bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CITY FEED
Authors: You Linlin , Motta Gianmario , Liu Kaixu , Ma Tianyi
Published: March 2016

Crowdsourcing implies user collaboration and engagement, which fosters a renewal of city governance processes. In this article, we address a subset of crowdsourcing, named citizen-sourcing, where citizens interact with authorities collaboratively and actively. Many systems have experimented citizen-sourcing in city governance processes; however, their maturity levels are mixed. In order to focus on the service maturity, we introduce a city service maturity framework that contains five levels of service support and two levels of information integration. As an example, we introduce CITY FEED, which implements citizen-sourcing in city issue management process. In order to support such process, CITY FEED supports all levels of the maturity framework (publishing, transacting, interacting, collaborating, and evaluating) and integrates related information relationally and heterogeneously. In order to integrate heterogeneous information, it implements a threefold feed deduplication mechanism based on the geographic, text semantic, and image similarities of feeds. Currently, CITY FEED is in a pilot stage.
Women in computer science research
Authors: Agarwal Swati , Mittal Nitish , Katyal Rohan , Sureka Ashish , Correa Denzil
Published: March 2016

The low participation by women authors in research is an important equity issue in Computer Science Research (CSR). There are various parameters and methodologies that can be used to measure the gender imbalance. In this paper, we present a study on gender gap, imbalance and women participation in CSR. We conduct our experiments on DBLP bibliographical database and analyze several years of publication dataset across various domains of CSR. We perform Exploratory Data Analysis on the bibliographical dataset and study the trend of gender imbalance over several years. We propose eight research questions across various facets and our results shows a significant gender imbalance in different sub-fields within CSR and low rate of women participation across various regions of world.
The role of the rectum in osmoregulation and the potential effect of renoguanylin on SLC26a6 transport activity in the Gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta)
Authors: Ruhr Ilan M. , Takei Yoshio , Grosell Martin
Published: March 2016

Teleosts living in seawater continually absorb water across the intestine to compensate for branchial water loss to the environment. The present study reveals that the Gulf toadfish ( Opsanus beta) rectum plays a comparable role to the posterior intestine in ion and water absorption. However, the posterior intestine appears to rely more on SLC26a6 (a HCO3−/Cl−antiporter) and the rectum appears to rely on NKCC2 (SLC12a1) for the purposes of solute-coupled water absorption. The present study also demonstrates that the rectum responds to renoguanylin (RGN), a member of the guanylin family of peptides that alters the normal osmoregulatory processes of the distal intestine, by inhibited water absorption. RGN decreases rectal water absorption more greatly than in the posterior intestine and leads to net Na+and Cl−secretion, and a reversal of the absorptive short-circuit current ( ISC). It is hypothesized that maintaining a larger fluid volume within the distal segments of intestinal tract facilitates the removal of CaCO3precipitates and other solids from the intestine. Indeed, the expression of the components of the Cl−-secretory response, apical CFTR, and basolateral NKCC1 (SLC12a2), are upregulated in the rectum of the Gulf toadfish after 96 h in 60 ppt, an exposure that increases CaCO3precipitate formation relative to 35 ppt. Moreover, the downstream intracellular effects of RGN appear to directly inhibit ion absorption by NKCC2 and anion exchange by SLC26a6. Overall, the present findings elucidate key electrophysiological differences between the posterior intestine and rectum of Gulf toadfish and the potent regulatory role renoguanylin plays in osmoregulation.
Brown adipose tissue is involved in the seasonal variation of cold-induced thermogenesis in humans
Authors: Yoneshiro Takeshi , Matsushita Mami , Nakae Satoshi , Kameya Toshimitsu , Sugie Hiroki , Tanaka Shigeho , Saito Masayuki
Published: March 2016

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) contributes to whole body energy expenditure (EE), especially cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT), in humans. Although it is known that EE and CIT vary seasonally, their relationship with BAT has not been investigated. In the present study, we examined the impact of BAT on seasonal variations of EE/CIT and thermal responses to cold exposure in a randomized crossover design. Forty-five healthy male volunteers participated, and their BAT was assessed by positron emission tomography and computed tomography. CIT, the difference of EE at 27°C and after 2-h cold exposure at 19°C, significantly increased in winter compared with summer, being greater in subjects with metabolically active BAT (High BAT, 185.6 kcal/day vs. 18.3 kcal/day, P < 0.001) than those without (Low BAT, 90.6 kcal/day vs. −46.5 kcal/day, P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed a significant interaction effect between season and BAT on CIT ( P < 0.001). The cold-induced drop of tympanic temperature (Tty) and skin temperature (Tskin) in the forehead region and in the supraclavicular region close to BAT deposits were smaller in the High BAT Group than in the Low BAT Group in winter but not in summer. In contrast, the drop of Tskin in the subclavicular and peripheral regions distant from BAT was similar in the two groups in both seasons. In conclusion, CIT increased from summer to winter in a BAT-dependent manner, paralleling cold-induced changes in Tty/Tskin, indicating a role of BAT in seasonal changes in the thermogenic and thermal responses to cold exposure in humans.
The functional organization of human epileptic hippocampus
Authors: Klimes Petr , Duque Juliano J. , Brinkmann Ben , Van Gompel Jamie , Stead Matt , St. Louis Erik K. , Halamek Josef , Jurak Pavel , Worrell Gregory
Published: March 2016

