district in the middle of Zhe Jiang Province in China.

Methods

One hundred sixty coronary heart disease patients with percutaneous coronary intervention, who were followed-up for 1 year, were enrolled in our study. These patients were co-administered aspirin 100 mg/d and clopidogrel 75 mg/d following a loading dose of 300 mg. The ADP-induced platelet aggregation rate was measured by Platelet aggregator. Genotypes of CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3, PON-1Q192R were determined using Sanger sequencing in all patients. Various clinical data were collected.

Results

The frequencies of CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3 and PON-1Q192R homozygous mutant genotypes were significantly lower in non-responders than those in responders. After for all variables, CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3 and PON-1Q192R independently increased the risk of clopidogrel resistance with adjusted ORs 46.65(95% CI,1.77–25.04;p = 0.005); 22.74(95% CI, 3.11–166.27;p = 0.002); 5.69 (95% CI,1.06–30.47;p = 0.042). Over a follow-up of 12 months, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in CYP2C19*1/*2, *1/*3, *2/*2, *2/*3 was significantly higher than no mutant genotype (18/40vs.2/63,3/9vs.2/63, 11/6vs.2/63, 7/1vs2/63, respectively). There was no significant correlation between PON-1Q192R mutant allele and MACE.

Conclusion

Our study was first time to report on CYP2C19 and PON-1 polymorphisms in Jin Hua population in the middle of Zhe Jiang province in China. The carriage of CYP2C19*2 or *3 mutant allele significantly reduced the platelet response to clopidogrel and increase the MACE. The carriage of PON-1 mutant allele also significantly reduced the platelet response to clopidogrel, but would not increase the major adverse cardiac events after 1 year follow-up.

Trial registration

ChiCTR, ChiCTR1800018316. Registered 11 September 2018 – prospective registered,http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=30927&htm=4.
The effect of Liv-52 on liver ischemia reperfusion damage in rats
Authors: Cimen Orhan , Eken Hüseyin , Keskin Cimen Ferda , Cekic Arif Burak , Kurt Nezahat , Ozbek Bilgin Asli , Suleyman Bahadir , Suleyman Halis , Mammadov Renad , Pehlivanoglu Kamil , Kurnaz Eray
Published: January 2020

Background

Liver ischemia reperfusion (I/R) damage which is frequently seen in clinical hepatobiliary surgeries has no effective treatment for it. Liv-52, known to have hepatoprotective effects, is a natural antioxidant drug licensed by the Ministry of Health of India. The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of Liv-52 on liver damage induced by I/R in rats.

Methods

Albino Wistar male rats were divided into three groups; liver I/R (IR), 20 mg/kg Liv-52 + liver ischemia reperfusion (LIR) and sham operation applied to control group (HG). Liv-52 was administered to the LIR group (n = 6) 1 h prior to I/R application and distilled water was given orally to IR (n = 6) and HG (n = 6) groups as a solvent. Ischemia was determined as 1 h, and reperfusion was identified as 6 h in animals.

Results

Increased levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, and decreased levels of superoxide dismutase, and glutathione related enzymes caused by I/R application have been converged to healthy group level with Liv-52 treatment and the damage in liver tissue has been improved histopathologically.

Conclusions

Liv-52 may be beneficial for preventing liver I/R damage in pre-surgery application.
New perspective on Jun glaze corrosion: study on the corrosion of light greenish blue and reddish purple glazes from Juntai Kiln, Yuzhou, Henan, China
Authors: Li Zhimin , Ma Ying , Ma Qinglin , Chen Jiachang , Song Yan
Published: January 2020