The function and connectivity of human brain is disrupted in epilepsy. We previously reported that the region of epileptic brain generating focal seizures, i.e., the seizure onset zone (SOZ), is functionally isolated from surrounding brain regions in focal neocortical epilepsy. The modulatory effect of behavioral state on the spatial and spectral scales over which the reduced functional connectivity occurs, however, is unclear. Here we use simultaneous sleep staging from scalp EEG with intracranial EEG recordings from medial temporal lobe to investigate how behavioral state modulates the spatial and spectral scales of local field potential synchrony in focal epileptic hippocampus. The local field spectral power and linear correlation between adjacent electrodes provide measures of neuronal population synchrony at different spatial scales, ∼1 and 10 mm, respectively. Our results show increased connectivity inside the SOZ and low connectivity between electrodes in SOZ and outside the SOZ. During slow-wave sleep, we observed decreased connectivity for ripple and fast ripple frequency bands within the SOZ at the 10 mm spatial scale, while the local synchrony remained high at the 1 mm spatial scale. Further study of these phenomena may prove useful for SOZ localization and help understand seizure generation, and the functional deficits seen in epileptic eloquent cortex.
Modular organization of the multipartite central pattern generator for turtle rostral scratch: knee-related interneurons during deletions
Authors: Stein Paul S. G. , Daniels-McQueen Susan , Lai Jessica , Liu Z. , Corman Tanya S.
Published: March 2016

Central pattern generators (CPGs) are neuronal networks in the spinal cord that generate rhythmic patterns of motor activity in the absence of movement-related sensory feedback. For many vertebrate rhythmic behaviors, CPGs generate normal patterns of motor neuron activities as well as variations of the normal patterns, termed deletions, in which bursts in one or more motor nerves are absent from one or more cycles of the rhythm. Prior work with hip-extensor deletions during turtle rostral scratch supports hypotheses of hip-extensor interneurons in a hip-extensor module and of hip-flexor interneurons in a hip-flexor module. We present here single-unit interneuronal recording data that support hypotheses of knee-extensor interneurons in a knee-extensor module and of knee-flexor interneurons in a knee-flexor module. Members of knee-related modules are not members of hip-related modules and vice versa. These results in turtle provide experimental support at the single-unit interneuronal level for the organizational concept that the rostral-scratch CPG for the turtle hindlimb is multipartite, that is, composed of more than two modules. This work, when combined with experimental and computational work in other vertebrates, does not support the classical view that the vertebrate limb CPG is bipartite with only two modules, one controlling all the flexors of the limb and the other controlling all the extensors of the limb. Instead, these results support the general principle that spinal CPGs are multipartite.
Molecular Physiology of Membrane Guanylyl Cyclase Receptors
Authors: Kuhn Michaela
Published: March 2016

cGMP controls many cellular functions ranging from growth, viability, and differentiation to contractility, secretion, and ion transport. The mammalian genome encodes seven transmembrane guanylyl cyclases (GCs), GC-A to GC-G, which mainly modulate submembrane cGMP microdomains. These GCs share a unique topology comprising an extracellular domain, a short transmembrane region, and an intracellular COOH-terminal catalytic (cGMP synthesizing) region. GC-A mediates the endocrine effects of atrial and B-type natriuretic peptides regulating arterial blood pressure/volume and energy balance. GC-B is activated by C-type natriuretic peptide, stimulating endochondral ossification in autocrine way. GC-C mediates the paracrine effects of guanylins on intestinal ion transport and epithelial turnover. GC-E and GC-F are expressed in photoreceptor cells of the retina, and their activation by intracellular Ca2+-regulated proteins is essential for vision. Finally, in the rodent system two olfactorial GCs, GC-D and GC-G, are activated by low concentrations of CO2and by peptidergic (guanylins) and nonpeptidergic odorants as well as by coolness, which has implications for social behaviors. In the past years advances in human and mouse genetics as well as the development of sensitive biosensors monitoring the spatiotemporal dynamics of cGMP in living cells have provided novel relevant information about this receptor family. This increased our understanding of the mechanisms of signal transduction, regulation, and (dys)function of the membrane GCs, clarified their relevance for genetic and acquired diseases and, importantly, has revealed novel targets for therapies. The present review aims to illustrate these different features of membrane GCs and the main open questions in this field.
Endoscopic and Surgical Management of Intrabiliary Rupture of Hydatid Liver Cyst
Authors: Leong Sebastian , Kim Young-In , Gray Robin , Kortan Paul , Haber Gregory
Published: March 2016

A man with hydatid disease complicated by intraabdominal cyst rupture 15 years earlier, presented with cholestatic jaundice. There was intrabiliary rupture of a hydatid liver cyst on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Sphincterotomy was performed allow clearance of hydatid material obstructing the bile ducts and insertion of a nasobiliary catheter for irrigation and drainage. Definitive surgery was performed. While endoscopic management is gaining recognition for relieving biliary obstruction in hydatid cystobiliary rupture, surgery is still required for patients who continue to pass hydatid debris obstructing the biliary tree and increasing the risk of cholangitis.
Risk Factors Predicting Recurrent Small Intestinal Resection for Crohn’s Disease of the Terminal Ileum
Authors: Binder Hanna , Freeman Hugh J
Published: March 2016

This study examined potential risk factors for recurrent small intestinal resection in a ‘reagent-grade’ group of 94 consecutive patients with prior removal of histologically defined Crohn’s disease localized to the distal ileum seen by one gastroenterologist at a single teaching hospital. There were 38 males and 56 females ranging in age from 15 to 58 years, with an average length of follow-up of 8.7 years. Of these, 26% required a second resection for recurrent small intestinal disease. Cumulative reoperation rates in these 25 patients were 18% at five years and 24% at 10 years. Univariate and multivariate analyses of multiple demographic, clinical, laboratory and pathological variables revealed two apparent statistically significant independent risk factors for a second intestinal resection: steroid treatment, likely an indirect indication of more severe disease activity; and the presence of an internal fistula, consistent with the emerging concept of a relatively more aggressive clinical form of Crohn’s disease.
Gastritis Induced by the Helicobacter ‘Gastrospirillum Hominis’
Authors: Veldhuyzen van Zanten Sander JO , Malatjalian Dickran A , Desormeau Leon M , Pereira Leo V
Published: March 2016

A patient with a ‘Gastrospirillum hominis’ infection in the stomach is described. ‘Gastrospirillum hominis’ belongs to the genusHelicobacterand is a rare cause of gastritis in the human stomach. It can be recognized by its distinctive morphological appearance on histology.
Genetic Factors in Animal Models of Intestinal Inflammation
Authors: Sartor R Balfour
Published: March 2016

The critical importance of host genetic susceptibility in determining chronicity, aggressiveness and complications of intestinal inflammation is clearly demonstrated by studies of inbred rodents, transgenic rats and spontaneous mutants. Inbred Lewis rats challenged by purified bacterial cell wall polymers, indomethacin or small bowel bacterial overgrowth develop chronic granulomatous intestinal inflammation with fibrosis and extraintestinal manifestations, whereas Fischer (major histocompatibility complex identical to Lewis) and Buffalo rats identically stimulated demonstrate only self‐limited enterocolitis with no chronic inflammation, fibrosis, granulomas or extraintestinal inflammation. Similar differential patterns of intestinal inflammation are apparent in inbred mouse strains challenged with trinitrobenzene‐sulphonic acid, Citrobacter freundii or backcrossed with T cell receptor deficient (knockout) mice. The dominant role of genetic background in induction of intestinal inflammation is further documented by spontaneous colitis which develops in spontaneously mutant mice, cotton‐top tamarins, human leukocyte antigen‐B27/ β2 microglobulin transgenic rats and mice with targeted deletions of certain immunoregulatory cytokine and T lymphocyte genes. Identification of the immunological mechanisms of host genetic susceptibility and the genetic basis of spontaneous colitis should provide new insights into the pathogenesis of human inflammatory bowel disease.
Unusual Infections Complicating the Use of Steroids with Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis: Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Arantes Vitor , Michieletti Pina , Cameron Ross , Heathcote Jenny , Sherman Morris
Published: March 2016

Corticosteroid therapy for acute alcoholic hepatitis has been demonstrated to enhance survival in patients who are encephalopathic, and who do not have renal failure or gastrointestinal bleeding. However, the complications of steroid therapy in such patients have been less well documented. The authors report two patients with alcoholic liver disease who developed life-threatening infections after steroid therapy was started. The first patient initially developed diabetes followed by Fournier's gangrene of the perineum, and a lung abscess following septic emboli. The second patient had established alcoholic cirrhosis rather than alcoholic hepatitis. She developed a necrotic ulcer on the arm at the site of an intravenous line, which was infected with a rhizopus species. Despite surgical debridement the lesion progressed and contributed to her death. Treatment of alcoholic hepatitis with steroids is not innocuous, and physicians should be aware of the potential for life-threatening complications.
Pain Management in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
Authors: Vigano Antonio , Bruera Eduardo
Published: March 2016

Pain is a common feature in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). An abnormally low visceral sensory threshold, as well as a number of central, spinal and peripheral pain-modulating abnormalities, have been proposed for this syndrome. Clinical aspects of pain associated with irritable esophagus, functional dyspepsia, biliary dysmotility, inflammatory bowel syndrome and proctalgia fugax are reviewed. Because of its unclear pathophysiology, pain expression is the main target for the successful assessment and management of symptomatic FGID. The sensory, cognitive and affective components of pain intensity expression need to be addressed in the context of a good physician-patient rapport. A multidisciplinary team approach is ideal for the smaller subset of patients with severe and disabling symptoms. Although pharmacotherapy may target specific functional disorders, the role of behavioural techniques and psychotherapy appears much more important for pain management in FGID. Functional performance and quality of life improvement, rather than pain intensity, are the main therapeutic goals in these patients.
Prevention of Relapse in Reflux Esophagitis: A Placebo Controlled Study of Ranitidine 150 mg BID and 300 mg BID
Authors: Hegarty John H , Halvorsen Lars , Hazenberg Bouke P , Nowak Andrzej , Smith Colin L , Thomson Alan B , Vantrappen G , Mckenna Ceri J , Mills Jane G
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy and safety of long term use of ranitidine 150 mg bid, 300 mg bid and placebo in prevention of endoscopic and symptomatic relapse of reflux esophagitis in an international, double-blind, placebo controlled, parallel group study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:A total of 279 patients at least 18 years old from hospital out-patient departments with healed esophagitis (grade 0) with no or mild symptoms entered the study. Patients were randomly allocated to receive ranitidine 150 mg, 300 mg or placebo twice daily for 48 weeks. Patients returned for symptom assessments at eight-week intervals and for re-endoscopy every 16 weeks.