The ancient Chinese Jun Porcelain has of typical high fired calcium silicate glaze. After observation of Jun porcelain shards excavated from Juntai Kiln in Yuzhou, Henan Province, China, two pieces with light greenish blue glaze and reddish purple glaze are selected for study as special corrosion samples buried in soil environment. Taking the corrosion of each phase of the overall glaze into consideration, the chemistry compositional and morphological structural features of the earthworm-walking patterns and their surrounding white area (corroded zone) in the glazes are compared and studied with optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM–EDS), Raman spectroscopy (Raman) and electron microprobe (EPMA): during the firing of Jun Porcelain, the dendritic and columnar crystals coming out of the glaze and mostly in surrounding corroded areas are identified as wollastonite (CaSiO3), which provides active sites for localized corrosion. The wollastonite crystalline phases have preferential corrosion initiated by pitting corrosion relative to glassy phase, leaving dendritic or columnar pits and craters to dissolve into calcium ions and silicic acid and losing into the burial environment. Some calcium ions in the surface pits react with dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) from the soil to form calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitated on the surface of the glazes. The cracks formed during the cooling process and the interconnected craters caused by crystals dissolution can provide channels to facilitate the progression of the corrosion. This research is of great significance to the study of the corrosion mechanism of ancient porcelain and the conservation of its cultural relics. It has changed the traditional view that porcelain is corrosion-resistant. At the same time, the study of the corrosion process and characteristics of ancient porcelain can provide reference for modern ceramic research and corrosion protection.
Preparation of injectable hydrogel with near-infrared light response and photo-controlled drug release
Authors: Zhao Jianbo , Liang Xingxing , Cao Hui , Tan Tianwei
Published: January 2020

Photo-controlled release hydrogel provides a new strategy for treating tumours. Under the stimulation of external light sources, the ability to release the entrapped drug on time and space on demand has outstanding advantages in improving drug utilisation, optimising treatment, and reducing toxicity and side effects. In this study, a photo-controlled drug delivery system for disulphide cross-linked polyaspartic acid (PASP-SS) hydrogels encapsulating proteinase K (ProK) adsorbed with platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) was designed. The injectable cysteamine-modified polyaspartic acid (PASP-SH) sol and PtNPs adsorbed by ProK (ProK-PtNPs) as regulatory factors were prepared. Then, ProK-PtNPs and lentinan were dissolved in the sol, and the oxidant was added to the matrix to form the gel in situ quickly after injection. Finally, the degradation of PASP-SS hydrogel by ProK and the controllability of drug release under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation were elucidated. In vitro degradation of hydrogels and drug release experiments showed that the degradation rate of PASP-SS hydrogel significantly increased and the drug release rate increased significantly under near-infrared radiation. The results of cytotoxicity test showed that PASP-SS, ProK-PtNPs, and lentinan all had more than 90% cell survival rate on NIH3T3, and the lentinan released from the carrier obviously inhibited the proliferation of MCF7. PASP hydrogel has the potential to respond to on-demand light control.
Effect of frankincense oil on the neurochemical changes induced in rat model of status epilepticus
Authors: Hosny Eman N. , Elhadidy Mohamed E. , Sawie Hussein G. , Kilany Ayman , Khadrawy Yasser A.
Published: January 2020

Background

The current objective is to evaluate the effect of frankincense oil on the convulsions and the associated neurochemical alterations produced in pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus rat model.

Methods

Rats were divided randomly into: control, status epilepticus rat model and rat model of status epilepticus pretreated with frankincense oil daily for 5 days before pilocarpine treatment. On the fifth day, after pilocarpine injection, rats were observed to evaluate the severity of seizures for 2 h. The oxidative stress parameters malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione and nitric oxide, the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β and acetylcholinesterase were determined in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. Dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin were measured in the cortex and striatum.

Results

The status epilepticus model exhibited repetitive seizures in the form of generalized tonic- clonic convulsions after 30 min. of pilocarpine injection. This was associated with a significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide and a significant decrease in reduced glutathione in the three regions. A significant increase was also observed in interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and acetylcholinesterase. In the cortex and striatum, a significant decrease was recorded in monoamine levels. Pretreatment of rat model of status epilepticus with frankincense oil decreased the severity of seizures that appeared in the form of tremors and facial automatisms and prevented the increase in malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and acetylcholinesterase and the decrease in reduced glutathione induced by pilocarpine in the studied brain regions. Frankincense oil failed to restore the decreased level of cortical serotonin and dopamine. In the striatum, frankincense oil improved the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine but failed to restore the decreased dopamine levels.