RESULTS:Both ranitidine regimens were significantly more effective than placebo in preventing endoscopic and symptomatic relapse of reflux esophagitis (P=0.003 for ranitidine 150 mg bid; P<0.001 for ranitidine 300 mg bid). No statistically significant differences were observed in relapse rates between the two ranitidine regimens. The percentage of patients with endoscopic relapse (grade 2) after 48 weeks were 60%, 37% and 27% for placebo, ranitidine 150 mg bid and ranitidine 300 mg bid, respectively (P=0.002 for ranitidine 150 mg bid versus placebo; P<0.001 for ranitidine 300 mg bid versus placebo). Ranitidine was well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS:Ranitidine 150 mg bid and 300 mg bid are safe and effective treatments in the prevention of reflux esophagitis relapse.
Multifocal Gastric Neoplasia after Recurrent Laser Therapy for the Watermelon Stomach
Authors: Bernstein Charles N , Pettigrew Norman , Wang Kenneth K , Greenberg Howard , Lipschitz Jeremy
Published: March 2016

Repeated laser therapy has become an accepted therapeutic approach in the treatment of watermelon stomach, and to date no important negative sequelae have been reported. The case of a patient who underwent repeated sessions of neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser therapy over a five-year period for the treatment of the watermelon stomach is presented. Postlaser therapy the patient developed deep ulcerations that would heal; however, he ultimately developed a nodular antrum. Random biopsies of antral nodules revealed carcinoma-in-situ. A Billroth I gastrectomy revealed two foci of carcinoma-in-situ/high grade dysplasia and multiple foci of lower grades of dysplasia. This case suggests a possible association between use of laser therapy and development of gastric neoplasia.
Keeping an Eye on Crohn’s Disease: Orbital Myositis as the Presenting Symptom
Authors: Durno Carol A , Ehrlich Robert , Taylor Robert , Buncic J Raymond , Hughes Peter , Griffiths Anne Marie
Published: March 2016

Episodic periorbital swelling due to presumed orbital inflammation and myositis caused intermittent apparent proptosis and was the presenting symptom of ileocecal Crohn's disease (CD) in a teenage female with a family history of autoimmune disorders and CD. Orbital myositis, a very rare extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), likely represents a process of impaired immunoregulation related to the underlying intestinal inflammation. This rare manifestation of IBD simulates the more commonly encountered thyroid orbitopathy (ophthalmopathy), but IBD should be considered if all thyroid tests are negative. It is important to recognize that orbital myositis may be an extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease so that the diagnosis can be made and appropriate therapy commenced.
A Canadian Physician Survey of Dyspepsia Management
Authors: Chiba Naoki , Bernard Lisa , O’Brien Bernie J , Goeree Ron , Hunt Richard H
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE: To determine the management of patients with new onset dyspepsia by Canadian family physicians.

METHODS: A survey was mailed to 195 family physicians in August 1995 to identify how they manage dyspepsia in patients according to four scenarios: based on presenting symptoms alone; assumingHelicobacter pylori-positive; known to beH pylori-negative; and endoscopically confirmed nonulcer dyspepsia.

RESULTS: A total of 170 of 195 physicians (87.2%) completed the survey. Physicians reported that 7.3% of their practice is devoted to dyspepsia and 23% of these dyspeptic patients present for the first time. Ninety-three per cent of family physicians find a symptom classification of ulcer-, reflux- and dysmotility-like dyspepsia helpful. The majority of patients are advised to make lifestyle changes and are treated with antacids or empiric drug therapy. A H2receptor antagonist was the drug of choice for ulcer and reflux-like dyspepsia, while prokinetics were often used for reflux and dysmotility-like dyspepsia. After failure of initial treatment, patients were given another course of empiric treatment, commonly with cisapride or omeprazole. Family physicians estimated that the mean time to obtain a gastrointestinal consult was five weeks, and 70% indicated that this time to consult adversely influenced their decision to refer. If this time was reduced to less than two weeks, responding physicians would consider referring all eligible patients. On average, two to 2.5 courses of empiric therapy were given before referral. IfH pyloristatus was known, fewer empiric treatments (mean 1.8) were given before gastroenterological referral compared with the other scenarios. If the patient had nonulcer dyspepsia, 30% of family physicians provided reassurance only and did not prescribe empiric drug treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Most newly dyspeptic patients in Canada are treated with empiric therapy according to symptom classification and referred for endoscopy after an average two to 2.5 treatment courses.
Antibody Levels in Ethiopian Children Five Years after Vaccination with Two Different Doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine: Is There a Need for Booster Vaccine?
Authors: Tsega Edemariam , Horton John , Nordenfelt Erik , Hansson B-J , Tafesse Belachew , Wolde-Hawariat Gizachew , Lindberg Johan
Published: March 2016