Conclusion

It is clear from the present results that frankincense oil reduced the severity of seizures induced by pilocarpine. This could be mediated by its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
SEG EVOLVE continues to develop fearless explorers
Authors: Geary Andrew
Published: January 2020

New exploration and production (E&P) employees are being asked to perform at a level of expertise that the prior generation of workers achieved only after years of on-the-job training.
Reservoir and sealing properties of the Newark rift basin formations: Implications for carbon sequestration
Authors: Zakharova N. V. , Goldberg D. S. , Olsen P. E. , Collins D. , Kent D. V.
Published: January 2020

The Newark Basin is one of the major Mesozoic rift basins along the U.S. Atlantic coast evaluated for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage potential. Its geologic setting offers an opportunity to assess both the traditional reservoir targets, e.g., fluvial sandstones, and less traditional options for CO2 storage, e.g., mafic intrusions and lavas. Select samples from the basal, predominantly fluvial, Stockton Formation are characterized by relatively high porosity (8%–18%) and air permeability (0.1–50 mD), but borehole hydraulic tests suggest negligible transmissivity even in the high-porosity intervals, emphasizing the importance of scale in evaluating reservoir properties of heterogeneous formations. A stratigraphic hole drilled by TriCarb Consortium for Carbon Sequestration in the northern basin also intersected numerous sandstone layers in the predominantly lacustrine Passaic Formation, characterized by core porosity and permeability up to 18% and 2000 mD. However, those layers are shallow (predominantly above 1 km in this part of the basin) and lack prominent caprock layers above. The mudstones in all three of the major sedimentary formations (Stockton, Lockatong, and Passaic) are characterized by a high CO2 sealing capacity — evaluated critical CO2 column heights exceed several kilometers. The igneous options are represented by basalt lavas, with porous flow tops and massive flow interiors, and a crystalline but often densely fractured Palisade Sill. The Newark Basin basalts may be too shallow for sequestration over most of the basin's area, but many other basalt flows exist in similar rift basins. Abundant fractures in sedimentary and igneous rocks are predominantly closed and/or sealed by mineralization, but stress indicators suggest high horizontal compressional stresses and strong potential for reactivation. Overall, the basin potential for CO2 storage appears low, but select formation properties are promising and could be investigated in the Newark Basin or other Mesozoic rift basins with similar fill but a different structural architecture.
Current concepts of cross-sectional and functional anatomy of the cerebellum: a pictorial review and atlas
Authors: Lehman Vance T. , Black David F. , DeLone David R. , Blezek Daniel J. , Kaufmann Timothy J. , Brinjikji Waleed , Welker Kirk M.
Published: January 2020

Recognition of key concepts of structural and functional anatomy of the cerebellum can facilitate image interpretation and clinical correlation. Recently, the human brain mapping literature has increased our understanding of cerebellar anatomy, function, connectivity with the cerebrum, and significance of lesions involving specific areas.

Both the common names and numerically based Schmahmann classifications of cerebellar lobules are illustrated. Anatomic patterns, or signs, of key fissures and white matter branching are introduced to facilitate easy recognition of the major anatomic features. Color-coded overlays of cross-sectional imaging are provided for reference of more complex detail. Examples of exquisite detail of structural and functional cerebellar anatomy at 7 T MRI are also depicted.

The functions of the cerebellum are manifold with the majority of areas involved with non-motor association function. Key concepts of lesion–symptom mapping which correlates lesion location to clinical manifestation are introduced, emphasizing that lesions in most areas of the cerebellum are associated with predominantly non-motor deficits. Clinical correlation is reinforced with examples of intrinsic pathologic derangement of cerebellar anatomy and altered functional connectivity due to pathology of the cerebral hemisphere. The purpose of this pictorial review is to illustrate basic concepts of these topics in a cross-sectional imaging-based format that can be easily understood and applied by radiologists.
Caracterização epidemiológica e distribuição geográfica de potenciais vetores da doença de Chagas na região do Maciço de Baturité, Ceará, Brasil
Authors: Cavalcante Robson da Costa , Cavalcante Augusto Sérgio , Pinheiro Moura Francisco Bergson , Góes Lima Zuleima Rida , Filomêno da Silva Antônio Pinto
Published: January 2020

Objetivo: identificar potenciais vetores da doença de Chagas na região do Maciço de Baturité, Ceará. Métodos: no período de2014 a 2018, foi realizado estudo parasitológico em fezes de triatomíneos para Trypanosoma cruzi, em oito municípios da região do maciço de Baturité. Os triatomíneos foram capturados em ambiente intradomiciliar e peridomiciliar. Resultados: foram examinados 594 vetores, a diagnose revelou infecção natural por Trypanosoma cruzi em 79 (13,3%) espécimes, sendo, 53 machos (8,9%), 25 fêmeas (4,2%) e 1 ninfa (0,2%). Conclusão: os resultados evidenciam a região como endêmica para doença de Chagas com sete casos humanos confirmados em três municípios, existindo vários focos silenciosos em que pode haver a transmissão do agente etiológico.
Uso do Sistema de Classificação de Robson na avaliação das taxas de cesariana em Santa Catarina e sua associação com perfil institucional
Authors: Freitas Paulo Fontoura , Vieira Helena Gondin May
Published: January 2020

Objetivo: analisar as diferenças nas taxas de cesariana em Santa Catarina, ao comparar os perfis público e privado, de acordo com grupos do Sistema de Classificação de Robson. Métodos: estudo transversal baseado no Sistema de Informação dos Nascidos Vivos de Santa Catarina (SINASC/SC), 2012. Foram calculadas as taxas globais e específicas de cesariana de acordo com o grupo do SCR, além do excesso de cesarianas pelo Risco Atribuível Proporcional (RAP). Diferenças nas proporções de partos e taxas de cesariana em cada grupo, de acordo com a forma de pagamento, foram analisadas pelo teste do qui-quadrado, a 5% de significância. Resultados: a taxa global de cesariana foi de 60,7%, sendo 88,9% no sistema privado e 45,7% no setor público. Os grupos 1, 4 e 5 do SCR tiveram maior impacto nas taxas globais. No setor privado, chamou à atenção a baixa utilização da indução, com mais de 65% dos partos ocorrendo eletivamente, além da alta concentração de multíparas com cesariana prévia. Conclusão: taxas elevadas entre primíparas antecipam o efeito cumulativo da cesariana prévia em multíparas. A grande proporção de cesarianas eletivas em detrimento do manejo ativo do trabalho de parto, principalmente no setor privado, aponta para um grande número de cesarianas realizadas sem indicações médicas e preocupam devido a potenciais efeitos adversos para mães e recém-nascidos.
Obesidade: inflamação e compostos bioativos
Authors: Oliveira Carla Braga Campelo de , Brito Lorena Almeida , Freitas Morgana Andrade , Souza Marcos Porto Arrais de , Rêgo Juliana Magalhães da Cunha , Machado Richele Janaína de Araújo
Published: January 2020

Objetivo: realizar um levantamento bibliográfico com enfoque nos compostos bioativos que modulam a inflamação na obesidade. Métodos: foram utilizadas as bases de dados Scientific Eletronic Library Online e PubMed, com artigos de revisão e originais, em língua portuguesa e inglesa, publicados entre 2010 e 2019, adotando os seguintes descritores: obesity, inflammation e bioactive compounds. Resultados: alimentos com propriedades funcionais e fontes de compostos bioativos podem auxiliar na modulação de citocinas pró-inflamatórias, como a curcumina no açafrão da terra, as catecolaminas no chá-verde, punicalagina na romã, a β-glucana na aveia e os polifenóis no azeite de oliva. Tais compostos geralmente atuam inibindo mediadores, como fator nuclear Kappa β e catecol-o-metiltransferase, diminuindo marcadores inflamatórios como fator de necrose tumoral α e as interleucinas (1, 2, 6, 8, e 12). Conclusão: tendo em vista o potencial dos alimentos em modular a inflamação na obesidade, o conhecimento de suas propriedades funcionais é importante por auxiliar os profissionais de Nutrição no planejamento de estratégias para a prevenção e o tratamento da obesidade.
Distribuição espacial das mortes atribuíveis ao uso de álcool no Brasil
Authors: Marques Marilane Vilela , Silva Junior Danyllo do Nascimento , Santos Emelynne Gabrielly de Oliveira , Santos Samara Sybelle de Araújo Nobre , Neves Sandra Mara Bezerra das , Amador Ana Edimilda
Published: January 2020