It was hypothesized that, following effective initial vaccination, a booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine will not be necessary in areas of hyperendemicity for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A total of 314 Ethiopian children, ranging from two to 14 years old, were alternatively vaccinated with 10 and 20 µg hepatitis B vaccine doses, using the initial, one- and six-month schedule. Five years later, 210 of the vaccinees were retested for anti-HBV surface antibody titres. Both 10 and 20 µg doses of hepatitis B rDNA yeast vaccine were equally immunogenic and protective against HBV infection for at least five years despite marked reduction of mean antibody levels and geometric mean titres, with 11% of the vaccinees showing antibodies below the protective level. For firm further recommendations a longer follow-up period of vaccinees is suggested.
From Bench to Bedside and Back – Report on the EuropeanHelicobacter pyloriStudy Group Xth International Workshop on Gastroduodenal Pathology andHelicobacter pylori
Authors: Thomson ABR , Chiba N , Sinclair P
Published: March 2016

The Xth International Workshop on Gastroduodenal Pathology andHelicobacter pyloriwas held in Lisbon, Portugal, from September 12 to 14, 1997. State-of-the-art reviews and research findings were presented to over 2000 participants. This review focuses on important new developments and serves as a rapid communication of clinically relevant material.
Neutrophil-Mediated Gastrointestinal Injury
Authors: Elliott Susan N , Wallace John L
Published: March 2016

Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are frequently characterized by a dense infiltration of neutrophils in the lamina propria and the subsequent transepithelial migration of these cells into the lumen. While the neutrophil plays an essential role in defending against bacterial infection, it can also cause significant injury to the host tissue. The evidence for a role of neutrophils in producing significant tissue injury in a number of gastrointestinal disorders and the mechanisms through which neutrophils produce tissue injury are reviewed. Furthermore, the evidence that some commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs produce beneficial effects through modulation of neutrophil extravasation or activation is reviewed.
Comparison of Activity of 10 Antibiotics Against Clinical Strains of Helicobacter pylori by Three Different Techniques
Authors: Weiss K , Laverdiere M , Restieri C
Published: March 2016

The authors determined the susceptibility of 55 single clinical strains of Helicobacter pylori isolated in the Montreal area to 10 antibiotics by three different methods ‐ an agar dilution technique considered to be the gold standard, a disk diffusion method and the E‐test. Testing was performed on Mueller‐Hinton agar supplemented with 10% sheep blood; plates were incubated at 37°C for 72 h in a microaerophilic atmosphere. The metronidazole resistance rate is about 11% in the Montreal area. Macrolides are very active against H pylori isolates, with few variations in activity between older and newer molecules. Correlation among different methods was not as good as reported in the literature for metronidazole.
A cost-Utility Analysis Comparing Omeprazole with Ranitidine in the Maintenance Therapy of Peptic Esophageal Stricture
Authors: Stal Jeffrey M , Gregor James C , Preiksaitis Harold G , Reynolds Richard PE
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that patients receiving omeprazole for prophylaxis against peptic esophageal stricture recurrence have less dysphagia and require fewer repeat dilations than patients receiving ranitidine.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incremental utility gain and associated incremental cost of omeprazole compared with those of ranitidine for the maintenance therapy of patients with peptic stricture who required esophageal dilation.

METHODS: Decision analysis using SMLTREE software was used to compare the incremental cost-utility of omeprazole 20 mg once daily with that of ranitidine 150 mg bid for one year. Variables were estimated from the literature, hospital data, and utility analyses involving patients with peptic stricture and health professionals. The primary outcome measure was cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained.

RESULTS: The incremental cost of omeprazole compared with that of ranitidine was $556 per patient treated. The incremental utility gain of omeprazole was 0.0112 QALYs. Overall, the incremental cost:utility ratio of omeprazole in the maintenance therapy of patients with peptic stricture was $49,600 per QALY gained. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the estimates with the greatest impact on the cost:utility ratio were disutility associated with dysphagia and dilation, the probability of requiring redilation and the cost of medications.

CONCLUSIONS: Omeprazole 20 mg once daily is associated with greater utility and higher cost than ranitidine 150 mg bid when used as prophylaxis against stricture recurrence. Omeprazole may be considered clinically and economically sufficient enough to warrant widespread use in this setting.
Multisoliton Solutions and Breathers for the Coupled Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations via the Hirota Method
Authors: Jia Ting-Ting , Chai Yu-zhen , Hao Hui-Qin
Published: March 2016

Under investigation in this paper are the coupled nonlinear Schrödinger (CNLS) equations with dissipation terms by the Hirota method, which are better than the formal Schrödinger equation in eliciting optical solitons. The bilinear form has been constructed, via which multisolitons and breathers are derived. In particular, the three-bright soliton solution and breathers are derived and simulated via some pictures. The propagation characters are analysed with the change of the parameters.
Oxidative Stress after Surgery on the Immature Heart
Authors: Fudulu Daniel , Angelini Gianni
Published: March 2016