Objetivo: analisar a distribuição espacial das mortes atribuíveis ao uso de álcool no Brasil. Métodos: estudo epidemiológico descritivo e analítico nos 5.570 municípios do Brasil, no período de 2012 a 2016. Analisaram-se a distribuição espacial, a intensidade e a significância por meio do índice de Moran Global, MoranMap, LisaMap e BoxMap. Resultados: no período estudado, houve 33.168 óbitos atribuíveis ao uso de álcool. Desses, foi observada uma maior proporção de óbitos para o sexo masculino nas faixas entre 40 a 59 anos. Os municípios que apresentaram as maiores taxas médias de mortalidade padronizadas por 100 mil habitantes foram Mata – RS (43,19), Pendências – RN (40,74), Uru – SP (36,43), Senhora do Porto – MG (35,77), Novo Alegre – TO (34,85), Arantina – MG (33,14) e Catuji – MG (32,71). O valor do Índice de Moran Global foi positivo e com significância estatística (p-valor=0,01). Evidenciou-se formação de clúster de alto/alto em municípios das regiões nordeste, sudeste e centro-oeste, enquanto foi verificada a presença de clúster de baixo/baixo nas regiões norte e sul do país. Conclusões: existe, no Brasil, um padrão de dependência espacial na distribuição das taxas de mortalidade atribuíveis ao uso do álcool
Modeling and Control Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) with Hybrid Drivetrain
Authors: Salam Muhammad Arieb , Kadir Rusdhianto Effendi Abdul , Gamayanti Nurlita
Published: January 2020

With the rapid development of unmanned surface vehicle (USV), the development of hybrid electric vehicles on USV is a technology that has a very important role to overcome the problem of how long the vehicle can be used. In hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), the main components consist of generators, electric motors, and batteries. Modeling component is intended to design models that fit on unmanned surface vehicle and represent the state of USV with hybrid drivetrain. This paper focuses on modeling USV with hybrid drivetrain. This vehicle uses a series configuration so that the generator act as a power generating system. The power system on USV was chosen using hybrid sources of DC generator and lithium-ion battery pack. The optimal size of DC generator and battery pack are very important to ensure that USV can work for a long period of time. This paper describes the simple characteristics of a DC generator with a PI controller and gain-scheduling PI controller which is accurate in generating 380V output voltage according to the initial plan to be built. We also described the model of permanent magnet dc motor as a driver in USV and described simulation about 200Ah 36V lithium-ion batteries. The development of this model will be represented in MATLAB/Simulink.
Degenerative rotator cuff tear, repair or not repair? A review of current evidence
Authors: Narvani AA , Imam MA , Godenèche A , Calvo E , Corbett S , Wallace AL , Itoi E
Published: January 2020

Introduction

We review the literature and highlight the important factors to consider when counselling patients with non-traumatic rotator cuff tears on which route to take. Factors include the clinical outcomes of surgical and non-surgical routes, tendon healing rates with surgery (radiological outcome) and natural history of the tears if treated non-operatively.

Methods

A PRISMA-compliant search was carried out, including the online databases PubMed and Embase™ from 1960 to the end of June 2018.

Findings

A total of 49 of the 743 (579 PubMed and 164 Embase™) results yielded by the preliminary search were included in the review. There is no doubt that the non-surgical route with an appropriate physiotherapy programme has a role in the management of degenerative rotator cuff tears. This is especially the case in patients with significant risk factors for surgery, those who do not wish to go through a surgical treatment and those with small, partial and irreparable tears. However, rotator cuff repair has a good clinical outcome with significant improvements in pain, range of motion, strength, quality of life and sleep patterns.
Phase-generated-carrier-modulated laser interferometer for measurement of ground vibration on an absolute gravimeter
Authors: Xiong Zhenyu , Wei Guo , Yu Xudong , Long Xingwu , Guo Youguang
Published: January 2020

This paper presents an innovative interferometer based on the phase-generated-carrier method to meet the requirement of micro-vibration detection on an absolute gravimeter. Our results, including those of both simulation and experiments, verified the feasibility of the interferometer. Based on this interferometer, continuous micro-vibrations are obtained and synchronously compared with the results detected by a 991B seismometer. The interferometer’s accuracy reaches

10

−
8

m

, and the detected vibration frequency is less than 100 Hz. These findings can help broaden the application of interferometers and provide new guidelines for vibration measurement.
Comparison and applications of spherocylindrical, toroidal, and ellipsoidal surfaces for the correction of astigmatism in spectacle lenses
Authors: Xiang Huazhong , Li Nianning , Gao Jiandong , Zheng Gang , Chen Jiabi , Wang Cheng , Zhuang Songlin
Published: January 2020