Paediatric heart surgery is associated with increased inflammation and the production of reactive oxygen species. Use of the extracorporeal cardiopulmonary bypass during correction of congenital heart defects generates reactive oxygen species by various mechanisms: haemolysis, neutrophil activation, ischaemia reperfusion injury, reoxygenation injury, or depletion of the endogenous antioxidants. The immature myocardium is more vulnerable to reactive oxygen species because of developmental differences compared to the adult heart but also because of associated congenital heart diseases that can deplete its antioxidant reserve. Oxidative stress can be manipulated by various interventions: exogenous antioxidants, use of steroids, cardioplegia, blood prime strategies, or miniaturisation of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. However, it is unclear if modulation of the redox pathways can alter clinical outcomes. Further studies powered to look at clinical outcomes are needed to define the role of oxidative stress in paediatric patients.
Eosinophilic Myocarditis due to Toxocariasis: Not a Rare Cause
Authors: Shibazaki Shunichi , Eguchi Shunsuke , Endo Takashi , Wakabayashi Tadamasa , Araki Makoto , Gu Yoshiaki , Imai Taku , Asano Kouji , Taniuchi Norihide
Published: March 2016

Myocarditis is a clinically important disease because of the high mortality. From the perspective of treatment strategy, eosinophilic myocarditis should be distinguished from other types of myocarditis. Toxocariasis, caused byToxocara canisorToxocara cati, is known as a cause of eosinophilic myocarditis but is considered rare. As it is an unpopular disease, eosinophilic myocarditis due to toxocariasis may be underdiagnosed. We experienced two cases of eosinophilic myocarditis due to toxocariasis from different geographical areas in quick succession between 2013 and 2014. Case 1 is 32-year-old man. Case 2 is 66-year-old woman. In both cases, diagnosis was done by endomyocardial biopsy and IgG-ELISA againstToxocaraexcretory-secretory antigen. Only a corticosteroid was used in Case  1, whereas a corticosteroid and albendazole were used in Case  2 as induction therapy. Both patients recovered. Albendazole was also used in Case  1 to prevent recurrence after induction therapy. Eosinophilic myocarditis by toxocariasis may in actuality not be a rare disease, and corticosteroid is an effective drug as induction therapy even before use of albendazole.
A Cluster of Three Cases ofHantavirusPulmonary Syndrome among Canadian Military Personnel
Authors: Parkes Leighanne O. , Nguyen Trong Tien , Longtin Jean , Beaudoin Marie-Claude , Bestman-Smith Julie , Vinh Donald C. , Boivin Guy , Loo Vivian G.
Published: March 2016

Hantaviruspulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare illness in eastern Canada. We present three cases of HPS among military personnel in Quebec. The three cases shared a common exposure to mouse excreta while engaged in military training in Alberta, a western province of Canada.
Analysis of Advantages and Disadvantages of the Location Methods of International Auricular Acupuncture Points
Authors: Rong Pei-Jing , Zhao Jing-Jun , Wang Lei , Zhou Li-Qun
Published: March 2016

The international standardization of auricular acupuncture points (AAPs) is an important basis for auricular therapy or auricular diagnosis and treatment. The study on the international standardization of AAPs has gone through a long process, in which the location method is one of the key research projects. There are different points of view in the field of AAPs among experts from different countries or regions. By only analyzing the nine representative location methods, this paper tried to offer a proper location method to locate AAPs. Through analysis of the pros and cons of each location method, the location method applied in the WFAS international standard of AAPs is thoroughly considered as an appropriate method. It is important to keep the right direction during developing an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) international standard of auricular acupuncture points and to improve the research quality of international standardization for AAPs.
Appropriate Contrast Enhancement Measures for Brain and Breast Cancer Images
Authors: Gupta Suneet , Porwal Rabins
Published: March 2016

Medical imaging systems often produce images that require enhancement, such as improving the image contrast as they are poor in contrast. Therefore, they must be enhanced before they are examined by medical professionals. This is necessary for proper diagnosis and subsequent treatment. We do have various enhancement algorithms which enhance the medical images to different extents. We also have various quantitative metrics or measures which evaluate the quality of an image. This paper suggests the most appropriate measures for two of the medical images, namely, brain cancer images and breast cancer images.
Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis
Authors: Mehta Kevan , Dell Sharon , Birken Catherine , Al-Saleh Suhail
Published: March 2016

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare autosomal recessive condition that is often asymptomatic despite significant changes in chest imaging. Diagnosis is often made when patients become symptomatic in adulthood. There are still no proven treatments, but earlier diagnosis may allow for evaluation of preventative strategies that could improve outcome. It is an important diagnosis to consider in children who have marked radiographic findings with no or very mild symptoms or physical findings. Diagnosis can be made with imaging alone but may necessitate lung biopsy for definitive diagnosis.
Virtual Machine Placement Algorithm for Both Energy-Awareness and SLA Violation Reduction in Cloud Data Centers
Authors: Zhou Zhou , Hu Zhigang , Li Keqin
Published: March 2016

The problem of high energy consumption is becoming more and more serious due to the construction of large-scale cloud data centers. In order to reduce the energy consumption and SLA violation, a new virtual machine (VM) placement algorithm named ATEA (adaptive three-threshold energy-aware algorithm), which takes good use of the historical data from resource usage by VMs, is presented. In ATEA, according to the load handled, data center hosts are divided into four classes: hosts with little load, hosts with light load, hosts with moderate load, and hosts with heavy load. ATEA migrates VMs on heavily loaded or little-loaded hosts to lightly loaded hosts, while the VMs on lightly loaded and moderately loaded hosts remain unchanged. Then, on the basis of ATEA, two kinds of adaptive three-threshold algorithm and three kinds of VMs selection policies are proposed. Finally, we verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms by CloudSim toolkit utilizing real-world workload. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithms efficiently reduce energy consumption and SLA violation.
Perturbational Blowup Solutions to the Two-Component Dullin-Gottwald-Holm System
Authors: Cheung Ka Luen
Published: March 2016

We construct a family of nonradially symmetric exact solutions for the two-component DGH system by the perturbational method. Depending on the parameters, the class of solutions includes both blowup type and global existence type.
Maternal High-Fat Diet during Pregnancy and Lactation Influences Obestatin and Ghrelin Concentrations in Milk and Plasma of Wistar Rat Dams and Their Offspring
Authors: Słupecka Monika , Romanowicz Katarzyna , Woliński Jarosław
Published: March 2016

The study aims to establish the effect of a maternal high-fat diet on obestatin concentration, total ghrelin, and ghrelin/obestatin ratio during pregnancy and lactation of Wistar rats and their offspring in the first 21 days of life. On the mating day, females were randomly allocated and fed either a high-fat diet (30% of fat; HF) or breeding diet (5% fat; BD) till the 21st day of lactation. Hormones were analyzed in the blood plasma and milk of rat dams as well as in the blood plasma of their offspring. HF resulted in a significant decrease in obestatin level on the 14th day of lactation and elevation on the 21st day. Plasma obestatin in HFD offspring was significantly higher than in BD ones. HF diet did not significantly affect dam plasma ghrelin until the 21st day of lactation. The ghrelin concentrations in milk after both diets were significantly lower than in blood plasma. Milk ghrelin in HF dams was significantly higher than in the BD ones. Plasma ghrelin from HF offspring was significantly higher than that from BD dams. Our results demonstrate that a maternal HF diet during pregnancy and lactation influences ghrelin and obestatin level in both dams and their offspring.
Stochastic Predator-Prey System Subject to Lévy Jumps
Authors: Meng Xinzhu , Wang Xiaohong
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates a new nonautonomous impulsive stochastic predator-prey system with the omnivorous predator. First, we show that the system has a unique global positive solution for any given initial positive value. Second, the extinction of the system under some appropriate conditions is explored. In addition, we obtain the sufficient conditions for almost sure permanence in mean and stochastic permanence of the system by using the theory of impulsive stochastic differential equations. Finally, we discuss the biological implications of the main results and show that the large noise can make the system go extinct. Simulations are also carried out to illustrate our theoretical analysis conclusions.
Asparagus cochinchinensis Extract Alleviates Metal Ion‐Induced Gut Injury in Drosophila: An In Silico Analysis of Potential Active Constituents
Authors: Zhang Weiyu , Jin Li Hua
Published: March 2016

Metal ions and sulfate are components of atmospheric pollutants that have diverse ways of entering the human body. We used Drosophila as a model to investigate the effect of Asparagus cochinchinensis (A. cochinchinensis) extracts on the gut and characterized gut homeostasis following the ingestion of metal ions (copper, zinc, and aluminum). In this study, we found that the aqueous A. cochinchinensis extract increased the survival rate, decreased epithelial cell death, and attenuated metal ion‐induced gut morphological changes in flies following chronic exposure to metal ions. In addition, we screened out, by network pharmacology, six natural products (NPs) that could serve as putative active components of A. cochinchinensis that prevented gut injury. Altogether, the results of our study provide evidence that A. cochinchinensis might be an effective phytomedicine for the treatment of metal ion‐induced gut injury.
Short-Term Creep Experiment of Cement Asphalt Mortar and Its Numerical Simulation
Authors: Xu Hao , Wang Ping , Lin Hong-song , Yan Hua
Published: March 2016

In order to investigate the creep performance of cement asphalt mortar (CA mortar), the field sampling of CA mortar cylinder samples was produced, and all samples were tested on WDW series electric universal testing machine by using uniaxial static creep test at 25°C, and the load stress levels were 0.05 MPa, 0.1 MPa, 0.3 MPa, and 0.5 MPa. The greater the load is, the bigger the creep deformation is. The creep performance was simulated by using Burgers model, and the correlation coefficients between fitting results of Burgers model and experimental results are all greater than 0.9. Based on the requirements of finite element software, the Prony series of Burgers model was obtained, and the short-term creep process of CA mortar was simulated by the finite element software ANSYS. The relative error between simulation results and experimental data is not more than 2.5%, which indicates that the short-creep process of CA mortar can be simulated by ANSYS software. The study results can improve the structural design theory of slab track.
The Role of PCR in Diagnosis of a Rare Appendicular Tuberculosis and Mini Literature Review
Authors: Tesfamariam Sengal Asmerom , Abdalla Mohamedani Ahmed , Hussein Hanan Hasaan , Kamal Alaa
Published: March 2016