Toroidal, spherocylindrical, ellipsoidal, and combined surfaces were used to correct astigmatism in aspheric spectacle lenses, and the differences among the proposed techniques were compared. Four astigmatic spectacle lenses were designed with the same optical parameters. A freeform measuring machine was used to evaluate posterior surfaces of aspheric spectacle lenses, and spherical and cylindrical power maps were generated and compared. The measured data were analyzed via commercial software. The toroidal lens helped to extend the clear vision range around the lens, and the ellipsoidal and spherocylindrical surfaces resulted in a more accurate centering of the lens around the optical axis of the eye, avoided astigmatism, and provided better visual perception.
Random vibration-driven continuous-wave CRDS system for calibration-free gas concentration measurement
Authors: Song Zhenyuan , Xu Lijun , Xie Heng , Cao Zhang
Published: January 2020

Random vibrations were employed to pick up each monochromatic component in a continuous-wave cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) system using a bichromatic laser source. Light frequencies were selected within flat portions of an absorption profile to suppress the jitter in laser frequency during measurements. An interference effect caused by cavity length variations was suppressed by optimizing the initial fit point for each ringdown transient. The difference in exponential decay rates of two frequencies determined the gas mole fraction, and no calibration of empty cavity losses was necessary. Experiments on varying humidity were conducted, and the results agreed with the readings of a commercial hygrometer.
Low power charge state depletion nanoscopy of the defect in diamonds with a pulsed laser excitation
Authors: Li Deng-Feng , Du Bo , Chen Xiang-Dong , Guo Guang-Can , Sun Fang-Wen
Published: January 2020

Two-photon charge state conversion has been utilized to improve the spatial resolution of the sensing and imaging with the nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamonds. Here, we studied the charge state conversion of the NV center under picosecond pulsed laser excitation. With the same average power, the charge state conversion rate can be improved approximately 24 times by reducing the repetition rate of the laser pulse from 80 to 1 MHz. Subsequently, a pulsed laser with a low repetition rate was applied for the super-resolution charge state depletion microscopy of the NV center. The average power of the depletion laser was reduced approximately 5 times. It can decrease the optical heating, which affects the accuracy and sensitivity of sensing. With the assistance of an additional near-infrared laser, a resolution of 12 nm was obtained with 1 mW depletion laser power. Combined with spin manipulation, we expect our results can be used for the development of a diffraction-unlimited NV center sensing.
Farewell from the founding Editor-in-Chief: editorial
Authors: Gaeta Alexander L.
Published: January 2020

Founding Editor-in-Chief, Alexander Gaeta, reflects on the successful launch of Optica and passes the helm to incoming Editor-in-Chief, Prem Kumar.
Microbubble resonators combined with a digital optical frequency comb for high-precision air-coupled ultrasound detectors
Authors: Pan Jingshun , Zhang Bin , Liu Zhengyong , Zhao Jiaxin , Feng Yuanhua , Wan Lei , Li Zhaohui
Published: January 2020

Fast and sensitive air-coupled ultrasound detection is essential for many applications such as radar, ultrasound imaging, and defect detection. Here we present a novel approach based on a digital optical frequency comb (DOFC) technique combined with high-

Q

optical microbubble resonators (MBRs). DOFC enables precise spectroscopy on resonators that can trace the ultrasound pressure with its resonant frequency shift with femtometer resolution and sub-microsecond response time. The noise equivalent pressure of air-coupled ultrasound as low as

4.4
  
mPa
/
√
Hz

is achieved by combining a high-

Q

(

∼
3
×

10

7

) MBR with the DOFC method. Moreover, it can observe multi-resonance peaks from multiple MBRs to directly monitor the precise spatial location of the ultrasonic source. This approach has a potential to be applied in 3D air-coupled photoacoustic and ultrasonic imaging.
Two-photon interference between continuous-wave coherent photons temporally separated by a day
Authors: Kim Danbi , Park Jiho , Jeong Taek , Kim Heonoh , Moon Han Seb
Published: January 2020

An understanding of the phenomenon of light interference forms the kernel underlying the discovery of the nature of light from the viewpoints of both classical physics and quantum physics. Here we report on two-photon interference with temporally separated continuous-wave coherent photons by using a temporal post-selection method with an arbitrary time delay. Although the temporal separation of a day between the photons is considerably longer than the coherence time of the light source, we observe the Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) interference of the pairwise two-photon state. Furthermore, we experimentally demonstrate the HOM interference observed in one of the interferometer-output modes by using only one single-photon detector for a large temporal separation.