Tuberculosis is a prevalent public health problem especially in the poor developing countries and results in significant mortality. Albeit tuberculosis almost always affects any organ or system of the body, abdominal tuberculosis is less frequent; moreover, tuberculous appendicitis is very rare with an incidence estimated at about 0.1–0.6% of all gastrointestinal tuberculosis. The purpose of this report was to present an unusual case of primary tuberculous appendicitis and the approach used for accurate diagnosis as well as a current update on the disease. We are reporting a 30-year-old male who presented with acute abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting and was admitted with the clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Patient was investigated thoroughly and histopathologic examination was strongly suggestive of tuberculous appendicitis; however, Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) was negative in tissue section. To confirm the diagnosis, molecular biology [polymerase chain reaction (PCR)] study was performed from the formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) appendicular tissue and revealed presence ofMycobacterium tuberculosis. As there are numerous differential diagnoses in granulomatous lesions of appendix and due to the fact that appendicular tuberculosis is a rare phenomenon; verification etiologic agent is crucial for appropriate management of the disease.
Efficient Parallel Sorting for Migrating Birds Optimization When Solving Machine-Part Cell Formation Problems
Authors: Soto Ricardo , Crawford Broderick , Almonacid Boris , Paredes Fernando
Published: March 2016

The Machine-Part Cell Formation Problem (MPCFP) is a NP-Hard optimization problem that consists in grouping machines and parts in a set of cells, so that each cell can operate independently and the intercell movements are minimized. This problem has largely been tackled in the literature by using different techniques ranging from classic methods such as linear programming to more modern nature-inspired metaheuristics. In this paper, we present an efficient parallel version of the Migrating Birds Optimization metaheuristic for solving the MPCFP. Migrating Birds Optimization is a population metaheuristic based on the V-Flight formation of the migrating birds, which is proven to be an effective formation in energy saving. This approach is enhanced by the smart incorporation of parallel procedures that notably improve performance of the several sorting processes performed by the metaheuristic. We perform computational experiments on 1080 benchmarks resulting from the combination of 90 well-known MPCFP instances with 12 sorting configurations with and without threads. We illustrate promising results where the proposal is able to reach the global optimum in all instances, while the solving time with respect to a nonparallel approach is notably reduced.
Electroacupuncture Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion of Rat via Modulation of Apoptosis, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Excitotoxicity
Authors: Shen Mei-hong , Zhang Chun-bing , Zhang Jia-hui , Li Peng-fei
Published: March 2016

Electroacupuncture (EA) has several properties such as antioxidant, antiapoptosis, and anti‐inflammatory properties. The current study was to investigate the effects of EA on the prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury and to elucidate possible molecular mechanisms. Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h followed by reperfusion for 24 h. EA stimulation was applied to both Baihui and Dazhui acupoints for 30 min in each rat per day for 5 successive days before MCAO (pretreatment) or when the reperfusion was initiated (treatment). Neurologic deficit scores, infarction volumes, brain water content, and neuronal apoptosis were evaluated. The expressions of related inflammatory cytokines, apoptotic molecules, antioxidant systems, and excitotoxic receptors in the brain were also investigated. Results showed that both EA pretreatment and treatment significantly reduced infarct volumes, decreased brain water content, and alleviated neuronal injury in MCAO rats. Notably, EA exerts neuroprotection against I/R injury through improving neurological function, attenuating the inflammation cytokines, upregulating antioxidant systems, and reducing the excitotoxicity. This study provides a better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the traditional use of EA.
Identification of “Multiple Components‐Multiple Targets‐Multiple Pathways” Associated with Naoxintong Capsule in the Treatment of Heart Diseases Using UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS and Network Pharmacology
Authors: Ma Xianghui , Lv Bin , Li Pan , Jiang Xiaoqing , Zhou Qian , Wang Xiaoying , Gao Xiumei
Published: March 2016

Naoxintong capsule (NXT) is a commercial medicinal product approved by the China Food and Drug Administration which is used in the treatment of stroke and coronary heart disease. However, the research on the composition and mechanism of NXT is still lacking. Our research aimed to identify the absorbable components, potential targets, and associated pathways of NXT with network pharmacology method. We explored the chemical compositions of NXT based on UPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS. Then, we used the five principles of drug absorption to identify absorbable ingredients. The databases of PharmMapper, Universal Protein, and the Molecule Annotation System were used to predict the main targets and related pathways. By the five principles of drug absorption as a judgment rule, we identified 63 compositions that could be absorbed in the blood in all 81 chemical compositions. Based on the constructed networks by the significant regulated 123 targets and 77 pathways, the main components that mediated the efficacy of NXT were organic acids, saponins, and tanshinones. Radix Astragali was the critical herbal medicine in NXT, which contained more active components than other herbs and regulated more targets and pathways. Our results showed that NXT had a therapeutic effect on heart diseases through the pattern “multiple components‐multiple targets‐multiple pathways.”